Best find at Wizard World Chicago

Three weeks back and I'm still going through and reading the stuff I got at WWC. The best thing I picked up was a whole set of A Monk's Tale from KonSequencial studios.

For $20 I got 0-5 of the comic, two anthologies, three linen bound sketch books and some promo material (cards, bookmarks, ect.); plus I scored some great sketches in my '60 Second Sketchbook' from Kendrix Foong and Laurie Breitkreuz.

The story is about 3 young Chinese monks. It is set in a remote village of 'ancient' China. The local government is corrupt and the citizens of the village the monks are passing through are being subjugated by the local military. One of the monks decides to stop some soldiers from abusing a young woman and that involves the three in the village's struggle.

During the course of the action the leader of the three monks get arrested with the father of the young girl. Both are scheduled to be executed when the monk discovers hat some of the local military are at odds with their leadership and want to rebel and fight for the people.

All of that is issues 1-5. The story is set to be concluded in issue 6 due out sometime this fall or winter. Issue 0 served as a bridge between the short stories where the young monk's where introduced (in the two anthologies, Short Term Konsquences). When we initially meet them, they are children, by the end of the story they are all young men ready to start the journey we see in issue 1.

Individually the books are a bit expensive (2.25-3.25 cover price) for the greatly decompressed but action filled story, but the deal at the con made them a great buy. I now am anxiously looking forwards to both issue 6 and the redrawn story featuring covers by Greg Horn, starting in 2006.

Emma's a Big Girl!

Well, Emma had her 9 month check up this week. She is 21 lbs 11 oz and 29 inches long! She impressed the doctor with her attention to him and the stethoscope. He was concerned (for us) that she was interested in walking already, and gave us the generic good doctor "baby proof your house" spiel.

After that she had to get some blood taken for some test that ate mandatory in Indiana. She HATED that. The tech in the lab was good though and Emma only insanely cried for a few minutes after the whole needle ordeal.

Other than that no news from our house.

Emma will get her picture taken next week and I'll post some when we get them.

Pretty (gross) Baby...

Emma, at my brother's house for Makhayla's 1st birthday party, really enjoying her carrots. This is perhaps the most frightening picture of the monkey-girl every taken. Thanks Kati for having your camera handy!

A slightly more normal pose.

My daughter the woodchuck...

So Emma has teeth. Two in on the bottom, they've been there a while, and now two on top with two more coming in on top and at least one more on the bottom.

Yesterday Christy walked in on her chewing on her crib. Of course it was on the part that will be her footboard when it is converted into a bed. We are off to get some of those bad tasting bumper pads this evening.

Jay-Emma now has more hair than you.

Wizard World Chicago '05

Wow.

So Three days later, I'm still picking up the pieces. The convention was very good this year, better than last year's, not as good as 03's. I had a great time in Artist Alley this year. I filled out my 60 second sketch book with a Thor from Walt Simonson, a Poison Ivy from Steve Leiber, and sketches from up and comers Jeremy Dale and Casey Heying (I have no shame, pimpin' my buds).

I also was very reserved on my comic purchases. Sure I found a few deals; a Star Wars trade and Chaykin's Might Love for $5 each, a few neat new books, A Monk's Tale from Konequential Studios, but it was nothing like in the past.

I also found some neat stuff to buy. Palisades' Super Grover Figure and Litho and the Rainbow Connection Kermit were picked up on Thursday's Preview night ( a great addition), I picked up The Dark Phoenix and some European Indy Clix at Wizkids' booth on Saturday. I played no Clix, and couldn't even find the Envoy appreciation night on Friday (not that I was trying that hard).

Christy and I also found Corrie Doerrfeld (she is great!) on Saturday and picked up her new Leah book, Leah Loves Pink and a new one called Bananagins for Emma.

Friday evening also found us hanging out with the guys from the Comic Creators Syndicate, a local group that put out their first anthology last spring, Syndication. While in the Hyatt bar we also laughed our asses off at the most unprofessional "agent" in the history of representation. She was flirting with Mark Waid, of the famous '03 Mark-Waid-Fight, and falling out of her top. Listen girl, I don't care who your daddy is, buy a mirror and shut up!

Saturday evening we had Pizza and bummed around the lobby, saw a dude get tased...good times. Sunday evening was much more mellow, a bunch of us walked to Maria's Mexican restaurant (again) and had a huge (and cheap) dinner. Then ended up in the bar for dessert!

The weekend was fun and stressful at the same time, we only made it to one and a half panels (but got free swag at each of those), the fan awards and those dinners at Maria's (damn good Mexican Food!) was almost worth the drive to Chi-town.

Only 51 weeks until WWC '06!