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PatrickDevine

don't try mummy dust.
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Just to give you guys an advance notice for something I'm starting up, August 24th is Gift a Comic Book Day! What is Gift a Comic Book Day? It's when you give someone; friend, family or whatever, a comic book secret Santa style. The idea is that you strive to give something that this person would like but might not buy for themselves. Self-made comic books are encouraged!
So mark your calenders, plan your parties and start thinking about what comic book you want to get for whom and let's make the first year of this a good one!
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Fan or Creator?

2 min read
There have been a combination of various life events that have made me wonder about something for a long time, would I be doing more for comics as an art form as a fan or as a creator? Someone once pointed out to me  that so many people that enjoy small press comics are creators themselves and the scene feels self-congratulatory because of it. This really bothered me, it's nice that so many talented people get recognition from their peers but it's disappointing that that's the only place they get recognition from. To paraphrase this guy's basic point people who are not musicians appreciate music, people who are not film-makers appreciate film, people who are not writers appreciate novels, but mini comics are rarely read by people that are not comics artists.
The effect that creators can have on their chosen art form is well-known. Anyone who's ever had their mind blown by piece of art can attest to this. Fans have a very valid and very important place in any artistic medium though. Fans support creators, not just financially but that's a part of it too, and encourage creators to keep creating. Anyway, this is my latest creative identity crisis
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RIP

1 min read
Not so very long ago I found out that my friend Dylan Williams has passed away. What I had heard before then is that he was starting chemotherapy almost a week ago, he will most certainly be missed. He was only 39 years old. At this point I still find myself in disbelief that it happened, it almost seems like a horrible worst-case scenario though randomly entered my head and I keep hoping that it turns out to be wrong. No such luck however. Other than that I can't seem to find the words and am feeling extremely sad.
If you're one of the people that ordered books from Sparkplug to help Dylan out, then thanks. Dylan was a great and wonderful human being and I was privileged to have known him, even briefly.
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It might seem kind of weird for me to be posting something to this effect here but I figure I should get the word out on this as much as I can. My friend Dylan Williams of Sparkplug Comics hasn't been well and his repeated visits to the hospital  have left him with some difficulty paying his medical bills. You can read more about it here: exquisitething.blogspot.com/20… has been immensely supportive of me and has always offered me encouragement for my own comics endeavors so as you can imagine his recent health problems have been very troubling for me as well.
So all I can say is that buying comics directly from Sparkplug will really help Dylan out, you won't regret it as Sparkplug produces some real A-list material, and I'd be very happy that you did something to help.
Sparkplug's store can be found here: www.sparkplugcomicbooks.com/bo…
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Let's try something a little different, something like Jin and Jam by Hellen Jo!
So far Jin and Jam has only had a single issue, but what an issue! In contrast to something like Capacity which is contemplative and thought-provoking Jin and Jam is really just crazy fun. A large part of this issue is how the titular characters meet; Jin, a weird girl with a penchant for starting fights and strange outfits; and Jam, a foul-mouthed tomboy that probably eats too much junk food for her own good. Without giving too much away the story also works in a pair of conjoined twin bullies, a psycho bicycle cop that headbutts people, and a mooching best friend.
Jin and Jam is put out by Sparkplug Books and like most of Sparkplug's offerings has excellent book design, especially for a saddle-stitch bound floppy. Hellen Jo also has a very unique drawing and layout style and the issue has a fast, frenetic energy entirely its own.
This is another old favorite for me, and one that I recommend a good deal more freely. If you're into comics that wholeheartedly embrace their weird side Jin and Jam might be for you. Jin and Jam at the very least was released Sparkplug books but seems to be out of print or at the very least somewhat hard to find. however it can be read here: whatthingsdo.com/comic/jin-jam…
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Featured

Gift a Comic Book Day by PatrickDevine, journal

Fan or Creator? by PatrickDevine, journal

RIP by PatrickDevine, journal

Support for Dylan Williams by PatrickDevine, journal

For My Next Comic Review... by PatrickDevine, journal