Launch Party at Ex Novo for The New Deal

You, you good-looking, comics-reading person, are invited: Next month, I'm launching The New Deal at the Ex Novo Brewing Company (minors welcome!) on September 26th, here in Portland, OR. Hit the Facebook event here to get the details. We'll have free food, plentiful beverages (including a 22 oz. beer with my art on the label), original art on the walls, and me there somewhere, signing copies. Should be a blast! It falls the next weekend after my appearance at Rose City Comic Con, so if you're traveling for that show, you really should just take the week to enjoy Portland. Right?

If you're unfamiliar with Ex Novo, they're an impressive local brewery that operates as a non-profit. From the Ex Novo site:

We are committed to donating 100% of our net profits to organizations that are working to affect positive social change both in Portland and around the world.

Ex Novo is the brainchild of my friend Joel Gregory (also good-looking), and the site of the largest mural I've ever done, so it's the perfect venue for my launch. Whether you like books, beer, or both, come help us celebrate!

Before Tomorrowland Out... Tomorrow!

Save me from a bad joke, but yes, tomorrow, April 7th, my latest work, Before Tomorrowland, hits bookstores, Amazon... even Walmart, apparently. Sharing credits with Jeff Jensen, Brad Bird, and Damon Lindelof gets you into the 'mart, you see. Here's copy from the back, to tell you what it's all about:

Based on the spellbinding world of the Walt Disney Studios film, Tomorrowland, this original prequel novel features a 20-page comic book and unlocks a place of unfathomable science and technology and the famous people behind it.

The year is 1939.

A secret society of extraordinary geniuses is about to share an incredible discovery with the world.

A misguided enemy--half man, half machine--will stop at nothing to prevent the group from giving this forbidden knowledge to humanity.

And a mother and son on vacation in New York City are handed a comic book infused with a secret code that will lead them straight into the crossfires of the conspiracy.

Jeff Jensen, whom you may remember from our collaboration on Green River Killer, co-wrote the screenplay for Disney's Tomorrowland with Brad and Damon, and brought me aboard to create the illustrations, the comic book segment, the cover (so wild about that retro gold leaf), and in a wild turn of events, to share authorship on this, our book. We produced it during a very hard season, at a pace and intensity that, to paraphrase Jeff, "kicked our butts". I think (hope) the result is something special. It's a wild hybrid of so much: Retro sci-fi, intense family drama, prose, and comics. I'll clam up and let you be the judge of it, but I hope that you (and/or your kids) give it a whirl.

The book's out tomorrow, but signings are coming up next month. Jeff and I will be at Powell's Books in Portland on May 2nd (Free Comic Book Day!) and the University Bookstore in Seattle the following day. I've also heard rumblings of other events, online and offline, but I imagine more will be revealed post-release.

In a bit of serendipity, I'm also working this month with local TED Talk, TEDx Portland, to supply illustrations for their Tomorrows-themed event coming up in May. I get to draw various futuristic visions of the Rose City, both fun and scary. It's really a hoot. They're talking about a gallery show and some other things, but again, no exact details yet. If I can, I'll find a way to bring Before Tomorrowland into that mix somehow. It just seems like a natural match. In the meantime, keep a watch for more signings on my appearances column, and on my store for autographed editions of Before Tomorrowland.

Now, back to the madness. The New Deal, my next authored/drawn graphic novel with Dark Horse, is ridiculously close to deadline, so you go, read other book, let me know what you think (except for first-edition typos, don't tell me any of those or I'll never sleep) and I'll keep making the other new book.

Books!

Original Art for Survivors

Today begins a new partnership with some people I really admire. Here's the plan:

Every month, I'm donating a portion of my original art sales to SARC (The Sexual Assault Resource Center), my favorite local nonprofit serving survivors of sexual exploitation and violence. This month, I've already contributed $535 out of a possible $1,000. For December, I'll do the same, up to $1,000. Whether it's a couple pages of Batman, a color cover, whatever, the first $1,000 goes to SARC. Pretty simple. I'll start with this model and see how it goes. My intent is to raise funds and awareness for their work throughout next year.

Browse my Original Art section here.

(UPDATE: In less than 24 hrs, I've met my goal of $1,000 raised for SARC. Thank you!!!)

SARC's been around since 1977 (they're featured in this year's Willamette Week Give! Guide). Begun by two assault survivors, its staff works in the Portland metro area with a current caseload of almost 300 kids at risk for sex trafficking. It's the same population the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children talks about when they quote stats like this:

Every year in America, there are between 100,000 and 300,000 children at risk of being sold on the sex-slave market. The average age of the victims is between 12 and 14.

Globally, human trafficking is the #2 most profitable illegal business; just ahead of weapons and just behind drugs. It's really difficult to let that sink in. I'll leave it to you to follow the sources below if you want detailed information; suffice to say, I can't think of an issue that needs more support, and has less. Nationally, there are fewer than 100 beds in treatment facilities equipped to help heal and care for these kids. One of the social workers at SARC said that for every girl they take on, that girl can name six or seven others being actively prostituted. It's staggering. Nonprofits like SARC are on the front lines providing care, services, and protection, but they're hugely under-supported, especially from your average American guy (hello).

I've supported SARC financially for a few years through the Epik Project, and I want to do more. Because of who I am and what I do (an artsy guy with limited real-world skills), my options for helpful involvement are limited. This also just isn't a topic that comes up naturally in any social setting. Believe me. I've tried. Taking stock of my options to do more, I landed on art sales. Original art income is totally unpredictable; I can't depend on it to pay bills, but I can use it strategically. It's a natural fit for donation.

If this all seems a little bizarre and non sequitur coming from a comics creator, have a look at this: other cartoonists like Lora Innes and Crystal Yates are already at work on this issue. Their organization, Comics Creators for Freedom, has already raised over $20,000 to assist survivors. They've set their latest fundraiser for December 2013- it's inspiring stuff.

If you want more info on human trafficking, check these out:

Government info pages/resources

• www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/civilrights/human_trafficking
• www.nycourts.gov/ip/womeninthecourts/LMHT.pdf
• www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2011/august/child_080511/child-id-app-content
• rems.ed.gov/docs/ED_HumanTrafficking_FactSheet.pdf

Nonprofits on the front lines (some local to me)

• sarcoregon.org
• www.missingkids.com
• www.sharedhope.org
• www.calledtorescue.org
• www.epikproject.org

Donate directly to SARC here: 

• www.firstgiving.com/sarc

Batman '66 Original Art For Sale

What a lovely Wednesday morning.

Last night at midnight, two things went live: My last Batman '66 story of the year (Mad Hatter Part 2) and a new sales section for original art, with the first few pages of Batman '66 Issue 1. It looks like the first two of six sold while I slept, so cheers to all you Bat-fans. I've had tremendous interest in the original art for this series, but it's taken me a while to feel alright parting with the art. It's sort of become one of my babies.

All that said, I'm excited to share some of this terrific book with you. I'll post more pages throughout the next couple months while I start my next graphic novel for Dark Horse (Yes!)--- then it's back to Batman '66 in November, and more exciting developments in the new year. If it sounds like I'm pleased... I am.

Also, Rose City Comic Con's coming up fast! I'll be there, next to everyone's favorite down-home mastermind and Batman writer, Jeff Parker. I'll bring more original art, and will be taking commissions too (already filling up my queue, so contact me to get a spot early, just in case).

Happy Wednesday, everyone! I hope you enjoy today's Batman, or as my baby girl calls it, 'That-man and Christopher Robin'.

Jonathan Case: The Creep #1 Signing and Gallery

This week, I officially wrapped up my art duties on John Arcudi's wrenching neo-noir, The Creep. And yet ... the world's hardly begun to see it! That changes in September, as issue #1 of the Dark Horse miniseries comes to comics shops, following August's issue #0 (a collection of three segments we ran in Dark Horse Presents). It'll have a fabulous Mike Mignola cover (!) and a sweet release party/signing/gallery at the Portland Things From Another World store (Hollywood location). I'll be there September 12th, from 7 to 10 PM doing the requisite signing, and they'll have a gallery of my work up all month, featuring pieces from Dear Creature, Green River Killer, The Creep, and more. I may even put some of them up for sale. If all that's not enough to get you out there, I have four words: FREE FOOD AND BEER.

If you're near Portland, come out and enjoy swell comics folk, drinks, and 80's neo-noir-themed-hors d'oeuvres. Just kidding. But I wouldn't put it past Elisabeth, the TFAW master of ceremonies. She does it up right.

In related news, I'm happy to hear that a lot of you enjoyed issue #0. You crazy kids, you. Thanks for all the help getting this book noticed. And remember: the more issues of The Creep you read, the more sunlight you'll need for basking in afterwards. I promise.

Portland Monthly — Best of the City

Here are two more pieces from this spring's 'Best of the City' article in Portland Monthly. Every few years, Pomo runs one of these showcases on Portland's food, shopping, family activities, etc., so it was a definite treat to collaborate with them and show off the city I love.

I did six illustrations for them in that issue, and these (Food and Shopping) were two of my favorites. The pieces all started from a notion of transforming everyday Portland moments into fantastical dreamscapes, ala Little Nemo in Slumberland. It was a lot of silly fun, and I enjoyed the chance to help formulate the overall concept.

This Shopping piece was particularly fun, because I got to pick all these bits and bobs that say 'Portland' to me. If anyone disagrees, well, nyeh. It's all about the squids and sock monkeys. One of my also-ran layouts for this piece had the woman dressed as a pirate lady (as people do here in our fair city, year-round, for their own reasons) but wearing regular sneakers— when LO, behind a shoe-store window, she sees the perfect pair of pirate wench boots. Yeah. Too far out... Perhaps TOO Portland for its own good. It was a fun doodle though. I'll have to see if it's still around somewhere.

Portland Monthly — Ink City Illustration

Just added this Portland Monthly piece to my illustrations and paintings. This was an illustration for their Ink City article, talking about Portland's thriving comics creators scene. Their article already had a superhero bent to it, but they liked my pitch for a Little Nemo in Slumberland riff well enough to roll that idea into their Best of the City article the next month. I'll post some of those pieces soon.

Dear Creature Reading TONIGHT

Totally last-minute, because I am like that right now:

I'll be reading from Dear Creature tonight at 8PM, at the Jack London Bar in downtown Portland. In the mix: hi-res projections of my book's art, and an acting partner to help me flesh things out: uber-talented comics creator Dylan Meconis! So, if you need entertainment tonight and want to see Dylan's take on three evil crabs and a large Italian floozy, it's the THING.

Details here.