Typhon Haiyan (Yolanda) relief benefit!

Rina Ayuyang of YAM Books put together a bunch of ebay auctions to help out survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. There is tons of great original art & comics, including a lot of six books from us at Birdcage Bottom Books.

The auction ends soon, so please go bid now!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281211774844?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Arbuckles

Phew, finally sent out the last of the pre-orders for "Snake Pit Gets Old" and lugged six 40 pound boxes full of them (for Diamond Distribution) to the post-office on my little hand-truck. Now I can get back to drawing.

Speaking of, here's a comic I did for the upcoming issue of "Mutant Funnies" that Atomic Books puts out for free comic book day. I haven't posted any of my own comics in a while, so here's one that I'm not particularly proud of but gets the job done. Enjoy!

Shout-out: James Turek

DIGESTATE CONTRIBUTOR:

JAMES TUREK!

James Turek (left) drawing/winning the Finnish Comics Battle 2012!

The artist bio picture he wanted me to run, for some reason.

James Turek is an illustrator/cartoonist/comic artist and print maker whose work has can be seen in several publications such as Kinkimag (Swiss) Smoke Signal (NY) Kus! (Latvia) and Drops (Germany) to name a few. He is currently working on an English word book for Klett Kinderbuch, due out in Spring.

Nature Park Cages

Sample page from adaptation of Huckleberry Finn (for sale on his blog)

I teach a children's comic workshop a few times a year, give lectures(for adults) and show my work at various comic festivals as well as actively participating in the growing comics scene here in Leipzig, Germany. Beyond that, like so many, I am always searching for new ways to put FOOD on the table by doing what I love the most..drawing (and reading) comix! You can see more of my work at:

www.absoluteturek.blogspot.com

"The Creation Story" from Berlin's 'Radio As Paper'

Editor's note: James is one of the many, many fine folks I met through The Nursery at JWT (storyboards, animation, etc. for advertising campaigns). His gorgeous silkscreen of a Waffle House is one of my favorite pieces of artwork hanging in my studio. The colors and line quality perfectly capture the nostalgia I feel for an iconic establishment that figured prominently in my youth in the deep south. Most of the mini comics I have of Turek's are entirely silk-screened - every page! Insanity!

"Tractor Beam" from Leizpig's 'Drops no.4' comic anthology

Reviews & News

A couple more reviews have trickled in. Joe Babinsack from Pop Damage wrote a short review of Tales of Good Ol' Snoop Doggy Dogg here, and Rob Clough wrote one for Losers Weepers #2 on The Comics Journal blog.

I'm hard at work on a new collection of dream comics. I've finished inking one featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, and I've started in on another one with Snoop Dogg. I've attached photographic proof for you naysayers.

Review in Eye On Comics

Don MacPherson of Eye On Comics (the dapper fellow pictured here) gave a very kind and in-depth review of "Old Man Winter & Other Sordid Tales" (click on the link to read it). I'm not just saying this because he gave me a good review, but I really appreciate how closely he read my stories. He picked up on some subtleties that some have missed and was able to find merit in some of the stories that weren't necessarily in line with his own beliefs (I actually care more about whether a non-vegan/vegetarian gets something from my more "activist-leaning" comics than a vegan/vegetarian).

My great hope and greater purpose behind making the majority of my comics is that I'll be able to get a message out to an audience that might not be inclined to pick up literature or books about factory-farms, vivisection, etc. I don't expect someone to make a huge lifestyle change from reading a comic, but I do want to plant a seed in their brain. It could inspire them to seek information, or it could just add another layer to what they've already learned elsewhere. Believe it or not, a "Bloom County" comic strip in the newspaper was the seed that got me thinking. I credit that strip for my decision to abstain from meat and, soon after, all animal products almost 20 years ago!

Who says comics are mindless entertainment?

New comic (I Once Was Lost But Now I'm Found)

While waiting for the affadavits, photos & interviews from Gail to start the Slaughterhouse graphic novel I started on a less serious comic. I've always loved collecting notes, letters, grocery lists, etc. that somehow find their way onto the public sidewalks and streets. I have a huge file in my file cabinet full of these treasures. A few years ago, I stumbled upon a magazine called "Found" that collects such detritus and publishes the most interesting every so often (they've also put out two books of 'greatest hits'). I kept meaning to sort the wheat from the chaff of my own collection to submit to Found, and I finally did so. However, rather than just send them along, I thought I'd include a comic detailing the circumstances in which I found each item. So, without further ado, here is the first installment.

I'm intending to add some other drawings in that expanse of white space in the journal pages, but here's what I have so far...

(Click on the thumbnail images to enlarge)

Applying for the Xeric Grant

So, being the masochist that I am, I've applied for a self-publishing grant from the Xeric Foundation. I've gathered a bunch of my comics, including a long one loosely based on an old man that comes into Utrecht Art Supplies (I work there one day a week). He breaks my heart every time I see him. Getting old is a bitch.

Part of the process of putting together the application was getting cost estimates for printing. This has been a real eye-opener for me. It's no wonder nobody makes any money from publishing graphic novels! It also makes me that much more appreciative of the bells & whistles people like Chris Ware and Jordan Crane work into their book designs. Anytime you see a die-cut cover or even something as simple as an untraditional sized cover you know it cost some bucks.

I'll hear back from the Xeric Foundation in November (I think), so wish me luck. Or don't.

You can see most of the comics I'll be including here. I don't think I'll be able to afford to print them in color, so revel in the dizzying full color while you can!