:comic book heroes:

This past weekend was the Boston Comic Con, I don't normally frequent such events but a friend got me a ticket, so there you go. I was mainly going to see some of the artists that would be appearing and signing there, including several that influenced me and my art.

One is Michael Golden, who is still active, but I knew him first through the "Micronauts" comic, based on the toys of the same name (yes I had them too), but better written than something you'd think was made just to sell more toys. And the artwork too, which is my point. A lot of my own artwork of the time shamelessly copied his, but I was a young teen, so I'm allowed. Right? I told him at the Con that things like his drawings of explosions and pools of blood caught my eye. Well, whatever works!

Bill Sienkiewicz was there as well, I cannot express how much his artwork blew me away back then, until Dave McKean came along and then my brain exploded. Metaphorically, that is. He started out doing comics in the traditional way but evolved more and more until it was more like illustration. It must've been hell for deadlines and printing, but worth it in the end I'd say. See "Elektra: Assassin" and "Stray Toasters" and tell me I'm wrong.

Other than that and a few other artists, I didn't find much else for me at the Con, it wasn't a huge space like I'm sure the legendary one in San Diego is, and I truthfully don't buy many comics these days, maybe collections from time to time, and I'm trying to find new manga series to follow. I never was big on superheroes, it was always sci-fi or fantasy oriented, it seemed. although Batman got in there a few times.

Like is standard at most cons these days, there was a fair share of costumed folk there. Your expected Batmen, Jokers and now Harley Quinns. Catwomen of varying success. Several Tony Starks. Not Iron Man, Tony Stark. You need the right facial hair to pull that one off. And of course the 501st Legion was there. But sometimes the simplest costumes are the most successful.