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September 24, 2011
Cover and inside back cover preview of Chase #13 by Jim Main and John Lambert
Chase #13
The new issue of Chase was released recently from Main Enterprises. Written by Jim Main and drawn by John Lambert, with coloring for the cover by production manager Marc Haines. The issue opens with a short intro by Main and a longer write-up by Lambert that describes how the two collaborate to create the stories. After a short catch-up, it's on to Point of Intersection Part Two, a 24-page adventure. Chase #13 is available for $3.99 postpaid in the US, from Main Enterprises.
Soul Frieda
A new limited edition comix adaptation, Soul Frieda, that highlights a chapter from Rainer Werner Fassbinder's In A Year with Thirteen Moons, was recently self-published by LMR (Lara McCoy-Rolofson).
Big Plans #5
Congratulations to Aron Nels Steinke on the successful funding of his fifth issue of Big Plans through Kickstarter this week. The content for the book is already complete, so with print funding in hand, the new issue should be available in a month or so. The 4.5" x 6" comix will be printed locally here in Stumptown by Brown Printing, where a variety of comix like Papercutter are printed.
Steinke also held the release party for his latest children's book, The Super Duper Dog Park, published by Blue Apple Books. The new title is a companion to his earlier The Super Crazy Cat Dance, which is an expanded version of a mini comix he first created and self-published in 2008.
Funny Times Oct. 2011
The October edition of Funny Times is out. 24 ad-free pages of gag cartoons, editorials, humor, and comix strips in a monthly tabloid paper. 12 issues for $25 from the Funny Times website.
Crikey! Special, Super-Spies & Secret Agents
Glenn B. Fleming is back with new digital editions of The Crikey! Special (129 full color pages) for £2.99 and Super-Spies & Secret Agents (60 pages) for £1.99 at Yudu.com.
Tom Wilson Rest in Peace
American Greetings and Ziggy cartoonist, Tom Wilson, died on September 16, 2011 at the age of 80. See reports from Cleveland.com and The Daily Cartoonist. Thanks to Bob Vojtko for the links.
French Toast Comix #6
Becky Hawkins has published French Toast Comix #6 featuring Coffee and Beer Money. The 24-page comix (including self-cover) is available for $4 (plus postage) from French Toast Comix, where you can read Hawkins' comix online.
September 17, 2011
Dylan Williams
Cartoonist and Sparkplug Comic Books publisher Dylan Williams passed away on September 10, 2011 at the age of 41. Below is a partial collection of the tributes and recollections around the web.
Ouroboros
I was cruising AdHouse Books catalog the other day and happened upon Ouroboros by Ben Newman. (Interviewed about the comic by Nate Williams on Illustration Mundo.) I immediately liked the cover and clicked through to check out the sample pages. The quality held inside, so I gritted my teeth and placed the order. Now that I've witnessed Newman's strange, wordless, humorously haunting parable first hand, I'm a believer. Despite it's somewhat spendy price tag ($11), Ouroboros is a treasure—and a Midnight Fiction Favorite.
Derf Does Cleveland
Derf Backderf spoke to Michael Heaton at The Plain Dealer this week about his comic strip The City, which began appearing in the PDQ section this week. Thanks to Bob Vojtko for the tip.
Comics and Stories #56
The new issue, Tim Corrigan's Comics and Stories #56, is out featuring part two of the Tyran story that began last issue. The 12-page issue features 11 pages of story plus front cover. Interior pages are b&w, while the front and back covers (shown) are printed in full color. This episode is written by Mike Tuz with everything else by the talented Mr. Corrigan. Single copies of TC's Comics and Stories are $1.50, with 12-issue subscriptions offering even greater value at $15. Order from Mighty Guy Comics.
FIB Chronicle
Nemo Balkanski's Fib Chronicle is now available. The 9" x 12" hardcover is 56 pages of full color comics and can be ordered for $29.99 (CAN) from The Publishing Eye, where you can also read more about it.
Mini Comics
Gerry Giovinco ruminates on a subject close to my heart in his Mini Comics to the Packaging Revolution post at CO2 Comics Blog.
September 10, 2011
Art in the Pearl
Made a quick pass through the 15th annual Art in the Pearl on Labor Day. Here's a sampler of business card and postcard images from a very few of the artists who participated. Click on the image for their website, where you can view lots more of their artistry.
Alison O'Donoghue (Best of Show), Kina Crow and Daniel Ng
September 3, 2011
Monte Wolverton Exhibit
What better place for a display of cartoonist and arteest Monte Wolverton's latest creations than the freaky but true Peculiarium on NW Thurman in Portland, Oregon? The show opened on Sept. 1st for Portland's traditional First Thursday gallery event and runs through September with some 50 pieces on display. If you can't visit the show in person, check out the Monte Wolverton Fine Art for a taste of his watercolors and acrylic paintings.
Front and back covers of Ditkomania #85
Ditkomania #85
This issue highlights Steve Ditko's work for b&w comics magazines. The issue opens with an editorial by editor/published Rob Imes, Lines Drawn in B&W, applying a principles-driven approach to politics. Imes transitions from global commentary to the editorial matters of his zine and follows it with a review of Ditko's brand new Act 8 (aka #13) with Madman, Grey Negotiator and E & I.
Bruce Buchanan, Barry Pearl, and Bryan D. Stroud each review the recent From the Marvel Vault #1 which features Ditko's Hulk/Human Torch story from 1981, but never published until 2011. Their differing perspectives provide a great all-around assessment of the comic's pros and cons.
The Ditko in your Future column shines its spotlight on DC's The Steve Ditko Omnibus Vol 1 and 2, A Ditko #14, and Gene Kehoe's It's A Fanzine #51. ($4 from Gene at 2265 Byron Avenue, Waterloo, IA 50702).
Jason Sacks provides a complete overview of Ditko's work at Warrren, with lots of select panels from some of the artist's most detailed, intricate work. The piece is nicely complemented by Bob Heer's article on Ditko's work in Monsters Attack #1-5, a short lived comics magazine put out by Cracked publisher Globe in 1989/1990.
Imes attracts more LOCs than most zines and provides five full pages of them this issue. He even cut his own responses to allow room for his readers to have their say.
With artwork from Martin Hirchak (cover), Javier Hernandes (back cover) and of course, lots of Ditko panels and pages, it's another solid issue of a great fan zine.
Ditkomania #85 is available for $1.50 plus $1 for postage or as part of a 4-issue subscription ($10) or 6-issue subscription ($15). See the Ditkomania website for more details and the Diktomania Yahoo Group for discussion. Also see the Ditko Cultist website, for the latest in Ditko-related news.
Front cover and select panels from Slither #7
Slither #7
When Kelly Froh began Slither in 2002, she expected to have Slither #7 completed in 2006, the year she graduated from art school and moved to Seattle. After a slight delay, the book is now available and includes stories and memories of her last year at art school, falling in love, Georgia, keeping warm, unwanted house-guests, unconstructive criticism and a breakthrough. The digest-sized comix is 20 b&w pages, plus cover and goes for $2 (plus $1 postage) from Kelly Froh.
Jamie Chase Opening
(From the press release) New work by one of Santa Fe's most respected abstract figurative artists. For over 25 years Jamie Chase has been creating memorable paintings. His continuing exploration of the human form is on display this year in one of the Matthews Gallery's most anticipated exhibitions (Sept. 2 to 15). "Time Capsules" brings together 26 new works by Chase and those who have followed his work over the years will notice some innovative new variations on his style and themes. Can't make it? A preview of selected works is online at the Matthews Gallery website.
Chase (artist) also teamed with Martin Powell (writer) recently on a comics adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles for Sequential Pulp Comics and Dark Horse. The work is currently in production.
Wraparound cover from Mushy's Weather Report
Mushy's Weather Report
CAD and LMR are back with another collection of Mushy comix in classic mini format (only this one is 12 pages instead of the classic 8). In this edition, Mushy takes on the four seasons, an ant, Mayakovsky, and the weather. Clark Dissmeyer also includes a cartoon by Bob Vojtko and a Mushy gag that will only mean something to those that have read Votko's Low Budget Funnies #9. In trade or currency ($1 + 50¢ postage) from:
Clark Dissmeyer
917 E. 25th St. #5
Kearney, NE 68847
Fantasy & Science Fiction
The September/October edition of the longest running F/SF magazine hit newsstands this week. The cover price of this 250+ page read weighs in at $7.50, but you can subscribe for $34.97, which will get them delivered to your house for less than $6 each. Subscribe at Fantasy & Science Fiction. Hat tip to Blackgate for the original announcement, where they link to two reviews of this issue.
F&SF experimented with an audio version of the magazine several years ago and they've recently teamed with Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic to create a new version of the concept. The test issue (from their July/August 2010 edition) is available from Fantasy and Science Fiction Audio for $4.99, where you can also see the full contents (listed in italics). It's about 3-1/2 hours of audio F&SF entertainment for less than $5. Let's hope the new audio edition catches on!
Interior page and back cover from Hannah #3
Hannah #3
The Blood Journals continue with story by Angel Demon and full page artwork by Eroticomix (NSFW). Hannah #3 (Adults only) from Blue Moon Productions is available for $2 (plus $1 postage) from:
Jerry Goebert
156 Howard Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
Funny Times Sept. 2011
The September edition of Funny Times is out. 24 ad-free pages of gag cartoons, editorials, humor, and comix strips in a monthly tabloid paper. 12 issues for $25 from the Funny Times website.
MICE 2011
Boston’s independent comics show is back. The second annual Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo (MICE) moves to a new location in Cambridge on September 24, 2011. It's a day of independent comics exhibitors and panel discussions, plus original art show.
September 24, 2011, 10am-6pm
University Hall, Lesley University, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge (Porter Square), 2nd floor
Free Admission
MICE will offer a day-long program of panel discussions and workshops:
• COMICS IN THE CLASSROOM II: Beyond Maus and Persepolis
• COMICS AND SOCIAL CHANGE
• SMART COMICS FOR KIDS
• PROJECT: ROOFTOP: Indy artist makeovers for mainstream superheroes
• THE FUTURE OF COMICS: Sequential art in the digital age.
• COMICS AND COLLABORATION: Strategies for successful writer/artist teamwork
For more information download the Press Release and/or the Panel Discussions and Workshops PDFs.
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