pjperez

Hey kiddos. I know I don't post here as often as I used to (that'll change soon, promise!), but part of the reason is because I've been super-focused on producing new pages of my weekly webcomic, The Utopian Foundation, and also prepping hard for my return to Artist Alley (table MM13) at this year's Emerald City Comic Con, which is *gasp* less than a week away!

I'm bringing new books, including print collections of The Utopian Foundation and Sequential Madness, new art prints (including greatest hits found in my DA gallery), new buttons, and probably a new haircut. Plus, I'll have all of my in-print back catalog, including the first volume of The Utopian, the first chapter of Eastsiders, the Omega Comics Presents collection, and a bunch of other stuff.

PLUS: I'll do commissions, if anyone wants 'em. I'm thinking about loading up on sketch cards, too, because those are always fun.

If you're going to ECCC, please stop by and say hi and grab a free Utopian Foundation pin. It'll be good times.

I am a bad Deviant. I haven't checked in for a while, I didn't post an update about Denver Comic Con, and I haven't posted my sketches from the latter, either. Ah well, maybe after this weekend, I will ... that's when I'll be at the first-ever Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con, happening at the South Point Hotel & Casino from June 14-16. I'll be holding it down at Artist Alley table 112 with a whole bunch of books, comics, maybe some prints, original art, and if I get my act together by tomorrow, a special ashcan available only at that show.

So if you're going, come by and say WHAZZZAAAP. And if you're exhibiting/a guest, let me know so I can do the same.

HOLLA!

I found out kinda late (for me), but just in time (for you) that I'll be exhibiting at Emerald City Comicon in Seattle next weekend (March 1-3). I'll be holed up at Artist Alley table J-09. If you're going (or know someone who is), please tell them to stop by and we'll do the secret handshake. And yes, I will probably try to sell you on my comics. But I'm a soft-sell, don't worry.

If you live in Southern California and you love comic books or pop culture, there's a good chance you'll already be attending Wondercon, which is taking over the Anaheim Convention Center from March 16 to 18. But if you really need added incentive, then why don't you come see ME, because I'll be holding down a lil' table (AA-121) in Artist Alley the entire weekend. And I'm bringing some special, Wondercon-exclusive stuff with me.

Normally, this annual convention is held in San Francisco, as it was last time I attended (just as a pro, not as an exhibitor) in 2009. But its home, Moscone Center, is undergoing renovations, so the Comic-Con folks temporarily relocated the event to Anaheim for this year. This had a lot of people up north grumbling (and indirectly led Image Comics to host its own convention in the Bay Area instead), but on the flip side, for those of us closer to SoCal, it worked out better (or at least cheaper for travel). So … I'll be there.

In addition to bringing the usual selection of comics and trades from Pop! Goes the Icon, I'll probably also have available original artwork and a selection of limited-edition prints from my new mash-up collection. But most importantly? I'm offering EXCLUSIVELY AT WONDER-CON a special ashcan comic featuring a preview of the forthcoming sequel to "The Utopian," "Foundation."

There are only 50 copies being printed and the only place to get them will be at my table at Wondercon. The comic debuts online April 15, but those lucky (unlucky?) 50 people get to read the first 10 strips a month in advance if they pick up this sucker.

So there you go. Come on down, see some movie and comic stars, wear a silly costume, and hang out with me (and buy stuff). It'll be a good time.

If you're in Las Vegas, head's up! I expect to see you at Alternate Reality Comics (4110 S. Maryland Parkway #8) this Saturday, Feb. 25, from noon to 3 p.m., because I'm assembling the crew behind Tales from Fremont Street for a special signing and art exhibition kick-off, and to boot, we're going to ask for donations to one of our favorite charities, the SafeNest shelter for abused women and children.

Joining me at the signing table will be cover artist Jska Priebe, interior contributors Deryl Skelton, Ed Hawkins and F Andrew Taylor, and my collaborator in the book, Warren Wucinich. We'll have copies of both Tales from Fremont Street and Tales from the Boneyard, whose proceeds benefit the Vegas Valley Comic Book Festival. As well, we're kicking off the month-long exhibition of selected original art from Fremont Street, which will be showing inside Alternate Reality's "Artist Spotlight" space (following its debut at the Barrick Museum last fall).

In addition, we're asking guests to bring donations for SafeNest, based on their current Wish List. Alternate Reality owner Ralph Mathieu will also be donating a portion of the day's back issue sales and proceeds from raffle tickets sold to the shelter.

Need more incentive beyond great comics, awesome people, raffle prizes, amazing art and worthy causes? How about free refreshments? OK, done! Now you have no excuses. Hope to see you there with donations in hand when you walk in, and comics when you walk out.