AdHouseBooksBlog

Thanks to good ol’ Kevin Church for taking the time to offer up his thoughts on the new site.

Heck, he even took the time to take a screen shot.

I apologize that it took so long. One of the reasons is that web-development is part of that “great unknown”. So, I wanted to take the time to learn some new processes, and stuff. Thanks to JCC for offering up suggestions, etc.

Just a reminder that you can sign up for that spiffy newsletter that Kevin mentions, too.

What else? Why not make yourself Manga?

Forgot to mention this…

Congrats to Joshua Cotter for having his lovely SKYSCRAPERS be the first sequential work from AdHouse to go to a second printing. And so soon, too. Don’t worry, though. Diamond has some copies, and I have a few for the remaining shows coming up in the fall. Heck, we even sent some out to a hometown festival that Josh is attending. (Go Longhorns!) I hope somone takes pics of Josh in the Midwest with his MIDWEST.

Anyways…

A couple weeks ago, some locals asked if I was interested in meeting to discuss the Ad for their web magazine.

(photo of me, myself & i in Joel Priddy’s hat, while he was away.)

I usually shy away from the local press, but since I hadn’t done any in a long time, I said sure.

Here’s the results.

It was an interesting interview. Old school, not via e. So, I tended to get off on tangents, and use industry speak. We met at Avalon, which use to be way cooler. Or, I should say less smokey. And also, our old neighbor, Q. Derks, use to be the chef, and thus, it rocked. Not sure where Q is these days…

Anyways, it was nice meeting Kelly & Richard. And yes, it is a small world. We all knew some of each other’s people.

Thought I’d blog about a few thingies that have happened since SDCC.

Fred (JOHNNY HIRO) Chao wrote in to tell us what a great time he had at the show. Our highlight was the image above, which features his parents! Fred also showed us some other keen photos of his parents at the Con, so we should all stay tuned to his blog for the posting.

Just found James’ neighbor Ken documenting James winning his Eisner.

Speaking of the Con, Tom Spurgeon sat down to talk with Ted Adams about whether or not IDW would be exhibiting at future shows. It’s a really good piece. Ted is a very savvy businessman. Also, I responded.

What did I do while not at SDCC? Well, I redesigned the site. Part of the redesign is incorporating a more “professional” email system. If you’re interested, go ahead and sign up.

IMPORTANT INFO: Upcoming Shows!!!

Thought I’d go ahead and plug the upcoming shows that we’ll be attending. In chronological order:

• The CGS Supershow. 9/6 & 9/7, Reading, PA. Fred Chao will be hanging with me, so it should be all types of fun.

• The Baltimore Comicon. 9/27 & 9/28, Baltimore. I got super excited when Paul Conrad told me he’d fly into be my boothbuddy. Also, we may or may not have a pretty cool announcement to make about this show. Stay tuned.

• SPX. 10/4 & 10/5, Bethesda, MD. Let’s see… People at the AdTables: Joshua Cotter, Dustin Harbin, maybe Jim Rugg?

And that’s all I got for this year… I think. (Shows that is… more info to come!)

This October finds Scott Morse releasing a short story collection told in lush pin-up illustrations… NOTES OVER YONDER.

The busy hum of the big city envelopes a lonely jazz musician as he deals with loss on the night of a big gig… and a world away, a desolate beach bum pines for his lost lover as a call from beyond washes up at his feet. A mischievous cat and a haunted ukulele tie their worlds together as NOTES OVER YONDER presents a surreal, magical, visual sort of music. Award-winning author Scott Morse combines these two quiet short stories into a uniquely woven tapestry of painted sequential images.

Scott Morse is the author of multiple critically acclaimed and award winning graphic novels including SOULWIND, THE BAREFOOT SERPENT, SOUTHPAW, PLASTIC MAN, and the new launch of the all-ages MAGIC PICKLE series from Scholastic.  Morse is currently working in story and design at Pixar Animation Studios.

details:
4C cover
64 four-color pages
5.5″ x 7″ HC
$12.95 US funds
ISBN 978-0-9774715-2-2
Shipping October 2008
Diamond Order Code: AUG08 3671
PDF preview

Scott’s Blog

You can preorder this project through Diamond’s August Previews catalog, which can be found in your local comic shop on 7/30/08. AdHouse items may also be available via Last Gasp. We suggest you support your local comic shop or Last Gasp, but if you go the Amazon route, here’s a link.

I don’t know if any of you all noticed the image below last week on the old site or not…

But yesterday we revealed an updated site. We came up with a design that was not based in frames, so that each book/comic will have it’s own page, and thus, hopefully, stand out on the web a bit better.

Part of this new look is to switch over to html emails, too. So, if you’re interested in receiving the latest news in regards to Previews solicitations, sales, or just plain info, you should head over to this link and sign up.

If you are a retailer who is interested, email me for your link.

The big news at ClubAd this weekend was a winning of an Eisner Award at the San Diego Comicon.

(That’s Joel Priddy accepting his Ignatz for Best Debut, way back in 02!)

Ad was nominated in a total of 7 categories this year, which was a record we’ll probably never have again. Sadly, Johnny Hiro (Fred Chao) and Jamie Tanner (Aviary) did not win. And I say “sadly” because they were at the ceremony, and gosh, I love the comics they produce. They should still be proud, though. Getting nominated is such an honor. And with Fred receiving four nominations, and then a nod for the Russ Manning New Comer Award.. sheesh, he should be on cloud nine!

So, that leaves the other two categories… which could also be known as James Jean.

He took home one for cover artist, which is fab, since he is such a great cover artist. He helped us out last year by doing the cover to SUPERIOR SHOWCASE #2 and his own book, PROCESS RECESS 2. So, we were kind-sort associated with that one, but not as much as the other one.

The other one being publication design for PROCESS RECESS 2. Wow. Seriously, this makes me feel freakin’ fantastic… for obvious reasons. James is a very talented designer, and I enjoyed the back and forth we had in creating PR2.  Sadly, as many of you probably know, PR2 has gone out of print. We talked about doing a second printing, but like most AdThings, I thought I’d like to put those resources towards PR3, which we’ve been talking about in bits and pieces so far.

Since I wasn’t at the ceremony I wanted to take this blog post and pretend I was, and do a quick speech.

Firstly, I’d like to thank James. He has been a true professional and a true friend. I’ve enjoyed all the times we’ve had the opportunity to work, hang and talk. I wish him only the best in all his future endeavors.

Secondly, the wife. She’s been the AdSupport for many a year, and I’m glad she allowed me to build this sandbox.

Finally, all my friends and associates in the funnybook world. That would include those who helped us get this party started. People like Dean Mullaney, Ted Adams, Joel Priddy and Jeff Mason. And those that continue to help to this day…

And since I’m one for short ceremonies, I’ll cut it there. Thanks to everyone for all their support.

-C

I’ve always liked that line. For me, it rings of Babylon 5, but I’m sure it’s a reference from Tolkein.

But really, it only works for one thing within the funny biz, and that’s San Diego Comicon.

I called Joshua W. Cotter yesterday to see if he had any involuntary cold sweats or hot flashes, since yesterday marked one year from our dreaded move in. We talked a bit about stuff. How the year has flown. What he’s working on now (exciting!). And whether SDCC is a show for him or not.

Me? I miss it.

Yes, it drove me insane last year with exhibiting. But I miss it. Something about the energy/scope/bigness of it all is rather exciting. I also like seeing people I don’t get to see anywhere else. Like Ted Adams of IDW, Chris Hope (ex RVAer) and my brother and his family!

So, as the news/photos/blog postings start rolling out, let’s all take them in, smile a little smile, and hope we can possibly make it out there next year.

Some stuff that’s already caught my ear:

Darwyn Cooke and his new project with IDW. Very cool for them. I dig the press conference they had as well as the IDW booth design. Can you say bigger and better?

The Watchmen OwlShip. Nuff said, indeed.

Chris Butcher posting photos. As one of the most-connected people in the biz, you know he’s going to come up with some neat ones.

I guess that’s all I can think of at this time. I wish everyone at the show a good time. Here’s hoping you discover something cool, get a good deal, and eat a good meal.

PS. Forgot to mention… I thought I’d have my virtual con this week, by offering up on ebay some of the rare, hard-to-find, and in some cases, very last example of items that have been created over the years.

With everyone gearing up for the nerdprom that is SDCC, I thought I’d throw out a few things I’d check out if I were there.

• James Jean signing XOXO. Details: Date: Saturday, July 26, 2008, 2:00pm - 3:00pm, Chronicle Books Booth 1637

• Paul Pope signing Karimbah! Details: Date: Saturday, July 26, 2008, 1:00pm - 4:00pm, Kid Robot Booth 4529

• Fred Chao hanging with his homies: All the time? Table M14. Special deal: Buy all three issues of Johnny Hiro and receive a free limited edition S&N print!

• Scott Morse will have convention exclusives that I actually helped him prepare, and some that I didn’t. Booth 4800

• New AdFriend Rafael Grampa will be debuting his Mesmo Delivery at a booth he’ll be sharing with Becky, Fabio, Gabriel and Visilis. I’m guessing it might be near the Image booth? Booth 2729 (Also, if you’re into anything COOL, be sure to pick up their brand-spanking new Pixu comic.

In like a lamb, out like a tiger!

This Fall/Winter for AdHouse has really ramped up, without my really planning it. Why? Probably because of the APE show, 3 of the 4 books appearing there, and a last minute distro-deal with Grampa. Heck, those with keen eyes will note that all of these books are self-published, with a little distro-help. On to the books!

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Notes Over Yonder by Scott Morse.

The busy hum of the big city envelopes a lonely jazz musician as he deals with loss on the night of a big gig… and a world away, a desolate beach bum pines for his lost lover as a call from beyond washes up at his feet. A mischievous cat and a haunted ukulele tie their worlds together as NOTES OVER YONDER presents a surreal, magical, visual sort of music. Award-winning author Scott Morse combines these two quiet short stories into a uniquely woven tapestry of painted sequential images.

4C cover
64 four-color pages
5.5″ x 7″ HC
$12.95 US funds
ISBN 978-0-9774715-2-2
Shipping October 2008

+ + +

The Venice Chronicles by Enrico Casarosa.

The Venice Chronicles - a travelogue in pencil, watercolor and varying shades of silliness. Hardcover,144 full-color pages, by Pixar artist Enrico Casarosa. Take a stroll through the side streets and canals of Venice in this colorful graphic novel, meeting at the intersection between Carnet De Voyage and Love Story.

4C cover
144 four-color pages
6.25″ x 8.25″ HC
$19.95 US funds
ISBN 978-0-9818455-0-0
Shipping November 2008

+ + +

Mesmo Delivery by Rafael Grampa.

Mesmo Delivery is the full color debut sequential work by Brazilian creator Rafael Grampa. The story is one of mystery and action, as Rufo, an ex boxer, must deliver the goods while promising to NEVER open or inspect his cargo. Mayhem ensues as the precious cargo becomes the goal of others. Wizard calls it Convoy meets The Twilight Zone.

4C cover
56 four-color pages
7″ x 10″ SC
$12.50 US funds
ISBN 978-8-5600180-3-1
Shipping November 2008

+ + +

Tiger!Tiger!Tiger! by Scott Morse.

Art… fatherhood… work… play. How do you reconcile one to the next? Award-winning author Scott Morse has decided it’s time to try within the pages of TIGER!TIGER!TIGER!, a series of band desinee-style graphic works that combine varied styles of painting and illustration with sequential stories of wonder and the magic of the day-to-day. Morse’s popular tiger from the pages of SOUTHPAW is reborn as a paper tiger through which Morse lives out moments of his life, attempting to harness an inner courage while tackling hard thoughts and new experiences, all the while doing his best to appreciate each moment as it comes. TIGER!TIGER!TIGER! is Morse’s most personal work to date, a leap in storytelling technique that self-analysis with stunning, vibrant imagery.

4C cover
48 four-color pages
9″ x 12″ HC
$14.95 US funds
ISBN 978-0-9774715-3-9
Shipping December 2008