Some people just don't like to be asked about sketches. I waited until every single person was gone before I asked Jim Steranko for a sketch and he still said no. We still had a nice conversation and he was very polite, but it just goes to show you that if they don't like doing sketches then you're not going to get one, no matter what kind of mood they're in. I hope to meet Andy some day and like you I'll still ask for a sketch, but I don't plan on getting one.JVazz29 wrote:I'll only throw this in here because people were mentioning some bad experiences at cons. I've typically had great experiences. Mike Oeming is awesome to hang with and looooooves to talk! Brian K Vaughan was just simply incredible to meet and speak with.
However, the ONE negative experience I had occurred at WizardWorld Philly. I was really excited to meet Andy Kubert and noticed that he and his brother (Adam) had a surprisingly short line. When I got up to Andy he gladly signed my TWO comics. Since I was last in line, I thought I'd ask for a quick sketch. He gave me a very dirty, what-did-you-just-have-the-nerve-to-just-ask-me? look on his face and said, "Look it buddy, I've been here longer than I should have. I just want to get out of here, how 'bout you act fairly and let these people have a turn?" I honestly did not notice the 10 or so people that lined up behind me. I sincerely thanked him and apologized to which he said, "Yeah sure you are." While I was putting my comics away I watched him sign about 30 books for the next person in line, the following person also had a large stack for signing.
Meanwhile, his brother, Adam, was all smiles - signing ridiculous amounts of books for each person while holding a conversation and looking at a portfolio of another person's for the entire duration I stood in line and got out...easily 15 minutes or so.
I did feel bad. Had I realized those people were behind me and that he was doing this as "overtime", I would not have asked. I never EXPECT to receive a sketch, and it is simply an honor to receive one. Yet, it was his reaction that I felt was a very rude. There are much better and much more respectful ways to say "No." Plus, he went on to sign stacks of books for the next people.
It just put a sour taste in my mouth.
John Romita Jr. wasn't doing any sketches when I met him, but after talking to him a bit he whispered to a couple of us that if we went to the back of the line and came through again he would do one for us. Adam Kubert also did a sketch for me because I was the absolute last person in line.
If you think about it, asking for sketches sometimes really puts the artist in a bad position. If he starts doing one sketch for someone in the middle of the line, everyone will see him drawing and expect to get one as well. I've found that your chances are best either at the very end of the line or among the first two or three in line. I was heartbroken at one show because I waited about an hour in line to meet Joe Madureira and hopefully get a sketch. The line took so long because he was doing a sketch for every single person in line. I got within two people of him and he stood up announced "Ok guys, I'm just signing now so no more sketches." lol, so sometimes it's actually better when they're not sketching at all. That way the line moves faster and you're not disappointed by having your hopes dashed.
this week or not 
