Amiculus: A Secret History is the work of writer/ creator Travis Horseman and artist Giancarlo Caracuzzo. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, the book was first published in 2014. Described by Horseman as a “lost history of the fall of Rome… from the point of view of Rome’s last emperor, a twelve year old boy named Romulus.” and “[A] mosaic of conspiracy within conspiracy. Bloodshed and betrayal. Tragedy and Loss.” Continue reading “Amiculus: A Secret History”
Spotlight on All-Ages Creator: Lee Smith
Lee Smith’s work is not only entertaining, but also educational. As a teacher, he knew comics would be a great vehicle to help his students get excited about Ohio history. After Lee was unable to find anything being currently produced, he decided to create his own series called Ohio Chronicles. Each 16 page comic highlights true stories of Ohio history and many come paired with Teacher’s Editions so educators can include his comics in their courses. Continue reading “Spotlight on All-Ages Creator: Lee Smith”
10 Questions with Bob Corby
Bob Corby has been publishing fine small press comics under the company name Back Porch Comics since 1986. In 1988, he started OH, Comics, an anthology supporting the work of comic creators throughout the Midwest. In 2000, Bob started the Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo or S.P.A.C.E. which will be holding its 20th show this year at the Northland Performing Arts Center on April 27th and 28th. Admission is free and will be attended by comic creators throughout the country. Continue reading “10 Questions with Bob Corby”
How to Write a Comic Script
Comics are often a collaborative effort with a team of people. You don’t have to look far to find disagreements over the importance of each role for a book, and writers are no different. However, writers including the late Stan Lee, Alan Moore, Mark Millar, and Neil Gaiman have proved that strong storytelling is a vital piece of the puzzle. Continue reading “How to Write a Comic Script”
Dinosaur Arsonist
Dinosaur Arsonist is a clever potentially one-off comic (the backcover promises a return in First Dinosaur on the Moon) written by James Moore with art by Talcott Starr. Through the course of 19 pages we learn the history of a Coelophysis punished by his pack for some unspecified crime, cursed to keep guard over the land should his bones ever be disturbed. Awakened by oil drilling in present day, he quickly absorbs all the knowledge of the past eon for which he has laid buried. He then, reluctantly at first but eventually with great passion, begins setting about his duty to lay waste to those that disturbed his land the only way he knows how: with a flamethrower.
Boogeymen
A brief history of the anti-comics movement and the birth of the Comics Code
In the quiet neighborhoods of Binghamton, New York, masses gather behind St. Patrick’s Parochial School around a roaring fire as parents and their children toss armfuls of comic books into the blaze amongst onlookers who watch with glee. It’s December 10, 1948, three years after World War II and comics are under attack. The rally in Binghamton would spark similar fires around the country as crusaders for children’s morality waged war against America’s newest medium. Continue reading “Boogeymen”