Thank You, Southwest Maker Fest and Phoenix Film Festival!

I exhibited at two great events this weekend, and I hope to return to both of them next year: the Southwest Maker Fest in downtown Mesa, and the Phoenix Film Festival's Geek Day.

I made the mistake of dubbing the Southwest Maker Fest an "art show," but it's really so much more.  Mesa's Main Street was lined with local innovators -- some of them were artists, but others were scientists, entrepreneurs . . . basically, all folks in the business of making, hence the event's name.  I was honored to be among them, with Batman, to boot!  If you swung by the table for one of the seventy sketches I cranked out that day, or if you picked up a comic, thank you, and see you next year!

The Phoenix Film Festival did a great job kicking off the local con season (starting in April with the Tucson Art Press Expo) with Geek Day, and fellow self-publishers the Janimal (with me on the red carpet, above) and T.R.I.B.E. Comics joined me in promoting our wares.  I'm especially grateful to actor Maiz Lucero (pictured below) for swinging by with his friends for caricatures -- thanks for keeping me busy, guys!

I mentioned TAPE -- I'll be there next month, with other events and projects soon to come, including this year's Free Comic Book Day story, spanning the entire state!  For more immediate updates, find and friend Speed Cameron on Facebook.  He's much faster at posting things than I am.

Thank You, Melrose District!

If you're visiting the blog for the first time because you picked up a comic, sketch, or mini-brochure at the 7th Avenue Street Fair last weekend, welcome!  Tabling in the Melrose District was a blast, and it was a pleasure sketching and selling comics for folks passing through.  Here are a few sketches I did -- of my original characters, to boot!  Thanks for requesting them!

Dust Devil, Sonny Gunold (The Sun City Gunslinger), June Monsoon

If you scroll down, you'll find podcasts, sketches from other events, and all sorts of goodies about Amazing Arizona Comics, my comic book series about superheroes in Arizona.  If you'd like to swing by for a sketch sometime in the future, here's this month's calendar of events.  

And remember, you can always read Amazing Arizona Comics Online for semi-daily webcomics -- in color!  The story continues!

Good-bye, Governor Brewer!

Before we dive into this week's sad news, here's a pic from last weekend's Simpsons Trivia Night, where I Simpsonized willing attendees, table to table!  It was a blast!  (That's me with the sketch pad on the right, wondering what I'd gotten myself into.)

And now, the sad news -- Governor Jan Brewer is no more.  This week, Doug Ducey took office as Arizona's governor, and while his office is sure to inspire many Amazing Arizona Comics, Ms. Brewer's role cannot be denied.  So, we're celebrating her impact on Arizona superheroics over at Amazing Arizona Comics Online, in a combination of new and classic material offering a fresh retrospective of the Strange Term of Governor Brewer.  Follow every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday!

Thank You, First Friday! Simpsons Trivia Tonight!

A special thanks to everyone that swung by the table at 2015's first First Friday!  If you'd like more quick updates about where I'll drawing next, please follow KaraokeFanboy Press on Facebook.

In the meantime, celebrate the new year with a night of strenuous Simpsons trivia at Bragg's Factory in Phoenix!  I'll be there sketching folks as Simpsons characters -- to the best of my ability.  See you then!

Christmas Calendar Roundup

You think you had it rough this Christmas -- just look at what Santa had to go through . . .!

Moving on . . . I'll be at the Bookmans Entertainment Exchange in Phoenix on Saturday, December 27 for a special Star Wars themed event, drawing comics and caricatures for kids and kids-at-heart!  Check out the event page here, and I'll see you there!

Thank You, Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest!

If you're swinging by the blog because you picked up a sketch or comic at the Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest, thanks for visiting!  Last weekend was a blast!

If you didn't get a chance to pick up the latest issue of Amazing Arizona Comics, featuring Zombie Santa, fear not -- the full color mini-comic is available right here, just in time for Christmas!

 

Also, don't forget the webcomic, running live right now at Amazing Arizona Comics Online.  There you'll find Zombie Santa, Sam Brero, Speed Cameron, and other Arizona oddballs either saving the day, or putting it in peril, or both.

Finally, please find and like KaraokeFanboy Press on Facebook!  I'll post little updates there more frequently than these massive missives, so stay in the loop for the latest Amazing Arizona Comics awesomeness!

Thank You, iCon!

A special thanks to the organizers of iCon, the Valley's toy show-turned-mini-comic con, for an interesting weekend at Glendale Glitters.  If you're swinging by the blog because you picked up a flyer or a sketch, thanks for stopping by!  Remember to read Amazing Arizona Comics Online for free right here -- and check out this new strip . . . Did you catch when the lights flickered during Glendale Glitters this weekend?  No?  Well, here's the reason why anyway!

This Weekend, Come to iCon in Downtown Glendale!

This weekend, find Amazing Arizona Comics at iCon, the comic and toy show opening alongside the historic Glendale Glitters event in downtown Glendale, at the Civic Center!  The Amazing Arizona Comics Holiday Special featuring Zombie Santa will premiere, in limited quantities with complete interior color, with some other holiday surprises!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you reading?

Are you reading Amazing Arizona Comics: The Webcomic?  The first appearance of Family Fun Bot is currently running, in color, and it's a great pre-holiday season treat!

For more Amazing Arizona Comics, look for my table at next weekend's iCon in downtown Glendale, or again at the Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest December 12-14, or even once again at the Amazing Arizona Comic Con February 13-15, 2015.  Free superhero sketches for all!

So Long, Arizona State Fair!

On Sunday, I decided to chase a little whimsy and set up a table outside of the Arizona State Fair, offering cheap caricatures and superhero sketches to passers-by.  I joined the dozens of folks that barker water for $1 (which is a good deal, people), and a hip hop artist pushing his latest CD for a meager $2.  I only hung out for a few hours, but it was a fun experience, and I hope to set up street-side sometimes again very soon.  Here are a few of the sketches I had on the table, secured from the wind by a very wise cheer mom with the label from my new folding table.

I'll post a few more Fair table sketches during the week -- and don't forget to check out June Monsoon and Sam Brero's State Fair adventure, currently in progress at Amazing Arizona Comics online!

Star Wars Reads Day & Other Recent Appearances Round-up

A special thanks to Bookman's in Phoenix for hosting me this Saturday at their annual Star Wars Reads Day event!  I drew caricatures, Star Wars characters, and superheroes for children of all ages in attendance, and it was a blast!  Here's my warm-up sketch from that afternoon:

I'm also delighted to report that I recently offered a caricature to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix as a thank you card for the chefs that competed in their annual Dish It Out culinary fundraiser.  The evening featuring four of Arizona's premiere chefs, and I drew them in an homage to The Avengers  #4:

Chef Aaron May (the meat cleaver swinging Thor wanna-be above) won the night, and here we are with the drawing:

The event was hosted by Arizona radio legend Beth McDonald, who you can hear every weekday morning on KEZ 99.9 FM.  Meeting her was an absolute pleasure!

This winter promises to be very busy, with Artist's Alley tables scheduled for iCon in downtown Glendale, the new Phoenix Comicon Fan Fest in December, and of course the Amazing Arizona Comic Con in February.  Each event will have its own special premiere, so stay tuned for the latest projects, and as always feel free to swing by for a free superhero sketch.

And, Of Course, at SPX: Amazing Arizona Comics

The last day of SPX is upon us already!  It wouldn't be a KaraokeFanboy Press table without Amazing Arizona Comics -- and even if you're not from the Grand Canyon State, you must be familiar with Al Gore's global warming agenda, or Prince Harry's militaristic exploits, or the country's woes with immigration issues.  Amazing Arizona Comics tells our story, as a country -- come by the table at SPX and check it out!

2014 Phoenix Comicon Memories #2: KTAR Interview with Bruce St. James!

I had the amazing opportunity to talk to KTAR's Bruce St. James live on-air during this year's Phoenix Comicon, discussing geek culture, and of course Amazing Arizona Comics.  The video has a photo or two but is intended for the audio only -- so press play, kick back to listen, and enjoy!

Special thanks to Bruce and producer Michael Russell for the opportunity.  As a fan of their show, I was honored to chat with them!

Thanks Again, Amazing Arizona Comic Con!

As always, the Amazing Arizona Comic Con was a blast, and I'd like to thank Jimmy Jay and company for putting on a great show.  If you received one of the over 200 sketches I cranked out from Artists' Alley this weekend, thank you for swinging by the table!  Remember, I'm available to sketch at birthday parties and bar mitzvahs!

I'd also like to thank my wife, who quickly ran a new sketch pad to the show on Sunday morning when I realized I was almost out of paper!  I ripped through those 80 pages by 4 p.m., so I felt bad when these gentlemen asked for sketches, until they revealed the new scrolls they'd picked up at the show.  I broke in the rolled up pads with doodles of Spider-man and Silver Surfer, and the honor was all mine.

I hope to post pics from AACC through the rest of the week -- some sketches, some of my favorite cosplay, and some miscellaneous thoughts "from the alley."  If you have any con memories from last weekend, feel free to share them in the comments.  We're all in this together!

Finally, if you'd like an issue of Amazing Arizona Comics: No Burn Day, a new full color 5 pager, just click on the Paybal button below.  For just 50 cents, it'll come atcha as a PDF via email.  Act now; this offer is for a limited time!

Thank You, Drawn to Comics & Glendale Glitters!

Glendale Glitters wrapped up last weekend, and Drawn to Comics was kind enough to host some artists for the final night's worth of festivities.  If you're visiting the blog because you picked up a flyer, welcome!  I hope to see you at the Amazing Arizona Comic Con from January 24-26 at the Phoenix Convention Center!  Swing by the table in Artists' Alley and ask for another free sketch; it's always my absolute pleasure.

In the meantime, check out the new Amazing Arizona Comics Tumblr here for inspirations and excerpts from the only superhero mini-comic about current events in the Grand Canyon State!

Finally, to put a bow on the Christmas season, I've reposted a few of my superhero Santa comic book pitches with images below -- but here are the drawings combined to create what would be a tri-fold cover of pure holiday hooliganism!

Tucson Comic Con: Lone Ranger vs. Doc Ock Cosplay!

I'll post a few pictures from Tucson Comic Con over the next few weeks, and I just had to start with my favorite.  Here's a precious moment captured from my table's POV: the foreground, a steampunk couple is meeting the Lone Ranger, which is innocent enough . . . but in the background, a naughty Dr. Octopus is standing a little too close to the ladies' restroom.  Just one of those moments you'd only see at a comic con.

Tucson Comic Con & Amazing Arizona Comics #9 are here!

Amazing Arizona Comics #9 dropped today at Tucson Comic Con -- and will soon be available as a full color PDF right here on the blog.  Stay tuned!

If you visited the table in Tucson, thank you!  Please send feedback on the books; I'd love to know what you think.  And stay tuned for The Trial of Speed Cameron . . . Coming soon!

Governor Brewer's High Desert Discovery

Continuing the countdown to Tucson Comic Con with sneak peak panels from the full color digital edition of Amazing Arizona Comics #9 . . .

Governor Brewer from Parallel Earth-1070 has discovered a multiversal portal emanating from a rare cactus in the high desert.  Will it please her master, Emperor Darkpaio?  Pick up Amazing Arizona Comics #9 in Tucson -- or in full color right here -- next month to find out!

Governor Brewer's 40 Days & Nights

Tucson Comic Con is only a month away!  Fortunately, the weather is cooling off just in time -- but not for the Governor Jan Brewer from Earth-1070, who, in this panel, is braving the high desert, banished by Emperor Darkpaio.

The countdown to Tucson will continue with periodic panels from the exclusive full color digital edition of Amazing Arizona Comics #9.  Special thanks to Kyle Kazmierczak for tackling the titanic task of tinting these tales.  

REAL Amazing Arizona Adventures #2: Walking the Green Carpet

I donned the shell proudly.  One part portable home, one part armor, is there any better way to describe the things geeks love?

Last week, my wife and I walked the green carpet at a special screening of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, which was followed by a meet and greet with Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman and actor Ernie Reyes, Jr.  I chronicled the event at Nerdvana, but it's worth mentioning again because this unique experience happened right here in Phoenix.

From left to right: Me, Raphael, Kevin Eastman

I've spent a significant amount of time watching TMNT cartoons and movies, or collecting and playing with TMNT toys, or reading TMNT comics -- all because a couple of guys had an idea back in 1984.  To meet one of these guys in the town of my youth was a truly charming experience.  I'll post a few more pictures from the experience in the coming days . . . all to prove that Arizona is indeed a place where your inner child can come out of his shell once in a while.