Tattooed Ladies
So we bought a pack of cigarettes,
And Mrs. |LNAME|'s pies,
And walked off
To look for America.
- matt fraction -
ODY-C 10 hit this week, and wraps up the first part of, uh, the second of the three ships we're going to follow. V2 trade coming soon, ODY-C 11 in September and 12 in October, wrapping up what will form the first, uh, volume, of the series (of three volumes, all in all). In the middle of all that, an ODY-C COLORING AND ACTIVITY BOOK. Not even joking.
Hey, can I ask a favor? If you're academically-involved with ODY-C (teaching it, specifically; if you're being made to read it for a class, though, and you want to pass this on to your instructor, cool), could you drop us a line at captainodyssia@gmail.com? I've met a lot of folks at shows and signings, talked to more, and seen even more of you out there in the world but haven't said anything. Anyway I've been asked about putting together some kind of study guide for the book and I'd like to hear from you if teaching is, like, your shit, as I'm pretty dumb and have a lot of questions. Mostly I'd like to make the book as an approachable text as possible and building a coalition of y'all could help make that possible.
WON'T YOU PLEASE THINK ABOUT THE STUDENTS
Also I want to figure out how I can get the book to more university book stores and stuff.
Thanks.
also:
- Today Kit sat down at lunch and explained to me what 'shitposting' is and the conversation ended pretty much with me crying out HOLY SHIT IT'S WHAT I DID ON TWITTER anyway i'm old + gonna die soon
- gonna go see HAMILTON in may
- Molly Lewis is a superhero.
- Here's Michael Ian Black and Paul F. Tompkins very, VERY, disappointed in Chip's phone, which he left at my house before I went on a boat, so of course I took it with me on the boat instead of sending it back
- we've had a lot of really great ideas for #RECIDIVIST it's gonna be great trust us
m
- kelly sue deconnick -
#VisibleWomen
So, last weekend I got a bit frustrated at this notion that there aren't very many women comic artists who are 'ready for prime time' so to speak and I had the idea that I'd put out a call and signal boost anyone who responded. Well... that went better than expected. I had to stop at 357 women because I was losing too much time, but THE HASHTAG IS STILL ACTIVE, and I encourage you to check it out. Some kind soul was good enough to put together a spreadsheet of the first 357 portfolio links as well.
I was asked a couple of times if I'd be wiling to signal boost writers (and once about letters) and while I don't think that's a bad idea, I really wanted to focus on artists. Considering making this a thing we do every 3 or 4 months. We'll see. Huge thanks to everyone who helped (big ups, interns and twitter volunteers) and everyone who submitted. And to that young woman I saw beating herself up because she didn't feel ready to show her portfolio: can you be ready in 3 months? GO, SISTER. DRAW LIKE THE WIND.
We passed the list around the office and there are so many AMAZING artists in here. Here are three that stood out to us, but this is by no means an exhaustive list of everyone who stood out, these are literally the three who were on everyone's lists:
Ariela Kristantina
Triona Tree Farrell
Joanna Estep
If you hire, or get hired, based on this list, I'd love to hear about it.
Okay, the newsletter's already pretty long, so I'm just going to add that I have finally found an affordable fountain pen that I love. Pilot Metropolitan. Thank you for the rec, Pen Addict. (Also curse you, because now I want to save up for the Lamy 2000 broad tip.)
Oh, and here's a sneak peek at a new character coming in the next issue of Bitch Planet. Design by Valentine De Landro, of course.
(Also, Pretty Deadly 9 is uploaded! Also, also: I had to throw out a bunch of Parisian White and start over, but now it's way better so... yay?)
(Also also also: I got my full membership in the Writers Guild today. I feel like the Velveteen Rabbit.)
- interns! -
It's Milkfed interns Peter and Sasha's last week with us! They each had a few thoughts to share...
Needless to say, being part of #TeamMilkfed has been mind-blowing.
I learned a LOT here, and while I hesitate to name any one experience as the “high point” of my internship, there are many moments that will stick with me. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Chip Zdarsky; watching him collaborate with Matt was delightful for too many reasons. Getting to chat color techniques with Kelly Fitzpatrick was rad and inspiring - the more I learn about her process, the more I want to get back into my own art. Getting an inside perspective on Bitch Planet and Pretty Deadly from Kelly Sue herself made my little fangirl heart explode on a regular basis.
As interns, we were lucky enough to participate in craft lunches this winter and got to talk regularly about process. I got feedback on my script writing, which left me hopeful and horrified (in fairly equal amounts) about creating my own comics someday. I also got a few really good ideas to explore during my PhD Program. I honestly don’t know where this experience will take me in the long run, but I regret nothing. Big thanks to the folks taking time to read this — and to the folks following us on social media, I have really enjoyed interacting with you over the past few weeks. Feel free to tweet me @sushi5050 to keep the conversation going.
Welcome to the party, incoming interns! You will have the best time — and I envy you.
—#InternSasha
-----
My time here as a Milkfed intern has been a truly great experience, and I wish it didn’t have to end. Not to get too personal here, but I grew up as a small town boy, and the notion of earning a living as a writer might as well have been like the dream of living on Pluto – fun to think about, but probably never going to happen. ‘Course, I was never one for ultimatums and hard truths, so I chose to dream. Now, I’ve spent a couple of weeks surrounded by other dreamers, and it is, if nothing else, reaffirming. Pluto ain’t that far.
But enough with the personal crap - back to specifics. Earning a living as a writer or editor involves a lot of research and organization. As such, interns’ duties aid in those ends. Although it can be monotonous at times, it serves a purpose. Deadlines approach, stress can run high, coffee can be consumed in large amounts, but you look back with a sense of accomplishment. I like that feeling. That sense you’ve gone on a journey.
Maybe I’m rambling (probably need more coffee). But the point is that I’ve been very lucky to have this internship, and I hope that this is only the beginning of my journey. To the next interns: Good luck. Pablo doesn’t scratch. Enjoy the food and the amazing comics library. And don’t worry so much – it’s all in a day’s work.
PeterTheIntern signing off…
- the snake pit -
After waffling for the better part of, oh, I dunno, 2 years, I finally pulled the trigger on getting my first tattoo. I knew I wanted one in theory but had no clue what I liked/loved/obsessed over enough to want it on my body permanently.
Cue the #TeamMilkfed entrance music (which switches b/t Queen and KISS.): That mad band of noble nerds looking to teach, share and entertain anyone within earshot through the language of love, acceptance, curiosity and a bucketful of silly. Not to get mushy on y'all but I've learned more about myself in the last year than...well, you know how it goes.
When I think back on how I got here, the series of decisions that were made, the long road trips, the sleepless nights, the terrifying abyss of not knowing whether my actions had any chance of success...I know I would do it all again. In a heartbeat. And being here at Milkfed has made that conviction even stronger. Surrounded by not just coworkers, not just friends, but FAMILY, and that's what everyone here is...family.
It is a curiously simple act, putting ink on your skin, but a powerful one. A decision not made lightly in my case. But working side-by-side with my Milkfed family, I not only found my voice, I also found the courage to use it. And now, I literally wear my heart on my sleeve.
>>>1st correct guess on what my tattoo actually IS gets a free NC lapel pin<<<
Tattoo courtesy of the incredibly talented madman Skot Olsen of Adorn East here in PDX. You can find him on Instagram @olsenskot.
>>>there's a spot of blood in the pic below...feel free to skip it if that ain't your jam.<<<
so it's really on my shoulder but WHATEVER.
- retailer roundup -
PRETTY DEADLY #9 materials are HERE for the taking!
On sale 4/13/2016
#ICYMI
TODAY IN HAMILTRASH: Jimmy Fallon sings "You'll Be Back", doing impressions of Rufus Wainright, George Harrison and others.
This nail salon is called Finger Bang and they will give you a KISS manicure or a laser eye space cats manicure or a vagina dentata manicure and Kelly Sue and Kit medically need to go to there right now.
Portland folks into nerd stuff and craft stuff! GeekCraftUp is April 11.
BOOKGLOW included ODY-C in their list of favorite modern retellings of myths and legends.
True story: I had to do a quick google search just to make sure I didn't date one of these guys. Wasn't him. -- Kelly Sue
tl;dr
March 16 - ODY-C #10 on sale
April 13 - PRETTY DEADLY #9 on sale
June 17-19 - ALL of Team Milkfed at Heroes Con
July 21-24 - Fraction at SDCC
Aug 7 - PDX Brain Tumor Walk
Sept 10-11 - Team Milkfed at Rose City Comic Con
Milkfed Logo by Rian Hughes.