Nine Panel Grid - Issue #02 [BETA] - Stuff for your Earholes and Eyeholes
A Comics & Culture Newsletter
Panel 1: Put a double-dose of Rob Guillory in your ear-holes!
Chew comic artist Rob Guillory has announced a new project: Farmhand. In promotion of this upcoming title, Guillory has given two excellent interviews: appearing on the Off-Panel podcast and Talksplode with iFanboy.
Panel 2: Nick Pitarra is ready to make a statement with Leviathan
Nick Pitarra's upcoming project Leviathan didn't seem all that appealing at first. Although I love his art, and am a fan of writer John Layman, the giant monster genre doesn't do much for me. But after listening to Pitarra's appearance on the Off-Panel podcast, his enthusiasm and bravado converted me over.
Panel 3: "Comics Verité"
I've recently been in a discussion on The Comics Alternative Slack channel with Derek Royal, one of the "two guys with P.H.D's discussing comics" from that podcast. He recently mentioned how inadequate the phrase "slice of life" is for describing comics from creators like Jeff Lemire (Essex County). He'd opted to call those comics "realistic comics" but I suggested "literary comics" as an alternative. Derek disliked that option, since "literary" comes loaded with baggage. My latest suggestion - let's take a page out of film criticism, which has an ease of creating terms like French New Wave and Cinema Verité - and let's try calling these kinds of grounded stories as "Comics Verité" for a while and see if the term can stick.
Panel 4: "Haxor" wecomic - brilliant artwok by Walter Ostlie
I've been following the art of Walter Ostlie for a while. Quite possibly the best under-the-radar talent that should break out any day now. His work on the webcomic Haxor is running now on Webtoons every week.
Panel 5: Comics Pull-list for the week
Highest House, Void Trip, Cyber Force
Panel 6: Lettering tips by Nate Piekos
I'm currently lettering a comic, and I find myself referring to these tips and best practices for comics lettering by Nate Piekos on an almost daily basis.
Panel 7: Hero Within lands Marvel license agreement
Hero Within is a fashion/apparel brand that brings high-calibre aesthetics and good taste to comics- and genre-themed clothing and accessories. So much of the world of comics-themed clothing is done poorly, but Hero Within brings a high standard to their design choices. The only reason I haven't bought any of their gear yet is because they've been DC-exclusive and I'm more of a Marvel guy. Well, that's no longer a concern: they just announced an agreement with Marvel to begin making new stuff together. Looking forward to seeing what they produce.
Panel 8: How to format a comic pitch
Comic creator B. Clay Moore has posted an amazing instructional video on how to format a pitch for a creator-owned book, going into detail with his most successful comics pitch, including a downloadable example.
Panel 9: Anticipating the Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling
Judd Apatow recently made the podcast rounds promoting his upcoming documentary The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling. The interviews suggest a deep and thoughtful examination of Shandling's approach to creativity and the struggles of everyday being. The 2-part documentary airs on March 26th-27th on HBO.