Posted By Dan Greenfield on Jun 20, 2025 | 1 comment

FRANCO’S FREE-FOR-ALL FRIDAYS…

By FRANCO

So convention season is around the corner… actually it started back in April for me, but with a bunch of shows on the horizon I figured now would be as good a time as any to talk about them.

By the time you read this, I most likely will be at Heroes Con in North Carolina. I always have mixed feelings about these shows, as I love to attend and meet fans and get to see friends I don’t see often enough. It’s also something that I don’t really like to do. I dislike packing and prepping for a show. Inevitably — no matter what, never fails — I ALWAYS forget to bring something. I forget to pack the newest book that came out (honestly, I’ve done that more than once), or my card reader or basic change to give people, or my toothpaste… ugh. I hate when that happens. And, yes, it happens every show. So if you see me at Heroes, ask me what I forgot and I’ll let you know… or any show for that matter.

Also, I dislike the travel part.  I have to get from Point A, my home — which I like and really don’t leave often — to Point B, the convention, which I also like. But the everything in between is what I could really do without. It’s a thing that’s necessary and I get it. I’ve gotten better at it and I don’t get annoyed or panicked as much as I used to. One of the saving graces of getting older is I’ve learned to be more of a duck and let things just roll off my back. Airline travel, car travel, train travel, I’ve done them all and every time I think: When will they invent teleportation so I can just be there instantly? But then I think of how bad that could be… I’ve watched those episodes of Star Trek and seen those teleporter malfunctions. Yes, my mind tends to wander… I’m a writer, it goes with the territory.

But then I arrive at the show and set up, and in between the getting there and the departure is a cool experience. You never really know what is going to happen, who you are going to see, what the funniest moment of the weekend will be, the best fan interaction, etc. That’s all the good part. It’s a really great way to help promote yourself and tell people about your latest project or show off any artwork that you’ve been doing. And after all the travel and moving and exhaustion, I always leave invigorated to go back home and create some more. Creativity as a comics writer/artist is a very solitary thing. You tend to live in your thoughts a lot. It’s only when you get to a convention or signing and meet the people that like your artwork or read your stories that always have the most impact on the future of my creativity. I’m always ready to get back to work.

Speaking of work, I have a new collaboration with one of the nicest people in show business: Svengoolie! Horror host extraordinaire. He’s a heck of a guy and am so proud they asked me to kick off their 2025 artist series with my take on his face for their merch. People will ask how something like this comes about and honestly, this one was basically from attending conventions. The relationship grew over time but initially it was meeting Sven and Jim (his executive producer) at a convention and then speaking at another convention and so forth and so on. The result is a very cool illustration I was happy to do and beyond thrilled that they liked it and used it!

I’ve always had a fascination with these horror hosts, from way back. We had a couple different ones here in the NYC area but then they all eventually faded. Svengoolie was a regional Chicago host who expanded nationally and has lasted the test of time. And when I’m sitting in my studio and drawing on a Saturday night, I love to have Sven on, cracking jokes and watching a cool old horror flick as I do it.

So check out the MeTV mall and pick up my new Svengoolie T-shirt. I also helped out on the Svengoolie: Lost in Time comic book.) And if you see me at a convention, please come up and say hello. Remember, that’s the part I like.

Happy Friday!

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MORE

— NEAL ADAMS: The Most Intimidating Nice Guy You’d Ever Meet. Click here.

— I Will Never Forget GEORGE PEREZ’s Kindness. Click here.

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Franco and his forehead have traveled the world and he writes and draws stuff. Franco is the creator, artist and writer of Patrick the Wolf Boy and Aw Yeah Comics! Franco has worked on books/comics, including Tiny Titans and Superman Family Adventures. Franco was also a high-school teacher and is one of the principal owners of Aw Yeah Comics retail stores. Dan made Franco add that he has won three Eisners.