Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Feb 6, 2015 9:37:00 GMT -6
Louisiana Comic Con, in Shreveport, will feature creators Jacob Robison, Josh Carter and Jeff Wellborn, who are compiling an anthology of work by local comics creators.
www.shreveporttimes.com/story/entertainment/events/2015/02/04/louisiana-comic-con-will-celebrate-nerdiness/22858169/
Louisiana Comic Con organizer Greg Hanks refers to such events as "nerd flea markets."
He means no disrespect.
"I own a company called Southernerds, so I am proud of my nerdiness. I actually push people to embrace theirs," he said.
Louisiana Comic Con, the first comics convention in Northwest Louisiana, is Feb. 21 at Bossier Civic Center.
"The phrase 'comic con' has become somewhat of a catchall phrase that is all encompassing for comic book shows, pop culture conventions and sci-fi festivals," Hanks said. "Our comic con encompasses the original premise of the comic book get together, but we also incorporate elements from popular culture (film, television, etc.). There are much bigger shows that use the name, i.e. San Diego Comic Con, with us being a smaller version of the same."
Local comic book creators Jacob Robison, Josh Carter and Jeff Wellborn are planning to be there.
Robison organized a group that includes Carter for a joint project to sell at the event. Unfortunately, it won't be ready.
"Our current plan is to have a compilation book of comics and cartoons to be published mid-March, and to sell original prints, shirts and other merchandise as promotion at Louisiana Comic Con," Robison said. "Once published, locals should be able to find our book at select stores and at the Maker's Fair this year."
Illustrator Carter is excited about the project.
"What I think is so special about this project is that it really highlights just how talented are local artists really are, showing that the talent in Shreveport is truly bigger than some may think. After hearing and seeing what some of the other artists are writing and drawing for the book, I think it's safe to say that it's going to be pretty darn great."
While Carter has always had a love for comics, he's only become serious about making them in the past three or four years.
"For as long as I can remember, I've been borderline obsessed with the cartoony style of drawing," he said. "Comics are just a medium that I can create stories the exact way I want them to be. There's just so much control the artist has over his work for comics, it's very personal. It has always been so refreshing to finish a comic and sit back and think this is exactly how I wanted it to be."
A student at LSUS, Carter says his dream career is either animation or film, but his interest in comics is growing.
"I guess as of now I would only describe it as a hobby, but I definitely wouldn't argue if it ever blossomed into something more," he said.
Robison became interested in comic books in high school. "They were a lot easier for me to digest than the standard book, although they weren't as 'literary' as something by Dickens or one of the classic poets," he said.
Primarily a writer, Robison enjoys the comics format.
"The appeal of comics is the same as movies except it's all boiled into the eyes, even the sound," he said. "As literature, it appeals to me because the writing that normally went into describing actions and sounds can be refined to speech and narration."
Shreveport graphic artist Jeff Welborn remembers taking a dollar to school to buy used Spider-Man and X-Men comic books from a friend. "I guess he was my dealer," Welborn jokes.
At 16, he and friend James Hislope self-published their own comic book and even set up a table at Sam's Club one weekend to sell them.
"Being an artist, the art is the most appealing aspect to me, and that's how I learned to draw. The action, drama and storytelling, when done well, is just like holding a movie in your hands and having it unfold as you turn each page."
Welborn and three others formed 4 After 5 to share their love of comics.
"It's four talented guys — myself, Jeremy Johnson, Brad Campbell and Travis Eck — who love the comic art form," he said. "We are all designers by day who do comic book art after our day jobs — hence the 'after 5' part of the name. We may not be millionaires by our comic art, but we do it because we love it. We would meet on a monthly basis and talk comics and come up with themes and draw single panel comics to amuse ourselves. Good times. We also had our very own art show at artspace a few years ago. That was fun. It was quite surprising how many people showed up to admire our work."
He's not planning to set up a booth for Louisiana Comic Con, though.
"I've done the booth thing before and it's no fun, so I'm just going as a fan."
www.SHREVEPORTTIMES.COM
'Chew' artist 'living the dream' drawing comic books
If you go
What: Louisiana Comic Con.
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 21, Bossier Civic Center, 620 Benton Road, Bossier City.
Admission: $10; children 10 and under free with paid admission.
Info: www.louisianacomiccon.com.
www.shreveporttimes.com/story/entertainment/events/2015/02/04/louisiana-comic-con-will-celebrate-nerdiness/22858169/
Louisiana Comic Con organizer Greg Hanks refers to such events as "nerd flea markets."
He means no disrespect.
"I own a company called Southernerds, so I am proud of my nerdiness. I actually push people to embrace theirs," he said.
Louisiana Comic Con, the first comics convention in Northwest Louisiana, is Feb. 21 at Bossier Civic Center.
"The phrase 'comic con' has become somewhat of a catchall phrase that is all encompassing for comic book shows, pop culture conventions and sci-fi festivals," Hanks said. "Our comic con encompasses the original premise of the comic book get together, but we also incorporate elements from popular culture (film, television, etc.). There are much bigger shows that use the name, i.e. San Diego Comic Con, with us being a smaller version of the same."
Local comic book creators Jacob Robison, Josh Carter and Jeff Wellborn are planning to be there.
Robison organized a group that includes Carter for a joint project to sell at the event. Unfortunately, it won't be ready.
"Our current plan is to have a compilation book of comics and cartoons to be published mid-March, and to sell original prints, shirts and other merchandise as promotion at Louisiana Comic Con," Robison said. "Once published, locals should be able to find our book at select stores and at the Maker's Fair this year."
Illustrator Carter is excited about the project.
"What I think is so special about this project is that it really highlights just how talented are local artists really are, showing that the talent in Shreveport is truly bigger than some may think. After hearing and seeing what some of the other artists are writing and drawing for the book, I think it's safe to say that it's going to be pretty darn great."
While Carter has always had a love for comics, he's only become serious about making them in the past three or four years.
"For as long as I can remember, I've been borderline obsessed with the cartoony style of drawing," he said. "Comics are just a medium that I can create stories the exact way I want them to be. There's just so much control the artist has over his work for comics, it's very personal. It has always been so refreshing to finish a comic and sit back and think this is exactly how I wanted it to be."
A student at LSUS, Carter says his dream career is either animation or film, but his interest in comics is growing.
"I guess as of now I would only describe it as a hobby, but I definitely wouldn't argue if it ever blossomed into something more," he said.
Robison became interested in comic books in high school. "They were a lot easier for me to digest than the standard book, although they weren't as 'literary' as something by Dickens or one of the classic poets," he said.
Primarily a writer, Robison enjoys the comics format.
"The appeal of comics is the same as movies except it's all boiled into the eyes, even the sound," he said. "As literature, it appeals to me because the writing that normally went into describing actions and sounds can be refined to speech and narration."
Shreveport graphic artist Jeff Welborn remembers taking a dollar to school to buy used Spider-Man and X-Men comic books from a friend. "I guess he was my dealer," Welborn jokes.
At 16, he and friend James Hislope self-published their own comic book and even set up a table at Sam's Club one weekend to sell them.
"Being an artist, the art is the most appealing aspect to me, and that's how I learned to draw. The action, drama and storytelling, when done well, is just like holding a movie in your hands and having it unfold as you turn each page."
Welborn and three others formed 4 After 5 to share their love of comics.
"It's four talented guys — myself, Jeremy Johnson, Brad Campbell and Travis Eck — who love the comic art form," he said. "We are all designers by day who do comic book art after our day jobs — hence the 'after 5' part of the name. We may not be millionaires by our comic art, but we do it because we love it. We would meet on a monthly basis and talk comics and come up with themes and draw single panel comics to amuse ourselves. Good times. We also had our very own art show at artspace a few years ago. That was fun. It was quite surprising how many people showed up to admire our work."
He's not planning to set up a booth for Louisiana Comic Con, though.
"I've done the booth thing before and it's no fun, so I'm just going as a fan."
www.SHREVEPORTTIMES.COM
'Chew' artist 'living the dream' drawing comic books
If you go
What: Louisiana Comic Con.
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 21, Bossier Civic Center, 620 Benton Road, Bossier City.
Admission: $10; children 10 and under free with paid admission.
Info: www.louisianacomiccon.com.