Crowbar Benson

A few months ago we  were asked if we wanted to be part of a video series about New Media companies operating in Manitoba, and because we’ll use any excuse to avoid real work, we said yes.  I have to admit, our expectations were pretty low.   But we were both really impressed with James Swirsky and Lisanne Pajot of BlinkWorks Media who came out to do the filming, and we ended up having a really good time (except for the part where I almost blew Robin’s finger off with a close-range paintball shot).   Then we kind of forgot about the whole thing…

Until we saw the above video, which is really impressive, especially given the piss-poor subject material James and Lisanne had to work with.  We’re really happy with how it turned out, and are amazed at the amount of work that must have went into making it.  It’s actually part of a series of videos, which can be seen at BlinkWorks, and they’re all excellent.  They actually make Manitoba seem like a pretty cool place, so you know these guys have talent…

The whole project was put together by New Media Manitoba, which is doing a great job of bringing together and speaking for the New Media industry in Manitoba.  There’s some great people working there, and they’re really making a difference in the province.  We we’re going to start a similar organization called New Media Miami, but they’re doing such a great job we don’t have to…

ps.  We didn’t really fire Mom.

So who had a good time last week?  That would be me…

Expozine, Montreal

We got to attend the Sunday afternoon of Expozine in Montreal, which was totally cool and inspiring.  I got some great books, including Kate Beaton’s ‘Never Learn Anything from History’.  She was nice enough to do a little sketch in it, as well, so now I’m tempted to tear the cover off just to hang up the drawing.  Sadly, I’m temperamentally unable to wreck books, so her drawing will have to stay hidden…

One of the coolest things about Expozine is finding artists and writers you’ve never heard of before… I got the book ‘The Hipless Boy‘ by Sully, and it’s really excellent.  The artwork is deceptively simple, but really flows and carries the story along, rather than just illustrating the words.  The writing is what really sets it apart, however, the stories suck you in.  Usually writers that good tend to get carried away and use to much dialogue, but this book strikes the right balance.

I haven’t read all of the books I got yet, but they all look pretty decent.  One surprise was two books of poetry by Ralph Alphonso, I pretty much got it for the cool illustrations, but it’s been fun to read.  I wish I had got more of his stuff now…

The Montreal Canadiens

Two nights after Expozine I got to go see the Montreal Canadiens.  And they won.  And the Bell Centre was insane.  And Carey Price stood on his head, played amazing.  Many thanks to Jack Peterson of Cogmation who came up with the ticket, and who has probably forgotten more about the Canadiens than I’ll ever know…  Did I mention the Canadiens won?  In a shoot-out?  Just sayin’…

Then it was Quebec City, which was a blur of cool people, good food and better times.  Aside from how beautiful the city was, I think the highlight was meeting Vincent of SagaFilm.  That guy has an insane amount of talent…

I attended my first Comic Convention in Winnipeg, and it was a lot of fun.  I met lots of people, saw lots of costumes, and handed out lots of drawings, so it was a good day.  I kind of regret not spending more time checking out more of the stuff in Artist Alley, but I felt kind of obliged to stick close to my table.  I guess the highlight of the day would be meeting Joe Combs of ‘Business Casual‘ fame, as well as the guys from the ‘Online Internet Webcomic Show‘.  I felt like a groupie.

Joe was also kind enough to give me a copy of each of his mini-comics, very cool!

And as I said, I handed out a bunch of drawings to people, which as fun to do.  Here’s an example of one (nobody would take this one, strange…)

Shaken Baby Syndrome

Always fun to make light of injuries to children!

And last but not least, Crowbar Benson was featured in the ‘Friends in Fire’ webcomic by Adam Williams, which was pretty cool.  He had his characters dress up like webcomic characters for halloween, which was a great idea.  He really captured the essence of Crowbar in this strip.  You can read the story arc from the beginning by clicking here.

Yesterday we were lucky enough to have Lynn Johnston of ‘For Better or For Worse’ fame come to town, and I must say the lady is sick-good at drawing.   Turns out she’s also really nice, and incredibly patient as she spoke, answered questions, signed books and drew for over two hours.  She was promoting her new book, ‘Farley Follows His Nose’, co-authored by local writer Beth Cruikshank.

I was shameless; I asked her to sign all my books, make me a drawing, and then I stuck a ‘Crowbar Benson’ flyer in her hand.  I was sort of waiting for her to stab me with a pen, but she was very nice about the whole thing.  She told a story about how the editors of the book didn’t like the cover she drew, and I kept thinking, ‘This is the most successful cartoonist in the world right now, and some idiot editor is telling her how to draw?!’  She didn’t stab the editor, either, which is a pity.

Lynn Johnston Sketch

I’ve been invited to take part in an open Art Show in Winkler coming up on May 2, if anyone is in the area.  The show opens to the public at 10:00 AM, and I should be there most of the day.  It takes place at the Winkler Curling Rink.  Here’s a promotional flyer I’ll be handing out…

Crowbar promo poster

Hope to see you there!