EVENT: Bristle Annual #3 Launch Party!

Above: Bristle Annual #3, cover by Lorenzo van der Lingen.

If you're in Wellington this weekend, head along to the launch party for Bristle Annual #3! The latest release from the long running anthology edited by Brent Willis, features comics by: David Tulloch, Aaron Christiansen, Indira Neville, Tim Danko, Renee Lyons, Matt Kelly, Sarah Laing, David Piper, and many more. All this and an eye-popping cover by Lorenzo van der Lingen! The launch party is taking place at the Bristol Hotel (upstairs) at 131-133 Cuba St, Wellington on Saturday the 11th from 5pm to 7pm (and maybe later). 

You can also pick up copies of Bristle Annual #3 the following weekend at the Wellington Winter Zine Market on Saturday the 18th at Thistle Hall (293 Cuba St), from 12 - 5pm.

- 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!

EVENTS: Once Launch & Girl Comics Exhibition

It's another big week for NZ comics, with two separate events this week. The first is the NZ release party for Tim Danko's latest graphic novel Once. Originally created and published for a French publisher, Danko utilized Australian crowd sourcing website Pozible to fund the printing of an English language version. Drawn over a four year period while living on Great Barrier Island, Once is a 56-page tour de force of Danko's mastery of the comics form - exploring the line between comics and visual arts, a direction few cartoonists have travelled as confidently and imaginatively as Danko.

Above: A page from Once by Tim Danko. Copyright Tim Danko 2013.

The New Zealand launch for Once takes place this Tuesday night at The Wine Cellar (St Kevin's Arcade, 183 Karangahape Road, Auckland) from 6-8pm. Also copies of Danko's Dead Xerox Press comic series Sup – Ho will be available, as well as many other rare items and hand-printed bookmarks for sale. For more information, visit the Once Facebook page HERE, or if you can't make the event, you can order it online through the Dead Xerox Press website HERE.

Then on Thursday night, rising comics star Ralphi has an exhibition opening at the Saatchi & Saatchi Gallery called Girl Comics. Probably best known in the local comics scene for her standout contribution to last year's Faction #1 anthology (Ricky & Lyle), Ralphi is quickly becoming a talent to watch, with her sharp design sense and dab hand at creating engaging and memorable characters.

From the exhibition description: 'Ralphi's work uncovers a strong sense of narrative, drawn from events and observations in both her own life and the lives of her numerous, unwitting muses. Referenced in both appearance and antics, their vices are glorified, limbs lengthened, and additional bad language inserted. Themes of friendship, substance abuse, cosmic voyages, and everyday human and animal truths are perceptively captured, impatiently inked and laced with a dark wit.

The ever growing cast of characters are part of a disjointed, motley family. All connected somehow, however tenuous the threads, in the mess that is Ralphi's curly head.'

Above: Ricky & Lyle by Ralphi, from Faction #1. Copyright Ralphi 2013.

The exhibition opening takes place at the Saatchi & Saatchi Gallery (123-125 The Strand, Parnell, Auckland), from 6-8pm. If you can't make the opening, the exhibition will run from the 29th of August to the 10th of October. For more information visit the Facebook page HERE.

It's shaping up to be a landmark year for New Zealand comics, so make sure you get along to these exciting events and support your local cartoonists!

-AK!

Free Comics: Tim Danko's '5 Minute Gulag'

Above: the cover of Tim Danko's previous comic 'Vigl'.

Tim Danko, mastermind of the Deadxeroxpress and the 'Sup-Ho' comics series, has released a new animated experiential comic 5 Minute Gulag, created in a five minute bust of creativity! It's an intriguing mixture of images created to accompany and counterpoint text by Russian author Varlam Shalamov. Is it a comic, storybook or mixed media digital art? Have a look HERE and decide for yourself! (HINT: use your mouse to turn the pages).

Also visit Tim's website for more of his comics work and other animated wonders.

-AK!

New NZ Comics: Autumn Edition 2010

Above: An otherworldly advert for Tim Molloy's 'Saturn Returns'. Copyright Tim Molloy 2010.

In this new feature I'll be taking a look at the latest NZ comic releases, with exclusive artwork and details on where you can get yourself a copy!

First up is 'Saturn Returns', the latest offering from Tim Molloy. It's a portal to a surreal but perfectly constructed world that Tim has created through his imagery, which literally has a language all of it's own. It both reflects the world we know, and the strange customs our popular culture trades in. Highly engrossing, and a bargain at $12 for 48 pages! You can pick this up at The High Seas in Auckland (click HERE for address details).

Next up is 'Vigl' by Tim Danko. It's a beautifully screen-printed comic, which at $4 is well worth your time to check out. I'm not sure what the story is, but when it looks this nice...as Jack Kirby would say, "don't ask, just buy it!".

'Vigl' is also available from The High Seas.

Above: A page from 'Vigl' by Tim Danko. Copyright Tim Danko 2010.

Progress #8, the latest issue in Jared Lane's award-winning series is out now.

As you've come to expect from Jared, it features slick artwork and well polished stories, making it one of the New Zealand's best on-going comic series.

Above: Artwork from 'Progress #8 by Jared Lane. Copyright Jared Lane 2010.

It retails for around $10 and is available at Comics Compulsion in Christchurch, Graphic in Wellington and Gotham Comics in Auckland. Or you can order it directly from the author, by sending $10.00 NZ +postage and packaging (within NZ) to: Jared Lane, c/o AP Design, 55 Retreat Road, Christchurch.

I recently posted about the book launch, and now it's available to buy: 'Alledaags: A Year in Amsterdam', a comics diary by Toby Morris. It's a handsome 354 page hardcover collection that you can order through Toby's website HERE for €30.00 Euros.

A page from 'Alledaags: A Year in Amsterdam' by Toby Morris. Copyright Toby Morris 2010.

That is a chunk of NZ change, but the profits from this book are going to a very worthy cause: the Guy Champney Memorial Fund. Named after a cartoonist and friend of Toby's, Guy Champney passed away at the all to young age of 34 from a heart condition. In honour of his memory, his family and friends started the fund to raise money that will be donated to a children's charity in his name. So by purchasing this book you get to partake in this great cause and receive an exceptional comics collection!

Bristle #5, the latest issue of the Wellington comics anthology, is available now.

It features stories by: Ned Wenlock, Claire Harris, Jason Winter, Carlos Wedde, Renee Lyons, Ari Freeman, Grant Buist and editor Brent Willis. M. Emery also featured and provides the cover. It's only $5 and is available from The High Seas in Auckland and Graphic in Wellington. You can also mail order it for $5 + postage, and back issues of Bristle #1-4 still available for the same price. Send payments to: Brent Willis at PO Box 27-258, Wellington.

And last, but certainly not least: 'Silver' is the new abstract comic collection by Draw, one of the artists featured in the Eisner nominated collection 'Abstract Comics' from Fantagraphics. It features an intriguing series of comics created using found photography slides. It's full-colour for $19.00 + postage and packing. To order, email Draw at: info@drawingsilence.com

Above: A page from 'Silver' by Draw. Copyright Draw 2010.

There's plenty of great NZ Comics out there, so I hope this has brought some new comics to your attention, and give you some ideas for reading material to seek out and enjoy as the winter months close in.

-AK!