Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Meet Sarah Firth of Australia - A Post-SPX Interview
by Mike Rhode
ComicsDC blog (November 19, 2024): https://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2024/11/meet-sarah-firth-of-australia-post-spx.html

Flow doesn't need words to craft an engrossing survival fable
Like Homeward Bound through the apocalypse, as majestic and (sometimes) hokey as that sounds. [Latvia]
By Jacob Oller | November 19, 2024
https://www.avclub.com/flow-review

Zander Cannon Talks Sleep: Like Jekyll and Hyde, but Only His Waking Hours
The Comics Cube with Duy Tano
Nov 19 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU_oCLTopI8

Pop Culture SquadCast - Live - Episode #066: With Special Guest Chip Mosher [DSTLRY]
Pop Culture Squad Nov 19 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mc99P9bHVA

ANIME NYC expands event from 3 days to 4 for summer 2025
Justin Guerrero on 11/19/2024 https://www.comicsbeat.com/anime-nyc-expands-event-from-3-days-to-4-for-summer-2025/

Class action suit against Action Lab Entertainment dismissed by judge
Heidi MacDonald on 11/19/2024
https://www.comicsbeat.com/class-action-suit-against-action-lab-entertainment-dismissed-by-judge/

A Visit to Planet Koren
A new exhibition celebrates the work of the late cartoonist Edward Koren.
By Paul Karasik
November 19, 2024
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/a-visit-to-planet-koren

Best Manga 2024 | SLJ Best Books
by Jasmine Amiri, Rachel Forbes, Joe Pascullo, Lisa Rowland, Sara Smith
Nov 19, 2024
https://www.slj.com/story/best-manga-2024-slj-best-books

Book ban proposal sparks heated debate at Sargent Central Schools
Sargent Central Schools debated keeping "Heartstopper" on library shelves, as parents labeled it inappropriate, while students staunchly defended its content.
By Isak Dinesen
WDAY-TV November 13, 2024
https://www.inforum.com/news/north-dakota/book-ban-proposal-sparks-heated-debate-at-sargent-central-schools

Parents push Northern Michigan library to restrict book over 'sexual content' [Heartstopper]
Rose White
mlive.com Nov. 14, 2024, https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2024/11/parents-push-northern-michigan-library-to-restrict-book-over-sexual-content.html

Welcome to this month's CartoonStock caption contest by Tom Toro.
Bob Mankoff, Lawrence Wood, Trevor Hoey, Joel Mishon and Tom Toro
CartoonStock, a Cartoon Collections Co.
Nov 15, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koTrFY4idjw

"Adam and Eve and the Leaves" Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
November 18, 2024 by Lawrence Wood
https://www.cartoonstock.com/blog/adam-eve-leaves-caption-contest-commentary-with-lawrence-wood/

The Batman Universe Is Called the 'Batman Epic Crime Saga'
After The Penguin, what else?
Wesley Yin-Poole
Updated: Jul 24, 2024
https://www.ign.com/articles/the-batman-universe-is-called-the-batman-epic-crime-saga

The second annual Jewish Comics Experience (JewCE) in NYC
Ruben Bolling Nov 16, 2024
https://boingboing.net/2024/11/16/the-second-annual-jewish-comics-experience-jewce-in-nyc.html

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Meet Sarah Firth of Australia - A Post-SPX Interview

For some reason she wanted me in her author photo

by Mike Rhode

I briefly met Sarah Firth while she was signing her book at the Small Press Expo this fall. She continued on her US tour after selling out of her book that weekend. We reconnected via email after she returned home and here is the interview.

But first, here's info about her and the book, lifted from her press release :

Sarah Firth (she/her) is an artist, writer, cartoonist and graphic recorder based in Wurundjeri Country, Melbourne, Australia. Sarah has received a Talking Difference Fellowship from the Immigration Museum, was a finalist in the Incinerator Gallery Award For Social Change and her comics have appeared in Eisner Award-winning and Ignatz-nominated anthologies.

Her debut graphic novel, Eventually Everything Connects – Eight Essays on Uncertainty was The Age’s Non-Fiction Pick of The Week, shortlisted for The Prime Minister’s Literary Award and listed as ‘One of The Best Graphic Novels Ever’ by Refinery29.

Eventually Everything Connects is Sarah Firth’s debut graphic novel, a collection of interconnected visual essays created over eight years. Sarah invites you into her wild mind as she explores ways to see with fresh eyes, to face the inevitability of change, and to find freedom in sensuality.

With raw honesty and vulnerability, Firth reminds us that the profane and the sacred, the tender and the cruel, the rigorous and the silly, all coexist in dynamic tension. This book is a delicious mix of daily life, science, philosophy and irreverent humour that is comforting, confronting and mind-expanding in equal measure.

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

I like to play and make all kinds of things, from comedic and gag comics, to slice of life and memoir pieces, academic comics, non-fiction essays and thought pieces all the way to fiction. I love thinking, exploring and making and my creative practice is very responsive to living.

I also work professionally as a graphic recorder, graphic facilitator, strategic visualiser and educator/trainer at workshops and live events. I utilize a lot of the comics making skill set in this work, but it is done live, fast and in response to or in co-design with the group as a facilitation tool. In real time it is more about listening, but the end product looks a lot like comics - though usually more like a spatial infographic or mind map. I use panels sometimes! It’s very emergent.

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

I work across mediums. Ink and watercolour on paper, to digital with Procreate on my iPad.

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

I’m an elder Millennial.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

I have always drawn and been creative. I’ve also always written journals. I was classically trained as a sculptor, but a car accident changed that career path, and I turned to comics and animations as a creative outlet when I was injured. It’s a lot cheaper and faster than sculpture! I still don’t feel like much of a writer and have no formal training. I’ve mainly learned how to draw and write comics by reading them and work-shopping with other comics makers, particularly through The Comic Arts Workshop here in Australia. I work-shopped my debut graphic novel Eventually Everything Connects with them. And honestly, I couldn’t have made it without this community of talented, generous peers!

Who are your influences?

I have so many influences! I read very promiscuously. I love science communication writers like Ed Yong and Merlin Sheldrake. I like theory from James Carce such as Finite and Infinite Games, the works of Donna Haraway, Tyson Yunkaporta, Iain McGilchrist and Jack Halberstam. Hybrid works like Big Beautiful Female Theory by Eloise Grills make me feel like my work is possible. Comics-wise I love Lynda Barry, Sam Wallman, Joe Sacco, Lee Lai, Kevin Huizenga, Tara Booth, Rachel Ang, Eleri Mai Harris, Claudia Chinyere Akole and so many more!

What work are you most proud of?

I’m really proud of my debut graphic novel Eventually Everything Connects. It took 8 years of love and struggle. That’s the longest comics project I’ve ever done.

So what is your new book about, beyond the PR blurb quoted above?

These interconnected graphic essays are one meta work that explores questions of living, of being in community, of loving and trying to make some sense of living in our hyper complex world where crises and destruction keep coming. It is part memoir, non-fiction, autotheory, science communication and a work of philosophy. Which sounds a bit wanky, but while the book chews on hard questions it is buoyed along with a lot of humour and enjoyable silliness too.

So far the responses to the book have been amazing with lots of readers getting in touch with me to say that the book has been a real tonic and balm to their existential dread and weariness. Helping them feel that they are not alone and that the world is still wild and wonderful in all kinds of ways. The horrors persist, but it so do I, that sort of thing.

Were these essays commissioned for a publication, or did you do them on your own?

I wrote and drew all of these from my free will, if it exists. I have submitted a few excerpts to online and printed journals and writing prizes.

How did you find a publisher?

It’s been a long road - especially given that my book doesn’t fit neatly into a genre. From 2019 - 2020 I submitted the work directly to publishers and got rejections. Then I eventually got approached by my Australian agent Jacinta Di Mase in 2021 and they submitted my book to publishers in 2022. More rejections came. I got to a point where I thought this book just wasn’t going to find a home.

I was sad and stressed, so went off to the forest to chop wood and seriously think about letting the book go. I got to a point of being ready to let it die. I was chopping wood and burning pages when my agent called to excitedly tell me that Joan Press of Allen & Unwin wanted to acquire it. What a turn around!

The Aus/NZ edition came out in 2023. And then I got a US agent Dan Lazar of Writer’s House and he sold the international English rights to Graphic Mundi. The US edition came out in 2024.

How did you get to do a tour of America for the book?

I applied for multiple travel grants and luckily got two. One from Creative Australia and The Neilma Sidney Literary Travel Fund from Writers Victoria.

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

I want to keep on playing, collaborating on cool projects, making my own projects, drawing, writing and thinking, and see what emerges.

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

I often work on multiple projects at once so I can keep momentum and switch between them if I get stuck.

I also mainly work from home and find doing mundane tasks like washing, cleaning and gardening helpful for processing things unconsciously which can help break through blocks.

Other times I call a friend, journal, hike, walk and type on my phone, dance, move and exercise. Changing my thinking and body movement can really help with problem solving.

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

At the moment in Australia, the appetite and recognition of graphic novels in all genres is growing. And more graphic novels are being made. Who knows where this will go, but it’s a very positive signal.

What cons do you attend besides The Small Press Expo? Any comments about attending them?

As a neurodivergent person I actually find conventions really hard! So I only do them very irregularly. They are so amazing for connecting and community building, but I get overwhelmed by the noise, movement and visual stimulus really quickly.

That said my SPX experience was amazing because I worked in tandem with my publisher Graphic Mundi, who sold my books all day, and I just had two booksigning windows and a panel over the two days. I cope way better when I have shorter time bound activities with a clear goal. And then I can go and rest in the quiet room or touch some grass outside. And then slowly make my way around to other people’s tables and panels.

Do you have a website or blog?

Website: http://www.sarahthefirth.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahthefirth/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahTheFirthCreativeServices
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarahthefirth
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahthefirth
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahthefirth/

How has the COVID-19 outbreak affected you, personally and professionally?

Oh man, it totally gutted my work at first. As a professional graphic recorder, graphic facilitator, strategic visualiser and educator I mainly work in-person workshops and events. And they all got cancelled. It was panic stations for 6 months. Luckily in Australia we had some meager small business COVID relief grants that helped to keep me going. Eventually things migrated online, so luckily I could find work virtually, especially to help make online events less dull.

Here in Melbourne, Australia we had some of the longest and strictest COVID lockdowns. Luckily I had my partner, my cat and a stable home. We could both work remotely and isolate. Making comics, cartoons and working on my book were actually a key way I managed the stress, fear and isolation of those few years.

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 11/18/2024

A Pomegranate Goes on a Cosmic Journey in Yasmeen Abedifard's New Book

Kristie Song

Sep 18 2024

https://www.kqed.org/arts/13964548/yasmeen-abedifard-when-to-pick-a-pomegranate-silver-sprocket

WHAT MAKES A GREAT FIRST ISSUE? | MAKING COMICS FAQ SERIES | JINXWORLD x VISIBLE WOMEN

BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

Jinxworld

Nov 18, 2024 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCLiTy-tfsQ

Southeast Asian Comic Artists Invade USA

Cheng Tju Lim

2007, SPAFA Journal (Old series 1991-2013) 17 (1): 13-17

online at https://www.academia.edu/125644265/Southeast_Asian_Comic_Artists_Invade_USA

"IT BEGINS WITH A CHILD": INNOCENCE VS. EXPERIENCE IN WATCHMEN: DOOMSDAY CLOCK SERIES

Slađana Stamenković

Српски Језик, Књижевност, Уметност [Serbian Language, Literature, Art] 4: 351-366.

Online at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v1eBjTbSjoVE8bqNP1japVj08kXypCvY/view

An interview with Michael Shea-Wright: 'It's about setting yourself on a path'

Brian Nicholson | November 18, 2024 https://www.tcj.com/an-interview-with-michael-shea-wright/

In Memory of Ryan McCardle, 1989–2024 [Fantagraphics book designer]

Eric Reynolds et. al.

Fantagraphics Blog November 15, 2024

https://blog.fantagraphics.com/in-memory-of-ryan-mccardle-1989-2024/

NYC Housing Stories: Felice Kirby and Jenny Dubnau

Meet the artists, activists, and organizers on the front lines of the housing justice movement in New York City. Part three of a series.

Noah Fischer

Hyperallergic Nov 17 2024

https://hyperallergic.com/966885/nyc-housing-stories-felice-kirby-and-jenny-dubnau/

"IT BEGINS WITH A CHILD": INNOCENCE VS. EXPERIENCE IN WATCHMEN: DOOMSDAY CLOCK SERIES

Slađana Stamenković

Српски Језик, Књижевност, Уметност [Serbian Language, Literature, Art] 4: 351-366.

Online at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v1eBjTbSjoVE8bqNP1japVj08kXypCvY/view

THE (FE)MALE REPRESENTATION OF VIRTUE IN SUPERHERO COMICS

Tamara N. Janevska

Српски Језик, Књижевност, Уметност [Serbian Language, Literature, Art] 4: 271-282.

Online at

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v1eBjTbSjoVE8bqNP1japVj08kXypCvY/view

The '90s TMNT Comic Strip, Explained

Timothy Blake Donohoo

CBR Nov 16 2024

https://www.cbr.com/tmnt-90s-comic-strip-history/

'Curiosa' Director Tessa Moult-Milewska Takes Us Behind the Scenes of Her Acclaimed Short [UK]

Ramin Zahed

November 15, 2024 https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/11/curiosa-director-tessa-moult-milewska-takes-us-behind-the-scenes-of-her-acclaimed-short/

Keeping Artistic Hope Alive: An Industry Veteran Speaks to the State of L.A.'s Animation Biz & the Importance of Personal Art

Nic Gregory

November 17, 2024 https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/11/keeping-artistic-hope-alive-an-industry-veteran-speaks-to-the-state-of-l-a-s-animation-biz-the-importance-of-personal-art/

This article was written for the

December '24 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 345).

'The Pink Phink' Turns 60: A Look Back at The Pink Panther's Oscar-Winning Debut

Rich Johnson

November 15, 2024 https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/11/the-pink-phink-turns-60-a-look-back-at-the-pink-panthers-oscar-winning-debut/

This article was written for the

December '24 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 345).

Thought Bubble 2024 in Review: A wonderful weekend
Jared Bird on 11/18/2024 https://www.comicsbeat.com/thought-bubble-2024-in-review-a-wonderful-weekend/

Wonder Woman was a beacon of hope during a dark political time
From her first big-screen appearance in the DCEU, Wonder Woman was breaking ground. Her solo movie still stands alone.
By Caroline Siede | November 18, 2024
https://www.avclub.com/women-of-action-wonder-woman-gal-gadot-patty-jenkins

Sean Gunn & Zoe Chao Discuss Creature Commandos and Comparisons to The Suicide Squad
C.M. Ramsburg
CBR Presents
Nov 18, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfMZtNVngAQ

Creature Commandos Star Frank Grillo Talks Relating to Rick Flag Sr. & Future DC Projects
C.M. Ramsburg
CBR Presents
Nov 18, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSUI4i-uwCg

Jerome Cabanatan Talks 44 Fundraiser
The Comics Cube with Duy Tano November 18 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGap9KeTRi4

Comic Culture with Patrick McDonnell
terence dollard
Nov 18, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLeXVIJ-b9w

Comic Culture with Rick Parker
terence dollard
Nov 18, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwyKAPe6cng

Monday, November 18, 2024

ComicsDC needs a header refresh for 2025

The one drawn by Matt Dembicki is at least a decade old, I think.

Let me know if you're interested in submitting one, and what you think a fair price would be for it. Feel free to forward this to other cartoonists as well.

We're sticking with our logo by David Hagen though.

Josh Kramer, back in DC, blogs on government actions that save lives

A bit late to write about this now though, apparently, as Trump and cronies plan tomake life better for people by slashing services and spending on anything that doesn't benefit the super rich.

We're from the government and we're here to … be efficient?

Why taxpayers save the lives of coal miners and provide air service to rural towns

Josh Kramer

Nov 18, 2024

https://joshkramer.substack.com/p/were-from-the-government-and-were

Guess what DC museum Mark Trail went to today

Ready?

Nah, that's wrong. That one is as well. Give up?

He went to the fictitious National Science Museum. A museum as real as a person campaigning for Senator on the National Mall.

We do have a National Academy of Sciences, but you have to be asked to join that. We used to have a National Museum of History and Technology, but first that metamorphosed into American History, and then got named after a billionaire a few years back.

Maybe he'll go to the National Museum of the Bible next!

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Amazing Good Judgement by Daniel Boris

Little Russian Madman by Daniel Boris

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 11/19/2024