We came, we saw, we honored!

It's over!  Phoenix's 3rd annual celebration of Jack Kirby's birthday has passed, and this year we honored the King's 100th birthday with a multifaceted three day event I won't soon forget, because I recorded the whole thing!

Firstly, I'd like to thank Drawn to Comics for hosting the 24 Hour Kirby Comic Challenge. Drawn to Comics has come up a lot here lately, not just because I co-host a podcast with shop owner Ken Brown, but because he and his wife Susan are incredible supporters of local artists like myself.  Who else would let five weirdos lock themselves in a comic shop for 24 straight hours?  

One of those weirdos was me -- the rest were four of my favorite people in Phoenix (well, one of them is in Sedona, but that's Phoenix adjacent, so it counts).  Birdie Birdashaw, Derk Harron, the Janimal, and Zoe Sugg agreed to attempt the 24 Hour Comic Challenge to honor Kirby, while I documented the whole thing in an attempt to create a webseries of the day.  Here's a picture of them as the sun rose over Glendale, bushy-eyed but strong-willed -- as you'll see when that webseries drops on YouTube later this year!

That Monday, the 28th, the day of Kirby's actual birthday, 10 of the Valley's funniest people gathered to roast the King's first, and perhaps most important creation -- Captain America! My thanks to Monkey Pants Bar & Grill in Tempe for hosting our event.  If you're ever hankering wings and/or karaoke near ASU, Monkey Pants is the place.

I'll post the roast on Phoenix Tonight's YouTube page soon, but in the meantime, here's a shot of me with the Avengers in attendance.  I guess Stark had an expo, or something.

My appreciation to the comedians that made the night hilarious, and particularly to the Captain himself, who made both the 24 Hour Comic Challenge and this roast some of the most memorable events in this fanboy's life.  Follow him on Instagram @stevenrogersusa.

Keep your eyes glued to this blog for more posts this fall!  Karaoke adventures, zines, and more zany fandom to come!

To Honor A King!

It's here!  Jack Kirby -- the King of Comics -- would've turned 100 years old on Monday, August 28, and fans here in Phoenix are planning a multi-dimensional three-day extravaganza to honor him.

At his zenith, Kirby drew five to eight pages a day, at his board for 10 to 12 hours, so we're celebrating his productivity in a special way.  On Saturday, August 26, four local artists will attempt the 24 Hour Comic Challenge -- they'll try drawing a 24 page comic book in 24 consecutive hours.  If that isn't hard enough, they'll pull a Kirby-inspired topic from a hat first, to use as inspiration for their story.  If you're in or around Phoenix, join us at Drawn to Comics in downtown Glendale to see the cartoonists in action, and answer Kirby trivia questions for prizes, including sketches from the artists themselves!  The festivities will start at 1 p.m. -- and everything will be recorded for a webseries we'll drop later this year.

Then, on Monday, the 28th, ten comedians will roast Captain America -- Kirby's first, most famous creation -- at Monkey Pants Bar in Tempe, 8 p.m.  The dais will feature some of the funniest people in the Valley . . . and Captain America himself!  Kirby fancied his drawing prowess as "performance."  He was a fan of cinema and pulp magazines, so a comedy show in his honor is as eclectic as the man himself.  A raffle -- featuring some pretty cool prizes, if I do say so myself -- will benefit the Hero Initiative, so bring some dollar bills.

Jack Kirby inspired a lot of people.  He created a legion of timeless characters and demonstrated a work ethic that sets a high standard for anyone writing or drawing comics today.  Honoring him is as humbling as it is fun, and I hope you'll join us, if not in person, then in the future, as we post pictures and videos from these events.  Happy birthday, Jack!

CoDoDo: My Countdown to Micky Dolenz, part 3

I love the Monkees.  Always have, always will.  Micky Dolenz is performing this weekend at the Marquee in Tempe, so I'm posting thoughts on some of my favorite Dolenz-sung Monkees tunes.

Admittedly, this wasn't an easy list to limit to just one post per day, for a meager five days until Micky's Saturday night show.  I could've easily started a week ago, and I don't know if that would've been enough.  Still, I'm pinpointing songs that grab me every time I hear them -- that I can't help but sing along to -- and we're talking 30 years running.

By that standard, I have to include this tune: "All Of Your Toys."  This song wasn't released on one of the Monkees' nine original-run albums, yet it was recorded in one of their very first sessions as an actual band, playing their own instruments in studio.  That's right -- the Monkees fought for the rights to play their own instruments, after criticism called them out for having studio musicians, even as many other bands of that era did (and still do).  The guys' origin as a made-for-TV band probably had a lot to do with that undue commentary.  

So, this is a fitting tune for one of their "official first."  They really were the producers' playthings, until they clipped the strings -- which one of the lessons I've learned from them. "I'm A Believer" was a great tune, but had the Monkees not sought the chance to prove themselves, they may have been lost to the annals of music history.  This effort is proof of the pop music greatness that was to come, and a fandom that will last forever!

Show Me Arizona, Show Me Ourselves

“So why should I care about Spider-man?” she asked.

We were sitting outside of Trunk Space, waiting for Okilly Dokilly, the Phoenix-based Ned Flanders-inspired metal band, to start their first show ever.  I was drawing caricatures and selling my homemade comics at the pre-concert carnival.  In other words, it was the perfect place and time to pontificate superheroes.

I wasn’t stunned by the question, but I was struck by her choice of words.  She didn’t ask why she should like Spider-man.  That question is easy.  Spider-man can sling and swing on webs, crawl on buildings, and knock out a bad guy with the flick of a finger.  What’s not to like?

I had to explain why she should care.  Caring implies an emotional investment that lasts past a 22-page comic book adventure, or a two hour movie.  Indeed, I care about Spider-man, but I hadn’t wondered why in a long time.  I took a moment to think about it, then answered.

“When Spider-man was created in the early ‘60s, Stan Lee and his artists made him a teenager.  At the time, teenaged superheroes were still just sidekicks, so Spider-man was the first solo superhero whose private life mirrored his young readers’ lives.  He may have had to stop the Scorpion from robbing the bank, but he also had homework and chores.  That’s still his role in comics.  Superman is from another planet, and Batman is a millionaire, but how would any Average Joe deal with the chance to have powers or be a hero?  That costume covers him head to toe . . . anybody and everybody can be Spider-man!”

She nodded slowly and replied, “Oh, I get it now!”  We talked more about Batman (because who doesn’t want to talk more about Batman), and, when she left my table, I felt satisfied that I had shared some knowledge and spread my love of superheroes.  After all, I am the self-appointed Arizona’s Ambassador of Comics.

As a comic book artist and fan, I’m often asked to explain the importance of comics and superheroes as more than a pop culture trend.  Superhero comics are in fact a uniquely American medium and mythology, and, like all good stories, we’re introduced to them as children.  My hope is to remind folks of their continued importance in adulthood, as entertainment and allegory for reality.  To do so effectively, I’ve dubbed myself Arizona’s Ambassador of Comics.

In this completely imaginary role, I’ve discussed superhero comics at events like Ignite Phoenix and on shows like Good Morning, Arizona, and I’ve organized events like the Community Jam Comic and the recent Jack Kirby Birthday Celebration.

My latest opportunity was last Saturday, September 12, at the Arizona Capital Museum.  Editorial cartoonist Steve Benson and I discussed comics, politics, and Arizona at the opening of their latest exhibit, “Show Me Arizona: Illustrations of History.”  Why should you care?  You live in Arizona, don’t you?  Their exhibit is a great chance to see where we’ve been, so we can chart a course for where we should go.

Political cartoons are actually a lot like Spider-man.  They represent regular people with spectacular power.  In this case, those powers don’t include web-slinging or wall-crawling, but summarizing a feeling or opinion in a singular or short sequence of drawings.  As artists, this is how we show you what we think.  This is how we show you why we care.

Check out Fox 10's coverage of the gallery opening, including the gallery's hours so you can dig the exhibit soon, here:

Russ Kazmierczak, Jr.: Arizona's Ambassador of Comics

I’m taking on a title.  Stan was “the man.”  Kirby was “the king.”  I’m happily accepting the role of ambassador.  

And from that day forward, Russ Kazmierczak, Jr., creator of Amazing Arizona Comics, was also known as . . . Arizona’s Ambassador of Comics!

Some things about being an ambassador:

1.  If I steal one of your comics, I’m not accountable to the law for my crime.  I have diplomatic immunity.

2.  I am an ambassador of comics -- not the ambassador of comics.  A popular biography about Joker creator Jerry Robinson is titled Ambassador of Comics -- just knowing that affirms my title as an ambassador of comics.  Countries have multiple ambassadors, after all, and these ambassadors have embassies.  My embassy is Arizona, and I love living here.  Thusly, I am Arizona’s Ambassador of Comics.

3.  I may have a sash made.

4.  My job is simple: I am comics’ messenger and representative.  I understand the nuances of comics, specifically but not exclusively superhero comics, as a definitively American graphic language and mythology, and I really want to share that with people.  That inspires this mission statement:

As Arizona’s Ambassador of Comics, I will read, study, make, and share comics in a way that examines and celebrates their progressive importance to the individual, the city, the country, and the culture.

I’ve already begun my mission, specifically here in Arizona, by bringing comics to different forums like poetry open mics, First Fridays, Bookman’s, Ignite Phoenix, KTAR talk radio, and last night’s Galaxxy Show.  (Most of those were just in the last 60 days or so.)  Today, I talked about comics and drew Batman for these kids in a parking lot.  Next weekend, I’ll draw a comic in a furniture store window.  I am not preaching to the choir.  I’m deliberately foraying into foreign lands, most often in person, first and foremost as a fan.

5.  Shameless self-promotion is not the point, but a very happy perk in my position as Arizona’s Ambassador of Comics.  I’m talking about comics, in general, with a special emphasis on superheroes, and Amazing Arizona Comics epitomizes my points about comics’ potential, as my own talent and confidence grows as a creator.  It’s a major vehicle, but not the voice at full volume.

6.  AAC is an abbreviation for both my title, Arizona’s Ambassador of Comics, and the title of my comic, Amazing Arizona Comics.  Coincidence?  Absolutely.

7.  Ambassadors really aren’t in charge of anything, so, to my fellow creators, this title bares no threat to you.  Continue to call yourselves whatever you want; just know that I’ve happily claimed Arizona’s Ambassador of Comics, and that I intend to fulfill all of the work and responsibility that said title entails.  It’s about building relationships, not kingdoms.  It’s about putting meaningful words to the visual, to tell a compelling, entertaining story . . . and isn’t that just like comics.

Russ Kazmierczak, Jr., Arizona’s Ambassador of Comics

Phoenix, Arizona

KaraokeFanboy Podcast Episode 9 & More!

Dig the next episode of the KaraokeFanboy Podcast, concluding my conversations with poet Gary Bowers, and comedian Rick Larsen.  These guys are foundational to the arts in Phoenix, and they'll inspire you where ever you live.

While you're enjoying a little media, dig the first Amazing Arizona Comics vlog.  I'll be posting these regularly as a thanks to my Kickstarter supporters, and to promote upcoming projects and events.

KaraokeFanboy Podcast Episode 8

My friend/local poet/graphic artist Gary Bowers recently asked me,

"Are there any new superpowers?  A power that hasn't been done?"

He and I talked about that, and more in the first part of this latest episode of the KaraokeFanboy Podcast.  Then, I chat with Rick Larsen, performer and self-publisher of a local fanzine . . .

a fanzine dedicated to the TV show Matlock.

Cover by awesome Arizona comic artist Brad Dwyer.

The next episode will drop soon and feature the second half of these conversations, with talk of poetry and improv in Phoenix.  If you're looking for the arts scene in Arizona, you've found it here!

KaraokeFanboy Podcast Episode 7

The audio in this episode suffers greatly, because much of it was recorded on the road, as my friends Bob, Rusty, and I toured the comic book stores of Metro Phoenix for Free Comic Book Day!  What you can hear is a serious spoiler for Avengers 2: Age of Ultron, so if you haven't seen it, don't listen!  You've been warned!

I plan on posting a new podcast every week for the rest of May, so stay tuned for some great interviews with local creative folks in Phoenix.

Thank You, Melrose District!

If you're visiting the blog for the first time because you picked up a comic, sketch, or mini-brochure at the 7th Avenue Street Fair last weekend, welcome!  Tabling in the Melrose District was a blast, and it was a pleasure sketching and selling comics for folks passing through.  Here are a few sketches I did -- of my original characters, to boot!  Thanks for requesting them!

Dust Devil, Sonny Gunold (The Sun City Gunslinger), June Monsoon

If you scroll down, you'll find podcasts, sketches from other events, and all sorts of goodies about Amazing Arizona Comics, my comic book series about superheroes in Arizona.  If you'd like to swing by for a sketch sometime in the future, here's this month's calendar of events.  

And remember, you can always read Amazing Arizona Comics Online for semi-daily webcomics -- in color!  The story continues!

KaraokeFanboy Podcast Episode #3

In the latest KaraokeFanboy Podcast, Eric Mengel talks about self-publishing his mini-comic Ocho for 20 years, Bob Leeper and I talk how Chris Rock's Top 5 is Michael Keaton's Birdman, and Kyle and I endure the cab line at the Waste Management Phoenix Open chatting about when Facebook went down and Dean Martin roasts. All in under an hour?!

KaraokeFanboy Podcast, Episode 2

The latest episode of the KaraokeFanboy Podcast is up, featuring a great chat I had with my buddy Bob Leeper about the best movies of 2014. Afterward, Kyle and I ooze over Guardians of the Galaxy, then, my good buddy Dave tells our good buddy Damon about his submission to Warren Ellis' Three Panel Open a few years ago. My brother edits these chats into one prolific podcast package, and I appreciate him for it. I also dig the ambient sounds -- the clamoring of the coffee shops -- because it drags Phoenix into the conversation.

KaraokeFanboy Podcast Episode 2

Christmas Calendar Roundup

You think you had it rough this Christmas -- just look at what Santa had to go through . . .!

Moving on . . . I'll be at the Bookmans Entertainment Exchange in Phoenix on Saturday, December 27 for a special Star Wars themed event, drawing comics and caricatures for kids and kids-at-heart!  Check out the event page here, and I'll see you there!

Thank You, Phoenix Comicon!

I'd like to offer a special thanks to the organizers of the Phoenix Comicon, and to all of the attendees that visited my table, for a great show last weekend!  If you're visiting the blog because you bought a comic or received an officially stamped sketch, welcome.  I've been remiss in my posting duties here lately, thanks to preparations for PCC, but I try to offer something weekly that reveals the research or preparation of an upcoming Amazing Arizona Comics story.

For example, if you signed up for my new newsletter, you'll receive a free digital comic this week that explores the truth behind this and last year's Phoenix Comicon false alarms.  Who is the Evacuator, and what's his obsession with emptying out a room?  Email me to sign up for the newsletter and find out!

Check back in the coming days for Phoenix Comicon pics and memories.  My thanks again to everyone that made it such a great show -- and I'll see you in February at the Amazing Arizona Comic Con!

Phoenix Comicon and Amazing Arizona Comics #8 Is Here!

Today's the day!  Phoenix Comicon begins, and Amazing Arizona Comics #8 debuts!  Just look for this cover in Artists' Alley, table #1723 -- KaraokeFanboy Press!  Ask for a free sketch while you're at it!

(Special thanks to my beautiful wife Casey for painting June and the city skyline for this issue's cover!)

Happy Birthday, Joe!

Over two years ago, Sheriff Arpaio inspired me to self-publish my own mini-comic book series about superheroes in Arizona, so, today, on his 80th birthday, I’d like to thank him for setting a high standard for doing whatever it takes to get in the news.

I'm asking for captions to this comic over at Nerdvana.  Stop by and wish Sheriff Joe a happy 80th!