Tag Archives: Geek Culture

Helping Comics Shops During Covid-19: GIVE COMICS HOPE

GIVE COMICS HOPE

If comics collectors could consider looking over their collections and donating five items or more with a value of $100 to GIVE COMICS HOPE, the proceeds will be distributed to comic book shops around the world struggling during COVID-19. It’s as simple, and powerful, and idea as that. Of course, there are other ways to donate as well. Just visit the GIVE COMICS HOPE website right here. This is one of the best things we can be doing now regarding comics and all the hard-working comics retailers!

GIVE COMICS HOPE is a new charitable initiative founded by Bill Schanes, the teenage founder of Pacific Comics, the comic store that became a chain, a creator-owned publisher and a comic book distributor before it was bought up by Diamond Comic Distributors in the eighties. So, Bill Schanes knows the comics industry like the back of his hand–and he’s the perfect person to lead the way in supporting comic book shops. A press release follows:

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Filed under Comics, Comics News, COVID-19

Book Review: GEEK INK

“Geek Ink: The World’s Smartest Tattoos for Rebels, Nerds, Scientists, and Intellectuals”

GEEK INK is much more than just a book about tattoos or a collection of way cool tattoos. This is truly exceptional first-rate work from some of the best talent working today around the world. GEEK INK is a book that showcases tattoos artists from Inkstinct, the world’s largest online tattoo studio directory and app. GEEK INK is published by Race Point Publishing, an imprint of The Quarto Group.

New York City tattoo artist Emrah Ozhan

Here you will find exquisite work like that of Emrah Ozhan, an artist from Istanbul, based in New York City. Ozhan is a multidisciplinary artist celebrated for his tattoo work. His portfolio includes tattoo work, graphic and fashion design, music, collaborations, and fine art.

L.A. tattoo artist Lustandconsume aka Phil Tworavens

Way across to the U.S. west coast, you can find L.A. tattoo artist Lustandconsume aka Phil Tworavens. This is very trippy and very impressive work. No wonder he’s a legend of blackwork tattooing.

The book is split into two sections. The first section covers profiles of tattoo master artists while the second provides galleries of work divided into categories. Every artist here is part of Inkstinct. There are twenty-five artists featured in lengthy features which are, I kid you not, like chatting with master tattoo artists and having them share tips and secrets. I have done a lot of research on tattoos. I am a huge fan. I simply adore tattoos and embrace the community. This book will fit right in for those new to tattoos and for longtime connoisseurs.

Examples of Fantasy Tattoo Art

The second half of the book takes just as meticulous care as the previous profiles and presents tattoo artwork in sixteen categories. This includes work in the fantasy category that includes the above example: from clockwise: Maleficent-inspired tattoo by Maria Fernandez; City in The Clouds by Jessica Svartvit; and Unicorn tattoo by Rob Carvalho, inspired by My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

For me, tattoos have been on my radar for quite a long time and I’m always on the lookout for resource material. I am gradually getting inked and, who knows, I may need to actually pursue being a tattoo artist myself down the road. There are a ton of books on tattoos but GEEK INK truly stands out for its high quality presentation and genuine insight. You won’t learn how to tattoo from this book. This is the sort of book that people turn to for gems of insight and inspiration. For casual observers too, this will prove a handy all-in-one guidebook on what’s hot today in tattoos.

“Geek Ink: The World’s Smartest Tattoos for Rebels, Nerds, Scientists, and Intellectuals” is a 224-page hardcover in full color and is available now. For more details, visit The Quarto Group.

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Filed under Art, Art books, Geek Culture, Geeks, Hipsters, pop culture, Tattoos, The Quarto Group

Comics Grinder Comics Top Twelve Lists for 2014

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My parting thoughts for 2014: I always end up warming up to these end-of-year lists. This is based upon the batch of work that got reviewed here at Comics Grinder this year, what ranks as notable for one reason or another, with links included. I look forward to keeping to a quirky and offbeat path and see where it leads us this time next year.

I have separated things out into three main categories: Graphic Novels, Comic Books, and Small Press/Indie. I hope you will find this list useful as you look back on the year and consider what lies in store for us in 2015.

Weapons of Mass Diplomacy

Weapons of Mass Diplomacy

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Bohemians: A Graphic History “Inspiring.”

World War 3 Illustrated 1979-2014 “Enlightening.”

Weapons of Mass Diplomacy “A most relevant book.”

Truth Is Fragmentary “A persistent vision. Masterful depictions of the everyday with sly humor.”

Andre the Giant “Brown builds a case for a subject worthy of exploration. Andre the Giant proves to be a true hero.”

The Hospital Suite “Honest depictions of struggle told with simplicity and clarity.”

Megahex “Pure Genius.”

The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil “Sweet and fanciful with a nice satirical bite.”

The Wrenchies “A new generation’s ‘Quadrophenia’ with generous helpings of ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.’”

In Real Life “One of the most intriguing graphic novels of the year.”

Your Illustrated Guide To Becoming One With The Universe “Tranquil sincerity.”

The Collector “A masterwork by Sergio Toppi.”

The Wicked + The Divine

The Wicked + The Divine

COMIC BOOKS

Gotham Academy “Delivers the goods.”

The Witcher “Nicely paced chills.”

The Fade Out “Poetic and provocative noir.”

Lumberjanes “Compositions that slice right through the page.”

The Multiversity “From high concept to gut level action.”

Nightworld “Brainy, bawdy, and full of good laughs.”

Sirens “Playful, ferocious, and just plain fun.”

Loki: Ragnarok and Roll “A rock ‘n’ roll theme that gets it right.”

Dark Engine “Highly imaginative. All-out beautiful.”

The Wicked + The Divine “Gorgeous and audacious.”

Thomas Alsop “Great supernatural theme and premise.”

The Empty Man “One really good scare.”

Drag Bandits

Drag Bandits

SMALL PRESS/INDIE

Cats In Service “Quite an amusing and spooky tale.”

How I Made The World #1 “Very personal, conversational style.”

Towerkind “A true page-turner.”

Amelia: A Monsters & Girls Book “A funhouse of offbeat terror and mystery.”

Welcome to Nursing HELLo “Confronts reality head-on with quick smarts and with a heart.”

Drag Bandits #1 “This is like a truly fancy dessert or souffle, delicate yet full of life.”

Debbie’s Inferno “Great deadpan and droll humor.”

Facility Integrity “A wonderfully droll style.”

Trepanation “Both hilarious and informative.”

Study Group Magazine #3D “Fun and informative and so much more.”

Gonzo Cosmic #1 “Superhero comics grounded in a more plausible sensibility.”

Saltire “Welcome to Scotland’s first superhero, Saltire!”

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Filed under Comics, Comics Grinder Best List, Graphic Novel Reviews, graphic novels, Lists

Henry Chamberlain’s Campaign To Support A Comics Reviewer and Creator

From Henry Chamberlain's "Ballard Comics"

From Henry Chamberlain’s “Ballard Comics”

I am heading out to Comic-Con International in San Diego this year and this is the year that we take things to a new level. With your support, we can do some exciting new things here at Comics Grinder and beyond. You can check out the new campaign, “Support A Comics Reviewer and Creator,” over at GoFundMe right here.

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Filed under Comic-Con, Comic-Con International, Comic-Con International: San Diego, Comics, Comics Grinder, Comics Journalism, Crowdfunding, Geek Culture, Geeks, George Clayton Johnson, GoFundMe, Henry Chamberlain, Interviews, Jim Woodring, Mark Z. Danielewski, Media, Nerd Culture, Nerds, San Diego Comic-Con

WHERE HAVE ALL THE HEROES GONE? Gloria Swanson and a Talk About How We Got Here From There

Gloria Swanson photograph by Edward Steichen, 1924

Gloria Swanson photograph by Edward Steichen, 1924

“Where have all the heroes gone?” asked Sherman. He asked this plainly and earnestly, without even a hint of irony. He looked to be about 16-years-old and not remarkable at first glance, just a kid. He wore a cardigan sweater, had messy hair, a well-worn t-shirt, jeans, and Converse high tops. Maybe a geek but not a proud geek.

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Filed under Commentary, Creative Living, Culture, Essays, Facebook, Henry Chamberlain, Heroes, Hollywood, Internet, Media, movies, Silent Movies, Social Media, Superheroes, writing