Austin Comic Con: Artist Rob Guillory
November 26th, 2013 by Gregg Senko
Even after taking home an Eisner Award for Best Ongoing Series, I’m still going to argue that the documented work of Tony Chu does not get nearly enough credit. Chew, written by John Layman and drawn by Rob Guillory, has had significant ongoing success; enough to draw (no pun intended) artist Guillory to the 2013 Austin Comic Con. The master with a marker filled me in a few details on the future of Chew as well as his own future works.
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After covering the craziness that was San Diego Comic-Con this past summer, what a breath of fresh air Wizard World’s Austin Comic Con was. The people were nicer. The crowds were manageable and most importantly, tolerable. And the spotlight was on satisfying you…the paying customer. As an attendee you were able to check out all the panels you wanted to, interact and move freely around the expansive convention center’s showroom shopping at your favorite vendor’s booth or meeting the artists whose work you adore and were even afforded meet and greet opportunities with some of your favorite movie and television stars of yesterday and today. I know even as a member of press I took advantage of these aforementioned opportunities and I very much enjoyed and appreciated my time there. 
One of the final panels I attended at this past weekend’s Austin Comic Con was titled “Super Villains and Psychology.” It sounded interesting enough on the ride to the convention center, so I figured what the heck. I’ll give it a go. Let’s delve into the mind of the Joker, Dr. Doom and whoever else’s fictional brain we can dissect and study. Headlined by psychologist and author, Dr. Travis Langley, this expert of the mind was the catalyst for one of the most incredibly interesting discussions I have ever come across at any pop culture convention.
Ah…Giancarlo Esposito…what can I even say about this man? This guy had me the minute he said hello in Los Pollos Hermanos in TV’s Breaking Bad. God! How I miss the man. You always have your fair share of villains you love in movies, but for me it’s a rarity in the world of television. As soon as his character Gus was introduced to us onscreen, I wanted to know all I possibly could about the man and most importantly his chicken brand. Lol. The guy was a complete mystery and an enigma to me and for many reasons he was my favorite villain ever to grace prime time television and I miss him dearly. I later caught up with the man on some ghost program this year where he professed to living in a haunted house before. So I don’t care what it is. If he’s in it, I will watch it. And that’s exactly why I’m here today on a brutally cold Sunday morning at Austin Comic Con to see my favorite television villain chat with his fans in Ballroom F. The following is my recount of the candid conversation.
I’m not much of an Evil Dead groupie, but I respect it for what it was. I love most of Raimi’s work and let’s face it, what’s not to love about actor Bruce Campbell? The man’s quick witted that’s for sure. This was probably the rowdiest Comic Con panel I’ve seen in a long time. Bruce reminded me of a game show host the way he patrolled and controlled the stage on foot with his hand held mic. He immediately began by asking the audience how far they travelled to come here today and ended up giving a guy from Mexico City $5 for gas. No joke! Here’s a little more that went down tonight in the almost hour long Bruce Campbell comedy stand up show. Who needs a table, right? 
Days 1 and 2 of the Austin Comic Con are in the books and it was the usual fun and sensorary overload to be found on the exhibitors floor. Actors such as R.I.P.D.‘s James Hong and The Walking Dead‘s Laurie Holden were found strolling about. Fans could be found adorned in the threads of their favorite superhero or steam punk attire. And then there is the merchandise. Yes, sensory overload indeed, but amidst all the artwork and collectibles stood a writer and his book.
I kind of find it very funny or maybe even a little ironic in the fact that I would see Robert Rodriguez each and every summer at Comic-Con in beautiful downtown San Diego. And now that I moved to the man’s main town in Austin, TX this past February, I have not bumped into him once. Weird, huh? One of my favorite Rodriguez moments had to be in front of his taco truck in San Diego when he was out promoting the first Machete film. I actually got thrown out from the press event because I snapped a picture of the man on my cell phone. How unprofessional, huh? Well, many years have separated that mistake and as a result I’m not only more of a professional now, but I also have a much bigger camera. See guys, it is the size of your instrument! LOL.
Arguably the most colorful actor from the cast of The Walking Dead, Michael Rooker headlined his own discussion panel, casting aside the need of a moderator. After all, Rooker is a man of many words, so why let someone else use them? There was much for the actor to say, even touching on his latest project just completed overseas. Michael made his entrance to a resounding applause as yours truly had front row seats for the event. After expressing his appreciation for the room’s welcoming, Rooker quickly mentioned he just returned from Europe as filming wrapped up on Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. The very animated actor plays a very real Yondu in the film; a blue alien whose specialty comes in the form of hunting. When asked just how much of his body was painted, Rooker quickly replied, “Why? Are you looking for a job?” As the audience’s laughter subsided, he did say he had quite a lot of blue paint in quite a lot of parts. We’ll take his word for it.
As a child of the 70’s, what youngsters did not grow up with Ralph Macchio and The Karate Kid? Is that the true definition of a rhetorical question or what? I know firsthand that flick had a profound impact in my life. It gave me the much needed strength and confidence to stand up to bullies in school and also got my a$$ involved in martial arts, fighting competitions and even the donning Chuck Norris inspired Century uniforms. So as you can see, I was clearly a karate nut growing up and I owe it all to one skinny kid (well I guess he really wasn’t a kid when filming these) who took on and did the impossible in The Karate Kid. Brilliant stuff! And now after all these years I’m finally face-to-face here in the front row with the man responsible for all my fighting fervor…Mr. Ralph Macchio ladies and gentlemen. 
I feel fortunate that I was able to check out the happy go lucky Q&A chat with Stan Lee Saturday morning in the large Hall D. As usual he was very nice, cordial, candid and engaging with the captive audience. You can’t say he didn’t feel comfortable with his time spent on the panel as he was cracking jokes left and right. I must admit, it was a good time had by all as I enjoyed myself tremendously as did the rest of the extremely excited audience. So as I took it all in and relished in the man’s rich history, which I envy, I was able to jot down a few notes and highlights on some of the questions asked and statements made by the “legend.” They are as follows. Enjoy! 
With only two more days separating us Austinites from total geekdom at Austin’s own Comic Con this year, here’s some news that we just learned about that should excite everyone that’s planning on going. Below is today’s official announcement from Marvel that it will be debuting its new animated film Marvel’s Iron Man & Hulk: Heroes United at Wizard World Austin Comic Con on Saturday, and that Fred Tatasciore, the voice of Hulk, will be appearing to introduce the film, do a general Q&A with fans, sign autographs and meet with press. How cool is that? I hope to see you all there! In them meantime though, do check out the press release below. Enjoy! 
Who doesn’t like escaping everyday life and being someone else?! Cosplay is flourishing at Wizard World events, and groups showing off their affinity for all-time classics like Star Wars, “Star Trek,” Ghostbusters and many other movies, TV shows, comics and other characters will be on hand at Wizard World Austin Comic Con, November 22-24 at the Austin Convention Center. Famed cosplayer Ivy Doomkitty will lead the way as thousands dress the part in a celebration of ultimate fandom all weekend. Not to be outdone, “Doctor Who,” “Battlestar Galactica” and steampunk organizations will also represent their favorite genres well during the event. Check out the full details in the rest of the press release below (and wait until you get a gander at this “full” list)! 
I’m always down for a good cause especially when it involves helping out the children as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. So it’s with great honor that I present the following press release I just received regarding this month’s Austin Comic Con. Comics Legend Neal Adams will conduct Charity Art Auctions at Wizard World Events beginning at Austin Comic Con, November 22-24 with an initiative to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The below Wonder Woman shot is one that he will be donating to the auction. I love it! And of course…I want one! Check out the full press release below. 
I’m a couple days late in posting this Earth shattering news so please accept my deepest apologies. Hot off the press down here in Austin, TX, Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell will declare November 22nd “William Shatner Day” in Austin. TV’s Captain Kirk, T.J. Hooker, “Priceline Negotiator” will accept “Honorary Austin Citizenship” from Mayor Leffingwell at Wizard World Austin Comic Con. For more information on this Trekerrific news, check out the below press release from Wizard World. Enjoy! 
One of the events I’m excited for in the month of November this year besides all the turkey eating is my first Austin Comic Con put on by Wizard World events. Gregg Senko and myself will be attending and reporting on anything we possibly can. In the meantime, I wanted to steer your attention towards the below press announcement released today about some exciting news happening exclusively at Austin Comic Con…the debut of Rob Guillory’s Variant Cover of Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead #1. This is the Skybound and Wizard World’s Final 2013 Limited Edition Cover in the Wizard World series, which is free to Full-Price Attendees; VIPs To Receive Additional B&W Sketch Cover. Check out the full press release below for more information! 
