I recently concluded another run of Artist Editions, and I wanted to share a few of my favorites. In an "Artist Edition" book, I do a special numbered illustration inside your book before shipping it out to you. If you're thinking about picking up a book, these are some examples of what the illustrations look like on the inside. Remember, you can use PayPal's "note to merchant" function to request the character you'd like me to sketch.

I also want to mention that I have some room on my Commission List, so if you'd like a personalized drawing, please check out this page for details. Click on the thumbnails to see them in their full-sized goodness.



Artist Editions can be purchased at the Evil Inc store, so if you like what you see, you can order one for yourself.

The Philadelphia Comic Con is just around the corner -- May 30-June 1 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center -- and there's a lot going on. I'll be there, promoting my new monthly comic and selling original art, books, commissions, and more.

Click on the handy guide below to download it in PDF format. Print it out or store it on your phone so you're ready for all of the fun!

We're not really a sports family. It's never on TV in our house, and none of us follow a single team. If a cheer goes up in front of our TV, it's more-than-likely a giant robot just got his head handed to him by a caped thunder god.

And the cheer is probably coming from my wife, and she isn't exactly cheering the story itself... but that's a topic for another post.

So, when our 7-year-old expressed an interest in baseball, we signed him up without thinking much about it. During the first practice one of the coaches was explaining a "force play."

My kid instinctively reached for his imaginary lightsaber.

So we decided that the best way to learn baseball was to watch it being played and to discuss what was happening with the boys. But have you priced a major-league baseball ticket recently -- let alone four? Nope. Those guys are angling for corporate fish. They're not set up for family fun.

Thank goodness for minor league baseball.

Campbell's Field, across the Ben Franklin Bridge from Philadelphia, is the home of the Atlantic League Camden Riversharks. It's everything you could look for in a baseball experience -- beautiful stadium, great baseball, hot dogs, popcorn, beer -- and all for around ten bucks a ticket. That's not even considering stuff like AAA discounts or Groupons.

We got great seats, an excellent baseball experience, and a thoroughly enjoyable evening... all for close to what we'd pay for a movie.

Plus, minor-league baseball follows that old Avis maxim, "We're Number Two, but we try harder." They're not major-league baseball. But that's OK. They play baseball at a fantastic level of proficiency. You'll see some tremendous feats of athleticism. Plus... between every inning and side-change, they've got something going on. They're either throwing T-shirts into the stands or they're dressing a couple fans in inflatable sumo costumes to wrestle along third-base line.

Nine-chances-out-of-ten, you'll get something handed to you the minute you walk in the front gate. This weekend, we all got Riversharks hats courtesy of Allstate insurance. Not cheap net-backed baseball caps, either. Pretty darned nice ones. I'm wearing mine to the 7yo's next game. If I'm gonna be a baseball dad, I guess I'd better look the part. (But if I find a cool embroidered Green Lantern cap at Wizard World Philadelphia this year, that may change.)

Speaking of "trying harder," Wizard World, was at the ballgame, too, promoting the Philadelphia Comic Con (May 30-June 1). They sponsored a super-hero-costume contest and Iron Man 3 tie-ins at the game. Nice touch, guys.

All-in-all, it was a beautiful night out with my family that didn't break the bank. We'll definitely be back a few more times this summer. Why? 'Cause in this world of fine print and advertising double-speak, it's nice to see someone trying harder for a change.

That, and my 7-year-old keeps trying to break up a double-plays by waving his hand at the shortstop and telling him that this isn't the baserunner he's looking for.

Minor League Baseball Near You

• The Atlantic League.
• Major League baseball stadiums.