Star Wars 30th Anniversary

Well,I've celebrated a lot of anniversaries..I've been married for almost 20 years and have worked for the same company for about the same amount of time.All very special and dear to my heart.30 years ago today a movie changed who I was and who I would be.That movie was George Lucas' Star Wars. I grew up loving comics(Batman in particular)and I guess that laid the ground work for the future "geek" that I was to become.But this movie,with its story and its special effects would change the movie industry and not look back.I like many others of my age,got to see Star Wars for the first time on the big screen. And the place to see it was the Grauman's Chinese Theatre,where the logo was painted on the side of the wall for as long as I can remember.I went on the 91 bus that took me to Hollywood.and on that bus with me were my two friends,Gerry and Tony.We met at school while Gerry and Tony were talking about star Wars on the playground.I just happened to walk by and Tony stopped me and asked if I had seen it.and so it began...seeing the movie 13 times at the movie theatre,ditching school to stand in line for hours to see the sequels...spending hundreds if not thousands of $ on toys and other stuff.It's been a wild ride that hasn't stopped.Today,My son loves Star Wars and pretty much shares my love for all things "geeky".And I still have the two best friends a guy can have.30 years later,me ,Gerry and Tony,still get our" geek" on at the San Diego Comicon.And hopefully 30 years from now,Crazy Grandpa Gary with his two equally crazy buddies Gerry and Tony,will be blurting out lines from Star Wars.Happy 30th Anniversary My Friends!!!

Pan's Labyrinth DVD signing

Pan's Labyrinth was released this past Tuesday.My friend,Doug Jones was signing copies at The Dark Delicacies bookstore in Burbank.My buddies Tony and Gerry accompanied me Tuesday to get their DVD's signed also.I had the pleasure of meeting up with a couple of the messageboarders that night.Master Wayne from the del Toro boards and Typhon24 .It's always a fun time to chat with Dave.He and his roommate have a fantastic comicbook that they are putting together.It's cool to see how jazzed he is about this great project.It was a great turn out this time around .That's great news for Doug .He truly deserves all the success that is coming to him.I had him sign my DVD and one for my new buddy Jake who is in South Korea,serving in the Air Force.I talked to Doug briefly about his six month Hellboy2 shoot and he was excited.He looked a little tired ,but that's totally understandable considering the schedule he's had of late.And it's only gonna get busier.He told me that at this years San Diego Comicon,will have a fantastic Hellboy 2 panel.He told me that He will be there along with Mike, Guillermo,Ron and Selma.I cannot wait.Hopefully Guillermo will bring a teaser with him.Anyway,it was a blast to catch with Doug .It's always a fun and cool experience spending time with him.

Free Comic Book Day with Mike Mignola

Spent Saturday at The Golden Apple for Free Comic Book Day with the One and Only...Mike Mignola.He was there to promote the new Hellboy series "Darkness Calls".It is some of his best work ,along with the fantastic art by Duncan Fegredo.Mike was there with his wife the always nice,Christine and their daughter,Kate.I went through the line with my son about three times to get all the stuff I needed to get signed for some friends.Mike was gracious enough to honor me with a ultra cool "Anung Um Rama "sketch(probably one of the best sketches that I have recieved from him)Thanks Mike... you are the BEST!!!