Thanks, Stan!

[zhanzero]

Stan,

In case I didn't say it enough, it was great seeing you again in Houston this past weekend, and thank you so much for the wonderful sketch you drew in my UY trade - I would've been thrilled with just a signature! And I love the two con drawings that I bought from you. They have already been put in my "trophy" art portfolio, along with art from fine folks like George Perez, Adam Hughes, Steve Rude, Mike Zeck, and many others - only the best go in that particular book. It was good to find out that my memories from meeting you waaaaay back in 1987 were indeed correct - you are one of the kindest, swellest (okay, I made that word up) guys in the entire field of comics.

And my wife thought you were really cool, too! She loves her cloisonne pin. Now I just need to convince her to read Usagi... she's got it in her head it's "not her kind of book", but I'm working on her. One day she'll break down!

Thanks again and take care,

[Stan Sakai]

Thank you. It was good seeing you, too. I hadn't been to Houston for about 10 years or so. The first time I was there, I went as Gil Kane (this is before they tightened up the airport security). Gil was scheduled to be at a convention but caught a cold or something, so he gave me his plane ticket and I traveled with the Hernandez Brothers and Gary Groth.

I had a wonderful time at this convention. It was a smaller con but the people were great. It's about time Houston had a regular comic convention. The food (always a bit part in my travels) was good--I never did get to order that 72 ounce steak, though.