From my graphic novel, ALICE IN NEW YORK:
I am referring to none other than, New York City!
ALICE IN NEW YORK comes to you nicely bundled up with other stories in my current Kickstarter venture, A NIGHT AT THE SORRENTO AND OTHER STORIES, which you can view HERE.
Sadly, time is running out. This campaign ends May 6. Act fast! Don’t kick yourself later! Support my Kickstarter campaign NOW! Thank you!
Filed under Alice in New York, Art, Comics, graphic novels, Kickstarter, New York City
There’s a new video introducing the Kickstarter campaign for A NIGHT AT THE SORRENTO AND OTHER STORIES and you will definitely want to see it. The video takes place at Comics Dungeon, the leading comics shop in Seattle and beyond. The campaign ends May 6 and your support is greatly appreciated. Visit the campaign here.
Oh, yes, we are at the final days of the campaign for the graphic novel, A NIGHT AT THE SORRENTO AND OTHER STORIES. This is a book with quirky and offbeat stories that follow various characters on journeys of self-discovery. Think of the original television series, “The Twilight Zone,” and that’s the sort of spirit and quality to this work.
We’re coming up on Free Comic Day this Saturday, May 4, and that kind of energy will be most helpful in the final push of the campaign. A NIGHT AT THE SORRENTO will be promoted at Comics Dungeon, the leading comics shop in Seattle, and that’s very appreciated.
JFK SECRET OPS: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL by Craig Frank
JFK survived the assassination and is out for revenge. That is the premise of Craig Frank’s humorous and thrilling work, JFK SECRET OPS: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL. It is currently the subject of a fundraising campaign that runs through May 25. You can visit the campaign HERE.
As you’ll see in this video interview, Craig is a down-to-earth guy. He’s very gracious and thoughtful. His idea for this book first took root after a visit to Dealy Plaza and visiting The Sixth Floor Museum. He is a seasoned animator and painter. He has always loved the comics medium and the limitless possibilities of the graphic novel. He comes to this project with the skill and the storytelling sense required for the job.
As a fellow participant in Kickstarter (I have my own campaign here), I fully appreciate where Craig is now. The timing is just right for his book in more ways than one. It’s the perfect time for him to be taking on such a project. And, it just so happens that we’re observing the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy’s assassination this year. 50 years later and that event still has the power to haunt, confuse, and strangely fascinate.
The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced how appropriate this seemingly “inappropriate” graphic novel really is. It didn’t fully occur to me until after the interview that we can’t lose sight of the fact that John Fitzgerald Kennedy was only human, right or wrong, and the man could be egregiously, horribly, wrong with his treatment of women. What happens is we get caught up in the myth, fostered by powerful interests, run by the Kennedy family, the Democratic party, and, perhaps, the whole damn system that we can only imagine in all its machinations.
There is, of course, the fact of his tragic death that seems to wipe the slate clean for eternity but maybe not exactly. And the fact, and this is even as tragic, is all that was genuinely good about the man. It’s complicated for sure. Give an inch and admit the shortcomings of one leader and look at his lesser rivals swarm to exploit it. All that said, hell yeah, bring the icon down to earth. This graphic novel is a good and healthy thing.
Enjoy the video interview!
Support JFK SECRET OPS: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL at Kickstarter right here.
Filed under animation, Comics, graphic novels, Humor, JFK, Kennedy Assassination, Kickstarter, Marilyn Monroe, politics, pop culture, Satire, Thriller
I begin here with a video of Amanda Palmer giving a talk on the art of “asking.” It’s not begging but that’s the misunderstanding. That said, Amanda Palmer is a good point of departure as I enter the last stages of my own Kickstarter campaign. One by one, individuals chose to help her get to where she wanted to be. More power to her and her group, The Dresden Dolls! In that empowering spirit, I humbly submit to you the Top Ten Reasons why you would want to consider my comics project at Kickstarter, A NIGHT AT THE SORRENTO AND OTHER STORIES, going on now thru May 6. You can view it HERE.
EDITOR’S NOTE: After compiling this fun list, I started thinking of more reasons. One of the most compelling, to be sure, is a new reward I just added. At the $15 Reward level, you have an opportunity to be interviewed by me in complete Comics Grinder fashion. That means an in-depth and upbeat interview complete with your portrait rendered by yours truly, if you like. Maybe you have a band, or book, or film you’d like to promote. Whatever it is, Comics Grinder has got you covered. Check out my Kickstarter campaign for more details here.
10. I don’t need to succeed but it sure would be great. To see this collection of comics get a nice print edition will make a really big difference and help secure a wider audience.
9. You get something special for your support. This is a collection of short stories plus it includes a full length graphic novel.
8. Consider this a life’s work, phase one. The graphic novel component to this book, ALICE IN NEW YORK, is a significant work in itself, a daringly offbeat coming-of-age tale.
7. The zero to hero angle. There’s something to be said for the “zero to hero” myth. Of course, we’re all heroes, and no one is a zero. Getting this book into print and into the spotlight does count for quite a lot.
6. I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t think it mattered. Absolutely true. This is all heart-felt and thoughtfully created work. You get a lot of good stuff all in one 200-page book.
5. 24-Hour Comics. For fans of the 24-Hour Comic model, all the short works, including the title story, originated with 24-Hour Comics Day challenges. I did not create these completely during these events. Instead, I chose to refine the works over time. Makes for the best results, I believe.
4. The Offbeat and Quirky. If you’re a fan of the original televison series, “The Twilight Zone,” then this book has got you covered. That’s one way of looking at it. This is not your usual boy meets girl stuff.
3. Gen X Autobio. The autobiographical story in alternative comics made great strides with the Gen Xers. It’s just the way it played out. You can look to great leaders of the movement, from Julie Doucet to Charles Burns. The stage was set and the talent came running. I humbly include myself within that world view: authenticity at any price, baby!
2. Steampunk. Now, this term gets thrown around a lot. Part of the appeal for me is going back in time. I love the sensibilty of the Victorian era, as well as the latter Dieselpunk era, and tweaking it in various ways. This appeals to history buffs, fans of fashion and style, and fans of science fiction. You’ll find a healthy dose of steampunk in this work, partly in the graphic novel and especially in the title story. I am bringing in aspects of Seattle history that have yet to be explored by other cartoonists.
1. If Not Now, Then When? The time is now. I’m not afraid to ask. This is me standing before you naked, unfraid of what you might think, and confident in my pursuit.
I look forward to your support in any way you can. It would be something to get as many pledges as possible. Enough micro-pledges would do it. There are various ways to crunch those numbers. Believe me, I’ve been crunching them.
Support A NIGHT AT THE SORRENTO AND OTHER STORIES right here.
Thank you.
Filed under Alice in New York, Comics, graphic novels, Henry Chamberlain, Kickstarter
There are crowdfunding gurus analyzing the phenomenal success of the Veronica Mars Kickstarter campaign and concluding that it’s okay if you’re a big fish going after the same dollars all the little fish are going after. I don’t see a problem with it. It’s all relative. Zach Braff is considered a big fish by you and me but maybe not so big compared to Hollywood wheeler dealers. In the end, people are going to back whatever they find compelling. If Zach Braff wants to jump in and be the next Veronic Mars success story then so be it. That’s exactly what he’s doing in his Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for his next movie, “Wish I Was Here.”
You should check it out just to marvel over the tote board. I swear, as you settle down in your seat, suddenly Zach just got a couple more backers. As you scratch your nose, three more backers. As your jaw goes a bit slack, five more backers.
What’s the lesson for those of us who are conducting our own Kickstarter campaigns? I think it’s something like: Embrace your pathetic little life and dream big! You too can be Veronic Mars if Zach Braff doesn’t take all the money first! No, wait, that’s not it. No, it’s something like: Veronic Mars for Everyone! There’s room for all creative spirits in the big Kickstarter melting pot! Yeah, something like that.
Well, I invited Zach Braff to do an interview with me. I know, it’s just a big obvious ploy to try to win over some of his fans to my own cause, right? Well, yes and no. Actually, I’ll side more with a really big No! I like Zach Braff and I was a fan of “Garden State.” So, it’s all good. Who isn’t a fan of Zach Braff? He’s a likable guy. I’m a likable guy too. So, it just makes sense to have two likable guys sit down and chat for a bit over a friendly interview. Noting wrong with that.
Yes, you guessed it, as my Kickstarter campaign gets closer to its last stage (it ends May 6), I’m pulling out all the stops: absurd humor and very blatant comparisons to Zach Braff. There’s no end to it. One big difference, however, is that his project is a movie and mine is a book of comics, A NIGHT AT THE SORRENTO AND OTHER STORIES. In fact, if you love Zach Braff and his sense of humor, well, there’s a really good chance you’ll enjoy my book!
Catch Zach Braff over at Kickstarter here. And catch my Kickstarter campaign over here.
Filed under Comics, Crowdfunding, Kickstarter, Zach Braff
Record Store Day is April 20. How are you celebrating? Maybe you need to include some of this…
PRETENTIOUS RECORD STORE GUY is a comic by Carlos Gabriel Ruiz about, Guy Valentine, a cool young guy who, at 30, is wondering if there’s more to life than just being cool. A collection of this comics series is currently the subject of a fundraising campaign at Kickstarter, that ends on April 27, and you can visit right HERE.
It hits Guy Valentine hard that he needs to get his act together. His life has always been about music and being cool. As a record store clerk, he’s hip to the latest music before everyone else, he gets in free to shows, and he gets to pose and preen before all those who can only wish to be him. But there’s got to be more to life, right?
In this interview, Carlos shares with us what led to the creation of his character and his story. This began as a series in a local paper, moved on to become a comic book series, and is now ready to be collected into a book. Along the way, PRETENTIOUS RECORD STORE GUY has taken on a life of its own as its character seeks the meaning of life.
Click below for the interview:
Visit the Kickstarter campaign for PRETENTIOUS RECORD STORE GUY here. And you can also visit the PRETENTIOUS RECORD STORE GUY website here.
Filed under Comics, Kickstarter, Music, pop culture, Record Store Day
THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF VICTORIA CLARKE is a high flying adventure where Steampunk, and its sister subculture, Dieselpunk, coexist beautifully. This story is set in 1920s Hollywood, beyond the Victorian perimeters of steampunk, but also is connected to it. Victoria Clarke’s family is solidly founded to Victorian London so the steampunk connection is deeply rooted.
THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF VICTORIA CLARKE is on its way to becoming an ongoing series of 10-15 minute webisodes. There is the potential for it to expand to include a graphic novel, a video game, and ultimately a feature film. A Kickstarter campaign is preparing to launch and we look forward to it.
We here at Comics Grinder have always embraced steampunk going back to our support of such artists as Molly Crabapple. Our own current Kickstarter campaign, A NIGHT AT THE SORRENTO AND OTHER STORIES, is very invested in steampunk with a loving regard to a bygone era in Seattle. You can view that campaign right here.
Vist our friends at The Amazing Adventures of Victoria Clarke website here.
Filed under Kickstarter, Steampunk, Webisodes
“Binah,” in Jewish tradition, refers to wisdom and is the uppermost feminine element in the Godhead.
“Binah” is also the title of a graphic novel and a Kickstarter success story. It has reached one goal and is still going strong. Support the campaign here.
And “Binah,” the graphic novel, is one of the great things that can happen when superhero sensibilities mix with alternative comics. Some have called this type of mashup, “fusion comics.” Call it what you will, writer Ben Malkin and illustrator Ian Densford, have created something special.
This is the story of a woman, Binah, who is tired of all the nuclear posturing in her country and neighboring countires. It is only a matter of time before there is a conflict. One day, Binah, receives what she believes to be a sign from God. This triggers her to lead a movement to relocate her home and holy land before it’s too late. Incidentally, Binah has superpowers as do her inner team.
This Kickstarter project has successfully reached its initial funding goal and is currently pursuing stretcher goals to refine the project. You can find it all under, the Kickstarter campaign, “The ‘Binah’ Comics & Solilians 7-Inch Vinyl” which you can view here.
As an accompaniment to the comic, there is a 7″ vinyl that is part of the Kickstarter rewards system. Solilians is a showcase of space rock bands that you can find out more about here.
I got a chance to have an interview with both Ben and Ian and we discussed their current project, plans for the future, and a variety of thoughts on comics. Ben has some definite favorites which include Alan Moore, Harvey Pekar, and Brian Michael Bendis. Ian’s favorites include Mike Mignola and Cyril Pedrosa.
Listen to the full podcast interview here:
You can keep up with “Binah” and Ben Malkin and Ian Densford at www.goodbyebetter.com. Also check out “Binah” here. And for more on what Ian Densford is up to with his art and illustrations, go here.
Filed under Alternative Comics, Comics, Fusion Comics, Interviews, Kickstarter, Music, Superheroes
The Kickstarter campaign has begun!
A NIGHT AT THE SORRENTO AND OTHER STORIES is a 200-page graphic novel that seeks funds for a print run. It brings together a variety of offbeat and urbane stories for the sophisticated reader. You’ve got everything from a man running for his life from a bear spirit to a quarrelsome couple with supernatural powers to a dog with an acerbic wit who has been launched into outer space. Plus so much more. View the campaign here. Thank you.
And for a more in depth look at the whole process of putting this book together, you can take a look here.
KICKSTARTER: A NIGHT AT THE SORRENTO at 30 Percent Support
A NIGHT AT THE SORRENTO AND OTHER STORIES is a quirky batch of comics that is steadily gaining ground as the subject of a fundraising campaign at Kickstarter. It launched on April 3 and has reached the 30 percent mark in pledges. The campaign runs through May 6. You can view it HERE.
Now, here’s the thing about this one, it has a raw honesty to it that it shares with other Generation X artists. That’s where this artist, Henry Chamberlain, dates back to. That sort of blunt honesty has been refined over the years although an outsider’s view still remains. Think of Charles Burns, for example: acerbic, alienated, yet very heartfelt and authentic. You can find that in this collection of comics. That’s important to bring out here because this book includes the graphic novel, ALICE IN NEW YORK, which is an older work and very much aligned to that spirit. The other part of the book collects recent work, done in the last three years, that originated with 24-Hour Comics challenges. Altogether, you get one artist’s vision over a span of many years.
So, let’s focus in with a few more words about the graphic novel, “Alice in New York” that is part of this collection. What makes it share a Gen X sensibility has to do with the main character’s feeling of being at a loss. For many of a creative and intellectual bent, it just felt like we were in for a long stretch of lowered expectations. Sure, that’s pretty shortsighted. But, growing up in the ’80s, with Reagan and Thatcher running the show, with the Baby Boomers having hogged the spotlight for so long, with a perpetual rehash of pop culture, it didn’t look so good. Of course, we all knew things would change one way or another but it fostered a healthy sense of cynicism and self-deprecation.
You have the main character, Henry, a young man on his first visit to New York City still holding on to dreams of previous generations, from the myth of the Great American Novel to the lure of fifteen minutes of fame. Is it any wonder the boy is a wreck? But, he stumbles upon just the right circumstances and meets the right people to help him out. Is he too lucky? Well, sometimes you make the most of what you get, create your own luck. Add to that a little magic from Alice in Wonderland, and you have a story that transcends any generation which is what you want to do in the end!
Generation X’s way of life is not for everyone. You basically had to be there. Just saying that is so Gen X. If you’re looking for something to read that is a voice of a generation, while stubbornly refusing to be labeled, and ending up being so much more, then check out this work at Kickstarter HERE.
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Filed under Art, Books, Comics, Comix, Culture, Generation X, Kickstarter, New York City, pop culture
Tagged as 24 Hour Comics Day, andy warhol, Art, Books, comics, Entertainment, Generation X, Great American Novel, Kickstarter, New York City, Pop Culture, Social Commentary