14 January 2018

Some thoughts and observations by Sydney’s wife Jan  on their recent trip to the Reggio Emilia comic book show where Sydney was guest of honour.

“Getting through customs at Bologna air port was easy compared to the carry on at Gatwick and Sydney and I were relieved to see two cheery faces waiting to greet us and take us in a warm car to our destination and hotel in Reggio Emilia. Our driver Silvio did not speak too much English but Giovanni his companion thankfully did. After a wash and brush up in our very modern hotel room with the biggest bed I have ever seen We met for dinner .Giovanni, and Silvio, and were introduced to Paola (the president of Anafi) there were around a dozen other people that we shook hands with some of them were publishers and also a few other artists.I have to say these were among the most friendly and helpful people I have ever met and nothing was too much trouble for them. We found out that the people who had invited us to the convention were all volunteers and passionate about comics. after a tasty supper we retired to bed.
The next morning we were whisked off to the convention and were amazed at the size of the buildings and the huge variety of comic books, paintings, models, and inevitably a food hall with every kind of delicacy on sale particularly the parmigiano reggiano cheese for which the area is famed The group had fifeteen years previously published a coloured book of Jeff Hawke stories based on the work modified for the American market. Sydney signed the remainder of the books to sell on their behalf. Almost immediately and before we could properly set up the stand we were inundated with fans of Sydney’s art. some had books to sign that they had kept for years others wanted to buy some original art or copies thereof and some just wanted their photo taken with Sydney. I am never ceased to be amazed at the adoration that is bestowed on him in Italy, Paola said “Sydney is a myth… well I had never heard that before. As the day progressed the interest shown in the Jeff Hawke artwork remained high. I was heartened to meet again many of the fans that had been in Lucca the previous year some of whom had travelled a significant distance to be at the convention. On one of the breaks Sydney and I were able to go and look at the other stands and it is clear that in Italy the home grown product is holding its own against the influx of American style super heroes. We travelled out for lunch where we met among other fascinating people,a literary critic from Venice whose grasp of life and letters gave the strongest clue as to how the comic reading public in this remarkable country has formed their appreciation of the Jeff Hawke saga. Back at the conference the stand continued to attract a steady stream of fans and we were kept busy answering the many questions levelled at us. Again the day ended with a splendid dinner at which the talk and the wine flowed!
Sunday it was a beautiful sunny day and we had to give it our best shot as we were leaving that afternoon to go back to our cottage and two dogs. Sydney was taken to an interview room where he was prompted to talk about past projects and future ones as well. We were taken again out to lunch and a journalist turned up and proceeded to ask Sydney questions; they ended up on the road outside and Sydneys lunch got cold.
Back for the last stint on the stand before we were escorted to our waiting car and transported back to Bologna airport under a glorious Tuscan moon.
The friends we made and the people we met confirm yet again that in Italy Jeff Hawke has found his spiritual home.”

Jan Jordan