NYCC 2014: Questions You Have?

On Wednesday night, 10/8/14, we will kick off our 2014 coverage of New York Comic Con with images and news from Hasbro’s ‘Twas The Night Before… Party and then kick off the official NYCC coverage Thursday at noon! We will also be spending some time behind the booth all weekend with longtime sponsor Razor’s Edge Collectibles who will be at Booth #2938 during the con. We may have a few YN 10 years prints and patches with us as well to give away if you spot any YN staffers at the booth!

We will be meeting with Hasbro, Dark Horse, Koto, Hallmark, Diamond Select Toys, Topps and many others on our trip and want to make sure we ask them what YOU want to know! Submit any questions you would like us to ask before 10/6 and we will do our best to get you an answer. Email them to Yodasnews@gmail.com!  For the most up to date info, be sure to follow us on social media where we will be posting first, then  followed up with nightly reports here on the website.  Links to all our social pages can be found below.

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Yodasnews Q and A with Chris 51 – Creator of Epic Ink

Chris 51 is the creator of A&E’s Epic Ink. Epic Ink centers around nerdy, geeky pop culture tattoos. We are happy to have this opportunity to ask him a few questions.

Yodasnews: How did you get involved in starting a tattoo tv show?

Chris: Well, I simply got motivated because I disliked what I was seeing on tv, and how tattoo artists were being portrayed. I can’t speak for all tattooers out there, but I know for certain that all of my artist friends and myself are not these macho fighting brutes. Let’s just say I saw a vision of turning Mos Eisley spaceport in to an Ewok village haha.

YN: Where did you get the concept for Epic ink?

C: I wanted to do something that was positive, drama free and funny. I had an idea I was working on for a while and a production company had a similar idea, when we got together it was fate, the force was strong with us. I then assembled a dream team of my best friends in the industry, told them my idea, and asked them to join me. I couldn’t do it myself. It was the perfect puzzle of personalities. I knew they were hard-working, intelligent and would make the sacrifice to get this project done the right way, not to mention the very best pop-culture artists I had ever seen in my life! We were already best of friends before this endeavor, but now we are family. I love each and every one of them.

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YN: When did you start your career as a tattoo artist?

C: I started many many parsecs ago…or about 11 years on the earth calendar

YN: What is your favorite part of being a tattoo artist?

C: Not having to be a plumber or carpenter like I use to lol. For reals though, any artist will tell you that if they can make a living and support their family by doing what they love, then your job is not a job, it’s a passion and way of life. I am truly blessed to be able to do what I was put on earth to do. Plus, I am my own boss. I can’t and won’t take orders from anybody, I am too much of an alpha-geek control freak.

YN: What is the best moment of your career so far?

C: It hasn’t happened yet. I am always striving to better myself and conquer the business world. If I settle on a defining moment, that will define me, and I will have no more room to grow as a man and businessman. I will reflect on it all when I retire.

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YN: What is most challenging about what you do?

C: Sleep deprivation. Seriously, my brain never shuts off. It’s always thinking of what business to pursue next, how to do the next tattoo differently than I’ve done before, what promotional items do I need, what conventions do I need to hit up, it goes on and on. Honestly what relaxes me most is putting in Star Wars, it’s the only escape for me that will engulf my mind so completely that I have no choice but to succumb to its force.

YN: What is on the horizon for you?

C: More than Sarlac’s pit can digest lol. Hopefully season two of Epic Ink firstly (so please tune in haha). I just started a new art supply company called Art 51 which caters to TODAYS artists; supplies for graffiti art, screen printers, air brushes, tattooers, etc. I am in talks with a couple toy companies. I am close to releasing my third book, this time a children’s book. I am working on a clothing line called Math & Science with my cousin/cast mate Jeff Wortham. I am going to ad a toy and collectible store inside my shop, Area 51 Tattoo. Teaching more business and motivational seminars. Attending many comic cons! And lastly, the Never-ending quest for the ultimate action figure collection

YN: What advice can you offer someone going into the field?

C: If you can’t out-talent them, out-work them. That has always been my motto. I have never claimed to have the most talent, but will always work harder than the competition, which really makes for no competition when it comes down to that philosophy. Work your ass off and build your own dynasty, never rely on others to get you ahead. Hit the streets, hand out coupons and flyers, grab a broom; never be too proud to sweat and do the hard work. That goes for any field.

YN: How would you describe your “art” in one word?

C: Unorthodox

YN: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. Of course, we need to know what is your favorite Star Wars movie?

C: Empire Strikes Back, but with a couple asterisks.
*Mos Eisley Cantina scene from Star Wars was groundbreaking for science fiction. Never has such a collection of aliens, scum and villainy been assembled in one scene of one movie prior.
*Jabba’s Palace in Return of the Jedi was by far the coolest place in the entire saga.
*Slave Leia in gold bikini…all that needs to be said on that.

Thank you again to Chris for talking with us. You can keep up with Chris on on his website:  www.chris51.com. The official website for Epic Ink:  www.aetv.com/epic-ink .

Don’t forget to watch Epic Ink on Wednesdays at 10:30/9:30c on A&E!

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Yodasnews Q&A with Josh Bodwell from Epic Ink

Josh Bodwell is a new tattoo artist on A&E’s Epic Ink.  Epic Ink centers around nerdy, geeky pop culture tattoos. Josh is a fellow sci-fi fan and Yodasnews reader.  We are happy to have this opportunity to ask him a few questions.

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Yodasnews: First off Josh, how did you get started in the tattoo industry and how long have you been working in it?

Josh Bodwell:  I’ve been tattooing for over 12 years now and I was really fortunate in having my friend and fellow tattooist Mike Ruocco at Funhouse Tattooing in Tannersville, PA (still my home base) give me a chance to apprentice. Prior to all that, I’ve been an artist as long as I can remember, mostly inspired by the comic book and fantasy art I grew up with.

YN:  Please tell us a little about your new show.  How did you get involved with Epic Ink?

 JB:   Epic Ink is a fun and lighthearted look at the quirky side of tattooing outside of all the drama and sob stories, its about getting the images of your favorite characters and thing on your skin simply because you are the biggest fan ever and being done by some amazing artists and having a few laughs along the way. The gang on Epic Ink are all my extended tattoo family, we’ve all known each other for years and have traveled around the world together. I hope viewers will appreciated our little nerdy family’s comradery!

YN:  What are your favorite kinds of tattoos to do?

JB:  I do a lot of color portraiture and realism so top of my list is any scifi or movie character portraits.

YN:  Of course, we need to know, how many Star Wars tattoos have you done?

JB:  Oh man, too many to count! Its hands down my favorite thing to tattoo. I’ve been lucky enough to tattoo at the past Star War Celebration and Celebration Europe 2 as one of the few Lucasfilms licensed tattoo artist. Aside from Epic Ink its probably one of my favorite tattooing moments! Having Carrie Fisher look through my portfolio?! Priceless!

YN:  What was your favorite or most unique Star Wars tattoo that you did?

JB:  I love when I get an opportunity to tattoo something from the EU, like Darth Bane or Admiral Thrawn

YN:  What was the best tattoo you ever did of?

JB:  I know it sounds like a cop out answer but really what ever the last few tattoos I’ve done are my favorite. I’m always working to improve and I work hard to make the next tattoo even better.

 YN:  What was the worst tattoo that you have been asked to do?

 JB:  haha probably the guy that came to the shop and wanted a tattoo that looked like a jail house tattoo.. so he could “impress” his friends I suppose!

YN:  Can you tell us about any Star Wars themed episodes that are upcoming?

 JB:  Well, I can tell you that throughout the season fellow Star Wars fans will spot tons of collectables, artwork and even costumes all around the shop! I’m also ecstatic that we even had Lucasfilms artist Steve Anderson (known for SW official prints and commercial artwork) create our official show artwork.

YN:  With all the tattoo ideas you have seen, do you have any suggestions for any readers that may be thinking of getting some ink?

JB:  Number one suggestion: Research your artist. Look at portfolios and seek out the artist you think will do the best job based on what you have seen from them. It also helps if you are going to get a Star Wars tattoo that they are a fan as well!

YN:  Thanks for taking the time to talk with us.  Before we go, what is your favorite Star wars movie?

JB:  I’m still torn because the adult viewer in me loves Empire for its tone and plot tension, but as a kid I was a big fan of Jedi and love me some Henson puppets! lol

Thank you again to Josh Bodwell for talking with us.  You can keep up with Josh on Twitter/IG: @joshbodwell or on his website:  joshbodwell.com.  The official website for Epic Ink: www.aetv.com/epic-ink .  Don’t forget to watch Epic Ink on Wednesdays at 10:30/9:30c on A&E!