Mid-South Cartoonists Association (MSCA)

MSCA Dinner Meeting This Thursday and Free Comic Book Day Saturday!

Lin — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:43:23 +0000

Just a couple quick reminders about the next MSCA meeting, and my favorite holiday- Free Comic Book Day!

This week is the monthly MSCA Dinner Meeting at Garibaldi’s Pizza near the U of M. The dinner meetings are on the first Thursday of each month from 6-8pm(‘ish), and are free and open to the public. Bring some of your work to show around, some business cards if you’d like to network, your appetite- and a few bucks to order off the menu if you’d like to eat! And feel free to draw some cartoons on the napkins.

We’ll be discussing the upcoming Metropolis Superman Celebration, Iron Man 3 and Superman: Man of Steel movies, and National Free Comic Book Day!

What is Free Comic Book Day..?

Free Comic Book Day is a single day – the first Saturday in May each year – when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores. *(Check with your local comic book shop for their participation and rules.)

Many MSCA members will be on-hand at Comic Cellar (3620 Austin Peay Highway #2 Memphis, TN 38128 ph (901) 382-8623) on Saturday for FCBD.

Comics and Collectibles (4730 Poplar #2 Memphis, TN 38117 ph 901-683-7171) will also be participating in FCBD this Saturday. They have a 20% Off Sale, and you get one free FCBD comic for showing up, and one of each available with a purchase. Purchase more than $20 and you will get your choice of some selected HC books they are giving away! Supplies on this offer are limited, so be there early to take advantage!

Both stores will have other in-store promotions and sales that day, so be sure to check their websites and/or ask what’s up when you stop by- and tell them your friends at the MSCA sent you! The comics aren’t free for the retailers, so please thank them for your free comic(s), or better yet- buy something while you’re there. I do!

And if you’re near Jackson, MS- the first-ever Brave-Con will be held at Trustmark Park in Pearl, MS on May 4th, 2013. The Mississippi Braves have expanded their annual Sci-Fi Night to include the world of gaming, comic books, anime, and steampunk! The event will begin at 3:00 p.m. and last until the end of the Mississippi Braves game that night. Merchants will be set up around the concourse throughout the night. For the first year, Brave-Con will be a one-day event, but hopes are that they can develop it into an annual, weekend long event.

This will be a great opportunity to gather together and celebrate and share comic book and sci-fi culture with kids and families who may not have had an opportunity to experience it. Coinciding with National Free Comic Book Day, free comic books will be handed out at the gate. Also, Sci-Fi and Comic Book trivia questions will be asked throughout the night, with the first to answer correctly receiving a great Brave-Con prize pack! For those who are up to the challenge, the Super Ultra Mega Trivia Challenge will take place in the Farm Bureau Grill, beginning at 5 pm.

Not sure where there’s a participating comic shop in your area? Be sure to check out the CSLS Store Locator.

“May the 4th be with you!”

Lin

MSCA News: 2 members involved in a MURDER – no foolin’!

Lin — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 01:23:45 +0000

Actually, there will be a MURDER soon, and it does indeed involve two of our MSCA members!

That’s right, the MSCA’s own Jim and Jo Lynne Palmer will be starring in…

Agatha Christie’s A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED

April 12 – 28, 2013 | Musical
By Agatha Christie, stage adaptation by Leslie Darbon
Directed by John Rone

Germantown Community Theatre

3037 Forest Hill-Irene Road

Germantown, TN 38138

901-754-2680

You can buy tickets and find out more info here.

In other news…

Recently many of the MSCA members were guests and attendees at MidSouthCon in Memphis.

Some had art in the art show, some manned the MSCA table, and some were on panels about cartooning, writing, and more.

During the “Quick Draw” sketch panel on Saturday guests Terry Beatty, Greg Cravens, Kimberly Dunaway, and Lin Workman created cartoons based on audience suggestions. The cartoons went into the con’s charity auction later that night.

Just revealed- the new Metropolis Superman Celebration t-shirt and program design! The layout was done by the MSCA’s Lin Workman.

This is the second design Lin has done for the celebration. Several of the MSCA members will be in attendance at the annual show again this year in Metropolis, IL- the official home of Superman! The Superman Celebration is June 6-9, 2013. It is free to attend and family friendly- capes are optional.

This week is the monthly MSCA Dinner Meeting at Garibaldi’s Pizza near the U of M. The dinner meetings are on the first Thursday of each month from 7-9pm, and are free and open to the public. Bring some of your work to show around, some business cards if you’d like to network, your appetite- and a few bucks to order off the menu!

Hope to see you there- no April foolin’!

MSCA at the MidSouthCon in Memphis this weekend!

Lin — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 02:48:26 +0000

This weekend members of the MSCA will be at the Midsouthcon in Memphis, TN.

The MSCA will have a table set up at the con, and several members will have art in the art show and/or be on panels discussing cartooning, comics, and more over the weekend.

Comics guest of honor is DC Comics and “The Phantom” Sunday strip artist Terry Beatty. Comics writer John Jackson Miller will also be a guest. JJM has been writing Star Wars comics for Dark Horse Comics for years, and will be discussing his upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi novel for Del Rey. (He will also be making an appearance at the Horn Lake Public Library on Wednesday at 6 p.m.)

The convention will be at the Hilton Memphis, 939 Ridgelake Blvd Memphis, TN 38120. Weekend passes are $50 at the door.

“The Muley and Friends Show” (TV) Announcement

Lin — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 03:22:48 +0000

This just in from MSCA member Kevin L. Williams-

Want to audition for a human role on the show? We’re looking for all races and ages of male and females for recurring and one-time human characters. We are also looking for puppeteers 18+ for the show. More details on Muley’s official website: http://muleycomix.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-muley-and-friends-show-announcements.html

E-mail your headshot, name and contact information, performance resume, and statistics (and links to your work online if available) to muleytmule@hotmail.com with “Muley and Friends Show” in subject line. The performances and participation for the show will be on a volunteer basis at this time (no budget yet).

“MSCA 25 Years of Drawing Funny” Anniversary Celebration and Art Show Reception 10/20

Lin — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 00:35:53 +0000

The Mid-South Cartoonists Association/MSCA will be celebrating their 25th year as an association with a gallery art show and reception on October 20, 2012 from 2-8pm. The show is hosted by Adam B. Shaw Studio (2547 Broad Ave. Memphis, TN), in conjunction with the Broad Avenue Art District Fall Art Walk.

Early in 1987, a small group of professional cartoonists came together to form The Memphis Cartoonists Group. The name didn’t stick. By December of that year, for the third meeting and first official newsletter, the name had become The Mid-South Cartoonist Association (MSCA). The name has since remained unchanged, with the exception of the word ‘Cartoonist’ becoming plural in 2000. The group was originally created to bring together cartooning professionals who worked at home and didn’t have co-workers to stand around water coolers and talk toons with. Over the years the group has expanded to include aspiring professionals, students and cartoon enthusiasts of all ages, and has focused on cartooning education.

Since the organization was founded in the ’80s, a “Retro 80s” theme will be used for the subject matter. There will be other pieces as well, so there should be something for everyone! Dressing in 80s attire or costumes is encouraged. MSCA members will be on hand to “talk toons” with guests, sell and sign copies of their works, and draw funny- which is what they are best at!

Local mid-south artists participating in this art show include Charles Ettinger, Lin Workman, Stacey Petrowski, Lonnie Easterling, Jim Hall, Christina Hall, Adam Shaw, Heather Prince, and Jane Shenks.

The art show will be up for two weeks after the art walk reception and a closing event will take place on Saturday, November 3rd from 5-7pm. Reception and closing are free and open to the public.

The pros and cons of the MSCA- new show dates and info for members

Lin — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 22:26:02 +0000

Wanted to pass along a few dates and info for some upcoming conventions, meetings, art shows, and member appearances.

First up this Labor Day Weekend is the Mephit Fur Meet (also known as MFM) in Memphis, TN. Well, technically it’s in Olive Branch, MS just over the state line. New MSCA president Charles Ettinger will be set up there. Admission is $45 and includes a t-shirt. Charles designed 2010′s MFM shirts.

The DeSoto Arts Council‘s 3rd Annual Craftsmen Festival is next weekend, September 8th from 9am-4pm at the Banks House Gallery in Hernando, MS. It will feature fiber-to-fabric demonstrations on the grounds of the historic house at 564 W. Commerce Street, which is just west of Highway 51 and I-55. The DAC will also have it’s Art & Quilt Exhibit & Sale there September 8th through October 31st.

The MSCA held it’s art show “Drawing Inspiration” there last Feb/Mar. Banks House Gallery & Gift Shop hours are Thursday thru Saturday 10:00am – 5:00pm.

The last weekend of September is a busy weekend for the MSCA! First up is the Kenosha Festival of Cartooning in Kenosha, WI Septemeber 27-29. MSCA member Greg Cravens will not only be attending the festival, but will be allowed to speak to the crowds of cartoonists- at least twice in fact! Greg is scheduled to speak at the Kenosha Public Museum on Friday night at 7pm and Saturday afternoon at 1:30pm.

MSCA’s Kevin Williams and Muley The Mule will be returning to Leland, MS on the 29th for the town’s annual Frog Fest. Kevin and fellow MSCA members DaMarco Randle, Janet Wade, and Antone Wade, will be performing Muley The Mule and Friends’ “Talent(less) Revue” and “SuperMule and the Cookie Caper” puppet shows.

Leland (and neighboring Greenville) was the boyhood home of The Muppets creator Jim Henson and “The Birthplace Of The Frog“. There’s a great little museum on the banks of Deer Creek (where Jim played as a kid) that you’ve got to check out if you are a fan of the Muppets!

MSCA member Lin Workman will be heading south into Mississippi as well on the 29th, but he will be heading to the Backwoods Comics Festival in Louisville, MS. Lin will be an artist guest there, along with “Arlo & Janis” creator Jimmy Johnson. Lin will be promoting his geek blog/webcartoon site Have Geek Will Travel and drawing sketch cards.

Also on the 29th, it’s time again for the 18th Annual Big Scoop Ice Cream Festival in Memphis! It will be held at AutoZone Park (home of the Memphis Redbirds) from 11:00am to 4:00pm. There will be a variety of ice cream, frozen treats, snacks, and drinks from many local vendors, a great silent auction, face painting, photos with costumed characters, games and activities for children big and small, the Entertainment Stage featuring live entertainment and fun contests, and more! All proceeds from this family-oriented event will benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis.

The MSCA will have a group art show at the Adam B. Shaw Studio/Gallery – 2547 Broad Avenue as part of the Broad Ave Fall Art Walk on Saturday, October 20th from 2-8pm. The Broad Avenue Arts District is in Memphis, just off Sam Cooper near Hollywood- and east of Overton Park.

Don’t forget that next Thursday is the MSCA monthly dinner meeting at Garibaldi’s Pizza near the U of M, and the next MSCA Meet (EAT) and Draw at Lonnie Tant’s Italia Pizza Cafe is the 4th Sunday of the month at 2pm in Southaven.

It’s going to get busy around here- “stay tooned”!

Hungry for cartoons? Come to the next MSCA dinner meeting!

Lin — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 20:26:34 +0000

The next MSCA dinner meeting is this Thursday, August 2nd from 6:30-9pm at Garibaldi’s Pizza on Walker near Highland and the U of M.

We’ll be discussing plans for upcoming art shows, conventions, and the future of the association- which turned 25 years old this year! Be sure to bring something to draw with, any work you’d like to show to the group, and a few bucks to order off the menu.

MSCA dinner meetings are free and open to the public, and are on the first Thursday of each month.

If you’re still hungry for more toons after that, there’s the MSCA Meet and Draw at Lonnie Tant’s Italia Pizza Cafe’ on the fourth Sunday of each month at 2pm in Southaven.

Friday the 13th proves to be lucky for Mike Norton and “Battlepug”!

Lin — Sat, 14 Jul 2012 17:01:27 +0000

Yesterday, Friday the 13th proved to be a very lucky day for former Memphian and MSCA member Mike Norton!

Mike won an Eisner award for his webcomic “Battlepug” at the 24th annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. The “Eisners” (considered to be the Oscars of the comic biz and named after comics legend Will Eisner) were held last night at the Indigo Ballroom in the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, as part of the annual San Diego Comic-Con.

You can see the full list of the 2012 Eisner winners here on the Comic-Con International site.

Mike is from Jackson, TN and went to college at the University of Memphis. He was a member of the MSCA while working here in Memphis in advertising and comics (like “The Waiting Place“) before moving to Chicago, IL to become the art director for Devil’s Due Publishing in 2001.

He’s since worked for many other comics companies including Marvel Comics (where he co-created “Gravity” with Sean McKeever) and DC Comics. He is currently one of four members of Four Star Studios in Chicago with fellow Chi-towners Tim Seeley, Josh Emmons, and Sean Dove.

Check out www.ihatemike.com to find out more about Mike, follow him on Twitter- @themikenorton, or go to tfaw.com to pick up a printed copy of “Battlepug”.

Congrats, Norton- we’re proud of you, and you’re little dogs, too!

Lin

MSCA dinner meeting tonight- 7pm at U of M Garibaldi’s Pizza

Lin — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 22:09:14 +0000

Time again for another MSCA dinner meeting- same toon time (7-9pm), same toon place (Garibaldi’s Pizza)!

Lots of stuff to talk about this meeting- recent conventions, upcoming conventions, future art shows, MSCA promos, our 25th anniversary, and more.

Bring your cartoons and something to draw with. If you have questions about cartooning bring those, too. MSCA dinner meetings are free and open to the public- but bring a few bucks to order off the menu. The food is great!

Don’t forget that we now also do MSCA Meet & Draw get-togethers at at the Italia Restaurant on 1306 Goodman Rd in Southaven, MS. The next one is June 22nd starting at 1:30pm.

Lin

Hubris on GoComics dot com- “I meant to do that!”

Lin — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 13:38:06 +0000

If you live in the Memphis area chances are you’ve seen a “Cravens Cartoon”- either in an ad, on a t-shirt, billboard, CD cover, or Memphis Flyer illustration.

MSCA member Greg Cravens also writes and draws the internationally syndicated The Buckets comic strip. Not featured in the local daily newspaper, Memphis readers see the hometown Buckets family at GoComics.com, the web’s largest online comic strip venue. More than 23,700 people are subscribed to The Buckets daily feature at GoComics.com, others visit randomly.

Now, another of Cravens’ features, ‘Hubris!’ will be joining the gocomics ranks on June 4.

After a few seasons of being a caricature artist at Opryland in Nashville, TN Greg came to Memphis in 1983 to attend Memphis State University, which awarded him a BFA in graphic design, then changed its name. Presumably, the two things have nothing to do with one another. Upon graduating, Cravens found that there were more advertising agencies in Memphis than it would be wise to shake a stick at and stayed.

Around the same time, in 1990, Commercial Appeal editorial cartoonist Scott Stantis got his new comic strip The Buckets syndicated and left The Appeal to concentrate on that. Twelve years ago, Stantis hired Greg to draw the strip, as Scott was “tired of drawing Larry sitting on that same end of the couch” and eventually, Greg made a genial takeover of the feature. Since 2006, The Buckets has been solely created by Greg and supplied to first United Media and now to Universal Syndicate. After learning the ropes so well, Greg started another comic strip in the new ‘Webcomics’ genre.

Webcomics are creator-owned/distributed cartoons that have come to flower in the new online age. Hubris’ audiences have grown on his site hubriscomics.com since November 2010, and now, with the exposure provided by GoComics.com, hubriscomics and its attendant twitter and facebook accounts will all work in tandem to provide more hubris than you’ve ever managed to see before now.

This is the first year that the National Cartoonist Society Reuben awards have had an ‘Online Comics’ division award. The first Online Comics Division Award went to Jon Rosenberg for ‘Scenes From A Multiverse’.

Greg is a guest speaker at the Kenosha Festival of Cartooning this September. His talk will be about Legacy comic strips- those comics that are now being created by someone other than their originators. Among cartoonists, these features are often frowned upon as being somehow inauthentic.

Catch Greg at that festival, the MidSouthCon convention or an NCS or MSCA cartoonists meeting if you’d like any more information on comic strips, legacy comic strips, online comic strips, or making a living as a cartoonist in a world where the daily papers are dying like flies trapped in a storm window.

http://hubriscomics.com/

http://www.gocomics.com/thebuckets

www.cravenscartoon.com

Oh- and speaking of MSCA meetings, there will not be one this week. Many MSCA members including its officers will be in Metropolis, IL for the annual Superman Celebration- June 7-10. Next MSCA dinner meeting at Garibaldi’s Pizza will be July 5th at 7pm. June 24th will be the next Sunday Meet & Draw at Lonnie Tant’s Italia Restaurant on 1306 Goodman Rd in Southaven, MS starting at 1pm. Dinner meetings and Meet & Draws are free and open to the public, but bring a few buck$ to order off the menus- you’ll be glad you did!