One of my all-time favorites is coming to back to Emerald City Comicon. Back in 2008 my sketch request was Nightcrawler and I had a ton of X-Force issues autographed. At the 2012 Fan Expo Vancouver I got an awesome Black Bolt sketch from Mike.
Emerald City Comicon announced that Tim Sale and Michael Avon Oeming are returning to the 2013 event. Dave Johnson, Ethan Van Scriver, Ray Fawkes and Dan Panoshian join the growing line-up or guests. Sir Patrick Stewart and Billy Dee Williams (Freakin’ Lando! I exclaimed when I first saw this) are also coming to Seattle for Emerald City Comicon March 1-3, 2013 and tickets are on sale now.
Sketch Duel Round 1 at Fan Expo Vancouver, photo by ComicsBlend.com
3 artists. 1 hour. A room packed with fans – 3 lucky ones would leave with a sketch. We all left with great stories in a unique non-panel panel experience. This was one of my favorite part of Fan Expo Vancouver this past weekend.
Mike Choi, Stephen Sadowski and Georges Jeanty were pitted in this friendly competition. While they created art, fans asked questions, laughed at the name-dropping (I’m talking to you Mr. “Joss Whedon called me up “Jeanty) and the wisecracks (Mr. “Well Nathan Fillion called me” Mike Choi with the quick wit comebacks.)
Sketch Duel Round 1 at Fan Expo Vancouver, photo by ComicsBlend.com
When asked about their favorite heroes: Stephen Sadowski revealed Nightwing. Sadowski is usually sporting a Nighwing logo t-shirt at most cons and he was showing his Nightwing pride here. He reflected that seeing Burt Ward at Fan Expo reminded him of why he loved Robin. Dick Grayson didn’t have powers. He just wanted to be a hero. He said his favorite work was on JSA with Geoff Johns.
Georges Jeanty named the Thing as his favorite hero and references the classic Marvel Two-in-One series in which Ben Grimm was paired up with a different hero each issue.- Jeanty also named Tigra and couldn’t believe he saw a fangirl dressed as the Avenger at Emerald City Comicon in Seattle. I remember seeing her too – great body paint work!
What were the weirdest fan requests? Sadowski said there’s a guy who goes around collecting sketches of superheroes eating pie. After many close encounters, Sadowski said he finally gave in and did the hero/pie sketch. I asked from the audience “who was the hero eating the pie?”
“Wildcat,” he responded. I can see that, he’s a boxer, needs the carbs.
Jeanty revealed his biggest fan request was a commission of Buffy kissing Willow. He produced a rated G version of the Slayer kissing the witch on the cheek – much to the disappointment of the guy who expecting a racier kiss.
Mike Choi's Round 1 Sketch at Fan Expo Vancouver, photo by ComicsBlend.com
The results – Choi produced a beautiful Emma Frost sketch. The White Queen in the audience didn’t win.
Georges Jeanty Sketch Round 1 at Fan Expo Vancouver, photo by ComicsBlend.com
Jeanty revealed an adorable but empowering Buffy, the Vampire Slayer sporting a Supergirl uniform.
Stephen Sadowski Sketch Round 1 at Fan Expo Vancouver, photo by ComicsBlend.com
Stephen Sadowski showed that Aquaman is awesome – and a fangirl dressed as Mystique walked away with! By Editor
Sketch Duel Round 1 at Fan Expo Vancouver, photo by ComicsBlend.com
I love the Black Panther! I want Idris Elba to play T’Challa on the big screen. The Panther’s solo series (actually he had taken over for Daredevil) is over but the African monarch will appear in the famous book in which he was born. Black Panther debuted in Fantastic Four #52. Since then T’Challa has been an Avenger, a member of the FF, become King of Wakanda, married Storm of the X-Men, lost his throne and now returns to Fantastic Four #606 on May 23rd.
Jonathan Hickman tells Marvel.com about the reunion.
“In the recent past the Panther’s lost his throne and the country has seemingly lost its priceless resource [of Vibranium],” notes writer Jonathan Hickman. “Which is one of the reasons Reed Richards thinks he’s there [in Wakanda].
“Reed and the rest of the FF will get the appropriate reception that a life-long friend, intellectual peer and habitual heroes would receive.”
Mike Choi – one of my favorite artists – provided this regal cover.
For the entire interview here’s the Marvel.com link.
Is the DC Comics The New 52 Justice League is allowing a new member to join? DC revealed this variant cover to Justice League #8 by Mike Choi and this quote:
“We all know what happened when we let someone ELSE in to the Justice League. It ended very badly.”
– Batman, Justice League#8
This cover inspires me to share a great Emerald City Comicon memory. Mike Choi is more than an amazing artist. At Emerald City Comicon 2008 I was in a line of hopeful geeks hoping to get an autograph and a sketch. Some of the sketch requests took a little longer and time was getting away. Lights were being turned out but Mike kept signing and sketching until the last moment and so all of us didn’t leave empty-handed after the long wait that was so worth it. Thanks again Mike!
