Spokane Comicon Aftermath: A very mixed bag!

Hey everyone! Well, I'm back and rested up from doing the Spokane Comic Con this past Saturday. While there were some good things that happened from it, it also had its share of things that didn't work for me. So, here's my thoughts on the show...

I was set up between my guy, Randy Kintz (who is hard at work on a sketch in the picture here), and artist Jason Metcalf. The tables were smaller than I thought they would be and the space behind the tables of those of us in the artists alley section, was a bit cramped at time, since many of us had stuff we needed to keep behind the tables. In fact, the show itself was smaller than I anticipated. According to the guys who started it, this year (the third year of the show) is the biggest one they've done. Yet, for me, it was of a size that would be barely worth doing it, if I was in charge (makes me glad I wasn't at either of the first two shows, as well).

Once the doors opened, people started pouring in. I was pleasantly surprised to see as many kids as I did in attendance. I gave away almost 50 free comics to kids at the show, which was certainly one of the highlights of the show for me. It was also nice talking with some old friends who I have seen since Emerald City Comicon. I managed to get a sketch from artist Steve Lieber for myself, as well. There were folks done up in costumes for the contest held later that day (and if you'd like to see some pics of the contestants, make a comment here and I'll do up a post with some of the photos I got). I talked with some folks, and even managed to help a few get a greater appreciation of comic art and what is involved in the process of it.

However, despite that almost 600 people were reported to have come to the show, sales for me were almost non-existent. Not one piece of art was sold. If it weren't for some of the related items I brought with me (such as sketchbooks and autographed comics), I wouldn't have made a sale all day. I don't think this had anything to do with the con folks themselves, who seemed to be doing everything they could for the guests and dealers there. Something I noted (as did my wife) were all the people who mentioned this was their very first comicon experience. So, my guess is, that many of those who came, simply suffered from total sensory overload. It might have made the show more fun for them, but kind of hindered my main reason for being there.

So, while the show didn't pan out for me financially, I still had a good time and made the most of things. It was a nice little show, overall. I just didn't make out as well as I had hoped. Of course, these are just my thoughts. You can get another view of how things went, right over here.

While all of this was happening, the Josh Medors benefit auctions were ending. While I haven't got a final tally on how much was generated for the event, I do know that the pieces donated by Randy Kintz and Richard Moore brought in almost $100.00 together. I also know that, given where the prices were when I last looked in on the auctions, they must have raised several thousand dollars in all. So, good job, everyone! It is great to see this community can still pull together to help out someone in need.

As for what is in the future for all of you, well, I'm expecting another batch of art from Randy Kintz any time now. Plus, there is the Seattle ComiCard show on the 14th of this month, which I will also have a table at. With this show being more well-established and larger, I'm hoping to do better in making sales for my artists.

Of course, you can always help in that, by checking out my art gallery and making a purchase or two. Believe me, it is always appreciated. That's all for now. I'll hopefully have more news and stuff for you soon. Until later, peace out!

See Sequential Treasures at the Spokane Comicon this Saturday!

Hey, everyone! I got some exciting new for you all. If you are planning on being, or will happen to be, in the Spokane, WA area this Saturday, you need to make sure to stop by the Spokane Comicon! Not only is it the only Comicon on the eastern side of Washington state, but your humble blogmaster will be there, pumping the cause that is Sequential Treasures!

Aside from all the comic art I currently have in inventory from our artists, I also have a few "con exclusive" items, which are only available at shows like this. I'll also be handing out free comics to as many kids as I can who attend (got to help that next generation foster the love of comics, right?), too. Of course, I'm not the only reason you should go, because our own Randy "Rantz" Kintz will also be in attendance, as well. Be sure to say hello to the big lug. There are also plenty of other great guests, raffle prizes, tons and tons (quite litterally) of comics and even a costume contest, among the many other fun things to find there.

Just follow the link provided here to find out all the details. Hope to see some of you there. I'll try to provide a report to you on how the show turns out.

Also, just a last minute reminder that, along with the Spokane show, the eBay benefit auctions to help artist Josh Medors will be ending on Saturday, as well. So, for those who can't make the show, use some of the time to put some bids on all the great donated art there. It's all going for a good cause and you'll have a shot at some really cool stuff (including possibly a couple pieces donated by our artists). That's all for now. Until next time, peace out!

New art from Chris Ivy available to purchase!

Hello again, all you comic art fans out there! Well, I have a couple bits of info for you today.

First off, I just got in some great new goodies from comic inking vet extraordinaire, Chris Ivy. In this update we have some great splash pages from books like Alpha Flight, Avengers West Coast and Sovereign Seven, as well as several interior pages from Marvel Comics Presents, Avengers and 2099 Unlimited. As if all that wasn't enough, there's also a couple of very nice pencil pin-ups, featuring a couple of characters (the image here should give you a big clue as to who) that recently starred in one of the biggest money-making films of the year (so far). So, head on over to my art gallery and check out the new stuff. And, hey, if you see something you like, drop me a line.

The other piece of news I have for you all, is to remind you that tomorrow is when the eBay auction benefit for Josh Medors takes place. It will begin at 9 am (PST), as the art donations collected will be added throughout the day. Randy Kintz and Richard Moore have both donated pieces to this event. So, make sure to do your part and place some bids. You'll have a shot at getting some great art and help out a very worthy cause, to boot. All the art auctions will be found right here. So, make sure to bookmark it and head over tomorrow.

Well, that's it for now. But I'll have some more news for you sometime next week, as I have things in the works to make the summer of 2009 one to remember. Until then, peace out!

Help out a most worthy cause!

Today is going to be a little different from the norm around here, as I'm not going to be promoting any new art for sale or new comic works from Sequential Treasures stable of talent. Today, I'm going to ask you to help give your support to a very worthy cause. The cause is the upcoming Josh Medors Benefit Auction! And to give you the lowdown, the man who is heading up the project, Dave Kopecki:

This is a call to action!

As many of you know already, artist Josh Medors (Frazetta's Swamp Demon
& Sorcerer, Willow Creek, 30 Days of Night) has been fighting a losing
battle against a terminal form of cancer for over a year, and it has recently
taken a turn for the worst. The doctors and conventional medicine have all but
given up on him and say there isn't anything else they can do. But he has found
an alternative treatment that has the possibility of extending his life a bit
and can help improve the quality of his life near the end so he can spend it
with his wife and son. There is even a slim chance it can make him somewhat
better, so he has to try. But of course the treatment is very expensive and Josh
has no medical insurance.

So myself and my brother, Andrew Mangum (currently Josh's inker on
Frazetta's Sorcerer) decided to arrange another benefit auction like the one
theydid at Emerald City Con back in '08. This auction is different though
because the last one was organized by Jay Fotos to help Josh pay his rising
medical bills to fight the cancer, and this one is specifically to get the
treatment he needs to be keep him around. I know there are a lot of fans and
friends out there that want to help, so this auction series will be that
opportunity. A wide variety of artists are contributing personal works and art
from their collections just like last time, but this time it's open to
collectors, fans, and everyone else. as well anyone can donate if they want to
help! We just ask that it be comic or comic art related.

I have set up a special "preview gallery" for all the items as they come in
on my Comic Art Fans webpage.

As one who is attempting to make a living off of artists and their work, it is very imporant to me to help out with things of this nature. To give back a little something, for all that comics and their creators have given to us. Both Randy Kintz and Richard Moore have graciously donated a piece of their own art. I hope that all of you out there will help, with either donations of your own or bidding on the auctions when they go live on May 23rd. Be sure to contact Dave for a link to where the auctions will be found.

Those wishing to donate something, can contact Dave at madman1138@yahoo.com or through his CAF gallery. Any donation must be received by May 22nd, to be included in the auction. Also, if you wish to make a monetary donation, instead of an art one, you can send Josh the money directly to his PayPal account address here: jmedors3@columbus.rr.com

This is a very important cause and I hope all of you out there can help give it, and Josh, all the support you can. Together we can hopefully make a difference!