My Mini Comic - By The Slice

So I finally finished my mini-comic, By The Slice. Cecilia Latella did a great job and I couldn't be happier. But let's start from the beginning.

I took a class at Meltdown Comics on Sunset Blvd on how to create your first comic. Yes, I'm a newbie comicbook writer. So I knew I needed to learn the basics (paneling, captions, word balloons etc.) before getting in touch with an artist to execute the story. As soon as I finished the script I went on Deviantart, posted on a forum looking for a penciller/inker and received many responses. It came down to two artists, both showing interest and talent, but I liked Cecilia's style and storytelling. She signed onto the project and we finally starting the creative process. She living in Italy, while I in California, meant emailing back and forth almost everyday.

I had written a fourteen page script about a post college girl working at a pizza place. It's a slice of life story between employee and employer. Her liberal views are challenged by her un-PC boss' business practices. When the job becomes more of a headache than a paycheck, she becomes bitter--much like her boss.


The working relationship between Cecilia and I went smooth. This has our names on it so we both wanted it to look good. After months of collaboration, it was ready to print. I took it to a local copy shop and now I have a box full of mini-comics. But it doesn't stop there.

I called Meltdown to see if I can sell it for cheap in their store and they were very accommodating. I walked up to the counter, they paid me for 5 copies and put it on the "new" shelf in the middle of the store. That was really nice of them! He complimented the comic and said, "Tweet away! Tell everyone it's here."

I know I still have a lot of ground to cover but for me who has a tall stack of unpublished/unoptioned/rejected stories...today was a good day.

SDCC 2011: Finding Artists

So here's my deal. I want to be a comicbook writer. That's it. Plain and simple I want to write comicbooks. I love the medium, I enjoy storytelling, and I have a blast meeting people involved with the industry (creators and fans alike). So a couple of years ago I decided that I would make a go at writing comics. The first year/year and a half was me just trying to get a grasp of how to actually write a comic script. I don't want to say "a good comic script" because that's not for me to determine. I just wanted to complete a script I was happy with and confident in. After countless rewrites and discovering that writing funny books wasn't one of my natural born abilities (who knew!), I have finally finished a few scripts. Yep, I said "scripts," plural. Now don't get me wrong, these aren't 300 page graphic novels, they're mostly of the short story variety. In fact, all three of the scripts are 12 page short stories. Baby steps.

My first story starts with a clown walking down a busy city street, who then passes another clown. Both clowns stop, engage in a tense standoff, and then fight for the next 11 pages. It's a little bit Highlander (there can be only one.... clown?), a pinch of Spy vs. Spy, and a healthy dose of a Tex Avery cartoon. After finishing the script, I scoured the internet for an artist. The majority of my time was spent following links on deviantart, artist message boards, and personal blogs. Eventually, I contacted an artist from Argentina who agreed to do it. As of right now he's only been able to pencil 8 out of the 12 pages but I've been beyond stoked with how it's come out so far. Though the finished comic is still a ways off, I've enjoyed making it and have learned quite a bit in the process.

"Clown Fight" character sketches (Artist: Ger Curti)

To find an artist for one of my other stories, I decided to participate in the Comic Creator Connection at this year's San Diego Comic Con. The way the meet up worked was that there were a series of long tables in the room where all the artists would sit on one side and writers would sit on the opposite side facing them. Each writer and artist would be paired up for 5 minutes, in which time they would share artwork and scripts. After the time limit, the artist would stay seated while the writer would move over one spot to the next artist. It's essentially comic creator speed dating; five minutes to find your comicbook soulmate.

My results were quite varied. First of all, there were more artists who showed up than there were writers. This left me with a few times where I'd be in-between artists and have to kill the 5 minutes before my next one-on-one. It's wasn't a big deal, but swimming through a sea of other aspiring writers to find an artist can be a little frustrating.

The work I saw from the artists, for the most part, was pretty much a letdown. The most glaring problem with their portfolios was the lack of sequential art. Come on people! The room is full of new, inexperienced writers and if an artist can't show them that he/she can sequentially tell a story why would someone want to collaborate with them? I think an artist looking to work on a comic should only be showing comic samples. When I'd talk to an artist who only had pin-up samples, it felt like a waste of my time and of their's. Five minutes goes fast and if they don't have something on paper to show their storytelling ability it's pretty much game over, especially after two hours of meeting a couple dozen different artists.

This is not to say that it was all bad. I met a few artists with some good sequential art and a lot of potential. Unfortunately none of their styles were anywhere near what I was looking for. Hell, even if it was in the same ballpark of what I'm envisioning I would have been all over it. Oh well, c'est la vie. Despite all this I just signed up for the Comic Creator Connection at next month's APE in San Francisco. By improving your odds, your improving your luck.... right?..... hopefully......please!

Midnight at Meltdown- DC ReLaunch

This is an exciting time for the Comic world. DC's relaunching a new version of superheroes and there's been a lot of debate. To calm everyone's mind, the old version is still around. They haven't been deleted or burned in effigy. You can still enjoy them and pass it on to the younger generations. But for now, I think it's about time to do a revamp. Get some fresh perspectives, new ideas, new writers, take a chance on new artists. It's only going to help.


According to my twitter feed, people were headed out to their local comic book shops to support. And that's a good thing! There was a really big turnout at Meltdown with a few creator/artists stopping by. A few notables included Josh Fialkov, Kyle Higgins, and Scott Lobdell.

There's a lot to look forward to in the coming months. Personally I can't wait to read Batgirl by Gail Simone, Wonder Woman or even Catwoman (of course). Knowing Rob, he will get first issues of pretty much everything. I'm glad I'm not the only one who does the shopping.

SDCC 2011: Yummy Fur Collected

A couple years ago while diving through back issues bins at my local comic shop, I happened upon a full run of Yummy Fur by Chester Brown. I had read a few of the Ed the Happy Clown stories before (one of the serialized stories in Yummy Fur) and really enjoyed them, so finding a complete run priced at a dollar an issue was a no brainer. I read through the series over the next couple weeks and thought it was great. A while later, when I got into the binding hobby, Yummy Fur was one of the first books I wanted to have done. The book turned out well and it has since became one of my favorite binds.

 

One of the previous owners of these issues had Chester Brown sign many of them at the top of the first page. It's pretty cool knowing the books have some history to them and to think that they had actually passed through the creator's hands once before.

 

When I heard that Chester Brown was going to be at the San Diego Comic Con, I thought it would be a perfect chance to have him sign the book. So I tossed it into backpack and when I got to the con, I tracked down Mr. Brown at the Drawn & Quarterly booth. Here he is holding the book:

Instead just signing the blank end sheet, Chester decided to drawn up a new title page. He even found a fun way to personalize it to me.

I'm incredibly happy with the book! It's something I will cherish and keep in my collection for a long time. It's only the book I've had signed by a creator (the other being Frank Quitely on All-Star Superman) but after the great responses I've gotten, I can't wait to do it again!

Here's a link to the Drawn & Quarterly Blog where they posted a few photos my book. Very cool!

San Diego Comic Con 2011

Yes, Comic Con has ended. And only now do I do a recap. It was fun, exciting, and exhausting. With so many panels, screenings, artists, and parties (yes, geeks convene) it's hard to remember it all. Rob and I took some blurry pictures, to coincide with blurry memories.

Although Wednesday was preview night, they opened the flood gates to the masses on Thursday. The Exhibition hall was teeming with cosplayers. Some were very funny, like this dude, Magneto. I can't imagine anyone not wearing sneakers. It's a lot of standing and walking around, especially if your hotel is more than a few blocks away.

On Friday, the Lock and Key panel had the creators Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez, along with the screenwriter, producer, actors, and director Mark Romanek of the TV pilot, talk about the process of converting the graphic novel to a TV show.

This followed a special screening of the pilot. From what I heard, it was really good. Will it ever become a series? Right now, no. But I'm still crossing my fingers.

So until then, I'll keep reading the trades. I just finished the third volume and I can't get enough of it. All I do is gasp when I turn the page. We even got the fourth volume at SDCC signed by Joe and Gabriel. Yes, we are on a first name basis with them. At least on this blog.


Later Friday night we attended the Tr!ckster event at the San Diego Wine and Culinary Center. They featured a gallery of original art based on Kurosawa films. Proceeds went to the Japanese Relief fund. Lots of talented artists contributed pieces, like this one inspired by the film Throne of Blood.
On Saturday we headed to a Comics Creator panel featuring Robert Kirkman, Brian K. Vaughn, Jonathan Ross, Frank Cho, Jonathan Hickman, and Fiona Staples. They talked about past projects and what they're working on now. Judging by the photo they don't seem excited but they are. Trust!

And yes, finally BKV is returning to comics. His next series is called Saga. We received a poster just for sitting in the first few rows. I got him and Fiona to sign it. Truth be told, it's already framed. He seems really committed to Saga, and hopes it continues for a long time.

I asked Robert Kirkman about the Walking Dead show and how the second season is panning out. He's all about the creator's voice and really encourages people wanting to break in, to keep working towards their goal.

Thanks Bob!



Now the following photos are in no particular order. But I have to say meeting the creators (writers and artists) is such a treat. You can see that they really appreciate their fans, especially when you approach them with your favorite book.


Like for instance, having Eric Powell sign my favorite Goon book, Chinatown. He made it out to me and did a quick sketch of Goon's ugly/cute mug. I was about to remind him that I was the girl who asked for a quick sketch of Danger Mouse last year, but who would remember that? Besides me.



Here's Bill Willingham (Fables) signing at a video game booth.

Artist Dave Gibbons was signing Watchmen.

Craig Thompson was signing at the Top Shelf booth. I'm sure he gets this a lot but Blankets made me cry. Like actual sobbing.

His new book comes out later this year.

Rob had the pleasure of meeting Jerry Robinson, the creator of the Joker, one of the most famous villains in comic book history.

Filmmakers are always around, too.
Edgar Wright was promoting Scott Pilgrim last year. Joss Whedon is always going from panel to panel. This year, Guillermo del Toro was at the Legendary Pictures booth for his next film, Pacific Rim.

Then we get this weird photo op with Billy Zane holding someone's baby. He's one of the few people wearing a suit at a con. Bold move, sir. Bold.

Cute kid, too.

Finally Sunday, we bought some merch and decided to head to the train station early. Well not early enough. There was a mega line and the train oversold seats, as usually for this time of year. Rob and I had a great weekend, met up with friends, and made some new ones. Also, I got compliments on my shirt. The only time I found Luke attractive was when he trained with Master Yoda at the swamp. Thanks, Her Universe.

Akiko Bound Set

A few years ago during my weekly trip to Meltdown Comics in Hollywood, I was looking through their spinner rack selection of 25 cent comics.  I would often grab a couple of issues from the rack, because, well.... they were only 25 cents!  I'm not sure why, possibly because I enjoy a good family friendly story or maybe just because it looked interesting, but I picked up a couple issues of Akiko.  With a huge backlog of comics to read, I didn't get around to these issues for quite a while.  When I eventually did read the comics I found them to be very entertaining, nothing earth shattering, but enough to leave me wanting more.

Over the next year, I managed to complete the entire series (helped mightily by winning an ebay auction of 40+ issues for 3 dollars shipped, SCORE!).  I split the 52 issue series into two volumes; 1-25 and 26-52, starting the second volume before a 6 issue arc.  I had them bound at the now defunct Library Binding Company, a bindery that was quite popular because of their low prices.  For no reason in particular, I went with an orange buckram and gold foiling color scheme.  I think it came out pretty well.

Library Binding's base price was 15 dollars for a book with a computer lettered spine, no head or tail lines/bands, and up to 2" thick.  I never really liked the way those no-frills books looked; just my personal taste.  So when I customized my bind to have a hand lettered spine, the books wound up costing about $40 shipped each.  At the time I was over the moon with the books, but in hind sight they pale in comparison to the quality of work I've found from other binderies.  There was some glue seepage that make a few page stick together and also slightly uneven trimming.  These weren't major problems and if my more recent binds weren't as great as they are, I probably wouldn't have given it a second thought, but they are still problems nonetheless.  I've seen a lot of people happy with their Library Binding books, but personally I'm glad I found new binderies.

As for the content of the books, Akiko is a very funny all ages comic.  The stories jump back and forth between longer multi-issue arcs and shorter done-in-one issues.  But regardless of format, Mark Crilley (writer/artist) manages to keep all the different types of stories entertaining.  The art is also another strong point of the series.  The black and white (and grayscale) art starts out quite good, but continues to get better throughout the run.  That's one of the cool thing about reading a long series; watching the growth of its creator.  Crilley spent almost ten years making the series and you can tell how much he loved the book and how he would try to push himself to better his skills.  From reading the letters column (a great advantage to having bound the original issues), he would listen to all opinions, good and bad, and then try to improve the book with every subsequent arc.  I'll be honest, the letters columns were so informative that I think I might have enjoyed them more then the stories.  All in all, Akiko is a fun series that I would recommend and I'm glad I had it bound.

At the Movies

Summer of 2011 is shaping up to be a season of hits and misses.

With Captain America on the way, adaptations are here to stay. And who am I to complain? Sure I keep my expectations low and just enjoy the ride, but there's maybe one movie out right now that I actually liked. A lot. And then there's the other ones that tried and didn't deliver. High hopes, especially on known comicbook titles lead to big let downs. Blockbusters are graced with a bloated budget to accommodate all the special effects (3D included) and the marketing hoopla. Problem is that the studios rely too much on fanboy enthusiasm that they think we won't notice the importance of story and character development. They are wrong. I was enticed enough to buy a ticket for a midnight screening and now I have to deal with whatever's put on the dim lit screen. But if I may protest, TRY HARDER.

Comics A-Bound!

Like most comic readers, I've amassed quite a few books over the years. I'll dig through long boxes at cons or at my local stores, picking up anything I've heard was good or even something that just looks vaguely interesting. After picking up and reading a couple of issues of a series and discovering I really like it, I'll continue to get more issues whenever I can. But I find myself not reading it anymore until I've completed a long run of consecutive issues or have finished off the entire series. Though, even once I have all the issues, they will sit in a box, not readily available to flip through or to loan out to friends. It sucks to sing the praises of a series to someone, then drop a stack of single issues on their lap. So this has lead me to a hobby I've had for the last few years....

COMICBOOK BINDING!

I've had a number of hardcover volumes made since I started about three years ago (31 volumes to be exact). It's been fun mapping issue by issue continuity and tracking down stray floppies to complete the volumes. It's especially exciting to complete a series that hasn't been collected yet and, in some cases, might never be collected. Heck, even with a series where I could easily pick up in trades, it's still nice to have my own customized hardcovers. I'll add or leave out issues, include creator interviews, or design a table of contents to make the bound volume more personalized.

Unfortunately, I've had way too much stuff to read and not enough time in the day to read them. I have yet to go through the majority of my bound volumes... but I plan on changing that! As I go along I'll post a short review and breakdown the contents of the bind. Anyways, enough talk, time to crack open those hardcovers and get some reading done!