TI Open Studios
Face To Face & Tulip Smash
Ithacon made me feel nostalgic for the innocent early days of the Small Press Expo and Alternative Press Expo (RIP). A solid mix of dedicated creators hawking their wares coupled with back issues, pop culture ephemera, and whatever is happening in the corridors of The Here and Now. I think I had a smile on my face the whole weekend.
BIG UPS to Ed Catto and the entire Ithacon staff and students who were always on point and super generous. Cheers to the fans who were enthusiastic and super sweet.
It was great to spend quality time with Jen Ferguson, Walter Simonson, Philip Bond, Mike Gold, Bob & Shari Harrison (among others) and meet Ithacon show creator Bill Turner, comic book writer Roger Stern (who directly influenced my Spider-man story, “Spider-man For A Night”), and Megaton Man creator, Don Simpson (among others) — a true comix coup.
Over the years, Tripwire editor-in-chief Joel Meadows has taken candid pictures of me at comic book conventions. Above is an edited excerpt from the page I’m featured in his new book, Face To Face Creative Portraits, presenting over fifty unique portraits of comic book creators. It comes out in May and you can order it HERE.
My pal/actor/comedian, Sharief Johnson, is dropping his new comedy album, “I Wish That Was A Joke,” on May 23rd. You can pre-order it for $10! Listen to the free track and get the jokes!
There’s still a little bit of time left to back the I am the Comic / Comic Book Walk Kickstarter. A year long comic book anthology / endurance performance where comix writer, Cecil Castellucci’s arm is the book as she walks.
Me and over 30 artists will be opening their studios this coming Sunday, May 5th, 2024 from 12pm - 6pm in Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY. TI Art Studios is located on the third floor of 183 Lorraine Street. Come see what we’re creating and pick up some of my exclusive comix. Click on the Sweet Lorraine Gallery Instagram for updates.
Free Comic Book Day is this Saturday. Make sure to swing by your local comix shop to grab some free comics and, more importantly, discover and buy some new (and old) comics. May the Fourth be with you.
See you on Sunday in Red Hook.
—Dean
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