Eternal Romance, OSFS and Canada all celebrate anniversaries in 2017

Eternal Romance #1

2017 marks a number of anniversaries, including the 20th anniversary of my supernatural comic book Eternal Romance, the 40th anniversary of the Ottawa Science Fiction Society (OSFS), and the 150th anniversary of Canada's Confederation.

My roots are in Canada, comics and fandom, so there are lots of reasons to celebrate.

Forty years along, OSFS is not the same organization as when I first became involved years ago, and there's a reason for that.

In the early days of OSFS, fen (plural for fan) came together because there really wasn't anywhere else to go. We were seeking like-minded people who loved to read science fiction, fantasy and comic books. We were delirious with joy when we found others who adored Star Trek, Star Wars, Dr. Who and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, and even wanted to dress up like characters from those stories.

We didn't have a con to go to and show off our costumes or shop for geeky things, so we created one: Maplecon.

Janet as General Leia at Ottawa Comiccon 2017

We did those things before they were cool. Now there's a comic-con every weekend, and a new Star Wars movie every year. I can walk into a comic book shop and buy a Green Lantern ring or a Wonder Woman tiara or a Spider-Man hoodie that makes a pretty good makeshift costume if I want to -- something that I could only dream of in my youth.

I remember OSFS members calling people who didn't share our passions "mundanes." The mundanes didn't get us. J.K. Rowling called these types of people "muggles" -- the ones who didn't understand or who didn't embrace the magic.

The mainstream has embraced the magic.

OSFS has had an impact. We have been the trailblazers. OSFS is not the same organization it once was, but we should recognize and celebrate what it accomplished.

OSFS gave us a voice, an outlet for our passions, and for many, lifelong friendships.

Happy 20th anniversary Eternal Romance, happy 40th anniversary OSFS, and happy 150th anniversary of Confederation Canada!

Happy Holidays from Ronn Sutton and Janet Hetherington

Wishing you a happy and creative holiday!

Season's Greetings from Ronn Sutton and Janet Hetherington

The top art is Honey West by Ronn Sutton.

The middle art is Elvira by Ronn Sutton.

The bottom art is Destine from Eternal Romance by Janet Hetherington.

Day Two at Fan Expo Canada: Networking

Ronn and Cap

Day 2 at Fan Expo Canada was another busy one, meeting old friends and making new ones. Ronn found a new client in Captain America, aka Scott, who was pleased with his purchase of Honey West comics.

In addition to selling art and copies of ny graphic novel, Eternally Yours: Illustrated Stories of Eternal Romance, I chatted with Lydia from http://www.ottawahorror.com/, who was exhibiting as part of the show's Festival of Fear, as well as Sorcerer's Children creator Alison Williams, who has new editions of her graphic novels out. Visit Alison in artist's alley at the show.



Alison and Ajaye Williams



I also did some interviews with Image creators Sam Sarkar (The Vault), Jeff Cahn (Red Spike), Owen Wiseman and Nam Kim (Samurai's Blood) and Viktor Kalvachev (Blue Estate, Pherone). Watch for the interviews to appear on http://www.popcultureaddict.com/.

After a long day, Ronn and I went to dinner with artists Leonard Kirk and Dave Ross, along with Dave's wife Judi. A full day -- and today (Saturday) promises to be even more bananas!

Be sure to see Ronn and me at PO71AB, along the back wall at Fan Expo Canada. We have some cool stuff to show you.

See Ronn Sutton and Janet Hetherington at Fan Expo Canada!

Original Supergirl art by Janet Hetherington

Supergirl would fly there, and so are we!

Ronn Sutton and I are flying Porter Airlines to Toronto for Fan Expo Canada, the big comics, horror, science fiction, gaming and anime mash-up that starts Thursday, August 25 and runs through Sunday, August 28, 2011.

It's taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre,  and Ronn and I are looking forward to seeing you at our table, the delightfully named PO71A and PO71B.

If you visit the website or pick up a program book at the show, there's a map that will lead to treasure... all the great original art at our table!

Excerpts sketchbook

Ronn still has some original Elvira, Mistress of the Dark comic book pages, and comics, as well as new original Honey West comic book pages.  And don't forget his brand-new Excerpts sketchbook, which features a different original rough bound into each copy.

Poison Ivy original art by Janet Hetherington

I'll have Eternal Romance comics, t-shirts, mouse pads and new original artwork for this show... like this enticing Poison Ivy.

And remember, Ronn and I do commissions, so book yours and get something really unique. If you have a specific character in mind, please provide reference.

Looking forward to a fun, packed weekend and seeing y'all there!

Happy Valentine's Day from Best Destiny and Eternal Romance

In celebration of Valentine's Day, I'm providing something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.

Something old is a newly colored version of a Fandom Romance piece by Ronn Sutton and me, originally published in Fandom Directory in 1997.

He:  I know it's illogical, but I love you! Come away with me to the Star Trek convention!

She: Sob! Why must I choose between Johnny and my beloved comic books?

Featuring: "Worlds Apart" PLUS "My Boyfriend Wants a Bad Girl!"

Destine, Eternal Romance © Janet Hetherington

Something new is an unpublished 2009 pencil sketch of lovelorn vampire Destine from Eternal Romance.

Wonder Woman is © DC Comics

Something borrowed is borrowed character -- a pen-and-ink drawing of Wonder Woman set against a Valentine heart. 

Pyxie Chix © Janet Hetherington

Something blue is a close-up of Princess Adorra from Pyxie Chix. Girls do love their cell phones.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Comics Fix at Fan Expo Canada Toronto

Fans needed super-hero stamina to brave the San Diego-esque long lines and crowds at Fan Expo in Toronto August 27-29, 2010. Ronn Sutton and I were seated in Artist's Alley, and heard story after story of how some fans waited up to four hours to get in, then lined up again to get autographs from such stars as Stan Lee, William Shatner, Summer Glau, Felicia Day, Adam West and more. One fan reported that he went outside for a cigarette, heard the click of the door behind him, and had to get in line for another two hours to get back inside!

Once inside, however, fans were more than happy to seek out treasures on the dealers' room floor and attend panels and signings. It was busy for Ronn and myself too, as we both sold original art and did a number of commissioned pieces. There were plenty of cool costumes parading by, and a cute Batgirl was kind enough to pose with a Batgirl original art piece I was working on. Once finished, that art sold along with Catwoman, Supergirl, Zatanna, Dragon Lady and numerous versions of Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman was a hot topic at the show, with many fans pondering what was going on with the live-action feature. My feeling is that Wonder Woman has always been a difficult character to write, and a big-screen version should focus on her mythological roots as well as her super-heroic attributes (magic lasso of truth, boomerang tiara, invisible plane). If Hollywood's listening, I'd be happy to discuss!

One of the most exciting things for me that happened during the show was receiving an email from Arrow Publications saying that the first of my Eternal Romance supernatural love stories, TOO MUCH AT STAKE! was accepted by Apple and posted to its app store for download. In this story, lovelorn vampire Destine reveals her origin to wannabe slayer, Grayce Roy. Other stories are to follow, with a download price each of $0.99. I'm hoping Eternal Romance will reach new and returning fans, with Twilight, True Blood, The Vampire Diaries and other paranormal adventures being so hot right now.

Going to Fan Expo also means connecting with friends. I was able to deliver the Barnabus Collins and Angelique Dark Shadows figures I picked up in  San Diego to www.PopCultureAddict.com scribe and publisher Sam Tweedle. Later, Sam, Ronn and Marvel Comics artist Leonard Kirk enjoyed a (late) dinner and Steam Whistle brewskies on Wayne Gretsky's rooftop patio bar/restaurant, Oasis. It took us a bit of a runaround to find the stairs leading to the upstairs patio, but it was a entertaining evening of discussing gory horror movies.

While most of my time was spent behind the table at Artists' Alley, I did get a chance to walk the exhibit floor and do some shopping. I got my pic snapped at the SPARTACUS: BLOOD AND SAND promo booth, and snagged some great merchandise: Star Trek key chain, the Spider-Man / Obama graphic novel, The Nightmare Before Christmas tote bag, Composite Superman action figure, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies graphic novel, True Blood "Fangtasia" hand tattoos and more. Lots to lug home on the train!

Fan Expo 2010 was big, noisy and fun. It seems to be following close on the heels of Comic-Con in San Diego in terms of expansion, but there's still lots of emphasis on comic books. And if by the end of the show,  I look like Death warmed over, I hope it's as good as the lass dressed as Death from Neil Gaiman's Sandman.

NEXT CON: Montreal Comic-Con, September 11-12, 2010! -- Janet Hetherington

Reminder: Upcoming Convention Appearances!

Janet Hetherington (Eternal Romance, Elvira) and Ronn Sutton (Honey West, Elvira, Fear Agent) will be appearing at the following conventions:

Can-Con 2010 (Ottawa): August 20: Janet will be appearing with writer-director Lloyd Deane to talk about her role in the short science fiction film M-THEORY.

FanExpo 2010 (Toronto), August 27-29: Janet & Ronn will be in artist's alley. Come by to for great original art or to chat!

Montreal Comic-Con 2010, (Montreal) September 11-12: Janet & Ronn will have a table. Elvira (Cassandra Peterson) will be there too, so here's your chance to get original Elvira comic book art pages from Ronn and get them signed!

MyRomanceStory.com Announces Romance Short Story Contest

Arrow Publications, publishers of the online romance novel website MyRomanceStory.com, today announced the "Forever After" Romance Short Story Contest. The contest invites readers to continue one of the site's romance novellas to win cash and prizes.

"You know, something as simple as 'the end' should not get in the way of a good romance," said Patricia White, publisher. "So we thought, why not let our readers continue their favorite novella and let us know what happens during the 'they lived happily forever' after part?"

Contestants are invited to pick any of the MyRomanceStory.com's online romance novellas and write about what happens next in the character's lives. Did they encounter bumps along their road to romance? Did they truly spend the rest of their lives happily together or did the passion fizzle? Were the characters living secret lives we didn't know about in the original novella? Who knows? "We want our readers to tell us," said White.

"This is a wonderful way for someone who would like to become a romance novel writer to get their foot in the door and receive some valuable feedback," said White. "We'll be judging the stories on creativity, faithfulness to the original story and characters, strength and appeal of the romantic elements, and the overall writing."

Submissions are due August 31, 2008, and must be between 2,000-2,500 words. The story line should focus on the challenges the couple face after the novella ends, and what circumstances occur to fortify their love for each other. The writer of the winning story will receive $250 in cash, a $25 gift package, a two-year subscription to MyRomanceStory.com, and a written critique by one of the sites' editors on another of the writer's short stories or a sample chapter from a novel.

Cash prizes will also be awarded for the 2nd through 4th place winners and 10 honorable mentions. In addition, visitors to the site can read all qualified submissions and vote for their favorites. The top vote-getter will receive the Reader’s Pick prize valued at $25.

To enter visit www.MyRomanceStory.com/foreverAfter/. All qualifying submissions will be posted on the site.

About MyRomanceStory.com:
MyRomanceStory.com, the premier online romance graphic novella site, is published by Arrow Publications, LLC, a 24-year old Potomac, MD corporation. In addition to graphic novellas, MyRomanceStory.com features lifestyle columns, book reviews, online shopping, a reader blog and quarterly newsletters. The site is enjoyed by millions of readers worldwide.

Janet Hetherington's Eternal Romance comic stories have been serialized on MyRomanceStory.com as well as her novella, "Dangerous Seductions."