One of the coolest parts of going to ECCC was meeting other like-minded artists. Rick and I (Rick who? Why, the indispensible Rick Schmitz, of course) were fortunate to have our table plunked into a row of superstar talent--Bruce Timm, Aaron Lopresti, and this man, Andy Suriano. Andy is a terrific artist who works for Disney (and worked on those new Mickey Mouse shorts--wow!). Art of Fiction has put out a super-nice, hardbound sketchbook of Andy's stuff--and he's one of those rare artists who deserves the honor. He bought a BPB Book (thanks, Andy!), and I brushed a quick tribute inside (Andy is a superb channeler of that Jack Kirby magic).

Check out this post on Andy's site--it shows a few of his ECCC sketches. Such great stuff...I was so bowled over I went up to him Sunday and said dude, I need an Andy original. Me commissioning another artist is a rare thing--but I just had to get a drawing. I insisted on paying. He asked what I wanted, and I gave him a two word answer: Big Barda. Nothing else. And he comes back with this. Battle armor! Evil minion! War club!!

I think he knocked it clear outta the park. So cool!