tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56297648699548589332024-03-13T02:19:42.539-07:00TOPPLED IDOLSonline sketchbook for Sabin Michael Calvert, author and illustrator of such books as Gorgeous Clothed Flies, Demon of the Fall, Invisible Empire (issues 0 through 2) and contributor to Awesome 2; Awesomer (Top Shelf), World War Three and a forthcoming novel entitled Burnt Children.Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.comBlogger572125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-2785987814817627042015-09-13T19:37:00.003-07:002015-09-13T19:37:37.539-07:00MaleficiumI don't know if anyone is still out there in blog land. It's been 3 years since the last post on here. And only after a few sporadic sputterings before that. <div>
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If you didn't know, I've been writing more on <a href="http://symptomcomics.com/">my webcomic Symptom of the Universe</a> and I've been working on a new project- Maleficium. It's about a lesbian separatist witch coven in 1969 San Francisco. The first issue debuted at SPX last year. The second issue debuted at Flame-Con this year and the third issue is going to debut at CAB this year. It's been a pretty wild ride (as wild as self-published comics get; which is a step above busking).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCxw3-3Md7pQUsdM-b7Y5Z7Sgok6Y9xOlTovD4ccKINSyfn2pkE9kW8yVj_Kn4QfOZAUubrf_qUbDtoMi1BhjD0K4sL-hgAp25yiT8m1r33YVou7Q3HGRvC2GHLlQkv-OVgkUnGM7XDc/s1600/Malef-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCxw3-3Md7pQUsdM-b7Y5Z7Sgok6Y9xOlTovD4ccKINSyfn2pkE9kW8yVj_Kn4QfOZAUubrf_qUbDtoMi1BhjD0K4sL-hgAp25yiT8m1r33YVou7Q3HGRvC2GHLlQkv-OVgkUnGM7XDc/s320/Malef-1.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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If you're of the digital persuasion, you <a href="http://gum.co/maleficium1">can download Maleficium 1</a> as a pay-what-you-like download. It's a pdf, so it should work on any platform. </div>
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Check it out if that sounds like your thing. I'll be uploading the second and third issues soon, so watch for those.</div>
Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-59112314607400870502012-08-10T14:16:00.000-07:002012-08-10T14:16:44.898-07:00Authenticity über alles!I've been extremely quiet here... most of my time has been spent writing in service of drawing or simply drawing, but a bit of free time has allowed me a moment to put a little rant here.<br />
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I stumbled across this <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/feb/01/in-praise-of-arthur-russell">"review" on The Gaurdian</a> which is a series where someone writes about some pointless topic they feel like pointlessly writing about (In Praise of... Tweeting!) and for some bizarre reason they chose Arthur Russell.<br />
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The piece starts; "<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">There's a certain Keats-like romance in "discovering" an artist who died before their time, before their gifts were truly appreciated."</span><br />
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I can only assume this was written out of malice. There is NOTHING romantic about the HIV/AIDS epidemic. While Reagan was busy plotting ethnic cleansings in South America and railing about the evils of good music, those in power did NOTHING - NOTHING to help here OR abroad. Half a million Americans died. A huge percentage were queer. Keatsian romance?<br />
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25 MILLION PEOPLE are DEAD. To you this is romantic? Because you "discovered" an artist? An artist who was never, hidden, who was not wildly, but successful enough to put out records, to get played in clubs all over NYC and who recorded for Phillip Glass. The NEA scandal decimated who was left in the queer arts community- those continuing to thrive were seen as toxic. Our government poisoned the well both physically and culturally.<br />
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But to The Gaurdian, this is <i>authentic</i>. This is business! Sell some books, some records and romanticize AIDS. Not only rewriting this as romantic but rewriting history to make it seem as though Arthur Russell was some unknown, outsider artist who is only now getting his dues.<br />
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The fact that that they would print this piece on Arthur Russell in 2010 only speaks to their own unwillingness to support artists working now. Why not praise musicians working now? Why not take a chance and HAVE AN OPINION!?<br />
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This article treats the world as a whitewashed mausoleum, an empty agenda of cool. Only support that which has been praised by others, that which is long gone but now retro. Don't live in the present, only romanticize oppression. Authenticity is all that matters, even if you have to lie to get there.<br />
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Arthur Russell deserves better.Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-20623670336584903522012-06-25T09:42:00.000-07:002012-06-25T09:42:24.044-07:00Hubcap Diamond Star Halo<a href="http://www.symptomcomics.com/comics/2012-06-25_page_43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="550" width="550" src="http://www.symptomcomics.com/comics/2012-06-25_page_43.jpg" /></a>
Hi, I know it's been a while but it's all quality over quantity around the ol' idol. So why don't you head over to Symptom of the Universe for my Vaughn Bode tribute with a little piece on the origins of this project, the influence of Marc Bolan on my work and of course great comics!
<a href="http://www.symptomcomics.com/">http://www.symptomcomics.com/</a>Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-73359708697259355032012-01-10T20:04:00.001-08:002012-01-10T20:05:38.201-08:00milkbonehenge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVAxxQWhDK4kEx0l0GMWqvXSxo2wm-VJ4-f7JlI6qP4fh4qUnExMRYWz4P-QEX5IBpQgO2Xocdp_89weMIHx6L8KTG6cZpvuxaWJ7dEjNxQFcKElxX94DbbxPJm0pGpv_8KO2CO9SMD4/s1600/janehenge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVAxxQWhDK4kEx0l0GMWqvXSxo2wm-VJ4-f7JlI6qP4fh4qUnExMRYWz4P-QEX5IBpQgO2Xocdp_89weMIHx6L8KTG6cZpvuxaWJ7dEjNxQFcKElxX94DbbxPJm0pGpv_8KO2CO9SMD4/s400/janehenge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696220589209292418" border="0" /></a>Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-26390228841677663382011-08-04T06:02:00.000-07:002011-08-04T06:05:51.399-07:00In Print<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxbdhGHiJvawGpsxz6_p8QxmdJJlqDDhyphenhyphenDmgSR6mO8UrVjEaFFOF6r9Yetpk1OjcYemhC8KLM1IDry0bhKgyqQ93a5O_93u7qCdZj6cJRDVtNXdGFMoqYl28IjCiySPS3nHxCJp4PBVw/s1600/Symptom-Cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxbdhGHiJvawGpsxz6_p8QxmdJJlqDDhyphenhyphenDmgSR6mO8UrVjEaFFOF6r9Yetpk1OjcYemhC8KLM1IDry0bhKgyqQ93a5O_93u7qCdZj6cJRDVtNXdGFMoqYl28IjCiySPS3nHxCJp4PBVw/s400/Symptom-Cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636985821574800082" border="0" /></a><br />I'm getting some preview mock-ups of the story so far... if you come to SPX you can check them out. Also, I will have the first chapter available to download on the site when the second chapter begins. I can't wait to see this in the real world!!!Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-41872730353355876122011-08-01T14:40:00.000-07:002011-08-01T14:45:02.253-07:00Little One, Little Something<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga484zsJueyUJ8pwNed2cJoLjaJ7YZvVeBA2zcSfCphxoEJdr1Kf2YxncMo5vAXRzeKa7rkesRfQAOY6SiGLm5qHMn_aJxxYm8B4XSUTVuHfS1nGw1bATnDbonb6doOjkmQvTEAylG1JE/s1600/little+one.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga484zsJueyUJ8pwNed2cJoLjaJ7YZvVeBA2zcSfCphxoEJdr1Kf2YxncMo5vAXRzeKa7rkesRfQAOY6SiGLm5qHMn_aJxxYm8B4XSUTVuHfS1nGw1bATnDbonb6doOjkmQvTEAylG1JE/s400/little+one.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636006630292360258" border="0" /></a><br />Have you checked out Symptom of the Universe lately?<br /><br />I'm pretty much shuttering Toppled Idols for the time being, perhaps to throw a couple things in here, but every week there is a new page, new music and new insights into the wonderful world of comics...<br /><br />It's time to play the game!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://symptomcomics.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >symptomcomics.com</span></a>Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-78090980908175289662011-07-28T15:38:00.000-07:002011-07-28T15:46:12.163-07:00Please Help<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://dailybayonet.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/africa-from-space.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 357px; height: 282px;" src="http://dailybayonet.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/africa-from-space.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />There is a massive famine in Somalia right now, an entire generation could die off. Please if you have any money to spare at this moment, this is crucial.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wfp.org/">http://www.wfp.org</a>Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-24015290023782727662011-07-15T03:36:00.000-07:002011-07-15T03:40:00.584-07:00Your Tattoo Is Gay<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8xM3D1X3K6YvLPmeSKJjGVfttml8Ff8RuM0jvWPVzenM1ROqX7i5891eYXp-bJ6ooegGsgG0l5vjBgHwqBAyQIslft5o5lPl1j-yxkOyiHQ3diOG0uLvIYhRYplDnU9SwInyeUPcBs4/s1600/touch+me+grapely.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8xM3D1X3K6YvLPmeSKJjGVfttml8Ff8RuM0jvWPVzenM1ROqX7i5891eYXp-bJ6ooegGsgG0l5vjBgHwqBAyQIslft5o5lPl1j-yxkOyiHQ3diOG0uLvIYhRYplDnU9SwInyeUPcBs4/s400/touch+me+grapely.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629526915613196370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjryPQBvf-dRznRg8vjUQl2596yfvvI_bYzzPzqtOxVhBzY6f7qk_OGDAKZ0T-6No4ofUbpNPnSg-bWP8feRyDSwmW3t_kRg92SN-RTn20OnRJF0Zt41JaQ2MCpI70tMMPz7xVN-e0jR4/s1600/hug.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjryPQBvf-dRznRg8vjUQl2596yfvvI_bYzzPzqtOxVhBzY6f7qk_OGDAKZ0T-6No4ofUbpNPnSg-bWP8feRyDSwmW3t_kRg92SN-RTn20OnRJF0Zt41JaQ2MCpI70tMMPz7xVN-e0jR4/s400/hug.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629526834003182130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyTtGq7lVf1hEh8DML2kUiuCgasEe5PGY-I7dyig3t_8DGfvoJctKYzIXgfIbS86DvhvZKA2OK8BWy3HXLUs-TkwhnrHzHR3lVUJcNZkVLjpgm0EGWKJnc9T3tiPzJCErCcVvs8xSQ6M/s1600/gaynicorn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyTtGq7lVf1hEh8DML2kUiuCgasEe5PGY-I7dyig3t_8DGfvoJctKYzIXgfIbS86DvhvZKA2OK8BWy3HXLUs-TkwhnrHzHR3lVUJcNZkVLjpgm0EGWKJnc9T3tiPzJCErCcVvs8xSQ6M/s400/gaynicorn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629526704267140258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVk4rCtbtobgopQlATFTkPUS20CFdgXXVweYm4Ds8ltZi08CK3sEt6Z-roHEfw1XHMJRMZT3H31b-yoCd8uYnrY4P7nYwv46V4Rf4AoIKfdrHPiNz7NnPn66FSHzlrN4TOOj7d3hcqCI/s1600/dumble.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVk4rCtbtobgopQlATFTkPUS20CFdgXXVweYm4Ds8ltZi08CK3sEt6Z-roHEfw1XHMJRMZT3H31b-yoCd8uYnrY4P7nYwv46V4Rf4AoIKfdrHPiNz7NnPn66FSHzlrN4TOOj7d3hcqCI/s400/dumble.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629526614946023442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nD1ci8JTZx67SZnS1m9jQU3qbpKyYaIZqxvPmpLJP4_3rGvbFZ1l1WZIwSulymDUn-gHd4Xg07OBJhJ7gJMjSEwSHQmV5GKaA1QA-vwS6YcF1SGsYYxTRP__xv6P_nXdxCM36uIbEPE/s1600/dolphicorn+hump.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 345px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nD1ci8JTZx67SZnS1m9jQU3qbpKyYaIZqxvPmpLJP4_3rGvbFZ1l1WZIwSulymDUn-gHd4Xg07OBJhJ7gJMjSEwSHQmV5GKaA1QA-vwS6YcF1SGsYYxTRP__xv6P_nXdxCM36uIbEPE/s400/dolphicorn+hump.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629526540278777794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98siPz6JvcX_ojXHQrAql6q8-Mb5fH-c_LyV6cVWwMWFgxlD_v8NPywZ0os9JfmVstYYkwyWMLPf4xSLZMloOr-7nNv99ueWTmQIJ-WV4TcQfAUxfuf-GAdVD5iTADw1qJMn9DEt3iQQ/s1600/anti-gay-tattoo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98siPz6JvcX_ojXHQrAql6q8-Mb5fH-c_LyV6cVWwMWFgxlD_v8NPywZ0os9JfmVstYYkwyWMLPf4xSLZMloOr-7nNv99ueWTmQIJ-WV4TcQfAUxfuf-GAdVD5iTADw1qJMn9DEt3iQQ/s400/anti-gay-tattoo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629526456455596754" /></a>Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-85282084444646614152011-07-13T18:46:00.000-07:002011-07-13T18:50:10.401-07:00SKRATCHBOARD SKULL<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32HnCj-z9dDgaYezb8w9M4JK80I71HalBGQ18m8adC3AwraUnv3o2BuW8Tl10_55apo7NEMYJhWnR2bqA5bmsTHkYGgiyOh2faEh4tFGIxbknc-on1-QhSLWt9FbbWUQYgdBYLbAWnok/s1600/skull4web.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 284px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32HnCj-z9dDgaYezb8w9M4JK80I71HalBGQ18m8adC3AwraUnv3o2BuW8Tl10_55apo7NEMYJhWnR2bqA5bmsTHkYGgiyOh2faEh4tFGIxbknc-on1-QhSLWt9FbbWUQYgdBYLbAWnok/s400/skull4web.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629019056723736450" /></a><br /><br />Playing with a scratchboard. Working on the animations and designs for Negro Antichrist... coming to Dixon Place:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.nyc-arts.org/events/14474/negro-antichrist">http://www.nyc-arts.org/events/14474/negro-antichrist</a><br /><br />Hope you can make it.Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-61801247472285550632011-06-30T10:15:00.000-07:002011-06-30T10:18:41.962-07:00Bleak BleepsI really enjoy the way my lettering looks after I photograph it yet before I put it onto the page... like some weird metal zine/comics hybrid. So thought I'd share...<br /><br />Incidentally, my favorite page is up... <a href="http://symptomcomics.com">symptomcomics.com</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjG48IEXRredE_d_e25OZ0ixZQ_UQkCjyS8G4Ikm19qeFihvHVaHfvHZ9r1Cnln0_JJVnGfiDUa_fTQzHJkQefELttW8Ct8jd0BwV7Yb8IlcmDFQhG94cMNAuMGrdikdmDDfnUnBwWqo/s1600/bleep.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjG48IEXRredE_d_e25OZ0ixZQ_UQkCjyS8G4Ikm19qeFihvHVaHfvHZ9r1Cnln0_JJVnGfiDUa_fTQzHJkQefELttW8Ct8jd0BwV7Yb8IlcmDFQhG94cMNAuMGrdikdmDDfnUnBwWqo/s400/bleep.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624063297961074210" /></a>Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-26302180352494698052011-06-06T15:20:00.000-07:002011-06-06T15:23:58.986-07:00What Have You Linked For Me Lately?Have you checked out my achingly epic webcomic? It's about high time... you did!<br /><br /><a href="http://symptomcomics.com"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.symptomcomics.com/comics/2011-06-06_page_20.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 515px; height: 515px;" src="http://www.symptomcomics.com/comics/2011-06-06_page_20.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />SYMPTOM OF THE UNIVERSE<br /><br />symptomcomics.com</a><br /><br />Shine on, black diamondsAmbassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-18485802035287943802011-06-04T17:00:00.000-07:002011-06-04T17:25:41.602-07:00The Ugly Side of Indie ComicsI recently <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/06/04/intactivist_fight_takes_an_anti-sem.php">read this article on Gothamist</a> about an anti-circumcision group called Inactivists that created a comic. Yes, it is as creepy, weird and awkwardly drawn as you can imagine (don't take my word for it, see it here: <a href="http://www.foreskinman.com/">www.foreskinman.com</a>.<br /><br />But the really disturbing thing is not the awkward dialog in computer comics font, the bizarrely inserted cheesecake t&a in 2/3rds of the panels or icky genital fixation of the whole thing; it is the unabashed anti-semitism running through the comic's veins. The description of the villian, Monster Mohel (here quoted): "Nothing excites Monster Mohel more than cutting into the penile flesh of an eight-day-old boy. And after the glorified brit milah is complete, the delicious metzitzah b'peh provides the icing on the cake." He charges in, replete with gun-toting hasidic "goons", with a monstrous grin and clawed fist.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.foreskinman.com/images/no2panel45-foreskin-man-hits-yerik-with-cue-stick.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 475px; height: 226px;" src="http://www.foreskinman.com/images/no2panel45-foreskin-man-hits-yerik-with-cue-stick.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />As the blond superman battles him over the fate of a small child, a really cold chill runs through my body. In fact the same cold chill I received while researching Cerebus earlier this year for a paper. The power that comics has is revealed in its caricature which has sometimes (thankfully fading, yet still present) been used in the service of racism (or misogyny, homophobia, etc.). As of my writing of this, there is a large exhibit at NYU called <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1887301336977.127127.1074720260&comments=1&cmntid=1887325777588&notif_t=comment_mention">Marvels and Monsters</a> examining Asian stereotypes in comics and Jeet Heer has an ongoing series in The Comics Journal <a href="http://www.tcj.com/racism-as-a-stylistic-choice-and-other-notes/">on race as a stylistic choice in comics</a>; just to offer two places to explore this further.<br /><br />Comics have a power in their exaggeration, which taps into our fantasy and feeds on our fears. As mainstream comics have stayed, well, mainstream, their editors, investors and honestly fans have kept the dial turned way down (sometimes off) on this trend. Indie comics remain a playground where anything can be said, anything done. It is both the blessing and the curse that self-publishers have; freedom. But indy comics do not have the burden of responsibility.<br /><br />Yes, nobody gives a shit about "Foreskin Man". The comic is a vanity project, I can't imagine anyone who isn't involved in the "inactivist" movement picking it up (unless, maybe they have a wildly different idea of what it's about based on the title). Yet David Heatley and Johnny Ryan have successful careers out of comics hipster racism. This comic exists in an entirely different fringe world... yet it is still an indie comic, still functioning in the exact same way, just sans irony.<br /><br />I hope that the indie comics community takes notice. It is not time to point fingers, but to open the discussion. No one of us is perfect, and if we are to continue to use the freedom that comes with indie comics, we also need to use the responsibility of comics creators and comics fans to keep the communication open... not resort to name-calling or petty shots, but to help comics creators big and small build a better community and make better comics. We are better than this.<br /><br /><br /><br />I hope you will add your voice here.Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-80520096889137170182011-05-01T15:57:00.000-07:002011-05-01T15:58:45.160-07:00Heroes on Heroes<object height="349" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sjtK7vQdgEg?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sjtK7vQdgEg?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="349" width="560"></embed></object>Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-41353296129603682462011-04-26T19:05:00.000-07:002011-04-26T19:08:20.275-07:00Strange Things Are Happening<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJG_RSPz6Y6cIT9XXMw2JpluRQ3D1K51LLyTvRx2kWBl1yG01ObCFHY4DkP53yq6U3IEocW68oXwn7Ah6RWTFptpoYGkWPIcz1FWE7_2nDXlYd5cJ3dByy_7KxFGSW0YLxvV0LyhYXqY/s1600/strange+things.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 369px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJG_RSPz6Y6cIT9XXMw2JpluRQ3D1K51LLyTvRx2kWBl1yG01ObCFHY4DkP53yq6U3IEocW68oXwn7Ah6RWTFptpoYGkWPIcz1FWE7_2nDXlYd5cJ3dByy_7KxFGSW0YLxvV0LyhYXqY/s400/strange+things.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600079396437262786" border="0" /></a>Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-13303547041056701572011-04-15T19:54:00.000-07:002011-04-15T19:56:08.065-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuS7NsIk9DRaw3jSZRNeAj4p4njG4_hlE9aGlfVO-JUrVo9ob9bOrCbSrEaS2cAfhh7kgN5NfL8Q7gcbdob-jMIfRVhLQrun9ShrcXj1XSBXYYb4EdqTm0ZXN3NdhmMtVUqz7ddXHNwk/s1600/symptom-banner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 64px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuS7NsIk9DRaw3jSZRNeAj4p4njG4_hlE9aGlfVO-JUrVo9ob9bOrCbSrEaS2cAfhh7kgN5NfL8Q7gcbdob-jMIfRVhLQrun9ShrcXj1XSBXYYb4EdqTm0ZXN3NdhmMtVUqz7ddXHNwk/s400/symptom-banner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596009780253595666" border="0" /></a><br />A banner for SotU...<br /><br />wishin' I was at Stumptown Comics Fest right now.Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-16712633891281878292011-04-14T05:38:00.000-07:002011-04-14T05:44:53.979-07:00Symptom of the Comics Publishing IndustryI wrote this in response to someone on The Beat and thought I'd share it here. Comics are in a hole now, and it is not the artist's nor the consumer's fault. Allow me to share:<br /><br /><br />...for an artist to be successful they absolutely must draw from a wealth of the world’s knowledge and it is vital to look past the (very young) world of comics.<br /><br />The problem with doing so is not the artist’s burden but the publisher’s. They do not know how to market anything outside of the nerd multiverse. This is why, say, Sarah Glidden’s <a href="www.smallnoises.com/">How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less</a> is criminally unrecognized (not even nominated for an Eisner?!, even with the tons of press it has been getting. It should be getting press outside of the world of comics.<br /><br />My next big project is a comic done in charcoal and meant to be read as a play, inspired by the work of Jean Genet. I have no illusion that anyone will want to read it in the comics sphere. There is no publisher in comics that I can think of that would touch it (part of why I self-publish) but I can think of some literary publishers that I am going to pitch it to.<br /><br />We can do better, but are discouraged from doing so. No publishers are willing to risk promoting great books (which is why traditional literature publishers like Pantheon put out books like <span style="font-weight: bold;">Persepolis</span>. Would Oni Press? Or Dark Horse? D&Q? It became a deserved success because it was not marketed to the comics world and didn’t pander to the comics world. It is simply a great comic, doing something that no other artform can do. If it only sat in LCBS (local comic book stores) across the country it would be unknown and forgotten right now.<br /><br />Now that digital distribution is easy and inexpensive, publishers have the opportunity to reach audiences all over the world and actually take risks on books that aren’t about zombies or movie tie-ins or fill-in-the-blank trends.<br /><br />But I doubt there is anyone willing to risk it when there is a quick buck to be made off comics. Even Fantagraphics has taken to simply reprinting popular, lost greats (or translations) as their bread and butter. This probably allows them to do things like MOME without going broke.Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-35057952033914701002011-04-07T06:51:00.000-07:002011-04-07T07:01:01.518-07:00Why?I wouldn't watch this Sucker Punch movie anyway... but why aren't black girls allowed to kick ass any more? Where is our Gloria Hendry?<br /><br /><object width="480" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8SUnGBQ2pK0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8SUnGBQ2pK0?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="390"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="480" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xcaqjZw7jXU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xcaqjZw7jXU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="390"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="480" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/54-oGoBnP5k?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/54-oGoBnP5k?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="390"></embed></object>Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-17097316430426875462011-04-04T15:32:00.000-07:002011-04-04T15:34:38.137-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWV3ChLZ5JPugyCyQ0MLhEI5FOG5fxUl9YKB05k9_UtQPKIWj6xm4jzmnzm18ZjKVzRfawkOOLo1RCVqiUgAXjTR0fkj7c1Aq2oEPnHGT_xXON7E9mDRELB8_GTPdXdPFtNQqZyj3Zy8/s1600/ipad_bg_symptom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAWV3ChLZ5JPugyCyQ0MLhEI5FOG5fxUl9YKB05k9_UtQPKIWj6xm4jzmnzm18ZjKVzRfawkOOLo1RCVqiUgAXjTR0fkj7c1Aq2oEPnHGT_xXON7E9mDRELB8_GTPdXdPFtNQqZyj3Zy8/s400/ipad_bg_symptom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591860433344170850" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://symptomcomics.com">SYMPTOM OF THE UNIVERSE<br /><br />Bong-crushingly epic webcomic</a>Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-16538258962771918262011-03-29T19:13:00.000-07:002011-03-29T19:15:08.436-07:00Symptom of the Universe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhh5mqnXIiW47UEppa25VWrBHMc27C4nVmdMURW1nqkBZU-vA9jUg6FSJRVXhIx2RD0o0LqOSSnFsAW9itundsyw2t9FuOc7S-ijnCjYUD433_OtzIIX7KzCK4zZPQEkqb5liOz-cwq2s/s1600/symptom+tease.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 233px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhh5mqnXIiW47UEppa25VWrBHMc27C4nVmdMURW1nqkBZU-vA9jUg6FSJRVXhIx2RD0o0LqOSSnFsAW9itundsyw2t9FuOc7S-ijnCjYUD433_OtzIIX7KzCK4zZPQEkqb5liOz-cwq2s/s400/symptom+tease.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589690648453826530" /></a><br /><br />Less than a week away from launching!Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-31318377748530207442011-03-24T14:43:00.000-07:002011-03-24T14:45:14.787-07:00Coming April 4th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGOG6hZXkDC2EN6DcbEB8zAt32gzKovq_sh6YluwLTGVybi5ZATiu5aZJv4hIe3nZlivB4Hjg1EkLyPPp2sQl15Z4B6TGcc3h2Iiuk24cjcHtXalK8o6T1mw91l2o28GGsAhwp4yUqKo/s1600/tangerine+dream+zeit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyGOG6hZXkDC2EN6DcbEB8zAt32gzKovq_sh6YluwLTGVybi5ZATiu5aZJv4hIe3nZlivB4Hjg1EkLyPPp2sQl15Z4B6TGcc3h2Iiuk24cjcHtXalK8o6T1mw91l2o28GGsAhwp4yUqKo/s400/tangerine+dream+zeit.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587765784191021122" /></a>Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-73348292730054327042011-03-10T07:36:00.001-08:002011-03-10T07:47:51.855-08:00SYMPTOM OF THE UNIVERSEMy Spank-Branding New Webcomic is less than a month away from its April 4th birthday. I am excited about this project and have been working hard on it for over a year at this point. The fruit of this labor will be sweet, my friends!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/174777_106978639377742_3058372_q.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 50px; height: 50px;" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/174777_106978639377742_3058372_q.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-68468908087033565792011-03-08T12:49:00.000-08:002011-03-08T13:00:35.354-08:00Darkness DescendedThanks to everyone who came out to see Darkness Descend! I am really excited about the show and the support of everyone involved and everyone that came out. I can't tell you how thankful I am to have been a part of this and can't wait to see the future of this piece.<br /><br />This was my first foray into animation, which was simultaneously heartbreaking, exhilarating, frustrating, awe-inspiring and just plain new. Here's a couple stills.<br /><br />Again, thanks for coming out and seeing it!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0vDp7foTtdVz9LBBwR-tNBUC3RZfF_HUek3X_9w8O6dVUoTVrhB_kBMdjyw3F66qQnwU9ZZ12R_MiTkPQm7xVocUScYgWchS5ggpeocOLqZIqyDe-j6bwiSMYZ9dtfz4rka_GwZT1tg/s1600/holding_quarters_6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0vDp7foTtdVz9LBBwR-tNBUC3RZfF_HUek3X_9w8O6dVUoTVrhB_kBMdjyw3F66qQnwU9ZZ12R_MiTkPQm7xVocUScYgWchS5ggpeocOLqZIqyDe-j6bwiSMYZ9dtfz4rka_GwZT1tg/s400/holding_quarters_6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581816047194306194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrHCMqpsZuJGNZvZICWc3v1XZql6AN13lJXoi-m7C_Uvsz82maT-cCI7NWuOS09cDyIClb_gDihxyr3IRiS19-WZ8EkUaMH13DD-kruvREUa9YmJMJB64LIeHM_8Q7QOXJZcXN_mSxtc/s1600/piano+demon+tree+mix+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrHCMqpsZuJGNZvZICWc3v1XZql6AN13lJXoi-m7C_Uvsz82maT-cCI7NWuOS09cDyIClb_gDihxyr3IRiS19-WZ8EkUaMH13DD-kruvREUa9YmJMJB64LIeHM_8Q7QOXJZcXN_mSxtc/s400/piano+demon+tree+mix+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581816881906419570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-qg-6TT0TbYBCMqWUzRLu5JGQ_uSmkMowpO7mj6uHH05pVWFG_z_IiWGkDxcl6WHRz5-jsS2GBbHagyNEwGK7cGgsFG7qqXQ5vzwP2qYdWBmm4PBpQYgfaxSaaV1EgRy5dlW8k4MzYg/s1600/darknessfront.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-qg-6TT0TbYBCMqWUzRLu5JGQ_uSmkMowpO7mj6uHH05pVWFG_z_IiWGkDxcl6WHRz5-jsS2GBbHagyNEwGK7cGgsFG7qqXQ5vzwP2qYdWBmm4PBpQYgfaxSaaV1EgRy5dlW8k4MzYg/s400/darknessfront.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581816323661859474" /></a>Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-88828231013717603042011-01-21T19:52:00.000-08:002011-01-21T19:58:54.728-08:00Hi, Atus!This blog is on temporary hiatus due to the fact that I'm finishing my paper, working on animation for Darkness Descend and trying to launch my webcomic in a couple months... among other things.<br /><br />Sorry for the inconvenience! I will update as soon as I can take a breath.<br /><br />Until then, why not ponder who would win in a fight; Kid Creole or Morris Day?<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BbiOVmWeiqA" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/it9fFaElJag" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-83034049692622284672011-01-08T15:54:00.000-08:002011-01-08T16:15:45.212-08:00Gabrielle Giffords<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVCmoDoCqDL49NRCjVT_iX6PtGdIvAXHgZWP4EEUfODWppfNCxO21z66dHc2ZR0dEjQpu5xkV7LkLtHZ_I6LqGfFYmo3bIkm0X4NZfS6m3rI_FCpGvpkxoE9LEMx0UAtKG3fbiB4DVmU/s1600/gabrielle_giffords.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVCmoDoCqDL49NRCjVT_iX6PtGdIvAXHgZWP4EEUfODWppfNCxO21z66dHc2ZR0dEjQpu5xkV7LkLtHZ_I6LqGfFYmo3bIkm0X4NZfS6m3rI_FCpGvpkxoE9LEMx0UAtKG3fbiB4DVmU/s400/gabrielle_giffords.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559971692944530258" /></a><br /><br />Hello, I usually try to keep things light around the Idol, but I really need your help right now.<br /><br />As you may have heard, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was meeting the public this morning at a local Tucson Safeway when a crazed gunman shot her in the head and continued to fire into the crowd. 12 people were seriously injured. 6 people are reported dead, including a 9 year old girl.<br /><br />While this might seem like the act of someone crazy and without any semblance of reason, the fact that Gabrielle Giffords was specifically targeted points to the fact that she has been in the crosshairs of many people who have fanned the fires of hatred and now have blood on their hands. Sarah Palin recently published her name with a crosshair on her "neck of the woods" along with other politicians who voted for the recent health care bill.<br /><br />From my friend Sean Murphy:<br /><br /><blockquote>Local businessmen Steve Christy (520-327-5561) and Rich Moret (520-495-5621) were instrumental in funding the hyperbolic and unwarranted demonization of Gabrielle Giffords. <br /><br />They took out-of-state money from the Koch brothers to mount a campaign against her. They were in large part (but not solely) responsible for the unnecessarily heated rhetoric that, if not directly responsible for this tragedy, certainly fostered an environment where such horrible actions originate. If nothing else, they do not deserve a dime of anyone with any decencies money.<br /></blockquote><br /><br />I urge you to call and let these two monsters know that the blood is on their hands, that they have killed to line their pockets.<br /><br />If you know the history of the Koch brothers, you know that they have been instrumental in pushing political agendas, creating the "tea party" and now inadvertantly, attempted assassination.<br /><br />I hope you will call and let these monsters know what they have done. Whether or not the man responsible has a political bent one way or another, there have been repeated threats made to her, and continual insinuation that citizens should try "second amendment remedies" if they don't get their way. This is simply irresponsible, and now it has claimed more lives and caused more death and unjustifiable pain and suffering.<br /><br />Gabrielle Giffords is, from what I've heard from friends, incredibly kind, caring and strong. I am wishing her a full and speedy recovery from this incident. My heart goes out to the families who now have to deal with their loss.Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5629764869954858933.post-90959145070139311332010-12-31T19:32:00.000-08:002010-12-31T19:47:25.978-08:00How To Draw ComicsI recently responded to someone who was wondering what tools they needed to make a comic after seeing someone working on one in a coffee shop. I was baffled by all the tools and techniques when I set out to make my first comic. This is by no means comprehensive but if your new years resolution is to make a comic, this can help you to achieve that goal.<br /><br />Here you can see me posing with my tool:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu28yKqIs1283c77Mglett0doQyyOBlS-_G0fuvQqV9YbTXeRKYY5RDX4J26JIn5s9faw7z_yhQS22PpWY7IpRU3WHpiP_5FzSpRx0A-NLbJBZir0iK_s6y-bv80fEsybN-HFa357wp_Y/s1600/mace.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu28yKqIs1283c77Mglett0doQyyOBlS-_G0fuvQqV9YbTXeRKYY5RDX4J26JIn5s9faw7z_yhQS22PpWY7IpRU3WHpiP_5FzSpRx0A-NLbJBZir0iK_s6y-bv80fEsybN-HFa357wp_Y/s400/mace.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557055635571826562" /></a><br /><br />QUESTION: What tools do you need to make a comic?<br /><br />ANSWER:<br /><br /><br />This may sound corny, but you should just use whatever feels right to you:<br /><br />Maus; A Survivor's Tale was drawn on common typing paper with a cheap pen to give it its desperate, this-must-be-told feel. It is the only graphic novel to win the Pulitzer prize.<br /><br />Alex Ross primarily paints covers, but he has done a few graphic novels, fully painted in gouache and watercolor. He has won multiple awards for his work.<br /><br />Sophie Crumb has made comics using a bic pen. Really cheap.<br /><br />Most artists today are switching to digital, however. It's not quite the majority, but it will be soon. They draw in photoshop with a Wacom (or other brand tablet).<br /><br />Traditionally, comics are drawn with a brush and/or a nib pen.<br /><br />Hunt was the favorite brand, the 102. Crow quills and spoon bills. I personally hate this nib, as I feel as though the quality is in serious decline. But many artists still swear by it. And their art is astounding...<br /><br />The brush is tricky, but it can produce beautiful, lush results. Jeff Smith's Bone is fantastic and is done entirely with a brush. The problem with brushes is that they are tricky, inconsistent and expensive. If you go to an art store, look for sable and look for a fairly large size (at least an 8 in the US). If the store is worth its weight in salt, they should let you test it out with some water. If it doesn't "snap" back into shape and keep a clear point without splitting, it is a dud.<br /><br />Some are rounds, some are liners... as long as it has a sharp tip that won't go haywire when it gets wet, it's comics gold!<br /><br />I use a cheaper, non-sable brush called "Masters Gold." Go figure! It is around 6 to 8 dollars and is the best for its price. I also use a pen... but the dip pen I use is from Japan and all the info on the packaging is in Japanese, so I have no clue what they're called! It says G-Pen on it and that's all I know. But they are phenomenal! They are only available in one or two art stores in Manhattan, so I have a feeling they are hard to come by.<br /><br />Ink is a matter of personal preference. I buy Winsor-Newton's black India ink with a spider on the box. It is pretty pricey, but it is the perfect consistency. Some artists buy cheaper, watery ink and leave the bottle open for days so it thickens. I don't have the time or the coordination to leave a bottle of ink sitting open in my room. I have to have deep black on the page... some artists photohop it to look darker.<br /><br />Oh, and the paper I use is 14X17 Bristol board with a little "tooth" a.k.a. roughness. I love drawing on watercolor paper, but damn that stuff is too rich for my blood!<br /><br />I have a pretty inventive pal whose blog COMICS TOOLS has a bunch of tips and tricks... it was on hiatus for a while and is possibly back, but if you look through it you can find a ton of advice on everything from eraser shields to Ames guides.<br /><br />It's here: <a href="http://comictool.blogspot.com/">http://comictool.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br /><br />Sorry for all the info, but when I was starting out, there was just really vague advice like, use a big brush, get an old pen, everything's done with computers, etc. etc. and I was bewildered until I started hanging out with actual comics artists who turned up their nose in utter revilement at my tools.<br /><br />Just kidding, they're all pretty nonchalant. And were super helpful.<br /><br />All that being said; draw however you're comfortable! Use whatever you have. I started drawing with a bic pen at the last convention I was at and people were astounded by it. It cost 10 cents.<br /><br />What's more important is the actual content. But we all know that already!Ambassador MAGMAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10220750781703547464noreply@blogger.com0