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SDCC 2012 – Prism Comics Has Announced Their SDCC Plans

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Prism Comics is celebrating a (rainbow) banner year for LGBTQI comic characters and creators at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.  They’re manning three booths, #2144, #2146 and #2148 as well as hosting creator signings and panels in celebration of so much.

2012 marks the 25th Anniversary of Andy Mangel’s ‘Gays In Comics’ panel at Comic-Con. LGBTQI comics and readership has changed a lot over the past two and a half decades,” says Ted Abenheim, President of Prism Comics. “Sometimes change is slow, but change has been happening. Northstar is getting married, the new Green Lantern, Alan Scott, is an out, gay hero, and the Con is honoring Andy Mangels as a special guest for his 25 years of bringing diversity to Comic-Con. This year will be an exciting show for Prism and the LGBTQI and LGBTQI-friendly comics community.

BOOTH SIGNINGS AND APPEARANCES

Prism Comics’ triple booth (#s 2144, 2146, and 2148 in Hall C) is the de facto LBGTQI Center of Comic-Con, with a full house of indie creators and small presses who are partnering with Prism: Paige Braddock (“Jane’s World”), Justin Hall (“No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics”), Jeff Krell (“Jayson”), Ed Luce (“Wuvable Oaf”), Steve MacIsaac (“Shirtlifter”), Desmond Miller (“Robinson Crusoe in the 6th Dimension”), Ivan Velez Jr. (“Tales of the Closet”), Sean-Z (“Myth”) and other members of Bent Con, Dave Zelman (“Al-Qaeda’s Super Secret Weapon”), Charles “Zan” Christensen’s Northwest Press, Scuttlebutt Ink, and Fanboys of the Universe, which is helping to support Prism Comics’ creator signings throughout the Con.

The latest Creator Signing Schedule is below (check prismcomics.org for the latest schedule and information):

Alison Bechdel: Thursday, July 12, from 4:30-6pm
Walter Meyer (“Rounding Third”): Friday, July 13, 10-11am
David Reddish (“Sex, Drugs & Superheroes”): Friday, July 13, 2-3pm
Chip Kidd (“Death by Design”): Friday, July 13, 3-4pm and Saturday, July 14, 2-3pm
Paul Charles (the Gay Comic Geek): Friday, July 13, 5-6pm and Saturday, July 14, 3-4pm
Brian Anderson (“So Super Duper”): Saturday, July 14, 12-2pm
And more to be announced!

Prism is also kicking off the submission cycle for this year’s annual Queer Press Grant! The Queer Press Grant was established by Prism to encourage the publication of new LGBTQI comics. For those applying to the Grant, Prism is offering portfolio review sessions each day of convention (check the website or the booth for the latest schedule). Reviewers tentatively scheduled to advise potential applicants this year include: Phil Jimenez, Gail Simone, Bob Schreck, Justin Hall, and Charles “Zan” Christensen. Check the prismcomics.org for the latest schedule. Before arriving at the Con, applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the submissions guidelines at prismcomics.org/grant.php.

PANELS

There will be six Prism-sponsored or Prism-related panels this year focusing attention on queer characters and creators, with some of the biggest name in comics including Phil Jimenez, Alison Bechdel, Gail Simone, Eric Shanower, James Robinson, Dan Parent, Nicola Scott, Marjorie Liu, and many more.

Thursday, July 12, 4-5:00, Room 8, “Spotlight on Andy Mangels”. Best-selling author and Comic-Con special guest Andy Mangels has been extraordinarily active in the entertainment field for 28 years: as a pop culture journalist for magazines ranging from “Amazing Heroes”, “Wizard”, “SFX” and “Back Issue” to “Holywood Reporter”, “The Advocate” and “Weekly World News”; as a comic book writer and editor for projects such as “Nightmares on Elm Street”, “ElfQuest”, “Star Trek”, “Star Wars”, “Gay Comics”, “Bloodwulf”, “Dragon’s Lair”, and books for DC, Marvel, Image, and other companies; as the author of over 20 books including Star Wars, Star Trek, Roswell, X-Files, and Iron Man novels and non-fiction tomes; as an award-winning special features producer and documentary director/writer for over 40 popular DVD projects; as the man behind raising over $136,000 for Domestic Violence shelters with his Women of Wonder Day charity events; and as a respected panelist at Comic-Con for 25 years! Now, Andy Mangels sits down with interviewer Roger Klorese (Prism Comics Publications Chair) for a look at his career, and discusses writing for almost every major licensing company, his renowned social and humanitarian activism, and having the most famous moustache in comicdom. Plus, find out about his September 2012 book from TwoMorrows, “Lou Scheimer: Creating the Filmation Generation”, and what’s next for Andy! Questions from audience members will be welcome.

Thursday, July 12, 5-6pm, Room 32AB, “Northwest Press”. How does a small comic book publisher succeed in today’s market? Northwest Press opened their doors in 2010, braving a recession, the rise of digital media, and the disappearance of specialty shops and bookstores to create a publishing company specializing in a niche market: lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender comics. Two years later, Northwest is still growing. Come and join in a lively discussion about how to operate on a shoestring while looking like a pro, how to leverage social media and connections, and how to succeed as a small press. Moderated by Chance Whitmire (“Fanboys of the Universe”), and featuring the owner of Northwest Press, Charles “Zan” Christensen (“The Mark of Aeacus”, “The Power Within”), as well as four of the creators he’s published: Dylan Edwards (“Transposes”), Justin Hall, Steve MacIsaac, and Leia Weathington (“The Legend of Bold Riley”). Sponsored by Prism Comics.

Thursday, July 12, 6-7pm, Room 32AB, “Rewriting the Rules on Queers in Comics”. Depictions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters in comics are breaking from the purely positive “role model” portrayals that were common over the past decade. Some creators aren’t shying away from sex, stereotypes and bad behavior in their pursuit of intriguing and well-rounded characters. As comics readers clamor for more explicit, more outrageous, and more extreme comics—and hail them as victories over timidity and political correctness—is it time to rewrite the rulebook on queer characters? Join Oliver Nome (“Fathom: Kiani”), James Robinson (“Earth 2”, “Justice League”), Nicola Scott (“Earth 2”, “Secret Six”), Gail Simone (“Batgirl”, “Secret Six”), Ivan Velez Jr., and moderator Charles “Zan” Christensen for a lively, irreverent discussion about the wild frontier of queers in comics. Sponsored by Prism Comics.

Friday, July 13, 2-3pm, Room 25ABC, “No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics”. Queer cartooning has been one of the most vibrant artistic and countercultural movements of the past 40 years, tackling complex issues of identity and changing social mores with intelligence, humor, and an irreverent imagination. “No Straight Lines”, a massive anthology published by Fantagraphics Books, is the most definitive collection to date of this material, showcasing everything from lesbian underground comix, to gay newspaper strips, to bi punk zines, to trans webcomics. Join the editor of the book, Justin Hall, as he moderates an all-star panel of some of the true greats of LGBTQI comics: Alison Bechdel, Paige Braddock, Ed Luce, Trina Robbins (“Wimmen’s Comix”), and Eric Shanower (“Age of Bronze”). Signing will follow from 3:30-5:50pm at the Fantagraphics booth. Sponsored by Prism Comics.

Saturday, July 14, 1-2pm, Room 25ABC, “Northstar: From Coming Out to Getting Married!” Northstar, the first openly gay superhero in mainstream comics and a member of both the X-Men and Alpha Flight, came out of the closet 20 years ago… and this year he ties the knot! Northstar has lead a challenging life, facing villains, personal challenges, family rivalries, disease, death, and accusations of being put back in the closet. Now Northstar starts a major new chapter in his life, with a high-profile wedding. Join Prism Comics as we celebrate Northstar and explore how he and the comics community’s attitudes toward LGBTQ characters have changed over the years. Moderator Chance Whitmire (Fanboys of the Universe) delves into the past and the bright future of everyone’s favorite gay mutant with guests David Gabriel (Vice President of Sales, Marvel Comics), Phil Jimenez (“New X-Men”), Marjorie Liu (“Astonishing X-Men”), Scott Lobdell (“Uncanny X-Men”), and Jase Peeples (“The Advocate”Magazine).  Sponsored by Prism Comics.

Saturday, July 14, 5:30-7:00pm, Room 6A, “Gays in Comics: 25th Year Celebration!” The comic world’s longest-running panel celebrates its silver anniversary with an incredible all-star panel and celebration which will spotlight creators, comics, and fans from 1988 to the present. It was once unthinkable that mainstream companies such as DC, Marvel, and Archie would have best-selling and award-winning titles frontlining gay characters such as Batwoman, Northstar, and Kevin Keller. Now, they hire top-level gay or gay-friendly creators, and independent publishers and creators are publishing unequivocal content spotlighting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender characters, to the cheers of the thousands of fans who are out of the comic book closet and those who welcome diversity among comic book protagonists. This year, founding moderator and best-selling author Andy Mangels will chair a new form of panel, a live documentary that will unfold for the audience, featuring a mixture of commentary, images, music and other surprises!

Showcased with live appearances and video messages will be an army of awesome creators who have appeared on the previous 24 panels, including: Howard Cruse, creator of “Stuck Rubber Baby” and “Barefootz”, founder of “Gay Comix”, and godfather of the gay comic movement; Roberta Gregory, creator of “Naughty Bits” and “Bitchy Bitch” and the godmother of the gay comic movement; Phil Jimenez, amazing artist of “Fairest”, “Astonishing X-Men”, and “Wonder Woman”; Alison Bechdel; Charles “Zan” Christensen, founding member of Prism Comics, and publisher of gay-themed Northwest Press; Gail Simone; Eric Shanower; Joan Hilty, creator of the weekly comic strip “Bitter Girl” and past DC editor; Ivan Velez, Jr.; Paige Braddock; Joe Phillips, artist and publisher of “Joe Boys”, “Star Trek”, and “The Heretic”; Trina Robbins, remarkable writer and artist whose work on behalf of women in comics has helped redefine the industry; Dan Parent, writer and artist for “Archie” and “Betty & Veronica” and creator of Archie’s new gay character, Kevin Keller; Wendy Pini, the creator of “ElfQuest”and “Masque of Red Death”; Chip Kidd; Patty Jeres, past DC Comics director of marketing communications, and past Prism Comics co-president; Joe Palmer, awesome webmaster of GayLeague.com; Ed Luce; Jeff Krell; Robert Triptow, legendary cartoonist and past editor of Gay Comix; Justin Hall, Prism Comics Talent Chair; Marc Andreyko, author of the fan-favorite “Manhunter” series and “Captain America and Bucky”; Sean-Z; Steve Englehart, industry legend, and creator of comics first out gay super-hero Extrano in 1987’s “Millennium”; Jon Macy, award-winning writer and artist of “Teleny and Camille” and “Fearful Hunter”; Ted Abenheim, the new president of Prism Comics and heroic and tireless fundraiser for LGBTQI organizations; and Roger Klorese, a past president of Prism Comics and longtime comics and internet trailblazer! This panel will be chock-full from beginning to end, so be on time or you’ll miss some awesome surprises that we aren’t announcing yet!

Afterward, stick around for the “Gay Comic Fan Mixer and Prism Comics Silent Auction!” with prizes, one-of-a-kind comics items, and surprise special guests!

EVENTS

Besides the Prism’s annual “Gay Comic Fan Mixer and Prism Comics Silent Auction!” and the “Heroes and Villains Party”, this year will see the most queer comics-related events ever held in conjunction with San Diego Comic-Con.

Thursday, July 12, 8pm-1:30am, “Oso Oro” Pecs Bar. Ivan Velez, Jr. is bringing his long-running “Oso Oro”party to San Diego at Pecs Bar.  Flex your artistic muscles at “Oso Oro”, a multimedia celebration of international bear pop culture with Japanese bear bara manga, raffles for bear prizes, limited edition t-shirts, and best bear model contest. Attendees are encouraged to draw bear models and also pose onstage themselves.  Ivan is also bringing “Oso Oro”to the “No Straight Lines”release party, details below.  Pecs Bar is located at 2046 University Avenue, San Diego, CA.

Friday, July 13, 8-10pm, the Fantagraphics “No Straight Lines” Release Party at Trickster. Along with appearances from creators who contributed to the anthology, the event will feature a “Drink-And-Draw” in conjunction with Ivan Velez, Jr.’s “Oso Oro”, where artists will sketch live queer-themed figure drawing models and sell their art (all sales will be donated to the Prism Comics Queer Press Grant!). Stay tuned at trickstertrickster.com for details. Trickster is located at 795 J Street, San Diego, CA.

Friday, July 13, 10pm-2am, “Heroes and Villains Party“, Rich’s Dance Club. Attend Hillcrest’s number one Geek party, which returns to Rich’s for the 8th year! Geek Knight Production’s Ned Cato Jr. (Cub Club San Diego) is bringing back sexy Heroes and Villains for what will be one of the hottest parties of the year with Super DJ Marcel Hetu. The party will feature go-go dancers, laser show, LED wall, and costume contest hosted by Glitz Glam, which will have nearly $200 in cash and prizes. Ronnie Mena and his crew are returning for face and body paint. Meet queer comics creators including special guest Sean Z who will show off his latest masterpiece book “Myth”. Rich’s Dance Club is located at 1051 University Avenue, San Diego, CA.

Saturday, July 14, 7:40pm, Reception Joe Phillips’ “Joe’s Boys”, Alexander Salazar Fine Art. The exhibit of Joe Phillips’ artwork from “Joe’s Boys” will run from July 12 through July 15, with the reception on Friday the 13th. The Alexander Salazar Fine Art Gallery in downtown San Diego is within walking distance from the Convention Center and is open from 11am-6pm. Alexander Salazar Fine Art is located at 640 Broadway, San Diego, CA.

Saturday, July 14, 7-8pm, “Gay Comic Fan Mixer and Prism Comics Silent Auction!” San Diego Convention Center, Room 6A. Happening directly after the “Gays in Comics” panel, the fan mixer and silent auction is hosted by and benefiting Prism Comics, the nonprofit organization that supports gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered comics, creators, and readers. Mingle with comics fans and creators plus stay for the special drawing of “Comics Gift Basket” and the silent auction of incredible comics items, including original art and more!

For the latest information on everything Prism at Comic-Con, keep tuned to prismcomics.org.

Comics Creators Named to OUT Magazine’s “OUT 100” for Anti-Bullying Comic Book

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Official Press Release

November 17, 2011—OUT Magazine revealed today that Charles “Zan” Christensen and Mark Brill—creators of the anti-bullying comic THE POWER WITHIN—have been recognized as two of 2011’s “OUT 100”, described by the magazine as an “annual salute to the year’s most inspiring people”. Other notable honorees this year include Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Sandra Bernhard, Justin Bond, Dustin Lance Black, David Mixner, Harmony Santana, Chaz Bono, and Tim Gunn.

Christensen and Brill started work on THE POWER WITHIN in October of last year for 24-Hour Comics Day, an event where artists and writers attempt to create a complete 24-page comic book in 24 hours. Their story focused on a boy named Shannon who deals with bullying at school by escaping into a super-powered alter-ego but ultimately has to find the strength to face the harassment in real life.

The decision to do a comic that tackles antigay bullying was prompted by the previous month’s numerous reports of teen suicides linked to bullying and harassment. Those reports spurred Ellen Degeneres to speak out to raise awareness and Dan Savage to start the It Gets Better Project.

“We didn’t go into this project knowing where it would go,” said Christensen, who scripted the book and coordinated the project. “We just felt compelled to tell a story that confronted the epidemic we saw unfolding before us and offered some hope. We’re humbled to be recognized for our efforts, and hope that others will continue use their skills and their resources to change kids’ lives for the better.”

THE POWER WITHIN was completed in Spring of 2011 and released as a limited edition black-and-white comic at Seattle’s Emerald City Comic-Con, but Christensen and Brill decided to raise funds for a much larger color print run of the book and make it available for free to schools and other youth resources. Brill continued to work on the book, adding full color and additional art, while Christensen recruited special guests to contribute bonus pages to the project.

The finished book contains pages by a collection of comics industry heavyweights, including Gail Simone (Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey), Phil Jimenez (New X-Men, Wonder Woman), Greg Rucka (Detective Comics, Gotham Central), Matthew Clark (Outsiders, Wonder Woman), Stephen Sadowski (JSA, Warlord of Mars), Dan Parent (Archie, Kevin Keller), Donna Barr (The Desert Peach), Andy Mangels (Gay Comics, Iron Man: Beneath the Armor) and Carla Speed McNeil (FINDER).

The book was published by Northwest Press and made its debut at Comic-Con in San Diego in late July, hitting store shelves later that summer. It was well-received by readers and critics alike.

“It’s been really amazing—this project seems like one of those things that was just meant to be,” said Brill. “I think Zan and I were both really inspired and motivated to do something positive with this story and people have really responded to it.”

“THE POWER WITHIN goes well beyond what’s expected of a project done with the best intentions,” said François Peneaud of The Gay Comics List. “It’s a moving depiction of what’s unfortunately the real life of some teenagers in our society, and the creators involved can only hope it will contribute, in its own ways, to the improvement of that situation.”

“Gay comic creators Mark Brill and Charles ‘Zan’ Christensen have created what may be the best comic book of the year,” said Andrew Belonsky of Towleroad.com.

To date, Northwest Press has distributed over 700 free copies of the book to over 50 Gay-Straight alliances, schools, churches, community centers and other youth organizations across the United States and beyond. Northwest Press encourages organizations to request copies of the book to use as teaching and outreach tools. In addition to the main story and bonus pages, the book contains a page of discussion questions and resources for LGBT teens.

THE POWER WITHIN was released by Northwest Press, an LGBT graphic novel and comics publisher founded in 2010. The publisher’s books include the Lambda-Award-winning TELENY AND CAMILLE, Lambda-Award-finalist GLAMAZONIA: THE UNCANNY SUPER-TRANNY, David Kelly’s RAINY DAY RECESS: THE COMPLETE STEVEN’S COMICS, Rick Worley’s A WASTE OF TIME, and Christensen and Brill’s supernatural comic series THE MARK OF AEACUS, co-published with Class Comics.

Christensen and other Northwest Press artists will be exhibiting at the Los Angeles LGBT comic convention BENT-CON on December 3rd and 4th.

Christensen (left) and Brill's (right) portrait for the OUT 100 is a recreation of a classic Laurel and Hardy photograph; the theme of this year's OUT 100 photo gallery is classic portraiture.

Lambda Award-Winning Publisher and Author to Meet Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club

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Official Press Release

Northwest Press

Lambda Award-Winning Publisher and Author
to Meet Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club

Club Has Chosen Teleny and Camille as August Selection

On Wednesday, August 31, the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club will meet for the fifth and final discussion of their August selection: Jon Macy’s graphic novel Teleny and Camille, winner of the 2010 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Erotica. They will be joined by the author via teleconference as well as by Northwest Press publisher Charles “Zan” Christensen in person.
Teleny and Camille was adapted from the anonymous Victorian novel Teleny: Or the Reverse of the Medal, first published in 1893 and widely attributed to Oscar Wilde and his circle of writers and poets. Macy spent eight years adapting the novel as a graphic novel, completing the project in 2010. The graphic novel has been widely praised by critics for its lush art style and frank exploration of a pivotal period in gay history.
“It’s got a gloriously over-the-top gay love story that would be perfect for an opera,” says Nick DiMartino, creator and facilitator of the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club, “but here instead of grand music, the reader is treated to lushly imaginative graphics, a visual symphony for the eyes.”
“There is an agenda here, and it is not simply the visual re-telling of a well-known novel,” wrote John McCrea on Oscholars.com, a site devoted to exploring the literature and arts of the Victorian period. “It is a celebration of that novel and a celebration of what that novel deeply wants to assert. It is an artistic and aesthetic triumph.”
Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club meets every Wednesday from 6pm to 7:15pm at SASG (formerly Dunshee House), at 303 17th Avenue East in Seattle on Capitol Hill, near Group Health Hospital. SASG can be reached by phone at (206) 322-2437.
Copies of Teleny and Camille are available in comics specialty shops, direct from northwestpress.com or digitally through iBooks and Google Books, and previews of the book are available at all digital outlets. You can find a comic shop near you by calling 1-888-COMIC-BOOK or visiting comicshoplocator.com.
Seattle-based Northwest Press is dedicated to publishing the best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender comics collections and graphic novels. Teleny and Camille was its first project, published in 2010, and has been followed by Justin Hall’s Glamazonia: The Uncanny Super-Tranny and David Kelly’s Rainy Day Recess: The Complete Steven’s Comics.
# # #
Web links:
SASG: http://sasgcc.org/
Northwest Press: http://northwestpress.com
Seattle Gay and Lesbian Book Club: http://faculty.washington.edu/swittet/SGLBookClub

Preview – The Power Within

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Official Press Release

Shannon gets picked on a lot; his dad and teachers think he should just “fit in” more, but that doesn’t help. So Shannon escapes into a super-powered alter-ego whenever he’s in a bad situation. But will the power within be enough to save him? Find out in The Power Within, a new book that tackles the subject of gay teen bullying, published by Lambda-Literary-Award-winning publisher Northwest Press. Check out this 14-page preview of the new book!

In addition to the 25-page main story by Charles “Zan” Christensen and Mark Brill, the book contains bonus pages by a collection of comics industry heavyweights, including Gail Simone (Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey), Phil Jimenez (New X-Men, Wonder Woman), Greg Rucka (Detective Comics, Gotham Central), Matthew Clark (Outsiders, Wonder Woman), Stephen Sadowski (JSA, Warlord of Mars), Dan Parent (Archie, Kevin Keller), Donna Barr (The Desert Peach), Andy Mangels (Gay Comics, Iron Man: Beneath the Armor) and Carla Speed McNeil (FINDER).

The Power Within retails for $4.99 and is published by Northwest Press, which publishes graphic novels and comics collections by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender comics creators. The book is available to retailers direct from the publisher as well as through Diamond Comic Distributors using item #JUL111189. In addition to retail sales, copies of this book are being made available for free to youth and teachers’ organizations. The book contains discussion questions and resources for LGBT youth.

“Power Within” Anti-Bullying Comic Available From Diamond as #JUL111189

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Official Press Release

Northwest PressThe Power Within Available for Order

Anti-bullying Comic Book from Northwest Press Available from Diamond Comic Distributors as item #JUL111189

The Power Within, an anti-bullying comic book written by Charles “Zan” Christensen and drawn by Mark Brill, is now available for order by comics retailers through Diamond Comic Distributors, and will be shipping in August. The 32-page color comic book, published by Northwest Press, tackles the serious topic of gay teen harassment and suicide in a novel way, and features bonus contributions by popular comics talents including Phil Jimenez, Gail Simone, Greg Rucka and Dan Parent. A preview of the book is available at the Northwest Press website.

The book focuses on Shannon, a boy starting the eighth grade who has a history of being harassed at school. Whenever he’s being bullied and feeling overwhelmed, Shannon retreats into the fantasy of a super-powered alter ego who’s more than capable of dealing with any situation.

“Most of us who grew up gay have tried, at one time or another, to hide,” says writer Charles “Zan” Christensen. “Shannon is one of those unlucky kids who can’t seem to ‘fly under the radar’ and avoid attention, and has to defend himself from anti-gay bullying at a time when everything already seems overwhelming and difficult. Mark and I both turned to comic books and fantasy when we were younger to get a break from the hassles of teen life, and we decided to take that experience even further and show just how far Shannon has to retreat into a fantasy world to survive.”

In addition to the 25-page main story, there are contributions by nine popular comics creators, including writer Gail Simone, who’s best known for her work with DC Comics on books such as Birds of Prey and Secret Six, and who will be writing the upcoming Fury of Firestorm series.

Simone recorded a video in May which promoted the publisher’s Kickstarter fundraising effort for The Power Within, which ultimately raised over $4000 to put toward printing costs. Northwest Press will be distributing copies free of charge to youth services organizations and other groups who want to use the book to reach out to gay teens.

“One reason I’m involved in this project is that bullying has always been something that’s disturbed me greatly from the time I was actually very, very small,” says Simone. “I remember first incidents at four years old. Most everybody I know has experienced bullying at some time but last year, with things coming to light in the news of bullying of gay people, and cyber-bullying, bullying because of race or whatever the reason was, it’s just become so treacherous and so hateful that I feel that this project is as important as ever, if not more so. Which is why I’m involved in it.”

Simone’s contribution to the project is a single-page story about a superhero who realizes he’s going too far and is forgetting what being a hero means. The comic is illustrated by Phil Jimenez, artist on such books as Amazing Spider-Man, New X-Men and Wonder Woman.

Other contributors include Greg Rucka, writer of Detective Comics featuring Batwoman, and Matthew Clark, artist on Wonder Woman and Outsiders, who contribute a two page story about speaking up to put a stop to bullying when you witness it. Writer Andy Mangels, novelist and editor of Gay Comics, and Donna Barr, creator of The Desert Peach, deliver a comic that explores what kids want to be when they grow up (which is probably not a bully).

The book also features beautiful full-page illustrations from Dan Parent, creator of Archie’s first openly gay character Kevin Keller; Stephen Sadowski, the artist on Dynamite Comics’ Warlord of Mars and DC Comics’ JSA; and Carla Speed McNeil, the creator of FINDER, now published by Dark Horse Comics.

The Power Within includes a foreword by Christensen, as well as a page of anti-bullying resources for LGBT teens and discussion questions so the book can be used as a teaching aid.

The book is currently available for order by comics retailers through Diamond Comic Distributors under item #JUL111189 and retails for $4.99. Youth and teachers’ organizations interested in getting free copies of the book can visit thepowerwithin.org to request them.

Review – The Power Within

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This is a bit different than the normal review I do on the site as this comic is currently raising money on Kickstarter.  The Power Within is a comic entry by Northwest Press for “It Gets Better,” an international campaign to help young gay and lesbian kids get past the bullying many experience every day.

Forgetting the good cause it is, the comic is really good.  By the end I let out a gasp and also choked up a bit.  The story focuses on Shannon a gay young man who’s told to hide who he is so he doesn’t get bullied.  Whether you’re gay, straight, black, brown, yellow, blue, whatever, it’s not easy to be told to lie about who you are.

To deal with the bullying Shannon creates an alter-ego to help him deal with it.  Something no one should have to do to cope.  The goal of the fundraising campaign is great too:

Money raised through Kickstarter will be put toward the cost of printing the book, and will help us print a larger quantity. (Printing comics is much more affordable per copy with large print runs!)

In addition to sharing a great story, our goal is to get copies of the book into the hands of young people through youth centers, gay-straight alliances, and teachers’ groups. Printing the book in a large print run will help us distribute free copies of the book to people who need to hear its message.

The story by Charles Christensen just hits you.  You can’t help but feel for Shannon and what he has to deal with.  Gay or straight, many of us have been picked on for just being who we are, so you can easily relate.  The story takes you through the progression and it got me to gasp and choke up by the end.  Mark Brill‘s art is solid as well.

This is a great example of the comic book industry speaking out on an issue and helping a great cause.  No one should get bullied and this is just one of the many things we need to do to end the torture so many experience every day.

Fundraising ends today at 4pm at Kickstarter.

the Power Within

Recommendation: Donate today!

Northwest Press provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.

Gail Simone Urges Support of Anti-Bullying Comic Book

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Official Press Release

Comics Writer Gail Simone Calls for Support of Anti-Bullying Comic Book;

Deadline is This Friday at 4pm

May 19, 2011 — Gail Simone, a comics writer who’s worked on Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey and Secret Six for DC Comics, recorded a video today urging support of the forthcoming anti-bullying comic book from Northwest Press, a publisher of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender graphic novels and comics. Northwest is raising funds on the website Kickstarter to produce its anti-bullying comic book The Power Within to distribute to youth and teachers’ groups, and its fundraising deadline is this Friday, May 20th at 4:00pm Pacific time.

The project is written by Charles “Zan” Christensen and drawn by Mark Brill, and features bonus material by Simone, as well as Dan Parent (creator of Archie Comics’ first openly gay character, Kevin Keller), Phil Jimenez (Wonder Woman, New X-Men), Greg Rucka (52, Detective Comics featuring Batwoman), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Andy Mangels (Gay Comics) and Donna Barr (The Desert Peach).

For more information about The Power Within, visit the project’s Kickstarter page.

# # #

About Gail Simone:

Gail Simone is a writer who’s worked on the comics series Deadpool, Secret Six, Wonder Woman, and Birds of Prey, and many others. She’s also written for the TV show Justice League Unlimited and plotted the 2009 animated Wonder Woman animated feature. She lives in Oregon.

About Northwest Press:

Northwest Press is a book publisher founded in 2010 dedicated to publishing the best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender comics collections and graphic novels. To date, it has released three graphic novels, one comic book, and a variety of minicomics

About Mark Brill:

Mark Brill is a comics illustrator living in Tacoma, Washington. He co-created the erotic thriller The Mark of Aeacus-co-published by Class Comics and Northwest Press-with writer Charles “Zan” Christensen.

http://markbrill.com

About Charles “Zan” Christensen:

Charles “Zan” Christensen is a writer of comics and prose living in Seattle, Washington. He founded the LGBT comics nonprofit Prism Comics in 2003, and is the organization’s current President. He founded Northwest Press in 2010.

About Kickstarter:

Kickstarter is a website that facilitates funding of creative projects through grassroots fundraising. The site is designed with an “all-or-nothing” funding method, where projects must be fully funded or no money changes hands.

LGBT Publisher Raises Funds for Anti-Bullying Comic Book

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Official Press Releasethe Power Within

April 26, 2011-Northwest Press, a publisher of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender graphic novels and comics,the power within is raising funds on the website Kickstarter to produce an anti-bullying comic book for youth and teachers’ groups. The Power Within tells the story of a junior high schooler who imagines himself as a superhero to deal with his constant harassment at school. The project is written by Charles “Zan” Christensen and drawn by Mark Brill, and features bonus material by Dan Parent (creator of Archie Comics’ first openly gay character, Kevin Keller), Phil Jimenez (Wonder Woman, New X-Men), Gail Simone (Secret Six, Wonder Woman), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Andy Mangels (Gay Comics), Donna Barr (The Desert Peach), and others.

The project was conceived in October 2010 for 24 Hour Comics Day, an international event where comics creators attempt to produce a complete comic book in a single day. The previous month, there were numerous, high-profile news reports of gay teen suicides all over the U.S., prompting a public outcry and the creation of the It Gets Better Project to combat LGBT teen isolation and bullying. Christensen and Brill decided to tackle the topic in their book and by the end of the event, they had completed a rough version of the story.

Brill continued to polish the artwork, and the book was completed and published in a limited run in March 2011, selling at comic book conventions in Seattle and Chicago. In order to mass-produce the book and provide free copies to gay-straight alliances and other youth groups, Christensen sought the participation of some high profile artists and writers for bonus features and began a fundraising effort to cover printing and shipping costs. In six days, the project reached a third of its funding goal; The Power Within must receive a minimum of $3000 in pledges on Kickstarter by March 20th in order to be funded.

The Power Within Pages 9-10
(click for a high-resolution version of this image)

The publisher is offering a variety of incentives to encourage people to fund the project, ranging from signed art prints and copies of the finished book to a ticket to join Northwest Press at the Lambda Literary Awards in May, where two of their books-Teleny and Camille and Glamazonia: The Uncanny Super-Tranny-are finalists for awards.

The publisher will be promoting the new book, as well as its other releases, at several conventions around the U.S. this month. They will be appearing in partnership with Prism Comics at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival in Ontario, Gaylaxicon in Atlanta, Georgia, and Fanaticon in Asheville, North Carolina.

For more information about The Power Within, visit northwestpress.com.


About Northwest Press:
Northwest Press is a book publisher founded in 2010 dedicated to publishing the best lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender comics collections and graphic novels. To date, it has released three graphic novels, one comic book, and a variety of minicomics
About Mark Brill:
Mark Brill is a comics illustrator living in Tacoma, Washington. He co-created the erotic thriller The Mark of Aeacus-co-published by Class Comics and Northwest Press-with writer Charles “Zan” Christensen.
About Charles “Zan” Christensen:
Charles “Zan” Christensen is a writer of comics and prose living in Seattle, Washington. He founded the LGBT comics nonprofit Prism Comics in 2003, and is the organization’s current President. He founded Northwest Press in 2010.
About Kickstarter:
Kickstarter is a website that facilitates funding of creative projects through grassroots fundraising. The site is designed with an “all-or-nothing” funding method, where projects must be fully funded or no money changes hands.