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More Awesome Booths at C2E2 by Samantha LaFountain

Published Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:57:21 -0500

Samantha LaFountain writes for Bleeding Cool

C2E2 has an artist alley not to be taken lightly. And going through once did not do it justice, so with my fourteenth or eleventeenth time marching through I managed to find another arm full of cool people and comics.

"God Hates Astronauts" is not just a bold statement but it is a bold comic as well independently produced, written, and drawn by Ryan Browne. It has been described as, "The best comic money can't buy" and recently quoted as, "The comic that cannot be described in one sentence."

It's a full color comic that can be found on the web or you can pick up copies as well. And really, it is a hard comic to describe. The first words that come to mind are there are bears and a crazy superhero team but there is so much more! Their a zombie historical figures with bear minions, heads blow up and explode, there is an evil floating cow head, group therapy hosted by Montel and then some owl mafia people! Trying to explain this comic to anyone else makes you instantly sound like a twelve year old kids who drank too much Mountain Dew today. It's truly best to experience the beautiful artwork, exploding heads, and laugh-out-loud comedy.

The idea originated from a comic Ryan created during 24-Hour Comic Day and he found an idea he could actually run with. So he re-tooled the idea, made it make more sense, and turned it into a full first issue, without really even having an idea where the second issue was going to go. Most of his plots are formed from jokes he has and tries to form his comic around it. Of course with any comic, the first thing you see is the art, and Ryan's art pops off the page with its color. Originally Ryan started out as a painter and over time steered more towards illustration and that is really where his art is influenced, he draws for color.

So check out the greatest comic money can't buy at: http://www.godhatesastronauts.com/ and see what all the hype is about! Currently issue three is in the works so there is a short hiatus from updates. Also some more interesting facts about Ryan Browne, he is mainly machine and he has two cameras for eyes.

Kevin D. Bandt and Josh Filer, 2/3 of the comic publishing collaborative, Cuddle Fish Comics, like to use a similar motto as Ryan on how to make their comics as well. When Kevin works on his comic, The Carriers, he likes to wake up in the morning with a great idea and then some how fit it into the comic he is making. The Carriers is a fully colored fantasy comic that can be found on the web and in print. The best way to describe it is a mix of final fantasy meets mohawks meets a rainbow. Being mainly inspired by video games, Kevin's true love is comics, and he doesn't mind having to work a day job to pay for it either. Kevin said he decided on the idea when he found something that he could have fun with and wouldn't become a chore later down the line. He can keep shaping the journey of the heroes by drawing many of the things he loves most, monsters and explosions.

The Carriers is about an alternate world where specific individuals blessed with magic are currently being hunted by a genocidal Queen. The story draws you with its down to earth characters who are not standard fantasy stock. The artwork flows gracefully across the page and practically punches you in the face with its color. And the unique idea of magic almost being like painting, gives a different feel to this fantasy comic altogether. You can find the Carriers online at, http://carrierscomic.blogspot.com/ and more information on Kevin at, http://kevinbandtconcepts.blogspot.com/

Josh, approaches his comics, Gross, Grandpa with all the crazy things he finds funny and jams them into a full color comic with art style similar to a Jhonen Vasquez meets Beck Cloonan (and that hardly hits the nail on the head). It's crazy, keeps you on your toes, and never apologizes for what it scars you with (in all the best ways possible).

Josh explained that Gross, Grandpa is as if a grandfather is telling a completely inappropriate made up story to his grandchildren. Complete with evil old women with saggy boobs, a man mutated with too many bones in his hands, and instantaneous mustache growth! The story starts off with a bulky dude who lives with two pretty girls in an epic victorian style treehouse, then, a guy falls through their roof. After that you are taken through an almost sugar high induced ride of hilarious puke jokes and obscenities. You enjoy stuff like FLCL or Adventure Time, just a little more adult? Check this comic out.

Currently, Gross, Grandpa can only be found in print but if you keep checking back at Josh's page, www.jedi-josh.deviantart.com and http://cuddlefishcomics.blogspot.com/, he hopes to provide it online soon.

While OHNO!Doom was technically not in artist alley, they did have a booth at C2E2 and are a place where artists can call home. To explain better, OHNO!Doom is an artist collective art gallery created and run by Oscar Alatorre, Max Bare, Joseph Call, Lana Crooks, Jordan Owen and Andrew Thompson, whose art expertise cover all over the board.

OHNO!Doom is a Chicago Gallery that can be found in Bucktown at 1800 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60647 and is more awesome than you can imagine. Stepping into the gallery you are thrown into a whirlwind of colors and action. They showcase not just the fine art but also, plushie art, clothing, and toy design!

The best way to describe OHNO!Doom is to say it is like the coolest comic book shop of art galleries or the best theme park of art. Not only are the showcases of the members but also of artist all over the world. Every showcase being a mind-melt of beautiful dream-like art. They've featured artists such as Jason Limon (San Antonio), Jeremiah Ketner (Chicago), David Rettker, and many more. Every month features a new theme and gallery event with new artists.

Check them out in April for their, "Beast Friends" show, featuring art by Keith Noordzy and Keith Meadows. When you're there you can also pick up some of their awesome t-shirts and other merch (I recommend the Chompin' Plush Toys!). To learn more about OHNO!Doom visit their website at, http://www.ohnodoom.com/

Samantha LaFountain lives and writes in Chicago.

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