Greg McElhatton

I haven’t been to San Diego Comic-Con since 2005, and one of the people I genuinely miss seeing more than anyone else? Chynna Clugston.

Chynna is exactly like her comics would make you think; fast-witted, and so sharp she can give you a paper cut. She’s one of those genuinely awesome people out there that I could just sit and talk to (or listen to!) for hours and never cease to be amused. She’s probably best known for her Blue Monday series of comics, about a group of friends in high school. Of course, this group of friends also has a pooka in the form of a six-foot drunken otter hanging around, so it’s a little off-beat. Just like Chynna.

She’s done a ton of comics over the years and they’re a blast and a half; I do also believe that Chynna holds the record for creating the comic that has gotten the most “comments” posted onto it on my review site. (As of this writing, my review of Queen Bee has 26 comments posted! Most of them from fans saying how much they love the book.)

For the record? “Wine belleh” makes me laugh every time I look at this sketch. Seriously. Every time.

Bryan Lee O’Malley is now best known for, of course, the Scott Pilgrim graphic novels, as well as the Scott Pilgrim vs. the World movie. When he drew this sketch for me, though, it was pre-SP. People probably knew him best at the time for drawing the majority of the second Hopeless Savages mini-series (of which Christine Norrie from the previous Wine-Book Wednesdays post drew the first mini-series!), and that’s what this drawing is from.

I love how he used some spot color here, and more importantly Mal is a real treat to talk to. I got to see him most recently when he came to SPX 2008, and he was as smart and nice and interesting as I’d remembered. So many people become a comic superstar and the old version of them goes away, but Mal has continued to be awesome from start to finish.

No, really. Did I leave it at your house? Maybe under the seat of the Metro? Part of me is blaming it on the season and part of me thinks that it is something bigger.

Forget personal assistants, trainers, or life coaches, I think what I really need is someone to walk around when I get home and poke me in the back and say, “Get that done. Get that done. Get that done. Get that done.”

(I am also seeing a new career being born.)

For whatever nonsensical reason (aliens, kidnappers, massive food shortages, deity of your choice comes down and makes it so), you’ve been told you can only eat one food for the rest of your life. Once you make your decision, there is no changing it. Ever.

What food would you pick if you could only eat one for the rest of your life?