OZ Comic-Con Melbourne Guest.

http://www.ozcomiccon.com/guests/paul-mason-2/

Thank you, and looking forward to the return, with Kid Phantom #2 writer Andrew Constant. Very pleased :D

Quick update spot-Perth Oz Comic-Con

More Coverage of Kid Phantom from the Chronicles Chamber, this time,
Pre-Perth: http://www.chroniclechamber.com/single-post/2017/03/20/Kid-Phantom-to-appear-at-Oz-Comic-Con

and Post-Perth OCC: http://www.chroniclechamber.com/single-post/2017/03/27/What-I-learnt-from-Comic-Con-Perth-about-Kid-Phantom

Thanks for the kind words and support, gents.

Also wrote this on the Soldier Legacy Facebook page:

"The one very heartening element of Perth Oz Comic-Con last weekend, was the surprising number of readers who were out seeking the next, long-overdue The Soldier Legacy Comic Book issue. Long story short: further Paid-priorty work pending, I will aim to have an issue drop this year.

For a title I grew to have a love/hate relationship with, and a local market with more drive for US character prints, than original books, it was encouraging to know you readers across the other side, are still ever patient and waiting. It took a needed back seat to the Gestalt Comics graphic novel (has been a blast and learning experience with editor Wolfgang Bylsma, and writer/creator Christian Read, with my work almost complete there, with my belief of release news coming in 2017), some short story commissioned work for other great local books, and now with the ongoing and important work on the 'Kid Phantom' series for Frew Publications, the labour of learning that is 'The Soldier Legacy' will march forward in due time (half the next issue is inked, just needs time).
(Working on KP in the world of 'The Phantom' has been fantastic; the team at Frew, the editor Glenn Ford, and with killer scripts by Andrew Constant, has been a pleasure and honour. We plans to be here for a long time, so I hope to have more news soon on the first issue release, and I do hope you're willing to support the book, give it a read, and pass it on to your kids).

Thank you again, Perth- I'm now completely sold out of the re-released volume 1 trade paperback, and circling the drain on Vol 2, which I'll bring a few with me to Adelaide this week, including a some cool Kid Phantom stuff that your process junkies should dig. 

And when all said and done, perhaps one day in my wildest dreams, if licensing and IP aligned, wouldn't it be a treat that a 'Soldier' met a 'Ghost who walks'...?"

Gotta run, packing for Adelaide Oz Comic-Con, and writing next lecture, thumbnailing Phantom pages etc.

No rest! 

Quick news- Feb/March: Kid Phantom anticipation, OZ Comic-con etc.

Flat out as usual. Signed on contract lecturing (Art Direction) at Uni this year, keeping me frantically busy, plus Phantom, XCT commitment etc. etc. Was very thankful to have two good friends guest lecture in my classes this week; Storyboard Artist Mark Sexton skyped in for Animation Preproduction, and James Brouwer (Art Director and concept artist) shared his work on his series 'The Deep', which started as a Gestalt comics graphic novel with writer Tom Taylor, to the Art Direction students. Thank you gents. :)

http://www.ozcomiccon.com/guests/paul-mason-2/
Briefly, OZ Comic-Con next week in Perth, then Adelaide; doing 'Kid Phantom' panels in both cities with collaborator Andrew Constant.
Saturday 11am in Perth, and Sunday 11am in Adelaide. Will have some Phantom stuff at the shows.

In the meantime, two nice plugs:
 http://www.chroniclechamber.com/single-post/2017/01/19/New-“Kid-Phantom”-Series-Leaked-by-Frew

and a podcast mention in episode 56 of X-Band: The Phantom Podcast : http://www.chroniclechamber.com/single-post/2017/02/13/Episode-56-Comics-Reviews-News-and-World-Premier Somewhere in the ball park of 1hr 21mins.

Thank you gents! I Can't wait for this stuff to leak, I'm buried in Andrew's scripts for part 2 of Issue 2, and issue 3 now. Excited!

Gotta goooooooo.

OZ Comic-Con September 2016 photo dump

Catching up with Dad in Sydney 

Gestalt Comics Panel Sydney

Creating Clever Content panel

It's Clobberin' Time!

Ken Kirzinger and Jason Palmer.

Dinner out with Comic folk in Brisbane

Gestalt Comics Panel Brisbane

Creating Clever Content Panel

Something something panel (I can't remember :P)

Swamped! But heading to Sydney and Brisbane Oz Comic-Con

Again, apologies for the radio silence, blog/journal thingy.  In a nutshell:
Finished Semester 1 teaching/Course convening Art Direction and Sequential art & Illustration, shot to Melbourne OZ Comic-Con, assembled pitch material for meetings at shot to the USA for the month for holiday and San Diego Comic-Con. Back straight into teaching (Visual Story and 3rd year Animation portfolio/short film supervision), knocked over another issue of the upcoming Graphic Novel, and now returning to Sydney. May have scored a dream gig. Can't say much but very excited. Anyways, may be delivering a paper at the Superhero symposium at ACMI in December- was accepted but waiting on more news. More soon when I can get around to an update. Cheers!

Also stoked to have had 3 illustrations published in the San Diego Comic-Con 2016 Souvenir Magazine (Kirby characters, naturally.)

Melbourne OZ Comic-Con, June 2016

Thank you for inviting me back, OCC. Looking forward to the visit.

Incoming! New edition of SOLDIER LEGACY Vol 1, and a brand New Vol 2

Thanks to the awesome and top quality outfit, Jeffries Printing Services in Sydney, I am pleased to announce that a new edition of the out-of-print volume 1 trade paperback of 'The Soldier Legacy' will be available at the upcoming Brisbane and Sydney OZ Comic-Con in September, where I have been invited as a guest to attend.

Further to this, A volume 2 will be available for the first time, which will collect #4, #5, the Strange Tales one-shot with good mate and top writer Christopher Sequeira (who just finished working with Mark Waid on Dynamite's 'Justice Inc. The Avenger'- congratulations again mate!), and a stack of extras, including pages from the wartime edition of issue 6 (which was released earlier this year in Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne). A massive thanks to Nicola Scott, Andrew Constant, Christian Read, John Higgins, Christopher Sequeira, and John Retallick for their extremely kind words that appear on the covers, to Baden Kirgan of Jeffries Printing for helping to make this possible, and to my partner Amanda for her support in the project. A volume 3 will wrap up the storyline, is aiming for a 2016 release, which will at this point include a colour version of #6 (not previously released), and the over-sized final issue 7, plus extras of course.

Priority at this point is also still to forge ahead with the current work on the drawing table, but more news on that when I can. Again, I'm so stoked to be doing something for this publisher and with kick-ass scripts from a great writer. The hard part is doing the words justice.

Anyways,
Thanks again.


Oh and just briefly, an update on the absence: Again, held up by a few things since the last post. Lecturing at QCA a large chunk of the weeks, with a fantastic and talented group of 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students. Awarded the Doctorate (yeah, Dr. Paul Mason…insert your jokes here), and the Monthly Comic Book Meet ups that I host (along with instigator and fellow Geek, the lovely Amanda Bacchi) at Brisbane Square Library are still going strong, with our 1 year anniversary coming up. Obviously all hasn't been sunshine and rainbows, but we all have our own wars to fight; all we can do is march on, right? Always be thankful for loved ones and close friends to help you out.

Speaking (somewhat) of which, A small full colour 5 page Soldier Legacy related story has been completed for the ComicOz Book 'Australia!', raising money for Beyond Blue, the charity battling Depression and mental illness. More on that one soon, and it was a nice opportunity to add another piece to the Soldier mythos, featuring a "Soldier" of sorts in the cane fields of North Queensland in the 1930s, and a pet bird in honour of our lost little mate "Chuck", who died on the operating table a few months back.
 Anyways, apologies for bringing down the mood, hope you are all well, and speak soon.

Sorry!

Post by The Soldier Legacy Comic Book.

Sorry for the delay in things folks! The uni has had me flat chat for most of the year, having a great time teaching the first years some things in first semester, and the 2nd years this semester. Pics to come from the great shows I was a guest of recently (Melbourne Oz Comic Con in July, Sugar City Con in Mackay, ZICS in Brisbane, OZ Comic Con Brisbane and Sydney), including a very kind Sunday Mail article on ZICS (with a big pic of the Soldier...and no, I DON'T hate the Phantom ;P), and the trade paperback hitting King's Comics in Sydney, Superhero Comics in Newtown, and the latest reprints hitting All Star Comics in Melbourne. I'm overwhelmed with the recent response to the books, and I have you guys to thank for it. Anyways, here's an update from the 'Soldier Legacy Facebook page. Gotta run; Tournament this Friday, and Grandmaster Seminar weekend. See you on the other side all. Cheers!

No talk, no launch, just action.

http://pmason83.deviantart.com/art/Soldier-Legacy-6-War-Time-Edition-Coming-Soon-425288394?ga_submit_new=10%253A1389071162

Will be a tough slog with the Doctorate due, 

but pencil this in for Adelaide Oz Comic-Con in April. 

Cheers as always to the wonderful readers. Hope you'll dig.

Oh, and shout out to Canson Australia and their Mepxy Marker range
- I used it for the attempted 'spot blacks' and smoke.

Oz Comic -Con tour guest 2014

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=643749335677933&set=a.248364318549772.80332.242730105779860&type=1&theater

Many thanks OCC, the supporting readers and Australian comic drawing fans! Very touched for the invite :D

Newsflash!: The Human Fly returns! (Some Melb OZ Comic-Con stuff too).

Next Week in San Diego Comic-Con: International....The Human Fly returns!
Some more images have been leaked online, and I'm very pleased to be going over to see this release.

Oh, gotta run, but some stuff from last weekend's OCC:

 Whatcha podcast snap from last week's Oz Comic-Con in Melbourne:

And Sunday's "Monster" Australians in Comics panel:
L to Right: David Yardin, Jon Sommariva, Paul Abstruse, Ryan K Lindsay, The moron typing this, Tristan Jones, Nicola Scott, Doug Holgate, Ben Hutchings, Queenie Chan, Stewart McKenny, Dillon Naylor and Dean Rankine. An absolute pleasure to be with these people. Thank you OCC!

More stuff soon, stay tuned, Soldiers :D

Table 152- Melbourne OZ Comic-Con Floor Plan

 Melbourne! You know where to find me this weekend, right?

Melbourne OZ Comic-Con:
Royal Exhibition Building
9 Nicholson St, Carlton, Victoria, 3053 

Too easy: Walk in the Main Entry, and turn left to see all the Australian and international comic book guests. Click the map for a bigger view.

All the latest Soldier Books, plus 4 new prints, including the Ron Perlman 'Hellboy', and this:

I'd say the amount of comic guys drawing turtles lately, you're bound to build up a collection of them quite quick :P

Anyways, gotta run. Hope to see you on the weekend, and don't forget the Panels on at 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday.

SATURDAY STAGE 3
12 noon – Aussie Comics general panel w/Paul Abstruse, Queenie Chan, Doug Holgate, Ben Hutchings, Tristan Jones, Ryan K. Lindsay, Paul Mason, Dillon Naylor & Dean Rankine

SUNDAY STAGE 2
12 noon – Aussies in Comics general panel w/Paul Abstruse, Queenie Chan, Doug Holgate, Ben Hutchings, Tristan Jones, Ryan K. Lindsay, Paul Mason, Stewart McKenny, Dillon Naylor, Dean Rankine, Nicola Scott, Jon Sommariva & David Yardin

Melbourne Oz Comic-Con Schedule now Online:

For the Ron Perlman fans, available for Melb OCC.

All your Melbourne Oz Comic-Con Panel info. The ones I'm lucky to be a part of are below in Bold Red. Sound Good?
Easy to remember. 12 Noon Both days. Sweet :)

Talk soon, gotta run.

Paul.

Details via the Official website: http://www.ozcomiccon.com/schedules.aspx

Opening Hours - Melbourne 6th and 7th of July 2013
Saturday 9am to 6pm
Sunday 9am to 6pm

Stage 1 Schedule
Saturday
9:30am – Madman presents Robot Chicken DC Comics Special screening
10am – Animation general panel w/Rodger Bumpass, Debi Derryberry, Bill Farmer, Erin Fitzgerald & Rob Paulsen
11am – J. August Richards general panel
12 noon – Jeffrey Combs general panel
1pm – Tia Carrere general panel
2pm – Raphael Sbarge general panel
3pm – Cosplay Parade
4pm – William Shatner general panel
5pm – Cary Elwes general panel

Sunday
9:30am – Madman presents Robot Chicken DC Comics Special screening
10am – Tia Carrere general panel
11am – Shannen Doherty general panel
12 noon – Holly Marie Combs & Brian Krause general panel
1pm – Colin Ferguson general panel
2pm – Rocky Horror picture show general panel w/Nell Campbell & Patricia Quinn
3pm – Ron Perlman general panel
4pm – Cosplay Contest
5pm – Cosplay Contest

Stage 2 Schedule
Saturday
9:30am – Madman presents My Little Pony screening
10am – Tim Rose general panel
11am – International Comics general panel w/Phil Jimenez, Tom Raney, Nicola Scott, Jon Sommariva, Freddie E. Williams II & David Yardin
12 noon – Keegan Connor Tracy general panel
1pm – Eureka VIP panel w/Colin Ferguson, Neil Grayston & Niall Matter
2pm – Rocky Horror picture show VIP panel w/Nell Campbell & Patricia Quinn
3pm – Crawlspace general panel
4pm – Charmed Exclusive panel w/Holly Marie Combs, Shannen Doherty & Brian Krause
5pm – Ron Perlman Exclusive panel

Sunday
9:30am – Madman presents My Little Pony screening
10am – Nickelodeon general panel w/Rodger Bumpass, Debi Derryberry & Erin Fitzgerald
11am – Once Upon a Time VIP panel w/Raphael Sbarge & Keegan Connor Tracy
12 noon – Aussies in Comics general panel w/Paul Abstruse, Queenie Chan, Doug Holgate, Ben Hutchings, Tristan Jones, Ryan K. Lindsay, Paul Mason, Stewart McKenny, Dillon Naylor, Dean Rankine, Nicola Scott, Jon Sommariva & David Yardin
1pm – Jeffrey Combs VIP panel
2pm – J. August Richards VIP panel
3pm – Neil Grayston & Niall Matter general panel
4pm – William Shatner Exclusive panel
5pm – Cary Elwes VIP panel

Stage 3 Schedule
Saturday
9:30am – Madman presents Adventure Time screening
10am – Gestalt Comics Portfolio Review
11am – Gigi Edgley general panel
12 noon – Aussie Comics general panel w/Paul Abstruse, Queenie Chan, Doug Holgate, Ben Hutchings, Tristan Jones, Ryan K. Lindsay, Paul Mason, Dillon Naylor & Dean Rankine
1pm – 3D Printing Sci-Fi Props hosted by April Staines
2pm – Robert Maschio general panel
3pm – Craig Parker general panel
4pm – Gestalt Comics general panel w/Wolfgang Bylsma, Andrew Constant, Bobby.N, Justin Randall, Christian Read, Tom Taylor & Colin Wilson
5pm – Melbourne Robot Workshop panel

Sunday
9:30am – Madman presents Adventure Time screening
10am – 3D Printing Sci-Fi Props hosted by April Staines
11am – International Comics general panel w/Tom Raney & Freddie E. Williams II
12 noon – Craig Parker general panel
1pm – International Comics general panel w/Phil Jimenez
2pm – Voice Acting Masterclass w/Bill Farmer & Rob Paulsen
3pm – Gestalt Comics Portfolio Review
4pm – Tim Rose general panel
5pm – Robert Maschio general panel

Saturday: Comic & Literature Guests (Signing & Sketches)
Paul Abstruse, Queenie Chan, Doug Holgate, Ben Hutchings, Tristan Jones, Ryan K. Lindsay, Paul Mason, Dillon Naylor & Dean Rankine – 9am to 12 noon, 2pm to 6pm
Wolfgang Bylsma – 9am to 10am, 11am to 12 noon, 1pm to 4pm, 5pm to 6pm
Andrew Constant, Bobby.N, Justin Randall, Christian Read, Tom Taylor & Colin Wilson– 9am to 11am, 1pm to 6pm
Phil Jimenez, Tom Raney, Nicola Scott, Jon Sommariva, Freddie E. Williams II & David Yardin – 9am to 11am, 1pm to 6pm
Stewart McKenny & Jason Palmer – 9am to 12pm, 1pm to 6pm

Sunday: Comic & Literature Guests (Signing & Sketches)
Paul Abstruse, Queenie Chan, Doug Holgate, Ben Hutchings, Tristan Jones, Ryan K. Lindsay, Paul Mason, Stewart McKenny, Dillon Naylor, Dean Rankine, Nicola Scott, Jon Sommariva & David Yardin – 9am to 12 noon, 2pm to 6pm
Wolfgang Bylsma – 9am to 12 noon, 1pm to 3pm, 4pm to 6pm
Andrew Constant, Bobby.N, Justin Randall, Christian Read, Tom Taylor & Colin Wilson– 9am to 12 noon, 1pm to 6pm
Phil Jimenez – 9am to 12 noon, 2pm to 6pm 
Jason Palmer – 9am to 12pm, 1pm to 6pm
Tom Raney, Freddie E. Williams II – 9am to 11am, 1pm to 6pm

Happy New Year! 2013 so far.

Happy New Year, Soldiers!

I wish you all the very best for 2013!

Recent Ghost Rider commission: colouring warm-up for today.

And, thank you for marching with me and 'The Soldier' in 2012. Big thank yous to Black House Comics, Baden Kirgan, Chris Sequeira, Supanova Expo, OZ Comic-Con, Whatcha podcasts, Geek Speak TV and podcasts, Kaboom Comics, All Star Comics, Kapow! Comic book review show, Sarah, family, friends, fellow guests and your readers and print lovers on the promo front and all the folks that were a part of a great SDCC visit earlier this year. Your feedback and support was immensely appreciated.

For those interested, here's some stuff that's locked in so far for this year, with more info soon.

Previous recent posts have mentioned these, use the tags or archives if you're keen.

+ Jan 15th: State Library of Queensland- Comics Workshop: 12-16 yos

+ Jan 17th: Channel 44 Briz31 Digital TV (and live stream web) appearance on the Late Nite Show with Scott Black

+ Jan 18th: State Library of Queensland- Comics Workshop: 9-12 yos

+ March 9th-10th: OZ Comic-Con guest- Perth, WA

+ March 16th-17th: OZ Comic-Con guest: Adelaide, SA

+ May 4th: Free Comic Book Day guest at 'Gifts for the Geek': Geelong, VIC

+ July 6th-7th: OZ Comic-Con guest: Melbourne, VIC

Keep you posted if I hear anything else, and thank you for your kind support.

Oh, and here's a link of this thing on my virtually ignored Deviant Art (Still don't "get" that site...) http://pmason83.deviantart.com/art/The-Ghost-Rider-345987757?ga_submit=10%3A1357018654

Convention Announcement: OZ COMIC-CON 2013

Today I was announced on the OZ Comic-Con Facebook page as an upcoming guest of the Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne OZ Comic- Con conventions for 2013!

Thank you for the kind invitation, and I'm very much looking forward to my first trips to Adelaide and Perth, to visit 'Soldier'/Black House Comic/Australian Comics fans there. And of course, a revisit to one of my favorite Australian cities, Melbourne!

View last year's Melbourne OCC trip recap here: http://pm-comic.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/oz-comic-con-melbourne-recap.html

More info to come, including what I'll be bringing along, Thank you again for the support.

Mentions on Pikitia Press- Australian and New Zealand Comics and Cartoonists

Matt Emery, cartoonist creator of  the hilarious 'The Guzumo Show' (shown online and published by Black House Comics), hosts a wonderful blog site called 'The Pikitia Press' which covers a massive range of current and past stories of Australian and New Zealand comic books and cartoonists from a wide range of genres and disciplines. Enthusiasts could easily spend hours trawling through the archives to see an awesome range of images, interviews and articles, and easily a quality hub of past comic mentions. In our scene, which is almost void of proper critical and academic coverage of Australian comic book history (apart from John Ryan's wonderful, but out of print "Panel by Panel", and Kevin Patrick's 'Comics Down Under' blog), Pikitia Press is a great addition.

Mr Emery to my surprise has been kind enough to mention me, and this blog linked once or twice:

UPDATED- Sept 9th, 2012: A little mention of a then recent blog post, plus links to the updated website: http://pikitiapress.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/paper-trail.html

Sydney Supanova Australian creators pics: http://pikitiapress.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/sydney-supanova-2012.html

And a mention of this blog's recap of the Sydney event, complete with THAT wankery photo of me and 'The List' writer and good friend, Paul Bedford: http://pikitiapress.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/paper-trail_22.html

Matt must have snapped my mug during a happy conversation with a friend or fan, including a stack of Australian creators, and good friends : http://pikitiapress.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/oz-comic-con-melbourne-2012.html

Also, a brief mention of my OZ Comic-Con recap here, complete with a photo of me with the fantastic Doug Holgate http://pikitiapress.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/paper-trail.html

Thank you for the mentions, Mr Emery!

Oz Comic-Con Melbourne: The Recap!

Australian Comics Panel (L to R): Nicola Scott, Jon Sommariva, David Yardin, Tristan Jones, Wayne Nicols, W.Chew Chan, Dean Rankine, Doug Holgate, and Me. I know, Right?

(Photo taken by Liam Merrick)

As I sit here frantically repacking my suit case for a trip to San Diego to research more for my thesis, meet some of my comic book heroes, touch base with some Editors, and get some feedback on my more recent comic book scribblings, I reflect briefly on the inaugural Melbourne Oz Comic-Con, for which I was an official Guest on the bill with some of the most talented writers and artists in this country, some fantastic international comic book guests, TV and movie stars, and two gentlemen by the names of Patrick Stewart, and one Mr Stan Lee. Yes, I am dumbstruck that I was on the same bill as one of my comic book inspirations, and the chance to meet him was one of the major moments I couldn't wait for.

Now, in several hours, I need to be on my way to the airport, and so I will be making my best attempts to keep this recap brief. However, the people that know me most are clearly aware that often my optimism outweighs reality in regards to time, and keeping within the intended word limits. Yes, my world is a John Woo gun fight: plenty of Action, but somehow a lot of slow motion. But I digress...

Let's try and cover things chronological-like, and if I miss anyone, I will blame the 5 other things I'm currently concentrating on at the moment to make sure I forget nothing for this flight, and that I'm yet to have a good night sleep post- Melbourne. 

So there's two things I like to do when I get a chance to do what I like in Melbourne: Visit All Star Comics on Lonsdale Street, and South Pacific Health Club on Bourke Street. Troy and Mitch, it was great to catch up with them, their shop is a huge supporter of local Australian comics, and I look forward to having the latest Soldier releases don the shelves there. I also followed my tradition and picked up a Kirby book: 'Essential Rawhide Kid', which I look forward to reading on my friggin' long flight to LAX.

As much as I desperately needed a workout after several days of being tied to the computer to knock over the latest freelance design gig, I was ultimately embarrassed when I accidently let out a little too much frustration on the gym's heavy bag set up. It seems I was a little too overzealous when I finally got a chance to put on some gloves and blow off some steam...and snap the thick bolts holding up the Bracket arm. *sigh. At least the bag missed me when it hit the floor, and after returning the gloves to reception, and a handful of washers and broken parts, I sheepishly made my way downstairs to play around on some fantastic equipment. A slick, stylish setup, and easy to get on what you need at that time of the evening.

Oops...

Anyways, while checking in to the Hotel, I bumped into nice guys David Yardin and Jon Sommariva, down from Sydney. Getting to hang out with these guys in parts over the weekend was really cool- a lovely couple of guys, and David's "Vin Diesel" story is bound to go viral soon. Or at least earn him a fortune on the lucrative Dating book market ;P Jon, well, I made an idiot of myself while waiting for the elevator, stupidly demonstrating to Tristan Jones how to take off the wrist band from the Platinum attendee VIP party. This resulted in an unexpected back fist into Jon Sommariva's stomach. If there was any doubt that I may or may not be invited back as a future guest of the con, all doubts were erased then and there :P I was the butt of many jokes for the rest of the evening. 

At the party and throughout the con, I would just like to give a shout out to the talented people who I had a chance to hang out with or catch up with, for which I am very grateful: Andrew Constant, the nice guy author of 'Torn', Christian Read, for which the irony of the last name is not lost on me, as he is the writer for a heap of fantastic reads, including 'The Eldritch Kid', Unmasked and the upcoming 'Rombies' project with Doug Holgate. Speaking of Doug Holgate,...Doug Holgate. What a top guy. I which I still had hair like that. Or in general. Anyways, we had a laugh or two onstage where we shared several seats between us during the panel, and the idea to mimic the 'Invincible Iron Man Gene Colan homage' Soldier Legacy cover in a picture, that for all intents and purposes, looks like we're attempting to spectacularly soil ourselves on the con floor. Never mind.  

Nicola Scott, Stewart McKenny, Dean Rankine, Wayne Nichols, all wonderful to see again. Wayne, I will get to a D & D in Brisbane, I swear! Dean, I took a bullet for you on Friday night, you owe me ;P But again, thank you for the fantastic Simpson-esque Captain America sketch. I will hook you up next time for sure. At the party and post- party quiet drinks, meeting Agnes Garbowska, Francis Manapul and Scott Allie was awesome. 

They are such lovely and down to Earth people. I say that a lot about the various people I encounter at the conventions. Must speak volumes about the professional comic book community in general. Anyway,  Mr Allie's folio review on the Sunday morning of the con was very kind and very enlightening, and although in many respects made me feel like an amateur, it really pleased me to hear not only the positives and constructive criticism of my more recent pages, but also hear what was NOT mentioned- meaning I can take stock knowing that I've improved on elements that needed attention last time I had my sequential art looked at, and as Mr Allie indicated, there are a couple of thing to look at to "take it to the next level". 

Sarah and the Gentleman, Colin Wilson.

As my concentration begins to fade here, I realize I have barely scratched the surface of the fun and games that occurred at the con. I'm sorry folks, I need to be up in 3 hours and I still have much to pack. Let me just say a huge thank you to the Following people who made my weekend fantastic: Sarah- my self appointed "financial adviser"- Adviser in a sense that she often made commonsense points like "you should cut off your sketch list now", and then having agreed moments before, promptly take on another one because it was a Kirby character :P. Thank you so much for your help and company on the weekend. I hope you had an awesome, albeit exhausting time. Jason Franks, great to see you, brother, great to catch up as always. Tristan Jones, there are some nice guys in comics, and then there's some really nice guys. Tristan is neither. 

KIDDING!!!

A blurry Tristan and Sarah. With a special cameo appearance by my Elbow.

A top guy; we had a few laughs, and it's always great to talk to him. And steal all his rubber bands. Speaking of really nice guys; Bobby N., Tom Taylor, Wolfgang Bylsma, it's never long enough to catch up and chat, but at least we touched base all the same. Tom, your Eric Roberts stories were epic. And Gents, congratulations on the sellout at Gestalt. My close friend Chewie Chan, great to see you again mate, Hayden Fryer, Paul Abstruse's Sunday cameo, Brendan Halyday, I think the thing about these cons is, the more successful and busy we all get, the less we see of each other. Never mind. Who else...errr..... look, I know I'm going to forget one or two people here, I'm sorry. Please don't take it personal, no doubt I'll remember your name in a half-comatose daze at 30,000 feet about the ocean, and unable to do nothing about it. Take stock knowing that I'm concerned about this, rather than not caring at all, yeah?

Chewie and I. Man, my camera sucks!

(ok, losing patience with the whole "link' thing. Just do what I've been doing and google the rest of these fine folks, m'kay?)

Finally putting faces to names, such as Steve Sparke of Fec, the very cool Ryan Lindsay, Greg Curcio with the James Chimp game/comic (something to keep an eye out for) to name a few.

Ok, I look a little manic. In my defense, that's Stan Lee. You get one shot NOT to blink. Mr Lee's reply: "Good Job". Thanks sir, but not really. I take terrible pictures under pressure :P

The con organizers, and volunteers, a huge thank you to you. Particularly Carissa, Rand, and Cordy for all of your help, support and running around, including the other volunteers at the show who I'd met before or on the day, getting water, directing traffic etc. It was a first time show in Melbourne, and with two massive guests alone, and an unsympathetic media/fan contingent, I humbly believe you still managed a fantastic event. Anyone who complained about the waiting, I sympathize with you too. But please understand- San Diego Comic Con lines are often longer, more unwieldy and part and parcel of the con experience. Don't let negative press or your first culture shock to the world of fandom ruin any future con trips.Unfortunately, Mr Lee is in his 90's and can only sign so fast (which mind you was very fast! He is the hardest working guest I've ever seen at a con. Straight of a plane from LA to do so many signatures and photos (plus a panel or two) on day 1, plus a fan dinner, then 9-6 the next day again. In his 90's. Inspirational in itself. To have Mr Lee also thank me for giving him a copy of my book as a gift to him, show genuine enthusiasm over the images, and say how appreciative of my work and comments about his and Jack Kirby's influence in my work as he reached out to shake my hand, really blew me away. It's nice to think that perhaps Mr Lee may read my book, coming from a source of inspiration that he helped produce, way back when I was 12 years old, reading his book "How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way". A green room highlight was Sir Patrick Stewart, who when I asked how he was going, he simply replied "F***ing freezing...", with which we, along with Chewie, and Wolfgang, chatted about the weather, air con, and airlines. Straight to the top of my 'Awesome Actors' list. 

All in all, the fans on the floor were fantastic, and I enjoyed talking to all of you. Thank you for the virtual sellout of my prints, I ran out of 3 of my 5 types on the first day, and was down to only 1 lot of a half batch by lunchtime day two. The prints were a first for me, and I'm happy with the response to them. I must remember to redo more for the next convention appearance, and update with some new images. And, Soldier Legacy books, I barely have any left for possible store distribution, meaning All Star Comics and Gifts of the Geek might get the last of what I have in stock. Keep you all posted. Thank you to my publisher, Baden Kirgan of Black House comics, for providing me with all the stock and arranging freight. Thanks jason for bringing it down too.

The Ghost Riders Dave and Fez. I want that Shirt, Dave!

Special mentions to buddies Bruce Moyle, Dee Pirko, Daniel Zachariou, Stephan Ford, Wendy Keulemans, Bron Mitchell of WAHM bags (thank you!), Skye, who said hello at the show, the fantastic Illustrator Colin Wilson, Samuel David (writer of the graphic novel 'College Hill' with Wayne Nichols), James Andre of Milk Shadow books, Shaun Paulet of Comics2Movies,  James Gilarte who had a chat, and the wonderful fans and friends who always humble me with their support of my work, such as Roger, Liam, Wayne, Stephan, Paul, Scott, and especially Dave, Fez, Julie and Amy, who were there before the beginning, and who make the most noise. Thank you guys.

 The last 'Justice League' print...

 The last 'Batman' print...

 The last "Marvel 1962" print...

 The FIRST Luke Cage print (where's the love, people? ;P "Sweet Christmas!")

 The very last 'Punisher' print, cleaned up off the wall.

To all the new fans too, I thank you, and I also apologies for all the thank yous and well wishing I tend to do. I guess at the end of the day, I'm thankful for this part of my life that allows me to do something that I love, for the people around me for their support, to have the honour and privilege to talk to peers and top of their game professionals, some who I can call "friends", and to have a growing number of supporters who seem to be genuinely entertained by what I'm attempting to do on paper. You bring me happiness with every nice word, every nice piece of feedback. No amount of negativity, jealousy or indifference from others can take that away.

I look at the clock. I'm going to be so tired on this plane. Oh well. This was something I wanted to do while Oz Comic-Con was fresh in people's minds, and again, I know it's very rambly, and if I missed a name, take heed in the words of the awesome Jim Kelly from 'Enter the Dragon': "Please understand, if I missed anyone, it's been a big day. I'm a little tired'.

I look forward to next years event for sure.

 Steve's Francis Manapul 'Etrigan' head sketch, and my 'Vandal Savage' head sketch, for the beginnings of a very cool 'Demon Knights' jam piece.

 Con Sketch: Thanos!

 Avenger's vs X-Men sketch cover- Frank Castle: Referee ;P

 Con sketch: Poison Ivy

 A somewhat 'What If' sketch request- What is 'The Soldier' was in the Navy...thanks for the pick, Paul :D

 A challenge- Jack Kirby's Kamandi sketch as quick as possible...

 Speaking of quick...

 Well, 3am, up at 5:30am, off to airport, then to LA. So the next time you'll "see" me, I'll have even more photos, and little stories to tell. And hopefully, the first pieces of art roughs for 'Soldier Legacy #5' due out later this year.