MSU Comic Art and Graphic Novel Podcast

by on October 4, 2016 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Blog, News

[dc]F[/dc]ellow comic makers and fans, charge up your podcast gadgets. There’s a new comic podcast I recommend you check out: the Michigan State University Comic Art and Graphic Novel Podcast!

What Is the MSU Comic Art and Graphic Novel Podcast?

It’s a podcast hosted by comic maker and MSU teacher (and pal) Ryan Claytor, and it’s all about comics. Specifically, each episode features an interview with an “award winning and professional cartoonist.”

But Wait

There’s also other fun bits! You’ll learn about any comic related MSU news and each episode features a look at an interesting item from MSU Special Collections Library, aka the biggest public comic book collection in the world.

Hey Listen

The first episode features a lengthy and delightful interview with Sergio Aragones, most known for his work with MAD Magazine and his own comic Groo the Wanderer. Sergio was the keynote speaker at the 2016 MSU Comics Forum, and in the interview he (thankfully) goes over most of the same points again. Hear how Sergio started cartooning, what led him to working for MAD, what he thinks about comics today, and more.¹

It’s a must listen, trust me.

Continue Reading

└ Tags: , ,

Extra Life 2016: Playing Games to Help Kids

by on September 20, 2016 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Blog, News

[dc]I[/dc]t is time again for Extra Life, a charity event where I raise money for sick children by playing games for 24-hours. This is my second year, and I’m excited to help out once again. Here’s a recap of last year’s Extra Life (I played a lot of Magic the Gathering).

extra life 2016

Play games, help kids.

Want to help? Make a donation via my Extra Life page. Every bit helps and I’ve added in some different goals and “rewards” like last year.

Last year I raised $250 (my goal was $200), so this year I’m shooting for $300. If I reach that goal, while I play games I’ll wear the Doctor Who scarf Stephanie knitted me.

If I hit $500 in donations, I’m shaving off my beard (and I’ll post before and after photos).

Game Day is Saturday, November 5, 2016. Now, the rules say, because of health reasons, game playing doesn’t have to be for 24 straight, it can be spit up. But, I’ll give it my all to go as long as I can, and make up the difference on Sunday or Monday. I made it for 14 hours straight last year, and I will try to beat that this year if I can.

My donations go to Sparrow Children’s Center here in Lansing. Please consider donating if you can.

I will publish another post closer to Game Day too, to help get some last minute donations (you can still donate after I start playing too).

└ Tags: , , , ,

Comic Con Survival: My Artist Alley Must-Haves

by on September 13, 2016 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Blog, News

[dc]A[/dc]s another artist alley season comes to an end, I decided I wanted to share a list of things I consider “must haves” when I am exhibiting (at least for me, your mileage may vary, and by all means experiment to find what works for you).

daniel j hogan motor city comic con table

My table at Motor City Comic Con 2016.

I know lists like this helped me a lot when I started appearing in artist alleys at comic book shows (and other events), so here’s my chance to help out others new to the game.

In no particular order…

Artist Alley Must-Haves (For Me)

  • A seat cushion. I’ve experienced all kinds of chairs at different shows. Some were padded, while others are just cheap, thin plastic. Although I try to stand as much as I can behind my artist alley table, sitting on a plastic chair (while working on commissions), ain’t fun. The solution? A seat cushion. Mine has, literally, saved my butt several times. Get one meant for office chairs (has support, etc).
  • A standing mat. On the other end of the comfort spectrum, is a standing mat (also known as an anti-fatigue mat). I’ve found standing up behind my table helps with conversation (and keeps me awake). However, the floors at shows are like chairs: they could be carpeted or a cold, hard slab. You never know. My padding standing mat makes a huge difference when I have to stand for hours on a hard floor (transporting one can be tricky however). Tip: Buy an inexpensive yoga mat, cut it into squares, and glue the squares in a stack (alternatively, you could just stand on a folded up yoga mat too).
  • A plastic storage bin with a locking lid. I have a plastic tub for all of my (non art) artist alley table stuff. They’re cheap and sturdy, and handy when you’re a one-man show like me. Everything stays in the tub between shows, so I don’t have to repack it all the time. Grab and go!
  • Something sturdy to hold prints, books, and original art. Last year, I bought a metal case to hold prints, books, and original art. It made a huge difference, as I didn’t have to worry about any of these items getting crushed in my plastic tub.
I really like mine. It holds all of my prints, even 11" x 17".

I really like mine. It holds all of my prints, even 11″ x 17″.

  • A table-cloth (not thin plastic). Some shows have table coverings supplied, others do not. Play it safe, and always bring your own table-cloth. You can even get fancy and get something custom printed. Stay away from cheap plastic table cloths, as they rip and tear very easily. Tip: Bring a second table-cloth to cover your table and items when you are away or at the end of the day.

Continue Reading

└ Tags: , ,

Behind the Scenes: Foxes and Boxes – 1

by on September 8, 2016 at 12:01 am
Posted In: Behind the Scenes, Blog, News

[dc]M[/dc]y darling patrons can see the full-page scan of my original sketch for this week’s Foxes and Boxes page. Here’s a tease, the original idea I had for the first panel.

foxes and boxes comic scan

Pledge $1+ a month to see the full-page.

Patrons not only get to see the full-page, but a larger version too (I can only have 500 pixels wide images here).

My original idea was a portal of some kind, with the same narration text in the finished comic (you can barely read it in pencil in the image above). I changed my mind after sketching, as often happens, and went for a wider shot of the mountain range.

It’s easy to see this behind the scenes scan and more: pledge $1 or more a month and you get full access to my patrons only blog on Patreon (and the more patrons I get, the more stuff I’ll post I’m sure). Not only are you getting extra content, you are directly supporting me and helping new Foxes and Boxes pages happen. That’s $12 a year, which is probably less than a movie ticket in some places. Don’t worry if you can’t pitch in a lot: I appreciate every bit, even if it’s only $1 a month.

You’ll also get to read all of my older patrons only posts. I’m thinking up other ways to interact with patrons on the blog in the future too (helping name stuff? Decide what the characters do? Who knows!)

Please consider becoming one of my patrons today, and thank you for your generosity.

└ Tags: , ,