George Perez, The Cincinnati Comic Expo, & More

[kybearfuzz]

I managed to walk through two days of the Cincinnati Comic Expo and had a good time. I even talked longtime MIA cubtharsis into joining the melee.

The main attraction for me was meeting George Perez. I got there as it opened and made a bee line for his booth. There was a small line already, which quadrupled in minutes after I got there.

I normally don't get ga-ga over celebrities. I admire their work, but as a person I don't feel the need to get autographs or photos. George Perez is one of the very few I have dreamed of meeting. I've been a fan of his for over 30 years and have tried to emulate his work, his amazing sense of detail, etc. After two hours in line, I got to the table where I asked him to draw Marvel's Hercules. It took him four minutes and then got a photo with him with the drawing. Yeah, I'm acting like a goober, but it truly does reflect how I felt at that moment -- pure amazement. It was a bucket list moment for me.


George drawing Hercules, George and Me with the Hercules drawing, and George working on Firestorm for another attendee
We ran around for the rest of the day, buying comic books, tee-shirts and posters, and saying hi to other friends who were attending.

Afterward, we went to dinner then cubtharsis and I hit the USS Nightmare for a scare, caught up over coffee at Starbucks, and hit the 701 Bar for a beer. I got home at 1 AM, exhausted.

I went back to the Expo yesterday for a couple of hours. George Perez had a much shorter line on day two. I heard that the crowded line had already been there and gone that morning. I got back in line and watched him draw Aquaman for a pretty blonde lady. I thought about getting Wonder Girl or Troia drawn, but instead wanted the long-haired and bearded version of Aquaman instead (it fits the bearish theme of the art on my walls in my comic book room). It was amazingly detailed and just stunning. Both of the pieces I had him do are below:


Hercules and Aquaman
After all that walking around on concrete floors, running my usual four mile run, and my chest and back workout, I'm worn out. I took today off to recover, but it was a great weekend.

Comments

[dendren.livejournal.com]

this is so so awesome. I'm glad you got to finally meet him and you got sketches too! That is so cool. Yay you!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I know! I completely geeked out on Saturday. It was such an amazing feeling to meet someone who's work I admire so much. :)

[notmypresident.livejournal.com]

That is so seriously cool! Herc is great, but the Aquaman is even better.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I was surprised by how good Herc was, but it lacked a lot of detail, but he also had a lot of people waiting to see him. On the second day, the rush was gone by noon and he seemed to put more detail in his sketches then. The one he did of the clean-shaven Aquaman for another attendee was beautiful. He even drew little fish around him with TONS of bubbles for her.

So when I asked for Aquaman, I knew it would be awesome :)

[notmypresident.livejournal.com]

The one he did of the clean-shaven Aquaman

So did you have to ask for the bearded version?

I wonder if George knows how much The Bears appreciate his art...

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I wish I had had more time to talk to him, but no one wanted to distract him while he was drawing for them. Everyone was pretty much in awe the whole time.

He had asked the young lady which one she wanted when he drew the clean-shaven version, so I asked for the bearded version when I went up there.

I wondered that too. He's one of the few artists who have really put the chest hair on the guys. I don't know if he does it for realism or if he knows we love it. I really wanted chest hair on both of mine he drew, but it felt like criticizing him and I did want to insult the man.

[mikiedoggie.livejournal.com]

George Perez is the bomb! I'm glad you got to see him twice. I get a hick out of that picture of the two of you!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I thought about keeping a straight face, but it clearly reflected how I felt! :)

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

Yes, you look like an utter goober, but you're OUR goober, and we love ya!

I'm glad you reached out and got what you wanted; too many of us become so star-struck, we forget what we came for, and end up kicking ourselves forever after.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

LOL... exactly... :)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

You have a comic book room? I hope you feature your own work prominently!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

LOL... it doesn't. I reserve the walls for original artwork from the artists I love. George Perez's work is going right in front of the door after I get them matted/framed.

My work is literally all over the house considering how many sketch books I have laying around. :D

[texwriterbear.livejournal.com]

It's always awesome when you meet your idols or heroes. Love the drawings and your expression as well :-)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

There are very few people I'd act this crazy over. I'm glad to have met the man in person! :)

[mort-83.livejournal.com]

You such a geek!

LOL

But a hawt geek mess. Nice arm in that shot!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

LOL... thanks! My inner and outer geek was flying high that day :)