Copper
Comix Talk for Friday, February 12, 2010
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on February 12, 2010 - 11:41
We're finally digging out of the snow here in Washington DC -- apparently the volume of frosted flakes falling felled a record. Anyhow - wanted to let everyone know that new user registrations are back online at Comix Talk. You don't need to register with Comix Talk to comment on anything BUT registering gives you the ability to have a user blog and post to Comix Talk news and hype if you so desire. New registrations are not automatically approved, however, so it may take up to a day for me to check them.
All Ages: El Santo had an interesting overview of what makes comics good for kids. A good source for what's new with all ages comics is the Good Comics for Kids blog. I've certainly had more interest in these comics again as my kids have gotten into comics.
No Good Deed Goes Unpublished: Coyote Trax has an article about webcomic creators involvement in charity and other good deeds. El Santo had a recent post about the comic Snowflakes participation in Heart Health Month.
INTERVIEWS
- An interview with Julia Wertz, creator of the webcomic Fart Party and the editor of the I Saw You anthology. Wertz constantly makes a point of saying I'm not a webcomic person (she said something similar at the SPX panel she was on last year) and I've never quite figured out what's going on that motivates her to feel the need to throw down that marker.
- An interview with Faith Erin Hicks, who is still working on her next graphic novel, Friends with Boys.
- Comic Alliance has an interview with Anthony Clark of the comic Nedroid. Clark is also the current colorist for the Dr. McNinja comic.
- An interview with Kazu Kibuishi on his book Copper and work on the next installment in his graphic novel series, Amulet.
- UPDATE: An interview with Raina Telgemeier on her new graphic novel Smile. (h/t Journalista!)
Comix Talk for Monday, February 8, 2010
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on February 8, 2010 - 02:01
Welcome to the new site design at ComixTalk. We're on a new server so let me know if it feels a bit zippier (it seems to be faster all around to me). Happy to hear about broken stuff -- I'm not done with tweaking things (never done!) and I can add it to the list. One thing I can warn you about is that a lot of the older URLs are still broken, but I hope to clear most of that up this week.
REVIEWS: I had the pleasure of sitting down with Copper in print this weekend and reading and re-reading it. Here's my glowing, gushing review. I also forgot to mention that we liked Kazu even before he was a star; here's the cover art he did for ComixpediaTALK back in 2004. Also, I'll have a review of Smile, the new graphic novel from Raina Telgemeier up this week. I did get a chance to read it this past weekend and it is an entertaining, moving story. Sure, the tale of the teeth and all of the work Raina had to go through are interesting, but she's done so much more with filling out the emotions and just the in-between-ness of those middle school years that it would have made a good story even without that hook.
MILESTONES: Last week marked the end of Anders Loves Maria, the breakout webcomic from Rene Engström. I'll second Gary's thoughts on the tale. Perhaps the ending felt a bit abrupt, even forced, but you can't deny it's impact. It's also worth noting that Engström's art continually improved throughout the comic and that in re-reading the archives of this comic, I'm even more impressed with where she is now as a creator. I hope the next comic comes soon.
CONTESTS: Ryan Estrada is competing in this month's Zudalympics and he needs your vote. His comic is called Sci-Fi Drive-By and you can vote by visiting his website. In non-Zuda voting, Comic Riffs, the Washington Post's blog about comic strips is having a Best Webcomic of the Decade Popularity Contest -- voting closes this Wednesday. The seven contenders are: Girl Genius, Hark! A Vagrant, Least I Could Do, Penny Arcade, The Perry Bible Fellowship, Schlock Mercenary, and xkcd.
Copper by Kazu Kibuishi
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on February 6, 2010 - 17:47
Copper is a beautiful comic. Kazu Kibuishi takes such care in rendering landscapes both natural and fantastic, that one can't help but be drawn into the page to fully appreciate the environment of Copper. In particular, I think Kibuishi must love drawing moving water because it is almost a constant presence in the book (The comic "Waterfall" is both a great bit of illustration but also an insightful commentary on it).
Comix Talk for February 2, 2010
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on February 2, 2010 - 10:10
Quick update this morning - The Escapist website is having a contest -- more like an audition -- to pick a regular webcomic for the The Escapist. I haven't read the fine print so you should before you enter, but go check it out. Btw, SLG Publishing is going to have a workshop for "aspiring comic creators" this March in San Jose, CA.
DEAD TREES: Robot6 previews a lot of comics on book publishers' schedule for this year, includes several webcomics such as Goats, Octopus Pie and Penny Arcade.
INTERVIEWS: Lots of folks linking to this interview with Bill Watterson of Calvin & Hobbes worship fame... Be sure to check out Graphic Novel Reporter's interview with Kazu Kibuishi on his print collection of Copper.
