WATCH: Two Sketches with Toby Morris featuring Michel Mulipola!

Cartoonist Toby Morris has started a new drawing/interview series for The Spinoff website, Two Sketches. The ingenious concept for the show is quite simple: each episode he sits down with an NZ artist and they each produce an artwork while discussing whatever comes to mind.

As Morris described the idea for the show to The Spinoff, "Drawing is a meditative and reflective activity – for me I usually need to be quite relaxed, and my mind wanders while I do it. When I shared a studio with other illustrators I found the conversations we had while we drew were often quite weird but honest and insightful. I think it’s like talking in front of a bonfire, or a killer view – with a big chunk of your mind fixed somewhere else I think you can often be less guarded.”

In this first episode, Morris sits down to sketch with Michel Mulipola, a WWE comics artist, wrestler and gamer - a pop culture triple threat!

Watch the first episode below, and subscribe HERE for more! You can also listen to Toby Morris discuss the new show in a RadioNZ interview HERE.

- AK!

A Week of Wus: Wussy Castle

Above: Wussy Castle. Copyright Oneedo Studio 2016.

Comic creator and animator Ned Wenlock (Hotpools, Highwater) has produced a quirky new animated series Wussy Castle, which debuted this week on Youtube. Drawing inspiration from the formats of English children's shows of the 70's like The Magic Roundabout and The Wombles, Wussy Castle follows two brothers, Sir Jeremy and Sir Mathew, who live at home in Wussy Castle with their mum and their manservant Bedsit. Everyday brings immense challenges to their privileged lives. 

Above: Wussy Castle episode #1: The Weight of Kindness. Copyright Oneedo Studio 2016.

"I thought it would be fun to cast what I see in the modern world through the lens of childhood, because the world is made up of children from about the 70s", explained Ned Wenlock. "The characters themselves are reflections of the modern world, pampered, self-obsessed, entitled and generally a bit thick."

This exquisitely designed satire will run for 5 episodes this week, from December 5th - 9th. The first episode, The Weight of Kindness can be viewed below and click through to the Wussy Castle youtube channel to view the series HERE. For more information on Ned's award-winning animated films, visit Oneedo Studio HERE.

- AK!

VIDEO: Toby Morris Explores Tokyo's Comic Art Scene

Above: Toby Morris at Manga store Mandarake, Tokyo, Japan. Photo copyright Gui Martinez 2016.

Toby Morris appears to be everywhere this month! Thanks to the new beer Steinlager Tokyo Dry (a Japanese inspired New Zealand beer) and Vice, Toby was sent to Japan to take part in a documentary series exploring the cultural similarities and differences between Japan and New Zealand.

While there, Toby takes a fast paced journey through Tokyo to explore how its vibrant comic art and anime scene permeates everyday life—from the comic stores out the front of train stations to the street signage. He visits stationery superstore Sekaido, before stopping by multi-level manga mecca, Mandarake, which is jam-packed floor to ceiling with manga (to quote Toby, "Holy shit!").

This is followed by a visit with animator Takahiro Tanaka at Studio 4°C, to find out how closely comics and manga go hand-in-hand in Japan, and to collaborate on a comic.

It's a great watch, and you can check it out below. Check out more about this doc series over at the Vice website HERE and an interview with Toby about his career and trip to Japan HERE.

- AK!

VIDEO: Tim Molloy in Conversation with Tristen Harris

Readings bookstore in Melbourne, Australia, recently hosted an author talk with former Auckland cartoonist Tim Molloy. He discussed his latest comics collection, Mr. Unpronounceable Adventures with Triple R presenter Tristen Harris.

Published by Milk Shadow Books, it collects the complete adventures of the mysterious Mr Unpronounceable: a homeless necromancer or complete madman, Mr Unpronounceable seeks out the truth - no matter how twisted or bizarre - on the streets of The City Of The Ever Open Eye. You can currently buy it at a bookstore near you, or online in New Zealand HERE or it's available from Amazon everywhere else.

The good folks at Milk Shadow Books have made the video of the talk available to view via Youtube, enjoy!

- AK!

Faction Comics hits the air-waves!

The recently released first issue of Faction Comics was featured on TV3 News last night, and can be viewed HERE.

It features an interview with editors Damon Keen and Amie Maxwell, as well as contributors Ant Sang and Lauren Marriott aka Ralphi.

Faction Comics #1 is now available at selected comic shops and to buy online, and subscribe for a FREE digital download HERE.

-AK!

Sunday Viewing: In the Studio with Ant Sang

Shot for the TVNZ7 literature show The Good Word, Director Mitchell Hawkes and Director of Photography Chris Matthews take us inside Ant Sang's workspace to discuss his creative process. Enjoy!

-AK!

Weekend Viewing: Comics Creator Rights and Colin Wilson

Above: Me, appearing on Media7 to talk Creator Rights.

Thanks to On Demand viewing, here's some comics related online viewing to get you through the weekend.

First up, I appeared on this week's episode of Media7 to discuss the current state of Comics Creator Rights, and the currently plight of the Siegel & Shuster Estate in their ongoing battle with Warner Bros for control of Superman. It's also accompanied by a great piece on Jack Kirby by reporter (and sometimes cartoonist) Jose Barbosa! You can view it on the TVNZ7 website HERE. And a big thank you to Russell, Jose and the team for having me!

Above: A self-portrait of NZ cartoonist Colin Wilson, surrounded by the many characters he's drawn over the year.

Thanks to the NZ On Screen archive, you can watch this rare 2004 interview with celebrated NZ cartoonist Colin Wilson, from the arts TV series The Living Room. Wilson was the originator of the 70s anthology comic series Strips, before finding fame and fortune in Europe drawing Judge Dredd and Lt. Blueberry. This interview offers a great candid look into Colin's art practice and studio, highly recommended weekend viewing that you can view HERE! 

-AK!