Big Plans 5 on Kickstarter

Hey everybody, I just launched this Kickstarter project to fund issue five in my autobiographical comic series, Big Plans. You can check out my video, and then watch and laugh with friends. Ho, ho. But seriously, it's a fun book. Plus, my wolfman character makes several more appearances than before. I've also thought up some rewards that include original artwork from the book. Just click here.


For reals!

Lewis, Cagle, Ellsworth and Gin Palace, in the store today!

A couple new books for y'all to check out today. First: Minty Lewis' PS Comics, which is chock-full of stories of betrayed yorkie dog friendships and disgruntled fruit office workers.



In a slightly more serious vein, but still hilarious, we have Susie Cagle's Notes on Conflict, which documents her trip to Israel and the conflicted feelings the journey provoked.



Also new today is Theo Ellsworth's Sleeper Car, which collects several short stories from this (deservedly) acclaimed comics artist.



And finally, the British comics anthology Gin Palace #1. Though not all alcohol-related, the stories are entertaining and the variety of artistic styles make an entertaining read.

Sparkplug in the Ignatz Nominees!

Sparkplug is well-represented in 2011's Ignatz Awards nominees! Gay Genius, The Heavy Hand, Habitat #2 and the Reich series have all been nominated along with a bunch of other great artists and books. Read the full list of nominees here.

Newness in the store today!

Sparkplug has several new titles for you to peruse today! First, Matthew Thurber's enthralling, complex, surreal series 1-800-Mice. We've got all five issues.



Also new today is Dave Kiersh's Neverland, a poetic examination of having to grow up, with densely textured panels and heavy lines. A beautiful book!



And finally, Diary of a Mosquito Abatement Man by John Porcellino. The author's love of nature is rendered profound with simple, graceful linework and perfectly paced text.

Reich #8 reviewed on Exquisite Things!

Matt over at Exquisite Things has written a scintillating review of Reich #8! Please check it out.

The Heavy Hand, Reviewed on Attentiondeficitdisorderly

Sean T. Collins has written a great review of The Heavy Hand by Chris Cilla. Check out the full article here.

"Fascinating book, this. It combines the textural, noise-based visual aesthetic of caves and monsters and melty stuff that you may have seen from many of Chris Cilla’s fellow contributors to the Paper Rodeo and Kramers Ergot anthologies with the down’n'out beer-swillin’ shit-talkin’ big-schnozzed characters of ’90s altcomix (big noses are to alternative what big feet were to the underground), so right off the top it’s doing something unexpected. And in the same way that the art is both densely intense and breezily funny, the story somehow coheres from jokey banter, grand-guignol monster attacks, and surreal non sequitur splash pages into an utterly convincing world." -Sean T. Collins, Attentiondeficitdisorderly.

Sparkplug at PZS!

Sparkplug will have a (small) table at the Portland Zine Symposium this weekend! It's happening Saturday and Sunday at Refuge in SE Portland. Click on the link for more details!

New review of Lemon Styles

Paul Houston at Coverless has posted a good but confused review of David King's Lemon Styles:
http://www.renderwrx.net/apps/blog/show/7912197-review-lemon-styles

Tom Lechner in the store!

Today we've added seven (seven!) of Tom Lechner's dream-themed, darkly strange comics to the Sparkplug store. Take a look at Cold Fusion, Consumption #11 and #12, Nightlife, Nightlife 12:01 and Tales of Inertia #2 and #3.

New Books in the Store!

Many new comics for y'all to check out today! Above is Ariyana Suvarnasuddhi's Tales of Tiger Balm. It's gorgeously detailed, full of exuberant energy and hilarious.






Next are two of Eamon Espey's minis: Death Deals and Ishi's Brain. Espey's art is dense, dark and heavy (literally and figuratively). I especially enjoy his use of symbolism and Mayan-art-reminiscent pictography.



Then we have Eroyn Franklin's Sorry Sheets. Eroyn's drawing is stunning in this apparently simple story about a woman trying to take a bath.



And finally, another deconstructionist comic from Jason Overby: Exploding Head Man. Jason takes on the superhero mythos as the titular character comes to terms with his new identity and abilities.

That's all I got for ya today! Have a good one.

Sparkplug in your Inbox!

If you'll peek to the right you'll notice we now have an email sign-up! Just enter your email address (we won't spam you/flood your inbox, we promise!) and you'll get updates about events, conventions, newly released books and more.

And don't forget to check out our latest book, Passage by Tessa Brunton!

Two new reviews: Flesh & Bone and Reich #8

Paul D. Houston, at his new blog Coverless, has new reviews up for Reich #8 by Elijah Brubaker and Flesh&Bone by Julia Gfrörer. Take a look:
http://www.renderwrx.net/apps/blog/show/7774038-review-reich-8
http://www.renderwrx.net/apps/blog/show/7773867-review-flesh-and-bone

Passage out now!

Sparkplug's newest book is this gorgeous thing by Tessa Brunton! Passage is a moving tale of awkward adolescence and even more awkward parenting. The storytelling is a perfect blend of funny and honest and Tessa's heavily textured art compliments the quirkiness of the characters very well. Get your copy today!

Rob Clough reviews Reich #8!

Rob Clough has reviewed Reich #8 over at his blog, High-Low. Check it out! "...Brubaker's moody and angular drawings throw the character's emotions into sharp relief; his use of shadow in particular evokes despondency and uncertainty, while a careful use of cross-hatching and naturalistic drawing in places and objects anchors his pages and gives them weight."

Gay Genius reviewed at the Gay Comics List

A completely interesting and complicated review of Gay Genius over at Gay Comics List. It is actually really well written and self-aware.
http://gaycomicslist.free.fr/blog/index.php/2011/07/gay-genius.html

New in the Store Today: You Don't Get There From Here #19, Labanotation, The Monsters Make a Stew and Food Stamp Foodie #1

I really love quarter-size zines, so when Dylan told me to put whatever I wanted in the store, obviously I picked all smaller size comics. First up is Carrie McNinch's latest: You Don't Get There From Here #19. Entertaining as always, with a clean and comfortable-to-read style, Carrie's strips turn the mundane, magical.




Labanotation, by Sean Christensen and Amy Kuttab, is another great book...and it's huge! 96 pages! Both Sean and Amy are masters of fantasy/fantastical realism/folk tale sort of stories and I love anything set in Sean's "Church of Awesome Thought" universe. So you should probably check it out.



Next up is Lisa Rosalie Eisenberg's The Monsters Make a Stew. Lisa is mostly known for her journal comics (I Cut My Hair) but she is a great storyteller in general, and her ligne claire style suits this cute tale perfectly.



And finally, one of mine. Food Stamp Foodie #1 is a recipe zine (we've got a little collection going) with 10 cheap vegan recipes and some doodles. It's pretty cute.

Sparkplug at Derby City Comic Con!

I will be tabling for Sparkplug at Derby City Comic Con next week! The con is taking place on Saturday, July 16th at the Kentucky International Convention Center in lovely Louisville, Kentucky. I'll be bringing copies of Gay Genius, Reich #8, Bookhunter, Whirlwind Wonderland, Lemon Styles and lots more.

Please be sure to stop by. The con is from 10am to 5pm and only $7! There's more information about guests and panels and so on on the Derby City website.

In the Store: Jason T. Miles' Pines

For your reading pleasure: I just added Pines #3 and #4 to the Sparkplug store. Jason T. Miles' artistic versatility is on display in these two minicomics; they are both very different and both very good. Check them out!

GeekWeek reviews The Heavy Hand!

There is a great review of The Heavy Hand over at GeekWeek, check it out!

New in the Store: Foie Gras #1 and #3!

It's been a rough week for Sparkplug but we are surviving! Getting great books like Edie Fake's Foie Gras #1 and #3 in helps. Each page has unsettlingly funny illustrations of cooking techniques accompanied by seemingly unrelated phrases. On the surface, it might appear simple, but these onions have layers for sure. Check them out in our store today!