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James Kochalka

Feeding Snarky by Eric Burns

April 17, 2005 - 23:00 | Eric Burns

There is a kind of dichotomy inherent in any civil rights movement. On the one hand, it's generally felt that the minority should be given every opportunity to succeed in competition with the majority. On the other hand, it only seems fair that the minority should be given compensatory advantage to level the playing field with the majority.

The Genghis

Submitted by housd on April 1, 2005 - 23:20

The creator of HOUSD Comics has created a brand new Reviews and Interviews Site, called The Genghis. The Genghis features reviews of the latest webcomics, games, films, music and books. As well as exclusive interviews with the likes of James Kochalka and Duncan Fegredo (penciller of Jay and Silent Bob Comics).

Reports from Arisia Con

Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on January 24, 2005 - 12:14

Alexander Danner writes up the panel he moderated at Arisia this past weekend. Eric Burns was also on that panel and posted his thoughts on it as well.

Kelly J. Cooper (Executive Editor of Comixpedia) also led a second panel on webcomics and when she's fully recovered from the weekend, I'm hoping she'll update this entry with her own thoughts on the Arisia convention.

Comixpedia's List of 25 People Of Webcomics for 2004

December 13, 2004 - 01:28

When we discussed the Year in Review issue it seemed like it would be a natural to write a list of people in webcomics for the year. But what to call it? Most of the time when media magazines talk about people in film, television, music or what-have-you, they can call their articles "The Power List..." or the "The It List..." because, well, those media have power and star power. Webcomics have those things, but alas, still in smaller quantities.

2004: A Year in Review

December 13, 2004 - 00:00 | Wednesday White and Kelly J. Cooper

As 2004 packs its bags and prepares to turn over the keys to the new year, we thought we would take this opportunity to look back at certain significant or just really amusing webcomics-related news stories throughout the year.

If we missed your favorite event, feel free to add your own thoughts.

Excellent Interview with James Kochalka

Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on December 7, 2004 - 11:49

The hardest working journalist in comics, Alan David Doane turns in a great interview with James Kochalka Superstar, complete with rocking pictures.

An interesting bit from the interview is Kochalka's favorable comparison of the Americanelf.com website revenues against those from his recent book. Joey Manley commented on Kochalka's statement in his blog. If I was to speculate (beyond the quality of the work itself) as to why Americanelf.com is doing well my first guess would be that Kochalka is a complete pro with regards to updating. Subscription or free, many popular webcomics build an audience with consistent, frequent updates.

Kochalka inteviewed on Comic Book Galaxy

Submitted by Erik Melander on December 7, 2004 - 10:30

Comic book galaxy has an interview with James Kochalka.

You started posting the strips online in 2002, and at the end of this year over two full years of strips will be available in color in your archive at americanelf.com. What impact did taking the strip online have?

I made it much more fun to draw. Now I have nearly instant contact with my readers, and more importantly, the readers have nearly instant contact with my work. I live my life in real time, it's important that readers can read it in as close to real time as possible. The internet is the only way to make this happen.

Also, it's made a significant financial contribution as well. If readers want access to the archives of the strip, they can subscribe to AmericanElf.com for $1.95 a month. Already I'm making more money from the website than I'm getting in royalties for the print version from Top Shelf.

Found through Joey Manley's blog (you'll have to scroll down, the permalink didn't seem to work), where he ads:

Obviously, not every series from the independent comics world is going to adapt to the web as well as James' -- I've been a part of the experiment, and I know the numbers. His online success has been significantly greater than other strips that have tried the same thing. But the fact that the success is there is important. It's another outlet for a cartoonist who has proven himself to be a savvy marketer and tireless experimenter.

November Issue Cover by Kean Soo

Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on December 2, 2004 - 14:36

As we wrap up the November issue I just want to point out again the wonderful cover by Kean Soo. Hopefully you all know all of the faces on it by now, but just in case, let's play a little game. First one to post the correct names of everyone on this month's cover and their webcomic gets braggin' rights.

Erika Moen's DAR, reviewed by Damonk

November 29, 2004 - 02:18 | Frank "Damonk" Cormier

It's easy to say things like Art is Expression. Or Art is Perception ...is Catharsis ...is Truth. (...is etc.)

But here's the not-so-easy conundrum: when you allow others to take a peek at your Art, how are they supposed to react? How are they supposed to give an opinion? More specific to this publication, how are they supposed to give a review?

Think about it – who out there is perfectly at ease saying they’re qualified to render a critical judgement on Expression, Catharsis, Perception, or Truth?

Five Years of American Elf, Reviewed by Xaviar Xerexes

November 29, 2004 - 01:35 | Xaviar Xerexes

American Elf: The Collected Sketchbook Diaries of James Kochalka compiles five years of Kochalka's journal comic into one volume. Most narrative artforms engage in at least some bit of hyper-reality, that is condensing stories to leave out the boring or nonessential parts. What can we make of a book then, that is comprised entirely of bits and pieces, and is just as likely to leave out important events as include them?