Erik Geiger's Blog

That Dave Sim is cool and funny, I've known for years. That he's also quite generous, I did not know, though it's no particular surprise, either.
He recently offered to send to all who requested one a free, autographed copy of one of the comics in his Sandman parody series from his own comic, Cerebus.
His original offer can be read on Neil Gaiman's blog entry from August 2, 2004
The only catch, and it wasn't much of one, is that the requests had to be submitted via the regular mail system, that is snail-mail, not e-mail. Evidently he was interested in seeing how many folks would respond if they to do more than click on a browser link. He's received over a thousand responses so far, and has been very generous in his replies. A few lucky folks have received not just a single issue, but an entire graphic novel, autographed not just by Sim, but by his partner in collaboration on much of the Cerebus series, Gerhard.
I am a long time fan of Cerebus, so I sent the following letter:

Erik Geiger

XXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXX



Aardvark Vanaheim, Inc

P.O. Box 1674 Station C

Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2G 4R2



Dave,

I love Cerebus, especially Melmoth.



I read of your offer on Neil Gaiman's blog, to respond to a

snail mail request with a free signed copy of one of the 

Sandman parody issues of Cerebus.  Please, if you are willing, 

send me one.



I am also very fond of Neil Gaiman's work.  I realized recently 

that he has moved into a certain niche in my reading habits 

formerly occupied by Roger Zelazny.  I suspect it is simply that 

their works both satisfy my desire to read mythopoeic fiction 

with a strong narrative drive, well constructed plots, memorable 

characters and witty dialog.  

Now that I think about it, these are all things about Cerebus that

appeal to me as well.



In return, please accept my offer to buy you an apricot brandy and 

a raw potato, should you ever come to or near Madison, Wisconsin, USA.



Thanks in advance,

Erik Geiger





P.S. Did you know that "Tarim" is the name of a town in Yemen that known as

the ancient capital of the Hradamount Kingdom?

If I'm lucky, my letter will arrive on a slow day, when he has few other replies to make. Then I might get a personalized reply like this one, to "Manuscript" Winckelman.
Whatever response I get, I will post here.