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I recap my experiences at Wizard World Chicago and Printer’s Row book fair over at Crimespree Magazine’s Blog. There’s a ton of links there to authors and comics creators. Jon and Ruth Jordan have a few comments as well.

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The ToonSeum is hosting its first annual Comics for Comics: A Concert to Benefit the ToonSeum. Join Pittsburgh’s cartooning elite in an evening of laughs with performances by editorial cartoonist Rob Rogers, emcee Bill Crawford, funnyman Buzz Nutley, and featuring Gene Collier. The event takes place on July 16^th at 8pm at The Improv in Pittsburgh’s historic Waterfront. Tickets are $20, and are available from The Improv. The evening will also feature a silent art auction highlighting local and national cartoonists. Proceeds from the event and auction benefit the ToonSeum.

The ToonSeum is the first of its kind in the United States, combining exhibitions of original cartoon art with hands-on workshops and interactive displays geared towards children and adults alike. In its first year of operation, the museum has hosted groundbreaking exhibitions including Drawn in Black and White: Wee Pals and the Works of Morrie Turner, celebrating the art of a man once called the “Jackie Robinson of cartooning.” Other exhibitions have included Kidding Around: Children in Cartoons and Comics, and the upcoming Drawn to the Hive: Cartooning Pittsburgh’s Mayors. The museum also emphasizes the importance of offering unique programming for kids and adults. From Breakfast with Snoopy hosted by the Children’s Museum, to panel discussions featuring nationally acclaimed cartoonists, the ToonSeum offers something for everyone.

“Comics for Comics was inspired by a similar event benefiting the museum of cartoon art in San Francisco,” says Joe Wos, the founder and Executive Director of the ToonSeum. “With The Improv as our host and Gene Collier as our featured comedian, we are able to take it to a new level.”

Editorial cartoonist and Post Gazette contributor Rob Rogers will start the evening off with his signature performance of live cartooning. The event continues with stand-up comedians Bill Crawford and Buzz Nutley. Crawford is a Pittsburgh native and Improv regular. He is also a regular on-air guest of Pittsburgh’s 102.5 WDVE morning show. Buzz is a writer and performer and has opened for great acts such as Chris Rock and Bobcat Goldthwait.

Comics for Comics features the comedic stylings of Pittsburgh’s favorite sports columnist Gene Collier. Gene Collier has been writing sports and political columns for the Post-Gazette since dinosaurs roamed the earth. He is co-author with Rob Zellers of “The Chief,” the Pittsburgh Public Theatre’s oft-running hit based on the life of Steelers founder Art Rooney. Against sincere advice, he persists as well at his moonlight career as a stand-up comic.

Comics for Comics, a comedy concert benefiting the ToonSeum is being produced by Gerry Collier, with associate producer Erica Kast. The event is sponsored by National City.

Join us for an evening of laughter and cartooning on Wednesday, July 16^th at 8pm at The Improv, 166 E. Bridge St. at the Stacks at the Waterfront. Tickets for Comics for Comics are $20 and are available from www.improv.com or by calling (412)462-5233. For more information about the ToonSeum or this event, visit www.toonseum.org, e-mail erica@toonseum.org, or call (412)325-1060.

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Signing a Work for Hire contract for your own original creation is like getting a new credit card. It feels like easy money until it doesn’t.

Commercially developing your own creation without giving up ownership of it it is like opening up a savings account. It’s a slow, sometimes agonizing, process, and will probably never amount to much money at all. But it’s always there.

I’m not a comics creator, but I make websites, which are creations of a sort, and I’ve had the opportunity to do both of the above in the past few years. I’ve actually done something completely different — giving up some of my ownership to Josh, first, then collectively giving up a smaller amount of ownership to some investors, in hopes that, with all of those resources combined, we can accomplish more than any of us could alone. I am confident it will work out, but nothing is guaranteed.

The business of comics is hard. The business of anything is hard. Anybody who tells you that they have the perfect answer to making a living in comics, or in webcomics, is fooling themselves, or lying to you. Personally, I figure that most of the publishers who have gotten into trouble over the years are more in the “fooling themselves” camp than otherwise. You’ve got to assume that the most money-minded of the money-minded scumbags are less likely to get into the comics industry than they are to go into, say, the drug-dealing industry, or the oil industry, or whatever. Comics hasn’t been known for minting very many billionaires in the past few decades — so why would the sleaziest of the sleazy even bother? Anti-publisher rhetoric notwithstanding, almost anybody working in the comics industry in any capacity could probably be making a lot more money doing something else — anything else. For this reason, I tend to give everybody in comics the benefit of a doubt.

There are exceptions.

And that’s pretty much all I have to say about this.

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Tim Stump has just posted a new review of Skin Deep (By Kory Bingaman) at Webcomics Nation:

Skin Deep was the second webcomic I looked at on WCN and it totaly got me into the medium. The artwork is awesome with a capital AWE! It can be cute at times and then totaly serious. The characters are fun and ferequently hilarious. And the story is intriguing as hells. Its been a year and I still check every day to see what will happen next. better than a movie! (especially today's movies.)

All in all it rates a "OMG that is so cool!" with me. may it go on for years to come.

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Stan Yan has just posted a new review of Nonsequiteria (by John P) at Webcomics Nation:

It's not often that you get to look through an artist's sketchbook, but when you do, it can often tell you more about the artist than his finished works.  Nonsequiteria is a perfect example of that.  With this random (and extremely small) sampling of John's drawings and short stories we get to see his creative mind at work.  The unfinished pencil sketches are among my favorites.  If this group of drawings inspires you at all, do yourself a favor and check out his other comics and webcomics too.  Your life will be more complete for it.

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Tim Patten has just posted a new review of Bellen! (by box brown) at Webcomics Nation:

You have to love Bellen, the wit, the characters you grow to love, the art which just always gets better and better, and of course, that pinch that always wants you to come back for more! I've read every Bellen now, and I must say that the quality of it never goes down, if anything it goes up. The origanal art of Bellen is fantastic, and one I would really reccommend. With the quality as it is. No wonder it is the 9th most popular webcomic here.

 I love the fact that their characters personality's never change, Ben is this whiny,  sort of pseudointellectual character, but cares very deeply for Ellen, and is rather shy and insecure. Meanwhile Ellen is a fun, full of life character, very sure of herself, but nevertheless adores Ben. So really, they are oppisites, but very good oppisites! They match each-other perfectly and it makes you go "aah" after each story.

 Good quality fun, Bellen

 

Tim Patten 

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Dan Mazur has just posted a new review of The Good Crook (Magnolia Porter) at Webcomics Nation:

Unlike any other comic I’ve read lately — on the web or in print — “The Good Crook” is a great read. Fueled by writer-artist Magnolia Porter’s obsession with ’70s New York gangster films (especially Scorsese), the comic successfully keeps one foot in hommage to the genre, and the other in slice-of-life, domestic comedy-drama — no mean feat in any medium, and RARELY achieved in comics! The story focuses on the relationship between a Brooklyn waiter/wannabe gangster and his tough-talking, street-wise daughter, who’s languishing in the custody of her upwardly-mobile mom. Porter really knows her world and characters, making them likeable and believable. The dialogue is absolutely terrific. On top of this is her fun, fluid and expressive drawing style — which drew me to the comic in the first place — and strong color sense. Her shading of the faces is sometimes a little too eccentric and jarring, but that’s my only complaint about this standout comic.

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Travis O’Shea has just posted a new review of Jesus & The Marys at Webcomics Nation:

As I'm always telling anyone who'll listen, I love me some Jesus kitsch, so this strip leaped at me from the page.  The humor is sharp, the dialogue snappy, and Aaron Frey manages to fit a surprising amount of detail into his art considering the amount of space he has to work with.

I'd recommend this to anyone who likes their humor kitschy and tongue-in-cheek, and who isn't going to balk at a little blasphemy in their lives…

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Tim Stump has just posted a new review of The Wings of Change (Created by Mariette Rose) at Webcomics Nation:

The Wings of Change is winning the war on boredom on many fronts.

First off there is the artwork which is great. it can be so cute and yet not take the seriousness out of the story.

Then there are the characters who are so funny. Its sheer hilarity to whatch them bounce off one another. But they all have backstories to make them more people than characters.

Which brings me to the story, and it is massive! It just keeps going on and getting more complex but not too much so. and the comic has only covered two days time so far.

All in all this is simply a great comic. if only it updated more. Even still it is well worth reading.

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For those who have ftp accounts at stripmatic.com to supplement their WCN accounts, or who use the domain-forwarding feature on WCN: an exploding transformer has temporarily taken out that functionality. This is also the reason some of the images on American Elf are missing. And, just coincidentally, Blank Label Comics was also hosted in that room, so they’re down, too. And AdultWebcomics.com. And so on. Will keep you apprised.

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Note that many of these links are NOT SAFE FOR WORK. So get with the clicky-clicky at your own risk.

Today I am asking three questions from François Peneaud, writer of BROTHER TO DRAGONS and founder and blogger at GAY COMICS LIST. François’ long-running website about gay comics educated me about gay-themed comics and homoerotic comics art by creators in multiple languages and genres. We began a correspondence a long time ago and we became fast friends; now that he’s a comics creator himself, I count on him as one of my closest colleagues in the field. Oh, I forgot to mention: he’s one of Alan Moore’s French translators! Isn’t that cool? And the first issue of Brother To Dragons? Frickin’ brilliant.

I will discontinue the gushing at this point. Here’s François bio in his own words: “I’m a French comics reader who mainly writes about LGBT-themed comics, but reads all kinds of comics (including bandes dessinées in my native language and mangas in English & French). With my Gay Comics List site, I intend to provide a large and varied view of those queer comics - that and it gives me a good excuse to be in contact with a lot of creators whose work I enjoy.

Outside of comics critique, I’ve been very happy to write three short scripts for the gay online comics anthology Young Bottoms In Love, with one included in the print collection published by editor Tim Fish. I’ve also written a short prose story for the Best Date Ever anthology from Alyson Books. The first issue of Brother to Dragons, a gay erotic fantasy I’m writing, was published by Class Comics in October 2007. It is drawn by Carlos García, a very talented newcomer. If you’re of age, have a look at the official site.

As for more personal details, I’ll say that I’m in my late 30’s and live in the South West of France with my long-suffering partner (he’s got his own obsessive hobby, so don’t pity him too much).”

François Peneaud, ©2003 Howard Cruse

First question: BROTHER TO DRAGONS has been described as “engaging”. Is there any particular set of influences or aspirations that guide your sensibility and style?

I don’t know if I have a style, but I guess I do have a sensibility. For such a comic, there are two main sets of influences, one for the way it is written, and one for the way sex is integrated in the story. In comics, I have obvious influences like Alan Moore, among others for his work on story structure, pacing and general storytelling, or Neil Gaiman, for his interest in mythology and the kind of ambiance he brings to his stories.

As for the sex part, there was one scene in one book that definitely left a mark on me: in Christopher Bram’s HOLD TIGHT, there was an explicit scene where two men make love, and the sexual relationship was woven into the plot and the characters’ development. I’m sure it wasn’t the first time something like that was done, but it just blew my mind.

The whole idea of doing a large story involving explicit sex also comes from what I’ve heard of Bill Willingham’s IRONWOOD. I haven’t read it (straight erotic comics don’t really appeal to me, I must admit), but I know it’s also fantasy-based. And of course, from Alan Moore and Melinda Gebbie’s LOST GIRLS. I remember reading the first chapters 15 years ago, when they were published by Kitchen Sink, and wishing someone would do a gay comic like that. The themes in BROTHER TO DRAGONS are definitely not the same as in LOST GIRLS, but both comics celebrate the beauty and joy of sex, as corny as that may sound. You won’t see any “pretend” rape or sex/violence association in BROTHER TO DRAGONS. That’s not what Carlos and I want to do.

I also want to say that if BROTHER TO DRAGONS is engaging, it’s largely thanks to Carlos’s work. He brings to the page a vitality, a warmth that’s entirely in keeping with the atmosphere I wanted for this comic. And he’s a very good storyteller, which enables me to write fairly dense pages.

Question no. 2: Other than its purpose as a gay erotic comic, what do you want people to take from BROTHER TO DRAGONS?

That’s hard to tell, without giving away story points. The main themes will be developed throughout the whole series, so it’s a bit too early to talk about that.But I’d say, a sense of wonder, a feeling that this story engages the reader on various levels. Yes, I hope the sex is hot (and frankly, I think you’d have to be hopelessly straight to not find it at least a little bit hot, with the way Carlos draws it), as I hope the integration of male/male sex into a larger, mythological whole—played through somewhat varied characters—is sufficiently well done to feel “right” for the readers.

I’m not mystical in the least, but the idea of male sex as being a necessary part of the survival of the world greatly appeals to me. If I have to believe in a mythology, let it be one that reflects my own experience. I think I’m going to do like Alan Moore and proclaim myself the sole believer in a religion, but for me it will the three Dracs who look kindly upon male sex. Let’s hope I won’t turn into Ron Hubbard.

Question The Third: What appeals to you about publishing the Gay Comics List website online?

At first, it was a chance to do something that wasn’t done: both the Gay League and Prism Comics (then Out in Comics) are good sites, but they were mostly writing on mainstream comics, at least at the time, and I wanted to cover a larger range of comics.On a more technical side, it was also an excuse to go and learn some PHP to code the site and its database by myself. I’m kinda geeky, I guess. While we’re in the non-gay reasons, I can say that writing in English is also something I enjoy. There’s always a different feeling when I write in a language that’s not the one I was born with; it’s hard to describe, though.

I’d been thinking of launching another site besides the fan-site I’m still doing on P. Craig Russell and Maurice Vellekoop (http://frpeneaud.free.fr), both gay artists, although Russell has done almost no gay-themed comic (you might argue that his and Gaiman’s MURDER MYSTERIES is pretty gay), and I thought, let’s combine my interests in comics and in gay-related fiction. Now, about six years later, for me it’s a multiple opportunity: I get to write (more or less) regular reviews—I love reviewing comics, and I also get to be in touch with a lot of gay artists and writers whose work I admire. Being in touch with and meeting Howard Cruse was a pretty great reward for doing this site, I can tell you.

It also seems this site is useful, since I’ve more than once been told by people from different countries, readers and artists alike, that they were very happy to find such a site. I think the site has now reached a critical mass, since I don’t always discover new comics by myself, but am often contacted by authors and publishers. And I’m always glad to review their books.

Lastly, doing this site has also lead to my having scripts drawn and published, either on the web or on paper. I got in touch with Tim Fish when I began reviewing his CAVALCADE OF BOYS comics, and I submitted a short script when he was editing YOUNG BOTTOMS IN LOVE. And I got in touch with you because of STICKY, which led to my meeting Carlos, so you know what I’m talking about. I never intended to use my contacts to further a writing “career”, but it seems things happen this way. Gay-themed comics are a small world, especially on internet, and I’m glad to be doing my part in it, whether through the GCL site or with my writing.

François Peneaud is available for writing commissions and interviews; please contact him through http://gaycomicslist.free.fr/pages/welcome.php.

– Dale Lazarov, da comix pimp

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It’s About Girls, the continuing story of a guy named Icon and his oddball circle of friends and lovers, is entering its long-awaited final chapter. I talked to writer William G and artist Sahsha Andrade about their online graphic novel and their thoughts as it reaches its conclusion. William is also the creator of Bang Barstal on Graphic Smash, and Sahsha is the co-creator of Nekko and Joruba with Raymond Andrade.

(more…)

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I’ve stayed away from the controversy about TokyoPop’s recent “Manga Pilot” program.

That doesn’t mean I don’t have an opinion. If you’ve seen what I’ve written in the past about other similar contracts, from TokyoPop and from other companies, you probably know what my opinion is. If you’ve seen the way that my expression of those opinions didn’t seem to change anybody’s mind (those who were with me were with me after reading my posts, those who weren’t with me just thought I was being a jerk), you’ll know why I’m staying out of it.

But, yeah. Even though I’m staying out of this, I still appreciate a good, level-headed, but utterly, utterly devastating analysis when I see one.

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ToonSeum is Just Kidding Around

Pittsburgh, PA – The ToonSeum will pay tribute to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and its 25^th birthday by presenting, Just Kidding Around: Children in Cartoons and Comics, a cartoon fountain of youth with original art and artifacts spanning more that 100 years.

From the infant stages of the funny pages, little ones have played a big role in cartoons and Just Kidding Around will examine the history of youngsters in comics as well as cartoon characters from babies to teens. The exhibit will feature kid characters from cartoons such as “Little Orphan Annie,” “Henry,” “Family Circus,” “Rugrats,” “Dennis the Menace,” “Dog Eat Doug,” “Archie,” “Little Lulu,” “Nancy,” “Charlie Brown,” and many others as portrayed in comic strips, comic books, illustrations, greeting cards and editorial cartoons.

Visitors will get to peek into the creative process of cartooning masters such as Harold Gray of “Little Orphan Annie” fame, through displays of original one of a kind art, ink stains and all. Over 35 original pieces of art will be on display in the ToonSeum gallery, located at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

Cartoons just might help close the generation gap. Just Kidding Around is an opportunity for parents and grandparents to reconnect with their inner child and the younger set to learn about yesterday’s toons and share today’s favorites.

“We are excited to present an exhibit featuring children in cartoons. In many ways, it is a celebration of the unique collaboration between the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and the ToonSeum,” says Joe Wos, ToonSeum executive director. “We couldn’t think of a more fitting way to help celebrate their 25^th birthday.”

The promotional art for Just Kidding Around features the children from “Family Circus” and was created by Bil and Jeff Keane specifically for the exhibit.

This exhibit is made possible by the ToonSeum Drawing Board Fund.

What: Just Kidding Around: Children in Cartoons and Comics

When: June 7th-August 3rd, 2008

Where: ToonSeum at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh on the city’s historic North Side, 10 Children’s Way, Allegheny Square.

Cost: Free with paid admission to the Children’s Museum, which is $8 for children 2-18 and seniors, $9 for adults

Details: 412-325-1060 or www.toonseum.org

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The superhero/antihero FLICKERFLAME at http://www.webcomicsnation.com/alschroeder/flickerflame/series.php got an excellent review at the BROKEN FRONTIER’s DAILY READ on May 23rd. Rumor has it there will be an interview with the author of Flickerflame on the Daily Read later this week.

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John Mann has just posted a new review of Haunted (Joshua Smeaton) at Webcomics Nation:

It is easy to appreciated this comic after looking at any one page. The art is very clean and very well done. Pleasing to the eye which is honestly a rarity for webcomics. You can see how some effort was put forth by the artist to develop a signature style.

OK, now that we know that the art is good, start at the first page and read your way up. After a few pages, you can tell that there is a very well-planned out story going on here (or at least that is the impression you are left with) and the creator is not rushing anything so the correct mood can be delivered with each and every panel.

What is the comic about? Well, it seems to have to do with some school kids and something that was set up in a haunted mansion a long time ago and the process and storytelling that the creator is using to take us to that destination is very enjoyable.

Again, I don't want to give away too much. Haunted has good art and good story. What more do you need?

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John Mann has just posted a new review of Haunted (Joshua Smeaton) at Webcomics Nation:

It is easy to appreciated this comic after looking at any one page. The art is very clean and very well done. Pleasing to the eye which is honestly a rarity for webcomics. You can see how some effort was put forth by the artist to develop a signature style.

OK, now that we know that the art is good, start at the first page and read your way up. After a few pages, you can tell that there is a very well-planned out story going on here (or at least that is the impression you are left with) and the creator is not rushing anything so the correct mood can be delivered with each and every panel.

What is the comic about? Well, it seems to have to do with some school kids and something that was set up in a haunted mansion a long time ago and the process and storytelling that the creator is using to take us to that destination is very enjoyable.

Again, I don't want to give away too much. Haunted has good art and good story. What more do you need?

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Robert Watkins has just posted a new review of Family Man (by Dylan Meconis) at Webcomics Nation:

I hate to call this a comic because it's very different than most illustrated stories. The illustrations are gorgeous and the story keeps me coming back for more.

 The story line has hooked me and I'm curious to see how the story continues.

 Thanks to the author for sharing his time and talents.

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Kris Ramirez has just posted a new review of Breakfast of the Gods Book One: The Last Good Morning (By Brendan Douglas Jones) at Webcomics Nation:

I have been amazed by how someone could take famous characters of our favorite cereals and create such an amazing series.

I mean this is worthy enough to be an award winning series. I hope to see more from Book Three : Apocalypse Yum.

 Keep making this series very grand.

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