PHOTORAMA: 'Alledaags: A Year in Amsterdam' exhibition by Toby Morris

Above: Toby Morris in front of a wall of his cartoons from his new book collection: 'Alledaags: A Year in Amsterdam'.

Here's some photos via Toby Morris from his book launch/exhibition for his book collection, 'Alledaags: A Year in Amsterdam', which was held recently at Wieden+Kennedy in Amsterdam. You can order the book HERE and be sure to check out Toby's website. Enjoy!

All images are copyright Toby Morris, 2010.

-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!

EVENT: Free Comic Book Day 2010

Free Comic Book Day is back for 2010, and Gotham Comics in Onehunga Auckland, are using this as an opportunity to promote the medium and give back to the local community.

This Saturday - May 1st, participating comic book shops around the world are giving away comic books absolutely FREE to anyone who comes into their stores. As part of a community commitment, Gotham Comics are organizing donations from Free Comic Book Day to go towards funding the Onehunga Primary School Library. Last year's FCBD at Gotham Comics saw over 800 people pass through the store, they gave away over 3,000 comics and raised nearly $500 for the Onehunga Primary School Library.

If you attend FCBD at Gotham Comics you receive:

- 2 FREE Comics for walking in-store

- 2 FREE Comics for wearing a SUPERHERO costume

- 2 FREE Comics for a GOLD coin donation to ONEHUNGA PRIMARY SCHOOL

As entertainment, they also have special in-store guests: IPW Wrestlers, Outpost 42 & Rebel Legion(Star Wars), Pirate City Roller Derby Girls and a Dr Sketchy Drawing session! And if that wasn't enough, there will also be 50% OFF all new comic issues!

Above: 'Free Comic Book Day: Yow!: A John Stanley Library Grab-Bag'. Copyright Drawn & Quarterly 2010.

You can preview this year's selection of Free Comics on offer at the FCBD website. It includes offerings from all the major publishers including: DC Comics, Marvel, IDW, Drawn & Quarterly, Boom Studios and many more. My personal favourite from last year would have to be Drawn & Quarterly's 'John Stanley Library Sampler'. Featuring some of his classic kids comics, it's sure to entertain and charm both young and old alike. There's another issue on offer this year, so make sure you check it out.

Above: 'Free Comic Book Day: Ironman/Thor'. Copyright Marvel Comics 2010.

Archaia's 'Mouse Guard Sampler' is also likely to be a hit with kids of all ages, and with 'Ironman 2' opening this week (and a 'Thor movie on the way), you can expect the 'Ironman/Thor' comic to disappear off the shelf in record time.

Gotham Comics is located at 264 Onehunga Mall, Onehunga Auckland; the event runs from 10am-4pm, so make sure you drop by and support this great cause and pick up some FREE comics!

Above: 'Free Comic Book Day: Mouse Guard'. Copyright David Petersen 2010.

You can also check out Free Comic Book Day nationwide this Saturday at your nearest comics retailer:

Heroes For Sale: 277 Karangahape Road, Auckland.

King of Cards: Shop 115 Queens Arcade, 34 Queen St, Auckland.

Mark One: 551 Victoria Street, Hamilton. Graphic: 106 Cuba Mall, Wellington.

Company of Heroes: 35 King Street, Palmerston North.

Comics Compulsion: 181 Manchester Street, Christchurch.

-AK!

EVENT: 'Alledaags: 333 Drawings of a Year in Amsterdam' by Toby Morris

It's a little out of my way, but if you happen to be in Amsterdam this Friday, Toby Morris is launching a book of his 2009 Cartoon Diary Blog at Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam. The book collects together his almost daily cartoon blog, recording a full year of his unique observations and experiences while living in Amsterdam. There's a BBQ at 5pm with the exhibition following at 8pm.

Above: 20/9/09. Copyright Toby Morris 2010.

If like me, you can't make it to the other side of the world in time, he's planning to get some copies of the book stocked over here in NZ, so I'll keep you posted on the details. For more information, keep an eye on Toby's blog HERE, where you can sample his latest work-in-progress '200 People I Used to Know'.

-AK!

Roger Langridge takes on 'Thor: The Mighty Avenger'

Above: 'Thor: The Mighty Avenger' artwork by Chris Samnee. Copyright Marvel Comics 2010.

Announced yesterday at C2E2 -The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, Eisner nominee Roger Langridge ('The Muppet Show', 'Fred the Clown') will be the writer of the new ongoing series 'Thor: The Mighty Avenger'.

In the announcement at Marvel.com, the series is described as a modern 're-imagining' of the Asgardian's earliest adventures, with what Langridge believes is a more "positive, upbeat and fun" approach to super heroics. "There's a streak of hope a mile wide in the whole concept of super heroes that hasn't been exploited much in recent years, doubly so in a comic where one of the central icons is a rainbow. So, yes, I'm all about the hope."

At the beginning of the series, Thor returns to the earthly realm, confronted with a world that is far different from the one he remembers. In an interview with CBR, Langridge describes Thor's reaction the modern world, "It's all unfamiliar to him, he doesn't understand how anything works, he's been separated from his hammer and can't get home, and it's only when he meets Jane Foster in our first issue that his life starts to come together again. We'll be asking the question, 'In a world, where cosmic beings fall out of the sky and super-powered giants walk among us, what's so great about being human? The answer may surprise you."

Thor character studies by artist Chris Samnee. Copyright Marvel Comics 2010.

In the series you can expect to see appearances from Thor's classic supporting cast of gods, including Loki, the Warriors Three, Balder, Sif and Heimdal and his ever judgemental father Odin. Thor will be facing challenges from both Asgard and earth, some in the form of familiar villains and other threats that are brand new. "There'll be some new villains - evil robots are always a safe bet - and some old ones. We'll be kicking off with Mister Hyde in our first two issues. Initially, I want the villains to either be established Thor villains or brand-new ones, most of whom, in our story, he's meeting for the first time", Langridge explained to Newsarama.

Thor character studies by artist Chris Samnee. Copyright Marvel Comics 2010.

Joining Langridge on the series will be artist Chis Samnee ('Siege: Embedded'), who brings a stylish look to the book, that is both classical and dynamic. Langridge is quietly confident that reader will be impressed by the artist's work on this project, "I will just say that I think artist Chris Samnee is our secret weapon. His design sense, rock-solid storytelling and superb character acting will knock your socks off. That's certainly what it did for me - I haven't seen my socks in weeks."

Above: Fred the Clown seems to have borrowed Mjöllnir... Copyright Roger Langridge 2010.

'Thor: The Mighty Avenger' debuts in July, monthly from Marvel Comics. For more updates on Roger's many projects, be sure to check out his blog and website.

-AK!

EVENT: The Endless Fallen Exhibition

If you're in Christchurch this weekend, be sure to check out this inspired pop art exhibition from artist ATOM1746.
It's on till Tuesday at Gallery O at The Art Centre, open each day from 10am-5pm.
Below I've got an exclusive sample of some of the artwork:

If you're outside the Christchurch area, you can check out his blog HERE for more art and updates.

-AK!