Cedric's Kickstarter: Pose Drawing SparkBook

I've recently launched my first Kickstarter project, the Pose Drawing Sparkbook. It's a new tool to help artists put more life into their poses.

It seems to be getting a very positive response. In the first 48 hours I raised $3,000 (1/3 of my goal), the project has been featured in the "Popular" section of Kickstarter's "Publishing" category, and has had over 800 likes on Tumblr.

To promote the project I'm giving away a free download of 100 sketchbook ideas. No strings attached.

 As you may know, Kickstarter is all-or-nothing. The project only happens if I meet my goal. So if you like the project, please spread the word to your friends. The more people that know about it, the more likely I can make this thing happen.

Thanks!
Cedric

Michael Jantze's 'Knocked Out Loaded' graphic novel coming soon

A new chapter in Michael Jantze's 'The Norm' will be available soon as a graphic novel. 'Knocked Out Loaded' was originally published in 2007 to Jantze.com five days a week as a color daily strip. Written as a long-form story using short-form techniques, the story is 80% complete and will be fully completed soon thanks to a successful (and ongoing) Indegogo campaign set to end on August 1, 2013. Michael is a vocal and passionate advocate of storytelling and cartooning - please spread the word about this exciting endeavor to help the project reach its exciting stretch-goals. Cheers!

NCS at Comic-Con International 2013 — Reserve your spot today!

Hello NCS Member!

The National Cartoonists Society will once again have a booth set up at the San Diego Comic Con this year, July 18th-21st at the San Diego Convention Center. As always, any member in good standing who will be attending SDCC is welcome to come by the booth to set up and do some sketches, sell some books and original art, or just to chat up the passers-by and promote their latest project. We have an excellent location and a big, eye-catching booth in spaces 1307-1309.

As nice as the booth is, it's a little tight in there if too many members come by at the same time, or stay too long. We can only accommodate a few cartoonists at a time. Some members have come by only to find there is no room for them, and other times the booth is mostly deserted. One common problem is that someone commandeers an area and squats there for the entire weekend, spreading their wares out and leaving them there even when they leave for breaks. It's been obvious we need a more structured approach to this.

We are going to stick to a strict sign up and assigned seat schedule this year. The layout of the booth is attached. Spots are available for reservations on the following schedule:

Wed (Preview Night):

Hours not posted yet, but assume one shift for each chair

Thurs, Fri and Sat:

10-12
1-3
3-5
5-7

Sunday:

10-12
1-3
3-5

These two hour blocks will be assigned to different cartoonists on a first come-first served basis. You tell us what times you want and we will assign you a seat. Initially you will only be allowed one 2 hour block per day, but at the SDCC you can sign up for additional open times (if any) at the beginning of the day. We will be moving you around if you do more than one shift for the event so everybody gets time in different areas of the booth. I'd recommend bringing some kind of nameplate or sign for when you are set up. You will be expected to pack up and vacate your seat for the next artist at the end of your time block. Also please note your table area and don't bring so much stuff that you will spill over into another's area. We cannot store things overnight for you. We have plenty of blocks of time available, so I am sure those who want more than one shift a day will be able to get additional ones when the day comes.

As usual, Phil will process sales for you and the NCS will take a 10% cut to help with our booth expenses.

Please email me at tom@tomrichmond.com (as opposed to just replying to this email) with any times you want to reserve at your earliest convenience, and I'll lock you into a spot.

Thanks for understanding about the more structured way of doing things. It will make the experience a lot more relaxed and should allow for more members to appear at the booth knowing they have a seat at the times they are scheduled.

MADly,

Tom
___________
Tom Richmond
President, National Cartoonists Society
http://www.tomrichmond.com
tom@tomrichmond.com

Congratulations to this year's Reuben Winners!!!

A big congratulations to the 67th Annual Reuben Award winners at Saturday night's ceremonies:

Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year goes to (a tie) Rick Kirkman and Brian Crane. Great job, fellas.

Also, in their respective categories, congratulations to:

TELEVISION ANIMATION

Rich Webber, Director, Aardman Animation Studios, “DC Nation”

EATURE ANIMATION

Joann Sfar, Director, “The Rabbi’s Cat”

NEWSPAPER ILLUSTRATION

Dave Whamond

GAG CARTOONS

Roz Chast

GREETING CARDS

Jem Sullivan

NEWSPAPER COMIC STRIPS

Brian Basset “Red and Rover”

NEWSPAPER PANEL CARTOONS

Hilary Price “Rhymes with Orange”

MAGAZINE FEATURE/MAGAZINE ILLUSTRATION

Anton Emdin

BOOK ILLUSTRATION

John Rocco- Blackout

EDITORIAL CARTOONS

Jen Sorenson

ADVERTISING and PRODUCT ILLUSTRATION

Ed Steckley

COMIC BOOKS

Bernie Wrightson “Frankenstein Alive, Alive!”

GRAPHIC NOVELS

Chris Ware- “Building Stories”

ON-LINE COMICS – SHORT FORM

Graham Harrop “Ten Cats”

ON-LINE COMICS – LONG FORM

Vince Dorse “Untold Tales of Bigfoot”

My only regret is that I wasn't able to be there for all the fun. But I am feeling better now. See you next year, gang!

— ME

At the Reuben's...

I just received word that the Goodie Bag stuffing will take place on Thursday, May 23 at 2:00 pm at The Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, Phone: 412-281-7100 in the Franklin & Greene room.

I'm looking for all North Central attendees to lend a hand. Last year our own John Hambrock was a "machine" when it came to sortin' 'n stackin' of the bags. So I'm hoping he and Anne will be there to lend a hand, once again. :-)

See you next week, Tooners!

Your beheaded leader,
ME

SpringCon Comic Book Carnival, May 18-19

If you haven't heard about it yet, the Minnesota State Fairgrounds will be the place to be this weekend, May 18-19, 10a-5p (both days).
Our own Jim Horwitz will be there and is wondering if any other North Central Members will be in attendance. If you are planning on attending, please let Jim know.

The passing of a giant...

Visual Effects Pioneer Ray Harryhausen Dies at 92

Mark your calendar!!!

Free Comic Book Day! March 4, 2013

What makes and editorial cartoon and editorial cartoon? — Ann Telnaes

Ann Telnaes, Pulitzer prize winning editorial cartoonist at the Washington Post, posted a wonderful piece on her website this morning. My friends, this is well worth reading. Is your syndicate doing this to you? Are they asking you to participate in this kind of action that lowers the bar for serious editorial cartoonists everywhere? If so, you have to ask yourself if you want to add to the further decay of the editorial cartoon industry (although given how its been treated over the past several years, it's less and industry and more like a mom 'n pop store).

Your fretless leader,
ME

Comic Con International Awards

The Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees 2013