FX SHOW - Coolest Show On Earth

The 3-day Comic Book Convention known as FX or the FLORIDA XTRAVAGANZA took place this weekend in Orlando.

 

Although I don't attend as many shows as I used to, I went partly because I was contracted to produce the official poster. I did a limited edition, signed and numbered print of BATMAN and SNOW WHITE which I designed and pencilled.

FX Show Exclusive

 

Past FX Shows I got to appear with (the late) David Carradine (Kill Bill, Kung Fu), George Romero (Night of the Living Dead), and Robert Englund (Freddie Kruger).

 

The guests from this show that interested me were Joseph Gatt (Star Trek, Thor) and John Martino (The Godfather) among others. And then there is always the "swag" - the free stuff I get and offer to people after these shows.

From bottle openers to buttons ...

 

There were lots of excellent costumes, but when I am working behind my table, I cannot always get pictures. Its nice when they ask to take a picture of my work or with them.

Golden Age heroes and heroines

The Shadow

Orange Lantern Corps (Green Lantern story arc)

 

One of the items I enjoy getting are trading cards from the 501st Legion and other Star Wars garrisons. Here are just 4 of the 10 cards I acquired from this show.

 

Being that Orlando has Disney (which now owns Star Wars) and they host Star Wars weekends, there will always be solid material exclusive to our area. (if anyone want to purchase any of the exclusives from this show, shoot me an email)

 

That's all for today. More loot next blog.

ACC Show Highlights ... part 2

Continuing the summery of the 3-day ACC7 show, I finally had a chance to photograph the STAR WARS give-away trading cards from SQUAD 7 (of the 501st). Each member has his or her own card. Some, like Gina's are signed. Gina was great in giving me info on Star Wars toys which I picked up at the show. They know their universe.

 

In honor of Squad 7, I was commissioned to do a pin up poster - penciled and inked - of General Grievous.

 

There were a few dealers from Japan with anime statues and toys. They were expensive. Here, a Ninja stands guard over the tables.

 

Below, a trio of gals are costumed up for the day.

 

There were other rooms for gaming which I only had a chance to see on the last day. But the stuff was very detailed and looked pretty cool. I don't play, but would love to make some of the props.

 

I also did a commission of a WAR HAMMER orc figure. One of the few I was able to get a picture of before the buyer pick them up.

 

I do a 2-day comic book show in Jacksonville tomorrow. Finding time to finish the art work and blog is a hard task. Thanks for reading.

ACC7 Show ... Highlights

So Ancient City Con 7 came and went. Three days of furry costumes, steampunk and assorted cosplay. There were some talented artists on hand. One in particular, SAVY LIM, had this colored print of Logan (aka WOLVERINE).

I was fortunate enough to beg and finally trade art for the original art - which is just mind bogglingly detailed. (just look at the hair from the torso !)

 

Sometimes pictures do not justice to the visual effect when you see the costumes. This guy's eyes lit up (literally) in stealth mode.

 

This regal couple (Mr. and Mrs. Steampunk) were part of the steampunk movement - and theme to this show.

 

Here are examples of some of the great craftmanship of steampunk costumes and accessories.

 

and the punk mobile ...

Members of the 501st Legion, Squad 7 - from Jacksonville, were on hand. A nice bunch who gave out STAR WARS stickers and personal cards of their characters.

 

 

I did a good bunch of convention sketches - but only got to take a few photos of them. Here is "Zombie Wolverine".

 

more later.

The Force of STAR WARS; Big Money Moves

I don't know what it is about STAR WARS, but I cannot pass up on the stuff made for the iconic films. I need a board game like I need another hole in the head. But when "The FORCE" compels you to buy  something, you do it.

I found this boxed STAR WARS Monopoly game with classic artwork on the front.  Being the card collector that I am, I was pleased not only with the Property cards inside - Dagobah Swamp land, A Moisture Farm and X-Wing fighters ... to these ...

the replacement for the traditional Community Chest and Chance cards - now replaced with Rebel and Empire cards. 

The flip sides ...

The artwork, again, is pretty cool. Princess Leia (above) ...

the wise Jedi Master, Yoda ...

Darth Vader's Tie Fighter ...

and the Dark Lord himself - Darth Vader.

The entire deck is full of characters and creatures from the original 3 films. Even the money is in "credits" not dollars. 

But what really sold me was not the cards or the artwork. 

It was the inclusion of these great pewter figures ...

I have seen these miniatures go for about $3 to $5 each. They are well sculpted and supposedly only available with this boxed game. The figures are

* Grand Moff Tarkin *

* Luke Skywalker *

* Darth Vader *

* Lando Calrissian *

* Obi-Wan Kinobi *

* Fighter Pilot *

* Sand People *

* R2-D2 * 

I've already played a game with the wife. I made her say "credits" instead of dollars throughout the entire game.  She made me pay by beating the Mandalorian armor off me !

Considering I only paid 65 credits ... er, I mean 65 cents, it was a classic bargain.

BIG SUMMER MOVES

Lots and lots of transfer of players this summer. One of the biggest is the move of Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic from AC Milan to PSG (Paris Saint-Germain). PSG has been on tour in the USA including a match at Yankee Stadium. 

2012 Futera Unique - Ibrahimovic (limited edition to 395)

"Ibra" will join the club for the game against DC United.

The big Swede scored a spectacular goal at Euro 2012. He's come a long way from the fresh face kid that debuted back in the 2004 Euros ...

2004 Panini Euro sticker 

MLS has been busy with New York signing Australian World Cup player Tim Cahill from Everton. Vancouver traded Sebastian Le Toux also to New York, while signing Rangers and Scotland star, Kenny Miller.  As previously mentioned, Stoke City sign American Geoff Cameron  from Houston.

Star Wars Fight Against Cancer ...

Sometimes the universe calls for spending time doing other things that card collecting. But not in a galaxy too far away from cards ...

I was honored when I was asked to contribute my artwork for The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation.

The sketch card art will be featured at the Chicagoland Entertainment Collectors Expo beginning on September 10, 2010. The cards are licensed by LUCAS FILM and carry the sponorship information on the reverse (above)

  

I was only able to do 5 sketches (Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Boba Fett and Obi Wan) as I was pressed for the deadline. I hope they are appreciated by collectors, but more importantly, giving to a good cause - children's cancer.

you can find out more about the artists and the Chicagoland Entertainment Collector's Expo here.