Matt Dembicki

The 'splotch monster' master

2012-01-29T21:28:00.000-08:00

Artist and colleague Steve Loya is having a mini-exhibit of his art, including his "splotch monsters," next Friday, Feb. 3, at King Street Coffee in Leesburg, Va. I hope to make it; you should, too, if you're in the area. (I believe Steve is going to have hands-on activities for visitors.)

'Xoc' cover

2012-01-25T18:52:00.000-08:00

And here's the full cover. I'm thrilled with how this book has turned out. Can't wait for it to hit the shelves! (BTW, Evan Keeling did a wonderful job on the colors.)

'Xoc: The Journey of a Great White'

2012-01-13T12:52:00.000-08:00

My new graphic novel from Oni Press about a great white shark will be available at San Diego Comic Con in early July and then at bookstores and comics shops on July 25. Here's a small part of the expected cover.

Aesop Prize

2011-11-10T17:36:00.000-08:00

Dang, I can't believe I haven't posted something in two months! But this is worth the wait: Trickster has been awarded the 2011 Aesop Prize!

Next Project

2011-09-06T20:29:00.000-07:00

I'm working on pages for my next big project. Here's a page as I'm penciling it.

'Trickster' essay

2011-08-25T14:26:00.000-07:00

Below is an essay about Trickster, written by a student of Trickster contributing writer Michael Thompson, who teaches at a New Mexico high school. Forty percent of the school's students are Navajo. Enjoy this excellent piece!

Trickster Commentary

By Kayla Shaggy (Dine’)
Class of 2012

My interest in graphic novels started at an early age. Not content with the picture books found in my local library, I wandered around. I found a comic book teaching history, and I started reading. Here was a new medium that I could delve into, I could understand—the artist’s use of panels, colors, art, words, balloons, and dialogue merged together better than any picture book or “book” book I could read.

Since then I have read graphic novels, comic books, everything in the medium, varying in subjects from historical non/fiction, to famous literary adaptations, fantasy, foreign stories (French, German, Japanese, African, etc.), and biographic/ autobiographical, such as the famous Maus and Persepolis books.

My first experience with Trickster was when Mr. Thompson, my English teacher, gave me the book to review. I proceeded to kidnap the thing and reread it over and over again. I received my own copy from an older friend, a female director of a Native American Prep College program. She knew I liked comics, from reading my own, and gave it to me.

Trickster would have to be the first graphic novel of its kind that I have ever seen. It reminded me of an old Coyote stories book that my grandmother used to own, which whenever I visited her, I would reread with fervor, wanting to etch those stories into my mind. I am very familiar with Trickster stories, as my own graphic novel deals with the kitsune, Japan’s own trickster fox. As a cartoonist myself, I felt that this book could be the first of many like it, increasing awareness of Native American mythology, especially for young Native Americans who cannot always hear the tales told to them by an elder or read to them in a hard-to-get book. Too many stories have slipped into obscurity, only to be taken over by other mythologies, to be forgotten, to be lost forever.

I believe that the graphic novel format matches the stories very well. It inspired me to try to get rid of that—that line between graphic novels and novels, the prejudiced line that says such books are for kids. If that line were to disappear, people could open Trickster and see it for what it really is—a great book. It teaches lessons, has a variety of Trickster characters, wonderful art and writing by awesome collaborations between artist and writer. I would very much like it if people were to pick up my book one day and feel the same, as it is a very new take on the “monsters coexisting with humans” and “existence of mythological creatures in the real world” concept.

People need to realize that such stories come from long years of oral tradition and worship, religions existing before the Bible, where children were not taught the words of the book, but actions of others with creatures mixed in. Early Grimm’s tales were full of violence, imagery, and lessons. Native American stories were teaching how to live a life peacefully, Greek myths of gods and goddesses of doing things we shouldn’t do, African songs telling of people’s close relationship with the animals, stories from all around the world, and each and every one of them told an important lesson, like Aesop’s fables.

If more books like Trickster came out, they could tell all of the stories, teaching each indigenous people’s own history, culture, and imagination, giving way to new interpretation and collaboration, uniting elder storytellers with the new, younger generation of artists. I feel that Trickster achieved this aspect very well, especially in the interactions with different characters.

Some stories followed the traditional narrative point-of-view, with illustrative art matching it wonderfully in the tradition of older children’s book. Some, however, took a new path in third-person, or even first-person point-of-view, as the story was behind the character’s dialogue and before-mentioned interactions, with stylized art matching this new outlook. In fact, it brings me to the collaboration of pictures and words, letters and brushstrokes.

If you were to just read the words of Trickster in the stories aloud, no doubt they would sound like your elders telling a story, as they perfectly match oral traditions. And if you were to just look at the pictures of Trickster, you could get the gist of the story, a silent pantomime with exaggerated body language and expression. Combine the two, and you get the full effect of the story. Trickster, in my opinion, orchestrated this wonderfully into a satisfying opus of creativeness. Nothing before has matched this high award in my mind, save for HBO Kid’s World Fairytales, a short-lived but well remembered anthology of stories from around the world, brought to life in animated shorts using sand, traditional cel, painting, digitized, and stop-motion animation.

In Trickster, some of the art varies so, from realistic to cartoony. Each of the stories looks deceptively simple, but you can tell that the collaboration did well—from the well-arranged placement of panels to match the near-the-climax plotlines, character design showing the personality of each Trickster before he or she even utters a single word, and word balloons matching the pace of the dialogue perfectly.

One example of this would have to be artist Meagan Baehr’s and writer Joyce Bear’s “How the Alligator Got His Brown Scaly Skin.” It is both my favorite story and example of the brilliance of graphic novels. We are first shown, in a large, square panel, the alligator with “beautiful, smooth, bright yellow skin”: from his smirk and furrowed brow, we can tell that alligator is a vain one, as are all players in the Trickster tales that get their comeuppance due to a fatal flaw such as pride, vanity, or cruelty.

In the next series of panels, we are told that Alligator is indeed “selfish and stingy with his water,” as he is a creature of the rivers. A deer, looking for relief, walks up to drink, only to be surprised with classic dinner plate eyes, Alligator’s wide mouth. From there on, Alligator is a stingy yet beautiful creature that scares the others, who soon come up with a council for what to do with Alligator, coming up with “teaching him a lesson,” except that “he is so big and tough!”

Each of the pages follows the classic plotline: the setting, “rivers and streams of the southeast.” Then, the introduction of the characters, Alligator the antagonist, Rabbit the Trickster, and the other animals such as Deer, Raccoon, Turtle, Owl, and Skunk. The rising action follows: “We need to do something about Alligator!” Conflict swiftly follows: “You think you are really tough, don’t you, Alligator?” “Yes, I am tough, tougher than you!”

Climax finally comes when Alligator meets “Mr. Trouble,” aka fire, which promptly burns Alligator’s yellow skin into “his brown, scaly skin.” Falling action is when Alligator flees land, staying in the water because he “is so ashamed.” The lesson, or resolution, comes afterward: “But Rabbit is always there to remind Alligator that if he does not behave, he will call Mr. Trouble to deal with him again.” Thus, ends the story, teaching an important lesson.

As for the art, it is very lovely—Beahr’s careful use of watercolor lends a gentle mood to the story, and Alligator’s new brown skin is a nice contrast to the beauty of the Southeast. Also, minimalistic detail only betrays the expressions, actions, and poses of the characters that are needed to understand the story. The rounded panels show Rabbit’s early escapade with Mr. Trouble, and the boxes match the pace of the story well, showing the character’s faces in great detail at a comfortable distance, with the background always behind of them, never more dazzling than the characters themselves. And I just love the way Beahr paints fire. I could go on and on, but I should talk about the educational impact that Trickster could deliver.

I strongly believe that Trickster could be used as an effective teaching tool. Each story contains a lesson, by-the-book story devices and diagrams, and provides a visual example for more pictorial learners. Also, and perhaps the most important, Trickster would greatly benefit many younger Native Americans who, sadly, do not know their own tribe’s stories.

Often they are limited by taboo (I.e., the non-telling of Coyote stories until wintertime) or the loss of a storyteller, forced to look for such stories and finding very few. Trickster could very much take care of this situation and help a tribe’s own diminishing of culture by telling these stories in graphic novel format. Hopefully, it would prompt students to look up the original stories, or to look for storytellers in their community, or even try to revive the telling of such stories. If possible at my own school, I myself would like to lend a hand in doing such things. Of course, for me, it would have to be in the format of a graphic novel.

Michael Thompson, Kayla Shaggy (with her graphic novel),

and contributing Trickster writer Eldrena Douma at a

Trickster signing.

Comics-making workshops

2011-08-21T08:51:00.000-07:00

I've got a few local comics-making workshops coming up. Here are a couple open to the public:

Cool Cartooning
1-hour program for school-age children
Sept. 12, 3 p.m.
Centerville Regional Library
Centerville, Va.

Making Comics
1-hour program for school-age children
Oct. 3, 3:30 p.m.
Thomas Jefferson Library
Falls Church, Va.

Call the respective libraries to register.

Panels from 'Plastic Farm'

2011-08-20T04:58:00.000-07:00

Here are two panels from an ongoing story I'm working on for Rafer Roberts' Plastic Farm. (It's a creepy story, if you can't tell.) The first panel is inked and still has the pencil sketches on it; the second panel is finished, complete with a graywash.

Dinosaur Land!

2011-08-14T05:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we took a trip to Dinosaur Land near Front Royal, Va., which is run out of a gift shop/convenience store in the middle of nowhere. It's a bit run down--could use a fresh coat of paint--and isn't used to its full potential, but it provides some cheeky fun. (I could see it as a mini-golf area with a snack bar and even an arcade. Maybe someday when I have a few more bucks in my pocket....)

Here are some photos:

BrickFair 2011

2011-08-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

After visiting BrickFair in Chantilly, Va.--the largest Lego fan festival on the East Coast--for the past three years, my son took the plunge and exhibited this year. Below are photos from the event.

Last-minute building at home

A few space soldiers

C'mon, get happy!

Trouble at the chocolate factory

Remember the 35mm camera?

Golden and Silver Age Cap'n

Final preps before doors open to the public

Killer slug

In formation

Falling clones

Pizza party on the Death Star

(Except for Boba Fett; carrots for him!)

I forgot what these Japanese robots were called

This way to Awesometown!

Speaking of awesome....

Crazy horse

I really liked the stained-glass windows,

which were inside the church

Swim!

NASA had an exhibit; Here were see

how astronauts poop

I love the mini/minimalist designs

Mini-city...

Mini-tank...

And mini-farm

How to make a Lego ship in a bottle

Final touches on the Titanic

How cool are elephants as war vehicles?

It's an Ent, but it reminded me of Swamp Thing

Blue Lagoon?

D.C. Comics characters

Green Lantern

The BrickFair trophies

Three-headed awesomeness

Bringing style to the waste can

Nuff said

Modulex are mini Legos used

by architects in the '60s-'80s

D.C. Zinefest 2011

2011-07-30T19:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from today's D.C. Zinefest, the city's first zinefest in at least a decade. It had a good vibe, and a good number of local cartoonists were on hand. The D.C. Conspiracy had a workshops on comics and artist/friend Steve Loya held a workshop on his magnificent splotch monsters.

Attendees enjoying a free copy of Magic Bullet #2.

The fest had a good, steady crowd throughout the day.

Steve Loya selling his wonderful animal drawings

and splotch monster illustrations.

The D.C. Conspiracy crew selling the group's wares.

Writer Joe Carabeo and artist Carolyn Belefski, who is drawing

a story for Leggettes (I think).

Mark McMurray (center) and friends, who had copies

of their new Mix Tape #2.

Cartoonist Katie Omberg chats with fans.

Adam's new mini-comics, Jailbreak and The Never-Ending War,

sold pretty well. We'll have more copies for the Small Press

Expo in September!

The Eisners and Comic Con

2011-07-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

Trickster didn't take home an Eisner this weekend, but we (Trickster contributing artist Andrew Cohen, Fulcrum Publishing editor Haley Berry and I) had a great time at the Eisner gala and Comic Con in San Diego. It's a good event when you're with awesome friends and laughing all the time. I've posted a few photos below.

Folks pour in to Comic Con on Friday morning.

A display of the Eisner Award nominees.

Myself and Andrew at the Eisner gala.

(Table 15 was an unlucky table that night.)

A highlight that evening was meeting

actor Lance Henriksen (Aliens, Millennium).

Trickster was one of the books featured in the TR!CKSTER

event, which was across the street from Comic Con.

Who doesn't love a Wookie backpack?

An unfortunate situation with an Andre the Giant

look-alike.

Photos from ALA 2011

2011-06-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos of friends and comic writers and artists who I admire and had the pleasure to chat with at the 2011 American Library Association conference this weekend.

Matt Kish, who I know from exhibiting at the Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo each year, has a wonderful art book coming out in October. Moby-Dick in Pictures (600 pages!) from Tin House Books will knock your socks off!

Matt sketching for fans.

Jim Ottaviani has his new book Feynman out from First Second Books. It's the high quality you've come to expect from Jim, and at first look, even better!

Carla Speed McNeil was at artist alley with collections of Finder and original art.

Raina Telgemeier was there with copies of her Eisner-nominated Smile (and I got to find out about her new project). Dave Roman was promoting his just-released Astronaut Academy from First Second Books. I haven't read it yet, but it looks wonderful. Stellar art and a beautiful silver cover on one of the editions. I bet my sons will love it, too.

That's me on the left with Trickster contributing writers Michael Thompson (center) and Tim Tingle (right) at a Trickster signing at the Consortium booth.

We had quite a line for the signing. :)

I had such a wonderful time with these guys and the crew of Fulcrum Books. Michael and Tim were absolutely awesome at the Trickster session later in the day. I was humbled to have the opportunity to be on the panel with them.

A neat photo I saw at a Starbucks in New Orleans--a newspaper stand promoting its weekend color comics. It kinda made me feel sad.

Best of show for design

2011-06-16T01:44:00.000-07:00

'Trickster' has received the Southwest Book Design and Production Award for graphic novels and was also named best of show!

'Trickster' events at ALA

2011-06-13T18:38:00.000-07:00

Next week I'll be attending the annual American Library Association conference in New Orleans. Here's a list of events I'll be part of:

Sat., June 25, 1:30-3:30 pm, Room 338: Engaging Readers, Respecting Traditions Graphic Novel Roundtable

Sun., June 26, 9-10 am, Room TBD: Coffee Klatch with YALSA

Sun., June 26, 1:30-2 pm, In-booth signing (Fulcrum Booth #1255), with Trickster contributing writers Michael Thompson and Tim Tingle

Sun., June 26, 4-5:30 p.m., Room 284: 'Trickster' Panel: Bridging Generations, Bridging Cultures (With Michael and Tim)

Busy summer

2011-05-24T03:25:00.000-07:00

Here are a few places I'll be this summer:

June 26 at the American Library Association convention in New Orleans. There will actually be a session devoted just to Trickster! I'll be joined by Trickster contributing writers Michael Thompson and Tim Tingle! This will be awesome!

July 22-24 at San Diego Comic Con with Trickster contributing artist Andrew Cohen. We will be there for the Eisner Awards gala (Trickster is up for an Eisner in the anthology category. Please remember to vote! Deadline is June 13!) We will also be participating in another event: TR!CKSTER, a cool (and free) way to mingle and chat with indie comics creators. Trickster will be one of the many, many features.

July 30 at the DC Zinefest with Adam, who is working on a new solo comic anthology.

We're humbled to participate in all these events. Thank you, kind reader, for your continued support!

Easter at the zoo

2011-04-24T12:22:00.000-07:00

Today was an awesome day to hit the National Zoo. We got there early before the crowds, found a prime parking spot and saw many of the animals during feeding.

ALA session on 'Trickster'

2011-04-23T02:47:00.000-07:00

I will be co-presenting a session at the 2011 American Library Association conference in New Orleans on Sunday, June 26, with contributing Trickster storytellers Michael Thompson and Tim Tingle! Stay tuned for more!

'Trickster' up for Eisner Award

2011-04-08T13:32:00.000-07:00

Trickster is a nominee for the 2011 Eisner Award--the comics industry's top honor--in the anthology category. It's a great honor to be on the short list! Thanks to all the book's supporters, including indie bookstores, libraries, comic shops, indie comics expos, other comics creators and, of course, readers! And I'd like to especially thank the contributors and Fulcrum Publishing!

Spring chalk-drawing

2011-03-25T20:41:00.000-07:00

A break in street hockey on a tennis court turns into chalk-drawing!

SPACE 2011 photos

2011-03-21T06:40:00.000-07:00

I don't usually take many photos at comics events, but I decided to take a whole bunch at this weekend's Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo in Columbus, Ohio. ~~I don't have time right now to list the names of folks in the photos~~ (I lied), but I think most small pressers will recognize many of them. Enjoy!

Pre-SPACE Party at Packrat Comics

Max Ink, Colin Upton, Tom Williams, Tim Fischer

Bob Corby

(Center and right) Rafer Roberts and Jacob Warrenfeltz

Tom Williams

Me and Colin Upton

Rafer and Jacob

SPACE Day 1

Joel Jackson and James Moore

John Porcellino

Eric Kubli and Kris Lachowski

Rafer and Jacob

Nate Powell

Pam Bliss

Steve Willis

Michael Carroll

Dara Naraghi

Tim Corrigan and Larry Blake

Nick Jones and his wife, Lindsay

Ed Delaney

Tom Scioli and Michael Neno

Max Ink

Eden Miller and Rafer Roberts

Jacob Warrenfeltz, Stephen Hines and Missy Hines

Saturday Night Comics Jam

Sean Bieri, Colin Upton and Matt Feazell

Bob Corby and Matt Feazell

SPACE Day 2

Dan Taylor

Tom Williams

Bruce Rosenberger and Steve Hager

(and shoo fly pie!)

Eric Adams

Robert Harvey

Katie Omberg

(Left) Bob Corby and Steve Willis (right) Matt Feazell

Brian John Mitchell

Brian John Mitchell's matchbook-size comics

Stephen Hines

Brent Bowman

Dara Naraghi

Saw this as we packed for the ride home!

(This is Ryan Claytor's car, according to Mike Rhode.)

The story behind the 'Trickster' cover

2011-03-02T03:24:00.000-08:00

Want to know how the cover of Trickster came to be? Read my chat with Fulcrum book designer Jack Lenzo.

Spring schedule

2011-02-20T05:24:00.000-08:00

Here's my schedule for the spring. Hope to see you at one of these places!

March 14
Ann Arbor District Library
Ann Arbor, Mich.
7:00-8:30 pm
Downtown library, multi-purpose room

March 19-20

Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo

Columbus, Ohio

March 29
Busboys and Poets
Washington, D.C.
6:30-8:30 Langston Room
(With Trickster contributing artists Michael Auger and Jacob Warrenfeltz and Christopher Cardinale, illustrator of Mr. Mendoza's Paintbrush)

April 18
Kings Park Library
Fairfax, Va.

3-4 p.m.
Comics workshop for kids

Check, please!

2011-01-15T10:47:00.000-08:00

I'm organizing D.C. Conspiracy tables at the Small Press Expo in September. Fellow DCCer Andrew Cohen, who I often collaborate with, sent me his check for a table in a special package. Making art out of the mundane.

Support 'Magic Bullet' #2

2011-01-11T18:47:00.000-08:00

The D.C. Conspiracy is fundraising through Kickstarter to pay for Magic Bullet #2, our semi-annual comics newspaper. We've got some nifty prizes based on levels of contribution. I've donated three sets of artist trading cards for the $40 level (see below). One of 'em is already gone!

Fire

Ice

Skulls (sold!)

'Trickster' up for CBC award

2011-01-10T20:58:00.000-08:00

Trickster is a nominee for the Children's Book Council's 2011 Teen Choice Book of the Year. Voting is open to the public (hint-hint); deadline is Jan. 31.

Gaffes in museum display featuring Superman?

2011-01-02T12:04:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was an awesome day to get outside and visit some museums on the National Mall. We visited the National Museum of American History (first time I've been there since it's been renovated).

The National Museum of American History had a few interesting comics items. First, there's a special "1939" exhibit that featured a nod to Superman. However, it's odd that one of the books on display was Action Comics #32 (January 1941). Action comics featured the first appearance of Superman, but that was in 1938. The Superman series started in 1939, so I don't know why they didn't exhibit a Superman comic. Or the daily newspaper strip, which was touted outside the exhibit as starting in 1939. I was just as confused about the New York World's Fair Comic on display, which has a cover date of 1940. Another gaffe: Batman first appeared in 1939, but there's nothing about him, even though he's featured on the displayed New York World's Fair Comic!

The museum also had a great special exhibit called The Price of Freedom: Americans in War. For the WWII section, a few cartoons with WWII themes were featured.

A little project

2010-12-29T03:15:00.000-08:00

Here's a panel from a little project I'm doing when I have a few spare minutes during the day. It's not complicated, but it keeps me drawing a bit every day. I hope to have it ready for the Small Press Expo in September 2011.

A great cause

2010-12-27T20:31:00.000-08:00

‎Trickster contributing artist Paul Zdepski is auctioning a wonderful painting for a wonderful cause. Please consider bidding or donating a few dollars to help.

Tops for 2010

2010-12-24T08:01:00.000-08:00

Trickster made Nexus Graphica's top five list for 2010, and it made the best of 2010 list for Big Planet Comics (which is where I shop locally in Vienna, Va.). The Graphic Classroom also gave it a very nice review recently.

Big Blue Marble Bookstore

2010-12-20T19:12:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Big Blue Marble Bookstore in Philly's Mt. Airy for hosting my comics-making workshop this weekend. It's a great little shop!

SPACE nominations

2010-12-15T02:41:00.000-08:00

The 2010 SPACE Award finalists have been announced and I'm fortunate to say Trickster is a finalist in the general category and Xoc is a finalist in the mini-comics category. (Plastic Farm, a mini-comic produced by fellow D.C. Conspirator and ol' friend Rafer Roberts also got a nomination.) Exhibitors at this year's Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo in Columbus, Ohio--which I think is the best small press/mini comics show around--will vote for their favorites from the finalist list by mid-January.

Congrats to all the nominees! It's a swell pile of comics that includes some of my favorite comics creators, including Pat Lewis (who is a Trickster contributor) and the crew of Panel! They'd make excellent holiday gifts, hint-hint!

A few quick items

2010-12-14T01:53:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, Dec. 18, I'll be at the Big Blue Marble Bookstore in Philly doing a comics-making workshop for kids. Starts at 3 p.m.

Some recent Trickster news:

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted Trickster on its top reads for 2010.
New West named Trickster its favorite graphic novel in its 2010 Best Books in the West.
Trickster's "Rabbit and the Tug-of-War" by Michael Thompson and Jake Warrenfeltz will be in the school textbook Mirrors & Windows: Connecting with Literature from EMC Publishing (Publ. date March 2011)

'People's Choice' story for 'Plastic Farm'

2010-12-11T07:15:00.000-08:00

Finished the next eight-page chapter of the "People's Choice" story for Rafer Roberts' icon comics series Plastic Farm. Really enjoyed doing the greywash. I'll be doing more of it.

Photos from 'Cartoon Cult'

2010-12-05T05:57:00.000-08:00

Below are a few photos from the Cartoon Cult exhibit, which premiered last night at the Soundry in Vienna, Va. Got to see some old friends and made some new ones. (For more photos, visit Steve Loya's blog.)

Digital artist Jeff Block with some of his entries to the show.

Some of my Xoc and Skunk Ape pages. Out of context, it

look funny that they are next to the bathroom. But it's

actually an excellent location because it's near the entrance,

cafe and shop.

Right next to my pages was artist Steve Loya's wonderful

splotch monster piece, which sold right away and even had

a few back-up buyers.

Comics blogger Mike Rhode and show curator Melissa Branin.

Artist Steve Loya chats with Soundry co-owner Jennifer Crawford.

The amazing work of Matthew Somma.

Another prime piece of real estate for my 'Monday Night' contribution

to the Magic Bullet comics newspaper, right between Steve Loya and

Matthew Somma.

More of Steve Loya's splotch monsters.

Cartoon Cult exhibit

2010-12-02T11:51:00.000-08:00

I'll have some comics art (pages from Xoc #3, Skunk Ape and Magic Bullet #1) exhibited at the Soundry's Cartoon Cult expo in Vienna, Va. There's an opening reception this Saturday, Dec. 4, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. I'll be there. Will you?

Adam6

2010-12-01T20:46:00.000-08:00

Happy birthday to Adam6, who is working on his next mini-comic, Cop Run.

'Party Crashers: Comic Book Culture Invades the Art World' exhibit

2010-11-27T20:25:00.000-08:00

There's an interesting comics art exhibit at the Arlington Arts Center in Arlington, Va. Loved the displays; Not sure about most of the art, though. A lot of it didn't seem like it would fall into the definition of comics art. I still have to digest it and read the booklet that gives context to the show, so I'll reserve critical comment until then. (Photos taken with permission of the center.)

Some work of the brilliant Warren Craghead III.

A view of one of the rooms.

Displays of the works of Jeffrey Brown (original pages and

a sketch book of comics pages). I'm still stunned how small

he can draw.

Deb Sokolow's 15-foot wall comic.

The great Jim Rugg.

Joshua Cotter's work was next to Rugg's work, so I call this

the AdHouse Books Corner.

A full eight-page story featuring Rugg's Afrodisiac character.

Jamar Nicholas translated Geoffrey Canada's book into a graphic novel. Here are some pages.

The image above and the two below feature the art of Dash Shaw.

His animation seemed to be the focus.

District Comics project

2010-11-21T08:14:00.000-08:00

I'm starting a new project and I'm seeking submission ideas. Here's a brief description, but visit the blog dedicated to the project for more info (and feel free to spread the word!):
District Comics is an online comics anthology that will feature stories about the history of Washington, D.C., from its beginnings to contemporary times. The site will be open to the public. We want schools, libraries, comics readers and everyone else to visit the site to read some really cool stories pertaining to the nation's capital.

Photos from Busboys & Poets event

2010-11-18T18:42:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pics from last night's panel discussion on comics in D.C. at Busboys & Poets. The panel included myself, Molly Lawless, Carolyn Belefski and moderator Mike Rhode. Thank to everyone who came by! It was quite a full house! (Also, check out the write up of the event by blogger Comicsgirl).

'Trickster' on Kirkus' list of best of 2010

2010-11-18T11:58:00.000-08:00

Kirkus Book Review names Trickster one of its 2010 Best Books for Teens: Graphic Novels.

Heurich mansion gala

2010-11-09T03:45:00.000-08:00

Andrew Cohen (cartoonist on Brewmaster's Castle) and I were invited to attend an annual gala at the Heurich mansion (which is the subject of Brewmaster's Castle). We met Heurich family members--including 103-year-old Mrs. Harrison, who is Christian Heurich's youngest daughter and was born in the mansion--as well as board members and other dignitaries. Each person received a copy of the book as a gift from the executive director. We were both were taken aback by people's interest when they talked to us after dinner. All in all, one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences!

Andrew signing copies of the book prior

to the gala at the Heurich mansion.

Myself and Andrew enjoying a few cocktails

before dinner.

Panel on the District graphic novel scene

2010-11-04T05:38:00.000-07:00

The Women’s National Book Association will sponsor a panel discussion on the D.C. graphic novel scene on November 17^th at Busboys and Poets, 5th and K Street location in Washington, D.C., from 6-8 p.m. The panel will include Carolyn Belefski Molly Lawless ,Matt Dembicki, and Mike Rhodes. The event is free and open to the public. For more information visit www.wnba-books.org/wash.

About the panel

Carolyn Belefski is the mastermind behind the Web comic Curls. She is also one of the creators of several other comic books: Kid Roxy, Black Magic Tales and The Legettes. She post nightly to her blog, Sketch Before Sleep. Her work has been published in USA WEEKEND Magazine, The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Living Magazine, Magic Bullet, CROQ Zine and The Pulse on COMICON.com. She was a nominee for the Kim Yale Award for Most Talented Newcomer for 2010.

Matt Dembicki is a D. C. based cartoonist. His works include the award-winning nature parable Mr. Big, the great white shark story Xoc and Brewmaster's Castle, a story about legendary D.C. brewer Christian Heurich. His latest anthology, Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection, has received rave reviews from Booklist, Publisher's Weekly and the School Library Journal. Trickster has been nominated for the Young Adult Library Services Association's 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens. Dembicki also hosts comic book-making workshops for kids in and outside the D.C. area.

Molly Lawless is a Boston native who moved to the DC area in 2005. She has self published mini comics as well as a compilation, Infandum!...ad Infinitum. She is currently working on a full-length graphic novel for McFarland Publishing titled, Hit By Pitch. She is an avid blogger and includes her family in what she post daily.

Mike Rhode, panel moderator, is co-author of the Comics Research Bibliography, Editor of Exhibition and Media Reviews of the International Journal of Comic Art, and a contributing writer for Hogan's Alley. Rhodes was named Best (Comics) Art Blogger by the City Paper for his ComicsDC blog in 2008. He edited Harvey Pekar: Conversations, a book of interviews for the University Press of Mississippi. He has written for the Comics Journal and was selected as a RFK Journalism Awards judge for the editorial cartoon division in 2009 and 2010. Rhodes currently writes about comics for the City Paper.

The Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) is a national organization of women and men who work with and value books. A non-profit 501(c) 3 organization, WNBA exists to promote reading and to support the role of women in the community of the book.

Panel on comics in D.C.

2010-10-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

"In Between the Panels: D.C.’s Emergence on the Graphic Novel Scene," Nov. 17, 6-8 p.m. at Busboys & Poets (5th and K Sts.) in Washington, D.C. Panelists include me, Carolyn Belefski, Molly Lawless and Mike Rhode. Sponsored by the Women’s National Book Association. Stop by, chat about comics, have a few drinks!

Word bookstore

2010-10-25T20:03:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who came by to participate in my comic-making workshop at Word bookstore in Brooklyn, N.Y. (and double thanks for buying copies of Trickster!).

Richmond Zine Fest

2010-10-17T08:23:00.000-07:00

Andrew Cohen, Steve Loya and I exhibited at the Richmond Zine Fest on Saturday and, as usual, we had a grand time. Seemed liked foot traffic was better this year, probably because parking was easier and it was a sunny, crisp day. There were a number of comics folks there, which is always awesome.

Andrew Cohen at our table.

Andrew again, right next to the women of Lips:

Expressions of Female Sexuality.

A view from the other side.

A lot of folks thumbed through the D.C. Conspiracy

Dremo anthologies.

More Lips.

Things really start picking up about 2 p.m.,

which is probably when most college kids are

getting rolling.

Rusty Rowley and Joe Mochove of Full Sanction

always have fun, new stuff at their table.

The cool folks at Black Light Diner distribution.

Parcel Press table.

Gotta love the belt with bullet shells. We actually

had a nice conversation about mythology and origins.

We also sold a number of Brewmaster's Castle and

Adam's Any Army!

Steve was doing his splotch monster watercolor illos all day and

I think selling pretty well. Here he barters one of his illos for

organically grown kale!

'Ant Army!' review

2010-10-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

Heros in My Closet reviewed Ant Army! It may be a little over the top, but it's a heck of a lot of fun and appreciated!

Steve Loya exhibit

2010-10-03T19:20:00.000-07:00

My friend and superb artist Steve Loya has some of his wonderful illustrations on exhibit at King Street Coffee in the Old Town section of Leesburg, Va. Steve is by far the best nature/animal illustrators I know. It's always a treat to see the originals.

Steve adding final touches to an illustration of a pig

(A few of his other illustrations hang on the wall.)

Steve and I.

The coffee shop had an old school desk. Adam

was amazed by the "secret compartment" when

you lift the top. I told him that's where I used to

keep my kielbasa, pickle and butter sandwiches

when I was in school. (More Loya drawings

on the wall behind.)

Peanuts!

2010-10-03T04:10:00.000-07:00

Lee Mendelson, who produced the classic Peanuts cartoons, spoke at the National Portrait Gallery today (following a screening of 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.')

Best factoids:

He contacted Schulz by looking him up in the White Pages.
Although 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' was the most popular of the Peanuts series, the Halloween special was Mendelson's favorite.
Mendelson liked Linus the best of all the characters because he thought he had "the best chance of growing up normal."
Both Mendelson and lead Peanuts animator Bill Melendez thought giving Charlie Brown a rock--three or four times, no less--in the Halloween special was too mean, which only strengthened Schulz's resolve to include it.

Capicon this Sunday

2010-09-29T21:43:00.000-07:00

I'll be at the Capicon Comic Book & Pop Culture Con this Sunday in Merrified, Va., along with a few of my D.C. Conspiracy buds--Andrew Cohen, Rafer Roberts and Evan Keeling.

2010 Neptune Festival

2010-09-28T18:32:00.001-07:00

Packed the ol' minivan this weekend and headed to Virginia Beach for the annual Neptune Festival which closes out the summer season. It was the best one yet--harvest moon, North American Sand Sculpting Competition, beach volleyball tourney, surfing contest, dolphin-watching, parade, craft 'n' food fair, seafood, night fireworks on the beach, great weather. Seriously, it does not get better than this.

D.C. Conspiracy's Belefski up for Lulu Award

2010-09-18T11:26:00.000-07:00

I love the D.C.-area comics scene. In the past three years, comics creators from the D.C. Conspiracy have got noms in the Eisner, Harvey, Ignatz, Day and SPACE awards. The latest one: Carolyn Belefski is nominated for a Lulu Award for most talented newcomer! Yeah! Now go vote for her!

Review of 'Brewmaster's Castle'

2010-09-14T18:48:00.000-07:00

The Brookston Beer Bulletin did a nice review of Brewmaster's Castle. Got some orders as a result, too!

Panel Patter review of 'Xoc'

2010-09-13T20:23:00.001-07:00

Panel Patter did a lovely review of 'Xoc' #1-3. I love it when folks "get it." :)

A few pix from SPX

2010-09-13T19:06:00.000-07:00

The D.C. Conspiracy crew (most of it, anyway).

A view from my table.

Evan Keeling and Andrew Cohen get warmed up.

The immaculate Rafer Roberts with another satisfied customer.

Small Press Expo this weekend!

2010-09-07T02:44:00.000-07:00

SPX is this weekend! I'm at table W9 and will be selling copies of Trickster, Xoc, Brewmaster's Castle and Adam's mini-comic Ant Army!

My special guest on Saturday will be Native American storyteller and Trickster contributing writer Joseph Stands With Many (photo below). He will be signing from 3-5 p.m. Trickster contributing artists who be exhibiting at the show include Andrew Cohen and Evan Keeling (W8), Pat Lewis (F5), J Chris Campbell (W24) and Jim8ball (H4).

The 2010 Fall Tour continues

2010-09-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a list of places where I'll be exhibiting, signing and/or holding a workshop over the next few months:

Sept. 11-12, Small Press Expo (Table W9)

Oct. 3, Capicons Comic Book & Pop Culture Con, Fairfax, Va.

Oct. 16, Richmond Zine Fest, Richmond, Va.

Oct. 23, Word bookstore, Brooklyn, NY

Nov. 19-20, Up! Fair, Lexington, Ky.

B'more Comic Con this weekend

2010-08-30T18:21:00.000-07:00

Trickster contributing artist Jim8ball stops by my table for a signing.

Fellow cartoonist and Trickster contributing artist Andrew Cohen

helped me out all day Saturday.

Times are so tough even Green Arrow and Black Canary

have to shop in the dollar bin.

Adam as Commander Rex.

Adam and the boyz.

I don't even know this character's name, but

Adam did.

Adam takes some time to, you know, sign a

few copies of his mini-comic Ant Army!

B'more Comic Con this weekend

2010-08-25T04:22:00.000-07:00

I'll be at the Baltimore Comic Con this weekend, Aug. 28-29, at table A-14. I'll have the last batch of first-edition copies of Trickster, plus copies of Mr. Big, Spadefoot, Liquid Revolver and the new comic Brewmaster's Castle, which I did with fellow D.C. cartoonist Andrew Cohen.

Here's a mini-flier with table numbers of some Trickster contributors exhibiting at the show:

Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines

2010-08-21T20:20:00.000-07:00

Took the family today to the Flying Circus Airshow today in Bealeton, Va. Now I feel like taking flight lessons!

A page from 'Xoc' #5

2010-08-17T02:33:00.001-07:00

You knew this was coming, right?

New books for Small Press Expo Sept. 11-12

2010-08-11T03:05:00.000-07:00

Here's the cover for The Brewmaster's Castle, featuring the art of D.C.-area cartoonist Andrew Cohen. It's a 20-page story about D.C. brewer Christian Heurich and his Victorian mansion. We'll have copies at the Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Md., Sept. 11-12.

And, as a bonus, my 5-year-old son will be debuting his first mini-comic at SPX called Ant Army! It's got a silkscreen cover, too!

Photos

2010-08-05T20:44:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos I took recently--a bunch at Monticello in Charlottesville, Va., and a few from Inner Harbor at Baltimore, Md.

Baltimore, Md.

Charlottesville, Va.

Getting ready for SPX!

2010-07-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

I'm in full throttle getting ready for the Small Press Expo Sept. 11-12 in Bethesda, Md.! Just sent Xoc #4 to the printer (see cover, below), as well as the interior pages for my son's first comic, Ant Army!, which we'll have at SPX. (Like Brewmaster's Castle, we're aiming to do a silkscreen cover).

Workshop at MLK in D.C.

2010-07-23T20:52:00.000-07:00

I'm doing a free comics-making workshop July 31 from 1-3 p.m. at the MLK Library in Washington, D.C. The event is in conjunction with the Comic Book Boom! exhibit, which is a must-see! (Fellow D.C. Conspirator Evan Keeling is holding another workshop the following Saturday, same place and time.)

'Trickster' sold out

2010-07-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

It's official: The first printing of Trickster is sold out. (Luckily, I've hoarded about 100 copies for the Small Press Expo in September!) Next printing should be out soon. Thanks for everyone's support!

Comic Book Boom! photos

2010-07-12T20:30:00.000-07:00

Some photos from the opening of Comic Book Boom! at the MLK Library in Washington, D.C., featuring more than 20 pages of original art from D.C. Conspiracy members and our friends. The exhibit is open through August, so there's plenty of time to check it out!

Good-bye, Harvey

2010-07-12T19:40:00.000-07:00

Harvey Pekar and my son at SPX '05, Sunday morning. Some of my favorite photos.

Comic Book Boom!

2010-07-09T22:03:00.000-07:00

The D.C. Conspiracy is opening its comics art exhibit (22 pieces in all) at the MLK Library in Washington, D.C., with an reception on Monday from 6-8 p.m. Please stop by at the reception or visit the library when you have a moment!

Brewmaster's Castle

2010-07-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

"Brewmaster's Castle," a 20-page comic I'm working on with D.C. artist Andrew Cohen, is lettered, fitted and ready to send to the printer. Here's another sample page:

Hooray for Books!

2010-07-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

I'll be doing a cartooning workshop at Hooray for Books (a children's bookstore) in Alexandria,Va., Sat., July 10 at 3 p.m. Space is limited, so please sign up if you're interested in attending. Thanks!

The Brewmaster's Castle

2010-06-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

The Brewmaster's Castle (story by me, art by Andrew Cohen), hopefully ready for the Small Press Expo in September.

Photos from 'Trickster' events at ALA

2010-06-27T19:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from Trickster events at the American Library Association conference this past weekend. Lotsa fun!

Trickster contributing writer Joseph Stands With Many and I sign copies of the book on Friday night during a panel discussion called "One Nation, Many Voices." Joseph told a great trickster story about Rabbit and Wolf for the audience!

I did a book reading on Saturday afternoon. I was a bit anxious, as it's hard to read a comic. I did display some of the art to help convey the stories. (I thought I was a little stiff in my reading. I'm dreading seeing the video--I fear it may come of like I was stumping on a political campaign!)

Um, yeah, that's Benjamin Alire Saenz, the awarding-winning writer and poet, getting a copy of Trickster. How cool is that? Ben is a fan of trickster stories and we had a nice conversation about Coyote. (And I got a signed copy of his new collection of poems, The Book of What Remain. Awesomeness!)

I think this is the first time a nun bought one of my comics. (She's a fan of trickster stories.)

Chatting with folks.

Here is the puppeteer who does the character Theo for the wonderful PBS show "Between the Lions" (a favorite in our home). Another fan of trickster stories!

Opening day at ALA

2010-06-27T19:31:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from Friday, the opening day at American Library Association annual conference.

The D.C. Convention Center, which hosted the event.

Cool circle comprising guitars.

Folks lining up for the doors to open.

Lotsa vendors with costumed characters.

I thought this was odd. This company sold statues at about $8,000 a pop. When libraries are seeing their budgets cut and laying off workers, are they really in the market for this?

Say what you want about Ron L. Hubbard, but his books have smoking art.

Pics from Fountain Bookstore

2010-06-20T05:07:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of photos from the comics workshop/Trickster signing at Fountain Bookstore, a wonderful little bookstore in Richmond, Va.

From right: Andrew Cohen, Matt Dembicki, Mike Short and Rand Arrington

Cohen, Arrington and Short

At ALA

2010-06-13T18:59:00.000-07:00

I'll be at the annual American Library Association conference, which is in D.C. this year. On Friday night, June 25, I'll be participating with Trickster contributing storyteller Joseph Stands With Many in the One Nation, Many Voices program. On Saturday, June 26, I'm doing a reading at 2 p.m. at the Reading Stage followed by a signing at Consortium (booth 2833) at 2:30 p.m.

'Xoc' #4 page

2010-06-09T03:02:00.000-07:00

Here's a page from Xoc #4, which is almost ready for lettering. I might have it ready for the Small Press Expo in September, if I'm lucky!

'Trickster' on NPR

2010-06-03T19:42:00.000-07:00

Listen for a segment on Trickster on NPR Weekend Edition Sunday with Liane Hansen this weekend, somewhere in the 8:40 to 9 a.m. EST slot. :)

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel review

2010-05-30T03:36:00.000-07:00

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "Pairing 21 American Indian storytellers with graphic artists, editor Matt Dembicki has produced a spectacular color anthology of trickster tales." Read more.

Book Expo America

2010-05-27T19:41:00.000-07:00

Trickster contributors and fellow D.C. Conspirators Andrew Cohen and Evan Keeling joined me today for a Trickster signing at Book Expo America in New York. We signed 200 books in an hour and a half! Below are photos from our arrival (and trying to figure how to get to the Javits Center), to goofing around at the expo, to the signing. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported us and got a copy of the book!

Three great covers from SPACE

2010-05-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

I picked up a lot of good small press and self-published comics at the Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo in Columbus, Ohio, last month. As I look over them now, I noticed a handful of them pop out at me because of their awesome covers; they just draw you in to take a closer look. Below are three of my favorites:

Emberley Galaxy: A Tribute to Ed Emberley, an anthology edited by Joe Kuth

Blink Strips Vol. 2 by Max Ink

The Saga of Thorbert the Beardless, No. 1: Trust the Gods by Kris Lachowski

'Trickster' contributor interviews

2010-05-20T03:34:00.000-07:00

Mike Rhode, who writes the ComicsDC blog and the comics column at the Washington City Paper, is running interviews with local Trickster contributors over the next few weeks. He begins with Paul Zdepski.

Optical Sloth reviews 'Xoc' #2

2010-05-19T03:39:00.000-07:00

Optical Sloth takes a look at Xoc #2.

Windup Comic Fest this Saturday

2010-05-18T09:13:00.000-07:00

I'll be exhibiting at the inaugural Windup Comic Fest in Baltimore this Saturday. May 22. Several D.C. Conspirators will be there, too, including: Rafer Roberts, Matt Rhodes, Ed Contradictory, Shawn Murphy and John Grillo, as well as Rusty Rowley, Jose Mochove and a slew of others!

Kirkus review of 'Trickster'

2010-05-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a starred review from Kirkus:
Vigorously rendered in striking graphic format, this robust anthology of 21 Native American folktales features a bevy of wily rascals in a veritable smorgasbord of trickster tales. Told in the words of Native American storytellers from many nations, these tales use the trickster to teach moral lessons and explain such natural events as how the rabbit got its puffy tail, why the buzzard has no feathers on its head, why the owl guards burial sites or why geese fly in a V formation. Relying on cunning and craft to survive, outwit and amuse, the tricksters include coyote, raven, rabbit, raccoon, wolf, beaver and dog as well as human tricksters like Moshup, Ishjinki and Waynaboozhoo. Each tale is illustrated by a different artist in strikingly different styles, some comic and some realistic but all surprisingly suited to their stories, while the graphic sequencing provides action and emotional detail only suggested by the storyteller. Packaged in a chunky, square-shaped volume, this unique collection of Native American folklore invites readers to sample and savor each colorful, wily tale. (editor’s notes, contributors’ bios) (Graphic folklore. 10 & up)

Pics from 'Trickster' signing

2010-05-16T04:05:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Trickster signing! (An extra special thanks to Kevin, Greg, Jared and the rest of the Big Planet Comics staff for hosting us and for their hospitality.) Below are some pics of the event.

Cartoonists and Trickster artists Jerry Carr (left) and

Mike Short look at some of the original art from the book.

(From left) Trickster artists Evan Keeling and Jacob Warrenfeltz

and Mike Rhode, who writes the comicsDC blog and the comics column

at the Washington City Paper.

(Sitting) Chris Piers and Jacob Warrenfeltz, (standing) Evan

Keeling, Andrew Cohen and Mike Short.

The traffic was steady for most of the two hours, but there were

a few minutes where there seemed to be a concentrated rush.

Trickster contributors (from left, sitting) Chris Piers, Jacob

Warrenfeltz, Evan Keeling, Andrew Cohen (standing, signing),

Rand Arrington and Paul Zdepski. ((Standing in the back in

the green shirt is D.C. Conspiracy member Art Haupt.)

'Trickster' launch signing at Big Planet Comics May 15

2010-05-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

A bunch of contributing artists to Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection will be at Big Planet Comics in Vienna, Va., this Sat., May 15, for a signing from 2-4 p.m. In attendance: Matt Dembicki, Andrew Cohen, Evan Keeling, Paul Zdepski, Chris Piers, Jacob Warrenfeltz, Mike Short, Jerry Carr, Rand Arrington and Scott White. We'll also be doing sketches and giving away artist trading cards featuring Trickster critters (see below)! I'll also give a very brief talk about the project. Come by and join the fun!

Adam is gaining on me!

2010-05-06T17:38:00.000-07:00

Adam is gaining on me in terms of drawing. Below is one of his recent drawings. Click here to see six drawings he did over the past month--Gulp!

'Spadefoot' for FREE on the Droid

2010-05-06T05:07:00.000-07:00

Spadefoot, which I team on with frequent collaborator Andrew Cohen, is now available for FREE on the Droid (and soon the iPhone). Please take look! Click here.

'Trickster' nominated for YALSA award

2010-05-02T12:17:00.000-07:00

Trickster was recently nominated for the Young Adult Library Services Association's 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens. (Yes, it's very early, but it's nice to get a nod.)

FCBD photos

2010-05-01T20:09:00.000-07:00

I didn't get to take many photos at Free Comic Book Day today at Beyond Comics in Gaithersburg, Md. It was quite busy all day, with waves of folks coming in and actually giving the three of us indie creators a lot of attention (as did the Beyond Comics staff, which we greatly appreciate for their hospitality and patronage).

But I did manage to take these photos. A little context regarding the Star Wars T-shirt. The Dembicki boys bought this T for my birthday this week. It's insane cause its the Star Wars cast as a rock band--Luke on lead guitar, Dark Vader on bass, leaping off the stage, Chewbacca on drums, etc. Well, at the store, in walks a patron with the same shirt that I was wearing! I felt an instant kinship and just had to take the photo.

The last photo is of fellow D.C. Conspirator, Trickster contributor and frequent collaborator Andrew Cohen making a pact with the Dark Knight to fight the production on unbreathable Batman suits. (It was in the 90s today, and this fellow was outside advertising for FCBD. Whenever he came in to cool off, you could smell the rubber/plastic--that's how intensely hot it was.)

All in all, a great FCBD! Thanks to everyone who stopped by the store and visited with us!

'Spadefoot' on your 'Droid and iPhone

2010-04-30T17:56:00.000-07:00

Robot Comics will soon release Spadefoot (which I did with fellow D.C. Conspirator Andrew Cohen) formatted for the Android and iPhone! Click here for more info.

Free Comic Book Day signing

2010-04-28T19:43:00.000-07:00

I'll be signing and selling Sat., May 1--Free Comic Book Day--at Beyond Comics in Gaithersburg, Md., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. I'll be joined by fellow D.C. conspirator and collaborator Andrew Cohen and Monica Gallagher. Stop by and say hello!

'Trickster' reviews

2010-04-28T03:26:00.001-07:00

Reviews from some well-regarded trade publications:

Publishers Weekly (04/26/2010):These 21 folktales, created by pairing Native storytellers with a variety of artists, feature creatures explaining how things came to be, like islands or stars, or animals playing tricks on one another. Often, the trickster, while trying to take the lazy way, outwits himself, especially when it involves Coyote. In other tales, Raven does whatever people tell him not to do, but ends up with a free meal anyway, and Rabbit tricks some buffalo and wolves and is tricked by Fox into losing his tail. Many of the stories, some of which involve tribespeople as well as animals, are told through captions, as though listening to an elder and envisioning the images he describes. Micah Farritor’s art in "Coyote and the Pebbles" and Dembicki’s in "Azban (Raccoon) and the Crayfish" are standouts in their animal images. The diverse styles are presented in lavish color in this thick, handsome volume. The short collection of contributor bios at the end is a helpful resource for finding more about the artists’ credits or the writers’ heritage.

School Library Journal (May 2010):
(Starred review)
More than 40 storytellers and cartoonists have contributed to this original and provocative compendium of traditional folklore presented in authentic, colorful, and engaging sequential art. The stories are drawn from a variety of Native peoples across North America, and so the trickster character appears variously as Rabbit, a raccoon, Coyote, and in other guises; landscapes, clothing and rhythms of speech and action also vary in keeping with distinct traditions. Realistic, impressionistic, painterly, and cartoon styles of art are employed to echo and announce the tone of each tale and telling style, making this a rich visual treasure as well as cultural trove. Contributors include well-known author Joseph Bruchac, Pueblo storyteller Eldrena Douma, cartoonist and Smithsonian Institution employee Evan Keeling, and many who have not worked in comics heretofore as well as cartoonists with no previous allegiance to telling Native stories with their art. The total package is accessible, entertaining, educational, inspiring, and a must-have for all collections.

Booklist (American Library Association, May 2010):

(Starred review)

This graphic-format collection of Native American tales featuring an old folk favorite—the trickster—hits an impressive trifecta of achievements. First, it’s a wildly successful platform for indie-comic creators and an excellent showcase for their distinctive styles. From David Smith and Jerry Carr's heroic, animation-inspired “Trickster and the Great Chief” to the Looney Toons zaniness of “Rabbit’s Chocktaw Tail Tale” by Tim Tingle and Pat Lewis, there’s a bit of visual panache here for every taste. Second, with the exception of a stray X-Man or two and an obscure DC sword-and-sorcery character, this is the first graphic novel to really focus on Native American themes and events, a surprising absence that this book remedies with respect and imagination. Lastly, as Native American folklore is so directly tied to the culture’s spirituality, this proves the rare graphic novel that handles such issues without specifically attaching them to standard religious practices. With stories that vary in emotional tone, matching the ever-shifting appearance and character of the trickster himself and the lessons he teaches and learns, this collection is an ideal choice for dipping into over and over. A dandy read for those interested in history, folklore, adventure, humor, or the arts, and a unique contribution to the form.

'Trickster' At Harvard

2010-04-27T09:07:00.000-07:00

Trickster contributor Scott White spotted the book at the Harvard Book Store in Boston among some elite graphic novels. (Thanks for the pics, Scott!)

Return from SPACE!

2010-04-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my table at the Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo this weekend! (And a special thanks to SPACE organizer Bob Corby for helping with the exhibit and allowing me to highlight the project.) Below are a few photos of some of the folks who bought copies of Trickster and took a closer look at some of the original art that was exhibited.

Here's the exhibit ready role before the show opens.

Bruce Rosenburger (left) of Dutchy Digest discusses inking techniques with Trickster contributing artist Pat Lewis (Cragmore). Two of Pat's pages are displayed in the center of the photo, next to the Trickster board sign.

Artist Christina Wald chats with a friend about the critters.

My loot from the show!

'Trickster' launch party at Big Planet Comics

2010-04-14T04:06:00.000-07:00

Big Planet Comics in Vienna, Va., will host a launch party for Trickster on Sat., May 15, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. About 10 contributors to the book will be there to sign, chat and be merry! Join us! If you plan to go, you can sign up at Facebook here (just so the store has a rough idea of how many folks to expect). Thanks for your support!

'Xoc' #4 inks are done!

2010-04-13T19:13:00.000-07:00

Finished inking Xoc #4. Now it's on to greyscaling....

The grace of SPACE!

2010-04-08T18:52:00.000-07:00

Trickster officially debuts at the Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo in Columbus, Ohio, April 24-25. There will also be an exhibit at the show of original art from the book by Andy Bennett, Andrew Cohen, Evan Keeling, Mike Short and Jacob Warrenfeltz. The SPACE blog has some additional sample pages from the book, as well as a podcast interview re: the book. (I'll also be premiering 'Xoc' #3 at SPACE.)

'Trickster' available!

2010-04-07T05:38:00.000-07:00

Trickster is now available at Amazon.com. You can order here.
It will very soon be on the shelves of major bookstores and indie stories.
Thanks for your support!

And from the What Are You Reading column at Robot 6:
“Here’s a book that got me a lot more excited: Trickster, an anthology of Native American trickster tales. I’m not generally a big fan of folk tales, but the writing and the art really shine in this lively compilation. The stories are all written by Native American storytellers, so the tales are authentic, and the art is varied but always of high quality. I gave this book the ultimate test recently—I read one of the stories aloud to a class of fifth-graders—and they loved it. (The fact that the story was about a rabbit whose butt got stuck to a frozen lake probably helped.) The book is beautifully produced and a great read.”