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Posted 4 months ago

Looking back on 2011…

If there’s one thing I can say about the last 12 months, it’s this: 2011 was the most satisfying year of my life on so many levels. I was satisfied with myself, and the way I carried myself all year. I took a lot of chances and took advantage of every opportunity that came my way, and it all paid off.

I got to see most of the people I wanted to see throughout the year, which I was happy with. I re-connected with a lot of my extended family after many years away. I got to interview a ridiculous number of people who I respect and admire through the podcast. I met a lot of folks who I only knew through social networking, and found them all to be as amazing in person as they were online.

As far as comics go, I got to write a story for my best friend to draw, and it was a fantastic collaboration. I’m developing a new webcomic with another one of my best friends, and it just keeps getting better with every time we talk. I’m also in the process of writing a new concept for one of my favorite indy publishers. Of course, the podcast is gaining a following that includes a lot of folks whose work I enjoy. There’s no greater honor for me, honestly.

It wasn’t a perfect year. There were a lot of health scares among friends and family, then there was the nasty car accident right before the holidays hit. It was costly, but life is like that some times.

In the end, 2011 was very good to me. I can’t complain. I’m thankful for my family, and all my friends for being there all year long. 

2012 is on the horizon, and I’m excited to see what comes next…

Happy new year, everyone! Be safe!

Pat

Finally, here’s some of my favorite photos from 2011. Enjoy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/patloika/sets/72157628212594725/

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Posted 7 months ago

Memories of NYCC 2011, part 2: Friday.

Friday started out with the arrival of the last person of the group, Adam Witt. Witt has been my collaborator on many comic stories, and co-hosts the podcast with me. I haven’t seen him since Wizard World Chicago in 2009, so having him here was a treat. He had to endure almost 24 hours of travelling to get here, but he’s here.

The con officially begins today, and I decided to go to the con early. I had an exhibitor badge after all, and it grants me early access to the floor. My buddy Simon also had one of these badges, and we decided to scout artist alley and start finding people.

We got in and caught up with Tony Moore, who looks to be enjoying a good show. He had a large and elaborate set-up over in Artist Alley and his tables are hard to miss. We continued to scour the aisles, and I bumped into my podcasting pals, Jason Wood and David Price of 11 O’Clock Comics. We chatted about the art collecting game for a bit, and I made sure to snap a photo, because this encounter could always be our last.

Me, with Jason Wood and David Price.

The exhibit hall started letting people in and I was getting all kinds of phone calls. I touched base with Ben Christian and Cory Smith, who I offered my table space to, so I can get them set-up at my spot. Their book, The Independents, debuted at the show, and it’s a great looking book. More info is available over at their website: http://www.independents-comic.com/

After taking care of Ben and Cory, I started looking for the sketches I pre-ordered. I looked for Amanda Conner, and picked up this gorgeous Emma Frost sketch.

Amanda Conner

After years of trying to get an Amanda Conner piece, I was finally successful. It’s a good con.

I decided to kill time by taking photos and seeing more creators. My first stop was Kieron Gillen. We talked X-Men stuff, and he even solved the timeline issues I had with Schism and Fear Itself.

Kieron Gillen

I continued to cruise Artist Alley, where I got to see more familiar places. I ended up chatting with one of my favorites, John Paul Leon. I picked up his new sketchbook, which features a lot of his DMZ cover process, some commission work, and even some designs for the upcoming Ultimate Spider-Man animated show.

John Paul Leon

After talking with JPL for a bit, I ran into Tom Raney. I’ve followed Tom’s work since the early 90’s, particularly during his run on Warlock and the Infinity Watch. I HAD to get a Thanos sketch from him.

Tom Raney

After that I continued to walk the floor, taking photos, taking it all in. I’ve gone to this convention since it first started, and I got to witness it grow every single year. I DID notice that the con felt a bit…disorganized? The volunteers seem as confused as most people, and I don’t think there’s enough security around.

I bumped into the iFanboy crew: Ron Richards (@ronxo), Conor Kilpatrick (@cskilpatrick), Josh Flanagan (@JFlanagan), Paul Montgomery (@fuzzytypewriter) and Ali Colluccio (@WonderAli).

I hung out at their table for a little bit, and handed Ali a copy of the Captain America: Streets of Poison TPB. She had to see the absurdity of a drugged out Cap, and that awesome fight between the Red Skull and the Kingpin, where both combatants were half-naked. You read that right. I got to see some original Moritat pages that Paul had picked up. After spending some time with their crew we had to split up, and I realized that I hadn’t snapped any photos while hanging out. Big mistake on my part, because I won’t see most of these folks again all weekend..

At any rate, here are more photos from the floor…

Archangel. Probably the best costume I saw all weekend. The wings actually worked…well, except they don’t fly, but you know what I mean.

Archangel

The Black Widow.

Black Widow

Writer B. Clay Moore. It’s always good to run into him at shows. He’s looking less and less like Biff Tannen over time…

B Clay Moore

Eisner award-winning writer Jim McCann! He announced his newest creation, Mind The Gap at the con with artist Rodin Esquejo.

Jim McCann

Christina Strain and Adrian Alphona had been collaborators for a long time on books like Runaways. For the con, they released an art book titled Sweetness, and it’s a beautiful collection of illustrations showcasing both of their talents. It’s probably my favorite book from the con.

Christina Strain and Adrian Alphona

Jason Aaron and Jason Latour. We talked X-Men, and barbecue.

Jason Aaron and Jason Latour

After all the walking around I decided to return to the hotel to rest up.

I got to relax for a bit, and take in the view.

New York City

After about an or so of resting I started making my way out, and that’s when it started to rain…and rain real hard. I wasn’t going to try to take on the rain by walking, and the taxis weren’t being cooperative. I ended up not returning to the con at all for the day. I was bummed out and frustrated, but i refused to let it bring me down, since there’s more to my day than the convention.

The entire crew ended up assembling at the suite, and we met up with Chris ‘Fourthman’ Coleman, and Lauri ‘Trill’ Watt. We just goofed off in the room and played catch-up until it was time for us to head out to the Triple Crown for the 6th Annual Jinxworld Drink-Up.

This year’s drink-up features many people who are coming to this for the first time. Most of the guys from my crew this year are first timers. With the exception of a handful of people, all of my close friends from the board are in the drink-up. Lots of them meeting each other for the first time.

I couldn’t be happier. By my count, we had over 40 people from the board all night. I can’t help but notice the manager of the restaurant giving us this look that went from suspicion to abject fear.

You see the guy in the center of the picture? That’s the manager. He’s really scared.

The manager was terrified.

Lots of food and alcohol were consumed, and photos were taken. Here’s a few choice ones to close out this post…

My Seattle Shockers crew, together again since Emerald City Comic-Con 2009! (Adam, Kyle, Chris, Simon and Me) With the exception of Kyle and me, they’re experiencing NYCC for the first time.

Seattle Shockers

With Antonio and Adam, my co-hosts for the podcast!

Loikamaniacs!

Lauri, Flonk, Albert, Adam and Matt.

Antonio, Jason and Hannah.

Matt, Keith, Jef, Antonio, Flonk, Albert, Jen, Lauri, Me.

With Jen and Lauri. With Flonk and Albert creeping behind us.

Adam, Raph, Hannah and Kyle.

Dave, Steve and Travis.

This picture encapsulates everything I had hoped for with this weekend.

The Jinxworld Crew

In the end, I can ignore missing out on half the con, because the drink-up more than made up for it. My only regret was that I forgot to take photos when I saw certain people. Otherwise, it was a fantastic day at the con.

Big thanks to all the Jinxworlders who came out, and even bigger thanks to the man who brought us all together, Brian Michael Bendis. Without you, this wouldn’t have been possible.

Tomorrow, in part 3: More photos, plus the end of a long quest…