The Toy Box: Awesome Con 2024 - Part 3: Jim Salicrup

Jim Salicrup was a late entry to Awesome Con 2024, but one that was going to set me back quite a bit.

Jim Salicrup signing my mountain of books

Mr. Salicrup was great to meet. He shared so many stories as he signed books, and drew pictures for folks, and overall was amazing. He was pleasant, kind, and seemed genuinely happy to be there. He shared stories about his time working with Todd McFarlane, regaling the tale of how it came to be that Todd would number the hidden spiders on his issues, as well as his time working on the various titles he was involved with.

Also signed by Jim Shooter, and
Rick Leonardi at Big Lick Nova 2023

He was thrilled to see this copy of Transformers issue three, and went into detail on the various Easter eggs he included in it. He showed me the little hidden picture of U.S. 1 tucked behind in one of the panels.

US 1 heads across an overpass in Transformers 3

He also showed the panel of Nick Fury, and talked about how he couldn't refer to Godzilla by name, but that was indeed what the character was talking about. Apparently, Nick Fury had made appearances in prior stories, which showcased him and S.H.I.E.L.D. battling it out with the creature. However, for copyright reasons, the name could not be used in the Transformers issue.

Speaking of copyright issues, Jim also wasn't able to use the traditional blue and red Spider-Man costume in the issue. Hasbro owned the rights to Transformers, and at the time of release, Mattel featured figures from Secret Wars, which hadn't yet revealed the black suit version, only the traditional one. Hasbro would not allow for cross advertisement of a competitive toy company, thus the red and blue suit was barred.

Jim also doesn't get the credit he deserves for his collaboration in the creation of Venom. Credit often goes only to Todd McFarlane, and David Michelinie. Jim has said many times he isn't interested in monetary notoriety for the character, nor does he diminish that the majority of it was indeed driven by Todd and David. However, he would still like his fair acknowledgement in the credits.

Well, while Marvel holds out, I'll give you your due, Mr. Salicrup, by having you sign my two preview issues of Venom's appearances.

...As well as the issues you were involved with that he made his cameos and first appearance.

Also signed by Bob McLeod
at Baltimore Comic Con

Keeping in procession with getting things signed within the symobite story arc, I brought with me all the issues of Marvel Age which featured advertisements or previews, which Mr. Salicrup was noted as editor.

Also signed by Jim Shooter and
Rick Leonardi at Big Lick NOVA 2023

Also signed by Jim Shooter
at Big Lick NOVA 2023

I also took one of my Todd McFarlane signed copies of Spider-Man issue one to have Jim sign (as editor).

Purchased at Big Lick NOVA 2022,
pre-signed by Todd McFarlane

Since I was apparently going for broke, I also got Mr. Salicrup to sign my run of Kraven's Last Hunt.

Also signed by Jim Shooter at
Big Lick NOVA 2023, and
Bob McLeod at Baltimore Comic Con 2023

I got other stuff signed by Mr. Salicrup, but that's a post coming down the line. Even then, there was so much more I could have brought with me if space allowed for it. For now, that wraps up this one, until next week when I return to Awesome Con 2024.

Jim Salicrup: $10.00 per signature

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Awesome Con 2024 - Part 3: Jim Salicrup

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