Heroes Con 07 Report

Heroes Con 2007 was a blast. Rather than go into a lengthy con report, I thought I'd post up some pictures and my thoughts. Hope you enjoy them half as much as I did the show...

This is the crew that I hung with for most of the weekend. Starting at the left and working around the table, my oldest son Mike, "The James", Raf Kayanan, John Beatty, Andrew Robinson, Matt, Lazenby and Hal. Getting together with these guys is always a blast. Raf, Beatty and Andrew were set up at the con next to each other [Bob McLeod, Derec Donovan and John Dell were also within reach] so it was a pretty hopping spot. Originally Dave Johnson was supposed to be set up in the same area, but unfortunately he couldn't make it this year.

That's Matt Fraction pictured above. He's about to autograph my copy of Last of the Independents which I highly recommend! It was my first time meeting Matt who also writes the popular Casanova comic series.

Rick Remender not only autographed my Doll and Creature graphic novel [review coming soon], but did an amazing piece for my Stallone gallery. I'll post it once it's scanned. Rick said that The Last Days of American Crime is in the works. I can't wait. Rick has so many irons in the fire with Fear Agent, Sea of Red, Strange Girl and more that I was starting to think that he'd never get to it.

Another first was meeting Kyle Baker. I'm a huge fan of Kyle's work. You Are Here is one of my all time favorite graphic novels. Kyle signed mine and told me his an idea for a sequel. I truly hope that someday he's able to do it. I also picked up Kyle Baker Cartoonist Volume 1 & Volume 2 and Nat Turner Volume 1 & Volume 2. I was also lucky enough to get a Rocky sketch from Kyle [which I'll post later]. Kyle Baker is an amazing talent and it was a pleasure meeting him.

One of the best parts of each Heroes Convention is watching artists create pieces for the auction. That's Craig Hamilton working on his "300" piece. Craig's an amazing artist who puts some much thought into everything he does. One of the cool things about Craig's painting is that it works both horizontally [as seen above] or vertically! Tony Harris worked on a wicked "Phantom of the Opera" piece, while Phil Noto brought Batman, Batgirl and Catwoman together as Andrew Robinson started "After the Parade" .

That's Gus Vasquez and his lil cousin Rosario Dawson. [Yeah, Rosario Dawson as in "Sin City", "Grindhouse", "Clerks 2", and a whole lot more!] Rosario and Gus were back as special guests of the show and also the auctioneers! They did a great job and a new record was set when Adam Hughes' Star Wars painting topped out at $5K!


It was so cool just to spend the weekend among friends, many of whom happen to be talented artists. Andrew Robinson definitely falls into both categories. The drawing above and this one are just two pieces that Andrew had created for his latest sketchbook. I was also lucky to see an advance copy of Andrew's new art book that will be coming from Alberto Ruiz's Brandstudio Press. Andrew's book is going to be a hot seller and I can't wait to get my copy!

Raf and Alberto spoke and Raf may have an "art of" book coming soon. I can't believe I didn't get any pictures of any of the sketches Raf produced. I was just too in awe of his work since it had been so many years since I'd been able to sit and watch him draw. I did get this shot and this one of two Punisher sketches that Beatty worked up for some lucky fans.

I guess I was just too busy actually talking to friends [Gary McKee, Jason Walker, and Eric Layton to name just three] and saying "hi" to artists [Jeff Parker, Brian Stelfreeze, Cully Hamner, Adam & Alison, Casey Jones, Cliff Chang, Tommy Lee Edwards and so many others] that I didn't take many pictures. I promise I'll do better next year... but please understand, no one does it as well as Pat Sun.

I was able to get some great additions to for my Stallone sketch collection. That's Mike Wieringo pictured above. Mike's blog is regular reading for me, not only because of his great sketches, but because of his thoughts about each sketch. When I contacted him about a Rocky sketch he posted after seeing "Rocky Balboa", he said I could pick it up at Heroes. Mike was also selling a sketchbook and with each book purchased fans got a free sketch. Talk about a great deal! I picked up a sketchbook and got Mike's take on Jack Carter as a bonus. [I'll post it soon.]

In addition to the two sketches I got from Mike Wieringo, I also was able to get one each from Rick Remender and Kyle Baker. Andrew Robinson did a cool Rocky for me before arriving at the show. So did Andy Smith. Megan Ruiz [Alberto's daughter -- a true prodigy] came through with Rambo. I also was able to get on Robin Mitchell's sketch list and come home with The Art of Robin Mitchell, Volume 1 and his take on Cosmo Carboni from Paradise Alley. I'll post all of these sketches once I get them scanned.

If you've made it with me this far, then you know a good time was had by all. Thank you and good night!

Isolated Incidents

My buddy, Raf, is constantly busy. If he's not training a group of soldiers martial arts, choreographing knife fights for movies, doing conceptual drawings for films or Broadway, working on comic book pages for publication, then he's probably drawing something for his own entertainment.

Quite often Raf will sketch while listening to music, watching tv or whatever. As the mood strikes him, he will file away a piece and begin working on another -- only to return to the first piece later. Working this way has led to some pieces that are truly amazing in their detail. Just as wonderful are some of Raf's quick sketches -- you can see in just a few lines that everything is there. I've been fortunate over the years to watch Raf creating and the number of drawings that he's completed is astounding.

Thankfully, Raf has decided to start publishing the best of these drawings in "Isolated Incidents: The Art of Rafael Kayanan" books. "Volume I" is available now and you can read more about it here. I ordered mine the day I saw it was available. You should too.

Raf @ Heroes

I just found out earlier this week that my buddy, Rafael Kayanan, will be a guest at this year's Heroes Con. I first met Raf about 30 years ago! He was just a kid wanting break in comics. Since then he's gone on a successful career in both the comic and film industry.

Raf's not only an extremely talented artist [as in creating artwork], but also a highly accomplished martial artist [as in can kick some butt]. In the comic field he's worked on everything from Conan to Star Wars. In the film industry he's done everything from storyboards and conceptual art to serving as technical adviser and fight choreographer on major films. You just know he's got some great stories.

Raf will be at a table next to Big John Beatty. You just know that this is going to be THE place to be. Hope to see you there!

Raf's Blog

My buddy, Rafael Kayanan has started his own blog. Raf's a really talented individual. He's a highly skilled martial artist who trains celebrities and works as a technical advisor in the film industry. Raf's also an accomplished artist who has illustrated for comic books, film, games and tv.

And now Raf has started his own blog. It's going to be on my daily read list. Check it out and you may find it on yours as well!

What Up, Raf?

Rafael Kayanan [Raf to his friends] is an extremely gifted artist to the second power.: See, he's an artist as in creating artwork, and an artist as in can kicking butt [martial arts]. In the comic field he's worked on everything from Conan to Star Wars. In the film industry he's done everything from storyboards and conceptual art to serving as technical adviser and fight choreographer on major films.

Click HERE and you'll get an interview with Raf and you can find out what he's been up to lately.

Raf's Isolated Incidents

My buddy, Rafael Kayanan's new art book, ISOLATED INCIDENTS is now available. It's 88 pages chock full of Raf's amazing art. You can learn more about the book here. Heck, you can even see a preview of it and order it here. What are you waiting for? I've already ordered mine!

The Art of the Olympics

Did you happen to catch any of the Olympic Opening Ceremonies? As always, they were amazing. I particularly loved the giant fireworks footprints moving through the city, the figures running around the giant globe [much more impressive than it sounds] and the amazing space scene created by the spacemen "flying" around the top of the stadium.

I was surprised [although I shouldn't have been because he always has amazing true stories] that ZONE buddy, Rafael Kayanan worked on the designs of the space suits! You can read more about it here at Raf's blog. [While you're there don't forget to order your copy of Raf's new art book!]

Click here if you want to check out some really nice photographs of the opening ceremonies.

Rafael Kayanan and Lord of the Rings

I first met Rafael Kayanan somewhere around thirty years ago. He was a young aspiring artist. But even then he had the talent and you just knew that this kid was going to make it.

And boy, did he make it!

Raf's had quite an interesting career so far. He's worked for most major comic publishers, served as a fight trainer on George Clooney's "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind;" did the storyboards, served as a trainer, technical advisor and fight choreographer on "The Hunted" starring Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio del Toro; worked on developmental art for the upcoming "Princess of Mars" movie... and so much more. You can see what I mean by clicking HERE.

I recently touched base with Raf and found out he'd just completed art on 250 Lord of the Rings collector cards which will be out in February. He sent me a scan and permission to share it -- so click HERE to see the larger version.

I don't know about you, but I think that someday this kid may go places.

Soloman Kane

ComingSoon.net scored a first look at the Soloman Kane poster above. Kane was created by Robert E. Howard [the pulp writer best known for Conan].

You can bet that Raf and Chris Mills will be our resident experts on Soloman Kane. My only experience with Soloman Kane was from a couple of Marvel comics [written and drawn by the great Howard Chaykin] that I read back in the 70's... and maybe a story or two from one of the Conan or Savage Sword black and white mags that Marvel used to put out. I enjoyed the character enough to read those stories when I came across them, but never felt compelled to seek out more. Maybe this movie will change that.

Couture vs Lesnar

This Saturday at 10pm UFC 91 will air on pay-per-view with one of the most highly anticipated mixed martial arts fights of all time. Randy Couture puts his heavyweight title on the line against Brock Lesnar. Both men are accomplished athletes with extensive wrestling skills. Couture is the more experienced octagon fighter, but he will give away over a decade and about 50 pounds. Lesnar is younger, faster, bigger and stronger, but doesn't have anywhere near the experience of Couture.

This is a tough one to call. I'd love to see Couture pull out a win -- it would be the capper to a great career. Although, if Couture beats Lesnar, he'd probably come back for at least another fight or two. Couture has a nearly perfect win streak every time he has gone into a fight as an underdog -- and he is the dog in this fight. Most folks just don't see how Couture can overcome Lesnar's size, strength and punches from fists the size of cinder blocks. Of course if everyone could see how Couture was going to win, he wouldn't be the underdog.

I look forward to reading Raf's predictions for the fight. As for me, I'm going to pull for Couture.

Brock Lesner vs Frank Mir

Tomorrow night Brock Lesner fights former champ Frank Mir at UFC 81. It should be an entertaining fight. I'm leaning towards Mir because of experience, but Lesner is the real deal as an amateur wrestler. He's also a beast.

Raf, please weigh in.