Joe Sutliff's April Fool's day Kickstarter (updated)

Joe Sutliff's April Fool's day Kickstarter "Be Annoying - Bang on a Pot"was quickly suspended. He had pledges of $26 before they pulled the plug on him. I would have too - he was getting annoying.

Of his 'project,' Joe says, "While easily perceived as a prank, my campaign is (or was) an attempt to tap into the gestalt of crowd funding. Rather that present a complex experience all at once, I wanted to see what would happen if something simple and silly would be appreciated by the community. Now I'm challenged  to come up with a response to this. As everyone knows, a wounded cartoonist is the most dangerous beast in the jungle…   At least I've become more annoying!"

J. Robert Deans explains why he is Kickstarting a cow-in-space childrens book

by Mike Rhode
 
J. Robert Deans may be most familiar to the local community as a comic book store manager, but he's been working on a webcomic, and now has launched a Kickstarter campaign for a cartoony children's book about a cow in space. In the middle of that fundraising, he took the time to answer my usual questions.

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

Around the time my daughter was born, I started working in a comic shop in Springfield, the former NOVA Comics. After that closed, I worked for Game On Comics in Vienna. I’ve had a web comic for almost three years now, a weekly single-panel gag comic called “Crass Fed Comics,” which is mostly jokes and puns in cartoon form. I occasionally post other random pieces of art as well, larger pieces, longer comics, or stuff that doesn’t fit the theme. Last year I added a new comic, the monthly (soon to be bi-monthly) comic strip “The Adventures of Surf and Turf,” which features a cow and penguin hanging out on a farm…with puns. Lots of puns. Last year after being laid off from Game On, I had an idea based on a silly doodle I had done some time earlier, and that quickly became a picture book for kids, which has exploded into half a dozen book ideas, and “Crass Fed Kids” was born. The first book, Moo Thousand and Pun, is now being Kickstarted. Subsequent books may be as well, depending on the success of the first, which features a cow in space.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

I do have a tablet with the Manga Studio program on it. I use that to make corrections and add colors to art when necessary. (Moo Thousand was done this way, with letters also added digitally.) Most of the Crass Fed cartoons are black and white line art, but when I color I use technology. For the most part, I use pen and ink. I like drawing digitally, and I keep experimenting…but nothing can replace a pencil and a sheet of Bristol board.

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

I was born in the early 1970s, in South Carolina. Luckily, I escaped.

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

When I was moving to go to college after a few years of working full time, my best friend tried to hook me up on a blind date with her friend. That Christmas, said friend sent me a card with her picture in it. A couple of weeks later we went on that date, and haven’t looked back. After I graduated I moved up here to the Springfield area to be with her. She’s a native to the area.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

None. And, to be honest, it shows. I have been drawing and doodling all my life, but I never took any formal classes. The past few years have been filled with several family tragedies, and drawing was an outlet to keep myself distracted. My position as a comics retailer afforded me many friends in the industry that have been very generous with their time and advice, and I have taken advantage of that.

Who are your influences?

Oy. A ton. It may not show up in my work at all, but artists like Will Eisner, Wally Wood, Jack Kirby, John Romita Sr, Frank Robbins, Alex Toth, Paul Reinman, Martin Nodell, Carmine Infantino, Charles Schulz, they were all over the books I read as a child. And many more, to be sure.

Creators that could be considered contemporary to me would include Dave Stevens, Stan Sakai, Chris Samnee, Gabriel Hardman, Dave McDonald, Paul Smith, Frank Cho, Evan Shaner, Roger Langridge, Howard Chaykin, Kevin Maguire, George Perez…too many to really count. The late Mike Parobeck and Mike Wieringo remain favorites. And that doesn’t even include the writers.

The biggest outside influence on my work today is Stephan Pastis, the creator of “Pearls Before Swine,” who I am pretty sure is my spirit animal.

I have also amassed a wonderful core of friends who help me almost daily with their encouragement, advice, and talent, and make my life that much more enjoyable: Jamie Cosley, Tara O’Connor, Matt Wieringo, Drew Moss, Bob Frantz, Eryk Donovan, Hoyt Silva, Erica Schultz, and Steve Conley.

Clearly, my wife and daughter (who at times is a collaborator) are my biggest influences. I really just do what I do for them. The fact that others have enjoyed the result is gravy, and something I am always thankful for. I also have to acknowledge Francesco Francavilla and his wife Lisa, who was the final push for me to start Crass Fed, with an almost literal kick to the tuckus and a “go do it, ya dummy!”

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

Start younger. A lot younger. I’m at an age when arthritis and vision problems set in (and they are). Plus, I would have started taking classes to improve my craft that much earlier.

What work are you best-known for?

Probably my penguin avatar. I drew it while I was in high school, and when I go to shows, once I tell folks I’m “that penguin guy,” they recognize me. Next would probably be the cows, which I draw for my daughter. Her favorite toy is a stuffed cow she has had since birth, and that cow is the star of Moo Thousand.

What work are you most proud of?

There are a couple of individual cartoons from Crass Fed or Surf and Turf that I am proud of, but the biggest thing is the book. One friend, when I asked him to read a draft after the art had been finished, said that everyone says they write, but few actually finish a book. He said no matter what the reaction, I should take pride in my producing a complete work…and I do. I like how it turned out, people I don’t know have enjoyed it, and have asked for more. That’s… a nice feeling.

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

I would like to try my hand at writing a traditional cape and cowl comic. That would be a challenge, to be sure. I see what writers go through to keep readers captivated month in, month out, and it’s daunting and admirable. For some reason, I would like to try that.

Barring that, I have ideas for several other books in the Crass Fed Kids line, and hopefully this first one will be successful enough to allow me to make more.

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

This may fall in to the category of “TMI,” but I jump in the shower. Every time I’ve had an idea that has really worked, like Moo Thousand, that lightbulb has gone off while I’m in the shower. After that, I put on another pot of coffee and get to work.

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

Honestly, once we get past all of this histrionic crap about new female and minority creators and have real representation and equality at the creative level, comics will blossom. Folks still have a bizarre preconception about comics and comic shops, and the only thing that will get us past that is diversity. Speaking as a former retailer, every new comic book movie does nothing to boost comic sales. In almost ten years of selling comics in which there were some 20 comic-book-based blockbusters, I can count on one hand the number of new readers that came in to the shop because they saw one of those movies.

What really got people into the shop where they may not have thought of comics before were books like March by John Lewis. Or Bone by Jeff Smith. Or Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona. Books that feature lead characters that aren’t white dudes in tights. While there isn’t anything wrong with white dudes in tights, there are so many more worlds to explore that we need to open up the gates to everyone who has a story to tell… and let them tell them. Encourage them. Inspire them. Get them started with a pencil and a dream and support to let them tell their story. When we can really do that with everyone, the future will be as rich and as amazing as we can dream it to be.

What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

We regularly attend Heroes in Charlotte, Baltimore Comic Con, and SPX. We also went to AwesomeCon last year. If all goes well with the Kickstarter, this year will be our first exhibiting, starting with AwesomeCon. We will also have tables at Heroes, and are in the queue for a table at SPX. Baltimore is up in the air this year (because of a family scheduling conflict).

I have written about attending conventions for my blog, because they are such different animals for exhibitors than attendees. The cost of attending a show can be pretty big, especially if the show isn’t local. Admission, hotels, meals, travel, all of that adds up before you even buy your first piece of art or your first book. When you exhibit, that costs goes up exponentially with table fees, travel and shipping all of the materials needed to exhibit…it’s an expensive undertaking just in hopes that a few folks stop at your table and check out your work. It’s exhausting, and most creators hope they can just break even. It’s a little easier for artists because they can always sell commissions, but writers have to be able to sell their story, which is a lot harder in a convention setting where the visual side of the medium is king.

The advice I give everyone about attending is go to have fun. Even I have attended a show (Heroes, the first time), just to meet a particular creator (Kelly Sue DeConnick). In addition to that, use the time to explore other creators you don’t know. Browse the artist alley. Check out folks sharing tables. Their budget is small, and their hopes large. A simple $5 purchase at their tables could be just the encouragement they need to keep creating. Who knows… a comic bought on a whim at a table could mean you were one of the first people to discover the next big thing in comics. I call it “Try 5” and have written more about the idea on my blog at icrvn.com/blog/?p=745

What's your favorite thing about DC?

I met my wife here. The food’s pretty good too.

Least favorite?

The commuting. Always, the commuting.

What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?

I actually let my wife handle that. Being the native, she is much better at figuring out logistics and such when those visits are needed. Aside from the Library of Congress where my wife works, Air and Space is usually the big hit, though. And Natural History. Old books, space, and dinosaurs rule, I suppose.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

I used to manage a restaurant, nothing at all fancy, and my wife is finishing up her first cookbook, so we tend to cook most of the time. But, if friends are in town it’s hard to top any of Jose Andres’ options. Jaleo is probably the favorite. Or one of a small handful of good Pho places. Hard to go wrong with Pho, or my favorite, Bibimbap.

Do you have a website or blog?

Indeed. My home site, which has been running since ’97, is icrvn.com – from there you can get to my blog (icrvn.com/blog), or any of my webcomics (all hosted at crassfed.com), plus a few other sites like my wife’s recipe blog, or other art, such as my daughter’s art (kidletkorner.com). I am also on twitter (@jrobertdeans). I don’t have a public page for Facebook, but when I remember to, comics are also cross-posted on the Crass Fed Comic page on Facebook.

Joe Sutliff's Master Jeffrey Kickstarter campaign launches

Received from Joe:

Joe Sutliff launched the KickStarter campaign for his first graphic novel, "Master Jeffrey - When Hadrons Collide" today. The story is based on his late brother-in-law, and although the events are pure fantasy, the main character is a reflection of the real person.

"I did not want to tell the details of Jeffrey's life, compelling as it was, because he would not have enjoyed being remembered as someone who dealt with a lot of hardships. Instead, I've made him a hero; respected and admired, and saving the world time after time."

The page for the campaign can be found at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/485242647/master-jeffrey-graphic-novel

Kickstarter game features Jeffrey Thompson art

Scalawag!, a game with a Kickstarter fundraising campaign features Jeffrey Thompson art.  Jeff is a long-time Big Planet Comics Bethesda employee as well as a children's book artist. You would think the Scalawag designer would mention Jeff since he's selling a bunch of the original artwork at the bottom, but...

I'll be backing this one anyway, because of Jeff.

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.

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

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

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