I'm about to go read this now -
Steve Artley - Cartoonist Survey #207
David-Wasting-Paper blog January 29, 2011
http://david-wasting-paper.blogspot.com/2011/01/steve-artley-cartoonist-survey-207.html
Saturday, January 29, 2011
OT PR: Stargazer, my all-ages graphic novel
Von Allan, although Canadian, has attended SPX and was an early supporter of ComicsDC. Here's his note about a new comic he has out.
I have new graphic novel that just arrived in comic shops and some bookstores. Very quickly, it's an all-ages fantasy story focusing on a young girl named Marni who is dealing with the recent death of her grandmother. As Marni struggles to place this loss, her life takes an abrupt and strange turn. Her grandmother bequeathed her a mysterious "Artifact" and, while on a backyard camping trip, the object suddenly takes on a life of its own. Marni and her two best friends are transported to a strange and distant world. After summoning their courage, Marni, Sophie and Elora venture out to explore their alien surroundings, where they find a surreal world containing a robot, a mysterious far-off tower, and an illusive yet terrifying monster. Scared, yet buoyed by the stories and songs that they've heard while growing up, the three girls gather their meagre supplies and head out into the wilderness, determined to find a way home. A magical tale with the most unlikeliest of heroes, "Stargazer" is an exploration of friendship, loss, and hope. By turns terrifying, poignant, and humorous, "Stargazer" is part fairytale, part science fiction, and part adventure story. The main website for my graphic novel is at http://stargazer.vonallan.com
Why is this story special? Well, I think there are a number of reasons. First, it's an all-ages story that features three girls as protagonists, which is still fairly rare in comics. Marni, Sophie and Elora are strong and independent characters. While they are young, they are not weak and I think that's very important and something that both girls and boys can identify with. Secondly, I'm both the writer and the artist of "Stargazer" and that, too, is uncommon in comics, which are generally created by teams of writers and artists sharing the work. Thirdly, "Stargazer" is self-published, but I've managed to secure world-wide distribution through a number of distributors, including Diamond Comic Distributors, Follett Library Resources, Brodart Company and Ingram Book Company. Publishing is certainly challenging in this day and age, but distribution and accessibility are critically important aspects that absolutely cannot be overlooked.
"Stargazer" is also getting some very positive reviews and I'd like to quickly share two brief ones with you. The first is from the Midwest Book Review (http://www.midwestbookreview.com/ibw/jul_10.htm#Comix/GraphicNovel):
"Stargazer Volume One is a black-and-white graphic novel following three girls stranded on a faraway alien world. Young Marni has recently lost her grandmother, with whom she was very close. Her grandmother had also bequeathed a mysterious "Artifact" upon her - and it is this object that transports Marni and her friends, Sophie and Elora, far away from any home they have ever known. The three girls must pool their courage and resources to learn more about this unreal new world, and the strange things within it - a robot, a faraway tower, and an unknown monster hidden in shadows. Stargazer is a story of wonder, exploration, determination, and inward as well as outward challenge, and is highly recommended for readers of all ages."
Ms. Kat Kan, a librarian working in Florida, passed a copy of "Stargazer" to her elementary school book club; I received perhaps one of the best reviews I've ever gotten for my work from one of her students, a young third-grade girl. With Ms. Kan's permission, I wanted to share it with you (I've left all of her grammar intact):
"Your book Stargazer. I'm reading it...I like adventure books, and this book so far has a lot of adventure already. It was pretty cool that Marni and her friends travelled into this other world. It was weird when they heard this roaring sound and I would be pretty freaked out if I was running for my life then I tripped like Marni did. I just absolutely love the book! I hope your happy about that. It was funny when she said "STUPID LACES, OH COME ON!" It was weird when that robot showed Marni all the different things in the fire. It was also funny when Sophie said "I had to go pee and I realized you weren't in bed." It was said with her having all those flashbacks with her and her grandmother. Because if you just imagine your grandma die you will cry just as Marni did when she figured out her grandma died. It was funny when Marni had that sword and said "en garde." I liked the extras. You told me how you write, concept art, brainstorming...I liked the pictures at the end, this book was amazing. I wish I could keep it and read it again, again and again, but I have to return it in five days so I probably can't but I just love Stargazer."
As you know, it's always a challenge to try to build awareness for a new book from a relatively unknown creator. If you don't mind spreading the word, please do! And, of course, don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments.
Thank you very much!
I have new graphic novel that just arrived in comic shops and some bookstores. Very quickly, it's an all-ages fantasy story focusing on a young girl named Marni who is dealing with the recent death of her grandmother. As Marni struggles to place this loss, her life takes an abrupt and strange turn. Her grandmother bequeathed her a mysterious "Artifact" and, while on a backyard camping trip, the object suddenly takes on a life of its own. Marni and her two best friends are transported to a strange and distant world. After summoning their courage, Marni, Sophie and Elora venture out to explore their alien surroundings, where they find a surreal world containing a robot, a mysterious far-off tower, and an illusive yet terrifying monster. Scared, yet buoyed by the stories and songs that they've heard while growing up, the three girls gather their meagre supplies and head out into the wilderness, determined to find a way home. A magical tale with the most unlikeliest of heroes, "Stargazer" is an exploration of friendship, loss, and hope. By turns terrifying, poignant, and humorous, "Stargazer" is part fairytale, part science fiction, and part adventure story. The main website for my graphic novel is at http://stargazer.vonallan.com
Why is this story special? Well, I think there are a number of reasons. First, it's an all-ages story that features three girls as protagonists, which is still fairly rare in comics. Marni, Sophie and Elora are strong and independent characters. While they are young, they are not weak and I think that's very important and something that both girls and boys can identify with. Secondly, I'm both the writer and the artist of "Stargazer" and that, too, is uncommon in comics, which are generally created by teams of writers and artists sharing the work. Thirdly, "Stargazer" is self-published, but I've managed to secure world-wide distribution through a number of distributors, including Diamond Comic Distributors, Follett Library Resources, Brodart Company and Ingram Book Company. Publishing is certainly challenging in this day and age, but distribution and accessibility are critically important aspects that absolutely cannot be overlooked.
"Stargazer" is also getting some very positive reviews and I'd like to quickly share two brief ones with you. The first is from the Midwest Book Review (http://www.midwestbookreview.com/ibw/jul_10.htm#Comix/GraphicNovel):
"Stargazer Volume One is a black-and-white graphic novel following three girls stranded on a faraway alien world. Young Marni has recently lost her grandmother, with whom she was very close. Her grandmother had also bequeathed a mysterious "Artifact" upon her - and it is this object that transports Marni and her friends, Sophie and Elora, far away from any home they have ever known. The three girls must pool their courage and resources to learn more about this unreal new world, and the strange things within it - a robot, a faraway tower, and an unknown monster hidden in shadows. Stargazer is a story of wonder, exploration, determination, and inward as well as outward challenge, and is highly recommended for readers of all ages."
Ms. Kat Kan, a librarian working in Florida, passed a copy of "Stargazer" to her elementary school book club; I received perhaps one of the best reviews I've ever gotten for my work from one of her students, a young third-grade girl. With Ms. Kan's permission, I wanted to share it with you (I've left all of her grammar intact):
"Your book Stargazer. I'm reading it...I like adventure books, and this book so far has a lot of adventure already. It was pretty cool that Marni and her friends travelled into this other world. It was weird when they heard this roaring sound and I would be pretty freaked out if I was running for my life then I tripped like Marni did. I just absolutely love the book! I hope your happy about that. It was funny when she said "STUPID LACES, OH COME ON!" It was weird when that robot showed Marni all the different things in the fire. It was also funny when Sophie said "I had to go pee and I realized you weren't in bed." It was said with her having all those flashbacks with her and her grandmother. Because if you just imagine your grandma die you will cry just as Marni did when she figured out her grandma died. It was funny when Marni had that sword and said "en garde." I liked the extras. You told me how you write, concept art, brainstorming...I liked the pictures at the end, this book was amazing. I wish I could keep it and read it again, again and again, but I have to return it in five days so I probably can't but I just love Stargazer."
As you know, it's always a challenge to try to build awareness for a new book from a relatively unknown creator. If you don't mind spreading the word, please do! And, of course, don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or comments.
Thank you very much!
--
Von Allan
Von Allan
Quote: "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." (Beckett)
Stargazer, my all-ages graphic novel, is now available in all channels. It has a Diamond Item Code of NOV101057 and an ISBN of 978-0-9781237-2-7. More information about Stargazer can be found at http://stargazer.vonallan.com
the road to god knows... (ISBN: 978-0-9781237-0-3) is also available through book trade channels. Information about road can be found at http://trtgk.vonallan.com
Von Allan Studio
P.O. Box 20520, 390 Rideau Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. K1N 1A3
Phone: 613-236-9957
Email: von@vonallan.com
Web: http://www.vonallan.com
Blog: http://vonandmoggy.livejournal.com
Patton Oswalt memoir reviewed in Post
The review refers to the book as 'part graphic novel' -
Patton Oswalt's memoir 'Zombie Spaceship Wasteland'
Reviewed by Mike Sacks
Special to The Washington Post January 28, 2011.
Patton Oswalt's memoir 'Zombie Spaceship Wasteland'
Reviewed by Mike Sacks
Special to The Washington Post January 28, 2011.
Team Cul de Sac contributor updates
Nick Galifianakis book tour starts today in Seattle
Nick Galifianakis' first book tour schedule is online now.
He's in Seattle today, Portland tomorrow and California the next day.
In Washington, he'll be at Politics and Prose on Friday, February 11th - and his book is a perfect Valentine's gift.
He's in Seattle today, Portland tomorrow and California the next day.
In Washington, he'll be at Politics and Prose on Friday, February 11th - and his book is a perfect Valentine's gift.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Today's Nate Beeler cartoon tribute to Jules Feiffer
Nate Beeler's Editorial Cartoons Digest
- Interpretive Snow DanceClick through to see Nate Beeler's tribute to Jules Feiffer (who had a birthday this week).
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Weldon on the death of the Comics Code Authority
Censors and Sensibility: RIP, Comics Code Authority Seal Of Approval, 1954 - 2011
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog January 27, 2011
http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/01/27/133253953/censors-and-sensibility-rip-comics-code-authority-seal-1954-2011
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog January 27, 2011
http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/01/27/133253953/censors-and-sensibility-rip-comics-code-authority-seal-1954-2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
So, if you see a truck downtown with a giant cartoon head playing on the side of it...
...the explanation is here:
Cartoon of former Google CEO Schmidt's 'creepy' lines hits D.C. streets
-- David Sarno
Los Angeles Times Technology blog January 26, 2011
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/01/animation-of-google-ex-ceo-schmidts-creepy-lines-hits-dc-streets.html
Cartoon of former Google CEO Schmidt's 'creepy' lines hits D.C. streets
-- David Sarno
Los Angeles Times Technology blog January 26, 2011
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/01/animation-of-google-ex-ceo-schmidts-creepy-lines-hits-dc-streets.html
Sal Buscema turns 75 today
Comics Reporter caught that Marvel Comics artist Sal Buscema turned 75 today. I grew up on a lot of Buscema comics. Sal, not John (although I bought John's Conan).
Illustrators Club exhibit information
Joe Azar sent in this tip -
9th ANNUAL IC MEMBERS SHOW – runs through February 12, 2011
9th ANNUAL IC MEMBERS SHOW – runs through February 12, 2011
WHERE AiW Gallery, 1820 N. Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA 22209
METRO Rosslyn (across street from rear entrance)
PARKING at meters: Free after 6:00pm.
GALLERY HOURS M-Th 9am-8pm, F 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm
CONTACT Marie Dauenheimer, Show Coordinator:
dauenheimer@erols.com or 703-648-9038
Check out the Photo Gallery:
http://www.illustratorsclub.org/events/photogallery3.php
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Truitt on latest comic book stunt plotting
The Fantastic Four lose one of their own
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 25 2011
Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. Marvel even allowed retailers to sell it a day early (ie today).
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 25 2011
Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. Marvel even allowed retailers to sell it a day early (ie today).
Team Cul de Sac gets a cheerleader
Richard Thompson's drawn this illustration for Team Cul de Sac, and you can click through the link to donate cold hard... credit! But we know you're good for it.
If you're an artist, and you're on the fence about participating... the real money will probably be raised by the art auction, so please! draw Richard's characters for him.
Tom Toles picks cartoon contest winner
State of the Union Cartoon Caption Contest winner, by Tom Toles says he got 2,000 entries. Wow!
Robot 6 notes Donna Lewis' new strip
There's nothing here we haven't linked to before, but Comic Book Resources is a big site that I read often, so I'm glad to note that they mentioned Donna's strip.
2 Beeler cartoons in today's Examiner
In addition to the regular cartoon on page 2, Nate Beeler's got a second one tucked into the paper on page 24, illustrating 'who owns the Democratic Party' as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Toles played music over the weekend
Another 'for the record' blogpost -
Reporters rock the National Press Club
By: Nikki Schwab and Katy Adams
Washington Examiner January 24 2011
- someday you'll thank me.
Reporters rock the National Press Club
By: Nikki Schwab and Katy Adams
Washington Examiner January 24 2011
- someday you'll thank me.
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund profile
Anyone who's serious about comics should be a member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.
Meet the CBLDF, the people who make sure you aren't arrested for reading comic books
By Cyriaque Lamar
January 24 2011
http://io9.com/5742147/meet-the-cbdlf-the-people-who-make-sure-you-arent-arrested-for-reading-comic-books
Meet the CBLDF, the people who make sure you aren't arrested for reading comic books
By Cyriaque Lamar
January 24 2011
http://io9.com/5742147/meet-the-cbdlf-the-people-who-make-sure-you-arent-arrested-for-reading-comic-books
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