Archive | Signings

FCBD2016: Kate Leth signing at Fantastic Comics

12900994_607767066038556_8426053126351384599_oI have a feeling this is going to come out all wrong. [incoming run-on-sentence] You know that thing where you start following a creator on Tumblr or DeviantArt or in some random forum somewhere and maybe you bought one of their early pieces of art and then all of a sudden that person is getting published and playing in the intellectual property sandbox and you feel a weird sort of pride toward that person but it isn’t exactly pride? What is that word? I guess it could be “admiration” but it’s really more like “hell yes, I don’t know you personally but I remember watching you work your ass off and you deserve all of these cool things that are happening – high fucking five. No, I don’t need you to sign anything. I just want to give you proper respect.” *shrug* I don’t know but I’m sure there’s a German or Japanese word for it. Whatever it is, Kate Leth is one of those people for me. Kate or Die was one of the reasons I started using tumblr and it’s been exciting to see and support her growth. I wasn’t terribly interested in Edward Scissorhands but I bought it (and ended up enjoying) because it’s a way to say to the industry “you’re making a great decision! Give her more work!”

If you love comics and care about shaping the industry I personally think this is a solid way to approach purchasing comics. Occasionally, creators I enjoy get a break and assigned to a project at one of the big publishers that I’m not terribly enthused about but I’ll buy the book anyway. I do it because I want those creators to be offered more opportunities. I’ve watched what they can do independently and know if editors give them more freedom they’ll shake things up and create the books I want to read. Can you imagine Kate Leth on a Spider-Man or Hawkeye book (no, I don’t know if she’s actually interested in writing those characters)?

Anyway, I should probably get to the subject. Kate Leth is going to be putting her signature on comic books and trades at Fantastic Comics, 2026 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, on Free Comic Book Day 2016 (May 7). She’ll be there at some point between the shops opening hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. (hopefully I’ll have more details and will update this article before it publishes itself). Fantastic typically has a number of fantastic things happening on FCBD so stop in, pick up some free comics, and buy something.

As for Leth? She has a Patreon where she talks about taking that leap into full-time freelance. Consider supporting her continuing journey.

 

Signing: Greg Hinkle and Jason McNamara at Mission: Comics (April 29)

The Rattler prismatic

The Rattler prismatic

In 2014, I was excited to contribute to a Kickstarter for Jason McNamara and Greg Hinkle’s horror graphic novel The RattlerCombining horror and comics isn’t an easy feat and is rarely done well but McNamara and Hinkle nailed it with this graphic novel. They effectively built suspense and delivered on true moments of fright. It was one of my favorite reads in 2014 but due to the limited nature of Kickstarter I couldn’t share with friends. Thankfully, Image Comics stepped up and has republished the graphic novel in a fancy new edition that’s now available at local comic shops smart enough to carry it. One of those smart comic shops will be hosting a signing with McNamara and Hinkle on April 29. Mission: Comics and Art, 2250 Mission Street in San Francisco, will be celebrating the release of The Rattler and Hinkle’s collected collaboration with James Robinson, Airboy, starting at 6 p.m.

Maybe they’ll bring some of the super-cool The Rattler prismatics (see image to the left) they made for the Kickstarter. You know your trapper-keeper could use a new accessory.

Signing: Chuck Palahniuk at Comix Experience

fightclubissue3Begin Disclosure: This disclosure is important, because I’m about to start this blurb about a signing at Comix Experience with the hyperbolic statement “Fight Club 2 is one of the top ten titles of 2015.” I respect Chuck Palahniuk greatly as an author, I believe Cameron Stewart is one of the most important comic artists working, and I consider Fight Club to be a rare perfect film.  This disclosure is important, because I want you to be aware of my bias.  This disclosure is important, because I want you to consider that while Palahniuk has long been one of my favorite authors I haven’t been enamored by every word, sentence, and paragraph he’s written. He’s even penned entire books where I reach the final period, close the book, and say “meh.” Even so, he remains an author I read in hardcover because of his approach to the narrative craft. By “approach,” I mean the way he’ll use a long-bearded ax to tear away the traditional narrative shield, hack the status quo into little pieces, and reassemble it with the rhythm of war drums as his guide.

This disclosure is important, because I believe my hyperbolic statement “Fight Club 2 is one of the top ten titles of 2015″ should carry extra weight. My first thought when reading the solicits was that a sequel was unnecessary. A sequel in any format would take away from the original novel and film. My childhood would be ruined. Human beings only have a tentative hold on nostalgia and the smallest affront to that nostalgia, like making Ghostbusters all women, would destroy one of the building blocks that made me. If it happens too often the Universe would likely collapse. The previous four statements are all lies (especially the bit about Ghostbusters). On February 24, I shared a link to the solicit on Facebook and wrote “this is interesting.” This disclosure is important, because this disclosure is unreliable. End disclosure.

Fight Club 2 is one of the top ten titles of 2015. If you’re already aware of this indisputable fact Comix Experience wants to reward you. If you weren’t aware, but wish to become aware, Comix Experience wishes to reward you.

On August 29, Chuck Palahniuk will be signing copies of his Dark Horse Comics series at Comix Experience’s 350 Divisadero Street location. There will be lines and there will be rules.

  1. If you’re a Comix Experience patron with Fight Club 2 on your subscription list you’ll receive a number for the priority line.
  2. If you’ve never purchased a copy of Fight Club 2, but go to Comix Experience on the day of the event and purchase all four issues you’ll receive a number for the priority line.
  3. If you’ve purchased issue one through three at a different location, but subscribe to issue four at Comix Experience (this is so very clever) you’ll receive a number for the priority line.
  4. There is a secondary line if you have a general disdain for comics as an art form, would prefer to not spend your hard earned dollars on funny books and supporting a local business, and would like for Palahniuk to sign your first edition of the only true Fight Club while asking “oh my god, how could you create this bastardization of such an important book?”
  5. There will be an exclusive line for speculators and flippers forming at the end of Pier 39. Palahniuk will meet with you, tell you you’re special, and sign every single item in your box. Please be at Pier 39 promptly at 11 a.m. and do not go to Comix Experience.

For an accurate and clear breakdown of the rules of the lines please visit the Comix Experience website.

The signing will begin at 11 a.m., but your numbered place in line will better determine when you should show up.  Again, visit the Comix Experience website to better understand your place in line.

Be prepared for the unexpected at this signing. Palahniuk events are known for mayhem.

#mayhemsf #chuckpalahniuk #lindayuknavitch

A video posted by Jesse Russell (@allicouldsee) on

Signing: Rick Remender at Isotope – The Comic Book Lounge

LastDaysofAmericanCrimeHC_900pxOn August 29 comic creator Rick Remender will be the focus of a signing and after party at Isotope Comic Book Lounge. Remender has a long history with the Hayes Valley comic shop and was one of the initial contributors to the infamous Comic Rockstars Toilet Seat Museum. The event is to celebrate Remender’s The Last Days of American Crime coming back into print in a collected edition.

From Isotope:

Isotope proudly welcomes Rick Remender, author of some of our favorite creator owned books including BLACK SCIENCE, DEADLY CLASS, LOW,FEAR AGENT, STRANGE GIRL, NIGHT MARY and what is sure to be one of the best books of the year TOKYO GHOST with the always brilliant Sean Murphy. Rick also has written some of the best Marvel comics of the last decade including UNCANNY X-FORCE, WINTER SOLDIER, CAPTAIN AMERICA, AVENGERS & X-MEN: AXIS, THE PUNISHER, and the coolestVENOM comic ever.

When we heard that one of our favorite Remender “lost treasures” THE LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME was coming back into print, we had to invite Rick in to celebrate with us. Check out more about this fantastic book here. Remender is a long time friend of the shop, he co-founded the Isotope’s famous Comic Rockstars Toilet Seat Museum and was our featured guest at our very first event ever, so we couldn’t be excited to have him back and as part of one of our most superstar-laden years ever!

Signing:
Saturday, August 29th 2015
4pm – 6pm
All-Ages

After Party:
Saturday, August 29th 2015
8pm – Midnight
21+ please

Signing & Talk: Ales Kot at Mission Comics July 22

01-ales-kot.nocrop.w529.h861.2xMuch like the character on the cover of his new series, Wolf, Ales Kot is on fire. In recent months the creator of the critically acclaimed Zero has been taking the topics he deftly tackles in his writing straight to his twitter feed and acting as a blunt catalyst for some rather lively discussions. As highlighted in a recent article on Vulture, Kos has taken to using his rising star to shine a bright light on both the prevalence of white cis-gendered males in comics and the tendency for comics to buy into the military industrial complex.

This evening, you can discuss these issues and more when Kot visits Mission: Comics and Art at 3520 20th Street in San Francisco. The comic shop and art gallery will be hosting a signing and talk starting at 5 p.m. The first two hours will mostly be a meet and greet followed by the talk starting at 7 p.m.

Tumblr: Ales Kot
Twitter: @ales_kot

 

What: Signing and talk with Ales Kot
Where: Mission: Comics and Art
When: July 22 with signing/Meet and Greet from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Talk at 7 p.m.

Signing: Kevin Wada at The Escapist on July 25

blackwidowkevinwadaWatercolor illustrator Kevin Wada is scheduled to sign at The Escapist in Berkeley on July 25. Wada, a fashion illustrator who’s turned his talents toward comics, has produced covers for titles including She-Hulk and Catwoman. The San Francisco-based illustrator was discovered by the world of comics when he started a project redesigning X-Men as fashion illustrations.

Website: www.kevinwada.com
Tumblr: kevinwada.tumblr.com
Twitter: twitter.com/kevinwada

What: Signing with Kevin Wada
Where: The Escapist
3090 Claremont Ave.
Berkeley, CA
When: July 25, 1 p.m.

Signing: “Death Head” creators Zack and Nick Keller at Dr. Comics

deathhead“I heard he lures kids into the tunnel… then chokes them till their necks snap!”

Dr. Comics and Mr. Games is hosting a signing for Nick and Zack Keller as they celebrate the release of their new series Death Head. The series was announced in March by Dark Horse Comics at Emerald City Comicon. The first issue will finally hit shelves on July 15 and the Nick and Zack will be holding court at the Piedmont neighborhood comic shop on July 18 at 3 p.m.

After the Burton family discovers an ancient mask fashioned in the style of those worn by plague doctors in the 17th Century they’re soon targeted by the mask’s owner. In an interview with CraveOnline, Zack explained “there are many haunted locations, but only one Plague Doctor. Like an urban legend, everyone knows about the creature wearing the white beaked mask. However, no one truly knows what it wants, where it comes from or why it so often takes the victim’s head. These locations—the cemetery sewer, an abandoned town in the redwoods—are real places near where we grew up that have scared us since childhood. By writing this story we’re exorcising our demons and passing them on to you.”

The story is especially relevant to those of us who call Oakland home. The graffiti sewer tunnel in Mountain View Cemetery serves as inspiration for a similar tunnel which makes several appearances in the series. It might be a fun place to set up camp and read the first issue. Or not, because plague doctors.

Find Death Head on Tumblr and Facebook.
Creator Website: Zack Keller
Creator Website: Nick Keller

What: Death Head signing with Nick and Zack Keller
Where: Dr. Comics and Mr. Games
4014 Piedmont Street
Oakland, CA
When: July 15, 3 p.m.

Isotope to host APE Aftermath parties with Paul Pope and Ed Piskor

Two weekends for the publishing of this post the Alternative Press Expo will be taking over the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. While APE itself is always a great time for fans of indie comics the excitement doesn’t end when you exit the expo. Isotope – The Comic Book Lounge, 326 Fell Street, will be hosting a two-night “APE Aftermath” event featuring creators Ed Piskor and Paul Pope. Event descriptions below are from Isotope’s website:

October 4: Ed Piskor
8 p.m. until midnight
21+

Known for his historical graphic novel explorations like the fictional look at the early world of computer hacking WIZZYWIG and also THE BEATS: A GRAPHIC HISTORY with comics legend Harvey Pekar, Piskor’s most recent works are exploding in popularity and also his most funky-fresh in the flesh boks to date… HIP HOP FAMILY TREE, documenting the birth and history of the early rap scene.

In honor of Mister Piskor we will be throwing a truly old school themed bash with SF’s own DJ Grandmaster Bearzbub getting the party jumping with the best pre-1986 bodyrocking beats and Mixologist Kirsten Baldock serving up her unique maxin’ and relaxin’ libations based on Piskor’s latest works. For your uprocking needs, be sure to prepare your crew with this great resource. And don’t be shy about to breaking out your freshest gear… we suggest your furry Kangol buckets, your favorite Puma track-suit, your Carrera Porsche 5620 shades, and your Adidas shell-toes. See you then, b-boys and b-girls!

October 5: Paul Pope
8 p.m. until midnight
21+

By the most popular or popular requests, the Isotope is proud to bring Alternative Press Expo 2014 weekend to a true climax with our second-of-two APE Aftermath bashes… with the multiple Eisner Award winning cartoonist, painter, multi-media artist, fashion designer, DJ, and true America icon Paul Pope!

Pope exploded on the scene with the new comics energy indie hit THB here in the states and the crazy-cool SUPER*TROUBLE in Japan. His work also includes the stunning BATMAN YEAR 100, HEAVY LIQUID, ESCAPO, 100%, and of course, the book we will be celebrating… BATTLING BOY and the released-that-very-week BATTLING BOY: THE RISE OF AURORA WEST.

Sure to be the talk of the weekend (who wouldn’t want to party with Paul Pope?!), our event features San Francisco’s famed spinner of tunes DJ Bearzbub and bespoke cocktails based on Paul’s comics by Kirsten Baldock. This is going to be a good one!

Signing: Charles Soule at Comix Experience on October 1

When I read that Charles Soule would be hosted for a signing at Comix Experience, 305 Divisadero Street in San Francisco, it was difficult to believe. Soule is, as the Comix Experience flyer touts, on of the hardest working writers in the comic book industry. At times he’s carried eight books a month, so it’s hard to imagine he’d find time to untether from the his writing implement of choice for a signing tour. Perusing the shelves at your local comic book store you’ll find Soule’s name on Red Lanterns, Swamp Thing, She-Hulk, Inhuman, Superman/Wonder Woman, Letter 44, and The Death of Wolverine. Is Comix Experience planning to fool us with a clone?

Charles Soule flyerDoing some intense investigative digging (going to Soule’s website and reading his blog) I learned that Soule is currently embarking on a new journey and starting to wind down his DC work. Soule writes “Writing eight titles a month (which I’ve been doing for quite a while now) is no joke. It’s a constant tightrope walk, requiring serious focus and discipline. I’ve proven to myself that I can do it, but now that I have, it’s time for a different challenge – I want to know what I can accomplish with a smaller slate, where I can really dive in. I’ve accomplished breadth, now I want to see about depth.”

While he’ll be wrapping up his DC work over the next few months Soule assures readers that the fantastic Letter 44 (Oni Press) will continue. “I’m on that one until it’s done, which won’t be for a while yet,” Soule wrote.

So there you have it, no clones.

The October 1 visit to Comix Experience will take place from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.

If you haven’t read Soule’s Letter 44 the entire first issue is available for free on i09.

Signing: Gene Luen Yang at Mission – August 16

Mission: Comics and Art, 3520 20th Street in San Francisco, will be hosting Gene Luen Yang for a signing of The Shadow Hero. Yang’s title reaches into the Golden Age of comics and shines a spotlight on the often overlooked Asian-American hero the Green Turtle. Although the Green Turtle only made it to five issues of Blazing Stories Yang saw it as an opportunity to tell the back story of this long lost hero. Featuring beautiful art from Sonny Liew the comic was initially released digitally, but dropped as a collected paperback in July. You can read more about the title here and watch a trailer here. The signing starts at 6 p.m. on August 16.

The Shadow Hero

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