Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Hobbes Holluck

20160917_133135
Hobbes Holluck and Karly Perez at SPX 2016


by Mike Rhode

Hobbes Holluck of Winchester, VA participated in the Heroic Aleworks comic book fair this spring, and asked to postpone an interview until he launched his new Kickstarter campaign.  It's live now, so he's telling us about his career by answering our usual questions.

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

The things that seem to be constantly recurring in my work are monsters and humor.  Right now I have two fairly distinct styles I work in.  One is a very colorful cartoony style that I use when I do my own storytelling.  The other is a much more dark and expressive style I developed working with Karly Perez.

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

I generally work traditionally if I can.  I use pencil, ink, inkwash, markers, airbrush, acrylic paint, gouache, etc.  I basically use whatever medium is appropriate for the effect I want.  For Fuzzbuquet, the current story I'm working on, I will generally start with a pencil sketch, ink it, color it using copic markers and then use airbrush for the background and special effects.

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

I was born in San Juan Puerto Rico in 1981.  Growing up in the 80's had a substantial influence on my work.  Saturday morning cartoons, toy culture, Garbage Pail Kids, and that era of comics definitely resonated with me.  I could go on and on....

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

I grew up in the suburbs of D.C. in Chantilly, VA.  I spent about 5 years in Richmond for grad school and then moved back to the area to work as an art teacher.  I recently moved to Winchester.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

I have a BA in fine art from Virginia Tech but I didn't learn much about comics or cartooning there.  I probably learned more about the art of cartooning from the blog of John K than anywhere else.  Spending time studying my favorite artworks/cartoons/comics and trying to recreate techniques I see is also quite illuminating.  I learn a lot from artists who share their work on YouTube and social media.

Who are your influences?

The classic Looney Tunes and Disney shorts (especially those by Jack Hannah and Chuck Jones) John K, Ralph Bakshi, Dave Sim, Eastman and Laird, Brom, Tony Diterlizzi, Eric Powell... again the list could go on and on.

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

I wish I would have spent more time making things and less time playing video games.  

What work are you best-known for?

Fuzzbuquet.

What work are you most proud of?

Fuzzbuquet.  I finally feel like I am producing a story that's close to the way I envisioned it in my head.  It's a fantasy story that's heavily influenced by my love of the cartoons in the 80's and early 90's but it's also very much its own thing.  While it's a whimsical tale, I think once I get through the whole story it will be a meaningful one as well.  I also really identify with the main character- He's an idiot chasing his dreams. 

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

If and when I finish Fuzzbuquet, I'd like to get into making wooden nutcrackers from scratch.
 
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

If I don't feel like drawing/painting I try to force myself work for at least 30 minutes.  If I'm still not feeling it I'll take a break and come back to it when I'm ready.  As far as writer's block, I usually let my best thoughts come to me when I'm driving to work in the morning or taking a shower and then record them as soon as I can.  My wife is also a phenomenal help when it comes to writing, critiquing and bouncing off ideas.

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

It seems things are going more and more digital.  Maybe that's why I enjoy working traditionally so much.
  
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

Small Press Expo, Awesome Con and Baltimore Comic Con.  I think each one appeals to a slightly different crowd.  I've had good experiences at all three. 


What's your favorite thing about DC?

Joining the DC Conspiracy and finding other people that love making comics as much as me.

Least favorite?

The traffic.

What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?

The National Gallery holds a special place in my heart.  I vividly remember my trip there in 5th grade and it changed my life.  It has a little something for everyone and it always brings back great memories.
 
How about a favorite local restaurant?

This is outside the city but in Burke, VA there is a tiny little Spanish restaurant called El Pueblo.  If you go, get the Xango's for dessert.  Bananas and cheesecake never tasted so good.

Do you have a website or blog?

Venus's Comic Shop featured in Washington Informer

D.C. Welcomes Only Black-Owned Comic Book Shop

The Washington Informer

Premiering as one of only three comic books stores located in D.C. and the only one currently owned by people of color, owners of the new Venus’s Comic Shop say it is a “dream come true.”
Read the full article.

ReDistricted on Roy Clark

The Lightening fingers of Roy Clark

Story by Matt Dembicki

Art by Matt Rawson

 https://www.redistrictedcomics.com/royclark

In the 1970s and '80s, Roy Clark was one of country music's biggest stars, thanks largely to his co-hosting the popular TV show "Hee Haw." But he cut his hillbilly playin' ways in the clubs of Washington and its suburbs, before moving on to Nashville, Las Vegas and Hollywood. 

Monday, August 14, 2017

Comic Riffs on Shannon Wheeler and Ward Sutton

One author pored over Trump's tweets for months. These are the conclusions he drew.


Washington Post
Comic Riffs blog August 14 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/08/14/one-author-pored-over-trumps-tweets-for-months-these-are-the-conclusions-he-drew/
 

Why the Onion's 'Kelly' is the best bad cartoonist in America



Washington Post Comic Riffs blog August 10 2017
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/08/10/why-the-onions-kelly-is-the-best-bad-cartoonist-in-america/


Gareth Hinds' Poe adaptation reviewed in this week's City Paper

It's not online, but...

Ottenberg, Eve. 2017.
Illustrated Horror - Poe: Stories and Poems by Gareth Hinds.
Washington City Paper (August 11)

Wayne’s Comics Podcast #294: David Miller

Wayne's Comics Podcast #294: David Miller


This week's episode #294 features the return of David Miller, who discusses his newest comic limited series The Frankenstein Zombie, among other things! His Indiegogo for this series ends in the next couple of days, so this is the perfect time to jump on board! David talks about the original classic story being his inspiration for the book as well as the various supporting characters in the series as well as what it took to bring this together! For more about The Frankenstein Zombie, go to this link! Time is of the essence, so once you've listened to this interview, be sure to head to the Indiegogo link above to support this great comic!

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Saturday, August 12, 2017

PR: Meet Space Riders artist Alexis Ziritt & Calexit writer Matt Pizzolo this Saturday!




This Saturday 8/12/17 at Third Eye Annapolis

MATT PIZZOLO & ALEXIS ZIRITT
Creators behind hit indie series like
CALEXIT, SPACE RIDERS, &more!
11AM-1PM

Meet Matt Pizzolo (Young Terrorists, Calexit) & Alexis Ziritt (Space Riders, Tarantula) this Saturday!

First 25 in line get a free surprise gift limited to this event!

 

We're huge fans of the indie maverick publishing powerhouse BLACK MASK COMICS, and when we had the chance to bring two of our favorite folks known for their killer work at Black Mask to Third Eye – we had to jump at it!

In support of the incredible new Black Mask series, CALEXIT, series writer MATT PIZZOLO (who many of you know from his incredible work on projects like GODKILLER, YOUNG TERRORISTS and more) and CALEXIT Third Eye cover artist ALEXIS ZIRITT (who many of you know from his incredible series SPACE RIDERS!) will be helping us kick off CALEXIT in style!

This new series is a cutting edge dystopian sci-fi masterpiece that will remind you of '80s cult movie favorites like ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK thrown into a blender with late '90s Vertigo gold like TRANSMETROPOLITAN!

Pure awesome all the way through, CALEXIT is a must-read, and we highly recommend you check it out, and come get it signed by Matt and Alexis on 8/12/17!

Want the full scoop on the signing & all the cool stuff we've got going on? Click here for details

Click Here to Read all about Calexit & Our Signing!


Friday, August 11, 2017

The Post cracks The Nut Job 2

'The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature': Stale jokes and slapstick, the sequel [in print as Predictable premise and acorny jokes].

Pat Padua

Washington Post August 11 2017, p. Weekend 26
https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/the-nut-job-2-nutty-by-nature-stale-jokes-and-slapstick-the-sequel/2017/08/10/470e9606-792e-11e7-8839-ec48ec4cae25_story.html

Aug 11-13: Otakon at the Washington Convention Center

Otakon® is an annual celebration of Asian pop culture (anime, manga, music, movies, video games, etc.) and its fandom! Otakon is run by the non-profit organization Otakorp, Inc

https://www.otakon.com/

$100 for a three-day ticket

Sunday, August 06, 2017

PR: Small Press Expo Celebrates 10 Years of Koyama Press




For Immediate Release
Contact: Warren Bernard
Email: warren@spxpo.com
 
Small Press Expo celebrates the 10th anniversary of Koyama Press
 
Bethesda, Maryland; August 3, 2017
 
Koyama Press has been making comics and art books for a decade, and Small Press Expo is excited to celebrate their anniversary year with them with an incredible slate of comics, programming and a number of other celebration surprises. Koyama Press guests will include Connor Willumsen, Noel Freibert, Eleanor Davis, Sophia Foster-Dimino and more.

Founded in 2007, Koyama Press is a Toronto-based small press. Our mandate is to promote and support a wide range of emerging and established artists. Projects include comics, graphic novels, art books, and zines. We are known for our alternative edge and diverse range of titles that include a myriad of genres from autobiography to photography, from horror to humour, and more.
Small Press Expo is proud to present the following programs highlighting the 10 years of Koyama Press:

Kick Ass Annie-versary: Koyama Press Turns 10

Annie Koyama has championed the work of emerging cartoonists for 10 years. As a leading publisher of underground comix, her roster features the work of many of today's top names in the indie comics scene, including Michael DeForge, Aidan Koch, Alex Schubert, Daryl Seitchik, and many more. Join KP alumni, new and old, in a very special panel spotlighting one our favorite curators of small press cartoonists and their work. Moderated by Rob Clough of High-Low.

Koyama & DeForge: Lose, Everybody Wins


For nearly a decade, Annie Koyama (Koyama Press) and Michael DeForge (Sticks Angelica, Folk Hero) have been wowing readers with their strange and darkly humorous, ongoing anthology series, Lose. Join us for a special conversation with a celebrated, master cartoonist and an award winning publisher as we take an insightful look at one of small press publishing's greatest partnerships. Moderated by Ryan Sands of Youth in Decline.
Full lineup as well as times and locations to be announced in the coming weeks.
Additionally, Koyama Press will be debuting its Fall 2017 releases at Small Press Expo, including Sophia Foster-Dimino's Sex Fantasy, GGs I'm Not Here, and Patrick Kyle's Everywhere Disappeared.
  • Sophia Foster-Dimino's Sex Fantasy began as a loose, ephemeral zine that was produced in limited editions. These small comics in both size and length are esoteric and immensely personal. Covering a span of four years, the comics collected here build a relationship that is deeper than their elegantly drawn surfaces.
  • In GG's I'm Not Here, a young, second-generation woman wanders through her city and memories encountering the world through a camera's lens; her independence pulled by the gravity of familial responsibility. She drifts until she encounters what could possibly be her potential self.
  • A keen observer of the absurd, Patrick Kyle's stories in Everywhere Disappeared defamiliarize the machinations of life, work and art with droll dialogue and his angular, humanely geometric drawing and sci-fi settings that recall set design more than satellite images. Kyle's figures may be foreign, his settings strange, but his stories resonate deeply.
In the next few weeks, SPX will announce additional guests, special events, the 2017 Ignatz nominees and a full slate of programming.
 
Small Press Expo (SPX) is the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons. SPX is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit that brings together more than 650 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers, and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini comics, and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. The expo includes a series of panel discussions and interviews with this year's guests.
 
The Ignatz Award is a festival prize held every year at SPX recognizing outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning, with the winners chosen by attendees at the show.

As in previous years, profits from the SPX will go to support the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program, which funds graphic novel purchases for public and academic libraries, as well as the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), which protects the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, visit their website at http://www.cbldf.org. For more information on the Small Press Expo, please visit http://www.smallpressexpo.com.



Friday, August 04, 2017

B'more Into Comics #15: Monica's Fight

B'more Into Comics, the quarterly minicomics show in Baltimore that's held in a bar, will hold its next event on Aug. 19 from 1-6 p.m. This show will benefit its co-founder, Monica Gallagher (Bonnie N. Collide, Assassin Roomate, Part-Time Princesses, and GFFs: Ghost Friends Forever) who is fighting breast cancer. The event's regular venue, The Windup Space, will donate a portion of all drink sales and B'more will host a silent art auction to directly help Monica.

Please also consider supporting Monica as she documents her fight via Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MonicaGallagher


Art by Danielle Corsetto

Jason Reynolds is talking Spider-Man

He's at Hooray for Books in Alexandria right now giving an excellent talk on his new Miles Morales book.

Tomorrow he's at Fantom Comics.

Thursday, August 03, 2017

Aug 4: Jason Reynolds on Spider-Man at Hooray for Books


Jason Reynolds Presents Miles Morales: Spider-Man

Join us to meet critically acclaimed author Jason Reynolds as he presents and signs his new book, Miles Morales: Spider-Man. Miles is just your average teenager. Dinner every Sunday with his parents; chilling out playing old-school video games with his best friend, Ganke; and crushing on brainy, beautiful poet Alicia. He's even got a scholarship spot at the prestigious Brooklyn Visions Academy. Oh yeah, and he's Spider Man.


In addition to Miles Morales, we have special permission from the publisher of Ghost and All American Boys to sell the paperback editions before their respective official publication dates of August 29 and 30.


This event is free and open to the public. To join the signing line, please purchase Miles Morales: Spider-Man from Hooray for Books! To get your copy, please stop by the bookstore or call us at 703-548-4092.