Heroes Con puts it best when describing its Annual Art Auction as “one of the most well-known and enduring traditions on the convention circuit.” The only auctions I’ve ever been had race horses and antique furniture on sale, so I think it’s really cool that fans get a chance bid on art they might not have a chance to get otherwise (and rub elbows with creators too.) It’s a shrewd move on the con’s part to cover some of their exhibiting costs and it also gets artists to think outside the box a little and do pieces that run a bit more unusual. Case in point -- Cliff Chiang’s revealed that he’s putting the piece to the right up on the auction. Do the layout and composition seem a little familiar to you? That’s because Chiang’s put Cyclops, Phoenix and Wolverine into a set-up based off the poster for John Hughes’ classic teen comedy, PRETTY IN PINK.
I think word must be given to Heroes Con, which is happening Charlotte, NC, next weekend. As someone who’s lived in areas of the country that are far away from the convention circuit, I think it’s great that this con’s thriving in an area much removed from San Diego, New York and Chicago - - giving fans in that region a chance to get the con experience and meet their favorite creators. This year’s show already has a stacked line-up that includes Brian Bolland, Frank Cho, Mike Mignola, Dustin Nguyen and Tim Sale, among others. I also think it’s great that this show has been around since the early 80s, yet it’s still keeping its focus on comics. If you’re around Charlotte, it’s looking like you’ll have a great time if you make this show. == TEASER ==
Now, back to the subject of poster homages, I wanted to include some more covers that similarly paid tribute to John Hughes’ work ( as I09 has pointed out) as well as other pieces Chiang himself has done to riff on other classic film soundtrack covers. You’ve, of course, got the LONERS covers paying tribute to PRETTY IN PINK, too, as well as WEIRD SCIENCE, SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL, FERRIS BULLUER’S DAY OFF, SIXTEEN CANDLES and the BREAKFAST CLUB. Chiang’s also does his own spin on the BREAKFAST CLUB, along with PURPLE RAIN and FLASHDANCE.
I get such a kick out of these. I’d like you maniacs in the Comic Vine community to post some more examples of this kind of thing. Look through the covers for DEADPOOL:MERC WITH A MOUTH and NECROSHA to start. What are your favorites?
-- Tom Pinchuk is the writer of UNIMAGINABLE for Arcana Studios and HYBRID BASTARDS! for Archaia. Pre-order the HYBRID BASTARDS! hardcover now on Amazon.com.