free comic book day!

I met Craig Thompson today. He's part of my male harem of imaginary boyfriends (Johnny, Jon, Ira, and Barack, are the other current members). He's the author of one of my favorite books. He lives in Portland and was at the local comic book store for free comic book day. I went to pick up some comics for the brother.

I almost didn't talk to Craig who was seated at a table with a bunch of other comic artists, signing things. So intimidated I was. A was with me. I asked her what to say to him & she recommended, "I really like your book." So that's what I said, simple and effective. I told him that I liked it, that my brother told me to read it. I was a bit tongue-tied and flustered, while he was gracious and conversationally skilled. He asked about my brother, where he lives, why I was picking up free comic books for him. I explained that Grinnell, IA has no comic book stores. He asked if I was from there. He wondered why the brother would leave the metropolis of Seattle for life in a tiny Iowa town.

And we talked about bikes. I explained that my favorite panel of his is from Carnet de Voyage, a travelogue of his journeys through Spain, Morocco, & France. He's in Morocco and he's homesick. He's wandering the street and thinking, 'I wish I was in Portland riding my crappy blue bike.' I can sympathize with such homesickness and I have a crappy blue bike. Is further proof necessary that we are soulmates? Craig no longer has a blue bike. It finally broke. He now has a green bike that works much better.

So Craig is not so imaginary anymore, although he is not my boyfriend. He eyes are much prettier in person than they are when he draws them.