Saturday, April 29, 2017

Comic Con



Curiosity led this cat to attendance at my first Comic Con event on this beautiful Spring day (that reached Summer temperature) in 2017. Along with me were my wife and our daughter. The latter is a big fan of graphic novels, the hilarious animated TV show Teen Titans, and all members of Suicide Squad with special affection for Harley Quinn. My wife doesn't go in for superhero stories much, but as a professional illustrator she appreciates the artistry that goes into creating comic books.

As for me, I can't help but marvel at the worlds of Marvel and DC and beyond. Others are far more fanatical about their fandom than I am. My level of enthusiasm is moderate enough to retain dignity, but I have nothing but love for the zealots who go full out. If you're going to be over the top passionate about something, it may as well be something cool. Batman and Superman stories may not receive official stamps of approval from fancy book award committees or Oprah, and they aren't assigned reading material in most English Literature classes, but they are unarguably cool.


A post shared by Roy Pickering (@roylpickering_author) on

A post shared by Roy Pickering (@roylpickering_author) on




I was too busy being dazzled by the bombardment of colorful imagery while squeezing through the bustling crowd to take as many pictures as I wanted, but I did manage to snap a few shots. Check them out below. Maybe I'll run into you at a future convention such as New York Comic Con in October. You're never too old to be a kid at heart. Only a dastardly villain would tell you different. Fortunately superheroes save the day and refuse to let them get away with it.


Her turn in the role bombed at the box office and deservedly so, but Halle Berry wore the hell out of that cat suit and I happily snagged this doll, I mean, this action figure.



There is no cooler set of wheels than the Batmobile, any version of it.






















And there is no motor vehicle more terrifying than Stephen King's CHRISTINE.




This bearded guy knew who to call.





“The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply because they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.” J.M. Barrie

“If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing.” Coco Chanel







Superheroes need coffee breaks too.



Everybody can't be the hero. Somebody has to be the villain. Sometimes the bad guy also gets a cool car.


I haven't written a comic book...yet. But I did write a novel entitled Matters of Convenience and you can enter the giveaway contest at Goodreads for a chance to win a free copy. Good luck!




Goodreads Book Giveaway

Matters of Convenience by Roy L. Pickering Jr.

Matters of Convenience

by Roy L. Pickering Jr.

Giveaway ends May 29, 2017.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter Giveaway


Price of Kindle edition of MATTERS OF CONVENIENCE to be discounted at Amazon 5/13/17 - 5/20/17. The earlier you jump in, the bigger the savings you get.



Monday, April 3, 2017

Doing it for the 'gram



So I finally got around to joining Instagram. And then hackers, apparently thinking that I'm the DNC or perhaps allegedly directed by mischievous President Obama (America's last legitimate prez), worked their way into my account for who knows what reason. Practice and alleviation of boredom are the lead candidates.




It is my third attempt at an Instagram account that is up now and I'm hoping will prove to be the charm. If you find weight loss programs and/or lingerie clad women posted there, it means that hackers have worked their magic once again, and that will probably send me into photo posting retirement. Unless Instagram proves to be too addictive to quit, and so far that is where all signs are pointing.

A few of the pictures I've put up so far can be found below. To see more, feel free to follow me and chances are good that I'll follow back to liven up my feed.  I've just about exhausted the 'gram worthy photos in my phone's photo gallery, so I'm inspired to venture forth in search of all things photogenic. I'd rather do that than bombard voyeurs with selfies. My plan is to capture exhibitions of the beauty of nature and architecture...and bookish stuff. Not only is literature in its printed form food for the soul, but it's often candy for the eyes as well.












Goodreads Book Giveaway

Matters of Convenience by Roy L. Pickering Jr.

Matters of Convenience

by Roy L. Pickering Jr.

Giveaway ends May 29, 2017.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter Giveaway