The DC Booth

from Art Department Weekly | Issue 93 Vol. 9

MOST IMPROVED

One of my favorite books of 2017 was Super Sons written by Peter J. Tomasi with art by newcomer Jorge Jimenez.

**Jorge Jimenez at the DC booth**
Luis Vega

Once I scoured the signing schedule at the DC booth, there was no one creator I wanted to meet more than Jorge Jimenez. His art on Super Sons had been an absolute revelation to me. His line work was infused with an energy that I hadn’t seen since a young Joe Maduiera but with the cross-hatching skills of Jim Lee. There was absolutely no one like him and he was quickly rising the ranks of my favorite artists.

I’m rarely if ever star struck, but seeing Jorge excitedly walking around the DC booth before his signing time started left me geeking out. I was able to get Jorge to sign all my issues of Super Sons before he even started his signing, which left me plenty of time to get in line and get a sketch of young Jonathan Kent— Superboy. It was my favorite sketch of the entire convention. —LV

HARD TIMES

Back in 2017 I was getting ready to go to an independent wrestling show where three stars of NXT UK were set to headline. In the lead up to the show, I drew a piece of Tyler Bate, Pete Dunne, and Trent Seven— British Strong Style. I posted it on Twitter as an animated gif to show the process of pencils to inks on each of the subjects. Much to my surprise Steve Orlando, who was writing Justice League of America, liked my tweet. Steve is a huge wrestling fan and happened to come upon my piece after it was retweeted by BSS.

When I saw Steve’s name on the list of talent at the DC booth, I was instantly excited to talk to him about how much his like and retweet meant to me. When Steve arrived he was wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with the classic Dusty Rhodes “Hard Times” promo. Steve and I then went on to have a lengthy conversation about wrestling with a little bit of comics mixed in. This was one of the highlights of the entire weekend and has become a routine Steve and I have replicated every year at NYCC since. —LV

Hang on as we take a spin around this spread to name everyone. Jorge Jimenez (opposite) was outside the booth while his friends Bruno Redondo’s (also seen below) and Dan Sampere signed at one table. Writers Ray Fawkes and Brenden Fletcher (opposite bottom center) were signing at the other table. Above, the booth exterior was designed for Geoff Johns’ Doomsday Clock. Wristbands were required for Jim Lee. Luis got an “awesome fucking” Superman sketch from Nick Derington. Everyone received a copy of Agnes Garbowska’s Super Hero Girls. Luis was happier with his Mirka Andolfo (below left) sketch than his Ed Benes (below right).