FROM SOMEONE WHO ATTENDED WWTX EVERY... SINGLE... YEAR

It looks like Wizard World Texas has been canceled (click here or here or here).

Oh well.

While in theory it should be disappointing that Wizard World Texas couldn't continue, I'm not really that concerned. It's hardly the only convention in town or even the best. Also, try explaining the name "Wizard World" to someone outside the comic book industry. I feel like a loser trying. It's a dumb and confusing name.

Dallas Comic Con has run a great show for several years now. Well before WWTX invaded. DCC is locally owned and operated. They are friendlier to small time comic book creators. Where a booth at WWTX might cost $300, I've always been an honored guest at DCC without having to pay for a table. No matter how insignificant I may be, they promote me. Wizard World Texas charged $50(?) for a weekend pass. DCC charges only $10. Not to mention, DCC has consistently better media guests -- Bruce Campbell, Carrie Fischer, Billy Dee Williams, Jake Lloyd, Sean Astin, Michael Keaton, Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Ron Glass, Robia LaMorte, and Iyari Limon. There are more. I just can't remember them off the top of my head. Who does WWTX bring every year without fail? Lou Ferrigno. The problem with Wizard World Texas, from what I've heard, is that it looks like every other Wizard World convention. It doesn't change. I feel like I'm in a time warp attending the exact same event over and over again, but with fewer people each year.

I haven't even mentioned CAPE yet. Free booths for anyone and everyone (!), free admission, and consistently much better comic book guests than WWTX -- Mark Waid, Gail Simone, David Mack, Robert Kirkman, Bryan Hitch, Chynna Clugston, Jamie S. Rich, Marc Andreyko, Dave Crosland, Jim Mahfood, Scott Kurtz, and on. It's a more family friendly event. So between these two events (or the awesomeness that is STAPLE), how does Wizard World even compete?

Because it's Wizard, I guess. Because Wizard has this odd monopoly on the hearts and minds of comic fans.

With WWTX gone, I would make two suggestions:

(1) Comic book fans, creators, and retailers need to stand behind the Dallas Comic Con. It benefits everyone locally to have a strong convention that will bring in people from around the area, even better if we can get people to drive down and stay the weekend at a nearby hotel.

(2) Online sources like CBR, Newsarama, and The Beat need to cover this event. Somehow, Dallas Comic Con gets lost. We exist, dammit!

The real thing that everyone wants to know: Will the annual cook-out and house party live on? But of course.

UPDATE ON "MAKE SPACE FOR ARTISTS"

KERA's Art&Seek posted a blog about this Thursday's panel discussion at the DMA (click here).

Q: What do you get when an architect, sculptor, writer and historian head to the museum?

A: An interesting panel discussion, that’s what. La Reunion TX and the Dallas Museum of Art present a FREE event on Thursday, December 11 at 7pm in the Center for Creative Connections Theatre as a part of the collaborative program Make Space for Artists: Design a Studio. Our topic? The artist studio – historic and contemporary.

Well-published graphic novelist David Hopkins knows a thing or two about working remotely and in collaboration with other artists to produce his artifact – the graphic novel. Designer Bang Dang was the winning architect for La Reunion’s architecture competition, Make Space for Art. He won, in part, for his “white box” studio design and lucky for us, he’s local. Established artist Frances Bagley is represented locally by Marty Walker Gallery and provides the panel with the perspective of a truly mixed media sculptor. Last, art historian Eric Stryker is a professor at SMU also happens to be an expert on Francis Bacon’s studio.

We’re not sure exactly where the conversation will go, but we’re sure it will be interesting. KERA’s Jerome Weeks will moderate. See you then!

I know a thing or two? Actually, I know only two things about collaborating and working remotely with artists: (1) Defend and support them unto death itself. Disagreements need to be settled privately and with unconditional respect. (2) Give them your best work, and they will give you their best work. I apologize for my lack of humor and sarcasm -- but those are the two things. Oh yeah and e-mail. You use email a lot.

Any other thoughts on remote collaborations?

ART CONSPIRACY

This past weekend, I participated in my fourth Art Conspiracy. I'm not much of an artist. So instead, I stick to what I know (as seen below). The finished piece looked kinda cool with all that text on plywood.


photo by Ange Fitzgerald (click here for more Art Con photos from Ange)

It was odd seeing people bid on my work. Really? You're willing to pay that much? Cool. I've spent too long at conventions where people cringe and moan over a $3 comic book. Eat it. My confidence is recession proof.

I've posted my Flickr set from Art Conspiracy.

UPDATE (12/09): Video

THE GIFT SHOW

Attention Christmas shoppers: I will be set up at F6 Gallery's Gift Show. I know you're thinking: "But I already have all of David's graphic novels, why should I go?"

#1. I'll bring cookies. #2. Buy KARMA INCORPORATED for your boss or EMILY EDISON for your best friend's daughter. Buy ANTIGONE for your mom, or ASTRONAUT DAD for... well... your dad. #3. Lots of other talented people will be there with original work to sell.


To my friends in Dallas, there is a world beyond your city limits! Drive to Arlington, for once. It'll take you 40 minutes at most. Visit the F6 Gallery. All proceeds from sales will benefit my daughter's Christmas.

WITH BANG DANG, FRANCES, AND THE BOOK DADDY

Friends, grab your calendar!

The Dallas Museum of Art, in conjunction with La Reunion and the Make Space for Artists competition (here and also here), will host a panel discussion on "artist's studios in historical and contemporary contexts, with particular consideration of artists in the Dallas/Ft. Worth community." And yes, I will be on the panel -- along with architect Bang Dang, sculptor Frances Bagley, and an artist historian to be announced. The session will be facilitated by the Book Daddy Jerome Weeks of KERA. Q&A afterwards.

Thursday, December 11 at 7:00 PM. Four panelists will enter, only one will survive! And it's going to be me! Who survives! Not them! And by that, I mean, I will destroy them! With violence!

In other news: I will be part of Art Conspiracy on December 6th and F6 Gallery's Gift Show on December 13th.

AFTER A HIATUS IN 07, IT'S BACK.

For those going to Wizard World Texas on November 7th, I wanted to remind you about...

OUR 4th ANNUAL HOUSE PARTY AND COOK-OUT

April and I will host a cook-out, and you're invited. It'll start right after the exhibit hall closes, around 6 PM and late into the evening. Come anytime. However, burgers will only be available for the early evening attendees. (If you are a veggie-lover, I'll have some non-meat burgers available too!)

If you want more information, contact me via this website.

Hope to see you there. Bring friends. Bring family. It's a fairly laid back event.

FOR PEOPLE WHO MARK CALENDARS

From the Writer's Garret Weekly e-mail newsletter:

Inspired by Bradbury: Presentation & Panel Discussion
moderated by John Cordova
Thurs. Oct. 23, 7 pm

Graphic novelist David Hopkins will present the very personal and professional ways in which Bradbury and his work have inspired new generations of writers and readers over the years, including Bradbury's role in the early history of comic books. Hopkins is a comic book writer, an essayist, and a regular contributor to D Magazine and the Smart Pop Series from BenBella Books. This "Writers as Readers & Readers as Writers" Moderated by John Cordova.

Mesquite Public Library
North Branch
2600 Oates Dr.
Mesquite, TX 75150

All events are FREE and open to the public.

Click Here for Big Read Events!

I TRY TO STAY BUSY

Occasionally, I look at my website and think: "I need to post something." And when I can't think of anything to write, I do a random listing of all the stuff I have coming in next month or so. I'm about to do that, right now. Apologies if it's boring. More interesting news and commentary coming soon-ish.

* This Saturday, September 13th, April, Kennedy, and I are going to some very cool art gallery openings: Cartoon Apocalypse at Kettle Art Gallery, Designer Toys at Avenue Arts Venue, and The Whitney Gallery grand opening in Deep Ellum. We'll see how long Kennedy lasts. It may be an early evening. David DeGrand is featured in the Cartoon Apocalypse, John Gonzales in Designer Toys. These two guys are among my favorite local artists.

* I'm particularly excited about Wednesday, September 24. Because of my involvement with La Reunion, I've been invited to be a special guest for an event honoring the organization. It's hosted by Weber Shandwick (world's largest PR firm) at their new downtown offices in Comerica tower as an open house for their clients, including American Airlines and Wal-Mart among others. They're showing the short Karma Incorporated documentary that Luke Hawkins made and footage from my presentation at the scriptwriter's workshop I organized. They also want me to have my graphic novels available for sale. Score.

* A few days later on Saturday, September 27, there's a new show at the F6 Gallery in Arlington. I've heard lots of great stuff about this place, but I've never been.

* As per usual, ArtLoveMagic is doing something hip. I'm not quite sure about the specifics, but it's on October 3rd at Saxby's in Farmer's Branch and I'm going to be there with my books. I just do whatever Mike Lagocki tells me to do.

* Local artists be warned. October 4th: Dr. Sketchy's makes its debut in Dallas. Now you've been warned.

* The (unofficial "patron saint" band of Antihero Comics) Happy Bullets will be playing at (the official bar for the Dallas comic book creator's meet up) Lee Harvey's on Saturday, October 11th. It's two very awesome forces, combined in awesomeness.

* For awhile, I wasn't certain if I'd still be on the guest list, but it looks I am. I think. The pdf says: "featuring graphic novelist David Hopkins," yeah? The Writer's Garret is hosting an event at Mesquite library, north branch -- "Inspired by Bradbury: Presentation & Panel Discussion Fahrenheit 451". Bring the kerosene.

* I will be in Artist Alley for Wizard World Texas, November 7th - 9th. I'm sharing a table with Paul Milligan. April and I are working on a cool poster. Paul should have new art for our upcoming project.

* December 6th is Art Conspiracy.

And done.

LEE HARVEY'S RECAP

I went to Lee Harvey's last night for our comic book creators meet-up. It was a good night. Recap: I picked up Kristian at Firestone Tire on Greenville Avenue. He parked his car right below a sign that said "TOW AWAY ZONE" and left a message on his windshield: "PLEASE DON'T TOW." I'm curious to see which sign won. Lee Harvey's is a tricky place to find, but after a few twists and turns we arrived. I had a chance to chat with Mark Murphy a bit more about his TIKI JOE MYSTERIES graphic novel, which I love. Mike Lagocki gave me a flier for the PLAYLIST event, which I mentioned in a previous post, and I got a copy of his 24(36) hour comic, "In Dreams" -- incredibly imaginative, creatively stylized. Mike, I would love to write for you someday, but I'm pretty sure I'd just get in your way. Do more stuff like that comic. I also met two web cartoonists Grant Sutherland and Nate Bramble. More impressive Dallas talent. Fear us. Kerry Gammill arrived a little later that night. Kerry and John Gonzales were talking for quite awhile about classic Universal Studio monsters. A few other people were supposed to show (Paul overslept his power nap), but will be there next time. Josh Rose? The people at Lee Harvey's were glad to have us, and very nice. Next month: Thursday, September 4th. I'll probably get there at 7 PM to eat dinner. Apparently, they have amazing food, award-winning onion rings and cheeseburgers, so I need a taste.

I WANNA BE A ROBOT, ETC

I'm back from my family reunion. (Photos will be loaded on Flickr soon.) After a year working on BOLIVAR, which has characters based off my extended family, it was a little surreal spending time with the older real life Hope, Jesse, and Linda. I had to remind myself they never actually visited the spirit world of Campeche. Yes, sometimes, reality is an issue for me.

The August issue of D Magazine is now available. Paul Milligan and I have our "Souvenir of Dallas" comic featured on page 22. It's about the Dallas Cowboys and the Death Star. Yes, you heard correct. It's the "Best Of" issue. So, did I happen to miss the "Best Of D" party? I went last year and had a great time. If so, I'm sorry I missed it.

One thing that no one should miss (note the transition) is our comic book creator gathering at Lee Harvey's this Thursday from 8 PM to 10 PM. Our event was mentioned in their weekly newsletter: "We are also proud to host Dallas area comic book writers, artists, and fans for their monthly get togethers starting next Thursday, August 7. It's absolutely informal, and everyone is invited." There. We made them proud. It would be rude not to attend.

I've donated some signed graphic novels to "I Wanna Be A Robot" at Club Dada. Some of my favorite local bands will be performing: Laura Palmer, Lovie, Happy Bullets, and The Tah-Dahs. I will certainly be there. (more info)

In other events, you need to mark your calendar for August 21st at Zubar on Greenville Avenue. The show PLAYLIST boasts "classic, old, new, true, and all real hip-hop" and will feature art by Khalid Robertson, Samax Randolph, and Michael Lagocki.

On October 23rd, I will be participating in the "Writers as Readers and Readers as Writers" panel at the North Branch Mesquite Library, hosted by The Writer's Garret. It's part of a month long look at Ray Bradbury's FAHRENHEIT 451. Or at least, I hope I'll still be participating. The organizer sent me this nice email, and then I sent this lengthy response clarifying that while I am a "comic book" writer that does not mean that I write "comic" material, i.e. humor. I haven't heard back from her. Anyways, if I didn't come across as a complete jerk, I'll be at the library on October 23rd.

What else? I'm working on re-write for the BULLETPROOF WEST synopsis. And I'm waiting to hear back from Paul Milligan about a new project, possibly.

QUICK DFW BLOG ON COMIC-CON

Dan Koller with Quick DFW asked members of the Dallas-area comic book community what they're looking forward to the most and what they're dreading the most with this week's Comic-Con. (click here to read)

MEET UP @ LEE HARVEY'S

Attn. Dallas-area comic book creators

Awhile ago, several Dallas-area comic book creators would meet on a monthly basis for lunch on Saturdays. It was nice. However, it's been some time, and we may have outgrown lunch. Thus, I'm planning something new...

FIRST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH... MEET AT LEE HARVEY'S FOR DRINKS FROM 8 PM TO 10 PM. STARTING AUGUST 7TH.

You can stay later if you want, but 8 PM to 10 PM keeps things simple. This is not a sketch group. This is not a "networking" event. We're not planning an anthology. Just some people who share a mutual interest in writing and illustrating comics gather to have a drink or two. Note: They do serve food at Lee Harvey's until 11 PM on Thursdays, if you are hungry.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

Lee Harvey's
http://leeharveys.com -and- http://www.myspace.com/leeharveys
1807 Gould St.
Dallas, TX 75215
214.428.1555

WHO IS INVITED?

This is an inclusive event. There is no velvet rope. If you make comics, you are invited. I don't know your drama. I like all of you. If you make comics, you should come, at least once -- and enjoy each other's company. Even if no one is else there. Fear not. I will be there. :)

I sent out an e-mail earlier today. If I forgot anyone, please let me know or forward this message along. It wasn't intentional. There are a lot of you.

WILL WE CHANGE LOCATIONS EACH MONTH?

Probably not. Consistency is good. It's a thirty minute drive for me, and I'm sure it's a longer drive for some of you. I assure you I put some thought into the locale. Lee Harvey's is a good bar.

Hope to see you there. Mark your calendar. I'll send another reminder the week of.

MELTDOWN

This month, I'm flying to California for my cousin's wedding. I'm getting into town a few days early, so I can take the opportunity to sign at the amazing Meltdown Comics. It's on a Thursday, which is somewhat of an "off day" for most retailers, but I expect a few people will wander in.


I wish I could set up another book tour road trip like I've done in the past, but with gas at $4 a gallon, it's just not a responsible thing for me to do. Someday, I'll make it back to Norman (Speeding Bullet), Lawrence (Astrokitty), and St. Louis (Starclipper). I miss you! While I love attending conventions, especially small press/indie conventions like MoCCA or STAPLE, to promote my work, I prefer visiting retailers directly and getting to know them. Thus, when I'm in California, I jump at these chances. Maybe I can find my cousin a wedding gift at Meltdown?

JOURNALING FOR ART CONSPIRACY

Press release: Journal Art and Live Music Mark Art Conspiracy’s SEED 2008 Event

DALLAS, TX – June 3, 2008 - Have you ever wanted to get a close-up look at what goes on inside the heads of creative people? On Saturday, June 21, at 8:00 p.m., at the Sons of Hermann Hall, you can get the chance to literally flip through the imagination of visual, literary and performing artists during Art Conspiracy’s 2nd Annual SEED fundraiser. The money raised will help fund the operating costs of Art Conspiracy’s large-scale December fundraiser and inevitably help Art Conspiracy donate more money to its 2008 beneficiary.

Since the end of May, 15 artists including Kim Cadmus Owens, Marcus Striplin, David Hopkins, Diane Sikes and Tina Medina have been filling up page after page of Moleskine® Journals with drawings, paintings, photography, lyrics, observations and more. During the SEED event, the Moleskine® Journals will be auctioned along with original work from additional Dallas artists.

“When someone sees an artists’ single piece of work, they are getting a look at a singular concept or idea,” says Erica Felicella, Art Conspiracy, Art Coordinator, “but with the journals, you are able to get a bird’s eye view into someone else’s creative process – it’s a much bigger picture and the results are intriguing.”

Live music will be provided by Matthew and The Arrogant Sea, Beauxregard, Spector 45 and Pet Hospital. The snarky, comedic antics of veteran Art Conspiracy auctioneers, Rob and Rob will be returning too. SEED will also serve as the venue for Art Conspiracy to unveil the beneficiary for its December 2008 fundraiser.

“Art Conspiracy is charting new territory,” says Andrea Roberts, Art Conspiracy, Site Coordinator. “This is the first year we have asked for beneficiary applications from local groups. Our goal is to use the money we raise to reinvest in the local arts economy. This gives us a chance to use the creative instincts of so many generous artists and musicians to support creative efforts being carried out throughout our city.”

Since 2005, Art Conspiracy has raised over $30,000 for groups including La Reunion, an artist residency located in Oak Cliff, and St. Anthony Community Center, a center that offers visual art, music and dance to more than 800 children in South Dallas. Art Conspiracy is a grassroots arts collective that seeks to bring the artistic and music communities together to support creativity community wide.

For more information, please contact Cari Weinberg at cari@artconspiracy.org or 214-794-3510

From now until then, I'm working on my journal whenever I have any free time available. Hopefully, if things go as planned, I'll have an appealing notebook with a certain Henry Darger quality.

THE QUESTION OF SAN DIEGO

As summer approaches, I get more and more friends asking "Are you going to San Diego?" The Comic Con is July 23rd - 27th, and for the second year, I'm skipping. I went four years in a row, and it was an incredible event. However, like many other comic book creators, I've been increasingly wary of this annual journey to pop culture mecca. My opinions aren't new or groundbreaking. New rant same as the old rant. It follows two common lines of thought:

1. The event has grown too big. That's the appeal, isn't it? You go to San Diego, because that's where the business is. My first year, I attended a seminar on networking. Solid advice, I follow religiously. And with every year, I learn a little bit more. I laugh about it now, but my first year, I was handing out mini-discs of a three hundred page script to any and every person behind a booth who would take one. Probably not the best way to start a writing career. Since then, I've learned how to put together a good proposal. I've also learned that San Diego is no longer the place to woo publishers. It's simply too busy. The publishers are trying their best to survive the week. The last thing most of them want is to talk about your story. Too many people drop off proposals. Your's is just another hidden away within an unmanageable stack of pulp. At this point, if I want to work with a particular publisher, I e-mail them.

After I got a few books published, San Diego became the place to sell my books. Although, being a proud small press/independent writer, the economics of San Diego don't add up. Take into account the travel expenses (flight and hotel), the cost of a booth, and other impulse buys throughout the week, it's hard to sell enough copies to cover the guilt. Especially being behind a publisher's booth, my book is one lost among the other books. And let's face it, the overwhelming majority of attendees who are only there to spot Hollywood celebrities, the Star Wars fans, the Marvel/DC fans, they aren't interested in a coming-of-age family drama set during the early '60s. With my publishers still opting to attend San Diego, my books will (or won't) sell with or without me. Last year, I went to MoCCA in New York instead. It was a much better event, especially when it came to finding my audience.

2. The event is too Hollywood. Once again, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. The film/television/gaming aspects of the convention bring in a larger audience who may also be interested in comics. The opportunity to get a comic creator's property optioned to a studio could be quite lucrative, but I've never been interested in writing for Hollywood. I went into comics. That's the medium I love. More money and more exposure potentially gives me opportunities to write and publish more comics. That's how I have to look at it. That being said, it's gotten a little ridiculous. The Hollywood execs patrol the aisles desperate to find something they can turn into the next 300, Sin City, or Iron Man. What's worse is the the comic book writer falling over himself/herself to meet one of these people, secretly wishing they can jump ship from our bastard artform and join the noble ranks of Hollywood. Trading caffeine for cocaine. I'll tolerate the game to an extent, but as an industry, we're more than Hollywood's strip mine.

There are some good reasons to attend San Diego Comic Con.

1. The Eisner's. This is the highlight of the week for me. It's the most cherished honor you can receive in comics, and I love attending the event. I'm a ashamed so many people skip out. I view it as almost an obligation. If you've committed yourself to the growth of the comic industry, you should be there to recognize the accomplishments of the previous year. Plus, it's nice to attend a reasonably classy event devoid of men and women dressed as Stormtroopers.

2. To Meet Up. And we return to this question asked by my friends: "Are you going to San Diego?" Fact is it's one of the few places where I can to hang out with people I only see once or twice a year. Other large conventions exist. San Diego is the place where people assume you'll be there. However, if this is the only reason to attend, we need to find a less expensive meeting place. The Hyatt Bar is ridiculous, absurdly crowded and over priced. Hotels are a Madmax post-apocalyptic nightmare in hospitality management. And Ralph's! Um... I have no complaint with Ralph's. It's a cool place to grab groceries on your way to the convention center.

There's no immediate solution. I hope the growth of San Diego Comic Con is a sign of positive growth for our industry, and not an indicator of us being eclipsed or bullied by the larger film/television/gaming industries. And if San Diego is a sign that comics are simply too big for a singular "must attend" event, then cool. We pick and choose. Maybe some year, I'll go back, but not this year.

SIGNING AT MORE FUN COMICS

Robin Gillespie, Brian Denham, and I were guests at a Free Comic Book Day event yesterday. Technically not the actual "Free Comic Book Day," but Denton Texas being a college town -- most of the store's customers are gone on the weekend. Thus Monday. I've never been to More Fun Comics, but I have to say it is a cool store. Citizens of Denton, rejoice and be glad. Great set up. The manager/owner was incredibly helpful and supportive. We had a good time.

CAPE RECAP

The busiest weekend of the year for me, and I forgot to take pictures. Sorry. The 4th annual CAPE was incredible. Best one so far. Richard, Chris, Barry, Sean, Scott, and everyone with Zeus work hard to pull off this comic book festival. And over the past four years, they've created the most pure and genuine celebration of everything I love about this industry. Thank you.

On Friday, April and I drove to St. Pete's Dancing Marlin for the live art show. You know it's going to be a great event when you can smell the sharpies from the sidewalk before you even enter the bar. I hope we keep this location for the annual event. I prefer it to the snobbier, classier Metro Bar & Grill. St. Pete's is more laid back, and it's a nice way to start the weekend. I was celebrating my birthday that night, and if anything, I probably over-invited. There were simply too many people from various circles of friends, and as a result -- I ended up playing "musical friends" all night, hopping from one group to the next. I wanted to hang out with everyone. In the end, I was continually distracted. I apologize if I seemed distant. I was. I'm in love with everyone, and damn it, I want all of you to buy me a birthday beer. April drove us home.

The next morning, I was at Craddock Park at around 8 AM to help set up. They really didn't need me, but I tried my best not to get in the way. I was there on behalf of La Reunion to moderate the writer's panel (proof). Marc Andreyko said it was one of the best panels he had ever been on. Score. At CAPE itself, I had a table next to Chynna Clugston. She's such a sweet person. The minicomic "Mine All Mine" sold well. I'm printing a few more, and will send them to various indie-friendly stores (list coming soon), available May 14th.

The weather was perfect. A little cold in the morning, but we dragged our table out from under the shade of the tent and we were fine. Then it got hotter in the afternoon (mid 70s), so we dragged it back. We're highly adaptable like that. The wind was a problem, but it's a problem every year. This time, I came prepared. I brought six large rocks from my backyard and a plexiglass cover to keep my comic from blowing away. It made for a nice display, and I had no problems. David vs. Wind? David wins this year.

Saturday night, we ate at Blue Mesa. I sat with Crosland, Andreyko, Justin, and Shawn. Andreyko spent most of the night selling us on BlueRay DVD players. I have to admit; I'm intrigued. Add it to my wish list. Later that night, a bunch of us went to Barcadia on North Henderson Avenue. As the name would suggest, the place is a bar/arcade hybrid. Some girl at the bar was trying to set me up with her friend. However, being as lame as I am, I didn't realize until much, much later.

*She bumps into me intentionally*
"Oh, I'm sorry. You should meet my friend."
"Okay."
*I grab my beer from the bartender and leave.*

April, clearly, you have nothing to worry about. I'm just too socially retarded to be a threat.

Next morning, April and I attended the Big Gay Brunch at Frida's. We sat next to Mark Waid and Robert Kirkman. I'm a little TOO much of a fan of their work to fully enjoy sitting with them. I didn't have anything to say that wouldn't sound like the SNL skit by Chris Farley. "You remember that one time you had Invincible's dad reveal his evil plot to take over the world, and he nearly killed his son, but didn't? Yeah. That was cool." My indie cred is shot to hell the moment I pick up my Waid/Wieringo Fantastic Four. Frida's did not seem well prepared for our group, but Robert was funny as hell, so I really didn't mind the wait. The Big Gay Brunch is a great way to close out the weekend.

-- More CAPE stuff --
Oaklawn TV's report
Post about CAPE by Scott Kurtz
Dan Koller's report on Quick
CAPE on Flickr: from amboy00, bryansayscom, vinh-luan luu, jamie s. rich, mighty mangler, divalea (also here and here)