Remedy for the Post ComiCon Blues

Tonight (at midnight, to be precise) I'll be filing into a movie theater with millions of other cinéastes fantastiques to see the final chapter of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises. In honor of this momentous occasion, Billy has given me permission to offer a 25% discount on all graphic novels and comic books in WACKO. I don't know when was the last time you checked out our sequential art library, but we've got almost an entire aisle dedicated to comics and comix, and since we may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of comic books, we've got a lot of harder to find and even out of print collections that you definitely can't find for cover price anywhere else –and we're offering a 25% discount on top of it! Sales items are excluded, but our sale books are so cheap already that you'd be hard pressed to complain. The sale ends when the doors close on Sunday night, July 22nd –which will be later than usual to accommodate the Los Feliz Village Street Fair.

My catalog about comic art, POP SEQUENTIALISM, will also be part of the sale even though it's technically not a graphic novel or comic. It's a perfect place to start if you've developed an interest in superhero fiction, and I strongly recommend that you follow the POP SEQUENTIALISM BLOG for up to date reviews and news about the fine art of sequential storytelling. I post a new column weekly on Thursday mornings, with the occasional update in between.

On Monday morning I embark on a cross country drive to deliver and install a major retrospective at the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art for one of my favorite artists (and good friend), Myron Dyal. The entire Charon's Pantheon exhibit will be exhibited along with important new and old works of papier-mâché and painted canvases. Myron will be flying out to attend his opening and hold court with patrons and contributors in a presentation that is sure to expand the local consciousness.

I won't even be able to stay and appreciate the fruits of my labor, as I have to hop a plane and return in time for Billy's Thursday Night Fishfry & Community Social, headlined by former CHRISTIAN DEATH vocalist Gitane Demone. Each of these monthly musical events has been better than the last, and the revolving roster of performers is lively and refreshing. Also appearing will be Sioux City Pete, Gabriel Hart, Michael Rozon, Scot Nery, and of course those Motorcycle Boys, Francois & John. Christy Kane will be projecting her Callalilly, and the festivities will be MC'ed by Blaine Capatch. Seth and Johnny will be behind the scenes with Billy, so be sure to cruise on over and enjoy yourself!

Tiki, Tats and Tarts!

Brad Parker & Miles Thomspon:
Two shows that blended nicely!

The La Luz de Jesus TIKI PARTY on Friday night was Smash Success!

Both Brad Parker and Miles Thompson experienced brisk sales all evening long in their dueling solo shows –each room complementing the next with matched themes of surf & sail.

Brad Parker stops to pose
with a longtime friend & patron

The summer gala was stockpiled with animators, other fine artists and tiki enthusiasts who had traveled as far as Hawaii to see in person the first Miles Thompson show since 2009, as well as witness the Tiki Shark himself, Brad Parker, who was able to include some awesome monster-themed skate decks mere hours before the exhibitions opened!

Miles is all smiles next to the proud
new owner of the showcard piece

Miles revisited the scene of his glory on Saturday to help a few patrons decide on which pieces to purchase and Brad returned on Sunday to host an audience of fans and students for an impromptu art talk that covered technique and tradition.

Our publicist Lee Joseph has posted some great photos from the opening on his Flickr account.

Shawn Barber & Danni Shinya Luo
Book Signing: Tuesday July 10th, 7-9PM

 While the holiday weekend is over and most have gotten back into the swing of the daily grind, I offer you a mid-week oasis of Tattoos and Trollops! I am speaking of course of the world premiere of Shawn Barber's latest art volume, Memoir as part of a two-person signing with Danni Shinya Luo, whose Soft Candy has finally arrived following her incredibly successful exhibition of the same name. Shawn's tattoo portraits and Danni's gorgeous girls seem like a great excuse to get out of the house again after the holiday weekend. Last Gasp Books is co-presenting this event tomorrow night (Tuesday, July 10th) which kicks of at 7 PM and runs until 9PM.

Miss Luo will have some of the sketches published in the book available for sale, too, so come on down and say, "Mahalo!