(For Steve's Birthday---eekdog---3 weeks late!) (I hope you can see this on a computer at some point, Steve, 'cause it's reeeeeallllly big...) Ok. Steve's Birthday was in May. (I'm late!) While I'm still not 100%, I had to get this up before it snows again. (Also: The final panel reminds me of Game Of Thrones: I have no idea why.) (If you haven't seen Game of Thrones, Steve, be sure to see it on an empty stomach: It's not a bundle of laughs...) To the point: Steve is one of the kindest, most caring people here, and his fans have known that forever. His art explodes off the page...he's got colors to die for, iconic poses, he'll do a rock singer on her knees that's as good as any promo shot for a rock concert anywhere, he does super-dark scenes as well as any filmed mystery, he's got a dynamite sense of style, terrific humor, and an explosive way with an image that knocks peoples' socks off. (I've seen them. Socks fly all over his gallery.) But also: Steve has been through the ringer in the last few years: health matters, job-wise, old boss-wise, friend-who-leases-to-him-and-sucks-the-grand-wazoo-wise, and so on. It's been a long few years, and my heart goes out to him for all of it. Sooooooo... I made this blast of I-don't-know-what (my attempt to imitate Steve's colors, with a bit of photo-manipulation because I know Steve likes it when I do that) to counteract all those awful, endless struggles, and to tell you Steve that you're loved here by everyone who knows you, and that we're all grateful for your work and your love to us. And I wish you much better years ahead! Happy birthday and many more; and may fate start giving everything back that you deserve (along with back-payments for all it extracted from you in the last few years!). Many more years, with tons of blessings and goodness to you: You deserve them all, friend! Many deep blessings! mark (please zoom, it's big) (Oh, and I'll start commenting on the weekend: My arm still hurts; but it's definitely better) ------------------