When I think of cartoonist, comic artist, and illustrator Ryan Wheaton, I think of two things: Radicalness, and beards. If you combine these words together, you get bearadical. And if Bearadical was a verb, Ryan Wheaton would have his picture in the god damn dictionary. He is easily one of the coolest artists I’ve met in some time. Even if he didn’t have an awesome beard people would still fall in love with his personality and perspective on making art. I was stoked that he was able to take some time out of his busy work schedule to answer some of my questions about his artwork, as well as how he started his career, and how he is dealing with the success of his first successful Kickstarter campaign for his comic ‘Stronghold‘. This interview was a lot of fun for me, you will enjoy it too!
Nerdy Laundry Podcast #51
C2E2, Cosplay, and CGI
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Did you attend C2E2 2014 (Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo)? We did, and we’ve got stories to tell! The panel gushes about their purchases, impressions, and the best cosplay they spotted. But first, they discuss recent nerd news like the Star Wars casting, the Justice League movie announcement, and the untimely passing of actor Bob Hoskins. In typical Nerdy Laundry fashion, a tangent or two forms along the way: this time about the evolution of CGI and special effects on the big screen.
Worm Food Book Reviews #5
“Sh*t My Dad Says”
by Justin Halpern
Why you’d like it:
Do you need no-BS life advice from a grandfather you never had? Do you like books that expertly alternate between poop jokes and heartfelt memoirs? If you answered yes to both of those questions, then Shit My Dad Says might be the greatest thing you’ll ever read!
After being dumped by his longtime girlfriend, twenty-eight-year-old Justin Halpern found himself living at home with his seventy-three-year-old dad. Sam Halpern, who is “like Socrates, but angrier, and with worse hair,” has never minced words, and when Justin moved back home, he began to record all the ridiculous things his dad said to him:
Worm Food Book Reviews #4
“Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)”
by Mindy Kaling
Why you’d like it:
If you seek rapid-fire laughs, quick essays full of blunt life wisdom, or insight into Girl World, then you’ll probably finish this book in one glorious sitting. Oh, and of course, you’ll adore it if you’re a fan of Mindy as an actress or a writer or both! She’s bursting with industry information and advice.
Mindy Kaling has lived many lives: the obedient child of immigrant professionals, a timid chubster afraid of her own bike, a Ben Affleck–impersonating Off-Broadway performer and playwright, and, finally, a comedy writer and actress prone to starting fights with her friends and coworkers with the sentence “Can I just say one last thing about this, and then I swear I’ll shut up about it?”
Perhaps you want to know what Mindy thinks makes a great best friend (someone who will fill your prescription in the middle of the night), or what makes a great guy (one who is aware of all elderly people in any room at any time and acts accordingly), or what is the perfect amount of fame (so famous you can never get convicted of murder in a court of law), or how to maintain a trim figure (you will not find that information in these pages). If so, you’ve come to the right book, mostly!
Worm Food Book Reviews #3
“The Book of Lost Things”
by John Connolly
Why you’d like it:
If fairy tales and mythology prick your interest and you long for tales of fantasy without the sugar coating, then you’ll surely want to check it out. Readers who’ve enjoyed any of Gregory Maguire’s books (the author of Wicked) might also want to give The Book of Lost Things a try.
High in his attic bedroom, twelve-year-old David mourns the death of his mother, with only the books on his shelf for company. But those books have begun to whisper to him in the darkness. Angry and alone, he takes refuge in his imagination and soon finds that reality and fantasy have begun to meld. While his family falls apart around him, David is violently propelled into a world that is a strange reflection of his own — populated by heroes and monsters and ruled by a faded king who keeps his secrets in a mysterious book, The Book of Lost Things.
Taking readers on a vivid journey through the loss of innocence into adulthood and beyond, New York Times bestselling author John Connolly tells a dark and compelling tale that reminds us of the enduring power of stories in our lives.
Artist Interview: Joey Ellis on “Leaky Timbers,” Kickstarter, and Comic Books
Have you heard of a comic book called “Leaky Timbers” by Joey Ellis? If not, go check out the Kickstarter project right now and back it before it’s too late! Then, come back here and read my interview with Joey. He provided A+ responses to my questions about “Leaky Timbers,” his drawing process and inspiration, and his adorably endearing comic mascot named Wolfie Monster.
First, watch this short video (starring Wolfie Monster) to see what Leaky Timbers is all about:
How did you dream up Wolfie Monster and the Leaky Timbers residents? Were they a lifelong vision?
Leaky Timbers is an homage to Sesame Street. I have always loved the idea of monsters living together and finally decided to do my own take. I’ve drawn monsters for severals years now, building quite the library, and pulled some of my favorite designs to be used as Leaky Timbers residents. I’ve used a version of Wolfie in several promo pieces, but he was never “Wolfie” until I decided to make the book focus around him. Wolfie’s shape is very appealing, and easy to draw, and it fit the personality I had developed for him, so I just started going from there.
Continue reading “Artist Interview: Joey Ellis on “Leaky Timbers,” Kickstarter, and Comic Books”
Artist Interview: Gawki
Hello, everyone! I’m Chris Alan Peuler, an aspiring professional artist, and today I have an interview with a fantastic artist that goes by the handle of Gawki.
I recently met Gawki at a group illustration show in small-town Illinois, and I immediately fell in love with her work. After some convincing, I managed to get her to agree to do an interview with me for Capes + Cartridges. Let me just say that I, along with everyone on staff at C+C, couldn’t be happier to feature so much fantastic artwork from a young and talented artist whose career is on the rise!
Worm Food Book Reviews #2
“The Fault in Our Stars”
by John Green
Why you’d like it:
A lot of people have told me they read The Fault in Our Stars when someone they loved was diagnosed with cancer, and that it helped them through it. I could definitely see that and I’d recommend it for consoling purposes. However, I think you’d also relish it if you appreciate realistic characters and/or if you’ve ever pondered the secrets of our universe.
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.
Worm Food Book Reviews #1
“Ready Player One”
by Ernest Cline
Why you’d like it:
I think Ready Player One would be more interesting to someone who’s familiar with the 70s or 80s on some level, so I’d start there. The plot hinges on the references, sure, but the story’s compelling enough on its own. If you’re not sentimental for either of those eras or if it pisses you off to look up terms or titles you don’t understand, then you might not get as much out of it.
It’s the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place.
Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets. Continue reading “Worm Food Book Reviews #1”
Joss Whedon’s “Much Ado About Nothing” is Really Freakin’ Something
When I first heard of Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing project, I flailed around like a maniac because I couldn’t contain my glee. My favorite director – let alone one of my most powerful muses – was going to shoot a version of a Shakespeare play? Sign me up! I didn’t need to know the casting or anything else about it, because I was already sold. Just like that.
However, now that I’ve seen the film, my glee has grown into a full-fledged nerd boner that won’t go away. Much Ado About Nothing is like a sexual enhancement pill for any moviegoer who enjoys impeccable acting, a balanced mix of comedy and drama, or gorgeous visual elements. Even if you can’t stand Shakespeare and you don’t have a clue what the play is about, this film will be a delight from start to finish.
Continue reading “Joss Whedon’s “Much Ado About Nothing” is Really Freakin’ Something”