Alamo City Comic Con Print Sale!

Alamo City Comic Con is this week in my hometown -- and to celebrate, I'm offering a special flash sale on ALL of my archival prints for all attendees of ACCC, and this includes all volunteers and staff who are working hard to put on this great event.

Starting today, through Wednesday, September 24th -- all ACCC attendees, volunteers, and staff can pre-order ANY 17" x 22" archival print in my shop -- for only $55 each.

And yes, GAME OF THRONES fans -- this includes my A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE signed archival prints. Yes, that's a savings of over 50% from the online retail price on those -- and yes, this offer is ONLY for ACCC attendees.

Why do this?

Simple -- it's a win-win.

I save shipping, handling, and extra materials costs because this event is happening in my hometown. I pass those savings (and then some) to ACCC attendees, who score archival prints of my art at a bargain price.

How do you get yours if you're attending ACCC? Easy.

1) Email me at john (at) johnpicacio (dot) com, and let me know which 17" x 22" prints you want reserved for you at ACCC. Deadline for reserving is Wednesday, September 24th at 9pm CST. (DO NOT order through the webshop to score this special ACCC price.)

2) You pay at the show, when you pick up your prints. I'll be located at ACCC in Artist Blvd at Table B42. Or if you feel compelled, you can pay me via Paypal and I can give you those details via email.

3) Buyers are encouraged to bring their own protective sleeve or tube to the show. Prints at reduced price do not include protective bag or board.

4) All prints must be picked up and paid for at ACCC. No mail orders allowed, for this special price.

5) And again -- this offer is only for attendees of Alamo City Comic Con, and only for a limited time. Please note that this special price only applies to archival prints and not original artworks.

Aside from the prints that you folks reserve -- I'll only be bringing a VERY small handful of prints to the show. Those prices will be higher than if you reserve yours in advance, and there's no guarantee the one you want will be there. So -- all aboard, ACCC attendees, volunteers and staff! Reserve your prints in advance, and save big money, while you can! :)

See you at Artist Blvd / B42 at ACCC this weekend!

Alamo City Comic Con!

ACCC is coming, San Antonio. 'You ready? :)

I'll be there, starting on Preview Night, at Artist Blvd. / Table B42. This is your chance to get your exclusive limited-run Loteria posters featuring my 'El Corazon' and 'La Luna' artwork. These are not available online, or through any retail outlet.

So if you live in SA or the surrounding area, and have been watching as San Diego, Detroit, Atlanta, and London grabbed their share on my road appearances in those towns -- now's your chance, San Antonio. Each poster measures 11" x 18" and is printed on thick cardstock. Special price for SA too -- only $15 each -- OR score both for only $25!!

How many of you out there grew up playing Loteria, or grew up hearing about it? Well -- Saturday night is your chance at Alamo City Comic Con. We're going to play Loteria together, as I'm hosting an hour's worth of games, and I'm bringing the tablas, the cards, the pinto beans, and the prizes for you, including 2015 A Game of Thrones desktop calendars!

Saturday, 6pm, in Ballroom B -- bring family and friends because everyone who plays Loteria that night gets a free Loteria promo card, featuring my art, as a thank-you for being there!

See you soon, SA.

The Facts of Life

I met Graham Joyce in 2000 at the World Fantasy Convention. He was one of my favorite writers. Still is.

I first heard his name four years earlier. It was my first visit to Michael and Linda Moorcock's house. I was there to meet Mike because I was doing my first book cover gig -- for the 30th Anniversary edition of his novel BEHOLD THE MAN. I was sitting in his studio sanctorum with Ben Ostrander and Rick Klaw, and Mike had just finished writing a review for The Guardian. The subject was a novel called REQUIEM by Graham Joyce. Mike had high praise for it, and I remember writing the name down in my sketchbook.

I bought REQUIEM shortly thereafter, and Mike was right. Graham was good. I started collecting Graham's books. I was a newbie cover artist, in the embryonic stages of building a career. When WFC came to Corpus Christi in 2000, I barely had enough money to attend, but I did, and Graham was one of the first people I wanted to meet.

For those that didn't see my Facebook post today, here's a brief recap of what happened -- but I also want to share something extraordinary that I haven't yet shared elsewhere...

Virtually no one knew who I was at that convention. I had never met Graham, and I went to see him talk. I waited until everyone exited, and showed him my portfolio. He took the time to visit with a total stranger like me, and treated me like the center of the world. A few minutes later, a bald man with dark-rimmed glasses ran up to me in a hallway, and said, "Graham Joyce just told me I needed to meet you!" And that was Lou Anders, who has been my best friend since that fateful moment. It was Graham who brought us together.

But that's not where the extraordinary ends.....

I saw Graham at the end of the con. We were parting ways. I told him about that first time that I heard about him, when Mike was reviewing his book, and when I was working on BEHOLD THE MAN. He said, "BEHOLD THE MAN?? When that one first came out, back in the day......that was the one that made me want to be a writer."

Graham said, "Did you really mean that you could show me around after the con?" I said, "Sure, man. Where do you want to go?" I figured Graham wanted to find some dinner. He said, "How far away is this place where you live?"

"About three hours," I said.

"Is Halloween good around San Antonio?"

I said, "It's alright, but in Austin, it's bonkers. Sixth Street. You'd love it."

Thirty minutes later, one of my favorite writers in the world was riding shotgun in my Saturn coupe as I sped us north to my home in San Antonio. Graham stayed at my house for two terrific Fall days, and yeah, we spent a rollicking Halloween night on Sixth Street together. Better than that though -- I took him to meet Michael Moorcock that same evening, and Graham was so happy. Mike meant the world to him, and it was one of my favorite Halloweens ever. Linda was there. So were Rick Klaw and Brandy. It was the best of times.

Years went by, and Graham was always the cool rogue and the great statesman, and he did it effortlessly. He was one of those pillars that defined a generation of the fantasy field for me and my friends. He was always there at WFC, with a word of advice about how to handle a tough situation, or a word of encouragement -- with a lot of laughs. I can't think of the World Fantasy Convention without thinking of him.

He passed away today after bravely battling lymphoma cancer. He was a friend, and one of my favorite people.

I will never forget him..