Scott McCloud's Blog, page 16
January 26, 2011
My Ames is True
I'm off to Ames, Iowa this afternoon for my Thursday night lecture at Iowa State University. If you're in the area, I hope you'll make the drive down to say Hi.
The family and I had a strange, magical evening in Ames during the 50 State Tour in 2007. Looking forward to visiting again.
Back to blogging Monday. Have a great week & weekend.
January 25, 2011
Not a Dream! Not an Imaginary Story!
Congratulations to James Kochalka Superstar who has been named Cartoonist Laureate of the State of Vermont; the first time a cartoonist has held such a position.
Anyone want to try to create such a position in one of the other 49? Imagine the competition in Oregon!
[News via . Photo via Robot 6, I think.]
January 24, 2011
Doodle 4 Google
Many of you may have already heard the news last week about Doodle 4 Google, and one of the best-known companies on Earth hardly needs me to herald their press releases (well, maybe that once), but this looks like such a fun contest I want to make sure you all get the details—especially if you have kids.
I'll be one of nine guest judges (along with Whoopi Goldberg, Jim Davis, Jeff Kinney, Beverly Cleary, and some other truly cool people) and there'll be an exhibit of the 40 finalists at the Whitney this spring.
I love kid's art. DC had me help judge a cereal box competition many years ago and it was one of my fondest memories from that period. I can't wait to see what America's kids have in store this time.
January 21, 2011
300+ Pages and She's Just Getting Warmed Up
The Amazing Jenn Manley Lee recently completed Book One of her massive Dicebox story and started Book Two. And now you can order Book One in a swanky new print edition, with a zillion extras, directly from the artist.
When I think of all the rich, multilayered, meticulous full-color legend-spinning that went into Book One, the idea that she's planning three more books makes my own hands shrivel up with shame. Be sure to help her get there today with your pre-orders.
Have a great weekend!
January 20, 2011
January 19, 2011
Well, That's Just Gorgeous
The Twitterverse was all abuzz yesterday for this wonderful guide to facial expressions by Lackadaisy creator Tracy J. Butler. More than just a tutorial, the thing is a practically a work of art on its own (and should probably be a poster).
And naturally, if you like the tutorial and haven't read the comic, now is as good a time as any.
And YES, let's have fewer "Smarm Brows" out there, okay?
January 18, 2011
I Want to See More of Shel
Koren Shadmi has started serializing a great-looking new webcomic called The Abaddon. Just a few pages so far, so now's a good time to grab a front row seat.
I enjoyed the Israel-American Shadmi's 2009 collection In the Flesh. Shadmi's stories are strange and bleak, and they feature some dark sexual politics, but they're compelling and memorable.
Also: Love that crazy palette. And the web-friendly page format, of course.
Geez… too many quality webcomics to keep track of this month. Slow down, The Internet!
January 17, 2011
Go with the Flow
Here's a great flowchart comic about file sharing from H Coldwell Tanner and Roscott.
There should be more flowchart comics! These things are cool.
January 14, 2011
Friday Odds and Ends
Congratulations to Jim Woodring for actually building and using that big-ass pen I told you about a while back! Some pictures via Bart Beaty here and a video here (links via twelve zillion people, but I think I read about it on Comics Reporter and the Beat first).
Another notable new webcomic to check out: Doug Tennapel's Ratfist (thanks to Corey Mcdaniel for the heads-up). Also realized that Kris Dresen's She Said is gathering steam. Hop on board before its done.
And via Snail Mail, two books about comics:
The comics-format To Teach: The Journey in Comics by Bill Ayers (yes, that Bill Ayers apparently) and Ryan Alexander-Tanner, which looks intriguing, and The Rise of the American Comics Artist: Creators and Contexts, which I have an interview in, but looks plenty interesting anyway.
Finally, congratulations to Sarah Oleksyk on the publication of the collected Ivy. I've read them all, but I'm happy for the excuse to read them again.
Have a great weekend!
January 13, 2011
They're Crawling Out of the Woodwork!
Well, it looks like this is turning into Promising New Talent Week!
Unsounded by Ashley Cope has a great mix of humor and drama, engaging characters, and the artwork gets better as it goes. Never heard of her, so yet another (presumably) young artist to keep our eyes on.
I'm consistently amazed by how many smart, talented new artists there are out there. It's a shaky market and one might worry about how they'll all make a living, but I'm encouraged that most seem to have the right skill set to not only cater to the readers we have now, but to create new readers, the way that Jeff Smith and others have over the years.
Unsounded seems to have begun about 5 months ago. I wonder what else I'm missing.
Any other suggestions?
[via Michael]
