“The Big Book of Barry Ween, Boy Genius”

“I loved this book when I was younger, and it’s still great now.

It’s weird, it’s genuinely funny, and Judd Winick couldn’t be nicer.

I won’t say too much, but I met him just a couple years ago, a good decade out from the Barry Ween days. He was at a con promoting a VERY different book, and when I told him I was a fan of his from the BW days (I didn’t say that, “The BW days.” I just shortened it here, then realized you would think I said it to Winick, like I would call Robert DeNiro “Bobby D” or something) he looked really happy, and he drew me a totally unsanctioned Barry Ween sketch in 10 seconds flat. And he told me not to tell anyone that he’d done it because his new publisher would probably kill him.

…I figure we’re far enough out now that it’s cool, right?

I’ve had a mixed bag when it comes to meeting writers/artists, and Winick was one of the best. I don’t always care whether an author is a jerk, but it certainly builds some loyalty when someone is really nice to a comics dork. Thanks, Judd!”