Sparko

"Underground" is a term that gets thrown around a lot. The word seems to revolve around music, drugs, Hell and political movements. In Karl Stephan's Sparko the Underworld is representative of all the above. This book adds smart-mouthed ghosts, evil Astral Plane dwelling villains, a scathing commentary on bloody, egalitarian contemporary British culture by placing one-time hit rock musician Norman in one dire situation scene after another.

After losing his supply of drugs, his job as a dope pusher and very nearly losing his life by being stabbed and thrown into the river Thames by his former employer - Norman's near lifeless body is robbed by a strange urchin named Belle.

The story takes a series of bizarre turns as ghosts, demi-demons and nearly indestructible killer Pomeranians chase the two through this brilliant book. Readers will find the characters and art fascinating and unique. The story unfurls over the course of the book, told in three parts, like lesser known members of the Greek pantheon went on an acid trip together in threet streets and sewers of London and creatively (and haphazardly) re-structured the world around them.

References:

• Scrib D, Sparko Digital Preview
• Amazon, Sparko by Karl Stephan

Baman And Piderman

This show demonstrates that a low intelligence quotient is no impediment to superhero-hood.

Alex Butera and Lindsay Small, Boston area graphic artists and their hit show
Baman and Piderman currenlty boasts 12,000 subscribers and nearly 10 million combined views of their animated series since 2009.

Baman and Piderman is a warm-hearted satire featuring extremely intellectually challenged versions of two of the most recognizable comic book heroes in the world namely Batman (Baman) and Spider-Man (Piderman). This irreverent theme is combined with an experimental and limited animation production style makes for some very entertaining viewing.

The show is at the start of it's second season as a web only animated series with 14 short episodes to it's credit and counting. A new episode will premiere on Youtube March 15th 2012.

References:

• Blogspot, Alex Buttera
• Blogspot, Lindsay Small
• Youtube, Baman Piderman
• Baman Piderman Wiki, Episode Guide

The Cartoonist

The Cartoonist: Jeff Smith, BONE and the Changing Face of Comics tells the story of one of the most successful journeys in independent comics. In his acclaimed graphic novel BONE, described as "Bugs Bunny meets The Lord of The Rings," Jeff Smith set out to write and draw the kind of book he had always dreamed of reading.

Inspired by the work of Walt Kelly (Pogo), Carl Barks (Disney artist) and others - Jeff's dream of telling a spell-binding adventure story with wall-to-wall humor and brilliant drawing began in the earliest imaginings of his childhood. The Cartoonist takes us down that road with Jeff and his characters, through his early years, college comic strips, detours into animation and attempted syndication, and finally toward the decision to self-publish.

In 1991, Smith launched his company, Cartoon Books, in order to publish his comic book series Bone. Smith published 55 issues of Bone between 1991 and 2004 in an era that saw demand for comics reach an all-time low yet succeeded through his own innovative unique approach.

Through interviews with cartoonists and experts, including Scott McCloud, Colleen Doran, Paul Pope, Terry Moore, Harvey Pekar and others, "The Cartoonist" provides an inside look into the art and commerce of creating comics independently.

In Jeff's work, alongside his colleagues', the trials and demands of self-publishing helped forge a movement of independent vision in comics that continues to expand literacy and personal expression throughout the world.

References:

• Boneville, History
• Wikipedia, Jeff Smith
• Wikipedia, Bone

Hello, Cruel World

New collection features Hello Cruel World, Dakk Waggitt and Platypus For Hire strips.

This 2011 release from Indianapolis artist Ron Braun features 100 pages from Hello Cruel World, Dakk Waggitt and Platypus For Hire strips. At first, Hello Cruel World seems to simply follow a small group of friends as they struggle to adapt to life after college, but things start to go a little supernatural after a mysterious stranger appears in their lives!

Fans of all things zombie and vampire will love this collection that features the entire run of the Hello Cruel World and Dakk Waggitt, Platypus For Hire! comic strips, original concept sketches, guest and fan art, promotional material, never-before-seen strips, celebrity fan photos and much more.

You can get your own copy for only $9.99 here and if you use the coupon code FALLBOOKS at LULU and you can get another 20% off that price.

References:

• Toon-It-Up, Graphic Novels
• LULU Store, Hello, Cruel World

The Maxx

The Maxx - MTV Shows - Full Episodes

"The Maxx," based on the Image comic book created by Sam Keith, chronicles the story of a man who travels between two worlds. In our world, he is a homeless man living in a cardboard box in the City.

Right up there with Peter Chung's excellent Aeon Flux MTV animated series.

Stephen The Lesbian (2011)

Holy crap. The highly elusive indie animator Harry Partridge presents his own take on being the self-proclaimed "King Of The Lesbians".

Dead Mans Run #0

Written by acclaimed Hulk writer Greg Pak and Art by Tony Parker, Walking Dead producer Gale Ann Hurd, and Tony Parker, penciller of the Eisner-nominated 'Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (Phillip K. Dick), comes this winter's biggest blockbuster new series - DEAD MAN'S RUN!

They call the prison 'Hell.' And they just might be right. The nation's toughest soldier heads into the world's most deadly maximum security lock-up and uncovers a world of terror and temptation beyond his darkest dreams. Featuring a brand-new 12-page story that sets the stage for next month's upcoming premiere of DEAD MAN'S RUN #1, make sure to get in on the ground floor of this newest exciting Aspen hit series! Complete with an additional sketchbook section showcasing the astounding artwork of series artist Tony Parker, never before seen character designs and sketches, and surrounded by a stunning new cover, this special zero issue is definitely not to be missed!

References:
Greg Pak.com, Pak Buzz
PDX Comic Geeks, Dead Man's Run #0
Friends of The Dallas Public Library, Greg Pak Nov. 4th!

Spider-Man (1967)

The ol' web slinger has really got himself in deep trouble this time, gang.

The first Spider-Man animated television series ran from September 1967 to June of 1970. It was jointly produced in Canada (for voice talent) and the United States (for animation). This first animated adaptation of the Spider-Man comic book series, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko was extremely popular and still sells DVDs 40 years later!

Spider-man first aired on the ABC television network in the United States and went into syndication at the start of the third season. Seasons two and three were created by legendary animator Ralph Bakshi (Wizards) in New York City. In season two and three Bakshi adopted a darker tone for the show with darkly colored settings, psychedelic images, and atmospheric music.

References:
Wikipedia, Spider-Man (1967 TV series)

Biff Zongo

Biff Zongo, a cartoon and social commentary from Swedish artists Fredrik Sjöholm and Jan Kustfält.

Biffzongo.com is a webcomic by Swedish cartoonists Fredrik Sjöholm and Jan Kustfält. The comic has been described as a strange blend of bad-taste, high-brow, below-waist, elitist white trash screwball comedy.

The English production of BZ features cartoon characters rollicking in social commentary that takes hilarious pot shots at Western culture and stereotypes.