Be Our Guest Writer: A Tale of a Gift...

 Redartz:  Hello, all! Today we have the benefit once again of storytime, courtesy of our friend Humanbelly! Take it away, HB...

HB:  Good morning, friends!   Although the ComicBookRoom hasn't even had time to collect dust yet, and only just recently got Japanese lantern paper shades on the bare light bulbs, already there's a new centerpiece donation/acquisition that's been added to the permanent display.  Our resident most-talented-guy-we-know. . . PFG(avigan). . . quietly surprised me with this original work he came up with, featuring that Lime freeze-pop (freeze-cicle?) side-kick character that began appearing in the illustrated pieces he'd post every now and again in our on-going Bronze Age communities, here.  --- The usually-mute little green guy with the suspicious moniker:  "Li'l HB". . .  

Using PFG's own words, the piece is a bit of a tribute to   "the sense of respect that all of the contributors and posters had at both Bronze Age Babies and Back in the Bronze Age.  Even when we disagree with each other about who we most appreciated << under the right circumstance I was a fan of both Robbins and Heck >> we always agreed with each others right to appreciate what we did."

Could not agree more, sir-- well-said.   Here is the "page" file itself:

To call me Tickled would be the height of hyperbolic understatement.

Early the next morning, I sent the file off to FedExOffice, and had a lengthy email thread with the tech on getting size, dimensions, etc worked out-- and was finally able to have them print it up on a nice heavy paper stock.

Then off to the scene shop (which has been laying messy and fallow over the summer) to mount it, cover it, and possibly cobble together a frame.   And. . . discovered that an old thrift-store frame abandoned by my scenic artist a couple of years ago was EXACTLY the right size.  So. . . I surreptitiously removed her (forgotten) project, and gave PFG's masterpiece a much better setting than I could have provided on my own.

How was I feeling about all this?

This was the look on my face as I worked-- alone-- pretty much the entire time.  When I was finished, I sat there in the shop, admiring the whole thing, and laughed for 15 minutes.   Then brought it home and hung it next to the still-expanding Hulk Exhibit.

And PFG, I would be remiss if I didn't pass on how wonderfully impressed and appreciative my wife was with your piece, here.   "This is such an honor-- !  It's so good, and he gave it to YOU!  This is wonderful!"   My wife is not one to be tremendously open with enthusiasm or praise, believe me.   There is no doubt that this is her favorite artifact in the entire ComicBookRoom at this point. . .  I thank you once again!

And that concludes today's hi-light report---!

HB

Redartz: Thanks, HB; great story and a truly fine gift. And thanks as well to PFG for sharing your art with us, and your thoughts as well.