TCJ's Top 25 Minis of 2010: 2D Cloud makes the cut

!!!!

The last book in the Good Minnesotan series, GMN4, makes it into The Comics Journal's Top 25 Minis of 2010. Hoo-haa, heady company we is in -- landing in the #2 spot, as decreed by indie comics maven Rob Clough feels, I don't know, nice. I worked my beard and bum off on that issue, so thanks much to Rob for digging into and appreciating the work. But don't take my word for it -- go check out the article! Fellow Minnesotans (past and present) like Tom K, Toby Jones, Ed Choy Moorman, and Nic Breutzman, not to mention our newest 2D Cloud artist, Noah Van Sciver, all made the list for their own releases over the past year as well. Congrats to them, and keep an eye on the future releases page as you're likely to see some, if not all of these great cartoonists in new 2D Cloud books in the future.

A big thanks to our contribs/supporters as well. You know, I still have yet to finish binding all 500 copies of GMN4. Ugh. Gotta get back to that prior to SpringCon!

Best of 2010 Links (and not the Jimmy Dean or Atari variety)

Across the pond at the excellent Exquisite Things blog, Matt D made mention of GMN #4 making the best of 2010 cut!  Awesome, thanks Matt, and thanks to everyone involved with that book, it was great fun working on it!  Of note, there are some great interviews and articles at Exquisite Things, and worth checking out.  I've stumbled upon numerous works and cartoonists that I've added to my list of things to acquire...

Speaking of best of nonsense, I threw together some of my fav's for 2010, which made its way onto the Daily Crosshatch.  I love those title's and I love a lot more of them then that.  At a later date I will talk a bit more about some of my fav-o-flav's of 2010, and those I missed and still lust after.

Also, a while back I was interviewed about crowdfunding over at Inforum, the Forum of Fargo and Moorhead by Marino Eccher.  It's an interesting read, check it out!  In a month or two, we will be going at it again with crowdfunding site Kickstarter for our largest undertaking of 2011.  More on that soon, son.

GMN4 Reviewed on TCJ + Shopping Infoz

SO, GMN4 got reviewed on the luxurious webpages of The Comics Journal-- Wahoo!  And it's a pretty positive review to boot.  Cha-cha-check it out!

I gotta split for work in a sec so I will be keeping this short.  Our online shop is now, barely functional.  Which is much better than, not functional at all.  Barely though.

And should you be in Barcelona (yeah the one in Spain), come this Friday, our friends at FATBOTTOM BOOKS will be having their grand opening, so visit if yer in their neck of the woods!

Yearbooks and GMN4 get reviewed AGAIN--Woop Woop!

Over at the excellent Warren Peace Sings the Blues, Matthew Brady writes some thoughtful reviews on a handful of mini's including Yearbooks (which really isn't quite a mini, but--) and Good Minnesotan #4.

Side note: anthologies are generally a bit of a mixed bag. Sometimes they work out better when there is a smaller list of contributors and tighter focus on the vision. Sales tend to reflect this as well.  Obviously, I really like GMN4 as it is, but then, I am the editor.  I'll have more masturbatory thoughts on anthologies over at Itchy Keen in the FUTURE.

Oh yeah, the drawing is another image by Luke Holden from the comic/anthology Mother Lover which comes out next year. It's going to be pretty awesome.

2 new reviews at Playtime Magazine and a post thank you

Thanks to everyone that came out to Rain Taxi's Book Festival!  A double thanks to those that stopped by to pick up a book off our table and gave it a sincere look.  Also, it was nice being sandwiched between Will Dinski and Kevin Cannon and that the cartoonists were all tabling together for the event!

In other news, we got 2 new reviews over at Playtime Magazine, one for Yearbooks here, and the other for GMN4 here.  Both by the tall and quite bearded fellow Matt Kessen!  Playtime Magazine is a smart, cool snapshot of arts & culture, an eMagazine covering comix, trash novels, films, video games; leaning towards genre work- it's top notch and worth checking out !  In the back issue's there is a review of a Primal Rage novel!!  Strange and stupidly awesome! In any case, check out them reviews!

Photo of our table at the Rain Taxi Book Fest by Will Dinski-- thanks Will!

Holy CRAP!! I am late: OR : a MIX wrap up nearing a month after the fact

Fore-warning: Lots of pictures, not so much text. The MIX weekend was pretty spectacular.  I really should have written this much much sooner.  I am not sure how I managed not too.  Nor am I terribly sure what I have all been up to in the meantime.

In any case, the MIX WEEKEND began with a screening of Scott Pilgrim vs the World.  I was unable to make it to this as I worked.  Also, not being a huge fan of the comic, I don't know that I could enjoy it as a film either.  Lot's of folks did though I am sure!

Photo by Will Dinski?

On Friday, Dylan Williams and I ran over to Big Brain for pre-MIX festivities.  Specifically, 3 signings.  One of Zak Sally's new book, Sammy the Mouse; Will Dinski's Fingerprints; Aaron Renier's The Unsinkable Walker Bean.

I  snatched a copy of each.  It's the second time I bought Will's story, and well worth it. The earlier version I had also came in a hardcover, but was in black and white and limited to 35 copies as it was hand-bound.


Photo's by Michael May

The pre-MIX fun continued into the evening at the 501 club.  Thar be Kenin Cannon, Tim Sievert, Brett Warnock.

Mr. Renny Kissling and his band Robot's From the FUTURE were there as well, playing in the past.  Renny has a colour comic we will be serializing called Pale Blue Dot.  A preview snapshot can be viewed in GMN4 or online.  More on that at a future time.

Photo's by Will Dinski.

The site of the show was pretty perfect at the Soap Factory.  I love the area, very warehousy.

Photos's by Melissa S. Kaercher.

Did I yet mention that there were VEGAN DONUTS!?  Yup, pretty awesome and damn tasty.  Donuts provided by the newly formed Donut Cooperative, but of course!  Check 'em out!

Photo by Sharyn Morrow.

Here is Sam Sharpe.  One of many talented cartoonists that we would be having as house guests shortly.

BT Livermore and Banner Year Press were some of the first place's I stopped.  Anyone with a 'stache should take a looksy here for friendly write up on his Man's Face Stuff line.  Great stuff!

There's our table!  Meghan, Nic, and Sarah holding down the fort while Justin and I are probably at a panel (either the one with John Porcellino or with Tom Kaczynski).

We premiered GMN4 at the show.  This was the full final version.  I have been neglectful on getting this out to Shenton, shops, contributors, supporters, reviewers.  I will amend that shortly.

Also pictured is Meghan's Geirdo Ferris Wheel.  For a better look, check out her site.

Photo's by Neil Brideau.

This is such a goofy picture.  There is a semi-closer look of the tiny book that is GMN4.  Plus a funny look at myself (Raighne here), Meghan, Justin.

Photo by TwinCities MetroMix.

A nice photo of a cute little red head.
Photo by Sarah Jordet.

Dylan Williams and the beautiful amazing books that his outfit, Sparkplug Comic Books puts out.

Photo's by Neil Brideau.

On the left we have a couple of talented Chicagonites, Ian McDuffie and Lane Westvine. Information is scant from a brief scan of the internets, but they both had some promising comics on hand...

Photo's by Melissa S. Kaercher.

Neil Brideau and Sam Sharpe Mega Bussed it to the Xpo together with Aaron Renier.  Interesting note: Sam, Neil and Eric Schuster were all next to each other at MIX.  Why is that interesting?  'Cause they're all redheads!  It's uncanny and weird!

Photo's by Neil Brideau.

Photo by Melissa S. Kaercher.

Brett and Top Shelf tabling.  Check out the excellent signage!  Also, they are having some amazing sale going on there now with ultra cheap Eddie Campbell and Alan Moore book's as part of the sale.  Check it out!  The sale ends this Friday!  Had I a few extra bones I know I'd be spending 'em there.

The one and only JP Beaty.  Keep an eye on this talented kid.  His output is top notch.  As we were just talking about Alan Moore, his latest is the Adventures of Alan Moore.  Pick it up!

Photo's by Michael May.

I very much enjoyed this funny book.

The organizers! Andy Krueger and Sarah Morean.  Take a bow you two!  Photo by Sharyn Morrow.

Grabbing a bite to eat after MIX at Sen Yai Sen Lek.  One of my favorite places to go for food stuffs.  And they are the exclusive carrier of my favorite beer, the Flat Earth Xanadu.   Here is another strange pic of me and little Maggie.

There is a bottle of it and Sam and me.

Sarah Tulius and who's that in the back?

Why it's the elusive Tom Kaczynski eating a whole slop of noodle's while Aaron Renier watches on.

Ahh shit, we've been spotted, they're calling the cops!

We've escaped to the house, where Dylan Williams, John Porcellino, Noah Van Sciver, Neil Brideau, Sam Sharpe all shall be spending the night.  It's going to be a rather full house.  Pictured is Sarah and Justin.

Justin and myself in the dark prior to going to the after-party at Altered Esthetics.

Getting an air mattress and a sleeping bag for Neil and Sam to have a place to sleep.

Dylan picked up this comic from Big Brain.  Everyone is pouring over it.

That's it, lights out.

Photo's by Neil Brideau.