Chris Onstad
I Don't Like Mondays
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on October 15, 2007 - 09:17
AWARDSÂ
- In a bit of a surprise (to me at least) Papercutter #6 edited by Alec Longstreth won Outstanding Debut in the Ignatz Awards (A surprise not because Longstreth's book didn't deserve to win but because very famous cartoonist Bill Griffith had a book nominated in this category: Zippy: Walk a Mile in My Mu-Mu). Chris Onstad won the Outstanding Online Comic for Achewood. The full list of awards are available here in simple text form, all on one page (please someone at the WCCAs use this format for releasing your list of winners next time).
INTERVIEWS
TECHNOLOGY
- Joey Manley has a big post on questions and comments on tailoring stats for webcomic creators in the next generation of his hosting service WebcomicsNation. I still need to read it a bit more carefully but if you're interested in stats or WCN you should probably give it a look.
JUSTIFY MY HYPE
- Johanna Draper Carlson plugs Little White Mouse and flags that creator Paul Sizer is now posting it online with updates every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 BLOGS
- A NYTimes article compares the "suffering" of Charles M. Schulz to the great artists of history. A lot of this coverage is coming on the heels of the new biography Schulz and Peanuts by David Michaelis. (The family of Schulz seems to hate the biography but I saw Alan Gardener's link to a favorable review from Calvin & Hobbes creator Bill Watterson.)
- I'm sure everyone has already seen this from Homestar Runner, but I just never got around to posting it. Check out Strongbad's take on starting a webcomic... DON'T!
- Jon "Goats" Rosenberg's "Republicans For Voldemart" bumper sticker gets a mention in this NYTimes article.
Great Ape receives Ignatz Award for Best Online Comic
Submitted by Joe Zabel on October 14, 2007 - 19:16
This was by far the most memorable moment of the 2007 SPX -- Nicholas Gurewitch presenting the Ignatz award to (presumably) Chris Onstad for Achewood. After Nick announced the award, a character in an ape costume came to the front of the auditorium and pantomimed while Nick translated. The simean conveyed through Nick that he was thrilled from the top of his buttocks to be receiving the award.
C'mon On Feel The Friday!
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on October 5, 2007 - 00:19
Ahoy! Weekend in sight... Today's the last day to enter our Blade DVD giveaway. Easy to enter - and (depending on how many people show up today...) could be easy to win...
HEADLINES
- I haven't had a chance to check out the webcomic line-up at Comic Mix but Joey Manley had some interesting thoughts about the "reading interface" the site uses. (Manley also notes that he's working on another generation of WCN)
CONVENTIONS
- Fleen has a good post up on who's coming to next weekend's SPX convention in Bethesda, MD. SPX is also the home of the Ignatz Award and this year the nominees for Outstanding Online Comic are Joe Sayers, Chris Onstad, Nick Bertozzi, Kris Dressen and David Malki! My current plan is to hang out at SPX on Friday (but most likely I won't be there on Saturday).
ENCYCLOPEDIA WEBCOMICA
- The new Comixpedia looks to be rolling along - they have a new logo designed by the talented Chris Moujaes. They're looking for additional folks to be admins on the site as well.
JUSTIFY MY HYPE
- Awesome soccer-related reference in today's Jesus and Mo.
- Anne Thalheimer likes The Secret Knots by Chile-based creator Juan Santapau. Thalheimer says "It’ll evoke connections to A Softer World, as it should, plus it may get you thinking about Neil Gaiman’s Sandman series."
SEPTEMBER FEATURE ARTICLES, OCTOBER COVER ART AND TODAY'S NEWS
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on October 1, 2007 - 08:49
Welcome to October! A big thanks to Spike, creator of Templar, Arizona, for creating this month's cover art. This past weekend we posted the rest of the September issue: interviews with Gisele Lagace and Shayna Marchese; a feature by Grant Thomas examining the integration of text and images with an interesting look at different ways to use speech bubbles; and Michael Payne looks at some great print comics that have moved to embrace the web. More interesting articles are on their way in October...
And in other news...
HEADLINES
- Jerzy Drozd (Make Like A Tree Comics) announced the launch of a new anthology series: Sugary Serials -- inspired by the kinds of stories found in Saturday morning cartoons, and created by some of the finest artists of the webcomics and print comics industries. A few of the many creators signed on to create stories include: Kitsy and KimonoStereo, Nemu*Nemu; Scott Neely, Scooby Doo; Robert Burke Richardson, Elf Help; Richard Stevens, Private Eye Butterfly; and Sara Turner, File 49. Read Jerzy's full blog post for all the details.
MILESTONES
- Tim Demeter's Reckless Life is over! The End. Finale! Wow - congrats to Tim for finishing the whole story and crafting a great webcomic.
- The Devil's Panties reaches 2000 episodes. Congrats to Jennie Breeden.
- Congrats to Corey Marie who announced she's expecting her first child next March.
- The opinionated webcomic Cox & Forkum has called it quits. In this case it appears the writer has decided he can't spend the time needed on it anymore because of his day job and family life. (Daryl Cagle has an interview with them here. ComixTalk reviewed them way back in 2003.)
JUSTIFY MY HYPE
- A recent Big Fat Whale from Brian McFadden on why protesting maybe doesn't always work so well at getting results...
EVENTS
- If you're in Chicago tonight, Tim Broderick flags a special event you should know about.
- Check out the upcoming Sinister Bedfellows exhibit in Carrboro, NC, USA.
TECHNOLOGY
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 BLOGS
- Andrew Farrago has an interview with Jason Thompson, the author of Manga: The Complete Guide. Thompson read and reviewed every English-language manga ever released in preparation for his new book. (h/t Dirk Deppey)
- At The Telegraph, Robert Colvile writes up webcomics with comments from Chris Onstad, Gary Tyrrell and others. (h/t Dirk Deppey)
The Oregonian interviews Onstad, blogs 'Achewood' free-tattoo promo
Submitted by CulturePulp on September 25, 2007 - 00:50
The Oregonian's AENow blog just published an interview with "Achewood" artist Chris Onstad about the free "Achewood" tattoo promotion going on in Portland:
"Ximena's a fan of the strip, and she had the clever idea to drum up business with this promotion," says "Achewood" creator Chris Onstad via e-mail. "From what I understand, it's a repeat-driven business. She sends me new photos every other day or so. We haven't got a red rotary telephone or anything, but it's keeping her busy. We have a high number of readers in Portland due to the large amounts of drugs that are constantly being consumed there."
Much more at the link -- including an explanation of "Achewood" for the newbies and a drop-in (with photos) at a evening tattoo session with a fellow who wanted Roast Beef inked on his shoulder blade.
A tattoo artist obsesses about "Achewood" (The Oregonian, Sept. 24, 2007)
Ignatz Nominees Out
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on September 14, 2007 - 09:09
Tom Spurgeon has the full list of nominees for this year's Ignatz Awards. The nominees for Outstanding Online Comic are Achewood by Chris Onstad; Grace by Kris Dresen; Persimmon Cup by Nick Bertozzi; Thingpart by Joe Sayers; and Wondermark by David Malki.
Achewood Great Outdoor Fight Graphic Novel?
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on August 8, 2007 - 11:11
In this A.V. Club interview with Achewood creator Chris Onstad, there is mention of expanding on and putting into book form the very popular "Great Outdoor Fight" storyline. Onstad says:
Since then, I've got all this content I'm talking about with kind of a major publisher. You know the "Great Outdoor Fight" story arc? I'm putting together… not quite a graphic novel, but I'm laying it all out as a linear story and adding new content and a ton of writing and background on what The Great Outdoor Fight is, and I'm hoping to publish that as some sort of perfect-bound, color-cover, proper edition. I'm just finishing the writing up for that. I think that will go over really well. Critically, I think, that was our finest hour. It really had a good response from people, which surprised me, because it was the first time I've really asked the audience to have patience, because they weren't one-offs every day or gag strips every day. It was a three-month narrative that really paid off, and I was really pleased, because I was afraid to do it at first.
This would be an exceptionally cool book - I hope it comes together.
Updates On Entries in the Ill-Fated Webcomic Directory Project?
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on July 24, 2007 - 14:31
I built a "library" of webcomics and creators back in the fall of 2005 which I put into beta before realizing it was too much editorial work to deal with and the same information could be better provided through the community edited webcomic wiki - COMIXPEDIA.
Nevertheless looking back on the assortment of names collected (some from me, some sent in from you) I wonder if anyone has any significant updates on these creators 18 months later. Maybe we should interview some of them?
- Blank Label Comics
- Dumbrella
- Girlamatic
- Abby Lark
- Adrian Ramos
- Alexander Danner
- Amber glych Greenlee
- Barb Fischer
- Ben Bittner
- Bernie Hou
- Bill Holbrook
- Bob Roberds
- Boxjam
- Brad Guigar
- Brad Hawkins
- Brandon Carr
- Bryant Paul Johnson
- Cayetano Garza
- Chris Impink
- Chris Onstad
- Chris Shadoian
- Christopher Baldwin
- Chuck Rowles
- Clay Yount
- D.C. Simpson
- D.J. Coffman
- Dale Beran
- Dave Kellett
- Dave Kelly
- David Hellman
- David Rees
- David Willis
- Debbie Ridpath Ohi
- Derek Kirk Kim
- Desmond Seah
- Dorothy Gambrell
- Dylan Meconis
- Emily Horne
- Eric Burns
- Eric Millikin
- Erika Moen
- Fred Gallagher
- Gary Chaloner
- Gene Yang
- George Panella
- Gordon McAlpin
- Greg Carter
- Greg Dean
- Greg Stephens
- Howard Tayler
- Indigo Kelleigh
- James Duncan
- James Kochalka
- Jamie Robertson
- Jason Shiga
- Jeff Darlington
- Jeffrey Rowland
- Jen Wang
- Jenn Manley Lee
- Jennie Breeden
- Jeph Jacques
- Jerry Holkins
- Jerzy Drozd
- Jim Zubkavich
- Joe Dunn
- Joe Zabel
- Joey Comeau
- John Allison
- John Barber
- Jon Morris
- Jon Rosenberg
- Jorge Cham
- Josh Lesnick
- Josh Mirman
- Julia Wertz
- Justine Shaw
- Kazu Kibuishi
- Kris Straub
- Krishna Sadasivam
- Lea Hernandez
- Lee Adam Herold
- Lisa Jonté
- Lou Graziani
- Mark Mekkes
- Meredith Gran
- Michael Jantze
- Michael Lalonde
- Michael McKay-Fleming
- Mike Krahulik
- Mitch Clem
- Mohammad F. Haque
- Monique MacNaughton
- Nate Piekos
- Neil Babra
- Nicholas Gurewitch
- Onezumi Hartstein
- Patrick Farley
- Paul Southworth
- Paul Taylor
- Pete Abrams
- Peter Bagge
- Phil Cho
- Phil Foglio
- Phil Kahn
- R.K. Milholland
- Rich Stevens
- Rob Balder
- Roger Langridge
- Roy Boney
- Ryan Estrada
- Ryan North
- Sam Brown
- Sam Logan
- Sara Turner
- Sarah Ellerton
- Scott Christian Sava
- Scott Kurtz
- Scott McCloud
- Scott Ramsoomair
- Scott Story
- Shaenon K. Garrity
- Shannon Wheeler
- Steve Harrison
- Steve Troop
- Steven L. Cloud
- Svetlana Chmakova
- T Campbell
- Ted Rall
- Thomas K. Dye
- Tim Broderick
- Tim Demeter
- Tom Brazelton
- Tom Truszkowski
- Tracy White
- Tyler Page
- Vera Brosgol
- Wes Molebash
- Zach Miller
- Zach Weiner
- American Elf
- Chopping Block
- Goats
- Wapsi Square
- Yirmumah
News & Views for Thursday, April 26, 2007
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on April 26, 2007 - 12:18
HEADLINES
- Scott McCloud's brilliant The Right Number is now free (previously it was available for purchase through Bitpass). Go read, enjoy and then email Scott to encourage him to finish it.
- I haven't seen more updates on the cease&desist style letters from Todd Goldman's attorneys that FLEEN reported on recently, but it does seem clear that the immediate effect has been to revive the Todd Goldman Copied Dave Kelly's Artwork story and spread news of it well beyond the world of (web)comics. UPDATE: Cartoon Brew has an up-to-the-minute, snark-filled update on Todd Goldman.
INTERVIEWS
- The Pulse interviews Josh Newfeld, creator of the new strip A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge. (link via Dirk Deppey)
REVIEWS
- Joey Manley offers up a review of Flipside.
- The Ferret reviews Bobby Crosby's +EV. (Comixpedia reviewed +EV last fall.)
- 4 Color Rebellion spotlights Questionable Content, "the Friends of the Internet".
- UTNE Reader offers up a short review of Chris Onstad's The Achewood Cookbook: Recipes for a Lady or a Man.
MILESTONES
SYNDICATION
CONVENTIONS
- The Ferrett has a funny write-up of the recent Penguincon convention. Please feel free to add any and all conventions to our EVENTS CALENDAR.
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 BLOGS
- Tym Godek shows how to be a webcomic creator in 4 easy steps. (part of Godek's awesome daily sketchblog)
- The Kea's Nest catches up with Bill Mudron's never-finished Anne Frank Conquers The Moon Nazis. (Shaenon Garrity reviewed it for Comixpedia way back in March 2003)
- Kris Straub notes one of his Starslip Crisis characters, Vanderbeam, making a cameo in Slither & Friends.
- FLEEN's Anne Thalheimer has a short post on how social networking leads to finding new comics.
NOT COMICS
- A nice interview with the creator and one of the stars of the teevee show Heroes. (Still haven't watched this though - should I?)
- 4 Color Rebellion reviews the latest episodes of the videogame Sam & Max. The comic version of Sam & Max was recently nominated for an Eisner. (4CR also has an interview with Telltale Games, the publisher of the S&M games.)
Digital Strips Livecast - Tonight!
Submitted by PhilKahn on March 14, 2007 - 12:13
We'll be doing our second livecast tonight (March 14th) at 9:30PM Eastern. In this episode, we will discuss the merits (or possible demerits) of Chris Onstad's Achewood.
