In 2018, Melbourne comic writer and artist Benji Bajorek made an unforgettable journey that still feels like a dream come true. Frank Miller, his absolute hero, was scheduled for a special meet-and-greet at Denver Comic Con. Living in Australia, it’s rare to see big-name guests at conventions, and Frank Miller? That’s almost unheard of. Plus, Benji has always disliked the impersonal nature of convention signature/photo-op sessions. He craved a genuine conversation.
So, he did something crazy—blew his savings and flew halfway around the world for a four-day weekend in Denver, just to meet Frank Miller.
When he arrived, Benji noticed that most of the attendees were there with taped-up books, ready to get them signed, slabbed, and CGC graded to sell. It felt very transactional to them, but for Benji, this trip was about passion and admiration. He wasn’t there to make a quick buck on eBay; he was there to meet the man who had inspired him for years.
As he stood in the queue, Benji asked the guy behind him to take a photo of his first meeting with Frank. Bless his heart, he took about 50 photos, capturing every moment of their interaction like a flipbook.
When it was his turn, Benji told Frank about his journey from Australia and the effort he made to meet him. Frank was incredibly kind and gracious, making the experience even more special. They were allowed to get five things signed, and one of the items Benji brought was Marvel’s Star Wars issue 43 from 1980, featuring a pinup by "up-and-coming Daredevil artist Frank Miller" of Luke and Vader fighting. When he handed it to Frank, he paused and said, “Wow! I forgot I did this. Haven’t seen it in years!” He even showed it to his assistant, joking, “See, I’ve done something you actually like! You LOVE Star Wars!” This led to a quick chat about Star Wars and how one of his favourite moments was the Yoda fight in Attack of the Clones. Benji was thrilled because Clones is his favourite Star Wars movie.
They then discussed Frank’s then-upcoming book, Cursed, as Benji is obsessed with King Arthur stories. Their conversation drifted to John Boorman’s Excalibur, and at one point, Frank's assistant made a joke about Dark Knight Strikes Again because Benji hadn’t brought it to get signed. Benji genuinely loves that book, so he got to defend Frank's honour and they talked about the scene with The Question, Benji's favourite moment in Strikes Again.
Finally, Benji handed Frank his unfinished comic and got a bit emotional, thanking him for inspiring him. Frank was super grateful, shook Benji's hand, and they took a photo together. And just like that, Benji had met Frank Miller!
The trip was even more rewarding as Benji also got to meet other incredible creators like Tom King, Mitch Gerads, Denys Cowan, Greg Capullo, and Val Kilmer, who were all super cool. He even had a brief encounter with Neal Adams, who was as cranky as everyone says, which felt just right.
That weekend in Denver was more than just meeting a comic book legend—it was about connecting with someone who has profoundly influenced Benji's creative journey. The memories of those days, especially his interaction with Frank Miller, will always hold a special place in his heart.
To explore more of Benji Bajorek’s work and keep up with his latest projects, check out his website and follow him on Instagram.