Derf returned to the Inkstuds for a conversation about his latest work, a retrospective of his time during his teens, as an aquaintance to the notorious serial killer, Jeffrey Dahmer. The book is a really great character study, capturing a specific place and time, evoking some specific emotions.
Professor and editor of a multitude of comics releases, Paul Buhle came on the show to discuss a handful of his most recent work, including the Yiddishkeit anthology as well a plethora of other like the very recent Port Huron Statement with Gary Dumm.
Evan Dorkin is one of the under appreciated thinkers/writers in comics. He has a unique take on the form and speaks quite passionately about it. It was great to catch up with Evan in an attempt to talk about his latest Milk and Cheese collection, in a conversation that quickly sidestepped in a million directions. This is Evan’s third time on the Inkstuds, and he is always welcome back.
The most attended panel I moderated at Emerald City Comicon last month, was the Comics Influencing Comics panel featuring Brandon Graham, Mike Allred, Nate Powell and Moritat. I had never done anything with so many people watching. It was kind of surreal. Unfortunately, I think half of them were there to see the Jhonen Vasquez panel that was following ours.
One of my favorite moments at Emerald City Comicon 2012, was being able to do a spotlight panel with Bill Sienkiewicz. I have been a massive fan of his for years and was excited for the chance to talk to him. It was a revealing conversation that touched on a number of artistic interests.
One of the most prolific cartoonists of the underground generation, Bill Griffith, joined me to chat about his new collection, Lost and Found. It is an interesting conversation that touches on a number of different topics, ranging from his Zippy the Pinhead work, to discussing his contemporaries like Rory Hayes.
Montreal illustrator and cartoonist, Matt Forsythe  returned to the studs house for a chat about his latest books, Jinchalo and Comics Class. Matt has been doing some great work and seems to always be getting better.
This past weekend was the annual pilgrimage to Seattle’s Emerald City Comicon. I try and go every year. Last year I spent 4 hours pounding through a haze of shopping. Since I can’t make it to TCAF this year, I decided to go hard and spend the weekend and do a bunch of panels.
I was picked up early friday morning by talented local dudes, Ed Brisson and Jason Copland. We had an epic drive down that included 3 hours in traffic before even getting to the border. I never thought Canada could be so cruel.
Shopping started quick and hard. I loved this Ernie Bushmiller original. Look at how perfect it is.
David Brothers was there in fine form, in deep conversation with Adam Warren. I really love David’s writing. I don’t read even half the stuff he writes about, but still highly appreciate his take.
The one person I wanted to see the most, was Tom Spurgeon. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the work he does. Tom set’s a standard of integrity that few in comics reporting are able to achieve. He set’s the bar and we jump to reach it. And that Eric Reynolds guy he is with here is pretty cool too. I tried talking Eric into buying us dinner and we could consider it payola. No dice.
My first panel of the weekend was with Bill Sienkiewicz. I have been a fan of his work for longer than i can remember. I am used to the small rooms of TCAF, so seeing this line was a bit of surprise. I guess I shouldn’t of been surprised, considering Bill’s importance.
The conversation was really interesting. Bill has lived a very full and storied life. I think he is one of the greats of a generation.
Seeing Tom at the back of the room is a little intimidating to a novice like me.
After I was done the panel, I swung by Randy’s Readers to get a stack of silver and bronze age tasty treats.
That night was dinner with Jason Levian, Zack Soto, Brandon, Ian Macewan and Jacq Cohen. Brandon choose the place, that was a little pricey, but excellent. He told us about how he used to meet Moritat here to draw porn comics. And when he was on a date, he would bring girls to somewhere less, ummm, extravagant.
I crashed hard that night. Brandon woke up at 6am to do a bunch of sketches for folks that asked for them at the convention. Dude has some dedication.
Saturday morning was breakfast with David Brothers, Brandon and Tom Spurgeon. It was really good to be able to have some comics shop talk. Through the convention, there is a lot of business talk. Folks yakking about pitches, publishing ideas, and a lot of shmoozing, but not to a lot of straight up comics talk. That is very different from my TCAF experience, where everyone just wants to talk about what excites them, which 9 times out of 10, is Michael Deforge.
It was back to the con floor for me. I was blown away when I saw this Bowie cosplay. She even managed to get James’ gaudy colour gradients on her costume.
My next panel was with Brandon, Mike Allred, Nate Powell and Justin Moritat Norman. I had them talking about their different influences in comics. It was a fun give and take, with some pretty funny anecdotes.
I was blown away by the amount of people there for the panel. It was a good sized group in this huge room.
About half way through the panel, the room was filled up completely, disrupting it for the other folks in the room. I wasn’t sure why all those people came in, turns out, they were all there for Jhonen Vasquez, who had a panel after us. Letting those extra people in, is my only complaint for the whole weekend.
Oh look, it’s talented Vancouver web cartoonists, Ryan Pequin and Emily Partridge. Why don’t I ever see you guys in our own city.
Scott Campbell did this sweet sketch for me.
Things were getting tough at the con, and Doug Sherwood, letterer for Glory and Hell Yeah!!!, got Brandon involved in a gang of gold tear toughies.
This guy was there, advertising for his new comic.
Dinner was a blast. I had an amazing steak with a big group of folks. Here is Joe Keatinge, the dude to buy the first copy of Inkstuds and his neighbor, cartoonist Emi Lenox.
Later that night, after a brief stop at the Sheraton Hotel lobby, Brandon, Bryan Lee O’Malley and I took off to track down Pendelton Ward. Earlier that day, he had tweeted to Brandon about wanting to meet up at some point. We found him after searching high and low through the wilds of pike street market.
The comicking never stops in this crowd.
On our walk back to the convention area, where all the hotels are, we met a fan of Bryan’s named Nick, the self-deprecating magician. It was a pretty sweet moment. He was just happy to be performing for someone’s work that he loved.
And then all of the sudden this guy shows up. Ruining everything.
I went back to the hotel after that for a very excellent sleep. Brandon went off to hunt squirrels or something. First thing the following morning, I found this sweet Tintin book.
I love the look of the earlier black and white version of Tintin.
I also picked up a smattering of TPB’s.
The Alberto Breccia sketchbook is pretty sweet. There is only like a dozen pages of his printed in English in Heavy Metal, so having some more work is great. That Esteban Maroto book is amazing. All of it is in spanish, but still pretty as hell. And don’t judge on the Elfquest. I am committed to reading it.
Remember when Matt Madden used to make comics. I do, they are great. Go read Odds Off. And that Steranko comic was my first purchase of the day.
And Alex Toth Zorro’s for only a buck? Hell Yeah!
I had two more panels on Sunday. My first was with Steve Niles. I am barely familiar with Steve’s work, but have tremendous respect for him and the work he did for Gary Friedrich. So when I was asked to do this panel, I thought why not. He has a really dedicated group of fans that was great to see. It was a smaller attendance, but gave for a chance of a lot of give and take from the folks. My recorder ran out of juice during this panel, so I did not get a recording of it. It has been lost to the ages.
My next panel was in the exact same room. This time it was with Bryan Lee O’Malley, Brandon Graham and Adam Warren. This one was packed to the gills, with 3 people in the front row recording it.
I ended the day by sitting at Brandon’s table relaxing. I was tired and did not want to deal with anything. Table neighbour Emi Lenox did this lovely drawing for me, which nicely ended the day.
I was lucky enough to moderate a panel of some comics heavy weights. Adam Warren, Brandon Graham and Bryan Lee O’Malley. Here is a description of the panel. The panels were listed before Bryan was announced, so that’s why he doesn’t appear announced here.
ECCC Spotlight Series: Brandon Graham and Adam Warren in Conversation
The Emerald City Comicon Spotlight Series is designed to give you an intimate look into the minds of some of comics greatest creators. Brandon Graham and Adam Warren join you this hour for a conversation talking about finer points of their work. Their western takes on manga have delighted readers locally and abroad. Expect a vivid and lively discussion.
Tomorrow, I head off for Seattle for the Emerald City Comicon. I can be found hanging out at table C-05 with Brandon Graham, when I am not doing panels, which will be most of the time.
I have four panels in total. And they are going to be awesome. Just sayin’.
Friday March 30th
ECCC Spotlight Series: Bill Sienkiewicz
Room: 211
Time: 5:00 – 6:00
The Emerald City Comicon Spotlight Series is designed to give you an intimate look into the minds of some of comics greatest creators. This hour, Bill Sienkiewicz will take you through what is sure to be one of the most amazing hours of your life! Bill’s work has covered, (literally), most every major character from Marvel and DC. His work has graced the National Museum of Fine Arts in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; galleries in Paris, Barcelona and Tuscany and Spain’s famed La Semana Negra (The Black Week) Festival. Additionally, he designed, with longtime friend and mentor Neal Adams, a multimedia stage productions for Roger Waters’ 2006 Dark Side of the Moon Tour. Come meet a legendary artist and listen to his amazing stories.
Saturday March 31st
Comics Influencing Comics
Room: 3AB
Time: 4:00 – 5:00
A look at how comics affect a cartoonists creative process. This panel will explore the idea of a personal pantheon of influence was some of the more unique voices in comics. The work of panelists Brandon Graham, Justin “Moritat†Norman, Nate Powell, Michael Allred all come from different directions and will have lots of points of discussion.
Sunday April 1st
ECCC Spotlight Series: Steve Niles
Room: 211
Time: 12:00 – 1:00
The Emerald City Comicon Spotlight Series is designed to give you an intimate look into the minds of some of comics greatest creators. This hour, modern master of horror, Steve Niles, talks about what it takes to craft a good horror story, working with artists like Sam Kieth and Ben Templesmith and how his creation of 30 Days of Night changed the face of horror comics.
ECCC Spotlight Series: Brandon Graham and Adam Warren in Conversation
Room: 211
Time: 1:00 – 2:00
The Emerald City Comicon Spotlight Series is designed to give you an intimate look into the minds of some of comics greatest creators. Brandon Graham and Adam Warren join you this hour for a conversation talking about finer points of their work. Their western takes on manga have delighted readers locally and abroad. Expect a vivid and lively discussion.
