Last week, the Houston Chronicle reviewed Drawn & Quarterly’s new edition of 32 Stories: The Complete Optic Nerve Mini-Comics and Shortcomings, both by the excellent Adrian Tomine. It’s not a bad little piece, especially from the Chronicle, whose motto is “Yeah, we suck, but we’re the only paper in town, so eat it, Houston”. The introductory sentence is the best part:

Hand Adrian Tomine a business card and a pen, and he can sketch out a fully realized narrative on the back.

I’m afraid I have to call shenanigans on that one. Therefore, I will give an entire long box full of Valiant, Malibu, and CrossGen comics to anyone that can produce a business card with a fully-realized, original comic story by Adrian Tomine. No cheating, either; I know what Freytag’s Pyramid looks like. I want the whole works: exposition; rising action; climax; falling action; and a denouement.

Sporadic Sequential has posted some rather sad news regarding Nexus, the sci-fi comic being put out by Steve Rude, a criminally underrated artist if I do say so myself.

With Diamond Comic Distributors rules being tighter than ever, Rude and his company Rude Dude Productions has been hit especially hard, as seen by this e-mail:

Steve is then turning his focus to gallery paintings. Steve is a brilliant artist and we’ve been living hand to mouth for the past 3 years. Losing over $5,000 in the last 2 printings we have been unable to pay our mortgage have have no desire to lose our house.

Steve does plan to continue in comics putting out a book direct to trade every few years and using gallery painting as a means to finance his comic endeavors.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us by ordering commissions or purchasing artwork.

Sporadic Sequential has their own good thoughts on all this, as well as a link to Rude’s online store. It’s always a shame when true talent gets strangled in this economy, but the worst thing we can do it is take it in silence.

The Hero Initiative, which looks out for creators in need, has given us an update on the health of underground cartoonist S. Clay Wilson:

From left to right: Paul Mavrides, Wilson, R. Crumb, and Spain Rodriguez.

“I thought you’d like to see a couple of pix I took last week when Crumb, Spain and Mavrides visited him in the hospital. We had a lovely visit, and took him out nearby for coffee after having a picnic lunch Spain brought to the ward,” said Lorraine Chamberlain, S. Clay’s girlfriend and legal conservator. “I’m hoping he will be stabilized in the next few weeks. I hope to get him home by his birthday in July.”

In late 2008, Wilson suffered a severe brain injury after attending the Alternative Press Expo, including a fractured neck. While he has been undergoing accelerated therapy, he has had deal with aphasia – an impairment of producing and comprehending speech. Hero has noted that you should check out the S. Clay Wilson Special Needs Trust by clicking here.

A lot of fans out there have been campaigning for genre superstar Nathan Fillion to fill the emerald boots of Green Lantern.

Well, Youtube wunderkind Jaron Pitts has taken one step further, with a truly awesome fan trailer, incorporating the Firefly alumnus as well as Kilowog, Tomar-Re, and the Guardians of Oa:

Now according to Pitts’ notes, he’s used clips from more than two dozen propertes, ranging from the Fountain to Iron Man to G.I. Joe, to make this awesome trailer. Talk about some awesome work, right? If you dig it, click the link above and rank him high!

[Link found at Loyal K*N*G]

Old Man Winter and Other Sordid Tales

Written and Drawn by J. T. Yost

56 pages, 6 5/8″ x 10 1/4″, $6.95 US

www.birdcagebottombooks.com

An old man in the inner city living a lonely and desolate existence not much removed from the young people he tries to befriend is the lumpy little frame that J.T. Yost hangs his social commentary on. The old man, quite an unlikely hero, is up to the task and shines with humor and character in this Xeric Grant winning comics collection, Old Man Winter and Other Sordid Tales.

Yost states that the old man character is loosely based on a customer who frequents the art supply store where he works. Having worked in an art supply store myself (mandatory or inevitable for many an artist), I appreciate the details and cadences captured here: the monotony and need to create stories out of anything around you.

Within just a few panels, Yost brings to life a little drama taking place in the space of a couple of neighborhood blocks. Down to the pigeons and flies lingering over a garbage bag, a perfect gritty tale is told. A new tale that sets the tone for other previously published works.

“Old Man Winter”  leads you to “All is Forgiven,” a tale about the abuses of lab animals. A bit heavy-handed for some and probably spot-on for just as many, the actual story and execution is credible. The same can be said for a story about the darker side of circus life which has solid design sense. “Roadtrip,” a tale about the abuses of the meat industry, proves disturbing but it is also a masterful interplay of the story of a girl and the fate of a cow.

“Logging Sanjay” is the other story in this book based directly from life. As the title suggests, someone is the victim of something. Set in rural Georgia, this is a confessional of sorts about two teens who repeatedly torment another teen they call their friend. The character development is engaging. Yost has a way with bringing out the more animalistic qualities of humans that is very effective.

If there is one message Yost would want to make clear it is that we humans are more like animals than we’d care to admit. For more on J.T. Yost, please read on to my interview here at Newsarama.  

J.T. Yost recently won a Xeric Grant for his book, Old Man Winter and Other Sordid Tales. He is an emerging talent with a lot to say. For those of you interested in how one cartoonist on the rise, out in Brooklyn, keeps it together, read on.

Blog@Newsarama: I appreciate all the stories in your collection. Each is different, created at different times, but part of a whole as it came together for this book. Your vision appears to be to look at life head-on and expose the truth. Is that the voice you intended for your book?

J.T. Yost: With the exception of “Old Man Winter”, all of these stories were created within a framework of “rules”. For instance, “All Is Forgiven…” was for an anthology called BIZMAR. Each story had to include six familiar icons of comics: Bunny, Insect, Zombie, Monkey, Alien and Robot. I had an idea of what most of the stories submitted would be like, so I wanted to do something diametrically opposed. I worked the icons in subtly so that it could work as a stand-alone comic, and since I knew most of the subject matter would be humorous I attempted something more serious.

Animal welfare and vegetarian/veganism is extremely important in my life. I’m not a very confrontational person, so I use comics to convey what I believe to be an important message. Critics have faulted me for including so many comics dealing with these issues in one collection, but I believe I approached each in such a different manner that it doesn’t detract from their impact.

I spend a lot of time researching factory farm conditions, slaughterhouse practices and other facets of meat processing, and although I am surely biased I do try to present a truth that some may not be aware of. I have been accused of lacking subtley, and I suppose I am guilty to an extent. That’s actually something I’m working on in current comics. It’s difficult to present these horrible truths so close to my heart without coming across as preachy. (more…)

DC, via their blog the Source, has given an enigmatic look at a classic character:

Yep, that would be Doc Savage, pulp hero of the ’30s and ’40s. This polymath adventurer shares a lot of qualities you may see in heroes such as Superman, Batman, Captain America, or Mr. Fantastic: the so-called Man of Bronze was trained by scientists from birth to be a superior man, with advanced strength and endurance, as well as photographic memory and a keen understanding of science and the martial arts. And best of all, Green Lantern fans, he even had an oath:

Let me strive every moment of my life to make myself better and better, to the best of my ability, that all may profit by it. Let me think of the right and lend all my assistance to those who need it, with no regard for anything but justice. Let me take what comes with a smile, without loss of courage. Let me be considerate of my country, of my fellow citizens and my associates in everything I say and do. Let me do right to all, and wrong no man.

Sounds a little less Abin Sur and a little more Benjamin Franklin, but I dig it.

This character, meanwhile, has jumped from pulisher to publisher, ranging from Marvel to Comico to Millenium Publications. DC last tried a run on this character with a 1987 limited series as well as a 22-issue run from 1988 through 1990. Dark Horse was the latest publisher to have tried their hand on the Doc, trying out a solo limited series as well as a team-up with the Shadow in 1995.

DC thus far has given no word about a possible title for the returning character — but (UPDATE) eagle-eyed readers Adam Richards, DJ, and Kretch noted that the image is actually a portion of a nearly year-old image Brian Stelfreeze posted on his blog back in August 2008 (below). That’s right: it’s looking like a crossover between the Man of Bronze and The Spirit, with some Blackhawk thrown in. And looking at the upper image again, the female character and panther has been Photoshopped out, with her silhouette remaining.

First Second’s editorial director, Mark Siegel, has drawn a pretty witty graphic review of Scott Pilgrim vs. the Universe for the webcomic Unshelved, which has been linked over on the company’s web site.

I’d show more on this post, but your head might explode because of how fun this review is, especially as it is in the style of Bryan Lee O’Malley himself. But click here to see what Siegel and the First Second crew had to say.

[Image and permission courtesy of Mark Siegel]

Trivial

Four Square Books

56 pages, 7″ x 7″, $5 US

www.iknowjoekimpel.com

Trivial is a fun little read. This anthology collects the talents of Alexis Frederick-Frost, Alex Kim, A. L. Arnold and Sean Ford. All four cartoonists present sharp work and together provide a cut-above collection.

Considering this is a showcase of work, a table of contents would have been nice but that’s only a trifle, or trivial complaint. And that’s the theme to this book, all things trivial. Of the four contributors, I think Frederick-Frost gets most into the spirit of things. He illustrates some choice quotes from a journal kept during a Shackelton expedition to the South Pole. While on an adventure of a lifetime, the men find themselves arguing over the finer points of jelly rolls. Inky bold line work prevails here. Frederick-Frost recently won a Xeric Grant for his graphic novel, La Primavera.

Then there’s Alex Kim’s piece which depicts a nightmare about hands. He also recently won a Xeric Grant for his graphic novel, Wall City. I think that, once the story takes off, Kim demonstrates his ability to create some very inventive and energetic work. The scenes with the main character being dragged along by his own monster hands are very well done.

A. L. Arnold provides us with a delightful little tale about a reluctant superhero. He has a very elegant and spare style which comes through best here in his depiction of background items like buildings and barges and not so much with the superhero but that’s okay considering the understated nature of the story. 

And we close out with a couple of comic strip style stories by Sean Ford. His timing is very good and he has an assured style with a gentle and thoughtful vibe. It will be great to see more of his work as well as the rest of the contributors to this impressive anthology.

For our jet-setting readers, as well as those across the pond:

The Bristol International Comic Expo has announced their guest list, as well as a special one-day event: Small Press Expo 2009. The main expo will take place in the Ramada Plaza Hotel on May 9-10, while the Small Press Expo will take place at the Mercure Holland House Hotel. You learn more (and order tickets) by clicking here.

And now — THE GUEST LIST!

Kevin O’Neill (in association with Top Shelf and Knockabout)
Alan Davis (with exclusive new DR & Quinch print only available at the Expo)
Dave Gibbons
Mark Buckingham
John Charles
Mike Collins
Rob Williams & John Higgins (in association with Com.X)
Gary Frank
Ian Gibson
David Hine
Lee Garbett
John M Burns
Lee Bradley
John Watson
Ian Culbard
Phil Winslade
Hunt Emerson & Gilbert Shelton (in association with Knockabout)
Simon Bisley & Mike Ploog (in association with Reed Comics)
Charlie Adlard
Sean Phillips
James A. Hodgkins
Duncan Fegredo
Neil Edwards
Gary Spencer Millidge
Dylan Teague
Tim Pilcher
Joel Meadows
Shaky Kane
Boo Cook
Al Davison
Laurence Campbell
John McCrea
Dave Shelton
Martin Hayes
Jock
Asia Alfasi
Ian Sharman
Tony Lee
Ferg Handley
Peter Hogan
Steve Cook
Robert Deas
Kris Justice
Kat Nicholson
Liam Sharp
Dan Boultwood
Andie Tong
Emma Vieceli
Ian Edginton
Paul Grist
Graham Bleathman
Henry Flint
Lew Stringer
Lee Townsend
Andy Diggle
Siku
Roger Langridge
Jim Boswell
Gary Erskine
Bambos!
Jon Davis-Hunt
Cy Dethan
David Baillie
Kirsty Swan
Paul Gravett
Ilya
Stephen Baskerville
Jason Cardy
Emily Hare
Mike Carey

Plus SP Expo comics from:
Steve Tanner (Time Bomb)
Howard Hardiman (Cute But Sad)
David Goodman (Zip Gun)
John Anderson (Soaring Penguin)
Paul Rainey (There’s No Time Like The Present)
Tom McNally (Semiotic Cohesion)
Willie Lengers (Itch Publishing)
Tom Meddings (Unedible)
Will Morris-julien (Butternut)
Michael Burness (Unico Comics)
Stephen Paul Coffey (Best of What’s Left)
Luke Paton (The Adventures Of Kez And Luke)
Andrew Cheverton (Angry Candy)
Dan Barritt (Ragadabah)
Nic Wilkinson (Insomnia Publications)
Isaac E C Lenkiewicz (Duh Brain Comics)
Amsel Von Speckelsen (Underfire Comics)
Chris Denton (Massacre For Boys)
Chin-Hsuen Lee (Tpcat Comic)
Steve Tillotson (Banal Pig)
Geoffrey Banyard (Fetishman)
Richard Scott Butler (Cherubs Comics)
Sally Jane Thompson (IndieManga)
Mathew J Pallett (Stir Fried)
Samantha Borras (Inspired)
Chris Lynch (Monkeys With Machineguns)

If you like what’s you’ve read so far totally check out more super cute comics at:www.sosuperduper.com!

If you like what’s you’ve read so far totally check out more super cute comics at:www.sosuperduper.com!

If you like what’s you’ve read so far totally check out more super cute comics at:www.sosuperduper.com!

If you like what’s you’ve read so far totally check out more super cute comics at:www.sosuperduper.com!

Mark Andrew Smith and Matthew Weldon’s New Brighton Archaeological Society is in stores this week.

Not familiar with the backstory? The book came out of Popgun 2007 (and you can read an interview about it here). And while we’re talking Popgun, in advance of Popgun Three (due April 1), Smith has a full 32-page story up for free with luscious art by Johann Leroux. Called Japanese Wasp, it’s a monster/superhero tale worth checking out. Plus, y’know, free comics.

So in honor of all of this, I bring you PREVIEW IMAGES! You’re welcome.

(more…)

If you like what’s you’ve read so far totally check out more super cute comics at:www.sosuperduper.com!

If you like what’s you’ve read so far totally check out more super cute comics at:www.sosuperduper.com!

If you like what’s you’ve read so far totally check out more super cute comics at:www.sosuperduper.com!

If you like what’s you’ve read so far totally check out more super cute comics at:www.sosuperduper.com!