Jess Smart Smiley's Blog, page 4

The Flower Garden (Graphic Novel Book Review)

by Renee Kurilla

Amulet Books

80 pages

Fantasy Graphic Novel

Ages 6-9

A playful adventure for young readers, filled with friendship and wonder! Packed with vibrant illustrations.

Synopsis (from the publisher):

A magical graphic novel adventure perfect for fans of Peter & Ernesto or Tiger vs. Nightmare

After planting a seed packet in the backyard, things don’t go as expected for best friends Anna and Tess. They fall asleep in the sun and wake up to blooms as tall as buildings! Did the seeds really grow that fast?

All is explained when Anna and Tess meet May, a little garden gnome whose magic is responsible for the transformation. The girls are May’s size now, and they follow her through the flower garden and into May’s underground gnome home—discovering new things about their world and themselves along the way.

This immersive graphic novel from author-illustrator Renée Kurilla is perfect for emerging readers. It explores growing and changing friendships and offers details to discover on every page and with every read.

If you’re interesting in learning how to write and draw your own comics, check out my book Let’s Make Comics! An Activity Book to Create, Write, and Draw Your Own Cartoons.

A light-hearted interactive guide to comics and cartoon-making that uses an activity book format and creatively stimulating prompts to teach the fundamentals of cartooning in a fun and easy-to-follow fashion.

From a working cartoonist and comic book making instructor, this all-ages activity book uses humorous and informative one-page comics and exercise prompts to guide young readers (and readers who are young at heart) through easy-to-master lessons on the skills needed to make comics.

The activities cover a range of essential comics-making tasks from creating expressions for characters to filling in blank panels to creating original characters and placing them in adventures of their own. Each exercise can stand on its own or work together with others in the book to stimulate creativity via the comics medium.

In the end, readers who complete the activities inside the book itself will have created several comics of their own, and will have generated many ideas for more sequential art creations.

If you’d like to read my next stories for FREE and before they’re published, sign up for my First Readers Club here.

Lost in the Future (Graphic Novel Book Review)

Script by Damian

Artwork by Alex Fuentes

Dupuis

116 pages

Action/Adventure, Fantasy Graphic Novel

Ages 9+

A fantastic adventure for young readers! Packed with mystery, danger, and a cast of delightful characters (and creatures!), told through colorful, immersive illustrations and easy to read text.

I really enjoy these books from Dupuis—they’re long enough to tell a solid story and short enough to keep you wanting more.

LOST IN THE FUTURE tells an exciting adventure story, but is also a great resource for character and environment designers, as well as students of color and composition.

Synopsis (from the publisher):

A group of students is on a field trip to an ancient castle when a storm erupts.

As they are about to leave, four friends are cornered by the class bully, who tries to pull one of his usual pranks. Instead, they all get the scare of their lives when they fall down a tunnel that takes them into the future: a future where mankind has nearly disappeared from the face of the earth, and where nature has taken control.

The friends will have to face up to this hostile new world — as well as their nemesis — if they’re to have any chance of making it back home…

If you’re interesting in learning how to write and draw your own comics, check out my book Let’s Make Comics! An Activity Book to Create, Write, and Draw Your Own Cartoons.

A light-hearted interactive guide to comics and cartoon-making that uses an activity book format and creatively stimulating prompts to teach the fundamentals of cartooning in a fun and easy-to-follow fashion.

From a working cartoonist and comic book making instructor, this all-ages activity book uses humorous and informative one-page comics and exercise prompts to guide young readers (and readers who are young at heart) through easy-to-master lessons on the skills needed to make comics.

The activities cover a range of essential comics-making tasks from creating expressions for characters to filling in blank panels to creating original characters and placing them in adventures of their own. Each exercise can stand on its own or work together with others in the book to stimulate creativity via the comics medium.

In the end, readers who complete the activities inside the book itself will have created several comics of their own, and will have generated many ideas for more sequential art creations.

If you’d like to read my next stories for FREE and before they’re published, sign up for my First Readers Club here.

Red Rooster (Graphic Novel Book Review)

Written by Mark Pellegrini

Illustrated by Mitch Breitweiser

Allegiance Arts & Entertainment

Action & Adventure

Young Ault

Light Braves the Darkness; Darkness Fears the Dawn.

For centuries, the venerable mantle of The Red Rooster has passed from generation-to-generation in order to battle man’s most ancient and pernicious evils. Now, it’s disgraced icon Frank Cooper’s turn to don the cape and cowl in this Dust Bowl-era tale of mystery and redemption against all odds.

World-Class Creators

Industry veterans Mitch and Elizabeth Breitweiser

If I sound like I have a crush on the Red Rooster comics and other comics projects from Allegiance Arts—it’s because I do.

My experience with Red Rooster (and Allegiance Arts) started back in 2016, at FanX in Salt Lake City, when I was fortunate enough to table across from Mitch and Elizabeth Breitweiser.

I was instantly and absolutely amazed by Elizabeth’s masterful work as a colorist and cover artist for titles like Batman, Captain America, Hulk, Ultimate Comics X-Men, The Amazing Spider-Man, Outcast (of which I was already a fan), Kill or be Killed, Velvet, Fatale, and many more. I pored over her portfolio and works for sale and plagued her with questions related to her work and creative processes for all 3 days of the event.

Mitch’s covers and line art for Captain America: Patriot, Captain America the Chosen, Defenders, Green Arrow, Adventures of Superman, Phantom Jack and many other titles—as well as his artwork for original projects—left me drooling.

In talking with Mitch and Elizabeth, it quickly became apparent that they are a singular duo with a deep commitment to their craft and an equal commitment to bettering themselves as individuals and being genuine in their lives—not exactly what I expected to come across at such a large, flashy pop culture event. I tried not to take too much of their time (can you imagine a goofy cartoonist fanboying over such serious and skillful work?) but I also couldn’t help returning to their table time and time again to marvel at the same images I was already familiar with.

Rise of Red Rooster

From sketches to graphic novel

Mitch included some phenomenal artwork in his exceptional portfolio that I kept returning to. The pieces included a man with a metal arm, a mysterious-looking boy in a turban, and a superhero with a cape and a rooster comb atop his head. These, Mitch said, were from a variety of personal projects he was working on and that he hoped to do something with in the near future.

In July 2018, the Red Rooster graphic novel was launched on IndieGoGo and I jumped at the chance to support the project and help bring it into creation.

I was thrilled to find I was only one of thousands of enthusiastic people ready to see this story come into being, and the project ultimately raised a groundbreaking $197,434 USD by 3,582 backers on IndieGoGo.

From their IndieGoGo project page:

RED ROOSTER: GOLDEN AGE

The Red Rooster and his allies are celebrated vigilante folk heroes, but at the height of their success a cabal of his most notorious villains conspire to ruin him and the Red Rooster Legacy forever.

“LIGHT BRAVES THE DARKNESS, DARKNESS FEARS THE DAWN.” For centuries, the mantle of THE RED ROOSTER has passed from generation to generation to fight mankind’s most ancient & terrible evils. Now Frank Cooper must rise to the challenge. Rockwell meets Lovecraft in this dust bowl-era, southern gothic cape & cowls mystery.

Masterful Storytelling

More than just a barnyard Batman, Red Rooster is something to crow about!

I really can’t say enough good things about the RED ROOSTER: GOLDEN AGE graphic novel.

To begin with, the characters are fantastic! Believable, rich, grounded, and exciting to follow. It’s clear that each character existed in time well before this story takes place, and one gets a sense of each character’s unique history, fears, and motivations, even though the book itself is only 60 pages.

These 60 pages, however, tell an engaging story that feels like part-Batman, part-Dick Tracy—yet wholly original.

Without giving anything away, I love how the Red Rooster character is revealed to the reader, and how the pop culture aspect of superheroes in general is addressed and used in the story.

Did I mention I love the characters?

Red Rooster is an interesting enough character to dedicate volumes to, but the fact that Mitch Breitweiser and Mark Pellegrini fleshed out an entire supporting cast of complex heroes and fascinating villains just goes to show how much thought, effort, and care they’ve put into this story.

Of course, the craft that has gone into the character designs, environments, scenes, writing, composition, color, line, and story are nothing less than masterful, with an overall breathtaking effect.

I put down this book and immediately wanted to read it again, as well as every other story that’s hopefully to come from the world Red Rooster and the creative force that is Mitch and Elizabeth Breitweiser and their newly-formed entertainment company Allegiance Arts.

The Adventure Continues

Red Rooster is only the beginning!

Allegiance Arts is the entertainment company founded by Mitch and Elizabeth Breitweiser following the record-breaking success of their RED ROOSTER: GOLDEN AGE graphic novel on IndieGoGo.

“Allegiance Arts & Entertainment combines world class illustration with powerful, character-driven narratives for comic book, graphic novel, and entertainment markets. At AAE, our driving passion is creating and delivering unparalleled, genre-spanning content for fans of all ages from our ever-expanding catalog

Our debut titles, Norah’s Saga, Bass Reeves, The Futurists, and Red Rooster can be found on the shelves of US Walmarts, Walmart.com, and in digital editions on AllegianceArts.com. With episodes arriving regularly and new titles in the works, adventure is always on the horizon.

AAE is an Arkansas-based company founded by comic industry veterans Mitch and Elizabeth Breitweiser in 2019.”

The Futurists

Separated by War. United by a Curse.

India, 1866. Stricken by an insidious curse, three desperate and dangerous foes race to unearth the secrets of the lost land of Shambhala. In their way is Teddy Gunn, a treasure-hunting rogue with a dark secret who must save the family he left behind. To rescue his daughter from a dark magic, Teddy must forge an unlikely alliance with Harij, a beguiling young shaman who is much more than he seems. Together, they will navigate a war-torn landscape and face terrifying monsters, murderous cults, macabre plots, and the exotic mysteries of an ancient land.

BASS REEVES

Slave. Lawman. Legend.

In a life torn between family and duty, the story of Bass Reeves shines a bright light on one of the most legendary lawmen of the American west. Reeves escaped slavery, became a feared tracker and bounty man, then accepted a commission as the first black man west of the Mississippi to wear the silver star of the US Marshals service. Bass always got his man, arresting over 3,000 outlaws – a record that stands till this day.

Norah’s Saga

From Gym Class to Warrior Class.

New school–new world, literally. Sassy, book-smart Norah Karlsson’s quest to fit in becomes an epic tale of survival when she crashes through the mists of time and into a realm of ice and Norse legend. The high school’s mean girls had nothing on the god of mischief, and at least they never tied her to a stake. Bullies? Try trolls, and not the Internet variety. Forget sharing a table with the cool kids in the cafeteria; Norah would be just as happy if she didn’t have to slay her lunch.

The Saints

Save the Past. Rescue the Future.

On the cusp of a discovery that would rewrite history, world-renowned archaeologist Jean Marc LaPointe finds himself in the crosshairs of dark and dangerous conspirators that will go to any length to keep their secrets. LaPointe, now an international fugitive with nowhere left to run, is recruited by The Saints, a covert society tasked with saving the world from an ancient menace and guarding secrets too terrible to be known.

Get it here.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-saints/x/19225041#/A Reason to Read

I told you I was a fan.

I thoroughly enjoyed the RED ROOSTER: GOLDEN AGE graphic novel and am excited to find out what happens next in The Futurists, Bass Reeves, and Norah’s Saga, as well as Allegiance Arts’ currently-funding The Saints graphic novel.

If you’d like to preview my next projects for FREE and before they’re published, sign up for my First Readers Club here.

Free Fall Wallpaper Download

Autumn is here! Why not swap out that old wallpaper with something seasonal, like this fall-approved pattern?

To Download: Select your device below and save the image to your device. Select the image on your phone and set as wallpaper.

iPhone 12iPhone 11iPhone XiPhone 9iPhone 8

More fall wallpaper here.

HOT DOGS IN WINTER WALLPAPER

Get HOT DOGS IN WINTER here.

Halloween Zines by Jess Smart Smiley

https://bit.ly/HalloweenZines

It’s spooky season, baybeeeee!

I love this time of year. Things seem to turn quieter, more contemplative. AND DON’T FORGET ALL THE SPOOKY!

In case my monster look-n-find book, collection of spooky comics, cutesy vampire graphic novels, magical, mystery, maze comic, witchy paper pictures, and series of monster-filled picture books don’t SCREAM my love for Halloween, maybe my miniature Halloween zines will!

Spooky books by Jess Smart Smiley Witchy Paper Picture by Jess Smart SmileyHow To Zine

Check out this video I made (just days before my crazy health adventure began) to learn how to print, cut, and fold any or all of my Halloween zines—or learn how to make your own!

Follow the instructions in the video above and download my Halloween zines here.

(You’ll notice that each zine folder at the link above contains 2 files: the stories, artwork, and poems are on 1 file to be printed on one side of your paper, and you have the option to print the large image (file 2) on the backside of the same sheet of paper.)

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ACh1jgCxLoFrGzOQriqoGIfTYz2fiTr?usp=sharing

I hope you enjoy your Halloween zines and this wonderfully spooky season!

If you’d like to preview my next projects for FREE before they’re published,  sign up for my First Readers Club here .

Heart, Jess and The Foot

Bad Sister (Graphic Novel Book Review)

By Charise Mericle Harper & Rory Lucey

First Second Books

240 pages

Ages 8-12

From the publisher:

“Meet Charise.

She’s energetic, helpful, a model pet owner and full of inventions.

But she’s also a bad sister. When she goes too far and breaks little brother Daniel’s tooth, can she redeem herself? Is an accident really an accident if you could have stopped it?

But most importantly… What does it mean to be a good sister?”

Images shared from https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250219053Images shared from https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250219053Images shared from https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250219053My Review

A tender, bighearted, bittersweet telling of the author’s childhood, growing up with her younger brother. Dumpster diving, invented games, lies, injuries, and bonding, Bad Sister tells it all—as well as the author’s inner struggle to recognize within herself what others seem so easily to see. Expect this book to fly off the shelves and take home awards—Bad Sister is a force for good!

Video Interview with Charise Mericle Harper

Charise talks about her more than 50 books for children that she has written and/or illustrated, and teases 3 new comic book projects in different stages of development. Charise also shares insights into her creative processes, talks about visiting schools, and shares her unique way of unwinding from the work of book illustration.

If you’re interesting in learning how to write and draw your own comics, check out my book Let’s Make Comics! An Activity Book to Create, Write, and Draw Your Own Cartoons.

A light-hearted interactive guide to comics and cartoon-making that uses an activity book format and creatively stimulating prompts to teach the fundamentals of cartooning in a fun and easy-to-follow fashion.

From a working cartoonist and comic book making instructor, this all-ages activity book uses humorous and informative one-page comics and exercise prompts to guide young readers (and readers who are young at heart) through easy-to-master lessons on the skills needed to make comics.

The activities cover a range of essential comics-making tasks from creating expressions for characters to filling in blank panels to creating original characters and placing them in adventures of their own. Each exercise can stand on its own or work together with others in the book to stimulate creativity via the comics medium.

In the end, readers who complete the activities inside the book itself will have created several comics of their own, and will have generated many ideas for more sequential art creations.

Treasure in the Lake (Book Review)

By Jason Pamment

HarperAlley

208 pages

Fantasy Graphic Novel

A shimmering, bejeweled adventure for fans of the Hilda series and Over The Garden Wall, packed with memorable characters and rich environments.Treasure in the Lake is a wonderfully-crafted mystery with a whole lot of heart!

If you’re interesting in learning how to write and draw your own comics, check out my book Let’s Make Comics! An Activity Book to Create, Write, and Draw Your Own Cartoons.

A light-hearted interactive guide to comics and cartoon-making that uses an activity book format and creatively stimulating prompts to teach the fundamentals of cartooning in a fun and easy-to-follow fashion.

From a working cartoonist and comic book making instructor, this all-ages activity book uses humorous and informative one-page comics and exercise prompts to guide young readers (and readers who are young at heart) through easy-to-master lessons on the skills needed to make comics.

The activities cover a range of essential comics-making tasks from creating expressions for characters to filling in blank panels to creating original characters and placing them in adventures of their own. Each exercise can stand on its own or work together with others in the book to stimulate creativity via the comics medium.

In the end, readers who complete the activities inside the book itself will have created several comics of their own, and will have generated many ideas for more sequential art creations.

If you’d like to read my next stories for FREE and before they’re published, sign up for my First Readers Club here.

2.5 Years in Bed—Looking for Help

Hi, everyone!

It’s been a while since I last posted about my health condition and my doctors and I are still looking for more specific insight as to the source and treatment of my debilitating pain—maybe you can help?

SYMPTOMS

Constant, debilitating mid-, low-back, and upper abdominal pain and spasms.

HISTORY

I caught my family’s stomach flu and threw up violently in NOVEMBER 2017. While throwing up, I felt a sudden, excruciating pain in my upper left abdomen (just below the ribs) that was painful enough to put me in bed for 3 days.

I was initially treated for an abdominal strain/tear with modified movements, opioid painkillers, and muscle relaxants—none of which alleviated the pain (but I felt all the nauseating, drowsy effects from the meds).

In MARCH 2018, I reached with my left arm and instantly the pain in my upper left abdomen doubled in intensity and over months, gradually spread across my abdomen and toward my kidneys. Sitting up, driving, standing, walking, bending, showering, and getting dressed became incredibly painful and sometimes impossible.

In JUNE 2018, the pain subsided enough that I could walk and stand for longer periods, and even enjoy a water park with my family (though still with great difficulty).

In JULY 2018, the pain spread to my back and nearly incapacitated me. I pushed through as best I could, using a cane to help me through each day, until SEPTEMBER 2018, when the pain became so unbearable that I became bed bound, where I’ve been for the last 2.5 years.

TREATMENT/CARE

As of MARCH 2021, I have:

-met with 53 medical professionals (including GPs, gastroenterologists, physical therapists, rehabilitation specialists, functional medicine practitioners, chiropractors, rheumatologists, naturopaths, neurologists, spine specialists, abdominal surgeons, pain management specialists, neurosurgeons, allergists, immunologists, and sleep specialists)

-undertaken multiple blood and urine tests

-undertaken extensive imaging (including x-rays, CTs, ultrasounds, endoscopies, colonoscopies, full-body MRIs, EKGs, and EEGs)

-been prescribed more than 30 medications (including NSAIDs, painkillers, muscle relaxants, dopamine promoters, anti inflammatories, antihistamines, tonic water, nonergot dopamine agonists, ACE inhibitors, anti-epileptics, phenothiazines, triptans, sedatives, antidepressants, corticosteroids, Lyrica, Bactrim, SSNRIs, chemotherapies, immunosuppressants, and medical cannabis)

-undertaken dozens of treatments and procedures (including multiple steroid injections, rf nerve ablations, and sympathetic blocks, celiac plexus blocks, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy, chiropractic care, bodywork, body care, pool therapy, acupuncture, micro frequency therapy, diagnostic injections)

-undertaken home therapies and treatments (exercises/movements, ice/heat, TENS unit, body pillow, supplementation, icy hot, essential oils, meditation, massage, back brace, cbd oil, medical cannabis edibles/sprays/cartridges, breathing exercises, extended water fasts, intermittent fasting, autoimmune protocol diet, low carb/high fat diet, time-restricted eating, one meal a day)

-been denied acceptance by the Mayo Clinic, Undiagnosed Diseases Network, Johns Hopkins University, UCLA, and other facilities

DIAGNOSES

Rheumatoid Arthritis (later redacted by rheumatologist’s NP)Mild sacroiliitis, spinal inflammation, transient synovitis, spondylosis, radiculitis, multiple broad-based disc bulges“Atypical presentation of something rheumatological” (rheumatologist)Possible fibromyalgia Possible AMPS (Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome)Possible Mixed Connective Tissue DiseaseMild, widespread, generalized nerve painMild splenomegalyMild nonalcoholic Fatty Liver2.5 years of “bed head”

SUMMARY

I’m currently meeting regularly with a team of doctors, exploring dosing of new medications, eating a healthy diet, taking daily vitamins and supplements, engaged in weekly physical therapy, exploring the boundaries of my pain and range of motion, researching potential doctors/diagnoses/treatments, engaged in regular communication with online groups and individuals with or related to similar conditions, and continuing home treatments. 

The pain is constant and severe and is exacerbated by movement. Additionally, it can be difficult to think, work, and concentrate through the pain. I’m doing all I can to improve my health for myself and for my family. I’m anxious to be a more-involved husband, father, friend, and member of the community. I want to get outside and walk, hike, bike, swim, and travel. My faith, family, and friends sustain me, and I’m hopeful of improving my health. 

I don’t expect anyone to have the answers I’m seeking, but I think it’s worth asking about.

Thanks for any and all help you can offer!

The Book No One Wants to Read (Book Review)

The Book No One Wants to Read by Beth Bacon

Wow! What a brilliant, wonderful experience!

This book tells jokes, keeps secrets, plays games, and makes deals with the reader (while also endearing the reader to the power of words in the most delightful and clever ways).

This wildly subversive celebration of literacy (including visual literacy) and its relationship with the reader is a masterwork in picture books, literacy, design, and storytelling.

Educators, parents, and librarians will LOVE The Book No One Wants to Read!

Kerry and the Night of the Forest (Book Review)

Kerry and the Knight of the Forest

Written & Illustrated by Andi Watson

Wow! I’ve had my eye on Kerry and the Knight of the Forest for a while and I’m glad I finally got the chance to read this with my daughter.

Kerry and the Knight of the Forest is a fantastic adventure for middle-grade readers, packed with memorable characters, dynamic illustrations, and spectacular adventures.

It was the artwork and hand-lettered cover that initially drew me to this book.

Just thumbing through the pages produces a delightful display of palettes, textures, and characters. The wandering nature of the story and unique characters and situations reminds me of Matt Forsythe’s Ojingogo and Shaun Tan’s The Arrival, as well as Chris Mostyn’s strange and endearing Gob comics.

Aren’t those pages just a joy to read? I love all the design work that has gone into creating such a simple, seamless, adventurous story. (I should mention that Andi Watson is also the creator of The Book Tour—another graphic novel, but this time a brooding, mysterious dark comedy for older readers , which I also enjoyed.)

And look—PROCESS PAGES IN THE BACK!

If you’re interesting in learning how to write and draw your own comics, check out my book Let’s Make Comics! An Activity Book to Create, Write, and Draw Your Own Cartoons.

A light-hearted interactive guide to comics and cartoon-making that uses an activity book format and creatively stimulating prompts to teach the fundamentals of cartooning in a fun and easy-to-follow fashion.

From a working cartoonist and comic book making instructor, this all-ages activity book uses humorous and informative one-page comics and exercise prompts to guide young readers (and readers who are young at heart) through easy-to-master lessons on the skills needed to make comics.

The activities cover a range of essential comics-making tasks from creating expressions for characters to filling in blank panels to creating original characters and placing them in adventures of their own. Each exercise can stand on its own or work together with others in the book to stimulate creativity via the comics medium.

In the end, readers who complete the activities inside the book itself will have created several comics of their own, and will have generated many ideas for more sequential art creations.

If you’d like to read my next graphic novel for FREE and before it’s published, sign up for my First Readers Club here.