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<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">Hi Folks!</FONT></P>
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<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>Well, I had a great time at EmeraldCityCon.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was really odd to be at a con and only be a little more than an hour away from home.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It’s a nice sized con that can be seen in its entirety in one day.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And for you purists it is pretty much all about comics with the exception of some media celebrities headlined by William Shatner.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
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<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">Sergio was his lively, vital, engaging charming self. (Despite being up for 30+ hours by the time things closed up on Friday.)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He hasn’t been to Seattle for a convention in quite a while and there was a lot of pent up Sergio fandom because he almost always had a long line of folks at his table.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He didn’t have as much merchandise as he has at San Diego, but what he did have sold like hotcakes.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He had the last of the 4 lithographs, a stack of 5 Decades books, a bunch of Simpson comics, 25<SUP>th</SUP> Anniversary Groos, some Groo the Games, a box of Groo cards, and he had unearthed a box of (25) 25<SUP>th</SUP> Anniversary hats.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Everything was gone except a couple of Groo games by Saturday afternoon.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Sergio ended up getting a bunch of Groo comics from a dealer he knows just so people would have something to buy and get autographed.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When they all sold he went and got a bunch of Plops.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He also sold a number of his smaller original drawings that he either had in his portfolio, drew overnight, or drew on the spot.</FONT></P>
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<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>I met Bruce Senkpiel and his Mom, Groopie lurker John Fong, and Scott Hudlow was there selling comics.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And I met <STRONG><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold" lang=EN>Troy Brownfield, who wrote that fine article that J Brooks link us to a few weeks back.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN></STRONG><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I also met some local Groo fans that I referred to the Groop.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And I reacquainted myself with John Lustig, who does the Last Kiss jokes. So I saw a lot of cool folks.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(Although I could have done without seeing the 6’4” transvestite Wonder Woman.) <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
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<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>Sergio proved once again why he is the real “Most Interesting Man in the World.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There was a lady who came by who was originally from South Africa when Apartheid was still in full force and Sergio told her about the time he was there during that era (He almost had his visa revoked!)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And there was a couple who were looking through Sergio’s portfolio while he was away who noted his horror cartoons and said they had just returned from a trip to Czechoslovakia where they had seen this church decorated with human bones.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I assured them that Sergio would not only know about the church but would have visited it, and sure enough he had.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
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<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>I also got some good information about upcoming Sergio projects.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><U>Now remember, this is coming from me, not ME, so I could be off base (please note the qualifiers)</U>.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>It seems pretty definite that Groo v. Conan #1 will be out in July.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>#1 & #2 are already at the publishers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Hopefully there will be some cool promo stuff that I will be glad to get a bunch of and send to everyone.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>Sergio will be doing a monthly with Bongo called Sergio Funnies that will have all the cool stuff Sergio does besides Groo: Pantomime gags, puzzles and games like he did in the later Epic Groos, “Find the 10 Whatever” drawings like he did for the Weekly World News, and true stories about himself like he has done in a number of publications. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I think it will start in the fall.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I can’t wait!!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>There will definitely be two new Lithographs for sale at San Diego.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I saw a couple of pieces of original art that are good candidates (Groo vs. a horde of Lizard warriors, Groo vs. a horde of warrior Women), but I don’t know if Sergio’s completely made up his mind.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I will take orders and ship them off from the con just like last year.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">He finally got the Magnor negatives back from Spain, so I assume an English Magnor Trade <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">might be</I></B> in the not too distant future. </FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>He also indicated that he has, or is close to, unearthing the negatives for the Epic Groos, so the Alphabet reprints <B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">may</I></B> start up again finally, starting with the Groo Parade, and which from now on will have 8 of the old Epics in each volume instead of 4.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">On the down side, I wouldn’t hold my breath for the Groo Treasury.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
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<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">It’s always a blast to hang out at Sergio’s table, talk to folks while they wait in line, and watch Sergio draw and interact with his fans.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is a very, very welcome relief from the tax laws, bureaucrats, lawyers, and legislators that make up my so-called professional life.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And this year I get to do it three times!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Yay!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Hope to see some more of you in San Francisco or San Diego. (Or both!)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
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<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">Take care all, </FONT></P>
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<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; TEXT-INDENT: 0in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">Gary G. </FONT></P> </body>
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