pix07b

This was promoter Jim Talbot's 2nd show and my first at this venue, and my anticipated return to Boston after a long break. First, you can see the first dealers hall (pic#1) followed by 2
shots of the main dealers room (pix2&3) including Chris Famulari of New England Comics in #3. From artist alley this was the room I was in (pic#4) with pal Craig Rousseau, Paul Ryan, &
Norman Lee to my right in my row (Jim Steranko's booth was to the left). Then there was another artist alley room behind us (pix5&6) where my pal sculptor Andy Wiernicki resided. And
lastly, another strip of artist alley ran down this hallway (pic#7). At the end of the hall was found artist Scott Ambruson who used to be my ink assistant during "Enemy of the State2" from
my Black Panther days (pic#8). Norman Lee (pic#9) was an assistant long before Scott in the mid-'90s before breaking in as a pro inker shortly thereafter. We graduated together from art
college in 1990 and have been friends since, living about an hour from each other, but this was our first get together in a while. I met Scott Harris at the show as well (pic#10). We are both
members of the Yahoo "Elitist Bastards" private mailing list, fans and creators all sharing a fondness for The Avengers (and otherwise known as "Jarvis Heads"). We had a good talk &
he showed me his shopping acquisitions. Matt Herring, AKA 'Matman' (pic#11), interviewed me for the Secret Identity Podcast site & I'll be sure to post the link on my news/links pages
once it's released. Finally, after buying some Vampi and Freddy pages of art, a gentleman introduced himself to me as Jack Butterworth, one of the writers of Vampirella for Warren back
in the day, so I took a photo with him in tribute to his work (pic#12). In summary, a fantastic show that I'd like to revisit next spring when it occurs on March 16, 2008.

This was my first trip to Florida let alone Orlando so this was exciting for me, especially since my
family joined me and we also had a Disney Parks & Universal studios adventure. The first day of the
show was strictly for the VIPs but I had fun at the subsequent 2-day event. I got to hook up with Zeke
Savory who I last saw in Pittsburgh with his wife (pic # 1 with Diane). He was part of the Big City
Comics ensemble 'bowling team';-) I met up with reporter Meredith Placko who had the various con
guests scheduled for an interview for the "Just Push Play" radio show. We had fun gabbing when we
weren't in interview mode with her crew. After her business was done she had some fangirl fun
dressing as White Queen on Saturday (pic # 2) & Dark Phoenix on Sunday (#3). Among the many nice
folks I ran into that weekend included show volunteer Constance Katsafanas of Tutor U (#4). She's
apparently a familar face in the Florida show circuit. At the show I got to meet and say 'hi' to Mike
Perkins, Jimmy Cheung, David Lloyd, John Beatty and touch base with pals G.W. Fisher, Alex Saviuk,
Pat Carlucci, Tom Fleming, and Tommy Castillo who my wife Diane commissioned to render one of
"The Gentlemen" from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (#5). All in all a nice (if humid) experiance and I have
promoters Glynn & Sara to thank for their kindness & generosity.