>

It’s hard to believe that I’ve been maintaining this blog for over 3 years now– and I’ve come to the 300th post. I was looking at the archived posts on BLOGGER, and they only allow for viewing 300 total posts, so I can’t really tell when I started the blog, exactly. But the exact date I started this thing isn’t really important. What is important is that I’ve really enjoyed maintaining it up to this point. It’s been very therapeutic at times– and it has been fun and gratifying to watch the stats of how many folks that visit here day to day grow so much over the years. I want to thank all of you for taking the time out of your day to stop by and see what little trifles I might post 3 times per week. With so much that’s offered on the web vying for attention every day, I’m grateful that you make this one of your stops.

I wanted to show you all this amazing piece. I woke up Sunday morning and checked my email first thing as I do every day. Imagine my surprise to find an email with this image of the DARE-GORILLA sketch I did inked by none other than PAUL SMITH….! I was absolutely blown away. Paul’s work has always been an inspiration to me since I first saw it on DOCTOR STRANGE and UNCANNY X-MEN at Marvel. Paul’s LEAVE IT TO CHANCE with writer James Robinson is one of my favorite comics of all time. It’s one of those books that I would give anyone as an example of how great and beautiful comic books can be– one of those shining representatives of comics at their best that can appeal to everyone. I’ve been honored to get to know Paul over the years, first meeting him at HEROES CON several years back. He’s a kind, gracious and wonderful fellow– as well as being one of the premiere artists in the comics world. The fact that he inked this just for fun and sent me a file of it is just so thrilling. Thanks, Paul…!

The organization HERO INITIATIVE — formerly known as ACTOR– is a non-profit that raises money to help older comic book creators who are in need. Comic book creators of today enjoy the rewards of a business built by the many that came before us– and I try –as often as I have time for– to contribute to this cause that helps these older creators who might not be getting the work they used to and are in need of some aid from time to time. Recently, Marvel celebrated the 100th issue of ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN, and they’re working with HERO INITIATIVE by printing up some blank ‘sketch cover’ editons. HI asked 100 folks who have worked on SPIDER-MAN over the years to contribute sketches on these– and they’ll be offered up for auction in the near future. I don’t have the details of the when and how– but I’m sure you’ll be hearing about it. I wanted to show you the sketch I did for the auction so that those of you who might be interested could get a ‘sneak peek’.

OK– that’s it for another post. Again, thank all of you so much for reading.

This is Entry 300.

Mike