Another reason my friend Mark is awesome

My friend Mark is awesome for many reasons. He's one of the most friendly and caring people I know. He's a connoisseur of fine comic books and video games. And he gives the best gifts.

I received this week in the mail a birthday gift that made me — the Marvel 2099 fan that I am and ever shall be — squee with joy. Mark commissioned for me a sketch of Dr. Doom as he appeared in the futuristic Marvel Comics series. And who did Mark get to draw the sketch? None other than Pat Broderick, the first and finest artist to ever draw the "Doom 2099" comic! Mark, who crossed paths with Pat earlier this month during SpringCon in Minnesota, even got the artist to sign the sketch to me. It was a wonderfully thoughtful gift and a huge surprise to receive. I regard it as highly as my irreplaceable sketch by artist Mike Wieringo. It's that cool. And Mark is that awesome.