Reflections on Salt Lake Comic Con - From our Fans

(Shared with permission)

From Mic Shelton:

"I wanted to take a minute to tell you how I have felt since talking to you. Libby and I stopped and looked out over the room one last time on our way out and we are just so impressed at the glorious creativity mankind has inherited from our Creator. There was such an amazing positive feeling throughout the entire gathering that even the things that might have seemed vulgar or morbid just seemed like another expression of the miraculous power of the human mind and the human spirit. I was amazed, delighted, touched, and soothed by much of what I saw yesterday, but I wanted to let you know that none of it was more inspired or inspirational to me as your little booth and the spirit you carried as you genuinely try to bless the lives of your customers. I have seen many LDS media projects from Living Scriptures to BYU Television over the years, and I find your approach to be carefully considered and carefully executed. I predict we will see it's effects far and wide. To be honest, it felt almost like your project was the whole reason the first SLC Comic Con happened when it did. I predict this Comic Con is a step towards a new age of LDS media and the public's view of the Church in the media..."

From Nancy Laing:

"I wanted to say how nice it was to meet you and how impressed I was with your Comic. I read it all the way through on the way back home to Idaho Falls and the only disappointment I had was that it ended!! So get busy buddy cuz I can't wait for the next one!! It's worse than waiting for a movie I'm dying to see.
I LOVED LOVED LOVED IT!!
I really loved all the extra education you add. It's such an informative and fun way to educate about the scriptures and I'm so enthralled with the history. I love history and the scriptures but to see it from your unique, fun way, it made it so much more enjoyable.
I'm showing it to all my friends!!
I love the animals and your art. One thing I can't figure out is what animal Lehi and Laman are. I can see that the rest of the family are cats but maybe you can enlighten me. (We've had family discussions on this one).
So, thank you Michael for sharing your amazing talent for art, and writing, and for giving people such a delightful way to read these incredible powerful stories.  (At times, Scriptures can be boring all by themselves you know).
I'm so grateful for people like you in this world!"

From Dustin Orgill of Digital Hippos:

The stunning art work of Mike Mercer from Spider Comics was one of the most attractive booths out there. From bright colors and amazing design, From the Dust is more than impressive, regardless of the genre or subject. Seriously, even if you don't care about religion or Biblical topics, Mike's talent is a force that has to be seen to believed. Debuting in both print form and iPad app, this series is a breakthrough in more ways than one. Plus, Mike is a super cool guy running a one man show!

Comic Con Giveaway WINNERS & Prints Left!

Over $150 worth of merchandise given away at Comic Con!

We gave away 6 First Fan Kits on the last day of Salt Lake Comic Con! Here is the Jensen family - they're a little excited! They said it "made their day!"

The Jensen Family won a free First Fan Kit at Comic Con! So did 5 other families.

Just a few prints left!

I've had requests about my Comic Con prints and because I left out of town and haven't fulfilled some requests, I'm EXTENDING THE TIME YOU CAN ORDER PRINTS TO OCT 8. That gives me a week after I get back to get your order fulfilled if for some reason you missed the prints at Salt Lake Comic Con

After that any remaining prints will be burned! I only have about 40 prints left, so just a few of each image. 

$8 for 8x10s. Buy 3 and get one free! Contact me directly to order >>

Green-checked prints are available. Red checked prints are not as of this posting (sold out!)

Each print has the special SLCC 2013 (Salt Lake Comic Con 2013) seal! Only about 200 total prints made.

Over 400 books sold @ Salt Lake Comic Con!

We thrashed our sales goals!

I hate worrying about business stuff, but it's necessary if you want to stay in business! We had a goal of 300 books sold and we blew it out of the water! Over 400 sold averaging a book every 3.5 minutes. That's about as fast we could talk!! 

Check out our photos!

Check out all our photos on our Facebook page! >>

Me and my friend Griffin. He runs a dance venue in Provo @ Enliten Bakery & Cafe on Friday nights.

Ronita with Jack! Ronita is good with money. I am not.

The amazing duo - er - trio: Matt, Gollum, and Maria!

Me talking to a crowd of superheroes. We sold an average of a book every 3.5 minutes.

Better picture of the booth coming soon! We had a pro photographer friend drop by and take some.

Yes that is a dinosaur walking down the aisle folks!

NEW!!! Unique Seal Just for Salt Lake Comic Con!

To celebrate From the Dust's debut into official professional comic book life, I've redesigned all the art prints to include this rad seal:

The Paleo-Hebrew ring reads "Property of Baruch ben Neriah"

Who was Baruch ben Neriah?

For those that don't know, From the Dust uses seals inspired by a real artifact found in Israel - the Seal of Baruch ben Neriah, the scribe of Jeremiah the prophet.

Baruch (BAH-rook, rhymes with Luke) is one of the many unsung heroes of the scriptures. It was his faith and determination that helped Jeremiah's prophecies be heard in the temple, in the throne room, and elsewhere in Jerusalem at the time of Lehi.  I would not be surprised if, when the full story is told (after this life when we die), he contributed much to the writing of the Book of Jeremiah as well as other books of the Old Testament.

In an Old Testament chapter strikingly similar to many sections of the modern Doctrine & Covenants, Baruch is both chastised and promised special blessings by Jeremiah, who is clearly the mouthpiece of the Lord to all the true believers of that time.

Comic Con Booth Update

I have over 50 fine art prints that I have never offered before. All of these will have the special Seal of Baruch on them. To accommodate this multiplication of artwork, I've had to custom-design towers and furniture that can be transported in your average vehicle but assembled to look very professional.

Right now it's a mess.

This is my living room:

I promise to have everything in order by Thursday!!

See you then!