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I'm shipping complimentary copies of MINE ALL MINE to the following retailers:
Zeus Toys & Comics (Dallas TX), Titan Comics (Dallas TX), Keith's Comics (Dallas TX), Austin Books (Austin TX), Speeding Bullet Comics (Norman OK), Astrokitty Comics (Lawrence KS), Star Clipper (St. Louis MO), Big Brain Comics (Minneapolis MN), Comix Revolution (Evanston IL), Quimby's (Chicago IL), Chicago Comics (Chicago IL), The Beguiling (Toronto Ontario), Strange Adventures (Halifax Nova Scotia), Strange Adventures (Fredericton New Brunswick), The Million Year Picnic (Cambridge MA), Comicopia (Boston MA), Jim Hanley's Universe (New York NY), Rocketship (Brooklyn NY), Copacetic Comics Company (Pittsburgh PA), Atomic Books (Baltimore MD), Bizarro Wuxtry (Athens GA), Skylight Books (Los Angeles CA), Meltdown (Los Angeles CA), Comic Relief (Berkeley CA), Hijinx Comix (San Jose CA), Needles and Pens (San Francisco CA), Isotope (San Francisco CA), Reading Frenzy (Portland OR), Zanadu Downtown (Seattle WA)If you happen to live near any of these stores, stop by later next week and see if they have it on the shelf somewhere.
At least, that's my thinking. My friend Samax at ghettoManga gave a great review of Karma Incorporated. If you haven't been to Samax's blog, you need to bookmark it. I visit the site regularly, and he keeps me updated on everything that's anything that's enjoyable. I know he's developing a magazine, and I can't wait to read more. Financial backing, my dear ones, that's all we need to make this world a little more hip. On his blog, you will notice he has copies of "Mine All Mine" for sale. If you can't wait for the minicomic to arrive at a comic book shop near you, here is the only place to get an early copy online.
Also, I started a twitter account. I've added the function to my website and MySpace page. Let me know what you think. Love it? Hate it? Too much? Not enough? Care less?
Robin Gillespie, Brian Denham, and I were guests at a Free Comic Book Day event yesterday. Technically not the actual "Free Comic Book Day," but Denton Texas being a college town -- most of the store's customers are gone on the weekend. Thus Monday. I've never been to More Fun Comics, but I have to say it is a cool store. Citizens of Denton, rejoice and be glad. Great set up. The manager/owner was incredibly helpful and supportive. We had a good time.
The busiest weekend of the year for me, and I forgot to take pictures. Sorry. The 4th annual CAPE was incredible. Best one so far. Richard, Chris, Barry, Sean, Scott, and everyone with Zeus work hard to pull off this comic book festival. And over the past four years, they've created the most pure and genuine celebration of everything I love about this industry. Thank you.
On Friday, April and I drove to St. Pete's Dancing Marlin for the live art show. You know it's going to be a great event when you can smell the sharpies from the sidewalk before you even enter the bar. I hope we keep this location for the annual event. I prefer it to the snobbier, classier Metro Bar & Grill. St. Pete's is more laid back, and it's a nice way to start the weekend. I was celebrating my birthday that night, and if anything, I probably over-invited. There were simply too many people from various circles of friends, and as a result -- I ended up playing "musical friends" all night, hopping from one group to the next. I wanted to hang out with everyone. In the end, I was continually distracted. I apologize if I seemed distant. I was. I'm in love with everyone, and damn it, I want all of you to buy me a birthday beer. April drove us home. The next morning, I was at Craddock Park at around 8 AM to help set up. They really didn't need me, but I tried my best not to get in the way. I was there on behalf of La Reunion to moderate the writer's panel (proof). Marc Andreyko said it was one of the best panels he had ever been on. Score. At CAPE itself, I had a table next to Chynna Clugston. She's such a sweet person. The minicomic "Mine All Mine" sold well. I'm printing a few more, and will send them to various indie-friendly stores (list coming soon), available May 14th. The weather was perfect. A little cold in the morning, but we dragged our table out from under the shade of the tent and we were fine. Then it got hotter in the afternoon (mid 70s), so we dragged it back. We're highly adaptable like that. The wind was a problem, but it's a problem every year. This time, I came prepared. I brought six large rocks from my backyard and a plexiglass cover to keep my comic from blowing away. It made for a nice display, and I had no problems. David vs. Wind? David wins this year. Saturday night, we ate at Blue Mesa. I sat with Crosland, Andreyko, Justin, and Shawn. Andreyko spent most of the night selling us on BlueRay DVD players. I have to admit; I'm intrigued. Add it to my wish list. Later that night, a bunch of us went to Barcadia on North Henderson Avenue. As the name would suggest, the place is a bar/arcade hybrid. Some girl at the bar was trying to set me up with her friend. However, being as lame as I am, I didn't realize until much, much later. *She bumps into me intentionally* "Oh, I'm sorry. You should meet my friend." "Okay." *I grab my beer from the bartender and leave.* April, clearly, you have nothing to worry about. I'm just too socially retarded to be a threat. Next morning, April and I attended the Big Gay Brunch at Frida's. We sat next to Mark Waid and Robert Kirkman. I'm a little TOO much of a fan of their work to fully enjoy sitting with them. I didn't have anything to say that wouldn't sound like the SNL skit by Chris Farley. "You remember that one time you had Invincible's dad reveal his evil plot to take over the world, and he nearly killed his son, but didn't? Yeah. That was cool." My indie cred is shot to hell the moment I pick up my Waid/Wieringo Fantastic Four. Frida's did not seem well prepared for our group, but Robert was funny as hell, so I really didn't mind the wait. The Big Gay Brunch is a great way to close out the weekend. -- More CAPE stuff -- Oaklawn TV's report Post about CAPE by Scott Kurtz Dan Koller's report on Quick CAPE on Flickr: from amboy00, bryansayscom, vinh-luan luu, jamie s. rich, mighty mangler, divalea (also here and here)
A few hours ago, I finished the first draft of a script for this cool anthology project organized by Len Wallace (more info soon). Apparently, he likes my story. And then later, he added more commentary.
Break out those crayons! La Reunion will be hosting a kid's coloring area at CAPE. If you can't wait until Saturday, feel free to print the pages from my site -- you can choose between EMILY (.pdf) and KOO (.pdf). As an added bonus, if you show me your colored masterpiece, I'll give you a 50% discount off any of my books.
88% of the art is completed, and I'm getting the files ready for the printer tomorrow. It will debut at CAPE next Saturday. Here's the cover by Tania Kaufmann, a friend and one of my favorite local painters.
 Click for the full front and back view, plus it doubles as a nifty desktop image. Working on the press release tonight.
* So far, I have thirteen pages collected for "Mine All Mine." It's looking nice. Thank you to everyone who contributed. While I didn't intend for it to be, this project has turned into a wonderful early birthday present -- getting to work with all these fantastic artists.
* A few days ago, I received an e-mail from Josh Fialkov. Rather than summarize it, here it is: It has come to my attention one of Image's own, Josh Medors (artist of the upcoming FRANK FRAZETTA'S SWAMP DEMON), has long been fighting cancer. While things have been on the upswing, a recent analysis showed a recently removed tumor has come back and unless his radiation therapy helps, he may only have three months to live.Information on what you can do to help is available here: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16161 * In other news, tonight, ArtLoveMagic presents: ARRIVE, a night of live art, music, poetry, and celebration. The event starts at 8 PM. $5 cover. Mokah Art Gallery in Deep Ellum.
April and I spent our weekend following around the mayor. Click here to read my report, as posted on D Magazine's FrontBurner blog. Seriously, read. I stayed up until 3 AM writing it.
Now onto the script for Souvenir of Dallas...  Jim Lujan and I started this tradition of each year asking each other 20 random questions. Here is this year's: 20 Questions for Jim Lujan 1) If you could "fight the power," who would you bring down? I would bring down FM radio. I would reprogram it with a variety of music and talk that you don’t hear now. Right now its terrible…all the same stuff. 2) Your favorite curse word: I’m gonna go with “pussy”. I cannot say that without smiling. 3) Worst meal you've ever had: Western Bacon Cheeseburger in 1982. I threw up because of the stomach flu. Yum. 4) Can you change a tire? If so, proof? I can and the proof is on my car right now. 5) Have you ever been in a fight? I’m a peaceful guy. Haven’t been in a real fight since grade school. 6) Pitch an idea for a made-for-television movie. Old men bounty hunters…the odd couple meets Dog. 7) Your favorite cartoon as a child: UnderDog. 8) What movie makes you cry? The ending of the Shawshank Redemption….and the Lion King father’s death scene. 9) What was the first cartoon you ever made? Mayhem News (1996) 10) Worst hair cut: Anytime I get it cut too short on the sides. My head looks like a friggin’ handball court…totally Frankenstein. 11) If you could ask John Waters one question, what would it be? I’d ask him what he is embarrassed to admit he likes in pop culture. 12) Fame or money? You must choose. Fame…because fame gets you perks. 13) Favorite Beatle: Paul. 14) Who's the baddest bad ass celebrity (living or dead)? Mohammed Ali 15) If you had $1000, where would you spend it? I’d print up Jim Lujan Cartoon DVDs for sale and make my money back tenfold. 16) How much time do you spend drawing every day? 5 mins- hour. I skip days a lot. I need to draw more. 17) Most important political issue for you: Quality affordable healthcare. 18) Worst year in public school: Senior year. Most of my friends dropped out. Yes, I hung with some losers, for the most part. 19) Where will Jim be in five years? Working on art FULL TIME. 20) How far is too far? Picking on the defenseless. Now that’s just lame. 20 Questions for David Hopkins 1) Are you happy with your middle name...what is it? Yep. Gregory. I'm named after my uncle. The name means "Watchman," which is freakin' cool. 2) Favorite sugared breakfast cereal. Mellow Matties. It's a generic version of Lucky Charms. 3) Are you an early bird or night owl? I'm a night owl, but I have to wake up early for work, so I'm kinda both. 4) Favorite candy bar: Snickers. 5) Japan or France? Just answer the question. Dang. That is a difficult question. I'd happily visit Japan, but I would live in France. Also, I'm a much bigger fan of French comics over manga. 6) Do you believe in ghosts? I would like to say that I don't, but I kinda do. 7) Make up a name for a sitcom: Doing It Right. 8) Song that makes you cry: "Daughter" by Loudon Wainwright 9) Who is your favorite old guy? Will Eisner. He's no longer with us, but I met him when he was old. 10) What was the very first comic you ever made? In junior high, my friend Wim and I worked on a comic that was basically crappy fan fiction. We made our own sequel to a graphic novel by Jim Starlin and Jackson Guice called "X-Factor Special: Prisoner of Love." It was pretty cheesy. We took turns drawing each page. 11) Ever have a a ponytail? Nope, but I had a mullet once. 12) Ever walk out of a movie you paid for? There are some movies I've rented, which I couldn't finish. My Super Ex-Girlfriend. However, I've never walked out of a movie at the theater. Even though, I've been tempted. For the most part, I skip the movies that look like they are going to suck. 13) If you were having coffee with Prince, what would you ask him? I could care less about Prince. Never really listened to his music. Maybe I'd ask him when he plans to retire. 14) Your latest obsession: Battlestar Galactica. I'm watching season three on DVD. 15) Is there anything redneck about you? Not really. I'm sort of the antithesis of a redneck. I live in Texas, proud to be a Texan, but I never understood the humor behind Blue Collar Comedy. Also, I once referred to it as a "NASCAR game." I think that disqualifies me from redneck status. 16) What does it take to make you dance? Music. That's all. I'm always looking for an excuse to dance. 17) Favorite bookstore: Too many to choose. Half-Price Books in Dallas. 18) Sexiest body part on a woman: The personality. It's not a body part, but anyone can look sexy with the right attitude and a bit of confidence. I'm a sucker for the bookish indie girl -- a hoodie, some Converse, and a geek-out obsession with music, movies, and books, I'm done for. 19) How was your attendance in high school? Decent. I would only miss one or two days a year. 20) Last time you yelled at a stranger: Last year, in St. Louis, a car nearly ran me over while I was crossing the street. I started yelling at the driver. My friends were rather embarrassed. "Uh, David, we don't do that here..."
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