NEWSAPALOOZA

Lots of stuff's been going on since my last post. It feels like I've been backlogging everything so I'd have a more robust blog post, but in truth, more stuff is happening all the time. Rather than have this post split at the seams, Allow me to let a little out at a time so neither my post or your mind explode from the wealth of awesome. 

MSU COMICS FORUM

My first con of the year (and one of my favorites) lands this Saturday on Michigan State University's campus. The MSU Comics Forum kicks off tonight with cartoonist and special guest Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo) giving a presentation. Then tomorrow, artist alley opens up, and the rest of us comic creators will display our creative wares. As I write this, I'm crossing my fingers that a Fed Ex truck will be dropping off my shipment of the "Bodie Troll" trade paperback (more on that later). But the odds are against me, so I may not have it for the show. But I'll still have back issues of "Bodie", new prints and original artwork for sale, and I'll be taking commissions during the course of the show. Check this link out for all the info you'll need to attend. Hope to see you there!

BODIE TROLL TRADE PAPERBACK 

So you probably got the gist from above--The Bodie TPB is late. It was due in stores last week. Besides "I'm sorry" and "It'll be here soon", all I have to say about that is, I turned in the material well ahead of deadline. Make of that what you will. I understand Diamond (the sole distributor of every mainstream comic in print) is citing the first couple weeks of March as an approximate release date. Keep harassing your local comic shops until you get your copy. It's gonna be amazing, whenever it shows up.

POPEYE

Well, more specifically, Wimpy. I was contacted a week ago by a printing company on the east coast. Turns out they got the license from King Features Syndicate to do Wimpy merchandise. They saw my Popeye artwork that I'd posted online, liked it, and asked me to tackle their first product, a t-shirt featuring the hamburger glutton himself. Everything fell into place after that, and within a week, the project was completed and approved by King Features. I'm told the product will be up for sale in the next two weeks on sites like Etsy, Ebay and Amazon. I'm not sure I can show the artwork at this time, but as soon as the shirts are available, I'll link everyone to where they can find them. I'm also told that Popeye himself may be next up for a t-shirt, which they also want me to work on. Me working on officially licensed Popeye merch--yes, five year old Jay, there is a Santa Claus. 

OTHER CONVENTIONS

I have a full listing of the conventions I've thus far booked this season on my website, which you can view here (scroll to the bottom of the page). What isn't yet listed online is, I'll be appearing at The Albuquerque Comic Expo in June, and San Diego Comic Con in July. There will most certainly be more added in the coming months, so be sure to check back at my website to see what's coming.

One of the shows I'll be a guest at is also one of my favorites--The Cherry Capital Comic Con in Traverse City, Michigan, which opens Memorial Day weekend. They had me design their show's poster, which I decked out with the cast from "Bodie Troll", while including the "Cherry" vibe of Traverse City (the town is a MAJOR player in the cherry-related products game, along with a whole other festival dedicated to it). Here's the poster: 

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

On May 5th, I'll be returning to Green Brain Comics in Dearborn, Michigan for this great annual event. This year, Green Brain and I are doing something special--while they're already carrying Red 5's FCBD issue (which includes a fun and creepy 12 page "Bodie Troll" story), they also solicited a special cover for their stock of the issue, which I designed. Check out the cover here: 

CON PRINTS

One of the things I always have on hand at cons are prints of my work. I've whipped up three new ones for this new season, one with Bodie, and two of familiar comic characters. Check 'em out here:

I'll also have some of my older prints that still seem to draw people in--Watchmoose (featuring the Rocky and Bullwinkle gang as Watchmen) and "The Crew of Serenity" will be in good supply, as they have for the past few years. 

OTHER BODIE NEWS

I just finished up a new script for the next issue of "Bodie Troll", and I hope to start drawing it next week. In this issue, Bodie is being hunted by a tribal woman with a penchant for slaying monsters. Can he outrun or reason with her, or will his adorable little pelt hang from her belt? Guess you'll have to wait and see! I will, however, give you a sneak peek at Bodie's pursuant--Hokum, last of the Kooghum.

That about covers everything for now. Like I said, there's more happening every day, and I'll be sure to post again when the next news storm hits!

--Jay