As my 'sweeps month' presentation continues, here's an underrated talent who certainly deserves noteworthy mention...

When I'd perused through my 'big black sketch book' and came across a number of drawings rendered during a comic book convention in Philadelphia (Circa October, 1993), one such sketch in particular peaked my curiosity.

It was a drawing of 'Jam Quacky' (the hip-hop duck), created by an up-and-coming African-American anthroartist from Philly named Reggie Byers. When I'd visited his concession at the convention, he not only sold copies of the "Jam Quacky" comic book, he also was involved in air-brushing T-shirts (which he also sold to the attendees). So, I'd bought two issues of said comic, and he was kind enough to draw the title character in my "BBS".

When I saw the sketch again recently (prior to scanning), I was wondering whatever happened to Reggie Byers in the eighteen years since we'd last met. So, taking a chance, I went to the 'Search' section of Facebook, typed out his name, and (lo and behold!) he was on the top of the list. But, so his name wouldn't be confused with others also named Reggie Byers, he added his wife's name - so it would read Reggie N Dionne Byers!

Since 1993, (besides getting married) Byers had moved on to other illustrated projects (mostly family-oriented comic books and graphic novels), including "Ballkats" and "Kidz of the King" (the latter title of which Dionne collaborated on).

More importantly, I had just 'friended' Reggie on Facebook the other day, and the two of us have got a lot of catching up to do!...

'Jam Quacky' © Reggie Byers