Comic Con 2009: What a ride!

Phaser's where set to FUN!

Those pesky Klingons are always following me! They can be a lot of Tribble!

Comic Con has come and gone and it was a blast! As usual, DBG (Dan Bois Graphics) had a table at the end of aisle 900, G-5, and two panels up in the art show.Wednesday was set up day so Dan and family were busy setting up the table and the art show panels. Everything went smooth and we had a great preview night, catching up with old table buddies and new. A tired (you arrive at 7am to get a good spot in the parking structure and leave after 9:30PM when preview night ends) but excited family headed back to La Mesa that night.


Thursday was probably the best day of the Con for Dan. He finally realized a life-long dream and dressed up as a star fleet officer from the original Star Trek series. Close friends, Scott and Vickie Sebring always dress up each day of the Con and are well known for their '66 Batman, Starfleet, and various other costumes. Vickie was kind enough to make Dan his own custom "red shirt" (yes-he was the sacrificial lamb on this tour) and he gathered the other required paraphernalia-tricorder, communicator, phaser, etc., and, in a shocking show of commitment to the role, shaved his beard and mustache! I know many of you didn't recognize him sans glasses and furry face and he got a real kick out of that. After dressing up in full regalia, he walked over to the Marriot to meet the other members of the crew. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of dressing up at the Con, knows it is a tiring commitment since you can only walk a few feet without someone stopping you for a photo op. The Marriot had several great photo ops (cave rocks, poolside) that the gang took advantage of and Dan participated in several shots where he "took a hit" and needed immediate medical attention! The capper of the day was a photo of the group descending an escalator that actually made it's way into a London newspaper!

Dan made a new friend, "Batty Ben". Ben Bentley, aka Batty Ben, as he is known on the 66 Bat Board, flew all the way from England to join up with Sebring's gang of merry men/women. He dressed as Batman while at the Con. And on Thursday, he was the official photographer of the Star Trek group.

While Officer Dan was being "phasered and repaired", Elizabeth (aka ClickChick) bravely manned (or womaned) the table solo until Calvin and I arrived from his orientation at SDSU. Sal, a close family friend, (here being monitored by Starfleet personnel) kept her company and helped her out in any way possible. Thanks Sal!

Friday was bring your boyfriend/girlfriend to work day at DBG's. Elizabeth and Matt and Calvin and Christa all had a great time at the Con. I think Friday was DBG's best day. Fans really enjoyed all of this year's new products. The 2009 Tiki art was a success (the Pit Cairn tiki was a quick sale in the art show upstairs), the new matted prints of our infamous "Rokbot", in a variety of colors were going like crazy and the new rocket print/bookmarks eventually sold out. Dan had two new mermaids he unveiled at the Con (Tia and Sydney & Seamore), that had previously been on display at his art exhibit earlier in the year at Cosmo's in La Mesa. This year DBG held a prize drawing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday's winner of a Rokbot t-shirt was Lester Rossi (pictured below).














Saturday was a fun and exciting day and night. DBG's table sales were hectic. Iona Maas was the lucky winner of the Batmobile prize package that included an original DBG batmobile print, bookmark and button (she is also pictured below).


That night Dan was one of the featured artists at Mark Allen's store, FeeLiT (909 E St, SD), a few blocks from the Con. The whole family (and cousin Marissa) cruised up to Mark's after we shut down the table. We enjoyed a yummy burrito a few doors up from FeeLiT and then went back and watched several local artists, including pal Billy Martinez, do live art. We could barely keep our eyes open as we walked back down to the Con to retrieve our cars and head home so we could wake up and do it all over again. What a great end to a day at the Con. Thanks for your continued support, Mark! It is so nice to have a local venue where DBG fans can locate Dan's art after the Con.
Sunday, the final day of the Con, mucho sadness. The Comic Con is Dan's "Christmas", Elizabeth likes to say. He looks forward to it all year long, and it is truly sad when it all comes to an end. Not only does he look forward to selling his art, he enjoys meeting new fans and visiting with repeat fans/friends. He always manages to talk to someone about aviation history and they share a story with him about a family member flying in WWII. Dan just eats this stuff up. And these shared stories usually figure into the next airplane he decides to draw. And lastly, he loves going around and buying up all of his friend's art from The Drawing Board. Sunday's prize package winner was Donald Wygal who won the Rokbot package which included a matted Rokbot print and button.
Last, but not least, Dan supported our 3-Day team, 4 the Girlz, in our goal to raise $16,100 (the cost of all 7 of us walking) by letting me sell our beaded lanyards at his table. Thanks my dear-you are the best! We sold 16 lanyards, 5 bracelets and one pin. Thank you to all the DBG fans who supported our fight against breast cancer.
So, if any of you are feeling melancholy about the Con being over, you are not alone. Post your favorite moment of the Con right here. It won't be long until October is here and you can find DBG's at the La Mesa Oktoberfest with Billy Martinez of Neko Press.

Hey all, here is a quick update! I'll be at San Diego Comic-Con again this year at table G-05 at the end of row 900 in the Exhibitor area in Hall B! Whew that's a mouthful! I have a lot of new prints and art for this year. I'll try to post something before the show if I can! C' ya there. Ill also be in an art show at my friend Marks store FeeliT on Saturday night July 25th (909 E Street San Diego CA 92101, 619.865.7048) you can check out the info here www.feelitsandiego.com

Mainlander's Annual Luau: Tiki town fun for all!

Crazy story.... so this year we decided to remodel our family room with a tiki theme. We found out that the coolest tiki store of all time was within 5 minutes of our little abode; Mainlander's: San Diego's Mega Tiki Store.
The cool store keeps, Michelle & Scott, helped us find exactly what we needed for our room, and as it turns out, they needed some work done by a graphic artist. I happily helped them out with some projects and they kindly invited me to sell my art at their annual Luau in May.
My daughter and I attended and we had a great time. Not only did we debut my new tiki prints, we were treated to a delicious luau with all the fixin's and musical entertainment, as well as live tiki-carving by "Tiki Dan". Do not miss this annual, invitation-only event. Visit Mainlander's (6195 University Ave., SD) to find out more.

Dan Bois Graphics Debuts at The Candle Factory

In April this year, Cheri, owner of The Candle Factory in Liberty Station, Point Loma, invited me to sell my artwork in her candle store. She is hoping to attract a wider audience with the addition of local artwork.
My friend, Chris Paluso, is also a featured artist in at the Candle Factory, etc.
So while checking out the world's largest Trader Joe's on this planet down at Liberty Station, take time to pop in the candle factory and check out Cheri's goodies: Candles, jewelry, incense, art...

Rolando Street Fair in the Spring time...

This was our second year at the Rolando Street Fair. Billy and I shared a spot again which works out well for both of us. You really can't beat the street fair. It's in our own backyard, I could literally walk there if I didn't have 10 tons of artist stuff.
This year was cloudy and cold with just a few sprinkles. We saw many of our "regulars" that we
see at our other local, crafty event, the Oktoberfest.
This is a very fun, family event that features local bands, artisans, food vendors, rides and animal adoptions, of all things.

Are You "Feeling It?!"

I can't believe what a busy, successful year this has been so far! Mark Alan, proprietor extraordinaire of FeeLit (909 E Street, SD) was kind enough to let me exhibit some of my artwork in his cool downtown store. I'm pictured standing in front of my mermaid, SciFi and WWII aviation art on display at Mark's.
You have to check out this store. It has something for everyone in the artistic, original frame of mind. Art, clothing, jewelry, music, you name it, Mark can find it. My good buddy, Sal, finds something to buy every single time we go down there.
Thanks Mark for exhibiting my artwork! (Mark is in the blue t-shirt. Also photo'd that day was
Sean Dietrich, a local artist.)

Coming to you Live from Cosmos!

Jan-Mar 2009

A Big thanks to proprietors Patrick & Meg Hoz, Paul Johnson & Marilyn Miller of Cosmos Coffee Cafe (8278 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa) for hosting my Mermaid Art Exhibit in the first quarter of 2009.
And a big thank you to all my family and friends who came out to support me in such a warm and friendly atmosphere (yummy food and coffee didn't hurt either!) I enjoyed selling my mermaids and even got a request for an original commissioned mermaid.
It would be great to make this an annual event.

Mermaid Art @ Cosmos Coffe Cafe In La Mesa

Hi all! Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas & Happy Holiday. I will have 7 Prints of my Mermaid art up at Cosmos starting January 2009. Here is one of the latest prints that will join the others.
I will be making these 7 prints available for purchase online from this blog soon, so if you would like to purchase one please check back. If you are a San Diego area local come to Cosmos and check them out!

Bookmarks

Thought I'd post some of my bookmarks up for all to see!
This first one is of the 1966 Batmobile. one of my favorite cars of all time!

Next up is a pre-war (World War II) Consolitated PBY-5

This third one is of a F9f-2 Panther jet as flown by Neil Armstrong in the Korean war when he was a member of VF-51!

New Mermaid sketch

Here is a rough sketch of the next mermaid print I am working on. I had an interesting conversation with a fan at Comic Con who asked if I ever drew sharks. I do, I just haven't produced any for shows.
Sharks are one of my many varied interests, as anyone who knows me, has seen my shark belt buckle which I am never without.
Going along with the nautical theme, I am also polishing up a female version of a gill creature, reminiscent of "Creature of the Black Lagoon". Her name is "Gillean". I originally drew her about a year and a half ago, with the idea of making a comic around her and never got around to it.

Mermaid Exhibition at Cosmo's

For those fans of DRB Graphics that are local San Diego area residents, I may have a gig at Cosmo's Coffee Cafe (www.cosmoscoffeecafe.com) in La Mesa in January 2009.

I met with one of the owners this morning and he is interested in displaying some of my fantasy Mermaid pieces in the shop.
Keep your fingers crossed. This would be an exciting theme debut.







I was so inspired, I'm hard at work on a new mermaid right now!

Sunday at the Con

The last day at the Con is always exciting because everyone is ready to buy! We decided Sunday was "Coaster Day" because we sold an amazing amount of my aviation/Fantasy drink coasters. They are priced to go at $5 a set, which includes a hand-made box. It's fun thinking up ways to make your artwork functional as well as fun.
Midway through the day, I went upstairs to check on my art show pieces. It was a good year for the art show as well. I sold 4 pieces and only brought down 5. The art show is how DRB Graphics originally started their presence at the Con since the panel space is relatively cheap. With continued success upstairs, DRB Graphics eventually moved downstairs as well with a table (G-5) in row 900.
This year, all family members had art for sale at the table. Calvin, my son, drew an original sketch of his 64 VW bus and we sold it in button form. Elizabeth, with her Click Chick products, had a very profitable time at the Con as well. Her money earned is going towards her trip to France for Spring '09.
Rokbot t-shirts started flying off the shelves early in the day and we could have sold a bunch of small and mediums if we had had them in stock. Next time! (If you weren't able to get a Rokbot shirt at this year's Con, email me at drbbois@hotmail.com, subject line-Rokbot, and I will get one to you). Rokbot says, "Thank you Comic Con fans for your continued, fleshy support of me!"
As some of you may know, I am phasing out my clocks. All my aviation clocks have now sold and I am down to 2 Devil Gal clocks which will be on display at Oktoberfest in La Mesa in 3 months.
Overall, the Con experience was what it is every year. A wonderful, rollicking time that beats the snot out of you, but it is well worth it. I had a great time seeing my many Con friends such as Dean Yeagle, Gary Hamm, Alberto Ruiz, Robert A. Kraus of Rak Graphics, I got sketchbooks and prints from Dean Yeagle, William Stout, Mark Schultz, Bruce Timm, Darwyn Cooke, Cameron Stewart, Dave Bullock(who did an amazing Julie Newmar sketch in his book with reference googled on a blackberry! Thanks again Dave). I traded my comic & prints for books and prints from Rick Cortez, Josh Hughes, Matt Pott (all the way up from Tasmania!), Javier Guzman, & shirts with Kevin Dart! Thanks guys!
Remember, DRB Graphics is located in the San Diego Area. You can find DRB Graphics at the La Mesa Oktoberfest in October and the Rolando Street Fair in March. We share booth space with Billy Martinez of Neko Press.

Saturday: Day 4, We are ALIVE!

Hi All!
Tired has taken on a new meaning. But it's only 1 glorious week a year and so we plunge on! (As living proof as to how much I love the Con and start missing it as soon as it is over-My daughter who is also a budding photographer, gave me a wonderful Christmas present last year. She had made a collage of several Comic Con photos from 2007 and entitled it, "Dad's Christmas").
I want to thank all my friends, co-workers and fellow art students, & Drawing board members who have visited my table this year (Tom, Chris Paluso, Billy, Janet, Andrea, Melanie, Sal, Matt T., Gary, Oliver, the Jessicas, Mikey, Jerome, Mel, Josh Hughes, Matt Pott, Rick Cortez, Javier Guzman, Kevin Dart, Shane Corn, Walley Wingert,Christine, Adrian, Alex, Shawn & the "Bat Family", Ruby & Jenn, & Billy, Catherine, Guenevere, Gabrielle, Camille & Hampton). I also want to thank all my returning friends who, even though I don't remember all your names, I recognize your faces when you stop by the table to check for new airplanes or fantasy art. Thanks!


As fans of my table know, my artwork is a compilation of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Aviation. One of my favorite things about exhibiting my aviation artwork is meeting the pilots/crew members/or relatives that lived through this era and hearing their stories. It happens at the Con each year.
This year I met the grandson of WWII Flying Tiger pilot Frank Lawlor, Lindsy Lawlor. He stopped in and bought several of my aviation prints and shared stories about his grandfather who he resembles.I also met the nephew of a WWII B-17 Waist gunner from the "Bloody 1ooth" bomb group of the 8th AF who told me several stories that had been passed down to him about his great uncle.
And I met the granddaughter of WWII & Vietnam ace Robin Olds who was kind enough to share her stories as well.
My aviation art holds a special place in my heart. I am an amateur historian of WWII aircraft and read anything I can get my hands on, not only for reference material, but a love of the subject as well.
My aviation art is available in bookmarks, buttons, large prints, stickers and coasters. My wife pointed out that I haven't drawn any new planes in awhile. So I'll add that to my list of things to do before next year's Con.

What I did debut this year from an aviation standpoint, was my print entitled, "Keep 'Em Flying". I had this in the art show upstairs and it sold out at the table. It was very popular and once it sold out, fans bought the button version. The original concept for this piece started out as a contest submission for a university that was looking for t-shirt art that would resemble aviation nose art with a pin-up girl. I ended up being the artist they chose. Then I adapted that original piece into the print that was on display this year. I utilized a 40's color palette which really makes the piece "pop".
Katie and Elizabeth began the day doing time in Room 6B as they waited for "The Office" panel. Unbeknownst to me, the entire cast of "The Sarah Connor Chronicles" was in the panel presiding the office and Elizabeth managed to get photos of them. This show is a family favorite at our house so I was extremely jealous.
I have saved the highlight of today for the very last tidbit. I had a conversation with a gentleman from Columbia Pictures who is interested in obtaining some of my aviation artwork for set dressings for Columbia! What a great way to end the day. In addition, a good friend of mine, Chris Paluso, had a very productive conversation with Lucas Arts & Topps. Chris is an excellent artist and wowed them with his portfolio.You can view some of his art on his myspace page(http://www.myspace.com/paluso4art)

"We Come in Peace, and in Spandex Uniforms..."

My good friends, Scott and Vicky, who always visit the table when dressed as Batman and Wonder Woman and/or Catwoman, made their debut as part of a landing team from classic Star Trek. Not only is this my favorite Sci-Fi show of all time, they had the look down! Scott was Capt. Kirk and Vicky was Lt. Sebring. They had a Dr. McCoy and a Mr. Spock. I "geeked" out to the fullest extent possible and then later confided to my wife that I wanted to be a member of the team next year. Being a wonderful gal, she fully supports me in this wish. Vicky handmade all their uniform tops and her attention to detail was great. (I can't decide whether I want to be a yellow or a red shirt). They had phasers and Dr. McCoy even had his medical scanner, which detected I was tired and ravenously hungry. (Little do they know, I already have my own phaser at home which I can dust off for next year).
I warned you, it is my absolute favorite TV show of all time.
I met Scott and Vicky through the 66 Bat Board (http://www.66batman.com/) which is a chat room devoted to the '66 Batman TV series. They have been coming to the Con for several years and they always dress up, usually multiple characters each trip. This time I was visited by Jennifer & Ruby in their excellent 66 Batman & Batgirl Costumes.
Jennifer picked up some more Batgirl Chest emblems from me to keep her going for all of her Batgirl appearances at other cons. Ruby & Jenn have quite a few other costumes and you can check them out here (http://www.rubyrinekso.com/sdcc2008.cfm) I am also a huge fan of the 66 Batman TV show, as most of you can tell by my original interpretations of the 66 Batmobile on display at my table and the art show upstairs.















Our special guest featured at the table today is Ms. Katie W., another close associate of the proprietress of Click Chick. She is a huge fan of The Office and is looking forward to tomorrow's Office panel.

Thursday-1st Official Day of the Con

Well, we are back. A little bleary-eyed but we're here. It took awhile to get out of the parking garage last night so we didn't get to bed until after midnight and up at 5:00 to get a parking spot today. Getting a hotel room sounds better each morning!
After setup I was able to go around and visit friends from the Drawingboard (www.drawingboard.org). Before the Con is over, I will return and buy all their great sketch books as soon as our table is visited by old and new fans alike to replenish the DRB coffers which are low on day 1.
Shawn from the 66Batman board(http://www.66batman.com) came by to pick up some 1966 style bat chest emblems I had made for his Nephew & Brother who were costuming as 66Batman & Robin. The Bat Family looked awesome and they had a blast at the con(check here for a full story with lots of pics!) (http://www.66batman.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1217550942)
I had to run upstairs to the Art Show and hang "The Witches of Danville" really quick. It was one of the items forgotten in the melee yesterday as we loaded both cars. This piece is popular because it features three of my original witches in a 3 foot vertical or horizontal frame (whatever mood we're in), along with assorted spells and witch "shopping lists". I always think it will do well at the La Mesa Oktoberfest (http://www.lmvma.com/lmv_oktoberfest.html) when we exhibit there due to the time of year, but it actually moves better at the Con.
We have a very nice guest at the table today, Matthew W., who is offering his assistance at the Click Chick end of the table. He is a close associate of the proprietress, Elizabeth.

Comic Con 2008: Preview Night!

Wow! Comic Con is finally here. It's like Christmas in July. Tonight's crowd was amazing and our little corner of the Con did the
best it's ever done for opening night (thanks to everyone that stops by every year to check in and buy the new goodies!). There was a lot of interest in the buttons which are new; not just mine but my daughter's as well (see http://lizclickchick.blogspot.com) .
Another new item was the debut of my comic, Saucer Girls: Peril on Planet Earth! I am really excited to see how it goes over. I invested a lot of blood, sweat and time to get this ready in time for the Con. My two space aliens, Jean and Aileen, crash on our little planet and run into a human friend. What a labor of love comics are. You don't realize that until you create one. All that effort and then it is read in minutes. I hope everyone enjoys it. I had a blast making it. It began as a project in my weekly art class at Neko Press (http://www.nekopresscomics.com/).

My goal is to produce a new issue every year. Next Con, Rokbot, a DRB original robot of questionable background and proportions, will come on the scene in issue #2, so call me out if he doesn't.

I also have 2 new prints featuring Jean and Aileen. They are upstairs in the art show too.
Speaking of Rokbot, you can get him on a t-shirt this year. (He always sells out in sticker form so get yours early).

Comic Con 2008-Just around the corner...

Ahhh..... a Saturday spent bent over the hockey table in our back room making buttons from my artwork and designing business cards for my daughter. Not your typical weekend unless you are one of the many SD artists getting ready for "the most wonderful time of the year", and I'm not talking Christmas! Comic-Con 2008 is breathing down our necks at this point. Why, I can smell the nachos and churros from here.
What will be new for Dan Bois Graphics this year?
Making their debut will be:

• Button art!
• Rokbot t-shirts!
• debut of Click Chick art (original art by my daughter Elizabeth)
• and last, but certainly not least.... drum roll please....my first original comic, "Saucer Girls".
  

HI! Long time no blog. I'm getting ready for comic con and I will be revamping my online presence soon.

Dan

Comic-Con 2006

Well comic-con is almost here! I have to start getting ready. I've got some new stuff and maybe even a comic this year. So come on by and see me.

Canny the canman robotic cartoon fun!

.




Here at last are some updates! These are some drawings of my characters I'm using for a comic.
I take an art class from Billy Martinez of Neko Press Comics.
Billy is a great guy and a wonderful artist and teacher. He always has time for everybody.