“Moonstruck” is a comic series that has been published by Image Comics since 2017. “Lumberjanes” creator, Grace Ellis, and talented newcomer, Shae Beagle tell a story of monsters, romance, and magical hijinks. Fantasy creatures are living typical, unremarkable lives alongside humans and barista Julie strives to be the most unremarkable of all. Normal job, normal almost-girlfriend, normal… werewolf transformations that happen when she gets upset? Yikes! But all bets are off when she and her centaur best friend Chet find themselves in the middle of a magical conspiracy. We are very lucky to have Grace and Shae both call Columbus home.
Continue reading “10 Questions with Grace Ellis & Shae Beagle”Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me
The final book can’t be classified as a romance, but a cautionary tale about toxic relationships. Mariko Tamaki and Rosemary Valero-O’Connell put together a stark, heartbreaking story about what happens when the person you love isn’t a great person. Laura Dean seems to be the most popular person in school, with whom our protagonist, Freddy Riley, is very much in love.
Continue reading “Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me”Scott Pilgrim
There is a time in most people’s lives, typically in their late teens to early twenties, where they are broke, in constant flux of relationship status, and involved in a scene of sorts (music, art, etc.) If you take that time period and condense it into comic books, you would get Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World.
Continue reading “Scott Pilgrim”Strangers in Paradise
He loves her. She loves her. She loves him. The modern love triangle is an interesting theme for a reason. There’s built in drama as the audience consistently tries to find out who will end up with who. Include elements of a crime novella and you have Strangers in Paradise.
Continue reading “Strangers in Paradise”Comic Store Profile: World’s Greatest Comics
If you’re looking to sell your comic or toy collection, look no further than Jeff Patrick of World’s Greatest Comics. Discover why he loves comics and what led him down the path to dedicating his life to them.
Continue reading “Comic Store Profile: World’s Greatest Comics”Comic Store Profile: Comic Town
When Ryan Seymore isn’t on his comic review show, “Black White & Read All Over” with co-host Victor Dandridge, you can find him at his shop Comic Town located at 94 Dillmont Dr, Columbus. Find out a bit about what he loves about comics and what it’s like owning a comic shop.
Off to the Presses
Imagine you’ve slaved away for weeks, months, or even years to finally complete your first comic and now you’re ready to share it with the world. Unless you are planning on a DIY approach with a photocopier or some other avenue, that means choosing and working with a printer.
It might be a little daunting working with a printer for the first time. They’ll refer to a lot of unfamiliar terms and might even point out problems with how your work is set up. There’s no need to be intimidated, however. Here is a quick rundown of some basics to keep in mind and common mistakes to avoid as you move forward publishing your first comic.
In Memoriam of Tom Spurgeon
Tom Spurgeon, comics journalist, festival organizer, and all-around champion of the comics medium and the people who make them, passed away on November 13, 2019. Spurgeon had made his home in Columbus for nearly six years, moving into town to serve as the Festival Director of Cartoon Crossroads Columbus, the ambitious multi-venue festival celebrating comics in its many different forms.
Continue reading “In Memoriam of Tom Spurgeon”10 Questions with Jeff Smith
As they say on the talk shows, our next guest needs no introduction. If you know just one cartoonist in Columbus, it’s probably Jeff Smith. Jeff is best known for his BONE series, initially released in 1991, the rights of which have recently been purchased by Netflix and will be produced as an animated series. He’s also noted for his books RASL, Tuki Save the Humans, and Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil. Jeff is the winner of eleven Eisner Awards, eleven Harvey Awards and two National Cartoonists Society Comic Book Awards. Jeff is also making a huge impact on Columbus by being a founding member of the Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) event held in our city for the last five years.
RASL
Several years ago, I was working at the “Poultry and Game”, a small shop in the North Market that sold self-described goods. Jeff Smith and his wife and business partner, Vijaya, were regular customers. I had read and loved BONE and, over the course of several customer service interactions, got to know Jeff and Vijaya superficially. Jeff knew I aspired to write comics. One day, Jeff brought in two large books, placed the first on the wobbly corner top table then drew a picture and signed it. The book was RASL. Jeff Smith, an icon in the field of comics, gave signed books to an aspiring comic writer that sold him his chicken. May we all aspire to be as gracious and kind a person as him.