EVERYBODY'S GOING GREEN IN SANTA MONICA!
Over the weekend, Gumby triumphantly paid a visit to the new Hi De Ho Comics store at 1431 Lincoln Blvd. (just south of Santa Monica Boulevard).
The reason for this rare and privileged visit? Artist Rafael Navarro and the writer (me on right) debuted our new comic book, "GUMBY'S GANG # 1" starring Pokey, and celebrated the book's arival at comic-book shops nationwide this week.Here's Raf and I minding the shop.
Yes, Hi De Ho is the place to go for all Gumby and Pokey products, from our comics to the latest in Gumby fashions and bendy figures (yes, they've even got the Blockheads for all of you Goth Gumby fans...).
Early in the signing, Raf and I were getting a little worried, staring at our watches, waiting for the big green guy to arrive....
....And he did not.......let us down! The big green guy showed up! No, not me, that OTHER big green guy.....GUMBY!Then, Art Clokey's crazy creation hit the streets. Do you think we keep this guy around for his bright red eyes? Nah! We put him to work, and Gumby ushered fans into Hi De Ho's swank new bigger-than-ever location.
He even did it sideways!
Here, Gumby makes customer Collin's day as he leads him in a re-enactment of Lewis and Clark discovering the Oregon Trail!
Gumby penciled some time into his busy schedule to hang out with Hi De Ho co-owner Bob (above) and Hi De Ho hombres Tony and Joe below.
Gumby penciled some time into his busy schedule to hang out with Hi De Ho co-owner Bob (above) and Hi De Ho hombres Tony and Joe below. 
Here's Tony and Joe flanking Gumby (not as awful as it sounds...) That's Joe on the right, striking a Kool Mo Dee thoughtful rapper pose. Gumby's in the center. What's cool about Tony (uh....left) is that, like me, his favorite Clokey character is:
A stream of notables passed through. Below left, "Scarlet Fox" creator Phillip Victor came by to pick up a copy of "Gumby's Gang Starring Pokey."
My college buddy Renu (below right) also made a surprise visit to check out the action.....He walked away with a copy of my comic book "Silly Goose" and a newfound appreciation for men of clay such as Mr. G. Also seen on site: my ol' pal Larry Hummel (not to be confused with my comic book "Harry Lummel") showed up...although--and this is odd!---when ever Gumby appeared, Larry was nowhere to be seen, and vice versa. My thanks to LH for being there!
Cartoonist Bernyce Talley made an effort to say hello while in the store to do her weekly comics shopping. After some arm-twisting, she finally broke down and bought the "Pokey" book.
It was a good time had by all....We spent some quality time with Gumby....
My college buddy Renu (below right) also made a surprise visit to check out the action.....He walked away with a copy of my comic book "Silly Goose" and a newfound appreciation for men of clay such as Mr. G. Also seen on site: my ol' pal Larry Hummel (not to be confused with my comic book "Harry Lummel") showed up...although--and this is odd!---when ever Gumby appeared, Larry was nowhere to be seen, and vice versa. My thanks to LH for being there!
Cartoonist Bernyce Talley made an effort to say hello while in the store to do her weekly comics shopping. After some arm-twisting, she finally broke down and bought the "Pokey" book.
It was a good time had by all....We spent some quality time with Gumby....
....And we had a fun time pimpin' the new "Pokey" book and getting to know the brand-new Hi De Ho Santa Monica store. I've been going to the old location for decades, sometimes to buy, occasionally to sign comics, and since my recent move to Pacific Palisades, they've become my official neighborhood store. I'm glad they're back, bigger than ever. Go check out the new digs for yourself!
After the signing, being the manly-men creators that we are, we hit the streets of Santa Monica and went Swingin'....No, this isn't Raf and I trying to be Greg Kinnear and Willem DeFoe in Paul Schrader's "Auto Focus"....we went down the block to Swingers and got our dinner on!
After the signing, being the manly-men creators that we are, we hit the streets of Santa Monica and went Swingin'....No, this isn't Raf and I trying to be Greg Kinnear and Willem DeFoe in Paul Schrader's "Auto Focus"....we went down the block to Swingers and got our dinner on!Our thanks to the folks at Hi De Ho Comics for the warm welcome and good times!
See you on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2 p.m. when we, along with Gumby, return to the Laguna Beach Hi De Ho location for more "Pokey" action!
No comments:
Post a Comment