Meeting Matt Wagner

The comic book hair club for men pose for a photo at Heroes Con.

A couple of years ago when I went to the Heroes Convention, I met one of my favorite comic book creators but was a little awestruck.

Amid the numerous tables of books for sale sat Mat Wagner, the man who was already a legend among the independent comic book trade.

When he asked if I wanted a sketch, I didn't know what to say so he did a self portrait of himself as Mage and signed it for me free of charge.

This year, when I went I brought a few trade paperbacks for him to sign and chatted with him a little more.

I told him the story of how I had co-opted his Mage design for my karaoke alter-ego.

Here's what happened.

I went to karaoke and after signing up for a song waited my turn at the mic.

The DJ called my name, but as I approached the stage another person with the same first name took his turn.

A few songs later, I signed up again but this time with my last name, but when called it happened again.

As both my first and last names are pretty common, I realized this was going to get keep happening if I wanted to make a name for myself on the karaoke circuit.

I looked down and after realizing I was wearing my black Mage T-shirt with the white lightning bolt, I turned to the DJ. Knowing he was probably not steeped in independent comic book characters said, "From now on, I'm White Lightnin."

And thus, a legend was born.

I told Matt about this and he chuckled. "At least he didn't think you were Shazam!" he said.

Great artist. Great writer. Great guy.

=WL=