Here are two illustrations I did for The Heroes Initiative at Phoenix Comicon. It’s such a honor to illustrate these for such a great cause.

Here is link to their website:

http://heroinitiative.org/

This is by far one of my favorite con to be an exhibitor at. The crowd is extremely excited, polite and friendly. Friday was busy from start to finish. Saturday was extremely busy and there was a steady flow of attendees throughout the day. There was so many people in the convention center on Saturday the fire marshal had attendees wait in line until there was adequate room for them to go into the main exhibitor hall. They also extended Saturdays show an hour later to accommodate all  the attendees waiting to get in the main exhibitor hall. On Sunday it was busier than any Sunday I have seen. Most of the time Sundays aren’t busy until about 12:30pm. Not this one, it was busy from the time the doors opened to closing.

I was able to get some books signed by legendary artist Mr. Joe Jusko. The first time I saw Savage Sword of Conan issue 121 that Mr. Jusko painted caused me to pick up a brush and give painting a try. Mr. Jusko is not only an extraordinary artist, he is a very friendly, polite and respectful person.

This year brought costumes of all ages to our table. So many talented people! You will see what I mean in the picture gallery. I was finally able to donate some sketches to the Heroes Initiative, what great cause to support!

Saturday evening brought some time to hang out with some awesome friends John Narcomey Jr. and Melissa Tolbert, whom I haven’t seen in over a year. Greeeat time catching up and planed some other shows to share a table.

Phoenix Comicon thank you for running a spectacular convention! Thank you Robb Chiarini for making sure everything was running smoothly on the show floor and for saving my hearing from the video game exploits.

Thanks to everyone that stopped by the table, it was a great meeting each and everyone of you!!!

See You Next Year!

We journeyed to Northern California for this show, which is held in San Jose. The show had a easy going atmosphere. I was able to talk with some artist I haven’t been able to converse with due to the high volume of crowds. I was very excited to finally get my art books signed by Adam Hughes and Mark Schultz. It was a great pleasure meeting both of them. I meet some great fans! Thanks to everyone who stopped by the table for a chat!

Looking forward to see everyone at the next con.

This years show was a 2 and a half day show. For a Friday at 5pm start day it was very crowded and busy up until the floor closed. Saturday was extremely busy non-stop with a constant wave of people on the convention floor. Sunday was also very busy.

This year I shared tables 1311-1315 with some great people and  fellow artists, Lance & Amy Sawyer, Ryan Kincaid, Kevin Woody, Kay Wantuch and Tony English who are all part of the Creator owned and independent comics hub. Nothing like sitting with fellow artists and friends to make the time go by quickly.

Saturday night, I was able to hang out with Dan Mendoza and his wife Jennifer along with Jason and Laura Metcalf who are from Seattle. I met Jason a few years back at Wizard World Chicago and haven’t seen them since last years Emerald City Comicon. It was great catching up with Janson and Laura. A pleasant surprise for me was when Regina of Comikaze Expo stopped by for a visit. I’m looking forward to this convention in November.

I was able to see new and old friends; Emo , Zen, Talent Caldwell, Beatty & Mitch Breitweiser, Jeff Martinez, Michael Golden, Renee Whitasteter, Jerry Bingham, Stephen Shamus, Richard Herd, Mike Mayhew, Steve Wyatt and Michael D Hamersky. Missed seeing Joe Jusko due illness.  And Last but least, I finally scored an original piece of artwork by Mike Mayhew!

Thanks to everyone who stop by the table for a visit, it was great meeting and talking to all of you.

The Long Beach Comic Expo started my convention season and what a great way to start the 2011 convention season.  It was a extremely busy show from start to finish. The mood of all the attendees was energetic and full excitement. I enjoyed talking with everyone who stopped by my table.

Here is a Dark Avengers Sketch Cover I recently illustrated on featuring Ms. Marvel.

Here’s another Blank Cover that kept calling me to illustrate on it. While working on my indie book, Wolverine managed jump into my creativity and what you see is the result of the idea that wouldn’t leave me a lone until it was on the Blank Cover.

I’ve had a Blank Comic Cover for Image United laying in wake to be illustrated on…Well I finally came up with a design to illustrate on it. It’s for my local comic book store Bases Cards and Comics. The illustration is in a different style than you’re use to seeing from me. Enjoy!!!

Here is the Pencils and the B&W ink wash original art used to create my 2010 Christmas Card.

Mixed Media 11×17 in pencil and black watercolor.

A HUGE THANK YOU to all my friends, family, mentors and fan’s for your continued support throughout the year. You made the 2010 Convention season another success! Looking forward to seeing each and everyone of you next year at a convention near you.

I hope your Holidays are filled with only AWESOMENESS!!!

Here it is the 2010 Pepe Melan Christmas Card…. just click on the gallery below to enjoy!!!

Over and Out!!!