As a pre-teen, I was the smart, nerdy, funny (that god I was funny, being the class clown made time at school livable and probably saved my life), no friend having, no interest from girls, scrawny, 90lbs soaking wet kid that got picked on relentlessly...at school and at home. I found comics to be an escape from all that and Bob Layton’s Ironman was the top of the pile. His passion for the story and the characters came through in the pages of that book, made me fall in love with Ironman and the Ironman universe, “saved me” during a troubled childhood and really ignited my desire to be a writer and artist. A desire that would fuel my artistic endeavors, my approach to life and my “theatric” nature to this day.
Now, flash forward 30+ years...where I picked up up from the airport and he where greeted me like an old friend (which amazingly, we are now. I have to preface that I finally got to meet Bob a while back and spent the day with him at a ‘con so this wasn’t and out of the blue meeting), got stuck in rush hour traffic for almost 2 hours where we talked about comics and movies and such...while he talked to Hollywood stars on the phone and worked on his upcoming movie project (which I’m so excited for you guys to see), went to a 2 hour dinner, where we had an amazing meal and an even more amazing conversation about art, comics, storytelling and movies.
The following day was spent supporting him for “Free Comic Book Day” where he (and I) got to meet and interact with tons of fans that Bob has/had a similar impact on. Never underestimate the power of comic books boys and girls...and more importantly, moms and dads! Not to mention he went through my art portfolio...which may be one of the most exciting and sickening things I’ve ever experienced. And yes, I do hate drawing hands and feet. Ooph. Not to self, get over that and be a better artist! Then I took him to my local favorite restaurant (which he absolutely loved) for another great dinner filled with great discussions and laughter. Followed by a coffee at the local Starbucks just talking about art and comics and life in general and of course, more laughs.
A quick breakfast the next morning, then off to the airport to get him home. Oh ya, and to thank me for all my help...he handed me this amazing piece of art. A cover recreation of one of my favorite comic covers he’s done. The whole experience would’ve made teenage me’s head explode and that Dutch wouldn’t believe today would’ve ever been possible. And, I’ll be honest with you, 47 year old Dutch had a hard time believing it too.
There’s something about meeting your childhood idol. It’s a whole other thing to meet him, find out he’s a great guy, develop a relationship AND have him call you a friend. Ya, pretty surreal indeed.
