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COMICPALOOZA WAS A HUGE SUCCESS!

Just like Charmy says in today’s comic strip…. “I am out of gas”. Comicpalooza was so freaking amazing!!! The turn out was enormous. The support from my readers and my friends for my comic strip was through the roof. I did not realize, until this past weekend, how many people are now supporting my silly little comic strip about a troop of army ants and a stinky little monkey. What this proves is that hard work and a little faith will bring great success if you just give it time. It could take months, weeks, or as in my case… decades.

The show was so well run. Comicpalooza cranked up the security, but I was happy with that. I heard it slowed load in a bit as time ran out, but I had no issues. Of course, I am an early bird. I was at the show before 6:00 am. I was in the GRB and setting up without a hitch. The aisle were set up nicely in Artist’s Alley as well. The flow was smooth. The volunteers were awesome on Saturday, checking on me every hour. I did not see a single volunteer on Friday or Sunday though… working alone is rough if you cannot get a potty break. I had to get my neighbors to watch my booth a few times… which I do not like to do. I hate burdening people.

I added some new merchandise for the show. I created two new prints. Both of these sold like crazy. The Deadpool mashup sold out. Once again, the Beatles mashup sold out which is telling me I need to rethink my next mini print card collection. I was going to do a rock n roll set with the 4 Beatles and a a few other musicians. I am now thinking that I need a full set of Beatles and another set with other rock stars. That said, mini print cards were the only thing that sold poorly this time. At my last two shows, these sold like ice cream in July.

I also added my comic book. Yes, after eight years or readers asking me for a comic book, I finally took the leap and printed a comic book. I only printed 150 copies because I just knew I would be sitting on them for years to come. My low goal was to sell 2 on Friday, 10 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday. With a total of 15 books in my expectations, I was grinning ear to ear when I sold 12 copies on Friday. All in all over the weekend, I sold 52 copies. I was thinking I sold a few more than that, but after a recount today, it stands at 52. I could not be happier!

I got to meet Joel Adams which was mind blowing. I am a huge fan of his work on King of the Hill. I talked to him on Saturday or a long time. That man can draw. He was showing me some work he did drawing some black and white pin up art. I immediately spotted WWE’s Paige. I remarked in regards to my admiration for Paige and her work with World Wrestling Entertainment and Joel remarked that he was a fan of the Diva’s division. This of course was the ice breaker! We talked quite a while about the WWE/WWF past and present. I gave him on of my comics and felt I made a great connection and friend.  I wanted to get a signed print for my studio, but I did not want to appear a geeky fan boy. I am really kicking myself for not getting a print. No problem, I will see him again at another show. I am doing one each month, so our paths will cross again.

Fans old and new showed me some amazing love this weekend. I cannot thank you enough! From readers bring in copies of The Weekly Bulletin for me to sign to Warrior Wench Wendy fans buying up all but one of my strips featuring Frenchy’s alter ego to the brand new readers who talked to me on Friday and Saturday who returned the following day as diehard fans to people telling me they saw me at Bell County or Alamo City and came to Comicpalooza just to buy my comic book… everyone had me feeling like a rock star. I even heard my sketch cover I drew during the live art auction sold for $60!!! I just cannot begin to tell everyone how much this show meant for my ego. Comicpalooza made me feel like I am finally a successful cartoonist!

Last, but not least, I have to thank John Simons who has been instrumental in my development. His show, Comicpalooza, is my is my first home when it comes to these types of pop culture conventions. John has built a community where I call everyone my family. John and I both recalled my first show with my 6 prints and how determined I was to succeed. Looking back now, I am so embarrassed with that poor outing. I made some quality friends though at that first show who gave me some great words of encouragement. The biggest influence at that first show was Sam de la Rosa. It was so important to my development to have such a huge name be so kind to me and my efforts.

I have three weeks before my next comic con, If you are going to Greater Austin Comic Con in a few weeks, look me up!!!!

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