Cover art to the Rob Hanes Archives

New Interview on The Heroic Voice

My interview with Dennis Mallonee on his Heroic Voice YouTube channel just dropped! It's a crisp 30-minute conversation where I talk about my series, my so-called comics career, and what's upcoming—including a way overdue third volume compilation that collects issues 9-12. Thanks to Dennis for a great conversation!

SDCC 2024 Post Mortem

Below is my annual report of the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con, held July 25–28, 2024. Or go straight to the photo gallery.

In terms of crowds, the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con felt like a return to form. The show is always crowded, but this year it felt moreso, even on my end of the floor in the Small Press. With the release of milestone issue 25 of Rob Hanes Adventures, sales were strong and steady, though 2022’s show—the first “regular” Comic-Con after the pandemic—remains my best year ever. Indeed, there seems to be an inversion law: whenever there is a level of buzz and activities outside of comics that excites and draws the crowds, that seems to slightly depress sales (at least for me).
Aside from the usual mix of longtime fans and supporters picking up the new issue and new people discovering the series, there seemed to be more than the usual number of memorable highlights for me at this show compared to years past.

The only negative note was that, for some reason, my Square app for taking credit card payments was sketchy the entire weekend—I believe it was due to a combination of both the app and poor data coverage. (I should add that I’ve been at this booth location for more than a decade and taken credit card payments on my mobile device even longer, and never before experienced such a chronic problem.) I even lost one sale though that buyer graciously returned on the last day, when the sale went through fortunately.

Sales of Original Art
Another boost to the bottom line was the sale of original art. While I have periodically sold pieces over the years, they tended to be more expensive cover art. Prior to the show, for the first time, I considered preparing and selling affordable sketches. So I did a few and brought them along, including a Will Eisner Spirit piece I had done earlier this year. I always exhibit my original art at my table and, without any signs or fanfare, displayed the sketches too. Several of them ended up being sold, along with a couple of original covers as well! In the future, I plan to include more sketches among sold items.

Catching Up with Friends and Colleagues
Even before Comic-Con kicked off with Preview Night on Wednesday evening, it started on a high note when I was on line at midday to pick up my professional guest badges. When I got on line, actor, screenwriter and comedian Thomas Lennon—who co-hosted the Eisner Awards this year as he has done a few times now—got on line behind me with a small group of companions. I didn’t bother him, but a few days later during the show, he walked by my booth. I mentioned I was a fan and handed him one of my comics (my Hollywood issue, as it happens, as that seemed apropos). He was delighted to receive it and when I asked if I could take a photo, he insisted on taking a selfie with me (see photos!).

While on that line, I also said hi and chatted a bit with TwoMorrows publisher John Morrow, and met and struck up a conversation with comics artist and writer Jimmy Palmiotti, who could not have been nicer. Then, when returning to my hotel to check in, I bumped into fellow cartoonist Andrew Pepoy in the lobby! We have known each other for years—he is a true fan of comics art and history. He has had a small press table just one aisle over from me for a few years now.

Other highlights included noted graphic designer Chip Kidd making a beeline for my booth after he spotted my work while walking by. I didn’t realize it was Kidd until after we’d been talking for a few moments. He complimented me on my work before moving on.

I also met Japanese manga artist and character designer Hitoshi Ariga, a guest at this year’s show, who was awarded an Inkpot on Thursday. After returning from a break, I found him looking through my comics and he seemed enthused by it. We chatted a little through his interpreter. Later, I posted about the meeting with a picture of the two of us on social media, and received a complimentary retweet from him! That was truly a great honor.

With manga artist and character designer Hitoshi Ariga

Other industry people I saw and chatted with include Tom Mason, David Olbrich, Charles Hatfield, Rik Offenberger, Barbara Kesel, Chad Frye, Nat Gertler, Mark Fearing, Matthew Schofield, Bill Morrison, Scott Shaw!, David Rios, Lonnie Milsap, Don Nguyen, Christie Shinn, and Craig Miller. My dinner with Andrew Pepoy included John Lustig and David Lucarelli, and his companion Jules. (Apologies for any omissions in the above list!)

Comic-Con Fever
But the enthusiasm of the crowds couldn’t be denied. There definitely was palpable excitement in the room, driven of course by Hall H programming that was back in full force after being in hibernation in 2023 due to the Hollywood industry strikes. Marvel Studios, of course, drove much f this, particularly in the surprise and last minute panels for Deadpool and Wolverine and then The Fantastic Four, which of course included the films’ stars.

From my Small Press exhibitor’s booth, the floor seemed incredibly packed, right from the get-go on Wednesday’s Preview Night. The Small Press gets its share of traffic—I’m nearly catty corner from the Charles Shulz Peanuts’ booth which often has a long line for its exclusives that snakes in front of my booth. It was even worse in the middle of the hall, extending out to the south end, where Marvel, the streamers (Hulu, Netflix, Paramount), toys (Lego and Funko Pop), and entertainment companies (including DC/Sony) all sit. Artist’s Alley is on that end of the hall along with the illustrator, comics artists and original art booths. When I walked to that end on one of the afternoons of the show, it was sometimes shoulder to shoulder! (I should add that I usually wore a mask when I was out and about in crowds.)

Because my focus is on selling comics, my time on the floor is limited, which means I don’t attend many panels or make many purchases, if at all. But being a huge fan of the Beatles, I did attend a “50 Years of the Beatles in Comics” panel that was moderated by animation historian Jerry Beck and included as a panelist Bill Morrison. I later picked up Morrison’s Yellow Submarine adaptation at Andrew Pepoy’s booth, after it sold out at the publisher’s booth where Morrison did a signing. Other purchases included a Will Eisner Spirit artist’s edition book from a French publisher and the Kong Crew #1 from the Stuart Ng Books booth and More Movie Memories by Craig Miller, a follow up to his fun memoir, Star Wars Memories, which I purchased directly from the author. (Since reading the first book I’ve become acquainted with Miller since we learned we live on the same side of town!)

Extended Stay
For the first time ever, I also stayed two extra days in San Diego, arriving a day early for the convention on Tuesday and departing the following Monday morning.

My usual routine over the years has been to drive down early Wednesday morning (departing around 4:30 am, usually arriving right before 7 am when the floor opens to exhibitors for set up, in preparation for Preview Night that begins in the evening.

While that has always worked for me, arriving Tuesday afternoon made things a little less rushed and hectic, allowing me to drop off materials at my booth in advance, and have more relaxed time with family who also arrived early before the frenzy of the show began. And while I similarly never had an issue driving home Sunday evening after the show, staying over until Monday allowed me to have a nice (if expensive) breakfast at the hotel that morning (I was really craving pancakes). I checked out and departed San Diego around 10:30 a.m. and was home in two hours!

Anyway, 2024 is now on the books. On to ‘25!

Below are additional photos from the show. Or click here to see the full gallery.

See you at WonderCon 2023!

I'm going to Anaheim!

I'll be at the 2023 WonderCon, March 24–26, at the Anaheim Convention Center, helping to staff the CAPS (Comic Art Professional Society) booth (#2280). Come by and say hi, and pick up the latest trade paperback and issues!

New in the New Year

Like many people, I've been exploring and joining alternative alternative social media communities and working to expand the reach of Rob Hanes Adventures.

In addition to this blog and my current Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds, you can now find me on Hive Social (@randywcg) and Mastodon (@wcgcomics@mastodon.art).

I've also added to my sales platforms—just before the turn of the year, I joined GlobalComix, where you can read my books digitally (and download PDFs), adding to my platforms at Amazon/Comixology, IndyPlanet, and the Hoopla Digital Lending Library.

Give the Gift of Comics this Holiday Season!

Signing at the Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach

Come say hi and check out the new issue of Rob Hanes Adventures at The Comic Bug in Manhattan Beach, CA this Wednesday, July 13, 12–3 p.m.! I'll have all my back issues and trade paperbacks as well (to be followed by the San Diego Comic-Con next week—omg, is it that soon?!) 

Thanks to the Comic Bug for the opportunity to come in on new comics day and for supporting indie comics!

Rob Hanes Adventures #22 Now Available!

Following its advance preview announcement, Rob Hanes Adventures #22 is now available to order—visit the WCG Comics website to purchase now!

The issue opens in the waning days of World War II as U.S. soldiers come across retreating Nazis seeking to hide a trove of gold reserves—then flashes forward to the present day as Justice International investigator Rob Hanes picks up the trail of an extremist paramilitary group that is trying to find the still-missing gold to fund its terror operations. 

Past and present fuse as Rob discovers his own personal connection to the wartime incident and races against time to uncover the final resting place of the treasure before the extremists do!

Back Issues Still Available

As always all back issues also remain available, including all single issues and trade paperbacks that collect the earliest runs of the series as well as issues 1–4 and 5–8 to date. Visit WCG Comics website for details.

*    *    *    *    *

Below: Cover art and sample interior pages (art only, sans speech balloons or other text).

Rob Hanes Adventures #22 Flashes Back to World War II in Search of Nazi Gold

Inkpot Award Winner releases new issue for Comic-Con@Home 2021

Available at the WCG Comics virtual booth at the Comic-Con@Home edition of the 2021 San Diego Comic-Con: the newest issue of Rob Hanes Adventures, free downloadable comics and previews, trade paperbacks, all back issues, and other merchandise. For additional information, contact Randy Reynaldo at WCG Comics. See below for additional images for promotional use. Reynaldo is a 2018 San Diego Comic-Con Inkpot Award recipient.

NEWS RELEASE – For Immediate Release

Cartoonist Randy Reynaldo and his publishing imprint, WCG Comics, has been a mainstay exhibitor at the San Diego Comic-Con for more than 25 years, and continues that tradition as a virtual exhibitor at this year’s Comic-Con@Home. And no badges needed for one of the biggest and well known comic-book and pop culture conventions in the world!

Rob Hanes Adventures #22 will be available for preview and pre-order this year at WCG Comics' virtual booth at Comic-Con@Home, scheduled July 23–25. The issue opens in the waning days of World War II as U.S. soldiers come across retreating Nazis seeking to hide a trove of gold reserves—then flashes forward to the present day as Justice International investigator Rob Hanes picks up the trail of an extremist paramilitary group that is trying to find the still-missing gold to fund its terror operations. Past and present fuse as Rob discovers his own personal connection to the wartime incident, but will he be able to uncover the final resting place of the treasure before the extremists do? The issue is anticipated to be available in August.

Also available will be all back issues, including trade paperbacks, single issues, downloadable previews, merchandise, and even a FREE downloadable comic-book issue in its entirety for readers to sample the series!

Trade paperbacks collecting the early runs of the series, and two volumes collecting issues 1–4 and 5–8 at special reduced prices! Selected packages to purchase the entire run of Rob Hanes Adventures or the run along with the trade paperback collections of additional material not appearing in the main series. And, of course, all back issues, such as the popular and perennial “Death at Comicon” murder mystery! All orders will receive our usual freebies like bookmarks, pins, and a free back issue! With Comic-Con open to all this year, now is the time to experience the exhibition hall and panels for the first time and in an all new way!

About the Series

Rob Hanes Adventures is an all-ages light-hearted action-adventure series featuring the exploits of a globetrotting private eye and troubleshooter from Justice International who travels the world on assignment, facing adventure, intrigue and romance at every turn, with occasional dashes of good humor and forays into other genres. Every story is self-contained, making it easy for readers to jump in with any issue.

Launched in 1994, the title is one of the longest-running indie comics series. Readers and fans have praised Rob Hanes Adventures for recapturing the spirit of the classic adventure strip and updating it for a modern-day audience. Inspired by the classic adventure comic strips like Milton Caniff's Terry and the Pirates, Will Eisner's Spirit, and Roy Crane's Buz Sawyer, Randy's graphic black-and-white art has been favorably compared to the work of artists like Alex Toth and the modern-day cartoonists who evoke the same timeless style like Paul Dini and the late Darwyn Cooke.

In 2018, series creator-writer-artist Randy Reynaldo was an invited featured guest at the San Diego Comic-Con, where he was honored with an Inkpot Award for Achievement in Comic Arts.

For more information about the series, previews and to purchase back issues, visit wcgcomics.com. A PDF with excerpt pages from the series is also available

Additional information about the series is available at the article, Twenty Years (and more!) of Rob Hanes Adventures.

#    #    #

Day 3 of Comic-Con@Home

Marking day 3 of #ComicConAtHome -- a few of my favorite cosplay from past San Diego Comic-Cons... (1/2)
#SDCC2020 #SDCC pic.twitter.com/oRnbT88IJV

— Randy/WCGComics • ComicCon@Home 2020 (@randywcgcomics) July 26, 2020

WCG Comics/Rob Hanes Adventures Comic-Con@Home Exclusives

For additional information, contact Randy Reynaldo at WCG Comics. See below for additional images for promotional use. 

For immediate release

Available at WCG Comics’ virtual booth at the Comic-Con@Home edition of the 2020 San Diego Comic-Con: an advance release of the newest issue of Rob Hanes Adventures, free downloadable comics, trade paperbacks, all back issues, and other merchandise, from 2018 San Diego Comic-Con Inkpot recipient Randy Reynaldo!

Comic-Con may be cancelled but the show goes on—WCG Comics, the publishing imprint for the long-running indie comic-book series, Rob Hanes Adventures, will have a virtual booth at Comic-Con@Home, the virtual edition of the 2020 San Diego Comic-Con, July 22–26, 2020. And no badges needed!

Available at WCG’s "booth" will be the advance release of issue 21 of Rob Hanes Adventures. In this latest issue, after being secretly halo-dropped inside a foreign enemy state to spirit out of the country a defector and rogue nuclear scientist, Rob discovers that, in a comic case of mistaken identity, another employee from his espionage and security agency, Justice International, who has the same name and works as a mall security guard, has been kidnapped and taken prisoner inside the country, turning Rob's mission into a rescue operation as well! Fans of international intrigue and non-stop action won’t be disappointed!

Also available will be all back issues, including trade paperbacks, single issues, downloadable previews, merchandise, and even a FREE downloadable comic-book issue in its entirety for readers to sample the series.

Among the items that will be available:

• Trade paperbacks collecting the early runs of the series, and two volumes collecting issues 1–4 and 5–8 at special reduced prices!

• Selected packages to purchase the entire run of Rob Hanes Adventures or the run along with the trade paperback collections of additional material not appearing in the main series.

• And, of course, all back issues, such as the popular and perennial “Death at Comicon” murder mystery!

• All orders will receive our usual freebies like bookmarks, pins, and a free back issue!

With Comic-Con open to all this year, now is the time to experience the exhibition hall and panels for the first time and in an all new way!

About the Series
Rob Hanes Adventures is a light-hearted action-adventure series featuring the exploits of a globetrotting private eye and troubleshooter from Justice International who travels the world on assignment, facing adventure, intrigue and romance at every turn, with occasional dashes of good humor and forays into other genres. Every story is self-contained, making it easy for readers to jump in with any issue.

Launched in 1994, the title is one of the longest-running indie comics series. Readers and fans have praised Rob Hanes Adventures for recapturing the spirit of the classic adventure strip and updating it for a modern-day audience.

Series creator-writer-artist Randy Reynaldo was a featured guest at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con, where he was honored with an Inkpot Award for Achievement in Comic Arts.

For more information about the series, previews and to purchase back issues, visit wcgcomics.com.

Additional information about the series is available at the article, "Twenty Years (and more!) of Rob Hanes Adventures."

# # #