On Thursday afternoon at the Comic-Con International in San Diego, there's a panel you might want to attend. In the program book, the listing reads as follows:
4:00 New Art Techniques — An incisive discussion of how high-tech pencil erasers have changed the way in which comic books are drawn. With Murray Fassbinder (president and CEO of the Snorp Eraser Co.), Hal W. Carter (inventor of the CartEraser), William Franjipanoski (advocate of using lumps of cheese for erasing), and comic book artist Gene Colan. Moderated by Mark Evanier. Room 8
But that's pretty much a lie. This panel is actually a SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR GENE COLAN! Gene turns 75 shortly after the con. For more than 50 of those years, he has delighted comic fans with his artwork for comics ranging from Batman to Tomb of Dracula; from Wonder Woman to Daredevil; from Iron Man to Howard the Duck…and so many more. He's also a helluva nice guy.
Gene is attending this panel under the impression it's about the topic above. About three minutes in, we're going to dump the topic, sing "Happy Birthday" and bring in a huge cake. Then we'll spend the rest of the 90 minutes talking with Gene about his career and having some of his collaborators discuss their work together.
Please spread the word to EVERYONE EXCEPT GENE COLAN! His wife is in on this and is keeping him from seeing anything — like this — that would tip the surprise. So don't tell him but tell everybody else…and get there early. (The panel before in that room is me interviewing John Romita, Sr.) It should be quite an event.
That's THURSDAY AFTERNOON, beginning at 4PM in Room 8. At the con.
And I'm moderating some other fine panels at the convention. For a complete list of them, click your widdle mousie right here.