Comic Book Bootcamp–A look at some of the ‘graduates’

It’s time to register for the next session of classes at TCW!   Writing for Comics Level Two is only available for students who have finished Level One. New and returning students can enroll in Ty’s Comic Book Bootcamp Part One!! Yayyy!

When Ty created Comic Book Bootcamp, it was  such a popular class that the first group of students begged him to continue–and he created Part Two.  After a student finishes Part One and Two, as Ty tells them, they’re able to take all the skills he’s taught them,  go off and create on their own.

Holmes Incorporated by Christopher Yao

Ty is helped in this belief by a lot of evidence…over the years, many local Toronto creators have taken his Bootcamps. They came in with varying abilities and backgrounds but with an enthusiasm for learning, and a drive to practice practice practice until their skills got to where they could look for professional work, or start creating on their own.

Eden Bachelder was one of Ty’s first students. She’s an artist who works in oil and acrylic paints, leather and many other mediums.  After taking Ty’s Bootcamps  she participated in  Bootcamp Comics (writing and pencilling The Three Kinds of Sex), and  Holmes Incorporated #1, (pencilling Nightclubbing with writer Kathleen Gallagher).

Holmes Inc. #1 Nightclubbing pg 7, by Eden Bachelder

Eden does other freelance work (she illustrated a government colouring book I lettered for her!).  Here’s a sample of Eden’s cartooning work (this one is called Citizen Chauvelin Adjusts Himself“).

Eden Bachelder

Christopher Yao is at work on his creator-owned comic Fauntkin. He has participated in both Holmes Incorporated comic books,

Holmes Inc. #1, Welcome to Holmes Incorporated, art by Christopher Yao, story by Greg Dunford, letters by Keiren Smith

and recently, drew The Adventures of Y Guy, a mini-comic that Toronto Cartoonists Workshop produced in-house for the YMCA of Greater Toronto (which is currently being reprinted).

The Adventures of Y Guy, pg 3, art by Christopher Yao, script by Kathleen Gallagher, colours/letters by Keiren Smith

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The Adventures of Y Guy is the first paid comics work of another former Bootcamper—Kathleen Gallagher. Kathleen wrote stories in each of the Holmes Incorporated issues (Night Clubbing with Eden Bachelder on art, for #1, and Eight Seconds to Mayhem for #2 with Danny Setna on art).

Adam Gorham was an artist on Holmes Incorporated #1 after taking classes with Ty (The Fingerless Prince with writer Heather Emme).

Holmes Inc. #1, The Fingerless Prince pg. 3, art by Adam Gorham, script by Heather Emme, letters by Keiren Smith

Adam’s first work was The Vampire Conspiracy and he is currently working on Teuton, an ongoing comic series he co-created with  Fred Kennedy.

Teuton, Vol. 2 Trolls attack, art by Adam Gorham

Daniel Wong took Ty’s Bootcamp a couple years ago and signed up for Fit to Print’s Holmes Incorporated when he was finished. His story, The Family Name was chosen as the first story for the issue. Pages like this were the reason why:

Holmes Inc. #2, The Family Name by Daniel Wong, script by James Cooper

Daniel is busy working as a freelance illustrator, recently finishing a commissioned story written by his Holmes Inc. collaborator, James Cooper (who is continuing to write comics, write and direct short films and writes Bagged and Bored for Tdot Comics). That work isn’t published yet–but I’m sneaking in a page here.

Old Haunts pg 4, art by Daniel Wong, script by James Cooper

One of the hardest working students to ever grace a Bootcamp has to be the one, the only Gibson Quarter! When other students were asking how to find their first work, Gibson was busy networking and finding his own here and abroad. He’s worked with Alan Grant for his Wasted Magazine, pencilling Grant’s War on Drugs. (Grant started Wasted Magazine through his company Bad Press; sadly, it’s now defunct).

Wasted, California pg 5, pencils by Gibson Quarter, script by Alan Grant

Gibson was one of the first students to take a Bootcamp course, and one of the very few who got to take all three versions. Having finished Parts 1 and 2, he was able to join in on the fun with Holmes Incorporated. He pencilled Flight Plan (for writer Robert Pincombe) for Issue 1, and Polarized for Issue 2 (written by Sam Ruano).

Holmes Inc. #2, Polarized, art by Gibson Quarter, script by Kathleen Gallagher

Gibson is a workhorse, so I couldn’t possibly list everything he’s done.  He’s worked for FutureQuake Magazine, producing both a cover and interior work for Issue 15. He pencilled The Gutters with Ryan Sohmer, drawing #244. He’s in the current issue of Undertow #2 from 7th Wave (which is on the stands NOW. Review HERE. You can buy a copy from The Comic Book Lounge & Gallery, the comic store sharing space with…Toronto Cartoonists Workshop!). Gibson’s currently finishing up the pencils and inks on a story for Heroes of the North–to find out what’s next for him make sure you check out his art blog.

Deadpool Breaking Bad, pencils by Gibson Quarter, inks by Guillermo Ortego, colours by Keiren Smith

You’ll notice that all those mentioned have participated in one or both issues of Fit to Print’s:  Holmes Incorporated. The next Fit to Print will be starting up soon (looking at end of April/beginning of May?); in order to participate students have to completed at least Comic Book Bootcamp Part One.

Holmes Inc. art by Gibson Quarter, colours by Keiren Smith

This is just a quick list of some of the creators who’ve taken Ty’s classes–just think, next time I write this list up…YOU could be on it.

Keiren

Female Creators Bun Toons. YAY!

No, that's not me in drag.

If there’s one thing I know about women  (or shorties and hunnies, as they prefer to be called), it’s that they are the gender who can sit naked in a wicker chair.

But seriously, folks…women in comics, both as creators and characters, have been the main conversation around the blogs and cons lately.   A cosplayer  known as “Batgirl of San Diego” stood up and asked where the female writers and artists were at the ALL NEW DC Comicon panels this year, and made enough noise that co-publishers Jim Lee and Dan Didio eventually heard her a month later.  They even issued a formal response on the DCU Blog last week actually called “We Hear You.”

I am woman, hear me roar - but give it a while to sink in.

In other lady funnybook news, a woman’s comics anthology called “WOMANTHOLOGY” tried to raise 25 thousand dollars on Kickstarter this month, and accidentally raised over a hundred thousand bucks in a few days.  The can of worms this bucket of cash has opened is too complex to go into here, but it’s more proof that August is lady funnybook month.

This Just In:  A comic store in Toronto called Paradise Comics is holding an all-female creators in-store signing next weekend (Aug. 20th) called “Girls Day Out”, the first store signing my wife’s invited to, that I’m not.  Estrogen August Marches On!

I’m no fool, I spot the trend –  and I heartily support the whole thing.  So  today, I’m joining up and taking one for the team…stepping aside, offering up my audience, putting my blog where my mouth is, and handing over the keys to Bun Toons this weekend to a wonderful shortie-hunny/cartoonist named Eden Bachelder.  DC might not be hiring enough women, but I sure as hell am. Take it away Eden…

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Eden. Honorary Bunny this week.

Eden’s pretty fond of the Phantom characters, so that’s where her tooning heart went.  You can see more of Eden’s lovely paintings and illustrations at www.edenbachelder.com and you can see more of my straight white male oppressor Bun Toons next week.  But let her know what you thought of this, either in the comments below, or on her website.   I’m all for women creators, and by taking the week off,  it was clearly the least I could do.

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Ty the Guy OUT!

Here now, your Girl Comics Bonus Moments.  You’ve come a fairly short distance, baby.

This is a Marvel Comic from the late Golden Age. You got to give them credit for a kick-ass heroine on the cover. No women crying revenge after a boyfriend dumps them...

Okay, forget what I said.

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I chose issue #1 of this series because #2 is as NSFW as it gets.

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For last week's controversial Bun Toons, drawn by a real MAN, click the bunny. But let's be honest, you've already read it.

For every Bun Toon ever, click the bunny where the male genitalia SHOULD be, but disturbingly isn't.

HEY, YOU!! Yes, you Toronto-area artists, you.

Instructor Eden Bachelder has been busy posting notices to let people know that Toronto Cartoonists Workshop will be hosting it’s first Open Life Drawing Session tonight at the BRAND SPANKING NEW location!!

According to Eden, “The model will be posing both nude and clothed, so participants will have the opportunity to learn and draw anatomy”.      The session will take place 7pm-10pm at 587  College Street West (just a few doors up from The Dragon Lady comic shop).  Admission is $12 at the door, no pre-registration required.

I know I shouldn’t Granito…but…

My friend, Eden Bachelder sent me this delightful image by email last night, and it so cracked me up, I just had to share.

She chose my favorite Rob Granito “look-I-can-prove-I-painted-that” image as her basis for my portrait, too.  This is the one with paint smudges all over his face, but not on his hands (or the brush, for that matter), and the collection of children’s poster paints to the side, the brand of choice for pro illustrators everywhere.

I know the ROB GRANITO scandal is over, and I know I shouldn’t have brought it up again…but…the way Eden incorporated the look on my face as I glare back at Rob for his naughty shenanigans, it’s like a Norman Rockwell treasure.

We’ll consider this my April Fool’s Day Joke, I just couldn’t wait.

Ty the Guy

Just so you know, Eden’s does some delightful “legitomite” artwork when not creating insider meta jokes for your entertainment, and you should check out her website at http://www.edenbachelder.com/

 

A New Year, New Classes!

Yes, it’s that time again…time to tell you the glories of the Toronto Cartoonists Workshop, and all it’s classes.

TCW has expanded it’s selection of children’s art classes, and there are now classes available after school, and on Saturday and Sunday. Kids’ workshops will run for nine weeks. Classes for adults run in the afternoon, late afternoon, and early evening, and will run for seven weeks.

Ty will be teaching Writing for Comics, on Monday evenings (January 10-February 21) and  Professional Layout and Storytelling for Comic Books and Graphic Novels on Tuesday evenings. Comic Book Inking:  4 Perspectives will run on Wednesday evenings, and I believe Ty will be teaching the first two classes (check with Sean Menard).

To the best of my knowledge, there are still spaces available in all TCW classes (all you savvy Christmas shoppers, saving their bucks and waiting to see what’s left after the holidays!), but they go fast this last week, so contact Sean Menard NOW! NOW! NOW! at Toronto Cartoonists Workshop and get in the class of your choice.

Ty is not the only instructor at TCW (hence that whole “4 Perspectives” idea behind the inking course!). Others, this semester, are:

the inimitable Leonard Kirk—Cover Design and Layout, co-taught with…

Kalman Androsofszky

Scott Caple—Basic and Fundamental Drawing

Eric Kim—Manga Dojo Level I

Joseph O’Brien–Screenwriter’s Workshop:  Basic Training (Joe is fitting this class in before he goes off to watch filming of his latest screenplay, announced last year at Cannes, and produced by Guillermo del Toro. So–yes, Joe knows of what he teaches)

J. Bone–1/4th the Perspective for Comic Book Inking

Sam Agro–another 1/4th for Comic Book Inking

Craig Yeung–making a full 4 Perspectives for Comic Book Inking.

Kids’ Workshops will be taught by

Eden Bachelder—Acrylic Painting

Ruzya Karpinec—Cartooning for Kids, Flipbook Animation

Walter Dickinson (the man who founded TCW)–Drawing Rodeo

Dave Lapp–Cartooning and Illustration for Kids

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Keiren

More of that HOLMES INCORPORATED fun!

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As promised yesterday, we’re gonna preview the many terrific illustrators and writers that the new Holmes Incorporated project will be showcasing, many of whom will be in print for the very first time!  I think you’ll agree with me that the skills these creators are showing off are off-the-scale for folks on the front end of their careers.

Here ya go!  More preview pages. Writer Kathleen Gallagher and artist Eden Bachelder bring us their story featuring the teenage sword-carrying martial-artist / secret agent, Sherlock Holmes the III.  Known to her friends as “Trey”.

And hey!  Let’s never forget the splendiforous lettering of K.T. Smith!  Let the parade of excitement continue!

Whoops!  Clues?  In a Holmes story?  I’ll bet that leads somewhere…

And you can find out when you buy the preview issue at FAN EXPO CANADA or online after the show!

Let Eden and Kathleen know what you think of ’em in the comments section.  Go all rah-rah, both because they deserve it, and because it will make you feel good.

Ty the Guy OUT!

Here now, your Comic Book moment of Zen

To share post:

Ty Templeton’s Comic Book Bootcamp

It’s summer here (more or less) and the kids will soon be out of school, which means it’s time for their dad to go off and teach others. Ty Templeton’s Comic Book Bootcamp Part Two will be starting up on Monday, June 28, as part of the offerings of the Toronto Cartoonists Workshop. If you have ever, at any point, taken Part One you are able to enrol in Part Two.

Students come out of Ty’s Bootcamps revved up and ready to go…(check out the work of the stalwart members of the original incarnation of Bootcamp Comics. Or Greg Dunford’s Hard Drive, or Gibson Quarter’s work on Judge Dredd, Wasted and FutureQuake #15, or Eden Bachelder’s work or…heck, there’s a lot of his students out there!) If you’re interested in being one, contact Walter Dickinson at Toronto Cartoonists Workshop. (And for those who graduate both parts of bootcamp, there’s a new, by invitation only, “Fit to Print” class, where you work closely with Ty and a bunch of your fellow graduates to put together an all-new all original comic book to be distributed at Toronto conventions…especially those with editors in attendance!)

And, just to let you know…Ty will be teaching Part One in the fall, so he won’t be teaching Part Two again until next February (at which point, there will be two classes of Part One-ers looking to sign up).

Keiren