I already thought it was Wednesday. Woah. Yup, I’m anxious for the week to be over so I can enjoy being off for March break with the kids. Among other things happening that week 🙂 2 of the 3 special ladies in my life are celebrating a birthday that week. My darling wife Chantale on Monday (Feb 28 although in truth Feb 29), and my little JitterBug Melyssa on Thursday March 3rd. 🙂
By the way, I’m taking Melyssa (and James) to the EchoMuseum on Thursday as that’s what she wants for her birthday. Anyone want to join us? 🙂
The past weekend was spent putting Comicopia together and mailing it off, driving the kids around, and everyone fighting off various cold symptoms. Bleah. The kids were dropped off early Sunday morning and then Chantale and I vegged and slept in the afternoon (after she made me some delicious pancakes! mmm! 🙂 ) Yes, we’re drinking plenty of liquids. Plenty. By the by, I’ve been enjoying laying on Chantale’s tummy. I press my ear against her belly, close my eyes, and listen to the sounds of our baby “swimming” around 🙂 I think it’s time to start reading and singing to it… 🙂
Speaking of Comicopia, can you believe I only have the non-bound copy left? All other copies of the latest issue have left the building or are already promised. I’ve been spending a lot of money shipping copies off to folks, but if any of those decide to join us, it will be worth it. At the same time, I’m sending copies off to other folks whom I’m hoping will help spread the word and thus also perhaps bring in some requests. Heck, we’re celebrating 15 Years this year. It’s definitely worth celebrating!
I just made reservations at Hotel des Seigneurs in Saint-Hyacinthe for May 21st. My buddy’s getting married that day and the reception will be held there! No way are Chantale and I driving to St. Hyacinthe and NOT spending the night! Come on! 🙂 … Hey, Marc! Do we need cigars? 🙂
In other Comic-related news, The Shuster Awards Nominations have been finalized. Stuff is at the Printers and should appear in comic shops either March 2nd or March 9th. On-line voting will be available (still only for Canadian residents) as of March 2nd as well. This whole process was a lot more interesting than I thought it would be! And the end result of who ended up staying on the ballot was also quite intriguing. I can’t wait to experience the cumulation of it all on Saturday April 30th at the Paradise Comics Toronto Comicon when the winners are announced. Yes, I’ll be going as will Francisco and his cousin (The SnatchMaster Trio!). Toronto beware! Expect pictures. Plenty of pictures. 🙂 And on that note, I wanted to add these two items of note from various on-line resources:
From CBR: “Astro City” will return with a 16 part maxi-series, “The Dark Age,” which goes back to the 70s to tell the story of the Astro City Silver Age in four issue arcs by the usual team of Busiek, Anderson, and Ross.
From Scoop: Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man, New Avengers, Powers, the Pulse, Secret War, and the upcoming House of M) will be a guest of the Paradise Comics Toronto Comicon. Brian joins Warren Ellis, the writer of Planetary, Iron Man, Ultimate Nightmare, Ultimate Secret, and the upcoming Desolation Jones and Bill Willingham, writer of Fables, Robin and the upcoming Day of Vengeance.
Among the other guests already confirmed (in no particular order) are Dave Sim (Cerebus), Jerry Robinson (classic Batman artist and co-creator of many Batman related characters like the Joker and Robin), Alvin Schwartz (writer of gold and silver age DC Comics and strips, creator of Bizarro) Jim Cheung (Young Avengers), Adi Granov (Iron Man), Ty Templeton (Simpsons, Spider-Man/Human Torch), Dave Ross (Breakout), B. Clay Moore (Hawaiian Dick, the Expatriate, Battle Hymn), J. Torres (Love As A Foreign Language, Teen Titans Go, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight), Tom Fowler (Green Arrow), Jim Craig (classic Marvel artist, What IF?, Spider-Man: The Trial of Venom), Tom Grummett (New Thunderbolts, Teen Titans), Kaare Andrews (Spider-Man/Doctor Octopus: Year One), Phil Jimenez (DC Countdown, Otherworld), Francis Manapul (Magdalena/Vampirella, Witchblade, Tomb Raider), Stuart Sayger (Shiver in the Dark).