Category Archives: Publications

Wordless Worlds event at MoCCA

animation, cartoons, comics, Events, Interviews, News, Performances, Publications, Talks/Lectures, , , , , ,

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World War 3 Illustrated Release Party
Thursday, April 30, 2009 7-9PM

Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art -MoCCA
594 Broadway, Suite 401 (Between Houston and Prince st.)
New York, NY 10012

Admission: Donation Suggested / Free for MoCCA Members

Featuring multi-media presentation of art by:

PETER KUPER
MAC McGILL
SETH TOBOCMAN
PAULA HEWITT AMRAM
SABRINA JONES
ERIC DROOKER
KEVIN PYLE
CHUCK SPERRY
REBECCA MIGDAL
and many others!

with an animated film by Onur Tukel

live music by
Eric Blitz, Steve Wishnia, Andy Laties, Breeze and more!

World War 3 Illustrated #39
Edited by Peter Kuper and Kevin Pyle
With all this talk about a picture being worth a thousand words and so much chatter in the news, but little being said, World War 3 illustrated presents our first wordless comics issue.  It features comics and illustrations by Eric Drooker, Mats!?, Geoffrey Grahn, Rebecca Migdal, Matt Mahurin, Carlo Quispe, Ryan Inzana, Seth Tobocman, Peter Kuper, Felipe Galindo, Mac McGill, David Sandlin, Barron Storey, Onur Tukel, Sabrina Jones, Andy Singer, Santiago Cohen, Kevin Pyle, Gerard Conte, Paula Hewitt , Edwin Vasquez, Terry Laban, and an article on picture novels by scholar David Berona.

This new issue leaps beyond language barriers — sort of a Tower of a Babel, minus the babble.  All of us speaking one language again — through pictures.

Peter Kuper was interviewed awhile back for Newsarama–he talked about the collaborative nature of the project and his challenges as an editor.  Here’s a taste:

“Every time I try to stop doing it, something happens that pulls me back in … it’s like the Mafia, there’s no escape!” Kuper observed of working on the magazine, which is in its 28th year of publication. “Over the years when my enthusiasm for dedicating the enormous amount of time and energy it takes to put out an issue starts to wane, there’s a riot in Tompkins Square park, a war in Iraq (the first one) or 9/11, and I rediscover the importance of maintaining a forum that doesn’t rely on outside financing or exert some form of censorship.

“To be clear, World War 3 is very much a group effort (I certainly haven’t edited every other issue) and wouldn’t exist if a large number of people didn’t keep pulling together to make it happen. If there hadn’t been we would have burned out by now.”

The artist further explained the need for WW3, adding, “There have been many points when WW3 was the only place to publish certain ideas. This was true during Reagan’s presidency, but especially true after 9/11 when even artists like Art Spiegelman found the mainstream press completely closed to work like what ended up being In The Shadow of No Towers and turned to WW3 to get it published. Last issue I did an eleven-page piece on my experience in Mexico during a teachers strike. WW3 was the only place I could find for a piece of that length.”

As issue 39 will be entirely wordless, Kuper was asked about the reasons for publishing an all-silent issue. “I have always been a fan of wordless storytelling from Lynd Ward to Eric Drooker, and after eight years of Bush I’m speechless!” he laughed. “Also I had the kooky notion that it would be easier to edit a wordless issue. I had it completely backwards; it has taken twice as long and required much more hands-on editing with each piece, down to sketching out suggestions. Thankfully I was able to hoodwink Kevin Pyle (Blind Spots) into helping me with the editing duty.”

WW3 Illustrated #39 will be “90% comics, 5% fat-free illustrations and a great article on Wordless books by the #1 scholar on the subject, David A. Beronä,” Kuper explained. Previous issues of the magazine have made room for political and social essays to run alongside the magazine’s cartoon commentaries.

You can read the complete interview here.  And to see more art, animation and info about World War 3 illustrated visit the official site.

Quick Hit: Upcoming Tara McPherson book and toy signings

Events, Illustration Faculty, News, Publications, toys, , , , ,

lostconstellations

Parsons Illustration Adjunct Faculty Tara McPherson is on a USA Book and Toy Signing Tour for her new Lost Constellations book by Dark Horse and Gamma Mutant Space Friends Mini-Figure Set by Kidrobot!  Here are the upcoming dates:

April 28
Diesel Fuel Prints, 6-10pm, Signing.
Portland, OR

April 29
Kidrobot, 6-8pm, Signing
San Francisco, CA

April 30
Kidrobot, 6-8pm, Signing.
Los Angeles, CA

May 2
Kidrobot, 6-8pm, Signing
Miami, FL

mcpherson toys

Dan Yaccarino wins prize at Bologna Children’s Book Fair

Follow Up, Illustration Alumni, Illustration Industry, Publications, , , , ,

everyfridayParsons Illustration Alum Dan Yaccarino (’87) got an official Mention in the Fiction category for his book, EVERY FRIDAY, at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair this past March.

Here’s what the jury members had to say about his work:

With consummate awareness, Dan Yaccarino goes back over a key moment in the history of illustration, echoing with great skill the unforgotten magic of the years between the two world wars when posters, home furnishings, design objects and styles of fashion all came together to create a certain elegance of living. Yaccarino re-defines the light. The compact forms he draws and paints forego the weight of contours. His colour palette never includes the banal. Limpid perspectives are so clearly defined as to seem an accomplished exercise in style intent on inhabiting each scene with a serene, enlivening spirit. Yet as he returns, re-reads and re-thinks, Yaccarino shows a talent all his own that shows through in his own unmistakable style. The result is a magical encounter with a great artist and an unforgettable moment in the history of illustration.
Congratulations, Dan! And if you’re in the NYC-area, you can catch Dan signing copies of his new book at Books of Wonder soon.  Here are the official details on that event:
cousteau-yaccarino
Join Books of Wonder on Saturday, April 25th, from 12 to 2pm as we welcome an exciting new crop of books for spring by seven of today’s most talented authors and artists. On hand will be author KATE FEIFFER who will present her three new books: The Problem with the Puddles, her first chapter book for young readers;  Which Puppy? a picture book illustrated by her father, Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, author, and artist, JULES FEIFFER, and My Mom Is Trying To Ruin My Life, a picture book illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist DIANE GOODE.

Also joining us will be author MICHEAL J. ROSEN who will introduce his new book of poems, The Cuckoo’s Haiku: And Other Birding Poems;  husband-and-wife team WENDELL and FLORENCE MINOR to present their latest collaboration, the delightful If You Were A Penguin; and best-selling author and artist DAN YACCARINO who will share with us his fascinating picture book biography, The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau. Each of these talented authors and artists will present their books beginning at noon, answer questions from the audience, and then sign all of their many wonderful books.

Stop by and catch Dan in action!

The Beats get illustrated!

Education, History, Publications, Randomly Intriguing, , ,

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Cory Doctorow over at Boing Boing! recently highlighted The Beats: A Graphic History, which seems like a pretty exciting new book by Harvey Pekar (of American Splendor fame) and a host of others  Here’s a snippet of Cory’s write-up:

The Beats: A Graphic History is everything a radical history should be: critical, admiring, quirky and apologetic. The Beats is largely written by Harvey Pekar and illustrated by Ed Piskor, with a concluding section of more critical, less biographical pieces written and illustrated by a variety of critics and artists, including Nancy J Peters, Tulu Kupferberg, Summer McClinton, Anne Timmons and others.

The opening section consists of Pekar’s biographies of the canonical Beats, Kerouac, Ginsberg, Burroughs, and then onto the less-celebrated members of the scene, including Rexroth, Ferlinghetti, LeRoi Jones, and so forth. These pieces are loving but harsh, sparing their subjects little sympathy for their misdeeds (which are many, ranging from murder and betrayal to vicious misogyny and naive, fleeting affairs with reactionary politics and mysticism). Pekar shows us that a mature person can admire the worthy deeds and art of historical heroes without glossing over their bad acts — or throwing away their art with their sins.

kerouac

Ed Piskor’s Kerouac (seen above) is just a taste of the great illustration included in this volume.  You can pick up your copy here.

Humbug (Arnold Roth and Al Jaffee) at the Strand tomorrow

cartoons, comics, Events, Illustration Industry, Interviews, Publications, Talks/Lectures, , , , , , , , ,

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An Evening with HUMBUG at the Strand, April 14th!

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS AND THE STRAND PRESENT: AN EVENING OF HUMBUG

In 1957, five artists — Harvey Kurtzman, Will Elder, Arnold Roth, Al Jaffee and Jack Davis – hot on the heels of creating MAD magazine, pooled their money and their talent and entered into the creative, exuberant folly of a lifetime by creating the greatest satirical magazine of their careers. Join HUMBUG co-founders Arnold Roth and Al Jaffee in a book signing and discussion about this historic publication with Fantagraphics Publisher and editor of the collected HUMBUG, Gary Groth. Attendees will also enjoy an exclusive screening of a documentary short film about the late Will Elder.

humbug


An Evening with HUMBUG
Featuring Arnold Roth and Al Jaffee in conversation with Gary Groth
Tuesday, April 14, 7:00PM
The Strand Bookstore
12th St. & Broadway,
New York, NY

Isabel Samaras has first monograph released!

Illustration Alumni, Illustration Industry, News, Publications, , , , , ,

tender hooks

In just a few shorts weeks, on April 29th, Parsons Illustration Alum Isabel Samaras will have her very first monograph, On Tender Hooks, published by Chronicle Books!  Here’s the official description:

On Tender Hooks — Isabel Samaras’s quirky, sexy, pop-surrealist art has had a cult following for years—and now at long last her first monograph, On Tender Hooks, is here. Drawing her influence from classic TV shows and paintings by the Old Masters—for example riffing on Géricault’s Raft of the Medusa by replacing the figures with characters from Gilligan’s Island—Samaras has created a witty, erotic, and surreal body of work. This fresh and dazzling volume includes a three-way interview between Samaras and fellow low-brow artists Shag and The Pizz, as well as delightful and enlightening commentary from gallerist Justin Giarla and art writer Colin Berry, and an erotic short story by Lucy Blue.

Pre-order your copy here and note that you can also get a deluxe version which includes:

Edition limited to 100 and 5 artist’s proofs
Print: Honey Dripper (Goldilocks & the Three Bears), 2008
Signed and numbered by the artist, 8×10 Giclée print

Fancy!  There’s also an accompanying postcard collection if you’re short on cash but still want a little of this beautiful art.

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Our congratulations to Isabel on this huge accomplishment.  Seems like she’s pretty happy with the results, as well.  Over at her blog, you can check out her reaction on getting a copy of the completed book.

Gavin Spielman featured on AND in Dan’s Paper

Illustration Alumni, Illustration Faculty, Interviews, News, Publications, , , , ,

spielman on dan's

Parsons Illustration Alum and current Adjunct faculty member Gavin Spielman was recently honored with a cover illustration for an issue of Dan’s Papers.  The issue also featured an interview with Gavin–he discussed his inspiration and techniques.  Here’s a taste:

Q: Despite your being known for landscapes, you experienced a very different kind of scene when you were a student.

A: Yes, I used to hang out in St. Mark’s Place observing homeless people on the street, aging older men. I found them beautiful and sincere, with their weathered looks. I would pay them to pose for me. Oddly enough, my studio is in that same area.

Q: What else were you doing at that time?

A: I was doing graphic design. As a student I studied philosophy and music at SUNY-New Paltz, transferring to Parsons to major in illustration. I teach at Parsons now.

Q: How did that early experience with the homeless influence you?

A: I detached myself from the destitution on the street. I was sacrificing monetary gains to devote my work to the homeless.

Q: Your subjects are different now. How would you characterize your current style and subjects?

A: I’m a traditionalist; I don’t think technology and graphic design adhere to the “Old World” style that I respect. As for subject matter, I don’t look for social subjects now but for muted scenes like what George Innes would do. I am interested in looking for dark scenes, lighting-wise.

Read the rest of the interview here.  You can see more of Gavin’s work on his official website, and if you live in the New York City area, his work is included in a show at 225 Gallery called, “Macy’s is Not the Only Flower Shop in Town!”  The show is up through May 17.

So pick up your copy of Dan’s Papers and stop by 225 Gallery soon!  Congrats, Gavin.

225 Gallery
225 W. 14th Street
Gallery Hours–Mon-Thurs: 10am – 7pm; Fri, Sat, Sun: 10am – 6pm

Alum Brian Ajhar illustrates new book: Gone with the Wand

Illustration Alumni, Illustration Industry, Publications, , , ,

gwtw

Parsons Illustration Alum Brian Ajhar (’80) has a new book coming out in April called Gone with the Wand. Brian contributed the illustrations while Margie Palatini wrote the story. Here’s a snippet of the Kirkus review:

When a fairy godmother’s wand gets that burnt look, and she doesn’t even have enough “bippidy left in her to salacadoo one more pumpkin,” it just may be time for a change of specialty. Or so advises Tooth Fairy Second Class Edith B. Cuspid, dismayed to see the legendary Bernice Sparkelstein sinking into a funk. Unfortunately, experiments with fairy dust, snowflakes and especially sugarplums don’t work out for Bernice at all. It’s time for something less traditional. In a flash of inspiration Edith comes up with just the thing. Tucking occasional bits of funny business into the backgrounds, Ajhar matches Palatini’s typically twinkly, playful prose with offhandedly baroque scenes of the two middle-aged fairies-one short and round in apron and pinafore, the other tall, skinny and sporting a feathered boa beneath a mane of frizzy red ringlets-flitting hither, yon and into the bedrooms of sleeping young royals. [Emphasis added]

You can pre-order your copy here and see more of Brian’s work at his official website.

Congrats, Brian!

R. Sikoryak featured in Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons and True Stories

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brunettivol2-sm

Illustration Alum and Adjunct Faculty member R. Sikoryak has a comic called “Action Camus” (an adaptation of The Stranger) appearing in the new Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons and True Stories Vol 2, edited by Ivan Brunetti.

Above is the cover design by Dan Clowes and below is the super-cool promo video for the book, which in stores now:

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Congrats, Bob!

Ariel Schrag and Gabrielle Bell at Desert Island Comics this Friday!

cartoons, comics, Events, Illustration Industry, Publications, Talks/Lectures, , , ,

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Gabrielle Bell and Ariel Schrag will appear at DESERT ISLAND BOOKS from 7 to 9 this Friday, March 27th, to celebrate their new books (“Cecil and Jordan in New York” and “Likewise”) with a slideshow/signing/book release party.

Friday, March 27th
7-9 p.m.
Desert Island Books
540 Metropolitan Ave
Brooklyn NY