words by Michael Lagocki
color photos by Kelsey Paine
black and whites by William Neal
The Comicpalooza event was really something else. We gathered more than a dozen artists to create live art to benefit the hero initiative, a very worthy charity. We also filled the room (Arnetic in Deep Ellum) with killer local DJs, comic and art books for sale, and rare collectibles- all to benefit the charity.
The art was amazing. Packed house, good people, great time.
Here’s some pics of the night and a few quick facts:
1- every piece created Saturday night sold.
2- most buyers walked away with real bargains. A James O’Barr original for $300, that gorgeous painting by David for $200, and many beautiful pieces between $50-$100? Steals. The artists were happy to sell their work at these prices as it allowed fans to walk home with work and the charity to walk home with $$$.
3- Great sounds from the DJs. Each DJ donated their time for the night to inspire the crowd and artists. DJ Dean Dillinger, Viz, Hologram Dagger: Thank you!
4- This was a COMMUNITY EFFORT. CompleteNerdom.com, Titan Comics, our buddy Tom Martin, The Comicpalooza Convention, and all kinds of other people contributed.
5- One artist, Samax Amen wrote up his own experience of the event at his blog. You can check that out here.
6- The buy-it-now table of rare collectibles was a definite experiment that worked out great. Artists and contributors donated their old toys, comics, and drawings and the crowd snatched ’em up. That money went to the Hero Initiative too.
7- Many requests for more events like this. People dig the comic artists. Nothing’s on the calendar yet, but you can be sure this isn’t the last time we’ll do something this heroic!
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