A couple years ago, I was fortunate enough to land a volunteer service position at a social justice focused school. Rather than being taboo topics as they would be at other schools, we talked openly with our students about issues of racism, homophobia, and environmental justice and encouraged them to complete projects about the injustices…
The Slight Madness that Make Us Sane: A Q&A with Yann Martel
The 37th International Festival of Authors (IFOA) in Toronto runs from October 20-30 and has been attended by a number of outstanding authors, including Canada’s own Yann Martel, author of the international bestselling novel Life of Pi. Martel, who currently lives in Saskatoon, is also the author of 2016’s The High Mountain of Portugal — a book which explores love, faith…
Graphic Novels in the IFOA Spotlight
A decade ago, the International Festival of Authors decided to include graphic novels alongside the other literary offerings of their event. After surveying the industry locally and internationally, IFOA brought in hundreds of titles from around the world. Yet publishers turned up their noses because graphic novel creators were not considered to be real writers and…
And Then They Died: Sean Poppe’s Cackling Horror Comics
Disclaimer: This review is based on a review copy provided by the cartoonist. Short horror fiction has perhaps the widest reach of all genres. Campfires, midnight radio, parody advertisements, pulp fiction for eight-year-olds, and anthology television all boast a firm ground in the genre-format. Readers and viewers alike love the twist in the tale that so…
Unicorns and Chocolate Chips: Heather Einhorn’s Epic Cookies
When I interviewed Adam Staffaroni about finding the kids comics market, I did not expect to end up chatting about cookies and unicorns. Staffaroni, who is the Chief Creative Officer at Einhorn’s Epic Productions, went on to introduce me to his wife Heather Einhorn, Founder and CEO of a company that calls back to the read-and-pass-along comics culture…
WWAC at NYCC: An Evening With Cas Anvar
If you follow me at all on social media, you might have picked up that I am somewhat fond of SyFy’s The Expanse. That @ExpanseSyfy panel was almost perfect happiness for me. S2 can't come soon enough! — Laura Harcourt (@blueofthebay) October 8, 2016 (Just a li’l.) So when an opportunity to chat with Cas Anvar, the…
Good Butt Cracks & Bad Butt Cracks: The Nuance in Old City Blues
Cyberpunk police story? Corporate interests versus morality, in a mech-filled, nourished dystopia? Patching in–Old City Blues.
The Power & Magic in Queer Witch Comics
One night about eight months ago, Joamette Gil had an epiphany. Her skills as a writer, cartoonist, and illustrator, her Afro-Cuban roots, her interdisciplinary degree in social justice and psychology, and perhaps more than a little magic came together to form the idea that would become Power & Magic: The Queer Witch Comics Anthology. Initially, the “witch”…
Finding the Kids Comics Market
Gone are the days of parents rolling their eyes in exasperation as little Suzie begs for the latest issue of Spider-Man, carefully placed near the candy bars at the grocery store check-out. Archie Comics might still appear in that coveted spot above the latest issue of The Enquirer, but long gone is the variety of…
Double Double: An Interview with Toil and Trouble’s Mairghread Scott and Kelly & Nichole Matthews
After reviewing and loving Mairghread Scott and Kelly & Nichole Matthew’s Toil & Trouble, a take on Shakespeare’s Macbeth from Archaia Press, I got the chance to talk to the creators further about the six-issue series, about taking on something like Macbeth, depicting paganism and Lady Macbeth, and drawing magic.
Iridescent Tails and Starfish Pasties: An Interview with Fat Mermaids’ Paige Hall
When I spoke to Paige Hall about her recently released project, Fat Mermaids: A Collaborative Charity Zine, and asked her why she’s so passionate about mermaids, I received the best answer anyone has ever given me: “What’s not to love about a chunky iridescent tail and starfish pasties?” Hall is an illustrator and avid advocate…
Colorist on Color: Matt Wilson
We had a chance to talk to longtime colorist Matt Wilson. You can follow Matt on Twitter and buy his shirts and prints on Big Cartel.
