Children's Graphic Novelist Andrew Cranna Appearing at Sydney Writers' Festival 2015

Sydney-based children's book illustrator and comics creator Andrew Cranna of The Bloodhound Boys fame, will be presenting a session on graphic novels at the upcoming Sydney Writers' Festival. He will also be battling it out in the live sketching stakes with his fellow illustrators. Here is the info you need to book:

Andrew Cranna: Creating Graphic Novels for Children

Graphic novels for the younger generation have exploded onto bookshelves and libraries across the world. Not only are they growing in popularity, they are also an absolute delight to create. Graphic novelist and primary school art teacher Andrew Cranna shows you how to create a graphic novel for kids.

Date: Wednesday 20 May 2015

Time: 1:30pm to 4:30pm

Cost / Ticketed: $90/$75

Website: http://www.swf.org.au/component/option,com_events/Itemid,124/agid,4647/task,view_detail/

Family Day: Illustrator Battle Rounds

It’s big. It’s bad. It’s tough. And it’s back by popular demand. Yes, it’s the greatest drawing showdown this side of the harbour: Illustrator Battle Rounds! And there can be only one winner. Watch in awe as children’s illustrators race each other and the ticking clock in a live draw-off hosted by Oliver Phommavanh. Illustrators include carry-over champ Andrew Cranna, as well as Tony Flowers, Felicity Gardner, Serena Geddes, Gus Gordon, James Gulliver Hancock, Gregory Mackay and Matt Stanton.

Date: Sunday 24 May 2015 

Time: 11:15am to 12:00pm

Cost: Free

Website: http://www.swf.org.au/component/option,com_events/Itemid,124/agid,4675/task,view_detail/

You can read all about Andrew on his website: http://andrewcranna.com

Australian Comics Creators "Who Do You Think You Are?" Survey 2015

Comics Masterclass™ has just launched the Australian Comics Creators "Who Do You Think You Are?" Survey 2015.

The last time the Aussie comics community was surveyed was in 2009. That original survey, which was published by the Australian Society of Authors (ASA), was designed to collect data that would help the organisation develop rates for comics writers and artists. 

Since that time the community has changed and consequently this second survey has been designed to find out what shifts have happened, what creators are doing, where and what they're publishing, what they need in the future to help them achieve their ambitions and goals, and more.

If you are an Australian comics creator, please participate and promote the survey as widely as you can so we can get a solid sample. The results will be published later in the year.

Deadline: Sunday 15 March 2015.

Here is the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/australian-comics-creators-survey-2015

Comics Masterclass Launches 2015 Short Course Program

Comics Masterclass™ is delighted to launch its 2015 short courses program, starting with a workshop on "Breaking into European Comics: How to Find Professional Work on the Continent", which will be presented by award-winning Italian graphic novelist Thomas Campi who recently immigrated to Australia on a Distinguished Talent Visa supported by the Australian Society of Authors.

Thomas is the recipient of the Cognito Prize as Best Documentary Graphic Novel at the Belgium Book Fair, and also received the International Spectrum Fantastic Art 21 Gold Comic Award in 2014. 

His two-hour workshop will be held in Sydney in February and in February and in Canberra in March 2015. It will cover subject matter such as markets in Frances, Belgium and Spain; “Bande Dessinée” (Franco Belgium drawn strips); storytelling techniques and more.

Comics Masterclass is planning an exciting lineup of other workshops during the year with coverage in other States and Territories, as well several online workshops to encourage Australia-wide participation and introduce innovative ideas and creative techniques to a growing community of comikers.

For more information on the "European Comics" workshop in Sydney go to: 

http://comicsmasterclass.com/services/short-courses/breaking-into-european-comics-sydney/

For more information on the European Comics workshop in Canberra go to:
http://comicsmasterclass.com/services/short-courses/breaking-into-european-comics-canberra/

Aussie Comic Convention Circuit 2015 [UPDATED 03/01/15]

Happy New Year, Aussie Comikers and Blog Readers! 

Black Mermaid Productions presents its regular calendar for Aussie comikers to plan their annual comics convention circuit. The list also includes some international expos. Please note that at the time of publishing, some of these events have not been promoted on their respective websites with the relevant dates and venues. Also, some of these events have not set up their websites yet so there will be no link attached to it. This post will be updated as more information becomes available so please stop by regularly for additional information.

JANUARY 2015
Angouleme International Comics Festival (Festival International de la Bande Dessinée d'Angoulême) (Angoulême, France): 29 January-1 February 2015 (various venues)

FEBRUARY 2015
Sticky Institute – Festival of the Photocopier Zine Fair (Melbourne, Victoria): 15 February 2015 (Melbourne Town Hall)
Minicomicon (Brisbane, Queensland): 28 February 2015 (The Edge, Southbank)


MARCH 2015
Central West Comics Festival (Parkes, New South Wales): 13-15 March 2015 (various venues)
NowCon (Nowra, New South Wales): 21 March 2015 (venue TBA)
Room 801 (Parramatta, New South Wales): 28-29 March 2015 (Holiday Inn, Parramatta)


APRIL 2015
WonderCon (Anaheim, California USA): 3-5 April 2015 (Anaheim Convention Center)
Supanova (Melbourne, Victoria): 10-12 April 2015 (Melbourne Showground)
Oz ComicCon (Perth, Western Australia): 11-12 April 2015 (Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre)
Supanova (Gold Coast, Queensland): 17-19 April 2015 (Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre)
Oz ComicCon (Adelaide, South Australia): 18-19 April 2015 (Adelaide Showground)
Homecooked Comics Festival (Melbourne, Victoria): 26 April 2015 (Northcote Town Hall)

MAY 2015
Free Comic Book Day (World and Australia wide): 2 May 2015 (check with your nearest comic book store for details and activities)
Inkers and Thinkers Symposium – Alternative Forms, Alternative Voices (Adelaide, South Australia): 15-16 May 2015 (University of Adelaide)
Comic Gong (Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia): 16 May 2015 (Wollongong City Library, Town Hall and Art Gallery)
Phoenix ComicCon (Phoenix, Arizona USA): 28-31 May 2015 (Phoenix Convention Center)
MCA Zine Fair (Sydney, New South Wales): TBA May 2015 (Museum of Contemporary Art)

JUNE 2015
Her Majesty's Favourite Really Great Graphical Festival including Small Press Zine Fest (Hobart, Tasmania): 3-6 June 2015 (various venues TBA)
Supanova (Sydney, New South Wales): 19-21 June 2015 (Sydney Showground, Olympic Park)
Supanova (Perth, Western Australia): 26-28 June 2015 (Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre)
Oz ComicCon (Melbourne, Victoria): 27-28 June 2015 (Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre)

JULY 2015
San Diego ComicCon (San Diego, California USA): 9-12 July 2015 (San Diego Convention Centre)
AVCON (Adelaide, South Australia): TBA July 2015 (Adelaide Convention Centre) 
Boston ComicCon (Boston, Massachusetts, USA): 31 July-2 August 2015 (Seaport World Trade Center)

AUGUST 2015
SMASH! (Sydney, New South Wales): 8-9 August 2015 (Rose Hill Gardens)
The Comic Market 88 – Natsukomi [AKA Comiket and Comike] (Tokyo, Japan): 
14-16 August 2015 (Tokyo Big Sight International Exhibition Centre) 

SEPTEMBER 2015
Oz ComicCon (Brisbane, Queensland): 19-20 September 2015 (Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre)
Small Press Expo (North Bethesda, Maryland USA): 19-20 September 2015 (Bethesda North Marriot Hotel and Conference Center)
Oz ComicCon (Sydney, New South Wales): 26-27 September 2015 (Sydney Exhibition Centre, Glebe Island)
Comic CON-Versation (Sydney, New South Wales): TBA September 2015 (Ashfield Library)

OCTOBER 2015
New York ComicCon (New York City, New York USA): 8-11 October 2015 (Javits Center)
Armageddon Expo (Melbourne, Victoria): 17-18 October 2015 (Melbourne Showground)
Halloween at Liverpool City Library (Liverpool, New South Wales): 31 October 2015 (Liverpool Library)
National Young Writers' Festival / This is Not Art Zine Fair (Newcastle, New South Wales): TBA October 2015 (Various Newcastle venues)

NOVEMBER 2015
Supanova (Adelaide, South Australia): 20-22 November 2015 (Adelaide Showground)
Supanova (Brisbane, Queensland): 27-29 November 2015 (Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre)
Australian Cartoonists' Association (ACA) Stanley Awards and Conference 
(Melbourne, Victoria): TBA November 2015 (Venue TBA)
City of Sydney Zine Fair (Sydney, New South Wales): TBA November 2015 (Waterloo Library)

DECEMBER 2015
Berrypop (Berry, New South Wales): TBA December 2015 (various venues)
The Comic Market 89 – Fukukomi [AKA Comiket and Comike] (Tokyo, Japan): TBA December 2015 (Tokyo Big Sight International Exhibition Centre)

Please contact us on blackmermaid@blackmermaid.com if you want additional events to be added to this list.

Presenting Comics Masterclass at the Australian Cartoonists' Association Stanley Awards and Conference

Black Mermaid Productions’ (BMP) partner and comic book writer Julie Ditrich will be presenting an information session on the new Comics Masterclass arm of BMP at the upcoming Australian Cartoonists’ Association (ACA) Stanley Awards and Conference in mid November. Julie will talk about this new professional development service that provides comics script and sequential art assessments, short courses and training for the next generation of Australian comics creators. Comics Masterclass team members Julie Regan will discuss the benefits of Creativity Coaching, and Lyndall Briggs will addresses creatives who are struggling with inner life issues such as anxiety and depression that may be hampering their success.

The event features an extraordinary line up of cartooning and comics talent including Nicola Scott, Pat Grant, Madeleine Rosca, Bernard Caleo, Steve Panozzo, Peter Lewis, Mark Knight, Nigel Buchanan, Jon Sommariva, David Rower, Sarah Catherine First, Warren Brown, Mike Bowers, David Pope and many others.

The Conference will be followed by the Stanley Awards on the Saturday night.

Here are the details:

Dates: Friday 14 and Saturday 15 November 2014
Venue: Menzies Hotel, 14 Carrington St, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia
Cost: $75 per day (members); $90 per day (non-members)
For more information and registration: https://cartoonists.org.au/stanleys-registration/

You can download the brochure here.

PS Julie is super excited and honoured to have had her first ever caricature, which was created by the amazing Christopher Downes. See if you can spot it in the poster at the top.

Comic ConVersation at Ashfield Library

Ashfield Library will be holding its inaugural "Comic ConVersation" event in September. Melbourne-based Ledger Award winning graphic novelist Bruce Mutard (The Sacrifice, The Silence) will be the special guest, and there will be a multitude of panel discussions and workshops on offer. Among the exhibitors and comics storytellers are Black Mermaid Productions' director Julie Ditrich, as well as Marcelo Baez, Paul Caggegi, Thomas Campi, Chewie Chan, Regina Clarke, Sorab Del Rio,  Samantha Emery, Peter Fairfax,  Judex, Tim McEwen, Jan Scherpenhuizen, Nathan Seabolt and Christopher Sequeira. Kings Comics will be partnering at the event.

Here is what you need to know:

Date: Saturday 20 September 2014
Time: 4.00 to 8.00pm
Venue: Ashfield LibraryLevel 3, Civic Centre260 Liverpool Road, Ashfield NSW 2131 Australia
Contact: Karen on +61 2 9716 1828 or email karend@ashfield.nsw.gov.au
Website: www.ashfield.nsw.gov.au/page/whats on.html


CLICK HERE to access the flyer. 

Bruce Mutard Words into Pictures Exhibition [UPDATED: 22/07/14]

A mighty CONGRATULATIONS to Aussie graphic novelist extraordinaire, Ledger Award winner and Comics Masterclass script and art assessor Bruce Mutard who has just completed his Masters with the launch of his Words into Pictures exhibition.

It took Bruce nearly eight hours to install the exhibition into a gallery space at Monash University in Melbourne. Apparently only a quarter of the work made it up on the walls. The work is meant to be immersive and it had to shape itself to the space. The exhibition attracted the close-knit Melbourne comics community but unfortunately only ran for three days. Alas, we couldn't make it down from Sydney. However, Bruce hopes to install the entire work in another gallery space in the near future.

If you want to check out more of Bruce's work then go to to his website: http://www.brucemutard.com

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: You can check out some great photos on Bobby N's Blog and Dark Matter Zine, which also has a video walk-through.

Comics Characterisation Workshop at Comic Gong

Black Mermaid Productions (BMP) partner and comics writer Julie Ditrich will be presenting a one-hour beginner’s workshop on characterisation at Comic Gong in May 2014. The workshop is entitled: “Becoming Dr Frankenstein: How to Create Fabulous Comic Book Characters”. The workshop content includes the following:

All great comic book and graphic novel stories start with great characters whether they are heroes, villains or other archetypes. This beginner’s workshop shows you how to create a character profile from scratch by identifying and patching together the physiological, psychological and energetic components that make up your lead and supporting players.

Date: Saturday 17 May 2014
Time: 12pm to 1pm
Venue: Wollongong Town Hall, car. Kembla and Crown Streets, Wollongong NSW 2500 Australia
Cost: FREE
Website: http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/library/activities/Pages/Comic-Gong.aspx
Workshop Program: http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/library/activities/Pages/Workshops.asp

Comics Masterclass Writing Workshop: Animal Magic

Animal Magic: How to Use Animal Archetypes to Create Unique Human Comic Book Characters

Animals often appear in comic book stories in the form of friends, sidekicks or threats. However, writers can also incorporate animal spirit into creating multi-dimensional characters that resonate with readers. This workshop shows participants how to capture animal traits and energies in character profiles and model sheets, and also provides an understanding of how to use animals symbolically to comment on story themes. Presented in association with the Sydney Comics Guild. 

Presenter: Julie Ditrich
Date: Saturday 10 May 2014
Time: 11am to 2.00pm
Venue: The Dash Bar, Harold Park Hotel, 70A Ross Street, Forest Lodge NSW 2037 Australia
(02) 9660 4745
http://haroldparkhotel.com.au
Who Should Attend? Comics writers and artists who want to create fabulous characters in their stories.
Audience Age: 18+
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 90 minutes of workshop presentation (plus a one hour information session on Comics Masterclass™—meet some of the team, understand the philosophy, find out about services, ask questions)
Materials: Pen, pencil, sketchbook, notebook, and / or computer
Cost: FREE
Bookings: Sydney Comics Guild Facebook Events

ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Julie Ditrich is a published comics writer and editor with over 270,000 sales of her works around the world. She has been published through Image Comics and Warp Graphics in the USA, and her latest fantasy mermaid comic book series Elf~Fin: Hyfus & Tilaweed was self-published through Black Mermaid Productions in Australia. She was the co-founder and the co-portfolio holder of the Australian Society of Authors Comics / Graphic Novels Portfolio for five years, and has also lectured extensively on comics at various writers’ festivals, tertiary institutions, pop culture conventions and arts organisations around Australia. Julie recently co-created Comics Masterclass™, which provides professional development for the next generation of Australian comics creators.
www.blackmermaid.com

ABOUT COMICS MASTERCLASS™Comics Masterclass™ is an Australian-based service that provides professional development to comics creators in the form of comics script assessments, editorial services, mentoring and coaching, and short courses and weekend intensives.
www.comicsmasterclass.com

ABOUT THE SYDNEY COMICS GUILD
The Sydney Comics Guild is a group for professional and amateur comics artists, and comics enthusiasts and fans. It is a forum where comics creators can network with each other. The Guild encourages all styles and genres, within appropriate age brackets, in comics and all comic media from web to print and everything in between.
www.sydneycomicsguild.org

The School Magazine Seeks Comics Submissions

The School Magazine manuscripts for 2014 and beyond are now being accepted. 

The School Magazine welcomes submissions from writers from within Australia and internationally. You can download a copy of the submission guidelines and read the new Tips for Successful Manuscript Submission. Email submissions are not accepted (other than queries for nonfiction articles). Hardcopy submissions accepted ONLY. For more information go to http://theschoolmagazine.com.au/authors-and-artists/guidelines-for- contributors/writers or further enquiries can be emailed to school.magazine@det.nsw.edu.au

Illustrators: The School Magazine plans to open its list for new illustrators in June 2014. However, they are open for 2015 submissions of comic serials. The School Magazine runs at least two cartoon serials or graphic novellas in each issue. It publishes fantasy, humour, folktales, historical drama, sci-fi and a mixture of these genres. Readers love humour and are in the 8-12 year old reading age ranges. Comic serials can be:

• a single page serial in ten parts, OR
• two single page serials of five parts each, OR
• a two-page serial in ten parts.

Interested comic serial creators should submit hard copies only of:

• A written synopsis of the comic serial, including episode breakdowns. (Rough art
• to explain key points can be incorporated.)
• Episode 1 to finished art stage.
• Character sheet with rough or finished art, introducing key characters.

The proposal deadline is 1 AUGUST 2014. Successful creators will need to complete the entire work by an agreed date in December 2014 or January 2015.

For further information, please contact Sue Murray on +61 2 9266 8375. For more information go to the Guidelines for Contributors of Comics Serials.

ASA Comics Business Workshop with Julie Ditrich

BMP Director Julie Ditrich will be presenting a one day workshop in Sydney in May 2014 entitled "The Comics Business: from idea to print", which is part of the Australian Society of Authors' (ASA) professional development seminar program. 

The course will guide participants through the process of creating a comic book or graphic novel from story development and scripting to assembling a creative team, art production, pitching to publishers, self publishing, distribution and marketing.

Participants will gain an understanding of the end-to-end comics creation and production process, as well as the workings of the Australian pop culture scene. They will also learn how to manage relationships with artists, designers, printers, editors and other key parties involved in the successful publication of a comic book or graphic novel.

Date: Saturday 31 May 2014
Time: 10am to 4pm (six hours)
Venue: ASA Offices, Suite C1.06, 22-36 Mountain St, Ultimo in Sydney, NSW, Australia
Cost: ASA member $155; Member of a Partner Organisation $185; Non-member $230
Bookings: CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE or phone the ASA on (02) 9211 1004

Please note that Jason Franks will be presenting the same seminar in Melbourne in October. CLICK HERE for information on the Melbourne event. 

Jozef Szekeres to be Special Guest at New Room 801 Convention

Room 801 is a new Australian convention for over-18s only, with a special focus on yaoi and yuri. Special guests include BMP Director Jozef Szekeres, Aarin, Dr Scott Beattie, Mary Borsellino, Level4Chaos, and Luke Miller. The schedule includes Fic Readings, Erotic Fiction, Legal Issues and Censorship, Expression Through Fandom, Comparing Homoerotica, Slash and Yaoi / Yuri, Translating Visual Novels, and Fiction Pitches and Feedback.

Date: Friday 21 to Sunday 23 February 2014
Times: Friday – 6.30 to 8.30pm
Saturday – 9am to 5pm plus swap meet 6pm to 9pm
Sunday – 9am to 5pm
Venue: Y Hotel Hyde Park, Sydney CBD
5-11 Wentworth Ave, Sydney NSW 2000
Contact: http://room801.com.au/contact-us/
Website: http://room801.com.au

The Ledger Awards Announced for 2014

The Ledger Awards, established to acknowledge and promote excellence in comic arts and publishing in Australia, are being re-launched in Melbourne in April 2014. Inaugurated in 2005, they return after a five-year hiatus with a new structure and a new major sponsor: Supanova Pop Culture Expo Fully independent and run as a not-for-profit annual event, they are named after the pioneering Australian cartoonist Peter Ledger (1945 – 1994).

Gold, Silver and Bronze Ledgers will be presented for outstanding comics work published in the calendar year 1 January to 31 December 2013. Two Platinum Ledgers will also be awarded to acknowledge individuals whose contributions to comic art, publishing and community in Australia have helped shape the art form in a meaningful way.

For more information visit: http://ledgerawards.org
The call for entries information is here: http://ledgerawards.org/long-list-2013/ 

Halloween and Comics at Liverpool City Library

Black Mermaid Productions (BMP) will be exhibiting at Liverpool City Library at "Comics in the Space" on Halloween, along with several other top homegrown comics talent including Marcelo Baez (ManBat), Naomi Hatchman (Zeera the Space Pirate) and Sorab Del Rio (Zombie Cities).

Jozef will be doing live sketching at the event, which also includes cosplay, storytelling, prizes and signings. Retailer, Kings Comics, will also be showcasing and selling a range of great comic books and graphic novels.

Julie grew up in the Liverpool / Macarthur area and went to Casula High School where she also happened to be the school captain in her final year, so she is particularly looking forward to talking to library visitors and comics readers from her local area. 

Here's the info for your diaries:

Date: Thursday 31 October 2013
Time: 4pm to 8pm
Venue: The Space, Liverpool City Library, 170 George St, Liverpool NSW 2170 Australia
Contact: Pat Nguyen, Youth Services Officer on (02) 9821 9461
Website: http://mylibrary.liverpool.nsw.gov.au


See you there!

Manly Zine Fair

We'll be on the Northern Beaches this weekend – we've got a table at the Manly Zine Fair to be specific, which is part of the Manly Arts Festival. We'll have some of our last copies from the first print run of Elf~Fin: Hyfus & Tilaweed on sale if you can make it and want to pick one up for yourself. There'll also be local and international zinesters, comikers and artists exhibiting there plus a Zine and Mini Book Binding Workshop. Here are the details:

Date: Saturday 21 September 2013
Time: 11am to 3pm
Venue: Manly Library Forecourt, Market Place, Manly NSW 2095
For more information phone (02) 9976 1720 or email: records@manly.nsw.gov.au or visit the website.

Great poster, BTW!

Comics Masterclass Commercial

If you haven't caught it yet on our YouTube channel, then check our the Comics Masterclass Script Assessment Service commercial. Thanks to Paul Caggegi for his great fast-paced and funny production.

GRAPHIC 2013 [UPDATED 04/08/13}

Tickets go on sale today for the latest GRAPHIC Festival at the Sydney Opera House, which has now been expanded to a three day event on 4 - 7 October 2013. We're most excited about Art Spiegelman's "Wordless" presentation, which is accompanied by jazz virtuouso Phllip Johnston who we met several years ago at our entertainment lawyer's Xmas party. The perpetually youthful and multi talented Seth Green is coming too – we loved him in Buffy, as well as lots of other television comedy – he's participating in the "Robot Chicken Live" session. Comikers need to check out Neil Gaiman's artist bestie Dave McKean, as well as Grant Morrison and Gerard Way. There will be lots of Aussie talent in the "Radio with Pictures" session. For more information and just go to the Sydney Opera House website.

NOTE: Julie has her tickets. She's going to the  Dave McKean and Art Spiegelman sessions, as well as the "The Creative Truth" panel and "Radio and Pictures". She's also bough a ticket for "The Art of Publishing and Editing" session, although it clashes with one of the others. One of the tickets may find a good home.

The School Magazine: Opportunity for Australian Comics Creators

The School Magazine – an Australian literary magazine for young readers – is looking for comics serials for its 2014 publication year for the 8 to 12 age group. Genres include: fantasy, humour, folktales, historical drama, or sci-fi. The serials can be either a single page in ten parts, two single pages se
rials of five parts each or a two-page serial in ten parts. 
Deadline: Wednesday 14 August 2013. 
Contact: For submission guidelines and contact details go to The School Magazine website.

Mermaids and Momentum: Australian Comics Journal Coverage

Speaking of Australian comics coverage, we're mighty pleased that Black Mermaid Productions™ and Elf~Fin™ got a write up in the Australian Comics Journal last month. 

Journalist and comics writer Anthony N Castle contributed "Julie Ditrich: On Mermaids and Momentum". The images are used beautifully in the piece. One of our favourite Hyfus panels features at the top of the page. 

Here is an excerpt on what relationship we have as readers and as comics creators to The Little Mermaid.

Andersen’s The Little Mermaid was a great influence in our cultural upbringing. As with all great literature, many points of view can be overlaid on the work to allow it to make sense to its audience’s needs. One angle of the story of the little mermaid can also be allegorical to the speculated life of Hans Christian Andersen as a gay man, who wrote passionate love letters to significant men in his life. Like the mute little mermaid, Andersen could not tell the world of his own homosexual love for the people of the world, but the original manuscripts showed his feelings clearly. The Little Mermaid story may have deeper pathos than its story context.  

Yes, the tale is tragic and we always wanted to plunge in and change the ending, and one day we may, but it can be hard with such a powerful and well-distributed Disneyfied interpretation anchored out there with the masses as the perceived new originating source of this story. There’s another wonderful version by US novelist Carolyn Turgeon who reinvented the story in her book Mermaid. (Carolyn very kindly endorsed Elf~Fin: Hyfus & Tilaweed for us on the back cover of the first issue.) 

As you’ve identified, Elf~Fin does contain similar themes of longing, which features in the first issue, as well as burgeoning sexuality and a sense of displacement which ripple through the story from the second issue. However, Elf~Fin doesn’t have the sensibility of The Little Mermaid. The latter is a delicate fragile story: Elf~Fin is more epic and has a different energy that traverses multiple plotlines over at least three books. Ultimately we will be exploring contemporary themes about human nature albeit skewed through mermaid characters in an oceanic world.

Thanks to Jozef also for his wonderful insights into Hans Christian Andersen's secret world.

Comics Articles of Note [UPDATED: 03/08/13]

We've come across some interesting overseas comics trends, as well as coverage on the Australian comics scene by major arts blogs. 

Amazon has just jumped into digital comics publishing via its imprint – Jet City Comics, which is exclusively available on the Kindle. Read all about it at Bleeding Cool "Amazon Publishes Its Own Comics, From George R.R. Martin, Mike S Miller And Jimmy Palmiotti". 

ArtsHub has covered Aussie comics in two recent articles – one chronicling a publisher's journey and the second one chronicling a creator's journey. "Australian Comic Industry Still Finding Its Feet", focuses on Gestalt Publishing and "Breaking into Comics" focuses on Nicola Scott (Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman). 

Salon has also run an article on "Great graphic novels from 2012", which features Pat Grant's wonderful Blue, the tale of the coastal town of Bolton, a gang of truants who skip school because they want to check out the dead body on the railway track, and the noodle-eating blue-skins who come in as boat-people (nay, "boat-creatures") and attempt to assimilate but end up imposing their own cultural values and traditions on the town and its inhabitants with nary a thought or any respect. The Top 10 list also includes Sailor Twain, Or: The Mermaid in the Hudson by US graphic novelist Mark Siegel, which we covered in a previous blog post.

It's great that Australian comics are finding their way into mainstream arts media. Congratulations to Nicola, Pat and Gestalt for their respective coups!