Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen nominated for an Eisner Award!

Above: The cover of Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen by Dylan Horrocks.

Congratulations are in order for Dylan Horrocks, as his most recent graphic novel, Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen has been nominated for 'Best New Graphic Album' at the 2016 Eisner Awards.

The Esiner Awards are America's most prestigious comics industry awards, and take their name from famed US cartoonist Will Eisner, creator of The Spirit comic strip and the landmark graphic novel, A Contract with God. Horrocks previous won his first Eisner Award in 2002 for 'Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition', which elevated his profile and work, particularly the graphic novel Hicksville, to an international audience.

The winners of the 28th Eisner Awards will be announced at a ceremony on the evening of Friday, July 22 at Comic-Con International. Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen is published locally by Victoria University Press, and in the US by Fantagraphics.

- AK!

Artwork for Sale: Own a Piece of Hicksville!

Above: Page 152 of Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen by Dylan Horrocks.

Dylan Horrocks, the acclaimed NZ cartoonist and author of Hicksville and Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen, currently has artwork from both of these books available for sale on his website. To quote one of his initial posts, Horrocks wrote, "I have been reluctant to sell original art from Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen, but more than a year after the book’s release, I think it’s time to tentatively let a few pages go".

You can check his new 'Buying Stuff' page HERE for original artwork from Hicksville, Magic Pen and other works, or his website front page for updates. They are selling fast, so if you want to own a piece of NZ comics history - get in quick!

- AK!

EVENT: Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen Release Party!

Next week sees the release of Dylan Horrocks' long awaited second graphic novel, Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen, with a launch party happening at Heroes For Sale, 582 Karangahape Rd, Auckland, on Thursday 27th of November at 6.30pm.

Following 16 years after the release of his ground-breaking debut Hicksville (1998), The Magic Pen introduces us to Sam Zabel - a burnt out cartoonist who having lost his faith in the comics medium, begins a journey of rediscovery that takes him inside and beyond the boundaries of comic books and their established storytelling conventions. Accompanied by web-cartoonist Alice Brown, and the mysterious rocket-booted, manga-styled schoolgirl Miki, Sam's quest for the elusive Magic Pen takes them inside a series of comic books where they meet a tribe of sex-obsessed aliens, pirates, medieval monks, dragons, a room of tentacles, and of coarse, cartoonists.

Above: Sam and his friends encounter the She-Pirates of The Bloody Rose!

Thoughtful, erotic and surprising, The Magic Pen explores both the pleasures and consequences of creating fantasy stories - and asks the difficult questions. For example, should authors be held morally accountable for the fantasies they create? There are many troubling areas in the history of comic books relating to the depiction of gender roles, sexuality and violence among many others issues, which Horrocks boldly wrestles with in this book - challenging himself and his own expectations of comics in a way few of his international peers have.

This is Horrocks' first full-colour graphic novel, and the artwork is beautifully refined in its style and colour palette, making even the most raunchy sequence seem surprisingly tasteful! On that note, it will be interesting to see how the book is received by some critics, particularly those unfamiliar with comics who might assume Dylan's clear-line art style must be inherently child-friendly...big mistake! There are also stylistic tips of the hat to Tintin's Herge, Carl Barks, and even our own late pioneering cartoonist, Eric Resetar.

Above: Sam struggles with the responsibility of storytelling and fantasy.

If Hicksville represented the hopes and fears of a young cartoonist and his relationship to comics, The Magic Pen is its spiritual sequel - the work of a seasoned veteran at the height of his creative power exploring the language of comic books from the inside out, and reporting back to us what he has learnt about himself and the medium after almost two decades in the creative trenches.

Above: Sam and Miki blast off on their adventure!

There will be live entertainment on the night, with snacks and refreshments, and of coarse Dylan will be on hand to sign and sketch in your own personal copy! If you are on Facebook you can RSVP HERE.

And if you are in Wellington, don't despair - Dylan will be signing at Unity Books, 57 Willis St, on December 12th, from 12.00 - 12.45pm! And you can RSVP for that event HERE.

It is sure to be one of the most talked about books of the year, so come along and celebrate this landmark release!

- AK!

New and Upcoming NZ Comics: Spring Edition 2014!

Above: Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen by Dylan Horrocks. Copyright Dylan Horrocks 2014.

Its been a while since I had a chance to update this blog, so here's a round up of all the latest NZ comics and graphic novels coming out in the next few months!

First up is the print edition of Dylan Horrocks' Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen. Beginning life as a back-up story in Atlas #2 (2005), it was revived in 2009 as Horrocks' first ongoing webcomic. Here's the official synopsis:

Cartoonist Sam Zabel hasn’t drawn a comic in years. Stuck in a nightmare of creative block and despair, Sam spends his days writing superhero stories for a large American comics publisher and staring at a blank piece of paper, unable to draw a single line. Then one day he finds a mysterious old comic book set on Mars and is suddenly thrown headlong into a wild, fantastic journey through centuries of comics, stories, and imaginary worlds. Accompanied by a young webcomic creator named Alice and an enigmatic schoolgirl with rocket boots and a bag full of comics, Sam goes in search of the Magic Pen, encountering sex-crazed aliens, medieval monks, pirates, pixies and—of course—cartoonists. Funny, erotic, and thoughtful, Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen explores the pleasures, dangers, and moral consequences of fantasy.

As his first major work since Hicksville, Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen will be released in late November as a 208 page, full-colour paperback from Victoria University Press for $35.00 NZ.

It will also be released in seven international editions, translated into six languages: in North America from Fantagraphics, Knockabout in the UK, Casterman in French, Bao Publishing in Italian, Egmont in German, Astiberri in Spanish, and in Danish from Fahrenheit.

Above: Abigail and the Snowman by Roger Langridge. Copyright Roger Langridge 2014.

Another kiwi cartoonist with an international following is Roger Langridge, who has two new projects on the horizon.

Abigail and the Snowman is Langridge's latest project for US publisher Boom Studio's all-ages imprint Kaboom! Launching in December this four issue mini-series focuses on Abigail, a young girl moving to a new town in need of a friend - which she finds in the form of a yeti named Claude. Unfortunately, Claude (known as 'Specimen 486' to the authorities), happens to be an escapee from a nearby government facility that wants him back. To keep her new friend safe, Abigail and Claude go on a journey to find his home.

Above: Jim Henson's The Musical Monsters Of Turkey Hollow, adapted by Roger Langridge. Copyright the Jim Henson Company 2014.

And coming out next week, Langridge makes a welcome return to the world of Jim Henson, with Jim Henson's The Musical Monsters Of Turkey Hollow graphic novel from Archaia. The story is adapted by Langridge based on an unproduced teleplay by Jim Henson & Jerry Juhl, which is sure to be a treat for any fan of Henson's work and Langridge's fantastic comic adaptation of The Muppet Show.

Above: Capture Creatures by Frank Gibson & Becky Dreistadt. Copyright Frank Gibson & Becky Dreistadt 2014.

Frank Gibson & Becky Dreistadt of Tiny Kitten Teeth also have a new comic series coming out from Kaboom! in the form of Capture Creatures! It began life as an art blog project, with Dreistadt sketching new creatures which Gibson would provide a back-story for. After a very successful Kickstarter Art book, the concept will be graduating to an ongoing series in November. The series will follow two teens who set out to investigate the mysterious arrival of over a hundred new creatures on earth, and to stop those who would have them destroyed. For more updates visit the Capture Creatures website HERE.

Above: Ricky & Lyle by Ralphi. Copyright Ralphi 2014.

Above: Patient Lab by Tim Danko. Copyright Tim Danko 2014.

Our friends over at Radio As Paper (now based in Nantes, France), have recently released some lovely mini-comics by kiwi creators: Ricky & Lyle by Ralphi, and Patient Lab by Tim Danko (French edition). You can order them from the Radio As Paper website HERE and HERE.

Above: Holocaust Rex and the Plague Lords of Koch: Book 2, by Karl Wills & Timothy Kidd. Copyright Karl Wills & Timothy Kidd 2014.

The next installment of the excellent mini-comic series Holocaust Rex from The Comicbook Factory will be available from October 1st, and will be able HERE and from selected retailers.

Above: Ant Sang with an advance proof copy of The Dharma Punks graphic novel! Photographed by Damon Keen.

There was excitement at the Earth's End office this week as the first proof copies of The Dharma Punks collected edition arrived! It came out great, and we are looking forward to punters getting there hands on it when it releases nationwide on October 31st. If you live in Auckland, stay tuned for an announcement regarding the release party in late October!

- AK!

News From Earth's End: Late May Edition

Above: Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen by Dylan Horrocks. Copyright Dylan Horrocks 2014.

It's been a busy time here at Earth's End Central, so today I'm going to cover the recent developments in the NZ comics community over the last few weeks.

VUP has just released a preview of the cover from their forthcoming New Zealand edition of Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen by Dylan Horrocks due for release in November. This will collect the complete story that Horrocks started serialising in Atlas and then later on his website HERE. Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen will also be simultaneously published in the US and Canada from Fantagraphics, and in Europe from Casterman.

Above: Tim Gibson artwork for Wellington brewery Garage Project's latest beers: Umami Monster & MECHA-HOP! Copyright Garage Project 2014.

Two items that seem to go naturally together (well, according to most of the cartoonists I know) are comics...and beer! Moth City creator Tim Gibson has produced the artwork for Garage Project's two latest beers: Umami Monster & MECHA-HOP! Created for competition in the Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular 2014, they will certainly be eye-catching with Gibson's Godzilla inspired labels and advertising artwork! There may even be some mini-comics printed to support this release, so keep an eye out...

Above: Garage Project's award-winning beer, Cockswain’s Courage Double Barreled Porter.

Garage Project also recently won a Silver Medal at the World Beer Cup for Cockswain’s Courage Double Barreled Porter, inspired by Greg Broadmore's Lord Cockswain character ("tastes like war!"), so comics inspired labels may be their lucky charm!

Above: An rough for a advert for the PYE Isotronic Record Player, in comics form by Dick Frizzell. Copyright Dick Frizzell 2014.

Staying in advertising, readers of my book From Earth's End: The Best of New Zealand Comics will know about Dick Frizzell's love of comics and the inspiration he drew from them for his art and advertising work. In the 1970s and 80's, Frizzell produced a number of advertisements in comics form for such products as Everready batteries and Levi's Jeans. He recently uncovered this pencil rough created to advertise the PYE Isotronic FL 1000 Record Player, and generously allowed me to re-post it here. As Dick commented, "I turned my ad work into comics at every available opportunity".

Earlier this month, Wellington City Libraries and comic book store Graphic joined forces to celebrate Free Comic Book Day with the event, Comicfest 2014 - featuring a series of comics related workshops and events. 

Above: Cartoonists talking 'shop', from left: Grant Buist, Robyn E. Kenealy and Ant Sang.

This included two panel discussions at the Wellington City Library. One featuring Ant Sang (The Dharma Punks, Shaolin Burning), Robyn E. Kenealy (Roddy's Film Companion, American Captain) and Grant Buist (Jitterati, Brunswick), that you can listen to HERE.

Above from left: Paul Tobin and Greg Broadmore.

The second was a Q&A with Paul Tobin, editor of the NZ fantasy art book, White Cloud Worlds, and Greg Broadmore, creator of the Dr. Grordbort series, that you can listen to HERE.

Above: One of the Auckland Art Gallery's framed pieces by NZ comics pioneer, Noel Cook, on display for my talk at the Auckland Writers Festival on From Earth's End: The Best of New Zealand Comics.

In the lead up to my appearance at the Auckland Writers Festival to discuss my book and the history of New Zealand comics, I did two insightful interviews that might be of interest: one with Renee Liang from The Big Idea that you can read HERE, and one with Courtney Peters from Gather and Hunt, which you can read HERE. Leading book blogger Graham Beattie also reviewed my talk at the festival on National Radio HERE.

The Dharma Punks Kickstarter is still going strong, having reached it's minimum goal target, we are now pushing to make this collection as high quality and available as possible! We could still use your support, so click over and check out some of our exclusive Kickstarter rewards that will not be available anywhere else!

Now to ease you into the weekend, here's some support videos for The Dharma Punks to watch from fellow cartoonists, Dylan Horrocks and Sarah Laing!

- AK!

New Year, New Comics

Above: A panel from 'The Impostor' by L. S. Marquez.

The new year is off to a great start with some great new online comics for your summer viewing pleasure!

Auckland cartoonist L. S. Marquez is making her online comics debut with the extremely refined mystery/psychological thriller 'The Impostor' (click HERE to view).

Set in the totalitarian state of New Haven, social worker Lucy is rescued from a robbery by a mysterious stranger know only as 'K'. Their brief meeting lingers with Lucy, who has her own secrets that continue to haunt her waking world. Does she have more in common with this vigilante than she'll willing to admit, or will her attraction to 'K' lead her closer to danger instead of answers?

It's Part One of a three part series, which will eventually be released as three 24 page comics before being collected into a graphic novel. Each page of the original comic has been cleverly (and appropriately) divided into a classic nine panel grid. From there, she has cut the grid into three, allowing each section to form one 'slate panel' to read as the web-comic scrolls across diagonally, making for a pleasantly smooth reading experience. The artwork and storytelling is masterfully handled, and I look forward to seeing the next installments! For further updates be sure to register on the website.

Above: A page from 'The American Dream' by Dylan Horrocks.

After taking a break from his online serials to complete the finishing touches on the imminent new edition of 'Hicksville', Dylan has returned with new glorious colour pages of 'The American Dream' and 'Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen'.

As a bonus, he's also posted two recent short stories: 'Cornucopia', previously published in the Australian Journal 'The Lifted Brow'; and the serene 'My World', from the UK benefit book 'Ctrl.Alt.Shift'.

So there's a ton of great new comics content here to keep you entertained without even having to leave your work station! (although you may want to visit 'Cornucopia' in a more private setting;). Happy reading!

-AK!