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Category Archives: Bay Area Comic News

Cape and Cowl logoFree Comic Book Day announcements keep rolling out from comic book stores around the Bay Area. The most recent entry comes from Cape and Cowl, 1601 Clay Street in Oakland. The newest comic shop in the Bay will leverage the popularity of Free Comic Book Day, May 7, as a food drive for the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

Anyone who brings in non-perishable food for the drive will be allowed to take home double the number of free comics. Anyone who brings in more than $40 of non-perishable food items will not only quadruple the number of free comics they take home but they’ll also receive a free tattoo from Oakland’s Sacred Tattoo. Donors can choose from a number of tattoo designs which will be unveiled closer to Free Comic Book Day.

Cape and Cowl will open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on FCBD.

12900994_607767066038556_8426053126351384599_oI have a feeling this is going to come out all wrong. [incoming run-on-sentence] You know that thing where you start following a creator on Tumblr or DeviantArt or in some random forum somewhere and maybe you bought one of their early pieces of art and then all of a sudden that person is getting published and playing in the intellectual property sandbox and you feel a weird sort of pride toward that person but it isn’t exactly pride? What is that word? I guess it could be “admiration” but it’s really more like “hell yes, I don’t know you personally but I remember watching you work your ass off and you deserve all of these cool things that are happening – high fucking five. No, I don’t need you to sign anything. I just want to give you proper respect.” *shrug* I don’t know but I’m sure there’s a German or Japanese word for it. Whatever it is, Kate Leth is one of those people for me. Kate or Die was one of the reasons I started using tumblr and it’s been exciting to see and support her growth. I wasn’t terribly interested in Edward Scissorhands but I bought it (and ended up enjoying) because it’s a way to say to the industry “you’re making a great decision! Give her more work!”

If you love comics and care about shaping the industry I personally think this is a solid way to approach purchasing comics. Occasionally, creators I enjoy get a break and assigned to a project at one of the big publishers that I’m not terribly enthused about but I’ll buy the book anyway. I do it because I want those creators to be offered more opportunities. I’ve watched what they can do independently and know if editors give them more freedom they’ll shake things up and create the books I want to read. Can you imagine Kate Leth on a Spider-Man or Hawkeye book (no, I don’t know if she’s actually interested in writing those characters)?

Anyway, I should probably get to the subject. Kate Leth is going to be putting her signature on comic books and trades at Fantastic Comics, 2026 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, on Free Comic Book Day 2016 (May 7). She’ll be there at some point between the shops opening hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. (hopefully I’ll have more details and will update this article before it publishes itself). Fantastic typically has a number of fantastic things happening on FCBD so stop in, pick up some free comics, and buy something.

As for Leth? She has a Patreon where she talks about taking that leap into full-time freelance. Consider supporting her continuing journey.

 

The Rattler prismatic

The Rattler prismatic

In 2014, I was excited to contribute to a Kickstarter for Jason McNamara and Greg Hinkle’s horror graphic novel The RattlerCombining horror and comics isn’t an easy feat and is rarely done well but McNamara and Hinkle nailed it with this graphic novel. They effectively built suspense and delivered on true moments of fright. It was one of my favorite reads in 2014 but due to the limited nature of Kickstarter I couldn’t share with friends. Thankfully, Image Comics stepped up and has republished the graphic novel in a fancy new edition that’s now available at local comic shops smart enough to carry it. One of those smart comic shops will be hosting a signing with McNamara and Hinkle on April 29. Mission: Comics and Art, 2250 Mission Street in San Francisco, will be celebrating the release of The Rattler and Hinkle’s collected collaboration with James Robinson, Airboy, starting at 6 p.m.

Maybe they’ll bring some of the super-cool The Rattler prismatics (see image to the left) they made for the Kickstarter. You know your trapper-keeper could use a new accessory.

image+ launch partyImage Comics is launching it’s newest promotional publication at the Bay Area’s newest comic shop. Cape and Cowl Comics, 1601 Clay Street in Oakland, is hosting a launch party on April 27 for the new magazine Image+. The monthly magazine will be distributed alongside the Diamond Distributors publication Previews. In addition to promoting up and coming Image titles, the magazine will feature exclusive content. The first 12 issues of Image+ will tell the backstory of Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead big bad Negan. Each issue will contain four pages of an overall 48-page story. The first issue of Image+ will feature a profile of Cape and Cowl as well as interviews with creators like Marjorie Liu, Bryan Lee O’Malley, and Leslie Hung.

According to an Image Comics press release:

Image+ will clock in at 64 pages and feature exclusive interviews, spotlight features, bonus never-before-seen preview pages, editorials from industry voices, and more in-depth, insightful and provocative comics coverage curated by David Brothers, Branding Manager at Image Comics.

Customers who purchase Previews will receive Image+ as an add-on. The title can also be purchased independently for $1.99.

As for the kick-off event, Cape and Cowl announced special guests including Nick Dragotta (East of West, HowToons), Jimmie Robinson (Power Lines, Five Weapons, Bomb Queen), Justin Greenwood (The Fuse, Stumptown), and Brad Simpson (Sex). Side note: Should I start listing creators as if their titles are nicknames? Jimmie “Five Weapons” Robinson! Brad “Sex” Simpson! Justin “The Fuse” Greenwood!

 

The party starts at 6 p.m. Food will be provided by El Super Taco Man food truck and the store will host a cash bar.

wimminslipcaseLast September, Fantagraphics released the 728-page The Complete Wimmen’s Comix  collecting all of the issues of the all-women comics anthology, Wimmen’s Comix. The Wimmen’s Comix Collective was founded in San Francisco and began publishing issues in 1972 to add the poorly represented voice of women underground comix revolution. The anthology series ran for two decades and acted as an important launching pad for many comics creators. Over the 20 years of Wimmin’s Comix contributors included  Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Penny Van Horn, Carol Tyler, M.K. Brown, Diane Noomin, Phoebe Gloeckner, Leslie Sternbergh, Dori Seda, Mary Fleener, Trina Roberts, and many more.

On April 12, Green Apple Books on the Park, 1231 9th Avenue in San Francisco, will be hosting a discussion about the history and influence of Wimmen’s Comix. Panelists include Trina Robbins, Sharon Rudahl, Lee Marrs, Caryn Leschen, and Kay Rudin. The talk starts at 7:30 p.m.

SVCCWozThere hasn’t been much news about Silicon Valley Comic Con since the initial buzz back in April, but it appears tickets have quietly gone on sale for the March 18-20 event. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is the mastermind behind the convention which seeks to “bring together the best in technology and entertainment all under one gigantic roof.”

What exactly SVCC will look like is still an unknown, but Wozniak appears to be tapping his resources to create something that will be a cross between SDCC and a TED Talk. The website promises: “See the hottest technologies, speak with the tech gods that shape and drive our world, catch the latest in new movies, and listen to the producers, directors and actors that are creating the pop culture we are all talking about. You can also engage in cosplay fashion shows, get thrown off a mechanical bull, or fall from a two story building.”

Discovering tickets are now available came as a bit of a surprise. SVCC has both a Twitter handle and Facebook page, but neither mention tickets being on sale. Mysterious.

What does SVCC mean for San Jose’s other comic con, Big Wow Comicfest? Instead of competing it appears SVCC has kindly partnered with Big Wow Comicfest. The older comic convention will be managing the Comic Pavilion which includes artist alley and vendors.

Currently the only announced guest is William Shatner as part of a 50th Anniversary of Star Trek celebration. More guests will be announced on October 10.

Ticket prices:
Adults:
Friday Preview: March 18th, 5-9pm (Preview) $25.00
Saturday, March 19th, 10am-6pm: $50.00
Sunday, March 20th, 10am-5pm: $50.00
3-Day $99.00

Kids: (12 and under)
Friday (Preview) $10.00
Saturday $20.00
Sunday $20.00
3-Day $39.00

VIP $250.00 (Limited to 350)
VIP Entrance
3-Day Event and Priority Panel Entry
Fast Pass Photo Line
Private VIP Lounge (Includes private ATM, Coat Check, and Snacks)
Private Autograph Signing in VIP Lounge with one of two special guests

VIP Platinum $500.00 (Limited to 100)
VIP Plus:
Limited Edition T-shirt
Line Hopper Pass
One Ticket to Exclusive Cocktail Reception with Steve Wozniak

VIP Diamond *$899.00 (Limited to 50)*
VIP Platinum plus:
3 – Night Stay in Partner Hotel: (Choose from San Jose Marriott, Hilton San Jose or Hyatt Place, based on availability. Taxes not included.)

I had my comic event radar in the off position for a few months, so I’ve lost the habit of turning it on each morning. When I saw the Alternative Press Expo announcement it reminded me that San Francisco Zine Festzinefest must be coming up soon. Indeed it is! Tomorrow in fact.

SF Zine Fest returns to Golden Gate Park’s County Fair Building on September 6 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Yes, Zine Fest is only one-day this year due to various reasons, most notably financial constraints brought on by San Francisco’s art crushing high rents. The organizers do a great job laying out all of the changes and constants on the front page of the Zine Fest website.

One day will likely be helpful for creators this year due to the additional constraints brought on by the Labor Day weekend long BART closure between West Oakland and Embarcacdero. That’s one less day for exhibitors who typically depend on public transit  needing to use more expensive routes of travel. The BART closure was unexpected and happened after the venue was already secured (seriously, BART should be required to give at least one-year notice for big disruptions like this).

There are numerous alternative routes to get to Zine Fest. All of the local transit authorities are teaming up to run shuttles across the Bay Bridge from the 19th Street station. There’s always the relaxing cross-bay ferry.

fightclubissue3Begin Disclosure: This disclosure is important, because I’m about to start this blurb about a signing at Comix Experience with the hyperbolic statement “Fight Club 2 is one of the top ten titles of 2015.” I respect Chuck Palahniuk greatly as an author, I believe Cameron Stewart is one of the most important comic artists working, and I consider Fight Club to be a rare perfect film.  This disclosure is important, because I want you to be aware of my bias.  This disclosure is important, because I want you to consider that while Palahniuk has long been one of my favorite authors I haven’t been enamored by every word, sentence, and paragraph he’s written. He’s even penned entire books where I reach the final period, close the book, and say “meh.” Even so, he remains an author I read in hardcover because of his approach to the narrative craft. By “approach,” I mean the way he’ll use a long-bearded ax to tear away the traditional narrative shield, hack the status quo into little pieces, and reassemble it with the rhythm of war drums as his guide.

This disclosure is important, because I believe my hyperbolic statement “Fight Club 2 is one of the top ten titles of 2015″ should carry extra weight. My first thought when reading the solicits was that a sequel was unnecessary. A sequel in any format would take away from the original novel and film. My childhood would be ruined. Human beings only have a tentative hold on nostalgia and the smallest affront to that nostalgia, like making Ghostbusters all women, would destroy one of the building blocks that made me. If it happens too often the Universe would likely collapse. The previous four statements are all lies (especially the bit about Ghostbusters). On February 24, I shared a link to the solicit on Facebook and wrote “this is interesting.” This disclosure is important, because this disclosure is unreliable. End disclosure.

Fight Club 2 is one of the top ten titles of 2015. If you’re already aware of this indisputable fact Comix Experience wants to reward you. If you weren’t aware, but wish to become aware, Comix Experience wishes to reward you.

On August 29, Chuck Palahniuk will be signing copies of his Dark Horse Comics series at Comix Experience’s 350 Divisadero Street location. There will be lines and there will be rules.

  1. If you’re a Comix Experience patron with Fight Club 2 on your subscription list you’ll receive a number for the priority line.
  2. If you’ve never purchased a copy of Fight Club 2, but go to Comix Experience on the day of the event and purchase all four issues you’ll receive a number for the priority line.
  3. If you’ve purchased issue one through three at a different location, but subscribe to issue four at Comix Experience (this is so very clever) you’ll receive a number for the priority line.
  4. There is a secondary line if you have a general disdain for comics as an art form, would prefer to not spend your hard earned dollars on funny books and supporting a local business, and would like for Palahniuk to sign your first edition of the only true Fight Club while asking “oh my god, how could you create this bastardization of such an important book?”
  5. There will be an exclusive line for speculators and flippers forming at the end of Pier 39. Palahniuk will meet with you, tell you you’re special, and sign every single item in your box. Please be at Pier 39 promptly at 11 a.m. and do not go to Comix Experience.

For an accurate and clear breakdown of the rules of the lines please visit the Comix Experience website.

The signing will begin at 11 a.m., but your numbered place in line will better determine when you should show up.  Again, visit the Comix Experience website to better understand your place in line.

Be prepared for the unexpected at this signing. Palahniuk events are known for mayhem.

#mayhemsf #chuckpalahniuk #lindayuknavitch

A video posted by Jesse Russell (@allicouldsee) on

Moving Day is at hand.

Mission: Comics and Art will be closing doors at 3520 20th Street on August 30 and reopening at 2250 Mission Street on August 31. The new location will provide greater foot traffic for the popular Mission District comic shop as well as an opportunity to fulfill the objective of putting up a proper sign. Mission opens at noon on August 31.

LastDaysofAmericanCrimeHC_900pxOn August 29 comic creator Rick Remender will be the focus of a signing and after party at Isotope Comic Book Lounge. Remender has a long history with the Hayes Valley comic shop and was one of the initial contributors to the infamous Comic Rockstars Toilet Seat Museum. The event is to celebrate Remender’s The Last Days of American Crime coming back into print in a collected edition.

From Isotope:

Isotope proudly welcomes Rick Remender, author of some of our favorite creator owned books including BLACK SCIENCE, DEADLY CLASS, LOW,FEAR AGENT, STRANGE GIRL, NIGHT MARY and what is sure to be one of the best books of the year TOKYO GHOST with the always brilliant Sean Murphy. Rick also has written some of the best Marvel comics of the last decade including UNCANNY X-FORCE, WINTER SOLDIER, CAPTAIN AMERICA, AVENGERS & X-MEN: AXIS, THE PUNISHER, and the coolestVENOM comic ever.

When we heard that one of our favorite Remender “lost treasures” THE LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME was coming back into print, we had to invite Rick in to celebrate with us. Check out more about this fantastic book here. Remender is a long time friend of the shop, he co-founded the Isotope’s famous Comic Rockstars Toilet Seat Museum and was our featured guest at our very first event ever, so we couldn’t be excited to have him back and as part of one of our most superstar-laden years ever!

Signing:
Saturday, August 29th 2015
4pm – 6pm
All-Ages

After Party:
Saturday, August 29th 2015
8pm – Midnight
21+ please