Faction Comics - Damon Keen

Recently formed New Zealand comics publisher Faction Comics released their first anthology this week with a 72 page volume in print via a successful crowd-funding campaign earlier this year. A mixture of veteran and younger cartoonists fill the pages with a free digital version of the comic available from Faction. Faction anthology editor Damon Keen answered a few questions via email on Nov 28 about Faction's first comic.

Was using crowdfunding always a part of faction's publishing strategy?

Only in a distant way - it was always in the mix, but I didn't really consider it seriously at first. For one thing, Kickstarter was off limits, and I wasn't sure how effective PledgeMe was, so I had to do a bit of investigation.

Originally we went for funding from Creative NZ, but after our application was declined we had to look at other options - and economically it's not a great time to be looking for any kind of corporate sponsorship, so crowd funding started to look more and more attractive. 

In the end it worked out beautifully for us, because with PledgeMe funding we're not constrained in any way by the commitments or compromises that can come with external funding. 

What format will the physical copies of Faction be?

Perfect bound, 72 page graphic novel style book - offset printed.

It was important to Amie and I that the first issue looked great! Future issues will be saddle stitched and shorter. 

How will the Faction anthology be distributed?

First and foremost the main reason for Faction's existence is building up a readership base - so we will be giving the digital version away free if you subscribe on our website. We'll make it available as a pdf and cbr - for reading on tablets - and I'm also investigating other ways of making it available online. There's quite a few options these days, which is awesome.

We always saw the hard copy as a kind of marketing tool first and foremost - as a way to get people to subscribe online (and hence build up our database of readers!), so we haven't thought as hard about how we'll distribute the physical version. We'll be sending out review copies and getting it into the comic shops around NZ (and libraries), and also making it available to buy via our website. But this is a big experiment on our part, so we're still open to suggestions to be honest.

Is their a pre-existing anthology that you would compare Faction to in terms of tone?

That's a tricky one! My inspiration comes from Strips originally, which I loved back when I was 10 or 11 - and also Heavy Metal back in the 70s and 80s. Those were both in mind when we started thinking about creating Faction, but in terms of tone - and something more 21st century! - Best American Comics comes to mind - except shorter and in full colour!

Was there much editorial work undertaken with receiving open submissions?

From the beginning I wanted this to be an edited anthology. Some of my own money going into it, so I don't see any reason why I should print anything I don't feel comfortable with!

Having said that I'm not aware of any NZ anthologies that have been as editorially focused (if that's the right way of putting it!) as we have been on Faction. Most of the NZ anthologies I've seen seem to have a pretty open door policy on submissions - which is great by the way! But as a creative myself I knew I only wanted to include work by people who had significant experience with the craft of comic writing, who were proven, I guess - and were operating at a pretty high level. 

So, yes, we have had to turn away some artists - including some really promising ones - especially towards the end, after the competition became a bit more intense. I hope they keep at it though, there's a lot of talent out there.

Did you encounter any particular difficulties in launching Faction Comics?

Financing is the biggest issue - and nothing else that major; just niggling stuff, like worrying about hurting people's feelings and booking gallery spaces and so on! I was really concerned about standing on people's toes and blundering into the NZ comic scene and being a dick about it, but everyone has been really welcoming and friendly, so overall it's been a terrific experience.

Do you have another project lined up after this anthology is released?

I've got another comic I want to start drawing - it's longer and more complex than the one I included in Faction - which was actually a kind of practice run for it. But other than that, I just need to start thinking about the next issue of Faction, as well as planning the now belated launch exhibition, and other marketing strategies for promoting the anthology. 

It's really annoying to have to do my (paying) day job on top of this fun stuff actually!

More info at the Faction website here. 

 Faction People Amie Maxwell and Damon Keen

2012 in Review: Marc Pearson

 Marc Pearson

What have been your personal publishing/comics highlights of 2012?

I made a book called 'Mr. Ray's Grave Thoughts' and it took me a while to make it, but then after I finished it, it was done. If you wanna buy it, it's in stores around.. the place, but also here.

That's the first all me comic I've ever put out, so it was a pretty big deal emotionally. there was a lot of listening to pop songs and making finalising statements while sighing like "Well... *sigh* There you go." or "*sigh* Yeah, I guess I DID do it."

Who are some of the comics creators that you've discovered and enjoyed for the first time in 2012?
 
Okay, so yeah, like everyone else there's that Simon Hansalami guy he's a-grade. he's like a slap in the butt when it's good. Then Michael Deforge is pretty great, and I just read these comics by Jesse Moynihan that were amazing and dreamy, and then there's Melissa mendes, she did this comic called Freddy Stories, and it's really great and it made me feel real emotions that I still feel today, even though I didn't read it today, it's like it travels with me, like a backpack or a rucksack, and I like it. There's Chuck Forsman, he's doing this comic called the end of the fucking world, and it's a real nice comic to read, and it's getting a Fantagraphics release next year, and I would highly recommend it, and then he also runs Oily Comics, which i would also recommend people check out. 

There's a guy called Walker Mettling from Rhode Island, and he's doing these comics with kids under the name PROVIDENCE COMICS CONSORTIUM, and if you don't like it, you're not exciting or interesting, and no one likes you, and the smell of rotten meat is starting to get to everybody else here, and they're starting to say things like "It's a little much, don't you think?". He runs these classes with these kids, and he makes them do all these drawing exercises and stuff, and then at the end they've made their own comics and he prints them up into books so the kids can have them, but even if you aren't a kid, you can have them too! I have them, and I'm not a kid. I'm a man.

Mickey Z, does a comic called RAV thats really great. I got that collection of Kevin Huizenga comics called CURSES and thats like... the perfect comic book.
If you're looking for the perfect comic book, look no further, than CURSES... by Kevin Huizenga.
....
My friend ELLIOT LAMB, just made a book called SWEAT #1 and it's real hot and slow like what I imagine a sting album is like.
 
What is something non-comics that you have enjoyed in 2012?

I read this Lynda Barry book called CRUDDY, because Melissa Mendes said it was good, and I, like everyone else should, trust her implicitly (-and it was real special). I went and saw Hannibal Buress do standup and that changed the way I talk a little sometimes because it was so funny, Lashna's moving back into my house, I've been talking to Alyx again and she's thinking about moving to Melbourne in April next year, which might be weird, but above that I just think it'll kind of be cool. Our relationship has always kind of been in the shadow of how far away she always is, so this is kind of like a new beginning, you know? like I'll get to regularly spend time with her.. which should be cool.  I don't know if that makes sense, but you don't need to get it, you're an email message. 

So, I've enjoyed those conversations, and I gueesss, I've been seeing Elliot Lamb heaps and he's been pretty great. I read this Oliver Sacks book about hallucinations, and there's a whole bunch of stuff about SLEEP PARALYSIS that was pretty interesting, and I was in Massachusetts, and I'd just read a whole bunch of stuff about it, and then it happened to me for the first time ever! and there were auditory hallucinations and everything! I was sleeping in this room, and I couldn't move at all, and could hear this woman moaning behind me, but it wasn't a sexy moan, it was kind of a husky moan... that was like.. maybe a struggly moan? i don't really remember now.. but yeah, i tried to move my arm, but i couldn't! and so iI tried again and again, and then on the third or fourth try, I was able to lift my arm fully up, but it wasn't my actual flesh and blood arm, it was like a ghost arm, with the opacity turned down... or something.. and so that lifted up, and then sank back down into my real arm again, and then I fell asleep. Isn't that weird? Man. so yeah, I enjoyed that.

I saw The Master, but I don't really know if I enjoyed it... ummm... oh, every John Swartzwelder book makes me feel better when I feel bad. He was a writer and a consultant for the Simpsons... ummm.. there's this one Marx Brothers movie that didn't make me feel good, it made me feel terrible, and I'll mention it here because if you've read this far, you'll obviously read anything. It's called THE MARX BROTHERS spend A NIGHT IN CASABLANCA, and it made me feel really bad. usually I watch Marx Brothers films to make me feel better cause sometimes I feel bad, but this one made me feel worse. It made me feel terrible.
 
Have you implemented any significant changes to your working methods this year?

Nope.
 
What are you looking forward to in 2013?

The new Dash Shaw book, Sam Wallman's Australian history comic anthology, the continued adventures of Megg, Mogg and Owl, getting a bike and becoming a nightrider, Katie Parrish comics, whatever Hamishi is doing, the parking lot experiments album... ummmm... theres a new Jim Woodring book coming out? called Fran, I think, which is about Frank's girlfriend. that should be cool. reading the end of THE END OF THE FUCKING WORLD by Chuck Forsman... and I think thats it... I wanna see more rusty brown, hopefully some angsty teenage Rusty Brown... errr... Arsene Shrauwen 2 by Olivier Shrauwen.. that'd be interesting... ummm...

http://marcstorewatchout.bigcartel.com/

2012 in Review: Justin Randall

Justin Randall

What have been your cartooning/comics highlights of 2012?

 
Having book 2 of my graphic novel series, Changing Ways hit the shelves and then having the series picked up by a French publisher for a translated release.

Who are some of the comics creators that you've discovered and enjoyed for the first time in 2012?

 I'm really enjoying Jim Woodring at the moment, his work is so surreal.

What is something non-comics that you have enjoyed in 2012?

The birth of my son, Far Cry 3, The new season of Misfits, RC helicopters, cycling, Prometheus and spending quality time with my wife.

Have you implemented any significant changes to your working methods this year?

I doubled the size of my working studio by relocated distracting toys such as consoles and a data projector to another part of the house.

What are you looking forward to in 2013?

Completing Changing Ways book 3 and then finding a new artist to continue the series.

http://www.justinrandall.daportfolio.com/

2012 in Review: Andy Conlan

What have been your personal cartooning/comics highlights of 2012?
 

I did a political cartoon for which I drew a caricature of John Key, which made me feel like a "real editorial cartoonist". Political cartoons aren't really my thing, but it was fun for the context of it. He was the easy part. I wanted to draw an authentic rendition of the corner of Sunset and Vine for the environment, so I even Google mapped it. It got too complicated until I finally said “fuckit”, and just drew the street signs and some hills behind them. The hills are probably even the wrong shape, but I think I captured Key's gleeful enthusiasm.

Who are some of the comics creators that you've discovered and enjoyed for the first time in 2012?

 

Does rediscover count? Near the beginning of the year I started this Carl Barks frenzy, going into this total vacuum for a few weeks during which a disproportionate part of my waking hours were spent thinking about Uncle Scrooge. I also spent a lot of time reading Schultz. Another highlight was corresponding with Herr Seele about getting one of his Cowboy Henk books. He was concerned that the book was in Dutch, but there was no adequate way to articulate to him that his cartoons are so wonderfully executed that they need no text. Sometimes you can become so sycophantic that it's better to play it cool and not go overboard.

What is something non-comics that you have enjoyed in 2012? (i.e. movies, film, prose, ballet, opera, fine art, exhibitions, etc)

 

I spent a bit of time at auctions this year, overcome with panic whenever works by the late Sir Peter Siddell were on the floor. His work has been a mild obsession for me since I was at high school, so it was an opportunity to see some of the lesser known paintings and other works that aren't held publicly.

Have you implemented any significant changes to your working methods this year?

 

Not really, I've been working the same way since 1995, with a brush and ink. I did go from doing everything on the page to drawing panels separately and assembling them using Photoshop, but I don't like that so I switched back. I prefer to have a page of original art that is a standalone piece of work on its own outside the “post production” environment, so prefer to keep it all on paper.

What are you looking forward to in 2013?

 

I've got some renewed interest in the children's stories I've been working on, so any non editorial comics or illustrative work will be for young readers. I've been working out how to translate the stories and books to moving image, and have seen a hybrid stop motion/2D drawing video that I quite liked, so might adapt that format for my own stuff. A video of me reading my children's book, Mr. Gloomingdale's Downpour, has had a decent amount of views on Youtube for something that's not about cats squeezing each others' blackheads while wearing top hats, so adapting that will be one of the first experiments.

 http://apconlan.tumblr.com/

2012 in Review: Theo Macdonald

Theo Macdonald

What have been your cartooning/comics highlights of 2012?

 

Participating in the Comics Generation exhibition was cool. I've never had my work exhibited, so that was an interesting experience, working out what was worthy of the wall. Luckily the curator, Claire Harris, was very good at identifying that some work was simply better than other stuff. Traveling to Auckland Armageddon to sell my first graphic novel Edward Fisher: Duck, You Flogger was a big deal. This had taken 28 months to complete, so finally releasing it was satisfying, to say the least. It looked fantastic, mainly due to the involvement of Richard Fairgray, who dealt with all the publishing details. 

Who are some of the comics creators that you've discovered and enjoyed for the first time in 2012?

 

The main local work I've enjoyed has been that of the Comics Generation artists: Esther and Sadie Galloway, Zora Patrick, Michael Sanders, and Joel Spencer. There's a common sense of vitality to their work, it had to be created, which I like. 

In terms of general comic reading, I've been woefully unadventurous, mainly just enjoying various continuing series, particularly Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez, which uses Rodriguez' skills from his previous career in architecture to develop a comprehensive universe. One new discovery has been the ongoing webcomic Multiplex, by Gordon McAlpin, which began as a basic movie parody strip, but soon turned into a full fledged dramedy, kind of reminiscent of Freaks and Geeks. The art is vector, which I normally don't find that attractive, but the understated colour palette and sense of consistency afforded by computer generated work really draws me in. 

What is something non-comics that you have enjoyed in 2012?

 

This year I've been attempting to watch Woody Allen's entire directing filmography, a difficult task due to the unavailability of many of his works on DVD, but I'm close, three films left before his latest comes out here. I've also gotten into Jim Jarmusch, Orson Welles, and David Lynch, the last of whom's work I've enjoyed in several mediums, particularly his fine art, which is wonderfully textured and offers great insight into his directorial process. 

My favourite new releases this year have been Young Adult and We Need to Talk about Kevin, both fantastic character driven pieces, albeit in two completely different genres, comedy and horror. Moonrise Kingdom was perfect, in my mind Wes Anderson is still to put a foot wrong. 

I finally got around to reading a lot of the stuff on my bedside table: Howl and other poems, The Trial, The High Window, The Thin Man. There's still a lot to go. 

Have you implemented any significant changes to your working methods this year?

 

It's more just been general development. I began rewriting every page of Edward Fisher as I got to it. The panel layouts are denser and more fluid. Does not sleeping count as a working method? Also I started watching Gilmore Girls when drawing, I assume I'll just stop creating when I reach the end of season 7. 

Not comics, but this year I started using oil paints, which has drastically improved my style. 

What are you looking forward to in 2013?

 

A couple of days ago I decided I'm going to create a sequel to my comic from two years ago, Theocracy. I've got 19 strips ideas written down, and am hoping to publish it online along with the content of the first volume. I've written some short films, a couple of which I plan on making early 2013, and I want to keep developing my painting skills. One project that should be very interesting is getting a new pair of glasses. At this stage there will probably be two lenses, but who knows what will change in editing? 

Also I'll be beginning university in Auckland, which should generate enough angsty angst fun to keep me writing for a long time.

 

http://skate-ratcomics.deviantart.com/

2012 in Review: Michael Hawkins

Michael Hawkins

What have been your personal cartooning/comics highlights of 2012?

My comic highlights this year were threefold.  Mid year I went to the states and Canada on a comics tour, met heaps of awesome talent like Pat Aulisio, Lale Westvind, Conor Stechschulte, Mollie O’Brien and others whose amazing work I was previously ignorant of. Second highlight would be watching the rising star of my good buddy and favourite cartoonist ever Simon Hanselmann. Thirdly meeting on a weekly basis with a steady group of drawing buds (Sam Wallman, Marc Pearson, Elliot Lamb and so forth) has made a great difference to my quality of life.

Who are some of the comics creators that you've discovered and enjoyed for the first time in 2012?
 
Best books? All of the above people. Also locally Grant Gronewald (HTML Flowers) and Katie Parrish and overseas Michael Deforge, Patrick Kyle, Leslie Stein and Derek Ballard. Seems to be a lot of people working at a peek level of inspiration and producing things in individual styles that seem extreme in their newness. Find it easy to point to a general vibe than individual books.

What is something non-comics that you have enjoyed in 2012?

Massively into Dennis Potter at the moment, starting with the Singing Detective and working through all his series and teleplays. Best book I read was We have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. Favourite five songs this year: My Time by Roberto Cacciapaglia & Ann Steel, In High Places by  Mike Oldfield, A Matter of Trust by Billy Joel, Myth by Beach House, Pyramids by Frank Ocean.

Have you implemented any significant changes to your working methods this year?
 
Swapped from photocopying to digital printing. Started a Tumblr. Also used to try and have one major comics series or project on the go at once, this year decided to just start a bunch and let them vie for my attention.

What are you looking forward to in 2013?
 
Organising an erotic art show with some of my favourite local cartoonists. Hopefully going to Brooklyn Comics and Graphics Festival.

http://comics-by-hawkins.tumblr.com/

2012 in Review: Steve Sparke

Steve Sparke

What have been your personal cartooning/comics highlights of 2012?

 

The FEC Extravaganza was my personal highlight. I've thrown together a few comic book launches before but this one was a much bigger effort. It was much more of an event than just a simple launch as we had sketches, signings and a Q&A. The books launching were Kranburn #4 (by Ben Michael Byrne) and Seven (by Alisha Jade), which were both fairly straight forward in their process as it was simply collaborating with one person on their project. Whereas the third book launching, Fireside Tales, was an anthology - meaning I collaborated with five people. That kind of number means a lot more time dedicated to one comic as I try to spend equal amounts of time on each story. So yeah - it really set a bar for me.

 

On top of all that, I was also organising my wedding at the same time (I literally returned from my honeymoon the day before the launch). So this required having most things organised and ready to go a month before the actual event. I know a few people thought I was nuts to do it this way...and they're right! It was insane. I didn't get much sleep throughout the month of August. But holy shit was it rewarding! Everything went off without a hitch and I was really pleased to see the Fireside boys get a chance to show off their talents.

Who are some of the comics creators that you've discovered and enjoyed for the first time in 2012?

 

Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt, creators of The Sixth Gun. It was only just in the last couple of weeks that I've read this and it's absolutely outstanding! Great characters and some brilliant art! They've really struck gold with this story and I can't wait to see where they go next (after the first TPB).

 

Also, to keep it local, I got on to Sacha Bryning's work this year. I first saw a couple of his pieces online and was already impressed, but then he went and floored me with his self-published comic, Sam & Laz. He initially published it online here but then did a small print run for the avid fans.  He also slipped a story into Velocity #2 (Molly Mac), which was bursting off the page with energy. I was able to get him on board for the cover of Fireside Tales and I was blown away by the results (as were the readers). I honestly can't get enough of his art. Sacha, if you're reading this - more art please.

What is something non-comics that you have enjoyed in 2012?

 

I went to see the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra perform the entire score of LOTR: Fellowship of the Rings. It was amazing! They had two choirs, the whole orchestra AND the actual film playing behind them. I'm already booked in for the MSO performing Two Towers next year and I'd recommend everybody else do the same.

Have you implemented any significant changes to your working methods this year?

 

Not particularly. With editing, I'm always changing my methods to suit the person I'm working with. It's necessary for getting the best out of your creator. But significant changes? Nope.

What are you looking forward to in 2013?

 

More Kranburn and Seven. Having already seen what Ben and Alisha have in store for their readers, I'm incredibly excited to see the response.

 

I think Alisha's second book will give readers a chance to settle into the world she has created. The first book really threw the reader in the deep end, which was great as I think the immediacy gave a strong sense of action. But this next book will ease you in a little bit before it takes hold.

 

Ben is going into some crazy territory with Kranburn. I can't give too much away but it's certainly going to leave some people a wee bit shocked. And, of course, we get some more car chases which is always fun!

 

 http://www.feccomics.com/

2012 in Review: Li Chen

Li Chen

What have been your personal cartooning/comics highlights of 2012?
 

Getting the chance to self publish my webcomic as books through funding from Kickstarter was pretty amazing. It allowed me to work full time on my comics and the books for most of the year, and it made me realise that I really wanted to make art and comics as a career.

Who are some of the comics creators that you've discovered and enjoyed for the first time in 2012?

 

I discovered Ryan Andrews work this year. He is a brilliant artist and has written some beautifully haunting comics. I love his style of artwork, it's very inspiring.

What is something non-comics that you have enjoyed in 2012? (i.e. movies, film, prose, ballet, opera, fine art, exhibitions, etc)

 

I've really enjoyed watching a Cartoon Network show called Adventure Time this year. It has a really surreal sense of humor that I try to reflect in my own comics. I also went to the Studio Ghibli Museum in Tokyo this year and found it hugely inspiring. I love their films and they definitely influence my comics and artwork.

Have you implemented any significant changes to your working methods this year?

 

Not really. My comics are still drawn manually with pencil and scanned. Any colour in my comics is then applied digitally. I've just been practicing a lot, and I think that my work has improved throughout the year, which is good!

What are you looking forward to in 2013?

 

Making more comics, making more art. Petting cats.

exocomics.com