Hawkeye's Hood

Here is a video containing some of Arizona's locals that created Hawkeye, Jesse's favorite superhero, in their own view. Enjoy! -AB

The journey started here.

-AB

A Vegas trip and Comics

An adventure was to be had this weekend as I headed up to Las Vegas, NV. I first started out on Friday morning with Lessa Michelle picking me up and then heading back to her house as she forgot some prints that were going to be needed for the event at Comic Oasis. After picking up the prints, we began the real part of the adventure trying to "wing it" with some GPS navigation that we were skeptical on. Not sure why, but we just were. The system says to take the exit to Bullhead City which would be exit number whatever it was but when the exit came up, there was no Bullhead City name on said sign, so we passed right by it. Doing so, I saw the sign on the top of the hill that the exit took you to and realized that the Bullhead sign was up there. After going over the California state border, we turned around and headed that way.

We took the winding road slowly as the area was something out of a horror movie and came to a four way intersection with no signs. "Which way?" we asked each other and decided to ask directions at the Shell station there. Perfect photo op for Stormy and Deadpool who tossed their two cents in with which way we should go. After we asked, we were told to go back the way we came through California and then take the highway around. Sweet, here we go visiting 2 states in one day and back again. We're on the right path now! Everything goes smoothly from then and only an hour was tacked onto our drive. Conversation, though, was what kept on the sanity train. Speaking of trains, Lessa was sure excited to see them, which amused me. We finally arrive at Brieanna Brock's home. Time to stretch the legs.

After the greetings and raiding their pantry, we started the drinking part a bit earlier than the drawing part. But after one, we head on out to Choice's Pub Grill to meet up with the rest of the gang and enjoy each others company. More Deadpool and Stormy pics were taken and even they met up with a pal of theirs, Galactus.  Exciting night for everyone. Well, almost everyone as I was attacked by the bathroom door. Coming out of there, the door swung back fast and smacked me in the ear, leaving me stunned for a moment. Why tell you this and give you all something to joke about? Because it was seen by others who were there and if I don't mention it, they will. Saving some time.

After we called it a night at the Pub, we headed on back to the house where Lessa crashed out on the couch and the rest of us picked up some plastic instruments and play some Rock Band 3. That is, until some of us were too tired to hit any more of the notes and called it a night (i.e. ME) and so that was the last I saw of that day. Tomorrow comes the event. Must get beauty sleep.

Wake up and breakfast is being made. Eggs, bacon and hashbrowns. Brieanna knows how to make a mean breakfast. After getting ready, we get ourselves to Comic Oasis and set up! One by one we all arrive and as with any and all events, had a blast. Talking with some new artists and seeing their awesome creations is always something that is exciting for me. Especially seeing the work that the Las Vegas locals, Charles Holbert and Brice Gielgens as well as the awesome cosplay that Kit Kendall does. If you are not familiar with them, you should be. Look them up on Facebook. Hanging out at Comic Oasis was a great time and Derrick Taylor as well as the rest of the crew (Jeff, Holly and Carla)  took care of everyone and were really cool to hang out with. So much was happening all at once that I'm probably forgetting some of it, but knowing that these people were awesome is the only thing that matters. Plus they were playing Bob's Burgers on the TV screen for everyone so that was a plus as I love that show. If you're ever in the Las Vegas area, please stop by Comic Oasis and drop them a hello and pick up a comic book.

After the show, we all headed out for a night on the town hanging out with the crew. After losing some piercings, breaking my camera and videos taken of us dancing, we made it back home before sunrise and crashed out. With the ride home just as entertaining but not so adventurous and the trip up there, I write this and post my pictures to fill in the blank areas of the tale. With that, I say, until next time.

-Andy Bohn

--End communication--

To the Bohn-Mobile!

Meet you down in the Comic cave....

...Because we have some reading to do. Now I'm not the most avid comic book reader as there are titles that slip right under my radar, but the ones that I have grabbed onto for the ride are enjoyable and keep me looking to the next one the day after it was released. Which can make for a long month if you're not careful to keep the excitement down a bit. There are some comics that I would like to give a shout out to and that would be Batman Incorporated and Batman and Robin. Batman is doing something good to me and I hope that they continue to do so. With Batman Inc., it is a nice refreshing breeze that Bruce Wayne has been giving once he realized that he cannot be the only Batman in a world filled with crazies and I'm always looking forward to seeing what new place that Bruce will be visiting next in the search for Bats continue.



Batman and Robin quickly became a favorite of mine, due to something most don't know, Dick Grayson is my favorite DC character of all time. From being the first Robin to Nightwing and now completing his transformation to the Batman, I'm all kinds of excited to follow him. Not just in Batman and Robin, but also in the Batman on going series (but that is chat for another blog). We've all seen how Bruce takes to being a mentor to the generations of Robin, but with Grayson taking on Damian, it makes for a formula that mixes well in the DC Universe. Not to mention that the writers are doing a pretty good job at keeping with the personalities of the heroes as well as the circus type theme for the ex-circus star, Grayson.

Now to move away from the DC Universe a bit and see a favorite comic of mine from the mind of John Layman, CHEW. It had me from "Hello" as the first issue was sweet and continues to do so. I've also had the chance to meet and talk with John Layman at the comic conventions and to hear the ideas that are planned for the upcoming covers just gets me even more excited for it outside of the interior pages. Then there is the newly released CHEW Script Book that is on shelves and soon to be in my hand. I've started to look past the artwork a bit and at the writing that is there. It started with the Director's Cut to Green Lantern's Blackest Night and then there were some extras in the back of Nemesis that I enjoyed as I am a fan of how comics are being made from script to print. Now that CHEW has a script book, I'm all over it. If you're a comic book writer or just like to see another step in the comic series, you should be all over it as well.

Finally, Venom #1. By finally, I mean this is the last thing that I'm talking about here and its out! The new take with old characters is something that excites me and it is not different from Venom. With a new host to the symbiote, I like that the military is trying to make it (symbiote) do the good that they believe they can accomplish. I'm also a fan of things getting messed up in a way that all hell break's loose. That's what I'm looking forward to in Venom. I mean, how long do you think Flash Thompson can go being the hero for his country to wanting a taste of Spider-Man's brains?

It is all just a matter of time before he loses it and it will be good times. For me at least.


Bohn. Andy Bohn.
-End of Line-

The Awesome MAD-ZEN Party!

   ...And that's just what it was. A party of epic awesomness. My streak of being the first artist on the scene has been broken (thanks Caleb!) but that's alright. I was the second on set and ready to rumble. After setting up my merchant's tent, I helped out with the locals area to make sure they were all comfy. You have to look out for one another, right? I think next time I'll have some water bottles for ya. Anyway, local greats such as Jeff Pina, Spazdog Press' own Matt Goodall, Jacques La Grange and Shawn Demumbrum, the always lovely Madame M and Sir Glen Curren, Alfred Trujillo, Jolene Houser, April Reyna, Shelby Roberston, Lessa Michelle and Brieanna Brock, Jean Arrow, Caleb Bishop, Mike Kessler, Christian Villaire along with the guys at Evil Robo (Zip, Eric Schock and Henry Barajas) started to trickle in and get themselves set up with pencils, pens, brushes and markers in hand ready to take on any blank comic cover and sheet of paper that stood in their way. There was even a DJ already set up and cranking the tunes for all the people that came on by to get their Jesse James Comics variant cover to Zenescopes Myths & Legends #2. If you haven't picked up your copy already, you need to get there now as there was a few left when the party wrapped up, but I'm not going to make any promises that there is any left now.

   Pictures being taken, laughs filling the rooms and comics going to good homes, the morning was a blast. Could this get any better? Sure it could. Before the question could be asked or even thought of, the heavy-hitters of Zenescope make there presence known. Raven Gregory, Eric "ebas" Basuldua, Mike Debalfo along with his wife Mary Debalfo and Nei Ruffino walk through the front door, ready to feed the hungry fans waiting with stacks of Zenescope titles in their hands. The group still isn't complete though. Everyone is called out to the DJ table out front as we eagerly await two more guys from Zenescope. Joe Brusha (President) and Ralph Tedesco (writer-in-chief) pull up with a warm welcome, everyone cheers and claps as they get out of the car and walk up to the store. Now the party can really begin..

  The Comic Cave was all set up with super comfortable couches that when sat in, you didn't want to get back up to get to your table again. All the artists signed the Comic Book War Room to show that we were there and then you grabbed some pizza and cookies and anything else that was back there that I somehow missed (Thanks everyone at Jesse's for the grub!).

   Thank you to everyone at Zenescope that made it down and as always my brothers and sisters in the local scene that continue to kick some ass and make every fun and the fans that make every event worth coming to. It is you guys that are the best!

   If you made it down to meet the guys that give you the Grimm Fairy Tales, Charmed, The Waking and the other many titles that you love, then that's great for you. If you didn't make it, then you missed out! These guys coming from Pennsylvania and California for this release party. You normally have to be at a Comic Con to get such a group together at once. It was business and fun wrapped all together to make this day memorable.

   For a look at what else was going on, head on over to the link posted below for photos.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=173628797190&aid=279370

-Andy Bohn (AB)

Jesse James hanging out with Zenescope

AZ Locals in full force with Zenescope

Zenescope's Myths & Legends #2 Jesse James Comics Variant

"OUTSTANDING" "FANTASTIC" AMAZING ARIZONA COMIC CON JAN 2011

There are many ways to describe this weekends kick off to the Comic Convention year.  Amazing Arizona Comic Con got it started in a very progressive way not only with A+ talent but a huge array of locals and out of state talent as well.  I mean come on Kirkman,Loeb,Liefeld,Pulido,Layman,Ottley,Gregory,Debalfo and Ebas just to name a few makes a fan's "Who do I go see list" extensive and also beyond exciting!"

Now,  when I go to the con's I have a agenda HMMMMM let me see;

1. Comic Book Store Owner

2. Director of a Comic Convention

3. Blogger

4. Podcaster

5. Writer for http://www.comicbooked.com/ 

Oh and whats that other thing AHHHH yes a Fanboy!

So I'm going to write this as a FANBOY and your going to LOVE IT! No politics just plain and simple, through the eyes of a maniac.......errrrr i mean Comic Book enthuses. 

Okay so Of course, I have to go see my good friends Pulido and Layman first. So I go in and turn the corner and BANG there is Layman standing by himself (how does this happen) we do the manly Hug and Handshake and I know from that point it can't get any better then this! I attend his panel and start to go into the con! Boom (yes I'm playing John Madden football using his lingo) a sea of fans EVERYWHERE jousting for positions in line or pushing and shoving to get to the next booth to get the last con variant! Ooooohhhhh wait that was me doing that! Sorry about that. The fans were awesome and the "Ohhh and Awes" were like Papa John showing up with a bus load of pizza! On a side note can he not throw the football pretty far in his commercials??  HINT HINT CARDINALS!     

So you look at the spread and you say okay I can forward or backwards. So I go where the flow takes me.  Of course my film crew goes the opposite way.  But that's another story. It's Artist Alley my type of alley. Its homegrown! Its the walk of future fame and fortune.  I know almost everybody there so its like going to school and knowing that nobody is going to steal your Oreo cookies out of you lunch bag. I stop at every booth hanging taking pictures and looking at our future comic book icons. No matter what I do I know my heart is with the Locals who bust their *^* to do what they love.  Everybody is smiles.  Got some Ocho Bootlegs as well! Dam those bears! I mean Eric and Denny were rocking it out at their table!  There were so many cool people I won't attempt to name them all in fear I'll forget someone and they will toilet paper my store.

So I head down some dealer rows and see a lot of cool stuff. Mike Banks of Samurai is slinging books and Marco of Pop Culture Paradise is handing out free comics I think to people.....hmmmmm now that I think about it I didn't get one!!! Dammit Jim I'm a fan boy not a dealer give me some of that!!!  Just joking, he was handing out blank sketch covers to artist.  By the way if you get a chance to meet his wife do it very nice lady!  Its awesome to see the Golden age and silver age comics as well!!!

But it's just starting now the Row of Rows was next. Come on Bid Dog Ink and Zenescope Posse all in one area are you kidding me! If I brought a tent I would have stayed in that area.  Let me see Tom and Rob from BDI then you have Mike and Mary Debalfo (another if you get a chance to meet Mary she Rocks!) Milen, Raven,Ebas,and Nei!  And like the Cherry on top of ice cream right after that BRIAN PULIDO okay let me say it one more time, and BRIAN PULIDO.  Now I will say I'm his biggest fan though I know there are bigger fans than me but hey its my article so I'm his BIGGEST FAN.  I get some good L.D. (that's lady death for you novice fans) and of course my 900th picture with him!  

Then its off to get Kirkmans and Mcfarlane's JOHN HANCOMICS (you know Hancock's just sly verbiage) of course the line is long so I give up.  So I go to hang with MR EISNER AWARD WINNER JOHN LAYYYYYYMANNNNNNNNNN LETTTTS GEETTTTTT READYYYY TO RUMMMBLEEE! Buffer style!!!  (don't sue me Buffer I'm a fanboy right now)  So we are hanging, talking and all that fun stuff staying out of politics (Republicans beware! lol he loves you though regardless) and I look up and theres Kirkman! So Kirkman and John are talking and I'm sliding my comics to him and saying stupid stuff as I'm doing that...(don't you hate when your moments of Awesome are dwindled by "Hey you like writing Walking Dead?" DUHHHH I'm a idiot I should have just said "Hey you like breathing?" That was a treat though.

Then its time to go to MCFARLANE's booth so I get a chance to hang and talk to him for about 5 minutes.  I sneak my card to him.  MORE like PLEASSSEEEEE take my card!!  lol! No he was awesome as well.  

I missed Loeb and Liefeld but I will get a chance at the next con!    

I got to talk to Jimmy Jay (Amazing con organizer) and did some promo shots and really liked his commitment to the fans.  I liked the flow of the con and felt like it was a cool place to hang out, get some autographs and pictures with a lot of cool Cosplay folks as well. The con had a feel of new comic book day and the freshness of a new series. It Comes out you read it, you like it and you crave more. Kudo's to the Con and the team and of course too all those who made the journey to this year's first con!

Its just a beggining for me this year for I plan on going to 16 cons.  That's 16 until I actual talk (ask) my wife of course. When 2011 is all over I'm sure I will be saying "Amazing"!