I am now going to presume to tell you how to be successful in comic books.

Well, I'm not actually going to tell you that. No one can tell you that. If there was a magical club secret to finding success in sequential art and storytelling, it would have been leaked on a messageboard somewhere long ago. Then flamed. Then defended, flamed again, and, if it this hypothetical leak occurred anytime in the last year or so, tweeted.

Then it would have gone from tweeting to trending, and been retweeted and subsequently reposted across the blogosphere. The indie comic scene would have exploded overnight in a glorious flash of social-media-fuelled industry enlightenment.

...But, seeing as how that did not in fact occur, we'll assume that if there ever was such a secret, it died sometime before the age of digital technology.

Instead, I would like to take this opportunity to spout some thoughts at you, the reader, regarding observations I've made about the industry...--->>

Labels: Alberta, analysis, Calgary, can-con, cartoonists, comicshoptalk, interweb, tools of the trade

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"I've been covering the comic book industry for years and have always found the level of professionalism and maturity of players involved lacking. Many times, I have written and said that what passes for public discourse in this industry would get all participants fired from their respective jobs, were they in any other mature industry." - Herve St-Louis

Labels: Alberta, analysis, awards, blogosphere, British Columbia, Calgary, can-con, cartoonists, Gatineau, grants, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver

• Jeet Heer on Harper's pretend populism and the cultural minefield he seems to have stepped into.

• Walrus blogger Sean Rogers writes about the Chester Brown series of promo comics about Toronto culture and nails Chester's approach to humour.

• Speaking of Mr. Brown, it looks like there is a new anthology to help fill the shelves in the Metis graphic novel section alongside Louis Riel: Now there is Stories of Our People: A Metis Graphic Novel Anthology, illustrated by cartoonist Carrie Saganace.

• Photos from the You Ain't No Dancer book launch at Lucky's Comics in Vancouver.

• The contributors to the above-mentioned anthology were interviewed on Inkstuds awhile back

• A report from the Calgary con by a U.S. comics person.

• Ryan Sohmer's webcomic Least I Could Do has just been collected in book form for the 5th time. Entitled Yield to Me, the book is available through this link.

Labels: Alberta, British Columbia, Calgary, links, Toronto, Vancouver

First I think that it's clear the DWA's present themselves as A Canadian award, not THE Canadian awards. A point made by Brad MacKay but also consistent with my impression of their promotion of the awards. St-Louis's argument seems to be build a lot on the idea that something other than this is true.

About The Doug Wright Awards

The Doug Wright Awards were established in 2005 to cast a spotlight on the range of cartoonists and comic artists working in Canada.

Language of work
[SeqEd:accepted for submissions]

For the first year at least, The Wrights will only consider works that are available in English or are wordless. (French-language works that are translated into English will be eligible.)

"If the Harvey Awards, were to refuse all comic books by blacks or women, until they bleached their skin white or undergo hormone therapy to change their gender, it would be clear to everybody that their policy and the support of those awards was morally wrong"

Numerous times have I inquired locally in Montreal, as to why more effort is not made by French creators and publishers to translate the huge amounts of work produced here into English for the larger North American market. Or why there are so few sites promoting the Quebec community outside of the Francophone sphere.

Labels: Alberta, analysis, awards, bd, blogosphere, can-con, cartoonists, comics history, francophone, furries, Montreal, news, people, Quebec, tcaf

• Conflict of Interest Dept: As we reported in the previous post, The Wright Awards were held last Friday. I guess the big news, besides the winners of course, was a few comments by Lynn Johnston about the "absolute" end date of For Better or For Worse (August 31) and her intention to redraw the old strips for re-syndication. Nancy Beiman has a blog post with some Johnston quotes from the Q&A event, knitted together and somewhat out of context, but largely accurate. The CBC coverage has a straightforward report with more great quotes. Editor and Publisher has a short blurb/Johnston backgrounder. And see here for Best Emerging Talent-winner Jeff Lemire's earliest comics memories.
  

• Does Harper Hate Comics? Dept: The Harper government has cut funding to PromArt, the federal agency responsible for promoting Canadian art and performance abroad. The agency granted money ($4.7 million annually) to artists to pay for travel, to exhibit, perform, attend conferences, etc. As the name of the agency indicates, this was one of the major ways for creative types to promote art from this country in other countries. Conservative media like the National Post have heralded the move as a vote for free markets (and more starving artists, I guess). The government spin is the usual - "Certainly we felt some of the groups were not necessarily ones we thought Canadians would agree were the best choices to be representing them internationally,". Saner minds see a connection to political interference in arts funding, a la Bill C-10. The Canadian Press has the story.

• Censorship Dept: The Alberta Human Rights Commission has dismissed the complaint against Ezra Levant and the Western Standard for republishing the Danish Muhammad cartoons. You can read the official dismissal report here (pdf file). It is a fascinating document and I urge everyone to read it. The dismissal was based on the fact that Levant reprinted the cartoons as part of a news article discussing the issue, without obvious (or at least extreme) bias (which would be a crime in Canada). The conclusion reads, in part, ""While the cartoons do, in isolation, reinforce existing stereotypes of Muslims, the cartoons placed in the context of the accompanying article, cannot be said to express deep seated feelings of hatred and contempt against Muslims." So the report concludes, "A reasonable person would not consider that the republication of the cartoons in the context in which they were republished, would expose Muslims to the very strong feelings of hatred and contempt. Again, while the republication of the cartoons in isolation would likely promote existing stereotypes, and Muslims are a relatively vulnerable group, the effect of this communication as a whole (cartoons and accompanying article) would not make it more acceptable to others to manifest hatred or contempt against the Muslims." You can read the Western Standard's own report here, Levant's press release here.

Labels: Alberta, awards, censorship, comic strips, grants, Lynn Johnston, political cartooning

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• This article about changes at Little Sister's bookstore in Vancouver and the freedom fighters who run it includes a quote from employee and cartoonist Ken Boesem.

• Derek McCormack writes about superhero costumes for the National Post.

• The newspaper in Milton, Ontario, reminds us that Free Comic Book Day is coming up this Saturday, May 2, and that Milton's comic book shop is called Geekdom.

• Quill and Quire covers the Canadian Eisner nominees (subscription required).

• Canadian icon, columnist, playwright, and champion of liberty Rick Salutin, reflects on the Siegel legal decision in the U.S. and ponders the chicken/egg nature of creation and myth.

• On the subject of showing the Mohammed cartoons on CBC.

• Jeet Heer interviewed about superheroes on the CBC.

• Gary Groth and a Toronto comic buyer with a scanner interviewed by the CBC about online comics piracy.

• Newsarama at Calgary Comic Expo.

• Chris Butcher is celebrating 6 years of blogging. Congratulations!

• "BIFF! BANG! POW! Music isn't just for kids anymore!"

Labels: Alberta, British Columbia, Calgary, censorship, comics history, copyright, events links, interviews, Ontario, pod casts, Toronto, U.S. superhero franchises, Vancouver

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• That image from last week's story about Canadian employment statistics makes more sense when it is used in a profile of the Beguiling.

• Quebecor World news: European assets still in limbo; fails to get $1 billion bankruptcy loan, gets 30-day extension.

• Canadian newspaper biz healthier than U.S.

• A look back at a superhero created for Canada Post.

• The Death of Captain Copyright: a fascinating article about the ill-fated character created to teach Canadian schoolchildren about copyright.

• Cartoonist Chad Solomon writes about how Chad Solomon donated a drum.

• This article profiles the University of Alberta Library's Special Collection, including an exhibit of Ally Sloper, one of the first British comic strip characters from the 1800s.

• A few reports from this past weekend's manga and anime event in Moncton, Animaritime are starting to find their way online. In the meantime, there are many links to photos and video at the Animaritime forums here and here. A video of the closing ceremonies (a charming illustrated definition of the term "amateur hour") is on youtube here.

Labels: Alberta, links, Moncton

• The Comic Book Bin's Christopher Moshier takes a page from the Overstreet Price Guide and probes the early "Platinum Age" history of DC Comics.

• Winnipeg bouncer creates superhero to protect children, Canadian Shield. (bonus: video)

• International: in a move sure to be reflected on Canadian bestseller lists, VIZ has announced the publication of a new Naruto series, following the adventures of the titular ninja student as a teenager: the launch of the long-awaited new NARUTO manga story arc begins with Volume 28, "which is the first to feature Naruto as a teenager. The volume is expected to hit stores nationwide on March 4 with an estimated retail price of $7.95"

• Free speech and Alberta Human Rights Commission to become election issue after cartoon controversy?

• Robin Bougie and co-conspirators are interviewed on the Inkstuds podcast about the recent launch of Cinema Sewer and Sleazy Slice.

• Lisa Fortuner at the Newsarama blog offers up some compelling reasons for not reading Dave Sim's Glamourama.

Labels: Alberta, censorship, comics history, floppies, international, manga, Manitoba, Winnipeg

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• Western Standard ex-publisher Ezra Levant goes before the Alberta Human Rights Commission today to "defend his former magazine's 2006 publication of a series of Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad," according to this article from the Calgary Herald. This court (really an interview to determine if the charge warrants a full hearing) is in session because the head of Islamic Supreme Council of Canada filed a complaint about the cartoons.


• No Bookstores for Sim: Dave Sim talks about his new comic book series Glamourpuss, insisting "that brick-and-mortar comic book stores be the only environments to profit from my work.

• Jog the Blog on Nog a Dod

• Speaking of Marc Bell, read all about how the Inkstuds gang is celebrating their 2nd anniversary with art shows and jams.

• Shuffleboil interviews Jeff Lemire about his graphic novel Essex County 2: Ghost Stories.

• As Kevin Boyd notes, the first draft of a list of all eligible artists, writers, and cartoonists who produced work in 2007 is up at the Shuster Awards site. Any additions should be emailed to them pronto.

• Rachelle Goguen's Best of 2007 list

• Madeline Ashby explains why manga is better than U.S. superhero comics

Labels: Alberta, Calgary, censorship, comics retailers, events, graphic novels, manga, political cartooning, U.S. superhero franchises

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The cartoon currently appears in 36 newspapers in Canada, including the Toronto Star, Ottawa Citizen, Victoria Times Colonist, Regina Leader Post, Calgary Herald, and Edmonton Journal.

Chuckle Bros is the collaborative work of Brian Boychuk, a violinist with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, his brother Ron Boychuk, originally from Regina, and illustrator Ronnie Martin, also from Ottawa.

"With Torstar Syndication Services covering the Canadian market and now Creators Syndicate on board for both U.S. and worldwide distribution, the stage is set for one heck of a ride," said Brian Boychuk. "The Chuckle Bros are as ready as we'll ever be."

"The fabulous success of the Chuckle Bros launch was a great beginning, as editors found out what we already knew: this is a terrific little comic that people will love because it consistently delivers a solid punch line and outstanding art," said Robin Graham, Managing Director, Torstar Syndication Services. "Eight months later, we are still adding a steady stream of new customers."

"Chuckle Bros will make a great addition to our line-up and we're so excited to have them on board with their zany humour," said Margo Sugrue, National Sales Director, Creators Syndicate. "I first saw the panel in an editor's office at the Ottawa Citizen, and knew immediately that I'd love to have it."

Labels: Alberta, Calgary, comic strips, Edmonton, international, Ontario, Ottawa, Toronto

Soop used humor to point out social ills and to suggest things needed to be changed. From the time of his youth Soop lived with muscular dystrophy. As his disease progressed Soop focused less on journalism and became more of an activist in the aboriginal disabilities community and was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal posthumously in 2001.

Labels: Alberta, Calgary, events, exhibits, political cartooning

1. The Winnipeg Free Press reports on Lynn Johnston's induction into the Order of Manitoba:

Johnston, 60, rose to fame in the 1980s with her comic strip For Better or For Worse, now seen in over 2,000 newspapers worldwide.
Johnston, who now lives in northern Ontario, said she was "flummoxed" at the recognition.

"I'm ready to move back now," Johnston said, adding she feels a special place in her heart for our province.

"It would be great to call this home," she said.

2. The National Post interviews George Zotti, manager of Toronto comic book store Silver Snail, about what it takes to work for his elite organization:

if you want to work in his Queen West store, you'd better know your She-Hulk from your She-Ra, because Zotti has more questions than the Riddler when it comes to hiring a new clerk.

Do you like manga? Do you like action figures? Do you have a collection? And perhaps most crucial of all, are you a Marvel guy or a DC guy?

"That kind of gives me an idea if they know what they're talking about or if they're just trying to bluff," says Zotti. "Just because you have retail experience doesn't mean you're qualified to work here."

3. The Globe and Mail examines new trends in male-centric homedecorating, where the action figure is king. Interview subjects include Tom Spurgeon and Bart Beaty:

Bart Beaty, a University of Calgary professor who writes about comic books as visual culture, has confined his collection of comics and graphic novels to two areas of his house: The pamphlet-style Batman and Superman comics are in a closet in the basement, but the 3,000 European graphic novels he collected while researching his next book are on display in his dining room.

"We have people over for dinner and they sit there and stare and go 'What the hell is that?' " he said. "But I like the way it looks."

4. Toronto pop culture nerds are flocking to Friday Fright Night at the Bloor Cinema, according to The Globe:

Some horror fans are skeptical of Fright's claim that they screen real prints. But a visit to the projectionist's booth proved the reels were, in fact, real. Three months ago, the cinema acquired new, smaller lamp houses for their projectors, which help to create sharper colour and image.

Steve Manale, a 34-year-old comic-book artist, was one who noticed. "That print was perfect," he said, "I didn't see one scratch or splice."

5. The Globe's James Adams takes the pulse of Raincoast Books on the eve of the publication of the final Harry Potter novel. Raincoast is also a big graphic novel distributor, counting D+Q among its clients. Now that the Harry Potter craze may be winding down, how does Raincoast plan on filling the gaps in its publishing schedule?

As the Potter boom unfolded, Raincoast did expand editorially, buying the Polestar and Press Gang imprints in 2000, while moving more into children's literature (earlier this year it hired Tonya Martin, a New Yorker from Rowling's U.S. publisher, Scholastic, as children's books editor).

It had earlier brought in Joy Gugeler, managing editor for Vancouver's Beach Holme Publishing, to supervise a new Canadian adult-fiction program. But that program was folded last year, and while Raincoast's staff of 130 is almost double what it was a decade ago, the growth has been on the distribution, sales and marketing side.

"Still, you have to think that, had the latest Potter been released later this year, or in the spring of 2008, its suggested Canadian list price likely would be lower than $45, given the lag in price adjustment that seems to occur: in strictly mathematetical terms, the current price is actually a 2004 price"

That is not the case with the Honest Ed's store site, which would mean both the demolition of an iconic building and a jump across Bathurst for the development that has been creeping west along Bloor out of the city core.

Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone says that the city has not seen a proposal to redevelop the site. But if it does, he thinks redevelopment should not include Mirvish Village, the retail strip of converted houses along Markham Street, which the Mirvishes turned into arty stores and restaurants decades ago.

Labels: Alberta, Calgary, comics retailers, ephemera, events, links, Manitoba, Ontario, publishing, Toronto, Winnipeg