Studs Up

Couldn’t think of a good post title, so there you go…

It’s been a bit of a weird and slow few days as often follows an international week. Not a lot of action and the tempest around Terry has quietened down somewhat. Although if you haven’t seen it yet, some daring lads got one last wind-up in before the whole thing gets put to bed. Fair play to John as, even after he realises something may be up, gives the autograph hunter the benefit of the doubt. After all, if anyone should respect someone looking to make a cheap buck, it’s him.

Of course, the other big happening was Aaron Ramsey’s rather gross tib-fib break. It’s the 3rd injury of it’s kind to happen to an Arsenal player in as many seasons, leading many (i.e. Wenger) to suggest that they’re being unfairly targeted by opposing players. I think that’s probably one factor but there are plenty of others, not the least of which is Wenger’s desire to purchase increasingly small and fragile-looking players while the rest of the sport gets bigger and stronger. I mean just looking at some of the photos of Shawcross next to Ramsey or Matt Taylor next to Eduardo and it really is a case of men against boys. I fully expect the injuries to continue to pile up as neither the FA rule-makers, referees nor Arsene Wenger are likely to change their respective positions anytime soon.

I’ve also been working on a super secret project for Studs Up the last few months and am really close to giving you guys the first sneak peek. It’s tough not to just spill the beans but I want to make sure everything is right before putting it out there. I think it’s something you all will really enjoy and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Lastly, a lot of folks have been asking for more detail on the Nike trip. I’ll have some info on the new boots they launched and also a general recap of the fun that was had this week. I didn’t want to inundate you guys with too much all at once, although if you haven’t seen the Facebook albums yet then I recommend just so you can read the comments people left on the photos. As much as I hope to make you guys laugh three times a week, you had me in stitches reading through some of the stuff you came up with. Bravo!

- CT

Just uploaded some photos from the second and final day of the Nike Innovation Event last week to the ravenous hoards at the SU Facebook fanpage. There are still a few photo gems I didn’t include not to mention the videos I took, so those’ll be posted in the next couple days as I attempt to recap the madness of last week. Even though I had the weekend to decompress, I’m still all jittery from the whole thing and glad to be back to a bit of normalcy and comic-making merriment.

It was a hell of a good time and particularly special getting meeting guys like Brooks from Dirty Tackle and Ben (beans) from The Original Winger in-person for the first time. We all tweet, chat and email each other virtually daily so to finally get together with these virtual friends to work, party and talk football all courtesy of Nike was just incredibly surreal.

I’ll break everything down in the next few days including my thoughts on the new Mercurial Superfly 2 and its retractable studs, my fanboy moment talking to Pato (and his insanely blinged-out wedding band), the juxtaposition of the England kit being unveiled by Jermaine Jenas.

Oh, and normal comic service has resumed. Wahay!

Nike is whizzing us around to so many different events and areas that I’ve hardly had time to think! So expect a full post about the whole experience (and it was a hell of an experience) on Friday and then normal comic service shall resume on Monday. For my first photo album featuring the launch of the Nike Mercurial Superfly 2 you can check out the SU Facebook Fan page.

Can’t wait to share everything with you guys and thanks for all the emails, Facebook comments and tweets of support!

It’s almost 4am after a long first day for me at the Nike Innovation Event, so I’m tired as mother’s teet. But I wanted to upload a bunch of photos I took from the initial launch of the new flagship Nike boot as well as an appearance from one Cristiano Ronaldo. His face was super shiny.

I’ll post a much more detailed recap later in the week (the new Mercurial is kinda mental, with auto-adjusting studs), but wanted to get you guys some photos first. It’s been a wild trip so far! Normal comics back on Friday.

Check out the photos on the SU Facebook page.

The folks at Nike are putting on a massive two day media event this week to launch all their 2010 products, innovations and World Cup gear. Dubbed the “Nike Innovation Event” they’re going to give the media first hand access to all their new shiznit plus access to players and Nike designers/executives alike to ask questions first. It’s sort of the Apple Keynote of the football gear world I suppose.

Around 300 of the world’s media have been invited and flown in and put in hotels at Nike’s expense to attend. On that list? One cartoonist. Me, to be exact. W. T. F?

As much as I’d like to play it down and act like it’s no big deal, it’s pretty pants-shattingly amazing to be on their radar. I have no one to thank but you guys for what’s been one and a half amazing years since I started doing Studs Up. All your support reading the comics, sharing them with friends, websites, message boards and even emailing me encouragement has allowed this to happen. Without you guys, I’d be just some mental in a basement drawing penguins with bad attitudes (I may or may not actually work in a basement. Trade secrets).

So I’m flying over tonight and will be doing as much live coverage of the event as I can. I’ve been a huge Nike fanboy ever since I was a boy watching those classic TV ads with the ninjas, secret tournaments etc. In fact, I decided to begin my career in advertising specifically with the goal of someday working for Nike Football marketing. That dream took a turn when I started doing comics instead, but this is good enough.

I haven’t been given any details of the event as it’s all hush hush, so I have no idea what to expect. I’m merely arming myself with as many recording devices as possible to capture it all in photos, videos, and sketching on napkins.

If I do get a chance to speak to any players, I have no doubt my time with them will be limited. So if you have any suggestions on what to say, I’d love to hear them!