Tag Archives: bonnie b. collide: nine to five – even rollergirls have day jobs

Small Press Expo 2014: The Graphic Novel and Comic Highlights

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an iranian metamorphosisI love Small Press Expo, as it’s a convention that puts me in front of hundreds of small press and independent comics that I never see in Previews or on my local stores’ shelves (let alone coverage at comic blogs, but we promise to do better!). I walked out with a decent pile of books from the show, and here’s the pile!

An Iranian Metamorphosis by Mana Neyestani and published by Uncivilized Books. The graphic novel was at the top of my list of books to get leading up to the show. One of Neyestani’s cartoons sparked riots in Iran, which landed him and his editor in solitary confinement. The graphic novel explores the complex interplay between art, law, politics, ethnic sensitivities, and authoritarian elements inside Iran’s Islamic Republic as well as refugee’s attempts to find safety and freedom.

on the booksOn the Books: A Graphic Tale of Working Woes at NYC’s Strand Bookstore (World Around Us) by Greg Farrel and published by Microcosm Publishing. The graphic novel is the first-hand account of the 2012 labor struggle at New York City’s legendary Strand bookstore.

War of Streets and Houses by Sophie Yanow and published by Uncivilized Books. The graphic novel is about the American artist witnessing the Quebec spring 2012 student strike on the streets of Montreal, the police’s brutal response all wrapped up in an exploration of urban planning and its hidden connections to military strategies.

The Nixon Museum by Art Baxter and published by Phinkwell Comics Collective. The graphic novel is an interesting look at the complicated former President. I have a weird love of Nixon.

War of Streets and HousesBonnie N. Collide: Nine to Five #5-#8 by Monica Gallagher. If you’ve never read this comic series you’re missing out. It’s about a roller derby girl and her non roller derby life.

Nervenkrank: A Story About John Heartfield by Katherine K. Wirick. The comic tells the story of John Heartfield who was a founding member of the Berlin Dada group and was best known for his political photomontages which satirized and railed against Adolf Hitler, the Nazi Party, German warmongering, and the injustices of capitalism.

The Rebel Gun #1 by Josh Hixon and Dead Crow Comics. The art looks fantastic in this crime noir. I flipped through the book and was sold just by the amazing art.

The Humans #0 by Keenan Marshall Keller and Tom Neely. I love Tom Neely’s Henry and Glenn: Forever, so to get in on the ground floor of his new series is a must. This one will get some mainstream love when the first issue is released by Image Comics in November.

Baltimore Comic Con 2012 – Highlights of the Show

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Comic book conventions have become more fun and entertaining as I’ve gotten to know more creators. It was great to see talented folks like Josh Fialkov, Ron Marz, the BOOM! Studios crew, folks from comiXology, the FUBAR guys and many more people I’ve gotten to know. But, conventions aren’t just about seeing old friends, it’s about finding new talent to help promote. So without delay, here’s the comic book highlights of Baltimore Comic Con 2012!

Creator: Monica Gallagher

Comic: Boobage, Bonnie N. Collide: Nine to Five – Even Rollergirls Have Day Jobs, When I Was A Mall Model

You want an example of a female creator that should be on a high profile comic book right now? Look no further than Monica Gallagher. First, her art caught my eye, then I flipped through a few of the books, every page I read got me to laugh and put a smile on my face. Having read all six comics I bought, I can say, she deserves a bigger audience. How much did I like the art? I bought the cover to one of her books and making sure I purchase the books I didn’t pick up at the convention. I’m not the only one who enjoyed Gallagher’s talent, another who read all the comics purchased was hooked too. Do yourself a favor and check out her stuff right now!

Creator: Seth Kushner, Pierce Hargan and Ryan Alexander-Tanner

Comic: Schmuck: Bush, Boobs & Brooklyn Edition

For as much as Gallagher’s book celebrated women, this comic by three men, was a brutal take from the other side. Two stories make up this anthology series and both were brutal and honest. The art and story varied in both, but for $3, it was well worth the purchase.

Creator: Yehudi Mercado

Comic: Buffalo Speedway Vol. 1 – 3

Figgs is a lifer. He’s 23 years old, he’s been delivering for Houston’s Turbo Pizza for eight grueling years, he lives with his dead-beat best friend, Super Cheese, and he’s got a supreme crush on his Friday regular, a rich girl named Pia. Life sucks, but it’s about to get suckier. The day is June 17th 1994. Today the Rockets will battle the Knicks in the NBA Finals, America will host the World Cup and OJ Simpson will lead the LAPD on a slow speed chase…. That description sold me!

Creator: Christopher Ryder – writer, Marc Dandroni – art

Comic: Dames in the Atomic Age

I first saw this book at Tr!ckster this year in San Diego, but my laziness and incompetence made me unable to pick it up. I lucked out and was able to get the graphic novel in Baltimore. The story is a pulp/noir tale involving dames and lightning shooting revolvers. The art looks solid, and I’m just a sucker for this type of comic. I’m beyond looking forward to reading this. I also grabbed  All Crime Comics from the same publisher, Art of Fiction. It also didn’t hurt Chris was super nice and shares my fandom of Janet Lee’s work.

Creator: Chris Lewis – writer, Bruno Oliveira

Comic: Drones

Lewis pitched the comic as “the war on terror meeting a Las Vegas stage show…. with a goat.” I read the first two issues and can’t wait to read the next three when they’re released.

Creator: Too Many to Name

Comic: Game Over: Insert More Quarters

A Kickstarter anthology that I missed, the simple cover caught my eye and after flipping through the interior, the art looked solid. The graphic novel is a collection of short stories by artists from a wide range of disciplines who all share a love for comics. From Illustrators, Animators, Graphic Design and Comics, we are a group of 16 artist who have came together to create a high quality graphic novel. The result is a 148 page, gorgeous collection of 16 stories in Black & White, 6″ by 9″ graphic novel.

Creator: Justin Peterson

Comic: Very Near Mint

It’s a comic book, about a comic book shop. I didn’t pick up the two volumes, instead I’m waiting for the third volume to hit Kickstarter, then I’ll get all of them at the same time.