It’s Wednesday! (June 26, 2013)

Let’s take a moment to recognize the milestone reached by The Unwritten. Fifty issues is quite an achievement.

I didn’t expect this series could maintain momentum beyond the third arc. But Mike Carey and Peter Gross continue to surprise and delight. Well done, gentlemen.

In this issue:

An extra-sized issue celebrating fifty issues of THE UNWRITTEN and the start of “THE UNWRITTEN FABLES,” a 5-issue storyline that drags Tom Taylor into the heart of a world he never made from the pages of Vertigo’s hit series FABLES. The mundane realm of humanity and the fairy-tale homelands have fallen to a terrible foe. In desperation, the witches of Fabletown gather to summon the greatest mage the worlds have ever seen. And are they in for an unpleasant surprise…

Written by: Mike Carey; Art by:  Peter Gross, Mark Buckingham; Cover by: Yuko Shimizu

As for the rest of the week, it is insane. I don’t remember the last time I took home so many books in one week. I’m not sure if it’s worth going through the entire list.

I’m eager to crack open Prophet #36. The main story is unfolding at its own pace, which I’m completely cool with. It’s just an interesting book to lose oneself, much like Brandon Graham’s previous work King City. But I’ve also recently turned on to Malachi Ward and Matt Sheen who are doing the backup story.

The second issue of Jupiter’s Legacy (Mark Millar, Frank Quitely) finally arrives. Is anyone really surprised this book might not come out on schedule? Also, issue #2 of Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy’s The Wake. I still haven’t got around to reading #1. (It’s high in the pile.) And Sex #4, which I’m more interested in Joe Casey’s “Sex Talk” at the back of the book than his comic main story, but I’m still giving it a try. The Bounce #2 is also is the bag.

At the other end of the spectrum, we have Young Avengers #6. Like Hawkeye, it took me a while to give in to this book (mostly because it’s Marvel), but I am enjoying myself. There are a few books in the catalogue where Marvel doesn’t take itself too seriously, and those tend to be my favourite reads. Speaking of Hawkeye, issue #11 is out this week as well and promises a Pizza Dog solo story. (Damn, I feel 12 all over again. I love this series.) And FF #8, which I think Fraction is writing better than the main Fantastic Four book.

And I haven’t even mentioned Valiant (X-O Manowar #14 with the cool 8-bit cover by Matthew Waite) or Dark Horse (MIND MGMT #12) yet.

Moebius – “a man who refused to grow old” (TCAF 2013 panel recap)

Moebius.

It goes without saying the man is legendary. His seminal works stand the test of time. We’re talking 30 to 40 years ago for stories like The Incal and Airtight Garage, and yet those books – to me – still seem so fresh and interesting. When you consider how much comics have evolved, one can’t help but consider him anything but a visionary. He was an artist in the truest sense of the word.

And so it was especially interesting to hear from people – artists – who’ve met him and look to him for inspiration in their own art.

Moderated by Xavier Guilbert of du9.org, the panel included Frederik Peeters (Sandcastle), Paul Pope (THB), David B. (Black Paths), Glyn Dillon (The Nao of Brown).

Moebius panel – Paul Pope leads attendees to share personal Moebius stories waiting on the panellists to arrive. Cool #tcaf

— Comic Book Junkie (@comicbookjunk1e) May 11, 2013

Paul Pope on Moebius: “dedication, curiosity, passion. These are illustrations of a man who refused to grow old.”#tcaf

— Comic Book Junkie (@comicbookjunk1e) May 11, 2013

“When Moebius made a mistake he wouldn’t correct it.He would appropriate it and enter it into his world” #tcaf

— Comic Book Junkie (@comicbookjunk1e) May 11, 2013

Paul Pope comparing Moebius to Hendrix #TCAF

— Comic Book Junkie (@comicbookjunk1e) May 11, 2013

“Moebius thought it was pointless to take drugs to draw but he tried it.” Frederik Peeters.

— Heidi MacDonald (@Comixace) May 11, 2013

“Moebius drew a panel a day, said when he was done he would know what the story was.” @pulph0pe

— Heidi MacDonald (@Comixace) May 11, 2013

While @naobrown looks at Moebius for inspiraion, Frederik Peeters looks at it and feel grief he is not as good. #moebius #tcaf

— Heidi MacDonald (@Comixace) May 11, 2013

Moebius encouraged artists to be curious and inventive – Paul Pope #tcaf

— Comic Book Junkie (@comicbookjunk1e) May 11, 2013

You know what’s cool? Seeing artists sketching while listening to this fun, laid-back Moebius discussion #tcaf

— Comic Book Junkie (@comicbookjunk1e) May 11, 2013

“The desert was a very spiritual setting for Moebius. The American southwest was like church.” Paul Pope #tcaf

— Comic Book Junkie (@comicbookjunk1e) May 11, 2013

“As artists we exorcize our pshychology on paper. And I think Moebius sought the tranquility and solace we see in his work.” Paul Pope #tcaf

— Comic Book Junkie (@comicbookjunk1e) May 11, 2013

It’s Wednesday! (June 12, 2013)

PETER PANZERFAUST #11
Story by: Kurtis J Wiebe; Art By: Tyler Jenkins

“CRY OF THE WOLF”
Having faced the wrath of The Hook, Peter and the Lost Boys join forces with the Braves in guerilla warfare from their secret hideout in the Sticks. This time, Felix is the man with the memories, and as Mr. Parsons soon learns, he’s not eager to revisit that life.

A NEW STORY ARC BEGINS HERE! PERFECT JUMP ON POINT!

This books grows stronger with each issue.

It wasn’t clear whether the series would run out of steam after the first arc, but it’s developing into a really nice story driven equal parts by character and plot. The art is great: distinct and fits the narrative so well.

Unfortunately I’m on the road and can’t dig into my back issues to provide a more insightful critique of specific points in the series. Needless to say, highly recommended.

THE BLACK BEETLE: NO WAY OUT #4 (of 4)
Writer, Artist and Cover: Francesco Francavilla

The epic conclusion to Black Beetle’s first series! Colt City’s caped crusader goes head to head with the mysterious villain Labyrinto! Can Black Beetle make it out of this maze of matched wits and matched blows alive?!

I’m constantly finding evidence that supports Carl Jung’s concept of collective unconsciousness. The current trend in pulp comics is one. To varying degrees of success, the books range in type from bringing pulp characters into the 21st century to doing pulp with a modern twist to planting both feet firmly in the genre and creating a classic pulp story. Francavilla’s series plays in the third space and does it marvelously.

It’s receiving lots of love from across the geek blogs. Here is a roundup of glowing reviews for issue #3.

THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #12
Story by: Jonathan Hickman; Art By: Nick Pitarra

“THE FERMI PARADOX”
Learn the secret history of Enrico Fermi and, more importantly, “if someone is out there” why we haven’t “found them yet.”

The thrilling FEEL GOOD, BAD SCIENCE series continues in THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS #12: THE FERMI PARADOX!

This series is just really good fun and has so many elements I like in a comic. It’s a zany, alternate-history sci-fi adventure story that is so over the top I would imagine readers either love it or hate it.

Upcycled Comics breathes new life into old comics

Too bad there’s no more wall space for art in my comic den at the moment. But if there was, I finally found a use for the boxes of comics I’m having a difficult time parting with and order (at least) one of these fabulous pieces from the PowerUp collection by Upcycled Comics (aka Amy Watkins).

According to her Esty page:

I love my comics too much to keep them in dusty long boxes in the closet. After I’ve read the stories and pored over the pictures, I want to enjoy my comics again, as a medium for new art. I sell original, handmade pieces–no prints here–constructed out of the amazing art of old comic books.

Advice for aspiring comic artists from small press publishers (TCAF 2013 panel)

The small press panel at TCAF 2013 was interesting.

Lots of perspectives from the people at Secret Acres, Domino Books, Koyama Press, Grimalken Press, and Rebus Books. (At least that was who were on the bill. I arrived late and missed the intros.)

It was moderated by Adam Hines and Andrew Murray who manage the Guys With Pencils Tumblr.  (I’d not heard of them before, but apparently they live here in Toronto.) They were recording the panel, so presumably it is posted someplace, but I can’t find it. You can click here for the podcast billed as their TCAF review, but the first 15 minutes were boring and I lost interest so I haven’t listened long enough to know if they include any audio clips from the panel.

The panel, however, was engaging. Adam and Andrew kept it moving along. Annie Koyama had some particularly insightful advice. You should check out the Koyama Press site if you are unfamiliar with them. They publish Michael Deforge, Jesse Jacobs and loads more great indie talent. (The above image is by Deforge of the Koyama mascot Kickass Annie.)

The main takeaways:

• It’s never been easier to get your work out there and start building a fan base. (The Internet has changed the game.)
• Indie publishers have limited time and so their catalogue is very small. Plus it’s planned many seasons out so don’t get discouraged by rejection letters. If they answer you back, consider it a compliment that they took the time to answer you.
• Blind submissions don’t often work, which goes back to the first bullet.
• Some publishers have the means to get your book into the hands of sellers even if they don’t publish it. So if you can make your own comic (see #1), they might be interested in working out a distribution contract.
• Plus you don’t even really need a publisher these days. Sure it’s a much bigger hill to climb, but I’m finding lots of interesting comics in unexpected places. (In fact, I recently found and bought a few comics on Etsy, which goes toward this point.)

really late to the small press panel so I have no idea who is talking (oops) #tcaf

— Comic Book Junkie (@comicbookjunk1e) May 11, 2013

Advice for emerging artists: put your work on Tumblr and put your name on it. (Annie @ Koyama is reading) #tcaf #smallpresspanel

— Comic Book Junkie (@comicbookjunk1e) May 11, 2013

Advice to creators: don’t be discouraged (the catalogue is planned 2 years out) #tcaf #smallpresspanel

— Comic Book Junkie (@comicbookjunk1e) May 11, 2013

Advice: self-publish a book and submit to a publisher. Speaks to your ambition. And they also have the means to help distribute. #tcaf

— Comic Book Junkie (@comicbookjunk1e) May 11, 2013

Advice: before you submit, review the publisher’s site/catalogue to understand their taste, types of books they publish #tcaf

— Comic Book Junkie (@comicbookjunk1e) May 11, 2013

(Time lapse of TCAF 2013 by Clive Sewell)