Harley Quinn by George Perez

So there’s a bit of a personal story to this one.

Here was the very first sketch I ever received. Back in 2014, I was still a teen who was actively reading DC thanks to the still fairly recent New 52. As such, I got to attend my first convention this year when I began to take part more in the hobby. I was just sticking with comic and, as I was still a teen with no major income, stuck mainly with having stuff signed and meeting creators I was still new to. At this convention, George Perez was a headlining guest, so naturally I felt it would be cool to meet such an amazing and legendary artist. I brought my personal New Teen Titans 44 to have him sign, not thinking much else. Once I reached the front, he was very happy to try and talk with me as he was surprised with how young I was yet brought him a comic from way before I was even born. I chatted with him a bit about how I grew up enjoying the 2000s Teen Titans series and that got me to read more of his work. Shortly after, George asked me if I would like a sketch of a character to go with the signing. I’d never gotten one so I anxiously agreed, but I kinda didn’t think it over at the time just cause I was so star struck in the moment. He asked if I wanted a specific character in mind, probably expecting me to ask for one of the Titans. Being naive at the time, I had thought you needed to provide something for them to draw on rather than their own paper, so I gave him a sketch cover for Harley Quinn #0 I picked up at the con for cover price earlier given it was newly released at the time. I asked if he could draw Harley Quinn, as it seemed appropriate, and he seemed very cool with the decision. Shortly after, he drew me up the classic costume Harley with her mallet. Before I new it, I had my first convention sketch thanks to this encounter. It was an honor getting to meet and talk with Perez at the time, and I wish I had take a bit better care of the comic itself as it got some minor damage later on (thankfully not on the art) but I still appreciate the sketch and the memory with it