JaMiE BaKeR: fallout

This is the opening splash-page from the 28 page PREVIEW-issue of Rocket Rabbit #1 that I was selling at Wondercon over the weekend. It is just but a taste of a 48 page book I’m hauling-arse to get finished by June so that I can inflict it on the customarilly otherwise preoccupied folks at comic-con…

As we had imagined, this years Wondercon proved to be better than last year, and most people agreed that having it in February was the main reason for the improvement. The increased attendance spoke for itself.

I had one unpleasant episode but that wasn’t comics related (a run in with an EX). All the comics stuff went well (or well for me anyway, who is usually hit with some kind of technical glitch at the 11th hour). The comedy highlight was on Sunday morning. Rhode and I got in early as exhibitors are allowed to do, and the security staff checking our passes were all in STORMTROOPER costumes. How cool is that?

Ronnie del Carmen has a nice Wondercon report in his blog, complete with some snapshots ‘n’ stuff. So go check it out. And speaking of Ronnie’s snaps, here is one he took of Rhode and I on Sunday. Thanks Ronnie!

UPDATE: for a preview of the FINISHED 40 page book click on the image

if you’d like to buy a copy then go here.

I will be exhibiting at all the major comic conventions in California this year: Wondercon (February 18-20), APE (April 9-10) and COMIC-CON (July 13-17). In all three cases my partner in crime will be mr. Rhode Montijo, C.E.O. and C.F.O. of Abismo publishing.

I personally like the fact that Wondercon has moved to earlier in the year, as it puts 6 months of time between the two bigger conventions, and makes them less competitive with eachother. It seems like over the last few years the fact that Comic con was so soon after Wondercon meant that it sucked up some of the enthusiasm for the smaller convention. Exhibitors and attendees both seemed to be pooling their resources for Comic-con at the expense of poor old Wondercon. It went from being a really neat little convention to a shadow of its former self. I hope they keep them spaced this far apart and give Wondercon a chance to grow into something better. I dont think that APE will suffer for being closer to Comic Con on the schedule as it has clearly staked out a different niche for itself.

Having 3 seperate attainable deadlines for the first part of the year will hopefully be a help for my book production as well. Only time will tell on that score.

The Abismo/Nerve Bomb booth number for Wondercon is #203. See you there!

Here is one of the pieces I picked up at the Maverix Tsunami auction, a great colour sketch by TONY SALMONS:

Yet again the good hearts at Maverix are rallying their community to raise some money for those hit by bad fortune. Last time it was a benefit for our pal Mike’s surgery, and this time it is to raise money for the victims of the recent tsunami disaster in Asia.

There has been a great reaction from artists in the local community, and even artists from as far away as Los Angeles and New York have donated their artwork. Many more are expected to come and bid on the pieces and raise money. I donated 6 pieces, 3 Black and white, and 3 colour including this one:

The auction will be held at Maverix Studios Friday February 4th. There is more information about the auction at the Maverix Blog, including a daily update gallery of the actual pieces on offer.