Modern Masters Frazer Irving

I just finished doing a podcast with Comic Geek Speak about the forthcoming Frazer Irving book I wrote.  Here is a link to the podcast.  The podcast is also available for free Mp3 download and via iTunes.  Towards the end of the podcast, there’s a coupon-code offer for a discount off the print edition, as well as a freebie ebook edition for those who purchase the print version.

Also, TwoMorrows has posted a 20-something page preview of the book here.  The book includes a foreword by Grant Morrison and insightful commentary on Frazer by Andy Diggle, Phil Hester, Joe Casey, Simon Spurrier, Fabian Nicieza, and David Hine.

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Modern Masters Frazer Irving

Well, the manuscript was submitted by the May deadline, but delays in editing and production have pushed the publication date back. While I do not know a specific new date, when I do, I’ll post it here.

The foreword by Grant Morrison is phenomenal and I’m really honored by Grant, Si Spurrier, David Hine, Fabian Nicieza, Phil Hester, Andy Diggle, and Joe Casey sharing their time and experiences collaborating with Frazer for the book. Although much of the bawdy content and contextual introduction I wrote have been cut for length, perhaps an unedited version or samples thereof will end up here.

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Site Updates

I’ve been writing and submitting so many reviews and essays in addition to preparing for Comic Con that site updates have lapsed. I still need to post the remaining video from C2E2 as well.

In terms of upcoming reviews, here is a list of titles:

David Hine & Shaky Kane, The Bulletproof Coffin (Image Comics)

Alejandro Jodorowsky & Moebius, The Incal (Humanoids)

Alejandro Jodorowsky & Moebius, Madwoman of the Sacred Heart (Humanoids)

Grant Morrison, Supergods (Spiegel & Grau)

Brian Bolland, Kevin O’Neill, et.al., Judge Dredd: Mega-City Masters Volume One (Rebellion/2000AD)

John Wagner, Alan Grant, et.al., Judge Dredd: Mega-City Masters Volume Two (Rebellion/2000AD)

Jill Thompson, The Little Endless Storybook (Vertigo)

Jill Thompson, Delirium’s Party (Vertigo)

Allan Say, Drawing from Memory (Scholastic)

Craig Yoe, Krazy Kat and the Art of George Herriman (AbramsComicArts)

Winshluss, Pinocchio (Knockabout/Last Gasp)

Brian Bolland, Bolland Strips! (Knockabout/Last Gasp)

Denis-Pierre Filippi, John Lord (Humanoids)

John Wagner, Alan Grant, et.al., Judge Dredd: Mega-City Masters Volume Three (Rebellion/2000AD)

Additionally, I am also writing an essay on Frank Frazetta’s White Indian collection from Vanguard and the concept of White Indians in comics.

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2011 San Diego Comic Con Schedule

San Diego Comic Con has posted its schedules for panels and I am quite fortunate to be doing two sessions at the upcoming 2011 event.

First, I will be moderating the Spotlight on Cameron Stewart panel on Thursday, July 21 from 4:30-5:30 in Room 4. It’s really an honor for me to be working with Cameron on this event since it’s a highlight focus on his career and insight into his creative process.

Second, although the affiliation listed is incorrect, I am also doing a poster session for the Comics Art Conference on Saturday, July 23 from 2:00-3:30 in Room 26AB. This session will consist of my original, scholarly research on the representation of Native Americans in comics, specifically the mutant metaphor of the Marvel Universe and its relationship to racial and cultural dynamics.

If you’ll be at San Diego, please stop by and say hello.

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Modern Masters Volume 26: Frazer Irving

It’s official via the TwoMorrows Publishing website.

July 20, 2011 is the scheduled release date for my authored Modern Masters Volume 26: Frazer Irving.  Having interviewed Frazer before for a shorter magazine piece, this book has been a thrill to complete.  Learning more about his process and evolution as an artist, seeing rare and original artwork, and discussing his life in general have been a great experience thus far.  I’ve really been fortunate in this project not only for Frazer’s commitment to it and willingness to participate and schedule numerous interviews, but also to several of his collaborators for taking the time to share information about the writer-artist relationship.

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C2E2 Panel

My proposed panel–Comic Craft 101: Script Writing and Comics in the Digital Age–has been approved for the upcoming March 2011 C2E2 Convention in Chicago.  I will be serving as moderator while Matt Fraction and Mark Waid discuss the differences in their process and craft, and how script writing has changed with the advent of digital comics.  Here’s the official description via C2E2:

“Mark Waid and Matt Fraction will discuss the generational differences and evolution of the craft, their styles, and the scripting process, as well as debate the significant differences between writing in the serialized, collected trade, and digital formats. From their entrance into the profession through their company and creator-owned experiences, Waid and Fraction will provide insight into their influences, writing process, and the transformation of comics for the digital age.”

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Comic Book Bibliography

Tom Spurgeon at The Comics Reporter has an excellent list of monographs focusing on a wide variety of comic book themes and topics for any researcher looking to build a solid, working bibliography of both scholarly and popular/commercial studies.

Check it out here.

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Interview with Grant Morrison

Here is a link to my interview with Grant Morrison at the Comics Journal about his new book with Dynamite Entertainment & Liquid Comics 18 Days.

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Frazer Irving Interview Published

Broken Frontier has just published its digital magazine The Frontiersman #7 which includes my interview with Frazer Irving as the cover story.  Please click here to access the PDF version.  In the article, Irving discusses his history with comics, his entrance into the profession, and his work on titles including Azrael, Silent War, Robin, Gutsville, Iron Man: Inevitable, Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #2, and others, including his upcoming Batman and Robin #13.

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Recommendations: ComicsAlliance

I would like readers to go over to ComicsAlliance.com and to read a fascinating article about writer Dwayne McDuffie and the role of creator rights within comic publishing.  Having interviewed McDuffie about comics, portrayals of race within the medium, and comic history, this article is revealing examination of the current state of modern comics.

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