This post is a sequel to the one I did a while back about Cleveland’s Genghis Con. It was there at the Beachland that I met the folks at Panel, a group of Columbus cartoonists and writers. One of the things I walked away from their booth with was a flyer for SPACE. I’d never heard of it but it seemed to be up my alley, and so I made half-hearted plans to check it out when it came around. I vacillated about whether or not I would actually do it, until a few weeks before hand when I got a random message from one of the organizers on Facebook, reminding me to check it out. That decided things easily enough.

On Sunday, I made a happy return to my beginners yoga class (and was rewarded with free bread) and then headed down to Columbus. The rain was pretty ridiculous – a beautiful and scenic drive was spotted with monstrous downpours that at one point stopped everyone on the freeway. It was nice again when I got to Columbus, thankfully.

I missed the signs telling me where to go in the hotel, so I wandered around a bit, finding the Model Talent Search being held upstairs. They didn’t have any better idea of where I was supposed to be going, so I turned around, and luckily wandered in the right direction this time. Again, though, I went in the wrong way, right into the show, and had to go back out to pay, so I didn’t feel like I was cheating anyone. Once back inside, I immediately started the meet and greet.

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Sweet Peat!

There appears to be a brand new chapter of Spoilers up right now! Good thing that website always starts at the beginning, because you haven’t seen star of this particular installment for quite some time. Don’t worry though, it didn’t forget about you — it’s been hanging around since then.

Thanks so much to everyone who has been reading my comic and have stuck with it for so long. Past the two thirds mark now, things will start winding up.

I hate to go back and fuss with things too much before it’s all done, but I’ve got a couple of tweaks planned to maybe add a little more coherence to the existing chapters. I’ve got one drawn out now that’s just waiting for inks that will fit in nicely towards the end of Chapter 13 (the farewell episode). Then I’ve got some ideas for the title sequence, Chapter 3.

Other than that, it’s full steam ahead.

The Word

The Art of Comics
Ok, so I had an amazing time teaching The Art of Comics at CIA from February to April of this year. My students were wonderful sports and I think we all had a great time together. I just posted up images of their final projects, which they worked all eight weeks on. If I taught them anything (they say I did), they at least know now that comics are hard work! (So is blogging, sorry guys). They each did an amazing job and I’m so proud of each of them. Go see for yourself!

The other reason I bring this up is, I’m teaching the class AGAIN this summer, beginning June 12th. Same deal, eight weeks of intensive and far-reaching comics lessons, breaking it down by each element that goes into making a comics work. Classes are three hours, from 4 to 7 on Saturdays. Tell your friends, if they love comics, they might not want to miss this.

Breakfast Sesame
We never thought he could do it, but my brother made an animation that is not sick, dirty, offensive or weird (well, it’s still weird). Breakfast Soup’s Birdsie and Soupy open a detective agency to help kids learn for a Sesame Street contest! I give it four bees, so watch it now!
The Birdsie and Soupy Detective Agency

Digital Art Revolution
My former boss (and my brother’s former teacher), artist Scott Ligon recently released his long-awaited book on the technical and aesthetic concerns associated with making art on computers, Digital Art Revolution. It’s really a pretty comprehensive book and highly recommended (and not just because it has my brother’s work in it).

Scott’s running a blog now attached to the book, and he recently did a post where he featured me and my work. I was really touched by this. Working with him and his students was one of the hardest things to walk away from when I left CIA. Anyway, go learn something

Sacred Heart
Liz Suburbia got new equipment! Now she can post up her new pages for her work-in-progress, Sacred Heart. Really worth a look. Also, as if that weren’t enough, she’s coloring things! With Photoshop! Check this out:

From one of my favorite films, no less. Like Jamie Hewlett, Liz packs her comic full of awesome shit that adds a whole extra layer of enjoyment picking through.

Yonic Clonic and the End of the Universe
Lala has a new comic out and I am so excited to get my hands on it. Look at this beautiful cover:

Next Week

So next week, I will hopefully receiving one of those nice green(gray? colorblind…) books, but also I will heading to SPACE. The full significance of that statement will be lost on all except a very small few. I’m excited. Anyone else going?

I should also have that new old Spoilers insert up. STAY TUNED hearts.

Finishing off Chapter 16 of Spoilers, here’s part 3. Talking About Now gets interrupted by a visit from an old friend of ours.

The middle section of this is maybe my favorite thing that I’ve ever done. I hope you feel the same.

In Other News

I started my new job last week — it’s pretty great. Looking forward to doing some good work with them.

My class, The Art of Comics had its last meeting this past week as well, and I’m really happy about the work everyone did. I’ll post it up soon so you all can see it too. A big thanks to Niki for being our special guest “judge,” as well as for giving a talk about the publishing side of comics.

The day after the last class, I got my packet for teaching in the summer! The class will start in mid-June and I’ll be back with more info on that as well.

Remember that short film I’ve talked a bit about on here? It’s up. The Gains and Losses of Porter Harmon, watch it now.