I’m having a little trouble writing today’s blog because I freely admit that today’s comic is the hackiest of hacky hack jokes I’ve probably ever written.

This is what happens when you force me into a corner, people.

I’m still recovering somewhat from Chicago Comic Con this weekend and I had a hell of a time coming up with an idea. Typically I write a comic about a movie I see with friends. But that wasn’t really an option this time around because this year we went to see Captain America. And I’ve already seen Captain America. And it was awesome, but I already did, like, two comics about it. So I had to figure out something else.

For the record, I went to the movie with Gordon McAlpin from Multiplex, David Willis from Shortpacked, Justin Pierce from Wonderella, Eric Johnson from Radioactive Panda and my good friend Adam – who doesn’t have a comic – but wanted to join me on the trip to Chicago. A good time was had by all.

And let me just say, after going to this convention by myself for the last 7 years, it was FANTASTIC to have Adam as my helper monkey. He more than pulled his weight. So, major props to my buddy Adam.

I also gotta say that this year at Chicago Comic Con was my best convention ever. The comic book buttons I created sold like hotcakes. I think I sold more books than I ever have at any convention and I did a TON of sketches that I will soon be adding to a gallery on the Theater Hopper Facebook page.

I suppose in this respect that I’m talking about the financial side of going to conventions – which is important, because making money makes going to future conventions possible. But it’s about more than money for me. I always have fun going to conventions primarily because I get to meet awesome fans. I mentioned it on Facebook over the weekend, but a couple I drew a sketch for at C2E2 last year told me they used my drawing of them as Han and Leia in their wedding invitations. How cool is that? Then they came back and asked for TWO MORE sketches!

I had several people come up to me who I talk to on Twitter that were eager to introduce themselves and it was great putting a face to a name. I had one gentleman shake my hand emphatically and said “I love the comic. Keep up the great work and don’t quit. DON’T. QUIT.” It charges my batteries. It makes me want to do better because I don’t want to let you guys down.

Of course, I’ve written a completely hacky comic from sheer exhaustion this week. But I feel ready to deliver again next week. So thanks to all of you who came out to say hello this weekend. I’m extraordinarily lucky to have fans as generous as you!

I will admit to a cursory interest in seeing 30 Minutes or Less. But I immediately soured to the idea when Sony Pictures denied any similarity to their movie and the death of Brian Wells, “the 46-year-old pizza delivery driver who was killed when a metal bomb collar he was forced to wear while robbing a bank exploded in Pennsylvania eight years ago.” [ABC News]. In the movie, Jesse Eisenberg’s character is a pizza delivery man forced to rob a bank under similar circumstances. I don’t know that ADMITTING that the movie was inspired by the Wells case would have made things any better. But denying it certainly made it worse.

As for Nick Swardson and Danny McBride? I can handle McBride in small doses. There’s no one else in Hollywood that places a self-centered toolbag better than him. But Swardson is like this generation’s Rob Schneider. He’s absolutely shameless and not in a good way. He’s like the guy that will eat a pile of dirt for money because he thinks it’ll make him popular. Nick… we’re laughing AT you, not with you. I cringe every time I see that guy on screen anywhere.

Well, that’s not entirely true. I guess I found him funny once when he played Terry Bernadino on Reno 911! But ever since he hooked up with Adam Sandler, the Rob Schneider comparison has become more pronounced in my mind.

Anyway, enough about that. I’ve poo-pooed the movie enough. Time to put a lid on it.

Don’t forget to check out the Theater Hopper Facebook page later this week for photos from Chicago Comic Con as well as all of the sketches I did at the show. I’m really excited to share those with you guys.

Until then, have a great week!