Welcome to my annual report of what I did all year. My 2025 book-writing year ran mid-February ’25 to mid January ’26. Only half of this is specific to my G.I. Joe history book. First up, the non-book things:
Continue readingAssembly Required 2025 – the A Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 3 of 3
[Part One] [Part Two]
In our last exciting episode, Tim moderated a panel, bought a few toys, took a bunch of photos, and solved all six Assault on Cobra Island puzzles! What’s inside the locked metal safe? Read on to find out and click on any photo to enlarge.
Filed under Convention Reviews
Assembly Required 2025 – the A Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 2 of 3
In our last exciting episode [PART ONE], Tim surprisingly made it to Des Moines without incident! He saw friends, played games, ate food, and more! [Or skip to PART THREE!]
Click any photo to enlarge.
Continue readingFiled under Convention Reviews
Assembly Required 2025 – the A Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 1 of 3
Click any photo to enlarge.
INTRO—–
I’ll assume you’re familiar with Assembly Required from my 2022, 2023, and 2024 con reviews. If not, it’s run by Codename: Iowa, which is about six people, it’s a great convention, and it’s very small. Last year’s attendance was I believe 300. To use a boxing analogy, it’s greatly punching above its weight.
[Skip ahead to PART TWO or PART THREE]
Continue readingFiled under Convention Reviews
New York Comic Con 2025 – The A Real American Book! Report / Part 2 of 2: COLD SLITHER
In our last exciting episode, Tim sweated not getting into New York Comic Con 2025, talked with artist friends, and announced his ten-years-in-the-making comic book from BOOM! Studios, The Center Holds, written by Larry Hama and drawn by Mark Bright! Then he and writer/producer Nick Nadel got lunch with Janice Chiang off-site, and returned to the Javitz Center for the second half of the day!
Continue readingFiled under Convention Reviews
The New York Comic Con 2025 – The A Real American Book! Report / Part 1 of 2
*** BIG NEWS I’VE WAITING TEN YEARS TO ANNOUNCE! ***
I don’t want to bury the lede here, since my con reports are long. My comic book is being published by BOOM! and it’s written and drawn by Larry Hama and Mark Bright!
And yes, that is a big surprise for you, dear reader.
Filed under Convention Reviews
Remembering Ron Friedman
A few introductory thoughts…
Ron Friedman has died. It’s sad, because he wrote some important teleplays and screenplays that mean a lot to a generation of kids. But that sadness is lessened because he was 93. I know lots of people who didn’t make it that far! Congrats on a long life, Ron.
Continue readingFiled under Animation, G.I. Joe Behind the Scenes, Interviews
Photoshoot #19
At the DFW G.I. Joe and Action Figure Show in late June I bumped into Derryl DePriest, toy collector, book author, and former Hasbro VP. I joked that he should drive north to finally see my store many, many hours from where he lives. Turns out he was heading my way two months hence!
Continue readingFiled under Book Behind the Scenes, Photography
The DFW G.I. Joe & Action Figure Show 2025 – the A Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 3 of 3
SUNDAY—–
In our last episode, Tim attended panels, talked with TV people, dined with them, and fell asleep before midnight!
Woke up at 6 again. Partly the time zone, partly a positive anxiety, I didn’t mind. More time to get stuff done! I packed, and then drew Claymore in Michael Charles Hill’s sketchbook. Kickily’s opening piece was action and facing right, so I thought mine would be quiet and facing left.
Continue readingFiled under Convention Reviews
The DFW G.I. Joe & Action Figure Show 2025 – the A Real American Book! Convention Report / Part 2 of 3
In our last exciting episode, Tim flew to Texas, missed lunch, talked with friends, and got helpful book advice!
SATURDAY—–
Click all photos to enlarge.
Continue readingFiled under Convention Reviews
A Real American Book! 