Posts Tagged ‘alan evans’
19 items.
The fight between Alan and Trevor concludes!
**SPOILERS** Alan wins the day because, in the end, he brought a water bottle to a fist fight. Throughout technology superior technology has usually won out in determining the victor of battle – unless of course you throw in some unique variable like vastly superior numbers. Or weak leaders. Or something like that.
In other news, November’s drawing to a quick close and I just can’t seem to figure out where the time went. Granted, my life consists of two main staples: work and comics. But still, you’d think there would have been more time in there to do other things like, I don’t know…go to the gym? Socialize more? As it stands, the year’s almost over and I feel like I’ve accomplished so little.
This from a guy who’s published 2 books this year, and been published in another – plus updating weekly content on a site. Plus the slew of conventions I’ve attended, and the great people I’ve met there.
Maybe I just need to be less critical of myself. But it doesn’t hurt to focus on the work. I get better at making it, and you still get to enjoy it.
And speaking of the work, there are plenty more projects coming out next year! Just you wait and see, it’s going to be awesome!
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Sometimes when talking to fellow creators who do their own art (and some of the ones who don’t), they’re curious about the photo comic process. I like doing the photos because it is distinguishing from other more traditional art forms, and it’s also a lot of fun to work on. Comics can be a collaborative process if you work with another creator (for me as a writer getting to work with an artist, for example), and the photo comics allow it to be collaborative with my friends – both comic and non-comic friends. 
This weekend is Halloween and I don’t really have a costume planned out. Some people have suggested Lex Luthor. Some have suggested Captain Picard (although that means I need to go get a Star Fleet uniform). In the past I’ve even dressed up as Spider Jerusalem from Transmetropolitan (back when I was more fit, and had that six pack all the time).
Any suggestions on costumes?
Have a safe and happy Halloween, everyone!
Wizard World Chicago was my first “big” comic convention. I met many of my friends there. Most of my comic friends, in fact. It’s a show that holds a special place in my heart.
Last year, many of the publishers in the comic industry pulled out of the show and many of us were wondering if the show would continue on without them. Many of us wondered if we would ever again make the trek from the Hyatt Bar back to our hotels, exhausted and satisfied (and maybe a little tipsy). There were only two ways that the next year’s show could go: the show would thrive without the publishers, or the show would disappear.
When I agreed to get a table at WCC this year, I figured even if the show sucked at least I’d have fun with my comic friends. The fear from the previous year still prevailed, however, and I wasn’t sure what would happen. The unknown invigorated me, and the adrenaline was high on Thursday when I left the office and headed out to the show once more. Suffice it to say, our fears were unjustified. The show was AMAZING.
Alan Evans – creator of Rival Angels
Thursday night and everyone there had already made a ton of sales – and the show didn’t even start until the next day, officially. We celebrated the weekend by going to the Ram (one of Russ’s favorite places) and downing a few stiff adult beverages. The next day would start our weekend of selling comics. Including our new book, Reading with Pictures!
Trevor (hey, that’s me) models the Reading with Pictures anthology
Of course, other books were on sale as well. Russell was selling copies of The Batman Strikes, Hope: New Orleans, and his self-published work The 29.
John Bivens was selling copies of Comic Book Tattoo, PopGun, and his other anthologies. Steve Wallace was selling copies of Sequential Suicide, Binary Love, and his Sandman prints. And of course, I was on hand with RWP, as well as a little book we all know and love called “@$$hole!”
I love this book a little too much, sometimes
Russell and myself were interviewed a few times by several news outlets, including Bleedingcool.com and appear in their write up of the show.
The table display…yeah, it’s important
Sales were high all weekend, and I even got to meet a few of the celebrity guests including Paul McGillion (Stargate: Atlantis), Walter Koenig (Star Trek, Babylon 5), and John Schneider (Dukes of Hazard, Smallville). Paul and I chatted at the bar after hours about the show (since he admitted to being a little new to the comic scene). But most of the time was spent with my good comic friends…and losing my voice selling.
Many fans and friends came to visit me at the table, and it was awesome to see them all. And many new friends were made. And a personal victory for me was that I completely sold out of the first box of Reading with Pictures. The book was a huge success, and people loved it.
The show was tons of fun yet again, and while I’m going to be really busy at shows coming up, I totally plan to attend the show again next year. And that last sentence totally doesn’t make any sense….
Expect to see this image in a coming @$$hole! comic
Non-dating Trevor seems pretty clueless about women. He’s not cuddling back, not flirting – And Amanda’s noticed it too. What’s going on here?!? Perhaps we’ll find out on Friday.
Also, the podcast interview that happened a week ago has been under constant edits (because I spoke for almost 6 hours on comics, writing, working with artists, as well as on my comic series The Temple of a Thousand Tears), and part 1 is available for your listening pleasure.
Streaming and downloads of the podcast are at the bottom of the page. Let me know what you think.
In anticipation of premiering the first @$$hole! collection, I was looking for local conventions to help promote the book and that could be a good fit with the audience. Enter Mid-Ohio Comic Con (MOCC), held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center Hall E in Columbus, Oh. I knew that I had friends in the area and some friends interested in attending the con, so I booked my table and made some arrangements and headed on down….
FRIDAY:
After work, Alan Evans (Rival Angels) picked me up in his car, and we headed off on the 6 hour drive towards Columbus. Alan and I have been friends for a few years now, having first met on Drunk Duck and eventually hanging out at a Wizard World Chicago. We eventually pulled into the driveway of two of the coolest people on the planet: Lora and Mike Innes. Lora is the Harvey Award nominated creator of The Dreamer from IDW, and her husband Mike designed her website. I first met both of them at the same Wizard World that I first hung out with Alan, but again I’ve known Lora for a few years from online. They were waiting for us to arrive at 1am local time, and we stayed up a few hours catching up.
SATURDAY:
In the morning we had bagels, and then took off for the convention center. Alan and I went and set up the table, while Lora and Mike went to set up theirs. Alan and I were in Creator’s Commons (usually called “Artist Alley”) next to many talented individuals. The first day was kind of a slow day for sales for me, but I was able to push Alan’s books quite a bit. The show has a lot of family and youth attendees, and @$$hole! is a very teen-rated book. However, I had some sketch cards to tell the kids about, and was doing commission sketches to help make up the difference from the books sales.
At one point Alan offered to watch the table and I wondered around and found some of my friends, writers Paul Storrie (Robin Hood, Gotham Girls) and Bryan Glass (Mice Templar). I also made it around to the Comic Related table, where they were handing out cake!
Mice Templar creator and Harvey Award nominee Bryan Glass poses in his booth (photo by comicrelated.com)
The Dreamer creator and Harvey Award nominee cuts the first piece of cake (photo by comicrelated.com)
The evening wore down with a local musical guest followed by a costume contest, and then the convention ended for the day. After the con, Lora, Mike, Alan, Paul, Bryan, his wife Judy, and myself all went out to dinner at a local micro-brewery. Many laughs were had, and then we called it a night early. We were all still exhausted from the previous late night when Alan and I arrived. The plan was to watch some Firefly and relax.
Upon getting back to the house, we started talking and never got around to watching the TV show. Instead, we watched videos on youtube and laughed our way through the evening well past when we had planned to go to bed. One of the videos Lora pointed out was a hilarious bit about George Washington (not workplace friendly for language):
SUNDAY:
After breakfast, we all piled into the car and headed back to the con. The crowd was heavier that day, and we had a panel at 12pm on Making Webcomics. Several people actually approached the table and asked Alan and I about the panel, where it was located, and what we would be talking about. My buddy Steve Horton (Tierra, Strongarm) made an appearance for the panel, which consisted of Lora Innes, Alan Evans, Wes Molebash (You’ll Have That) and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes). The panel went pretty well, but like most of the web comics panels that I’m on we could have used another hour or so to talk.
After the panel, Alan and I went back to the table and started selling like fiends. The last sales of the day really picked up, as everyone was out trying to make deals before they left. Several people commissioned some sketches from me, and I even participated in a charity piece to benefit Relay for Life.
After the con ended, Alan and I went for ice cream with Lora and Mike. After that, it was time for the 6 hour drive home.
Overall, Mid-Ohio was a fun experience and a great time to see old friends and make new friends! Alan and I are already talking about attending next year in November for their 30th anniversary show.
Comic Review: Rival Angels vol. 1
Writer / Artist: Alan Evans
Website: www.rivalangels.com
Plot: Sabrina “Ultragirl” Mancini is a professional female wrestler who gets bumped up from the developmental league to the professional division and is forced to live with three other female wrestlers, nick-named the “Upstarts.” Her roommates are “The Definition of Technician” Krysten Moline, Aussie babe Brooke Lennox, and Sun “Lil Dragon” Wong. Sabrina finds that playing in the major league is a new game for her, and that her opponent in the ring isn’t the only hurdle she has to overcome. Filled with nail-biting edge of your seat action, intense drama and some hilarious moments, this comic has everything you’d want from a story and more!
Even though it’s a webcomic, the first graphic novel collection is available here. Whatever he’s charging for it, it’s worth the price of admission.
Ignore the fact that Alan and I are now friends and are both attending Mid-Ohio Comic Con in October – I was a big fan of this comic long before I even knew who Alan was, and I don’t like wrestling. What I like is the kind of action and pacing that his stories provide, and the interesting and dynamic character relationships that he provides. It’s interesting to see these girls interaction outside the ring one way, but when they’re all thrown into a free-for-all ring match to see who will participate in a TV tournament, there’s no holding back.
Each of the girls has a very distinct personality. Sabrina is overconfident and a little bit of a showboat to the fans. Krystin is a powerhouse with a fan following due to her technical moves. Sun is a firecracker that is quick and likes to get the drop on her opponents (or as she likes to call it, “ninja’d!”). And Brooke is a little talent bombshell that has seduced her way to the top, and will stop at nothing to get what she wants…no matter who stands in her way!
It’s no secret to people who follow the comic on Drunk Duck that I’m a huge fan of Brooke’s, and in fact I have stated many times over that her and I will date her! Alan, being the cheerful sport that he is, was kind enough to give me a cameo appearance in the comic poking fun at my fictional online relationship with another web comic artist, BetaJess (see the 2008 and 2009 Drunk Duck Awards presentation for Best Romance Comic). He tells me that another cameo may be in the works down the road….
If you love action, strong women kicking ass, and some fun plot twists and turns, be sure to check out Rival Angels on the web and purchase the graphic novel for your bookshelf! And I’m not just saying that as a fellow creator, but as a huge fan!