San Diego Post-Game

Had a FANTASTIC time out at Comic-Con International, seeing a lot of pals (and reconnecting with some, as well), and seeing a lot of YOU guys. There was a really nice, positive feeling around the DC booth-- I kept hearing that from everybody-- and people were very kind about all the redesign stuff I've been doing for the New52 DC Relaunch.

And I think the thing I loved the most was the new Drawing Demo feature at the DC booth. They mike us up, stick us up on a stage with a camera pointed at our hands and a big screen behind us, and they turn us loose. I did four of them, one a day, and I got to see great artists like Jim Lee, Jill Thompson, Francis Manapul, Mark Buckingham, and Chris Burnham doing them, too, drawing very interested and appreciative crowds, let me tell you. I hope DC keeps doing them.

I also did a couple of panels, "Designing the New 52," with Mark Chiarello and Jim; and "Drawing DC," with Mark, Jim, and my old pal/roomie/studiomate Adam Hughes. It was really... cool. I can't think of a better word-- it was just cool.

Here's the audio from both "Designing the New 52" and "Drawing DC," along with some pix from the panels and demos below (courtesy DC Comics and Tom Taylor)

UPDATED: Cully's Updated Sked For COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL

Well, I must say it's nice to have no work secrets to be kept anymore. Pretty much everything I've been involved with this year-- mainly the SHADE kickoff and the design work on DC's New 52-- has been on the down-low. So, it'll be nice to be on hand with DC in San Diego to talk about all this stuff freely.

Anyway, my panel-and-booth schedule for the show has been finalized:

Thursday, July 21

2-3pm – DRAWING DEMO (Stage/DC booth #1915)

Friday, July 22

3-4pm – DRAWING DEMO (Stage/DC booth #1915)

Saturday, July 23

12:00-1:00pm - SIGNING (DC booth #1915)

2-3pm – DRAWING DEMO (Stage/DC booth #1915)

Sunday, July 24

11:30-12:30pm - DRAWING DEMO (Stage/DC booth #1915)

1:45-2:45pm – PANEL: DESIGNING THE NEW 52 (Room 6DE)

4-5pm – PANEL: DRAWING DC (Room 30CDE)

You'll notice that I'm not doing any time at an Artist's Alley or exhibitor's space. This is partly by design. I was initially going to take a break from the show this year, but with all that's been happening, DC decided about a month ago that I ought to be there, and I agreed. Last year, as you'll recall, I was out to help promote RED, and found that I had no time to do what I normally do at any other con (like occupy a table, sign books, do commissions, and basically just chat with folks). It was unlike any con experience I'd ever had-- I got to glimpse SDCC from the VIP side of things for a change, and it was just very managed and... different. And while I'm sure that helping to promote all the excitement at DC right now won't hit that level for me this year, there's still a lot going on.

So, I'm considering myself sort of "on call" for DC this time out. No table for me, specifically, no sketch list this time. I'll only be officially signing the last day, but if you catch me on the floor somewhere, and you want a book or two signed, please ask, and I'll be happy to oblige!

True Thing: Robinson & Hamner Reunite for SHADE

Whew... so this cat's finally out of the bag! As list in the October solicits and as reported over on CBR, I'm drawing the first arc, issues #1-#3, and working with my old FIREARM cohort, James Freakin' Robinson, in about 16 years...! From DC's THE SOURCE blog:

COMIC BOOK RESOURCES ANNOUNCES THE SHADE #1

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

By David Hyde

This morning, COMIC BOOK RESOURCES announced THE SHADE #1. Below, check out the solicitation information for this book and be sure to head over to COMIC BOOK RESOURCES to see Tony Harris’ cover art.

THE SHADE #1
Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by CULLY HAMNER
Cover by TONY HARRIS
1:10 Variant cover by CULLY HAMNER
On sale OCTOBER 12 • 1 of 12, 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T+
James Robinson returns to the world of his acclaimed STARMAN series with a new 12-issue series starring the antihero known as The Shade! An attack at the Starman museum kicks off a globe-hopping, centuries spanning quest that will irrevocably change The Shade’s life, and ultimately shed light on his true origin! Artist extraordinaire Cully Hamner (RED) kicks off the series, and upcoming issues will feature art by such luminaries as Darwyn Cooke, Javier Pulido, Jill Thompson, Frazer Irving and Gene Ha!

How cool is that?!

Designing The New DCU At Comic-Con International

So, DC just released their panel sked for Comic-Con, and despite saying I'd be skipping this year, turns out I'll be in San Diego after all. DC decided it'd be worthwhile to have me alongside DC's Co-publisher Jim Lee and DC's VP of Art Direction & Design Mark Chiarello to discuss the task of redesigning so many of DC characters (and sign at the DC booth, of course):

1:45-2:45 Designing the New DCU
Moderator: Bob Wayne EDITOR: Jim Lee
What does it take to remake a universe? There are new stories, new characters, and especially new designs! Join DC’s Co-Publisher Jim Lee, VP – Art and Design Mark Chiarello, exclusive artist Cully Hamner and others for a look as they discuss their visual approach to reshaping the DC Universe! Room 6DE

Now, I won't be sitting anywhere outside DC. Since this is on short notice, I'll have no booth or table space, and I won't be doing my normal, fully-realized commissions. I'll only be signing and doing quick sketches at DC, maybe a few portfolio reviews if anyone asks. I'll post DC's signing schedule as soon as I get it.

Anyway, can't wait to see you all there!