Twenty years ago a retired lady bumped into me while I was in line to see “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” when she said, “Oh, you like to draw? You should come to the San Diego Comic Con. Here’s two free passes.” She came to my booth today and I gave her a big hug.

I had over ten young industry professionals who work in comics, animation and video games and tell me that they decided to learn to draw because they liked my work. An incredible 25-year-old Russian kid said that he was raised on a pirate version of my game, “The Neverhood,” I did with Dreamworks in the mid ’90s. I looked at his comic pages and he could draw better than I could. I drew a character for him and he gave up a tear.

I’ve been on the receiving end of so many people’s kindness on my way into this industry that it makes no sense to avoid helping other up-and-coming artists and writers. One thing is for sure; there will be no shortage of great ideas funneling through Hollywood for the next generation. But talent is secondary to what’s really important, that there are people of character and substance coming into this industry that make me feel like entertainment will be in good hands as time goes on.

But let’s get away from this raw sentiment before we might actually feel something and get down to the bottom line–today was my biggest day of book sales ever. I was limping around with a bigger wad of bills than Bill Maher in a strip club.

I loved seeing Lou Ferrigno signing headshots. He looks younger than I remember and his arms are still huge. Sure, Arnold won the title in “Pumping Iron” but he’s the hare to Lou’s turtle.

Patricia Heaton and David Hunt brought the family to my booth to get some books. She’s a true friend and we’ve been working on a few pitches. I loved introducing her to a few pals I’m in business with in Japan. Just to be ironic they started taking pictures of her.

There was a panel introducing Tim Burton’s “Alice In Wonderland” and the audience went nuts when Johnny Depp made a surprise appearance. Producer Sean Bailey talked about “TRON 2.0″ and the footage made the audience erupt with excitement.

My management (Gotham Group) in partnership with Darkhorse Comics has their big yearly drink-n-schmooze then I’m going out to drinks with some Disney executives. With all of this drinking I have a great excuse to be an even bigger jerk so I’m looking forward to that.

Friday brings the Oscars of the comic kingdom known as The Eisner Awards. My buddy Ethan “Eef” Nicolle is up for Best Humor Graphic Novel with his book “Chumble Spuzz”…I’d be nervous, but then again I have a lot of confidence in his work.

Tomorrow (Saturday, when I’m sober), I’ll be on a panel from 11:00am-12:01pm talking about Spirituality in Comics. It will be in room 3. Don’t be a stranger.

Doug TenNapel (L) and fan at Comic-Con 2009

I got to meet my pals who come back to my booth every year and it’s always a special time to go face to face with my graphic-novel audience. I also do portfolio reviews of folks who are just starting to break into the world of comics. I love seeing good art, clear lay out and epic story-telling from 24 year olds. 24 year olds who can draw circles around me. 24 years who aren’t half way to dead like me. 24 year olds who, ah, heck I hate 24 year olds.

While I got soaked on mall parking it was nothing like what I paid to take my family of six to Legoland. “Wow, 20,000 blocks to make THAT!” is about all one can say during a trip to Legoland.

I did a few on camera interviews for I-have-no-idea-what-outlet so if it shows up on the Penthouse Channel I’d like to apologize in advance to my church.

I’m also nursing a broken middle finger on my right hand from a quad accident I had in Colorado three weeks ago so my hand shake is extra-limp. I like giving a firm hand shake but now I’m reduced to a squishy wet fish of a grasp that would send a chill up most people’s spine.

Most fans I talked to were clamoring to buy BONE creator Jeff Smith’s new issue of RASL. I didn’t see any outrageous costuming since the Wednesday night show is just for professionals, the press and exhibitors. This is the lightest night of the convention.

I got to talk to a few fans who had lost their jobs and were barely able to make it to the Con. The recession is hitting everyone pretty deep and while most downturns in markets past didn’t effect floor sales by a lot this year is palpably different. Oddly, I think people are nicer, looking for more intimacy behind the purchase and are doing without big budget items to come to comics for some comfort food. Maybe I’m just reading into it all a little too much, but I don’t recall ever hearing my video game industry friends saying, “Hey, it’s great to just be working.”

It’s late. Tomorrow the San Diego Symphony is performing famous video game music behind the convention which was orchestrated by our musician on the original “Earthworm Jim” video game. I can’t keep track of the cultural 6 degrees of separation that’s happening at the convention. It’s like a great convergence of everything I’ve been stewing in for the last 20 years.

It was great to meet my Big Hollywood readers who swung by my booth. So come on by and I promise to provide the best hand shake I can manage.