Random Acts of Kindness Make Me Hulk Out!

Plus: Those BBQ Ribs Better Be As Good As Ben Defeo Claims they Are

Before getting started, keep your eyes open for a huge announcement— at least for me, it is— on Monday morning! You have been warned.

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Today’s Newsletter Is About Gratitude.

I have so much to be grateful for: family, friends, career, and the kindness of others— people like you, to name a few. Every evening before hitting the sack, I take a few minutes to be thankful and remind myself of all I’m grateful for, even on those rough days, heck, ESPECIALLY on those rough days when it feels like the universe keeps stealing your parking spot. It helps me keep things in perspective, be present, and focus on what’s good in the world. Plus, there’s nothing to gain from the alternative.

So, with that theme in mind…

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It’s a Long, Sorted Story

In 2017, I had a boatload of art stolen from my home. Some of it was work I did in college, as well as early sample pages and random freelance gigs, but the majority were hundreds of Dan Decarlo Archie pages and sketches that belonged to my wife, Nanci. It was heartbreaking because she adored Dan, inked some of his pages, and sold his art at conventions. We managed to recover some of my art but never a single DeCarlo page. As crushing as this was, there was one piece that meant the world to her that she wished she could get back.

When Nance started at Archie, Dan Decarlo would stop by all the time. One day, he stopped in as she did the paste-up and mechanical work on one of his covers. She made a point of telling him how much she loved the piece. Dan asked why, and she said it had horses on it, and she loved horses. Weeks later, Dan dropped by the office with a gift for her. You guessed it, it was the cover, but Dan had taken the time to have it mounted and framed. It became one of Nanci’s most cherished possessions and hung on the wall of every home we ever lived in. Until one day, it was gone.

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“This is Chief McCarrick of The Sparta, New Jersey Police Department.”

Two weeks before Christmas, I received a call from Chief McCarrick. In 2017, I knew him as Detective McCarrick, so it was nice to see him receive a well-earned promotion. The Chief wanted to make sure this was still my number and was about to text me something I might find interesting.

BOOM! There it was, the cover to Archie #332, Dan Decarlo’s horse cover.

I couldn’t believe what I was looking at. Chief McCarrick told me that a gentleman with the cover had just contacted him and wanted to return it.

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Dan Theodore

Dan is an avid art collector. He doesn’t do it to resell; he collects what he likes, so to say that his collection is diverse would be an understatement. Dan also has a habit of researching pieces he collects to ensure whoever sold it to him honestly came upon the art. A few years back, he saw the cover on eBay and purchased it. It’s clear that the cover had changed hands more than once because it was originally in a beat-up silver frame, and when Dan acquired it, it was in a sweet black museum frame. Then, sometime this past December, he came upon an old news item about my art theft and saw the image of the same cover he had hanging on his wall. Being the good guy he is, Dan did some more research and managed to find the lead detective on the case, now Chief McCarrick, to get the piece back to me.

I can’t tell you how grateful I am to Dan for doing the leg work and reaching out to me. A few weeks later, Nanci received the greatest belated Christmas present of her life. For those who don’t know her, Nance is tough as nails, but that day, I saw a tear, maybe two, squeeze through that tough exterior.

It was a win-win because not only was Dan Decarlo back on our wall, but I made a new friend and pen pal in the process. Thank you, Dan, for your kindness and friendship.

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Megacon Orlando Recap

This past Mega Con, I met some of the most incredible fans on the planet. Among them was Eric Yonge, who gifted me this AMAZING Hulk illustration. My only note for Eric was that he made Hulk too handsome. Eric is a phenomenal artist who’s working on a graphic novel that looks spectacular.

I also wanted to give a big shout-out to Joe Morffi and his daughter Alex. We had a great time chatting, and Alex even won one of our Amazing Comics daily raffles.

Oh, in case you're wondering, Joe, your Joe Fixit is on the way.

This was awesome; I wish I had gotten the guy’s name.

I had the pleasure of doing a ton of remarques— a big thanks to everyone who requested one— and a Wonder Woman commission.

All in all, it was a fantastic convention. Thanks, Orlando, I can’t wait to come back!

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“City Of Fountains” Here I come!

I’m beyond looking forward to Planet Comicon next week. Not just because it will be my first-ever appearance in one of the heartland states but also because my buddy Ben has promised me three straight nights of Barbeque debauchery, the likes I’ve only dreamed of. Okay, KC, let’s see if you live up to the hype. Meat sweats, here I come!

Oh yeah, I’ll be signing too!

BOOTH 3707-3708

Friday: 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-7:30 PM

Saturday: 11:00 AM-1:00 PM and 3:00-5:30 PM

PANEL: 1:30-2:20 PM Joe Q’s Amazing Q+A Panel in Room 2505

Sunday: 11:00 AM-12:30 PM and 2:30-4:30 PM

Unfortunately, there are no “Joe Quesada Experiences” at this show, but if you want to check out my package (Dang it, no matter how I promote my appearances, something always comes off sounding awkward), just click the tab below.

I’ll also have a Planet Comicon exclusive. This is the second in my series of remarque prints. This one features the ‘64 Avengers and is limited to 25.

The signed print goes for $80. Any single character inked with a signature is $350.

I can't wait to meet all of you Missourians, and I'm open to any and all BBQ suggestions.

I don't fully trust Ben.

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Thanks for reading, and as they say in Orlando, “I appreciate ya!”

I’ll be back on Monday to elaborate more on the news.

You’re Amazing!

JQ