SATURDAY NIGHT - PORTLAND BOOK RELEASE PARTY

OC WEEKLY

Did some illustrations for this week's OC Weekly, including the cover! Four skinheads went into a immigrant Latino neighborhood one night and attacked a Mexican man. The next thing they knew, they were getting an ass-whuppin' from the residents of Oak View. You can read the article online.

Here are pencils and roughs.

This is the second true crime story I've worked on for OC Weekly. Despite the unattractive nature of the crimes, both jobs have been a pleasure to work on. Their staff has been exceptional to deal with.

AFRODISIAC AND THE SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS

I'm thrilled to announce that the Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition will include an Afrodisiac piece (for the third consecutive year)!!! As a result of their endorsement, I've decided to create a color print based on this piece for Adhouse's Afrodisiac Limited Edition. Speaking of the awesome Adhouse Books, they are having a Holiday sale on a lot of their great books, including Superior Showcase #3 (featuring a 10 page Street Angel story) for only a buck! Some other noteworthy books include James Jean's latest Process Recess, Jamie Tanner's Aviary for only 5 bucks (love this book), Johnny Hiro, Josh Cotter's Driven by Lemons.

Here are a couple of color versions of the Afrodisiac Vietnam: 20,000 BC cover. These aren't the final print, but I'm getting closer.

JOSH COTTER - DRIVEN BY LEMONS

You probably know Josh Cotter from Skyscrapers of the Midwest. Well, he's back with an amazing followup. Check out this nifty trailer for Josh Cotter's fantastic new book, Driven by Lemons.

If you enjoy these book trailers, here is an article from the Huffington Post that might be of interest. It's about the rise of book trailers (and it mentions our Afrodisiac trailer).

SLG SUPER SALE - 40% OFF EVERYTHING

Hey, dear readers and friends, SLG is having a huge sale through Monday - 40% OFF of everything! Apparently this is due to some financial bumps-in-the-road, so I ask that you consider browsing their wide selection of books, comics, toys, t-shirts, posters, prints, and see if something grabs your eye. Lots of great cartoonists are represented and you could probably finish all your Christmas shopping before the Black Friday madness arrives next week and engulfs us all.

If you've been on the fence about Street Angel, this is your golden opportunity. The new print looks great - better paper, crisp printing, and now - 40% OFF. Too good to be true. Who wouldn't love to wake up Christmas morning and unwrap a shiny, new trade paperback of Street Angel? I dare say, that old coot, Ebenezer Scrooge himself would buckle under the humor and good cheer of the Princess of Poverty.

Some other recommendations from me:

Evan Dorkin is one of my favorite cartoonists. Personal recommendations are Dork #7 (a sorta funny, very revealing look at the creative trials and tribulations of one of America's great cartoonists) and Dork #11 (a nonstop onslaught of gags, that makes me think Evan likes to punish himself, truly a spectacular comic book achievement, and my highest recommendation to fans of funny).

James Turner has done a number of interesting comics with SLG, like the graphic novel Nil (emphasis on both graphic and novel) and the awesome librarian series - Rex Libris. And check this out, you can snag issue one of Rex Libris for FREE! This is like better than internet porn, people.

Derf is an alt weekly cartoonist, widely known for his strip Derf City. He's a multi-talented gent who has also produced his share of long form comics. I highly recommend Dahmer, if you have any interest in serial killers at all. Derf went to high school with Dahmer, and years after Dahmer died in prison, he made this comic book. My arm chair hobby is to criticize Hollywood depictions (glorification) of serial killers. With this in mind, Dahmer delivers the goods. Very unsettling, but not in the ways you might expect.

Jhonen Vasquez's Johnny the Homicidal Maniac is a perennial favorite.

Ariel Schrag's Likewise - autobiographical comics from a very young cartoonist (at the time).

SLG published a line of Disney comics at one point, including such gems as Tron, Haunted Mansion, Gargoyles, and the stunningly beautiful Wonderland.

I know I'm forgetting tons of great material, so go browse for yourself. SLG also carries a ton of non-SLG books and merchandise. If you're thinking of buying some comics online in the near future, or your sitting in your cube on a Friday afternoon waiting desperately for Happy Hour, do yourself a favor and check out this sale.

PORTLAND SIGNING, OMN, FELICIA DAY

Big news (for me anyway)! I'm visiting Portland to celebrate the release of One Model Nation. I will be at Floating World Comics on Saturday, December 5th, from 6-9 pm along with just about everyone involved in One Model Nation including C. Albritton Taylor, Donovan Leitch Jr., Jon Fell, Mike Allred, and Joe Keatinge. Keep an eye here for details of an after party as well (maybe). If you're in the Portland area, please consider stopping by. I know there are a million awesome cartoonists in that city that I'd love to meet (or if I already know ya, that I'd love to catch up with).

In Guild news, my partner in crime, Felicia Day, was recently interviewed by Aintitcool's Mr. Pasty. She talks a bit about the Guild comic book that we're working on, as well as the show itself.

BLAXTUBE, COMIC BOOK RESOURCES, and FRENCH STREET ANGEL

I did a couple of interviews about the Afrodisiac recently. One is at Comic Book Resources. The other is at Blaxtube. The site features a ton of blaxploitation related video content, like movie clips and trailers.

In Street Angel news, we have a review from France! And a video review, also from France. I do not speak French, so I can't be certain that these interviews are nice, but our French publisher, Le Lezard Noir posted them on their blog which leads me to believe they can't be too tough.

Just a reminder, Street Angel is back in print. So if you've heard of the book but your local comic book store was sold out...today's your lucky day! Tell 'em to get you a copy and one for their shelves while they're at it. Or order your own copy today! Thanks.

P.S. If you or someone you know wants to review the Afrodisiac, email me.