Dylan Horrocks's Blog, page 17

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Just a reminder: this story is NSFW and contains nudity etc.

Darkest Day – the Christchurch Earthquake benefit comic

When the earthquake hit Christchurch on February 22nd, around 180 people were killed, many more were injured, and buildings around the city were damaged and destroyed. Everyone in New Zealand knows people affected by this disaster, and Christchurch will be reeling for years to come. Aftershocks continue, basic services like drinking water, sewerage outflow and electricity are still disrupted, businesses are closing and jobs are being lost. For many families and friends, of course, there is mourning and grief.

Christchurch is New Zealand's second largest city and home to many writers, artists, and – of course – cartoonists. Within days of the quake, the city's (and New Zealand's) longest running comics anthology Funtime Comics started putting together a special issue, inviting contributions from around the country and beyond. Assembled at lightning speed, Darkest Day is now ready and will be launched this weekend at Armageddon Expo in Wellington. It includes a three-page comic by me, Sometimes You Feel (see sample page to the right).

All proceeds from Darkest Day will go to the Red Cross, to help with disaster relief.

You can buy Darkest Day online, here.

And if you're at Armageddon Expo this weekend, make sure you visit the New Zealand Comics Creators table, where you'll find a cornucopia of fine New Zealand comics and graphic novels (including Chris Slane & Matt Elliott's Nice Day for a War, Ant Sang's Shaolin Burning, the latest Bristle, and many more!), and meet some lovely talented cartoonists.

Spare a thought, too, for the organisers of Armageddon Expo, who are based in Christchurch and suffered extensive damage to their home and office. The annual expo in Christchurch was supposed to take place last weekend, but had to be postponed due to the earthquake (they hope to hold a special event later this year, if things have settled down enough). So amid all the hustle and bustle, the crowds and the cosplay, remember to be nice to everyone you meet. It's been a tough year – here in New Zealand, over in Japan, and, come to think of it, all around the world.

As Kurt Vonnegut wrote, "There's only one rule that I know of… 'God damn it, you've got to be kind.'"

Darkest Day - the Christchurch Earthquake benefit comic

When the earthquake hit Christchurch on February 22nd, around 180 people were killed, many more were injured, and buildings around the city were damaged and destroyed. Everyone in New Zealand knows people affected by this disaster, and Christchurch will be reeling for years to come. Aftershocks continue, basic services like drinking water, sewerage outflow and electricity are still disrupted, businesses are closing and jobs are being lost. For many families and friends, of course, there is mourning and grief.

Christchurch is New Zealand's second largest city and home to many writers, artists, and - of course - cartoonists. Within days of the quake, the city's (and New Zealand's) longest running comics anthology Funtime Comics started putting together a special issue, inviting contributions from around the country and beyond. Assembled at lightning speed, Darkest Day is now ready and will be launched this weekend at Armageddon Expo in Wellington. It includes a three-page comic by me, Sometimes You Feel (see sample page to the right).

All proceeds from Darkest Day will go to the Red Cross, to help with disaster relief.

You can buy Darkest Day online, here.

And if you're at Armageddon Expo this weekend, make sure you visit the New Zealand Comics Creators table, where you'll find a cornucopia of fine New Zealand comics and graphic novels (including Chris Slane & Matt Elliott's Nice Day for a War, Ant Sang's Shaolin Burning, the latest Bristle, and many more!), and meet some lovely talented cartoonists.

Spare a thought, too, for the organisers of Armageddon Expo, who are based in Christchurch and suffered extensive damage to their home and office. The annual expo in Christchurch was supposed to take place last weekend, but had to be postponed due to the earthquake (they hope to hold a special event later this year, if things have settled down enough). So amid all the hustle and bustle, the crowds and the cosplay, remember to be nice to everyone you meet. It's been a tough year - here in New Zealand, over in Japan, and, come to think of it, all around the world.

As Kurt Vonnegut wrote, "There's only one rule that I know of… 'God damn it, you've got to be kind.'"

Book launch: Chris Slane's new graphic novel!

The mighty Chris Slane, one of New Zealand's greatest cartoonists, is launching his new graphic novel tonight in Auckland. Nice Day for a War - Adventures of A Kiwi Soldier In World War 1 by Chris Slane and Matt Elliott recreates the experiences of Matt's grandfather Corporal Cyril Elliott, who enlisted as a teenager and soon found himself struggling to survive in the trenches of the Western Front. The book is part graphic novel, part illustrated history book - and 100% pure Chris Slane greatness.

Those of you who remember Chris' earlier graphic novel, Maui: Legends of the Outcast (written by Robert Sullivan), or his many other great comics, will know that this is an event worth celebrating.

So come along to the Grey Lynn RSA tonight, pick up a signed copy and toast Chris and Matt (you can even buy an ANZAC Day poppy).

Nice Day for a War - the Adventures of a Kiwi Soldier in World War 1

by Chris Slane and Matt Elliott

6.00-8.00pm Thursday 7 April

Grey Lynn (RSA) Returned services Social Club upstairs.

(Kids allowed upstairs)

1 Francis Street, West Lynn shops, Grey Lynn/Westmere, Auckland.

(50 steps from Moa, and Harvest Wholefoods)

Click here for map

Enter main door, turn left and follow the chair lift rail up the stairs to the cosy lounge bar.

Even if you can't make it tonight, you can buy Nice Day for a War from good NZ booksellers everywhere, or online.

New page: the Magic Pen

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The rest of this chapter is a bit rude and NSFW, I'm afraid. Please be advised and proceed with caution.

New page: The Magic Pen (ADULTS ONLY)

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Please note this page is Not Safe For Work (depending on your work, of course).

A Valentine to those who care.

Click here to read 'My World'

My World is a comic I drew in 2009 for Ctrl.Alt.Shift Unmasks Corruption and first posted here last year.

Today I want to dedicate My World to human rights activists around the world, and to all those striving for democracy and freedom, from Bahrain to Burma, from Suva to Tehran. To Bradley Manning and his friends and supporters, and to everyone everywhere trying to tell the truth about war and occupation, injustice and corruption. To love, and peace, and compassion.

And I want to send an especially big shout out to the "Fellowship of Tahrir."

Happy Valentine's Day.

P.S. If you want to send flowers, may I suggest a donation to Amnesty International instead?

The Fellowship of Tahrir

Like many people, I've been following the extraordinary events in Egypt via a range of sources, including Al Jazeera and Twitter. One of the biggest revelations - for me, anyway - has been the way Twitter offers a chance to follow the thoughts and comments of people in the thick of things on the other side of the world.

So yesterday (February 8th), I was following various Egyptians' reactions to the emotionally-charged interview with Waed Ghonim on Dream TV. And two tweets from Pakinam Amer, an Egyptian journalist and blogger, stood out to my nerdy eye:

A quote from the Koran? Words of inspiration from some great Arab political leader? Nah. The first is a line from Aragorn; the second from Gandalf. Somewhere in Cairo, this young Egyptian journalist had turned to Lord of the Rings for comfort and inspiration.



So, of course, I retweeted her message, partly to point out the disconnect between what I was seeing on Twitter, on blogs, in interviews and in photos from Tahrir Square, and what various commentators were claiming on American television and in the right wing press:

A few minutes later, I had a response from Pakinam herself:

So, of course, what else could I say?

Why am I sharing this with you? Well, because I reckon Pakinam is pretty damn cool. She's one of a new wave of smart, young, brave and net-savvy Arab journalists who write for independent newspapers like Al-Masry Al-Youm; she blogs and tweets about The IT Crowd, V For Vendetta and Harry Potter; she's into The Little Prince and is a self-described comic book nerd - and she's putting her life on the line in the name of basic human rights and freedoms.

And also to illustrate a few things about what's going on in Egypt, and the way the internet is connecting people in all kinds of exciting new ways. I started to write a long post about Malcolm Gladwell, the impact of social media and the importance of global nerd culture. But you know what? I think you're all smart enough to work it out for yourselves.

So here's to Pakinam and the Fellowship of Tahrir. From one nerd to another, I salute you.

P.S. Pakinam has asked people to contribute art (drawings, songs, photography, etc) inspired by or responding to the Egyptian revolution for an online collection. Click here for details on how to contribute creative work.

P.P.S. Also, Here's a fascinating Al Jazeera documentary about Egyptian activist-bloggers. And here's a cartoon by one of my favourite political cartoonists, Mr. Fish, being held aloft in Cairo.

P.P.P.S. Sorry the latest Magic Pen page is taking a while. It's an important moment in the story, and it's proving to be one of those pages that take ages to get right.

Shaolin Burning!

Apologies for the lack of new Magic Pen pages this past week. Page 56 is turning into one of those pages that takes a week to draw, which has thrown things off schedule. It is, however, getting there…

While you're waiting, please check out this very important event: the launch of New Zealand cartoonist Ant Sang's brand new graphic novel, Shaolin Burning.

Ant Sang is one hell of a cartoonist, and a fabulous guy. His serialised story, Dharma Punks, was one of the most impressive New Zealand comics I've ever seen, and his inspired work as lead designer on the TV show Brotown has made his style familiar to everyone in the country. Shaolin Burning deserves to sell like crazy - and I can't wait to read it!

The book is published by Harper Collins, and has already been spotted in some bookstores. The official launch party is tomorrow night (Thursday, 3 February), in Auckland. There'll be original artwork on show, limited edition prints, copies of the book to buy, and Ant himself to stalk and admire.

Wild horses couldn't keep me away, and if you're anywhere near Auckland, I hope I'll see you there!

P.S. If you can't make it to the launch, don't despair. The exhibition will be up till the 18th of February. Details can be found on Adrian Kinnaird's excellent NZ comics blog, From Earth's End. And, of course, you can still rush to your local book store for your very own copy of Shaolin Burning!

New page: The Magic Pen

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ADULTS ONLY

Note that this page of The Magic Pen is mildly NSFW (depending on your work, of course).