Showing posts with label John Gallagher. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Gallagher. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

John Gallagher's Politics and Prose talk on Max Meow

by Bruce Guthrie

I went to John Gallagher's talk on his children's graphic novel series Max Meow at Politics and Prose on Friday morning (Oct. 21). I'm not sure I had ever seen him do his thing before. 

When P+P does a kids event on a school day, the store clears the floor and busloads of school kids show up for the talk. The kids, in this case second graders, sit on the carpet and listen. There's no book signing event -- the school libraries already have the books.

I'm not a family guy and as an adult I experience being around small children as drowning in a bowl of Mexican jumping beans. I don't know if kids were hyperactive like this when I was growing up. I'm sure we must have been and you just don't notice it when you're one of the jumping beans.

Anyway, John held the kids in rapt attention while he stood at the drawing board and gave them a history of comic books that went back to cave paintings and hieroglyphics, then to DC's Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman (he commented that make superheroes were always in capes, women were in swimsuits), and Marvel's Lee and Ditko and Kirby, and then where his own character Max Meow came from and the role his son's dyslexia had in all of it. This was to second graders! And they got it and stayed well behaved.

I was impressed!  





Saturday, October 23, 2021

Baltimore Comic-Con 2021, day 1 - Masked Faces

 Late in the covid epidemic, a smaller show, but still requiring temperature checks, vaccination or a negative test, and masks.

All the pictures via Flickr.

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Chris Schweizer 20211022_165217 

Chris Schweizer

Ben Towle 20211022_162809

Ben Towle

John Gallagher 20211022_160530

John Gallagher

Elinda and J. Robert Dean 20211022_155314 

Elinda and J. Robert Dean 

Steve Conley 20211022_153304 

Steve Conley 

Harold Buchholz 20211022_154820 

Harold Buchholz 

 

Thom Zahler 20211022_152424

Thom Zahler

Emily Whitten 20211022_152121

Emily S. Whitten

David Peterson 20211022_144744

David Peterson

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Leeanne M. Krecic (Mongie)

Jim Shooter 20211022_144407

Jim Shooter

Keith Williams and The Shadow 20211022_144219

Keith Williams and The Shadow

Glenn Hauman of Com!x 20211022_143654

Glenn Hauman of Com!x

Daniel Krall and Mark Wheatley and their covid-19 children's book 20211022_143125

Daniel Krall and Mark Wheatley and their covid-19 children's book

Mark Slay 20211022_141953

Matt Slay

Don Rosa 20211022_141944

Don Rosa

Alex Saviuk 20211022_141928

Alex Saviuk

Bob McLeod 20211022_141900

Bob McLeod

Michael Golden 20211022_141902

Michael Golden

Amy Reeder 20211022_141511

Amy Reeder

Becky Cloonan 20211022_141457

Becky Cloonan

Joe Staton and Mrs. Staton 20211022_141446

Joe Staton and Hilarie Staton

Dean Haspiel, Josh Neufeld and Whitney Matheson 20211022_140536

Dean Haspiel, Josh Neufeld and Whitney Matheson

 

Artist's Alley shots:

  Artists Alley 20211022_153407

Artists alley 20211022_153401

Artists alley 20211022_153405

Dealers area:

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Monday, September 28, 2020

Flashback - John Gallagher interviewed 10 years ago

Ten years ago, give or take a few months, I did an interview with John Gallagher about his career to date. The City Paper may be doing something to its archives due to its current covid-19 financial trouble, but I'm interviewing John this week about Max Meow his new children's graphic novel from Random House, and I couldn't find the original talk we had, so I'm republishing it here so I can refer people to it. 

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Buzzboy’s John Gallagher

Posted by Mike Rhode on Mar. 29, 2010 formerly online at

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/29/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-buzzboys-john-gallagher/

 

With his character Buzzboy, John Gallagher has been a mainstay of the local independent comics scene for years now—for a decade it turns out. John’s a regular exhibitor at Baltimore Comic Con’s section for children’s comics, and is a nominee for the 2010 Harvey Award, which will be given out at the convention. Although he’s got a full-time job, he tells us that he’s also about to launch a new Web comic.

Washington City Paper: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

John Gallagher: I am primarily a creator of kids comics, but in the same sense Calvin and Hobbes was a “Kid’s Comic.” I have self-published Buzzboy, a fun and funny super hero comic, for 10 years through my own Sky-Dog Press. I am getting ready to launch a web comic and simultaneous graphic novel called Zoey & Ketchup, about an imaginative little girl and her golden retriever. I also speak at schools across the country, talking about the magic and educational values of comics.

WCP: When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

JG: December 28, 1967—same birthday as Stan Lee, just 40 years later, and with none of the fame!

WCP: Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

JG: I moved from rural PA to the area after college, for no other reason than my best friends from high school lived here, and that’s all that really mattered, having someone to hang with on weekends. Now, most of them have moved away, but I have stayed in the area, and maintained a high level of immaturity, living in Falls Church VA.

WCP: What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

JG: Mostly self taught—I went to a year of art school as part of Temple University in Philly—but it was just too small—when I transferred to Penn State, I was happy to be part of a very prestigious graphic design program, but was shocked to find no illustration classes. Most likely I would have gone to SVA or Kubert School, if I only knew they existed (no Internet back then!), but it turned out to be a godsend—I now do a combination of comics and grahic design, combining many of these skills for animation and comics for corporations, and pro sports teams like the Washington Capitals, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Islanders.

WCP: Who are your influences?

JG: The first art I drew was duplicating the Alex Toth-designed DC Comics’ Super Friends characters, and it was the foreword to Jules Feiffer’s The Great Comic Book Heroes that gave me the idea that I could create my own comics. As the years went on, Chuck Jones, Jack Kirby, Kyle Baker, Walt Kelly—they have all had a great influence on me. Currently, Richard Thompson, Steven Pastis, and Raina Telgemeier are my faves.

WCP: If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

JG: I am right where I like to be—on the  verge of mediocrity. Kidding—I am lucky enough to be drawing comics and cartoons, and making a living at it—every few years my goals change, so now I have my sights set.

WCP: What work are you best-known for?

JG: Buzzboy, the adventures of the world’s coolest super-sidekick.

WCP: What work are you most proud of?

JG: I am really proud of the upcoming Zoey & Ketchup comic, which is being co-written with my daughter Katie, a comics virtuoso at age 8! It’s the first time I have really stepped away from super heroes, and embraced the kids side of what I do—it will really be a hybrid of sorts, part comic strip, part graphic novel, part diary-type, prose sections, when the story calls for it. Zoey keeps a sketchbook, like I did as a kid, and it chronicles her strange thoughts, like a diagram of the inner workings of her brother’s brain, consisting of one part drool, and the other part pickle obsession.

WCP: What would you like to do  or work on in the future?

JG: I am intrigued about the connection between the cartoonist and the audience that takes place in a Web-based comics blog—so that’s why Zoey & Ketchup will be a fun change.If I could take over anybody’s character, I would love to draw DC Comic’s Shazam/Captain Marvel, because he was the star of the first comic I ever read— the little boy in a big hero’s body is every kid’s dream.

WCP: What do you do when you’re in a rut or have writer’s block?

JG: I do one of two things—one is to reread my favorite comic strips (Peanuts, Pogo, Get Fuzzy, and Calvin & Hobbes), and let my mind start to get in the fun comics mode—the danger here is I often get so caught up in the story, I forget why I started reading, and don’t get back to the drawing board.

The other thing I do is do the opposite of comics, I goof off, I watch TV, I play with my kids—it’s living life that gives me ideas for stories, so walking through the real world allows me to see things and think, “What if this happened?”

WCP: What do you think will be the future of your field?

JG: For comics—a mix of Web, digital e-readers, and books and graphic novels only. Comics shops will become more like book stores, and floppy comics, at least by indy artists, will disappear, due to a combination of high print costs and poor distribution options.

Comic strips, the same, except I feel they may become even more important to the struggling newspapers—and could see a resurgence, if they are found to help circulation as much as I think they do.

I think the idea of giving away the short form comics on the Web or in the newspaper, will lead to better sales of the books and graphic novels.

WCP: What’s your favorite thing about D.C.?

JG: Well, Batman is pretty coo—oh, you mean Washington, DC! For one, I found my wonderful wife, Beth there—and she thought I wouldn’t find her wearing that fake mustache. C’mon, we’re the capital of the coolest freaking country in the world, everybody loves us!…

WCP: Least favorite?

JG: …except those who don’t love us.

WCP: What monument or museum do you take most out-of-town guests to?

JG: Air and Space at Dulles—they have a space shuttle! that blows just about everything else away. Natural History is cool, and the Smithsonian’s pop culture exhibits are truly inspiring, like last year’s Jim Henson exhibit.

WCP: Do you have a Web site or blog?

JG: Wow, a plug? I wouldn’t think to benefit from… oh, OK. I’ve already mentioned skydogcomics.com and zoeyandketchup.com, but there’s also stuff for sports teams at www.starbridgemedia.com.

WCP: One last note—on the Starbridge Media site is a link to NASCAR Heroes comic books.

Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Jan 8: John Gallagher's Buzzboy signing in Delaware

John Gallagher writes:


Rich and Jamar and I are getting together this Sunday to sign and prep for shipping the first 2 books, and decided to make an event out of it!

In our first appearance of 2012, Jamar, Rich, and John will be on hand at Delaware's Coolest Comics Shop, Captain Bluehen Comics! We'll have all our latest books on hand to sell and sign, and welcome our KICKSTARTER supporters to come on by!

For directions head over to the Captain Bluehen site, and maybe we'll see you there!




Monday, June 20, 2011

Comic Book Diner: Fun & Funny Graphic Novel Boxed Set fails at Kickstarter

Local cartoonist John Gallagher's Comic Book Diner fundraiser at Kickstarter failed today, but John hopes to resubmit it and is asking the following questions:

So a few final questions, based upon all the great feedback you gave in the last round of "Backer Suggestion Box Theater"...

1. The box is a costly part of this set-- but what if, instead of a box, we offered hardcover versions in place of the boxed set? You see, our printer has noodled out some ideas on bringing costs down, and the customization of the box was a big issue-- but taking say, just 500 of each run and making them hardcover, could increase the longetivity and value, for less than the box costs.

2. Some have suggested increasing the # of cameos for additional funding-- what do you think? Should we make a special scene in the Buzzboy Diner, or at the Roboyland park, where friends and family who back us for $100 appear?

3. If we resubmitted in a few days, or weeks-- would you back us? And what else might you suggest?

We really do appreciate everybody's comments-- and to our early backers, we thank you.




Saturday, June 11, 2011

Comic Book Diner Kickstarter plea

I've put my money in - Mike


Okay folks we are down to the wire-- we have begged, pleaded, marketed, e-mailed, called friends,. family-- but I guess I goofed up. Jamar, Rich and I were told for years that there weren't enough kids graphic novels out there-- fun, funny, something that makes kids excited to read.  Was I wrong? Maybe everyone is all full up?

We just haven't done a good job of making our case. So here is the message I am sending out to everyone-- librarians, teachers, friends, etc., basically reminding folks of what we have done for others, and now we need help.

Librarians, Educators, Friends, Family, Lovers of literacy and creativity,

My name is John Gallagher, creator of the Buzzboy comics and I'm asking for your help in funding the "Comic Book Diner Project", a 3 book set of all-ages Graphic Novels, by Rich Faber, Jamar Nicholas, and me. Each book is 96 pages, full color, and full of comic stories, how-to's and drawing tutorials. Buzzboy, Roboy Red, and Leon: Protector of the Playground are the three books, and we are trying to pre-fund them through Kickstarter.Com-- all you need is an Amazon account to sign up, but we also have other ways of helping organizations buy the books, at an educational discount.  Buzzboy is the world's coolest super sidekick. Roboy Red is the tale of a runaway robot. And Leon is about the world's first latch key superhero. Together they make up almost 300 pages of action fun, and fantasy for an all-ages audience.  

We think that by selling these books together (and in a collector's box set), we are helping young people create the beginnings of a graphic Novel library within their own home. If you or a friend are a retailer or educator, we have a special way to order the books to get the proper discount (just e-mail me at john@sky-dog.com, and upon proof of organization, we can apply the discount)

You can see the type of fun comics we create by visiting our Comic Book Diner website (www.comicbookdiner.com), and I hope you will see in the art our dedication to young people in creating entertaining stories that are fun to read.

Just a few things about us:

I am a co-founder of Kids Love Comics, an organization helping promote all-ages comics-- we have exhibited at several conventions and book festivals over the last 8 years, including ALA, BEA, San Diego Comic-Con, ALA Book Festival, and more.

Through Sky-Dog Comics, I published More Fund, and Even More Fund, raising over $30,000 for the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Rich edited, and all three of us contributed time, art and stories.

Rich and I published "Drawing Strength" a benefit sketch book for Hurricane Katrina victims, raising $4000 in one weekend at the Baltimore Comic-Con. I also sent 1000 Buzzboy comics out to New Orleans book donation programs, all on my own dime.

Jamar is an educator and motivational speaker, encouraging inner city kids to reach high and be creative. He was handpicked by Geoffrey Canada to adapt "Fist, Stick, Knife Gun" as a graphic novel, telling the tale of Canada's ascension out of Harlem.

Rich and I have spoken at over 100 schools and libraries between us, all with a focus on promoting the magic of Comics and Reading. 

We have also both taught cartooning classes at Moore College and Susquehanna University. 

Jamar currently teaches cartooning at Arcadia University.

We really love creating comics for all ages, and intend to move forward no matter what-- but this funding will help us to get the books in the hands even quicker. So please go to kickstarter.com for $40, you get a three book set, with sketches and signed by the Comic Book Diner Team. Back us for $50 and get the set in a limited edition collectors box. There are other rewards, offering free art and even cameos in the books. Please check it out, and thanks for your consideration.

Best

John


Monday, May 16, 2011

John Gallagher's Kickstarter project


John Gallagher has sent in his comic strip promoting his Kickstarter project.

You have a chance to help publish an exciting new Graphic Novel Collection premiering in Baltimore!!! Via Kickstarter.Com-- The Comic Book Diner Project is a 3 book boxed set of graphic novels by Harvey Award nominees John Gallagher and Rich Faber, as well as Glyph and Yalsa nominee Jamar Nicholas. Featuring Buzzboy, Roboy Red, and Leon: Protector of the Playground, each book is 96 pages, full color, and part of a boxed set which will premiere in Baltimore at the Comic-Con that is truly about comics. Anyone ordering books through the funding program at Kickstarter will get signed books, sketches, and possibly original art-- some backers can even get DRAWN INTO A STORY! Anyone who decides to pick up the books at the Baltimore Comic-Con will get a one of a kind DVD with Jamar, Rich & John's Comic Book Diner podcast, as well as digital pdf's of the three books.

Please check out the video and project overview at: http://kck.st/mMo5El

Thanks
John Gallagher
creator/writer/artist
Buzzboy
www.comicbookdiner.com

Friday, May 13, 2011

John Gallagher's The Comic Book Diner Project at Kickstarter

Local cartoonist John Gallagher is starting a Kickstarter project (and I'll be contributing when I get home tonight) -
 
You have a chance to help publish an exciting new Graphic Novel Collection premiering in Baltimore!!! Via Kickstarter.Com-- The Comic Book Diner Project is a 3 book boxed set of graphic novels by Harvey Award nominees John Gallagher and Rich Faber, as well as Glyph and Yalsa nominee Jamar Nicholas. Featuring Buzzboy, Roboy Red, and Leon: Protector of the Playground, each book is 96 pages, full color, and part of a boxed set which will premiere in Baltimore at the Comic-Con that is truly about comics. Anyone ordering books through the funding program at Kickstarter will get signed books, sketches, and possibly original art-- some backers can even get DRAWN INTO A STORY! Anyone who decides to pick up the books at the Baltimore Comic-Con will get a one of a kind DVD with Jamar, Rich & John's Comic Book Diner podcast, as well as digital pdf's of the three books.

Please check out the video and project overview at: http://kck.st/mMo5El

Thanks
John Gallagher
creator/writer/artist
Buzzboy
www.comicbookdiner.com




--
Randy Tischler
Baltimore Comic-Con Executive Staff

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

John Gallagher interview sort of online

School Library Journal's been bought out and changed its website, so this is a link to the cached version.

Wildsmith, Snow
Interview: Rich Faber and John Gallagher
June 18th, 2010

Friday, April 23, 2010

PR: Free Comic Book Day at Cards, Comics and Collectibles!



Press Release For Immediate Release
Free Comic Book Day at Cards, Comics and Collectibles
 
From the Store that Brings You the Baltimore Comic-Con...
 
REISTERSTOWN, MD - April 22, 2010 - In honor of 2010's Free Comic Book Day promotion, Cards, Comics and Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD will be celebrating along with the rest of the nation on May 1, 2009.  Come and meet artists JG Jones (cover artist of DC Comics' Superman Free Comic Book Day giveaway!), Frank Cho (Ultimate Comics New Ultimates) from 2pm-3pm, Steve Conley (Star Trek), and John Gallagher (Buzzboy)!
 
FCBD Special -- modern back-issues are only one dollar!  Oh yeah, and we're also giving away free comics while they last!  Our hours for Free Comic Book Day are 11am-7pm.
 
We'll see you there!
 
Our address:  100 A Chartley Dr., Reisterstown, MD  21136
For more information, call Cards Comics and Collectibles: 410-526-7410

 
   

Tuesday, April 06, 2010

Finally, I address iPad comics

I wasn't all that concerned about them actually, but my editor asked for an article - Shannon Gallant, John Gallagher, Matt Wuerker and Ann Telnaes ventured opinions for me - In D.C. and Industrywide, Will the iPad Save Comics and Kill Print? by Mike Rhode on Apr. 6, 2010.

Said editor, Jon Fischer, drastically cleaned up this article too and made it much more readable.