Monday, September 7, 2015

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Monday, August 10, 2015

TCJ Journal Comic

I did a journal comic for The Comics Journal. Day One is up today!

So, I've always wanted to publish comics using my Pentel Pocket Brush and now I finally have. I felt incredibly liberated to make gestures. Not everything with this expressive line has to be accurate as long as the gesture is interesting to look at. I'm pleased. I think this is how my Mr. Wolf comics will start to look for this upcoming year as I'm starting to take on other professional projects that require my more exacting line. This expressive line I can do in a sketchbook and it allows me to make comics without color and saves me about half the time. I can also do a sketch per day and publish that at the end of each week. Who knows. I'm excited.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Fanboy Comics Interview


The nice people at Fanboy Comics came and stopped by for an interview at SDCC this year. Check it out. Oh, and we did win the Eisner. Did I mention that already? :) Hey, I don't hate the way I sound anymore! This is a miracle. Maybe you do but I'm finally becoming comfortable with how I talk, look, and present myself.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Eisner Awards Recap

 

This was my first San Diego Comic Con. I had been told to expect a spectacle and that's certainly what it was. I had to take the trolley to the convention center many, many stops away in order to find parking. Even then, during peak hours the train was bursting with cosplayers. Here I am above signing books at the First Second booth with editor extraordinaire, Calista Brill. My amazing publicist Gina Gagliano is in the background.


During the night of the Eisner Awards I made my way to the Hilton Bayfront hotel. I got ushered to my table and then about 45 minutes before the ceremony food was served buffet style. The table centerpieces were action figures of Will Eisner's The Spirit. At the very end of the evening they were giving away more packaged versions of this toy so made sure to bring one home to my son.


I had this chance to catch up with friends from far and wide. So many friends nominated. Rina Ayuyang was up for Best Short story and attended the ceremony with her husband. I feel Rina and I both come from similar comics roots, both having been the only two artists published by the combined forces of Sparkplug Comics and Tugboat Press.


I sat at the First Second table with Mark Siegel, Calista, Gina, and nominees Jillian Tamaki, Mariko Tamaki, Gene Luen Yang and Gene's wife. My stomach was in knots as I sat and waited. I have to say I was a little underwhelmed by the speeches people were giving. I thought to myself, I better having something ready in case we actually win. I felt a little silly for writing a speech down. But, it could actually happen right.


When it was announced that The Zoo Box had won for Best Publication for Early Readers it really hit me hard. I somehow managed to head up to the podium and make a little speech. I remember looking into a sea of bright black that was the audience. All of the lights shining right on me made it feel as if I was talking to a screen or talking to the abyss. I think I kept my wits about me. I did however forget to mention Dylan Williams, whom I owe so much.


So, we won. It's a total trip! After I made my little speech they swept me off stage, took my picture, and did a backstage interview. I wonder where those photos and interviews all end up? Overall, this was the most mind-blowing thing I've been a part of. It feels truly amazing and super surreal.


I walked all around with my wife's and my Eisner. Thank you Gina for getting me a box to put them in.


I went through a number of facial expressions for this photo and this is the one Gene choose to post on Twitter. :) Really proud of that guy and proud to know him for the short time I have. Gene won for "Best Writer" up against the comics heavyweights. Raina Telgemeier won for "Best Writer/Artist" up against titans as well. Mariko and Jillian won for "Best Graphic Album New," which was no surprise to many. I met so many amazing people on this trip that I cannot possibly thank them all. Sorry, if only I had more time.


Here we are with our awards. Thank you to everyone who voted! Really it's because of you that we get to have this honor. Ariel's already disappointed that she wasn't able to make it for the event so I won't rub it in. One note about the awards is that they are sturdy. The globe does spin and they look pretty damn handsome, don't they? Now... How do I not let it all go to my head? We're both not quitting our day jobs as teachers anytime soon. I guess that's a start.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Mr. Wolf page 170

Hey folks! School is out which means I can start catching up on this year’s Mr. Wolf. Sorry for the wait. If you’re out and about in CA I’ll be down in SF next week for the American Library Association convention, tabling in Artist’s Alley. I’ll also be down for San Diego Comic Con for signings and panels in July. more info coming soon.

Friday, May 8, 2015

Mr. Wolf page 157-168



In risk of sounding like a broken record in the next few weeks I'll only post this a couple times here but my wife and I are super-excited to find out that The Zoo Box has been nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids (up to 7). If you work in the comics industry (in any way shape or form from amateur to professional), are a librarian that shelves comics, or professor that assigns comics you can vote for this year's Eisner Awards. It's super easy. Please check it out. http://www.eisnervote.com/

Saturday, April 25, 2015

The Zoo Box Nominated for An Eisner!!


We are almost speechless! The Zoo Box has been nominated for an Eisner Award!!! Ah!!! Please consider voting for us if you are a teacher, librarian, or industry professional. I'll post more when voting is up. It basically comes down to a popularity contest here on out. I think more people are eligible to vote than you may think.

Mr. Wolf page 165


Sunday, January 25, 2015

Kid's Storytime at Powell's


This is an upcoming event for: February 21, 2015 @ 11:00 am


  1005 W Burnside St. between 10th and 11th Ave. Portland, OR 503 228 4651 

Today, author Ariel Cohn and illustrator Aron Nels Steinke join us to read from their book, The Zoo Box (First Second). Home alone for the night, Erika and Patrick head straight to the attic to explore. They open a mysterious box and hundreds of animals come pouring out! 

Bring the kids!!!