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I'm not the biggest fan, not compared to the people I was waiting in line with who carried armfuls of his huge prints, Fables hardbounds, and Batman comic books. I got acquainted with him through Fables cbrs but needless to say I was mesmerized with his work and envious of this person's impeccable ability to interpret a story. So when Fully Booked announced he is coming, I planned to see this genius in person.
I only had his XOXO postcard book and 3-set journals with me. The postcard book was purchased a few weeks before the signing, (and was the only thing I could afford, shhh). On the other hand, the 3-set journals were what I was hoping for him to sign, but was out of the stock at the time I bought XOXO, but it so happened they had it stocked on the venue. These two are probably not a very sufficient testament of his work compared to his Process Recess stuff. But I thought to myself, as much as those are pretty to own, I'm quite sure they'll just end up gathering dust in our house (Two thousand bucks. Gathering Dust in our house.). So I'm very satisfied being that minor fan.
We arrived there at 10 am where there was just a very modest line, like something from Rustan supermarket cashier. When we got in, I got a stub (#13!) and about 4 more hours to the signing. So much love for my sister who was there to be an extra carrying hand, a photographer, the girl who made sure the stubs were kept, merrymaker extraordinaire, fun person <3. We wandered around Fully Booked, poking fun, or just discussing some book discoveries, then we went out to Brothers for lunch and indulged ourselves. We love food. We do. Then we walked around the Fort, window shopping and exploring, "act rich/asal mayaman" as Liv said and pretend not to go WOWZA at the prices we're seeing. There was much picturing, and then we just sat to wait for it to be 2 o clock.
It was lining up time when we came in, so excitement settled in. I was able to make acquaintances with some fans (and was very much dwarfed by the titles they were carrying with them) then I had to think about what I wanted him to sketch. He came in so very simply, I was expecting him to come from the entrance getting camera flashes and a huge round of applause and maybe some squeeings MAYBE A HELLO, but he simply came down from the elevator, wearing a smile, and people clapped for like...ten seconds? and then he plopped on the chair without much fanfare and everyone got quiet. He got to work. For all his brilliance and accomplishments, I was certainly expecting a grander entrance. But anyway.
I really don't have a favorite Fables character but I suppose having him do the 5 cubs will be cute. So the line moved, when it was my turn, I introduced myself, then he asked me what I want to be done.
Nikki: Actually I was wondering if you could sketch the 5 cubs....
James: 5 CUBS??
Nikki: OH then you can draw Snow!
So that's what I got. Then we had pictures of course! He put his hand on my shoulder so my :D face became :DDD-like. Then I shook his hand, telling him it was really a pleasure to meet him (....As against telling him how awesome he was and how I wish to have even a pinch of his talent.) He was quiet and reserved, but smiley, and just kept it cool.
Oh but to be that close to someone with such a great talent.
Who is James Jean? Ripping from wiki: A Taiwanese-American award winning artist and illustrator living in Los Angeles. An acclaimed cover artist for DC Comics, garnering seven Eisner awards, three consecutive Harvey awards, two gold medals and a silver from the Society of Illustrators of LA, and a gold medal from the Society of Illustrators of NY. His clients include Time Magazine, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Spin, ESPN, Atlantic Records, Target, Playboy, Knopf, Prada among others. He has also illustrated covers for the comic book series Fables and The Umbrella Academy, for which he has won six Eisner Awards for "Best Cover Artist".
Simply: Genius. Some of his work on display that my sister photographed:
once more with feeling!
