ROCK THE WIZARD WORLD

Ok, here's the tape cabinet I got at the pawn shop a few years ago. It really really says that, see? But it's apt to finally get the dang camera out and take the pic for you because next week is Wizard World Chicago. You going? Whatcha lookin' for? Me, I'm after Neutro (of course) and The Shadow Annual #1 by Helfer and Baker.

We'll be in Artists' Alley, table 9123. Just look for the setup from earlier posts and you'll spot us. We'll have buttons, plus a ComiXpress-printed item called CANDLE LIGHT CLASSICS #1--it's a reprint of "Absence", the first story Jeremy and I ever did together. You can read it on the candlelightpress.com site here. Try before you buy! They'll be going for the princely sum of one dollar. I love print-on-demand, I tell ya. It's also got a new essay by me about the history of that book's original near-publication back in the day. Con-only deal here, folks, so keep an eye for it.

Well, more to do yet (including minting buttons), so gotta run. Maybe next time I'll show you what inside the wizard world box....

Heads up! Review time again!

There is a fantastic review of Carter Allen's sci-fi masterpiece "And The Sky Turned White" posted on comicbookin.com!!! Check it out, people!

http://comicbookbin.com/andtheskyturnedwhite.html

More sights from THE CHANGING BOOK

The Changing Book Report

We just got in from THE CHANGING BOOK 2005, an academic conference put on by the University of Iowa. This is like no convention I've been to as a comics guy, that's for sure. Several meals were catered, the room was beautiful and the tables were actually spaced apart a bit. No-one was in the throusand yard stare mode. Plus, they even gave Jeremy an apple at the outdoor version of the show on friday. Wow! Lots of folks were interested in graphic novels and print-on-demand; there were a lot of librarians (and we love to talk to libarians!), so they each got a free catalog. More soon.

Have to share this one

Our pal Jim Musser of the Iowa City Press-Citizen has the following in this week's column:

"CANDLE LIGHT AT PRAIRIE LIGHTS -- Local graphic novel publishers Candle Light Press will present readings and a discussion of the form at 5 p.m. Saturday at Prairie Lights Bookstore. Creators Carter Allen, Jeremy Smith and John Ira Thomas will be on hand. I know -- they're books -- but they ROCK."

Jim, the P-C music critic/guru, wrote the prefaces to both the MAN IS VOX volumes.

Another great review of LEAP YEARS

Hey all. The debut work by Ian Bennett has been reviewed by the folks at ComicBookBin. Check it out!

http://comicbookbin.com/leapyears001.html

Poster for Prairie Lights reading

Here's the poster for the reading at Prairie Lights. It's been popping up around here for a while.

We've been getting things together for that and "The Changing Book 2005" over the last week. Two weeks later, we'll be at Wizard World Chicago, Aug 5-7. We'll be over by Pam Bliss, maker of the great new comic KEKIONGA. It'll be a fine time.

Patton down the hatches!

We sent a bottle of "Chateau de Doom" wine to supreme comedian Patton Oswalt (I drew a nice picture of Doom for the label) and he wrote us back....

"Loved it. Loved the catalogue. Gave the wine to a needy comic nerd friend for his b-day, which made him happy, which made me happy. Thanks for making me happy."
PATTON

You say it's your birthday

Another 4th of July weekend has come and gone for the Candle Light crew. Grillin', chillin' and grillin' are the theme of the days. Work continues on our upcoming appearances here in Iowa City (July 22-24) and in Chicago (early August). We are making buttons (including the beauty shown on the left), models (here comes the TRAW-LER!) and of course comics. I went and saw War of the Worlds last night. I thought it was very good and very disturbing. So far this summer, the movie going experience has been a good on, my record is 4-1, not too bad. I know that Batman, Sith, zombies and space aliens aren't exactly everyone's cup of tea, but it's great by me!

So, enjoy the sparklers and the BBQ and see you soon!

New Zoo Force Review at Sequential Tart

Pam Bliss reviews Zoo Force: Bean and Nothingness at Sequential Tart. A quote: "But every time I read Bean and Nothingness I get closer to figuring it out. And this is a comic that makes you eager to read it again. In a world of ephemeral throw-away entertainments, that's a quality worth savoring."