Interview with Jed Thomas

After meeting him at the "Daniel Way Signing" at Phat Collectibles on November 17, 2012, I finally had the honor to ask the talented Jed Thomas some questions and he took the time to answer them.

So I really hope you enjoy the read and my first personal interview with one of my favorite artists at this time. Dive into a world full of music and art with my Interview with Jed Thomas.

1. Please Introduce yourself to my readers!

The name is Thomas,... JED THOMAS. I am a native from Orange County but resides in Los Angeles, California. I am an artist, illustrator - I run my own art company, THE BAT COMES OUT TONIGHT and also a lead singer in a metalcore band, WITH HEARTSAKE IN VENGEANCE.

2. When did you start drawing comic-style?

I started drawing like forever and a day ago since I was 4 years old. I was a little dude back then.

3. Who is your favorite Comic Superhero and why?

My favorite superhero of all time is BATMAN. He is the greatest character and hero ever created in the history of mankind. He is the reason of my decent existence, he is an inspiration, a motivational figure, he is everything to me (more than words could explain). Apart from the personal matter, I really like BATMAN because of who he is, what he stands for, how he does things, his work ethics, he break rules, he is scary, he is just way too awesome !!!!!

4. If you could have any Superpower in the world which one would it be or would you rather be the rich guy that invents all his stuff?

I would rather be the super rich guy that has that ability to do everything. Yes, just like Bruce Wayne or Tony Stark. I have an expensive taste in life anyway, so I think being super crazy rich would fit me the best.

5. You currently worked for „The Walking Dead“. How was that experience?

The Walking Dead is fun. I didn't work on the book, I worked on the other art stuff for them but at the moment I cannot talk about it much. Because it's still a future release and I cannot give it away. So mouth zipped for now.... Hahahahahahahahaha.

Headsketches & an awesome Deadpool poster from Jed Thomas

6. Beside your work as an artist you also sing in a band. Do you mind telling me more about that side of yours?

 I sing in a band, yes I do. I love singing and I love music. I have always been the crazy kid that loves the spotlight. I am an eccentric human being that likes to rock out and have that rock edgy attitude. Music is definitely my other passion in life. I like to be the guy that does everything that I truly love. We only live once in this life, might as well do all the things we love and live a life with no regrets.

7. Does your music also influence your work as a comic artist or the other way around?

I think I am able to channel my life and express different aspects in my life differently through my music and my art. So I guess they just run their own course individually. It's really funny though, it seems like the people who are fans of my art don't care about my music and the people who are fans of my band, don't care about my art. It's strange... maybe people need to be educated more.

8. What is your favorite Comic at the moment?

My current favorite comic book is BATMAN by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. SO GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!

9. If you could give any advice to upcoming comic artists what would it be?

 My advice would be to work hard, practice right, don't listen or care what negativities that others say to you.

10. Thank you so much for taking your time to answer the questions. Do you have any last words to my readers?

Go LIKE my art page on facebook

Go check out my website

Go LIKE my band page

Xoxo,
Nana

Mike Mignola Signing @ Phat Collectibles

Meeting the creator of such a popular character like „HELLBOY“ is always an honor for a geek-girl like me.

So on December 8, 2012 I had the opportunity to meet Mike Mignola at the Phat Collectibles store in Anaheim, CA.

When I arrived in the morning the line was already super long and so there was no chance of getting free stuff this time.

While I was waiting for my number get called for the signing I was shopping around and through that got a bunch of tickets for the raffle that was going on. This time I got really lucky there.

Since I won one of the really rare Headsketches in the raffle I got to cut in line and get all the comics signed really fast.

Mike Mignola really cherishes his fans. That's at least the impression I got at the signing and that is what I really love about the comic scene.

Also PhatCollectibles did an awesome job again with the signing and the Cosplayers were really entertaining as well. And don't forget to check out the pictures of the Event on the Phat Collectibles Facebookpage.

I just can't wait to visit both locations of Phat Collectibles again in the future. This is a comic store I really miss.

Xoxo,

Nana

Friday - what a shopping success

Normally I post pictures of my Comic Book Shopping on Instagram but last Friday was such a crazy day that I can’t even post all the pictures on Instagram because it would be simply too much. So I just decided to give last Friday its own Blogentry so my readers don’t have to miss out on what kind of Comics I bought this time.

While my fiancé & we’re driving down to Los Angeles on Friday we decided to make our usual stop in Santa Clarita to just shop for a few comics we’re missing. But this time it got a little crazy, but what isn’t “crazy” nowadays.

The first stop we made was at UtopiaComics. Their boxes of back issues are not just a few. They have lots of boxes and all the back issues even newer ones are just $1. So we started to make our way through the top ones which were about 9 boxes and the result of it were 54 back issues. Plus we also bought some new ones there we were missing from Wednesday.

Next stop was Paper Hero Comics, our favorite Comic book store in Santa Clarita. There we also bought some back issues.

I have no idea how many comics we bought but in the end it was 4 bags from 2 different Comic book stores. If you’re ever visiting the area and want to go shopping for comics I can really recommend those two stores.

Can’t wait for the next shopping spree there but tomorrow is finally Wednesday again so let’s see what will be on Instagram this time.

Instagram: HachiKomatsu

San Pedro

After spending the first 3 days with meeting family and friends of my boyfriend it was finally time to visit his hometown.

View from the Korean Friendship Bell

San Pedro is an awesome town which is part of “Port Los Angeles”. We checked in a nice hotel on an Air Force Base and I have to say it was a really good decission.

The first thing we visited in San Pedro was the “Korean Friendship Bell”. From up there you have a really nice view over different sides of the city and the sea. It is so nice to just sit there and smell the air which is full of salt from the sea.

View from the Korean Friendship Bell

Korean Friendship Bell

It is really relaxing to see the ships crossing by and hear the seals howl.

We also went to the Beach, which is really one of my favorite parts of San Pedro. The walks we took there at night were awesome since you could see the stars and not to forget the wonderful sunsets before the night came.

Perfect Sunset at the Beach <3

San Pedro is a typical Seaside town, but it has one of the best “Pencake & Waffle” places in the World and deffinately the best Sandwich place I have ever been to. I think if a town or city has good food places it is really nice to stay there.

Our first breakfast in San Pedro we had at the “Omelette and Waffle Shop”. They have a really awesome selection of Waffles, Pencakes and Omelettes. I tried the Blueberry Pencakes and they were delicious. In combination with the fresh Orange juice I would even say perfect.

You can have breakfast there every morning without getting bored, because the selection they have is just so huge. I really can recommend this place if you are ever find your way to San Pedro.

Actually I’m pretty pampered when it comes to Pizza since I had several good original italian Pizzas in my life, but the one Pizza place in  San Pedro made really good Pizza. I have to admit this, but sadly I forgot the name of the Pizza place. >.<

It took me until the day I had to leave to go to the BEST Sandwich place in the World. “Busy Bees” is really the best Sandwich place in the World for me. Their Sandwiches are so delicious. Combined with Dr. Pepper Cherry it was an awesome breakfast. And as far as I know you just get them in San Pedro. So you have to go there to get the taste of the best Sandwiches in the World.

I really can recommend to visit San Pedro when you go to California and it is not that far to drive to the city of Los Angeles and you can relax from the hectic life of the big city. And don’t forget to visit the awesome food places if you are as addicted to good food like I am.

San Pedro Habour <3

Pedro looks so beautiful

We saw that "Arrest" when we were at a Friends Party

And on my next visit to San Pedro I will deffinately find out the name of the Pizza place I forgot.

Day 1: Düsseldorf-Madrid-Los Angeles

Okay after I had enough time to prepare the trip it was finally November 18th and I had to catch my flight from Düsseldorf International Airport at 7:50am. So my mom drove me there and we arrived there pretty early. The good thing about a pretty early arrival is that you are most of the time one of the first people that check in their suitcase, which was the case for me.

So after I checked in my suitcase we just walked around at the airport, bought some chewing gum and other stuff until my mother had to leave to be at work in time.

So I checked in myself to check out the Duty Free Area and find my gate. I didn’t expect it to be that easy since I hadn’t traveled via plane for a while. So there I was sitting, talking to my boyfriend on the phone and waiting for my flight to board.

Even at my age it can still be exciting to be on a plane again after years. Having a seat at the window gave me a wonderful view during the take off and the landing. Düsseldorf looked really impressive especially since it still was dawn and so you saw a lot of lights and everything. This is really burnt into my mind. But I have to admit the landing in Madrid can keep up with that. It looked really nice from above and it was nice to see something different. It had some hills and the buildings from above were just beautiful.

After the plane stopped and we could finally leave it, it was time to find the gate I had to go to. Since we were already 30 minutes delayed I rushed a bit, even if I didn’t had to. The Airport is really huge and I had to take the train to get to my new gate. I had to go to gate „U69“ which was completely on the other side of the airport. Including the train ride it was a 24 minute trip to the new gate. Good thing that I didn’t have to pick up my suitcase first since I had my continious flight.

So even with the delay I had, I needed to wait my time at the gate until the boarding began. It was again pretty fast and I again got a nice seat at the window. Normally the would have been sitting someone next to me, but since the plane wasn’t completely booked as it seems, he decided to move to another place in the plane, so we both had some more place to our own. So I enjoyed the comfort of 2 seats just for myself.

Since it was an overseas flight and it took like 12hrs to go to LA, they offered us a blanket and a pillow, which I really like. So I took advantage of my 2 seats, took off my shoes and curled up over both seats. It’s not that comfortable but it is still more comfortable than just trying to sleep in one seat.

After the first 1.5hrs I got distracted  by the smell of FOOD!!

It was at 2:34pm they served us some lunch. You could decide between pasta & meat. I choose the pasta and I have to say it wasn’t that bad as I remembered it. Of course I didn’t look really nice but the taste was quite okay.

After the lunch I changed the timezone on my beloved iPhone, watched Mr. Poppers Penguins & enjoyed the Boardmovie which was the new Planet of the Apes movie. It wasn’t as bad as I expected since I’m normally not a huge fan of the movies. They also showed „Super8“ and another movie.

Sometime between the movies they served Sandwiches with Tuna on it, which I think tasted really nice. I should explain that I’m addicted to tuna cream, since my dad created such an awesome one on his own.

2hrs before the landing they turned on the light again and most of the passengers woke up. I just enjoyed the view from my window, which was blue sky and white clouds. I think this is one of the most peaceful views I’ve ever had. It is so calming and took really the rest of my panic away & I replaced it with pure happiness to be in Los Angeles soon.

Another round of free drinks and then it was time to pack everything back where it belongs and enjoy the landing in Los Angeles. The first view over Los Angeles was so impressive & when we were on the way to the parking position we got the most amazing greeting by the sun I’ve ever seen. I immediately fell in Love with it. I really can’t wait to see more of this awesome city soon.

After checking in to our 1^st hotel it was time to take a shower and head out to go to the movies. The good thing about arriving on Nov. 18^th? Breaking Dawn just came out and so I got to watch it. It wasn’t a great movie but it also wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be. The wedding scene was beautiful & the end was like “OMG…they really ended it like this?” It’s a total have to see for every Fan of the “Twilight Saga”, but no must see for every other person. My boyfriend really suffered when he had to watch it with us 3 girls.

So yeah my first day in the US ended in bed at 3:00am, after an amazing evening with my boyfriend, his sister & a friend of hers.

Oh yeah and I had my first visit to “7eleven”. Damn we really need these things over in Germany. They are just amazing.

At the end of this entry I want to thank most of all Amber, because without her this trip wouldn’t have been possible at all. I would have cancelled it a million times and wouldn’t have that great experience.

Also a huge thank you to my adorable boyfriend Ed. Thanks so much for making me fly over in a way. It was the best decision ever.

Thanks to Christina. Gal you really rock and I’m so glad that we both met & get along so great. You are my BLEACHgal at heart.

Music for the trip: PITBULL – Planet Pit