Skip to main content

James Kochalka

Cleaning up this huge mess of comic books and crap in my "office"

Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on February 29, 2004 - 00:14

Basically I have this library-esque room in our house to do the bills and work on comics and websites. Unfortunately my organization methods can leave a lot to be, oh, desired is such a strong word, how about: garnered? Anyhow today I cleaned up lots but I have a couple of piles of swag and other stuff on the floor. Time to tackle the last mountain - what's in there?

Stickler and Hat-Trick review Grug and Langfield's Charlie Red Eye

February 22, 2004 - 22:00 | Stickler & Hat-Trick

Stickler and Hat-trick, in association with Comixpedia present…

Stickler and Hat-trick at the Keyboard

Some Camera Photos from SPXPo 2003

Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on February 20, 2004 - 22:32

I took several photos from last year's SPXPo and never did anything with them. I thought I'd post 'em here.

Catching Up with Catching Up with Modern Tales

Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on February 16, 2004 - 21:11

Pre-server crash I had started working on jotting down some quick thoughts on the current Modern Tales line-up. Bascially after lots of Comixpedia-related work I was looking forward to reading some webcomics again! Well post-server crash it's about time to return to the MT line-up.

Price of AmericanElf.com to go up January 1

Submitted by Joey Manley on December 20, 2003 - 14:38

The price of James Kochalka's American Elf will go up on January 1, 2004 for ModernTales.com subscribers. This price change does not affect current subscribers (or anyone who subscribes before January 1).

Before January 1, any current Modern Tales subscriber who adds American Elf to his/her subscription is able to do so for only $1/month. After January 1, any MT subscriber who chooses to add American Elf will pay full price ($1.95/month).

2003: Year in Review From the Mouth of Your Fave Webtoonists, by Kelly J Cooper

December 8, 2003 - 00:06 | Kelly J. Cooper

2003 was a pretty scary year. Whether you agree with it or not, war is a pretty terrifying thing. We lost another space shuttle, another crew, and – in a bad case of déjà vu – followed a flurry of finger-pointing in the aftermath.

Interviews in Review: Leah Fitzgerald recaps her 5 Favorite Interviews of 2003

December 8, 2003 - 00:06 | Leah Fitzgerald

The last year of Comixpedia interviews has given us a chance to get to know a number of webcomics creators a little better. Before we launch into a new year, and many more such opportunities I thought I would share my five favourite interviews from Comixpedia, Year One.

(1) James Kochalka: One of the first, and one of my favorites. You wouldn't think that someone who shares so much of themselves already could find so much to tell you.

What T Campbell is Reading

Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on November 27, 2003 - 08:02

T Campbell is editor of Graphic Smash, writer of Fans, Rip & Teri and more than a couple of Comixpedia articles, and a slave to trends. What's he reading?

"In webcomics, I'm currently working my way through the Modern Tales lineup in alphabetical order. Most of them I read all the way through, though a few of them just don't interest me at all. Just got through No Stereotypes. I also regularly read a few standbys: Sluggy Freelance, PVP, CRFH, GPF, It's Walky, Clan of the Cats, Gaming Guardians. And of course, everything on Graphic Smash.

"In printed comics, I'm sticking with Strangers in Paradise for a little while longer at least, now that Terry's finally getting around to some of the stories I wanted him to write three years ago. Mark Waid just 0wn0rs Fantastic Four. The fanboy in me craves it, along with JLA/Avengers and a lot of Brian Michael Bendis' work.

"Textwise, I just got through Chris Sherman's The Invisible Web and a book of Harlan Ellison short stories, and I'm reading a whole lotta blogs, 'cause all the cool people are writing them these days. Only half kidding: they have a perspective that I miss from my college years.

"What's next? I want to finish off Preacher (yes, I know the series wrapped years ago) and pick up Cory Doctorow's new collection... I've read a couple of his short stories and he's an author to watch. Webcomics-wise, I'll keep working my way down the alphabet with Modern Tales, then start on one of the other collectives... probably Keenspot or Girlamatic.

"Yeah, I'm serious, I really do read all this stuff. Scary, huh?"

Q&A: what makes a comic a favorite?

Submitted by kjc on November 4, 2003 - 03:50

I was thinking - being the curious and over-analyzing type - what makes a webcomic your favorite?

Look at your favorite webcomic - or your top five or your top ten - and think about which elements put it at the top of your list.

Is it good art? Good storylines? Humor? Memorable characters? In-jokes? A detailed universe that you want to explore? An approach that's fresh and intriguing? An example of a genre for which you have some strange attraction? Consistency in updates (or perhaps a failure to dissapoint)? Quotability? Shock value? Topical issue coverage? The mockery of things you like to mock as well? The exploration of stuff you enjoy (gaming, programming, talking to pets) or hate (working in a cube-farm, paying bills, living with strangers)? Other stuff I haven't thought of here?

What Bill Duncan is Reading

Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on October 16, 2003 - 01:02

Bill here, your resident image jockey for Comixpedia, and the occasional brains behind much monster mashing. I'm up early most mornings, and often in a rush, but I make time to read a few of my favorites before I hit the shower and go on about my day.

1. American Elf by James Kochalka. I'm a big fan of Kochalka's Sketchbook Diaries, and I really enjoy being able to experience it day by day. Sometimes it's brilliant and sometimes it's inane, but that's life.

2. Scary Go Round by John Allison. Bobbins was one of my first favorites, but Scary Go Round has all the bits I liked about his last strip and everything I wish I thought of first. Great stuff.

3. WIGU by Jeff Rowland. I came in late for When I Grow Up, but just in time for Jeff to reinvent himself with WIGU, which has been one of the most consistently strange and funny strips on my reading list. Who doesn't love a potato made of poison?

4. Man Man by James Duncan and Matt Shepherd. Even if I weren't related to one of the creators and good friends with the other (no bias here), I would still read Man Man every morning - particuluarly since the recent revamp. Although they have irrevocably affected the way I look at cheese and meat, they still manage to make me laugh.

5. Ornery Boy by Michael Lalonde. Though Michael only publishes one or two strips a week, I find myself looking forward to finding another update notice in my email. Ornery Boy and Dirty Girl are kind of the every-boy and every-girl of the Internet. Besides, if you subscribe you can be a "moody bastard."