Zoinks...! Less than two weeks before Comic Con!

I've been in crunch mode for the past few weeks--rather, in a crunchier mode than usual!--when it hit me today: there is less than two weeks before Comic Con. Eeeeee! I'm excited as hell to be there this year since there's been a lot of cool stuff happening in the industry, and there are tons of cool panels I can't wait to check out. I'll also have a table in Artists' Alley, so if anyone else is attending the con, I hope you'll drop by. Click here the map and artist listing: http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_artalley.php

Getting into the spirit of things, I've been updating my DA page with recent illustrations and stuff. Even when I'm drawing comic book guys, I can't resist the urge to make 'em pretty. :o)

Talkin' about the X-factor...

In the midst of juggling a million-and-a-half things, I have rediscovered something this year: my love for comic books. I'm not talking about my general enthusiasm for the medium--I've been a fangirl since I started reading them in *GASP* 1993 and I've always loved my fave characters. But somewhere along the way, I stopped collecting issues in favor of the occasional wiki recap (HORROR OF HORRORS!) to keep me reasonably up-to-date with the Marvel or DC U. And then...it happened...

A few weeks ago, a long-time friend smacked me upside the head and said, 'What the hell's wrong with you? Do you know what you're missing??' She's a huge X-Factor fan, and with her enthusiastic encouragement, I hit my local comic shop on a personal quest to check this book out. First up, Peter David's writing the series, and if you don't know who he is, that's only because you haven't looked at your shelf of fantasy books and Star Trek novelizations in a while. The dude gets character's *right*, his dialog is tack sharp, and the artist he's paired with on the series is a kick-ass comic book chica. Oh, and did I mention that Shatterstar and Rictor are still very much a hot m/m item? Their relationship is so much fun to read about, and they're a big part of why I am not trolling around the comic shop every 1st Wednesday of the month for the latest issue.

I hiiiiiighly recommend you guys check this book out! There are graphic novels collecting individual issues on Amazon if you're not a mega-nerd like me and need the individual issues. Just sayin'.

Rainbows in Riverdale

I admit it, I bought the damn Archie comics series where Archie marries Veronica, then Betty, then nobody. I won't spoil the six-comic set for you, but basically it turned out to be a number of "what if" scenarios for our favorite red-haired teen. What can I say? I'm a sucker for romance, and growing up I loved the Archie comics. I bought these six mainly as keepsakes and curiosity. When I first read the news of Archie's nuptials, my first thought was, "Well, I guess that three-way isn't happening." So you can see how I've matured since my childhood.

Archie comics, on the other hand, have greatly matured and gotten with the time. My friend, I/R writer Nona Wesley, pointed out to me not long ago that one issue featured Archie in an interracial romance with Valerie from the Pussycats - she was over the moon to see it. A big leap indeed, but I think none is greater than the one they're about to take.

Riverdale is getting a gay character. Yep. I just read on BeliefNet that a future ish of Veronica will introduce Kevin, the first "out" gay teen to join the Archie gang (notice I say "out," because I'm still on the fence about Reggie). According to the article, the plot seems fairly cut and dry. Kevin, by all appearances, is the perfect guy, so naturally Veronica wants to sink her claws into him. Yet, he's not interested...hmmm.

I, for one, cheer Archie Comics for taking this bold step into new territory. I don't know what the future holds for Kevin, if this is a one-off appearance or if he'll figure into future story lines. Will his sexuality be a bone of contention, or will it never be mentioned again? Will he get a boyfriend, too - of course, that would mean introducing another gay character into the mix, or else having Jughead straddle the fence. Hey, think about it. Jughead never liked the girls much anyway - maybe the Archie folks had a plan for him all along.

I am curious, however, to see how the general reaction to this plays out. In addition to the multitude of imprints Archie Comics puts out, a long time ago they used to publish Christian comic books through Spire. What I remember about that series was basically everybody in the Archie gang was "saved" and every week some strange kid would come school and sin. I don't even know if you can find those comics anymore, but I'll be curious to see if Pat Robertson starts bitching about this.

We will see, I suppose. Say, Kevin and Moose might make a cute couple, you think?

Pride High cover art

Without further ado, here it is! The completed cover for an upcoming issue of Pride High! I was really excited to work with creator Tommy Roddy after discovering the series at last year's Comic Con, and of course I had a blast working on the art.

For those of you not familiar with Pride High, head on over to the website and read the issues right now! It's a fun series about life, friendship, and super-powered teens in a gay-straight alliance at their high school. The characters are all wonderful, and I love the book's positive message. You won't be disappointed! :D

Some "Super Duper " reads

Back in July, I had the most awesome experience of attending the San Diego Comic Con for the first time. Anyone who's ever been to one knows it's THE place to celebrate geekdom in all it's glory, and I absolutely loved it. One of the highlights was getting to know some really cool artists and writers, and discovering new comics to fangirl over. Which leads me to two very special finds I learned about at Prism Comics' "Emerging LGBT Voices" panel: Pride High and So Super Duper.

Both titles are available in print and e-book through the creators' websites, and I hope some of y'all will check them out. "So Super Duper" is very sweet and funny, and if you're a comic fan like me who's pissed off at Marvel for killing off Northstar (again)--their only openly gay superhero who never once got some lovin'--Brian Anderson's take on relationships in a team of superheroes is a real treat. "Pride High" is also fantastic, with great characters and neat plot twists. The creator is such a good storyteller and his book is so much fun.

So if you're in the mood for some good comics with an LGBT twist, pick up these books! :D Hmmm. Now I kinda feel like writing and drawing some gay superstuds of my own. Yeah, yeah, I know...like I don't already have enough on my plate. *g*