June 2, 2008
Hello friends, fans and retailers.
After a lengthy silence, I'm back with actual news and news-bytes, so buckle up:
NEWS FLASH! I'M IN ASHTON'S MOVIE!
Remember a few months back when I mentioned that I'd been contacted by Fox Pictures to approve the use of one of my LITTLE WHITE MOUSE collections as a set dressing prop in the new Ashton Kutcher/Cameron Diaz movie "What Happens In Vegas"? Well, in the spirit of journalistic knowledge, I actually just sat through the ENTIRE film this weekend and...it's in there. The book. My book is in the movie. For like two seconds, seen only from the spine, but it's there, laying on Ashton's coffee table in his apartment! Now I must take another of many showers I've had to take this weekend, but hey, I saved you the pain of sitting through the film and finding my book. And hell yes, I'm putting this as a screen credit on my resume! Now on to REAL news:
1. B.P.M. GRAPHIC NOVEL UPDATE
Cafe Digital has been buzzing with activity for the last few months, and now it can be revealed; B.P.M., the new graphic novel, will be released for Fall 2008 from Cafe Digital Studios!
Finalizing digital artwork, going through exhaustive beta-reader editing sessions, and completing the design of the book, B.P.M. is finally complete! Now the book has to go through the final part of it's journey; it's off to Malaysia to be printed in FULL COLOR! This will be the LONGEST job I've ever managed as a self publisher, and I'm looking forward to the challenge! Because of the great distance, it will take most of the summer to be printed and shipped, so I'm just alerting people now with the intended schedule of this fall. Plans are to have the graphic novel solicited through Diamond's PREVIEWS for books coming out internationally in either OCTOBER or NOVEMBER, depending on the final shipping confirmations I get from my overseas printers. It's also my hope to have the actual books available for sale at this year's SPX convention in Bethesda (October 4 & 5, 2008).
B.P.M. has already been getting solid positive pre-reviews from folks in the industry, and includes input/editing/artwork from Dan Traeger (Blogcritics Magazine), Johanna Draper Carlson (Comics Worth Reading), TIm O'Shea (Blog@Newsarama), Mia Paluzzi, Karl Altstaetter, Sara Wilson, Mike Pfieffer (Most People Are DJ's podcast) and DJ Jackalope! I'm really excited about this book, and I can't wait to have it in your hands! For previews of the art, information and downloads, as well as links to the "soundtrack" of the book, visit http://www.paulsizer.com/bpm/bpm_intro.htm
2. SIZER CONVENTION SCHEDULE
After a great time at the recent Motor City Comicon last month, there's a few more upcoming convention dates for the year that I've confirmed at this point:
WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO (June 26-29). I'll be in Artist Alley (with my lovely and talented wife Jane Irwin), showing tons of artwork for B.P.M., and taking pre-orders for the book (it will still be overseas at this date). For more information on the show and tickets and times, visit http://www.wizarduniverse.com/wizworchic20.html
SMALL PRESS EXPO (SPX) (October 4-5). Jane and I will be making our yearly pilgrimage to the mother of all Indy cons, SPX! Fingers crossed, I'll be dragging fresh off the boat copies of B.P.M. to this convention. For more info on SPX, visit http://www.spxpo.com/
3. GRAPHIC NOVEL WORKSHOPS AT THE CENTER FOR NEW MEDIA
For a second year, I will be teaching a 2 week workshop on the art or creating work for graphic novels at the Center For New Media as part of the Kalamazoo Animation Festival International Academy program (July 7-11, July 14-18, 2008). Here's some information on my classes:
WEEK 1: Foundation
The class explores the foundations of creating comic/graphic novel stories. Students will develop characters, create storylines and character sheets, develop ideas for a short form story, and prepare the ideas for production. Students will go through the creative process of developing a cast for their story, outlining the ideas for a short story, and rendering the styles, costuming and environments for their story. The class will concentrate on hands-on drawing skills and concepting during class time, and drawing outside of class as well. Students will also prepare their ideas and develop the scripts for producing the comic. At the end of this class, each student will have a "style guide" for the production of a comic sort form story.
WEEK 2: Production
Students will produce a 4 page story from the concepts developed in the first week focusing on taking the concepts developed in the first week, and committing them to final form. They will learn traditional comic art methods for penciling, inking, lettering, and introductory computer coloring techniques. Students will work in class and on their own time to complete this short story within the week of this class, so good work habits are a must! The goal is to produce a professional grade story with ideas provided on publishing and self-publishing your work.
Age Group: 15 & up
For more information and registration, visit http://kafi.kvcc.edu/academy/ Sign up now, there's still spots open!
4. MOPED ARMY GOING BACK FOR SECOND PRINTING!
Because I sold out of the first edition of the award winning graphic novel, I have to print more! Weird, eh?
5. MORE COOL STUFF THAT I'M WORKING ON (BUT CAN'T TALK ABOUT YET...)
I've been working on the design and graphics for a really huge new webcomics venture with some of the most powerful folks in the webcomics universe. More on that as I'm able to discuss, but it's gonna be REALLY cool!
Also, closer to the release of B.P.M., I'll be able to announce some really cool launch party news that's in the planning stages. All I can say is; techno and comics will merge as you've never seen them before!
That's all for now. As always, thanks again for all your support!
