You read that right. These were being handed out at a booth at Fan Expo Canada several years ago as a promotional gimmick for the upcoming release of Watchmen on DVD and Blu-Ray. And in case you’re wondering, yes, they’re as blue as Dr. Manhattan is.
Kind of gives the term “blue balls” a whole new meaning, doesn’t it? 🙂
I don’t make a habit of promoting erotic art on this blog – and today won’t be the day that changes 😉 – but here’s an interesting piece I recently acquired that’s definitely worth mentioning:
Artwork by Paolo Eleuteri Serpieri
This sketch – which came free with the purchase of any (admittedly pricey) artbook or hardcover graphic novel by a few dozen lucky people – is by the Italian artist Paolo Eleuteri Serpieri, best known to Western audiences as the writer and illustrator of the Druuna series, which was (re)published over the course of many years in Heavy Metal magazine.
During the Fan Expo Canada 2012 convention in Toronto, Ontario last week, I was presented with an opportunity that I never imagined would come my way: the chance to meet the incomparable Christopher Lloyd, who had major roles in two of my all-time favorite movies, Back to the Future and Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
While he’s built his career on playing energetic, intense, and eccentric characters, Mr. Lloyd proved to be pretty low-key and calm in person, was very friendly and sociable, and gave off a distinctly soothing, grandfatherly vibe. When I mentioned that I’d heard he rarely makes public appearances – something his entry on Wikipedia makes a point of mentioning – he responded with a simple “I do make a few of them.”, all while maintaining the subtle-but-perpetual warm smile he seemed to have reserved for everyone in attendance.
Two additional things worth mentioning about Christopher Lloyd: first, he has one of the most legible celebrity signatures that I’ve encountered in the 14 or so years I’ve been actively collecting them. (And the guy’s almost 74 years old!)
I’m hoping to get Michael J. Fox to sign the other half someday.
Second, he has the uncanny ability to make pictures that even I appear in look incredibly awesome. (The DeLorean time machine is just icing on the cake.)
There definitely isn’t enough room to get up to 88 in the convention hallway.
In the words of the artist herself: “I just wanted to make something cute which applies to the show in a joking way, and supports a cause I respect greatly.” Mission accomplished, I’d say. 🙂
“Neigh and Proud” by Elizabeth Lee
Check out more of Liz Lee‘s great artwork at her deviantART account, Liz Lee Illustration, or Nimbus the Dragon.
While shirtless bishounen really aren’t my cup of tea, I made an exception for the following poster I stumbled upon at Otakuthon 2010 due to its sheer compositional and artistic excellence:
“Death Note Chronicale” by Sakimichan (2009)
This marvelous piece of Death Note fanart comes to you courtesy of Canadian artist (and fellow Montreal, Quebec resident) Yue .W., a.k.a. Sakimichan. Purchase your own watermark-free version from her deviantART website at http://sakimichan.deviantart.com today!
Now this is an interesting item I picked up at Otakuthon 2010: a handmade, hand-painted Starman plushie complete with a little set of blue overalls to prevent him from flashing (at least in the non-invulnerability-granting sense).
He protects you from harm...but who protects his dignity?
Unfortunately, due to this particular anime convention’s penchant for keeping a tight lid on the personal information of participating amateur artists, I literally can’t give credit where credit is due. All I can say is thanks to the anonymous ladies of Artists’ Area Booth 469 for this cute little guy!
The Raging Fanboy 