Celebrating the Comics, Cartoons and Creators of Central Ohio
It began in casual chitchat at a comic show some years ago when we first began our own humble newspaper.
Me: “Would you like to check out a copy of the Columbus Scribbler? Central Ohio’s only free comic newspaper!”
Wise Passerby: “Oh! Cool! Like HOOT!”
Me: “Hoot?”
Continue reading “A Look Back at HOOT”A 2017 graduate of Columbus College of Art and Design, Gabby Metzler, is making waves in the area comics scene. In the last two years, she has won both the S.P.A.C.E. prize and the CXC Emerging Artist Award for her comic series, The Fat Girl Love Club. Years in the making, The Fat Girl Love Club tells the tale of Becky, an awkward girl from small-town Ohio who has an unhealthy attraction to Jesus. The Fat Girl Love Club is now a graphic novel available through most local book stores and online. Gabby is also the organizer and founder of Peztilence: A Comics Reading Series where she hosts Ohio comic artists who present their work in front of a live audience. Furthermore, she recently colored Whistle, a YA graphic novel published by DC Comics in the spring of 2021.
Continue reading “10 Questions with Gabby Metzler”Allen Harrington opened Krazzy Comics in 2018. Together, with the help of his wife, Nia, he has turned his shop into a fun hangout for geeks of all kinds, with functional arcade games, a comfy couch, and even a kid’s corner with activities. Find out a bit about what Allen loves about comics and what it’s like owning a comic shop.
Continue reading “Comic Store Profile: Krazzy Comics”Darryl Banks is an artist that has been working professionally in comics since the late 1980’s. Born in Columbus, he is best known for his work on Green Lantern, but has completed work for series such as Wild Wild West and Doc Savage. Besides his professional work, he’s helped to shape many artists in our community by teaching Illustration and Comic Book Design at our famed Columbus College of Art & Design.
Continue reading “10 Questions with Darryl Banks”“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”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”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.
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.
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.
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?