Brian Stelfreeze is part of Gaijin Studio. You know, the powerhouse studio that is the home of Adam Hughes, Cully Hamner, Karl Story, and Beatty's own adopted son, Kelsey Shannon. I had been fortunate to get sketches from Adam, Cully, and Kelsey over the past year. And although I had talked with Brian several times at shows [usually about movies], I had never been at the right place to ask for a commission.

I made sure that changed at AtantaCon this year. I was first in line for Brian's sketch list. Brian opted for a Jack Carter [which would have been my choice for him as well].

When I told Brian I wanted him to do a Stallone piece he called out to Cully [who was sitting further down the way], "Hey Cully! I'm being called up to the big leagues!"

Going back to Brian's analogy of being called up to the "big leagues" -- well, if that's the case then Brian hit a grand slam the first time at bat. I couldn't thank him enough for the piece.

- Craig Zablo [April 17, 2004]]