Report from Frankfurt Book Fair 2010

The 8th of October 2010 I travelled down to Frankfurt in Germany to meet Sergio at The Frankfurt Book Fair, and this is my report.

I have never meet Sergio before, and since you never know when he will be back in Europe, and furthermore he doesn't travel that much anymore, I decided that this would be the best opportunity to meet "the fastest cartoonist" in the world.

Press photo from Frankfurt Book Fair website

Saturday 9th october
The Frankfurt Book Fair is huge! As a matter of fact, it is the largest book fair in the world. You can travel by small busses from hall to hall.

Sergio was invited to Frankfurt by the German publisher of Simpsons, Mad magazine and Groo; Panini Comics. Sergio's Bart Simpson + Simpsons stories was recently released in Germany, so he was there to promote those comic books. The German publisher had also released Sergio variant covers of Mad and Simpsons comics to this occasion.

So unfortunately it was only about The Simpsons and nothing about Groo… but still Sergio!

Sergio Aragonés and Bill Morrison

The first workshop/seminar saturday was entitled "How To Draw The Simpsons", and Sergio and Simpsons Creative Director Bill Morrison attended this seminar. They told us about all those drawing rules normal Simpsons cartoonists have to follow, and how Sergio don't follow them…

It was quite amusing to hear them talking about drawing the Simpsons, and to see how they do. While Bill Morrison showed us, how to draw Bart and Homer, Sergio explained the audience - with a smile - that he was watching and learning!

First they showed us the "How To Draw The Simpsons" book

Sergio told us, that he never had learned to draw Simpsons. He just did it!

Yes! Finally! Sergio is about to draw :-)

He quickly draws a running Bart

And tells us how he cheats with drawing running legs

And explains that in the cartoon series, they have to draw the legs for each frame.
And then he adds a Homer :-)

Bill Morrison draws a fine Bart, and explains us, that this probably wouldn't
be approved because it's not good enough...!

And then a Homer

And Sergio tells us - with a smile - that he is learning right now! ;-)

To compare, Sergio draws another Bart and Homer

And adding a shaking pointing hand to Bart - and audience is laughing

Adding a too short shirt and belly bottom at Homer. More laughing. Bill explains that
Sergio's drawings may not be correct, but they are certainly funny.



Sergio tells about differences in drawing his own characters and Simpsons
characters. See the differences in the mouth. That's what takes the differences!

At the end, there was questions from the audience, and I got to ask which character they really hated to draw… Bill replied that "hating" was somehow a too strong word, however drawing Lisa could be difficult because of her triangled hair. Sergio replied, that Principle Skinner was not one of his favorites to draw.

Then the German publisher handed out numbers, and only people with numbers could get a head sketch at the following signing session. And furthermore he informed, that you could only get signatures on Simpsons books bought at their Stand, and only 5 signatures per person. So many rules/limitations in Germany…

While people was getting in line for the signing session, Sergio left the stage, and I managed to talk briefly to him and told him I was a member of the Groop, and I would like to buy a piece of original Groo art later. He told me, that he had his Groo suitcase with small pieces of original art with him, however the suitcase with large and art from the comics was at the hotel.

He was very nice and my girlfriend took this photo of me and him :-)

Sergio Aragonés and me.

Luckily I got a number for the signing session, however the variant cover comics were not present at the signing session, so I had to rush down to the publisher stand to buy some copies (and a lot of other copies for other Groopers). When I got back, there was a HUGE line, so I had to get back in line.

After 45 minutes in line, I finally got to Sergio. And actually he recognized me from earlier and said "Oh it's you again".  Sergio was really nice, and although there was a huge line, he still had a few minutes for conversation. He told me, that he was inking "Groo vs. Conan #2", and after this series there would be a "Groo vs. Tarzan" mini-series, because Dark Horse also has the rights for Tarzan.

I asked for the Groo magnets or lithos, however he said that he hadn't brought any Groo stuff to Europe except from his Groo suitcase with original art.

He signed 2 Mad covers, 1 Simpsons, The Groo Special and Danish Groo #1 - and all with sketches! Fortunately he didn't care about those German limitations :-)

I went through his portfolio with original art - and wow! there was a LOT of cool original art/drawings. Sergio even told me, that if there weren't any drawings I did like, he could draw one for me that evening, and I could pick it up the day after at the Fair. What a pleasant offer!
However I could not make up my mind what to choose, and I did like a lot of the drawings in his portfolio, so I choose this awesome drawing with Groo and a Ape Warriror, and he signed it for me.

Sergio signing for another guy

Drawing a nice Sergio....

...drawing Bart. Nice!

After waiting 45 min. in line, it was finally my turn :-)

Sorting my comics I would like Sergio to sign...

Signing and sketching my edition of Groo Special

Nice!

Sergio signing Danish Groo #1 - and he didn't like that old picture of himself
at page 2... ;-)

Danish Groo #1 w/sketch

Alfred E. Neumann on his way...

"Simpsons Shotgun Wedding" - a Sergio variant cover - limited
to 666 copies...

Sergio drew himself at the wedding.

Sketch of Homer

Talking to Sergio

Bill Morrison signing

A sneak preview into Sergio's portfolio - so many cool drawings!

A sneak preview into Sergio's portfolio - so many cool drawings!

I bought this awesome drawing with Groo and a Gorilla Warrior, and he signed it to me.
(The sky is light blue, and bushes light green, however the scanner could not show it.)

Later that day, there were another signing session at the Panini Comics stand. However I did not attend that, because my girlfried had been so kind to travel with me to Frankfurt, and she is not into Groo or comics at all. So we went down to the Frankfurt City Centre to experience the city.

Sunday 10th october
There was another Simpsons seminar/workshop sunday, and originally it was entitled "What's New In Springfield", however they changed the subject and talked about being a Simpsons fan and about Simpsons merchandise instead.

Sergio told us that he is a huge Simpsons fan, and collects all kind of merchandise; figurines, clocks, mugs, pin ball machines etc etc.
He has Simpsons contacs all over the world, who picks up local merchandise for him! He told us, that he had 4 (or was it 5) pinball machines in his studio.
Both Sergio and Bill told us, that they keep all of their merchandise outside their private homes. They do have it displayed in their studio/office.

Sergio and Bill talking about Simpsons merchandise

After the seminar, there was another signing session. Again numbers were handed out by the German publisher, however this time with even more limitations; only people with numbers could get signatures, and now only 3 signatures per person. Although the German publisher told it in German, Sergio did understand it, because behind the back of the German publisher, Sergio did pantomime movements with his pointing finger/hand like "do what I say" and "and no more than that!". (hope you guys get the point). It was pretty hilarious!

I had a seat in second row, however I choose not to pick a number for the Sunday signing, because I got signatures the day before, so there were probably other fans who didn't get numbers the day before.

It was a pretty great experience to meet Sergio, and all people are right, when they call him "the nicest guy in comic business". He was really nice and friendly!

Unfortunately he didn't have his own table like at US Comic Cons, so I hope I will meet him another time, where I have the opportunity to have a little longer conversation with him - without 50 people waiting in line behind :-)

October 2010.

- Dennis, Danish Grooper
Now the proud owner of a piece of original Groo art!