Hello my my devoted Head-Smashers! Welcome back to Blog-O-Dan!
Im just gonna go ahead and name my fan following as Head-Smashers. It works on a multitude of levels. Its a clever play on words and lets you know Im hoping to become the same Canadian success story for comics that another great Canadian was for Rock&Roll.
I want to be comics answer to Justin Bieber.
If youre reading this consider yourself a comic geek Bieleber!!!
Instead of the signature poofed hair, Ive got a felt hat! Substitute a swooning sing-along for some purdy pictures! Instead of hoards of adoring teens its loads of lonely, shut-in, middle aged men! Thats right Dananites be prepared to follow me as I make my way in this world full of loose continuity and questionable origin stories!
On that note, lets try and get back to the point of this blog. I have an announcement to make!
I am officially Canadas first ever Comic Book Shop Artist in Residency!
*cue the applause/Danny turns on his tape recording of a golf clap*
. and possibly North America, but well have to do a tad more research before I go laying claim to that title.
Now for a little backstory behind this lovely tale.
My local comic shop, Happy Harbor Comics, has always been a shining example of what a comic shop should be. Constantly doing their best to build and support not only Edmonton but also Albertas comic community, they work to inspire comic artists, writers, and fans alike. They have always been a leader in the comics industry and the creative community
Early this May they announced their Artist in Residency program (details found here http://www.happyharborcomics.com/) Basically it would be an opportunity for a local artist to have set aside time and funds to work on their personal projects, in a great environment to help them grow as an artist and promote art in their community. Many great talents entered and a panel of judges was set up to decide who would get the position. After some tough competition I was awarded the role as Happy Harbors Artist in Residency! I would like to thank all the spectacular staff at Happy Harbor for this chance, especially Jay and Shawna! This shop means so much to all of us and we cant thank you enough for it.
This announcement couldnt have happened at a better time.
I have reached a point with my art that I can confidentially say Im ready to make the jump to pro. With the Calgary Expo and San Diego Comic Con just around the corner Im on the brink of slipping through that door and becoming a full time professional comic artist.
And if that werent great enough, now more than ever the comic industry is a buzz with news and potential. DC comics has made a major announcement of relaunching their comic universe in September, and doing a same day release of digital comics.
For those of us who arent geek fluent, you may be wondering whats the big deal?
I can confidentially tell you that this is a HUGE deal.
With the slew of great comic inspired movies and television coming out every year it has brought geek culture to the forefront of pop culture. Everywhere we look geeks, nerds, and fanboys are being accepted. Jocks, preps and gossip girls are all coming out of their hidden geek closets (which I shall dub henceforth as coming out of the basement) Overall we have a renewed interest in comics and a brand new potential fanbase.
When youre average movie goer comes out of the upcoming blockbuster Green Lantern or next years Dark Knight Rises and Superman:Man of Steel and decides they just cant wait another 2 years till their next fight in tights fix. This announcement means they can cut the middle man and go straight to the source, pure uncut comicbook goodness. The DC comics relaunch means that these blockbuster junkies know exactly where to jump onboard the wagon, right at #1. Instead of being daunted by book #613 in an ongoing series they have a manageable small number thats a great jumping on point for them as a new reader. It will introduce them to the new characters, worlds and concepts.
On top of that now all DCs comics will be available digitally the same day they are available in print. Todays generation is the all about now, and digital allows them instant access to a plethora of stories along with their music, movies and podcasts. Comics have a great potential to integrate themselves into your everyday life. 15 minute bus ride to work? Why not fill up those everyday boring mundane 10-15 minutes spots of downtime with intriguing and exciting stories instead. Forget the leers of the unbathed commuter next to you, and transport yourself back to the wild west in All Star Western #1. Stop the monotonous hitting of refresh on facebook during break, and join in the fight to save Gotham from the Joker in Batman #1 Sample stories from every genre and writer and artist. And when you find that special comic that resonates with you, go out to your local comic shop and find the beautiful collected hardcover edition to put on your bookshelf and enjoy again and again.
This is the greatest opportunity comics has ever had. I know that a lot of us suffer from comic book guy syndrome, we are quick to point out the flaws, faults and failings of anything and everything related to our obsession. Many of us secretly enjoyed our snobbish, elitist attitude. Instead we need to look at this in the overwhelmingly positive light that it is. Go out and tell everyone you know about all the great things happening in our world. Infect people with your passion, spread the joy and wonder of this amazing medium.
This could be and possibly will be the biggest shot in the arm comics has ever had. Its a bold marketing strategy and I really hope it pays off. This wont stop our old stories from being great, and gives us a chance to introduce new ideas, concepts and more importantly new readers to our beloved art form. This has a major chance to bring new life into an industry that really needs and deserves it
Ill be doing my best to lobby for this art form in the coming months, that has given me so much in my life. I hope every fanboy out there does the same.
Till next time, see ya back here,
Same Dan-Time!
Same Dan-channel!
Im just gonna go ahead and name my fan following as Head-Smashers. It works on a multitude of levels. Its a clever play on words and lets you know Im hoping to become the same Canadian success story for comics that another great Canadian was for Rock&Roll.
I want to be comics answer to Justin Bieber.
If youre reading this consider yourself a comic geek Bieleber!!!
Instead of the signature poofed hair, Ive got a felt hat! Substitute a swooning sing-along for some purdy pictures! Instead of hoards of adoring teens its loads of lonely, shut-in, middle aged men! Thats right Dananites be prepared to follow me as I make my way in this world full of loose continuity and questionable origin stories!
On that note, lets try and get back to the point of this blog. I have an announcement to make!
I am officially Canadas first ever Comic Book Shop Artist in Residency!
*cue the applause/Danny turns on his tape recording of a golf clap*
. and possibly North America, but well have to do a tad more research before I go laying claim to that title.
Now for a little backstory behind this lovely tale.
My local comic shop, Happy Harbor Comics, has always been a shining example of what a comic shop should be. Constantly doing their best to build and support not only Edmonton but also Albertas comic community, they work to inspire comic artists, writers, and fans alike. They have always been a leader in the comics industry and the creative community
Early this May they announced their Artist in Residency program (details found here http://www.happyharborcomics.com/) Basically it would be an opportunity for a local artist to have set aside time and funds to work on their personal projects, in a great environment to help them grow as an artist and promote art in their community. Many great talents entered and a panel of judges was set up to decide who would get the position. After some tough competition I was awarded the role as Happy Harbors Artist in Residency! I would like to thank all the spectacular staff at Happy Harbor for this chance, especially Jay and Shawna! This shop means so much to all of us and we cant thank you enough for it.
This announcement couldnt have happened at a better time.
I have reached a point with my art that I can confidentially say Im ready to make the jump to pro. With the Calgary Expo and San Diego Comic Con just around the corner Im on the brink of slipping through that door and becoming a full time professional comic artist.
And if that werent great enough, now more than ever the comic industry is a buzz with news and potential. DC comics has made a major announcement of relaunching their comic universe in September, and doing a same day release of digital comics.
For those of us who arent geek fluent, you may be wondering whats the big deal?
I can confidentially tell you that this is a HUGE deal.
With the slew of great comic inspired movies and television coming out every year it has brought geek culture to the forefront of pop culture. Everywhere we look geeks, nerds, and fanboys are being accepted. Jocks, preps and gossip girls are all coming out of their hidden geek closets (which I shall dub henceforth as coming out of the basement) Overall we have a renewed interest in comics and a brand new potential fanbase.
When youre average movie goer comes out of the upcoming blockbuster Green Lantern or next years Dark Knight Rises and Superman:Man of Steel and decides they just cant wait another 2 years till their next fight in tights fix. This announcement means they can cut the middle man and go straight to the source, pure uncut comicbook goodness. The DC comics relaunch means that these blockbuster junkies know exactly where to jump onboard the wagon, right at #1. Instead of being daunted by book #613 in an ongoing series they have a manageable small number thats a great jumping on point for them as a new reader. It will introduce them to the new characters, worlds and concepts.
On top of that now all DCs comics will be available digitally the same day they are available in print. Todays generation is the all about now, and digital allows them instant access to a plethora of stories along with their music, movies and podcasts. Comics have a great potential to integrate themselves into your everyday life. 15 minute bus ride to work? Why not fill up those everyday boring mundane 10-15 minutes spots of downtime with intriguing and exciting stories instead. Forget the leers of the unbathed commuter next to you, and transport yourself back to the wild west in All Star Western #1. Stop the monotonous hitting of refresh on facebook during break, and join in the fight to save Gotham from the Joker in Batman #1 Sample stories from every genre and writer and artist. And when you find that special comic that resonates with you, go out to your local comic shop and find the beautiful collected hardcover edition to put on your bookshelf and enjoy again and again.
This is the greatest opportunity comics has ever had. I know that a lot of us suffer from comic book guy syndrome, we are quick to point out the flaws, faults and failings of anything and everything related to our obsession. Many of us secretly enjoyed our snobbish, elitist attitude. Instead we need to look at this in the overwhelmingly positive light that it is. Go out and tell everyone you know about all the great things happening in our world. Infect people with your passion, spread the joy and wonder of this amazing medium.
This could be and possibly will be the biggest shot in the arm comics has ever had. Its a bold marketing strategy and I really hope it pays off. This wont stop our old stories from being great, and gives us a chance to introduce new ideas, concepts and more importantly new readers to our beloved art form. This has a major chance to bring new life into an industry that really needs and deserves it
Ill be doing my best to lobby for this art form in the coming months, that has given me so much in my life. I hope every fanboy out there does the same.
Till next time, see ya back here,
Same Dan-Time!
Same Dan-channel!
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