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I've just added a couple of new items to the site's store:
* Spell Checkers 1-3 sale bundle
* Original art for the first ten pages of A Boy and a Girl
All books come signed.
A Boy and a Girl will be mailed two days before release in order to get it to you as close to the on-sale date as possible. (Currently December 12, 2013.)
Order for Christmas, I can ship to any location you need.
Current Soundtrack: M.I.A., Matangi
This week's From the Gutters is our special two-part interview with Dave Stewart, the colorist of such comics as Hellboy, Umbrella Academy, and the recently released Sandman: Overture.
You particularly want to check out this second part where he shows us his coloring process and lets us take a peek at pages from Craig Thompson's next book, Space Dumplins.
Current Soundtrack: David Bowie, The Next Day Extra
NOW IN THEATERS...
* Best Man Down, a flawed by heartfelt indie drama.
* Dallas Buyers Club, a moving drama with outstanding performances from Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto.
* I Am Divine, a documentary about the life of John Waters' favorite muse.
* The Motel Life, a story of troubled brotherly love with Emile Hirsch and Stephen Dorff.
* Thor: The Dark World, a welcome return to Asgard.
* The Visitor, a newly resurrected piece of sci-fi insanity, originally released in 1979.
Plus, read my picks for the 40th Annual Northwest Filmmakers Festival, kicking off this weekend.
Current Soundtrack: Summer Camp, Summer Camp
The order cut-off date for preordering A Boy and a Girl is 11/11. Tell your comics retailer you want it today, since it's new comics day and all.
Read more, including a ten-page preview, right here.
And read a brand-new interview with Natalie Nourigat conducted by Tim O'Shea.
Check it out. George Kambadais shares his process for this gorgeous cover of The Double Life of Miranda Turner #2, hitting Comixology via the fine folks at Monkeybrain the second week of December.
See all the stages, and the inspration, right here.
Current Soundtrack: The Daily Show
The reviews are in, and The Double Life of MIranda Turner is getting a really strong response.
Here is a quartet of thoughtful, positive write-ups.
There is definite promise in this new series. “The Double Life of Miranda Turner” is bright, playful, and full of intention. It seems to celebrate the joy of escapism that super hero comics can represent, while balancing a modern sensibility that makes its content relevant.
Greg McElhatton, Comic Book Resources
"The Second Life of Miranda Turner" #1 is a real winner. Read it for the crazy heroics, the hinted-at fully-developed backstory, the gorgeous art, or even just the warm affection between sisters Miranda and Lindy.
The first issue accomplishes so many things in subtle ways, maximizing its length to impressive levels. Readers learn about the protagonist and her sister through some pretty natural sounding interactions between the two...All the while, George Kambadais surrounds the interactions with incredibly energetic visuals.
Dustin Cabeal, Comic Book Bastards
I really dig the art style. George Kambadais draws an impressive amount of Lego…I mean that. Otherwise I really liked the character designs and the overall look of the world. It’s bright and vibrant and looks like a superhero cartoon.
The second issue is due in early December, and you can still download the first one now.
Current Soundtrack: The Dandy Warhols, This Machine
It's week five for the first season of From the Gutters, and this time it's our two-part chat with Ted Naifeh over at Portland's Bridge City Comics.
We talk process and what went into creating Courtney Crumrin, Polly & the Pirates, and his next comic book series Princess Ugg.
We're now more than halfway trough this new cycle. Then I can take a nap.
Current Soundtrack: Barzan
NOW IN THEATERS...
* 12 Years a Slave, Steve McQueen's powerful portrait of a one man's true historical struggle.
* About Time, a wasted opportunity. Good concept, empty results.
* Forbidden Voices, a documentary looking at three women bloggers changing the world from within oppressed regions.
* Satyricon: Madness & Glory, a documentary about the legendary Portland punk club, now deceased.
* The Wicker Man, a new restoration of the '70s cult classic.
Current Soundtrack: MGMT, MGMT
BIG DAY! BIG DAY! BIG DAY!
Two new releases are landing today.
First, you don't even have to go anywhere, you can click over to ComiXology right now and get a download of the digital-only first issue of The Double Life of Miranda Turner , by myself and George Kambadais, with lettering by Crank! and published by Monkeybrain.
Need convincing? Why not try a four-page preview at Comics Book Resources.
It's only $0.99. Buy it. Subscribe!
Also on sale at long last is Spell Checkers, vol. 3: Careless Whisper , the completion of the first trilogy, but also a fine stand-alone comedy in its own right.
Art by Nicolas Hitori de and Joëlle Jones. Published by Oni Press.
In comic shops, available through online retailers, and also still at Comixology.
Spell Checkers will also end up in my store whenever my comps come. I'll likely add a discounted triple bundle, too, if you need the whole series.
Current Soundtrack: Arcade Fire, Reflektor
Rich & Nourigat Bring A BOY AND A GIRL to Oni This December
Portland, OR (October 29, 2013) – December 11, Oni Press is proud to be releasing the full-length graphic novel A Boy and a Girl, a collaboration between writer Jamie S. Rich (12 Reasons Why I Love Her) and Natalie Nourigat (Between Gears). A romance set in a not-to-distant future, A Boy and a Girl is a story about what it means to be human, fall in love, and all the inherent complications that arise from both.
“The comic was a true collaboration in that we built the story together,” Nourigat explained. “Jamie asked me what kind of stuff I wanted to draw, and what kind of characters I’d like to tell a story about, and we basically went from there.”
The story that emerged was one of Travis and Charley, two people in their early twenties trying to survive in a world where robot servants and flying cars are commonplace. The wealthy live in ever-taller skyscrapers, and the common citizens go about their days far below.
“That post-collegiate coming-of-age feeling of not being sure you’ve chosen the right path is fairly universal,” Rich said, “and it doesn’t necessarily go away, even as you get older. Natalie and I were both sick of slacker characters, young people being shown as not doing anything because they have no ambition. We thought it would be far more interesting to show characters who really want to do something and are on the cusp of life, even if they aren’t sure what is going to happen next.”
Thus, Travis was cast as a college student whose major in “digital ethics” is leaving him a degree with very little practical application, whereas Charley has signed up for a government program that will soon send her to parts unknown. They meet on what is essentially her last 24 hours in town, and they are determined to make the most of it.
“It was important to both of us that Charley be a confident, self-assured woman,” Natalie said, “and that she not be the antidote to Travis’ confusion. They share a common goal, when it all comes down to it. Which is probably why they fall in love with each other. And why they can have fun together. First and foremost, A Boy and a Girl is a fun comic book. We wanted you to read it and have a good time, the rest is just bonus content.”
Advance praise for the book has been strong. SF Weekly included it in their fall graphic novel round-up with books by the likes of Art Spiegelman and Jim Steranko, calling A Boy and a Girl “a completely disarming take on the world’s oldest storytelling trope.”
David Lafuente, an artist on the Ultimate Spider-Man comics and the upcoming adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book: “Jamie and Natalie enter the sci-fi realm to tell a love story full of secrets that echoes Michael Winterbottom. Charming characters, tight plot and beautiful lines. A fantastic book, I couldn’t put it down.”
Ben Acker, co-creator of Thrilling Adventure Hour: “A Boy and a Girl is a wonderful sci-fi romantic comedy, but not necessarily in that order. If you like people and/or things, this is the book for you.”
And Michael Allred, creator of Madman and currently the co-writer and artist on FF for Marvel Comics: “I’ve been a huge fan of Jamie S. Rich’s writing since day one and am always crazy excited to see each new project. That excitement is multiplied as he joins Natalie Nourigat’s exploding artistic talents on A Boy and a Girl. This book is a beaut’! Incredibly clever and charming, it gets my highest recommendation!”
A Boy and a Girl has 160 pages of story and art, printed in black-and-white with a special blue ink for tones, and it retails for $19.99.
Diamond™ Order Code: JUL131213
ISBN: 978-1-62010-089-9
Current Soundtrack: The Dandy Warholds, ...Come Down
NOW IN THEATERS...
* Birth of the Living Dead , an entertaining look behind the scenes at the making of Night of the Living Dead . George A. Romero is, of course, the star of his own story.
* The Counselor, Ridley Scott's helming of a Cormac McCarthey screenplay looks good but looks a little dead in the eyes.
* Mischief Night, an old-school slasher.
* Paradise, the directorial debut of Diablo Cody is surprisingly sweet.
* The Patience Stone, a stunning movie from Afghanistan, basically a one woman show for the phenomenal.
* Tall as the Baobab Tree, a blending of reality and fiction in a touch African story.
WATCH IT AT HOME...
* Stories We Tell , in which Sarah Polley goes looking for answers to her family's secrets.
Current Soundtrack: Gil-Scott Heron & Jamie xx, We're New Here
Want a preview of our interview with Michael Avon Oeming on Friday?
Well, you can either read my write-up about his comics on our blog, or you can watch the teaser below.
Or, you know, both.
Current Soundtrack: Daniel Pemberton, The Counselor original score
So, bad news: Spell Checkers has been held up at the distributor level and will not be in stores today. This is very frustrating for all of us, as we've been waiting a long time to see the finished product on the stands.
We are assured Careless Whisper will street next Wednesday, on Mischief Night, the day before Halloween.
In the meantime, if you either can't wait or are generally a digital reader, you can get the book through ComiXology for a mere $5.99. No distributor there, just us. (And, FYI, if you buy comics on the site rather than through the app, Apple doesn't get a cut, and the rest of us get more!)
Jesse drowns her sorrows.
Also, I'm being told that it looks like A Boy and a Girl will be a week or two late due to a longer shipping time from the printer than expected. At this point, I just wish someone would take a two-by-four to my head.
Current Soundtrack: Katy Perry, Prism (though I doubt I'll make it all the way through)
Two stages of the cover to the original proposal for A Boy and a Girl , files dated August 2010.
I don't think Natalie Nourigat--who, of course, drew this--cares very much for this piece, but I've always liked it. I think it captures the mood and spirit of the book quite well.
We'r about a month away from A Boy and a Girl finally coming out (via Oni Press). I can't wait.
Order the book from your local comic shop or bookstore with these codes:
Diamond Order Code: JUL131213ISBN: 978-1620100899
And don't forget, you can buy the original cover art right now. The rest of the art will go on sale once the book is released.
Current Soundtrack: Babyshambles, Sequel to the Prequel
Yesterday we posted our third episode of From the Gutters . This time, I chat with Image Comics publisher Eric Stephenson, who is also the author of Nowhere Men and Long Hot Summer .
Check out the first of two parts right here...
Don't forget, I also supply exclusive content to the Gutters blog over at our website. Like, here are my thoughts on Nowhere Men .
Current Soundtrack: Eminem, "Rap God"
NOW IN THEATERS...
* Carrie, Kimberly Peirce's remake of Brian De Palma's adaptation of Stephen King.
* Ghostlight, indie horror from the Pacific NW.
* Hey Bartender, a documentary on Manhattan mixologists.
* Mars Project, the story of the schizophrenic Canadian rapper Conspiracy.
* Wadjda, a Saudi Arabian family drama about a little girl and a bicycle.
WATCH IT AT HOME...
* Drums Along the Mohawk, a tale of the Revolutionary War from director John Ford. Starring Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert.
* Five Dolls for an August Moon, a stylish dud from Italian horror maestro Dario Argento.
* I Married a Witch, a Halloween comedy starring Veronica Lake. Directed by Rene Clair.
Current Soundtrack: Arcade Fire, "Reflektor" single
Dark Horse's January solicitations are out, and that means another issue of Dark Horse Presents and the third installment of "Integer City" by myself, Brent Schoonover, Jean-Francois Beaulieu, and Crank! All with another awesome Hellboy cover by Mick McMahon.
2013 Eisner & Harvey Award Winner: Best Anthology
Dark Horse Presents #32
Mike Mignola (W), Caitlín R. Kiernan (W), Mike Baron (W), Phil Stanford (W), Steve Horton (W), Darrin Grimwood (W), Brendan McCarthy (W/A), Jamie S. Rich (W), Fred Van Lente (W), Rich Johnston (W), Chad Lambert (W), Mick McMahon (A/Cover), Steve Lieber (A), Steve Rude (A), Patric Reynolds (A), Ryan Cody (A), Brent Schoonover (A), Reilly Brown (A), Simon Rohrmüller (A), Christine Larsen (A), and Dave Stewart (C)
On sale Jan 15
FC, 80 pages
$7.99
Ongoing
Delve into a twisted video game tale with Brendan McCarthy and Darrin Grimwood’s The Deleted! Rich Johnston’s Miss Cranbourne returns! Mike Mignola and Mick McMahon reveal the surprise twist in the nuptials when . . . Hellboy gets married!
Plus, the long-running DHP serials Alabaster: Boxcar Tales and Nexus: Into the Past reach their thrilling conclusions!
And, of course, new installments of Integer City, City of Roses, Monstrous, Kill Me, and Saint George!
“Dark Horse’s prestigious anthology series . . . showcases emerging talent alongside some of the greatest writers, artists and cartoonists comics has to offer, as well as promising new and underground talents.”—ComicsAlliance
“Seriously, this is comics’ best kept secret trove of great comics.”—Comic Book Resources
“A stunning debut. Crisp, mysterious, compelling and gorgeously drawn. Don’t miss this book.”—Kurt Busiek
And whoa, hey...Brendan McCarthy is in this issue, too?!
Current Soundtrack: Pentangle, "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" via the Muggs in the Attic VIII: Winter's Eve... playlist on Spotify
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - OCTOBER 16, 2013
GEORGE KAMBADAIS & JAMIE S. RICH JOIN MONKEYBRAIN FOR “THE DOUBLE LIFE OF MIRANDA TURNER”
Writer Jamie S. Rich and artist George Kambadais are partnering with Monkeybrain Inc. to release the all-new superhero adventure title "The Double Life of Miranda Turner." The first issue of this ongoing comic book series debuts on October 30 via ComiXology. It features 14 pages of color story and art, and the comic will be available for download for $0.99.
"The Double Life of Miranda Turner" tells the story of a struggling actress who had no idea that her sister, international supermodel Lindy Turner, was also the Cat, a famous crime fighter. This bombshell alone is enough to rock Miranda's world, but it's made all the more strange by the fact that Lindy delivers this news as a ghost. The Cat has been killed, and the source of her superpowers stolen. Miranda takes over the Cat identity, donning a black mask to help her dead sister solve her own murder!
"The idea was George's," Rich explained. "He actually contacted me on the urging of David Lafuente, who thought he'd be perfect for 'It Girl and the Atomics.' I was already a fan of George's art blog and followed him on Tumblr, and so even though 'It Girl' had just wrapped, I knew I had to put together something. 'Miranda Turner' had been a short-lived webcomic George suspended after a few installments since he wasn't happy with the writing. Once he told me the basic set-up, my mind immediately started churning out ideas and plot threads. It was perfect."
The Double Life of Miranda Turner #1 cover
A self-taught artist living in Greece, George Kambadais had previously been published by Arcana and Image, but has really achieved notoriety for his stylish pin-ups on Tumblr. "Digital distribution and the internet has broken down so many barriers for comic book creators worldwide," Kambadais said. "The fact that I could reach out to Jamie and he already knew my art was incredible. And now we have something coming out from Monkeybrain, and that's straight to digital and available worldwide."
"I've been wanting to try some kind of digital-first comic for a while," Rich continued. "I had projects that began life as web comics and graphic novels that supposed to appear online, but so far, for various reasons beyond my control, that hasn't happened yet. So, when I started talking with George about a collaboration, that we'd take it to Monkeybrain was a no-brainer. I love the ethos of what they are doing, and the access portal they are providing for creators to build an audience and develop their material. This is the fastest I've ever had a project come together. George and I started talking in early July, and by mid-August we had a first issue and a deal."
Joining Rich and Kambadais in bringing "The Double Life of Miranda Turner" to life are Crank! on lettering and Mike Toris on color assists. The comic is scheduled to be released every six weeks, and the series will be a combination of stand-alone stories and pieces that contribute to the larger puzzle.
"Jamie wrote a really fun introductory adventure for our debut issue," Kambadais said. "It captured the irreverence and joy I think we both wanted and that is often lacking in the bigger superhero titles. There's going to be room for plenty of emotion and character growth in 'The Double Life of Miranda Turner,' but the first rule is to entertain. We want the exploits of Miranda and Lindy to be as much fun for you to read as they are for us to make."
“The Double Life of Miranda Turner” will be available for download via the ComiXology website and digital app on October 30. It is also currently available for preorder and subscription. You can do both here: http://www.comixology.com/The-Double-Life-of-Miranda-Turner-1/digital-comic/49419
George Kambadais: http://gkambadais.com / @GeorgeKambadais
Jamie S. Rich: http://confessions123.com / @jamieESrich
Monkeybrain Comics: http://www.monkeybraincomics.com / @Monkeybrain_inc
#1 splash page
Current Soundtrack: Jay-Z, "Big Pimpin'" (via This is My Jam - I'm Confessions123; add me!)
Oh, yeah. In case you didn't notice, we put up the second episode of From the Gutters this week, our three-part chat with Becky Cloonan, creator of Wolves and The Mire, co-creator of Demo and American Virgin, artist on Detective Comics, Conan the Barbarian, The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, and so much more.
Here is part one:
And as if that weren't enough, as promised, the extended interview with Matt Wagner:
You should subscribe to the YouTube channel, or add fromthegutters.com to your RSS feed, as we're going to continue to post weekly episodes for seven more weeks. Up next: Eric Stephenson, publisher of Image Comics, writer of Long Hot Summer and Nowhere Men.
Current Soundtrack: Deltron 3030, "Talent Superceded;" R.E.M., "Drive;" The Smiths, "Shoplifters of the World Unite (The Tube performance, 1987)"
