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Courtney Crumrin in Colour

According to a press release that’s just landed in my inbox, Oni Press plans to go back and re-release, in full colour, Ted Naifeh’s excellent young adult graphic novel series Courtney Crumrin. Released 10 years ago into a market that, frankly, didn’t really understand the Young Adult book category, Crumrin was thought to be too scary for kids and too ‘kiddy’ for grownups–neither of which was true then and I’m hoping that will be even more demonstrably false now.

It’s an interesting thing to see Courtney re-released, mostly because if successful, there are a host of graphic novels from just before the ‘boom’ that would likely find a much more favourable audience now. Here’s hoping.

I don’t usually do this, but I quite like this series and creator Ted Naifeh is a lovely gentleman, and so I invite you to thrill to the 5 page preview of the first volume and press release, immediately below. Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things, the first volume, will be out in April; I highly recommend picking it up for yourself or for the kid who appreciates ‘spooky’ things in your life.

– Chris

Continue reading “Courtney Crumrin in Colour”

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I’d go to this: PR: East Bay Alternative Press Book Fair

East Bay Alternative Press Book Fair
December 10, 2011, 10am-4pm
@ Berkeley City College

PRESS RELEASE:

Hello Bay Area!

As a d.i.y. kick in the ass to the holiday shopping season and a way to discover those lovely treasures to wile away the long winter nights, zinester Tomas Moniz of Rad Dad Zine, artist Brooke Appler, and others are organizing a one day event to celebrate the amazing quality and diversity of independent writing, publishing and all around crafting of the Bay Area.

The event will take place on Saturday, December 10th in downtown Berkeley at Berkeley City College (one block from Downtown Berkeley BART) from 10 am – 4 pm. With over 60 different tablers sharing their wares, this year’s Book Fair will be cram-packed with opportunities to talk with, mingle, and support local and independent artists such as Manic D Press, 1984 Printing, PM Press, and The Littlest Elle, and so many more. We also will have a Variety Show featuring work and art the evening before the book fair at Rock Paper Scissors Collective on December 9th. Some tables still available!

For more information, give us a holler!

East Bay Alternative Press – ebapbookfair@gmail.com
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=235581366488296
Review from last year: http://www.berkeleyside.com/2010/12/09/cartoons-and-comics-ondisplay-at-berkeley-fair/

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PR: Small Press Symposium in Chicago March 24th

Small Press and Comics Symposium of Chicago
Hosted by The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Thursday, March 24, 4:30–8:00 p.m.
SAIC Ballroom, 112 S. Michigan Ave.

Free and open to the public

The stubborn work ethic of Chicago’s independent publishers and comic makers will be explored in the second annual Small Press and Comics Symposium of Chicago, hosted by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) on March 24, 2011. Through panel discussions with ten Chicago presses and comic artists, SAIC’s Small Press and Comics Symposium will investigate the who, what, why, and how of comics and independent publishing—exploring the means and modes of self and small-run publications.

The SP&CSC will be composed of two separate panel discussions featuring comic artists Chris Ware, Onsmith, Corrine Mucha and Aaron Renier, as well as representatives from small-press publishers Front 40 Press, Featherproof Press, Green Lantern Press and the Poetry Magazine. The discussions will be moderated by two of Chicago’s most prominent publishing and comics scholars: Sally Alatalo and Hillary Chute. The questions posed to the panelists will address many issues including: the art of self-publication, the changing cultural status of comics, and the efficacy of collaborative working situations.

For more information: www.saic.edu/spandcsc
Email: comicsymposiumofchicago@gmail.com
Poster Design by Lilli Carre
About the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
A nationally accredited leader in educating artists, designers, and scholars since 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate programs to nearly 3,200 students from around the globe. Located in the heart of Chicago, SAIC has an educational philosophy built upon an interdisciplinary approach to art and design, giving students unparalleled opportunities to develop their creative and critical abilities, while working with renowned faculty who include many of the leading practitioners in their fields. SAIC’s resources include the Art Institute of Chicago and its new Modern Wing; numerous special collections and programming venues provide students with exceptional exhibitions, screenings, lectures, and performances. For more information, please visit www.saic.edu

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Reminder: Toronto Comic Arts Festival, May 8th and 9th

The Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) is a celebration of comics and graphic novels—and their creators—that takes place annually in Toronto, Canada. The next TCAF is  happening Saturday May 8th, 9am-5pm, and Sunday May 9th, 11am-5pm, 2010, at Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street, and it’s FREE TO ATTEND!

The 2010 Festival will feature over 200 comics authors and artists, including including Daniel Clowes (Wilson, Eightball, Ghost World), Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth), Paul Pope (Wednesday Comics), Dash Shaw (Body World), James Sturm (Golem’s Mighty Swing, Market Day), Charles Vess (Stardust, Blueberry Girl, Instructions), and Jim Woodring (Frank). Other special installations include The Webcomics Pavilion featuring Kate Beaton, Jeph Jacques, and Ryan North, The Toronto Small Press Schooner (presented by Broken Pencil and Wowee Zonk!), The Publishers Pavilion, and more than two-dozen creators from outside of North America!

For more information on TCAF and related events, please visit http://www.torontocomics.com.

– Christopher

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TORONTO: Abby Denson’s DOLLTOPIA launch next Friday

Abby Denson’s DOLLTOPIA Book Launch and Party!
Featuring Abby Denson and Matt Loux
Friday, October 16th, 2009, 6pm-8pm
@ The Central, 603 Markham Street (Next to The Beguiling)
FREE

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=105326729762

Mini-comix Queen Abby Denson will be releasing her new full-length graphic novel DOLLTOPIA this fall, and The Beguiling and publisher Green Candy Press are teaming up to throw a party!

DOLLTOPIA is the story of a group of dolls that are tired living the factory-set, cookie-cutter existences that their owners and makers have laid out from them… and revolt! They seek DOLLTOPIA, a place where a doll can be a doll. It’s a mature rumination on the nature of identity, individuality, and making a mark in a society that tends towards sterility and monoculture, told in the style of a Todd Haynes biopic.

The evening’s event will include a reading and presentation from Abby Denson on DOLLTOPIA, the official release of the graphic novel from Green Candy Press, and Abby’s even been bringing awesome gourmet cupcakes to all of her tour stops for everyone who attends! Also joining the evening presentation will be Abby’s good friend and graphic novelist Matt Loux! Matt is the author of the Oni Press graphic novel SIDESCROLLERS (which fans of Scott Pilgrim will enjoy!), and his most recent series are the (really, really good) young readers graphic novels SALT WATER TAFFY. The third volume is the brand new The Truth About Dr. True, and Matt will be signing copies and presenting from this work!

The event is a bit of an early one, starting at 6pm right next to The Beguiling at THE CENTRAL, on the main floor! Hopefully you can come out for the event!

– Christopher

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Toronto: Comics & Graphic Novels @ The Word On The Street

Hey folks! If you’re in Toronto this Sunday, September 27th, might I humbly suggest you mosey on over to Queen’s Park to enjoy THE WORD ON THE STREET literary festival? It’s an annual literary event, held simultaneously across 5 cities in Canada, and it puts books of all kinds—including comics and graphic novels–in giant tents on major city streets, to engage the populace. It’s a great idea, with a solid execution, and myself and The Toronto Comic Arts Festival are proud to be back for a third year sponsoring the Comics and Graphic Novels tent. We’ve got a full day of comics programming ready to go, including signings, panels, readings, and more.

Here’s a brief outline of this year’s programming, and I hope we see you out this weekend (oh and please feel free to repost):

11:00am-11:15am: All about Comics & Graphic Novels: A brief introduction.
Hosted by Christopher Butcher.

11:15am-12:00pm: Creating comics with Owlkids!
Featuring CTON (Clayton Hanmer) and Brian McLachlan.
Bonus: The first 200 kids 12 and under that attend this panel will receive a gift bag filled with great comics!

12:00-13:00: Creating Comics and Raising a Family: Finding Balance.
Featuring Jim Munroe (Sword of My Mouth), Tara Tallan (Galaxion), and Claudia Davilla (Luz: The Girl of Knowing).

13:00-14:00: No Rules, No Budget, All Fun! How and why you should make comics!
Featuring Georgia Webber (gangLion), Ruth Tait, and steflenk (The Haircut)

14:00-15:00: Graphic Memoirs – 3 New Works.
Featuring Tory Woolcott (Mirror Mind), Lesley Fairfield (Tyranny), and Adam Bourret (I’m Crazy)

15:00-16:00: Sequential Presents: Oh, Canada. Surveying The Landscape of Canadian Comics.
Featuring Bryan Munn, Salgood Sam, Brad Mackay, and Kevin Boyd.

16:00-17:00: Sequential Presents: Three New Comics set in Canada
Featuring readings by Willow Dawson (100 Mile House), Jeff Lemire (Essex County), and Evan Munday (Quarter-Life Crisis).

17:00-18:00: WEBCOMICS
Featuring Andy Belanger (Bottle of Awesome), Faith Erin Hicks (War At Ellsmere), Emily Horne (A Softer World), Ryan North (Dinosaur Comics), Kean Soo (Jellaby).

—

For full programming descriptions and stuff, check out The Word On The Street website at http://www.thewordonthestreet.ca/wots/toronto/whatson/comics.

Thanks,

– Christopher

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Oh, Canada! Second volume of Canadian Aboriginal graphic novel series released…

rabbitandbearpawsvol2.jpgI don’t normally run press releases, but I was happy to see that the second volume of “Adventures of Rabbit and Bear-Paws,” The Voyageurs, saw release last week. It’s created by Chad Solomon and Christopher Meyer, two very determined self-publishers who’ve been working hard in Ontario to get their work noticed. I think they’ve got a graphic novel coming from Scholastic Canada coming later this year as well…

Quite clearly patterned after Asterix & Obelix, this is a fun little series for younger readers that incorporates lots of First Nations history, culture, and tradition.

New strips are available every week or so at http://www.rabbitandbearpaws.com, and the book is available for sale from that website too (as well as from The Beguiling in Toronto). Feel free to read the full press-release on this series after the cut.

Congrats to Chad and Christopher on their second release.

– Chris

Continue reading “Oh, Canada! Second volume of Canadian Aboriginal graphic novel series released…”

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ANNOUNCE: Cecil Castellucci & Scott Hepburn in Toronto

PLEASE INCLUDE IN YOUR EVENT LISTINGS

The Beguiling Presents

CECIL CASTELLUCCI & SCOTT HEPBURN
For the new graphic novels The Plain Janes and Star Wars: Vector

Wednesday, January 30th, 5PM-7PM
The Beguiling, 601 Markham Street
(Around the corner from Honest Ed’s, at Bathurst TTC)
FREE

TORONTO, Ontario—The Beguiling is proud to present CECIL CASTELLUCCI, author of celebrated novel Beige (named a 2008 Best Book for Young Adults by YALSA) and the new MINX graphic novel THE PLAIN JANES (named a Great Graphic Novel for Teens), alongside illustrator Scott Hepburn, artist of the brand new year-long comics event STAR WARS: VECTOR, in a special all ages in-store signing event. Both Castellucci and Hepburn will signing at The Beguiling in support of their new books. In addition, the first 20 attendees to the signing will receive a FREE Minx Poster featuring The Plain Janes, signed by Castellucci.

“We think this is going to be a really fun signing,” enthused Beguiling Manager Christopher Butcher. “While Cecil and Scott may seem like an odd pairing at first, they’ve both produced work aimed for a young adult audience that has resonated with readers of all ages, and we think that’s going to make for a diverse and interesting group of fans!”

Following the signing, both Cecil and Scott will be discussing the nuts-and-bolts creation of their work as part of The Beguiling’s “Industry Night @ The Vic” at The Victory Café, 581 Markham Street, at 8pm.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Cecil Castellucci is the author of the award-winning young adult novels Boy Proof, Queen of Cool, and Beige, all published by Candlewick Press. Her first foray into graphic novels is The Plain Janes, from DC Comics/MINX, illustrated by Jim Rugg. Cecil’s work has received numerous honours from The American Library Association (ALA) and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), with Beige and Plain Janes receiving numerous awards just this week! Cecil can be found on the internet at http://misscecil.com.

Scott Hepburn’s art career includes illustrating numerous RPG books from White Wolf Publishing, and providing lead artistic duties for the YALSA-nominated graphic novel series Sentinel from Marvel Comics. He provides the art for the new Star Wars comic series Vector, which begins in the title Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #25. A perfect introduction to the popular comics, this first issue features characters from across the Star Wars Universe including Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and many more. Scott is also currently creating the online graphic novel The Port for Canadian webcomics collective TRANSMISSION-X, at http://www.transmission-x.com/.

ABOUT THE BOOKS:
The Plain Janes is published by DC Comics/MINX, and distributed in Canada by H.B. Fenn. Boy Proof, The Queen of Cool, and Beige are published by Candlewick Press and distributed by Penguin Canada. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #25 and Star Wars: Vector are comic book serials published by Dark Horse Comics. Copies of all books will be available for sale at the event.

MEDIA QUERIES:
For queries regarding the event, contact Christopher Butcher, manager of The Beguiling, 416-533-9168 or via email at: chris@beguiling.com.


Art from The Plain Janes, by illustrator Jim Rugg. Copyright 2007 Cecil Castellucci and Jim Rugg.


Cover to Beige, by Cecil Castellucci. Picked as a ‘2008 Best Book for Young Adults’ by YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association.


Art by Scott Hepburn from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #25 (Vector Part 1). Copyright 2008 Lucasfilm Ltd.

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Scott Pilgrim Website Relaunched

scott-pilgrim-website.jpgBryan Lee O’Malley just sent out a little note that the brand new promo website for Scott Pilgrim is now online, featuring a spiffy new design by Nadine Lessio… the same talented designer that produced my own site here. http://www.scottpilgrim.com/ features icons, wallpaper, press info, and even a preview of the forthcoming fourth volume of the book.

Speaking of which, I hear that print proofs have already made their way into certain reviewers’ hands, and the book is currently scheduled to drop November 7th, give or take a week for printing and distribution vagaries. I turned down the preview… I really want to read the final book and I’ve already spoiled two or three things about the story for myself by accident so I’m trying to stay as far away from the pages as possible. But if you just can’t wait, then head over and check it out.

– Christopher