Sparkplug Highlights: Mine Tonight and The Hot Breath of War, by Trevor Alixopulos

Stylish, violent, and sordid -- but also thoughtful and, occasionally, hopeful -- Trevor Alixopulos has crafted two powerful books about war, politics, and relationships that will draw you in and force you to take a hard, long look at the realities of our modern world. 

In Mine Tonight, individuals with high ideals and few scruples struggle and scheme among the backdrop of the second Bush administration, the giddy chaos of WTO protest-era Seattle, and the moral fog of post-9/11 New York. The tricks of memory and the ambiguity of politics add the the intrigue of a tale that is both intensely personal and widely relevant. Lukas, an amoral gun for hire, finds himself embroiled in the corruptions of the 2004 presidential election; his journey and demons are aggressively rendered in black and white drawings, which fluidly convey anger, fear, and motion.

The Hot Breath of War is a looser book, conceptually, but no less powerful. Entwining several seemingly unrelated episodes featuring vastly different characters and experiences, this book ultimately creates a vivid picture of life during wartime. Alixopulos uses subtle storytelling and skillful artistry to explore love amid conflict and the seduction and love of violence itself. While the art in The Hot Breath of War is more cartoonish than the art in Mine Tonight, it still remains graphically sophisticated and urgently shows movement and emotion.

The Hot Breath of War and Mine Tonight are perfect for fans of Joe Sacco or Jules Feiffer, but they stand on their own merits as unique graphic novels that speak to our current political and personal affairs.

"If you're anything like me, tales of the 2004 presidential election can still be a little traumatic. Luckily Mine Tonight deals only peripherally with that event, instead focusing on the maturation of a young man named Lukas, from his certainty that the world was going to end any minute to deep cynicism, all the way back to a belief that he could possibly make things a little better. The prologue gets most of that out of the way and is crucial to show just why he's willing to sign up for a fairly ridiculous mission: get 5 million dollars from a front group of a billionaire (with the permission of said billionaire) and pass it along to the Kerry campaign, all while keeping his famous name out of it. . .It's a wonderfully morally ambiguous tale. Although Lukas knows that his actions will likely have little to no effect on the election, and although he knows that his lack of ruthlessness might well be what keeps the people in charge doing their thing, he's still trying somewhat hopelessly to make things a little bit better. This is probably the best thing Trevor has done yet (although he has plenty of minis I still haven't read, so who knows), relevant for our times yet never preachy." Kevin Bramer, Optical Sloth

"The Hot Breath of War combines the loose, single-image essay style that was popular briefly in the '50s and '60s and marries it to a series of short stories interconnected by happenstance and theme. That's where things get difficult, because Alixopulos' latest seems like a meditation on life through war and, in one or two places, vice-versa. In some of the more affecting moments, there's a sense that life is way too fragile to insert the horrifying weight of seizure and goal-taking through violence and death into its delicate mix. Yet there's also a vitality present in some of the non-war sequences that relates to the human desire to connect in some way, that suggests the out-sized roles we play in order to place ourselves exactly where we want to be include that of soldier and victim." Tom Spurgeon, Comics Reporter

Sparkplug Highlights: Passage, by Tessa Brunton

Passage is so much more than a coming-of-age story; it is a heartfelt ode to growing up with parents filled with the best of intentions and embarrassing ways of acting them out. Using her brother's unique ceremony celebrating his entrance to manhood as a defining example of their shared experiences, Brunton recounts her adolescence in the care of her oddball parents. It takes a bittersweet and thoughtful turn near the end of the issue, reframing her  youthful mortification at the unconventional tactics of her parents. Through the wiser eyes of an adult, she is surprised to find that she sees them now as loving actions, ones to be cherished and missed. Passage is beautifully illustrated and perfectly toned; pattern and texture is created and played with in exquisite detail. Each page is a feast for the eyes. The small inclusions, to0, are to die for: the titles of books in the backgrounds and the band logos on t-shirts, particularly, add a whole new layer of realism and authenticity to the story. Passage was nominated for two Ignatz Awards in 2012 (Promising New Talent and Outstanding Comic), and those two categories describe Brunton's comic with complete accuracy. Read it and tell us what you thought -- did your parents do anything similar for you when you were a teenager? How do you feel about it now? And how about that killer skeleton shirt -- do you want it as much as I do?

Sparkplug at SF Zine Fest This Weekend!

We at Sparkplug are continuing our busy festival schedule and would love to see you at this awesome event we're attending! This weekend, August 31st and September 1st, is the San Francisco Zine Fest. Emily Nilsson will be tabling with new and old books, including the brand new Reich #10. SF Zine Fest is the Bay Area's premiere zine festival, featuring workshops, exhibitions, and public events. It will take place at the San Francisco County Fair Building on 1199 9th Ave. and Lincoln Way -- right in beautiful Golden Gate Park! It is a free event and will be held from 11:00am to 5:00pm both days. Come see Emily and check out Sparkplug's offerings at table 16! For more information, please go to www.sfzinefest.org.

Sparkplug at The Projects This Weekend!

Hi everyone! Come see us this weekend at The Projects, Portland's free festival celebrating experimental comics and narrative art forms. There will be four days of workshops, exhibitions, panels, performances, and more at various locations all over the city. On Sunday, the 25th, we will be tabling at The Projects Book Fair from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. We'd love to see you there and show you some of our great new books! For more information, visit www.theprojectspdx.tumblr.com.

New in the Store: Reich #10 and Eye of the Majestic Creature #3 and 5!

Have you been reading Elijah Brubaker's thrilling biography of Wilhelm Reich, the controversial psychoanalyst, sex researcher, and protege of Freud? Have you been anxiously awaiting the next installment of Brubaker's stark and brilliant take on this strange and tragic life story?

Your wait is over at last!

We have in our store today the brand new Reich #10, ready to impress and enthrall you. Brubaker's art remains sophisticated and evocative, while the story reveals a man standing on crumbling ground. Reich's paranoia is beginning to harm his personal and professional relationships, leading to the resignation of two of his closest associates. He carries on, creating a machine that draws deadly Orgone radiation out of the atmosphere -- but will his intentions change when he realizes the machine can be weaponized? By the end of the issue, Reich's former lawyer has filed an injunction against him, and someone close to him is dead. Reich's future is becoming less and less certain.


We also have issues #3 and 5 of Leslie Anne Mackenzie Stein's Eye of the Majestic Creature.

In issue #3, Larry goes back to Chicago to visit her family. She spends time with her mom, catches up with old friends, and endures a painfully awkward dinner with her dad. All the while, Marshmallow is entertaining himself at home. Their reunion is funny and touching -- in classic EOTMC style.

Issue #5 is an extra-long installment that juxtaposes Theodore Dreiser's classic1900 novel, Sister Carrie, with Larry's personal story. This creates a moving and surprisingly relevant narrative that adds a new and deeper perspective to Stein's comic.

psychoanalyst and sex researcher Dr. Wilhelm Reich, a protégé of Freud. He courted scandal throughout Europe where he became known mostly for his controversial and radical ideas. Reich claimed to discover a palpable sexual energy, which he called “Orgone.” Reich was forced to move to America in 1939. In America, Reich founded Orgonon, a commune/laboratory located in Rangely, Maine. There he continued his research into Orgone energy. Reich claimed the energy was a panacea and was determined to prove it to the world.
Reich was abruptly persecuted by the United States government.
Reich tells the story of a man who lived with unwavering conviction in his beliefs and shows the potential danger of that conviction.
In issue #10, Reich's paranoia begins to seriously damage both his personal and professional relationships, leading to the resignation of two of his closest associates. Reich carries on, creating a machine that draws Orgone radiation out of the atmosphere -- and then finding a way to use it as a weapon. By the end of the issue, Reich's former lawyer has filed an injunction against him, and someone close to Reich is dead. Things are beginning to crumble. Reich's future grows less and less certain.
- See more at: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/shop/comic-books/reich-10/#sthash.MktNxNGq.dpuf

psychoanalyst and sex researcher Dr. Wilhelm Reich, a protégé of Freud. He courted scandal throughout Europe where he became known mostly for his controversial and radical ideas. Reich claimed to discover a palpable sexual energy, which he called “Orgone.” Reich was forced to move to America in 1939. In America, Reich founded Orgonon, a commune/laboratory located in Rangely, Maine. There he continued his research into Orgone energy. Reich claimed the energy was a panacea and was determined to prove it to the world.
Reich was abruptly persecuted by the United States government.
Reich tells the story of a man who lived with unwavering conviction in his beliefs and shows the potential danger of that conviction.
In issue #10, Reich's paranoia begins to seriously damage both his personal and professional relationships, leading to the resignation of two of his closest associates. Reich carries on, creating a machine that draws Orgone radiation out of the atmosphere -- and then finding a way to use it as a weapon. By the end of the issue, Reich's former lawyer has filed an injunction against him, and someone close to Reich is dead. Things are beginning to crumble. Reich's future grows less and less certain.
- See more at: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/shop/comic-books/reich-10/#sthash.MktNxNGq.dpuf

psychoanalyst and sex researcher Dr. Wilhelm Reich, a protégé of Freud. He courted scandal throughout Europe where he became known mostly for his controversial and radical ideas. Reich claimed to discover a palpable sexual energy, which he called “Orgone.” Reich was forced to move to America in 1939. In America, Reich founded Orgonon, a commune/laboratory located in Rangely, Maine. There he continued his research into Orgone energy. Reich claimed the energy was a panacea and was determined to prove it to the world.
Reich was abruptly persecuted by the United States government.
Reich tells the story of a man who lived with unwavering conviction in his beliefs and shows the potential danger of that conviction.
In issue #10, Reich's paranoia begins to seriously damage both his personal and professional relationships, leading to the resignation of two of his closest associates. Reich carries on, creating a machine that draws Orgone radiation out of the atmosphere -- and then finding a way to use it as a weapon. By the end of the issue, Reich's former lawyer has filed an injunction against him, and someone close to Reich is dead. Things are beginning to crumble. Reich's future grows less and less certain.
- See more at: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/shop/comic-books/reich-10/#sthash.MktNxNGq.dpuf

psychoanalyst and sex researcher Dr. Wilhelm Reich, a protégé of Freud. He courted scandal throughout Europe where he became known mostly for his controversial and radical ideas. Reich claimed to discover a palpable sexual energy, which he called “Orgone.” Reich was forced to move to America in 1939. In America, Reich founded Orgonon, a commune/laboratory located in Rangely, Maine. There he continued his research into Orgone energy. Reich claimed the energy was a panacea and was determined to prove it to the world.
Reich was abruptly persecuted by the United States government.
Reich tells the story of a man who lived with unwavering conviction in his beliefs and shows the potential danger of that conviction.
In issue #10, Reich's paranoia begins to seriously damage both his personal and professional relationships, leading to the resignation of two of his closest associates. Reich carries on, creating a machine that draws Orgone radiation out of the atmosphere -- and then finding a way to use it as a weapon. By the end of the issue, Reich's former lawyer has filed an injunction against him, and someone close to Reich is dead. Things are beginning to crumble. Reich's future grows less and less certain.
- See more at: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/shop/comic-books/reich-10/#sthash.MktNxNGq.dpuf

Sparkplug Highlights: Wuvable Oaf, by Ed Luce

We are super excited to announce that we have copies of Wuvable Oaf #0-4 back in the store!

If you haven't picked up this series yet, you no longer have any excuses -- you simply must read it. Really, it has something for everyone: Bears. Drama. Kitties! (Lots of kitties.) Metal music. Tongue-in-cheek portrayals of hipster culture. Morrissey. Hilarious dating fiascos! Magic? Nods to more great bands than you can shake a stick at. Professional wrestling! Friendship. And perhaps even...love?!

Wuvable Oaf is a rare breed of story; populated with exaggerated characters and silly scenarios, it manages to keep from crossing the threshold into the territory of ridiculous caricature by maintaining a sense of genuine earnestness that completely charms the audience. The eponymous Oaf will win over even the most jaded reader: he is just too sweet, too big-hearted, and too bizarre not to love.

A review of Wuvable Oaf would be lacking, of course, without mention of the incredible art. Luce's round, bold style is especially expressive, and he provides perfectly placed hits of detail that add depth to each scene. The story is enamoring on its own; combined with Luce's drawings, it's doubly so.

"Luce’s style, in keeping with the tone of his writing, is in a cartoon vein. It’s all about line and form. Gay readers who’ve complained about the lack of body hair in superhero comics should take not that there is a great abundance of it here. Let’s hope Luce doesn’t develop carpal tunnel from drawing so much of it. Obviously I found Luce’s writing to be funny, but it was also refreshing to see the world from a different perspective. True, bears can be found in quality erotic comics from Steve MacIsaac, Dale Lazarov, and others. Luce’s approach is rooted in humor, a small dose of satire without bitchiness (is this a dying art?), and dare I say it, wuvableness. Kudos to Luce for embracing bear characteristics with Oafie and transcending them in style. I hope non-bear readers will be open to the idea of reading Wuvable Oaf." Gay League

"A visually and narratively witty breath of fresh (and very odd) air in the world of gay comics, Wuvable Oaf is the product of writer/artist Luce’s out-of-left-field imagination and make-everything-big-and-round drawing style." Dave White, Queerty

Tell us how much you love (wuv?!) Wuvable Oaf in the comments, on Twitter, or on Facebook!

Sparkplug Highlights: Yeah, It Is! by Leslie Anne Mackenzie Stein

Yeah, It Is! is a beautiful little book about Mack, a teenage girl. It takes a quiet look at growing up and some of the trials and experiences that come along with it: missing friends who've moved away, feeling irritated with the ones who've stayed behind, hanging out at cafes and head shops, and getting wasted for the first time. What really sets Yeah, It Is! apart from a slew of other coming-of-age comics, though, is its unusual medium and its visual style. Done entirely in earth-toned cut paper, the shape of Stein's characters and the detail of her landscapes are emphasized and highlighted to express the emotion of each scene. During our main character's alcohol-induced frenzy, Stein switches gears and portrays everything in vivid, hallucinogenic shades of blue and purple; this effectively communicates the feeling of being young and bold and wildly out of your element. Yeah, It Is! was awarded a Xeric Grant in 2003, and it completely deserved it. For a unique and, ultimately, hopeful view of that precarious place between childhood and adulthood, check out Yeah, It Is! and fall in love with Mack today.

New in the Store: Vortex #3 and Eye of the Majestic Creature #1 and 2!

We have some awesome new additions to the store today!

First up, we have issue #3 of William Cardini's incredibly strange and visually arresting Vortex. In this issue, the Miizzzard is lost in the Vortex dreamworld, his fate unknown. What will become of him? Read it to find out!

In this issue, the Miizzzard is lost in the Vortex dreamworld, his fate unknown. What will become of him? Read on to find out! - See more at: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/shop/comic-books/vortex-3/#sthash.5CmsZ1LY.dpufIn this

In this issue, the Miizzzard is lost in the Vortex dreamworld, his fate unknown. What will become of him? Read on to find out! - See more at: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/shop/comic-books/vortex-3/#sthash.5CmsZ1LY.dpuf

In this issue, the Miizzzard is lost in the Vortex dreamworld, his fate unknown. What will become of him? Read on to find out! - See more at: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/shop/comic-books/vortex-3/#sthash.5CmsZ1LY.dpuf

In this issue, the Miizzzard is lost in the Vortex dreamworld, his fate unknown. What will become of him? Read on to find out! - See more at: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/shop/comic-books/vortex-3/#sthash.5CmsZ1LY.dpuf

Next, we have the first two issues of Leslie Anne Mackenzie Stein's Eye of the Majestic Creature. This is a loosely autobiographical comic that follows Larry, our heroine, as she adjusts to life in the country, tries to foster a community, and talks to her guitar, Marshmallow. Stein's cartooning, detailed stippling, and dry sense of humor combine to create a wonderful and immersive story.

Stein's cartooning, incredibly detailed stippling, and dry sense of humor together create a wonderfully unique and immersive story. - See more at: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/shop/comic-books/eye-of-the-majestic-creature-2/#sthash.eyS2TJxk.dpuf

Sparkplug at Autoptic This Sunday, August 18th!

Are you going to be in Minneapolis this Sunday? Come see us at Autoptic! It is a free, one-day festival celebrating independent culture that features comics, zines, art, and music. Special guests include Jaime Hernandez, Marc Bell, Jim Rugg, Lilli Carre, John Porcellino, Genevieve Castree, Eleanor Davis, and more! Autopic is a juried, expo-style show featuring exhibitors ranging in size and recognition from a local to international scale. It hosts readings and talks, artist showcases, and music events, both on-site and at satellite events over the course of the weekend. The event will be held at the Aria in downtown Minneapolis from 11:00am to 7:00pm. Sparkplug will be at table #60, and Virginia will be a part of a panel about publishing. More information can be found here: www.autopic.org. We can't wait to see you there!

Sparkplug Highlights: Orchid, edited by Ben Catmull and Dylan Williams

Do you love tales of the macabre and Gothic fiction? Do you get a thrill from being subtly horrified, eerily unsettled? Do you like amazing black-and-white art, anthologies, and juxtapositions of the work of talented modern artists and classic authors?

You do?

THEN YOU NEED TO READ ORCHID THIS INSTANT.

Orchid, edited by Dylan Williams and Ben Catmull, brings together all of those things in a single beautifully bound volume. Featuring artists including Gabrielle Bell, Lark Pien, Jessie Reklaw, t edward bak, Kevin Huizenga, David Lasky, and both of the book's editors, Orchid is a masterful collection that breathes life into stories formerly consigned to dusty bookshelves and dry courses on Victorian Literature. These stories deserve to be seen by new eyes: from J. Sheridan Le Fanu's "The Little Red Man" (a ghost story rendered by Catmull in a xylographic style) and "Green Tea," (given a new framing story by Huizenga and featuring, seriously, a demonic monkey) to Rhoda Broughton's "The Man With the Nose" (the quiet horror of which Williams emphasizes with heavy shadows) to a powerful, minimalist adaptation by David Lasky of Poe's "The Raven." These and three other stories make the collection one that needs to be read by any self-respecting fan of Gothic literature -- and one that will seduce anyone who isn't yet. 

"Orchid. . .[is] a brilliant conceit by editors Ben Catmull and Dylan Williams. The most amusing of these is "Tobermory," adapted by Gabrielle Bell from a story by H.H. Munro, about a housecat who, upon being taught to speak, reveals its owner's most embarrassing secrets. "Orchid" splendidly mixes modern comix storytelling with a bygone era's mastery of prose and atmosphere." Andrew Arnold, Time.com

Sparkplug Highlights: Viewotron #1, by Sam Sharpe and David Goodrich

"...the Viewotron [is] a metaphor for the creative process. We don't know where ideas come from. They just appear like blueprints out of the ether of our brains. An artist's job is to look at the blueprints and build the machine. It doesn't matter if you don't understand your own comic, painting, film, poem...whatever...as long as someone somewhere sees something in it." -Sam Sharpe, 2011

Viewotron #1 is an awesome little comic that consists of four stories by Sam Sharpe and one by David Goodrich. A black-and-white collection created with support from a community arts assistance grant, Viewotron takes the reader through a series of vignettes that range from poignant to laugh-out-loud goofy. Sharpe's stories lean more towards the lighter side; his cartoonish style is a great match for his absurd and slightly twisted sense of humor. "Every Celebrity Ever" is a particularly weird and funny story that features Wallace Shawn as a life-sucking eternal being! Goodrich's story, "The Greatest Love Affair," is the one the other side of the spectrum: a heartbreaking tale of a wife who feels closer to her household appliances than she does from her own husband, Goodrich provides an unconventional take on a loveless marriage. His accompanying art is angular and haunting, enhancing the loneliness and, finally, resolve that the main character experiences. Viewotron is an excellent and original comic that deserves your time -- so give it a try and tell us what your favorite story was!

Sparkplug at Portland Zine Symposium This Weekend!

Are you ready for this year's Portland Zine Symposium? We are! Come see us this weekend, August 10th and 11th! We'll be tabling with a bunch of awesome books, both new and old. PZS is a free conference and zine social exploring facets of independent publishing and DIY culture. Now in its 13th year, it consists of workshops, panels, discussions, games and events, and exhibitor tables. This year, PZS will be held at the Ambridge Event Center on 1333 NE MLK Jr. Blvd. from 10:00am to 6:00pm on Saturday and 10:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday. More information can be found here: www.portlandzinesymposium.org. We're really looking forward to being a part of this great event and hope to see you there!

Sparkplug Highlights: Jade, Volume One, by Fiona Avocado

Today's featured review is Jade, Volume One, by local artist and writer Fiona Avocado. Its premise is simple, and in fact it could be summed up in a sentence: a young woman skips out on work for the day and goes to the beach with her dog. This easy synopsis, though, belies the depth of emotion that permeates every page of Jade. Avocado actively involves you from the start, asking you to bear witness to the main character's tears of hopeless frustration over her life and the state of the world at large. Avocado draws her surroundings close and claustrophobic, her face lined and weary; it's a great visual representation of a mean, hard morning. It's a revelation when she realizes that she can take control of her situation and just leave. It's easy to forget that, in times of pain or stress -- we can walk away, even if it's just for a few hours. We can take ourselves to a better place. And, as the girl and her dog make tracks along the highway and out of the city, a palpable sense of relief is felt; visually, things lighten and lift and open up until they reach their destination -- the awe-inspiring Oregon coast. With her thick lines and playful approach to negative space, Avocado uses a combination of wide shots and close-ups to illustrate the varied beauty of the beach. You can practically feel the cold wind in your hair and the salt on your lips. Jade is a lovely book, both inside and out (it has a silver-and-green cover that is just striking) -- read it and tell us how it made you feel!

Introducing Sparkplug Highlights!

Hey everyone! We're excited to announce a new feature here on our blog called "Sparkplug Highlights," in which we'll choose a book from our store a couple of times a week and share a little bit about why we think it's so great. After you've read the selection, we'd love to hear what you have to say about it! Feel free to let us know in the comments or on our Facebook or Twitter.

This week's choice is the recently-added Sky in Stereo, issues #1 and #2, by the talented Mardou. This comic is the coming-of-age story of Iris, a seventeen-year-old girl living in Manchester in 1993. Her crush on her coworker, fights with her parents, experimentation with drugs, and feelings of ennui are presented in a perfectly relatable way; Mardou uses Iris's pleasures and crises to exactly capture the feeling of being a teenage girl trying to learn how relationships work and figure out a place in the world. Mardou's black-and-white art is detailed and expressive, with some exquisite flashes of eye-popping intricacy -- a great example of this is when Iris is listening to David Bowie on acid. As Nick Jones of Existential Ennui says, "The beguiling artistry of Sky in Stereo lies in Mardou's captivating command of character and mood, of her detailing of the disappointments, minor triumphs and minutiae of everyday life in a humdrum northern town." Grab Sky in Stereo today and then tell us what you thought!