The in-between place.

Work's been odd these past few weeks, a combination of nervously waiting for VIETNAMERICA to come out, scrambling to get other projects off the ground, and stabilizing the freelance situation. Amid these waves of change, still relaxing with some public figure drawing sessions:

Also, thanks to ICV2 for picking VIETNAMERICA as their #1 fiction and reality book for first quarter 2011!



And for the locals, tonight in Williamsburg is the gallery opening for a person I've known far too long:

Joanna's imagination and artistry have been blowing my mind for over 15 years, and I'm psyched the masses are finally gonna get a taste of it:

One step closer to the finish line!

I recently approved VIETNAMERICA's final round of color proofs so it's being printed right now in a distant land. I'm told I might have copies by December so some of you regular blog-visitors might be getting an extra gift this holiday season. Now that there's no turning back, I've permanently added its Amazon link to the right since all the book details are accurately listed.

Speaking of comics on the horizon, cartoonist friend Sarah Glidden of the upcoming journalistic graphic memoir HOW TO UNDERSTAND ISRAEL IN 60 DAYS has started a Kickstarter campaign for her next project:



Considering the funds she's already raised, I think she'll easily meet her modest goal by the deadline. Nonetheless, if you value stories like Sarah's as much as I do, please consider showing your support!

2010: Three shows down, one to go!

Being part of NYCC Artist Alley last weekend confirmed how much I love exhibiting at all types of shows. Whether it's TCAF or SDCC, SPX or NYCC, I always have an awesome time, visit with old friends, make new ones, and revel in the grand inclusiveness that comes from our shared and diverse love of comics. So next stop is November's Kingcon (more details soon), and here's the art sans type for my first ever show poster:



Other than the requirement that the Brooklyn Lyceum building be featured (it's where Kingcon takes place), I had complete creative freedom and was honored to contribute and support this show's sophomore outing in the borough I've called home for 10+ years.

"Can I bring a sword?"

After the personable, relaxed, DIY cartoonist experience of SPX last month, this weekend is the enormous celebration of all things geek, comics bonanza of NYCC! I'll be tucked in Artist Alley (Hall E, table S15) doing my thing and like at SPX, be raffling off full color copies of VIETNAMERICA three months before its release so don't be a stranger. FYI: this post's title is taken straight from their FAQ page so you better be ready to represent.

News from all fronts...

On the illustration front, thanks to SN&R's Don Button for the cover quickie (it's easy when the AD already has a specific idea--"American Gothic" anyone?) even though it was canned at the last minute in favor of a photograph:



On the book front, enormous thanks to Library Journal's Martha Cornog for including VIETNAMERICA as one of January's releases to keep an eye out for:

"His excellent color art suggests the European style of Joann Sfar. This could make the top nonfiction GNs of 2011 lists and become a worthy addition to the growing roster of quality war-themed comics."

The first and probably last time my work will be mentioned in the same breath as Dan Clowes.

23 September 2010

This is Liz Goodyear who passed away on the evening of the 23rd. The no-nonsense outlook and wisdom she shared with those around her will resonate years beyond her youthful age of 103. I know they'll certainly last the rest of my lifetime. True to the life she lived, she moved on in style: the night of a full moon on the autumnal equinox!

UPDATE: The NY Times' Sarah Kramer marks Liz's passing.

Workin' it...

I've been busy with a mix of comics, illustrations, and apparel graphics this month. Everything seems to still be in their infancy phase so here are some sketchbook stuff to tide over any blog visitors:





For more distractions, check out my twitter account. At the request of my publisher, I've decided to give it a try for a couple months so go watch the train wreck slowly unfold.

And the winners are... [drumroll]

Saturday #436 and Sunday #463. If you know what this is referring to AND have either of those in your possession, please contact me for your prize!



SPX was absolutely amazing--it just gets better and better every year! Huge thanks to everyone who swung by my table to chat, flip through the preview of VIETNAMERICA, and part with their hard-earned dollars.

CON-slaught continues:

Next stop: SPX this weekend! For the past year I dialed back my convention schedule as I wrapped up VIETNAMERICA--a casualty of time and funds--so promotion for its upcoming release has been limited to events like SDCC this past July, and now SPX! I'll be at table B16 with some new goodies and raffling off full color copies of VIETNAMERICA four months before its release! One copy each day so c'mon by:



With just two shows in 2010, my schedule's significantly lighter than usual. It's a gradual ramp up to 2011 when I'll be hawking my book at every con, festival, craft mart, swap meet, PTA meeting, etc. under the sun.

And so it begins...

Awaiting me upon my return to NYC last week were advance-reader-copies of VIETNAMERICA! My publisher Villard is releasing them into the wild, and so begins a completely new phase of the book's road to publication: trying to drum up press and publicity.



Although it's a full color book, I think the b/w galleys do a good job of reproducing the tonal artwork. Specific color palettes are threaded throughout to help distinguish characters, plots, and time periods (as hinted in this earlier post) so it'll be interesting what readers will think without color to aid in their preview (i.e. I hope it still makes sense!). Villard is considering including a small full color chapter excerpt with each galley they send out, so crossing my fingers that happens.

If you spot one of these in the wild, please don't make any sudden noises as it scares easily. Approach slowly and if it doesn't run away, please give it a good home. All it needs to flourish are occasional sunlight and kind words.