I was looking through my sketch collection recently, and it's very obvious that one of the characters that I've gotten many sketches of was Zatanna. I hope to continue this theme, but I have been trying to branch out to some more characters that I do enjoy. In 2007 alone, I've gotten 10 Zatanna sketches, out of the 107 sketches I had done throughout the year.
On a side note, "Holy s**t! 107 sketches in 2007?"
My collection of Zatanna sketches is up to 15 sketches. It all started with local creator, Ramon Perez (Butternutsquash, Kukuburi). The sketch was done at the Paradise Comics store signing (October 8th, 2005), with the release of Spellgame, from the now defunct, Speakeasy Comics. Ramon Perez was the artist on the title, until Speakeasy Comics stopped paying people, and shut down.
To this day, I still don't know how I decided on Zatanna. Whatever it may be, it was the start of something good for me.
The next Zatanna sketch happened on April 29th, 2006. It actually got started the day before, when I got my name on George Perez's sketch list, with proceeds going to ACTOR Comic Fund (now, the Hero Initiative). This took place at Paradise Toronto Comicon 2006. George Perez was announced as one of the Guests of Honour, after Stan Lee unfortunately had to cancel.
Once I got my name onto the list (and my brother's), on the first day of the con, I waited until the next morning to pick it up. Since then, it's been framed, and hanging on my wall. I love how George Perez signs his name backwards for Zatanna sketches. I would've gotten Wonder Woman, but my bro already had a sketch of her, so I went with Zatanna. Now that I think about it, the next time I'm able to get another sketch from George Perez, I do want a Wonder Woman for my collection.
Deciding on continuing the Zatanna theme, the next one came at the same convention, on the same day (Paradise Toronto Comicon - April 29th, 2006). This one is by Girls With Slingshots cartoonist, Danielle Corsetto.
Danielle was unknown to me at the time, until my brother pointed out her webcomic and sketches, after she was listed as one of the guests. I ended up reading the entire webcomic series then, and continue to do so on a regular basis. I also really liked her sketches, so I knew I wanted to get one from her then. I thought Zatanna would be a fun character to see in Danielle Corsetto's style.
This one was also done at Paradise Toronto Comicon 2006, but on the final day, April 30th, 2006. I was actually waiting in line for Amanda Conner that day, because her line, and Darwyn Cooke's line were the longest ones throughout the show. I had already gotten a Darwyn Cooke sketch the day before, at the ACTOR Comic Fund signing.
Since Amanda was arriving later in the day, I was able to jump over to J. Bone's line, and get another Zatanna sketch. It's a blonde Zatanna! For those that don't know, Zatanna actually appears as a blonde during the series, "Books of Magick: Life During Wartime." I really don't know if she appeared in the magician costume. Regardless, it's such a nice sketch.
The last Zatanna sketch of 2006, was on August 20th, 2006, at the first Toronto Comic Book Fan Super Show. Phil Jimenez and Ken Lashley were the headlining guests. Phil Jimenez was originally a guest for Paradise Toronto Comicon 2006, but had to cancel, because he agreed to make an appearance with Geoff Johns, in either New Zealand or Australia (I forget).
Since this was a one day appearance, I had to get in line for him. I decided on Zatanna, because I got one from George Perez. That was really it, and no other reason. At least, I don't think there was any other reasons as to why I chose Zatanna.
At this point, I didn't expect Zatanna to be a huge theme for me, just something for fun.
The first one of 2007 came on March 25th, 2007, at the third Toronto Comic Book Fan Super Show. This was also the show that Milo (of Digital Kontent) brought in a whole bunch of free comics to give away (and several copies of To Kill a Mockingbird). It was advertised, and he delivered.
This was Karl Kerschl's first show in Toronto, since moving back to Toronto. This was the show that I planted myself at Karl's line, and waited almost three hours before he showed up. I went with the Zatanna sketch, because I really like his take on Zatanna (see Adventures of Superman #644).
Street Fighter II artist, Alvin Lee, was one of the guests at Hobbystar's Toronto ComiCON Fan Appreciation Event (April 13th-15th, 2007). The three day event saw a significant decline in fans in attendance on the second and third day. I got this Zatanna sketch on the second day (April 14th, 2007), when Alvin finally arrived really late in the day. I was just roaming around at the time, when I noticed him arrive at the Udon booth, and I headed to the table right away, and ended up being first in line (lucky me!).
Alvin put in more than the usually head sketch that Udon usually provides with the purchase of their sketchbook. I was quite glad to get this Zatanna piece.
Coffee Crisp! This was also done at the Fan Appreciation Event, but on the last day (April 15th, 2007). Mike Choi had been sketching away for the fans, and this was the second one from him for me, during the weekend. Though I never followed his Witchblade work, everytime I saw it, I thought it was beautiful (especially with Sonia Oback's colouring).
Mike was working on X-23: Target X for Marvel, during the time of the convention. I think there was one or two more issues left to the series, when he made his appearance.
Since I knew Zatanna was a growing theme on me, I went with her (X-23 was the first sketch I got from Mike on the first night).
Continuing with the Zatanna theme, I got the next two simultaneously at the Free Comic Book Day signing at Paradise Comics. Both Francis Manapul and Agnes Garbowska were guests there.
Paradise was actually the third store I went to that day (first two being One Million Comix and Comics & More, respectively), when I ran my gauntlet around Toronto. That was a crazy day for me, but a fun one, nonetheless. After the sketches, and chilling at Paradise for a bit, I went down to Silver Snail for their FCBD signing, and then The Beguiling for their FCBD signing. TTC Day Pass was put to use.
The next five Zatanna sketches were done at Paradise Toronto Comicon 2007 (June 8th-10th, 2007).
First sketch list I got onto that weekend was Nicola Scott (Birds of Prey artist), and was one of the "Must Have" sketches for that event. So, I was extremely happy about getting myself down on the list.
She was a returning Guest of the Women of Comics Symposium. I met her the previous year, and became an instant fan. Then when she was announced as the regular artist of Bird of Prey, I was quite excited and looking forward to the start of her run.
Though not the next person I got myself on the list for, the Zatanna sketch by Tara McPherson was the next one I did receive. Tara McPherson was also a Guest of the Women of Comics Symposium.
I do enjoy her style of artwork, though, I don't really follow her work. She's more of a freelance illustrator, doing work for many clients outside of the comic world.
For me, to get a sketch in her style was something I wanted, and I was glad to get one done.
Getting something from Joseph Michael Linsner was also a "Must Have" for me, the second I found out he was announced as a Guest.
He was actually a Guest for the year before, but had to cancel, because of an appearance he agreed to, I believe, in Germany.
I actually got on the list on Friday, pretty early in the day, but didn't pick up the sketch until Saturday morning/afternoon. I was also picking up my bro's sketch, since I got him on the list, and paid upfront for his sketch. My jaw dropped at the sight of both sketches. The scan doesn't do the sketch justice.
This is another sketch I have framed and hanging on my wall, next to the George Perez Zatanna sketch.
Now this was on the top of the "Must Have" list for Paradise Toronto Comicon 2007. Upon entering the convention floor on the first day, my bro and I planted ourselves in line. Unfortunately for us in line, Darwyn Cooke was busy, if I'm not mistaken, at the Sick Kids Hospital, chatting and drawing for the children.
This man is amazing!
After a long day of drawing for the kids, he wasn't up for doing any sketches on the Friday. Totally understandable. He said to try again the next day, which of course, we did.
Upon entering and planting ourselves once again, but moved down the line, to allow two guys from the US (Steve Zegers and Bill Nolan), who made it their "quest" to get a sketch from Darwyn.
This sketch is also framed and hanging on my wall, above my TV, so I always see it, and smile. Thanks Darwyn!
I tried to get on Terry Moore's list for Friday, but he was booked. I somehow was able to convince him to start a list for Saturday, which he almost got booked solid not too long after starting that list for the Saturday.
I picked this up late on Saturday. I can't remember when, but I was really happy with how it turned out.
So there you have it. The story of my Zatanna Sketch Collection. There are several other artists that I would definitely like to get sketches of Zatanna from, but for the time being, I am going to hold off on the Zatanna sketches, unless it's from the few artists I have in mind for them.
Thank You to all the artists above, that did these sketches for me!
SCOTT PILGRIM VOL.4: SCOTT PILGRIM GETS IT TOGETHER
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