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CCSLetters

2012-01-20T16:44:00.001-05:00

CCSLetters, originally uploaded by SubSub.

here's some lettering I did for CCS the other day.
drawn with a nib & ink, colored in photoshop.

MoversSketch

2012-01-13T11:52:00.000-05:00

Gouache and India Ink on Bristol
6.875" x 8.125"

Buying info at the SubSubShop.

LoseShoeSketch

2012-01-10T17:06:00.001-05:00

Watercolor and India Ink on Bristol
6.875" x 8.125"
Buying info at the SubSubShop.

PSR in Stripburger

2012-01-05T11:58:00.000-05:00

The newest issue of the international comics magazine Stripburger includes a story of mine. The story is PSR, from my book I Will Bite You!. I thought it would be appropriate for an international magazine since it is silent and the setting isn't very specific.
It's a cool magazine and I'm proud to be in it.

And I'm especially happy with the way it printed. In the photo you can see the version that was in my book was yellow for days, but the Stripburger version is a little bigger and in black & white. At first I was sad to loose the color, but I really really love the way the gray version looks. I kind of wish I made the paper color gray in my version.

This issue of Stripburger also features a review of I Will Bite You!, which you can read here. It's in Slovenian. I kind of tried to read it via Google Translate. I THINK it's a positive review.

WlughSketch

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

a sketchbook spread.
drawn with a nib and black and red inks.

Old Sketchbooks

2011-12-31T17:41:00.000-05:00

This last week I have been going though my old sketchbooks. It's only a coincidence that it's the end of the year, but I've been in a reflective mood and that's appropriate for the season.
Pictured are 39 sketchbooks. All the sketchbooks I've ever had.

When I was a little kid I would draw on that computer paper with the perforated strips on the sides, THIS stuff. You know that stuff. Then I would take the best pages and keep them in a folder with pockets (or a dope trapper keeper). That way I could keep all of my drawings and sketches in one place and show them off to my friends.
As I got older the compulsion to show my stuff to people faded, but the act of having recent work close was a habit that I kept. I liked to keep track of my progress and to stay aware of my trends and habits, so I kept up the folder style.
Then in college (2002) I was required to have a sketchbook so I bought one of those big hard cover things (A). It was a big adjustment. I couldn't just throw away the shitty drawings like I could when they were on loose sheets, so I was constantly confronted with all my warts and imperfections. It took me the entire school year to fill that guy up. But I eventually got the hang of it. It just took time.

Obviously it's important to draw everyday, all day everyday. Right? But in addition I think I really benefit from having my work hang out with me for a bit after I make it. I think it's important to look at your stuff, to be confronted with it, and to be responsible for it. Even if it's just some bullshit. Probably especially if it's some bullshit.

For a brief period, when I was super broke I would steal copy paper from libraries and staple a small stack together (B). Then I got a job like a grown-up and started buying sketchbooks with a spiral binding so I could lay those dudes flat (C). Then for awhile I was super broke again and made a sketchbook. The paper was some posters with blank backs that I took out of the trash at work. I learned the stitch online somewheres. Look around if you're curious, there are tutorials all over the internet. I made a sketchbook(D) for the first time back in 2005 and haven't bought one since. The whole stack on the right is of handmade sketchbooks. Each one is a different size because I usually make them out of whatever paper I have available.

Okay, that's all for now. More later. Happy New Year and all that.

Early Commission

2011-12-28T13:13:00.000-05:00

a commission I did, based partly on a story I did a few years ago, Early.
drawn with a nib & ink, colored with watercolors.

MulMussSketch

2011-12-27T10:03:00.001-05:00

a sketchbook spread.
drawn with a brush pen, and a nib with black and red inks.

LcktSketch

2011-12-21T15:55:00.000-05:00

a sketchbook sample.
drawn with a nib with red and black inks.

My thanks to the Village Voice for including my book, I Will Bite You!, in their 2011's Best Comics and Graphic Novels list!
You can get a copy of the book from Secret Acres or Amazon, or better comics shops and book stores near you. You can preview some pages HERE.

PlgSketch

2011-12-20T13:22:00.001-05:00

some sketchbook samples.
drawn with a nib with red and black inks.

BulbSketch

2011-12-19T14:36:00.004-05:00

a sketchbook page.
drawn with a nib with black and red inks.

MrkySketch

2011-12-16T13:59:00.001-05:00

a sketchbook page.
drawn with a nib with black and red inks.

SublasubSketch

2011-12-14T17:37:00.001-05:00

a sketchbook page.
drawn with a brush pen, a pink marker and a brush with yellow watercolors.

S+sSketch

2011-12-13T18:10:00.000-05:00

a sketchbook page.
drawn with a brush & watercolor, and a little black ink.

French Letters

2011-12-12T14:16:00.000-05:00

Over the last couple of weeks I have been lettering the French translation of my book, I Will Bite You!, which translates to Je Vais Te Morde! (update: I misspelled it in the above image, I know. I accidentally connected the exclamation point)

It has been a lot of fun lettering words in a language that I do not understand. Sometimes I'll think about the way French sentences are structured differently than the English versions, or the role accents play in the French language, but mostly it's abstract letter forms that I'm playing with. It has been a nice meditative job that I'm a little sad to have finished.

The publisher is Altercomics.

All of these samples were drawn with a D. Leonardt EF Principal nib & some crappy ink cocktail mixed from a bunch of leftover bottles I had after finishing the Helen Keller book.

SssSubSketch

2011-12-08T14:49:00.001-05:00

a sketchbook page.
drawn with a nib & ink, and watercolor.

Many thanks to John Martz over at Drawn.ca for including my book I Will Bite You! on his list of Favourite Books of 2011. You can get a copy of the book from Secret Acres or Amazon, or better comics shops and book stores near you. You can preview some pages HERE.

WateryOrangeSketches

2011-12-07T16:06:00.001-05:00

Here are a bunch of sketches:

a sample from my sketchbook.
drawn with a nib & ink and watercolor.
For this page I made a bunch of unplanned smudges with a brush & watercolor and then tried to make wintery-clothed figures out of them.

These small ones are roughly 3.5" square and were drawn at Chuck's house, Sean's apt. or in the car, on the way to Brooklyn for the BCGF.

(Nathan Bulmer bought this sketch. I stole this photo of it from his twitter. His comics are good and funny.)

Comics Family

2011-12-06T12:58:00.001-05:00

Above is a gif from Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival. It was pleasant having so many Secret Acres artists together, even though I didn't get a chance to talk to all of them as much as I would have liked to. Though I will say this, if my publisher isn't the best at providing snacks for their artists at conventions then I don't know who is. Not only did Barry bring two huge bags of snacks, most of them relatively healthy, but he gave me the left-overs and I'm still eating them right now. That's family.
Pictured l to r: Sean Ford, Sam Gaskin, Uncle Leon, John Brodowski, Mike Dawson, Baby Joseph, Uncle Barry, Gabby Schulz, and Eddie Fake. And some dude's hand touching my book.

SKupSketch

2011-12-06T09:37:00.001-05:00

a sketchbook page.
drawn with watercolors and a brush.

AwSketch

2011-12-05T13:45:00.001-05:00

a sketchbook page.
drawn with a nib & ink, and watercolors.

Also, my thanks go to the organizers and attendees of the Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival. It was a wonderful show and I appreciate the support and interest in my work.

JusOtherSketch

2011-12-01T13:30:00.001-05:00

a sketchbook page.
drawn with a nib & ink, felt-tip pens, and watercolor.

MusUssSketch

2011-12-01T11:57:00.001-05:00

a sketchbook page.
drawn with a micron, and a red felt-tip pen.

DazeSketch

2011-11-30T11:45:00.001-05:00

a sketchbook spread. drawn with a brush pen, microns, and a red felt-tip pen.

2ESketch

2011-11-29T14:16:00.001-05:00

A sketchbook spread.
Drawn with a brush pen and a red felt-tip pen.

I'll be in NY this weekend at the Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival, tabling with my buddies Chuck, Sean, Melissa and Jose.

Buy some stuff. Please and thank you.

2011-11-27T19:59:00.001-05:00

Speaking of great gift ideas:

The Cloudy Collection has available their new 2012 Calendar of the Impending Apocalypse. This is a 12 piece print-set featuring a three color screen-prints by twelve different artists, one for every month, illustrating a vision of the end of the world. It's a pretty great thing, both beautiful and functional. I just got mine in the mail, the printing is excellent. Here's a photo of my contribution:

UPDATE: there are only a few copies left!

Also, my recently Ignatz Awarded (Outstanding Collection) book, I Will Bite You! is still available from Secret Acres.

(I also won an Ignatz for Outstanding Artist ((the bricks are the awards)). I mention this because I appreciate the support!)

As I mentioned in my last post, I have work in the newest Nobrow collection. And I also have a story in the newest and last Mome. I got a copy of the book a few months ago and I really enjoyed it. It really encapsulates a lot of what made the entire run of Mome so great. Also pictured are Kids and Sundays 4, two anthologies which I am proud to have contributed to this last year. These books are all great ideas for gifts for comics fans, and or people who are curious about comics but don't know where to start.

Wanna Play?!

2011-11-27T19:09:00.001-05:00

Wanna Play is my contribution to Nobrow's newest anthology, Nobrow 6: The Double.
This anthology is probably a good gift idea, Nobrow publishes some mighty fine books and comics and this one is no exception. It's full of gorgeous illustrations and comics, and the printing quality is excellent.

Here's a follow-up to a previous post sampling the artwork for Wanna Play, along with photos of the final printed pages.

And check out some more samples HERE.

Dylan/Community

2011-09-14T12:15:00.000-04:00

Thank you, to everyone who made this year's SPX an intense, powerful one. This community that we are a part of is important, which became very clear after hearing the news of a crucial member's passing. Dylan was a valuable fixture. I'm truly going to miss him, and I'm thankful for having gotten to meet and talk with him, even if it was only a handful of times a year. I'm grateful to be a part of a community that respects people like Dylan.

ZZsketch and Ignatzes

2011-08-18T15:56:00.000-04:00

a sketchbook sample.
Drawn with a pigma pen and a marker.

I was nominated for two Ignatz Awards! One for Outstanding Artist, and one for Outstanding Anthology or Collection (for I Will Bite You! and Other Stories, sampled below). THANK YOU to the Ignatz judges, and congratulations to all the other nominees!

In With The New (Sketchbook)

2011-08-17T15:39:00.002-04:00

I started up this new sketchbook several weeks ago.

Starting a new sketchbook can result in a few different experiences. I used to have a lot of anxiety about starting a fresh, clean new sketchbook, being insecure about doing it justice.

(This sketchbook has four pages of magenta French Paper cover stock at each end. The first spread is this old screen-print. Most of the lettering was drawn with a nib & india ink, some of it is pen or brush pen.)

Sometimes though I'm excited to jump into it, eager to fill it up, or to try out new tools, or to work out some ideas I've been kicking around. I love it when a tool gets used and used well, like in the kitchen when you have a reliable knife. That's what it feels like when a sketchbook is going well, like it's a reliable tool that I'm using to get some hard work done.

This time around, starting this book was a combination of both excitement and anxiety. I'm currently in the midst of some deep deadlines and have been for the last several months, so drawing in my sketchbook has been more of an outlet for non-obligation work and pure mark-making. I'm now at the tail-end of a big project and have started thinking about new stories and ideas and so my sketching is getting back to the point of trying to generate new ideas. I'm in a transition state, between projects, and my sketching feels awkward and fumbling.

(The first signature in the book is made up of bright yellow copy paper. The cover boards are covered in the same yellow paper. I'm really into bright yellow right now. Oh, and also, the first two images in this post are photos, whereas the final two are scans, which is why the yellows are different. I try to adjust a little in photoshop so you can see the true colors, but I try not to spend too much time on it.)

There really isn't much of a difference in the end results though. It's still just a bunch of doodling.

(The doodles are mostly drawn with a brush pen, and a taupe marker.)

In other ME news:
Rob Clough reviews my book, I Will Bite You! and Other Stories for The Comics Journal,
"Reading I Will Bite You makes me think that Joseph Lambert’s best work is ahead of him. It’s obvious that he is a highly skilled and imaginative cartoonist as well as a top-notch draftsman....What I’m not sure of at this point is if he’s figured out what he truly wants to express through his comics, although hints of this are starting to break through in his newer stories. ...Many students come in with an ambitious graphic novel or other long-form work in mind but don’t have an understanding of just what it takes to complete such a project. Lambert is an artist who clearly internalized that lesson, trying to ascertain just what kind of cartoonist he is. "
Read the rest HERE.

And I was interviewed by Gavin Lees for Graphic Eye, an online magazine about comics,
"...I think I’m a little bit of a victim of my limits. I think that my work goes in a direction, because it has to go there, because in my mind that’s the only thing that I’m capable of doing. You know, I’d like to do that but I’m only capable of doing this.

You talk about your limitations there, as if you’ve finished your development and you are the cartoonist that you’re always going to be. Do you not think that you’re art is going to continue to progress and you are eventually going to be able to go to those places?

No, I think it will — it definitely will, and I can see that it has developed. I hope I’m not finished! [Laughter] I do think my art will change — it has to change — I want it to change. Getting to see my work exist as a book, which it never has before, I’m aware now of more directions of where I’d like it to go, or even directions that I’d like to get away from."
Read the rest of that HERE (the interview was conducted over the phone. For some reason when I do interviews on the phone I'm super-chatty. Whereas if I answer questions via email I'm very sparse.)

Out With The Old (sketchbook)

2011-07-14T15:07:00.000-04:00

I finally filled up this sketchbook a couple days ago.
Above is the last page/inside back cover spread, drawn with nibs and inks and pens and acrylic paint and brushes. Below is the second to last page, drawn with a nib & india ink.

Here is the first page of this book, from way back in November. It often takes less time for me to fill a sketchbook of this size, but sometimes it takes longer.

Here are some spreads from this sketchbook that I don't think I ever posted.

There were a ton of pages that I didn't post, of course, pages full of notes and thumbnails. But you can see all the spreads that I did post in the sketchbook section of this site, HERE.

Mome 22 Preview for Me and You

2011-07-13T10:15:00.000-04:00

Fantagraphics has posted some previews of the new and LAST volume of the comic anthology Mome.
Here is a video preview, one of my pages is briefly flashed towards the end:

Here is the photo they posted of one of my pages:

And here are a couple of the photos of the original art I posted a few weeks ago:

Mome 22 is available for pre-order here, where you can also see a PDF preview from each story in the book. And check out Fanta's Flickr set of the book for more photos of pages from the book, including one from my buddy Chuck Forsman's story, which looks outstanding.

Wanna Play previews

2011-07-12T10:52:00.000-04:00

Here are a few previews of a new comic I'll have in the upcoming NoBrow anthology.
I'm not sure if I'm supposed to talk about it yet, but I've seen some other contributors posting about it so I thought it would be okay. It's going to be a good collection if the previews I have seen so far are any indication. NoBrow is always top notch, so I'm very proud to be included.
The final printing will be black and one other color, it may or may not be yellow.

These were drawn with a Leonardt EF Principal Nib and india ink on bristol. Colors in Photoshop.

WannaPlaySamps (1)

2011-07-11T12:54:00.001-04:00

WannaPlaySamps (1), originally uploaded by SubSub.

A panel from an a comic I'll have in the upcoming NoBrow 6.
PS. It might not be yellow in the final printing.

Deadhorn

2011-07-07T09:30:00.001-04:00

Dog Bones

2011-07-06T11:30:00.000-04:00

Illustrations

2011-07-01T11:07:00.000-04:00

I put up a quick ILLUSTRATIONS page on my site. If you're interested.

YellOHSketch

2011-06-29T07:45:00.000-04:00

Watercolor, India Ink on Bristol
8.25" x 7.875"

You can buy this sketch at the SubSubShop.

PS. I just noticed that I forgot to color that little dog's tail. If you want to order this sketch, and that tail bothers you, let me know and I'll fill it in just for you.

HrzySketch

2011-06-28T08:16:00.002-04:00

HrzySketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

here's a new sketchbook sample
drawn with a nib & india ink

In addition to the COMICS page on my site, there is also a new SKETCHES page where you can see all my sketch blog posts.

Tantrum

2011-06-26T02:28:00.006-04:00

Skttr Sketch

2011-06-08T12:39:00.002-04:00

Watercolor and India Ink on Bristol
8.25" x 7.875"

You can buy this sketch at the SubSubShop.

New Sketch Series/SubSubShop

2011-06-01T17:38:00.002-04:00

I opened up a shop. The SubSubShop! There you can find the following watercolor sketches.

Watercolor on Bristol
8.25" x 7.875"

I have started keeping a "sketchbook" of loose pages of bristol in addition to my regular bound sketchbooks, so now I can sell pages if they end up okay.

Watercolor, and India Ink on Bristol
8.25" x 7.875"

I still doodle without any real planning and do everything straight in ink or paint.

Watercolor, and Pen on Bristol
8.25" x 7.875"

Buy these at the SubSubShop.
There should be more on the way. I'll keep you posted.

PS. I have also been making adjustments to this blog, I apologize if there have been any necessary posts in your RSS feed reader this afternoon.

Too Far

2011-06-01T16:57:00.003-04:00

Too Far is an anthology featuring stories about taking things too far.

It is 98 black & white pages saddle stapled into

construction-paper end-pages and a color cover.

Too Far is $6, available at One Percent Press.com

Here are some samples from the book

(click on the images to view larger versions):

James Hindle - Worry Stories

Alexis Frederick-Frost - Pie Before Lunch

JP Coovert - JP Coovert.com

José-Luis Olivares - José-Luis Olivares.com

Dane Martin - Dane Martin's Salt Mines

Joseph Lambert - SubmarineSubmarine

Alex Kim - Drawing Time With Alex & Kim

Thanks for checking out these samples.

If you're interested in picking up the book visit OnePercentPress.com

Early

2011-06-01T16:56:00.005-04:00

Food

2011-06-01T16:56:00.004-04:00

Fall

2011-06-01T16:55:00.002-04:00

I'll Miss You, Heroes Con

2011-06-01T11:05:00.003-04:00

I was scheduled to be in Charlotte, NC. at Heroes Con this weekend, but due to blah blah blah I have changed my plans. It truly breaks my heart to not go to Heroes this year, it would have been my fourth year in a row. This show has become a staple in my convention season and a great way to give myself perspective on my place in the comics world since this is the only superheroey con I currently exhibit at.

Those of you attending, be sure the check out everything in Indie Island, buy everything new from AdHouse, and go to a Richard Thompson panel.

Above: a screen-print I did for CCS, advertising their presence at Heroes in 2010
Below: a print I did advertising my presence at Heroes in 2009
(note: subsequent versions of this print have slightly different colors and no "Heroes Con 09")

Stars Print for sale

2011-05-11T16:48:00.002-04:00

I made these prints recently. If you're interested in buying one let me know. Joe(at)SubmarineSubmairne(dot)com.

8.5" x 9.125" full-color digital print on ivory cover stock
$10 (price includes shipping)

And I also have the original art available too:

6.875" x 7.5" watercolor on bristol board
$75 (price includes shipping and a copy of the print)

and here is a detail of the original watercolor:

CCS Summer Workshop Reminder

2011-05-10T16:16:00.002-04:00

Just a reminder that you can still sign up for The Center For Cartoon Studies' Summer Workshops. They have been doing these workshops for a long time now and this year they are offering more than ever. Tons of info HERE.

Above is the poster I designed. It was weird doing it because I wanted it to feel summery, but I did it months ago when it was gloomy and sunless here in Vermont. Looking at it now, in the midst of VT's beautiful Spring transformation I am tickled by how over-the-top I went with that lemon-yellow: I REALLY needed that sunshine! And a popsicle too.

Below is a photo of a printed version of the poster. You can't really tell by the photo, but this version is enormous, about 4 feet tall!

YawnSketch

2011-05-04T12:41:00.001-04:00

YawnSketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

Via Flickr:
a sketchbook page
drawn with markers

PleghSketch

2011-04-27T15:53:00.001-04:00

PleghSketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

a sketchbook page
drawn with markers and a brush pen

Anthologizing

2011-04-21T16:05:00.003-04:00

Above is a preview of the Helen Keller story I'm currently working on. It's my full-time job right now and I have tried to avoid doing anything else. However, here are a few of the side projects that I did end up doing (happily) over the last year:

I am very proud to have six full-color pages in the next issue of MOME (#22, the FINAL issue). Being in Mome is an absolute dream come true.

drawn with nibs and pens, the color stuff is watercolor.
Mome 22
(I think it's coming out sometime this summer?)

I have a two-page full-color story in Root Rot, a forest themed anthology edited by Michael DeForge and Annie Koyama. I haven't seen it yet, but it's surely going to be amazing.

drawn with a g-nib & ink.
Root Rot
(debuting in May at TCAF)

I have a ten page black & white story in Sundays 4. This issue of Sundays was edited by the lovely Chuck Forsman. The book is a real gem!

drawn with a nib & ink.
Sundays 4
buy a copy here

I also have a two-page black & white story in Jose-Luis Olivares and Melissa Mendes' endlessly endearing KIDS anthology.

drawn with a nib & ink
KIDS
buy a copy here

I Will Bite You! Previews

2011-04-06T19:46:00.002-04:00

I made a page for my book. You can find it at the top of this blog, or right HERE. There's a bunch of photos of the book and this video preview and all the other info on the book you would ever need.

MoCCA Festival 2011 Previews

2011-04-05T13:20:00.002-04:00

My book is debuting this weekend at the MoCCA Festival,
taking place Saturday April 9th and Sunday April 10th 11am-6pm
At the Lexington Avenue Armory
68 Lexington Ave (Between 25th &26th Streets)
New York City

I Will Bite You! and Other Stories is 128 pages
2-color throughout except for 1 full-color signature
Pre-order HERE

If you're in the area come check out the show and stop by row H and say hi.
My publishers, Secret Acres (who have recently blogged about their time at CCS) will be at H14 where I will be most of the time, signing books and sketching sketches. Please come by and buy a bunch of books so my publishers will feel their putting up with me is justified.

Speaking of putting up with me, I'll also be at two other tables at MoCCA. The SUNDAYS table is at H15, right next to Secret Acres. This last week I grew my first gray hair while inking and coloring pages for my next book during the day, and printing and binding Sundays4 in the nights (among whatever else I have going on in the rest of my life).

This first gray hair is a physical reminder of my anxieties and stresses, but it also matches the single white hair on my dog's back, bringing me one step closer to being one of those owners who looks just like his dog, which makes me smile.

Something else that makes me smile? SUNDAYS4, the newest baby from the Sundays Anthology collective. This time around Chuck Forsman handled the majority of the editing duties, selecting the theme and sequencing the contributions, and organizing pretty much everything that needed to be organized. Damien Jay, a contributor to the book, designed the gorgeous covers, while Alex Kim and I screen-printed them and bound them with Chuck down in the CCS lab. We used the faux-square binding I came up with a few years ago for the Sundays2 book. Here's a process description with the Sundays3 book.

Sundays4 (Forever Changes) is 134 B&W pages from 21 contributors
hand-pulled screen-printed covers (3 colors on the front, 2 on back)
digital color inside covers
limited to 300 copies, each one hand numbered
binded with love
If you're not going to be at the show you can order a copy HERE.

Also debuting at MoCCA and also at the Sundays table will be KIDS, an anthology edited by José-Luis Olivares and Miss Melissa Mendes.

KIDS is about kids, and it's very good, I just read it last night.
KIDS is 68 B&W pages from 13 contributors
B&W cover with hand stamped title letters!

ALSO, at the Sundays table will be the FINAL chapter of Sean Ford's excellent Only Skin storyline. I haven't read it yet, but I have a copy. And you don't. Pick up a copy to find out what happens. WHAT HAPPENS!?!

A few tables up at H11 I will also (I swear I can be at three places at once. You'll see!) be at the One Percent Press table with my buddy JP Coovert. This is probably where I'll have most of my mini-comics and prints (previewed below). Ol' JP will have three brand new prints and part two of his new fantasy series There Must Be More (above). Check part One HERE. As most of you have seen, JP's work is spiraling out of control with freshness and innovation these days. He's always been good, but these days... damn.

Now, it'll probably just be me and JP at the OPP table this year, but we'll still have stuffs from our guys Stephen Floyd, James Hindle, and Alexis Frederick-Frost, including Alexis's comic Courtship of Ms Smith which was just nominated for the 2011 Kukoc Award. He's in good company with that nomination for sure. Vote HERE.

Next to OPP will be the Tugboat Press/Alec Longstreth table at H10. I won't be at this table, but Alec and Greg Means will be, and you will probably want to be. Make sure you have the most recent Phase 7 issue and the latest Papercutter, of course, but also keep an eye out for issue two of Alec and Jon Chad's Drop Zone zine, their expertly designed and produced pinball themed zine, which was recently nominated for an Expozine Award for best English Zine (I think. I can't seem to find the link now, but I'm pretty sure I'm right).

I don't have the time to list all the other friendly tables right now, but I assure you there is endless talent over at row M.

I remember there being a lot of grumbles about last year's show, mostly from cartoonists complaining about the expenses and certain hiccups in the way the show was run, and I'm sure there will be things to complain about this year, BUT I'm looking forward to seeing you guys. I'm very aware that comics aren't for everyone, and I know that my comics aren't for everyone that comics are for, so it's refreshing to be able to connect and talk to you guys who do read my comics. I'd love to hear your feedback, to learn a thing or two about what works and what doesn't and why. I need to justify this gray hair!

Come by and say hi!

(that's what I look like)

I Will Bite You! Available for Pre-Order

2011-03-30T13:40:00.003-04:00

I Will Bite You! and Other Stories has arrived from the printers and is now available for PRE-ORDER via Secret Acres.

Info from the publisher:
128 pages. Two-color interiors (black & yellow) with a 16 page full-color section.
Includes "Turtle Keep It Steady," "I Will Bite You," "After School Snacks," and a couple new stories.
Books will ship Monday, April 4th.

I will be at the MoCCA Festival in NY next weekend (April 8th & 9th) if you want to pick up a copy from me in person.

The book and I will be at the Secret Acres table (H14). I will also be at the One Percent Press (H11) table and the Sundays (H15) table (who will have the new Sundays 4, more on that later).

I'll post more previews of the book later leading up to MoCCA.

KidHSketch

2011-03-21T17:59:00.001-04:00

KidHSketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

sketch
actual size 3/4 inch tall
watercolor

GOmBSketch

2011-03-17T15:09:00.002-04:00

GOmBSketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

A watercolor sketch I did at Chuck's house, in the morning while he made me coffee.
The top half is the lettering for this illustration: flic.kr/p/9iFqPw
The facing page shows some thumbnails for something.

PlinkSketch

2011-03-16T16:09:00.001-04:00

PlinkSketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

sketch sample
actual size is less than 3/4 inch
watercolor (and I guess a pen line across it)

didn't realize I uploaded this. but I'll leave it.

I put some comics up

2011-03-16T13:26:00.002-04:00

Yesterday Jessica Abel posted a pleasant review of my mini-comic Food/Fall on her Drawing Words & Writing Pictures blog, drawing attention to my inclusion in the Best American Comics 2010 Notables section.
Food/Fall is comprised of two stories, both of which you can now read on the Comics Page on this blog, as well as Early, a story I did for Dark Horse Presents a few years ago. I'll probably put more up when I find little pieces of time to do so.
I also just sent off a some copies of Food/Fall and a bunch of other comics to OnePercentPress. So you can visit there if you want to order something. Or if you live in Chicago you can now get my comics at Quimby's Bookstore.

Updatesesss

2011-03-10T21:10:00.003-05:00

We have all been busy lately here in cartoonist land.

My buddy, Chuck Forsman for example has a braaaand new website: CharlesForsman.com It's nice and clean and easy to navigate with lots of full comic stories to read.

Wait, JP Coovert has also cleaned up his website and added a bunch of new t-shirt designs and some full comics to read!

Collen Frakes has been hard at it, cranking out regular illustrations and comics. Her newest book has just arrived from the printers, The Trials of St.Christopher, check it HERE.

And Alex Kim just finished posting his newest comic: The Vault. Originally published in my Too Far anthology, he colored the whole thing and posted it HERE.

Are you aware of The Center for Cartoon Studies? It exists! And so does CCS's Visiting Artist blog, a site dedicated to updating you on the visiting artists and professionals that visit CCS weekly. There is also CCS's Schulz Library Blog, which keeps you up to date with our lovely library's going ons.

IWBY!AOScover

2011-03-07T12:52:00.001-05:00

IWBY!AOScover, originally uploaded by SubSub.

I Will Bite You! and Other Stories
debuting in April from Secret Acres
more info on the way!

samp (5)

2011-03-04T17:36:00.001-05:00

samp (5), originally uploaded by SubSub.

info coming soon!

samp (4)

2011-03-04T16:11:00.001-05:00

samp (4), originally uploaded by SubSub.

samp (3)

2011-03-04T13:07:00.001-05:00

samp (3), originally uploaded by SubSub.

samp (2)

2011-03-04T03:14:00.001-05:00

samp (2), originally uploaded by SubSub.

samp-(1)

2011-03-04T00:53:00.001-05:00

samp-(1), originally uploaded by SubSub.

CCS SmmrWkshp 2011

2011-02-16T08:33:00.001-05:00

SmmrWkshp1200, originally uploaded by SubSub.

This is an illustration I did for The Center for Cartoon Studies 2011 Summer Workshops.
Drawn with a brush pen and G-nib & ink, colored in Photoshop.

Info on the workshops at www.cartoonstudies.org

KickAKoyama

2011-02-10T12:38:00.001-05:00

KickAKoyama, originally uploaded by SubSub.

This is a commission for the wonderful, beloved Anne Koyama, as part of her Kick Ass Annie series. Check out Koyama Press's site or table at a convention if you're not already in love with all of it.
I had tons of fun working on this. I had been in a sketching rut for a minute, so this was a refreshing exercise in having fun.
The black was drawn with a brush pen and nib & ink, everything else is watercolor.

ddBSketch

2011-02-03T12:19:00.001-05:00

ddBSketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

a sketchbook sample
drawn with markers and a brush pen

Peek01&02Sketch

2011-02-02T15:10:00.001-05:00

a sketchbook samples
drawn with a nib & ink and a marker

Peek03Sketch

2011-02-01T12:32:00.001-05:00

Peek03Sketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

a sketchbook sample
drawn with a nib & ink and a marker

Peek04Sketch

2011-02-01T12:31:00.001-05:00

Peek04Sketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

a sketchbook sample
drawn with a nib & ink and a marker

HawnkSketch

2011-01-31T15:54:00.001-05:00

HawnkSketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

sketchbook sample
drawn with a nib & ink

BananaSketch

2011-01-25T12:40:00.001-05:00

BananaSketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

sketchbook sample
drawn with markers

JoyTeeth Post and Links

2011-01-21T19:02:00.002-05:00

a sketchbook sample, drawn with markers. This sketch is a JoyTeeth response to Jose's latest post . Have you been checking out JoyTeeth lately? It's been pretty awesome. New sketches, new comics. Joy!

You should also check out Alexis Frederick-Frost's blog, he's been doing daily monster drawings. It's a very nice addition to my morning feed reader browsing. Recommended!

And my Belgian Buddy Max de Radigues's new book is coming out. L' AGE DUR is a collection of his short stories about teens. What? My weak description isn't enough? You want more of an idea of what it is? How about a trailer:

l'âge dur from Max de Radiguès on Vimeo

BIRD on JoyTeeth.com

2011-01-06T13:10:00.001-05:00

BIRD on JoyTeeth.com, originally uploaded by SubSub.

I'm happy to let you guys know that we have a new comic up on JoyTeeth. It's called Bird and it is by Melissa Mendes. And it is absolutely lovely.

(the above image is a photo of the comic's cover)

PlmSketch

2011-01-04T10:34:00.001-05:00

PlmSketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

a sketchbook spread
drawn with nibs & ink, and watercolor

YouMeSketch

2010-12-28T10:07:00.001-05:00

YouMeSketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

a sketchbook sample
drawn with a G-Nib
colored with watercolor

I meant to have it say "Brand New, One for Me, One for You" so that it would rhyme. BUT I wasn't paying attention and messed up. That's what happens when you work straight in ink/paint. It really bothers me and I almost didn't post it.

CTA01Sketch

2010-12-24T10:19:00.001-05:00

CTA01Sketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

Christmas Eve toy sketch
(part of a story I'm working on)
drawn with a nib & ink and watercolors

Queen Flee

2010-12-20T09:14:00.001-05:00

Queen Flee, originally uploaded by SubSub.

This is a JOYTEETH response
drawn with a brush pen, and watercolor

PrchsSketch

2010-12-15T05:49:00.001-05:00

PrchsSketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

a sketchbook spread
drawn with a Leonardt Principal nib & ink & brush pen. Also acrylic and watercolor paint.

CCS Annual Appeal

2010-12-07T11:56:00.002-05:00

I did the art and design for this year's Annual Appeal for The Center for Cartoon Studies (with a little layout help from Jim Jam Sturm). You probably got one if you're on the CCS mailing list.

Most of this thing was drawn with a G-Nib & India Ink with a little dry brush from a brush pen here and there.

If you want to support CCS visit HERE.

Toolsss

2010-11-29T08:30:00.002-05:00

Toolsss, originally uploaded by SubSub.

Spot illustration
drawn with a G-Nib & Brush Pen & Ink

PS. I've never used a Rapidograph and I don't like the Ames Lettering Guide, but it was a great shape and fit perfectly.

MakeSample02

2010-11-28T12:32:00.001-05:00

MakeSample02, originally uploaded by SubSub.

MAKE, a comic anthology I contributed to, is pleasantly reviewed on The Comics Journal. MAKE was edited by Robyn Chapman, you can pick up a copy HERE.

CR Shopping Guide

2010-11-27T10:51:00.001-05:00

Shopping Guide, originally uploaded by SubSub.

The Comics Reporter's Black Friday Holiday Shopping Guide '10 is an admirably exhaustive list of products recommended as gifts for fans of comics.
The calendar I designed and printed for AdHouse Books is listed (pictured above), "... this would be one nice stocking-stuffer for a fellow comics-loving adult."

Another gift suggestion on the list: Comics From The Secret Acres Store, "Everything in their store is at least good if not great work of its kind; plus they seem like swell guys."

NuhSketch

2010-11-24T08:49:00.001-05:00

NuhSketch, originally uploaded by SubSub.

Sketchbook spread,
drawn with a G-Nib, a Leonardt Principal, Ink and a Brush Pen, and markers, and watercolors

Sword Promo

2010-11-18T08:21:00.001-05:00

Sword Promo, originally uploaded by SubSub.

YOU GUYS! I am very excited to announce that JOYTEETH.com now has a Comics section!

For those who don't know, JoyTeeth.com is a "multi-participant reactive drawing space" where a handful of artists converse and respond to one another with sketches and illustrations.

In addition to continuing the sketch conversations JoyTeeth now has a Comics Page. Over time we will be posting many things including out of print mini-comics, short stories and anthologies.

To kick all of this off we have posted One Percent Press' SWORD anthology, a book we put together in 2008. Featuring stories by Joseph Lambert, JP Coovert, Stephen Floyd, James Hindle, and Alexis Frederick-Frost, SWORD follows the journey of a sword through time, through five different attempts at owning it.

The book is now out of print, but you can read the whole darn thing on JoyTeeth's Comics page.

Toolsls

2010-11-17T19:45:00.001-05:00

Toolsls, originally uploaded by SubSub.

Sample of a recent illustration
drawn with a G-Nib, Brush Pen, Ink

Lettering Samps 04

2010-11-17T08:54:00.001-05:00

Lettering Samps 04, originally uploaded by SubSub.

More of the same.
drawn with a G-Nib, Brush Pen and ink

Lettering Samps 03

2010-11-16T00:11:00.001-05:00

Lettering Samps 03, originally uploaded by SubSub.

More and more lettering.
G-Nib & brush pen & ink

Lettering Samps

2010-11-15T19:20:00.001-05:00

Lettering Samps, originally uploaded by SubSub.

More lettering samples from a recent project.
G-Nib, brush pen, ink

Sketchsample

2010-11-15T11:39:00.001-05:00

Sketchsample, originally uploaded by SubSub.

A sample from my new sketchbook.
Some of my sketchbook pages were featured in a Comics Alliance post. http://is.gd/h2Ue6
Thanks guys!

Lettering Samples

2010-11-13T18:29:00.001-05:00

Lettering Samples, originally uploaded by SubSub.

Progress Report:
Lettering all night long.
G-Nib & Brush & India Ink

Fall '10

2010-11-09T15:57:00.001-05:00

Fall '10, originally uploaded by SubSub.

I have a very nice set of reviews of my comics on The Comics Journal website HERE and HERE. Above is some original art of one of the stories mentioned in one of the reviews. You can read the whole story on Top Shelf's 2.0 page HERE.

CCSadb

2010-11-02T17:25:00.001-04:00

CCSadb, originally uploaded by SubSub.

progress report:
a quick spot illustration for CCS
drawn with a G-Nib and Ink
colored in Photoshop

The actual ad will run at 160px wide, totally small, hence the sparseness.

CCS ad

2010-11-02T14:58:00.001-04:00

CCS ad, originally uploaded by SubSub.

progress report:
a quick spot illustration for CCS.
drawn with a G-Nib & Ink

birdsketch (1)

2010-11-01T08:27:00.001-04:00

birdsketch (1), originally uploaded by SubSub.

character studies for a to-be redrawn story that didn't make it into my new book. Drawn with a nib & ink.

AfSSProgress03

2010-10-28T23:44:00.001-04:00

AfSSProgress03, originally uploaded by SubSub.

Progress Report:
two-color process

AfSSProgress02

2010-10-22T15:10:00.001-04:00

AfSSProgress02, originally uploaded by SubSub.

Progress report:
gray-tones

Super-boring panel, I don't know why I chose this one to share.
fun fact: I started adding grays to this page just now, only to realize I already did half of them on the plane yesterday. I have a hard time keeping files organized between the laptop and PC.

AfSSProgress01

2010-10-22T14:13:00.001-04:00

AfSSProgress01, originally uploaded by SubSub.

Friday progress report:
scans to thresh-held blacks

SunnySketch (2)

2010-10-07T13:43:00.001-04:00

SunnySketch (2), originally uploaded by SubSub.

A photo of inking progress, drawn with a nib.