Sunday Comix Raffle to Benefit AFSP at S.P.A.C.E.

"Every 15 minutes someone dies by suicide."

That sad statistic comes from the web-site of The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  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.  

Thus, this past weekend at the 12th Annual Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo (S.P.A.C.E.), I organized a raffle at the Sunday Comix table, the proceeds of which went to the AFSP.  

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.  

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.  

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.

You can find more information about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and make a donation on-line, at afsp.org.

SPACE

Join us at SPACE this weekend, March 19 and 20, for the release of our two new collections- SUNDAY GOLD and BLUE SUNDAY--. (Each available for $3 or buy both for $5!)

New S.P.A.C.E. site

S.P.A.C.E., the Midwest's largest exhibition of small press and creator owned comics, is celebrating its 11th year in Columbus with a new website (www.spacexpo.info) and a new location (Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center, Columbus 4900 Sinclair Rd.). Designed by resident S.P.A.C.E. vollunteer artist, Tom Williams, and lorded over by event coordinator, Bob Corby, the new website provides all the info from the tried and true decade old website, a history of the show, a list of exhibitors, more accessible contact info and features a new blog to boot. (The website is still in progress, so if you find any broken links, contact Tom.)

If you're an artist/writer/publisher of indie comix, sign up for a table to exhibit your work (Tables are still $55 till February but fear not, it only goes up to $65 for full tables. Still a bargain compared to other indy shows)! If you're a reader/lover of comic books, be sure to clear your calendars on APRIL 24 & 25 to see all SPACE has to offer in 2010.

This show is purely a grassroots effort/ DIY show. So, anything you can do in your area to help promote this is a good thing. The show lives and dies by word of mouth so spread the word.

SPACE Prize Winner Announced

I have just posted on the Official SPACE Blog, Cosmo's Corner, the announcement of the winner of the first annual SPACE Prize, as well as an interview with the winner.
The SPACE Prize, consisting of a plaque and a check for $300, honors excellence in self published small press comics. It was created as a successor to the Day Prize, which was awarded annually at SPACE by Cerebus creator Dave Sim from 2002 to 2008. Shortly after this year's show, Sim decided to stop doing conventions, thus discontinuing the Day Prize. So SPACE organizer Bob Corby stepped in to create the SPACE Prize.
The SPACE Prize will be presented at the 2009 SPACE show, which will take place on April 18th and 19th in beautiful Columbus, Ohio.

SPACE Coverage

I just wanted to quickly say thanks to all the attendees, exhibitors and fellow Sunday Comixers who came to this year's SPACE. There's a slew of coverage & photos from the show at the Comic Related site and I posted a more detailed report of my own SPACE experience on my personal blog. Next year's show is slated for April 18 & 19, 2009.

Day Prize Winner Announced

Cripes-- how could I've let this one slip?

2007 HOWARD E. DAY MEMORIAL PRIZE:

It's MR. BIG by Matt and Carol Dembicki of Little Foot Comics in Fairfax, Virginia.

Those interested in checking out MR BIG can do so at

www.littlefootcomics.com

You can order it online or buy one when you see Matt this weekend at SPACE!

Over at James Kolchalka's American Elf Supersite, he posted this drawing his four-year-old son Eli did of Jeff Smith's Fone Bone.

James shares a cute behind-the-scenes story starring Mr. Smith and Bone colorist Steve Hamaker (who will be at SPACE this weekend):

The other night I was reading the second volume of Jeff Smith’s BONE series as a bedtime story to my son Eli (age 4). Eli decided that he wanted to do a drawing of Bone and send it to Jeff. It was pretty late at this point, maybe 9:00 at night so he was deliriously sleepy, and he was trying really hard to copy one of the drawings from the book exactly. He worked really hard on it and kept messing up until he was practically in tears. Finally, he did a version which he decided was successful.

So I emailed the drawing to Jeff and also to Steve Hamaker who colors the Bone series for Jeff. Steve very graciously colored Eli’s Bone drawing in his signature style and emailed it back. It’s pretty incredible to see Eli’s little drawing with colors beautifully rendered by a true professional.

Steve has got to be the nicest colorist in comics. What a champ to do this for my little boy!

Also, Jeff Smith was interviewed by New York Magazine, talking about Bone, RASL and Drew Barrymore.

The Secret Is Revealed!

As per ICv2 News:

Dave Sim's "Secret Project" has been revealed -- it is a searing, photo-realistic examination of the Holocaust. Available in May, the 56-page, perfect bound Judenhass (literally "hatred of Jews") was begun in 2005 in response to the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and it will be published this spring during the 60th anniversary of the founding of Israel. Sim plans to keep the volume in print and hopes that retailers will support it as a perennial title.

Sim's visual meditation on the Holocaust has had a profound effect on the industry figures who have seen the entire work. Neil Gaiman's comment was typical: "Judenhass is an astonishing piece of work. Painful and real and unflinching. I don't remember the last comic I read that made me cry, but this did," while Marv Wolfman added: "Judenhass is endlessly disturbing, often unpleasant and incessantly horrifying in its stark coldness. The quotes should never be forgotten or made light of. It is why all people of good will say, 'Never again.'"

Because of the nature of the subject matter, Sim will not advertise or promote this project in the way in which he is marketing his more conventional work such as his new Glamourpuss series. Sim is a longtime supporter of the direct market and the Judenhass Website indicates that the book will "be available exclusively in comic stores."

There are some sample pages available for preview on the Judenhass website, but anyone who comes to SPACE this weekend can see 30 original art pieces from the book on display up close and personal.

Making of Glamourpuss Video

Only 5 Days until you can see Dave Sim at SPACE...

...but you can see him in action NOW, tracing, drawing, inking and talking about Al Williamson at www.glamourpusscomic.com! (Link courtesy of the Cerebus Yahoo Group.)

...or just check it out below.

Countdown 10...9...8...7...

...Six days until SPACE blasts off! Tom Williams has posted some easy-to-download-and-print SPACE fliers for anyone to help spread the good word:
JOIN THE S.P.A.C.E.`08 STREET TEAM
-download a two-up flyer
-download the full sheet.

For full instructions, check out Tom's Open Crash Comics site.

Talkin' Small Press with Bob Corby & Co.

The recording of last night's "Open Mike, Insert Foot" is online and available at TalkShoe for download or listen online via stream. Hear Bob Corby, Tom Williams, Tony Goins and Max Ink answer Mike Leuszler's questions and explain just why Columbus is such a great town for comics.

Ground Control to Major Tom (...and Field Marshal Bob and Private Max...)

Space-Man Painter Extraordinaire and PANEL member Tom Williams, Space-Man Supreme Organizer Bob Corby and Spaced-Out Sunday Comixer and cartoonist Max Ink will be interviewed by Mike Leuszler for his podcast show “Open Mike, Insert Foot” on Wednesday at 9:25 PM. You can join the conversation by going to the TalkShoe website and follow the instructions there or if you can't join us, you can download the show later on and listen in.

Can You Hear An Echo in Space?

In honor of promoting the "Trifecta of Self-Publishing 2008," I am posting the following announcement:

Terry Moore's ECHO #1 will debut on March 5th (with a silver foil cover!). The books will hit the shelves in comic shops all around the country three days after S.P.A.C.E. wraps up (where you can meet Dave Sim) and a little over two months before Terry comes to Columbus (on May 15) to help celebrate Jeff Smith's BONE exhibit at the Wex Center.

“Echo” is the story of a young photographer named Julie Martin. “Julie becomes the unwilling host to a symbiotic nuclear weapon," so says Terry in a recent interview with Comic Book Resource's Emmett Furey. Echo is quite a different story from SiP, but so it is with the rest of the ToSP 2008.

What is the Trifecta of Self-Publishing 2008, anyway? Terry Moore, Jeff Smith and Dave Sim are three of the "deities" of the 1990s self-publishing boom. They have all finished up their respective award winning, critically acclaimed ongoing comic book series (Strangers In Paradise, Bone and Cerebus). By coincidence, this year they are all returning to self-publishing with new comic book series: Echo, RASL, and Glamourpuss. If that ain't a trifecta, I don't know what is.

Random Winks

In less than two weeks, there will be lots and lots of geeky guy cartoonists descending on Columbus (Yikes! What a messy mental image that is!) with hundreds of kick-ass cool comics to sell you; but here are a couple of local gals' books you need to check out when you stop by the Sunday Comix table on March 1 & 2.


The first is "Random Goodness" by Andrea McEnaney (creator of The Adventures of Chad Cleanly), featuring some of her best single panel gag comics. This great book of semi-absurdist humor can be yours for a measly $2.


The other book you need to keep your eye on is "Wink! Wink!" a short story by Symphony of the Universe artist & writer M.A.D. It's a very different sort of story from her usual fare, but amusing and well worth you time and attention. "Wink! Wink!" is part of the newest PANEL anthology.

Unmasked!

Isn't Tom Williams just the dandiest artist? (I'm not even kidding.)

SPACED OUT PARTEEZ!

a 2-day S.P.A.C.E. convention

deserves 2-day party

HOSTED BY PANEL

To celebrate the 2nd 2-day Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo, Columbus’ own Panel Creators' Collective is planning two days of parties for comic book exhibitors and attendees alike!

Friday, Feb. 29 – Monkey’s Retreat

Join in the fun: an art show and mixer at Monkey’s Retreat in Columbus’ Short North Arts District. Monkey’s Retreat has been Columbus's best source of underground comix, art books, martial arts supplies and more since 1975 – a perfect match for SPACE. Panel shall provide a complimentary keg, but once that’s cashed there are several cool bars and clubs within walking distance.

Monkey’s Retreat
1202 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43201
8 – 11 p.m.

Google Your Map here.

Saturday, March 1 – Momo2

Panel is taking you back to Momo2 for this year’s SPACE party. Momo2 features bowling, billiards, karaoke, bubble tea and a fine collection of Asian gifts and novelties. Momo has easy access to highways and several restaurants and bars nearby.

Momo2
2885 Olentangy River Rd
Columbus, OH 43202
8 p.m. - ???

Google Your Map here.

Panel is a Columbus-based group of writers and artists. It features several working comics professionals, It will debut its 12^th bi-annual anthology at SPACE.

S.P.A.C.E., the Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo, runs March 1-2 at the Aladdin Shrine Temple. It has been bringing dozens of the best regional and national small press comics creators to Central Ohio since the dawn of the 21st Century.

SPACE Panels Announced

We’re pleased to present the schedule of panel discussions, presentations and workshops that will be going on at the 9th Annual S.P.A.C.E. (Small Press & Alternative Comix Expo) on Sat & Sun, March 1-2:

Saturday

12:30PM Howard E. Day Prize
Hosted by Dave Sim
Find out who among the nominees will go home with the coveted Day Prize, "the shortest awards ceremony in the industry."

2:00 PM "The Comics Classroom -- From Kids to College to the Community" Panel
Hosted by Carol Tyler
Join us for a lively discussion about teaching comics to kids and adults. Seasoned professionals Bruce Chrislip, Mike Maydak and Bill Loebs will share their experiences as teachers of the sequential art form. Led by C. Tyler, Professor of Sequential and Graphic Narratives University of Cincinnati, DAAP School of Art

Sunday

11:00PM On-line Comics panel discussion
Hosted by Ray Tomzcak

12:00 Noon Group Think: A method to develop story for artists and writers
Hosted by Jeff Zwirek
Jeff will lead participants through a unique workshop method for developing ideas with minds eye visualization and word association. Everyone is invited! Bring a pen and paper to develop material for your own comics or prose.

1:00 PM Antholo-geez! Anthology publishers vent
Hosted by Matt Dembicki
Mr. Dembicki (Attic Wit) will lead this discussion on what it takes to coordinate and publish a successful comic book anthology. Featuring Dara Naraghi (Panel), Steve Noppenberger (Potlatch Project), Allen Freeman (Slam Bang), Rafer Roberts (Plastic Farm), Mark Innes(Comics Eye), and Bob Corby (Oh,Comics!, Untitled)

2:00 PM SPACE Jam
Hosted by Steve Peters
Steve will perform songs from his Paradox soundtrack CD. He will explain how they fit together with his new comic, Runner's Paradox, which is the companion for the CD. Peters is the creator of Chemistry, a comic which also has a soundtrack CD and which won the 2006 Day Prize.
He will be joined on some songs by Jeff Tundis, bass player for the Jazz Bastards and moderator for the Cerebus Yahoo! group.

3:00 PM Amature Press Association Roundtable
Hosted by Ray Tomczak
If it weren't for APA organizations like The United Fanzine Organization (UFO), the Small Press Syndicate (SPS) the Small Press Association (SPA) and the like, S.P.A.C.E. would not exist. Find out why as Ray Tomczak (former co-chair of SPS) heads this roundtable of APA luminaries, J Kevin Carrier (SPS), Mike Carroll (SPS) and Ian Shires (SPA).

Dave Sim S.P.A.C.E. Exclusive

For those who care...







...and for those who don't know or care what the heck this* is about...

Don't worry, there are plenty of other great reasons to come to this year's S.P.A.C.E.!

--::--

*Okay... for those non-Sim/Cerebus fans (who would like to know what the heck this is about) or if you're just "out of the loop," here's the Secret Project scoop in a nutshell:

After 27 years of self-publishing Cerebus, Dave Sim wrapped it up in March 2004 and took a long vacation. Then, in the spring of 2007, he began working on an unnamed "Secret Project." Much anticipation and excitement was stirred among Mr. Sim's fan base. However, due to a series of unfortunate events, he put the "Secret Project" on hold in July. Less than a month later, he began working on another "Secret Project" which then became known as "Secret Project #2" (and then in December was revealed as being his Glamourpuss comic); thus (ipso facto) making the first "Secret Project" #1! So, in April Mr. Sim's "Secret Project #2" (Glamourpuss) will be available for sale at comic shops and in May, so too will his "Secret Project #1 (the actual title of which is to be revealed at S.P.A.C.E.) be available for sale.

Does that make sense? Go ahead and ask Dave about it when you see him (and the Secret Project #1) at S.P.A.C.E. on March 1.

Interview with Sci-Fi Smith

As posted on PW Comics Week:

After taking a successful plunge into mainstream comics with last year’s Shazam: The Monster Society of project for DC Comics, Jeff Smith is returning to the world of self publishing with his new series, RASL, which debuts in February. But fans of Smith’s long-running and internationally acclaimed independent series Bone be warned: RASL is a departure from kid-friendly material. Planned as a quarterly series, RASL is a blend of science fiction and noir, following an art thief who jumps dimensions to steal famed paintings. Read the "Let’s get ready to RASL" interview here.

Hmmm... It seems the Spring of `08 is the Trifecta of Self Publishing. Mr. Smith's new book is being published in February. Terry Moore returns to self publishing with his comic, Echo, available in March and Dave Sim will be merging onto the road he helped to pave with his "secret project" (which is not so secret anymore), Glamourpuss, to be launched in April.

Also of note, all three of these artists will be appearing in Columbus this Spring: Dave Sim will be at S.P.A.C.E. on March 1, and Jeff Smith & Terry Moore will speaking at the Wex Center in conjunction with Mr. Smith's Bone art exhibit. (More announcement to come regarding the Bone Exhibit.)

SPACE ART

Local painter supreme (and Day Prize winner) Tom Williams has done it once again! Each year, Tom draws a different (and weirder/cooler) variation on the S.P.A.C.E. "Cosmo" character for Columbus' very own Small Press & Alternative Comix Expo. You can check out some of Tom's past SPACE artwork below. (And you can buy it here.) As you walk throughout the city, keep your eyes peeled and snag one of these postcards so you, too can own a piece of history. Heck, grab a few and pass them out to friends & relatives. And lest you forget, buy some (if not all) of Tom's books or even get him to draw you somethin' real purty!

S.P.A.C.E. will happen March 1 and 2, 2008 (Sat & Sun)
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Sat. & 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sun.
Aladdin Shrine Center, Columbus, OH

Admission $5.00 for one day and $8.00 for both