Category: Member News

Drawn Together- Next MSCA Meeting In Person

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Lin Workman

It’s finally happening!

Only one week until our first in-person monthly MSCA meeting– in over a year and a half!

Tuesday, August 3rd- 6pm in Overton Park Formal Gardens.

Below is all the info from the MSCA President Kevin L. Williams:

Dear Ink Slingers, Digital Doodlers, Pencil Pushers, and Word Doctors,

IN PERSON GATHERING

The first IN PERSON gathering will be in the Overton Park Formal Gardens, Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at 6:30 pm!!  Bring your own chair, your own food and drink, artwork to share (I plan to have a table for us to put items on).  This area is under some trees and flowers, it’s wide-open so we can spread out.

CLICK HERE for directions. You can park in the road behind the Levitt Shell.

RULES: 

If you are fully vaccinated, masks are optional but not required.
If you are NOT fully vaccinated, masks are required.
We trust you to make the decisions that are safer for you AND our members, so do what is right and don’t be “that guy.”

You might want to bring some mosquito spray just in case…

RAIN OPTION:

If it rains, we’ll use Zoom* to gather and visit.

Future gatherings in person will be in the gardens of the Woodruff-Fontain House Museum, with more details to come!

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

*(You can email Kevin at midsouthcartoonists (at) gmail (dot) com for the Zoom link and/or to join the MSCA mailing list.)

Going into 2022 we are planning on being back at our usual monthly meeting joint- the U of M area Garibaldi’s Pizza. We’ll be meeting there on Walker Ave. the 1st Tuesday of each month- if all goes well! March 5, 2020 was the last time we all met there…wow!

There are a few other events happening around our area, and some within driving distance. Before heading out, be sure to check out our “Drawing Funny” Con Survival Guide episode for tips on attending and setting up at conventions and other events.

This week/weekend is the annual Superman Celebration in Metropolis, IL – July 30-August 1. The town festival is usually the second weekend in June, but like many events, it had to be cancelled in 2020 and moved this year because of COVID. It’s only about 3hrs north of Memphis, across the Ohio River from Paducah, KY.

Lots of artists, writers, celebs, events, vendors, costumes, and corndogs- plus a \S/uper-Museum and statues! Click here to see the full schedule.

‘INSIDE THE WALT DISNEY ARCHIVES’

July 23, 2021 – January 2, 2022. Graceland Exhibition Center, 3717 Elvis Presley Blvd. in Memphis, TN (just behind the Elvis Presley’s Memphis complex).

Elvis Week (Aug. 11-17) here in Memphis is just around the corner, but this 10,000-square-foot traveling  exhibit features Disney props, costumes and more will be in the M-town through January 2nd.

Tickets: $15 (adult); $8 (child, 5-10); free (4 and under). A $50 “Passport” allows a holder to visit the exhibit as often as he or she wants to during the six months. “VIP” tickets and other options also are available.

Numerous events will be held at Graceland in connection with the exhibit. For a full calendar and for tickets and other information, visit graceland.com/exhibition-center.

Comics & Collectibles has announced their plans for Free Comic Book Day, which is normally the 1st Saturday in May. It’s been pushed back to the middle of next month, and there’s a lot happening around town to celebrate this annual comics holiday.

Here are the details from C&Cs for this year’s FCBD…

Annual FREE COMIC BOOK DAY is Saturday August 14, 2021!
Due to the pandemic, this year will be a little different than previous events. Please see below…
1. MASK REQUIRED. No exceptions. This applies to ALL customers, including vaccinated individuals and children. Masks will not be provided, so don’t forget to bring your own. This is to protect everyone including those with weakened immune systems, our St. Jude patient customers, and children that are not old enough to be vaccinated. We appreciate your cooperation.
2. LIMITED NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS INSIDE THE STORE AT ONCE. We will have an employee at the entrance monitoring the number of customers in the shop, so there may be a wait to enter.
3. 20% OFF STOREWIDE – excludes, Sideshow Collectibles, new comics and previously discounted merchandise.
4. MINIMUM PURCHASE OF of $5 (before tax) required to obtain Free Comic Book Day books. Limit one copy of each book per person that makes a $5 or more purchase.
(Previous FCBD comics.)

901 COMICS EAST GRAND OPENING!!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2021 @ 10 AM CDT

FCBD will also see 901 Comics opening a 2nd location out in Cordova near the Wolfchase area- 8551 Macon Rd, Cordova, TN 38018. They have special guests Denys Cowan (Sat/14) scheduled for the grand opening, David Yost (Blue Power Ranger) on Sunday, August 15th from 12 PM – 4 PM, and more guest signings to appear later in the month.

They also have done some recent remodeling to their original Cooper-Young location. You can still find our MSCA zine, Watusi zines by Dale Martin, and Stoned Ninja comics by Greg Cravens there.

A new con has thrown its hat into the ring here in the Mid-South. The Covington Comic Con will be on FCBD- August 14th in Covington, TN.

Speaking of hats, congrats to our own Kevin “Nuggethead” Thorn. He’s wearing another hat around Hernando, MS moving forward. Kevin was recently appointed to the Hernando Planning Commission by newly elected Mayor Chip Johnson. Kevin will be helping the mayor and board of aldermen with the future growth of Hernando, which is the county seat for DeSoto County.

I (Lin Workman) recently just finished up some more ULTRAMAN sketchcards for RRParks Cards. These are the second batch I’ve done for this card set, and they will be randomly inserted in the card packs.

You can see my first set and some step-by-steps on my site- linworkman.com. I’ve got Zorro and Halloween/horror sketchcards on the drawing table next. I’ll have artist returns available for sale for each set.

I’ve got some of my Ultraman and other artist’s returns for sale at The Cellar over in Bartlett, TN. There are some sketchcovers for sale there as well.

Be sure to snag some swag while you’re there. Free stickers and buttons are available while they last.

Also, they carry copies of our MSCA Zine. You can also purchase some at Comics & Collectibles and 901 Comics in town and pick up some of the free swag, too.

That’s all for now- stay safe, stay hydrated, and stay tooned!

Lin

Playing Doctor With Writer John Ostrander

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Lin Workman

There’s a new episode of the “Drawing Funny” podcast available – Episode 26: “John Ostrander”.

This episode, Nicki Workman and I (Lin) sit down for a comics conversation with the legendary writer (and actor) John Ostrander.

We discuss his origin story of reading comics in Chicago and then creating comics and characters- including his creator owned books Grim Jack, Hexer Dusk (with Jan Duursema), and Kros (with Tom Mandrake).

We also discuss his cool cameo as Dr. Fitzgibbon in the upcoming The Suicide Squad movie by James Gunn, creating Amanda Waller, an Easter egg in the previous Suicide Squad movie, and his previous acting in Chicago theater.

Look for John and The Suicide Squad on the BIG screen in theaters and on HBO Max this August 6th.

You can listen to the episode on most podcast platforms such as Apple, Google, Sticher, Anchor, and others- or just go directly to www.drawingfunny.com and listen to episode 26 from there.

Oh, I got busy editing the last two episodes, so I forgot to post here about my “HEROINEBUGH” episode!

“HEROINEBURGH” is a live-action episodic video series and a printed comic book series (and created in that order). The stories are about a universe of superpowered females in a fantastical version of Pittsburgh.

Oh, and Martheus and Janet Wade have got a new He-Man/Castle Greyskull WADE’S WORLD video up on YouTube. Kevin Williams is running the camera while Martheus shows off his new plastic precious. If you’d like to own some of their merch check out their STORENVY Toshigawa Universe shop.

I’ve got a couple sketchcard gigs and other art projects I need to finish up, so it’ll probably be at least a couple weeks before I record/upload another Drawing Funny episode. I do plan on doing some recording while in Metropolis for the upcoming Superman Celebration.

Stay tooned!

Meetings and Podcasting – What’s Up With The MSCA This Summer

Posted on June 24, 2021 by Lin Workman

Here’s the latest meeting news from MSCA’s President Kevin L. Williams:

Dear Ink Slingers, Digital Doodlers, Pencil Pushers, and Word Doctors,
The response to in-person meeting “outdoors” for now was positive, so we’re going to press forward as mentioned below!
JULY ZOOM GATHERING!!

The next MSCA Gathering will be Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at 7 pm on Zoom.

If you’d like to join in on the meeting and didn’t the most recent group email, you can request the link by emailing midsouthcartoonists(at)gmail(dot)com.

IN PERSON GATHERING

The first IN PERSON gathering will be in the Overton Park Formal Gardens, Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at 6:30 pm!!  Bring your own chair, your own food and drink, artwork to share (I plan to have a table for us to put items on).  This area is under some trees and flowers, it’s wide-open so we can spread out.
CLICK HERE for directions. You can park in the road behind the Levitt Shell.

RULES: 

If you are fully vaccinated, masks are optional but not required.
If you are NOT fully vaccinated, masks are required.
We trust you to make the decisions that are safer for you AND our members, so do what is right and don’t be “that guy.”

You might want to bring some mosquito spray just in case…

RAIN OPTION:  If it rains, we’ll use Zoom to gather and visit, but you’ll still be required to provide your own food, drinks, and chairs – J

Keep your eyes open for details about a possible, cooler, new place for outdoor gatherings!

MSCA WEBSITE STUFFS!

Lin Workman is working hard on www.midsouthcartoonists.org and still needs several folks’ caricature, bio, website(s), and preferred contact methods.

Send website info to midsouthcartoonists(at)gmail(dot)com.

Don’t forget to check out www.drawingfunny.com – our official podcast. If you are interested in being a guest on the show and/or want him to pimp your publications and wares, email Lin at podcast(at)drawingfunny(dot)com.

Hope to see you at each of the events above!

Be Safe, Be Happy, Be Well!
Your Pals,
Kevin L. Williams
& Muley the Mule
__________________________________________
Well, since Kevin mentioned the podcast…
A new “Drawing Funny” podcast episode is available- Ep. 23: Winston Gambro.
Winston Gambro is a graphic designer by day, and comic creator by night. He’s created the comedy webtoon “Gumshoe City“, which has detective Meatball Matthews journeying out of his element when his best friend disappears and leaves behind a dead body; his online cyberpunk mystery “Overflow“, that has Ava Lee, a private detective attempting to prove her brother didn’t commit a war crime and possibly stop the end of the world; and his anthology comic series “Rex Radley: Boy Adventurer“, an all ages book that was inspired by every awesome cartoon made to sell toys (and was successfully backed by two Kickstarter campaigns). Winston currently lives in Aurora, IL with his cat, Hazel.
“Overflow” webcomic – www.overflow.thecomicseries.com
“Gumshoe City” webcomic – www.gumshoecitycomic.com
You can purchase Winston’s comics at- www.gumroad.com/winstongambro
Speaking of purchasing comics…be sure to stop by 901 Comics in Cooper/Young.
Our own Greg Cravens has issues of his comic series “Stoned Ninja” available for purchase- only $4.20ea. I picked up a blank sketchcover variant issue. Sketch ’em if ya got ’em!
You can also buy our MSCA Zine, as well as Dale Martin’s “Watusi“. Issues of the MSCA zine are available at Comics and Collectibles (Memphis, TN) and The Cellar Tabletop Games & Comics (Bartlett, TN), too. Be sure to snag some free MSCA and Drawing Funny swag while you’re there.
Before I go, I’d like to say congrats to my wife Nicki Workman. She has officially completed her first year of grad school, and did great this week on her first test of this semester. She’s been attending classes online for the U of M. She has a ways to go before they award her a Masters degree, but she’s doing great- and while holding down a full time job in a pandemic! I’m extremely proud of how hard she’s been working towards this goal, and how amazing her grades are- she is the smart..!
Hope to see you on the Zoom call in July.
Lin

MSCA Meetings And “Drawing Funny”

Posted on June 3, 2021 by Lin Workman

Tuesday was our monthly MSCA Zoom meeting.

We discussed what all we’d each been working on, what we’ve been watching and reading, plus the status of upcoming meetings.

Speaking of meetings, we’re keeping an eye on local regulations and recommendations from the health department and City of Memphis, plus waiting to hear back when we can reserve the big room at Garibaldi’s Pizza again.  We have this announcement from MSCA President, Kevin L. Williams regarding the next two monthly meetings:

“Dear Ink Slingers, Digital Doodlers, Pencil Pushers, and Word Doctors,

The next MSCA Gathering will be Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at 7 pm on Zoom. 

Here’s some good news:
The first IN PERSON gathering will be in the Overton Park Formal Gardens, Tuesday, August 3, 2021, at 6:30 pm!!  Bring your own chair, your own food and drink, artwork to share (I plan to have a table for us to put items on).  This area is under some trees and flowers, it’s wide-open so we can spread out.

CLICK HERE for directions.

RULES: 

If you are fully vaccinated, masks are optional but not required.
If you are NOT fully vaccinated, masks are required.
We trust you to make the decisions that are safer for our members, so do what is right and don’t be “that guy.”

You might want to bring some mosquito spray just in case…

RAIN OPTION:  If it rains, we’ll use this Zoom link to gather and visit, but you’ll still be required to provide your own food, drinks, and chairs – J

Hope to see you at each of the events above! “

 

Calling all pod-people..!


There are a couple new episodes of our podcast “Drawing Funny” that are available at www.drawingfunny.com – or wherever you like to download/listen to podcasts like Apple, Google, Spotify, and more.

Since many folks are heading to cons again or are gearing up to, for Ep.21 I thought I’d share some thoughts on setting up at and/or attending conventions. I’ve been doing it off and on since the early ’90s as an attendee, artist guest, volunteer, con staff, organizer- at one time doing a con a month or every other month..! I’ve stopped setting up as an artist/guest or putting on shows, but still love attending cons. There’s lots more I could have put into this episode, but figured this one was long enough at 45min. Plus, I remembered a few extras after I had edited it…D’oh! So, maybe I’ll do a follow up episode after attending a few post-pandemic events. If you’d like more info on conventions and portfolio reviews, or see some of the cons and events I’ve attended be sure to check out my LinWorkman.com art blog and HaveGeekWillTravel.com travel blog (lots of posts in the archives).

 

For Ep. 22 I had Marvin Wynn, writer of “The Edge” comic join me from Pittsburgh via Zoom.

We discussed his origin story, his upcoming show/store appearance schedule, the art scene in Pittsburgh (AKA “Comicsburgh“), plus his involvement with the live action “Herioneburgh” and its upcoming crossover with “The Edge“.  You can find Second Sight Publishing and “The Edge” Comic in Diamond’s PreviewsWorld catalogue.

If you’ve got a comics series you’d like to discuss on the show, have reading recommendations, con survival advice, or just have any questions about the show please shoot me an email- podcast (at) drawingfunny (dot) com. Always enjoy talking toons with comics creators, and would love to have some CONversations with show/event organizers and see what info/advice/stories they can share.

Stay safe, and stay tooned!

Lin

PS: If you have any questions about our meetings, members, being a member, or joining our mailing list email the MSCA at midsouthcartoonists (at) gmail (dot) com.

Sweet Things In Store For You At Local Comic Shops

Posted on April 10, 2021 by Lin Workman

This just in…the latest issue of “The Good, The Bad, and the Sketchy” zine! Issue #6 has a Memphis theme and features a cover by MSCA member Charles Ettinger. You can purchase a copy at any of the 3 local comic shops here in Memphis- Comics & Collectibles, 901 Comics, and The Cellar.

If you’ve missed out, there are still copies of issues #1-5 available, too.

While you are there be sure to snag some free swag– MSCA, Drawing Funny podcast, and Memphis Ghostbusters items are available while they last- buttons, pins, stickers, magnets, and more.

At The Cellar you can purchase some original art by MSCA members!

There are hand-drawn sketchcovers…

…and hand-drawn sketchcards available, including official artist returns from sets like Star Wars, Transformers, Mars Attacks, and more.

Two new Ultraman artist returns from RRParks Cards were recently added to the inventory of sketchcards.

Each is a one of a kind original art piece drawn by Lin Workman (me).

I did 10 sketchcards for the set, plus the two artist returns. You can see how I created them and others on my site- linworkman.com.

April 2nd was World Autism Awareness Day, and April is Autism Awareness Month.
Southaven Arts Council is pleased to exhibit artwork by artists who participate in Little House Art Project, which is sponsored by The Arc Northwest Mississippi, in the M.R. Davis Southaven Public Library gallery. The Arc Northwest Mississippi is an advocacy organization for individuals of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Gallery is open to the public during normal library business hours.

BTW- if you are interested in starting up a Kickstarter or other crowdfunding campaign for your own art project, check out some of the Drawing Funny podcast episodes. We will have other episodes on Kickstarter, Indiegogo, GoFundMe, and Patreon coming up. You can find links to other comics related podcasts on our MSCA links page.

“Drawing Funny” Podcast Contest

Posted on March 7, 2021 by Lin Workman

Have you heard me mention the “Drawing Funny” contest on recent episodes of the podcast..?

Well, if you’d like to own a set of the Mid-South Cartoonists Association’s Zine– “The Good, The Bad, And The Sketchy” issues 1 through 5, PLUS a free Samurai tee designed and printed by me, and some extra MSCA and Drawing Funny goodies, then here’s how to enter our first Drawing Funny Podcast giveaway…

  1. Record a 1-2min audio clip with the answer to these questions: What’s the best (or worst) advice you’ve been given and how did you apply it to how you do your art- or did you ignore it?
  2. Email that audio clip (MP3 or WAVE file) to midsouthcartoonists (at) gmail (dot) com and put “Drawing Funny” in the subject line. You can also just send your answers as text in an email. Be sure to put you name somewhere in the email, and feel free to add a link to your own website or social media account that you’d like me to promote.
  3. I’ve extended the deadline to April 1st (no foolin’), so you’ve got some extra time now to get them in. I will use them in a future episode of Drawing Funny.

That’s it! I will be adding some extra surprises for the winner and sending out some runner up prizes, too.

Even if you’ve got a set of the zines already and/or don’t want the tee and other swag, please still send in an entry- just let me know you don’t want to be entered to win. The more entries and advice I get the better for the upcoming episode.

I hope you’re enjoying the podcast, and I’d love to hear your feedback on the show and if you have any suggestions for future episodes or segments. You can email me at the same MSCA address above or message me on social media.

Oh, BTW- I’m not going to be on social media as often. I’m only going to be on to update the MSCA and Drawing Funny Twitter, Instagram, and /or Facebook accounts. Taking a break from my personal pages and scrolling, and scrolling, and scrolling. Hoping to get more projects done and other things accomplished with that time- and keep my blood pressure down…

Thanks, good luck, and stay tooned!

Lin

Monthly MSCA Zoom Time, and Talkin’ Tech With Nicki on Drawing Funny!

Posted on March 1, 2021 by Lin Workman

This Tuesday, March 2nd at 7pm will be the MSCA’s monthly Zoom meeting. This happens on the first Tuesday of each month, and just happens to be on former Memphian and MSCA member David Beaty’s birthday- happy birthday, Dave. Oh, and happy belated February birthdays to Anakin and Antone Wade.

Our in person dinner meetings were always free and open to the public, and we’ve tried to keep that going online- the only difference is you need the Zoom invite link to join the meeting. To get that, just contact the MSCA’s president Kevin L. Williams at midsouthcartoonists (at) gmail (dot) com and let him know you’d like to join in on the conversation.

I’m no longer recording the entire meeting for the Drawing Funny podcast, but I will be recording members’ answers to their origin stories, and what advice they were given- good or bad, that they’ve used in their art. I’ll be using that part of the meeting for future Drawing Funny episodes.

Which reminds me, that’s what I’m looking for to enter you into our first ever Drawing Funny giveaway. If you’d like to win a full set of the MSCA Zine: The Good The Bad & The Sketchy issues 1-5, plus a cartoon samurai tee by me, and some cool MSCA and Drawing Funny swag, then listen to the latest “Drawing Funny” Podcast with guest Nicki Workman to find out what you need to do to enter and win. I’ve moved the deadline for entries back to March 20th.

I hope you enjoy Ep.17- “I.T. Phone Home” and my tech talk interview with Nicki. Be sure to check out the show notes for her links and some of the things we discussed.

As I post this, the latest issue of the MSCA zine will be having the finishing touches put on it and then sent off to the printer. Issue 6 is Memphis themed and will be available for purchase around the M-town at Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar Tabletop Games and Comics, and 901 Comics.

Once the pandemic has ended and we can get together in person I do plan on recording episodes at local comic shops, conventions, and our monthly meet-ups at Garribaldi’s Pizza. Until then I’ll be using Zoom, so if you’d like to promote your project, announce your event, kick off your crowdfunding, or just talk toons with me, then here’s your invitation to join me on a future episode. Again, I hope to be able to talk to you all in person. I really miss our MSCA meetings and drawing nights, and attending cons and events.

Hope you all are doing well after “Snovid-21“..!
Stay safe, stay warm, and stay tooned.

Lin

“Kickstart My Art” – Talkin’ Toons on the Drawing Funny Podcast

Posted on February 15, 2021 by Lin Workman

Hey, gang-

I’ve been recording, editing, and uploading more episodes of “Drawing Funny“. Episode 16 will be going up this week- if I can keep from freezing to death! Thankfully the Batcave is actually quite toasty and comfortable.

I’ve been talking with a few of the friends I’ve made over the years through the Comic Geek Speak Podcast. It just worked out that I’ve got back to back interviews with three CGS friends who are all doing Kickstarter campaigns this month! If you’ve been wanting more info on starting a comics crowdfunding campaign of your own, these guests share lots of advice. Here’s a run down of those episodes and their links, as well as some info on those Kickstarter projects…

 

 

Episode 14 – “The Hostage” by Sal Abbinanti (Run time: 1hr 45min)

Show Notes: I talk toons and kickstarting art projects with Sal “Uncle Sal” Abbinanti. We discuss his early work in advertising, self-publishing comics, representing other artists, and his first ever Kickstarter for his first ever graphic novel- “The Hostage“.

WARNING: F-bombs and other colorful language await you in this conversation with Sal.

From his Kickstarter campaign page:

By day, Sal Abbinanti is the art rep for comic book superstars Alex Ross and Bill Sienkiewicz, but by night he, too, is an artist. For more than two decades, the Chicago native has been obsessed with creating a graphic novel inspired by a visit he made to Brazil when he was in his early 20’s. Now, Abbinanti is launching a Kickstarter campaign for his dream project, a 115-page full-color original graphic novel set in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro titled THE HOSTAGE.

“When I was 25, I spent six months living in Rio de Janeiro,” said Abbinanti. “I was a starry eyed, full of shit college kid who went there for a Brazilian vacation of samba, nightlife, and beaches. To see the level of poverty, suffering, and death in Rio de Janeiro was eye opening. I will never forget it. THE HOSTAGE is my tribute to the amazing country and especially to the kids living in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.”

Loosely inspired by the culture and religions of Brazil like the Umbanda and the Candomblé, Abbinanti has been building the world of THE HOSTAGE in his studio for over 10 years—sketching characters, panels, and scripting pages. Abbinanti’s unique art style and vibrant color choices create a spellbinding effect. THE HOSTAGE tells the story of a group of street kids who are abandoned by society. Dying every day from poverty and gang violence, the kids join together and summon a mystical spirit—THE HOSTAGE—who will protect them and avenge the deaths of their friends.

THE HOSTAGE Kickstarter campaign includes limited edition lithographs from Alex Ross, Bill Sienkiewicz, Jeffrey Alan Love, Sanjulián, Geof Darrow, and Eric Powell, as well as tiers with original sketch cards, postcards, and bookmarks by Abbinanti.

The crowdfunding campaign is live now and concludes on February 25th, with pledge tiers ranging from a digital edition available in both English and Portuguese (translated by Kelsey Trotta), to The Complete HOSTAGE Package, which includes an 11×17 original drawing by Sal Abbinanti and a complete set of lithographs by all guest artists.

For updates, follow Sal on social media or on Kickstarter at the links below:

“The Hostage” Kickstarter by Sal Abbinanti – kickstarter.com

Alex Ross Art – www.alexrossart.com

Sal Abbinanti on Twitter – @SalAbbinanti

Sal Abbinanti on Instagram – @salabbinanti

Mercury Comics on Twitter – @comics_mercury.

 

 

Episode 15 – “Party Monster” Dave Dwonch (Run time: 1hr 19min 52sec)

Show Notes: I talk toons, kickstarting art projects, married life, health issues, and “real nerd $#*+” with the man with the golden couch, Party Monster Supreme – Dave Dwonch. We discuss his early work with Action Lab Comics, his upcoming “Jenny Zero” mini-series with Dark Horse Comics, and his current Kickstarter for his graphic novel- “SPORES: The Broken Circle“. Dave has been a man on the move!

WARNING: F-bombs and other colorful language and adult situations await you in this comics conversation with the man with the golden couch, Dave Dwonch.

From his Kickstarter campaign page:

The continuing adventures of private school kids trapped in a VERY different kind of apocalypse. Prom was just the beginning…

From the creators of Mind Palace and Prom of the Dead comes the next installment of the coming-of-age horror series SPORES: THE BROKEN CIRCLE!

When last we saw the surviving students of the Pineview Academy, they had survived the worst night of their lives, aka Prom Night. Now, just one day later, Erika, Travon and Shauna are on the road looking for safety in an ever-increasingly hostile world. Little do they know that the worst is yet to come as the ‘friends’ they abandoned the night before are coming for them.

Dave Dwonch (co-creator of the upcoming Dark Horse series “Jenny Zero“- see below) reunites with Santi Guillen (Mind Palace) to continue the “SPORES” saga with more twists, turns and betrayal than any teen drama has any right to contain!

All or nothing. This project will only be funded if it reaches its goal by Sun, March 7 2021.

JENNY ZERO #1 Sex, Drugs, and Giant Monsters!

Meet Jenny Tetsuo, the hard drinkin’, hard partyin’ daughter of beloved superhero, Mega Commander Zero. After washing out as the military’s top Kaiju-killer, ”Jenny Zero” now lives the celebutante life with her hotel heiress and publicist best friend, Dana Sheraton. But when the massive creatures return, Jenny must decide if she can sober up and save the world!

From Dave Dwonch (Cyrus Perkins and the Haunted Taxi Cab, Mind Palace), Brock McKinney (MAD Magazine, Full Moon Deadly Ten films) and superstar in the making, Magenta King comes a new hero for a new decade!

You can pre-order this miniseries through your local comic shop or online retailers through Diamond Distributers.

Publication Date: April 14, 2021
Format: FC, 32 pages; Miniseries
Price: $3.99
UPC: 7 61568 00695 7 00111
SPORES: The Broken Circle (Kickstarter campain) – www.kickstarter.com/projects/thebrokencircle/spores-the-broken-circle/
Dark Horse Comics (Jenny Zero miniseries) – www.darkhorse.com/Comics/3007-355/Jenny-Zero-1#prettyPhoto
Dave Dwonch on Facebook – www.facebook.com/dave.dwonch
Dave Dwonch on Twitter – @davedwonch
Dave Dwonch on Twitter – www.instagram.com/davedwonch/
Episode 16 – “Athena Voltaire” By Steve Bryant (airs later this week)
I talked to Steve Bryant yesterday (Sat.2/13), and will have the show up this week. We discuss his latest Kickstarter for “Athena Voltaire and the Terror on the Orient Express” comics and graphic novel.

From his Kickstarter campaign page:

A graphic novel starring globe-trotting, Nazi-punching, monster-killing adventuress Athena Voltaire!

An all-new 120 page graphic novel starring globetrotting aviatrix Athena Voltaire.

“Athena Voltaire and the Terror on the Orient Express” finds the heroine reconnecting with an old friend during a personal trip on the famed train line. When an old foe sets a plan in motion, the voyage turns deadly, as Athena must find the source of horrific slayings that are terrorizing the passengers!

Planned for issues 9–12 of the Action Lab Athena Voltaire ongoing series, the prologue follows Athena on a mad dash to the train station. This sequence serves as a framing sequence to tell tales of the adventuress’ past.

Get “Athena Voltaire and the Terror on the Orient Express” as 4 individual Kickstarter-exclusive comics (ATHENA VOLTAIRE ongoing series issues 9–12), and the variant covers: the retro variant (issue 9), the Mike Norton variant (issue #10), the homage variant (issue 11), and the Bobby Breed variant (issue 12)! Plus the PDF of “Athena Voltaire and the Terror on the Orient Express” and the Kickstarter-exclusive print. Lots of other items, incentives, and combinations available- it’s cray-zee!

You can find out more about Steve and his Kickstarter at:

www.stevebryantcomics.com/

www.kickstarter.com/

 

“Feeling lucky…” Then listen to Episode 13! (Run time: 18min 13sec)

I was going to use a bit of the MSCA Zoom meeting but had some technical difficulties- but Idid  announce the details for our first “Drawing Funny” contest (listen to win a set of MSCA Zines, Samurai tee by me, and some MSCA and Drawing Funny swag). I also give a few art tips, and I discuss some of what I’ve learned from my days of self-publishing comics.

Regrets, yeah- I’ve had a few, and few enough to mention here on this episode.

Oh, and in Episode 12 – “The Dirty Dozen (or so)” I’ve got a few reviews and reading recommendations for you- “WINK” by Rob Harrell, “The Impending Blindness Of Billie Scott” by Zoe Thorogood, and the NCSFEST are my recommendations- but I also review “Hit-Girl In HOLLYWOOD” by Kevin Smith (and don’t really recommend it so much). I also have some MSCA news, say goodbye to some local Memphis talents- George Hunt, Anthony Biggers, and Chris Jarman, and say good riddance to 2020. (Run time: 26min 21sec)

You can find all of the Drawing Funny Podcast episodes at www.drawingfunny.com or most anywhere you like to listen to podcasts. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share!

If you have a project you’d like to discuss on the show and/or have featured here on our website please let us know through our social media accounts or by contacting me or MSCA president Kevin L. Williams at midsouthcartoonists (at) gmail (dot) com.

“Stay tooned!” (and stay warm!)

Lin

Stay Safe, Stay Warm, and Stay Tooned! New “Drawing Funny” Episode and MSCA “Winter” Zine Available

Posted on December 27, 2020 by Lin Workman

 

It’s been a while since we’ve gotten to get out of the house and visit together at Garibaldi’s Pizza for our monthly dinner meet-ups. It was always one of my reasons to get out of the house, even if my wife had to push me out the door when I didn’t feel like being social. I always felt better once I sat down and started talking toons with my fellow MSCA members. Hopefully we’ll be able to resume our group dinners and drawing nights sometime in 2021, but until it’s safe to get together in person we’ll continue to do our monthly MSCA zoom calls on the first Tuesday of each month.

Available online now is the Drawing Funny Podcast, Episode 10 – “Procrastination”. It’s the Mid-South Cartoonists Association’s December Monthly Zoom Meeting– well, most of it. We talked toons, discussed what’s happening around the M-town, swapped ideas on self-promotion/increasing eyes on our artwork, and how to make money with it and commissions during a time with no (or few) in person conventions.

We also discussed a couple of our favorite art books.

This monthly video call happened back on December 1st, and honestly with everything that’s been keeping me busy since this one was recorded it now qualifies as a “Flashback Friday” episode..! This one turned out to be a long episode and clocked in at just under 1hr 55min. As usual it was weird to not go hang out in the Garibaldi’s parking lot and talk for another hour or two like we tend to do in person.

You can find website and social media links for many of our MSCA members on the group’s Members Directory page, and the “Winter” zine issue is now available for purchase in local Memphis area comic shops.

901 Comics (Cooper/Young) – 901comicsmemphis.com

The Cellar Table Top Games & Comics (Bartlett Blvd.) – comiccellaronline.com

Comics & Collectibles (Poplar Ave.) – memphiscomics.com/wps

Next issue will be “Memphis” themed, and there is no buy in costs for members to participate. If you’re not on our MSCA mailing list contact El Prez Kevin L. Williams and he’ll make sure you get all the upcoming club info.

Happy Holidays– stay safe, stay warm, and stay tooned!

Lin

#supportyourlocalartists

#supportyourlocalcomicshops

#happyholidays

#wearamask

“Is this thing on..?” New MSCA ‘Drawing Funny’ Podcast Is Live And New ‘Magic’ Zine Is In Stores

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Lin Workman

Hey, gang- as of this month I am a podperson again!

It took a little doing, but the new MSCA podcast Drawing Funny is now available online and I’ve got 3 (and a half) episodes in the can.

Episode 0 is the pilot/introductory episode, Episode 1 was our last meeting Zoom call…

Episode 2 was an interview with the MSCA President, Kevin L. Williams, and Episode 3 was with local Memphis comic creator Matt Bowers.

I’ll be recording more episodes soon. As soon as it is safe enough for us to get together again in person I’ll be taking the show on the road to our dinner meet-ups, to comics shops, conventions, and other events to record.

Please be sure to “like” and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Radio Public, Pocket Casts, and other places you can get podcasts.

You can also follow this show or contact us on social media:

Twitter- @drawingfunny1
Instagram- @drawingfunnypod

I’ll be recording our next monthly Zoom meeting, which is next Tuesday, November 3rd.  If you’d like to attend the virtual MSCA meeting please contact Kevin– midsouthcartoonists (at) gmail (dot) com, and be sure to put “zoom invite request” in the subject line.

Lots to discuss this month, including the latest issues of the MSCA Zine. Issue #3 “Magic” is in stores now, and #4 “Animals” (with a Jim Palmer cover) will be out in mid-November. Copies of issue #1 “Horror” and #2 “Space” are still available at Comics & Collectibles, The Cellar, and 901 Comics. Deadline for entries for the “Winter/Holiday” #5 issue is coming up soon, so be sure to get your art sent over to our editors Dale Martin and Jason Negan.

Speaking of 901 Comics, you can pick up Matt Bowers’ Memphis comic there. Issues #1 & #2 are available for sale there now. He had a singing at the shop last weekend. Matt was also featured in the October 22, 2020 issue of the Memphis Flyer.

Matt Bowers’ Memphis: Superheroes in the Bluff City
It’s Here: Matt Bowers Signs Copies of Memphis No. 2

BTW- if you missed the last MSCA Zoom Meeting, you can listen to it on DrawingFunny.com (Ep1 – “Calling All Cartoonists”)and hear some MSCA history by the man responsible for us all being drawn together- founding member Jack Cassady. I’m hoping to edit some of the video together to use for our new YouTube channel Kevin is putting together. We will be uploading some drawing/painting videos to it soon. Would love to see some of your work on there, as well as in the MSCA website’s Members Gallery I’m currently curating, too.

Kevin and Muley have been very active over on YouTube with their “Muley Reads” videos, where just like the title suggests, Muley reads some fun, entertaining, and educational books. Fond out more info over at MuleyTheMule.com.

 

Stay tooned!

Lin