Baltmore Comic Con 2024 Part 7: Walt Simonson, Louise Simonson, Art Adams, and Again, Al Milgrom

Well, here we are folks. The story of the show where things quickly got disappointing, and events trickled from bad to worse.

When I first got through the showroom doors of the convention, I made it a point to go vendor hopping. There were four issues I was after, and I knew they would be a high priority for others as well.

Walt Simonson took over writing and art duties of The Mighty Thor with issue 337. Though he would work on the book for four years, after two, he would turn over penciling duties to Sal Buscema. Walt would only occasionally penciling himself from that point on for the remainder of his run through issue 382.

Walt drawing a Thor picture for a fan who
waited in line hours for him

It was Walt's work which would shake up the character, flesh out background characters, villains, and ultimately shape The Mighty Thor into the iteration known today, and reflected in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Tucked in this run, there was a very unique storyline across issues 363 through 366, one which I have recommended to other comic readers many times, but personally never owned. It wasn't from lack of trying. Rather, it's so popular that people tend to flock to it.

In fact, there was a moment in line for the convention where my buddy, Dave Braun, got into a conversation with someone about what they were after at the show. Dave in turn said to me, "Is there anything you're looking for today?" To which I just said, "I am." With all eyes at this point of the nearby folks he was talking to on me, he asked, "What?" To which I got a bit snarky. I said, "Is this your first day at a convention? If I say it out loud, I suddenly have ten people saying that's a great book, and now I'm fighting people to find it." It was a jerk response, but true nonetheless. You just don't sabotage your own efforts in scenarios like this.

As I walked the floor from vendor to vendor, I was only able to find two of the four books. It was disappointing, but I resolved to take what I could get. I made my way to Walt and Louise Simonson's table, mind you, only fifteen minutes into the show, only to be told by the staff there, "The line is capped."

"Capped," I said with a clear annoyance in my tone. "This place just opened!" I asked, "When will the line re-open?" To which I was told, "I don't know. It may not for the day."

I was livid, but I wasn't going to let this tarnish my day. I thought to myself, I don't have any symbiote books with me, this isn't as bad as it seems. Off I went to get other signatures.

After my buddy was done with his line duties at Jim Starlin's table, I told him, "Your next mission is the Simonson's table." Off he went as I finished up with Mr. Starlin, only to call me shortly thereafter.

"The line is capped," he said. "They have a panel at 1:00 PM, and they're not taking any more people until 4:00 PM. I sighed and said, "Well, I didn't want to do that, but I guess we're stuck here until 4." He then abruptly cut me off and said, "Wait, I'm in line."

I raced across the convention hall to find out what was going on, and when I arrived, got the full rundown. But first, a little bit on Dave Braun.

Dave Braun is the guy everyone wants to be friends with. He's outgoing. Finds no fault in anyone, and can basically talk to strangers on the street like he's known then for years. Everyone should have a wingman like Dave.

As Dave stood there talking to the line police, AKA, convention staff, receiving the bad news, he got friendly like with the guy. It was at this point that two people apparently annoyed with the long wait, and announcement that Walt and Louise would be leaving at 1:00 for a panel, not returning until later, that they picked up their stuff and left. When Dave saw this, he said to the staff member, "Those two people just left. Can I get in line?" To which he was told, "Sure."

Dave Braun with Louise Simonson

With a place in line secured, I went off to grab a few more signatures, returning periodically to check progress. Around 12:30 PM, Walt stood up, and walked down the line, addressing everyone as he went. "I need to eat something, and then I have a panel, but I will be back around 2:00 PM," he said. If you will please be patient, I will ensure everyone here gets what they came for, and will stay until 7:00 PM if I need to.

After confirming we could all stay in line, Walt left, as did many people. Moving up a bit closer, I once again left Dave to his duties while I finished up with everyone else I intended on conducting business with, who I've posted about already. I also managed to track down the other two Thor books, completing the four issue story arc.

Walt returned around 2:30 PM, and signing commenced. It was at this point that I learned more bad news. In the past, the Simonson's were keen on their policy of only accepting donations for the Hero Initiative. However, when they were at Big Lick NOVA 2024, they, specifically Walt, started charging for drawings. This time around, they both also implemented a fee for signatures. The first signature was free, all others were $10.00 each. I guess they got a taste of the cash, and were hooked.

Look, I get it, free autographs are rare, and a great opportunity for fans. I don't behoove the Simonson's for charging. However, as I've said before, without this information in advance, people can't plan accordingly. Frankly, it's a trickle down effect for me. I didn't necessarily "need" the books I got signed to be autographed, and I probably wouldn't have made it such a high priority to buy the Thor books I was after had I known they were charging. I certainly wouldn't have spent the time either directly or indirectly waiting in line for them.

To bring all of this to a conclusion, obviously I did get book signed by Walt, and here are they are. For those of you who don't know much about the man, he's keen on drawing dinosaurs, and loves everything about them. If you look closely at his signature, it's designed to look like a brontosaurus. Neat!

I also got both Walt and Louise to sign Marvel Age 68. I guess we'll call this one my "one free" from them, as I really had no intensions of bringing this with me, other than the historic fact that they had been free (with donations). But, I suppose, maybe that made me part of the problem of why they started charging. Signatures for the sake of signatures and not out of genuine want.

To wrap up things with the Simonson's, specifically Walt, I had to loop back in Al Milgrom, and also stop at the table of Art Adams. I wanted to get the three issue story arc of Fantastic Four 347 - 349 signed. This was where the New Fantastic Four, featuring Spider-Man, Wolverine, (grey) Hulk, and Ghost Rider were formed.

I had a gold reprint of 348 with me which I got signed by Art Adams, and would have gotten signed by Al Milgrom and Walt Simonson. However, there was a little kid behind me in line at Mr. Adam's table with his own 348 who kept looking at the variant. After Art signed it, I tossed it at him and said, "Here, kid. Have a gold variant."

For those following or looking for pricing information, Art Adams remained consistent from the last time I saw him at $15.00 per autograph.

At the end of the day, the buddy system with Dave ended up working out, solidifying my ability to get everything signed that I was after. The above noted derailing, and series of events which could have made the show a disaster, if I let them, all seemed to finally fit into place. It turned out to be a great day through and through. Despite hiccups, I left with everything signed I came with. We'll call Baltimore Comic Con 2024 a great success.

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Awesome Con 2024 - Part 1: Art Adams, Klaus Janson, Jeph Loeb, And Art Suydam

Despite it coming to Washington DC year after year, I never seemed to want to go to Awesome Con. Scratch that. I wanted to go. The location was unappealing. I'm a suburbs guy. I hate the city. I'm not in to jam packed grid living, people and cars everywhere, and nothing being convenient. Don't even get me started on the scam and inconvenience that is paid parking.

However, this year, the guest list was far too appealing to pass up. There were things I wanted to get signed, some I missed at Baltimore Comic Con and Big Lick NOVA that needed to be rectified, and others which were simply too much of an opportunity to pass up.

I opted for buying only a Saturday pass at first, one for me, and one for my buddy / line place holder / driver, Dave Braun. However, as the convention drew closer, I added on the Comic Collector Pack, which provided a slew of additional amenities, the most important to me being the thirty minute early access to the exhibit hall, as well as access through the premium entrance to the building. The early access really only serves one purpose, and that is to allow attendees to get in line as quickly as possible for the "celebrities" they were there for.

The two people I kept hearing repeated in line over and over were Hayden Christensen, and Sponge Bob (I don't know the actor's name). This was great news to me, as I was there for comic  creators. The more people that headed back to the section where the actors were equated to less people I had to personally deal with.

My goal was to hit the hall at 9:30 AM, and immediately get in line for Art Adams and Klaus Janson, then wait for them to arrive at the convention start time of 10:00 AM. These were the two comic creators from Baltimore where the first I couldn't meet because he left, and the latter because I missed key books in my collection I wanted signed.

There was just one problem. Much like Baltimore, when I got to Mr. Adam's table (and being first), I was told by his assistant, "Oh, he probably won't get here until eleven or twelve." Sigh...I don't understand how these folks can schedule to be at conventions, but then essentially do so liberally. People are paying a lot of money for this experience, in addition to more money for the autographs. Is it really that hard for you to be on time and sit there all day? It's kind of disrespectful.

Klaus Janson's table was literally right next to Adams, so I left my buddy in line to hold my place, with the instructions to call me as soon as either of them showed up, and then went off to see if I could get some autographs elsewhere. Big success, but more on that in another set of posts. When I got the phone call for Mr. Adams, I headed back, and finally got the opportunity to check off my items with him.

Art Adams holding my signed convention book

I regaled him with the tale of Baltimore, and how I stood in his line for two hours at an empty table hoping he would come back to sign my stuff, but never did. He actually apologized, and said he wasn't feeling well that day, and had to go back to his room. When we were done, he even laughed, and said, "I feel like you and I had a moment together. Thank you."

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

In my ongoing pursuit to get my entire symbiote story arc signed, I needed to get Marvel Team-Up 141 signed. This is the first appearance of the black costume in the Marvel Team-Up title. I got more signed by Mr. Adams, but a bit more on that below.

Art Adams: $15.00 per signature

Klaus Janon still hadn't arrived, so I again left my buddy to stand in line, and took off for more autographs. After about an hour, the call came in, and back to the table I went.

Klaus Janson after signing my AMS 252

When I first went to Baltimore Comic Con, I had a ton of stuff for Mr. Janson to sign. Unfortunately, one of the things that flew completely off of my radar was that he did the cover for The Amazing Spider-Man issue 252. This iconic story featured the first appearance of the black suit in that title. After learning that in hindsight, I never really got over the missed opportunity. As I said above, seeing him (and Art Adams) coming to this convention, pretty much solidified my desire to go.

Also signed by Jim Shooter at
Big Lick Nova 2023

Also signed by Brett Breeding, and
John Romita Jr. at Galaxy Con Richmond,
as well as by Jim Shooter, and
Rick Leonardi at Big Lick Nova 2023

Klaus Janson: $10.00 per signature

In addition to the above comics, I got Mr. Adams and Mr. Janson to autograph my black suit Spider-Man figure.

Also signed by Jim Shooter, and
Rick Leonardi at Big Lick Nova 2023,
and Al Milgrom at Baltimore Comic Con 2023

Art Adams

Klaus Janson

There are still a few signatures I'd like to get on this cardback, and hopefully that opportunity will come soon.

Fast forwarding to the very last table I went to, which was Jeph Loeb. I had packed a few things for him to sign, but these were really just there as a contingency if I really felt the need. Mainly, I just wanted to get my convention book signed by him. However, at the end of the day, I was under budget, and decided to go through with the additional items I brought.

Jeph Loeb doodling on my Spider-Man: Blue issue 1

When he first started signing, Mr. Loeb asked if Tim Sales had signed, because he liked to sign under his name. I said, "No, never met him, but if you want to go get him, I'll wait here." Tim was not at the show, so Jeph just laughed at the notion.

In hindsight, I really regret dropping the ten dollars (extra) for a doodle by Mr. Loeb. Overall, I just felt like there was no value in it.

Jeph Loeb: $20.00 per signature / $10.00 per doodle

Another item I had with me was one I initially missed getting signed at Big Lick NOVA 2023. This one by Art Suydam.

Art Suydam signing my Amazing Heroes 51

When I initially got my Echos of Future Past signed at Big Lick NOVA 2023, I completely missed getting my preview issue of Amazing Heroes 51 signed. This was despite me having it with me, and getting it signed by Michael Golden that same day.

Also signed by Michael Golden at
Big Lick NOVA 2023

Mr. Suydam also gives a signed print with each book, so I grabbed one of Ash from Army of Darkness for my buddy, Dave. I also showed Art my convention book, saying, "I'm sure you don't remember, but you were the first person to sign this for me." He took a moment to look at all the signatures, smiling at it, but he never really said if he remembered or not. I doubt it.

Art Suydam: $20.00, but includes your comic, an art print of your choice, and a COA, all signed by him

Many more books got signed while I was at the show, but for now, that wraps up this post. Check back next week for part 2!

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Baltimore Comic Con 2023: Part V - Klaus Janson, Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez, Greg Hildebrandt, And Pop Mhan

Bouncing back and forth from one side of the convention hall to the other, I was quickly growing frustrated. Either lines were cut off for upcoming breaks, artists were gone because they were already on breaks, or the lines were ridiculously long. Then there was Art Adams...

This guy...This...Guy...

I was excited to get Marvel Team-Up 141 signed by him. For those of you who don't know, this is the first appearance of Spider-Man in his black symbiote costume in that particular title. When I first came to his table, the line was ridiculously long, so I moved on to cross more autographs off in the interim. When I cam back around 2:30 PM, he was gone with a sign on the table that read, "Back in a few hours." Someone else was standing there waiting, and informed me he saw that sign two hours ago. That same person said moments later, "I can't wait anymore. I have to go. Good luck. I hope he comes back soon."

Moments later, I left, and came back at 5:30 PM. The sign was still there, with Mr. Adams MIA. I asked the woman sitting behind the group of tables, "Does anyone know when he'll be back?" She replied, "He's at his hotel working on commission."

This was incredibly disappointing, and ultimately ended up being my breaking point. Mind you, at this point in the day I was tired, my feet hurt, I hadn't eaten since breakfast, only had one bottle of water the entire day, and didn't have the energy or desire to stand in a one-man line at an empty table. I connected with my buddy, and we left.

However, prior to 5:30 PM, I did manage to go to other tables.

Apparently, the picture taking mishaps occurred even earlier in the day than I thought, as I didn't snap a photo of Klaus Janson. DOH!

I could have gotten a lot of books signed by Mr. Janson, and had them with me, but that price point of $10.00 per signature was killing me. That adds up fast. As it was, I dropped $80.00 at his table.

Lead in to Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars
Also signed by Jim Shooter at Big Lick 2023

Lead in to Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars
Also signed by Jim Shooter at Big Lick 2023

Klaus also worked on the highly popular "silent" issue, G.I. Joe 21. Much like issue one, it's surprising me how many times I've pulled this one out to get signed.

Also signed by Larry Hama at Big Lick 2022,
and Jim Shooter at Big Lick 2023

I didn't necessarily need this deliciously shiny 11 X 17 reproduction of The Amazing Spider-Man 252. Klaus inked the cover of the book, and "F" me, I didn't know this, so I didn't bring that issue with me to get signed.

I stopped by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez's table a couple times before I caught him there.

The only work I know from him was from the 1992 movie adaptation of Batman Returns, which just so happens to be my favorite in the entire franchise of Batfilms.

I asked if he would sign the books in gold, and though he tried to use my paint pen (see below photo, bottom left corner), it simply wouldn't work. He ended up using his own gold Sharpie.

As I was taking photos of him, the convention staff member who was working his table with him made a comment I didn't quite catch, but it was enough for Mr. Garcia-Lopez to give him a very unamused look.

He is not amused...

I was excited to meet one of the two men behind all of those wonderful movie posters, Greg Hildebrandt (his brother, Tim, unfortunately passed away in 2006).

Also unfortunate, was that Mr. Hildebrandt was tucked away behind stacks of boxes, and artwork. You only got to interact with his staff, and this is where the additional unfortunate news was delivered. He respectfully declined to sign my convention book. He has a strict policy that he will not sign work which he didn't contribute to. I suppose it's his prerogative, but it's disappointing all the same.

Fortunately, I did have something he worked on. My copy of Spider-Man 2099 Special.

Also signed by Rick Leonardi, and Mark Waid
at Big Lick NOVA 2023

Speaking of artists I didn't have anything from, or apparently took photos of, Pop Mhan was one of the last stops I made as I walked around the hall. Pop is a highly respected artists of present day Masters of the Universe comics, and I wanted to get myself a print from him, as well as have my convention book signed. The latter he did for free.

His prints were three for forty, or one for fifteen. While he did have three different Masters of the Universe related art pieces, I stuck with just this one. Good stuff!

Again, for those keeping up with costs, each of these creators, with exception of Pop Mhan, were charging $10.00 per signature.

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