09) Walden Wong over Wrightson

Where do I start? Maybe I should start by saying it was a total blast connecting with Walden! He is SUCH a good guy and so cool to communicate with AAAAND an amazing inker.

On top of that, he kind-of a big deal. Just in case you didn't already know, Walden has won the following Inkwell awards (http://www.inkwellawards.com):

2019: Favorite Inker / Most Adaptable
2017: Most Adaptable
2016: Most Adaptable
2015: Most Adaptable
2014: Most Adaptable

But the main #1 reason that this commission was SUCH a great addition to my collection is because of the connection Walden has to the piece. I didn't realize it when we first connected but the JLA Annual #2 book was actually an important book to him.

In his words: "The whole JLA Annual #2 was pencilled by Mark Pajarillo and inked by myself. The Annual was both our first work at DC comics as it was our “try out” issue. Once we were done with the annual, DC comics liked it so much that they made us both the regular fill in art team for The regular series of JLA. So Mark Pajarillo and I did a lot of work for JLA and I’ve also inked some pencils over Howard Porter, just to keep the train moving along."

From a different conversation, we were talking about how Mark Morales had been working on his version and was posting one piece at a time on his Instagram. Walden touched base with Mark, who connected him to me: "I saw the sneak peek that Mark Morales uploaded over on his instagram of Superman and I recognized the work right away. Bernie Wrightson's cover work to JLA Annual #2. I recognized the cover because I've inked all the interior pages of that exact book AND that was my FIRST ever published work with DC Comics. Inking that would be an honor as it'll feel full circle for me."

Then, on top of all that... it got even better (for me). I live in an area where there aren't many comic conventions that bring in professional artists. But I heard about one scheduled only an hour from where I live and HE (Walden) was one of the guests! I dropped a note and asked whether the piece might be ready by that time and ...IT WAS!!! So for my first time, I was able to receive a commission piece directly from the inker. So THAT was cool.

It wasn't very busy at the CON so it afforded me the opportunity to hang out and talk about his work and work history. VERY interesting and engaging guy. You are doing yourself a favor if you get a chance to meet Walden at a CON and make a point to stop. Maybe even pick up a couple of his prints. In the meantime, check out his YOUTUBE channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTTnkiSGtWz70A63FvPAaMw/videos) and website (http://waldenwongart.com).