Tuesday, August 7, 2012

On Sunday July 15th after the devastation of the annual Comic-Con International in San Diego, Graphitti Designs held it's traditional Dead-Dog Party. This year's after-Con festivities were different. Not only were we celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Graphitti Designs but we were marking the 25th year of the after-Con party as well. Much to my surprise, the evenings celebrations were knocked out of the park by a totally unexpected special gift.

Bob Schreck, Denis Kitchen, Diana Schutz, Chip Mosher and Shannon Wheeler months before Comic-Con, formed some sort of secretive kabal purposed to create and assemble a unique, one-of-kind gift to present to me at this special event. What do you give to the person that has everything? I'm definitely not talking about myself "cause though I've been told by everyone I'm "difficult to buy for", I'm pretty damn certain a gift of a Ferarri or a Leyendecker original would make me a happy man. This incredible group stepped up to the plate and aptly transcended any traditional gift-giving expectations by contacting some of the greatest talents in the comics biz and asking them to use their respective talents to contribute something to a very special collection of art and stories commemorating Graphitti Designs 30th Anniversary. All of the contributions were then gathered in a very cool, hand-made wooden case (complete with incredible graphics) by noted artisan Randall D. Dahlk.

Below are all the pieces that comprise this incredible gift. Ferarri and Leyendeckers be damned...this is by far the coolest present that a person could ever hope to receive. Aside from seeing all of the interesting caricatures of me (wow, I definitely need to get that haircut and look into major facial reconstruction), the personality and love that was captured so eloquently, knocked me off my feet. I've have been blessed with the opportunity to work with a wonderful group of creative individuals for more than thirty years now. It's impossible for me to put into words how "tributes" from friends makes me feel. I'm completely blown away, grateful, overwhelmed...and thankful that you've all made me part of your lives. You've made these 30 years of hard work very fulfilling, enjoyable...and tolerable.

Thanks to the "organizers" and all the talented contributors for this wonderful gift. Wow!!

Bob Chapman

SHIRT DESIGN BY RANDY DAHLK

BOX DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION BY RANDY DAHLK
NEAL & MARILYN ADAMS
MIKE & LAURA ALLRED
BRIAN AZZARELLO & JILL THOMPSON
SHELLY & PHILIP BOND
RANDY BOWEN
BOB BURDEN
EDDIE CAMPBELL
CHYNNA CLUGSTON FLORES
DAVID CROSLAND
JACKIE ESTRADA
JACKIE ESTRADA
DAVE GIBBONS
PAUL GUINAN & ANINA BENNETT
GILBERT HERNANDEZ
MICHAEL KALUTA
DENIS KITCHEN
ANN KOENIG
BATTON LASH
JIM MAHFOOD
LARRY MARDER
MIKE MIGNOLA
FRANK MILLER
TERRY MOORE
SCOTT MORSE
CHIP MOSHER & SHANNON WHEELER
TED NAIFEH
PAUL POPE
ERIC POWELL
STEVE RUDE
STAN & SHARON SAKAI
BOB SCHRECK & GEOFF SHAW
MARK SCHULTZ
DAVE SCROGGY & TOM ORZECHOWSKI
ERIC SHANOWER
WALT SIMONSON
PETER STONE
GREG TUMBARELLO & REILLY BROWN
JIM VALENTINO
MATT WAGNER
JUDD WINICK
TOM YEATES