Mark D. Bright 1955-2024 (Part One)

I am terribly sad to learn that Mark D. Bright has died. I will have more to say later this year or in 2025, but for now, I’ll send out some positive vibes to his family and friends, and reflect on my favorite artist in or out of comics.

Larry Hama IDW Limited splash page sketch

Around 2013 and 2014, IDW Publishing reprinted the original Marvel G.I. Joe comics in handsome, oversized hardcovers, a series called The Complete Collection. A limited edition run of these, called “Red Label” (available through your local comic retailer), “Blue Label,” and “Black Label” (available only from a special IDW website) included metaphorical bells and whistles. Only released for the first three volumes of The Complete, these “Label” versions were extremely limited, like quantities of 175 or 25 copies. They featured canvas covers, hand-assembled slipcases, and signature pages signed by the likes of Larry Hama, Herb Trimpe, and Russ Heath. Here are the Red Label editions:

A Real American Book! 2023 in Review

Annual “year”-end post! My 2023 book-writing year ran not from January through December, but late February ’23 to early February ’24. This is a remnant of using winter break as a final push back when I was in an academic calendar. First up, the non-book things:

Assembly Required 2023 – the A Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 4 of 4

In Part One, Tim flew to Des Moines and saw friends, and in Part Two, Tim talked with people. Then, in Part Three, he talked with more people! Read on for Part Four, and click to enlarge photos!

Assembly Required 2023 – the A Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 3 of 4

In Part One, Tim flew to Iowa, chatted, dined, and played a game, while in Part Two, Tim interviewed and co-interviewed, plus some repeats like chatting, dining and game-playing. Read on for Part Three, and click to enlarge photos! [Skip ahead to Part Four here]

Assembly Required 2023 – the A Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 2 of 4

In Part One, Tim flew to Des Moines, dined with Ron Wagner, and then played games. Read on for Part Two, and click to enlarge photos! [Skip ahead to Part Three or Part Four]

The start of my second day at Assembly Required presented the forever challenge of conventions. You want to stay up late talking with your friends, but there are also things to do and people to see the next morning, so you get less sleep.

Assembly Required 2023 – the A Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 1 of 4

[Jump ahead to Part Two] [Part Three] [Part Four]

This trip felt like an anniversary. Twelve months prior, I hadn’t attended a G.I. Joe convention in four years, and progress on my book had nearly halted. But in prepping for Assembly Required 2023, I now had 12 months of book productivity under my belt, and 12+ months in this new life of not teaching. And rather than stepping into an unfamiliar show, I was returning to what I knew as a fun and friendly one, to see friends I’d made at AR ’22. In several cases, these were friends I’d also seen at JoeFest and online for podcasts and live streams in the interim. Rather than being anxious about returning to an in-person world of fans and toys and personal interactions, I was going to hang out and talk toys and comics for three days.

Boston TOYCON 2023 – The A Real American Book! Report

I try to be at my shop for part of each weekend, but travel for family or work can preclude that. Representing my store I do exhibit at two small comic book conventions each year, which means not being at my shop, but I’m certainly doing shop work. And they are notably near the shop — no long drive to unload at a hotel in the suburbs. As the convention season in and around Boston feels pretty stable, it was a surprise when Comicazi Bob, co-owner of Comicazi, the other comic book shop in Somerville, Massachusetts, invited me to table at a brand new con. But it wasn’t a comic book show, this was a toy show! My shop doesn’t sell toys! Well, sort of.

1982 Assortment Weights

My last few blog posts were about toy conventions, and my next four(!) will be too, so it’s time to return to the old bread and butter of A Real American Book!, which is toy development paperwork.

JoeLanta 2023 – The Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 3 of 3

In Part One, Tim flew to Atlanta and realized that attending this show wasn’t a mistake, and in Part Two, Tim chatted with people, attended panels, and heard rock music. Read on for Part Three, and click to enlarge photos!