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Thursday, September 24, 2015
PR: Baltimore Comic-Con 2015 Kicks Off Tomorrow!
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Tom Spurgeon's SPX
I saw him briefly across the room, but Tom Spurgeon was at SPX right before launching CXC in Columbus.
Hang Dai Studios at Baltimore Comic-Con: Chris Miskiewicz speaks
by Mike RhodeBaltimore Comic-Con is one of the best and friendliest of the mid-size superhero focused cons. Under the leadership of Marc Nathan and Brad Tree, it's grown quite a bit in a decade and a half, but still remains enjoyable for all ages and interests. Hang Dai Studios is based in Brooklyn, but as usual will have a big presence at Baltimore. My friend Dean Haspiel (and Hang Dai Studios founder) will be there with the whole studio, a week after he, Christa Cassano and Gregory Benton attended the Small Press Expo. Just when you think there's nobody left in the Studio to talk with, our sixth interview is with writer and actor Chris Miskiewicz.
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I’m a native New Yorker. I’m 4th generation Italian and 1st generation Polish, born in Brooklyn, NY.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
I took up writing and drama in college, but I’ve been a comic book reader since I was ten years old. It was the first type of fiction I got, and I never fell out of love with the episodic nature of the industry.
Who are your influences?
Warren Ellis, Mark Millar, Ed Brubaker, Mike Mignola, Frank Miller, Brian K. Vaughn, Charles Bukowski.
What work are you best-known for?
Currently Thomas Alsop published by BOOM! Studios.
What work are you most proud of?
Thomas Alsop and a webseries I co-wrote with my cousin Christopher Piazza called The Adventures of Shakespeare & Watson: Detectives of Mystery. It’s absolutely bonkers and I wish Adult Swim would call me up right now to buy it.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I write in all forms. Prose, comics, screenwriting, as well as physical storytelling in acting, and a bunch of short films. I’d like to continue exploring every way you can tell a tale. I mean, if Shakespeare were alive he’d probably have a blog…
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
Drugs, drinking, go up to the roof and crawl into a bawl crying that all of my life choices have been wrong and that I’m a failure, play “Simpson’s Tapped Out,” breaking and entering somewhere I shouldn’t be to snap a picture.
You know, the normal things a person with voices in their head does during a crisis.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
I think comics will continue to be a testing ground for properties that larger media are considering for live action works.
Why are you at the Baltimore Comic-Con this year?
I’m hanging with some old friends at Hang-Dai’s table, as well as appearing on a panel with them on Sunday 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm in room 343-344 which is followed by a quick signing at BOOM!’s booth #2001 from 3 to 4 pm.
What other cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, or others? Any comments about attending them? This year I’ve been to MOCCA, SDCC and Copenhagen Comic Con for the release of the Danish translated edition of Thomas Alsop vol. 1. Copenhagen Comic Con was awesome, and I want someone to adopt me so I can move to Denmark.
I’ll also be appearing at NYCC in October…
What's your favorite thing about Baltimore?
The Wire.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Hit me up again after this convention.
Do you have a website or blog?
My site is being completed, but you can follow me on twitter at @CMMiskiewicz and track me down at: http://welcometotripcity.com/
The Post's obituary for Jimmy Olsen
Jack Larson, who played Jimmy Olsen in TV's 'Superman' series, dies at 87 [in print as Jack Larson, 87; Cub reporter Jimmy Olsen in 1950s 'Superman' series].
Hang Dai Studios at Baltimore Comic-Con: Dean Haspiel speaks (UPDATED!)
by Mike Rhode
Baltimore Comic-Con is one of the best and friendliest of the mid-size superhero focused cons. Under the leadership of Marc Nathan and Brad Tree, it's grown quite a bit in a decade and a half, but still remains enjoyable for all ages and interests. Hang Dai Studios is based in Brooklyn, but as usual will have a big presence at Baltimore. My friend Dean Haspiel (and Hang Dai Studios founder) will be there with the whole studio, a week after he, Christa Cassano and Gregory Benton attended the Small Press Expo. We hope to have interviews with everyone in the studio throughout the week. Our fifth interview is with Dean Haspiel.
Where did "Hang Dai" come from?
"Hang Dai" was derived from HBO's "Deadwood." Whenever Al Swearengen and Mr. Wu would curse their way through a private deal and come to an agreement, Wu would cross his fingers and say "Hang Dai." Or, something that sounded like that and which meant "Brotherhood." Or, as my studio mate Christa Cassano likes to say, "Sisterhood."
Blue pencil, occasional brush pen and Micron pens + digital shading/coloring.
What work are you best-known for?
I believe I'm best known for my collaboration with Harvey Pekar on The Quitter. Possibly, the ten-issues of The Fox I recently co-wrote and drew for Archie Comics. Maybe, some Billy Dogma.
Baltimore Comic-Con is my favorite show, bar none. A perfect combo of rookie and veteran cartoonists among old and new comic books and just the right amount of cosplay. I've also been a regular guest for almost 15 years.
What's your favorite thing about Baltimore?
Marc Nathan and Brad Tree.
Least favorite?
I've yet to encounter anything in Baltimore to make me dislike its innate charm.
What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?
One day I plan to stay an extra day or two so I can personally visit Baltimore's culture.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Out of pure proximity and laziness, I tend to grab dinner at the M&S Grill on E Pratt Street and soak in the Inner Harbor sights.
Do you have a website or blog?
http://deanhaspiel.com/
Where did "Hang Dai" come from?
"Hang Dai" was derived from HBO's "Deadwood." Whenever Al Swearengen and Mr. Wu would curse their way through a private deal and come to an agreement, Wu would cross his fingers and say "Hang Dai." Or, something that sounded like that and which meant "Brotherhood." Or, as my studio mate Christa Cassano likes to say, "Sisterhood."
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
I hopscotch between superhero and memoir and psychedelic romance comix. My recent effort is called Beef With Tomato, co-published by Alternative Comics and Hang Dai Editions. It's about my escape from Manhattan to Brooklyn.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?I hopscotch between superhero and memoir and psychedelic romance comix. My recent effort is called Beef With Tomato, co-published by Alternative Comics and Hang Dai Editions. It's about my escape from Manhattan to Brooklyn.
Blue pencil, occasional brush pen and Micron pens + digital shading/coloring.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
1967. New York Hospital.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
The comic book rack on the newsstand at the corner of 79th street and Broadway in NYC was my comix kindergarten. Later on I discovered a steady flow of pop art pulp treasures at West Side Comics, opened a weekly account at Funny Business, and discovered American Splendor and Yummy Fur at Soho Zat. After that, any inklings of pursuing a normal life went out the window when dreams of drawing comix for a living took over and held my sway. I never learned how to draw comix in school because school didn't teach comix. School shunned comix. Comix taught me how to make comix. And, I'm still learning how, one panel at a time.
Who are your influences?
Ron Wilson, Jim Aparo, Jack Kirby, C.C. Beck, John Byrne, Steve Ditko, Alex Toth, Will Eisner, Frank Robbins, Jim Starlin, Michael Golden, Howard Chaykin, Walter Simonson, Bill Sienkiewicz, Mike Zeck, Frank Miller, Katsuhiro Otomo, John Romita Jr., Frank Quitely, Goran Parlov, Darwyn Cooke, Marcos Martin, Chris Samnee, Gregory Benton, Josh Bayer, Stan Lee, Warren Ellis, Jason Aaron, Brian K Vaughan, Joe R. Lansdale, Jonathan Ames, Mickey Spillane, and Richard S. Prather.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
The Thing: Night Falls On Yancy Street. I wasn't ready. I would ask to change the dark ending, too, so me and Evan Dorkin could make it Marvel canon rather than Marvel folklore.
1967. New York Hospital.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
The comic book rack on the newsstand at the corner of 79th street and Broadway in NYC was my comix kindergarten. Later on I discovered a steady flow of pop art pulp treasures at West Side Comics, opened a weekly account at Funny Business, and discovered American Splendor and Yummy Fur at Soho Zat. After that, any inklings of pursuing a normal life went out the window when dreams of drawing comix for a living took over and held my sway. I never learned how to draw comix in school because school didn't teach comix. School shunned comix. Comix taught me how to make comix. And, I'm still learning how, one panel at a time.
Who are your influences?
Ron Wilson, Jim Aparo, Jack Kirby, C.C. Beck, John Byrne, Steve Ditko, Alex Toth, Will Eisner, Frank Robbins, Jim Starlin, Michael Golden, Howard Chaykin, Walter Simonson, Bill Sienkiewicz, Mike Zeck, Frank Miller, Katsuhiro Otomo, John Romita Jr., Frank Quitely, Goran Parlov, Darwyn Cooke, Marcos Martin, Chris Samnee, Gregory Benton, Josh Bayer, Stan Lee, Warren Ellis, Jason Aaron, Brian K Vaughan, Joe R. Lansdale, Jonathan Ames, Mickey Spillane, and Richard S. Prather.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
The Thing: Night Falls On Yancy Street. I wasn't ready. I would ask to change the dark ending, too, so me and Evan Dorkin could make it Marvel canon rather than Marvel folklore.
I believe I'm best known for my collaboration with Harvey Pekar on The Quitter. Possibly, the ten-issues of The Fox I recently co-wrote and drew for Archie Comics. Maybe, some Billy Dogma.
What work are you most proud of?
Billy Dogma in Fear, My Dear. And, Heart-Shaped Hole.
Billy Dogma in Fear, My Dear. And, Heart-Shaped Hole.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I aim to focus on creator-owned comix but, given the opportunity, I'd like to write and draw The Fantastic Four, Captain Marvel (Shazam), O.M.A.C., Deathlok, and bring back Marvel Two-In-One, featuring The Thing. I also have a great Batman & Superman story that features cameos of the JLA, done in the spirit of a cross between Sullivan's Travels and On The Road.
I aim to focus on creator-owned comix but, given the opportunity, I'd like to write and draw The Fantastic Four, Captain Marvel (Shazam), O.M.A.C., Deathlok, and bring back Marvel Two-In-One, featuring The Thing. I also have a great Batman & Superman story that features cameos of the JLA, done in the spirit of a cross between Sullivan's Travels and On The Road.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
Wash dishes. Work on something wholly different. Mix it up. Your mind is always working. Let it work by letting it relax and think different.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
Patronized digital comix produced one panel at a time; published one per day, delivered directly to your phone, and story arcs get collected into print (if necessary).\
Why are you at the Baltimore Comic-Con this year?
Baltimore Comic-Con is my favorite show, bar none. A perfect combo of rookie and veteran cartoonists among old and new comic books and just the right amount of cosplay. I've also been a regular guest for almost 15 years.
What other cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, or others? Any comments about attending them?
Besides BCC, I usually attend SPX, NYCC, MoCCA, CAB, and Locust Moon Comics Festival. I was a guest of Wizard World six times this year. They treat me very well.
Besides BCC, I usually attend SPX, NYCC, MoCCA, CAB, and Locust Moon Comics Festival. I was a guest of Wizard World six times this year. They treat me very well.
What's your favorite thing about Baltimore?
Marc Nathan and Brad Tree.
Least favorite?
I've yet to encounter anything in Baltimore to make me dislike its innate charm.
What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?
One day I plan to stay an extra day or two so I can personally visit Baltimore's culture.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Out of pure proximity and laziness, I tend to grab dinner at the M&S Grill on E Pratt Street and soak in the Inner Harbor sights.
Do you have a website or blog?
http://deanhaspiel.com/
Kickstarter: Square City Comics anthology
The comics collective Square City Comics has a new Kickstarter campaign (goal: $2,250) to fund its next anthology, which has a theme of "the cure." The group says it is its third anthology.
Hang Dai Studios at Baltimore Comic-Con: Gregory Benton speaks
by Mike Rhode
Baltimore
Comic-Con is one of the best and friendliest of the mid-size superhero
focused cons. Under the leadership of Marc Nathan and Brad Tree, it's
grown quite a bit in a decade and a half, but still remains enjoyable
for all ages and interests. Hang Dai Studios
is based in Brooklyn, but as usual will have a big presence at
Baltimore. My friend Dean Haspiel (and Hang Dai Studios founder) will be
there with the whole studio, a week after he, Christa Cassano and Gregory Benton attended
the Small Press Expo. We hope to have interviews with everyone in the
studio throughout the week. Our fourth interview is with Gregory Benton.
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
Alternative comics leaning towards wordless and stream of consciousness.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
My latest book Smoke has two story threads. One is executed in watercolor and ink, the other digital. My other recent books are all traditional media (watercolor, gouache, crayon, pen and ink).
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I was born on a steamy summer's day in NYC, sometime toward the end of the last century
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
I went to RISD, majoring in illustration. At the time there was no "cartooning" discipline, but there were plenty of us who loved the art form and would hang out together to figure it out. Jason Lutes and painter Eric White among our group.
Who are your influences?
Artistically, the Euro artists Mattotti, Chaland, Baru, Muñoz really jazzed me as a young cartoonist. These days there is too much to love artist-wise. I find myself relying on nature and life drawing to inform my work.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
I would probably just have told my younger self to finish the projects started. That's a huge thing: keep the ball rolling.
What work are you best-known for?
Probably B+F (AdHouse). Hopefully soon for Smoke (Hang Dai Editions).
What work are you most proud of?
I did a book in 1996 called Hummingbird for Slave Labor Graphics. It was my first long work at 48 pages and it taught me a heck of a lot about comix-making: pacing, technique, storytelling. It is a completely unorthodox story, but I love it. It was recently reprinted in The Mammoth Book of Cult Comics.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I would like to keep making comics, simple as that. For me it is not a gateway to another media. I love it as a discipline, warts and all.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
Walks are nice. Stepping away for a while to take your mind off the story, getting involved in something unrelated to let your subconscious work on the problem. Also, talking with studio mates (like the fine ones I've got at Hang Dai) is massive in seeing the problem from a different perspective. Rending of clothes works in a pinch.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
The increasing legitimacy of comics art as literature. It has come a very long way since I began my career, but I don't think we've gotten anywhere near the ceiling.
Why are you at the Baltimore Comic-Con this year?
I've never been before! Really excited to meet some good people and hopefully turn them on to my work.
What other cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, or others? Any comments about attending them?
This year I've been to SPX and will be attending BCC, CXC, NYCC, CAB, Genghis Con and Angouleme. I will also be a Visiting Artist at Center For Cartoon Studies in October.
What's your favorite thing about Baltimore?
I've never really spent time in Baltimore, but I'm looking forward to it!
Do you have a website or blog?
I can be found at www.gregorybenton.com, on Twitter @gregory_benton and Facebook. On both Instagram and Tumblr my handle is @gregorybenton.
Baltimore
Comic-Con is one of the best and friendliest of the mid-size superhero
focused cons. Under the leadership of Marc Nathan and Brad Tree, it's
grown quite a bit in a decade and a half, but still remains enjoyable
for all ages and interests. Hang Dai Studios
is based in Brooklyn, but as usual will have a big presence at
Baltimore. My friend Dean Haspiel (and Hang Dai Studios founder) will be
there with the whole studio, a week after he, Christa Cassano and Gregory Benton attended
the Small Press Expo. We hope to have interviews with everyone in the
studio throughout the week. Our fourth interview is with Gregory Benton.What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
Alternative comics leaning towards wordless and stream of consciousness.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
My latest book Smoke has two story threads. One is executed in watercolor and ink, the other digital. My other recent books are all traditional media (watercolor, gouache, crayon, pen and ink).
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I was born on a steamy summer's day in NYC, sometime toward the end of the last century
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
I went to RISD, majoring in illustration. At the time there was no "cartooning" discipline, but there were plenty of us who loved the art form and would hang out together to figure it out. Jason Lutes and painter Eric White among our group.
Who are your influences?
Artistically, the Euro artists Mattotti, Chaland, Baru, Muñoz really jazzed me as a young cartoonist. These days there is too much to love artist-wise. I find myself relying on nature and life drawing to inform my work.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
I would probably just have told my younger self to finish the projects started. That's a huge thing: keep the ball rolling.
What work are you best-known for?
Probably B+F (AdHouse). Hopefully soon for Smoke (Hang Dai Editions).
What work are you most proud of?
I did a book in 1996 called Hummingbird for Slave Labor Graphics. It was my first long work at 48 pages and it taught me a heck of a lot about comix-making: pacing, technique, storytelling. It is a completely unorthodox story, but I love it. It was recently reprinted in The Mammoth Book of Cult Comics.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I would like to keep making comics, simple as that. For me it is not a gateway to another media. I love it as a discipline, warts and all.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
Walks are nice. Stepping away for a while to take your mind off the story, getting involved in something unrelated to let your subconscious work on the problem. Also, talking with studio mates (like the fine ones I've got at Hang Dai) is massive in seeing the problem from a different perspective. Rending of clothes works in a pinch.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
The increasing legitimacy of comics art as literature. It has come a very long way since I began my career, but I don't think we've gotten anywhere near the ceiling.
Why are you at the Baltimore Comic-Con this year?
I've never been before! Really excited to meet some good people and hopefully turn them on to my work.
This year I've been to SPX and will be attending BCC, CXC, NYCC, CAB, Genghis Con and Angouleme. I will also be a Visiting Artist at Center For Cartoon Studies in October.
What's your favorite thing about Baltimore?
I've never really spent time in Baltimore, but I'm looking forward to it!
Do you have a website or blog?
I can be found at www.gregorybenton.com, on Twitter @gregory_benton and Facebook. On both Instagram and Tumblr my handle is @gregorybenton.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Hang Dai Studios at Baltimore Comic-Con: Christa Cassano speaks
 |
| Christa Cassano and John Leguizamo |
Baltimore Comic-Con is one of the best and friendliest of the mid-size superhero focused cons. Under the leadership of Marc Nathan and Brad Tree, it's grown quite a bit in a decade and a half, but still remains enjoyable for all ages and interests. Hang Dai Studios is based in Brooklyn, but as usual will have a big presence at Baltimore. My friend Dean Haspiel (and Hang Dai Studios founder) will be there with the whole studio, a week after he, Christa Cassano and Gregory Benton attended the Small Press Expo. We hope to have interviews with everyone in the studio throughout the week. Our third interview is with Christa Cassano. Come back tomorrow for interviews with Dean and Gregory.
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
I do original type of comics, not sticking to any sort of limitation.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
Originally, I used pencil, but had to switch to working on a Cintiq after dislocating the middle finger of my drawing hand a few years ago. This is because you can press a lot lighter, so it is much less painful. At the one year mark of the injury, I was only able to draw for a few hours on paper before pain set in. I'm hoping enough scar tissue has gone away so I can go back to it soon. Really want to produce tangible art again!
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I was born in the latter half of the 20th Century (that's the best you're getting) in the state of Washington.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
I've only been doing comics for the last three years, before that I was in fine art and received extensive training in drawing, painting and sculpture.
Who are your influences?
Discovering Daniel Clowes' Eightball in the early 90's is what made me want to make comics. I carried that torch for decades before finally realizing it, so I guess I'd say he is my ultimate influence. Sam Keith is another early influence, as is Paul Pope, who I've spent a lot of time studying. It's a hard question to answer though, because I am continually uncovering new gems of comics work to worship and adore, but I rarely look outside myself to come up with panel solutions and my drawing style arrived naturally from having taken thousands of life drawing classes, so I can't help but draw like I do.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
I would have started doing comics much sooner, or rather, never stopped when I started in 5th grade.
What work are you best-known for?
The up-coming graphic novel Ghetto Klown, written by John Leguizamo and based on his one-man show of the same name.
What work are you most proud of?Probably the one I currently have for sale called A Letter Lasts Longer. It's written by Dean Haspiel and was presented to me and 7 other cartoonists as an exercise/experiment at the Atlantic Center for the Arts graphic novel residency in Florida a few years back. We were to create a one page comic around what he had written. Instead, I took extreme liberties and drew a nearly fifty panel comic that you could enter from several points, recently turning it into a uniquely formed accordion book. That residency was the entry point for me into the world of comics and the experiment and its production taught me that I can take my crazy ideas in comics and make them real.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
 |
Pawnland characters with Mouse Guard for Baltimore comic con yearbook |
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
Eat, usually. Or ride my bike.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
tumblr, robots, extinction.
Why are you at the Baltimore Comic-Con this year?
Because Dean Haspiel is a favored and time-honored guest who graciously shares his table with fellow studio mates. This year our studio will be doing a panel and Hang Dai Editions will be debuting 3 new books, one of which contains a six page story I drew.
What other cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, or others? Any comments about attending them?I just came back from SPX, my second year in attendance and always a good, fun time. Not sure about future cons, need to lay low and draw.
What's your favorite thing about Baltimore?
Baltimore Comic Con Director's Brad Tree and Marc Nathan!
Least favorite?
That I haven't seen The Wire yet.
What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?
I dig going to the harbor outside of the convention.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Whatever that one is on the Harbor that begins with an M.
Do you have a website or blog?
I have a flickr with images of my work and an old blog lingering around.
http://swinginmeatcomics.blog.
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