Happy 1st Anniversary to The Comic Book Lounge & Gallery

Ty has been superbusy with workworkwork and occasionally talking to his children, but he managed to squeeze in some time on the weekend to join in on celebrations for The Comic Book Lounge & Gallery. Rising out of the ashes and some of the stock from Dragon Lady Comics, the store started up last February 8. At the time, Ty was still teaching in the space so he would see Joe, Kevin  several times a week.

While Ty moved into his own space for Comic Book Bootcamp in the fall, The Lounge is still one of his Local Comic Shops. He drops in at least once a week to pick up comics, and check out what Joe and Kevin have to say about our little industry.

On Saturday, The Lounge celebrated it’s first year anniversary by running a mini-artists con with local artists like Ty, David J. Cutler, Scott Chantler, Agnes Garbowska, Richard Pace and more. Ty had a Bun Toon to get out so we didn’t get there until the late afternoon but he did a number of sketches (Batman sketch comic covers were most-requested).

David Cutler and Richard Pace in The Lounge’s Artists Alley (photo by Debra Shelly)

There was a contest for cosplayers, hosted by the One and Only Sean Ward, then it was time for ON THE COUCH WITH TY TEMPLETON. Guests Jim Zubkavich, Richard Pace and Rob Walton discussed their views on Collaboration versus Control. I don’t think they came to an actual consensus as to which they preferred–working as part of a creative team, or working on their own–but it was a lively conversation. The show was recorded and when edited will end up online (probably at Tdot Comics, thanks to the inimitable Alice Quinn!).

In the “Green Room” waiting for ON THE COUCH, Richard Pace, Keiren Smith, Ty Templeton, Jim Zubkavich (photo by Debra Shelly)

The night finished with an Industry Night Party, but we headed out before midnight as Ty had to return the next day for a day of demos to promote AutoDesk Sketchbook Pro. We got there in time to watch Agnes Garbowska create a piece in Sketchbook and talk about her technique, then Ty got to try out the program himself. It was his first time using a Cintiq for any sustained period of time, and first time using SketchbookPro. An interesting program–Ty said he could immediately see some shortcomings (given his long familiarity with PhotoShop) but also some definite advantages. Ty said he’s looking forward to working with it some more, when he has free time in his schedule.

Recording ON THE COUCH (photo by Tyrone McCarthy)

Ty tries out Sketchbook Pro 6 (photo by Tyrone McCarthy)

 

Keiren

ON THE COUCH with Jim Zubkavich, Richard Pace, Rob Walton and host Ty Templeton (photo by Tyrone McCarthy)

For your bonus moment, here’s the cartoon Ty did to commemorate the end of Dragon Lady Comics which had been a part of his (and my) life for all of it’s thirty-plus years:

I’m breaking a rule and mentioning Rob Granito, but it’s for a good cause.

A few months ago, I swore I’d never mention Granito’s name in public again, mostly as a favor to his wife, who got caught up in the mess against her will, and got vilified by fandom when she didn’t deserve it.  I was a part of that, and have personally apologized to her, because the Bunny is nothing if not willing to admit when he’s wrong.  Also:  Not mentioning Rob helped make him go away.

But today, there’s a good reason to mention the “He Who Is Nameless”, and it’s all for the HERO INITIATIVE.

At a convention a few months back, I was presented with a Granito Hockey Jersey as a gift by Kevin Boyd-convention organizer and all around good guy.  The thought was that I could do what I wanted with it, perhaps as some sort of catharsis or something, as Kevin didn’t want it any more.  My first idea was to put it in a toilet and let convention-goers pee on it for five bucks each and give the money to HERO, but that would have excluded women from participating in the fun, as I wasn’t going to fish it out of one toilet and transport it to another.

But a much better idea was offered up (I think it was my wife’s idea, or Ethan Van Sciver’s, and she’ll correct me if I’m wrong)…”why not let all the guests at this convention do sketches on the shirt, and have them, in true Granito fashion, sign EACH OTHER’S WORK?” and then auction it off on ebay.

Richard Pace. Writer and/or artist for Pitt Crew, New Warriors, and other stuff, sketches on the back and signs on the front. I signed his sketch.

So…the list of illustrations, and signings of work we didn’t do goes as follows…

Scarlet Witch by Khoi Pham (signed by Chris Sprouse)
Hulk by Ethan van Sciver (signed by Khoi Pham)
Wonder Woman by Agnes Garbowska (signed by Leonard Kirk)
Evil Ernie by Dale Keown (signed by Richard Pace)
Spider-Man by Ty Templeton (signed by Agnes Garbowska
Sandman by Richard Pace (signed by Ty Templeton)
Gorilla-Man by Leonard Kirk (signed by Ethan van Sciver)
Tom Strong by Chris Sprouse (signed by Dale Keown)
…and a hearty “Sit the @#?!!@ down!” by Ethan van Sciver (this one properly attributed!)

Ethan (Sit the #$@)(#@ down) Van Sciver does his part for charity.

The shirt was donated to HERO, and the ebay auction started up today.  There’s no better souvenir of the whole meshuga  than this shirt, and you get some pretty cool artists’ work to boot.

Even mine.

Remember, HERO is the organization that aids aging comic book creators in need.  This group helps with medical expenses for the people that made our childhood dreams come true,  and it’s one of my favorite charities, and should be yours.

Pull together and give back to the biz that gave so much to us, toss in a bid, and maybe win one of the more interesting collectibles you’ll ever find.

Ty the Guy OUT!

If you haven’t figured out the links yet…the auction is HERE.

Here now, your BONUS HERO INITIATIVE MOMENT

This hardcover collection (one of ten copies for sale of only five hundred printed) is ALSO on auction for HERO at ebay.  This collection is probably the best set of covers ever done for Hero, and well worth having.  Ignore that I’m here, you HAVE to see the Steve Epting cover, the John Byrne cover, and so many others…