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.
A Hero Without a Name
A brief history of Shazam, the original Captain Marvel
In the early days of superhero comics, when Superman, the world’s first superhero, was still leaping “over tall buildings in a single bound,” there was one hero who managed to capture the public’s imagination and fly. By reciting a magical word made up of the gods, Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury, a young orphan named Billy was able to transform into the world’s mightiest mortal. His name was Captain Marvel and, at his height, his comic book adventures sold 14 million issues a month, outshining even Superman. The Captain Marvel phenomenon would end up, not only capturing imaginations of millions but also ignite a series of lawsuits which would eventually lead to our hero losing his name… not that this was the first time it had happened.
Comic Store Profile: The Laughing Ogre
Located at 4258 N. High Street, Columbus, The Laughing Ogre has been a fixture for area comic fans for over two decades. They stock a wide variety of comics, graphic novels, and collectibles. Learn a little bit more about the store’s origins and the store’s founder, Gib Bickel.
10 Questions with Victor Dandridge
Victor Dandridge Jr. created Vantage:Inhouse Productions in 2011. Since then, he’s created a list of thought provoking and engaging properties including “The Samaritan,” “Origins Unknown,” “The Trouble w/Love,” as well as the novella series, “8 Mins.” and the writer for the all ages friendly “Wonder Care Presents: The Kinder Guardians.” Vantage:Inhouse Productions is also aiming to educate, encourage, and inspire future creators through its U Cre-8 Comics brand, an education-based line of products and programming designed to bridge comics with classroom fundamentals. As if that wasn’t enough, Victor freelances as host/moderator at comic and pop-culture conventions meeting celebrities of all varieties. He also hosts a youtube channel where he critiques comics with Comic Town Owner, Ryan Seymore, called “Black, White, and Read All Over.” Did we mention he also has a fiancé and five kids?
They Called Us Enemy
When studying World War II in high school, I vaguely remember brief mentions of Japanese internment camps, but it was never really more than a footnote in a larger discussion of America’s history. With that tragic oversight in mind, I am glad we have the graphic novel They Called Us Enemy. The book is an insightful look at the events of WWII from someone whose experience was different than those of the people who were in power and those who fought on the front lines.
Fury in the Skies
A Brief History of Tarpé Mills and Miss Fury
High above the clouds, a B24 bomber flies over the hills of Germany streaked across the nose is a woman, brunette hair flowing behind her and the words “Miss Fury” written above. This is not a one-off occurrence in World War II, a number of bomber noses are adorned with this woman of mystery. The woman chosen to strike fear into the hearts of the Axis power was, in fact, the first major female comic adventurer to see the printed page, beating Wonder Woman to the presses by over six months. Her name was Miss Fury and, while her likeness was soaring above the clouds, her adventures were being published in newspapers around the world.