The CAPS meeting last night was to remember our friend Dave Stevens who passed away earlier this year. It was very well attended by industry pros. A panel consisting of Bill Morrison, Scott Shaw!, Mark Evanier, Russ Heath, Bill Wray, Jim Silke, William Stout, and Paul Power told how they met Dave and stories of their studio mate. Then it was open to the floor for others to say a few words about Dave. Some stories were funny, others were hilarious, and some were very touching. He was a terrific artist, but he was also a great guy.

If you think Dave was a handsome man, Scott revealed he was even better looking as a woman as he found out when Dave was dressed for a Halloween party by two transvestites. Ed Wood himself was at the event. Bill Wray told of how Dave was stalked by Michael Jackson after storyboarding Thriller. Dave enjoyed going to diners, and at one time revealed he wanted to give up art for a no-pressure job as a short order cook. Mark chimed in that it would have taken him three weeks to make a meat loaf, but it would have been the best meat loaf you ever ate.

People brought Dave originals, about two dozen, that covered his history from Russ Manning assistant, to early Hanna Barbera days to The Rocketeer, to Raiders of the Lost Ark storyboards, to an oil painting done in his last few months. There was an auction of three signed prints with the proceeds going to hairy cell leukemia research. The one signed by Dave and Bettie Page went for $1300.

Other pros in attendance included Paul Dini, Sergio Aragones, Bob Chapman, Marv Wolfman, Bob Foster, Carol Lay, Floyd Norman, and Kazu Kibiushi. We all raised a toast to Dave at the end of the night.

There will be a Dave Stevens panel on Sunday morning at Comic-con. Please attend if you're able to.