There is nothing more convincing than conviction. Who has it? Fans have it. I want to introduce you to a fan I know—a fan whose pure enthusiasm’s already had me buying three separate, rather large books. His name is Troy, but he goes by Popeye Otaku. He loves Popeye. On twitter he lives Popeye, using…
Usagi Yojimbo #165: The Mouse Trap Springs
Usagi Yojimbo #165 Stan Sakai (Artist and Writer) Dark Horse Comics December 27, 2017 Usagi Yojimbo #165 is the last of a 3-part story arc set in a small village plagued by a criminal underground and an altruistic thief who steals from the rich and gives to the poor, Robin Hood-style. This wins him the…
Helsinki Zine Fest: Queer and Hopeful
My trip to Helsinki Zine Fest lasted only a single day, and yet it might have been one of my most important steps towards a career as a comics creator. In late July of last year, I had just found out I couldn’t afford my trip to New York to attend Flame Con. I was understandably upset at the prospect of almost being able to be within walking…
Webcomic Wonders: Keezy Young
Curious about webcomics and where to start? Get insight from those on the ground floor. Now a significant focal point in terms of queer comics and readership, webcomics have flourished over the last few years as a diverse community. Interested in creators’ perspectives, our intrepid reporter interviewed several at Flame Con 2017, Brooklyn’s annual LGBTQ…
Photo Comics or Not? Room For Ourselves in A Softer World
Editor’s note: I ran a poll on photo comics to see if I was the only one with a strangely firm prejudice against them—I wasn’t! Some really interesting discussion followed and as it developed I asked cartoonist Meredith Park to share her feelings in a longer form, here, on WWAC. Voila! Strong, personally held opinions:…
Stormwatch: A Big Bag of Knockoffs
The early ’90s were a hell of a time in comics. Superman died, the X-Men were everywhere, and even garbage would sell literally millions of copies. (For comparison, the best-selling titles in 2017 were lucky to break 100k copies.) Eight of Marvel’s most popular young creators left and formed their own brand so that they…
Women Making Comics: Jennifer Johnson on Creativity, Crafting Representation and Her Very First Comic (EXCLUSIVE)
When Black Mask Studios released Kwanza Osajyefo, Tim Smith 3, Jamal Igle, and Khary Randolph’s Black, they unleashed a political comics force on the often homogeneous landscape of our local comic shop. The book imagined a world where only Black people have superpowers, introducing a network of corrupt officials and shady government agents desperate to…
Nothing You Can Say Can Tear Me Away From My Guy: Semi-Radical Romance Comics
There’s nothing like a good bit of media to bring to mind a good bit of criticism—to deepen it, to clarify. There’s nothing like freedom to remind you of discipline—how it works, which parts help you grow, which parts curtail. I read a lot of comics made for mean slutty girls, and I had to…
Recovering Things Forgotten With Ivy Noelle Weir and Steenz
Archival Quality Ivy Noelle Weir (writer), Steenz (artist) Oni Press March 2018 Archival Quality is a story with surprising depth and nuance. The premise of the story, that of a twenty-something who begins working at a haunted library, was enough to get me to read it. In addition to the premise, I wanted to read…
Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny – Rey: The Making of a Hero
Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny #2 – Rey Jody Houser (Writer), Arianna Florean (Artist), Adele Matera (Colours), Tom B. Long (Letters) IDW Publishing 10 January, 2018 Star Wars: The Last Jedi may have divided fans, but one thing is for sure: protagonist Rey is definitely a hero of our times. When we first met…
BOOM! Bar: 2018 in Licences Vs Creator-Owned Comics
A short week to ease us back in! Yes, friends, foes, readers—it’s been a while. I took a Christmas break that became a year-start break. I feel much better. I’m ready. I’m prepared. Let’s begin. The last week of January sees BOOM! birth six releases: three single issues, two softcover collections, and one hardcover. Of…
Nicole J Georges’ Fetch: It’s Kind of Like Feminism, But for Dogs
An essay on Nicole J. Georges, a prolific zinester and graphic novelist who writes, draws and sings her love for animals, humans and vegan food.
