tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33359092866755745032024-03-14T14:00:56.361-04:00|| SUNDAY COMIX ||Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger249125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-34718634607785218082015-04-19T16:40:00.000-04:002015-04-19T16:42:27.459-04:00Review: Sing No Evil<p>I was going to write a review about <em>Corto Maltese</em>, because there are two new editions out – specifically, I was going to tell you how much better the large format, black-and-white edition is than the smaller, color edition — but then I realized I was starting a habit of reviewing comics that really don't need it. Instead, I want to talk about <em>Sing No Evil</em>, by JP Ahonen and KP Alare.</p>
<p>In a way, this book needs no review either, because it's so accomplished. But it's from Finland, and it's not about superheroes, so people may not have heard of it. <em>Sing No Evil</em> is about a progressive metal band. Aksel is their lead singer; he writes trailblazing music, but he also has crippling stage fright that makes him stutter.</p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprpXrx02m8pCpv0K5gAxU3HcFEdrJDThhxsfnZxcEA1ZDEF3bZNY7oCLvlCeUtHzqjO6yt2lMw8jQcCOftuOaAyEWAIxsMAJy9dW5yBnOj7AZFCTZDfmY1SeSgOsvpKLEgMdGBnVAAN1s/s1600/SingNoEvil_p122-123.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprpXrx02m8pCpv0K5gAxU3HcFEdrJDThhxsfnZxcEA1ZDEF3bZNY7oCLvlCeUtHzqjO6yt2lMw8jQcCOftuOaAyEWAIxsMAJy9dW5yBnOj7AZFCTZDfmY1SeSgOsvpKLEgMdGBnVAAN1s/s320/SingNoEvil_p122-123.jpg" /></a>
<p>The line-work is incredibly smooth and assured. Both the writer and the artist have been working in comics for years. The style is cartoony enough to show evocative facial expressions, but realistic enough to render a believable urban landscape. It all works together seamlessly. The characters can be desperate, neurotic or sexy, and it makes sense. The strong forms bounce the story along.</p>
<p>The story has fantasy elements in it, but it makes most sense to take in the plot as a slightly exaggerated version of what could happen to any band. Yes, there's a supernatural conflict, but it takes a long time to reveal itself. And, yes, the band's drummer is a bear. But he's really just the archetype of the phlegmatic, non-verbal drummer. Kervinen the bassist is the ultimate low-key, mellow bassist. Mostly, the story is about these characters – and Lily the artsy keyboardist, and poor Aksel, and new guy Aydin – trying to make music that will rock you. Aksel has notes in his head that he's trying to capture, and what musician hasn't had the feeling that such elusive notes might have mystical power?</p>
<p>The day-to-day scenes tend to have a slightly muted, amber quality. But when the music is playing, the panels skew, the colors turn to bright greens and reds, and the compositions become hugely dramatic. The artist makes you <em>feel</em> like you're in a club in front of a huge amp. It's a difficult thing to do (I remember Terry Moore's difficult attempts to work music into his comics), but Ahonen and Alare make it work beautifully.</p>
<p>If you want to understand how a comic can blow you away like a power chord turned to eleven, pick up this book.</p>Chris Sellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032146080740832205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-63632922444687179732015-01-22T13:03:00.000-05:002015-01-22T21:43:48.176-05:00Review: Run Like Crazy Run Like HellA few things to know about <i>Run Like Crazy Run Like Hell</i> by Jacques Tardi:<br />
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<ol>
<li>It's set in the early '70s, but it was published in French in 2011, and just published in English by Fantagraphics this month. </li>
<li>Although using panels from the inside to decorate the front cover, back cover and frontispiece is great graphic design, do your best not to read any of them, or else they may give too much away. </li>
<li>Tardi's style for drawing people may look cartoony, but they're grounded in reality, and this is a hard-boiled, messed-up <i>noir</i> story.</li>
</ol>
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Jean-Patrick Manchette was France's Raymond Chandler. In '72 he wrote <i>Run Like Crazy Run Like Hell</i>. As a result, this adaptation contains effortless little (and sometimes regrettable) markers of the period that might be hard to recreate deliberately. Manchette's lean works are full of trenchant criticism of France's society, and his stories follow characters that most of his readers had forgotten about: the poor, the disenfranchised and the crazy.<br />
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Tardi, following Manchette's lead, takes the characters at face value. We follow along inside the mind of a practiced killer, or a neurotic and disaffected woman, without apology or self-consciousness. Once you get used to the drawing style, the characters are as blunt and stark as in any crime movie.<br />
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(That drawing style is Tardi's version of the French <i>ligne claire</i> ("clear line") style, which puts simply-drawn figures in detailed backgrounds, using realistic props. The line has a uniform weight, and there's generally no hatching or shading, just flat black areas. Hergé pioneered and perfected the style with <i>Tintin</i>.)<br />
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Sometimes, the narration's terseness left me confused: A couple of the scene transitions were hard for me to notice, since there's no inflection between one third-person narrator and another.<br />
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Without giving away anything about the plot, I'll just say that things really get nuts. Before long, the story picks up the momentum of a runaway train. You can read the whole story in one feverish night (like I did). The violence is sudden, brutal and cathartic.<br />
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At the end, you're left with characters who are compromised, with outsiders still on the outside, and with a really weird take on innocence.<br />
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Chris Sellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032146080740832205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-14959960822763449072015-01-19T22:20:00.000-05:002015-01-19T22:42:59.353-05:00Review: O HUMAN STARI'd never heard of <i>O Human Star</i> until yesterday, and I notice that its first Kickstarter was already funded this past fall, so maybe this review will be old news to some of you. But to those who haven't discovered this interesting treat before now:<br />
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<i>O Human Star</i> by Blue Delliquanti is a long-form, ongoing story available once a week (five times a month, to be precise) at <a href="http://www.ohumanstar.com/">www.ohumanstar.com</a>. It's a science fiction story wrapped around a three-character family drama, grappling with compelling questions of identity.<br />
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The story starts with Alastair Sterling, the father of the robotics revolution, dying and then waking up years later in a synthetic body that mimics his own in every detail. Who preserved his memories and installed them in this body is a mystery that drives Al to find his old partner. Things take off from there.<br />
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The book is drawn in an economical style that is cartoony enough to portray the characters' emotions, but detailed enough to show off science-fiction gadgets when the story needs them. The character designs show clearly-defined individuals with rich emotional expressions. (Even the robots look charming: a short valet robot, Gimel, has a face consisting only of a rectangle with two small circles for eyes, but manages to show eagerness as well as dutiful attendance.) As the story jumps back and forth in time, the characters age realistically. They also are clearly of several different ethnicities and backgrounds, which Delliquanti evokes well, in about as few lines as necessary. I've seen much more detailed superhero cartoonists (e.g., the team of Bryan Hitch and Paul Neary) who couldn't draw a consistent southeast-Asian face from one panel to the next (e.g., the Wasp in <i>The Ultimates</i> -- is she Vietnamese? Korean? Anglo? depends on the panel!).<br />
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Sometimes, a simple drawing style without lots of detail is a crutch for a lazy artist. I was initially afraid of that here, but the lines on the page effectively show a rich, complex world and its varied inhabitants. Then they get out of the way of the character interactions. Delliquanti's hub site (<a href="http://www.bluedelliquanti.com/">www.bluedelliquanti.com</a>) shows other comics with other, sometimes more detailed styles, like the war-journalism comic she's drawing, "War is Boring."<br />
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Delliquanti's writing is engaging and subtle, and, like in the best comics (most expertly, Jaime Hernandez's stories in <i>Love and Rockets</i>), much of it is conveyed without words. The characters' faces and stances show conflicted emotions and buried pain struggling to the surface. The few, brief dream sequences go by without heavy-handed explanation. In any science-fiction story, exposition is a necessary evil, but Delliquanti limns her world in a few deft strokes, in story as well as in art. (It helps that the main character wakes up abruptly in this world and needs to be introduced to it along with us.) The author carries us along confidently from the very beginning, always appearing sure of where she wants to go.<br />
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There are thorny questions of identity swirling through the book: Is it harder for a robot to pass as a girl or as a human being? If a woman's prosthetic robotic legs are convincing enough, are they her "real" legs? Is a man gay if he only ever falls in love with one other man? How many genders can there be, and then what if people come in "organic" and "synthetic" varieties? Delliquanti explores the issues by presenting us with characters and situations we can empathize with, never becoming didactic.<br />
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The book is told in two very simple color schemes: blue tones over black lines for present-day sequences, and red tones over black lines for flashbacks. This works well with the simple line art. A few key things in the story get a more complex color treatment, again with a light touch that almost subliminally suggests their fraught significance. I've seen a few isolated drawings in color on the Kickstarter page, which tell me a few other things (like that two of the main characters have red hair), but mostly it's not needed.<br />
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Cartoonists looking to find an audience could learn a few things from Delliquanti's presentation: For example, in her <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bluedelliquanti" target="_blank">Patreon page</a>, she talks about how we can enable her to create comics that <i>we</i> will enjoy. It's not about her getting something off her chest; it's about us, the audience. I always appreciate that. Also, her drawing and writing styles are consistent from the beginning of the book, showing that she did a lot of prep work that we don't see; she's not figuring things out as she goes. I know that I (and probably a lot of us creators) are impatient to get our stuff <i>out there</i>, and to find our audience, but it shows more respect for that audience when we put something out only when it's ready. I do wish that her online store were updated, making it easier to find and buy hard copies of the book now that the Kickstarter is over, but I expect that will come in time.<br />
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The website dumps you at the latest page, so if you're just starting to read it, skip to the bottom of the page and click the "<<" button to get to the very beginning. I could wish for a more convenient "Start Here" button. Despite that, there are other things that I like about the website -- basic things, like that the author bought a domain name that is devoted to the comic, which allows access to the author's main site but puts it in the background. Also, although there are navigation buttons at the bottom (first, back, next, latest), clicking anywhere on a page will advance you to the next page -- hard to give readers a bigger, more convenient button than that. As is common on webcomics, there is an extensive comment-and-reply section below each page. I like being able to interact with authors this way, and it's always interesting to see just how much discussion a single page can generate. As a creator, this is a real treat, since it took a lot more time and work to make that single page than it took to read it, so it can be nice to dwell on it with readers.<br />
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I'm constantly astounded by how many talented, disciplined, hard-working cartoonists are out there, and the great work that we can find if we look. Blue Delliquanti and <i>O Human Star</i> are one great example. I hope she posts a lot more of it.Chris Sellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032146080740832205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-87118876881158616972015-01-07T23:48:00.000-05:002015-01-09T14:34:36.728-05:00Cartoonists killed in FranceIf you've been listening to the news, then you know that twelve people at the satirical French magazine <i>Charlie Hebdo</i> were killed today. They included five cartoonists, including the magazine's editor. At least eleven others were wounded.<br />
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The cartoonists were Charb (editor Stéphane Charbonnier), Cabu (Jean Cabut), Georges Wolinski, Tignous (Bernard Verlhac), and Honoré (Philippe Honoré).<br />
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Wolinski received the Grand Prix of Angoulême in 2005. <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2015/01/07/the_french_cartoonists_killed_at_charlie_hebdo_wolinski_charb_tignous_and.html" target="_blank">There's a great article about him, and about cartooning in France, here</a>. I didn't know about him. According to a quick Google search, his cartoons seem to be mostly just really racy.<br />
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The always-edgy magazine took pride in knocking over revered figures of all stripes, but its treatment of Islam is probably the most controversial. In 2012, the magazine courted outrage among Muslims by publishing cartoons of Muhammad, causing France to close embassies and schools in over 20 countries out of fear of reprisals (and causing the editor to be guarded by a police officer, who was also killed today). The cartoons were derisive, insulting and in at least one case obscene. And even if they hadn't been, just depicting the face of Muhammad is not done by observant Muslims.<br />
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But injunctions like that are to <i>Charlie Hebdo</i> like a red rag to a bull -- particularly where Islam is concerned. France (the white part, that is) has a long and problematic relationship with Islam and Muslims (see "The Battle of Algiers" and the entire 20th century).<br />
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The shooting has done little to stir sympathy for anyone offended by the cartoons. Both the French and American governments have condemned the shooting as an act of terrorism and as a doomed attempt to stifle free speech. Thousands of people have chanted or posted "Je suis Charlie!" ("I am Charlie!") in solidarity.<br />
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There's a big conversation we could have about the role of cartoonists in liberal democracies. Is a cartoonist meant to knock down anything that someone else puts on a pedestal, out of spite for pedestals? Or does there need to be more to it than that? If a cartoonist doesn't take a swing when she sees an opening, even or especially when it would cause an outcry, is she allowing herself to be censored?<br />
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Without excusing the slaughter in any way, I think that <i>Charlie Hebdo</i> (and before them, the Dutch magazine <i>Jyllands-Posten</i>) acted in a childish and oppositional way. Someone said "Don't draw Muhammad," and so they drew the most disgusting cartoons of Muhammad they could think of. Yeah, it's their right, but it's happening in a larger context of French people saying Muslims suck, and that French Muslims aren't altogether French. You don't have to hurl insults in someone's face to establish your freedom of expression. And publishing the cartoons didn't exactly advance the conversation between moderates and extremists -- in France or anywhere else.<br />
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But that's academic now. Now, things have gone tragic. Now, twelve people are dead -- including four cartoonists. The world is poorer without them.Chris Sellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032146080740832205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-3926779467136517342015-01-04T22:45:00.000-05:002015-01-07T22:42:52.789-05:00Cartoon Crossroads Columbus "Launch Event" in 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy 2015! There's not a lot of information out there yet about Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC), but here's what I've been able to glean from <a href="http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2014/11/jeff-smith-tom-spurgeon-team-for-cartoon-crossroads-columbus/">CBR</a> and <a href="http://cxcfestival.tumblr.com/">their own Tumblr</a>:<br />
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CXC will be a four-day festival of comic strips, comic books, editorial cartoons and animation -- pretty much everything you can describe with the word "cartoons." The organizers are Tom Spurgeon, Jeff Smith, Lucy Caswell and Vijaya Iyer. Smith is the president and artistic director, and Spurgeon is the festival director. Spurgeon is moving to Columbus to help organize the event.<br />
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Although the festival starts in 2016, they're having a two-day "launch event" this fall, on October 2nd and 3rd. The first day will be hosted at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum, and the second day will be at the Columbus Cultural Arts Center. The second day is a comics expo, with up to 35 exhibitors. Sounds pretty small to me! (Comics creators, I can only imagine that those 35 slots will go pretty fast.)<br />
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When Smith spoke about the festival at ICAF, he talked about how most comics conventions happen in a windowless room in a hotel, which the attendees and exhibitors never leave, and how it could be in pretty much any city in the world. He contrasted that with the <a href="http://www.bdangoulemepro.com/index.php?langue=en">Angoulême Comics Festival</a>, where the city gets involved and kind of makes it a civic event. He said he'd like Columbus to have something like what Angoulême has. That's a high bar, but the four people behind this know how to get stuff done.<br />
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In the initial CXC press release, Smith says he wants to "bring a first-class comics festival to Columbus." There's certainly that the city has to offer, including the Billy, the film theater at the Wexner Center, the Cultural Arts Center, CCAD, and all the comics creators we know and love.Chris Sellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032146080740832205noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-65326198817490103072014-12-30T00:17:00.004-05:002014-12-30T00:17:47.701-05:00ICAF RetrospectiveThis past November, the Billy Ireland Cartoon Art Library and Museum hosted the 2014 International Cartoon Arts Festival. This amazing festival happens in a different place every year, and it was so great to see it in Columbus this year: to be able to walk out my back door and attend some amazing lectures and talks.<br />
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ICAF has their own <a href="http://www.internationalcomicartsforum.org/icaf-2014-review.html" target="_blank">"ICAF 2014 in Review" page</a>, so this post is really about my own recollections. I attended some very academic lectures: about the influence of Rodin's "Gates of Hell" on <i>Hellboy</i>, the portrayal of women's bodies in Jaime Hernandez's half of <i>Love & Rockets</i>, different kinds of post-apocalypse stories in comics (including why <i>Y the Last Man</i> sucked), and a really cool comic book about an Arab-French kid with polio, <i>Petit Polio</i> by Farid Boudjellal. And that was just Saturday morning! Work kept me from being able to go on Thursday or Friday. Who knows what I could've seen.<br />
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Saturday afternoon saw a wonderful conversation between Jeff Smith and Tom Spurgeon. I've been kind of a Jeff Smith groupie since 1994, often hovering around his table or his talks at cons, usually too shy to say anything. This time, I asked a question which he answered in satisfying detail, about the times that <i>Bone</i>'s plot got away from him -- in both good ways (the Great Cow Race) and bad (the giant bees in Atheia). He's always an engaging speaker and generous with his time.<br />
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At the end of the conversation, Smith and Spurgeon announced their plans for a Columbus-based (and Columbus-themed) comics/cartooning festival in 2016, called <a href="http://cxcfestival.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC)</a>. That is super exciting and it deserves its own post -- so more about that later.<br />
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Then that evening, Congressman John Lewis spoke about his work in civil rights, starting with his days in the '60s marching to Washington with Martin Luther King. Sweet Honey in the Rock sang. It was inspirational -- but I was also very glad to hear the sweet, self-deprecating Nate Powell say a few words about his process in making the comic book <i>March</i>, a biography of Lewis. He showed some giant slides with his layouts and pencils.<br />
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It turns out my wife (who works at OSU) knows Jeremy Stoll, who was involved with ICAF and who created the anthology <a href="http://www.amazon.com/DOGS-An-Anthology-collection-companions/dp/9384439053" target="_blank">Dogs!</a> containing work by American and Indian cartoonists. So Saturday night, my wife and I went and had a drink with him. It turned out to also be with a pretty big group of other comics people, including Spurgeon (whom I found out only that weekend is an important part of comics journalism and the force behind <a href="http://www.comicsreporter.com/" target="_blank">The Comics Reporter</a>) and Caitlin McGurk of the Billy. I'm ashamed to say that I spent a good deal of my time letting Jeremy and my wife talk to each other while I eavesdropped on Spurgeon's and McGurk's conversation about what's wrong with comics ... a rambling back and forth that I barely remember now. I hope I wasn't creepy.<br />
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All in all, a great day that left me in awe of how much is going on in Columbus. Sometimes this place seems like <i>the</i> place to be for comics. Who knew?!Chris Sellershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06032146080740832205noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-11347946589485454242014-08-16T23:12:00.000-04:002014-08-16T23:35:38.049-04:00John Porcellino Documentary <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">ROOT HOG OR DIE : A JOHN PORCELLINO & KING-CAT COMICS DOCUMENTARY </span></h2>
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<b>Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum </b><b>Jean and Charles Schulz Lecture Hall (room 220)</b><b>Friday, September 26 at 7pm</b></h3>
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The "king" of small press comics, (and frequent <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_Press_and_Alternative_Comics_Expo">S.P.A.C.E. </a>exhibitor), <b>John Porcellino</b> will be coming to Columbus in support of the new documentary about his life and work in comics, <i><b>Root Hog Or Die</b>. </i>The film, directed by Dan Stafford, features intimate and candid conversations with John as well as over twenty interviews with his friends, fellow cartoonists, bandmates, admirers, and confidantes.<br />
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<i><b>Root Hog Or Die</b></i> will be showing in the Jean and Charles Schulz Lecture Hall (room 220) on Friday, September 26, 2014 at 7:00 PM. Don't miss out on experiencing this rare and wonderful opportunity!<br />
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For twenty-five years, John Porcellino has been self publishing <i>King-Cat Comics & Stories</i>, a black & white (generally) 32 page comic/zine. His collected stories have been published by Drawn and Quarterly, and his work has appeared in <i>McSweeney's</i>, <i>The Best American Comics</i>, <i>Kramer's Ergot</i>, the <i>Anthologies of Graphic Fiction</i>, and in countless other anthologies and collections.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-82381629335732328852014-03-15T12:04:00.003-04:002014-03-15T12:04:59.235-04:00Say "Hi!" to our NEW *NEW* Monthly Meeting place: The Wild Goose!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As wonderful as it was having a Sunday Comix meeting at <a href="http://cartoons.osu.edu/">The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum</a> in February, and as <a href="http://sundaycomix.blogspot.com/2014/02/say-hi-to-our-new-monthly-meeting-home.html">hopeful as we all were</a> to be able to utilize that wonderful space and fill it with cartoonists and comics creators on a month-to-month basis, alas... it was not meant to be. The details aren't important. What is important is we have found a <i>new home</i> (and hopefully this one will <u>last</u>): <b><a href="http://www.wildgoosecreative.com/">The Wild Goose Creative</a></b>!<br />
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Wild Goose Creative is both a resource and a gathering place (and so much more) for local artists, audiences, and creative people. With a multipurpose creative space at <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=2491+Summit+Street&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS558US558&">2491 Summit Street</a> that is sometimes a gallery, sometimes a school, a kitchen table, a living room, a concert hall, or a dance floor, Wild Goose Creative cultivates the creation of excellent and surprising art. Members of Sunday Comix have a history of good experiences with the WGC and we're looking forward to a more engaging and invigorating future together.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-14411445059331610392014-02-17T18:42:00.000-05:002014-02-17T18:42:43.610-05:00Say "HI!" to our new monthly meeting home: The Billy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dzFoxWiAI3glsm63JnI-ckCygyn_A8y19DZaocjGi9SPDJRKu7VQ7QK-sr-U-gNY6Mmo8_ZVS62KfVv-sUBz0XMtYybuIbZVZNdB7OIxKygIUIRxNFalEg-HS_Y0U4mV3v9irkL6I5E/s1600/2014-02+Meeting+Photo+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dzFoxWiAI3glsm63JnI-ckCygyn_A8y19DZaocjGi9SPDJRKu7VQ7QK-sr-U-gNY6Mmo8_ZVS62KfVv-sUBz0XMtYybuIbZVZNdB7OIxKygIUIRxNFalEg-HS_Y0U4mV3v9irkL6I5E/s1600/2014-02+Meeting+Photo+copy.jpg" height="171" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yesterday, February 16th was a special day for Sunday Comix-- it was our first meeting held at <a href="http://cartoons.osu.edu/">The Billy Ireland Library & Museum</a>! The turn-out for our inaugural get-together in our new digs was nothing short of spectacular. Over 30 Columbus comics creators and enthusiasts gathered in the Will Eisner Seminar Room of The Billy and got to know each other, talked about comics and some shared works-in-progress or completed comics.<br />
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Below are some pics from the meeting and there are lots more on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.617766448311832.1073741830.455989261156219&type=1&l=44bb6cbbe4">Sunday Comix Facebook site</a>.<br />
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If you make comics in Columbus and want to connect with others who do the same, Sunday Comix at The Billy is the place to be! We're open to all!<br />
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Special thanks to <a href="http://nixcomics.com/">Ken Eppstein</a> for helping to guide the meeting in a forward direction and to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cateringbycanada">Canada Keck</a> and <a href="http://www.evettemakesthings.com/">Evette Langford</a> for the tasty treats & drinks!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-89206919217285541572014-02-03T20:02:00.003-05:002014-02-03T20:26:08.424-05:00Celebrate Comics in the Short North <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I received a pretty awesome email today from my friend, Jean, who works at the <a href="http://wexarts.org/">Wexner Center</a>. Jean loves comics and she loves Columbus (it's no wonder that she's my friend!). For the past year, she's been working with musician/cartoonist <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Julian+Dassai,+Columbusonian&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS558US558&espv=210&es_sm=122&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=SifwUoPFOceGyAGy0YDYBg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1046&bih=784&dpr=0.9">Julian Dassai</a> to put together a pretty cool project called <a href="http://wexarts.org/content/public-programs/weinland-park-story-book">The Weinland Park Story Book</a>. The book is a collection of stories from residents of <a href="http://www.columbusunderground.com/tag/weinland-park">Weinland Park</a> that have been turned into comics. (The explanation of the project/solicitation for Weinland residents to share their stories is <a href="http://www.weinlandparkcivic.org/?p=464">pretty cute</a>.) A few Sunday Comixers are participating as illustrators (myself included).<br />
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But y'know what?<br />
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This post isn't about the book. It's about one particular page of the book titled "Good Morning." The story is about a family, a little bird and memorable morning. It was written by Naddir and adapted it into a playful comics page by <a href="http://nextyearsgirl.com/?p=163">Katie Velaska</a>. (You can buy her utterly sweetastic book, <i>Next Year's Girl,</i> <a href="http://2headedmonstercomics.storenvy.com/products/1274274-next-years-girl-trade-paperback">here</a>!)<br />
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Okay, but guess what? This post isn't even about <u>that</u>. It's about this:<br />
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<a href="http://www.shortnorth.org/">The Short North Alliance</a> is unveiling a new series of murals that are giant “stickers” (12ft X 10ft) which will be placed (temporarily) on buildings throughout the Short North. Naddir and Katie's comic page is going to be one of those murals! How cool is that??? The mural will be featured at the corner of 5th and High on the <a href="http://www.dressforsuccess.org/affiliate.aspx?sisid=122&pageid=10">Dress for Success building</a> across from <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/out-of-the-closet-columbus">Out of the Closet</a>.<br />
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There will be a reception on <b>Friday, February 28th from 5:30-8PM</b> in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rays-Living-Room/129218297106601">Ray’s Living Room</a> located at 17 Brickel St (a stone's throw away from Rigsby's Kitchen and Tasi Cafe). There are a number of other murals to see all around the neighborhood and sponsoring galleries will be open and have snacks and drinks for everyone to enjoy!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-72814062415871969672014-01-29T05:32:00.000-05:002014-01-29T06:06:47.825-05:00Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum - Visiting Via Video Want to see the World's Largest Collection Of Cartoon Art? If you live in Columbus, it's easy! You can simply get yourself to <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/preview/place/Billy+Ireland+Cartoon+Library+%26+Museum/@39.9992139,-83.00795,19z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x6cd1e5d27aa2652b">1813 N. High Street Columbus, OH 43210</a> and visit <a href="http://cartoons.osu.edu/">The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum</a> to see all it has to offer (it's got <a href="http://www.tcj.com/a-landmark-in-comics-history-the-billy-ireland-cartoon-library-and-museum-opens-in-columbus-ohio/">lots</a> and <a href="http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/a_few_short_notes_about_the_billy_ireland_cartoon_library_museum_opening_fe/">lots</a>)!<br />
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Here's a preview of what "The Billy" has in store...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Lk32Q8cAJL8" width="480"></iframe>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/LajRHrJGb8k" width="480"></iframe><br />
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...and, if you don't live here, c'mon and visit! <br />
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Videos provided by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/OSUexperts/videos?view=0&shelf_id=4&sort=dd">OSUexperts</a>.<br />
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And... for the heck of it, check out these videos from <a href="http://cartoons.osu.edu/sites/FCA/2013/">The Billy's Grand Opening Celebration</a>.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ovK2NQUyKFI" width="480"></iframe><br />
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Part I: This historic lecture (Ohio State University) by Beetle Bailey artist Brian Walker took place at the opening of the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zlPdcgTa0HE" width="480"></iframe><br />
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Part II: Artwork from the opening exhibit at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum at Ohio State. See examples of animation, political cartoons, comic strips, graphic novels and gag cartoons. Artwork from DC, Marvel, and the American's Sunday comics section are on display. Artist such as Will Eisner, Rube Goldberg, Joe Kubert, Walk Kelly, Bil Keane, Windsor McCay, Charles Schultz. And examples of comic strips such as Blondie, Prince Valiant, Brenda Starr, Beetle Bailey, Dick Tracy, Popeye, Steve Canyon,<br />
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Videos provided by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjqGyYTJn68V9lSvvSwRubA/videos">Lost Art Student</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-29445919371222921002013-04-01T15:54:00.000-04:002013-04-01T16:07:34.981-04:00"PANELS IN PINK"--New Comic Art Exhibit At Wild Goose Creative<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Panels In Pink: A Celebration of
Female Comics Creators" is a new exhibition spotlighting the work of
several female comics artists and writers, mostly from in and around
the Central Ohio area. The exhibit, produced in co-operation with Sunday Comix and curated by SC member Canada Keck, will be adorning the walls of local arts space <a href="http://www.wildgoosecreative.com/" target="_blank">Wild Goose Creative</a>, located at 2491 Summit Street, from now until the end of the month. </div>
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Among the creators represented are:</div>
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<li>Lora Innes</li>
<li>Mari Naomi</li>
<li>Katherine Wirick</li>
<li>Suzanne Bauman</li>
<li>Bianca Alu-Marr</li>
<li>Katie Valeska</li>
<li>Alex Heberling</li>
<li>Maryanne Rose Papke</li>
<li>Molly Durst</li>
<li>Crystal Ash</li>
<li>Brandy Foster</li>
<li>Sue Olcott</li>
<li>Caitlin McGurk</li>
<li>Meg Syverud</li>
<li>Erin Ash</li>
<li>KT Swartz</li>
<li>Lis Huey</li>
<li>JL Smither</li>
<li>Kira Keck</li>
<li>Canada Keck</li>
</ul>
An artists' reception, sure to be attended by many of the talented
women listed above, is scheduled for April 29 from 6 until 9 p.m.<br />
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Ray "!!" Tomczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04414983266540609266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-75999530102087012072012-08-02T15:11:00.003-04:002012-08-02T15:11:56.236-04:00Petition to make Superman the Official Superhero of OhioAmerica's 50 states have all sorts of <a href="http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/">State symbols</a> that represent our cultural heritage and natural treasures. The official State Tree of Ohio is the Aesculus Glabra (or, as it's more commonly known, the Ohio Buckeye). Our official state bird is the Cardinal and our official flower is the Scarlet Carnation. We also have an official animal (White-Tailed Deer), Insect (Ladybug), Gemstone (Ohio Flint) and reptile (Black Racer). Last week, Mark Butler of the Ohio Historical Society <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/general-assembly-of-the-state-of-ohio-create-superman-as-the-official-superhero-of-ohio">created a petition</a> to get an official State Superhero on that list of Official State symbols. For any comic book lover, there should be no surprise which one it is-- Cleveland's most famous (adopted) son, <b>Superman</b>.<br />
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"Superman was created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio," states Butler in the petition. "Superman is a cultural icon that transcends comic books. We want the State of Ohio to recognize Superman and his creators and celebrate Superman's roots in the Buckeye state."<br />
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Mr. Butler is a Project Coordinator in the Educational Partnerships and Outreach Department of the <a href="http://www.ohiohistory.org/">Ohio Historical Society</a>. According to his <a href="http://mark-on-history.tumblr.com/">personal website</a>, Mark "provides fun and engaging teacher training to demonstrate how primary resources can make history come alive. He fell in love with history while visiting the Ohio History Center as a youth. He is happy to share this enthusiasm with educators and students. He also is passionate about comic books, which he, much to the chagrin of his colleagues, also enjoys sharing."<br />
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Superman is heralded as the first superhero. Hopefully, with enough signatures, the "Man of Tomorrow" will become the first official state superhero. Those interested in signing the petition can do so at <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/general-assembly-of-the-state-of-ohio-create-superman-as-the-official-superhero-of-ohio">http://www.change.org</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-17569264958170055492012-07-01T18:28:00.000-04:002012-07-01T18:29:53.369-04:00Music in the Park ...NOW WITH COMICS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since its founding in 2009, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/goodaleparkmusicseries">Goodale Park Music Series</a> has been a showcase for local musicians to share their talents with hundreds of people over the course of six Sunday afternoons in July and August along with local artists, kids activities, and food carts. After attending the <a href="http://www.columbusalive.com/content/stories/2012/02/30/preview-columbus-indie-comix-fair.html">Indie Comix Fair</a> in March and the <a href="http://bit.ly/spacexpo">SPACExpo</a> in April, <span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.alexandra477.com/">Alexandra Kelley Fox</a></span><span style="background-color: white;"> - </span><span style="background-color: white;">event organizer and Columbus blogger/PR extraordinaire, was made aware of the vibrant comics creating community in Columbus. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">As a result, she decided it was time for Columbus become more aware, too, and invited a few local comics creators to set up alongside all the many other creative types. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Kids art activities will be provided by a variety of local artists & organizations over the course of the series, including </span><span style="background-color: white;">Hayley Meyers with Terra Gallery, Short North artist Josey Joseph and youth artists from TRANSIT Arts and Columbus Artmobile. </span><span style="background-color: white;">A number of local food carts will sell refreshments, as organized by Food Fort Columbus.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Below is a handy list of which comics/creators will be attending and when, along with the bands that will be performing. You can RSVP to each of the events on the </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/goodaleparkmusicseries/events">GPMS' Facebook Event page</a><span style="background-color: white;">. All concerts begin at 12:30p and last until 2p.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>July 8- Music: <a href="http://b3monaco.com/">Tony Monaco</a> | Comics: <a href="http://www.nixcomics.com/">Ken Eppstein, Nix Comics</a> and <a href="http://vantageinhouse.blogspot.com/">Victor Dandrige, Vantage:Inhouse Productions</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">July 15- Music: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/the.fabulous.Johnson.Brothers" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Fabulous Johnson Brothers</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> | Comics: </span><a href="http://groupspaces.com/SundayComix/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Canada Keck, Sunday Comix</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.yurithecomic.com/home/blog" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Todd Beistel, <i>Yuri: Gypsy Hunter</i></a></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">July 29- Music: Maza Blaska | Comics: </span><a href="http://www.2headedmonstercomics.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">James Moore, 2 Headed Monster Comics</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://groupspaces.com/SundayComix/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Canada Keck, Sunday Comix</a></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">August 5- Music: </span><a href="http://www.thespikedrivers.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Spikedrivers</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> | Comics: </span><a href="http://www.yurithecomic.com/home/blog" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Todd Beistel, <i>Yuri: Gypsy Hunter</i></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.nixcomics.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ken Eppstein, Nix Comics</a></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">August 12- Music: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Adam-12/120499349930" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mary Adam 12</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> | Comics: </span><a href="http://vantageinhouse.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Victor Dandrige, Vantage:Inhouse Productions</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://maxinkcomix.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Max Ink, <i>Blink</i></a></b><br />
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">August 19- Music: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NickTolfordandCompany" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nick Tolford & Company</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> | Comics: </span><a href="http://maxinkcomix.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Max Ink, <i>Blink</i></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and </span><a href="http://www.2headedmonstercomics.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">James Moore, 2 Headed Monster Comics</a></b><br />
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Hope you can make it out to the park this summer to enjoy some art, food, music and, of course, comics!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">The Goodale Park Music Series is funded by the Short North Foundation, Short North Civic Association, Friends of Goodale Park, Harrison West Society, and ComFest. It was founded in 2009 by Alexandra Kelley Fox.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Goodale Park, 120 W Goodale St, Columbus, OH 43201, USA39.9748292 -83.007265639.9626612 -83.027006599999993 39.986997200000005 -82.9875246tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-34492537229047321782012-04-26T15:58:00.000-04:002012-04-26T15:59:36.788-04:00Matt Madden at the WEX<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.mattmadden.com/">Matt Madden</a> will be at the <a href="http://www.wexarts.org/info/visit/">Wexner Center</a> on Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12.<br />
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The event on Friday, May 11, is ominously titled <a href="http://wexarts.org/ed/index.php?eventid=6255"><em>Obstacle Course: Oulipo and the Creative Potential of Constraints</em></a><em>, </em>but don't let that scare you away! Similar to our jam comics, which originate from a French literary exercise called <a href="http://www.exquisitecorpse.com/definition/About.html">cadavre exquis</a>, <a href="http://www.nous.org.uk/oulipo.html">oulipo</a> is a type of literary exercise originating in France where, theoretically at least, a series of constraints imposed in an exercise allows the writer to be freer and more creative. It's also a sort of acronym, standing for o<span class="st">uvroir de littérature potentielle. </span><br />
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Matt's talk on Friday starts at 4:30 pm in the Film/Video Theater and is <strong>FREE</strong>. Matt will be talk about his work as well as about how oulipo has been used to create art in a variety of media. <br />
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For those of you who'd like a little more instruction in oulipo and don't mind shelling out money, Matt will also be conducting an <a href="http://wexarts.org/ed/index.php?eventid=6261">Oulipo Workshop</a> on Saturday, May 12 from 1 to 4 pm. The workshop costs $12 for members or students or $15 for the rest of us.<br />
<br />Canadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05061782372168073973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-31168296944592594882011-11-14T19:59:00.005-05:002011-11-14T20:54:12.936-05:00Nix Comics Quarterly #4 on Kickstarter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxRQ-WumXRAhDM3PTszLEsbgpevatrLfYsU9h6HyLCQhmkwBgMmp6GkjQKFfLE2vec4jE0T6g7S4OGCdrTFma8vxWbxieBKKEe06grpWrCDz4QAvIi_LWxaoaqv754DNaIqkTv9JGt_XC/s1600/cover4web.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxRQ-WumXRAhDM3PTszLEsbgpevatrLfYsU9h6HyLCQhmkwBgMmp6GkjQKFfLE2vec4jE0T6g7S4OGCdrTFma8vxWbxieBKKEe06grpWrCDz4QAvIi_LWxaoaqv754DNaIqkTv9JGt_XC/s320/cover4web.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675034828874476386" /></a>Nix Comics Quarterly, the rock music inspired horror comic created by <a href="http://www.nixcomics.com/pages/index.php?pageId=148">Ken Eppstein</a>, is getting ready for its fourth issue to go to press, and we all have a chance to help this effort by contributing to Ken's Kickstarter campaign. <div><br /></div><div>Nix Comics Quarterly is well worth supporting, not only because the stories, mostly written by Ken, are great fun to read but because Ken pays the artists who illustrate his stories.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Issue 4 features cover art by <a href="http://www.nenoworld.com/">Michael Neno</a> as well as a story illustrated by <a href="http://www.aliastrations.com/aliastrations/Home.html">Matt Wyatt</a>. Michael Neno's work has appeared in the first three issues, and Matt Wyatt and <a href="http://maxinkcomix.squarespace.com/">Max Ink</a> contributed to Issue 3.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>If you haven't yet explored any of the Nix Comics Quarterly issues, for a mere $20 you can get all four issues and support a fantastic venue for independent comic creators. If you can contribute more, you can get ad space or even original art work from the issue.</div>Canadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05061782372168073973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-82457318901383422312011-11-05T15:07:00.002-04:002011-11-05T15:07:45.884-04:00Coffee + Comic Book Art = Awesome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Attention Comic book fans! Boys and girls! Ladies and gents! Now presenting... an adventure in geekdom at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?rlz=1C1AVSX_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Kafe+Kerouac&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Kafe+Kerouac&hnear=0x88388e507deb25df:0x81fe3b87af4a007b,Grandview+Heights,+OH&cid=0,0,14678892171856277547&ei=Z4e1Tr8Nw7zQAZnnnaUD&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&ved=0CA8Q_BI">Kafe Kerouac</a>! <span style="background-color: transparent;">Check out what the local comic book talent has to offer at the Kafe Kerouac's </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=152594701503667" style="background-color: transparent;">Comic Book Fans and Artists Night Out</a><span style="background-color: transparent;"> on Friday, November 11 from 8p-11p. There will be plenty of comic book art & goodies to be had.</span><br />
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So you think you know all there is to know about comics? From Alan Moore to Warren Ellis? From Archie to Xenia? Prove it! There's going to be a trivia game where you can get to use that nerdy knowledge to win prizes provided by the ever popular comic book store on High Street: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?rlz=1C1AVSX_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Laughing+Ogre&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Laughing+Ogre&hnear=0x88388e507deb25df:0x81fe3b87af4a007b,Grandview+Heights,+OH&cid=0,0,11877270735416394161&ei=sYi1TvbbMNS30QHk5qCgAw&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&ved=0CA4Q_BI">Laughing Ogre</a>. <span style="background-color: transparent;">There's also going to be a "comics caption" game. Show off that rapier wit in head to head competition! </span><br />
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Also! A huge community poster jam will be going on so that anyone can add in their own little drawings and jam with the indie artists who are at the show.<br />
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So, come out, have a cup of coffee or some brewskies (or wine!) and mingle with local creators and see their artwork featured on the walls and on the shelves.<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-70313467586329953362011-11-05T12:38:00.001-04:002011-11-05T12:41:24.529-04:00Local Comic Book Writers Roundtable<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="float: none; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 0px 4px 0px;">
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On October 5, local comics writers <strong><a href="http://www.nixcomics.com/pages/index.php?pageId=148">Ken Eppstein</a></strong>, <strong></strong> <strong><a href="http://www.ferretpress.com/">Dara Naraghi</a></strong> and <a href="http://maxinkcomix.com/" target="_blank"><strong>Max Ink</strong></a> were interviewed by <strong>Doug Dangler</strong> for the <a href="http://www.ohiochannel.org/Programs/ProgramSeries.aspx?programSeriesId=107792">WRITERS TALK program</a>. The interview is available in <a href="https://mediamanager.osu.edu/XFBHeapyy">audio</a> as well as <a href="http://www.ohiochannel.org/MediaLibrary/Media.aspx?fileId=132835">video</a>. It will also be broadcast this week: <strong>Monday, November 7, 7 pm</strong>., on <a href="http://www.wcrsfm.org/" target="_blank">WCRS radio</a> (98.3 & 102.1 FM) and <strong>Wednesday, November 9, 8:00 p.m</strong>., on <a href="http://www.wcbe.org/" target="_blank">WCBE radio</a> (central Ohio's NPR station, 90.5 FM)
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Much fun was had by many on Thursday night to celebrate Michael Neno’s SIMPLEXITY gallery show at the Wild Goose Creative. Here are some pictures to prove it!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mid-Ohio Con is landing in Columbus this Saturday and Sunday, but the fun begins on FRIDAY at <a href="http://packratcomics.com/">Packrat Comics</a> in Hilliard! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beginning at 1pm, comic artist <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Scott-Page/68341648856">Steve Scott</a> will be at Packrat signing comics. His most recent work includes <b><i>Batman </i></b>prior to the DC relaunch<b>, <i>X-Men Forever, Wolverine</i> </b>and<b> <i>JLA</i></b>! He'll be here all afternoon to sign your copy of <a href="http://www.dccomics.com/dcu/comics/?cm=19580"><b><i>Batman</i></b> 713</a>...the issue that shows the second location of Packrat in Gotham City next to the Wayne Foundation!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, at 7pm the <b>annual</b> <b>turkey dinner </b>will be served to get the <b>Mid Ohio Kick Off Party</b> in full swing! There's free transportation to and from the convention center, plenty of free food and drinks, and an exclusive showing of our Mid Ohio Comic Con Publishing Contest comic book winners in their brand new art gallery. There's also the charity comic book Texas hold `em poker tournament, live music with disco lights & a fog machine. So come to Packrat Comics and join the fun!</span><br />
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<u style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Shuttle Service provided by Packrat Comics</u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: Starting at 6:30pm and every 30 minutes thereafter there will be a shuttle to pick up party goers at 400 High Street in front of the Columbus Convention Center on the corner of Goodale and High. RSVP on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=285454394802596">Facebook Event</a> to reserve space on the Packrat Comics Kick Off Party Shuttle.</span><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-41288219218624514122011-10-17T02:52:00.002-04:002011-10-17T02:52:59.772-04:00WANTED: NIX #4 Cover Art<br />
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<a href="http://www.nixcomics.com/pages/documents/image/nix_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nixcomics.com/pages/documents/image/nix_logo.png" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="goog_629501623"></span><span id="goog_629501624"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><b>Ken Eppstein</b>, the head honcho over at our friendly neighborhood <a href="http://www.nixcomics.com/pages/index.php?pageId=151">NIX Comics</a>, is looking for a few good artists. Well, actually, he's looking for ONE good artist, but never mind that right now. Ken is prepping for the fourth issue of <b>NIX Comics Quarterly</b> and is in search of a cover artist. As he writes on the NIX website, "i<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">t will require someone with a decent feel for the rock music/horror comic crossover material that is the bread 'n' butter of Nix Comics Quarterly." The artist that gets the gig will receive </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">$300 for the cover art upon completion, plus 12 contributor copies of the book after printing is complete. The initial print run will be 2500 books. "If we are lucky enough to go into a second print, we'll negotiate a second deal for use of your art."</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">All the details and such can be found at the <a href="http://www.nixcomics.com/pages/index.php?pageId=127">NIX Comics website</a>. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-4558931199884820912011-10-17T01:25:00.001-04:002011-10-17T01:29:02.748-04:00A Maus in the Haus<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">This poster was totally ripped </span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">off from a different Spiegelman event</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 24px;">“What the %@&*! Happened to Comics?”</span></h3>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262064; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thursday, October 27, from 7:30 to 9 pm, <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=2199+East+Main+Street%2C+Columbus%2C+OH+43209&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=2199+East+Main+Street%2C+Columbus%2C+OH+43209&z=16">Capital University, Mees Hall</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Capital University is proud to present one of the icons of the comics medium, the Pulitzer winning <b>Art Spiegelman</b> for its annual <a href="http://www.capital.edu/Calendar/Lectures_and_Conferences/Capital_s_Gerhold_Lecture_in_the_Humanities_Presents_Art_Spiegelman.aspx">Gerhold Lecture in the Humanities</a>. Art is on a publicity tour for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/MetaMaus-Look-Inside-Modern-Classic/dp/037542394X%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAJNA3QS2AGVCXHCCA%26tag%3Dnpr-5-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D037542394X">MetaMaus</a>, (a very special new edition packed full of extras to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his stunning work Maus) and is combining that with his lecture on the history of the medium entitled <b>What the %&*! Happened to Comics?</b> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those of you who don't know: in 1992, Spiegleman won the Pulitzer Prize for his masterful Holocaust narrative Maus, which portrayed Jews as mice and Nazis as cats. Maus II continued the remarkable story of his parents’ survival of the Nazi regime and their lives later in America. His comics are best known for their shifting graphic styles, their formal complexity, and controversial content. In his lecture,<b> What the %@&*! Happened to Comics?</b> Spiegelman takes his audience on a chronological tour of the evolution of comics, all the while explaining the value of this medium and why it should not be ignored. He believes that in our post-literate culture the importance of the comic is on the rise, for "comics echo the way the brain works. People think in iconographic images, not in holograms, and people think in bursts of language, not in paragraphs.”</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This event is FREE and open to the public.</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-59360537869586674762011-10-17T00:15:00.001-04:002011-10-17T01:33:19.169-04:00Michael Neno's SIMPLEXITY<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Mutated cats</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">A heat-seeking dwarf </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Val Crocodile, Associate Professor of Linguistics </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">What do these things have in common? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">They all oozed out of the mind and hands of <a href="http://www.nenoworld.com/"><b>Michael Neno</b></a> and will be on display at the <b><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?rlz=1C1AVSX_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Wild+Goose+Creative&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Wild+Goose+Creative&hnear=0x88388e507deb25df:0x81fe3b87af4a007b,Grandview+Heights,+OH&cid=0,0,5567961034763698733&ei=raibTobxPMPz0gH7kJ3QBA&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&ved=0CAUQ_BI">Wild Goose Creative</a></b> from <b>Oct.20 </b>until <b>Oct. 24</b>. There you will witness</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> a wide variety of Mr. Neno's </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">comic book art pages, story book illustrations, webcomic art, minicomics, as well as an example of Michael's working process from notes to the finished page. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">There will be a <b><a href="http://www.wildgoosecreative.com/Wild_Goose_Creative___Events.html">gala opening on Thursday night from 7p-10p</a></b> complete with exhibition notes, comic-related music, and snacks to fill the margins. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />Mr. Neno is a recipient of a <strong><a href="http://www.xericfoundation.org/">Xeric Grant</a></strong> and the <strong>Ohio Governor's Award of Excellence.</strong> He's been writing, drawing, lettering, coloring and publishing comic books since the 1980s. Michael's also curated three previous exhibits at <strong>Wild Goose Creative</strong> (including "<strong><a href="http://www.columbusarts.com/events/69920-hey-kids-a-history-of-comic-book-advertising-gallery-opening/">Hey Kids! A History of Comic Book Advertising</a></strong>" which was featured throughout the 2010 Wild Goose Creative Geekfest).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><b>SIMPLEXITY: COMICS, DRAWINGS and DAYDREAMED DOODLES by MICHAEL NENO</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Opening Reception: Thursday, October 20th from 7-10 PM</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Wild Goose Creative: 2491 Summit Street, Columbus, OH 43202</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">RSVP the event on <strong>Facebook</strong>: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=284180084933739" style="color: #074d8f;" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>event.php?eid=284180084933739</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">See more of Micheal's work at <a href="http://www.nenoworld.com/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">http://www.nenoworld.com</a> and <a href="http://eventized.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">http://eventized.blogspot.com</a></span></div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-5926777618592093622011-04-14T15:48:00.005-04:002011-04-14T16:06:19.916-04:00Available Light Theatre Presents Skyscrapers of the Midwest<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1EkO6eOpP7G2FvBelxnoSYB8lqXbrQcmojHAqHMoSlobGmKIQJbwEWvtiuMt-pMDTFb4kIVJ5bJ_BT6HdMOqMq8thp4YW9N4k398wZ6muepjBUuwqQFcOV24rQxD07Oa1ukDEA6G1OH4/s1600/skyscrapers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 411px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1EkO6eOpP7G2FvBelxnoSYB8lqXbrQcmojHAqHMoSlobGmKIQJbwEWvtiuMt-pMDTFb4kIVJ5bJ_BT6HdMOqMq8thp4YW9N4k398wZ6muepjBUuwqQFcOV24rQxD07Oa1ukDEA6G1OH4/s1600/skyscrapers.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-1038131360746158804" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; "><div class="separator" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 1.6em; text-align: right; clear: both; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span">[adapted from the original post on Ray Tomczak's <a href="http://guttertalkcomicsblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/available-light-theatre-presents.html">Gutter Talk</a>]</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 1.6em; text-align: left; font-size: 13px; clear: both; "><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 1.6em; text-align: left; font-size: 13px; clear: both; "><b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Skyscrapers-Midwest-Joshua-Cotter/dp/0977030474">Skyscrapers of the Midwest</a></i></b>, a graphic novel by <b>Joshua Cotter</b>, is an odd yet haunting and affecting tale of two young boys, depicted as anthropomorphic cats, growing up in the 1980's. As he writes <span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="cursor: pointer;"><a href="http://avltheatre.com/1011/blog/2011/02/09/from-comic-to-play/">in his blog</a></span></span>, <b>Matt Slaybaugh</b>, founder of Columbus, Ohio acting troupe <b style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; "><a href="http://avltheatre.com/1011/">Available Light Theatre</a></b>, began to see the possibilities of adapting the comic for the stage shortly after first encountering it in 2008. Thus, Slaybaugh got in touch with Cotter and began the process of transforming the sequential narrative into a live theatrical experience.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 1.6em; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify; ">The results of that process are on display beginning tonight as <b><i>Skyscrapers of the Midwest</i></b>, the play, written and directed by Slaybaugh, runs for two weeks (Apr 14-23) at the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&safe=off&ie=UTF8&q=Riffe+Center+Studio&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Riffe+Center+Studio&hnear=Columbus,+OH+43212&cid=6419606675961189681&z=14">Riffe Center's Studio Two Theatre</a> in Downtown Columbus. Appearing in the production are<i> </i><b>Emily Bach, Acacia Duncan, Drew Eberly, Jordan Fehr, Adam Humphrey, Brant Jones, Leigh Lotocki, Elena Perantoni, </b>and <b>Ian Short</b>.<br /><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 1.6em; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify; ">When I wrote that <i>Skyscrapers</i>, the comic, was odd, that was by no means intended as a slight. Based on the fact that he included giant robots in the story, I get the feeling that "odd" is, at least in part, exactly what Cotter was going for. It was those same giant robots that lead me to wonder as I read the book how Matt was going to bring this story to the stage. I'm looking forward to seeing how he pulled it off. I've been told that the art of puppetry is involved.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 1.6em; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 1.6em; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify; ">Available Light employs the "<a href="http://avltheatre.com/1011/pay-what-you-want/">pay what you want</a>" pricing strategy for nearly all of its productions, <i>Skyscrapers</i> included. This means there are no set ticket prices, allowing patrons to pay what they can afford or what they feel the show is worth. As stated on Available Light's web-site, "It’s simply a better world when we can all afford to see good shows, no matter how much cash we’ve got in our wallets on a daily basis....it’s about removing the barriers between you and great art"<i></i></div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 1.6em; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 1.6em; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify; "><b><i>Skyscrapers of the Midwest</i></b> promises to be another great show from Available Light Theatre, and I strongly urge anyone in the Columbus area with an interest in either theatre or comics to head downtown this weekend or next and check it out.</div><div style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 1.6em; font-size: 13px; text-align: justify; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 1.6em; font-size: 13px; ">If Ray's preview above didn't convince you you about the awesomeness of Skyscrapers, how about a very very cool video from AVLT:</div></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/22361652" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://vimeo.com/22361652">Skyscrapers of the Midwest video preview</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/avlt">Available Light</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;">Seriously... check it out.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3335909286675574503.post-21470380600674428652011-03-21T15:53:00.001-04:002011-03-21T16:00:46.729-04:00Sunday Comix Raffle to Benefit AFSP at S.P.A.C.E.<blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqpQHQkAdXtSuYrh2d8m0aTKcD9NRkvOJJZZGfv9XxRsenBpfUVQRNYTvWuOzkjgp5euKNgyLM8Y4F_KLhCT5UFHrmSw-pK3R5rIvgjZG-cog6-Woljv-_6mCeTkDElcj-rTpE17xb00/s1600/afsp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqpQHQkAdXtSuYrh2d8m0aTKcD9NRkvOJJZZGfv9XxRsenBpfUVQRNYTvWuOzkjgp5euKNgyLM8Y4F_KLhCT5UFHrmSw-pK3R5rIvgjZG-cog6-Woljv-_6mCeTkDElcj-rTpE17xb00/s400/afsp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Every 15 minutes someone dies by suicide."</div></blockquote></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">That sad statistic comes from the web-site of <a href="http://www.afsp.org/">The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention</a>. As far as I'm concerned, once every twenty years is more than enough. In my life, I have lost two people that I have cared about to suicide. First, my childhood best friend Eric "Igor" Brown in 1991, and most recently my nephew Steve Pisarchick in 2008. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thus, this past weekend at the 12th Annual <a href="http://backporchcomics.com/space.htm">Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo (S.P.A.C.E.)</a>, I organized a raffle at the Sunday Comix table, the proceeds of which went to the AFSP. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Before the show, I took a basket, donated by fellow Sunday Comix member Canada Keck, around the room, filling it with comics generously donated by many of the exhibitors to be the prize. Throughout the day, as well, several other artists came up to the table and added to the prize pool. By the time we finally held the drawing, the basket could no longer hold all the comics that had been donated. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Selling tickets for $2, or 12 for $10, we managed to raise $168. To that I added $32 from my own pocket to make a $200 donation to AFSP in Steve's memory. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I would like to thank everyone at the show who donated comics, all those who bought tickets, and, most of all, my fellow members of Sunday Comix, especially Canada and Max Ink, for all their help and support. I could not have pulled this off without it. </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You can find more information about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and make a donation on-line, at <a href="http://www.afsp.org/">afsp.org</a>.</div>Ray "!!" Tomczakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04414983266540609266noreply@blogger.com0