Midnight Ramblings - September 2008

Mike Lynch Speaks
In addition his hilarious gag cartoons,
Mike Lynch writes a wonderful blog that covers all aspects of cartooning with an emphasis on the magazine variety. Lynch was recently interviewed by BlogTalkRadio host Mr. Media (Bob Andelman) — listen here (1 hour).

Pulp Fiction Download
Editor and Publisher Robert S.P. Lee (aka Dash Courageous) announced the eighth issue of Blazing Adventures Magazine this week. The story of the month's writer is Jon Wesick, author of Wet Work. Download the free PDF file here.

Necessary Monsters
When the terrific new webcomic Necessary Monsters written by Daniel Merlin Goodbrey and drawn by Sean Azzopardi concludes it'll be collected in a full length graphic novel. Of course you can read every page so far online, but if your can't wait to see it in print, the two comikers have begun issuing chapters in a series of digest-size comics. The first two issues are out now. To get yours contact Azzopardi via his Phatcomics website.

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September 20, 2008 Blog Entry

Free PDF
The 7000 BC comic collective has released the seventh issue of their comic jam anthology called String. Issue #7 is 32 pages and includes work from Bram Meehan, Jamie Chase, Monica Meehan, Michael Ali Ellis, Jake Larntz, Alina Lappalainen, Pete Ziomek, Rafael Contreras, and Paul Ziomek.

Issue #7 and all the previous issues are available online as free PDF downloads. Here's the link. But wait there's more! The group also posted another jam comic PDF from their September meeting called Nature's Fury.

Josh Blair at Ithacon
Editor and Publisher of the mini comic anthology Candy and Medicine, Josh Blair, posted a report on the recent Ithacon on the CorM Blog. The fourth issue of CorM debuted at the event and Josh snapped some great pictures of Jay Lynch and Bob Rozakis.

Middle-Aged Monster
Zuda Comics regular Steve Steiner has produced a limited edition set of fabulous trading cards featuring the characters from his latest comic, Middle-Aged Monster. These things are too cool to miss! You can check out the whole series on his Blog and read (and vote on) the comic at ZudaComics.

Ghost Squad
Pulpsters Ron Fortier and Andrew Salmon have teamed to launch a brand new pulp magazine series called Ghost Squad. Produced through Airship 27 Productions the first story pits the squad against a sophisticated spy network called the Black Legion. The book's design and interior illustrations were created by Rob Davis, with a cover by Chad Hardin. You can read more about it at The Pulp Factory blog and purchase it from the Airship 27 Shop.

Freewriting

I've been taking a series of creative writing classes. One of the first things I learned was the Free Write technique. It's a simple process designed to open your mind, bypass your internal critic, and get yourself into the writing frame of mind. It's equivalent to sketching for an artist.

Free Writes are short bursts of streams of consciousness. A writing prompt is used to provide a starting point, but after that anything goes. You just start writing whenever comes to mind for the next five, ten, or even twenty minutes. The goal is simply to write non-stop for the alloted time period.

To sweep away self-limiting barriers, the following ground rules are very helpful:

• Forget spelling, punctuation, and grammar — at this point they're impediments
• Keep writing for the full time period (Even if you're simply writing, "I'm not sure what to write next. I feel like I'm running out of ideas . . .")
• Write whatever comes to mind (Even if it has nothing to do with the prompt. Just go with it!)
• Don't judge, edit, or hold back your writing. (It's okay to change directions too. Anything goes in free writing. Just keep writing.)

Your first entries may be entirely about the process itself. They may be about how you don't see the point of it, or that you can't wait until the time is up. That's okay. Just stay with it and eventually you'll start to head off in other directions.

Writing prompts are simply catalysts that provide a starting point. They can draw from all five senses. Here's a short list of some of the possibilities:

Words
A word or phrase pulled from a magazine or book
A picture
A line from a poem or a song

Sounds
A passage of music
Turn on the radio and listen the first song you hear

Things
An object
Explore an object's surfaces with a magnifying glass

Textures
Have a friend place an object in a paper bag and feel it's surface

Tastes
Eat something and focus on the flavor

Smells
Close you eyes and focus on an aroma or odor

As you experience these things what memories, response, or thoughts come to mind? Write about them!

For more information on the Freewriting technique check out this article from Wikipedia, which also includes some helpful books about writing and creativity.

Below is an example of a five minute Free Write from January 2008. With the news over the past two weeks, this one jumped out at me as I was flipping through my notebook.

Writing Prompt: "dingy enough" (randomly pulled out of a book)

It looked dingy enough to be abandoned. It was hard to imagine anyone actually living there. But these were tough times all over. Here, in this hovel, the stark reality of what it means to be poor hit home. The rest of us struggle a little when the economy sours, but we don't suffer. We make little adjustments. Skip that latte, forego a meal out, but we still can meet all of our basic needs and even the occasional luxury. But the poor are already struggling to keep their heads above water before the bad news arrives.

Thanks for items and/or links this week to:
Dan Piraro's BizarroBlog

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September 13, 2008 Blog Entry

It's Back!
The long-awaited 26th issue of the venerable
Zine World is now available. The 60-some page issue includes about 300 reviews of zines, mini-comics, and indie small press magazines and loads of other zine-related tips and resources. Send $4 (or $10 for a three issue subscription) to:
Jerianne
PO Box 330156
Murfeesboro, TN 37133-0156
Make checks payable to Jerianne,
or buy it online here.

Candy Land
The fourth issue of Candy or Medicine is now shipping. This issue of the sixteen page mini comic anthology features a six-page comic by Kevin Richardson, a delve in to the mind of Molly Mullen, a two-pager by Ray Negron and Josh Blair, a photo comic by Abby Mullen, Ailments of the Future by Olivia Arrow and another Evil Ed and Nasty Ted strip by Russ Walton. Cover by Simon "mylaststar" Corry. Get yours for $1.50 here.

Is it Print on Demand
or on Pain of Death?
Don't look now, but Jim Main reports the second issue of Dark Corridor is right around the corner. This one features the dark fiction of Sam Gafford, Mark Orr, and Michael Vance, profusely illustrated by his team of gothic artisans. Keep an eye on the Main Enterprises online shop, this is just the beginning of another wave of brand new ME small press zines and comics that are in the works.

Steve Lafler Paints
Indie cartoonist and Tranny graphic novelist, Steve Lafler has started painting again. Check out his latest art works on his Self Employment for Bohemians blog.

Where Monsters Roam
If you're a Steve Steiner fan like me, check out his latest webcomic called Middle-Aged Monsters on the Zuda Comics website, it's one of his best yet! And be sure to cast your ballot and leave feedback.

Newaver Links
As I mentioned last week, Indie Spinner Rack invited me to talk about the newave era of mini comix on ISR #138, the first episode of their special Mini Comics Book Club series. Many thanks to those of you who listened to the show and sent me your comments. Rick Bradford, who got me involved with the show, suggested providing links to the newave cartoonists mentioned on the show, so here they are:

A Partial List of Newave Cartoonists
Tom Brinkmann, Bad Mags
Bruce Chrislip, City Limits Gazette
Hunt Emerson, LargeCow
George Erling, Lambiek
Matt Feazel, Not Available Comics
Brad W. Foster, Jabberwocky Graphix
Jeff Gaither, Website
Par Holman, Lambiek
Rick Geary, Website
Clay Geerdes, Comix World Tribute
Steve Lafler, Website
Andy Nukes Website
Michael Roden, Catalog
Artie Romero, Everyman Studios
Jim Siergey, Website
Bill Shut
Dan W. Taylor, Weird Muse Productions
Jim Valentino, Website
Eric Vincent, Website
Bob Vojtko, Zinography
Joe Wehrle Jr., Website
Gary Whitney, Lambiek
Steve Willis, Blog
Joe Zabel, The Trespassers

A Partial List of Mini Comics Review Zines
Jim Main, Comic Fan
Floydman Sumners, Ka-Whump!

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September 6, 2008 Blog Entry

Mini Comic Bibliographies
Rick Bradford continues to expand content on the Poopsheet Foundation social networking site for mini comic collectors and creators. Lately he's added a bunch of new bibliographies for artists like Jim Siergey, David Miller, Edward Bolman, George Erling, Par Holman, and JR Williams to name a few. Check them out in the History section.

Free PDF Jam Comic
Here another bit of shared Jam from the Cartoonist Conspiracy group's August session in Minneapolis. The 9 mb free PDF file can be downloaded here.

Indie Spinner Rack #138
Charlito and Mister Phil posted the first episode of their new quarterly series, The Mini-Comics Book Club this week. It's episode #138 of the Indie Spinner Rack and features Alec Longstreth plus an interview with yours truly about the newave days of mini comix. (The interview was originally recorded prior to this year's Stumptown.) Please accept my apologies if I left out anyone's favorite newave cartoonist. Many thanks to Charlito, Mister Phil and Rick Bradford for all of their help with the show! Check it out here or on iTunes.

Pulp Review
John Gunnison's Adventure House is re-releasing early copies of Pulp Review (which later became High Adventure), with new covers. You can find out more about them on the website or download their latest catalog in PDF format.

Christmas Cards
Hunt Emerson has released a series of wacky Christmas cards just in time for the holidays. Check them out in the Largecow Shop!

Out of the Alley
The folks at Hogan's Alley reported this week they're hard at work on their sixteenth issue and hope to have it out before year's end. They're also featuring some samples of a new comic strip called Scary Gary by Mark Buford on their website. It's about a vampire and his monsterific sidekick Leopold as they try to carve out life in the suburbs. If you'd like to receive the Hogan's Alley eNewsletter just ask for it.

Art in the Pearl
Over the Labor Day weekend I had a chance to see the annual Art in the Pearl festival and saw some wonderful arts and crafts on display. Below are website links for some of the artists that came from all over the West for the three day event.

Catherine Alexander
Jane Aukshunas
Amanda Blake
Mark & Cody Carter
Karen Croner
Jim Engelhardt
Gene Flores
Jana Grover
Steve Harmston
Jacquline Hurlbert
Terry McIlrath
Shane Miller
Sandy Marostica
Daniel Ng
Arunas Oslapas
Vladimir Ovcharov
Donna Reed
Thomas Rude
Mel Stiles
Kenneth Standhardt
Judy Wise