Sparkplug Highlight: Whirlwind Wonderland by Rina Ayuyang

Diary and journal comics are addicting.  There is something magical about glimpsing into someone else's life and seeing what drives them, what worries them and what they daydream about.  This collection of stories by Rina Ayuyang is a perfect little dose of her life.  The stories cover growing up Filipino-American in Pittsburgh, the author's love of football, a trip to the Phillipines, conversations with her dad, commuting and much more.  Her eccentric, expansive and often nosy family is central in many of the stories.  The art is dense, colorful and cartoony. A wonderful little book, and a must-have for anyone who loves diary comics or just plain good comics.

"Ayuyang has a simple drawing style, but packs a lot into each page and panel. Her whimsical, cartoonish characters seeming to jostle for space with an abundance of thought and speech bubbles." - Michael Machosky, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

(128 interior pgs, 5.5" x 7.5", color cover with black and white with color interiors, Sparkplug Books and Tugboat Press)

Whirlwind Wonderland is available here!

Sparkplug Highlight: The Shortest Interval by David King

The Shortest Interval is a bizarre, hilarious little jaunt through the Planck Epoch, filled with questionable "facts" and quirky personifications.  Visit the researchers working at Gash Mountain Lab on Beaver Island.  Let the squeal of Gravity's tires ring in your ears as he drives off, flipping you and your pals the bird.  Contemplate your (meaningless) place in an ever-emptying universe.  This book is hot and dense, just like its namesake.


(20 interior pgs, 5" x 5", two colors throughout, Sparkplug Books)


The Shortest Interval is available here!

Linework NW Seeks Volunteers for Event!!

Hi friends, this is Emily Nilsson with a special request. Linework NW needs volunteers for the event, Saturday April 12th, for various jobs: setting up, taking down, helping people find their tables, to name a few.  We're hosting an after-party as well, at which we'll need some helpers.  We need a few people with an OLCC license, so if you have one, let us know!

If you are interested, please email me at: lwnwvolunteers@gmail.com

Include your phone number, and if there are times during the day when you would best be able to be there.  The main event is at the Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th, from 2-9pm.

Linework is going to be a great event showcasing illustrators, comic artists, zine creators and small press publishers.  It's free to attend so even if you can't volunteer, please stop by to see everyone!

Thanks folks!
Emily

Reading at Powell's!

Just to let y'all know, I (Virginia) will be reading from Milkyboots #14 for Powell's Books Smallpressapalooza on Monday, March 17th.  It should be fun, and there will be lots of other talented folks reading as well.  Hope to see you there!

Cover preview of our next book!

Here's a peek at the next book in the Sparkplug Minis Series, The Anthropologists by Whit Taylor.  The Anthropologists follows the author's trip to Australia and subsequent reevaluation of her chosen field of study.  It will debut at this year's CAKE in Chicago.
Get the first of the Sparkplug Minis Series, Hungry Summer by Asher Craw, here.

Sparkplug Highlight: The Virtuous by Fiona Smyth

The Virtuous is visceral in both senses of the word; provoking a strong emotional reaction and having to do with guts.  Intestines pour from torsos and crotches on every page.  It sounds grotesque, and it is, but also beautiful.  Bodies in this art zine are distorted, elongated, embedded with diamonds or dripping with strange tentacle-like growths.  I love this book because of the way Smyth skewers the way the female form is usually presented and embraces the body in all its disgusting glory.  Even without a narrative, it is a powerful, gorgeous work.

(20 interior pages, 5.5"x 8.5", b&w with screenprinted cover, self-published)


Available for purchase here.

(20 interior pages, 5.5"x 8.5", b&w with screenprinted cover, self-published) - See more at: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/shop/distro-books/the-virtuous/#sthash.TGYSesPA.dpuf

Sparkplug Highlight: Dream Grant by Sean Christensen

How much do I love Sean Christensen's Church of Awesome Thought books?  I can't even explain it.  It's so much fun to read about everyday, almost mundane life in this strange universe and Dream Grant is one of my favorites.  The loose psychedelia of the art, the absurdly charming dialogue and plot, the sparkly cover are all just perfect.  Take a look for yourself!

(40 interior pgs, 4.25" x 5.5", B&W with color cover, self-published) $4.00 in the store.

(40 interior pgs, 4.25" x 5.5", B&W with color cover, self-published) - See more at: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/shop/distro-books/dream-grant/#sthash.NaNSUkiS.dpuf

(40 interior pgs, 4.25" x 5.5", B&W with color cover, self-published) - See more at: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/shop/distro-books/dream-grant/#sthash.NaNSUkiS.dpuf

(40 interior pgs, 4.25" x 5.5", B&W with color cover, self-published) - See more at: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/shop/distro-books/dream-grant/#sthash.NaNSUkiS.dpuf

(40 interior pgs, 4.25" x 5.5", B&W with color cover, self-published) - See more at: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/shop/distro-books/dream-grant/#sthash.NaNSUkiS.dpuf

(40 interior pgs, 4.25" x 5.5", B&W with color cover, self-published) - See more at: http://sparkplugcomicbooks.com/shop/distro-books/dream-grant/#sthash.NaNSUkiS.dpuf