Happy Free Comic Book Day!

Since I don’t celebrate those phony manufactured Hallmark holidays, I have to pick and choose from what’s left. I’ll hug a tree on Arbor Day. Groundhog Day is always a good time to reflect on the relationship of the weather to seeing one’s shadow. And April Fools Day was made for me.

By far, the best non-holiday is Free Comic Book Day! As I’m not a consumer of mainstream comics, I don’t darken the doorway of my local shops all that often. Only enough throughout the year that they know my name and push the stuff no one else will buy when I come in. Don’t get me wrong; we have many fine comic establishments here in the Cincinnati area. I’m just not there week after week on new comic day to see what DC and Marvel are warming over and foisting on the public. For me, the glory days of superheroes ended decades ago. I’m no longer the target audience. I accept that.

But Free Comic Book Day is different. I love seeing adult fans introducing their children to comics for the first time. It took a few years for the publishers to realize the potential, but they seem to produce more kid-friendly books this time of year. In the sixties there were plenty of comics aimed at younger readers. You could start with a few funny animal books; enjoy them for a few years, then “graduate” to the superhero titles. At least that’s the way I did it. There are far fewer comics aimed at the younger reader these days, but many of them are worth seeking out. I’ve been impressed with The Muppets, SpongeBob Squarepants and the new Popeye.

So, in honor of Free Comic Book Day, have a free comic from your pals at Zombie Marge Comix. This is a story from the Twelve-Way with Cheese anthology. As this is Zombie Marge’s favorite comic character, you may see some more of Little Voodoo in the near future. Enjoy your day!

Episode 5

FIRST     BACK     NEXT

It’s tough all over in the housing market these days. You’d think an upstanding member of the undead community like Zombie Marge would have very little trouble finding a suitable place to live. Her standards are not high and who wouldn’t want her in their neighborhood watch organization? She stays up all night and is willing to bite anyone suspicious, well really, most anyone else too.

In an unusual bit of synchronicity, the morning I started writing this episode, Nathan Bachrach came on Channel 19 with a story about zombie mortgages. Well, I can tell you, that went right into the strip!

By the end of the episode, it looks as if Marge may have stumbled upon the perfect home. Or is it? Next time out, she comes face to face with the holy ghosts. See you in two weeks.

Deep S.P.A.C.E. Probe

As mentioned in the last post, I spent the weekend in Columbus, Ohio at S.P.A.C.E., the Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo. This is one convention that I look forward to attending every year. Organizer Bob Corby puts together a great show each and every time. With that many indie comics creators together in one room, the sense of community is overpowering. It was the camaraderie that impressed me the first time I attended the convention several years ago. My first experience with S.P.A.C.E. led directly to putting together the “Twelve-Way with Cheese” anthology. It encouraged me to take up creating and publishing my strips again after so many years away from cartooning.

This year was no different. This is without a doubt the friendliest, most supportive atmosphere of any comic gathering I’ve been to, and the most creative as well. Our books sold well and were enthusiastically received. SHAM Comics were of particular interest to folks once the concept was explained.

One of the highlights was seeing the premiere of the newly completed film, “The Amazing Cynicalman” by Matt Feazell. Anyone familiar with mini comics will know Matt as one of the most prolific, successful and down right funniest creators in the field. Cynicalman himself has been fighting crime and holding down a temp job since the eighties; remember them? He was a back-up feature in Scott McCloud’s “Zot!” and ran as a newspaper comic. Now, he is, at last, a feature-length film.

So just how is this movie? Glad you asked. I’ll tell you. It’s hilarious! Matt, as the writer and director, has successfully channeled all the manic energy of the stick-figure mini comics into a highly inventive live-action translation. The film is loaded with sharp, quirky dialogue and clever sight gags and weird background detail. The movie is nicely cast, as well. The leads playing Cynicalman, Edie Haskel and Antisocialman, were especially good at delivering the laughs.

You can check out the trailer and read the story of the making of Cynicalman at: http://home.comcast.net/~mattfeazell/MOVIE/index.htm

If you get the chance to see the film at a convention, grab some popcorn and settle back for a fun experience. Don’t forget to turn off your cell phone.

Episode 4

FIRST     BACK     NEXT

This episode was a blast to color. Marge continues to bumble around with little to no direction. Maybe next time she can accomplish something worthwhile. Who am I kidding? I doubt it.

On April 21 and 22, I will be heading to Columbus, Ohio for S.P.A.C.E., the Small Press Expo. If you like independently produced comics, (and face it, who doesn't?) this is the place to be! I have not missed one for the last several years. It's our third year as a dealer. Look forward to a full report next week. Once again I will be handing out Zombie Marge trading cards as promos. This year I'm sharing a table with fellow Twelve-Way artist, Bruce Chrislip. If you are in the neighborhood, drop in.

My Life is a SHAM!

Since it’s an off week while I work on the next episode of Zombie Marge Comix, here’s another story from the SHAM Comics archives, “Hilda Hogthrottle’s Haunted Honeymoon.” This ghost story has not appeared in print as yet. I’m saving it for the all-horror issue, The Crypt of SHAM. The original version, called “The Legacy,” appeared in Out of the Night #16, August 1954. It came to me in a heap of coverless golden age horror comics I picked up on ebay for a few bucks. Had the comics been in good shape, they would have been far beyond my price range. But these ratty versions suited my purposes just fine, although they do smell.

The first thing I found appealing about the story, was the couple sleeping in separate beds in the same room. It was a wonderful idea perpetuated by TV sitcoms in the fifties and sixties, even funnier if this couple were on their honeymoon. All the matronly women at the lawyer’s office gave me the opportunity to turn Woodrow into a serial polygamist, which is always comic gold. Even though it was only a two-page story, there was room for lots of little gems. So, let this be a lesson to you ladies, always insist on a prenup!

Episode 3

FIRST     BACK     NEXT

Zombie Marge continues to make herself at home in Tanglefoot Cemetery. This week she is joined by everyone's favorite sparkly vampire, Edward Cullen from Twilight. Not content to sulk in films and poorly written novels, he drops by to mope around with Marge. You would think they would hit it off like two undead kindred spirits, but Edward seems unfazed when Marge turns on the charm. Eddie will return and maybe next time bring his hunky werewolf pal with him.

Relax, Have a Pop Smoothie

If you like webcomics like I know I do, then treat yourself to a tall, frosty Pop Smoothie. Twelve-Way with Cheese contributor and fellow zombie artist, Christina Wald is premiering her unique brand of wonderful cultural mash-ups at www.popsmoothie.com. First up is the stirring adventure of Dance Mom Wars, set amid the fierce struggle of intergalactic dance competitions. Christina has also posted some of her best comics from Slam Bang and Twelve-Way. Hop on over and check them out. You can thank me later.

Love is in the Air

Here’s a quick post to let everyone know that SHAM Comics #2 (Our Love is a SHAM) is finally, officially out now. I had copies at last weekend’s convention, but the online link at the left has just been activated and operators are standing by to take your orders. Or just see me for a copy. Walk boldly up on the street and offer me money for one.

SHAM Comics is a really fun side project that requires no drawing whatsoever on my part. But, boy, is the writing part tricky! The premise is simple. I research golden age comics to find the ones that have passed into public domain. I choose ones that strike me as likely candidates for satire. It might be something in the art or the subject matter. Whenever possible, I buy the old comics, even coverless copies, and scan them. Next comes the painstaking process of erasing all the text from the stories in Photoshop. Then the real work begins. I start filling in the blank captions and word balloons, trying to build a new story that is both funny, as well as coherent. Sometimes I have an ending in mind, but occasionally I have no idea where the story may go. It’s quite a challenge and uses a completely different set of skills than writing a story I’m planning to draw myself. I’m locked in to the visuals of the existing comic, but the new text has to make sense and go with the pictures.

Not only are there comics from the forties and fifties in SHAM, but also between the stories are rewritten ads for bodybuilding secrets, x-ray specs and adorable animals to order through the mail. It’s a golden age funfest, nostalgic and hip at the same time.

Not enough for you yet? Well, each issue features not just my insane ramblings, but Daryll Collins provides stories too. Issue number two features all romance comics, just as bitter and twisted as we could make them. The comics are PG-13, and then some, for unrestrained language and mature situations. Issue number two also features love advice columns, beauty and dating tips and four tales of love gone horribly wrong drawn by some of the best artists to ever pick up a pen.

Grab one up today!

The Long Con

Not all conventions are created equal. Saturday morning, Dale Trush and I packed up the car, and headed to Lexington for their Comic and Toy Convention. A more accurate name might have been, The Toy Convention With Comics Thrown In As An Afterthought. By a wide margin, comics were in the minority, and independently produced comics were an even smaller minority. That should not have been a problem, I’m used to artist’s row being a smaller section of the convention floor, maybe a little off the beaten path. And, as this was the first year for this show, I expected a few missteps in the planning. But someone in their questionable wisdom chose to scatter all the dealers throughout the rather small space regardless of what they were selling.

Most of the guests were D-list film and TV wannabes. One of the guests of honor was a reality TV “star” called Johnny Fairplay, who looked like he might have changed his name from Johnny Foreplay. He came to party, dudes! And what guest generated the most excitement, you ask? People lined up the length of the hall all day to get a chance to meet the effin’ Power Rangers! Sweet merciful Mothra, this was not our crowd!

Zombie Marge Comics was sandwiched between a couple of unusual dealers, though I'm not quite sure what either one was selling. On our left was a guy who had created his own rather simplistic video game and set up for convention goers to stand and play. On our right was a Star Wars toy collectors club who were giving out free SW happy meal toys to anyone and everyone. Any time a potential customer stopped at our table, they screamed out "Free toys here!" and said potential customer left us immediately to choose their toy.

The crowd was huge! So many toy-crazed people were packed into one smallish hall, hardly able to move, and they were all ignoring us. Our location could not have been worse. Wait a minute! Yes it could. It was rumored that the poor guy stuck beside the Power Rangers sold nothing.

In the plus column we spread the word about the Zombie Marge blog. We handed out nearly a hundred trading cards and even more flyers. Across from us was a guy that produced several podcasts about comics. We gave him a full set of books, everything we had, to be reviewed on his shows.

Again on the plus side we had lots of great conversations, mostly with the creators we've met at other shows. And we spoke to a few very nice civilians who showed interest in our brand of weirdness and were not tempted by the promise of a free Happy Meal toy.

All told, it was not a very productive day. And not a show we plan to return to next year. How did you spend your Saturday?

Time to buy some funny books!

I’m packing this evening for a very early start tomorrow to the Lexington Comic & Toy Show. For an antisocial recluse, I’m once more pushing myself out of my snug little comfort zone to sell comics. This year I’ll be spreading the gospel of Zombie Marge, in the hopes of drumming up some more members here at the blog. The hope being that at some point the books and the blog take off promoting each other in a self-perpetuating cycle. I have brand new Zombie Marge trading cards (collect ‘em all) to pass out to entice new readers to join us here.

I’ve attended cons since the early 70s as a fan without ever considering what it was like to sit on the other side of the table. It’s fun, it’s hectic, and at times, it’s tedious. That’s why I always welcome Dale Trush when he can man the table with me. The Twelve-Way artists know Dale as our highly capable proofreader. My copy, in particular, looks like a drunken monkey wrote it, until Dale gets a hold of it.

Turns out, Dale is also a natural at selling strange comic books to an unsuspecting public. We’ve found we can tag team the confused lookie loos and dazzle them with our banter until they buy a book just to get away from the table. The photos above typify our respective styles. Ask yourself this; which dealer would you rather buy comics from? The photos are from the Cincinnati convention last fall and were taken by our good friend, co-worker and master photographer, David Leighton. He shot all the great stuff we were missing by sitting at the table. Thanks, David.

I’ll post a full report on the Lexington show next week. And remember, zombies are people too. At least at one time they were.

Episode 2

FIRST     BACK     NEXT

Marge Madness continues! The first episode of Zombie Marge was a big hit! So I’ve been barricaded in the zombie-proof bunker working on more. Not many behind-the-scenes secrets to reveal for this episode. Marge will be spending some time just knocking around the cemetery, getting to know the locals. Now she has a scruffy dog to look after. It’s only the second strip and I’ve already resorted to fart jokes. But there’s nothing funnier than a flatulent dog. I know, I have three of them.

The strip itself was designed to be rearranged into a standard comic book page. Once a year’s worth of strips are complete, they will be collected in comic book form, including monster oriented ads, letters and other surprises.

Comic convention season begins for us on March 24 for the Lexington Comic & Toy Show. We will be handing out Zombie Marge trading cards to promote the strip. We will also be selling the latest issue of SHAM Comics, the all-romance issue. I’ll post some convention reports next week.

In two weeks, stop by again for the next installment of Zombie Marge’s adventures, when she discovers that living in a cemetery is not as glamorous as it sounds.

Until then, embrace the zombie apocalypse!

Episode 1

 

NEXT 

Well, there you have it! The first installment of what I hope will be a long-running and popular webcomic. I have big plans for Zombie Marge, with enough story ideas right now for several years’ worth of strips. To keep from getting overwhelmed by the work, I’m planning to release strips on Monday mornings every other week. I’m also planning to blog about the strip and offer insights and behind-the-scenes information, all direct from my zombie-proof bunker.

Those familiar with the “Twelve-Way with Cheese” anthology know that Zombie Marge was the hostess for that book. Since then, I’ve wanted to create a strip centered on the adventures of this lovable undead curmudgeon. Cartoonist extraordinaire Daryll Collins and I talked about it many times, but I could never figure out how to build a sustained narrative around a slow-witted zombie. To give credit where credit is due, it was Daryll who gave Marge the talking worm living inside her head. And for me, that was the key to making the strip work. Grubworth acts as Marge’s conscience, trying to talk her out of her bad ideas. He moves the story along in ways Marge can’t. And he can comment on the action as the only voice of reason.

Over the next few episodes, more of the supporting cast will be introduced. Humans will be in the minority, as Marge is most comfortable with monsters like herself. Tanglefoot Cemetery just attracts the paranormal, like that TV psychic did. What’s her name? Oh, Dionne Warwick. So Marge hobnobs with some very strange creatures indeed. Tune in again next Monday (3/19) for the next episode to see if Marge finds a suitable pet.

Finally, in a bit of legal business: My attorney, Bob Barrister, at the law firm Cheatem, Chisler & Slanderson, has advised me to mention that this strip is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons (living or undead), without satiric intent, is unintentional, purely coincidental, and highly unlikely. That goes double for monsters and dogs. This strip may not be reproduced without written consent from Zombie Marge. No zombies were actually harmed in the making of this comic. I’m just sayin’!

Bedtime Stories for Childish Adults

My sense of nostalgia is seasoned with a healthy dose of cynicism. I fondly remember the TV shows and books I loved as a child. But my recreations and tributes to them are always run through the filter of adult experience.

When illustrator extraordinaire Daryll Collins showed me an unused project of his, it struck that cord. It was a hilarious blend of childhood nostalgia and adult cynicism. Daryll had written and illustrated a twelve-page, b&w  book, called “Are You Our Daddy?” It was the story of two curious twins who just wanted a straight answer from their very busy mom. Their confusion came from the endless stream of men who passed through their house. For all they knew they could be related to the postman, or the plumber, or even the pizza man.

As I said, Daryll’s story resonated with me, plus it was pretty darn funny. So I suggested we pair it with a story of mine to fill out the book and publish it as a parody of those books we all got when we were young. This would be our Little Olden Book.

I began writing and drawing my story while Daryll rendered his in color. He worked in Photoshop and I set about rendering mine in Adobe Illustrator. My story became one of those “let’s find out about different jobs” kind of stories that were so often foisted on children in the hopes they would become productive members of society, and not cartoonists. “Chester Hare Gets a Job” follows a young rabbit who is looking for work and learns the valuable lesson that everyone hates their jobs*.

In designing the book, I wanted to give both of us a cover so it became a flipbook. Read Daryll’s story, turn it over and begin again on mine. I also designed interior pages to mimic the Little Golden Books exactly, even down to the list of “other” titles at the end. Here was some of the funniest material in the collection. Nearly 200 titles of outrageous children’s literature, like: Horton Hears a Ho, The Chicken Bride, The Shy Little Pimp, Goodnight Crack Head, The Bi-Polar Express, ‘Twas The Night Before Trash Day, Snow White’s Racist Rant, DJ & The Sticky PJs, The Dyslexic CBAs, and so on. You get the idea. We had a blast coming up with these.

Above are the book covers, below, some interior pages. Along the left side of the blog is the link to order this book online or catch me at a convention. I always have copies. Maybe one day I’ll do a book that can actually be read to children.

*Except us cartoonists.

WELCOME to the Zombie Marge Blog 2.0

The blog was originally created to promote the premier publication from ZM Comix; Twelve-Way with Cheese. It's been rather inactive since then, largely my own fault. But there is much news to communicate and I plan to post here frequently going forward. The Zombie Marge Comix Group will be represented at several comic cons and this site will carry all the reports from the convention floor. There are several new books to promote as well as several upcoming projects to preview. And the biggest news is the announcement of the premier of the Zombie Marge web comic, starting here on March 15^th. Join us for the Ides of Marge. Check back in the weeks leading up to the kick off for some sneak peeks at Marge’s world and some of the characters that will be showing up to make her undead existence interesting.

Rockin' Rooster and Up Up and Away Comics

Some people have asked me where they can pick up the 12 Way-comic.

I just made sure both Rockin' Rooster and Up Up and Away have stock of the book available.

Both are great shops that I frequent so even if you are just looking for a good comic shop stop by.

In other news I just got around to reading some of Daryll's one panel gags, Freak'n brilliant and hilarious. This Just In, is a personal favorite.

Cincy Chic Books

Here is a feature that Cincy Chic did about the Twelve Way book. It includes interviews with Daryll Collins, Darcy Vorhees, and Tim Fuller, and is a little about the group and how the book came about.

Photo of Daryll Collins by Neysa Ruhl

Review: Small Press Newsroom

Thanks to Allen Freeman, editor at Fanatic Press for his review of 12-Way with Cheese on his Small Press Newsroom blog:
http://smallpressnewsroom.blogspot.com/2010/07/blog-post.html

His next edition of Slam Bang, the explosive comics anthology, ia all about robots. Submission due at the end of 2010.

Twelve Way Review!

We got a review from Ray Kosarin, director of MTV's "The Head," "Daria," and "Beavis and Butthead Do America." This is what he had to say about Twelve-Way:

Suffering from an overdose of oh-so-serious comics and heavy-handed graphic novels? Fed up with futuristic, pseudo-intellectual nihilism? Fatigued from solemn, autobiographical navel-gazing by artists who, instead of your paying them, probably ought to be paying you, because reading their comics is like having to sit through what amounts to an illustrated version of their psychotherapy?

You’re due for a break. So pick up your copy of Zombie Marge Comix Group’s “Twelve Way with Cheese.” This collaborative book is a labor of love from 12 Cincinnati-based artists (that’s right: Cincinnati—the nation’s rising new comics capital; you heard it here, first).

If you grew up with, or otherwise appreciate, any or all of: horror or zombie comics (from EC and its imitators), Mad (and/or Cracked) Magazine, or those funny-books—packed half-a-dozen to the plastic baggie on the spinning rack in the grocery, with thick outlines and dialogue whose only punctuation is exclamation marks—you’ll experience an unmistakable feeling of nostalgia reading this book. Your Cincinnati artist friends pay affectionate tribute to these genres (down to the pulpy ads for those novelty items pandering to your glacially advancing puberty and desperate longing to “apparently” see through women’s clothes) each in his or her fashion. And all of them—mercifully—even know how to draw.

Ray Kosarin
New York

Cincinnati Comic Expo by Daryll Collins

Here's my take on the first Cincinnati Comic Expo that took place on September 18th at the Cintas Center. I am in agreement with Tim that the Con was well run and heavily attended especially for being the inaugural event.

* Lots of "Twelve Way" Mojo!- We had a steady stream of folks coming up to our spot. Our table with it's banner and poster was way eye catching. I felt a little bad for all the kids that approached our booth as we couldn't sell them, or even let them page through the "Twelve Way" anthology. So I drew a whole bunch of sketches for the kiddies. I'm just like Santa at times!

* St. Larriby Perplexing at First - The St. Larriby Holy Cards were a stroke of genius. Thanks Tim! Initially some people were a little confused and thought St. L was an actual entity! I must have explained about 50 times that, "We decided the cartooning profession needed a patron saint too. And since the Pope is in no hurry to decree one for us, we decided to create one for ourselves." People had a good laugh and a freebie with info on how to order our book.

* What Were We Thinking? - We could have sold a whole bunch of Zombie Marge T-shirts. We had Mike Dougherty of Anything Airbrushed print up a few for us to wear at the Con. But we should have had a batch for sale as we had many inquiries about the shirts.

* Tough Economy/Money Is Tight - Although we sold more copies of "Twelve Way" than I thought we would, even the reduced $15 price point was more than a lot of folks were willing to spend. If you are a known talent in the comics industry or have characters that are easily recognisable, people would be more willing to part with $15 for a book. But I think coming out of the box as a new entity, it was beyond what some people were willing to spend. The original $20 price would have been totally out of the question. A good price point would have been in the $5 to $10 range. Of course that would have meant a smaller page count book.

* Comic Expo Charity - The organizers of the Con had a charity auction and requested Superman related artwork or a donation of a comic/book from those who had booths at the show. I had some time on Thursday before the Expo to create this bogus Superman vs. Zombie Marge comic book cover. The original is in B&W. The winning bid and original art going to our own Bruce Chrislip. I'm glad this artwork found a proper home!

* Faces In The Crowd - Along with Bruce, other "Twelve Way" contributors seen in the crowd at the Cincy Comic Expo were Jerry Dowling, Brennan Bradford, Brian Hagen and of course the irrepressable Woody Hinton and his lovely wife Lisa. And our invaluable proofreader, Dale Trush.

* Speaking of Woody - I finally got my hands on those "Kolchak" comics from Moonstone that feature awesome cover art from Mr. Woody. Cool and creepy! They were personally signed with "heartfelt expressions". Thanks Woody!

* Check These Out!- I also got these two fantastic prints from David Beck. I dig 'em!

Check out the layout on that Batman illustration. I've never seen Batman striking in that pose before. And the Belle Starr is fetchingly awesome. What great color!

* I Love Me Some Wacky-Assed Comics! - Check out these gems I scored from comic dealers. I go for the "off the beaten track" titles. There has been some really crazy stuff printed over the years.

Ooohhh... Big Boy meets a fortune teller! I think there is a witch doctor in this issue as well. How else do you explain Big Boy's shrunken head??? Check out that bold, bold linework on the cover of Ace Comics. Cool! This issue features kids getting spanked and electricuted. Ah... the good old days when you could just be funny and not have to worry about lawsuits or offending the hyper-sensitive. I swear if I could go back in time right now to let's say... 1973, I would!

Here's a little advice for any of you who might happen to be in a canoe that's about to go through rough waters, "Do something more than just covering your face!" That kid deserves whatever happens to him. But given that this is an issue of Treasure Chest, a Catholic grade school comic, I bet St. Larriby will bail him out!

Real Life Comics with Francis Marion and... Bing Crosby! Yow!

Check out the head on that Super Villian! And here's a Daryll fun fact... I have been trying to track down this Classics Illustrated Pinocchio comic for years! It was part of the most horrible collection of comics I ever received. I was sick and asked my mom to buy me some comics while she was at the drug store. Big mistake. When my mom came home she walked into my bedroom and handed me my bag of "goodies". And what did little Daryll find? A copy of "Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane", the aformentioned "Pinocchio", which was not the Disney version, so in my mind it double- sucked and if I'm not mistaken, a Casper comic! Are you kidding me? It's bad enough I'm all feverish and pukey, but you bring home this collection of comics for your son? I guess the drug store was sold out of issues of Millie The Model and Hazel.

Gotta love Mom, but leave the comic buying when you're sick to Dad!

A Message from Marge