





Balloon Man: Heene-Meanie-Minee-Mo-ron.
...My prediction from the sixties finally came true: "In the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes." I'm bored with that line. I never use it anymore. My new line is, "In fifteen minutes everybody will be famous."
Andy Warhol
In the last century, I'd be hard pressed to choose a better composer than Duke Ellington. In his musical career which spanned just over a half-century, he wrote early rhythmic jazz tunes, bouncy big band numbers, elegant ballads, musical scores, jazz/classical pieces and everything in between. He was the best of the best, covering all bases.
A great collection to start with is Sophisticated Lady, although that superb CD just scratches the surface of his tremendous oeuvre and legacy.
It's been a good sign to see more women artists, readers and fans show up at each successive comic book convention the last several years. And they're not all in costumes, either...not that there's anything wrong with that. But with what has long been largely a boys club for decades, it's encouraging that the fan base and creative trends are broadening.
Perhaps it's because of those female artists who blazed trails over the last few decades, or the proliferation of fantasy literature and comics for girls and women the last few years. Whatever the cause or reason, it's a healthy sign for comics and reading in general.
Given the nature of my upcoming Night of the Bedbugs children's book release, many more women and Dads with kids approached my table, just as I'd like it. I'm not aiming in this regard for a small niche of fans interested mostly in dark subjects or superheroes. But even as I see improvements at comic book conventions, I can't wait to do appearances with Bedbugs books and juggling Bedbugs beanbags at libraries, classrooms and bookstores.
In the meantime, become a fan at the Bedbugs Facebook Fan Page.
A few highlights from the Costume Parade and competition at the comic book convention in Minnesota this weekend, both charming and scary:
Sister and brother get in on the act.
A fiery and muscle-bound Human Torch.
A Star Wars family affair.
Creepy Freddy.
Update: another pic snapped on Sunday at the show:
Young Iron Man, in a power pose!