Sunday Art Day!

I've talked before about my love of the great Baltimore Comic Con. Held in one of my favorite cities (mostly because of Camden Yard) and for a myriad of other reasons, the Baltimore Con is probably my favorite comics show, period.

It's pure comics, and Hollywood stays away.

Not that Hollywood being all up in our business is a bad thing, but, at conventions, the presence of things that have absolutely nothing to do with comics can be a bit annoying.

When, you know, you're there to look at comics.

The Baltimore show manages to stay completely comics-centric, and ask anyone who has made their way to that show and they'll tell you that, while it's a pretty big convention, it somehow manages to have that close knit, small show feel.

The best part about the Baltimore show for me each year is the accessibility to a wide number of artists and writers. My first time at the show, Geoff Johns tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I knew where the panels were being held.

You know, because he was supposed to be on a panel.

That same year, I walked by Dan Slott's table on three different occasions, and on each passing-by, he was talking, happily, to the same three fans. I was able to walk up to the tables of both Eric Powell and Mike Mignola, pick up sketchbooks and art, have them sign a few books, and chat with them both, all in a couple minutes' time.

Baltimore really is about the creators, and not just the guys that work for Marvel, DC, and Dark Horse. Baltimore's Artist Alley is phenomenal, and I was fortunate enough to meet some super-talented people.

Like David Gallaher and Steve Ellis, creators of the excellent High Moon series.

And the Harvey Award-nominated Fraim brothers, Brendon and Brian, who's work includes the fantastic strip, Antiques, The Waiting Place, and most recently, a book we showcased here on a past Waiting for Wednesday, Vampire, PA.

Since meeting them in Baltimore, I've kept up on the Fraims' projects and I've followed their work.

Well, here's the part where my post starts to mesh up with its title. This past week, I took my own advice (check the end of that Waiting for that I mentioned) and commissioned the brothers.

I won the Black Canary piece at the top of this post on eBay, and I decided to go ahead and bug Brendon and Brian for more art. Here's an example of the outstanding work these guys produce, in a classic, clean, and beautiful style.
Perfect, no? So let me repeat myself, because these guys are just so good at what they do, and they're incredibly easy to work with. Please check out this page for the Fraims' (eye-poppingly low) rates, and do yourself a favor and get them to draw you something.

You won't regret it.

Happy Sunday, everyone.