This publish is Filed Under:

Home page Highlights,
Interviews as well as Columns

Gene Colan at Wizard world Chicago

by Roger Ash

I’ll be heading out to the Baltimore Comic-Con in just a couple weeks, which I’m truly thrilled about, so comic conventions have been on my mind recently. add to that beloved Smith’s column last week about convention sketches, which are something I collect, as well as the subject for this column was a no-brainer. let me tell you a convention story that occurred 16 years back in San Diego.

Back in 1993, Westfield had a booth at the San Diego Comic-Con as well as I was one of four people selected to work at it. This was my first, as well as so far only, trip to the San Diego convention as well as I was majorly thrilled to go. This was San Diego! The huge convention of the year! as well as on top of that, gene Colan was going to be there.

Gene being there was a significant offer to me. The comic that started me collecting was Howard the Duck – problem #25 to be precise – as well as for a long time I judged all other comics based on the composing of Steve Gerber as well as the art of gene Colan. There’s a part of me that still does. as well as this was my very first chance to satisfy the guy whose work implied so much to me.

So my colleagues David, Dariel, as well as Eldon as well as I make it to San Diego as well as get the Westfield booth set up. I couldn’t believe the size of the convention. I believed the Chicago Comic-Con was huge (it was/is), however there was no comparison. The hall was significant as well as packed to the gills with people who made as well as liked comics. I was in fanboy heaven. during my very first break of the very first day of the convention, I set off to discover Gene.

Gene Colan had a table over in Artist’s Alley. For non-con goers, that’s the area where you can discover artists signing, selling books as well as prints, as well as doing sketches. I was identified to get a sketch of Howard the Duck by Gene. before as well long, I discovered him. gene was hectic drawing as well as his wife, Adrienne, was sitting next to him taking care of the company end of things (writing down the sketch requests, accepting repayment for the sketches, etc.).

As I walked over, I saw that gene was working on a beautiful drawing of the Black Widow, kicking as she flew with the air. A traditional Colan image. I asked Adrienne if there were any type of areas left on Gene’s sketch list. She took a look as well as said, “Yes there is. who who you like? Dr. Strange? Daredevil?” “No,” I replied. “I want Howard the Duck.” As soon as the words left my mouth, gene stopped drawing.

He actually just stopped drawing. He was still holding the pen. The pen was still on the paper. He stopped drawing mid-line as well as slowly looked up at me. Here’s what went with my head:

“OH #@#*&!!! I’VE just satisfied MY creative HERO as well as I’VE upset HIM!”

I started to say, “If there’s a issue with that, Dr. unusual would be fine.” I have no concept exactly how much of that  really made it out of my mouth since part method through, Adrienne, who certainly realized that I believed I stated something wrong, reached up as well as put her hand on mine.

Howard the Duck by gene Colan

“It’s OK,” she reassured me. “Gene likes that character.”

After hearing that, I calmed down quickly. To this day, I believe his reaction should have been since he doesn’t get as well numerous requests for Howard sketches as well as he had to see who had requested one. as well as a few hours later, I had an amazing sketch of Howard as well as a great story to go together with it.

If you have an chance to satisfy gene as well as Adrienne at a convention, do so. They’re both fantastic people. as well as if you’ve never checked out the traditional Gerber/Colan Howard the Duck stories, why not?! They’re excellent as well as offered in a good omnibus edition from Marvel.

Now, go checked out a comic!

Purchase

Howard The Duck Omnibus HC