The con is over, and very good it was too.

But first - let’s raise a jar to the exceptional Drew Struzan, who died on Monday, aged 78.

I doubt there is another artist more synonymous with the art of the movie poster. His unmistakable style became almost inseparable from the movies themselves, and a huge part of the culture and fandom surrounding so many unforgettable touchstones from across our lifetimes.

It’s fair to say that he influenced a great many of us artists too. I know a fair few creators - myself included - who attempted to capture at least a little of that shimmering technique and those flawless compositions in some cover, page or other.

Thank you, Drew. You’ll remain an inspiration for generations, I have no doubt at all. Cheers to you! What an artist. What an astonishing legacy.

Back to New York Comic Convention. It was so great to see old friends and make some new ones. Can’t thank my handlers, Devyn and Janine, enough for all they do for us. The books, prints, and help running the stands has over recent years proved to be a game changer.

Somebody characterized the show as feeling like ‘first day back at school’, and I really get that. There was actually too many colleagues to fully catch up with everybody!

So many exciting things coming up. The industry feels amazingly diverse and healthy right now. It was great to catch up with Todd McFarlane and his crew. Todd regaled us for about an hour and a half with tales, advice and opinions regarding the industry. There’s a man with a positive - and infectious - outlook when it comes to our collective efforts!

Needless to say, I’m excited that Spawn: the Dark Ages will be hitting the shelves in November, with Todd contributing to one of the #1 variant covers. More news regarding that soon!

We were also invited to Frank Cho’s amazing exhibit at the Pilippe La Baune gallery. Franks penmanship is exquisite, of course, but it’s his attention to anatomy that particularly appeals to me. The ballpoint drawings have astonishing sensitivity.

I’m hoping to have some big news soon regarding a very exciting possible venture, but I can say that things continue to look very good as far as future projects go.

Thanks, also, to Rob Salkowitz for hosting an excellent panel on creator-owned material. I’m still unpacking my own learnings from that one!

Just one more show to go this year in December, in Athens, Greece. But in the meantime I’ll be heads down cranking out more Conan, and a future script for the next Dark Ages arc, which promises to be a very different beast indeed…

Onwards, friends!

Best always,

Liam