I Am The Luckiest

Showing love to those who made Heroes Con another one for the books

Another June comes and goes, and that means me and the Stupid Fresh Mess crew attended Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC. I don’t think I’ve been to a single show as many times as I’ve been to this one, so it feels more like a hometown show than any con in a place I’ve actually lived. As always, it was a wonderful weekend. This newsletter is my thank-you note to everyone who made it out.

We flew in a day early this year to do private signings for people and shops with a high volume of books. This helps knock them all out at once so fans with just a few books aren’t stuck in line for hours and hours. (Yes, I know, it’s still pretty long but that’s just because you all are so good to me!) Last year we did them a little each day before and after my floor signings, and it was a bit too much on my ol’ brain. haha. Thank you to everyone who made the trip early as well and brought all the books. It was a long day but I had some great conversations about hip hop, movies, art, and everything else you can think of. Everyone was so kind and happy.

A massive thank you to Dustin, Tyler, Seth, Nikki, Matt, Ryan, and the rest of you from what has become quite a legion of art and comic lovers over on the Facebook SKOTTIE YOUNG APPRECIATION GROUP. This group has nearly 10k members (OK, fine, it’s 9.1k, but that’s technically near 10k and 10k sounds better than 9.1k), and Dustin runs it like it’s his job. He does so much with and for this group that if he didn’t own 456,867,802 pieces of original art, I would be convinced he doesn’t actually have a job. They brought us snacks for the table, wore SFM hats and Mickey Ears, bought art and books, and even wore matching camo shorts in honor of what seems to be my auction painting uniform now. haha.

Dustin organized a meet-up at a restaurant for several members of the group, and we decided to do a surprise pop-in and meet some of them in person. They were all lovely. Well, except for the server. She was a fucking hot mess. I think maybe so much so, Dustin, who never cusses, might have come close to thinking about dropping an f-bomb or two. She brought out appetizers and when asked for app plates, told the table she wasn’t allowed to do that. That was a new one for me. I ordered a vodka soda and she had no idea what that was. She did NOT want more than one table at a time, and said it very loudly across the room. People ordered grilled things and were given fried things, and when she asked about the checks being all on one or separate, she broke her eyes rolling them so hard when the choice was separate. Dustin was sweating bullets over what seemed to be a practical joke show-level of performance. I, and the rest of the table, laughed our asses off at every turn. I told the group that this was a PERFECT gathering for fans of a guy like me, and that if it had went smoothly, what stories would they have to tell? It worked out perfectly, and now we will forever have the night that we may have made a server quit her job mid-shift because she didn’t know what club soda was.

Clearly, Dustin and his crew have a place in our hearts and I can’t thank them enough for all they do and for coming out to support me and the crew in person.

And thanks to the rest of you that come out and share your time and stories with me while I sign your books, prints, and sometimes arms and babies. I’ll never get used to the fact that you all let me into your lives through my books and work, and returning the energy though your smiles and messages of appreciation. Seeing people tear up when they say how my art or comics have affected their lives… well, that’s just something I can’t put into words. I love that you all put yourselves out there and are vulnerable enough to share those things with me. Yeah, yeah, I still like all of you who didn’t cry. You’re pretty great too. haha. I know being in line eats up valuable time out of your day, and I thank you for it. And thank you for coming to the panel on Sunday. It’s always fun to answer your questions. I look forward to seeing you each year.

Alfredo twining with me.

The Heroes Con crew. Wow. These people are made of nothing but love. Shelton, Karla, Seth, Heather, the amazing volunteers, and all the rest of the countless names I’m not gonna type because this newsletter has become a real marathon… haha. They are just the best kind of people. They work all year to put on the best pure comic show out there. It’s beyond special because of them and who they are as people and as lovers of this medium, craft, and industry. Thank you, everyone.

I do want to highlight the Art Auction crew for all they do to help us make art, entertain you all, and raise money. A special shout-out to Michaele who is always on the art stage and helping out. She runs back and forth replacing water cups, paper towels, and anything else needed. This year I painted another one of my two-panel pieces, and chose Galactus with a fellow chomper of sphere-like items… Pac-Man. The auction itself was a blast as always, and we helped raise a few dollars for it.

As he’s done the last few years, my son Milo did a tribute to my piece, and even added a front view of the scene! Between his brother making beats and creating mash-ups and Milo growing as an artist, I couldn’t be more proud to be their dad.

Last, but absolutely not least, I have to thanks my Stupid Fresh Mess crew. I most likely wouldn’t be doing cons much anymore if these amazing people weren’t working as hard as they do to make each trip to every city so special. Even when John can’t make it out to a show, he’s in HQ prepping for us. Constantly taking trips back and forth from the studio to the storage unit to get all the books, prints, and merch packed and ready to ship out. That’s on top of his daily shipping dungeon duties.

Skeff is new to the crew but feels like he’s been around forever. This man left his brand new baby and two other kids to come down and crush it with us. Jumping in headfirst on the day before the show to help work a full 7-hour day of private signings. Going directly from that to the show floor to help set up the table, unpack the massive pallet of our products, and get it looking all spiffy. His work ethic is crazy and his positive vibe while dealing with thousands of people over three days is such a gift. Jumping in where he’s needed, even before we know we need him.

Finally, Megan. This person has one speed and it’s LET’S FUCKING GOOOOO. You already know that from her years running the store, the company, and the crazy high level of customer service she provides. For cons she goes from having one full-time job to about three, and that’s just getting to the con. Working out the appearances, the daily schedule, flights, hotels, rides to and from airports for us and any other crew who goes, organizing the dozens of books, prints, original art, and other merch we bring, packing all the table gear, and so much more that would make this newsletter un-sendable. Then she gets there and… well, you all get to see that firsthand. So, thank you, MH!

I think that covers everything. I think. If I missed something or someone, let’s blame it on the 5000ish books I signed over the weekend and call it a day. Thank you all for making my dreams come true with all your support.

I am the luckiest.