Rina's Doodle Bug Central

Play Damnation

2012-01-26T12:52:00.000-08:00

Click on the image for a bigger glimpse.

Such a lovely time we are having!

2012-01-24T08:41:00.001-08:00

Candy Cookies

2012-01-13T09:13:00.001-08:00

She Wants to do Karaoke Instead

2012-01-12T09:17:00.000-08:00

Burgers with Lark.

We Will Rally Again!

2012-01-11T09:05:00.000-08:00

For those who are not quite over the Stillers-Broncos game, here is an oldie but goodie to remind you that we will come back better than ever...and also that the Australian Open is coming up. Also there's the hockey season... Oh, and the Olympics...to keep our minds off sadder times.

Copyright @ 2012 Rina Ayuyang

For a print version of this, go get the Whirlwind Wonderland right-quick!

"The Best Day of My Life!"

2012-01-10T08:36:00.000-08:00

Satisfied?

2012-01-09T08:50:00.001-08:00

Hit Lists

2011-12-28T13:04:00.000-08:00

Let's see! I know I know, I've been bad at posts, but listen, okay I am working on three new comics as well as trying to finish up on these zany DWTS prints. I will hopefully be back on track next month/year! But oh, look! Listen! This is so cool! My story "Arroz Caldo" has been included in the Notables list in the Best American Comics 2011 anthology. I actually first found out about it when I was looking at the book in Alexander Books near my work. There is a great mix of well-known and newly-discovered talent in this one, making it, I think, one of strongest volumes in the series. (And yes, I thought that BEFORE I saw my name in the Notables list, okay?!) Anyway, below is a link to the complete list.

http://dw-wp.comhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif/2011/12/notables-2011/

Speaking of lists, now that 2011 is almost over, I finally remembered to post this about 2010! Yay! Thanks to Rob Clough for inexplicably putting Whirlwind Wonderland at #25! Very honored.

http://highlowcomics.blogspot.com/2011/08/better-late-than-never-top-50-books-of.html

Anyway, have a Happy New Year's everyone! I'm very thankful for the great experiences I have had and all the inspiring people I have met in 2011. I hope for only great things for everyone in the coming year! Be safe and be happy!

XO

Cha cha cha

2011-12-27T09:50:00.000-08:00

6 more to go? Really?!? I think this project is slowly curing me of all DWTS obsession ills.

Word Processing

2011-12-16T08:45:00.000-08:00

Oh, Hon?!

2011-12-14T09:45:00.001-08:00

Oh Snap!

2011-12-13T10:07:00.001-08:00

Big news here! Cartoonists and pals, Lark Pien, Renee French and I started an online blog and shop called HO, HO! SNAPPERS! Don't ask me how we came up with that name. I think it stemmed from some sort of angst. Actually I KNOW it did because that is how we operate. Anyway, we've always tried to collaborate here and there and finally we'll be doing some crazy artsy stuff together through this here tumblr thing. Here's the link!

http://hohosnappers.tumblr.com

My latest minicomic, "Outta This Comes the Crazy" which debuted at the Minneapolis Indie Comics Expo last month is available for sale on there! Also some of my prints from the H+K DWTS Gocco Project are also available for sale too. Eventually all the prints will be added there for your shopping needs. Please check our site out! We will try to update the blog with new items everyday. I'll still be posting stuff on this blog, too! I know I haven't been posting as often as I should be but know that a lot of projects are going on behind the scenes and will be viewable for your beautiful eyes soon!

Say AYE!

2011-12-08T08:45:00.001-08:00

Gocco Foxtrot

2011-12-06T09:48:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the holidays and to fuel my DWTS addiction, I am making gocco prints of all 14 dances that Hines did last season! Here's my favorite so far.

Thien is always judging me.

2011-12-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

Lately, I've been working on this comic about how obsessed I got with Dancing with the Stars early this year. It's funny and sad.

The Yam

2011-11-30T10:00:00.000-08:00

And here it is in YouTube action.

Filipino Komiks Expo this Saturday!

2011-11-16T10:01:00.000-08:00

The Filipino Komiks Expo is happening this Saturday from 1-5pm at the I-Hotel Manilatown Center in San Francisco! I'm pretty excited about this. I know it's not a big show, but I am anxious to see the exhibit they have up, and of course seeing the i-Hotel itself, steeped in Filipino and San Francisco cultural history! After years of political battles, evictions and protests, the i-Hotel was finally renovated into a Filipino cultural center and a residence for Bay Area seniors.

Bay Area Cartoonist and pal, Lark Pien and I will be tabling there at the show! We'll have our latest books and mini-comics available for sale and for signing. Also come see the current exhibit up showing the work of Filipino komik artists like Alfred Alcala, Alex Nino and others. And, there's also going to be a raffle for the big coffee table book History of Filipino Komiks (which I WANT!) and a sale on Filipino comix from the 1970s!!!

So, please stop by! It should be fun! Do spread the word about this event because not a lot of people know of the history and the good stuff going on at the i-Hotel Manilatown Center.

------------------------------------------------------------------
Komiks Expo 2011
Saturday, November 19, 1pm-5pm

It's going to be our own local version of Comic Con! Komiks Expo 2011 is a comic book convention to showcase Filipino and API artists in cartoon, comic book, and graphic novel media. Come out to see artwork from aspiring local artists/groups in the SF Bay Area and beyond!

Special Guest: Whilce Portacio!

About Whilce Portacio:
Whilce Portacio started as an inker before launching his career as a penciller over two decades ago. He has been a leading comic book talent ever since his big break through on Marvel titles X-Factor and Uncanny X Men in the early '90s. Whilce has worked on titles Iron Man: Heroes Reborn, Punisher, Wetworks, Stormwatch, Batman Confidential, and Superman/Batman.

Admission: FREE!

Come in a comic book character costume for a chance to win a prize pack worth $100!
ALSO:
Curating Komiks exhibit for I-Hotel Manilatown Center. Opening September 17, 4-6 PM at 868 Kearny Street, SF. A tribute to Filipino & Filipino American Comic Book Artists, featuring the work of Alfredo Alcala, Alex Niño, Ed Badajos, Vidda Chan, Dino Ignacio, Whilce Portacio, and Nestor Redondo.

Location:
I-Hotel Manilatown Center
868 Kearny St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
www.manilatown.org

Non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and fostering the rich cultural and artistic traditions of San Francisco's Filipino American community.

Rock N Roll is ALIVE!!! Minneapolis!!!

2011-11-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

Man! Look at the awesome flyer that Tom Kaczynski designed for this weekend's Minneapolis Indie Expo!

I am excited and scared (I still hate flying) to be there to help my pal and hero Annie make change and sell awesome books at the Koyama Press table, #92! I have never been to Minneapolis so I can't wait to see all the art institutions, pig out on hearty meals, take a picture of the Mary Tyler Moore statue, as well as ogle Prince's... guitars at the Hard Rock Cafe. Yeah, I'm all Tourist up in here! Anyway, come see us as well as my publisher Sparkplug Comic Books, table #61 at the show.

Oh! And, I'll have some copies of my beloved pet anthology "Pet Project" and will be debuting my mini comic "Doodle Daze" sequel, "Outta This Comes The Crazy"... 64 pages of sketchbook strips and drawings about family, pregnancy and making deadlines, perfect bound with love and affection.

So I hope to see you there!

perhaps, perhaps, perhaps

2011-10-27T22:04:00.001-07:00

I am amazed that he knew that.

2011-10-12T11:56:00.001-07:00

Drawn on the bus

PIX Expo and Unicorn Mountain #3

2011-10-07T10:44:00.001-07:00

The Pittsburgh Indy Comics Expo (PIX Expo) is this weekend in the Burgh!! Suffice it to say, I'm pretty bummed that I can't go to this event, but it's okay because YOU can, Pittsburgh Peeps!! Special guests include Rob Rogers (!!!) John Porcellino, Jason Little, Tom Scioli, Ed Piskor, Jim Rugg, and Wayno (look at his awesome poster design for the show!) Please show your support for small press and self-published comic artists and writers!!

http://homepage.mac.com/bem/PIX/index.html

While you're there, make sure to visit the Unicorn Mountain table. They will have copies of their latest installment of the Unicorn Mountain anthology, The Black Forest. I have a story in it as well as exciting cartoonists like Frank Santoro, Theo Ellsworth, Kathleen Lolley, and many more!!

http://www.unicornmountain.com/

Dance Monkey! Dance!!

2011-09-29T08:26:00.001-07:00

Aw! The ALTERNATIVE PRESS EXPO (APE) is once again upon us this weekend. This year's show promises to be another fun and inspiring one with special guests Dan Clowes (holy crap, The Death Ray, hello!), Adrian Tomine (need to get new Optic Nerve), Craig Thompson (Habibi!!), Matt Thurber (1-800-MICE!!), Shannon Wheeler (Oil and Water) and Kate Beaton (Hark a Vagrant, dude!)

What's even crazier is that my pal and Comix Claptrap co-host, Thien Pham and I are going to do a LIVE show on Saturday at 2pm. So please stop by or at least just take a load off waiting for the Dan Clowes and Adrian Tomine panel right after us! We'll be interviewing some awesome artists that I'm really excited to be chatting with in person! Check it out:

The Comix Claptrap...LIVE
October, 1 -Saturday, 2:00pm !

—Co-hosts Rina Ayuyang and Thien Pham record an episode of their enlightening, riotous, and controversial podcast, The Comix Claptrap LIVE at APE! At this live taping, Rina and Thien will be interviewing 4 artists who are making waves in the comics scene today: Mike Dawson (Troop 142), Scott Campbell (Zombie In Love), Levon Jihanian (Danger Country), and Esther Pearl Watson (Unlovable). Now in their fourth season, Rina and Thien have interviewed comics artists in the indie comics scene about their work, creative processes, and experiences in the industry. Each show has included New Comics Wednesday beat reportage from fellow cartoonist Josh Frankel, and new favorite segment, The Comix Cranktrap, where they crank-call a well-known cartoonist listed in their Rolodex. This panel promises to be total mayhem!

Also a great memorial panel for Dylan Williams (who we will all be thinking about this weekend) will be on Sunday.

Remembering Dylan Williams
October 2, 12:45pm
—The indie comics world lost one of our own on September 10 when Dylan Williams passed away. Dylan was a tireless champion of creators with unique visions, and promoted their work through his career, starting with the mini-comics coop Puppy Toss and a stint behind the counter at Comic Relief. He is best known as the publisher of Sparkplug Comic Books. Artists, publishers, and friends who were touched by Dylan's influence -- including Tom Devlin, Todd Martinez, Tom Neely, Virginia Paine, Landry Walker, and others -- join together to remember Dylan and his passion for comics in this special tribute panel. Please attend and share your memories.

http://www.comic-con.org/ape/ape_prog.php#sat

ALTERNATIVE PRESS EXPO

October 1-2, 2011
Concourse Exhibition Center
San Francisco, CA
http://www.comic-con.org/ape/index.php

4:35, transbay

2011-09-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

Never Forget You

2011-09-15T23:54:00.001-07:00

Good Vibrations, photo by Greg Means.
Greg took the photo above right after the three of us sat down to talk about potentially doing a book together. I had no idea back then how awesome the experience of working with Greg and Dylan on Whirlwind Wonderland would be. It pretty much changed my life forever.

It has been hard for me to write anything coherent since I heard the news about Dylan but I will try my best. Saturday, I was with my two sisters watching tennis on TV. I had my iPhone at my hip checking Twitter messages every five seconds because Warren Sapp was tweeting about the same tennis match I was watching. The generic iPhone ding went off and I was excited to see what his next tweet would be, maybe something about how Rafael Nadal was wearing normal short pants rather than his wedgie-inducing capri pants. Instead, it was an email from Greg Means and its subject was titled “Dylan”.

As I started my career in comics in 2001, Dylan’s name would come up in conversation a lot among other Bay Area cartoonists even after he had moved away to Portland. I myself first knew of Dylan from reading his comic Reporter, then through lively message-board discussions, and later when he started to distro my mini-comics through Sparkplug. When Greg Means and Dylan decided to publish my first graphic novel Whirlwind Wonderland, it was a complete honor. These two got into the business of publishing mainly to promote work that they themselves enjoyed reading and that meant a whole lot to me since the only ones I thought read and liked my work were my family. Although I guess you could say Greg and Dylan felt like family to me, so maybe it wasn’t all that different. My relationship with Dylan was not just that of publisher and artist. It became an unlikely friendship. At first it seemed like we really had nothing in common. We never had long discussions about old comics or about movies, but it didn’t matter. That was the wonderful thing about Dylan, he would always find some common thread between him and another person. I quickly found out that we shared a penchant for being wise-asses, a borderline fanaticism for ’70s Filipino cartoonists (I was supposed to get him that Francisco Coching coffee table book for him for Christmas), a knack for promoting and defending other people’s work more passionately than our own, and an approach to comics-making where there were no real rules just as long as you told stories that you cared about.

I could go on and on about what comics meant to Dylan and what Dylan meant to comics: how he was one of the few publishers who still took time to distro self-published minicomics, how he firmly believed in continuing to publish pamphlet comics while others abandoned that format. Through Sparkplug Comics, Dylan was a steady fixture in the comics community, tirelessly exhibiting at shows, and introducing an array of comics of varying styles and artists off the beaten path. Right now, while I’m maybe not thinking too rationally, it is hard to imagine the small press, alt/indie comics world (whatever we calling it these days) continuing to flourish without Dylan. The landscape will definitely change with his absence but I am hopeful that other publishers will pick up the torch and continue to publish what Dylan called “weird ass comix.”

On a personal level, I miss Dylan more than any words I can say here. I miss his mellow demeanor. I miss his pretend belligerent old-man voice greeting me at shows just to appease my own cranky disposition. I miss him sharing some random health food snack (“Hey, want a whey bar?) and miss strategizing with him on the best way to make vegan adobo.

I keep thinking of things I won't be able to email to Dylan, the jokes I won't be able to tell him at some show or party. My heart breaks when I keep coming up with ideas for my next comic and and can't share them with him. I know with time this all will get better, that I will move on and be able to celebrate Dylan’s life in productive and creative ways. But for now I just want to thank him for letting me into his life, for being patient, for seeing the good in people first and for being a life force in the world of comics.

Dylan Williams

Sparkplug Comic Books

Dylan Williams' comic in Windy Corner#2

In Loving Memory

###

Happiness born out of rage

2011-09-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

Hello, operator

2011-09-06T08:41:00.000-07:00

...at last, more Mom comics.

This Weekend: SF Zine Fest

2011-08-31T08:40:00.001-07:00

this year's poster by Lark Pien

Wow! Summer has flown and it'll be September tomorrow. Whoo-wheee!! Start out the month on the right foot and take a leisurely stroll to Golden Gate Park this weekend to check out the 10th Annual SF Zine Fest! My pal and super-duper cartoonist, Lark Pien will be there as the comics special guest. So make sure to see her!

I'll be helping out at the Sparkplug Comic Books table on Saturday. Annie Murphy, editor of the comics anthology, Gay Genius will be there the entire weekend! So please stop by to visit us and buy loads of books and mini-comics!

And also I have the distinguished honor of being on a panel with some of my favorite auto-bio cartoonists on Saturday too. You can see me ramble on and on about football and my funny family stories!

Memoir Comics: Life In Ink | 4:00pm - 4:50pm

What creates a great memoir comic? Join moderator Justin Hall (True Travel Tales) in a lively discussion with Rina Ayuyang (Whirlwind Wonderland), MariNaomi (Kiss and Tell), Joey Alison Sayers (Just So You Know), and Jason Martin (Laterborn, Papercutter) about describing a life in ink.

10th Annual San Francisco Zine Fest
September 3 + 4, 2011
11am - 6pm
San Francisco County Fair BLDG
1199 9th Ave and Lincoln Way
in Golden Gate Park
http:sfzinefest.org

Hope to see you there!

La Lección de Tango

2011-08-30T08:23:00.000-07:00

Original Gangsta

2011-08-24T13:20:00.000-07:00

Photo by Nate Beaty

If there ever was a reason to do some kind of Kickstarter campaign, or raise money for, my publisher and above all else, my dear FRIEND, Dylan Williams would be it. It saddened me to hear that he's going through some tough times health-wise. Dylan is someone who has been a steady figure in the comics community -- tirelessly exhibiting at shows, big and small, from Comic Con to Sacramento IndyEuphoria, getting the word out about under-represented, off-the-beaten-path comics creators. He's done so much for other people including me. It only make sense to do something for him. So, if you have money to spare, please take time out to buy from the great mix of books Dylan has published primarily as labors of love through the years. He's one of the few fearless indie comics publisher and mini-comics distributors still out there today. He's also one of the nicest, humblest, funniest and most supportive guys in town who can put up with pests like me.

http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/books/books.html

end of the road

2011-08-15T08:55:00.001-07:00

Viennese Waltz

proud to be an american

2011-08-11T08:21:00.000-07:00

Proud to Rumba

explosive!

2011-08-10T12:57:00.001-07:00

Paso on your Doble

Fantasy

2011-08-09T08:20:00.001-07:00

Samba for yo' mamma

part time lover

2011-08-08T11:00:00.001-07:00

keep butt under!

club can't handle me

2011-08-03T10:28:00.001-07:00

incorporating this drawing thing I do to fangirl behavior. Might as well be productive.

He'll do all my drawing for me.

2011-07-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

drawn in carpool.

Doodle doo doo!

2011-06-29T08:18:00.000-07:00

The fantastical magicians of Sparkplug Comic Books have found some spare copies of one of my favorite mini-comics, DOODLE DAZE! YAY! Head over to their online store to get it as well as many great books they publish and distribute.

http://sparkplugcomicbooks.blogspot.com/2011/06/now-in-store-doodle-daze-by-rina.html

Dilemma of a Dum-dum

2011-06-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

Party This Friday!

2011-06-02T08:48:00.000-07:00

UNICORN MOUNTAIN #3 is out now! And they are celebrating it with a PARTY PARTY at the Warhol Museum! Everyone should travel to Pittsburgh and come to this event! It sounds like it's going to be so awesome and plus Warhol Museum, duh!!!

Unicorn Mountain - Black Forest Book Release Party
Friday, June 3 · 6:00pm - 10:00pm
The Andy Warhol Museum

Info on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=204538196249111

More about Unicorn Mountain:
Pittsburgh-based art collective Unicorn Mountain is proud to announce the long-awaited publication of our third anthology:

The Black Forest: A Collection of Art, Comics and Folk Tales from Western Pennsylvania and Beyond includes exciting contributions from Theo Ellsworth, Kathleen Lolley, Ben Kehoe, Bill Wehmann, Michael Hafftka, Juliacks, Frank Santoro, Chris Cornwell, Rina Ayuyang, Sam Gaskin, and many more.

http://www.unicornmountain.com/

Long ago and far away

2011-05-11T12:49:00.001-07:00

Sorry it's been so long since I have posted anything on the blog. I guess I am taking a little break from comics work and podcasting, trying to spend more time with the kid before he goes off to college. If we bump into each other on the street, ask just how awesome a soccer player he is now. (Answer: He's pretty damn good.) Anyway, oh! Speaking of podcasting, the last episode of Season 3 of Thien Pham and my podcast, The Comix Claptrap is now on our blog. We got to interview Sammy Harkham for about 2 hours! He's a kick! Check it out at the link below:

http://comixclaptrap.blogspot.com/2011/04/sammy-harkham-season-3-episode-11.html

Okay, back to being Goalie. Happy Spring, yunz guys.

Men in suits

2011-04-27T08:55:00.000-07:00

Off to Shady Pines

2011-04-26T08:34:00.001-07:00

2011-04-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

Addiction

2011-04-20T09:37:00.001-07:00

On the Road with Lolo and Lola

2011-04-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

It's an improvement

2011-04-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when the kid steals the pen away from me.

Constructive Procrastination

2011-03-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

You may think that I'm drawing, but I'm not REALLY drawing. I am just thinking out loud.

Cat, Now

2011-03-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

She's my morning pal.

Everything's relative

2011-03-28T09:01:00.001-07:00

Click on the image for a bigger glimpse.

It's funny how my hairstyle makes me look like my comic-version of my sister, who now also looks different because of her hairstyle. She's seated next to the kid.

Auntie, aunties, aunties!

2011-03-23T08:19:00.000-07:00

a page from "Whirlwind Wonderland"

Oh, lookie!! If your comic store ordered the book and other awesome Sparkplug Comic Books like Chris Cilla's "The Heavy Hand" or Aron Nels Steinke's "Neptune", or Jason Shiga's "Bookhunter" from Diamond, then they all should be on the shelves today! Look out for them!

sparkplugcomicbooks.blogspot.com/2011/03/heavy-hand-neptu...

cord

2011-03-22T08:28:00.000-07:00

all day! ALL DAY LONG!

2011-03-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

Click on the image for a bigger glimpse.

8:59 pm

2011-03-17T09:36:00.000-07:00

click on the image to get a bigger glimpse.

before 7

2011-03-16T10:50:00.001-07:00

2011-03-14T09:04:00.001-07:00

tombooww, my love

2011-03-09T11:15:00.000-08:00

got it

2011-03-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

nibs, brush, ink, wash, tea, writing slope, cat, afternoon, partly sunny

Pork Soup

2011-03-07T08:44:00.000-08:00

a page from "Whirlwind Wonderland"

"I was wondering why it won't fit"

2011-03-01T09:06:00.001-08:00

Dad found the visor in the bathroom and handed it to my mom.

Oaklandl Kitchen

2011-02-25T08:34:00.000-08:00

Mildred Pierce

2011-02-24T08:30:00.001-08:00

i'm reading the book and I'm getting a little too emotionally involved.

every day we celebrate

2011-02-23T08:54:00.000-08:00

Firef*ckers

2011-02-17T08:45:00.000-08:00

When they saw us leisurely eating Indian food, they kicked Finn's baby sling out of the way, scratched up our baby gates and left in a huff. Maybe we should have given the a complimentary samosa.

mom s gud w txtng

2011-02-16T09:20:00.001-08:00

Baltar

2011-02-10T08:35:00.001-08:00

the couch is 100% soft polyester

2011-02-09T08:58:00.000-08:00

Next up: a new Bobot Comic

Tony Curtis

2011-02-08T08:28:00.000-08:00

A page from Whirlwind.

Pathetic and obnoxious? No problem!

2011-02-05T13:20:00.000-08:00

Day 5: Okay, I missed a few days of the Thing A Day challenge, but I have been preoccupied... with *ahem* other important matters.. like the fixation of Troy Polamalu wigs.

2011-02-02T23:49:00.000-08:00

Day #2: 12 minutes to spare!

Thing-A-gain

2011-02-02T08:16:00.000-08:00

Last night, with 54 minutes to spare, I posted my Thing A Day drawing for Day #1. Thien Pham challenged me to do a drawing everyday, and the first one to give up has to buy the other person either Filipino food or Vietnamese food. I think that was the bet. Anyway, I'm going to try to post a new page for the Bobot comic (or some other comic depending on what happened that day) everyday in the month of February.

I'd post it on the actual Thing A Day site but I forgot my ID and password on that thing. Ha.

2011-01-28T09:21:00.001-08:00

anything

2011-01-26T08:41:00.001-08:00

What He's Saying Now

2011-01-18T09:07:00.000-08:00

Yes, I have to document everything.

for C.O.

2011-01-13T08:43:00.001-08:00

It was not my fault

2011-01-11T08:51:00.001-08:00

The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get

2011-01-10T10:26:00.001-08:00

Oh, here's a neat item! Chris Maunter, of Comic Book Resources's Robot 6 column, includes Whirlwind on the list of The Six Most Criminally Ignored Books of 2010!

View the article here.

Do yourself a favor and check out the book because "ignoring" things can be quite dangerous sometimes. Take it from Mike Douglas.

Diamond Life

2011-01-10T08:22:00.000-08:00

Exciting news in Rina Doodle/Whirlwind HQ!

Whirlwind Wonderland as well as Chris Cilla's remarkable The Heavy Hand, Jason Shiga's unforgettable Bookhunter and Aron Nels Steinke super-powered Neptune are in the current Diamond Previews! So please make sure to tell your favorite comic shop or bookstore to order our books!

View the interview with Sparkplug god, Dylan Williams, about the books.

i'm beginning the new year NOW!

2011-01-06T09:51:00.001-08:00

2010 Favorite Comic Things

2011-01-05T10:19:00.000-08:00

2010 was a great year to read some comics. So since I myself am not drawing comics at the moment because I have the post holiday blues, I am going to compile a little list of the favorite comics I read this year. I have to tell you, though, I didn't read as much as I should have (like Acme #20 or Wally Gropius or Picture This! ), so of course this is not an authoratative list. Also, let's face it, I am not an authority. I am a follower. Anyway, here's a list of my favorites.

Love and Rockets, New Stories #3 by Los Bros Hernandez.
Definitely my favorite volume in the series so far. Gilbert continues to push the envelope while Jaime's story haunted me for days and days. Probably the best story I have read in 2010.

Market Day by James Sturm, who after all his time schooling those kids at the Center of Cartoon Studies in White River Junction (As Bing once said, "That sounds very Vermonty!") got the chance to finally release a new book. And it's wonderful. It's a beautifully written, moving story done with no frills and no gimmicks. It's a simple tale of survival, an artist's dilemma to change with the times and risk compromising his art for the sake of his livlihood and family.

Wilson by Dan Clowes.
We all know why, I don't have to tell you. It's the "Oakland Book."

Palookaville #20 by Seth.
I do love Wimbledon Green and have come to appreciate all the work that goes into his comics and book design, but for some reason I always found Seth's Palookaville stories distant and maybe even cold. However, now in a bigger hard cover-format, this issue actually felt a lot more intimate and open than his previous Palookaville issues. It had the feel of a sketchbook, including personal notes on his process, topped off with an autobiographical comic (which was a lot looser than his usual style) about his lonely times on the road, preparing for a comics presentation/talk. It's very honest and revealing, and I appreciated it and Seth a whole lot more. I should really do myself a favor and re-read the old Palookaville issues again.

The Art of Jaime Hernandez: The Secrets of Life and Death by Todd Hignite. A wonderful collection totally devoted to the art done by the master, Jaime Hernandez. It follows where Hignite's "In the Studio" left off but on a way bigger scale; lots of reproductions of original work to stare at all day, as well as production notes that give the reader an inside look on Hernandez' influences and process through the years.

Make Me a Woman by Vanessa Davis.
A funny, vibrant collection of Davis' recent strips for both Tablet Magazine and her own self published mini comic series Spaniel Rage, not to mention some whimsical sketchbook work. A fun book to read again and again.

Birchfield Close by Jon McNaught.
Beautifully designed book, and a quiet nostalgic view of the seemingly ordinary world around us. Each page is mostly blanketed by pinks and blues, marvelous sunsets and wordless panels. Breathtaking, really.

Lose #2 by Michael De Forge.
At first glance it's a visually-arresting art comic with cute little characters thrown into twisted, grotesque situations, but eventually you find yourself immersed in a humorous self-portrait, a young artist's thoughts on his own life as a cartoonist.

The Wrong Place by Brecht Evens.
Every page in this book is a whirling dervish of overlapping colors and images that fuel the crazy dance hall and party adventures of the story's playboy protagonist.

Richard Stark's Parker, Vol. 2: The Outfit by Darwyn Cooke.
The great film noir series continues through a mix of superb storytelling and lush, loose drawings by Darwyn Cooke. I can't wait til the 3rd and 4th!

"Old House", "Cane Cane" and others - by Trevor Alixopulos.
Trevor started posting a whole lot of great stories on his blog in 2010. Trevor has the ability to tackle various genres from fantasy to autobio, but what's consistent in each story is the smart commentary on the human condition. I have a feeling that these are going to be collected in one sweet book in the future but he's just not telling us. Anyway, I hope it is, and it SHOULD be. I also have to tell Trevor that one time my friend ran over my foot with her car, too. It was actually okay. My foot wasn't broken, but I was afraid to tell my mom about it after it happened.

the day we learned to fly by Souther Salazar.
Souther released a mini-comic through his Etsy shop that really made me happy. It's a colorful mix of word and playful images that like his older minis never ceases to inspire and amaze. Everytime I think of quitting mini-comics and self-published zines, a new Souther comic comes along and it pulls me back in! It's one of those comics you always want to have in your pocket. Unfortunately, I think he sold out of them, but this is how it looked like and how it was made:

http://thedisappearingtreehouse.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/the-day-we-learned-to-fly/

THANK YOU to the cartoonists, writers, and artists who keep plugging along and continue to give us wonderful stories to read and beautiful drawings to gawk at! Here's to more in this new year!

Gridlock

2010-12-22T22:27:00.001-08:00

Left-handed compliment or suicide pact?

2010-12-21T10:09:00.001-08:00

morning routine revived

2010-12-09T09:19:00.000-08:00

Click on the image for a bigger glimpse.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2010-11-28T21:10:00.001-08:00

I can't think of a better way to cap off the "Whirlwind" year than by answering some tough and thoughtful questions from the one and only Mr. Tom Spurgeon. It was indeed an honor, and made me really happy. You can read it on The Comics Reporter, the best comics blog -- I read it everyday like the Bible. Here's the link:

http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/cr_sunday_interview_rina_ayuyang/

Also, in other recent Whirlwind news:

Audrey magazine included the book in their list of must reads for the cool weather:
http://audreymagazine.com/cool-down-weather-reading/
Whirlwind was also included in The Comics Reporter 2010 Black Friday holiday gift guide:
http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/black_friday_holiday_shopping_guide_10/
And lastly, Seattle's weekly, The Stranger seems to like to the book:
http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/11/15/comic-book-reviews-three-line-novels-whirlwind-wonderland-and-the-green-woman

If you haven't already, go to Sparkplug Comic Books and Tugboat Press to find some good books to buy for your loved ones this holiday season. They will not disappoint!

http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com
http://tugboatpress.com

would i be so different?

2010-11-23T07:47:00.000-08:00

I crashed the group show

2010-11-19T07:51:00.000-08:00

Hey guys! Tonight is the opening of the group show that I'm in at the Arlington Art Center. Actually, I don't know how I got in this show. I have some of my daily doodles and color sketch pages on display along side some wonderful cartoonists and painters and sculptors! Anyway if you are in the D.C/Virginia area this time of year, make sure to check it out.

PARTY CRASHERS:
COMIC CULTURE INVADES THE ART WORLD
NOV 19, 2010 – JAN 16, 2011

Arlington Arts Center
3550 Wilson Blvd.Arlington, VA
https://www.arlingtonartscenter.org/party-crashers

Rosaire Appel, Rina Ayuyang, Derik Badman, Gabrielle Bell, Jeffrey Brown, Joshua Cotter, Warren Craghead III, Anton Kannemeyer, Victor Kerlow, Blaise Larmee, Andrei Molotiu, Robert Pruitt, Jim Rugg, Dash Shaw, Deb Sokolow, Olav Westphalen

OPENING RECEPTION:
November 19, 7 – 9pm

THE SHOW: PARTY CRASHERS mashes up comic art and contemporary gallery culture, and features artists who pass back and forth between the two worlds. This massive two venue show results from a crosstown collaboration between AAC Director of Exhibitions Jeffry Cudlin and Artisphere Gallery Director Cynthia Connolly. The show’s two independent halves feature different types of work: Connolly’s show presents fine artists who mimic the appearance of comic art; Cudlin’s show at AAC contains:

• alternative comic artists who also show their original pages and drawings in art galleries
• fine and comic artists working side-by-side on a national curated project (Creative Time Comics)
• fine and comic artists creating avante-garde, purely abstract sequential art without words or recognizeable imagery

Ink blah blah

2010-11-16T09:11:00.000-08:00

Book news!
I recently was interview by Robin McConnell on Inkstuds. We talked about the book, Pittsburgh, Catholicism, and my pal, Thien Pham, Comix Claptrap megastar! Thanks to Robin for dealing with my mumbles and stumbles. Give a listen here:

http://www.inkstuds.org/?p=3242

Bobot and others

2010-11-10T08:13:00.000-08:00

2010-11-09T08:25:00.000-08:00

This is a story about fog at 4:02pm.

Light Bright

2010-11-08T08:17:00.000-08:00

how ya been, my friend?

2010-10-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

This Tahn

2010-10-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

If you don't really care about the World Series. I'll give you someone to root for: Freddy Sanchez, ~~short stop~~ 2nd baseman for the San Francisco Giants. Freddy spent the beginning of his major league career and lasted 6 years as a member of my hometown team, the sad sad Pittsburgh Pirates. If you know the plight of the Pittsburgh Pirates, you know that 6 years is like an eternity. However in those 6 depressing years, Freddy managed to win a batting title, become a 2-time All-Star, and above all else, receive the honor of being one of Pittsburgh's most 25 beautiful people by Pittsburgh Magazine. Cool, right?! Go Freddy!

Me, 2008

2010-10-26T07:51:00.000-07:00

haven't changed one bit.

Remember that "Heirloom" book? Me neither.

2010-10-21T08:47:00.001-07:00

why i do autobio comics

2010-10-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

APE Is Upon Us!

2010-10-13T08:50:00.000-07:00

Aw, APE! The Alternative Press Expo in San Francisco is happening this weekend! And I'm pretty darned excited. Lots of great special guests this year! I'm eagerly anticipating to see Lynda Barry's new book with D+Q, as well as Renee French's book from Picturebox. Also Dan Clowes, Tony Millionaire, Megan Kelso?!? Hello! Come on down!

And speaking of Megan Kelso, we got to interview her for the latest Comix Claptrap podcast! And comics pal, Lark Pien was the special guest host while Thien deals with his suspension. Link follows:
http://comixclaptrap.blogspot.com/2010/10/megan-kelso-episode-3-season-3.html

....Anyway I'll be at APE on Saturday with the family walking around and attending all the panels. Sunday, I'll be hanging out with thee Dylan Williams and the Sparkplug Comic Books crew at Table #118, signing Whirlwinds and presenting copies of my latest sketchbook zine anthology, Pet Project. In the expanded convention hall, Sparkplug will be right next to Pigeon Press who will have the latest stuff from Lisa Hanawalt and Matt Furie. Dang! What else am I missing?!? Zack Soto's anthology Studygroup12 #4! Oh man, a new mini from Dan Zettwoch!!! New prints by Ben Catmull! Oh snap, new Mr. Elephanter by Lark Pien!! Koyama Press all the way from Toronto! I feel like my wallet is going to be empty 5 minutes into the show, so many interesting books to get this time around!

So make sure to pay a visit, should be a good time!

And don't forget to go to these events:

Cartoonists in the Mist - reading at Comics Relief

Brian Ralph

2010-10-13T08:47:00.001-07:00

Just recently my friend and colleague, Thien Pham and I had the opportunity to interview one of my favorite cartoonists of all time, Brian Ralph for our comics podcast, The Comix Claptrap. It was really fun. Give it a listen!

http://comixclaptrap.blogspot.com/2010/09/brian-ralph-season-3-episode-2.html

A Bobot Welcome

2010-10-06T08:14:00.000-07:00

Maybe I need to rething some things about Bobot's personality.
(Click on the image for a bigger glimpse.)

Bananas

2010-09-15T08:30:00.001-07:00

Drawing doodles again instead of witnessing my child grow up. Great.

Good Things

2010-09-10T07:16:00.000-07:00

This weekend while I will be taking the baby-toddler on a playdate with his future girlfriend, hoards --THRONGS of people will be flocking to the Small Press Expo in Bethesda, MD also know as SPX. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend the great stuff that's happening like the SPXplosion event at Atomic Books tonight or any of the awesome convention panels like Spotlight on Jaime Hernandez or the Fort Thunder reunion. If you're in the DC area, do go and have fun! Lots of inspiring cartoonists will have their books and their coy smiles. Also, what I forgot to share on this blog is that me and the book are up for the Ignatz Awards' Promising New Talent. If you liked the book and are attending the show, go ahead and vote for us! There are a lot of talented folks in the same category so I'm happy and honored to be even considered for sure! My only hope is that they pronounce my name right at the ceremony.

ALSO even better news, not just in Bethesda...and I don't know why I posted this second.. but Thien and I have just posted a new episode of our comics podcast, The Comix Claptrap. To kick off Season 3, we had the HUGE HUGEA honor of talking to Mr. Dan "Eightball/Wilson/Ghost World" Clowes. I think I can quit making comics now. Here is the link:
http://comixclaptrap.blogspot.com/2010/09/dan-clowes-season-3-episode-1.html

Dan Clowes by Dan Clowes

So no matter where you are, there are good things to do! And no matter what you do have a great weekend!

New Review

2010-08-24T08:36:00.000-07:00

There's a nice review round-up of recently released Sparkplug Comic Book titles including Eschew #2, Neptune, Department of Art #1 and Whirlwind Wonderland on the Bookgasm website. Book critic, Rod Lott calls my style a "cut-above Roz Chast!" Talk about a compliment, totally undeserving, but I will definitely put that in my pocket!

http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/comics/eschew-neptune-whirlwind-department/