I recently did a long overdue revamp on the website of my amigo/partner Sergio Aragonés. It has an all-new look and is now running on software that will make it simple for us to keep our promise of updating it on a regular basis. When you get a moment, go take a look at read the new Sergio Blog.
Tag: Sergio Aragones
Sergio Update
As mentioned back here, my partner Sergio Aragonés is on his first-ever hiatus from work due to some back problems that landed him for a time in the hospital. He's home now and getting better with each passing day and everyone involved seems happy with his recovery.
But he has more recovering to do and then there's catching-up on all the work he had to put off. So he reluctantly has to cancel some convention appearances. He won't, for example, be at WonderCon, which is down in Anaheim in March. This will not stop us however from having a rousing game of Quick Draw! there. On Friday at 2 PM, we'll be quick-drawing with Scott Shaw!, Mike Kazaleh and Disney Legend Floyd Norman plus a load of surprise participants, some of whom will be surprised to find out they're participating. (I'm hosting four other panels at the con. Details will be along soon.)
Sergio has also had to cancel on the Boston Comic Con, which is April 21-22. He regrets not being there for it especially because they're having a MAD reunion with Al Feldstein, Al Jaffee and Paul Coker. Ought be great even without Sergio on the premises.
We hope no further cancelling will be necessary. I'll let you know if it is but I don't think it will be. I'll also keep you updated on the rescheduling of issues #2-4 of the Groo/Conan mini-series. #1 will be out in April as planned.
Sergio on Hiatus
Fans of Groo the Wanderer and/or Conan the Barbarian were gladdened to hear recently that the long-awaited mini-series crossover of those two swarthy swordsmen was finally coming out. Issue #1 of four comes out in April…but then we're going to hit another delay.
The series is being done by Sergio Aragonés, Tom Yeates, Tom Luth and me. It could be done without either of the Toms or me but it can't be done without Sergio who is currently suffering from back troubles. You apparently get this condition if you sit at a drawing board sixteen hours a day for 50+ years drawing silly pictures. Anyway, Sergio is unable to draw at the moment, which is a little like you or I being unable to breathe, only more serious. He finished #1 of Groo Vs. Conan, most of #2 and about half of #3…and then the problem hit him. He could probably finish #2 and maybe #3 before they're due at the printer but…
Well, I'll let you in on a secret. After that first issue comes out, the others will be delayed until his back is better. This is a secret in the sense that Sergio doesn't know it yet.
He's recuperating in a hospital at the moment, doesn't have internet access, and won't know for a few days that I made the decision to yank the book off the schedule. This is to force him to take it easy and get better rather than to scurry back to the drawing table and work 'round the clock to make the deadline and by so doing, not recuperate. So if you're pissed about the delay, blame me or blame the backache…but don't blame the guy with the backache. Groo Vs. Conan #1 hits stores on April 18. Then the understanding folks at Dark Horse Comics will stick it back on the schedule as soon as Sergio is back to full drawing strength and you'll get the rest of the story. I'll announce here when that will be as soon as I have some idea when that will be.
When you see #1, you'll find at least one thing particularly amusing. As in Sergio Destroys DC, Sergio Massacres Marvel, Sergio Stomps Star Wars and other like series we've done, the Señor and I are characters in the tawdry drama…and in the first issue we did some time ago, Sergio winds up in the hospital, unable to work. I am well aware that Life often imitates Art but I worry when it imitates Groo.
Sergio's handiwork will be seen in the next issue of MAD and I think there's stuff already completed for the one after. He has not missed an issue of that magazine since #111, which was dated June of 1967 and he's not about to stop now. There may be some delay in Sergio Aragonés Funnies, the book he does for Bongo Comics…and again, I'll let you know when I know. I'm not sure if he'll be at WonderCon this March in Anaheim but we'll be playing Quick Draw! Friday afternoon at 2 PM with or without him. I'm hopeful for "with."
P.S., Added ten minutes later: I've already received three e-mails from folks asking me to forward Get Well messages to my partner. I'm sure he'd appreciate them but let's hold off for a little while. I'll post an address later where you can send such things.
Today's Video Link
Here's a five minute chat with my best friend (male division), Sergio Aragonés. If Sergio looks a little odd in this, it's because the videographers have flipped him around mirror-image in his close-ups so that he fits in better with the shots where he's seen with the interviewer. Observe as his watch changes wrists instantly.
He makes mention in here of the forthcoming Groo/Conan crossover mini-series from Dark Horse. That's what I should be working on here at the moment instead of posting this…
Happy Sergio Day!
Today is the birthday of my best friend (male division), Sergio Aragonés. I have known Sergio since 1969 and have yet to encounter anyone who doesn't like him, save for one or two who were just baldly jealous of his fame, skills or general charm.
Occasionally, I've promoted him as The Fastest Cartoonist Alive, which he probably is…though in recent years, I've soft-pedalled that aspect of his skill. It makes it sound like, "Well, he's not good but at least he's fast." The fact is he is good. Very good. He didn't get all them cartooning awards, nor did he get all that adoration by his peers because he's fast. They just like the pictures he draws…and the guy who draws them.
Sergio has an exhibit of his work going on currently in Ojai, California. Here's the latest in a long series of articles about it and him. And take a look at the great self portrait he drew for the exhibition.
Go Hear It!
Up in Ojai, there's a lovely place called the Ojai Valley Museum. At the moment, it's full of drawings by Sergio Aragonés. On this site, you can find out where it is and when you can go…and you can hear a 13-minute radio interview of the man.
More About MAD's Marginal Maniac
Here's another article about the exhibit of Sergio Aragonés artistry, currently on display in Ojai.