HARVEY NOMINATION TIME

The 2008 Harvey Awards are now open for nominations. Anyone who has worked in comics (mainstream, small press, independent) can nominate and vote. There's been some discussion about the process, since it does lend itself to "ballot stuffing," i.e. over zealous comic book creators who petition fellow writer/artist friends to support them in the nomination process. I'll confess I've sent a mass email or two for previous Harvey Awards, all to no avail. Due to the absolute democracy of it, you also don't get much diversity among the winners (click here) year after year. There are certain industry favorites, so there are no hidden gems. In this regard, I like the Eisner Award process better where a committee selects the nominees. No industry award is perfect. (Recommended reading: Tom Spurgeon's If I Were The Emperor of Comics, look at #17 and #18)

Love it or hate it, I'm glad we have the opportunity to acknowledge excellence in the comic book field. And I appreciate the openness, that a lonely freelancer such as myself can have a vote.

Ballots are available online:
Download pdf nomination ballot
Download txt nomination ballot

Completed forms can be e-mailed to harveyballots@hotmail.com. Ballots are due for submission by Friday, March 27th.

If I can give any biased recommendations, KRISTIAN DONALDSON in DMZ #20 for best artist, JUSTIN STEWART in Mix Tape Vol. 1 for best colorist, COMIC BOOK COMICS from Evil Twin Comics for best new series, WASTELAND from Oni Press for best continuing or limited series, TIKI JOE MYSTERIES from SLG for best original graphic novel, SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST from AdHouse for best graphic novel of previously published material, and POPGUN VOL. 2 from Image Comics for best anthology. If you have any recommendations, please post them in the comments.

Since I didn't publish in 2008, there isn't anything I'd be eligible for, unless you consider SOUVENIR OF DALLAS from D Magazine in the humor category. Not likely.

The highlight of the Harvey press release? Scott Kurtz will be the Master of Ceremonies. Quote Marc Nathan, promoter of Baltimore Con: "Scott has been a part of the Harvey Awards since they have been in Baltimore. As both a nominee and presenter, Scott brought his unique sense of humor and fun to the ceremony. We are all looking forward to him bringing the same energy to the stage as the host of the show."

ASTRONAUT DAD VOL. 2

I've shared pages from HOW TO LOSE BIG and OH NO POGO. So I thought it's time to post something from ASTRONAUT DAD VOL. 2. Brent Schoonover finished penciling page 50, and he's almost done inking the remaining pages of that chapter. Which means? One more chapter left and ASTRONAUT DAD is completely finished, pending the lettering skills of Justin Stewart.


Brent and I reached a moment of collective peace with this project. The storytelling is solid. That might seem like egotism, but I was mostly thinking about Brent's ability to tell this story with his art. After three rewrites and some editorial assistance from Nunzio and Christina, after all the hours Brent put in, we can brag a bit. ASTRONAUT DAD, from beginning to end, will be a satisfying read.

It's amazing when you break from the tyranny of trying to make comics "action packed" that you can focus on creating a good narrative -- and not just a series of talking heads either, but a real story with meaningful subtext and dramatic consequences.

More than anything, I feel fortunate. For the past few years, I've been able to write comics and tell the stories I've wanted to tell with absolute freedom. Looking ahead, there's a lot of pressure to find more opportunities, to get more stuff on the shelf. I'll admit I'm completely intimidated by the process. That's why it felt so good to see these pages from Brent. (Thank you.) I took a deep breath: I can do this.

UPDATE: Brent posted the page along with his own thoughts. "It’s been an interesting journey with this book. So many people come up to me and tell me how surprised they are at how few actual segments there are involving space exploration and astronauts but still thought the book was better than they expected it to be, which to me, is a pretty nice compliment."

SOUVENIR CONTINUES

With economic situation the way it is, Paul and I were almost certain our days at D Magazine were numbered. As magazines and newspapers trim their budget, we thought our contribution of SOUVENIR OF DALLAS would be cut. We worked on the December issue and were stopped mid-production due to a lack of space. I thought we'd be pushed back to the January issue, but no such luck. It was hard to gauge what this meant. Then, last week, I met with D editors Tim Rogers and Eric Celeste. I'm happy to say we're back in the regular rotation. Even better, D Magazine is revamping the pulse section in such a way that I'm fairly confident SOUVENIR OF DALLAS will continue for quite some time. Our comic won't appear every month, but you can expect it four to fives times a year, which is perfect for me. The editors have been incredibly supportive. I just finished the script for the April issue, and I'm about to send it to Paul. I have to commend Paul for his work. Normally, I try to keep the content manageable (i.e. not too many panels, not too much dialogue, nothing too insane to draw). However, I confess with SOUVENIR I get sloppy. I create these impossible scenarios and think: "Oh well, Paul will figure out how to do this." Bad writer. Bad.

Hall of fame: -1- Big Tex fighting a large giraffe, a pegasus, and the Mayor of Dallas while a dandy in a hot air balloon observes overhead. Sheep dogs run wild. (click here) -2- Mayor of Dallas carrying several commuters to work in the middle of a traffic jam while a helicopter flies overhead. (click here) -3- New Cowboys stadium rises from the ground, a la Death Star, while the coach as Darth Vader force chokes a construction worker and Jerry Jones as the Emperor encourages him on (click here)

Unfortunately, panel 4 of the latest script may be a contender for the #1 spot. Sorry Paul.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I hope everyone has a great day.

Fanboy Radio #496 - WISH-LIST-A-THON ‘08: Part 4
I co-hosted this episode of FbR with Scott. ("Stop the hate, aliens.") I list my recommended reads for 2008, and we discuss the motion comics available on iTunes. (click here)

POPGUN VOL. 3

Image Comics listed POPGUN VOL 3 for March solicitation (click here). Daniel Warner and I have an eight page short story "50 Miles to Marfa" included in this volume. It's one of the best things I've written. I'm very proud of our contribution, and I hope you'd consider pre-ordering a copy.

edited by Mark Andrew Smith & D.J. Kirkbride
cover Tara McPherson

The Harvey Award-winning graphic mixtape returns for a third round with a new generation of cartoonists teaming up with some of the industry's most celebrated names to produce nearly five hundred pages of all-new, full color comics! Always exciting, unpredictable, and bursting at the seams with unhindered creativity, POPGUN keeps getting better and better!

MARCH 25th * 448 PAGES * FC * $29.99

Also, I'm working on a script for something in VOL 4 with art by Evan Bryce. I'll keep everyone updated.

THREE ARTISTS AND ONE AWESOME GRAPHIC NOVEL

An update on HOW TO LOSE BIG: Brock Rizy is on board to illustrate the comic-within-a-comic OH NO POGO, and Erin Riggs will illustrate the other comic-within-a-comic PRINCESSES VS. UNICORNS. Yes, that is the title. Of course, Paul Milligan is on the main story.

Two days ago, Erin sent some princess designs. So, let me clarify: Our graphic novel will include graphic violence between princesses and unicorns. I'm having too much fun.

MORE EMILY

(via Brock)


EMILY EDISON debuted two years ago, which means it's been four years since we first created the character. Last night, I got an email from Brock. We've begun discussing the details of a volume two. I'm excited, because there are some ideas we tucked into the first volume that we'll finally be able to explore. Emily is such a fun character to write. And of course, I love working with Brock. Anyone who knows him knows he's such a creative savant, it takes a lot just to keep up. More updates soon, I'm sure.

THIS MADE MY DAY.

Thanks to Dave Levinthal for mentioning our "unauthorized" D Magazine comic in the Dallas City Hall Blog.

I'm guessing David Hopkins and Paul Milligan are really fun guys to have a beer with. Anything depicting Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert attempting to sock Big Tex in the groin is at least worth mention. Dudes, you're officially invited to my Halloween party.

Dave, I would love to have a beer with you. Anytime.

JINXVILLE RETURNS

One of my favorite artists Diana Nock has re-launched her website. Diana's art is the kind I really connect with. If you haven't noticed, I love working with people who are more "cartoony" in their approach. And yet, it's great when these artists take that sensibility and push the emotive aspects. Diana does this very well. I'm convinced she can draw anything. Diana has a solid career ahead of her.

MY MANGA RE-EDUCATION

April is designing an Antihero Comics poster, which John Gonzales has offered to screen print. Thanks guys! It will be available for sale at Wizard World Texas. Expect it to look lovely.

In other good news, I have become a huge fan of Michael Shelfer, the artist for Private School (TokyoPop), Ghostbusters (TokyoPop), and Dead Already (Seven Seas).


I've always been a supporter of OEL Manga. To me, any form that takes Japanese comic art through an American perspective is interesting. There's a lot of talent and potential for growth. To leave Japan as the sole provider of manga, would be like saying only Americans are allowed to create rock'n'roll. Granted a comic book is a comic book, but the Japanese tradition is decidedly unique. As such, I've wanted to tell a story with a "manga" approach/sensibility, for lack of a better term. Thanks to Michael Shelfer that looks like a very real possibility. We're still at the early stages with everything, but expect more news on a collaborative project tentatively called FRONTIER.

In the meantime, check out some of his work on Deviant Art.

ON FANBOY RADIO #488

I helped co-host Fanboy Radio #488 last Sunday. It's available online (check it out).

The censored All-Star Batman book, new comic shout-outs, Will Smith as Captain America, Iron Man 2 news, Invincible’s animated comic, Brad Meltzer was in town, more LOST DUIs, touching TVs, Stephen King Comics, tons of callers, and, yes, Sobe tea are all tackled by Scott Hinze & David Hopkins.

Open lines can get a little weird. At one point, we suggested that comic book writers are mailing their hair to Alan Moore, so he can glue it onto his own head. I don't know where that was going. We were getting ominous messages from a bottle of SOBE Green Tea. "Mmm. Sobe. That's good stuff." Also, I'm rather proud of my burn on All-Star Batman.

THE NIGHT OF THE WHITE PANTS ON DVD

Here's some good news for fans of Dallas indie filmmaker Amy Talkington:

THE NIGHT OF THE WHITE PANTS (official website) is finally coming out on DVD, October 14, 2008. The title is available for pre-orders. Pre-order on Amazon -or- put it in your Blockbuster queue

Also, according to her website, she should start filming her next project DEEPLY SHALLOW AND REALLY FAKE in 2009. I have absolutely no qualifications, but I want to help out. Somehow. Get me on board as cast/crew/extra. I'll work for free. It'd be a cool experience.

KARMA INC T-SHIRT ANYONE?

Sketch86 has Karma Incorporated t-shirts available (click here). Tom Kurzanski designed these shirts a few years ago, and I didn't know there were any left. Small, large, and 2x-large are the only sizes remaining.


Sketch86's other comic book shirts include Daisy Kutter, Dead@17, Random Encounter, The Lost Books of Eve, and You'll Have That.

Show some indie love, buy a t-shirt.

MINE ALL MINE, FOR EVERYONE

The mini-comic I released at this year's CAPE is now online. (http://antiherocomics.com/mineallmine_1.htm)

A big thank you to the artists who made this collection of stories possible -- Samax Amen, Josh Boulet, Ryan Cody, David DeGrand, Joe Eisma, Jake Ekiss, Derrick Fish, Michael Lagocki, Jim Lujan, Paul Milligan, Wes Molebash, Chad Sell, Cal Slayton, Justin Stewart, ZeeS, and Scott Zirkel.

I'm awfully busy right now. But when things slow down a bit, I might send out a call for any artists interested in doing more MINE ALL MINE. I would post all the new content online as a weekly webcomic. Thoughts?

SOMETHING NEW AND SOUVENIR OF DALLAS

Paul Milligan and I are working on a new project. I'm excited about this one. It's currently untitled -- takes place in Lawrence Kansas and involves some small press/indie comic book creators.


Also, Paul posted pages from Souvenir of Dallas, our semi-monthly comic for D Magazine. It's available on Paul's deviant art site.

#0 - Tour of Dallas
#1 - Loath and Fearing at the Ritz-Carlton
#2 - The Next Round
#3 - Water Slides & Magic Wands
#4 - The Mighty, Mighty Hands of Mayor Tom Leppert
#5 - Stadium Death Star

Enjoy. Our next installment will be featured in D Magazine's October issue.

MARLOW

Friend and fellow writer Aaron Thomas Nelson has a comic book coming soon called MARLOW (JUL083655) published by the fine folks at Arcana.

In Aaron's own words:

Marlow is a zombie comic that’s not about zombies. Inspired by Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”, I set out to write a comic that dealt with issues like the War on Terror, Globalization, and Human Experimentation. In Marlow, the zombie is simply a trope for the loss of choice and freedom—a mutilated free will—something that should concern us all in an age where terror dominates our political and social landscape.

I read an advance copy, and MARLOW is incredible. As a writer, Aaron always presents something layered, intelligent, and thoroughly engaging. Also, the art is unlike anything I've seen in a comic before. Almost entirely done in shaded silhouettes -- it absolutely works. I can't describe it. You'll just have to see it yourself.

SETH KUSHNER MAKES US LOOK GOOD.

If you haven't seen his site yet, I'd recommend checking out Seth Kushner's photography (click here). He's working on a portrait series featuring NYC comic book creators. I can't wait to purchase the completed book. His photo of Art Spiegelman is my new desktop background image.

I WANNA BE A ROBOT, ETC

I'm back from my family reunion. (Photos will be loaded on Flickr soon.) After a year working on BOLIVAR, which has characters based off my extended family, it was a little surreal spending time with the older real life Hope, Jesse, and Linda. I had to remind myself they never actually visited the spirit world of Campeche. Yes, sometimes, reality is an issue for me.

The August issue of D Magazine is now available. Paul Milligan and I have our "Souvenir of Dallas" comic featured on page 22. It's about the Dallas Cowboys and the Death Star. Yes, you heard correct. It's the "Best Of" issue. So, did I happen to miss the "Best Of D" party? I went last year and had a great time. If so, I'm sorry I missed it.

One thing that no one should miss (note the transition) is our comic book creator gathering at Lee Harvey's this Thursday from 8 PM to 10 PM. Our event was mentioned in their weekly newsletter: "We are also proud to host Dallas area comic book writers, artists, and fans for their monthly get togethers starting next Thursday, August 7. It's absolutely informal, and everyone is invited." There. We made them proud. It would be rude not to attend.

I've donated some signed graphic novels to "I Wanna Be A Robot" at Club Dada. Some of my favorite local bands will be performing: Laura Palmer, Lovie, Happy Bullets, and The Tah-Dahs. I will certainly be there. (more info)

In other events, you need to mark your calendar for August 21st at Zubar on Greenville Avenue. The show PLAYLIST boasts "classic, old, new, true, and all real hip-hop" and will feature art by Khalid Robertson, Samax Randolph, and Michael Lagocki.

On October 23rd, I will be participating in the "Writers as Readers and Readers as Writers" panel at the North Branch Mesquite Library, hosted by The Writer's Garret. It's part of a month long look at Ray Bradbury's FAHRENHEIT 451. Or at least, I hope I'll still be participating. The organizer sent me this nice email, and then I sent this lengthy response clarifying that while I am a "comic book" writer that does not mean that I write "comic" material, i.e. humor. I haven't heard back from her. Anyways, if I didn't come across as a complete jerk, I'll be at the library on October 23rd.

What else? I'm working on re-write for the BULLETPROOF WEST synopsis. And I'm waiting to hear back from Paul Milligan about a new project, possibly.

MINE ALL MINE ONLINE

MINE ALL MINE is available for sale online at Zeus Comics. The print run of this minicomic was rather limited. Copies were given to the creators, sold at CAPE, and sent to a few select stores. You want it? Here's your chance.

If anyone else has seen it online somewhere, let me know.