![\"\"](\"http:\/\/stallonezone.com\/zone\/2004\/z031404koi.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
When I said I’d be gone for a few days, I had no idea it would be over a week before I got back to updating the ZONE<\/b>.<\/p>\n
MegaCon<\/a><\/b> was a great show. Big Beatty <\/b>was sharing a table with Casey Jones<\/b> [who does some of the best con sketches around]. Bob McLeod<\/a><\/b> was just around the corner. I hadn’t seen Bob<\/b> in probably 15 years… but boy, did the memories come flooding back. Bob<\/b>, Beatty<\/b> and I talked about all of the conventions we used to travel to, as well as the poker and pool we used to play. Bob<\/b> sketched almost nonstop the entire show. The fans love them some Bob McLeod<\/b>. And rightly so.<\/p>\n I ran into fellow fans and art collectors John “Johnny StarWars” Higashi <\/b>[who wore his StalloneZone<\/b> t-shirt] and James “The James” Howell<\/b>. They were planing their strategies for the show. These are two of the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet. Before the weekend was over John Higashi<\/b> was one of the seven people from the entire show to win an opportunity to purchase a sketch from Walt Simonson<\/b>. [And what a sweet one it turned out to be.] I hope to get to spend more time with them in Atlanta<\/a><\/b>.<\/p>\n Michael Lark sketched away all weekend long. I picked up two pieces from Michael<\/a><\/b>. It was funny because when I expained my Stallone<\/b> theme to him, I said, “So you can draw any Stallone<\/b> character you want.” Michael<\/a><\/b> said, “Great I know who I want to do.” I said that I would check back with him in a bit and as I started to walk away asked, “Who are you going to draw?” “Mickey<\/b>,” Michael<\/a><\/b> said with a smile. “Uh, you are going to draw Rocky<\/b> and Mickey<\/b>, right?” Michael<\/b> laughed and said, “Oh, I see. When you said a Stallone<\/b> character, you meant a character that Stallone<\/b> played, not just any character from his movies.” Whew! Had we not cleared that up, I would have come back to find a very nice drawing of Mickey<\/b>! As it turned out Michael<\/b> did a scene from Rocky<\/b> with Mickey<\/b>, Rocky<\/b>, and his cut man… you know the scene… “Cut me, Mick<\/b>!” Michael<\/b> was selling a really nice sketchbook as well, so I picked up one for me and another for a friend.<\/p>\n James O’Barr<\/b> was there. I had initially hoped to get a Stallone<\/b> sketch from him. That didn’t work out, but I did get James<\/b><\/a> to autograph my copy of The Crow<\/b> trade paperback. Maybe I’ll get the chance at another show.<\/p>\n Koi Phan <\/b>was sketching away. I’ve been a fan of Koi’<\/b>s since I first saw his sketches popping up on the internet. I went over and introdced myself. Koi<\/b> not only remembered my name but said, “You’re the reason I came to MegaCon<\/b>!” I had written him a couple of months ago asking if he was coming to MegaCon<\/b>. I told him a bit about the show and that I hoped he could make it. He had no plans to, but decided to check it out on my suggestion. And that he remembered my name. How cool is that? I picked up a Stallone<\/b> sketch for myself and a Batman<\/b> for my oldest son’s collection. Koi<\/b> does great work. Check out his site and I’m sure you’ll agree.<\/p>\n Walt Simonson<\/a><\/b> came stopped by the table and I was able to get him to re-autograph my Alien<\/b> and Manhunter<\/b> trade paperbacks. He had first autographed them over 20 years ago! Walt <\/b>is a really cool guy. He has an Elric<\/b> series coming out later this year and the advance art looked awesome. A Stallone<\/b> by Walt <\/b>would be sweet…<\/p>\n Kelsey Shannon<\/b> came by the table. Kelsey<\/b> is flat out the man. Some kids were playing hack-sack near the table. I jokingly asked Kelsey<\/b> if he wanted to join in and he replied, “I do know how to play.” That’s all I needed to hear and I had Kelsey <\/b>in the game in no time at all. The funny thing is… Kelsey <\/b>really knew how to play! Add THAT to his list of accomplishments… amazing artist, able to eat a block of cheese in an hour, and competitive hacki-sacker. Kelsey<\/b> did a drop dead gorgeous Sly <\/b>sketch for me. Big Beatty<\/b> is going to ink it on blue-line so I’ll be able to retain the original pencils.<\/p>\n I ran into Cully Hamner<\/a> <\/b>on the way to the restroom. We had some small talk and he said he would be up for another Stallone<\/b>. It’s going to be hard to top his first one, but I hope that he tries either at Atlanta<\/a><\/b> or Heroes <\/b>con later this year. Cully <\/b>went to the restroom to get a stain off his shirt. As we were walking out of the restroom, I told him about “Shout”<\/b> wipes. They’ll get out almost any stain and I try to always keep some at work. Cully<\/b> said he’d check into them. Cully<\/b> said, “Hey thanks for the tip.” He immediately followed that up with, “I guess I shouldn’t say that as we’re leaving the restroom!”<\/p>\n The Gaijin<\/a><\/b> crew were busy all weekend. It was cool to meet Alison<\/b> and to see Adam<\/b> again. Since I got my Adam Hughes<\/b> sketch, I haven’t tried for another, hoping that some lucky soul will be able to get his\/her first… but I have to tell you, seeing the beautiful work that Adam<\/b> does, I’m always tempted to get in line! Cully<\/b>, and Kelsey<\/b> and Brian<\/b> and Karl<\/b> were also very busy. I hope to get Brian<\/b> to do a Stallone<\/b> for me at Atlanta<\/b> or Heroes<\/b> this year. That would kick butt. Kelsey <\/b>wore his StalloneZone<\/b> shirt while he was sketching… talk about cool! Also, Gaijin<\/b> had advance materials on The Ride<\/b> on display. This book looks to be a winner. Tell your comic dealer <\/b>to order you one or you may get left out.<\/p>\n Alex Saviuk<\/b> stopped by the table for a few minutes and we talked about the life of a freelancer<\/b>. He had me laughing because freelancers<\/b> face the situation of not enough work or too much work due at the same time. Never a happy medium.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/stallonezone.com\/zone\/2004\/z031404lark.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/stallonezone.com\/zone\/2004\/z031404lkoi2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/stallonezone.com\/zone\/2004\/z031404kelseyhacki.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/stallonezone.com\/zone\/2004\/z031404kelsey.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/stallonezone.com\/zone\/2004\/z031404billblack.jpg\")
<\/p>\n