HOT INK: Comic Art in Minnesota reviewed
The Hot Ink: Comic Art in Minnesota show at the Minnesota Museum of American Art just got a great write up in The Star-Tribune (and Vita.mn). Note that the article is 3 pages you have to click through to read.
From the article:
A populist complaint about the contemporary art scene is that artists today “can’t draw.” More to the point is that those who can draw have probably turned to cartooning. For anyone who appreciates great drawing, this show is a good place to find it.
You can check out some photos from the opening of the event here and here (thanks to Big Time Attic for pointing these photo galleries out… you can see a image of the print version of the article on their site)… please let us know if you see any more we can link to. Also, if someone could save a copy of the print version of the above article for me, I would much appreciate it!
Note also that if you haven’t seen the show, it apparently is going to be up until around March 2008… so you have some time.
On-Line tools for 24HCBD
Creating a 24 Hour Comic Book means trying new crazy things. Here are some on-line tools to help get some ideas. If you will not have web access during the challenge you can always print out some and then pick one at random.
On-Line Tools:
Random Log-Line Generator – Random plot seeds
Samples: A therapist watches TV with a monk in a yogurt shop, Ravishing street performers discover their true selves.
Oblique Strategies (by Brian Eno) – Random Ideas
Samples: Don’t be afraid of things because they’re easy to do, Do we need holes?, What mistakes did you make last time?
“These cards evolved from our separate observations of the principles underlying what we are doing. Sometimes they were recognized in retrospect (intellect catching up with intuition), sometimes they were identified as they were happening, sometimes they were formulated. They can be used as a pack (a set of possibilities being continuously reviewed in the mind) or by drawing a single card from a shuffled pack when a dilemma occurs in a working situation. In this case the card is trusted even if it appropriateness is quite unclear. They are not final, as new ideas will present themselves, and others will become self-evident.â€
Seventh Sanctum – Random Name and Ideas – Here you’ll find tools for writers, gamers, and artists; randomly assembling names, concepts, and more for when you need inspiration, or just a bit of amusement.
Samples: Superheros, RPG characters, Names, etc.
Random Plot Generator – Random fantasy/epic plot elements Sample:Advice for the Hero: If I maintain a secret identity, I will keep my transformation ritual as simple and quick as possible so that I cannot be interrupted during it.
Behind the Name – Random names
Lee’s useless Superhero Name Generator – Random Superhero Names Samples: Emerald Z, Doc Kid, Shadow Cavalier
50 Random Superhero Names (From the Men and Supermen RPG) Sample: 46 Blue Brain Maria Martinez female
Hero Machine On-Line – Design and Randomize Superhero art
Irony Games random Maps for RPG
Band-o-Matic – Random band names Samples: Filth Elder, Net Lard
24HCBD 2008 San Francisco October 18t to October 19th
Update: I got the info wrong, Doc is going to have a LIVE VIDEO FEED!
Hey all, 24 Hour Comic Book Day is just two days away and I know lots of us are getting ready for the big challenge. Here in San Francisco we will be at Comics Outpost from 11 am to 11 am this weekend and drawing up a storm (as well as ingesting caffeine a lot).
Doc Popular as set up a live VIDEO FEED for the event and it can be checked out at:
“…I’ll be attempting to livestream the entire event from here http://www.ustream.tv/channel/doctor-popular-does-stuff They will be able to watch and chat whenever someone is near the computator.”
The store will also will have an official blogger who will be posting on the official blog as well as the stores myspace page.
FAQ for 24 Hour Comic Book Day in San Francisco’s Comics Outpost.
Location: 2381 OCEAN AVE. SAN FRANCISCO, CA. 94127 (415) 239-COMX (2669) – http://www.comicoutpost.net. Comics Outpost will remain open the whole time, so your friends can
come and visit at any point.
Reservations and Fees: Pre-register by emailing Doc Pop at ( yoyogenius at gmail dot com ), there will be a $5 to support the venue
Goal: To create a 24 Page Comic in 24 HOURS!
Set-up: Arrive by 10 am (or 10:30 at the latest) to set-up your work space and to Pow-Wow before we start our challenge
Times: Starts 11 am on Saturday October 18th and Ends at 11 am on Sunday October 19th
Location Resources: Comic Outpost will have free wi-fi and powerstrips. I HIGHLY recommend bringing your own desklamp, 24 hours of drawing in low lighting can really wear you down.
Transportation:
Bus: During the day the MUNI K line is the fastest with the only night service being the 91 Night Owl – visit 511.org to find out more
Bikes: can be locked up in the front of the store
Car Parking Behind the store
Dress: The weather has been lovely the last few days in San Francisco, but since we will be working for 24 hours dress accordingly. The city always gets cold and you don’t want to freeze while you dash to 7-11 for a snack.
Materials: We won’t be able to provide any materials, but you can bring whatever
art supplies you want, as long as you can clean up after yourself when
your done.
Xerox/Copystore: Copy Edge – open 12-5 and there is a Fed-Ex Kinkos (more information coming)
Food: The store will be providing drinks, snacks and Pizza, but you should also bring your own food and drink of choice. There are places to buy food in the area, but most are not open 24 hour and might take time walking to them.
In Walking Distance:
7-11 – 4 blocks away
Right Aid – regular hours
Wallgreens – regular hours
24 Hour Pizza place
Stonestown Galleria – restaurants and such / http://www.stonestowngalleria.com / Monday – Saturday: 10:00am-9:00pm – Sunday: 11:00am-7:00pm
History: a reminder of the Scott McCloud’s original 24 hour challenge you can find it here:http://www.scottmccloud.com/inventions/24hr/dare/dare.html
Tips: We also recommend checking out Kevin Cannon and Zander’s tips to making 24 hour comics!
– http://24-hourcomic.blogspot.com/2007/10/kevin-cannons-24-hour-comic-tips.html
– http://www.bigtimeattic.com/blog/labels/144%20Hr%20Comics%20Challenge.html
Vancouver Comic Jam – October 18th

When: Saturday, October 18th, 2008. 8pm until midnight.
Where: Clubhouse Japanese Restaurant, 255 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver
Who: Anyone who is of legal drinking age is invited.
How Much: Free. Bring your own pencils/pens. Paper is provided.
I’ve reserved the upstairs room at the Clubhouse Japanese Restaurant for the Jam. I’ve been told to let everyone know that there is a maximum capacity of roughly 25 people. If there is overflow, we can always take a table or so downstairs.
Also, if you’re drawing with markers that bleed through paper, be sure to either bring a drawing surface or place extra sheets of paper under the paper you’re drawing on.
ALSO:October 18th is also 24 Hour Comic Day. Make the jam part of your 24 Hour adventure!
Crosspost as you see fit. Email edbrisson[at]gmail[dot]com to be added to the VCJ mailing list.
See you there!
string #8
Now available for download the latest issue of string, the regular anthology of comics from 7000 BC.
Download a PDF of string #8 and check out future issues every month.
Previous issues: string #1 | string #2 | string #3 | string #4 (recommended for mature readers) | string #5| string #6 | string #7
St. Paul Jam – Thursday, October 16th, 2008

The Dow has been crazy these last two weeks, and this time I am not talking about Ryan! Come and forget about your 401K, if you have/had one, and jam with us! Just bring some drawing utensils, an idea for the jam, and a few bucks to get a tasty beverage — the baristas really do appreciate that.
The jam will start promptly at 6:30 and run until…whenever.
To join us come to:
Cosmic’s Coffee Shoppe
189 Snelling Ave N.
St. Paul, MN 55104
(Northwest corner of Snelling and Selby)
Afterwards we will most likely get a jump on the next GREAT DEPRESSION and head on over to grab a brew at:
O’Gara’s Bar and Grill
164 Snelling Ave N
St. Paul, MN 55104
(Southeast corner of Snelling and Selby)
In the meantime, if you have any ideas or just want to chat about the upcoming jam, please follow the link!
What is the What for Minneapolis 24 Hour Comics Day
Twin Cities & surrounding areas cartoonists… you are participating in our fifth-annual 24 Hour Comics Day event on October 18th-19th, right? Great… you will want to read this to prepare!
Also don’t forget to register, so we know how many people to expect… to register:
Send your name, e-mail address and phone number to mpls24hourcomicday@yahoo.com. Please put put the word REGISTER in the header.
Cartooning Teaching Gig at The Elk River Library, and Make Comics for Malaria
The Elk River Library is looking for a cartoonist to teach three 1-hour cartooning sessions to teens next summer. The dates/times would be second and/or third Tuesday evenings. They’re looking to pay $350 for the gig.Anyone who’s interested can email head librarian Mick Stoffers at micks (at symbol) grrl.lib.mn.us. It’s a brand new library (open a year). Really nice facilities. And though Elk River seems like a million miles away, when I drive up here from Mpls it’s between 45 minutes and 1 hr.
Here is the second opportunity:
Will you choose to make your media matter?
3 million people die of malaria each year. Help Celtx fight
malaria by putting your creativity and talent to use.Create a comic book,video, ad, play, or anything to inspire
others to donate $5 to buy a life-saving bednet.Get engaged now at http://pc.celtx.com/camstudentschallenge
THANKS!
The Celtx Development Team
Sat. Open Studio, Oct. 11, noon to 4 p.m.
![[Cartoonist looks at watch]](http://www.cropart.com/CartCon/artist_watch.png)
Do a 24-hour comic warm-up. Minus 20 hours!
Sat., Oct. 11, noon to 4 p.m., MCBA gallery (at the large table)
It’s time for the 4-hour comic. In preparation for next week’s 24-hour comic here at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts? Maybe. Or just come and draw. If you can’t find us in the MCBA building, ask the friendly person working in the MCBA bookstore. This is open studio time — all are welcome.
Minnesota Center for Book Arts
(Just down the street from Big Brain Comics)
1011 Washington Ave S, Suite 100
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Phone: 612-215-2520
Future Sat. Open Studios:
November 22 – flexi space
December 20 – bindery (the high tables)


