LOS ANGELES: Hours ahead of a scheduled signing with Ziggy Marley and the creators of the new graphic novel Marijuanaman, fans were already lined up outside Los Angeles' leading comic book store Golden Apple, waiting in anticipation for a glimpse at the popular singer and his newly launched graphic novel. “I can't wait to get in there and see these guys,” said one fan, while standing in the not-so-warm LA evening. “What they have done is so important to put weed back on the mainstream in a way that is fun and not antagonistic.” The launch on April 20 was ideal – as 4-20 is a day known to all marijuana lovers as an almost national holiday – and fans were not short on high spirits. They had received their green wristbands, their hardback copies of the new volume and were ready to get the signatures of three people who are certain to become infamous in the community. “I just thought it was time,” five-time Grammy winner Ziggy Marley told Bikya Masr as he signed one copy, his signature flowing on the inside cover with ease. “We just gotta keep talking and putting this is a positive light. It's all about hope,” he added. For fans, it was a chance to meet the creators and the international icon, who has long been a voice of power in the pot-smoking community. With music blasting for hours, it was truly a festive atmosphere at Golden Apple. The store is known for hosting key figures of the comic book industry and this was yet another event that continues to put them on the global comic book map. “It is fun to see the people out and happy to meet the authors of their favorite book. That's why it is so important,” said Golden Apple. The store is large, with comic books and graphic novels lining nearly every nook and cranny, but on Wednesday, it was all about the green. Marijuanaman is the story of an alien who needs to find THC in order to help save his home planet. Crash landing on Earth – his spaceship is a bong – he teams up with freedom fighters and potheads to battle the evil corporation called Pharma-Con. Marijuanaman must battle againse Pharma-Con's henchmen as well as a robotic-biker assassin called Cash Money. It was written by author Joe Casey and Lebanese-American artist Jim Mahfood illustrated the book. Mahfood drew a number of images for the fans as they passed by the small table set up for fans. “I have already read half the book standing in line,” said John, a local comic book reader and frequent of Golden Apple. “I am going to read this over and over again, especially when I am high.” Like many of those who joined forces on Wednesday, the battle to make marijuana a mainstream product is important. The back page of the novel delivers important information in an effort to educate the public on the important positive health impacts marijuana can have for a person's body. BM
