What a great read, thank you, I was waiting for this every since you announced your Substack!
Barry Windsor-Smith's art is truly inspiring and so is yours. As a long time reader of Marvel (and DC as well, 20+ years to be exact) I may not agree with all the choice that were done to certain characters (I think you know what I'd be referring to) but one thing is constant and certain: your work both in comics and outside is really inspiring. Writing/directing your first short (which I'm really eager to watch as soon as I can, since I live in Romania). As someone who works as a graphic designer making posters for movies and shows in the industry, I'm really fascinating by the diverse work you do.
What an excellent blog and super excited for the next one.
Greetings from Amsterdam ;) Wow, what an inspiring read! What's better than “based on a true story”... "a true story" thank you Joe Quesada for sharing yours! May this new season far outweigh the last! Congratulations 🙌
Back in 1974, I had an acquaintance in New York City who I would trade comics and whatnot with; at 14, I really wanted to be a comic book artist. I sent some of my pages to my friend, who said he was going to a con and he'd show them to someone if he got a chance. That someone, as it turned out, was Barry Smith. Smith's exact reply I forget now, but he told my friend that there was promise there, and to keep trying. Alas, I didn't try much longer but to this day I am still geeked that Smith deigned to look at my work.
No worries, you can pay me back next time. I certainly enjoyed the Toronto FanExpo and it is the only one I can travel to personally. Though I hope that will change in the future. Still, I enjoy the fact that it tends to be the place where big reunions happen.
wow thats a most excellent story. as a fan i have always been leery meeting my artist heroes never wanted to be disappointed, maybe because i use a wheelchair to get around cons when i have gone ( normally use prosthetic legs to walk). my experiences have been more positive than negative. been a handful of times when i gotten the brush off just to say i was a fan not wanting anything, it does sting but got over it pretty quickly. thanks for the soft landing. ✌️
This is just great. I have heard some of these stories before, but it really just all "comes together" hearing you tell them all first hand. I can't wait to hear more and really just dive into this substack. Thanks again Joe!
Mother of Mother of the Holy Mother of the Holy-Holy M...
Great story, sir!
Meeting my comic hero went well for me too, Matt Fraction was perfect
What a great read, thank you, I was waiting for this every since you announced your Substack!
Barry Windsor-Smith's art is truly inspiring and so is yours. As a long time reader of Marvel (and DC as well, 20+ years to be exact) I may not agree with all the choice that were done to certain characters (I think you know what I'd be referring to) but one thing is constant and certain: your work both in comics and outside is really inspiring. Writing/directing your first short (which I'm really eager to watch as soon as I can, since I live in Romania). As someone who works as a graphic designer making posters for movies and shows in the industry, I'm really fascinating by the diverse work you do.
What an excellent blog and super excited for the next one.
Hope you're having a great day Joe!
Greetings from Amsterdam ;) Wow, what an inspiring read! What's better than “based on a true story”... "a true story" thank you Joe Quesada for sharing yours! May this new season far outweigh the last! Congratulations 🙌
And greetings to you, Annemie. Happy to have you on board.
Back in 1974, I had an acquaintance in New York City who I would trade comics and whatnot with; at 14, I really wanted to be a comic book artist. I sent some of my pages to my friend, who said he was going to a con and he'd show them to someone if he got a chance. That someone, as it turned out, was Barry Smith. Smith's exact reply I forget now, but he told my friend that there was promise there, and to keep trying. Alas, I didn't try much longer but to this day I am still geeked that Smith deigned to look at my work.
Thanks for the story, David. Barry is awesome.
Awesome. I believe I have been to conventions in the past where you were appearing. You’ve done FanExpo Canada in Toronto right?
Glad to be in the presence of another creative with so much that you’ve accomplished.
Guilty as charged, Andrew. As a matter of fact, I think I borrowed $20 (Canadian) from you the last time I was there.
I hoping to come back to Toronto this year. It's one of the best shows on the planet.
No worries, you can pay me back next time. I certainly enjoyed the Toronto FanExpo and it is the only one I can travel to personally. Though I hope that will change in the future. Still, I enjoy the fact that it tends to be the place where big reunions happen.
The man knows how to make an entrance! Joe, can't wait for everything you have in store for us!
Thanks, Linda, I coudn't have done it without your help.
And, shhhhhhh, don't oversell it.
Damn... for me this like finding out your next door neighbor is Spider-Man! My apartment in Manhattan was w24th street!👊🏾👏🏾🔥❤️
Imagine. how I felt growing up in Jackson Heights, Queens, reading my first Spider-Man books and learning that Peter Parker lived in Forrest Hills!
You had me worried all the way to the end with that story!
Heh!
wow thats a most excellent story. as a fan i have always been leery meeting my artist heroes never wanted to be disappointed, maybe because i use a wheelchair to get around cons when i have gone ( normally use prosthetic legs to walk). my experiences have been more positive than negative. been a handful of times when i gotten the brush off just to say i was a fan not wanting anything, it does sting but got over it pretty quickly. thanks for the soft landing. ✌️
Thanks, Rich. Sometimes it takes me a bit to get to the point of a story, but I eventually find my way home.
Stellar first newsletter! Loved it!
Thanks for joining me. By the time everyone reads my second newsletter I fully expect comments like, "I liked his old stuff better."
Hell of a first $20 bill. Love that story. Thanks for doing this Substack thing.
Don't thank me yet.
This could get ugly 😀
Nice one Joe. I heartily agree with your hero meeting advice, especially after meeting you! Looking forward to more.
Aw, shucks. Thanks, Dave.
Thank God it has an all's well that is well ending, it didn't look like it was going to have one!😉😀😀
This is why I get paid the big bucks.
This is just great. I have heard some of these stories before, but it really just all "comes together" hearing you tell them all first hand. I can't wait to hear more and really just dive into this substack. Thanks again Joe!
Jordan, Substack seems to me like a perfect place for you to talk about your world. I know I'd read it.