Arthur Suydam stole tables from three artists at Montreal Comic Con

[PureInvasion]

I'll say it again...who?!

All this drama, you'd think this guy was actually someone who mattered

[Underdog07]

Just a quick note that San Diego Comic Con unexpectedly closed its doors in the middle of the day today and cancelled all upcoming events for the weekend. Seems the con was not able to draw enough support without Arthur's attendance.

[snappahead]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Wow what a crack head! I've met Zub many times and he's a million times cooler than smug ass Arthur

Yeah, JIm's a great guy and he's busted his ass in comics for years as a writer and artist. He's anything but a "fan artist". Arthur is showing his true character with this statement. Keep digging that hole, buddy.

[gomur]

Mark Waid my favorite Flash writer and all-around champion! Love that he didn't mince words. Feel badly for the displaced artists who were too kind and considerate to reclaim their tables. This guy Arthur Suydam is a piece of work and I'm glad for the OP sharing this. I honestly had no idea who he was and only recognized a handful of his Marvel Zombies covers.

[Alpha_Flight]

Originally Posted by snappahead

Yeah, JIm's a great guy and he's busted his ass in comics for years as a writer and artist. He's anything but a "fan artist". Arthur is showing his true character with this statement. Keep digging that hole, buddy.

Zub is pure gold. Such a rad person.

[greenjeans1978]

Originally Posted by gomur

Mark Waid my favorite Flash writer and all-around champion! Love that he didn't mince words. Feel badly for the displaced artists who were too kind and considerate to reclaim their tables. This guy Arthur Suydam is a piece of work and I'm glad for the OP sharing this. I honestly had no idea who he was and only recognized a handful of his Marvel Zombies covers.

I knew him for contributing painted covers for the Gibbons/Kubert Batman vs. Predator series. But even back then, he was no great shakes. I wouldn't rank his work on that book as anything more than serviceable.

That he regards himself as some unsurpassable comics legend and all other artists are hacks compared to him is a joke at best, and insulting at worst. I can't think of anything he's done that would justify ever calling him a legend or an influential creator of any kind.

[Ghost9]

Originally Posted by Underdog07

When my son was 5-6 he had a small sketch book 2x3 inches that he got free sketches in. He went to Golden's table and Michael took it and was about to start when renae came over and informed him he was not to do any free sketching. When she turned around he grabbed back the book and did a sketch.

Underdog, similar thing has happened to me before. I have a 4x6 sketchbook for my son - went to Suydam at WW Chicago in 2012, my 7 year old son asked for a sketch. Suydam said you have to buy something first. I grabbed my son and turned to walk away. There was no one at his table, and a little boy is the one asking. His response and attitude was very rude. Every other artist we approached was friendly and happily obliged.

I hear you on Renee. She hovers like a hawk. Took my Stan Sakai Usagi Yojimbo benefit book to James O'Barr at a con to sign. She jumps over to us and says I have to pay for a signature. James was awesome - he says this is a benefit for Stan, we can make an exception. Golden has been friendly and approachable every time I've seen him, but Renee is always there lurking in the background. It's enough to put me off and not approach any of her artists anymore.

[JadeGiant]

and it just keeps getting better ... this from Bill Sienkiewicz

Missed the whole Arthur Suydam table-gate mishegas, though when I heard of what he'd done I wasn't surprised. I'd been the recipient of this 'convention booth kudzu' at many a NYC con. I used to get phone calls from convention organizers telling me that Arthur had specifically requested booth space immediately adjacent to mine. Guess he wanted to 'draft ' off my fans.
I'd arrive at between 10:30 or 11:30 am at my booth and every. single. day.I'd find his merch ALL over my booth and table space. "Not cool." I'd say, and his response of a laugh, a wave and a "just keeping it warm for you" failed to elicit any smile from me after the second day-- or again on the third.
I just felt messed with and disrespected.
I treated him as a friend and peer with respect. This is confounding.
I don't particularly care to understand what motivates this behavior. I told all show runners to keep us separated.

‪#‎suydamized‬

[greenjeans1978]

Originally Posted by JadeGiant

and it just keeps getting better ... this from Bill Sienkiewicz

Missed the whole Arthur Suydam table-gate mishegas, though when I heard of what he'd done I wasn't surprised. I'd been the recipient of this 'convention booth kudzu' at many a NYC con. I used to get phone calls from convention organizers telling me that Arthur had specifically requested booth space immediately adjacent to mine. Guess he wanted to 'draft ' off my fans.
I'd arrive at between 10:30 or 11:30 am at my booth and every. single. day.I'd find his merch ALL over my booth and table space. "Not cool." I'd say, and his response of a laugh, a wave and a "just keeping it warm for you" failed to elicit any smile from me after the second day-- or again on the third.
I just felt messed with and disrespected.
I treated him as a friend and peer with respect. This is confounding.
I don't particularly care to understand what motivates this behavior. I told all show runners to keep us separated.

‪#‎suydamized‬

I was just about to post that. I've met Sienkiewicz at the Motor City shows. He seems a decent guy, and he's a legitimate comic book legend. For Suydam to try and screw someone of his stature over is beyond sick.

However, it did give us this great quote from Ben Caldwell:

It's adorable that Bill Sienkiewicz is talking about Arthur Suydam. It's like Einstein talking about... I don't know? The village idiot who eats his own poop while taking other people's convention tables? I'm not good at analogies.

EDIT: Renee Witterstatter is on Sienkiewicz's Facebook still doing spin control for Suydam. She's not going to let him be held accountable for his BS under any circumstances.

[joy_division]

Courtesy of Bill's Facebook page

One of the bits of 'buzz' I was informed of at SDCC this year- by Neal and Buzz Da Artist as a matter of fact - was something I'd only heard of marginally on social media. I'd missed it due to deadlines and prepping for the show.

I'm not much for the 'jump on the bandwagon' school of bashing fellow pros. Comics and illustration is a tough field, a tough life's choice to pursue, and I give props to anyone trying to make an honest go of it.

Key word here is honest.

Left is a 30x40 in painting I did in the early 90's for a Superman exhibition in Nebraska. Right is a print for sale by this ....other guy... By the way-- Supes's thighs are courtesy of Frank Frazetta.

I'm not gonna even say his name.
Just
Shame on you.