small comic book store talk

Post by **Maka** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:02 -0700

Hello UYDers,

I was picking up Usagi Yojimbo #115 at my local comic book store. The sales people said, "Do you ever pick up anything signed by him (Stan Sakai)?"

"Yes," I said, "He my favorite comic book artist."

"Well, you know, he sometimes come in here," he said

"You mean you have signings here?" I questioned, " How did I miss those?"

"No," he said, "This guy will just come in an sit down over there and start drawing and signing his comics. We're like, who is that guy?"

"Really? That's cool."

-----

In the same conversation, he said, "Sergio Aragonés comes in here and he signed my Legal Defense comic."

"Cool," I said, "He lives in Ojai, right?"

"I think so," he said.

"His wife gets her haircut here (in town)," said the other worker.

----

Talk story at the local store.
Store: Metro Entertainment, Santa Barbara, CA

Peace, maka

estee · Post by **estee** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:15 -0700

Cool!

Now you have to camp out in that store all day.

Marchino · Post by **Marchino** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:58 -0700

in what part of California did you live????

, cuz i buy comic book in a Comics and stuff in Chulavista center ...some one buy comics there too???

Seeya,
Marchino

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 12:01 -0700

I did a couple of signings at Metro Comics, but the last one (and the last time I was there) was almost 15 years ago. If someone has been signing Usagi books there recently, it must be an impostor.

If he is an impostor and good at drawing Usagi, have him contact me. I could use someone to do a fill-in issue while I catch up on deadlines.

Marchino · Post by **Marchino** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 15:14 -0700

i can draw Usagi really good............just kidding i will never do something that compare to Sensei artwork....

adios,
Marchino

Post by **Maka** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 17:11 -0700

Stan Sakai wrote:I did a couple of signings at Metro Comics, but the last one (and the last time I was there) was almost 15 years ago. If someone has been signing Usagi books there recently, it must be an impostor.

If he is an impostor and good at drawing Usagi, have him contact me. I could use someone to do a fill-in issue while I catch up on deadlines.

Thanks Mr. Sakai,

Those guys weren't working at Metro 15 years ago. They have only been working there for the last 5 or so years. So they aren't recalling that time. Metro has been my comic book store since 1990.

I didn't look at the UY comics because mine are pulled. But I'm assuming those guys are making up stories for whatever reasons. It seemed like a pretty far fetched story. I was thinking, "Why would you take a trip(s) up to Santa Barbara? Especially how jam packed your schedule is. And if you did, why would you spend time in a comic book store if you didn't have a signing there? There is so much more to do in this town."

I do remember you donating art to Metro during some auction to raise funds for some southern California natural disaster (I think it was El Nino floods, but I'm not sure.). It was one of your inked sketches that you sell at conventions. I bid on it but I was a student at the time and was out of my price range. I think it went for $75 or $125.

I also remember when you were going to be signing at Metro but I had some family commitment or something because I couldn't go that weekend. That was a long time ago.

Marchino, I live in Santa Barbara.

Peace, maka

Stan Sakai · Post by **Stan Sakai** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 18:03 -0700

We really enjoy Santa Barbara, but it has been some time since we have spent any length of time there. Hannah was in the fourth grade, and we did a family weekend so she could visit the mission. It is in the fourth grade that students learn about California history and the missions. Hannah is in college now.

There are so many place we would like to visit. We have been talking about driving up the California coast for years. We did that about 25 years ago, but never had a chance to do it again. At least we were able to take the kids to the Grand Canyon, though not the North Rim. They grow up so fast.

I'm sounding like an old man.

Post by **Maka** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 13:00 -0700

Stan Sakai wrote:I'm sounding like an old man.

That's not a bad thing.

I think a cool benefit of your profession (and the choices you made) was playing an active part of you children's lives as they grew up. Boy scouts, philanthropy, taking kids to school, family vacations, etc. are all memories they will appreciate when the are parents themselves.

They do grow up fast. But we want them to grow up, right? It beats the alternative.

Peace, maka