Greeting Loyal Airmen and a hearty Happy 2009 to all of you.  I flew home on 31 Dec. (that's my grandson Logan's birthday..Happy Birthday, Logan!) and was happy to be back in the Granite State after a truly memorable two weeks in Ft.Collins, Colorado.  This, thanks to my son, Alan, and his family, was a fun vacation for ye old Air Chief and one very much centered around school, artists and comic shops. 

                      The Air Chief, grandson Alex Horne & teacher Mrs.Emily Yenny

When I first started my comix writing career, our five children were little tykes and when their respective teachers heard what I did, I was invited to come to their classes and talk about comic books.  I did quite a few of these presentations for our sons and daughters and lo and behold now I'm doing them for our grandkids.  Before flying out to Colorado, Valerie contacted Mrs.Emily Yenny, our grandson Alex' fifth grade teacher and together they set up a date for me to visit their class and give that hour long presentation.  I'm so happy to report everything went like clockwork and all of us, me, Alex, his school chums and Mrs.Yenny, had a really fun times.  These kids are so bright; their insightful questions were awesome.  It certainly was a day neither Alex or I will ever forget.

               
                                    
                        GRAND SLAM owner & manager Kevin Keen and the Air Chief

One of the things we love to do when traveling is look for Comic Shops, those magical places where you can find all kinds of amzing books and toys.  Well, two days into our visit, Alan decided to take us for a ride around the neighboring town of Loveland, Co. which is where I spotted a sign reading – Grand Slam Sports Cards & Comics.   No sooner had I pointed it out then Alan made a U-turn and we pulled up in the parking lot and headed inside.  Where we met store owner and manager, Kevin Keen and his brother Jason, two of the nicest folks ye old Air Chief has ever had the pleasure of meeting.  Grand Slam is a great comic shop and if you are ever in the Ft.Collins/Loveland area, do yourselves a major favor and check it out.  Their addres is –
                                          GRAND SLAM
                                          Sports Card & Comics
                                          1730 W. Eisnenhower Blvd.
                                           Loveland, CO. 80537     Tel – 667 8713
Should you stop by, tell them Ron Fortier said “Hi!”   During our first visit to the shop, while I was in a fun discussion with Kevin about the merits of the Dark Knight movie, unbeknown to me, Valerie had spotted an action figure she knew I would love and went over to Jason (at the other end of the shop) and purchased it for me.  Two days later, on Christmas morning, I opened a box in which was a Captain America action figure based on a new costume design by comics legend, Alex Ross.  Val then confessed as to how she and Alan had gotten this cool new toy while I was busy with Kevin.  Got to watch those two, they are sneaky. Ha…ha.

Speaking of Alex Ross, might as well segue into the next part of this amazing trip. The first comic work Alex ever did was a five issue mini-series called TERMINATOR – THE BURNING EARTH for the late Now Comics.  And, as you Loyal Airmen are well aware, that series was written by ye old Air Chief himself.  Try finding a copy of that collection.  It's almost impossible.  Anyway, Alan had informed me that one of his business associates had a son who was now in the comics game as a cover artist and one of his first projects was doing the new TERMINATOR – SALVATION covers for IDW comics.  This series soon to be released is an adaptation of the new film to star Christian Bale.  The coincidence was too cool and so Alan set it up for me to meet this young man while out there.  His name is Nick Runge and of course he's a huge Alex Ross fan.  We hit it off immediately and spent several hours, on two different occasions, discussing comics.

                               Nick Runge & the Air Chief

Nick is one of the most talented artist in comics today and his work is just stunning.  He's also one of the most personable young men I've ever had the good fortune to meet.  This fellow is going to do great things in our industry and you heard it here first.

Above is a preview of Nick's work.  Believe me, Loyal Airmen, this is one comic series I am not going to miss, and I urge you to order your copies today!!!  We can't help but be amused at how our lives have spun around certain properties; that is being involved with this science-fiction icon at the start of our career and now meeting the new vanguard in Nick.  Any wonder why we love comics so much?

So there you have it, our wonderful holiday comic jaunt to Colorado.  Come back next week when I reveal what old comic book character we are going to be bringing back in 2009 for your comic book enjoyment.  We think you Loyal Airmen are going to be pleasantly surprised.

Till then, Ron – Over & Out.