About Obama and My Politics
In case anyone reading this needs further explanation my problem with the president is based on several things. The fact that he’s a Democrat, or black has nothing to do with it. I don’t care about either things, I only care about the merits a president has. Obama has none that I can see.
Firstly, he’s a fraud.
Secondly, he’s a liar.
Thirdly, he’s incompetent and a spendthrift.
I could go on, and have but I hate to repeat myself. So let me make something really clear to those who are confused on the subject. I am not a Republican. I am an Independent. I have always been an independent. This article explains why I don’t put stock in the team
sports mentality of politics.
Those people who think my cartoons are proof I am a “neo-con”, “republican”, et al are deluded. I am mocking the president and the press because they are fakes and they deserve our scorn. Artists should speak truth to power, to use an annoying cliche. Those “artists” who do suck up art in favor of the establishment (eg Obama and his agenda) are nothing more than shills for the state. They are toadies of the powerful. I, on the other hand, am a true counter-culture radical because I am going against the grain. I am fighting the power structure in my own way.
The so called lefties who think they are sticking it to the man are in fact bending over for, and being stuck by the man on a regular basis. Sans lubrication.
The state isn’t your friend. Politicians are not wise. Witness this clown act. This guy actually makes decisions regarding our military. Impressed much?
People who look to Democrats as being on their side are only fooling themselves. As for my politics, I hate politics. I see it for what it is and have no illusions about it. Politicians aren’t my heroes. I judge them by their deeds, not their words. As should we all.
They work for us. Those who forget that need to go.
Still Working On Eisners
I decided to delay my Eisners article because we’re still working out some of the details of the nominations. There’s a process of tiding up involved after the judges vote for who’s nominated, some of the vote tallies are recounted and found to be different than first thought so a few recounts are needed because there are ties.
So I will write that article soon. In the mean time I have to say 2009 was an outstanding year. A lot of great books I might never have known about but for being involved with this process. I recommend seeking out the books that are nominated if you haven’t heard of them. There are many more than didn’t even make the cut, alas.
People who bitch about not being nominated have no idea how hard it is to even get a nomination. I hope my next article on the subject will at least enlighten them a bit.
It was a great experience to be involved this year. I recommend it to anyone if you are asked. They usually pick a retailer, a professional, a reviewer, a librarian and some other related person. This year we had an academic, Craig Fischer, an associate professor of English at Appalachian State University, where he teaches courses on film and comics. Everyone was very fair minded and we were all very conscious of trying to give everyone a fair shot.
The list should go up in a few weeks, I imagine.
Racism is a Bogus Word
The problem with all these bogus claims is no one can produce any evidence of the racist charge. No N word, nothing. Al Sharpton claims he saw a tape of it but Andrew Breitbart has offered $10,000 to anyone who has such a tape. No takers. The fact is, when it was supposed to have happened there was all kinds of media there and no tape has been produced. The press are liars. Point blank.
No wonder they are losing viewers in massive numbers.
Of course, this has not stopped the lefties from doing the administration’s bidding by attacking the tea party as racist at every turn. It’s like the Bizarro version of Fascism.
The reason for it is obvious, they want to shut up any dissent and discredit anyone who doesn’t go along with the program. The media is propping up the establishment, and all those who go along with it are nothing more than enablers of what is increasingly resembling fascism. The latest example is the attacks on companies that have come out to say Obama care will cost them millions. Henry Waxman wants to haul them before congress and see all their emails for the last five years. They want to scare companies into shutting up even though the Democrat’s policies will seriously hurt an already damaged economy, much in the same way FDR made the depression last 7 years longer.
The R word is losing all meaning.
Oh Look, I Made Some Fans
Apparently my latest Obama Nation cartoon upset some people. That’s what political cartoons are for, IMO. Even some comics pros are getting into the act.
Back from Judging
Just got back from nominating people for the Eisner Awards. It was a great experience and I had a lot of fun. It was certainly eye opening.
I have been trying to catch up on work today so I will dish on it tomorrow.
Still At It
We’re in the midst of nominating books for the Eisner Awards. I will be doing it one more day.
It’s certainly eye opening how the process works. I have more to add to my post the other day but it’s hard to type well on my laptop, so I will do that on Monday.
You can look forward to our Obama Nation toon tomorrow which is a return of the Baracker.
Right now I am taking a break before dinner. We made a lot of progress and already decided on which Manga books, graphic novels and international books will be selected. Also real life books, which are GNs based on true stories. A lot of great stuff in that category this year.
I won’t reveal who got nominated but it was tough in some categories.
We had a good mix of judges and we all like independants, so they did pretty well so far.
Scott Pilgrim Trailer
The popular graphic novel series is now a movie. Looks fun.
Japanese Healthcare: Our Future?
The pimps, pushers and congressional prostitutes who rammed Obamacare down our throats saw that talking about England and Canada wasn’t working, so in the last few weeks before the bill vote they started talking about how wonderful Japan’s socialized healthcare system is. They did that because few Americans know how screwed up it is, unlike England and Canada who have and English speaking media. Well, I’m here to educate you in the realities of it. I know several people who had to use the Japanese system to horrible results. That could be our future if we don’t repeal this nightmare.
Here is an article worth your time. Make sure you read the comments.
Eisner Judging
Starting tomorrow afternoon I’ll be heading off to a hotel in downtown San Diego for four days of reading and judging comics and graphic novels, to help pick the nominees for last year’s titles. I’ve been plowing through a lot of books in the last couple of months. And I have to say, I have a new appreciation of the Eisners in terms of why so many books fail to get nominated. There are several metric tons of comics that come out each year. And many don’t even get submitted by the publishers. Some publishers just send a list of their books they want to submit without any of the books themselves. Good luck with that.
While the judges are usually picked from people in the industry who are exposed to comics regularly (there are usually at least one of two retailers), that doesn’t mean they’ve seen or even heard of half the books out there. I was amazed by all the good books I never heard of that came from companies I was unaware of. Let alone from book publishers who are now getting into the act.
Just sample the web comics list below and you can see there is a wide range of diversity just in that category. I was planning (and still am) to submit my two weekly web strips next year, but yikes, the competition is pretty fierce. There’s some amazing talent out there, just on the web.
I used to get annoyed when my books weren’t nominated (I’ve only had one nomination in my entire career so far, for Sinking) but then I found out that most editors don’t even submit your work. Even at the big publishers, especially at the big publishers. You need to submit them yourself.
Even then you’re up against some tough odds. Not only do the judges have to pour through, and remember, tons of books; a lot of it happens in the last four days. They sit in a room with stacks of books that are usually on recommended reading lists. Not all books make it to that room. Because the judges pre-screen a lot of it beforehand to narrow it down. Even then it’s a lot of material.
They talk amongst themselves about what they liked best and then they vote on what should make the nomination list. The top vote getters get through, which usually leaves room for a couple more books on the list, so they vote on those and the top vote getters make it in.
Naturally, books that the judges like stand a better chance of making it on that list. So a lot of popular fan titles usually get nominated. Because people remember them. If they get a good mix in the judges that year, and Jackie Estrada who runs the Eisners tries to do that, you may get more unique titles getting nominated.
As someone who has been creating comics since 1986, I’m very impressed by how far the industry has come. The kind of material I dreamed of doing myself some day, when there was no market for it, is becoming more common place. As one creator once quipped to me, it’s the best of times and the worst of times, because while diversity is greater than ever, the business is still in the doldrums. But that hasn’t stopped a lot of people from following their dreams and producing great material.
Still, many creators who fail to make the cut think there is some kind of conspiracy when they don’t make it. Let me tell you what helps a book make it based on my experience so far:
1. You have to stand out in some way, through excellence, creativity, writing, design, style, etc. The more positive qualities you have the better.
2. Don’t submit your stuff just by letter.
3. Don’t wait till the last second to submit. That will not help your chances, it will probably hurt them.
4. Try to get on somebody’s recommended reading lists. Achieving #1 helps you do that.
5. Try to get your book noticed by as many people as you can. That is your job too. Comics require fierce self promotion, alas.
As far as I’m concerned, you should try to do numbers 1, 4 and 5 anyway. Awards are only another form of promotion in the end. You need to stand apart from the crowd on your own in some way, anyway. I know that’s not easy, I am someone who was never into self promotion. Just doing the work. But if you care about awards, you need to know how the system works.
I will be blogging and checking in while I am gone, but blogging may be light the next 4 days. Don’t worry, our strips will still come out.
Fascism Watch
If you think forcing everyone to buy healthcare insurance under the threat of fines and prison wasn’t bad enough, it’s only the start of what these bastards have in mind.
Just Curious…
When did Keith Richards get a sex change? And why didn’t a pigeon see an opportunity when Nancy had her open mouth facing skyward?
Web Comics List
As you may know I am an Eisner Awards judge this year. We’ll be going away starting this Thursday for the weekend to decide which books get nominated for voting. Here is the list of web comics we’ll be reviewing. If there are any you feel are missing, let me know ASAP.
*Abominable Charles Christopher, by Karl Kerschl, http://www.abominable.cc/
*Adventures of Ellie Connelly, by Indigo Kelleigh, http://www.ellieconnelly.com
The Adventures of White Wolf, by Frank Candiloro, http://www.webcomicsnation.com/frankenm … series.php
Anders Loves Maria, by Rene Engstrom, http://anderslovesmaria.reneengstrom.co … 006-09-11/
Ants, by Julian Lytle, http://ants.julianlytle.com/
Battle of Dovecote Crest, by Hailey Bachrach and Bridget Underwood, http://www.dovecotecrest.com
*Bayou, by Jeremy Love, http://zudacomics.com/bayou
Bear Beater Bunyan, by Josh Hechinger and Jorge Martinez (Robot Comics mobile comics)
*Bear Nuts, by Alison Acton, http://www.bearnuts.com
Bear Quest, by Zach Taylor, http://www.gnourg.com/bear.
Bear Vs. Zombies, by Isaiah McAllister, http://bearvszombies.com/?p=5
Box 13, by David Steinberger, http://box13comic.com
*Brat-Halla, by Jeffrey Stevenson and Seth Damoose, http://brat-halla.com/comic/333-backup-dad-peppery/
*Cakewalk, by Rachel Bormann and Nate Powell, http://www.topshelfcomix.com/ts2.0/cakewalk/1 (Could also be a candidate for Best Short Story)
Cat Rackham, by Steve Wolfhard, http://www.catrackham.com/
*Celadore, by Caanan Grall, http://zudacomics.com/celadore
Chester 5000 XYV, by Jess Finke, http://jessfink.com/Chester5000XYV/ (Note: Not Safe for Work!)
Chicago: 1968, by Len Kody and Jenny Frison/Tony Maldonado, http://www.shadowlinecomics.com/webcomics/chicago1968
The Concrete World, by David Hignight, http://www.theconcreteworld.com
*Dead Heaven, by Chris Steininger, http://www.deadheaven.net/Pages/page00001.html
*Death-Day, by Sam Hiti, http://www.samhiti.com
*The Devil’s Panties, by Jennie Breeden, http://devilspantieskeenspot.com/
Dorohedoro, http://www.sigIKKI.com
*Dr. Grordborth Presents Victory: Scientific Adventure Violence for Young Men and Literate Women, by Greg Broadmore
*Dreamland Chronicles, by Scott Christian Sava, http://www.thedreamlandchronicles.com
Drive, by Dave Kellett, http://www.sheldoncomics.com/archive/090815.html
Eerie Cuties, by Gisele Lagace & David Lumsdon http://www.eeriecuties.com
endtown, by Aaron Neathery, http://www.moderntales.com/comics/endtown.php
The Eternal City, by Sergio Carrera (Robot Comics mobile comics)
Evan Yeti, by Mat Washburn, http://www.evanyeti.com
Evil Inc, by Brad Guigar, http://www.evil-comic.com/archive/20090803.html
*Fast Forward, by Vanessa Davis, http://www.tabletmag.com/life-and-relig … t-forward/
*Freak Angels, by Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield, http://www.freakangels.com
The Futurists, by Mitch Breitweiser and Patrick Stiles, http://www.whoarethefuturists.com/Futur … ode_1.html
ghostboy, by Jason James (Robot Comics mobile comics)
Gingerbread Houses, by Alexander Danner & Edward J. Grug III, http://www.moderntales.com/comics/gingerbread.php
*Girl Genius, by Phil Foglio, http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php
*Goats, by Jonathan Rosenberg, http://www.goats.com (2008 stories begin at http://www.goats.com/archive/081223.html) (we have collections)
God TM, by Elan Rodger Trinidad, http://theoryofeverythingcomics.com/god/01/index.htm
Graphic Therapy, by Emily Steinberg, http://www.smithmag.net/graphictherapy/
Gunnerkrigg Court, by Tom Siddell, http://www.gunnerkrigg.com/index2.php
*The Guns of Shadow Valley, by David Wachter and James Andrew Clark, http://www.gunsofshadowvalley.com/
Hannibal Goes to Rome, by Brendan McGinley and Mauro Vargas, http://www.shadowlinecomics.com/webcomi … goestorome
Hardcore Fetish Boys, by Justin King, http://dapshow.com/hfb
Heartless Dark, by Phillip Sevy, http://www.heartlessdark.com
*High Moon, by David Gallaher and Steve Ellis, http://zudacomics.com/high_moon
Horse & Rider, by Eliza Frye, http://www.narrativemagazine.com/authors/eliza-frye
House of Five Leaves, http://www.sigIKKI.com
I’ll Give It My All Tomorrow, http://www.sigIKKI.com
I Rule the Night. by Kevin Colden, http://zudacomics.com/i_rule_the_night
Jane’s World, by Paige Braddock, http://comics.com/janes_world/
*King Spot, by Mike Leung, http://www.king-spot.com/ScrollAnyAxis/index.html
Kisenga, by Katarina Emgård, http://www.kisenja.com
*Lackadaisy, by Tracy Butler, http://www.lackadaisycats.com (click on “comic”)
Legend of Bill, by David Reddick, http://www.legendofbill.com
Lovecraft Is Missing (issues 2 and 3), by Larry Latham, lovecraftismissing.com.
*Luci Phurr’s Imps, by Courtney Huddleston and i Dale Mettam, http://www.luciphurrsimps.com
Manmachine, http://www.fightevilwithevil.com
Maoh: Juvenile Remix, http://www.ShonenSunday.com
*Martin Koala, by David Houry, http://www.MartinKoala.com
*The Meek, by Der-Shing Helmer, http://www.meekcomic.com/2009/01/01/chapter-1-page-1/
*Melody, by ilias kyriazis, http://zudacomics.com/melody
*Menage a 3, by Gisele Lagace & David Lumsdon http://www.menagea3.net
*Mugwhump the Great, by Roger Langridge, http://www.webcomicsnation.com/rogerlangridge/mugwhump/
My Milk Toof, by Inhae Lee, http://mymilktoof.blogspot.com/
*My T-shirt Fairy, by Adrian Rios, mytshirtfairytale.info
Never Forget, Never Forgive, by Rami Efal, http://www.activatecomix.com/84-1.comic
*The Night Owls, by Bobby Timmony, http://zudacomics.com/the_night_owls
North World, by Lars Brown, http://north-world.com (we have book collections)
Order of Tales, by Evan Dahm, http://www.rice-boy.com/order/
Panda Force, by Sean Causley: http://www.pandaforcecomic.con
Paradise Misplaced, by Anonymus Gosh, http://www.paradisemisplaced.si
*Pibgom, by Brooke McEldowney, http://www.gocomics.com/pibgorn (books provided)
Pinkerton Park, by Mike Witmer, http://www.pinkertonpark.com
Platinum Grit, by Trudy Cooper and Danny Murphy, http://www.shadowlinecomics.com/webcomics/platinumgrit
Primary, by Rachel Dukes, http://www.primarycomic.com
*The Prisoner Graphic Novel, by M. Scott Veach, Mitchell Breitweiser and Cliff Richards, http://www.amctv.com/originals/the-pris … hic-novel/
*The Red Rope, by Mike Barry, http://www.nownotyet.net
Rine-ne, http://www.ShonenSunday.com
Silly Daddy Comics, by Joe Chiapetta, http://joechiappetta.blogspot.com/search/label/family
Simone & Ajax: The Case of the Maltese Duck, by Andrew Pepoy, on comixmix (printout provided)
*Sin Titulo, by Cameron Stewart, http://www.sintitulocomic.com/2007/06/17/page-01
*Sinfest, by Tatsuya Ishida, http://www.sinfest.net
Skin Horse, by Shaenon Garrity and Jeffrey C. Wells, http://www.skin-horse.com
*Spain and Morocco, by Alex Fellows, http://www.spainandmorocco.com/?p=6
*Street Code, by Dean Haspiel, http://zudacomics.com/street_code
*Super Fogeys, by Brock Heasley, http://www.superfogeys.com
Tails, by Ethan Young, tailscomic.com
Tumor, by Josh Fialkov and Noel Tuazon, http://www.tumorcomic.com/?page_id=36 (for Kindle; we have printout)
Tune: Praxis & Allies, by Derek Kirk Kim, http://derekkirkkim.blogspot.com/2009/0 … ter-1.html
Ubunchi, by Hiroshi Seo (Robot Comics mobile comics)
Valentine, by Alex de Campi and Christine Larsen (Robot Comics mobile comics)
Weird Fishes, by Jamaica Dyer, http://www.jamaicad.com/comic/
Where Grows the Bitter Herb, by Ben Powis (Robot Comics mobile comics)
Wondermark, by David Malki, http://www.wondermark.com
World of Hurt, by Jay Potts, http://www.worldofhurtonline.com
*Year of the Rat, by Cayetano Garza Jr., http://magicinkwell.com/?cat=404
*Zegas, by Michel Fiffe, http://www.act-i-vate.com/92-1-1.comic
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