The Comic Con Shuffle Part 3, by Michael Davis – Straight No Chaser #228
July 29, 2011 Michael Davis 0 Comments
Comic Con 2011 is done.
No-I did not get to buy anything nor did I get anytime to shop, look or sniff anything even remotely selfish.
It was ALL business.
BUT…
I did throw a Hell of a party. I did do some great business and I did manage to say good-bye to a fallen friend with a bang so I’m doing just fine.
I’ve slept most of the week away and when I was not sleep I was cleaning my offices and studio so I can be all about the work for the rest of the year.
All is right in the world.
I love what I do.
Below is my goodbye to Dwayne as written for the Comic Con Souvenir Book.
Dwayne.
By Michael Davis
Freely adapted from the poem John Henry by anonymous
When Dwayne was a little tiny baby
Sitting on his mama’s knee,
He picked up a pencil and a little piece of paper
Saying, “I’ll be the best there will ever be.”
Dwayne was a man over six feet high,
Nearly two feet and a half across his breast.
He’d write with his pencil all day
And never get tired and want to rest.
Dwayne went into the industry,
And he looked the industry straight in the eye.
The industry was so tall and Dwayne was so small,
He held his pencil and he cried, “Marvel, DC ,
I’ll be the best there will ever be.”
Dwayne said to Marvel,
“Marvel, let your characters destroy the town,
I’ll create something original,
something in comics not easily found.”
Marvel said to Dwayne,
“I believe that idea is rather bold.”
Dwayne said to Marvel “It’s just a story that has not been told.”
“Fear not, I’ll call it Damage Control.”
Dwayne said to the Industry,
“Industry, you better start to pray,
‘Cause comics are just the beginning of what I have to say.”
Tomorrow, I’ll write me some TV, oh that reminds me I have something to say to DC.”
Dwayne said to DC,
“I’ll write Justice League, I’ll write Static Shock, cause that’s what I do.
In my spare time I’ll even write Scooby -Doo.”
I’ll tell tales of wonder, tales that may or may not happen now and again
And just when you think you know me, I’ll write Ben 10.”
The men who ran the industry
They figured they were mighty high and fine,
But Dwayne and three others realized a Milestone
Was due and if not then-when was the time?
Dwayne hammered away without care
He figured he had time to spare
We all think we have plenty of time left
But Dwayne hammered his poor heart to death.
Well, they carried Dwayne down the tunnel
And they laid his body in the sand.
And the world, not just the industry Says,
“There lies An All Star Superman.”
Reg
July 29, 2011 - 11:24 am
“There lies An All Star Superman.”
Beautifully apt, brother Michael. A Super brilliant man, a Super generous creator, a Super innovator, and a Super visionary. Yes…The ‘Dark One’ nee’ ‘Maestro’ was certainly a hero to me.
Definitely believed that the Big Man was smiling as The Crew celebrated his memory. Enjoy your rest, sir.
MOTU
July 29, 2011 - 1:45 pm
Thanks Reg, that means a lot.
Doug Abramson
July 29, 2011 - 3:11 pm
MOTU,
I know that Wayne Brady showed up after I had to leave the party, but did Quinton Tarantino? I’m just curious because there were two very aggressive ladies blocking access to one of the seating areas,claiming that it was reserved for Tarantino. Other than that, I enjoyed the party very much. If I wasn’t at the mercy of the trolley schedule,I would have stayed longer.
Reg
July 29, 2011 - 3:54 pm
So Doug, now you wanna just pour more salt on, huh? Niiiiice.
Doug Abramson
July 29, 2011 - 7:10 pm
Reg, what salt? I want to know what I missed. The damn trolley stops running at midnight. I was only able to stay for a couple of hours. I just wanted to know what happened after I left. My leaving is usually the signal for a party to really get going. 🙂
MOTU
July 29, 2011 - 11:44 pm
Doug,
You should have said something. I had car services on standby for just that sort of thing.
Doug Abramson
July 30, 2011 - 8:33 am
Actually MOTU, I did, when I said good bye; but you were still out front at the time and appeared to be working on last minute details. The car service obviously slipped your mind. No harm, no foul. I still enjoyed myself.
Reg
July 31, 2011 - 3:16 pm
Doug, you did notice that the mOTu didn’t say if Quentin was the mysterious guest, didn’t you?
Inquiring minds still want to know…
PPWSOT
MOTU
July 31, 2011 - 6:09 pm
Reg,
Noneya.
Reg
July 31, 2011 - 6:45 pm
Doug, the salt was the pain I already felt for not being able to make the trip AGAIN, this year…especially for so great a purpose.
@ Da mOTu…I’ll have to eat that rebuke. But I still want to know how I can get my hands on a copy of your artistic tribute to the Maestro. For real.
MOTU
July 31, 2011 - 8:47 pm
Reg,
I guess you can give Comic Con an shout out. I’m sure they have copies of the Souvenir Book they may be able send you.
Reg
July 31, 2011 - 9:12 pm
Sheesh! Car services on standby (for Dougie A), but brother can’t get some love from the man? It’s coz I’m Black, aint’ it??!
Seriously, the souvenir book was only for attendees while supplies lasted. I’d say that’s prolly a no.
But I was really only talking about maybe getting a signed litho/etch of your homage to the big guy. You know…coz I’m Black.
Seriously tho…I’ll drop coin.
Shane Kelly
August 1, 2011 - 6:01 pm
Absolutely moving, heartfelt, and apt tribute to Dwayne. He was one of the greats that I have had the pleasure to make the acquaintance of your being one of the others made it so.
ed zarger
August 1, 2011 - 10:51 pm
Not that I’m trying to be a salesman. Just letting you know. I got an e-mail from MileHigh Comics this evening, touting that they had some copies of that Souvenir Book, as promos for $50 orders. But they expect them to go fast.
MOTU
August 2, 2011 - 7:02 am
Reg,
I’ll make some calls regarding the books-Also I’ll have my printer do a limited print run of the Dwayne piece on a heavyweight matte paper. You are the forth person to ask for a copy and I’ve got a feeling there will be more.
I’ll most likely do some additional work on each one I print to enhance the piece. I’ve never been crazy about ‘copies’ of my work being out there unless there was something that made them all original in some small way. Don’t worry about the ‘coin’ I’m happy to do it. I don’t sell original art unless it’s a part of a gallery show-which I’m having in mid 2012…PLUG! Anyone who owns my work outside of a show was given the piece by me-or got it illegally-THAT is another story.
Reg
August 2, 2011 - 3:16 pm
Michael,
I would trust your feelings in this matter. I just hope the requests don’t become too overwhelming.
What you’ve offered is far beyond what I ever imagined. Many, many thanks to you, sir. But we may have to wrestle about the ‘coin’.
MOTU
November 18, 2012 - 4:28 pm
Digital Femme,
FYI
theblackpanel.com
FYI again, this year ( and the last few) the Black Panel was covered by a slew of industry and mainstream news outlets.