So, you don’t trust the internet, huh!
I hear you. You say you’d like to own all those great comics
listed along the left side of this page, but you just don’t want to send your hard-earned
money out into the cold nothingness of cyberspace. Well, if you find yourself
in the Newport, Kentucky area, you are in luck.
Arcadian Comics is the latest brick and mortar store to
stock up on the fine line of Zombie Marge publications. March right up to the
counter and proudly ask for them by name. Then hand your cold hard cash to a
real, flesh and blood human. It’s a great, friendly little store with a huge
selection of current comics, independents, graphic novels and a large selection
of kid’s comics.
Arcadian Comics is located on historic Monmouth Street, right
down the block for the infamous Brass Ass. Before you stop off for a cold one
with some of their fine exxxotic dancers, go buy some comics. Tell ‘em Zombie
Marge sent ya, honey!
Episode 8
FIRST BACK NEXT
Now that Zombie Marge has gotten that editorial off her chest, maybe we can get back to the story. If you remember, the ghostly Father Nozebest had looked in the yellow pages under "Z" and called in some professionals to handle his zombie infestation.Maybe he can get his money back.
Editorial
Had she given it a bit more thought, I’m sure she would have
mentioned that here at the blog, our thoughts go out to the unfortunate man who
was savagely attacked without provocation. We wish him a complete and speedy
recovery. Thank you for your time.
Episode 7
FIRST BACK NEXT
Okay, I admit it! Marge’s new spectral antagonists are influenced by my fondness for “The Ghostly Trio” from Casper The Friendly Ghost. Remember them? I always found those troublesome spirits so much more interesting than that goodie-goodie Casper. The edgy characters are always more fun. That’s why here at this blog, there are plenty of edges.Lost Cats, man!
Episode 6
FIRST BACK NEXT
At the edge of Tanglefoot Cemetery stands an ancient church, Our Lady of the Inaccurate Contraception. The decaying ruins are home to a trio of ghosts who perished there in a fire in 1898. Father Nozebest pursues a quiet afterlife of study and reflection, occasionally enlisting Deacon Diefendorfer to scare off the curious. On the other hand, the alter boy, Mookie, longs to meet new people from the outside world and welcomes Marge into the fold over all objections.At long last, Marge has found a suitable home, even if she has to share it with three "holy ghosts."
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
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
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.
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