That's Entertainment!

We provided an advance copy of How i Made the World to Ken Carson, manager of comics retailer That's Entertainment in Worcester, MA, who says, "'HiMtW' is a wonderfully crafted, personal story in the fine indy tradition of Tomine and Los Bros. Hernandez."

He goes on to note that "Writer Liz Plourde richly evokes the anxiety and restless doubts I imagine every college student feels. The particulars of the protagonist's surroundings, dreams and thoughts are amusingly odd and convincing. As she buckles under the monstrous weight of a finals project, there's a journey through night that ends in epiphany.

"Randy Michaels' art is also a revelation--clever layouts, clean and energetic lines, and expert spotting of blacks. His expressive art supports and deepens the characters and themes. Excellent, rewarding fun!"

Sounds like he liked it!

The Way Life Should Be

We're excited to announce How i Made the World #1 will premiere at the Maine Comics Arts Festival (MeCAF) in May!

This very special event hosted by Casablanca Comics will be held at The Portland Company Complex. We were selected to exhibit our book along with over 100 talented writers, artists, and publishers. Come get your signed copy before they hit the shelves!

MeCAF

May 18, 2014

58 Fore Street, Portland, ME

$5 admission

10am-5pm

http://www.mainecomicsfestival.com

Diamond is a Girl's Best Friend

The debut issue of How i Made the World will be listed in the April edition of Diamond Distributors' Previews magazine, on sale in comic stores around the globe on March 26. From this catalog, comics readers will be able to order their very own copy of Issue No. 1, which will arrive in stores this June.

We'll be running a half-page ad in the Previews catalog. Putting the ad together was quite the creative experience! With the help of our stalwart supporters, Henry, Ed and Dom, we were able to turn our primitive, initial sketch into something we really like.

Our special thanks to Caitlin McGurk, whose positive review of How i Made the World forms the centerpiece of our ad.

Liz & Randy  

Coming Soon to a Comic Store Near You

We are happy to announce Diamond Distributors has accepted our comic, How i Made the World, for distribution to comic book stores in April. Our comic will be listed in Diamond’s February 2014 issue of Previews, the monthly catalog/magazine showcasing upcoming comics, graphic novels, and merchandise available at comic book specialty shops throughout the country. (Previews is available to both comic shop retailers and consumers.)

This is a fantastic opportunity for us to get How i Made the World on comic book store shelves and in your hands. We'll provide further information regarding how to order and purchase the book as publication nears.

As we gear up for that, we will be posting regular updates to this blog as well as to our brand new Facebook page. Check us out at facebook.com/howimadetheworld, and “like” us to stay current on our progress.

Liz and Randy

SPX 2013

We had planned to attend this year's Small Press Expo (September 14-15) in Bethesda, MD, and to premiere our comic, How i Made the World. Unfortunately, due to family illness, we are unable to make the trip. We extend our apologies to those who were looking forward to meeting us and our thanks to all who have expressed their support and encouragement over the last several weeks.

Liz and Randy

Adrian Tomine
 

I was able to see Adrian Tomine, one of my favorite writer-artists at the Harvard Book Store in October. Adrian is the creator of the long-running comic book series Optic Nerve and, more recently, a cover and interior artist for The New Yorker. He was appearing in Cambridge as part of his national tour promoting his new book, New York Drawings.

This beautiful hardcover is an homage to the city Adrian has called home for the last seven years (he's a West Coast native), and features all of his New Yorker covers, illustrations, and sketches that were inspired by the city and its people.  

He gave a great presentation, which included a reading of the three-page comic that serves as the book's introduction. A real highlight of his talk centered on the "old school" approach he first used to make contact with The New Yorker. Following his presentation, Adrian talked at length with each of us interested in receiving an autographed copy of the book. He's a real class act.

I love New York Drawings, but the reason I made sure I attended this event was to tell Adrian that his latest issue of Optic Nerve, published last fall, is the best comic I've read in years.  
 
I'm grateful to him, and publisher Drawn & Quarterly, for continuing to publish "comic books" at a time when more and more independent publishers and creators are opting to publish larger (by page count) graphic novels and hardcovers.

Sure, when the contents of this issue (#12) are reprinted and combined with his next couple of issues as a squarebound or hardcover collection, I'll buy it. I buy all of his stuff. But these 40 pages--two great feature stories, a letters section, and auto-bio back-up--cannot be beat as a stand-alone comic book. It's a complete package.

You can preview and order New York Drawings and order Optic Nerve #12 direct from Drawn & Quarterly here.

Thanks for the signed copy of New York Drawings, Adrian. And thanks for signing a copy of my favorite comic book!

Randy

How i Made the World is a 2012 Xeric Grant Winner

This year will mark the final round of self-publishing grants from The Xeric Foundation—the prestigious nonprofit corporation established by Peter Laird, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. TMNT itself was begun as a self-published venture in 1983. Since 1992, the foundation has granted financial assistance to many of our favorite comic book creators for self-publication.

We’d discussed applying for a Xeric grant since we first began work on How i Made the World. When we heard there would be one final comic book review, we knew we had to apply. Yet, we also knew the competition would be fierce. Entries from throughout the U.S. and Canada are judged on “originality, literary and artistic merit, and a sense of commitment to the work.”

During the weeks leading up to the February 29 submission deadline, we hunkered down in our studio with lots of takeout and a marvelous, limitless supply of tunes from Spotify. 

With minutes to spare on Leap Day—17, in fact—we post-marked our baby and shipped her off. The Post Office never did confirm delivery. Yikes! But our application did arrive among a record number of entries.

Today, we’re thrilled to announce we are the recipients of a 2012 Xeric Award. The grant is to be used for the printing, advertising, and distribution of our comic book, the pilot issue of How i Made the World.

From our Xeric submission, The Monster. You can see more here.

We've enjoyed the comic books of past Xeric recipients for years. They are among the most entertaining and innovative independent comic books being published, and they are often included in Houghton Mifflin's annual The Best American Comics. We're deeply honored to be among those recognized by the foundation. 

Thank you, Xeric administration, staff, and review panel. We're also extremely grateful to our family and friends who have supported our work. And thank you, Sianna, Dominique, Rebecca, Anita, Ryan, Deborah, and Adam—our computer/Photoshop wizards. 

We’ll be working on the final stages of our comic and preparing it for press in the coming months. Stay tuned! This is only the beginning. 

Liz Plourde & Randy Michaels
www.howimadetheworld.com