Category: Items For Sale

October Happenings

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Hey, gang- got a blog post full of art happenings and MSCA news for you.

We had a good turnout for our October dinner meeting at Garibaldi’s Pizza, and lots more freebies available for attendees. And since it’s October there’s lots more going on around town this month.

MSCA member Dale Martin has a busy month ahead: two art shows – the latest Nasty Women Memphis show Choice at Marshall Arts, 639 Marshall Ave. (closing reception Friday, Oct. 21, 6-8 pm), and OZ inspired art in Beyond the Emerald City at Playhouse on the Square in conjunction with their staging of “The Wizard of Oz” from October 14-December 28, 2022 (artist reception on November 11th and pop-up shop on December 10th)…plus the Memphis Monster Market online now through the end of October!

Get the whole scoop (and the latest Watusi comic) in his October newsletter. You can subscribe in the link below…
https://mailchi.mp/5cc9bec9a392/ssnews1022

Speaking of the Monster Market– it’s currently open online and the in person kickoff party was a blast!

They had an amazing turnout for the one night only event at Marshall Arts.

There was a photo booth, a wall to draw on, framed art on the wall to check out, items to buy…

…and did I mention there was an open bar..?

Lots of fun items were for sale by many of the Monster Makers…

…and we saw several familiar faces at the event. The lines to check out were very long but continued to move along throughout the night, right up until closing- which is a great sign!

Like Dale (Smeary Soapbox Press), I’ve got some of my Scared Silly and Monsterpieces for sale.

They had to go online only because of the pandemic, but I hope that next year they can get back to being an in person pop-up shop again.

If not and it’s still a virtual storefront, I do hope they throw another kick-off party like this year’s shindig. Nicki and I had a great time shopping and talking.

Last month MSCA president Kevin Williams and I put up a display at the  First Regional Library in Hernando to celebrate the Mid-South Cartoonists Association’s 35th anniversary. Now  we’ve got a Ghostbusters display up for October.

It’s filled with items from mine and Kev’s personal collections including autographs, patches, and equipment. You can check it out in the library’s lobby all month long during the library’s normal business hours. You can also check out more about our Memphis Ghostbusters group here.

RiverArtsFest is a celebration of fine arts and fine local music with live artist demonstrations and hands-on art activities for all ages. More than 150 artists from around the country and right here in Memphis gather to exhibit and sell their latest works of original fine arts in what’s become the largest juried artist market and urban festival in the Mid-South. The event is Sat, Oct 22 – Sun, Oct 23 from 10:00am-5:00pm. Adult tickets are $10 for 1 day, and $15 for 2 days. Children (6-12yrs) tickets are $5ea and kids 5 and under are free. The 2022 RiverArtsFest will be held on Riverside Drive in Downtown Memphis, TN.

The Midtown Con will be back at Black Lodge (405 N Cleveland) on Saturday, October 29th from 10am-5pm. Admission is $5 and kids 12 and under are free. That same day 901 Comics East on Macon in Cordova will be celebrating Halloween Comic Fest in-store. Free comics, cards, and more will be available.

 

At Crosstown Concourse– FRIGHT-TOBER movies, because “free” fits everyone’s budget, especially artists…

Soulsville USA Festival is 10/15, with free admission to the Stax Museum.

Come see MSCA member Jim Palmer at Germantown Community Theatre(3037 Forest Hill Irene RD., Germantown, TN 38138) in:

AN INSPECTOR CALLS    Oct 21 – Nov 6, 2022 

In 1912 pompous industrialist Arthur Birling, who has hopes of a knighthood, his superior wife Sybil and young son Eric are celebrating the engagement of daughter Sheila to eligible Gerald Croft when they are visited by blunt Inspector Goole. He tells them of the suicide of a young woman named Eva Smith and though they all claim not to have known her the inspector demonstrates that each in their own way contributed to her downfall.

Don’t forget, we’ll be having another MSCA group art show at GCT this spring during their production of Spamalot.

Lonnie Easterling is enjoying working digitally and has been hitting it out of the park with his #FrightFall2022 drawing challenge toons.

This last weekend, DaMarco Randle, the Wades (Martheus, Anakin, Janet), and Kevin Williams participated in this year’s Paint Memphis in the Broad Avenue Arts District area.

Oh, and thanks to 901 Comics for having comics legend Joe Staton in for a couple signing appearances at the first of October. Nicki and I got to stop by the 901 Comics East Macon Rd. location to see Joe and get a few comics signed before heading down to the Monster Market opening.

901 Comics (both locations) along with Comics & Collectibles and The Cellar will be celebrating Halloween Comic Fest on the Saturday before Halloween (Saturday, October 28th) with some freebies while they last. If you can’t make it by, you can still download some free digital comics by clicking here.

Hope you all have a Happy Halloween, and can make it out to our next MSCA dinner meeting on Tuesday, November 1st/All Saints Day from 6-8pm. We might have some surprises for you to enjoy..!

Lin

PS: Happy Birthday to MSCA member/former Prez Charles Ettinger!

Dinner And Drawing – Our Latest MSCA Get Together At Garibaldi’s

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Hey, gang- we recently got together for our monthly dinner meet-up at Garibaldi’s Pizza over in the U of M area off Walker and Highland near Southern.

We had a good turnout again this month, and had a good time discussing what everyone has been u to lately and sharing some art.

 

 

More freebies were available for folks who attended. Kevin brought some more MSCA postcards, Jack Chapman brought some art books to give away, and I brought along some Free Comic Book Day comics from my day job at 901 Comics East, more MSCA sketchcard blanks, and a few of the promo trading cards (featuring my art) from the upcoming Nosferatu Series Two card set produced by 4 different publishers: RRParksCARDS, Attic Cards, Leg Day Cards, and RJF.

I’ll bring a few more freebies to the next meeting in October including the Nosferatu promo cards, and some new MANOS trading cards I just received in the mail.

Oh, don’t forget that  if you stop by any of our local Memphis area comic shops- Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, and 901 Comics, or The Art Center you can snag some free MSCA and Drawing Funny podcast swag.

We discussed a lot of the recent events like the Zine Fest, and upcoming events like Monster Market, Memphis Comic Expo/DonnieCon, MidTownCon, annual NCS Fest/Reuben Awards, and the ongoing MSCA display at the Hernando Public Library.

annual

The Monster Market is an on-line store which features original art, prints, and other monstrous merch. There will be an in-person open house on October 1st at Marshall Arts. I’ll have some of my “Scared Silly” prints, canvases, buttons, stickers, magnets, and more available for sale there, as well as some of my hand drawn sketchcards. Dale Martin will also be a part of the artist line-up for this year’s market.

The Memphis Comic Expo (AKA “DonnieCon“) is back in the M-Town with over 70,000 square feet of expo space featuring comics, artists & writers, a cosplay contest, panels, vendors, voice actors, food, drinks, and more!

Agricenter International
(Entrance in Wing C)
7777 Walnut Grove Road (near Germantown Pkwy.)
Memphis, TN 38120
FREE PARKING on premise.

Expo Hours:
Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
VIP Ticket holders will have early entry privileges at 9:30am both days.

Tickets are now on-sale, but VIP tickets have sold out.

Our own Greg Cravens is the Membership Chairman for the National Cartoonists Society and will be in attendance for the NCS’s annual meeting and awards. This year it’s being held in Kansas City, MO. If you’d like to find out more about becoming an NCS member, be sure to ask Greg about it, or check out the NCS website at www.nationalcartoonists.com.

When I got home from the MSCA dinner I had some NCS Icons pins waiting for me in my mailbox. You can order some here. I also recommend checking out the NCSFest online. Lots of great interview, panels, and other cartooning videos to check out.

And speaking of checking out some cartooning, the Hernando Library display cases are full of original art, printed comics and zines, newsletters, promotional materials. art show invitations, and more from the club’s 35 year existence in the Memphis area.

 

We showcased some production art and tools of the trade from back when art was literally cut and paste, like some examples of  our early logo and original promo flyer.

 

We tried to include some original art and notes next to the finished printed materials to show a peek of the  process of creating the art.

It was fun to be art archaeologists and MSCA historians as we dug though the club’s archive box and history scrapbooks. There was so much we had forgotten about or didn’t know about. Definitely a learning experience for Kevin and me. Soooooo much more we wanted to display, but just ran out of room.

 

We’ll see about adding in other items next time. We’d love to do a future  one  featuring original comic art and final printed pages/covers by MSCA members.

If you get a chance to stop by the library it will be up for the rest of September, and will be followed by a Ghostbusters display by the Memphis Ghostbusters. Oh, and for the holidays a LEGO display by Kevin Thorn is coming up in December..!If you can’t make it by, you can see more pics on the MSCA Facebook page, and a few more will be added as soon as I get the pics Kevin took while we were there.

First Regional Library (Hernando Public Library – established 1950)
370 W Commerce St
Hernando, MS 38632
www.firstregional.org

HOURS:
MONDAY  9:30-7:00
TUESDAY 9:30-7:00
WEDNESDAY 9:30-7:00
THURSDAY 9:30-7:00
FRIDAY 9:30-5:30
SATURDAY 9:30-5:00
SUNDAY CLOSED

The dinner meetings are casual and open to the public. Bring whatever art you’ve been working on, favorite art book/comic or recent art tool purchase to show, or some promo swag to hand out- and any art questions you may need answers to.

Please be sure to introduce yourself and let us know you’re there to hang out with the MSCA.

The room is reserved, but occasionally some folks don’t realize it and unintentionally join us.

 

 

This month there was some drawing done during dinner…go figure! There has been talk about trying to get back together to do more zines, and we will have another art show at the Germantown Community Theatre in spring 2033.

Dinner gatherings are always the first Tuesday of the month  starting at 6:30pm (or a bit earlier if you’d like) at Garibaldi’s Pizza, 3530 Walker Ave..Our next one is Tuesday, October 4th.

Feel free to bring a friend or family member, and be sure to bring a few bucks to order off the menu. You and your stomach will be glad you did- lots of great pasta, sandwiches, and pizza to choose from!

Hope you can make it out and join us for dinner…and some cartooning conversation.

Lin

Garibaldi’s Pizza

3530 Walker Ave
Memphis, TN 38111
(901) 327-6111
www.garibaldispizza.com

^Additional photos by Kevin L. Williams.

ZineFest/Record Swap Coming Back To Crosstown Concourse In September

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Shared by Dale Martin(our MSCA Zine editor/publisher), here’s an opportunity for many folks to get their first-ever table set-up, have a new outlet for your books, or return to the event!

Contact Courtney Fly (courtney@crosstownarts.org) for more information and/or to reserve your table for this awesome event at the Crosstown Concourse!

From Courtney…

Hi everyone!!!!

I hope you all have been great! I’m happy to announce that Zine Fest 7, in collaboration with the Memphis Listening Lab’s 2nd annual Record Swap, is a go this year! The event will take place again on the second floor of the Central Atrium. We do anticipate a good crowd this year as the Memphis Listening Lab will be open during this time and should also help generate some extra foot traffic!  Of course I wanted to go ahead and extend an invite to you all if you’d like to participate again this year! We can provide the table again! The times are 10-5 on Saturday, September 3rd and 10-3 on Sunday, September 4th. Please let me know if you’d like to be a zine vendor this year by Friday, August 19th so I can mark you down for a table! 

Looking forward to hearing from you! Please let me know if you have any questions! 

Courtney Fly
Event Coordinator
___________________________

C R O S S T O W N   A R T S
___________________________

1350 Concourse Ave. Ste 280
Memphis, TN 38104
www.crosstownconcourse.com

 

A “zine”  (/ziːn/ ZEEN; short for magazine or fanzine) is a small-circulation self-published work of original or appropriated texts and images, usually reproduced via a copy machine. Zines are the product of either a single person or of a very small group, and are popularly photocopied into physical prints for circulation. (Wikipedia)

The MSCA has published 6 issues of the “The Good, The Bad, And The Sketchy”, a  zine anthology with B/W interiors (5″ x 8.5″) which features art by various MSCA members. It was a fun group project that we hope to return to.

Some issues have not only had art created at MSCA dinner meet-ups, but the actual zine itself has been put together at them as well!

These zines can currently be purchased at MSCA events and at local Memphis comic shops– Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, and 901 Comics. Be sure to stop by Dale’s  Zine Fest booth and check out his numerous zines and merch.

Crosstown Concourse
1350 Concourse Ave, Memphis, TN 38104 (off N. Watkins St. between Union and Jackson)

Crosstown Concourse is a mixed use development in Memphis, Tennessee. It is located in the heart of the Crosstown neighborhood, so named for the intersecting trolley tracks at Cleveland and Poplar that connected Memphis commuters to the neighborhood in 1927.

Crosstown Concourse itself is located at the intersection of North Parkway and N. Watkins Street and is the western terminus of the V&E Greenline.

The structure stands 14 stories tall and includes 65,000 square feet of retail, 630,000 square feet of commercial office space, 265 apartments, and a high school. Crosstown Concourse was once a Sears, Roebuck & Co. distribution center and retail store, which opened on August 27th, 1927, welcoming nearly 30,000 visitors on its first day.

“Drawing Funny” Hit The Road For Free Comic Book Day 2022

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There’s a new “Drawing Funny” podcast episode available for download- Ep.41: “FCBD Multitude Of Madness”. This episode chronicles mine and Nicki’s Free Comic Book Day adventures around Memphis last weekend.

Saturday, May 7th was Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) 2022. The annual event happens on the first Saturday in May of each year and is a way for the comics industry and retailers to thank their customers, introduce new readers to comics, and a chance to celebrate comics.

The re’s a huge selection of comics to choose from each year. The comics are free for folks visiting the shops, but not free for the retailers (they pay the costs of each comic).

Each participating retailer has certain rules for the free comics, and/or offer sales and in-store creator signings and additional events.

Folks are definitely encouraged to wear a cool comic tee and/or cosplay as their favorite comic characters.

Not every retailer participates, but most around the mid-south area do, including Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, and 901 Comics, as well as Jupiter Comics out in Moscow, TN.

Nicki and I hit three of the comic shops in the M-town. We stopped at Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, and 901 Comics East.

We got our free comics while picking up our hold box comics. Did some additional shopping  and chatting with friends. Thankfully the shops all sell comic boxes- helped hauling stuff out to the car!

For the podcast we talked with local comic creators Dale Martin, Brad and Skoot Starnes, Matt Bowers, Gabe DeRanzo, and Janet and Martheus Antone Wade about their current and upcoming projects such as The Dragon Templar, Fathom, Memphis, Stoned Ninja, Shinobi: Ninja Princess and Jetta: Tales of the Toshigawa comics. (Sorry for some of the poor audio quality- I explain the cause in this episode.)

901 Comics East had local creators Gabe, Matt, Antone, Janet, Anakin- as well as John Martin and Richard Fields at their shop for an in-store signing appearance. Unfortunately we had to run to the DeSoto Malco and didn’t get a chance to talk to John or Richard, and we missed getting to chat with MSCA member and “Stoned Ninja” artist Greg Cravens who hadn’t made it up from the Puppy Palooza at the Crosstown Concourse.

When we got down to Southaven we caught Doctor Strange And The Multiverse Of Madness and towards the end of the podcast give some non-spoiler thoughts on this latest Marvel movie.

We loved the new seating at the theater, but don’t understand why folks will pay $15 for a seat and and insist on being on their phones during the movie…ugh.

Oh, while at 901 Comics we got some sad news news of the passing of legendary comic creator George Pérez. Nicki and I discuss our George encounters and memories of him. He was not only a great creator of comics, but a fan and cheerleader of the fandom- and a super sweet guy.

I hope you got out to enjoy Free Comic Book Day. Definitely mark your calendars for next year!

Stay well, stay tooned, and keep drawing funny!
Lin

 www.freecomicbookday.com

 

“Same Bat-Time, Same Bat-Channel!”- MSCA Dinner Meeting And FCBD This Week

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Attention, Citizens..!

Lots of comic action happening this week in Memphis, so gas up your batmobile and dry clean your capes.

First up is our MSCA monthly dinner meeting at the U of M Garibaldi’s Pizza on Tuesday, May 3rd. We meet up  the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the big room.

I’d like to get a few member interviews so if you’d like to be on an upcoming “Drawing Funny” podcast episode I’ll be there a bit early so hit me up. Would love to talk toon with ya.

Bring whatever art you’ve been working on, favorite art book/comic or recent art tool purchase to show, or some promo swag to hand out. Also, feel free to bring a friend or family member, and be sure to bring a few bucks to order off the menu. You and your stomach will be glad you did! The meeting/meet-up is casual and open to the public. I’ll have some MSCA freebies with me, too.

Speaking of freebies…this weekend, it’s BACK! Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) 2022 is on Saturday, May 7 at local comic shops across the country and around the world. Check with your local comic shop to see ig/how they are participating, and if there are any requirements/restrictions. Here in the M-town all our local comic shops are participating- Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, both locations of 901 Comics, and Jupiter Comics out near Moscow, TN.

The midtown/Cooper-Young 901 Comics location will be having a special in store signing appearance by legendary Ghost Rider artist Javier Saltares. Doors open at 9am! First personalized signature is free and $5 for every signature after. CGC witnessed signatures are $10 each. Sketch pricing depends on size and content.

That same day out east in their Cordova location (8551 Macon Rd, Cordova, TN 38018), 901 Comics will be having several local creators in-store which includes some of our MSCA members. Slide by from 10 AM – 7 PM and say hi to Jetta/Shinobi creators Martheus & Janet Wade, the Stoned Ninja team Gabriel DeRanzo and Greg Cravens, Matt Bowers the creator of the Memphis comic, artist and inker extraordinaire John Martin, and Richard Fields creator of Lucy! They will also have a 20% off sale that day.

Don’t forget that the  “Stoned Ninja” Kickstarter still has a few days left. It has lots of great tiers and incentives, and you can back this current comics campaign for as little as a dollar!

If you go out to 901 Comics East or to the MSCA dinner meeting see about getting Gabe or Greg to do a sketchcover for you.

ADJ Design’s Antonio and Tamika Johnson, the creators of the novic Bluff City Blues will be at Bookstock Memphis Area Authors’ Festival on Saturday, May 7th from 11 am to 3 PM at Benjamin L Hooks Central Library, 3030 Poplar Ave.

It’s free and family friendly- live music, food trucks and more!

Over the weekend I finished up the Star Wars display at the Hernando library. It’s been a while since Nicki and I have done a display in their west lobby. This one is to celebrate May The Fourth and Revenge Of The Fifth (or Sixth) and features some of our personal collection.

I found some stuff I was looking for, but there’s at least a few boxes of stuff I can’t find- mostly my original Star Wars action figures (blue and red Snaggletooth figure and original dozen) and some of the large dolls… I mostly just found Power Of The Force figures. They’re here somewhere either in my closet or Nicki’s. I’m sure I’ll run across them when I’m not looking.
If you’re in the Hernando, MS area and dig Star Wars and/or collecting stuffs please slide by and check the display out. It will be up for the month of May, and they are open Monday-Saturday. I tried to do a little from each trilogy, cartoons, games, novels and comics, and even added a Darth Vader sketchcard I did from my first Star Wars gig I did for Topps.
Nicki and I got together because of Star Wars and having mutual friends who dug it, too. It’s the first movie I not only remember seeing in the theater (the opening crawl/space battle🤯), but is also the only trilogy (OT) I know exactly where I originally saw them in Memphis. Unfortunately all three theaters no longer exist.
Oh, you can see (and buy) more of my sketchcards at The Cellar out in Bartlett, Tn. Check them out if you’re there for Free Comic Book Day. Lots of freebie MSCA swag to be had as well.
Hope to see you this weekend around the M-Town!
Lin

Stoned Ninja Has Kicked Off Another Kickstarter- Stoned Ninja #1 SAP

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Gabriel DeRanzo and MSCA member Greg Cravens have kicked off another “Stoned Ninja” Kickstarter, and are hoping you’ll get their back by being a backer for this current comics campaign.

Stoned Ninja #1 SAP! This comics fundraiser is for The Second Advanced Printing of Stoned Ninja: A New Strain of Hero #1. It features remastered cover art by Greg Cravens and Gene Fayne.

Stoned Ninja is the story of Kazunori Takagi, a ninja who finds a mystical strain of weed that gives him super human abilities! This New Strain of Hero uses his skills to defend Reef City from evil!!

Pledges start at just $1.00, and go as high as up to $420.00. For local backers in the M-town, they also offer a no shipping fees option– just pick up your Stoned Ninja stash at  901 Comics once the copies are back from being printed.

Several stretch goals are included- and we all know how important stretching can be!

In addition to the new remastered cover art by Greg Cravens., there are also a couple variant covers being offered.

“Action Figure” variant cover by Greg Cravens.

“Bloody Ninja” variant cover by Dusty Jonakin.

You can get a taste of the comic (and some Stoned Ninja edibles) around town at places like 901 Comics and Whatever or by going to their websites www.stoned.ninja (if you’re 21 or older) or at www.stonedninja.com.

Lots of comics and merch to be harvested including variant covers and blank sketchcovers.

If you’re in the Memphis area be sure to say, “Hi!” (or “High..!”) and have Greg draw all over your comics at one of our monthly MSCA dinner meet-ups at Garibaldi’s (a great place to have the munchies), or at the upcoming Memphis Comic Expo(DonnieCon).

The campaign is currently at just over $2K and has already smoked its $1,000 funding goal (so to speak) which means this project will become a reality and not just a pipe dream for the Stoned Ninja team and their readers.

But the guys are looking to go even higher to unlock those stretch goals for their backers. They’ve got 26 days to go on Kickstarter and could still use a hand with this campaign.


Kickstarter profile: Stoned Ninja Comics
Websites: stonedninja.com or stoned.ninja

 

901 Comics
2162 Young Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104

History And Humor At Germantown Community Theatre

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This week a few of us got to see the play “The Complete History Of America (Abridged)” before it officially opened, and check out the current MSCA art show “‘Murica”. The art show features pieces by members Lin Workman, Terence Washington, DaMarco Randle, Jim Palmer, Dale Martin, Greg Cravens, and MSCA Prez Kevin L. Williams. Was great to finally get back together in person for an MSCA event again- and the play was a lot of fun to watch.

Some more info from Kevin:Germantown Community Theater is doing an industry rush ticket price for the final performance Sunday the 27th at 6:30 of just $10! Anyone can just use the code USA when purchasing online or call Annie at 453-7447.  Also, you may not know that military/student AND teachers get $15 anytime!Take this opportunity to see the show that night if you can’t get there before.Get your tickets to the play now at gctcomeplay.org.Times to view the ‘Murica art show:  Tuesday – Thursday 10am – 4pm, and between door opening and showtime of “the Complete History of America (Abridged).”Art Show free to visit!

The GCT lobby and MSCA art show.

Art by Dale Martin (L), Kevin Williams (C), Greg Cravens (R).

Art by Dale Martin (L) and Terrence Washington (R).

Art by Kevin Williams (L) and Terrence Washington (R).

Art by Jim Palmer.

Art by Kevin Williams (L) and Jim Palmer (R).

Art by Lin Workman (L) and Dale Martin (R).

Art by Terrence Washington.

Art by Greg Cravens.

DaMarco Randle with his painting “Mount Rosemore“.

Dale Martin with his Lone Ranger/Hitler toon.

Lin (me) and Nicki Workman with my Lone Ranger/COVID piece.

MSCA and Drawing Funny freebie swag.

The stage for the play- and their awesome LED screen.

Their “backstage” area.

Poster art by MSCA member (and actor) Jim Palmer.

Hope you get a chance to check out the art show and play this month. Be sure to snag some swag!

Germantown Community Theatre
3037 Forest Hill Irene RD.
Germantown, TN 38138
www.gctcomeplay.org
901.453.7447

 

 

 

MSCA Updates – “’Murica” And More

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

February 1, 2022

THE MID-SOUTH CARTOONISTS ASSOCIATION PRESENTS “’MURICA” AT GERMANTOWN COMMUNITY THEATER 

The Mid-South Cartoonists Association (MSCA) art show “’Murica” will be presented February 17 – 27, 2022, at Germantown Community Theater alongside the comedy play, “The Complete History of America (Abridged).”

2022 represents the MSCA’s 35th year of “drawing funny” and this art show will be one of a few big events planned for the year.  This show shares a variation of art styles and techniques from different members Lin Workman, Terence Washington, Jim Palmer, Dale Martin, Greg Cravens, and Kevin Williams.

“While the MSCA has done many themed shows for decades, we’re especially proud to partner with Germantown Community Theater to present our art show “’Murica.” It’s special as it focuses on American History – with a twist, of course,” said MSCA President, Kevin Williams. “And you can’t get more twisted than a cartoonist’s take on history.”

The play, “The Complete History of America (Abridged)” is described as a ninety-minute rollercoaster ride through the glorious quagmire that is American History, reminding us that it’s not the length of your history that matters — it’s what you’ve done with it!  The play, written by Adam Long, Reed Martin, and Austin Tichenor is directed by Elizabeth Perkins.

Hours to see the show are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3037 Forest Hill Irene Rd. in Germantown, TN 38138.

Stay “tooned” for more info on our upcoming fall art show downtown…

There’s a new “Drawing Funny” podcast episode available for downloading: Ep35- “The Dragon Templar“. You can listen directly at www.drawingfunny.com or download at most any place you like to subscribe to your podcasts.

This episode I(Lin) talks to MSCA member Dale Martin and local writer Brad Starnes about their new comic, their origin stories, convention plans, and more.

The first issue is available now at 901 Comics (Memphis and Cordova), The Cellar Tabletop Games & Comics (Bartlett), and Quimby’s (Chicago), with more outlets to come soon! It is also available direct from the creators at www.dragontemplar.com.

Tonight is our monthly MSCA online Zoom meeting at 7pm. We will be recording some audio of some of our members’ memories of  cartoonist Sam Ray, who passed away back in December.

From MSCA founding member, Jack Cassady:

Hi Gang!  I see where you guys are mighty busy trying to get ready for the Art Show in Germantown. I wish you all the best of luck and much success in that fine venue.

I was greatly saddened at the news of Sam passing. It was a shock to me. I always considered Sam to be one of the charter members of the group. I enjoyed his company and talents. We were indeed fortunate to have someone like Sam to help us along the yellow brick road. Please note that I will be lifting a toast to Sam later this evening. He will be missed.

Jack

Sad news from writer Mark Waid about the passing of comics creator Brian Augustyn (aged 67):

This one hurts unimaginably: Brian Augustyn, rest in peace.

The Augustyn family has asked me to let Brian’s friends and fans know that Brian left us today after suffering a sudden, severe stroke over the weekend. I have spent a lot of time these last few hours writing a great deal about Brian, and I’ll share those thoughts soon, but for now I simply wanted to let everyone know. Comics has lost a very kind, very talented man who has been my big brother and one of my very best friends for nearly 35 years.

If you’ve ever been a friend, colleague, or fan of Brian’s–or, frankly, a fan of the work done by Humberto Ramos, Mike Wieringo, Mike Parobeck, Oscar Jimenez, Howard Porter, Travis Charest, or any of the many, many other creators who owe their careers to Brian, myself included–I’m asking you to send a card or a note to his wife Nadine and daughters Carrie and Allie to express your condolences and tell them what he meant to you. I believe it would mean a lot to them. I realize we live in an ephemeral era of emails and texts, but something tangible, something on paper, something they can treasure, would be appreciated. Send to the following address and I will pass everything along, so please keep it to letters and cards if you will. Thank you.

Send to:
Mark Waid for the Augustyns
c/o Humanoids
6464 Sunset Blvd, Suite 1180
Los Angeles, CA 90028

Some more sad news, MSCA member Martheus Antone Wade‘s mom passed recently. Jan Hardrick’s services will be held Thursday, February 10, 2022.  Visitation will be 9am, with services beginning at 10am, at M.J. Edwards, 1165 Airways Blvd, Memphis, TN 38114

If you’d like to send along condolences to the Wade’s, please send them to midsouthcartoonists(at)gmail(dot)com and Kevin will collect them to forward them to him.

“THE DRAGON TEMPLAR!” – New Ongoing Comic Series By MSCA Member Dale Martin And Local Writer Brad Starnes

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RELEASE THE DRAGON!

MSCA member Dale Martin has released a new ongoing comic series with local writer Brad Starnes: THE DRAGON TEMPLAR!

Set in the depths of the Middle Ages, during the era of the Crusades, this medieval adventure comic follows a band of Knights Templar, Rome’s agents on the ground as the Universal Church tries to lay claim to the Holy Land. The band of knights deploy their talents for war protecting Rome’s interests and traveling pilgrims alike … all the while harboring in their midst a power they can’t fully understand!

The first issue is available now at 901 Comics (Memphis and Cordova), The Cellar Tabletop Games & Comics (Bartlett), and Quimby’s (Chicago), with more outlets to come soon! It is also available direct from the creators at www.dragontemplar.com.

Dale Martin is a Memphis-based artist, writer, and publisher, best known for his Watusi the Talking Dog comics (both in print and online). He’s been handcrafting comics featuring his original creations since the 1980s, and doesn’t see any reason to stop now! (He’s also the editor and a contributing artist to our MSCA zine– The Good, The Bad, And The Sketchy.)

Brad Starnes was first published in the 901 Comics Anthology (teamed with his brother, artist Skoot Starnes), and has written comics in a variety of genres since then.


12-page black & “white” (interiors are on ivory paper) comic w/full-color cover; 6.75×10.25″ trim.

We’ll have an upcoming interview with Dale and Brad on the Drawing Funny podcast soon- stay “tooned”!

MSCA GCT Art Show Info Update

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Okay, good news/bad news…

Bad news first– since there’s been an increase of COVID the art show at the Germantown Community Theatre has been delayed a bit.

The good news– that gives anyone who wanted to participate but ran out of time a chance for a few more weeks to get their art completed and turned in.

Here are all the details from the MSCA’s president Kevin L. Williams–

Hello, Fellow MSCA’ers,

This is the update on the MSCA Art Show at the Germantown Community Theater:

The performance was delayed due to Omicron Covid-19; but, will resume in February- as will the art show. Therefore, we have until END OF JANUARY/FIRST OF February to gather all artwork for the art show. This means if you were interested in participating, YOU STILL CAN! Just let me know.

Special thanks so far to Greg Cravens, Dale Martin, Jim Palmer, Terence Washington, and Lin Workman for submitting their art already! There’s still room for YOU, too!! They may have us out for “friends and family” night at the theater, too. Whether you’re in the show or not, don’t forget to PROMOTE it for everyone.

THE DETAILS OF THE ART SHOW ARE:
Sales: Artist keeps 60%, the theater gets 40%.
Artwork DUE BY FEBRUARY 8, 2022 (first Tuesday in February).
Make sure your art can be hung easily. (wire on back preferred)
Information cards: 3×3” with piece name, artist name, media, and price (include your website as well).

Do you have a profile/caricature on www.midsouthcartoonists.org in our Members Directory? If so, I’m taking your profile and caricature from there for the show. If not, send an email to me midsouthcartoonists(at)gmail(dot)com and Lin podcast(at)drawingfunny(dot)com so we both have your profile.
(And don’t forget to connect: www.facebook.com/midsouthcartoonists

The show will be hung and available for viewing February 17-27, 2022.

THEME OF SHOW:
www.gctcomeplay.org/complete-history
Something that parodies American History. It doesn’t have to be current events, but think “founding fathers” and what can be made funny about that?

With a ten year run in the West End at the Criterion Theatre, The Complete History of America (abridged) ought to be funny. And informative. And it’s both. In the short space of ninety minutes, Adam Long, Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor take us through 600 years of History, from Washington to Watergate, from the Bering Straits to Baghdad, from New World to New World Order – The Complete History of America (abridged) is a breakneck rollercoaster ride through the glorious quagmire that is American history.

Tackling such controversial questions as: Who really discovered America? Why did Abe Lincoln free the slaves? How many Democrats does it take to screw in a light bulb? – absolutely nothing is sacred in the authors’ unique satirical exploration of America’s past.

“History has never been this much fun. Or as delightfully mutilated.” Montreal Gazette

“This History of America should be a required course.” – Boston Herald

ART SHOW ART DROP-OFF/PICK-UP
Feel free to drop art work off at my work between 8am – 4pm Monday – Friday:
Crone Memorials, 811 S Dudley Street, Memphis, TN 38104 (Map above)

OR – let me know your address and we’ll make plans to meet there or somewhere so I can get artwork.

Be Safe, Be Happy, Be Well!
Your Pals,
Kevin L. Williams
& Muley the Mule

Kevin is working on trying to schedule another art show for later this year- fingers crossed! BTW- this is what the 3″x3″ cards should look like and how they will be placed. (Art by Greg Cravens.)

I dropped off my cartoon piece for the art show, and hope to try and get at least one more finished in time.

Speaking of dropping off art, I recently dropped off some of my latest sketchcards to The Cellar out in Bartlett. I sell them and my sketchcovers through the shop –2737 Bartlett Blvd.

If you haven’t stopped by to pick up some of the freebie MSCA and Drawing Funny podcast swag, there’s plenty to be had. I left behind some more stickers and buttons, as well as some MSCA sketchcard blanks. They are all free and located near the front entrance.

If you draw on any, please post pics on social media and tag the MSCA– we’d love to see what you create. (I had these printed back before we had the new website or our Instagram account- (at)midsouthcartoonists.)

Oh, you can also pick up some MSCA swag while it lasts at Comics & Collectibles (on Poplar) and 901 Comics (Cooper/Young). I’ll try to drop off some sketchcard blanks by each shop the next time I’m in Memphis. The freebies are usually near the register- just ask if you don’t see any.

If you have any ideas for celebrating the MSCA’s 35th anniversary please let us know. Not sure when we’ll be getting together in person at Garibaldi’s Pizza again. We had hoped to be back in the big room this month, but they had to cancel groups due to the upswing in COVID cases in Memphis/Shelby County. For now we’ll be doing Zoom calls/video on the first Tuesday of the month, unless we can safely meet in person somewhere. If you’d like to be on our Drawing Funny podcast to promote anything you’re working on or have it mentioned on the show and/or this website please let me know- podcast(at)drawingfunny(dot)com.

That’s all the news for now. Stay safe and stay tooned!

Lin