LAST BLOG OF 2010

I suppose if anything major happens between now and December 31st, then I'll certainly post one more blog entry, making this the second to last blog of 2010. But y'see, that's kinda what this last blog is about--the likelihood of there being anything major.

2010 wasn't what I thought it would be. I really thought Dead Duck was going to be a huge hit, and carry me into a more successful career than what I'd previously experienced. There'd been some bumps and snags along the way to getting Dead Duck in print, but I really believed it would all pay off in the end. As it turns out, that overnight success never quite happened, and the majority of folks who own a copy of Dead Duck, or even have a passing knowledge of the comic's existence, are probably reading this right now. It's not as big a number as some believe.

Scraping together enough optimism to continue wasn't easy. Wasn't, as if it got easy at some point. As of this writing, it's still not easy. I've had more false starts at potentially big projects this year than in all the years I've been a professional cartoonist. Companies who seemed interested in Dead Duck would eventually passed on it. Comic companies who expressed interest in me working on popular franchises for them would take their time to mull things over, then decide I wasn't the right fit for the project. The most recent false start hasn't even been given a definitive end. The more follow up e-mails I send to see if this company is still interested in me, the less I hear back from them. If I allowed myself to be more of a pessimist, I might see how definitive an end that really is.

The year has had its bright moments. I've had many great convention experiences, and made many good friends. I've met some of my professional heroes, and I've reconnected with some friends from my past. I've been busy enough with cartooning work to keep a roof over my head and food on my table. And I've discovered the food of the gods--buffalo wing sauce and blue cheese dressing. You don't want that to be the highlight of your year, but it would make a very tasty highlight to be certain.

So I end this year a little let down, a lot appreciative, and still hopeful for what's to come. The optimism that I'm constantly grabbing at is that much closer in reach due to those who have always supported and encouraged me. If you’re read this, you're one of 'em, and I thank you.

Okay, 2011. Give me your best shot.

--Jay

We're gonna take this CON-voy, cross the USA...CON-voooooyyyy....

If you were born anytime after 1980, don't expect to get that reference. Bad novelty song from the 70's, that's all you gotta know. But it also alludes to my con appearances from the past month,which I'm here with digital photos in hand to regale you with. So what're we waitin' for? Let's get to regalin'!

Before the cons even went down, I did a "Little Green Men" signing at Wonderworld Comics in Taylor Michigan in late October. My pal and fellow comic creator Tony Miello set it up for me, and shop owner Dennis Barger hosted the whole sha-bang. Good shop and good people. Here's a pic from that day.

The following weekend was the very first DETROIT FANFARE comic con in Dearborn, Michigan. I had a blast--seated next to the always friendly, funny and phenomenal artist Guy Davis (creator of the comic The Marquis and artist on Dark Horse's BPRD comic).

The Devil's Night bash that the con threw was a riot as well. I put on my best Fred Flintstone costume and hung out with some great people. Here I am with Anna Pocalypse creator (and my old CMU college pal) Adam Talley...

  And most significantly, I finally got to celebrate Halloween (albeit a night early) with my sweetie, Laura--seen here in an AWESOME homemade Ramona Flowers costume, from the Scott Pilgrim comic/movie...

The rest of the con was as great as could be. And I ended it with a wonderful post-con dinner with Laura, Guy and his equally awesome fiancee, Rosemary Van Deuren (whom I seriously regret not getting a photo with--she wore the coolest Liz Sherman costume at the con! That's a Hellboy character, for the unaware--appropriate since Guy draws her in BPRD, y'see!

But the ink was hardly dry on the commissions I drew at Fanfare before I was all packed up for the following weekend and headed down I-75 south with cartoonist Tony Miello, blazing a trail to Mid Ohio Con! This was the view from the terrace on our floor. Much nicer than the standard hotel parking lot views I'm used to...

Here I am at my table--That's Tony Miello (creator of "Gapo the Clown") hunkered down behind me. It was actually Tony's space, but he brought an extra table for me, and created a non-con approved end booth for me. I'm so indebted to the big lug, I tell ya.

This was a Spider-Man I drew for Tony...

And here was the absolute coolest turn of events in my choosing to come to Mid Ohio--I got to meet one of my idols, Adam Hughes! If you don't know, Adam is THE cover artist for almost every sexy female superhero that DC comics produces, as well as having sexed up covers for Dark Horse, Marvel and Star wars projects. Adam was a very cool person (in keeping with all the other cool folk I'd met at these cons), and I gave him a Wonder Woman piece I drew, which parodied a famous Wonder Woman cover he drew some years back. Such a great memory....

So that was an excellent capper for my comic con road trips. Since then I've been hard at work, hashing out new pages for the next Little Green men comic (hope you got your hands on the first volume), catching up on commissions and working frantically on a sketch card set for Rittenhouse, called "Marvel: Dangerous Divas", featuring Marvel Comics' various female characters. I have to have 100 of these done, in full color no less, by January, so it's been quite the artistic marathon in my studio thus far.

I've got more cons planned already for the spring and summer, and will let you know about them before too long. In the meantime, this may be the last you hear from me before the holidays hit. So my best and warmest to you and yours this season, and I hope to catch up with you guys soon, if not before the ball drops on Times Square, than certainly soon after, and in the best of circumstances for a bright and wonderful 2011!

Big hugs,

--Jay

DETROIT FANFARE APPEARANCE NEXT SATURDAY!!!

On Saturday Oct. 30th and Sunday the 31st, I'll have a table at Detroit Fanfare, a brand new comic con being held in Dearborn, Michigan. It's gonna be balls out awesome, with great comic creators like Tim Seeley (Hack/Slash), Guy Davis (The Marquis, B.P.R.D.), and the guest of honor, Stan "The Man" Lee. Now little ol' me, I'll have all sorts of great Halloween treats at my table for you guys. Prints, commissions, original art and sketch card returns for sale, and this brand new baby, fresh off the printer...

 My very first sketchbook! It's 32 pages, and will sell for $10.00 at the con. I'm including a personalized caricature on the cover of whoever purchases the book. You'll be this adorable little bunny's hostage! How sweetly criminal is THAT?!

And for those of you who still haven't gotten your copies of Dead Duck, I'll be giving you another chance, along with a rare opportunity. Not only will you get a copy from my very limited, personal stash of Dead Duck books, but I'll draw an original Dead Duck sketch on the inside cover. And of course that includes the potential for a Zombie Chick sketch. Like you need to ask. So show up and get 'em while they're there to be got!

Lastly, I'll have the honor of participating in a panel discussion on Saturday at 2pm with two of my fellow National Cartoonist Society brothers, Dave Coverly (creator of the syndicated comic "Speed Bump") and Jef Mallett (creator of the syndicated comic "Frazz"). Us three are Michigan born and bred cartoonists, which is the focus of our panel. So that should be reason enough to come to Detroit Fanfare, right?!

Here is a link to Fanfare's website. Check it out, take notes, hitchhike, sell your kid sister, pick a fight with a mime, whatever you gotta do to get your ass out to Detroit Fanfare on Halloween weekend! Good times are preordained, my friends! Hope to see you there!

Hugs, bro taps and dirty jokes for all--

--Jay

WONDERWORLD SIGNING ON SATURDAY!!!

Just a reminder that I'll be signing copies of my newest book, "LITTLE GREEN MEN" (published by Ape Entertainment) on Saturday from noon to 5 at Wonderworld Comics in Taylor, MI!  You can visit Wonderworld's website HERE for more info!

Like I mentioned before, "Little Green Men" (or LGM) is an all-ages comic, so it's perfectly appropriate for any age group to read (heck, I'm 36 and I'm reading it--and I write and draw the darn thing)! You can find out more about it by visiting my website's LGM page HERE! I'll also be selling some prints at Wonderworld and taking sketch commissions!

I will also be appearing at The Detroit Fanfare Comic Con on Oct. 30th and 31st (more info on that next week). But I need to mention that I WILL NOT HAVE COPIES OF LGM AT DETROIT FANFARE! So if you want to buy a copy and have me autograph it for you, this Saturday at Wonderworld is your only chance!
 Hope to see you there!

Much hugs--

--Jay

UPCOMING APPEARANCES

Hey kids! I'm back with some dates for you to remember...

LITTLE GREEN MEN SIGNING AT WONDERWORLD COMICS IN TAYLOR, MI!
Saturday, October 16th, noon to 5 pm.
I'll have issues of LGM to sell, as well as original artwork and prints. For directions and other info, you can visit Wonderworld's website HERE. 
NOTE: LGM is an all-ages book, so this event is appropriate for anyone. That said, anyone who has a copy of my first graphic novel, "Dead Duck" (not even kinda all ages appropriate) and wants to get it autographed should bring it to this signing, and I'll be happy to oblige!


DETROIT FANFARE
Saturday, Oct. 30th and 31st 
A brand new comic con in Dearborn, Michigan! Get all the info you need about it HERE! I'll have a table there, and will have some con exclusive items for sale, such as:
--Copies of Dead Duck!  I've got a new shipment coming in just in time for this con. As always, I'll sign copies, and will include an original sketch on the inside cover!
--My very first sketchbook! I've scavenged my recent sketchbooks, loose doodles and some of my favorite previously unseen work and compiled it all in "THE JAY P. FOSGITT SKETCHBOOK 1". It will be in a standard comic book format, 32 pages in length, and will have space on the front cover for a sketch! You can view my sketchbook's cover below...

And how about that adorable bunny trying to seal a mint condition copy of Action Comics #1? But this sketchbook, and I'll draw a caricature of you behind him as his hostage!

And hopefully you'll notice my new logo in the upper left corner of the cover...

This is the logo I plan on using for all my self published creations from now on! Not a bad name for my publishing outfit, huh?

For Fanfare, I'll also be accepting commissions, selling original art and prints! So lots of good stuff will be found at my table! Just look for the Dead Duck banner and I'll be there!

UPDATE 10/04/10: I totally forgot to mention that, at Detroit Fanfare, I'll be doing a panel discussion with syndicated cartoonists and my fellow National Cartoonist Society Members, Dave Coverly ("Speedbump") and Jef Mallett ("Frazz"), and Detroit Freepress editorial cartoonist Mike Thompson! That should be incentive enough to attend!


If you have any questions about either of these events, click on the links I provided for more info, or contact me at: fourpanelhero@hotmail.com. Hope to see you guys soon!

--Jay