| emiko superstar in stores! |
[08 Oct 2008|11:32am] |
There's a nice article by Sigrid over at Fantastic Fangirls about how the Minx line was, if nothing else, an artistic success.
But you know what I really wanna mention?
EMIKO SUPERSTAR IS IN STORES NOW!!
I really like this book and I'm extremely proud of the work that Mariko and I put into it. But rather than ramble on about it, I'll just post the first five pages from the book:
 
 
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| skim ignatz |
[05 Oct 2008|11:49am] |
 Congrats to Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki, whose SKIM just won the Ignatz Award for Outstanding Graphic Novel. Well-deserved!
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| you ain't no dancer @ spx |
[03 Oct 2008|12:31pm] |
YOU AIN'T NO DANCER Vol. 3 is making its official debut at SPX this weekend. If you're going to the show, swing by the New Reliable Press table (E16) and check it out. Here's a handy map showing you where they are on the con floor.
I won't be at the show, but Phil McAndrew and Kate Beaton will be camped out at the New Reliable table and I hear other contributors will be popping by throughout the show.
Contributors:
Kazimir Strzepek, Becky Dreistadt & Frank Gibson, Blaise Larmee, Catia Chien, Coleman Engle, Colleen MacIsaac, Dalton Sharp, Dalton Webb, Dorothy Gambrell, Graham Kahler, Grant Reynolds, Ira Marcks, Jason Turner, Jeff Bent, Jeremy Sorese, Jon Sukarangsan, Jordyn Bochon, KC Green, Kate Beaton, Ken Dahl, Kim Hoang, Lars Brown, Lucy Knisley, Mike Laughead, Mitch Clem & Jason Oberbichler, Patrick Murphy, Phil Barrett, Phil McAndrew and Steve Rolston & Sabina.
Cover Price: $11.95
Format: 8in x 8in, 176 pages, B&W, Soft Cover
Diamond Order Code: JUL084163
ISBN: 978-0-9738079-3-6
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| sketchbook faces 9 |
[02 Oct 2008|02:04pm] |
Almost forgot to upload this one from the latest round of sketchbook scans...
 posted at SRS
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| minx thoughts |
[26 Sep 2008|01:28am] |
While informing people of the demise of the Minx line, I ended up going on a bit of a rant. So, in case you're not on my mailing list, here's what you missed:
Most of the comic news blogs and their comment sections have been filled with theories on what DC did wrong or why the initiative failed. Plenty of it doesn't even merit debate. But I've read so much about it all that I feel compelled to comment on a few things.
Some people have been blaming DC for not shelving the Minx books better in bookstores. And I know this was a major factor. But I don't think it was DC's fault. It's not that simple. Let's be honest: bookstores are still figuring out what to do with graphic novels in general. For them it's a new beast that's yet to be domesticated. Things are just as, or more so, confusing when you try to place the Minx books, which could potentially fit in 3 or 4 different sections of the store. But none of those current sections are perfect. There is no perfect solution.
I've read comments from bookstore employees about where they think the Minx books should have been racked. But the different employees contradicted one another, which really emphasizes that there is no correct answer right now.
Which brings us to my only real disappointment with how DC handled things: they pulled the plug too soon. The first Minx books hit store shelves a little over 16 months ago. That is not enough time to capture a specific audience that isn't already in place, that doesn't already have an established category. What Minx offered wasn't manga and it wasn't YA novels. It was something in between. And I think that in-between category can exist and SHOULD exist. But it's something that needs time to take root and find its place.
I had thought DC was going to make that commitment. Maybe I was wrong all along or maybe the accountants just got edgy and freaked everyone else out. I don't know.
And don't get me wrong; I know there are similar types of graphic novels being produced by other publishers. And I love them for it. But what excited me about Minx was that they were going to make a concentrated effort to raise the profile of the genre and actually promote them to the target audience outside of comic shops. But, again, they pulled the plug too soon. There are copies of Seventeen and Teen magazine on stands right now with prominent Minx ads filling their back covers and inside front covers, respectively. Not to mention other events they lined up with Seventeen magazine to get Minx in front of teenage girls. But now things are ending before we have a chance for those marketing plans to pay off.
However, aside from their decision to end it all, I have to applaud DC Comics for their efforts and for giving it a shot. I specifically tip my hat to editor Shelly Bond for the energy and enthusiasm she put into it.
Hopefully the types of graphic novels that Minx was striving for will continue to be produced under other imprints and at smaller publishers who are willing to put in the dedication to build that audience. But it will probably take that much longer without Minx around.
If you want some more commentary, The Beat has a good round-up of who's saying stuff:
http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/09/25/breaking-news-minx-line-cancelled/
http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/09/25/more-minx/
The Comics Reporter in particular has some worthy thoughts:
http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/cbr_dc_comics_ends_minx_imprint/
And remember, EMIKO SUPERSTAR is still coming out in October:
http://steverolston.com/emiko/
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| RIP Minx |
[25 Sep 2008|07:12am] |
I'm awake hours too early due to sleep paralysis and monsters attacking me from under the bed.
And I see the East Coast is wide awake and reporting the demise of DC's Minx imprint. I got the news yesterday and am quite bummed. I'd be bummed even if I wasn't involved, since I think Minx could have been a great thing for comics.
EMIKO SUPERSTAR, the graphic novel I did with writer Mariko Tamaki, will still be released from Minx on October 8th. What I hadn't announced yet was that we had already begun work on a spin-off graphic novel. DC has invited us to re-pitch it as a Vertigo book.
In the meantime, I'll most likely be diving into work on GHOST PROJEKT, the supernatural thriller Joe Harris and I have planned at Oni Press. So at least I won't be twiddling my thumbs and wandering the streets. Shouldn't be, at least.
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| RIP Nyac |
[24 Sep 2008|11:15am] |
Nyac, one of the Vancouver Aquarium's sea otters, passed away this morning. Like most people, I always enjoy visiting the otters when I go to the Aquarium. Nyac even got famous on the internet thanks to the following Youtube video of her and her companion Milo floating around while holding hands (Nyac is the one with the pale head).
When Nyac was just a little pup, she was rescued from the Exxon Valdez oil spill off the coast of Alaska in 1989. She reached 20 years of age, a good long life for an otter.
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| sketchbook faces 7 |
[23 Sep 2008|04:23pm] |
It's time to pick some more miscellaneous faces from my pocket sketchbook and share them with the world...
 posted at SRS
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