I hadn't been to SDCC since 2007 and I had completely forgotten how mofo-ingly HUGE it is.
But in between the non-stop sketching at BOOM! kids from Preview night to end of the day on Sunday, I did manage to get out and embarrass myself to a whole bunch of wonderful, amazing artists.
The ever-classy Chris Sanders, Bobby Chiu and Kei Acedera were both utterly charming, David Colman, Stephen Silver, the Fleet Street guys, Jeff Pidgeon and Josh Cooley. Bumped into the sweetly elfin Brittney Lee at the Gallery Nucleus booth. *sigh* Some day I'll have a piece in a show there. So much cool art.
To say I spent a little money there would be... well, a huge fat whopper. In addition to a pile of inspiring books and sketchbooks, my luggage was augmented by one My Little Pony, Lotso, a Tribble and I TOTALLY would have added She-ra, but that would have required jettisoning clothing.
I had a trio of superstar sketch troopers around me - Alan Gladfelter, Travis Hill and Roger Langridge (Most Robbed Nominee of the Eisners and I will shout it from the damn rooftops)
I met heaps of utterly lovely people and many great conversations were had as I ground through sketch after sketch of Kermit, Gonzo, Piggy, Swedish Chef, Boo, Sully, Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Ham (The Toy Story covers were so popular I ended up pinch-hitting for Travis so the poor bastard could take a rest)
Huge shoutouts to:
Shannon Watters, Boom! editor and booth babe who acted as our formidable den mother and administrator of bathroom breaks and trail mix.
Katie Hayden, Boom!'s people wrangler and assistant to the CEO. We feared for your sanity, honey, but you can't keep the tiny shark down.
Chris, Chris and Jason, my editors. Luv u guys.
The absolutely darling couple who visited us several times in various forms of cosplay. They bestowed on me my FAVOURITE souvenir - The Ellie Badge. MINE!
(I won't post their photo to protect them from being bothered at future cons ;))
Super-writer Seanan McGuire and Tara O'Shea, who introduced me to Paul Cornell (!). He said he knew my Who art (!!) and really enjoyed it (!!!!!)
I also got to spend half a minute in an elevator at 2am with Joss Whedon. For 2am, when minds are a little fuzzy, he was very very cool and happily chatted about Avengers. eee!
FAMILIAR FACES with Amy and Roger!
These two men, along with Darkwing Duck artist James Silvani are on my tiny list of people I'll do anything for in this world.
(Flash cameras hate me. Stupid expression, but normal lighting here)
Okay, art time! Online reputations WILL catch up with you at cons, so I did quite a few Doctor Who mashups.
And of course, Miss Piggy as Lady Gaga. Separated at birth, I swear.
Roger and I did these sketches for a Cystic Fibrosis charity auction.
Even in the high-pressure, on-the-spot environment of con sketches, Roger's pieces are still sickeningly polished.
The new sketchbook went down pretty well and is now available for purchase on Lulu! And hey look, if you buy a copy of On Air as well, you'll get free shipping. C'mon, free shipping is the ultimate deal-sweetener, let's do this!
All in all, a crazy, exhausting but awesome times with other crazy, exhausted, talented people. Hopefully back next year!
Bonus photo for Who fans: This guy was just plain awesome for not only being one of the VERY few Eleven-with-fez cosplayers I saw, but the Psychic Paper sealed it.
