Oh yeah

Since I just posted a nice long journal of Aiden meeting Todd Nauck, I felt like I should mention another encounter. I am so proud of my son. Not only is he extremely talented, amazingly intelligent as well as being a good looking young man, he is courteous, genuine and respectful as well. At the CincyCon earlier in the month, while I was at my table watching people walk by, Aiden looked around. Before the con, he asked me who was going to be there. When I told him Dave Johnson was going to be there, he said "He did Red Son didn't he. " I told him yes. But that that Mr. Johnson also had one big connection to Aiden he didn't know. He designed all the original BEN 10 cartoon characters/aliens. To give a little back info, Aiden was the exact age and kid that show was aimed at when it came out. He devoured every second of that cartoon. We bought the toys. He drew the characters. It was his life for years. Even at the too cool age of 15, I could see what the idea of meeting the person that came up with the visuals was doing for him.

He had some money in his pocket walking around. I figured he'd buy books with it. I didn't know he intended on asking Mr. Johnson for a Ben 10 character commission. When he came back to the table he was smiling ear to ear. After talking with Mr. Johnson and conveying what the characters meant to him, he asked for a commission. Mr. Johnson agreed to do him a Ben 10 sketch. And he did it for free. Now he was working that con. He could have charged Aiden whatever and if he had enough Aiden would have paid it gratefully. But no. This man did something so nice and drew my son something that meant something to him for free.

That's why I love comics and the creators behind them. Thank you Mr. Dave Johnson.