Supanova Brisbane 2012

I know it takes me forever to get around to posting these – what I loosely term photo essays – but better late than never, right? With my work for the next Supanova tour already beginning, it seems like the right time to finally post the first of the two cities we hit late last year during what I like to refer to as Supanovember… Brisbane!

Full disclosure: I'm one of the founders of Supanova, art direct it, and have a financial stake in the business. 

For me the weekend started with an awesome ComicBook MasterClass presented by the amazing veteran comics writer and artist Howard Chaykin. There's no doubt that all present were blown away as one comic making gem of information after the other was dropped by Mr. Chaykin. Let me tell you though, what a joy he was to photograph, even by an amateur like me. So! There's going to be lots of shots of Mr. Chaykin gesticulating and pulling the most amazing faces as he rammed home one point after the other with no bullshit but plenty of profanity. A really great experience. 

Artists' Alley was chokkas with interested punters! 

Along this line of fabulous talent is Samantha Calcraft, Mel Stringer, Benjamin Constantine, Glenn Manders, Cam-El manning the Phatsville tables, and way in the back Cameron Davis. 

From closest to camera here we have international guest Michelle Delecki, the always sexy Paul Abstruse, Jeffrey 'Chamba' Cruz, Leonard Bermingham, and the thorn between two roses at the end is Paul Mason, with Sarah Ellen on his right. 

Speaking of Paul (The Soldier Legacy) Mason, here's a panel he was on with the amazing James (The Deep) Brouwer, as hosted by David (Q-Dog) Quinn. 

Paul knows the score, and he's telling you what it is! 

Here's some more Chaykin goodness, and in this instalment he's giving David Yardin what-for! Looks like David's holding his own though. Not an easy thing to do. Further along the table is Tristan Jones and in the background (back to us), James Brouwer. 

While we're on the subject of Yardin and Jones, here's a regular occurrence at Supanova: The Artists' Draw-Off, this time featuring Yardin, Jones and Shane (Superman: Earth 1) Davis, hosted by Q-Dog and videoed by Supanova's Technical Director Bruce Moyle. 

A couple of shots from the exhibitor floor…

John Di Maggio and Billy West were a huge hit. John's known for Futurama, Adventure Time, Kim Possible and Batman: Brave & the Bold, While Billy's known for The Ren & Stimpy Show and Futurama as well. They packed out the auditorium to standing room only two days in a row! 

Most importantly from this trip: quite the hefty haul! Now if only I had time to read them all before the next set of Supanovas! 

Supanova Gold Coast 2012

After writing about Supanova Melbourne the other week, how could I not write about the weekend that followed on the Gold Coast? 

This was Supanova's inaugural Gold Coast expo, and it went off with a blast. For me, it felt like one of, if not the best expo we've ever put on, in so many ways. It had a fabulous buzz and the Gold Coast really embraced SN with everything it's got. Great vibe, great guests, awesome crowd, fab venue, amazing team. Solid gold.

Full disclosure: I'm one of the founders of Supanova, I art directed it for about six years (jumping on board that title again as of this week), and have a financial stake in the business. 

Before the show even opened Belle was getting into the Supanova spirit during a quick visit to a local toy shop. Did somebody say "Assemble?!?"

Supanova started with a great ComicBook MasterClass on Friday night, lead by the very popular Brian Michael Bendis. 

 

The crowds waiting to get in on Saturday morning were great!

Which translated to a fabulous bunch of excited people inside!

 The crowd in one of the Artist's Alleys.

 And in another of the Alleys. 

 Heading towards the main autograph area. 

And on the main trading floor at the complete opposite end of the expo. 

Can you spot: a) a storm trooper; b) a Fin the Human hat, and; c) Fel, of Supanova Guest Services?

 Kings Comics hosted our comic book guests Brian Michael Bendis, Carlos Pacheco and Tristan Jones. Each of whom did a wonderful drawing in my sketchbook. 

Here's Brian doing his sketch in my book. 

We did a great live cross to LA to speak to Marvel's The Avengers' Agent Coulson, Clark Gregg. At one point Jaimie Alexander (Thor's Sif) gatecrashed the panel to prank Clark.  

Speaking of Sif… here's the real life action figure herself! 

 

Here's a couple more shots of Artists' Alley. Spread out along here in the two photos you might be able to see Stewart McKenny, Travis Burch, Christopher Sequeira, Cameron Davis, Paul Abstruse, Wayne Nichols, Samuel David, Jeffrey 'Chamba' Cruz, and Leonard Bermingham. 

Belle sat in on Artists' Alley too, selling her handmade wallets, each made from actual pages of comic books, each one unique. 

And speaking of comics and my offspring, here's The Boy (on the right) breathing in the smell of good old eighties Uncanny X-Men. On the left being Chris Rattray, the pusher in this case, one of Supanova's marvellous MCs. 

We had a very swish cocktail/VIP party on the Saturday night. Here I am, being very swish myself.

What a great venue! See you next year Gold Coast!