:sigh: our books are still not out of customs. Tomorrow will make it a full week since they landed in the US. Keep your fingers crossed that we will get them then. 

Many of you may not know that Utopiates writer, co-artist, and creator was a victim of a random act of violence. Josh was shot in broad daylight when he was 19yrs old. He has written about his experience before, and he has done so again for Comic Related because of what happened in Aurora. http://comicrelated.com/news/17193/trauma

Wonderful news to share. For those of you who like to read your comics all at once, Josh and I have just signed a deal with iVerse's ComicsPlus. I'll let you know as things develop but you will be able to find Utopiates there under our company name, 01Publishing. 

Ah, another San Diego Comic Con come and gone. Now we turn our sites to APE in October. Last year had some road blocks, but this year is going to be awesome!! As details come in, I'll let you all know where we are going to be. 

As well, I'm looking for a good comic/anime/sci-fi conventions in Las Vegas. Does anybody have suggestions. What good sci-fi conventions are there?

Well, we heard from the printer and the books should be on US soil at the end of July or the begining of August. So, just a few more weeks left!!  

The Geek Cave had us on to discuss 01Publishing as well as all of our current and future projects! Give them a listen.  

Click Here - Geek Cave Episode 22

This was meant to be a much longer update from SDCC but, honestly I'm wiped out. I'll do more in the coming days. 

On the 12th The Zombie Walk at Petco Park started well before sundown and we got to watch the festivities from the safety of the Trickster Balcony along with Protege's Terence Anthony. Saw a Goonies/TMNT reunion with Cory Feldman, Sean Astin, "Chunk", and the woman who voiced April O'Neal on the cartoon. All while standing next to the Batmobile display. ONLY at SDCC can you do that.

As for awesome comics that we picked up - 

These two ladies are awesome!! Josh has been reading Spike's Templar Arizon for over a year now and we picked up volumes 3-4. And I just HAD to pick up Daina Nock's Intrepid Girlbot. Not only because it's about robots, but because it is a "silent" comic. No words. We chatted for a bit and it was cool to learn that she started her book for the same reason I started my LD 30 strips.

I also got to see my dream car up and close. KITT from Knightrider. I love this car. When I'm rich, I'm totally customizing one. 

Well, SDCC has officially started. For those of you who may not be following our twitter feeds, here are the highlights…

1) Ran into SUPER-FAN Mike Arnolt. This guys has been following us for at least six years. He's been with us through thick and thin and he is awesome. It was great seeing him again.

2)Hung out with the Action Labs crew in Small Press. Their book, Princeless, is up for an Eisner this year. If there is any book on the ballot that deserves the award, it's this one. If you aren't familiar with it, or Action Labs, please take a moment to check them out.

3)Visited Trickster and, once again they did not disapoint. The artwork on display is beautiful and they have a wonderful aray of books that are usually hard to find. I can't wait till the show goes into full swing and they have some of their events going. 

4) SAW BATMOBILES!!! All of them! It was pretty awesome since there weren't a lot of crowds so we could get up close. Here is a picture of Josh next to the Military Tumbler from the latest film.

That's all from Previews Night. If you would like, you can follow us at @Josh_Finney, @Katapult, @UtopiatesComic, @01Publishing

Now, Utopiates doesn't officially update again till next week. Would you like me to do daily blog entries on SDCC till then, or just one big review next week? 

This week sees us off to San Diego Comic Con. We don't have a table, but will be walking around alot and probably spending most of our time in Small Press and at Trickster located on 7th and J Street. Josh looks very much like the splicer in Tip of the Spear pt. 2. I'll probably be harder to spot as my hair has changed since working on Utopiates, but if you spy us, please feel free to say "hello". 

Anime Expo this year was Amazing!! Thank you so much to everybody who stopped by. We were very sad not to have Utopiates on the table. BUT, I can tell you that the printer had this amazing proof waiting for us  when we got back and that got my excitement back up!

You can still pre-order the book through Amazon.com by using the link up above. As well, Josh and I have decided to sell the book direct ourselves. It will be $20 (including shipping) and we will sign it for you. I will be adding this option to the site soon. 

Ok. On to AX Shout Outs!!

First, a HUGE shout out to Michael Colbert of Crazy Mary and the lovely Sherri. These two went above and beyond to make sure we had food, water and transportation at the show. Mike even went so far as to take Adam and Comfort of Rainbow in the Dark to and from the airport from Downtown LA. If you are at all familiar with the Los Angeles traffic, you know what a feat this is. 

And speaking of Adam and Comfort, it was great rooming with them for the second year in a row. Those two never stop working and their book, The Uniques, is what we all wish the big two had the balls to do. 

A huge shout out to Tom Pinchuck of Hybrid Bastards, AnimeVice.com, and a million other wonderful projects! We never get enough time to hang out with Tom at these shows, but it's always fun when we do. 

And finally, it was wonderful seeing Cari of Toilet Genie and Jessica again. These are two wonderful artists who definately are not getting the attention they deserve. 

Books I picked up:

Vol. 2-3 of Teahouse, which is a beautifully told love story set in a high class brothel. Just warning you, NSFW. 

Polterguys Vol.1, I had never heard of this series befor AX. Josh found the creator's booth and suggested I go check it out. I am not disapointed. I haven't finished this book yet, but the story telling is very tight and it follows in the footsteps of such manga as Fruits Basket… but with a paranormal twist. I highly recomend it, and you can read the web comic for free.

I know there are things and people I missed. I'm still collecting my thoughts. If I missed you, please let me know.

Again, had a wonderful time!

Josh and I will be at San Diego Comic Con next week but we will not have a table. We will be wondering around and probably hanging out a lot at Trickster. Let me know if you will be there and we'll try to say "hi".

-Kat

Back from Anime Expo! Wonderful Show. Will talk more on Thursday.

-kat