Rob Clough Reviews Hungry Summer!

Once again Rob Clough reviews a Sparkplug Mini! Hungry Summer by Asher Z Craw is one of our latest releases, and we are cheered by Rob's apt writing! Here is an excerpt: 

"Craw’s quasi-autobiographical comic, Zebediah, was an unpredictable, absorbing and ultimately humane fantasy account of how he came to understand his nature as a trans person. Hungry Summer covers some of the same territory with regard to gender and identity through magical realism, but this time the focus is entirely different. The main character of the comic is a bike-riding, shape-changing Baba Yaga, the Eastern European supernatural figure. Always an ambiguous figure, encounters with her often result in both good and ill."

You can read the whole review here!

Thank you, Rob!

Rob Clough Reviews Golem of Gabirol!

The ever-on point Rob Clough reviewed Olga Volozova's Golem of Gabirol! We are honored to have Rob take a look at our books. Here's an excerpt: 

" For Volozova herself (who dedicated the book to her late husband, who was also a rabbi), The Golem of Gabirol represents her own attempt to create life using text, in order to honor an old legend, to establish a memorial for her husband, and to construct a feminist narrative where she builds a creative space for herself and Zuleicha, word by word."

You can read the whole review at Foxing Quarterly, here!

 

Thank you so much, Rob!

Website Maintenance & a Hungry Summer review!

Hey all!  If you're trying to visit our site today or have tried to in the past couple days, you'll notice it isn't there or looks weird.  Milo, our wonderful web-go-to guy, has been doing some work and ironing out the kinks.  It should up and running and back to normal soon.  You can email me if you have any questions: virginia (at) sparkplugcomicbooks (dot) com.

Also, Rob Kirby has written a little review of Asher Craw's Hungry Summer for his blog.  Rob says: "(Hungry Summer) is wonderfully, weirdly original and totally engaging."  You can read the entire review here.

Sparkplug Books Will Be At Portland Zine Symposium!

 Hello all! We will be tabling at the Portland Zine Symposium this weekend (July 12&13) at table 37B! Come say hello and check out our new releases, as well as our wonderful selection of other books~

The event will be in Portland, Oregon at the Ambridge Event Center (1333 NE MLK BLVD) at 11am each day!

  

   

                            

Rob Clough Reviews The Anthropologists!

We are pleased to share Rob Clough's review of our most recent release: The Anthropologists by Whit Taylor! 

"The idea was to study and talk to Aboriginal people as part of their cultural anthropology program. Paired with a hyperenthusiastic fellow American student and filled with ambivalence about the trip, Wren’s anxiety is really just an expression of her own cultural, racial and identity issues in microcosm."

You can read the whole review at Foxing Quarterly, here. Thank you, Rob!

Sparkplug Highlight: The Sky In Stereo #1 & #2 by Mardou

Sky in Stereo follows protagonist Iris, a sweet girl living her life in Manchester during the 90s. While it seems to be built around the general theme of everyday life, these books are so well executed and relatable, I can't help but believe they must be partially autobiographical. Running alongside the coming-of-age feel is the topic of casual drug use. Cover your eyes, kiddos!!

Iris' life is rather unremarkable, but completely realistic and unapologetically honest. She works fast food, hates her step dad, likes jerk boys. You don't need to know a lot of the relationships between Iris and her peers, as you understand all the complicated feelings through Mardou's excellent character writing. The cuteness emanating off of Iris as she tries to figure stuff out is heartwarming, as well as all the intensely raw emotions expressed from panel to panel. The freedom and self-imprisonment of youth runs rampant though the pages as Iris reflects on each moment. 

Both Sky In Stereo #1 and #2 are available here!

Sparkplug Highlight: Rum Lad #4 by Steve Larder

When I was a young'n, my favorite zine was Cometbus. I read each issue with fervent punk pride, seeking new knowledge of bands, rad places to go and general silliness. Reading Rum Lad gave me a similar feeling - but I realized right after finishing it, that Steve Larder was the same age as me (24) when he wrote this. He also started making zines because he spent days reading punk journals and comics, and it shows through his interview with classic zinester Marv Gadgie. This entire issue revels in the spirit of traditional punk values, as well as nostalgia for being driven by them. 

In this issue, Steve attends a far-off zine festival in Germany and meets a lot of new people. While things don't always work out, he makes it home and wonders about the purpose of wandering off the beaten path in life and what it means to be afraid of embracing change. Alongside all these thoughts, there are very precise and detailed drawings of places and people Steve sees along the way.

Anyone who enjoys a traditional zine style with handwritten words, as well as black and white drawings should check out Rum Lad - it's a long and good read!

(36 interior pgs, 5.5" x 8.5 ", black and white)

You can visit Steve Larder's website here!

Rum Lad #4 is available here!

Sparkplug Highlight: Eschew Issue #1 and #2 by Robert Sergel

There really isn't anything quite like a beautiful black and white comic. Sergel's simple, completely structural linework makes the world uncanny, but also incredibly pleasing. Whether drawing parallels between events and concepts, or simply retelling an odd memory, Eschew gives me a sentimental feeling about my own awkwardness. The human and silly aspects of these comics make an interesting contrast to the highly technical art; the pages seem like an instruction manual from an airplane explaining how to bail out of the plane in case of emergency. 

While Eschew doesn't give us any explanation on how to cope, it shows us how one person does. Sergel's collection of embarrassing or simply synchronistic tales was a good read and left a lasting impression on me with his incredible use of simple black and white. Really, it has something interesting and relatable for anyone!

Eschew 1, 2 & 3 can be purchased here!

The Sparkplug Website! It Lives!

Our site is back up and running!  There are still a couple things that are a little wonky, but the shop is running and ready for your orders.  Thanks for your patience!

Sparkplug Highlight: Solipsist's Doodles by Jason Overby

Overby's sparse, scratchy drawings make me appreciate the title of this book. Since comics are typically so visually driven, it's not often that I find myself looking at almost blank pages. Instead, these comics are driven by text, cell size, and my ability to fill in what I'd like. Overby's drawing style carries the story well when it's present - an assortment of dots and lines move you forward from panel to panel, with almost complete figures. Each thought carries over into the next panel with nontraditional breaks, just as one gets lost in thought - in between thoughts - and has to come back to what was before. 

A small collection of stories, these autobiographical tales do more than focus on Overby's life - they engage the reader on topics like human honesty and contemplation of the universe. Even if you are a solipsist, there is kindness to allow yourself and others. Even in philosophical discussions, there is lightheartedness to be had. I found myself reading them over and over again, interpreting and reinterpreting conversations. 

Solipsist's Doodles can be purchased here!

Sparkplug at CAKE - TOMORROW!

Hey all!  Sparkplug will be set up at CAKE at table 65 THIS weekend (May 31st and June 1st)!  We'll be debuting The Anthropologists by Whit Taylor.  About The Anthropologists:

 The Anthropologists follows the author’s trip to Australia and subsequent reevaluation of her chosen field of study. Taylor’s expressive line work and analysis of the strange intersection of self as a person of color, a tourist and a scholar of Aboriginal culture make for an engrossing, thought-provoking read.The Anthropologists is the second book in the Sparkplug Minis Series, a collection of limited-edition minicomics by fantastic underground artists.

We'll have free copies of Barrio Mothers as well and of course - postcards!

Sparkplug Highlight: Thyme Balm Live $3 and Karate Gods by James Kirkpatrick

James Kirkpatrick's complicated but confident drawings fill each page of these two comics. His humor is superb and on-point, just as his artistic voice allows your mind to wander. Features of the characters are individual but also ambiguous. Each page holds a new joke. Both of the stories lend themselves to Kirkpatrick's hypnotic style and one-liner humor. 

Thyme Balm, the "worst"nose band, holds several members of questionable value. But in the end, the show ends up pretty good! You feel the complicated feelings of attending a show that you're determined to dislike.. but end up feeling the jams. Hey, you're a complicated being! It's ok!

Karate Gods follows the battle between many mortal foes and you. Will you be victorious against such brutal fighters with names like Sporty Spice or Frozen Lord? Much like a fighting game crew, these toughies seem like stoic jerks. I hope you win.

Both of these comics are available here!

Next Weekend: CAKE!

Hey all!  Sparkplug will be set up at CAKE at table 65 next weekend (May 31st and June 1st)!  We'll be debuting The Anthropologists by Whit Taylor.  About The Anthropologists:

 The Anthropologists follows the author’s trip to Australia and subsequent reevaluation of her chosen field of study. Taylor’s expressive line work and analysis of the strange intersection of self as a person of color, a tourist and a scholar of Aboriginal culture make for an engrossing, thought-provoking read.The Anthropologists is the second book in the Sparkplug Minis Series, a collection of limited-edition minicomics by fantastic underground artists.

We'll have free copies of Barrio Mothers as well and of course - postcards! 

Store is FIXED!

HOORAY! The shop is back up and running! AND you can still preorder The Anthropologists, our new book by Whit Taylor!

Online Shop (temporarily) Down!

So it looks like our online shop is down and may have been down for a while! Sorry about this, folks! We are looking into getting it up and running again. If you have tried to order or need to order, please send me an email: virginia (at) sparkplugcomicbooks (.) com.

Thanks for your patience!

Sparkplug Highlight: In Situ #2 by Sophie Yanow

I noticed that In Situ No. 4 was released recently, and wanted to recommend this series! After reading In Situ No. 2, I felt refreshed and more confident - Sophie keeps her journal comics relevant not only to herself, but also to all people - the feeling transience, or being caught up on something you saw in passing. The loosely drawn pages show great ease on Sophie's part, but she also scribbles out mistakes that add some nice texture to the pages. A travel log through Canada and California, In Situ No. 2 also is a log of trailing thoughts - some political, all honest. I'm excited to read further issues!

Aside from the content, this book is beautifully designed! When I grabbed it off the shelf I exclaimed "wow"!! It's just not often that you see a simple black and white with color cover zine so carefully laid out.

(28 interior pages, 5.5" x 8.5", black & white with colored paper half-cover, Colosse) 

In Situ No. 2 is available for purchase here

Sparkplug Highlight: Rock That Never Sleeps by Olga Volozova & Juliacks

 Rock that Never Sleeps is a split book between two awesome lady artists! First in the book, Olga Volozova establishes the tale with her many-layered comic style and creates a new myth revolving around memory. People around town begin to lose their skill of recollection, including a family of solely women, the Katchia family. Regarded as frightening and witchlike due to their tightly kept secret craft of puppet making, the Katchias are held in even higher fear than before as they too begin to lose memory of their spells, and thus their livelihood. 

Determined to regain their craft, three members of the family travel through the desert to Rock That Never Sleeps, a town where sages guide those whose memories are lost to items that may help them recover. There is always a catch though - if you regain your memory, you lose something else. 

Juliacks' story exists in the same space as Olga Volozova's, but in a different time. Far into the future, three people travel once again to Rock That Never Sleeps in order to regain what they've lost. In Juliacks' future, there are sages all around who can see the memories of objects through their psychic birthmarks. Tragedy befalls the future in this tale as you are guided along through dense pages of psychic discordance. You become lost among the memories of objects just like your three protagonists!

This book is a rad exploration of the concept of objects and what impact they have on the human psyche. What relations you have with things. Also the value of memory; how important is it for humans to have and rely on such a liquid aspect of themselves. 

(36 interior pgs, 9" x 6", color cover with black and white and sepia interiors)

Rock That Never Sleeps is available here!

The Anthropologists is available for pre-order!

I'm so stoked about our next book, The Anthropologists!  Taylor does a great job portraying travel: the awkwardness, the self-analysis, the uncomfortable cultural implications.  Her art work is deceptively simple; she is a master of capturing the nuances of expression and her landscape drawings do a great job capturing the expanse of the Australian desert.
The Anthropologists is up for pre-order in the Sparkplug store now!  Pre-orders will ship the first week of June and come with a surprise book from the Sparkplug catalog.

Here are a couple preview pages from the story:

New In the Shop! Barrio Mothers & TEMI #1!

Good morning, all! Two new books are up in the shop today- first off, you can order the incredibly cool and incredibly free-except-for-shipping Barrio Mothers Free Comic Book Day comic if you missed it in stores! With such a lovely cover and good local Portland artists, there really is no resisting such a fabulous deal~

Next up is TEMI #1 by Sera Stanton! This book is the first in an ongoing series that explores the hero myth from a new perspective - that of a lunar female hero. Follow Temi through densely illustrated pages as she is bullied, riddled with nightmares and generally has a bad time until she is cast out of her community to face the world on her own. She can tough it out!

Enjoy the sun while you can, Portland! Have a rad day!