ALTERNATIVE COMICS Wizard World Review!

HEY APATHY! Alternative Comics at Wizard World

So this past weekend Toronto was host to the Wizard World Comics Convention and I decided to take part in the festivities by exhibiting my own unusual brand of monster comics and art. I have been a huge fan of finely written strips and graphic novels for as long as I can remember and used to attend these events as young fan boy. My first exhibitions on the circuit of the weird were way back in 2002 and 2003 after which I sort of took an extended hiatus from picture books to show my ink drawings in art galleries and as a street performer. Recent circumstances, brought about primarily by age, led me to return to my first true love and restart developing my comic book artworks. Since those days as a wee-one it has always been a dream of mine to complete an entire graphic novel so that's what I am going to do. My first step in the process was to return to the cons and present the initial chapters, books zero, one and two, at Wizard World.

 

Me at my booth reloading the HEY APATHY! comics bin on Sunday Morning

The show was amazing and not entirely unlike those art exhibitions I have been frequenting over the past few years except that the animosity, professional jealously and out and out pretentiousness is traded for introverted weirdoes, costumed curiosities and hyper-active children of all ages. I met Darth Vador, the Predator, Captain America, Wolverine, Jean Grey, Spidey, Burlesque Dancers, Cobra Commander and more anime characters than I could possibly name. The fans come to exhibit as much as the exhibitors! I guess one of the major attractions is the tax-free reduced prices on all of our favourite comics and toys but the real draw is the dress up. My next door neighbour was a creepy clown named Mullet who is not only the star of his own book but has a series of hilarious (and hilariously no-budget) comedy films on the internet. The energy was overwhelming and unbelievable. I have been suffering from superhero withdrawal since leaving the festival, why isn't the Green Lantern walking down College Street?

Mr. Mullet my new friend and neighbouring exhibitor at the Convention

I also ran into an old friend Tyrone at the Con who was sporting a little monster named Kyrian (sorry if I spelled that wrong). I'm guessing the future freak was about 1 and half old. Congratulations Tyrone and Alana. Tyrone is also an amazing comics artist and was promoting his guerrilla printing company which specializes in small and independent press publication.

 

a shot of the floor duing set up (Damn I was too busy to get the floor full of freaks which is what it's really all about!!!)

 

I had some concerns about the event because of an overwhelming amount of bad online press but was more than pleasantly surprised by the awesome show. If you've never been to one of these things you'd be wise to check it out. I can't wait until the Fan Expo later on this summer. Anyways I hardly got any drawing done at the show because I was too busy telling stories and also to my delight meeting new and strange folk. Probably about a 30 -70 % split on people familiar with my art and an all new audience. It was great to see all my friends from the street performance days and really amazing to discover new ones at the Wizard World. Overall a complete success and incredibly amazing, astonishing, and uncanny show!

Future Comics legend Blackbeard getting ready to duel with a Creepy Consumer of people's bodies,minds, and souls...

Alternative Comics Elective Surgery and Pharmaceutical Forget Me (Not’s)

HEY APATHY! Alternative Comics Elective Surgery

I had to check my self into a clinic early this morning following a terrifying sequence of apocalyptic events. The entire ordeal started out simply enough, a twitch in my digitus minimus. The sensation, albeit it miniscule, had become a point of consideration due to the persistence of the irritation. I had some time to spare a thought it might be worth checking out.

I arrived at the specialist table shortly thereafter where a group of medical students hoarded around me. The master surgeon entered moments later and proceeding in questioning his students as they yelled out numerous plausible diagnosis'. I myself, excited by the game show, interjected "maybe it is the patients diet" knowing all too well that I'd been living on coffee and sugar for the better part of my existence. " maybe the patient needs to stretch before he lifts weight with the digit." also knowing all to well that I had been in the practice of moving extremely heavy objects as a regular part of my profession.

Before I could receive a rejection of my own hypothesis the surgeon removed the back of my cranium and had begun re-arranging various spaghetti like substances from within. "Here is the problem" he announced " Nothing a few botox injections to the forehead won't fix!" His students clapped, they sewed me up and prescribed me a number of expensive but assuredly necessary pharmaceutical.

I was told to return on a scheduled basis in order to update and upgrade my prescriptions. "These wonder drugs will work, however the human body has a tendency to fight the medications and develop immunities to the only thing that might actually save you from amputation of the aforementioned irritation." The nurse was very kind to provide all the pertinent information regarding the prescriptions.

Amazingly, the surgeries worked, and worked wonders. The pain in my hand was no more! And in addition I began to experience temporary God-like states of euphoria beyond description but most certainly linked to the prescription. In one of these magnificent states of epiphany I had the most tremendous vision. In my oneric hallucination I saw a small shard of glass sneaking it's way into my appendage and resting in a precarious spot between the cartilage and bone of my joints. In my heightened state I became aware of the slivers voluntary exodus towards the surface of my epidermis and in a heavenly fit of inspiration I dug into my skin with a small pair of tweezers and extracted the particle from my hand.

When next I reported to my physician I recounted the experience only to receive the most terrifying response. The Doctor informed me that such fables were a definite symptom of narcotics abuse. I was diagnosed as an addict and sent to a privatised specialist for further examination. So it would appear my days as an alternative comics illustrator were done and my new life as a methadone addict had just begun.

I was no longer concerned with the pain in my little finger and was fairly sure that my home surgery had healed without infection so I refused further treatments and left the clinic of my own free will. Getting off of the prescription was fairly difficult so I threw up a bit, drank some water and got on with my life.

P.S. Tomorrow is the Wizard World Comic Convention so I plan to get a good rest and be prepared for a hectic set un in the morning...

... visit http://www.heyapathy-comics-art.com/

Alternative Comics Distopian Vices

Alternative Comics Monster and totem from beyond

A cloudy and dismally greyish Monday means productive studio bound hours. Lot's of inking and sketching and scribbling and thinking and eventually claustrophobic contaminations. I set out for an afternoon's read to avoid being crushed by the ever encompassing and continually shrinking of the walls. I'd  hopes of finding a reasonable place to read. Unfortunately the rain did not slow down the rats and the cafes were consumed. I found it very difficult to find seating in any of the windows and eventually made my way to the only bench with an over hang and free spot.

It was certainly warm enough and the drips could pass as pleasant once situated under the shelter but it did not take long to realize why such a lovely spot remained so easily accessible. With in moments a number of shadowy figures had regrouped and surrounded me. I gathered the re-grouping from their brief and abrupt sentences bellowed at volumes obviously meant to prove something. These shadows began to boast and boast to vulgarities.

In between each line of my book I was forced to contemplate a new drug or the size of a man's valour, even civil pleasantries were announced with the most foul of language. The group disbanded and reformed in numerous capacities.  Each time the central core returned  it was perpetually accompanied by new companions who did not stay long. Some of the additions to the hideous troupe were hideous but recognisable as apparently respectable members of the neighbourhood, however none of them were above participating in these ridiculous rituals. Each time they turned the corner I had hoped they would leave. Each time they would return and stifle my read.


There went a shop keep, followed by a thug. Then a young student, then a group of cultural deficient’s, then a business man, a homeless addict, the butcher, and finally the wannabe gangsters arrived and left blasting threats from a radio. The core group, whom I smelled, yes they smelled like a garbage old and over turned, continued to disperse and regroup until I had no choice but to forfeit my book.

I took to observing as a police officer strolled by , and I forced down my coffee inducing a high. But not like the high's being traded in sin, with each and every person the boasting was in. So without the words to read, enjoy and distract I realized quite plainly and obviously I had sat in the center of traffic. Here in plain sight, and irrefutable distaste were 4 little drug dealers who lives are a waste. Yeah it's on the corner of Ke-----on and A-----a at Louie’s coffee shop not like it’s news everyone knows and every one goes and the customer seating only sign is only for show. 

more art less rambling at http://www.heyapathy-comics-art.com/

Artist's Resume

Another attempt to explain my self,  anonymous nihilistic metropolis (left) and the crazy City of Gears!  (right)

HEY APATHY! Is an ongoing artistic investigation into the dynamic relationship between functioning of the metropolis and the individuals of which it is composed. Using a multi-media amalgamation of popular culture and fine artworks including drawings, comics, animations, and performances, the project expresses a stern, yet optimistic warning towards our future. Primarily concerned with creating a visual vocabulary simultaneously intellectually provocative and accessible to viewers of all ages, the drawings utilize cartoon like imagery to incite dialogue regarding topics of great concern. The social significance of this anthropological exploration will be examined through a brief analysis of the projects overall development, current practices, and near future.

 

The entire body of HEY APATHY! artworks reads like an unconscious narrative inquiry into the identity of the metropolis. In the earliest drawings the city is announced as an ominous gear propelled by an endless sea of faceless denizens. At that time (2001) I was working out of the seclusion of a suburban basement and envisioned the urban landscape as a conglomeration of misdirected commercial and superficial ideologies. In order to better understand the phenomena in question, I hypothesized an unconventional interview in which an exploration of the lives, motivations, and goals of others would aid in my epistemological quest. I have since initiated this interview through a perpetually public process including gallery & festival exhibitions, wall murals and street interventions. Through this constant and aggressive public immersion, I have engaged in unparalleled interactions with peoples from all over the world and of all walks of life. The artworks are created, exhibited, and discussed entirely in front of live audiences presenting a unique, unusual, and uncompromising approach to artistic communication. In more recent artworks the city remains as a giant gear, only now it is all the unique individuals, not anonymous cogs, who fuel the machine.

 

As a result of my public experiments, the project has assimilated various multi-media presentation techniques. Facilitated by the necessity to communicate inclusively , HEY APATHY! incorporates animations, comics, fashion, and fine art. While the original drawings maintain the craftsmanship and exclusivity associated with the gallery setting, the accessible artworks and merchandising have permitted a wide spread dialogue capable of connecting with vast and varied audiences. In my current practice I am developing an online forum in which my public process and performances can be regularly documented and shared on a global scale. Using live streaming, social networks, and web comics, I intend to extend my intervention and exhibition processes in accordance with modern communications. Similar to my street performances, the online project will feature full disclosure of all creative processes including daily sketches, forums, and stories, weekly live paintings, and annual fine art exhibitions . The ultimate goal being the expansion of the alternative expressions I’ve presented on a small scale in the streets and galleries, to include a global audience. The internet exploration has the potential to invite masses of unassuming viewers into the positive, challenging and stimulating dialogue known as HEY APATHY!

LIFE of an ARTIST ink portraits Francis Bebey

Francis Bebey & quote playing a flute of one note.

Another February day passes quickly away as I fill out forms, attach attachments, and rewrite proposals accordingly. I actually got quite ahead of myself in the submission processes today, completing not only those which are due immediately but venturing forth into the March deadlines as well. Unfortunately I hit a few minor set backs on the latter submissions which will require human assistance but today is a holiday. My inquires will have to wait until tomorrow. It's a good thing I got on this early, it would have been quite problematic to encounter these minor technical difficulties the evening the applications were due!

Anyways the day was productive enough that I was able to check out a website sent to me by my good friend Hunter Vaughan. Hunter is a long time friend and former fellow street artist whom I met out on the Queen West pavement. Hunter works in clay sculpture & pottery as well as saxophone, flute and percussion. (We practice music socially on a weekly basis with a number of other creative people) He is also an endless resource of information when it comes to world music and all oddities involving sound and performance. I got a wicked link from him this morning and was shortly thereafter introduced to Francis Bebey.

Francis is listed as a musician and writer and proves himself quickly in the little video I saw. I was so taken with this strange new (to me anyways) character that I could not but help capture his words and likeness in ink and post them here for all to see.I'm not going to describe the man nor the documented events , just check him out at www.keyofgrey.com/2010/02/francis-bebey-plays-a-one-note-bamboo-flute/ . If you're already familiar with Francis check out my website instead it is all about "savages in the city" http://www.heyapathy-comics-art.com/ (how's that for a shameless self promotional segue!)