Graig Kent at Rack Raids reviews both volumes of Ethan Nicolle's funny book Chumble Spuzz -- "Kill the Devil" and "Pigeon Man" -- at Rack Raids. The opening to his review is interesting, as it shows us what we're up against as independent comics publishers but also why we have the tiniest of advantages in certain, few circumstances: "It’s easy to stick with DC and Marvel, comics companies that I’ve invested time and years in, but I’m getting to the point where they’re comfortable fluff (for the most part), and sometimes I want substance, or something different."

For Kent, Chumble Spuzz falls into the "something different" category. Oh does it. He is middling-to-reservedly-positive in his opinion of "Kill the Devil"*, but it is very interesting to see how Ethan's development as a writer and artist are apparent when one considers both volumes of Chumble Spuzz together.* The second story in "Kill the Devil," "Salmonella," is what hooked Kent: "It was this second tale in which Nicolle’s art and words really came together, and for me warranted keeping an eye out for his future work."

"Pigeon Man" is that future work, and here Kent finds a literal menagerie of humor: "The sheer variety of feral men, illustrated in Nicolle’s impeccably funny-yet-disturbing style, is the big draw here, but with his brother the pair have a tighter, funnier script which keeps the laughs and even a few knee-jerk 'icks' coming (the 'mangaroos' have to be seen to be believed)."

Once again, the second story in the volume, "Death Sings the Blues," allows for Ethan (and Isaiah) to stretch different storytelling skills. "Condensed to 27 pages, this rich story moves at an incredible clip and is all the more impressive for it. Unlike previous tales, where Nicolle’s art takes the spotlight, here the script is actually the essential ingredient, fully engrossing and funny."

Now, I know what you're saying. The reviews of his work over the past few months have convinced you that, yeah, Ethan Nicolle is a funny and talented guy. But just how funny and talented? Can someone give you some names so that you can know at what level he is funny and talented? Why, yes, someone can: "Ethan Nicolle is an incredible artistic talent whose comedic chops have now officially flourished, and will no doubt be considered in league with other top cartoon humor talents like Kyle Baker, Evan Dorkin, and Jhonen Vasquez."

So there.


*I do wish reviewers would be more specific when they say something like "a lot of the comedy also fell flat" -- where specifically, just one example? It would help creators, if they choose to pay attention to such things, if there were specifics. Of course, where one reviewer says the comedy fell flat, another will proclaim that the first volume of Chumble Spuzz is "the funniest comic book material I have ever read," so who knows how to take these things? It's a cop-out to say it's so subjective, but there you have it. I'm sorry. I've gone off on a tangent. I'm recovering at home from a migraine attack and I'm feeling kind of contemplative. And now my footnote has made me think of David Foster Wallace, and I'm sad.

Did you know that you can become of a fan of SLG on Facebook? You can! Just search for "SLG Publishing" or go here. I'm going to be adding more content -- all of our graphic novel trailers and office videos, links to new comics and graphic novels, and signing and convention anouncments. There's a discussion board, too. Feel free to post there -- I'm going to stay out of the discussions, unless they get super-ugly or I'm specifically asked a question.

Ellsmere Academy is a prestigious institution of learning in New England with a tradition of excellence, distinguished staff and alumni, and a 200-year history of educating girls to find their places in the highest echelons of both the academic and wider world. Juniper, a public school kid from the suburbs, is Ellsmere's newest scholarship student. With all the expectations her position puts her in, plus more than a few that she has for herself, Jun is in a tough enough place. But it's about to get tougher. In The War at Ellsmere, a new graphic novel by Faith Erin Hicks from SLG Publishing, Jun finds herself labeled a "special project," harried by stringent standards, and in the novel position of being someone's nemesis. Luckily for Jun, she has an ally in the quirky Cassie, who tells her the story of Ellsmere's eccentric founders and the legend of the creature that roams the woods of the school's grounds. But can Cassie help Jun survive Ellsmere? Between queen bees and mythical beasts, Jun has quite the year ahead of her.

Faith Erin Hicks, who took the comics scene by undead-storm with her 2007 graphic novel Zombies Calling, created The War at Ellsmere as an homage to fantasy authors she read growing up, like Diana Wynne Jones and Lloyd Alexander. "But it is also about the realities of achieving a dream," Hicks said. "Juniper has just gotten a scholarship that which will allow her easier access to good post-secondary education, something Jun desperately wants. But once she starts attending class, she discovers the school is not necessarily the academic haven she was hoping for. Instead she finds that her roommate is crazy and thinks there's a monster in the woods next to the school, the school's top student is out to destroy her, and Jun's natural smarts aren't getting her the grades she's used to. Now she'll have to work for them."

Hicks depicts Jun's journey from out-of-place public school kid to full-fledged Ellsmere Academy scholar in her signature art style, portraying the emotional highs and lows of academic rigors and school politics as well as the dark woods surrounding Ellsmere, the scene of a climactic confrontation, with a mixture of wit and intensity. "The War at Ellsmere allowed me to write and draw a story about strange friendships, slightly creepy boarding schools, even creepier forests which may hide something supernatural, and one ruthless villain who happens to be a thirteen-year-old-girl," Hicks said.

The War at Ellsmere, a 160-page black-and-white graphic novel, is available for pre-order from comic book stores now with the Diamond code OCT083789. It will be published by SLG Publishing in December 2008. For more information, visit www.slgcomic.com.

It being the 21st century and all, we have decided to expand our submissions policy to include digital submissions! Now, not only can you forgo the self-addressed stamped envelope as long as you include an email address, but you can send us your submission through email.

Don't go crazy yet, though. All of our other submission guidelines still apply, and there are some specifically for digital submissions:


This is going to be on a trial basis for now. If I find that I'm overwhelmed by submissions and can't reply to them in a timely way, we might have to go back to accepting only mailed submissions. (We will, however, continue to send replies to submissions by email.) So please follow these instructions to keep the option available to everyone.

I was motivated to try this out not only to save paper, but to get a wider variety of submissions. (I'm hoping it will cut down on the frustration of crazy packaging, huge print outs, and envelopes full of stickers, as well.) I expect it will also increase the number of submissions.

With that in mind, I'd like to remind everyone that I am still very much against comics in which women are only there to be victimized plot devices. The premature demise of Minx has not convinced me that girls and women do not read comics; I am more certain now that we need comics that appeal to girls and women, and that it will be up to independent publishers to provide these, since a major publisher like DC will not give a line of books for girls time to succeed. We will not be able to, as comics creator Rivkah suggested is ideal, pay $55,000 dollar advances (I just about choked when I read that figure -- that is more than most indie editors makes in salary, I'm sure, and it is common wisdom that large advances are responsible for a lot of problems in the traditional publishing industry), but we will do our best to get graphic novels into the hands of those who want to read them, as well as those who didn't know they wanted to read them.

This week's new SLG comics are now available in comic book stores and the SLG web store! We have a bit of deranged wrongness by Jamie Smart in Ubu Bubu #3 and a coming-of-age-with-punk-rock Punk Rock and Trailer Parks.



Ubu Bubu #3 by Jamie Smart
The third issue of Ubu Bubu features the same cat like monstrosity holding existence on the edge of apocalypse, and of course, two young orphans. If you like orphans, violence, and/or grotesque profanity, this issue is for you.



Punk Rock and Trailer Parks by Derf
It seems not that long ago, but maybe it is. A time when hormones raged, the American Dream was caked in rust, music actually mattered and the one thing that meant more than any other was... Escape! "Punk Rock and Trailer Parks" conjures up the oppressive insanity of growing up in a small town, the day-to-day weirdness of the trailer parks tucked away therein, the magic allure of sex and the necessary comforts of friendship, the mystical counter-culture to turn outcasts into heroes and, most of all, the transcendent power of music, specifically the punk rock of the late 1970's which redefined, transported, and ultimately, perhaps, disappointed a generation. "Punk Rock and Trailer Parks" touches on themes and emotions that are universal to any kid in America who knows that there must be something else out there other than this... "Punk Rock and Trailer Parks" is an evocative, hilarious, and ultimately poignant book that will appeal to anyone whose youthful dreams live on.

There is an excellent interview with Derf about his new graphic novel Punk Rock and Trailer Parks at Pulse. Derf's first graphic novel work since 2002, PR&TP tells the story of Otto, a social outcast at his high school who finds a new life in an Akron punk rock club. The book is not autobiographical in the strictest sense, but Derf draws from his own formative years to write a book about transformation and escape.

Punk Rock and Trailer Parks will be in stores tomorrow, if the ship lists are to be believed. Check it out. It's Derf's strongest storytelling yet, and even if you think it's not your thing, you'll find yourself intrigued and impressed with how Derf shows late adolescence in all its messiness, questionable judgment, and restlessness.

Can't get enough Lulu and Mitzy? Wait, you haven't read Lulu and Mitzy yet, have you! It'll be out in November. In the meantime, you can read about the two eponymous characters' adventures in San Francisco at the web comics section of the SLG website. The graphic novel, by S. Eddy Bell, will feature an all-new story, but these short strips will introduce you to the two ladies of the night who scheme to find a better life.

You already know about this interview with Neil Kleid if you've been paying any attention to our Twitter posts, but if you haven't been, I'll fill you in.

The Daily Oklahoman interviewed Neil about the upcoming Ursa Minors trade paperback. It was originally going to be in stores at the end of the month, but hijinx involving a work order gone astray interfered with that plan. I just sent the approval for the printing yesterday, so let's keep our fingers crossed for October 15, shall we?

Neil tells it to you like it is: "See, we’re honest funnybook makin’ dudes. We understand the way the world works. These days, it’s all about the graphic novels, the comics with spines, the sequential pages you can bind and place on your bookshelf next to your copies of CATCHER IN THE RYE, HARRY POTTER and GARFIELD GETS JUMBO. We understand. Nobody’s buying single issues these days."

It's been quiet around here, hasn't it? I think I have a case of impending Fall torpor.

There's a new review of MuZz at Playback:stl, and the graphic novel continues to baffle and enchant. Elizabeth Schweitzer writes, "MuZz is not for the timid reader, nor for those who demand conventional storytelling structure with a definitive plot laid out from page one. It is a twisting, mind-boggling story that is a morose treat for the eyes and intriguing to the mind."

MuZz Volume One by FSc is reviewed in the new issue of VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates), garnering a four out of five in both quality and appeal and being recommended for both junior and senior high school students. Reviewer Ruth Cox Clark calls it a "disturb-you-in-your-sleep series." Impressed with the horrorific and fantastic elements of FSc's complex world, she writes, "This is a one-read-is-not-enough graphic novel, as there is so much going on in the detailed drawings, well beyond the dialogue, that it is near impossible to pick up all the subplots that are hinted at..."