Me with Brian K. Vaughan, Janice Chiang, and Rob Liefeld at NYCC 2021
My six-hour sojourn to New York Comicon 2021 was a delight. Big Ups to everyone I fist-bumped, hugged and caught up with after a pandemic-induced hiatus. Marvel, DC, Image, et al, were AWOL but I hope that meant more fans took a closer look at what the small press and indie/alt creators had to offer; like a preview of Joey Esposito and Sean Von Gorman's THE PEDESTRIAN.
My foray ended on a gorgeous exhibit of Tonino Liberatore art at the Philippe Labaune Gallery, and Wagyu steak dinner with comix cohorts at The Margaux in the West Village (Thx SVG & Jef UK). Now, if only my left leg didn't feel like lachrymose lumber.
I also wish to thank everyone who came out to Gowanus Open Studios. It was great to see new people and old. Artists and patrons and kids alike. Studio mate, Whitney Matheson and I sold a bunch of comix and discovered a wealth of people interested in learning how to make comix. Teaching is something I've been considering. Perhaps a venture to pursue in 2022?
"Haspiel’s dialogue dances like a prizefighter and his visuals are the very shape and color of tenderhearted toughness; rough-hewn and expressive, scruffy and dynamic."
The Comics Beat ran a nice piece about the 25th anniversary of KEYHOLE COMICS, written by Whitney Matheson. It contextualizes KEYHOLE and its history in the annals of indie comix. (thanks, Heidi MacDonald!) Click HERE to read!
DMC teased his new song ME AND MY MICROPHONE on his Instagram. It's a great new collaboration between DMC, Chuck D, Ice-T, and DJ Jazzy Jeff produced by Bumpy Knuckles with art by me. It's been a lifelong dream for me to illustrate for some of my favorite rappers. Legends, the lot of them. And there's more to come...
This weekend, I will be a guest at Baltimore Comicon 2021, my favorite comix show of the year. You can find me at booth 3210 along with Josh Neufeld and Whitney Matheson, where we officially debut KEYHOLE #7, the 25th anniversary edition of our comix anthology. We will be attending the Ringo Awards in hopes of winning 'Best Anthology' for PANDEMIX, Quarantine Comics in the Age of 'Rona. And I will also be participating in four panels throughout the weekend:
CREATOR-OWNED COMICS CHAT
Friday October 22, 2021 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm | Room: 321
Come hear tips, tricks, and stories from award-winning comics creators about crafting your own unique creator-owned comics tales as well as the business of making comics. Emily S. Whitten (The Underfoot), Thom Zahler (Love and Capes, Cupids Arrows, Warning Label), Steve Conley (The Middle Age, Astounding Space Thrills), Dean Haspiel (The Red Hook), and Reilly Brown (Batman/Fortnite, Outrage) will discuss their experiences and answer your questions
MAKING WEBTOONS
Saturday October 23, 2021 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | Room: 323
If you ever read a webcomic on the Internet and said, “Hey, I’d like to do that,” here’s your chance to learn how. Join Trevor Mueller, Dean Haspiel, Katie Cook, Thom Zahler, and Steve Conley as they share their knowledge and experience with you on how they make their webtoons!
THE RESURGENCE OF THE INDEPENDENT SUPERHERO
Saturday October 23, 2021 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Room: 326
Taking inspiration from Marvel, DC, and current events, a diverse new league of genre comics have emerged. Join Reilly Brown (Outrage), Vito Delsante (Stray), Dean Haspiel (The Red Hook), Jamal Igle (Molly Danger), and Amy Reeder (Rocket Girl) as they discuss redefining the urban superhero in the modern age. Moderated by Whitney Matheson.
KEEP IT FRESH
Sunday October 24, 2021 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm | Room: 323
After five, ten, twenty years, what do creators do to recharge and keep themselves interested? Jerry Ordway (Power of Shazam!), Dean Haspiel (The Red Hook), Peter J. Tomasi (The Bridge), and Paul D. Storrie (Harley Quinn & the Gotham Girls) share their secrets with Bob Greenberger – and you!
Please get vaccinated if you haven't already. And wear a mask when necessary.
NIGHTWORK Studio is my multimedia collaboration project with Whitney Matheson.
SCENE BY SCENE WITH JOSH & DEAN, podcast with Josh Neufeld that breaks down the film American Splendor,Harvey Pekar's legacy & growing up making comix in NYC.
