The real one, not a fake.  It’s not the first time, either.  (Yes, I enjoyed throwing that out there, ‘cause while it’s great to interact here, to know JOHN BYRNE took the time to email me is still a pleasant shock)

Like me and several others on the Forum, JB is a fan of the Eaglemoss Marvel and DC figurines, and there’s been a bit of discussion about the upcoming Guardian piece and its less than stellar, or faithful, appearance.  I said I would buy it, despite the costume being wrong, and the hands looking like deformed lumps, and the head being too small, and the helmet shaped wrong…well, I’m a fan, you know?  I was hoping Eaglemoss would make a few corrections, but I’d try my hand at fixing everything else.  It’s Guardian, my favorite superhero since I first met him, and I HAD to have him.

Here’s where JB comes in.  You know, the guy that created Guardian?

JB contacts me out of the blue.  Not through Jim Warden, not by a post here.  JB says it’s causing him “great pain” to know I’d buy the wretched Guardian figure even as flawed as it is.  He’s going to customize another figure like he did for himself and send it to me, what’s my address?  (I guess JB somehow figured out I was a fan, even without my ever-changing Guardian/AF avatar turned on. Have I mentioned that before, or something?)

And that’s just what he did.  This guy that catches a hell of a lot of flak across the Internet reached out to one fan and did what I consider to be one of the nicest (and f-ing awesome) gestures he could for me.  For FREE.  Not a commission.  He didn’t ask for payment for materials, postage, or for his time.  He set up the World’s Happiest Alpha Flight Fan™ with a hand-painted figure of his favorite hero.  Excuse the language, but I am on Cloud Fucking Nine right now!!!!

OK, free figures from JB and Lionel Peillon. Jim Warden constantly looks out for me with art and other stuff to make my life easier, not to mention lots of emails with updates on his family, hockey, and other fun stories.  Gerry Turnbull emails me when he sees a new product or auction he knows I’ll be interested in.  Dirt cheap comics from Dave Pruitt, and he built a whole forum to buy them in. Plenty of email correspondence with lots of other folks 'round here (including Kevin Hagerman, who has the funniest ‘title’ ever).  I’ve met a few members in person. You know, I’m a lucky man…

JB, again, thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!