2010 comes to a close.

Things are getting quiet for the holi-daze. Just wrapping up some freelance and finishing stuff my publisher needs for VIETNAMERICA's big marketing push in January. Speaking of which, for anyone who's read a b/w advance copy and feels like sharing your impressions there's this Amazon Customer Review page where you can tell people to give it a chance or warn them to run in the other direction.

Several work projects are still up in the air--more than I'd prefer to be ending the year with--but everything should be settled in January so hope to be sharing more then. See you all in 2011!

Whoa!!!

This week's Publishers Weekly gave VIETNAMERICA a starred review! Their reviews are anonymous, so thanks to whoever took the time to read and write a few kind words on it--I hope you got a color version. It all hits the fan next month so I've been trying to calm fits of anxiety and nervousness with figure drawing:

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Further proof that I actually have a book coming out:

Suh-weeet! My first international pre-pub praise by comics guru Paul Gravett:

"Tran's often widescreen, formally complex advance spreads promise something extraordinary... Potentially one of the key American graphic novels of next year."

Hope to live up to the anticipation, Paul! This recent podcast interview with Comic Geek Speak is either a step in that direction or a step backwards, depending on what you think of my aimless, incoherent rambling:

In either case, it was a fun time (my segment starts at the 27 min mark)!

Last stop on the 2010 con/show train:

I'll be exhibiting at KingCon this weekend, and here's the final version of the show poster (artwork by me, typography by the Brooklyn Lyceum team):

It's the second year for this laid back, eclectic, and very Brooklyn-centric comics fest so c'mon down and say hi.

For all the comic shops out there, VIETNAMERICA is solicited in this month's PREVIEWS on page 298. Please note that the book is actually 300 pages and $30, not the listed 192 and $20. I hope you'll take a chance and order a few copies for your store, and for those readers supporting your LCBS, please let them know you'd like a copy!

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.