Amazing Arizona Comics #2 Trailer

Amazing Arizona Comics Month continues!  Phoenix Comic Fest is next week, and I'll soon share my itinerary for the weekend, so you know where and when to find me.

In the meantime, dig this trailer for 2010's Amazing Arizona Comics #2, featuring June Monsoon, Al Gore, and the truth behind that year's burst of the Tempe Town Lake Dam!

The Amazing Arizona Comics Winter Tour!

Orko at Phoenix FanFest.

I know I promised more tales from Phoenix Comicon's FanFest last month, but like Orko here conjuring a sketch of Cringer, I've concocted more chances for you to find Amazing Arizona Comics in and around Phoenix!  (Dig that cameo from another magician behind Orko -- imagine that crossover!)

That's right, the Amazing Arizona Comics Winter Tour has begun!  Thanks to {9} the Gallery for hosting my first stop during their First Friday exhibit opening (which is a tremendous exhibit, by the way -- catch it while you can).   With Christmas right around the corner, folks seemed interested in comics co-starring Santa Claus, and following her amazing year in theaters, Wonder Woman was a popular request for sketches.

Sketching at First Friday.  Picture courtesy Kathleen Plasko.

Drinking and drawing at Palo Verde.

The tour continued last Thursday at the Palo Verde Lounge, where Bunny Vomit creator Birdie Birdashaw, B-Sides publisher Marna Kay, and I hosted the first in a series of drink and draw events.  We set up a small pop-up shop of comics and zines, and I sold some back issues of Amazing Arizona Comics right out of the back of my truck.  Thanks to everyone that came, had a brew, and drew!

We may have had a crowded house, but don't worry, folks -- it's not over yet!  I'll be at Drawn to Comics on Saturday, December 16th, set up next to Forever Etched Mirrors and Glass. Come by for a free sketch, and locally self-published minicomic starring Speed Cameron, Santa Claus, and more of Arizona's own superheroes.  They make great stocking stuffers, and, to me, the real gift is this chance to share my stories with you.  'Tis the season, after all!

To Honor A King!

It's here!  Jack Kirby -- the King of Comics -- would've turned 100 years old on Monday, August 28, and fans here in Phoenix are planning a multi-dimensional three-day extravaganza to honor him.

At his zenith, Kirby drew five to eight pages a day, at his board for 10 to 12 hours, so we're celebrating his productivity in a special way.  On Saturday, August 26, four local artists will attempt the 24 Hour Comic Challenge -- they'll try drawing a 24 page comic book in 24 consecutive hours.  If that isn't hard enough, they'll pull a Kirby-inspired topic from a hat first, to use as inspiration for their story.  If you're in or around Phoenix, join us at Drawn to Comics in downtown Glendale to see the cartoonists in action, and answer Kirby trivia questions for prizes, including sketches from the artists themselves!  The festivities will start at 1 p.m. -- and everything will be recorded for a webseries we'll drop later this year.

Dig the artists' websites before you see them in action!

Birdie Birdashaw: Bunny Vomit

Derk Harron: DerkArt

Jan Marc Quisumbing: The Janimal Draws

Zoe Sugg: Zuzu Cartoons

Then, on Monday, the 28th, ten comedians will roast Captain America -- Kirby's first, most famous creation -- at Monkey Pants Bar in Tempe, at 8 p.m.  The dais will feature some of the funniest people in the Valley . . . and Captain America himself!  Kirby fancied his drawing prowess as "performance."  He was a fan of cinema and pulp magazines, so a comedy show in his honor is as eclectic as the man himself.  A raffle -- featuring some pretty cool prizes, if I do say so myself -- will benefit the Hero Initiative, so your dollar bills.

Jack Kirby inspired a lot of people.  He created a legion of timeless characters and demonstrated a work ethic that sets a high standard for anyone writing or drawing comics today.  Honoring him is as humbling as it is fun, and I hope you'll join us, if not in person, then in the future, as we post pictures and videos from these events.  Happy birthday, Jack!

Appreciation Week, part 6

Appreciation Week concludes -- with pants!

This week, I've been thanking the people and places that have brought you Amazing Arizona Comics this summer.  Today, I'm thanking a venue that helps keep my drawing arm moving, and that will host an event at the end of August to celebrate comics culture in an unique way.

My latest whiteboard drawing: Sparky v. Monkey.

I'm talking about Monkey Pants Bar in Tempe.  I've recently begun drawing on their whiteboard biweekly, illustrating their monthly drink and event specials.  It's been a lot of fun.  Every job I've had, there's been a whiteboard to draw on, and I'm grateful to Monkey Pants for letting me keep the dry erase love alive.  In other news --

Fun Fact!  Did you know that Jack Kirby's birthday is at the end of August?  It's true!  Jack Kirby, the guy that co-wrote and drew many of the comics that founded the Marvel Universe, was born on August 28th exactly 100 years ago.  Cities around the country will celebrate, and Phoenix is no exception.

On Saturday, August 26, four of my fellow artists will attempt the 24 Hour Comic Challenge at Drawn to Comics, inspired by common themes in Kirby's work.  Then, on Monday the 28th, the Valley's funniest comedians will gather at Monkey Pants to roast Kirby's most important creation -- Captain America!  And, yes, Cap will be there to take his lumps!  It's gonna be fun, funny, and downright weird.  Much more info to come!

So, again, my thanks to Monkey Pants, for taking a risk on this li'l ol' artist and his kooky visions.  Sometimes that's an art in and of itself.