Tag Archives: independent comics

Come with Me: La Poderosa #1 is an interesting concept but feels like it needs more detail

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La Poderosa 1 sees the return of the 90’s and 00’s style alternative comic book with Colombian Ecuadorian cartoonist Powerpaola. Reproduced in 2 color pantone and drawn with Powerpaola’s signature expressive line. This is the first issue in an ongoing series.

Buenos Aires, Amsterdam, Berlin; Paola zips between the three.

After returning from a holiday retreat in Buenos Aires, Paola plans a stop over in Amsterdam to visit a friend. Due to a complication with her Visa, a 3 month visit may be reduced to 3 days unless she can find a solution. Will she get to complete her course as a Guest Professor at a University in Berlin?

Story: Powerpaola
Art: Powerpaola

Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.

2DCloud

2DCloud provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
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Comix Well Spring and Comix.one announce Print-on-demand Partnership launching a New Era for Both

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comix wellspring print on demand

Comix Wellspring and Comix.one have announced a new partnership has been formed that brings Print-On-Demand (POD) comics directly to independent comic creators, empowering them to reach and engage print-loving fans around the world.

Beginning this December, fans of indie comics can order printed copies of any digital comic they discover on the Comix.one platform. Comix Wellspring will print each book on demand, package it in industry-standard mailers, and ship it directly to the reader.

The rollout begins with a select group of creators, and the platform will expand to more creators over the coming months. The initial launch focuses on the American market, but both Comix Wellspring and Comix.one plan to extend access to multiple regions worldwide, making the service available to a truly global audience.

Comix.one already provides a platform for hundreds of independent creators to sell and distribute their creator-owned comics digitally to readers everywhere. The company recently launched a new crowdfunding platform built specifically for indie comics, complete with integrated digital fulfillment, and plans to introduce a complementary social platform to strengthen creator–fan engagement.

Comix Wellspring’s approach to this partnership serves as a natural extension of its creator-first mission. The company views POD as a powerful way to remove barriers and give creators direct, immediate access to their readers. By integrating POD with Comix.one’s discovery and engagement platform, Comix Wellspring strengthens the connection between creator and fan, ensures every book is printed exactly when it’s needed, and expands the reach of independent comics to a global audience. This partnership reflects Comix Wellspring’s commitment to modernizing the comic print experience and elevating the tools available to creators at every stage of their journey.

Philbo Entertainment Promotions Inc. announces Philbo Distribution focused on Independent and Small Press Publishers

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Philbo Distribution

Philbo Entertainment Promotions Inc., the publisher and distributor behind the superhero comic Tragedy, is expanding its business model with the launch of two new subsidiaries: Philbo Publishing and Philbo Distribution. These ventures aim to support independent comic book creators by providing them with the resources needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive industry.

Effective immediately, Philbo Entertainment Promotions Inc. and its affiliates, Philbo Publishing and Philbo Distribution, will distribute and resell not only their own comics but also works from other independent publishers. This expansion will enable comic book writers to gain a stronger foothold in the North American market, spanning both the United States and Canada. Philbo has already demonstrated success with the distribution of popular titles such as Tragedy and will continue supporting independent creators by distributing Fairsquare Graphics, Monstrous Books, Zenescope, Antarctic Press, Shi by Creator Billy Tucci and his company Crusade Fine Arts, Prey for the Sinner by Marat Mychaels Counter Point Comics, Wonder Duck by Get Your Medz , Caspien Porter, Big Foot Knows Karate and C.R.I.T. by Homebrewed Comics, Eye for an Eye by Edge Comics to name a few, which have captivated thousands of readers across diverse demographics. Philbo Distribution will also distribute action figures such as SPERO Toy Enterprises line of figures, Animal Warriors of the Kingdom with their tie-in comic book. They will be announcing some more well-known independents soon.

Philbo Distribution provides accurate and timely order fulfillment, helping independent comic book creators reach their audiences efficiently. As a company founded by a creator for creators, Philbo Distribution is dedicated to expanding the reach of independent comic books across the United States and Canada.

Underrated: Your Local Comics Scene

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This is a column that focuses on something or some things from the comic book sphere of influence that may not get the credit and recognition it deserves. Whether that’s a list of comic book movies, ongoing comics, or a set of stories featuring a certain character. The columns may take the form of a bullet pointed list, or a slightly longer thinkpiece – there’s really no formula for this other than whether the things being covered are Underrated in some way. This week:  Your Local Comics Scene

 

In a slightly different than normal entry to this column (read I forgot to write one and am instead repurposing something else) I wanted to take a look at something that most of us either ignore or are blissfully unaware of, and that’s the comics being published in your local area. Obviously your definition of “local area” will vary depending on where you live; New York City may have a much smaller local sphere than my hometown of Exmouth in the South of Devon, England. The local scene there could more reasonably stretch across the entirety of the county of Devon, much like how I’d consider Atlantic Canada to be my current local comics scene now rather than any specific city or province within the region simply due to the volume of independent comics that I come across. But regardless of the size of your local area, my question to you, dear reader, is how active is your local comics scene, and when was the last time you actively sought out local-to-you comics at your Local Comic Shop?

I’ve found a couple of really interesting stories that way (some are also available as webcomics – such as this one), and some… less interesting. But the thing is, because they’re created by people who visit the same shops as I do across the region, I wanted to give them a shot. And I don’t regret doing that with any of the comics I’ve picked up over the years, whether they are from my region or local to an area I have traveled to. 

There’s a chance that your local area may not have anybody actively creating comics for the mass market, but you can probably find a small pamphlet like comic produced locally in a small corner of the shop or a local convention. And if you do find one, then why not check it out? You’ll be supporting local talent, and who knows? Maybe you’ll find your next favourite series…

That’s all we have for this week, folks. Come back next time  when there’s something else Underrated to talk about.

SPX 2023: Ignatz Award Winners Revealed

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2023 Ignatz Awards

During the Small Press Expo (SPX) taking place this weekend, the winners of the 2023 Ignatz Awards were announced. The Ignatz are a celebration of outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning.

Voting for the Ignatz Awards was open to anybody on the SPX email lists and anyone requesting a ballot. There was no in-person voting at the show, as voting for the prestigious Ignatz Awards was open to all fans of indie comics.

Ignatz Awards nominees are determined by a panel of comics professionals.

Congrats to all of the winners. They have been denoted in bold with “winner” added to their listing.

OUTSTANDING ARTIST

  • Caroline Cash, PeePeePooPoo issue no. 420 (Silver Sprocket)
  • Curt Merlo, That Distant Fire. (with J.R. Hughto, writer) (Black Eye Books)
  • Benjamin Schipper, Joe Death and the Graven (Image, Dark Horse Comics)
  • Olivia Stephens, Darlin’ and Her Other Names (self-published) – Winner
  • Noah Van Sciver, Joseph Smith and the Mormons (Abrams Comic Arts)

OUTSTANDING ANTHOLOGY

  • Cram Comics Issue no. 1, Andrew Alexander, ed. (Cram Books)
  • Glaeolia, Emuh Ruh, ed. (Glacier Bay Books)
  • Home: a comics anthology on belonging in Ireland today, Katherine Foyle, ed. (Dublin Comic Arts Festival)
  • NOW no. 12, Eric Reynolds, ed. (Fantagraphics Books Inc.)
  • Shades of Fear, Allison O’Toole & Ashanti Fortson, eds. (Balustrade Press) – Winner

OUTSTANDING COLLECTION

  • Boodle Fight, Ashley Topacio (self-published)
  • Cankor, Matthew Allison (self-published)
  • Griz Grobus and the Tale of Azkon’s Heart, Simon Roy, Jess Pollard & Sergey Nazarov (self-published)
  • Upside Dawn, Jason, (Fantagraphics Books Inc.)
  • Who Will Make the Pancakes? Megan Kelso, (Fantagraphics Books Inc.) – Winner

OUTSTANDING COMIC

  • Gordita: Built Like This, Daisy Ruiz (Black Josei Press) – Winner
  • Lemon Yellow, Ciari Quilty-Harper (Kus!)
  • Platonic Love, A ee mi (Paradise Systems)
  • Forget Me Not. Gabriel Howell (Secret Acres)
  • Live Rock Part 1: Aquarium Life (Issue #1), Ross Jackson (Secret Room Press)

OUTSTANDING GRAPHIC NOVEL

  • Ducks, Kate Beaton (Drawn & Quarterly) – Winner
  • Mimosa, Archie Bongiovanni (Abrams ComicArts)
  • Last Chance to Find Duke, Shang Zhang (PEOW)
  • Nervosa, Hayley Gold (Street Noise Books)
  • The Man in the McIntosh Suit, Rina Ayuyang (Drawn & Quarterly)

OUTSTANDING MINICOMIC

  • Farewell, Joao Fazenda (self-published)
  • Death Bloom, Yasmeen Abedifard (self-published) – Winner
  • Sacred Grove, Celine Loup (self-published)
  • Hares on the Mountain, Lee Dean & Salvador Aguilera (self-published)
  • You’re the Center of Attention, Gina Wynbrandt (Kus!)

OUTSTANDING ONLINE COMIC

  • Growing Up and Getting Out, Lonnie Comics
  • The God of Arepo, Reimena Yee – Winner
  • whale fall, Mara Ramirez
  • Adversary, Blue Delliquanti
  • Trans Classic Movies, Jett Allen

OUTSTANDING SERIES

  • Fizzle no. 4, Whit Taylor (Radiator Comics)
  • Maple Terrace no. 1, Noah Van Sciver (Uncivilized Books)
  • Venomyths, Joshua Ray Stephens (self-published)
  • Tales of Old Snake Creek, Drew Lerman (self-published) – Winner
  • Viewotron Comics and Stories, Sam Sharpe & Peach S. Goodrich (Radiator Comics)

OUTSTANDING STORY

  • Weeds, Kit Anderson (Parsifal Press)
  • The Impatient Ms. S, Koyubi (self-published)
  • I Owe It to My Parents to NOT Come Out, Richard Mercadi (self-published)
  • Wash Day Diaries (chapter: “Ride or Die”), Jamila Rowser & Robyn Smith (Chronicle Books) – Winner
  • Inversion, Lily Thu Fierro & Generoso Fierro (self-published)

PROMISING NEW TALENT:

  • Grayson Bear, Pokey (Bred Press)
  • Leo Fox, My Body Unspooling (self-published)
  • Deb J.J. Lee, In Limbo (First Second) – Winner
  • Richard Mercado, I Owe It to My Parents to NOT Come Out (self-published)
  • Shanti Rai, Sennen (Avery Hill Publishing)

SPX 2023 reveals Special Guest Book Signings and Debut Books

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Small Press Expo 2023

Small Press Expo has announced that over 140 books and comics will debut at SPX 2023. A complete list of debuts, including cover images and publishing information, can be found on the SPX web site.

Every Special Guest will have a debut at the show, you can find many of their book signings listed here. Below is the list of Special Guests and where they will be signing their latest works.

The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 9-10, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, located across the street from the North Bethesda Metro station. 

SPECIAL GUEST BOOK SIGNING TABLES

  • Bill Griffith – SPX Signing Table – W86
  • Leslie Stein – SPX Signing Table – W86
  • Jillian and Mariko Tamaki (Sunday Only) – SPX Signing Table – W86
  • Derf – W67
  • Breena Nunez – L14A
  • Lawrence Lindell – L14B
  • MariNaomi – Fieldmouse Press – M13
  • Natalie Norris – Fantagraphics – W51-W55
  • Ana Penyas – Fantagraphics – W51-W55
  • Eddie Campbell – Top Shelf – W56-W59
  • Rob Kirby – Graphic Mundi – E1-E2
  • Nicole Goux – N2A
  • Tyrell Waiters – NoBrow – W76-W78
  • Joel Priddy – Uncivilized Books – W47-W49
  • Raeghan Buchanan – Silver Sprocket – J1-J2
  • Reinhard Kleist – SelfMadeHero – K1-K2A
  • Michael Cherkas – NBM – F1-F2
  • Kenny Wroten – Fantagraphics – W51-W55
  • Hannah Templar – Top Shelf – W56-W59

SPX 2023 Announces its Programming Slate and Exhibitor List

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SPX 2023

Small Press Expo (SPX) has announced its exhibitor list and a full slate of in-person programming for the 2023 show.

The list of over 450 exhibitors at SPX 2023 is now available on the SPX web site and also can be found here.

Advanced tickets to SPX 2023 can be purchased at Eventbrite.

The programming slate at SPX 2023 has a variety of panels, highlighted by multimedia experiences like Carl Antonowicz’s live performance of his comic The Ardent and R.Sikoryak’s beloved Carousel.

We will also have spotlight panels on cartoonists Bill Griffith and Raeghan Buchanan. There are twenty-two panels in all that will be held on Saturday, September 9th and Sunday, September 10th. The full programming schedule with descriptions can be seen on the SPX website.

This programming is in addition to the previously announced 14 hands-on workshops, which you can sign up for here. 

Here are a few highlights from this year’s programming slate:

  • Queer Friendship Spaces – Moderated by Rob Kirby, with Lawrence Lindell, Archie Bongiovanni, Emma Jayne, and Al Varela
  • Comics and Tarot: Pages And Panels – Moderated by Alice Santos, with Shing Yin Khor, Coco Fox, Izzy Rotman, and Kevin Jay Stanton
  • The Mechanics Of Writer/Artist Teams – Moderated by Warren Bernard, with Mariko Tamaki, Jillian Tamaki, Ananth Hirsh, and Yuko Ota
  •  MariNaomi and Rob Kirby In Conversation with Justin Hall
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