Lucky for me, I bought my tickets way in advance as I had a feeling this sucker was going to sell out this year and that hunch paid off. My first two days at the Con was basically popping in and out of the call out sessions and staying clear of the marketplace downstairs. I did this for two reasons – to avoid people I knew and to avoid the temptation to buy stuff. If I ran into people I knew or had yet to meet – I’d stay and gab their ears off. Plus, I’m on a budget.

Taking the trolley down from my house was a godsend as that meant little to no road rage on my part. A happy and calm Drub makes everyone else around me happy and pleasant as well, plus 5 bucks for an all day pass is a no brainer.

My 3rd day was very eventful. Instead of popping in and then popping out to go home, I went around to see who was manning the Prism booth, who else that I knew had booths and check out all the cool indy published stuff. I don’t know if it was me or if it was the weather or what, but it was very very…um… cruisy. Boy-candy everywhere. Or maybe I just need to get laid. Anyways, it was a blast and I don’t think I could have wished for a better time. At this point in the posting, I’d like to point out that it’s going to get rather heady and ridiculous in here with all the name-dropping.

Last Gasp has finally released Best Erotic Comics 2009 and the printing is excellent, so I urge you all to snap up your very own copy. “Dem Bones” which originally appeared in Hard To Swallow #3 was included, and even though it has received mixed reviews, I urge you to pick it up and judge for yourself.

I had two celebrity run-ins in which I totally embarrassed myself. One being Amber Benson and the other being John Barrowman. I like to pride myself at not gushing inappropriately nor interrupting people speaking but I seemed to throw all that out the window and practically laid eggs right there on the carpet as each of these people seemed to magically appear in front of me. All said and done, Amber is as funny and down-to-earth as one can imagine. No sooner had that happened and Amber left, I told a couple friends what a geek I was, stopping in mid-sentence as I heard a distinctive voice right behind me. I turned around, gasped and turned away and my pals must have thought I lost my marbles all over the floor. I then pointed out the the actor from Torchwood, our very own Jack Barrowman, was right behind us which brought various expressions of confusion and delight to those that understood my fangasm. Soon, every gay man with a camera or iPhone was gunning for a snapshot and all I could do was watch as this maelstrom (Fagstorm?) developed right in front of my eyes. I became flush, wet palms, frozen in place, sweaty brow – the works! He touched my back! I began to get even more giddy to the point where I had to force myself to calm the fuck down. I seriously thought somebody was going to slap me to just shut me up. Pathetic displays, for sure, but at least everyone was gracious about it and it makes for a good story.

If you didn’t get to draw in Lynx Delirium‘s “Snow White” book, you missed out on a lot of laughs and fun.

Now completely high on life, I decided to check out some video games Sean Z had suggested I check out. Aion looks amazing though I don’t know if I could ever spend time on an online game such as this, with the subscriptions and whatnot, but it was definitely breathtaking. I also enjoyed the demos for City of Heroes – again another MMORPG with magnificent graphics and details though with my iMac I’d have to boot both into boot camp to run the Windows emulator.

Aman’s Big Gay Dinner at Bandar. So full of food. So crazy. So fun. Especially with Steve MacIsaac, Sam Saturday, and Eden Bradley.

Some other things worth checking out:

Sina Grace‘s Cedric Hollows in Dial M for Magic – an illustrated novel about a sorcerer sleuth in Orange County. The graphic design alone will make you tingly.

Ed Luce’s Wuvable Oaf. If you don’t pick up this comic, you’re missing out. I grabbed a copy after seeing what he did in the Bent Comix Sampler. It’s got great line work, excellent story telling, and lots of bears and kitties.

Sean Z’s Myth – Do check out the online comic and buy the prelude book to get caught up if you aren’t already in ‘the know’ on the developing story.

The Seattle Erotic Art Festival was a resounding success – not just for me personally, but for the event holders as well. Hundreds of pieces entered and 78 sold (with tons of smaller works moved out of the expanded store section at an amazing pace), two of which were my skate decks entered and created specifically for the show. Initially, I was going to do a series of these decks – but I now feel it would be best if these pieces are one-of-a-kind dealies. I skipped out on the Thursday night VIP session and relaxed after my wonderful flight up on Virgin America, only to find on Friday afternoon that both of my pieces had sold before the general public even set eyes on them!

Mixing, mingling, ogling, flirting, viewing and drinking my way through the night catching up with old friends, making new ones, and putting faces with artist’s names I’ve only known of through the web or through comic books. I was riding high on my good fortune and gambled that it would last throughout the weekend event.

Saturday morning brought several of us together for the Intro To Gay Erotic Comics panel at the Sharma Center. Starting only a few minutes late, we quickly filled the room to standing room only bantering about our process and creative approaches to creating what we felt made a good erotic comic book story. Writer Dale Lazarov (Manly, Sticky, and many other great books) lead a spirited discussion with Patrick Fillion (of Class Comics fame) and Steve MacIsaac (Shirtlifter and Sticky comics) speaking deftly over what little knowledge I have with 3 short stories under my belt. Truth be told, I felt a bit intimidated as my strengths are more editorial and in the pin-up arena, but I’m working hard to change that. The audience had great stories and suggestions that we might take into consideration and I really loved the experience. I’d do it again in a snap! We moseyed over to the gallery show to take in some quieter moments with the art and ventured off to discuss ‘how sausage was made’ (we talked shop) over sushi.

I took in some sights and sounds, did a little shopping, hiking, hung out with friends, fine dining, and even scored a steamy hot commission I’m about to embark upon! This year, I couldn’t be a more happy pervert.

If you are going to be in Seattle for the Seattle Erotic Art Festival ’09 – you might want to make your plans now before it’s too late to get tickets to the event! As always, this is the event of the year not to be missed with all the performances, food, art, films and this year – literature!

Are you interested in making a name for yourself in erotic art and comics but not sure where to start? I’ll be accepting appointments to give you practical advice on strengthening your portfolio and solidifying your brand before approaching magazines, galleries, and other venues. $25 for 15 minutes. Consultation includes free attendance to a Saturday May 2nd SEAF panel on erotic comics featuring Dale Lazarov (wonderful writer of titles such as Sticky, Nightlife, Fancy, and Manly), Steve MacIsaac (comic book artist and illustrator extraordinaire), Patrick Fillion (Class Comics bad ass) and yours truly (you’re here, goofy!).

So if you want a one-on-one with me to review your portfolio, just let me know and make your appointment now! 

On for Saturday May 2, 11:30am-12:30pm at the Sharma Center,

406 Dexter| Seattle | WA | 98109
206-898-5876
www.sharmacenter.org

$25 for 15 minutes (includes panel with portfolio review)
$5 Panel for all others

Family often gives you ammunition for plenty of good writing, mine being no exception. With the 13″ mac laptop on the way, my OmniGraffle chart all primed and ready with character relationships, and drawing upon my past, I think I may find many chilling San Diego nights sitting down in front of the television with my cat, Boo Boo, next to me as I finally sit down to do some character development for my comic book project I keep meaning to get to one of these days.

I’m basing the characters loosely on my family, only much much richer, better jobs and still talking to each other. Everyone always says I should write them into something so I’m doing my best. I think the main character will be very different from me though, so I guess that will be a good departure, though I’m sure going to write my brother into the mix as a big idiot. I guess it’s my way of getting back at him for not paying me back for the money I had to spend to get my license back and it’s a better way to work out my anger, then say, beating his face to a bloody pulp.

I’ve pretty much nailed the mother character down and I’m pleased with her being this loving, if somewhat out of touch with her kids, aging actress. The father is a famous stage magician on his death bed with big secrets. The sister is a pop singer with a promising career and the brother is just to be hated and for comic relief. I’m trying to cook up the who, how and why of what will motivate the protagonist to become this unlikely superhero on the down-low and weaving in the odd-ball characters, like his highly motivated Filipino agent, a friendly ghost character, and the very very fun baddies who seem to be writing themselves.

Once I get these people all locked down, what motivates them, and how they all view each other – I’ll start on character sketches.

It’s funny, that when I’m writing about these fictional people – scenes fall out of my brain like tetris pieces and I wonder how I can make all of these little bits and bobs flow together into one cohesive story. I guess that’s going to be half the fun!

Or the miraculous story about how I’m not dead.

Ok. It’s not that dramatic or exciting, but being a home owner is rather involved and moving, packing, and unpacking sure takes a ton of your time. I’ve got a bedroom to organize this weekend, another trip under my house for plumbing issues, and I haven’t even thought of how to get rid of all the goddamn cardboard boxes I have.

When you fill up a 400 square foot garage with your shit, you have to step back and realize that’s a whole lot of wasted space and – well, you should probably throw out a lot of that shit.

Tonight, I went to a neighborhood ice cream social. Isn’t that whacky? It was really interesting to meet all the young couples who are moving into my neighborhood or who have lived here for some time and to watch all the old people stand around on the periphery and stare at the tattooed, blue haired freak who bought that nice old 94 year old’s house. It makes me chuckle to pretend not to notice these things and watch them feign pleasantries.

The good news is I have set up my home office again and my studio! I’ve got some work to create since I’m totally too late to get my tickets to Comic-Con this year.

I’m writing this post surfing on the streams of some neighbors WiFi connection.

This weekend is all about settling in to my new digs and there is a lot that I plan on accomplishing. I’ve already had an electrician come out to the house to start on the upgrade that my place will need to run all the gadgets, heating/cooling unit, and set the ground work for future upgrades. He should finish this tomorrow and should be approved next week!

I have to head down to Home Depot and get one of those jumpsuits and a respirator for crawling under the house to wire my place with Cat5 cable for my Playstation 3 and internet connections. I’ll also be installing a cat door as Boo-Boo (her name – I’ve decided) was let out supervised today after I came home and then later again when I was taking out some recycling and trash for tomorrow’s pick up, so I do think she’ll be doing it on her own soon. My fridge/freezer kit arrives tomorrow from Sears which will start my plans for re-doing my kitchen. Next week, the phone company will connect all my pre-wiring up for internet so I don’t have to hijack somebody else’s. And then in two weeks, I should have my new furnace installed in the attic and the cooling unit on the outside wall facing the old lady next door.

Today, I got some great news from Last Gasp. They want to republish the short story, “Dem Bones”, I originally did for my fellow comic fiends who do Hard To Swallow Comix – #3. It is to appear in the pages of Best Erotic Comics of 2009! Hurray!

I recently picked up the incredibly wrong, humorous, foul, perverse, violent and well written first 7 issues of the comic, The Boys, now published by Dynamite Entertainment. In short, I fuckin’ loved it! Sex all over the place – though not always viewed in a very good light – is used to push the story along about a group of people commissioned by the CIA to keep an eye on superheros who aren’t always what their press and image live up to be. The Boys intimidate and even kill superheros to keep them in check.

What I find interesting is the lack of a moral compass in either the heroes or The Boys, as the parallels between either are strikingly similar and as with most things, it just depends which side you are on. With such a dark subject, it’s lightened by poking fun at the whole world of comics fandom and the heroes people have come to love over the history of comics.

The cast of characters are well-rounded and despite their movement in the gray area of what the definition of justice is, I find I really like these characters because of the definite moments of true humanity at it’s best despite the overwhelming worst in so many.

Pick it up – it’s worth the time and money!

Deciding what to get that special somebody for the impending holiday and you are stumped? Well, look no further, as I’ve got some great gift ideas for that guy or guys (and maybe a girl) that are sure to please.

It goes without saying, but Hard To Swallow #3 is out and shipping. The 64 page strong book of twisted, humorous and somewhat disturbing queer smut is available through Marginalized Publications. If you don’t know dick about comics, it’s filled with stories all involving dick so you or your loved one is sure to be an expert on the subject before the book is halfway done. Davey Dogspunk did some great art for the cover and the inside pages are filled with stories by Davey and Justin Hall. Sandwiched in between (oooyeah!) is a little story done by yours truely. I’m very happy with the printing, stories, indy content and at $8.99 – it’s a freakin’ steal! I got my copies and I’m very pleased.

Once again, if you are in San Fran, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York City, Amsterdam or Berlin – you can pick up tons of art on 5″x7″ blank greeting cards to send to all your fuck buddies or keep for your very own selfish reasons. And if you can’t get them there, just drop me a note and we can figure out a nice thick stack that you can have shipped to you directly. Let me know and I’ll get a PayPal arrangement situated right away.

And all you European boys – buying my work has never been more of a bargain with the US dollar in the toilet, which I hear is even more appropriate for some of you! Take a look through over 50 pieces of work in my portfolio, see what is still available, and a 13″ x 19″ print could be yours. Again, PayPal or another payment can be arranged.

All payments go toward me buying art supplies to make more work.

It’s October 10th – Do you know where your Hard To Swallow Comics are?

Well, get on it! It’s 64 pages thick and full-color covers. Not to be missed are the 4 stories by Justin Hall – Tales of the Hard Roger Part Three: Mutiny, I Can Take It, Fluid and Rollin’ Down the River. Also 2 stories by Dave Davenport – Feral: Touch Me I’m Sick and House of F. And then there is also a special feature called Dem Bones by your humble host Drub.

To order, send $11.49 for orders within the U.S.(includes shipping)
or $14.99 for orders shipping outside of the states to:

Dave Davenport
P.O. Box 3031
Los Angeles, Ca 90078

Or go to the Marginalized Publications site and use PAYPAL!

Drop us a line and let us know what you think. I really hope you like it!

Tomorrow my parents leave for their Hawaiian leg of their journey, spending nearly 2 weeks on the island state for their 38th anniversary. They are so cute, crazy, and at the end of 3 days – I’m burned out. I spent all day at the Zoo today and I took them to some good places to eat, listening to my dad talk about his crummy job driving the garbage truck and my mom telling me she’s fat now that she’s quit smoking. Those were the downers but overall lots of laughing and talking about the crazy family we have. I love them to pieces, but I feel worlds apart from them with all that I do now and I’m not so sure they’d really understand. We did have some good conversations and they got to experience what enrages me so much about the “Southern California Attitude” toward life.

Bon Voyage! Enjoy paradise and have a great time! They totally deserve it.

Not having checked my email or my favorite blogs and websites, I am really happy to hear that Hard To Swallow #3 is going to hit the stands on October 11th! Woo hoo!! I can’t wait to see what it looks like and I really hope you guys out there enjoy the hell out of the issue.