Comics: Holy me likes: “C2E2 Exclusive TAW: IKS #9 cover preview.”

The next issue of The Amory Wars: IKSSE3 (issue 8) comes out on February 9th and I wait anxiously. What’s more exciting is that this baby has just been released. The exclusive c2e2 variant of issue 9, illustrated by Sam Wolfe Connelly. I absolutely live for these con exclusive variants and makes the experience of going to those events all the more grand. 

Also looking forward to see what Aaron Kruder can bring to the table of TAW. He will be replacing Chris Burnham as the series’ artist while Chris moves on to Batman Inc. An awesome gig if I do say so myself. Aaron’s work is quite amazing and we all welcome him with open arms. 

c2e2 is surely to be a great event. I’m working on a couple of things for Evil Ink Comics to showcase at the convention, as well as another treat of cosplay (mayhaps).

I can’t wait to go and see my favorite people surrounded by my favorite comics and comicbook lovers alike.

Btw, I’m fully prepared for the onslaught of friends asking me to pick up an issue for them. :)

San Diego Comic Con 2010

Claudio Sanchez and I at the con

I can't believe I managed to make it out to SDCC this year. Every year I try, and every year I fail, muttering to myself (sigh, maybe next time). And this time it happened! Thanks to my good friend Matt Melvin of Cyanide and Happiness, I was able to get a badge and fly out last minute to join him and many others at the biggest comic book convention EVER!
I ended up flying out alone, and truth be told, I was expecting the experience to be only sub par since I was going to be alone in a new place. However, as soon as I got on my plane, I knew the entire weekend was going to be perfect. Which it was.

The first event that promised good fortune on my trip was the plane ride itself. I ended up sitting next to a nice young lad from England who was at the con for work. We spoke the entire flight and became friends! If that wasn't enough, add realizing Claudio Sanchez and wife Chondra Echert were on the same flight as me! (I spotted them at baggage claim! I said nothing..lol)

Mr. Sanchez, Chonny, Blaze and Miki strike a pose!

I arrive at my hotel and it's BEAUTIFUL! They were ten minutes late in preparing my room so they upgraded me to the business suite with a view of the marina, Sea World (which held fireworks every night), the tropical little forest and pool (WITH WATER SLIDES) in the backyard, all to be seen from my balcony. It was amazing. And the Con hadn't even started!

When it does start, I arrive and meet the wonderful Miki (fellow coheed fan and street team member), Chris Burham (artist for Amory Wars, mentioned in previous posts), Blaze James (Coheed Manager and great human being I have yet to meet until now, after knowing him for over a year..lol) and the entire Boom! Studios gang (Claud, Chonny, Mr. Sheldon, Peter David)
To add a tasty cherry to the mix, my amazing friend Amanda was able to come up from long beach and stay with me for half the trip.

Chris Burnham and Peter David

The entire thing was just more than I could ever imagine. The life and energy at this event was something I will always find so invigorating. In a way, I found myself wishing I had the company of certain people when I was out there, some one to share the adventure with. But on the other hand, I was glad I ventured across the country on my own. I was able to fully appreciate the experience and had the freedom to meet up with all these amazing people who were just waiting to have a good time!



Now, I can go on and on about the wonderful things I experienced, but to sum up:

I had an AMAZING time at the Boom! Studios after party with the gang
I finally met someone I have so much respect for and have been wanting to meet for a while
I spent some time with great new friends and got to see my good good friend Amanda <3
I had a conversation interrupted by Gerard Way (I'm not mad at all.lol)
I saw AMAZING PANELS
I saw AMAZING COSTUMES
I Got A TON OF COMIC BOOKS/POSTERS/TOYS
I took A BUTTLOAD OF PHOTOS!

It was just, perfect.....

Art: "Dear Ambellina"

Laying in bed at 4am, I had a million things I should have been doing. Sleep being one of them. But I decided to do none of that, and instead played around with a photo I've had lying around for months.

Here's a portrait of the Prise Ambellina. A Character from Amory Wars. An angel of sorts who was forced to burn her wings off before starting embarking on a mission to find and protect the crowing, Claudio Kilgannon.

I really like this because it's a bit abstract and looks like a cool album cover <3

Must Have: Original "Amory Wars" pages by Chris Burnham

"The Amory Wars", as most of my followers know, is a science fiction story behind the music of alternative rock giants Coheed and Cambria. Written by Co&Ca front man, Claudio Sanchez, the story has been told primarily through comics published under Evil Ink Comics. (If you haven't checked out the comics or the story behind the music, I URGE you to now. It's amazing.)

The story of Amory Wars, is told throughout each of the band's 5 albums, usually along with some literature to correspond with each album's story. That is, with the exception of "NWFT", which, aside from fans' own interpretations ( found on Cobalt), still stands at a blur, story wise.
(When are we gonna hear about that one, guys?)

Their last album "Year of the Black Rainbow" was actually released as a full hardcover novel, telling the origin story of Coheed and Cambria, the two main characters for which the band is named.

The comics have not been around as long as the music, so obviously they are lagging behind. The first two volumes of The Amory Wars have been released in single issue and TPB form. THOSE coincide with the band's first album "Second Stage Turbine Blade". We are now up to the second batch of comics entitled "Amory Wars: In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth:3", telling the story of the band's second album of the same name. I got the first issue covers A and B (Signed, thank you very much!)... and they are amazing. The writing and the art flow together so beautifully...


:::WHICH BRINGS ME TO THE POINT OF THIS BLOG:::

Chris Burnham is an amazing artist who worked on The Amory Wars as well as many other comics. His work is stunning and I'm a big fan to say the least. He has a bunch of his ORIGINAL AMORY WARS PAGES up for sale at www.cadencecomicart.com and I MUST have one.

So to all my dear friends, allies and loves alike, my birthday is in 4 days. <3