Very busy here at Cartoon Books. Final adjustments are being made to the full color RASL hardcover. We received our proofs and review copies from the printer and if all goes well, we’ll ship the final document off this weekend!
The only thing I’ll say now, is that after much handwringing and trepidation , the rich, dark colors by Steve Hamaker takes to the paper beautifully! We will share some pages in June, so stay tuned.
For now, the above is a video shot during WonderCon with Kiel Phegley for CBR. We talk about RASL, reworking and repackaging BONE, and a bit about my next project: Tuki Save the Humans.
Jackie Mantey, a reporter from Columbus Alive, came to the office last week to interview me about the Columbus comics scene. There have been some nice events lately, like CCAD’s MIX event that featured Chris Ware as the keynote speaker; the current comics show being put on by the Ohio Art League; as well as The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum’s up coming move to grander quarters on campus. And apparently there’s an old fart self-publisher lurking about on the city’s south side.
You can read the full online article here.
RASL and the documentary The Cartoonist appeared on a few year end lists around the internet. Here is a fun link I liked… RASL: The Drift made the Top 5 Continuing Books of the Year over at Stumptown Trade Review. I did a podcast interview with these guys earlier in the year when I was at the Stumptown Comics Fest, and enjoyed it very much. Thanks, Brian & Thor! Good time to mention that the new issue, RASL #6 will be in stores on Jan. 20! There is a preview of RASL #6 here.
Also, The Cartoonist documentary made the Booklist Editor’s Choice Best of 2009. Three and a half out of four stars. Not bad, Ken! (Ken Mills is the director) Congratulations!
We just found out that there will be some upcoming PBS airings of The Cartoonist.
Tonight in Philadelphia, the documentary will air at 9pm on channel 35 WYBE.
Thursday, December 10th at 8:30pm on channel 15 WDSC in Daytona, Florida.
Sunday, December 13th at 5:00pm on channel 36 MPTV in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sunday, December 20th at midnight on channel 29 MPB in Jackson, Mississippi
We had heard that PBS stations might start running the doc sometime next year, but it looks like some are starting now. Apparently individual stations don’t report when they run something. We find out if someone tells us. We’ll post any times we hear about, and hopefully you will let us know if the doc runs in your town. Be sure to check your local PBS listings.
Just got back from the Retailer Summit in Baltimore on Tuesday where I met and talked with over three hundred comic shop owners and managers from all over North America. Got a lot of great feedback on RASL, which was nice. Above is the art for the cover of #7, which will be in the Diamond catalog for items shipping in Feb. Starting with #7 next year RASL will begin shipping bimonthly. The second collection, RASL 2: The Fire of St. George should drop in April. Amazing color from Steve, huh? Wild!
One surprise for me at the summit was learning that so many comic shops were doing well with the BONE color editions from Scholastic. For some reason, I thought those were mostly being sold into bookstores, schools and libraries, but I heard differently this week! So thank you, retailers, for continuing to support for BONE.
Another happy event last weekend was Terry Moore’s win at the Harveys. ECHO won for best new series! Much deserved! Terry has worked hard to bring that story to life, and we’re all crazy proud of him!
