Big Apple Con — Groo-some Guys

'Kirby: King of Comics'It’s already been a few days since the Big Apple Con. Marvel Comics artist John Romita Sr. was feeling under the weather and couldn’t make it to the show, and that was disappointing. But I was pleased to finally meet Mark Evanier in person, who I have mentioned countless times, and whose biography of Jack Kirby, Kirby: King of Comics, will be released in February. Here I am sneaking up behind Mark, trying steal one of his lollipops. The orange gadget is Mark’s Blackberry. That thing was constantly getting a call or e-mail. Evanier is a multi-tasking machine!

Mark Evanier and DOuG pRATt

Mark collaborates with MAD Magazine cartoonist Sergio Aragonés on the long-running comic book Groo the Wanderer. Here’s Dennis hanging with Sergio.

Dennis Rogers with Sergio Aragonés

Sergio is a riot. “Shy and retiring” are words that do no apply. In fact, Aragonés seems to have no plans to retire at all! He was inking Groo pages while he talked, and it was a lot of fun watching him work. I’m very familiar with Sergio’s cartooning over the years and the art he’s doing now is stunning, especially when seeing his originals.

Sergio Aragonés Banner For Groo

Stephen Colbert, Up Close and Personal!

THAT’S ME AND STEPHEN COLBERT!

Stephen Colbert at the Times CenterStephen spoke for 90 minutes to a packed auditorium, 370 strong, of Colbert Nation fans Friday night at The Times Center in mid-town Manhattan. My buddy Dennis and I were among them! What a wonderfully memorable evening, and it was not without suspense, because Dennis and I were the last two people on the waiting list who managed to get in. Colbert had already started speaking by the time we got inside, but fortunately we didn’t miss much. On the audio player you can hear a passable recording with a few minutes spliced together of Colbert commenting on his show, his real fear of bears, and the true story behind his broken wrist.

[audio:http://www.dograt.com/Audio/NOV07/ColbertTimesCenter.mp3]

Stephen Colbert's AutographYou can watch the video of Colbert falling and breaking his wrist at this link. After the talk there was a book signing, and because I’d already asked Santa for I Am America (And So Can You!) I bought the new DVD, The Best of The Colbert Report. Dennis’ camera makes me look gigantic compared to Colbert, but I think we’re actually about the same height. Something I would like to emphasize is that when Colbert is out of character he positively exudes sincerity and appreciation of your being there to see him, with the BS meter reading flat at zero.

The Mr. A Cookie

I’m back from NYC, and in an upcoming post I’ll have something VERY special to tell you about the trip, but first I want to show you a cookie I got in Penn Station at a wonderful bakery/eatery called Zaro’s.

Zaro's Black & White Cookie

I hope Steve Ditko knows about this, because it could be called the Mr. A cookie! If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’ll have to watch the first two minutes of this part of the superb program In Search of Steve Ditko.

Dog Rat In New York

For the next couple of days D.F. Rogers and I will be at the Big Apple Con in — where else? — the Big Apple. I hope to finally meet Mark Evanier in person. Dennis and I also hope to talk to comic book artist Joe Sinnott, just like we did 30 years ago! I’m traveling light, and won’t be taking a laptop computer, so unless the hotel has more than just Wi-Fi hot-spots for Net/Web access, my next post will be sometime Sunday.