abbycomix

I’m starting a new tumblr for my cute boys of the ’80s (and other decades) comics. My first post is Bowie in Labyrinth!

If you don’t know Drawing Words & Writing Pictures, it’s an amazing book and website by Jessica Abel and Matt Madden about comics craft which is also a great textbook. I found it indispensable for teaching college classes on comics writing, that’s for sure! I was invited to write a post for their site about my experiences with manga and it’s impact on my work. If you’ve ever wondered about the details of my involvement with manga and Japan, and exhibiting at a comics show there, here’s your chance to read all about it. Please check it out!

Kyotofu – 705 ninth avenue (between 48th and 49th) new york, ny 10019

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March is CBR’s Month of LGBT Comics, and Dolltopia got a fantastic write-up! Also, Book of Boy Trouble 2 got a nice review as well. Loads of great books are being covered, so check them out!

This is a poem by my friend, cartoonist Yuuko Koyama about her experience in Japan right now. She is in the Tokyo area, she and her family are doing OK. Please consider donating to Doctors Without Borders at this link or other charities listed here.

I’m living among the machines which I cannot repair
I’m living in the world which I cannot measure
The day I’m relieved to hear my job is stable for the next six months
The big Tsunami comes just 30 minutes later
But now, I’m waiting for a hot soy latte at a warm counter.

I’m looking forward to going to France for Angoulême at the end of this month, so I made a special bilingual mini-comic for the occasion with the translation assistance of Xavier Lancel! It includes my adventures in French cheese and a comic about Angoulême’s sweets! I’ll be at the Scarce / LGBT BD booth again this year, so stop by if you’ll be there.

Here’s something really exciting that just happened! Japanese Professor Fusami Ogi of Chikushi Jogakuen University had been in contact with me as she has been researching women in comics worldwide. She had invited me for a conference Dec. 19th which would include shoujo manga legend Moto Hagio. Schedule-wise, it didn’t work out for me to attend, but I was asked to write an essay about my favorite work from Hagio’s collection, A Drunken Dream as part of the presentation. I submitted my essay which was translated and read by Fusami at the presentation to a very positive response and Moto Hagio was presented with a copy of Dolltopia too! So I did get to participate, if from a distance. This was far and beyond my expectations, I never thought I’d get to participate in an event with this manga trailblazer, and am truly beside myself! Thank you Fusami and Moto Hagio for this amazing opportunity! I only hope I can be there in person to visit with you next time. Fusami sent me this photo of herself, Moto Hagio (with Dolltopia!), and her mother, sister, and father which I am posting with their permission. Truly, I am honored!

Here’s a quick illo I did of Herr Drosselmeyer from The Hard Nut which I saw at BAM. It just ended it’s run, and I was inspired by the cool, mysterious, and androgynous take on Drosselmeyer they had. Here I have him holding The Nutcracker. The Hard Nut’s sets and designs are inspired by cartoonist Charles Burns. Overall, an amazing show! Happy Holidays!

Big News! It was announced this week that Dolltopia won a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award! Dolltopia scored a silver medal in the category of Mind-Body-Spirit/Self-Esteem! I want to thank everybody who has supported me in my efforts with Dolltopia, I couldn’t have done it without you! More info to come…

OK, since Yuutan requested it! Here’s my sketch of The Major from the manga Eroica.