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• Free Comic Book Day 2005 isn't until May but I'm really looking forward to some of these books.

• New zine and comic reviews are up at Almost Normal.

• Dave Burke over at Monster Fetish has four new prints available, including this one, which I like a lot.

• This past Sunday at the WonderCon comic book convention in San Francisco, Bone creator Jeff Smith announced that Telltale Games will be bringing an adaptation of Bone: Out from Boneville to computer monitors everywhere as an adventure game. [ thanks to Jeff Mason ]

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This month Top Shelf has two really cool books to announce:

• The debut of James Kochalka's all-new superhero series, Super F*ckers
&
• The Free Comic Book Day book from Andy Runton, Owly: Splashin' Around


Check out all the details below:


IN PREVIEWS NOW!
(For Pre-Ordering Books Shipping In MAY)


Super F*ckers #1
by James Kochalka
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog.php?type=12&title=446

No, it's not a sex book! The Super F*ckers are the baddest teenage superhero team around, and everybody wants to join them. They live in a big clubhouse, play video games on their state-of-the-art supercomputer, smoke their teammate Grotus' slime drippings, and fight amongst themselves like cats and dogs. Would-be heroes are lining up outside the door for a chance to try-out for a spot on the elite team. But why must they incessantly keep ringing the doorbell? The try-outs aren't until tomorrow. Somebody's got to stop them. This book is outrageously funny, vibrantly colored, and out of control. Just like America. Don't miss the all-new series from James Kochalka.
-- $7.00 (US), Comic Book, Diamond Order Code: MAR053221


Monkey vs. Robot
by James Kochalka

An all-new edition of James Kochalka's classic action-packed rumble-in-the-jungle! With a new cover, new size, and new price of just ten bucks! A factory of self-replicating robots is stripping the jungle of its natural resources, threatening the territory of a colony of nearby monkeys. A series of encounters between the two groups quickly escalates into all out war. A modern day fable for adults and kids alike based on the age-old struggle between nature and technology.
-- $10.00 (US), 160 pages, Graphic Novel, ISBN 1-891830-15-5, Diamond Order Code: MAR053223



FREE COMIC BOOK DAY TO FEATURE ANDY RUNTON'S OWLY!
Absolutely Free at a Comic Book Store Near You on May 7th:

Owly: Splashin' Around
by Andy Runton

Top Shelf is proud to join the industry-wide Free Comic Book Day celebration with an all-new, 32-page, heartwarming tale from the all-ages graphic novel series, Owly. Already winning fans around the world, Owly is the kind, yet lonely little owl who knows what it means to be human. Join Owly in his latest adventure, Splashin' Around, as he learns that following your heart can bring the greatest reward. For kids, for adults -- for everyone with a heart and a sense of adventure.



SHIPPING TO STORES IN MARCH & APRIL

Owly (Vol. 2): Just a Little Blue by Andy Runton

Minisulk by Jeffrey Brown

Hello, Again by Max Estes

Mosquito by Dan James

Scalawag by Steve Lafler


More info at: Top Shelf Productions

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• Derek Ballard's done a new comic about peeing just for you.

• The current Stranger (Seattle) has a one-pager by Jessixa.

• If you're in the Minneapolis area I bet you won't want to miss "Psst!", a stage performance based on the work of Norwegian cartoonist Jason. Here's more info (and you've got to see the photo) at the Comics Journal Message Board.

• The current issue of kids' mag Nickelodeon, available practically everywhere, contains 3-D comics by Kim Deitch, Lark Pien, Johnny Ryan, Paul Karasik, Paul Rivoche, Sam Henderson, Martin Ontiveros, Jef Czekaj and more.

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• Johnny Ryan's got the cover of this week's Portland Mercury.

• Hey, most alt-weeklies run comics, right? Well, you know, when they haven't sold enough phone sex ads, I mean. But how many run good local cartoonists? Check out Flagpole (Athens, Ga.) for weekly comics by Bak, Patrick Dean, Missy Kulik and others.

• J. Chris Campbell's Zig Zag #1 is coming in May from AdHouse Books. Here's a look at the cover.

• There's a new Arthur out with, among other content, comics by Brian Ralph, Dan Zettwoch, Megan Kelso, Ben Jones, Paul Lyons, David Lasky, Tom Hart, Vanessa Davis, Greg Cook, Marc Bell, Amy Lockhart, John Hankiewicz and even more. [ thanks to Vanessa Davis ]

• Jim Siergey writes in to say that he's illustrated a book of light verse, Fair Game: Open Season on Baseball by Bob McKenty, which will be out in April from Doggerel Daze.

• Alternative Comics has announced the Hickee Vol. 3, #1 anthology and James Kochalka's The Cute Manifesto for May and June, respectively.

• Have you seen Dave Kiersh's new website?

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SPOT ON: The Art of Zines & Graphic Novels

Minnesota Center for Book Arts, April 9-June 25, 2005

Are you a zine or graphic novel artist? Minnesota Center for the Book Arts (MCBA) is looking for artwork to include in its exhibition "Spot On: The Art of Zines and Graphic Novels". Whether it's text, layout, imagery, pages, cover art, posters, or whole publications, we're interested in featuring your work. Send submissions, with a SASE for their return, to:

Minnesota Center for Book Arts
Attn: Spot On
1011 Washington Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55415

Entries must be received by March 19, 2005.

Work will be reviewed and a selection of works showing the diversity of this creative art form will be included in the show. All submissions must include the artist's name, address and phone number on the back or some portion of the work. No jurying will be done from slides. Please indicate any special exhibition requirements (for example, can the work be handled, can it be pinned up, should it be encased, etc.). A self-addressed stamped envelope must be included if you want your work returned. While staff will take excellent care of your artwork, MCBA cannot be held responsible for damage or loss due to circumstances beyond our control.

More info.

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[For those who haven't heard yet...]

John Porcellino's new King-Cat book is officially out.

It's called Diary of a Mosquito Abatement Man, and it collects all the Mosquito Abatement stories that appeared in King-Cat from 1989-1999. It also has a 5-page introduction and 30 pages of new comics drawn last year to round things out.

Seeing as it covers so much time, the stories range from the really raw and spontaneous early ones to the more "refined" ones that came later.

It's 106 pages, designed by Tom Devlin, and published by Zak Sally's new venture, La Mano.

If you are interested in ordering one, the price is $12.00 plus $2.00 p/h in the U.S.

Payable to:
John Porcellino
PO Box 170535
San Francisco, CA 94117

If you want to use Paypal, please send $14.85 to kingcat_paypal /at/ hotmail /dot/ com

Overseas orders please see the King-Cat website for postage rates.

www.king-cat.net

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• Hey, take a look at this Matthew Thurber drawing over on the WFMU site.

• Aprendiz' Adam Suerte is interviewed over at Comic World News.

• Here's a Craig Thompson interview you may not have seen at Peter Breedveld's site.

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In this issue, you'll find:

• about 350 reviews of zines, books, and other publications.
• thoughts from members of the zine community about the presidential election and what we should do now.
• news, including articles analyzing the state of high school journalism, activist documentaries, court cases and criminal action involving student poets and cartoonists, the Parents' Empowerment Act, the danger of wearing T-shirts, and news about Zine Guide and Factsheet Five.
• Word of Mouth, including store reports, a prisoner warning, address changes, event listings, updates on zine libraries and infoshops, discussions about printing, advice from zine publishers, and other announcements.
• classified listings for zines, calls for submission, groups, distros, DIY projects, and much more!
• art by Duane Ballenger, Mike Twohig, and Sue Clancy.

Because of our delays in releasing this issue, we're making it up to you by offering you a deal -- 64 pages for the price of 48! Buy this issue for $3 US, $4 Canada, $5 overseas, or a subscription: $10 for 4 issues US, $14 Canada, $18 overseas.

At the end of February, we'll also release a review supplement. Current subscribers will get this for free, or you can purchase a copy for $1.

Send payment in cash, stamps, or money order (payable to Jerianne) -- no checks -- to:

Zine World
PO Box 330156
Murfreesboro, TN 37133-0156

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Received via snail mail from UK publisher Hobnail Press, former producer of the Hobnail Review:

It is with the deepest of regret that we are forced to announce that Hobnail Press is closing down operations with immediate effect. This is due entirely to circumstances beyond our control. Humblest apologies for any inconvenience or embarrassment caused. If we owe you any money we will endeavour wholeheartedly to reimburse you over the course of time, but can't promise when. Apologies once again. Additionally, please don't waste any more of your valuable time and resources by sending further mailings to us as the PO Box is now defunct.

Finally, thank you all for your support and patience over the last year or so.

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CBLDF Initiates Obscenity Defense in Georgia

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has undertaken the defense of retailer Gordon Lee of Legends in Rome, GA against charges arising from the dissemination of Alternative Comics #2. Lee was arrested on charges of distributing material depicting nudity, and distributing obscene material to a minor; the first charge alone, a felony offense in Georgia, carries a penalty of one to three years in prison and/or fines of up to $10,000, if convicted.

The Fund has retained the firm of Begner & Begner of Atlanta, GA to lead the case, with experienced obscenity defense attorney Alan Begner heading up the defense. The Fund has also retained Paul Cadle, an independent practice attorney specializing in criminal law, as associate counsel in Rome.

On Halloween, Legends participated in a trick-or-treat event in downtown Rome by distributing free comics. Alternative Comics #2, the Free Comic Book Day edition from publisher Alternative Comics for 2004, was inadvertently included in the mix of books being disseminated. The comic features a variety of stories from the company's line, including an excerpt from Nick Bertozzi's "The Salon" depicting the first meeting between Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso. On three pages of the eight-page section, Picasso is depicted in the nude, a factually accurate detail for the period during which the story is set. There is no sexual content in the story. The comic was inadvertently distributed to a minor, whose parent filed a complaint with the police. The age and identity of the minor are unknown. Days later, Gordon Lee, the owner, was arrested.

Lee appealed to the Fund for help late in January by bringing his situation to the attention of Board Member Peter David. The CBLDF Board of Directors voted unanimously to financially support Lee's defense. Within days a defense team was in place to prepare for the arraignment, which has yet to occur.

"Our view is that Gordon was wrongly arrested and that no crime has been committed," Charles Brownstein, Executive Director of the Fund said. "We don't believe that the material is constitutionally obscene nor harmful to minors, and we know that even though the work is not illegal, that Gordon did not intend for it to fall into the hands of a minor. We feel that Gordon is within his rights, and we're confident that we've retained the best counsel in the state to defend those rights. We hope that we can get the charges dropped before it has to go to trial. If not, we're prepared to fight this battle as far as it needs to go."

Gordon Lee says, "Though I am willing to apologize for this particular art book getting in the hands that found it offensive, I will adamantly agree that the book is not 'harmful to children' or 'obscene.' In my opinion, this book is no more offensive then viewing the beautiful paintings of the Sistine Chapel or reading one of the best selling books with stories of sex, lust and nudity known as the Bible."

Lee continues, "I would like to thank Peter David for expediting my concerns and contacting the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund on my behalf. I feel their influence and considerable knowledge in First Amendment rights will be extremely beneficial in this case which will lead to a very successful and satisfying conclusion."

The Fund has already invested $10,000 into the defense of this case and is prepared to continue its investment in this case through to its conclusion.

The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund was founded in 1986 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of First Amendment rights for members of the comics community. Donations and inquiries should be directed to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund at P.O. Box 693, Northampton, MA 01061.

For additional information, call 800-99-CBLDF or visit www.cbldf.org

[Note: interested parties may also wish to read more in this article by Tom Spurgeon at the Pulse]

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If you weren't able to brave the winter weather for last weekend's FLUKE show in Athens then here are some pictures for you from Robert Bienvenu and George Tarleton. If you know of others, please let me know.

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• Good news for fans of Mark Martin! According to a note on his site, he's got a new book in the works with Fantagraphics. No release date as of yet but good news just the same.

• Newsarama's got a look at Dean Haspiel's "A-Okay Cool" characters which you'll soon see in AdHouse's Project: Superior and As Big as Earth from Image.

• That US Customs case involving the seizure of an issue of Stripburger has been won by the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Tom Spurgeon's report is at the Pulse.

• Also at the Pulse is a rundown of Slave Labor Graphics' 2004 and a look at what they've got coming in the first quarter of this year.

• The Toronto Comic Arts Festival happens in May. You can find more info, along with a beautiful poster by Marc Bell, here.

• Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The Cardigan Manifesto as presented at the 2nd Sequential Arts Studies Conference in Sydney, Australia. [ thanks to Comics Lifestyle ]

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• I don't believe info is on the site yet, but March will see "Brontosaurus", a dinosaur-themed multimedia show at Portland's Just Be Design / Compound Gallery featuring Bwana Spoons, Tim Biskup and Russell U. Richards.

• In case you missed the recent television broadcast, here's an interview with Johnny Ryan from G4techTV's The Screen Savers.

• Speaking of Johnny Ryan, did you know that nerds are gay? Johnny does Tomine.

• If you're interested in promoting March's STAPLE! show in Austin or if you just want more info, here's a flyer you can download and here's the official site.

• This year's Free Comic Book Day takes place on May 7th. It may be a ways off but AdHouse Books has announced that their entry this year will be Superior Showcase #0, an anthology of all-new material by Joel Priddy, J. Chris Campbell and Zack Soto.

• Scott Saavedra offers a few tips on self-promotion.

• The February 7th issue of Time Magazine features a four-page article profiling cartoonists Paul Hornschemeier, Marjane Satrapi, Rieko Saibara, and Joann Sfar. The full text may also be found here. [ thanks to Jeff Mason ]

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