Comic Book Therapy » extreme

Indie Spotlight: Yumi Sakugawa

Muy Mareado! — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:00:11 +0000

Welcome to Indie Spotlight! The independent scene is filled with many writers and artists alike and we here at Comic Book Therapy wanted to explore and reach reach out to these talented people to have the opportunity to learn about their works. For our first edition we present to you Yumi Sakugawa!

I am Yumi Sakugawa and I am a comic book artist and illustrator based in the Southern California. I am a regular comic / illustrator online contributor to Sadie Magazine and Wonderhowto.

Most recently, my comic zine “Mundane Fortunes for the Next Ten Billion Years and Other Stories” was selected as Notable Comics of 2012 by the Best American Comics anthology editors.

_____________________________________________________

Comic Book Therapy – Thank you very much for taking the time out to do this interview. How have you been doing?

Yumi Sakugawa – It is my pleasure! I’m finally fully recovered from a week-long cold so right now I am feeling pretty amazing.

CBT – You’re a self published comic book artist. How did you start?

Yumi – After I graduated from UCLA, I spent a year teaching English in Japan… because that’s what you do when you have just graduated from college with an art major and you have no idea what you’re going to do with yourself. During that time, a fellow English-teaching American artist friend and I spontaneously decided to sign up for a small booth at the bi-annual Tokyo Design Festa, a giant arts and craft convention that happens in Tokyo every May and November. I didn’t have any art on hand and I definitely did not want to show up as a first-time exhibitor empty-handed–so I furiously whipped up my first self-published 30-page comic zine “Milk and Moo” just in time for the event. Note to new artists, there is nothing like a convention deadline to really force yourself to kick your own butt to get something done.

This was back in 2008, and I had no idea that a zine culture even existed. When I moved back to Los Angeles, I made serendipitous connections with fellow artists in 2010 who introduced me to the zine scene and really got me hooked to showing comic zines at zine conventions.

CBT – What projects have you completed? Currently working on?

Yumi – I’ve self-published about eight comic zines in the last four years, ranging from illustrated guides on meditation to short comic story collections. My most recent self-published comic zine was a 50-page autobiographical diary comic of my travels in Paris and Rome.

Things I’m currently working on? I’ll definitely be releasing more self-published comics about meditation and mindfulness (people seem to really like those), and more short comic story collections. And since the world always needs more self-love and creative inspiration, I’m thinking of releasing a comic zine that deals specifically with self-love and staying inspired as an artist.

I’m also working on a longer fictional comic project right now, longer than anything I have ever made. It’s kind of a secret so either a lot of people will get to read it once it’s done or I won’t finish it and no one will ever know about it. Hopefully it will be the former and not the latter.

CBT – How long have you been in the art world? What inspired you to pick up the pencil/pen and create?

Yumi – I honestly don’t know what counts as being in the art world! I was in my first group art show in 2008 that wasn’t an art school student campus gallery show, so maybe since then? As for what inspired me to pick up the pencil / pen and create, I’ve always been drawing and doodling since I was a small kid, and drawing is the perfect medium to express yourself when you’re a really painfully shy kid and you’re trrified of talking to people.

CBT – As an artist, conventions and other means of showcasing are pretty important to promote your work. Have you attended conventions?

Yumi – Yes! I’ve attended maybe 6 different comic and zine conventions in the last few years and I really love the convention scene. For 2013, I’m really excited that I will be tabling away from the West Coast for the first time ever–at the Brooklyn Zine Fest in April and at the Toronto Comics and Arts Festival in May. Come visit my table if you think you’ll be going to either of those events!

I always make the coolest new friends and discover amazing new artists at every convention event. Seriously, I feel like there is a significantly lower percentage of douchey, pretentious creative types in the zine scene compared to other creative scenes or maybe I have just been really lucky with the people I’ve met. That, and I love having the opportunity to share my work with new people and connect in real-time with people who have seen my work previously on the internet or elsewhere.

If you are just starting out as a comic book artist, then I really recommend signing up for a table or a booth at a comic convention. Even if you don’t sell that many comics in the beginning, you get so much from the whole experience.

CBT – What is your best Convention memory?

Yumi – I think my best convention memory is the first comic and zine convention I’ve ever attended in 2010. I was crammed in one car with three other zine friends and left at 3 in the morning from Los Angeles to arrive just in time in Sacramento at around 10 A.M. to table at Indy Euphoria. I was only there for one day and I hitched a ride back to Los Angeles with another friend that same night. That convention memory is particularly special to me because that was the first time I had the chance to meet Dylan Williams, the late founder of Sparkplug Comic Books. It was at the convention when he actually bought copies of my first comic zine from me to distribute through Sparkplug and as a total newbie, I was so blown away by the possibility that complete strangers would really take a genuine interest in reading my comics. I feel so fortunate to have met him at that time and one more time before his unfortunate passing in 2011.

CBT – Things can be a bit difficult getting into the comic business. What encourages you to continue?

Yumi – I honestly don’t think much about the difficulty of getting into the comic business. Not because I naively think it won’t be difficult for me or anything like that, more so because I’m much more preoccupied on a narcissistic, mundane level with the daily difficulty of motivating myself every single day to find the time and the inspiration to move forward with my comic projects, regardless of busyness or creative blocks.

What keeps me going? Fan mail from an eleven-year-old girl. Complete strangers from countries I’ve never visited ordering my zines online. Seeing my self-published comics on display in my favorite independent bookstores. Kind messages from strangers. The painstakingly slow progress I make as an artist with every new project I finish. Being held accountable to my inner eleven-year-old who always dreamed of becoming a cartoonist.

CBT – Have you done work for other publishers?

Yumi – I’m actually working on something with another comic publisher. I can’t disclose too much information for the moment and more details will be revealed later in 2013. Stay tuned!

CBT – What do you enjoy most about doing comics?

Yumi – I think comics is the best creative medium for me to fully and honestly express myself as an artist and as a human being. Growing up, I was always torn between wanting to become a writer and wanting to become an artist; thankfully with comics, you can do both things at the same time.

CBT – With the year of rebirths and reboots, do you feel it contributes well to the comic business or takes the interest away from longtime readers?

Yumi – I’m the worst person to ask this question. I haven’t actually read any rebirth or reboot comic storylines.

CBT – Who is your favorite comic book artist? Favorite title or series that features his/her art?

Yumi – What a difficult question! I have many favorite comic book artists that changes with what I am interested in at the moment, but I always find myself revisiting again and again “Skim” illustrated by Jillian Tamaki and written by Mariko Tamaki. Coming-of-age stories with interesting female teenage protagonists are my personal catnip.

CBT – What comic book character would you find easy to relate to?

Yumi – This is a Japanese manga character, but I can relate too well with Maruko from the shoujo manga series “Chibi Maruko-Chan.” She’s lazy and disorganized, and prone to retreating to her own imaginary world a lot, just like me. (I can’t relate, however, to her immense dislike of nattou)

As for an American comic book character, this may be an extreme cliche answer but I think Charlie Brown and I would have had a lot of great coffee hang-outs. I was a pretty melancholy kid prone to over-nostalgizing my own childhood experiences in my head as they were happening in real time.

CBT – What would you consider your greatest piece to date?

Yumi – I don’t know if this would be my greatest, but I will always have a huge fondness for my first self-published comic story “Milk and Moo.” There is a wonderful magic that comes out of having no idea what you’re doing but somehow getting it done anyway.

CBT – For those who want to have a start in illustration, what advice would you share with them?

Yumi – Give the world as many opportunities as possible to see your artwork. Have a regularly updated art blog. Show your work at shows. Exhibit at conventions. Meet other artists. Make friends with artists whose skills and work ethic intimidate the shit out of you. Being an artist can be a lonely business, so find a community of artists you can join or make your own community. Find excuses to get your illustration out there, whether it’s volunteering to illustrate for a someone’s music event flyer or challenging yourself to publishing a weekly web comic with a friend.

In the beginning, all of this may seem like shooting darts in the dark. It is all worth it for the momentum that you create for yourself that will carry you over to your next great opportunity.

CBT – Thank you very much! Is there anything you’d like for us to be on the lookout for?

Yumi – Since so many people have asked about this, I will be releasing a limited artist booklet print of my emo-comic “I Think I Am In Friend-Love with You” sometime this month (January). If you are looking for the perfect not-so-subtle gift to give to your friend-crush for Valentine’s Day, this is it.

>Click Images for Bigger Versions<

Check out the sites below to see more of Yumi’s work and updates on her projects!

Bigcartel: yumisakugawa

Facebook: www.facebook.com/yumiverse

Flickr: yumisakugawa

Twitter: @yumisakugawa

Tumblr sketch blog: acrosstheyumiverse

_____________________________________________________

Hey writers and artists!! As the continuing interest in independent works grows, we want to reach out to the indie community and highlight those who dedicate their time and effort to a passion for their work. Tell us YOUR story! If you know someone that you would like to be featured in this section let us know!

To be featured in Indie Spotlight, please complete the following steps:

Contact us at: dezdewberry@comicbooktherapy.com (Please put “Indie Spotlight” in the subject line)
Provide a short bio and 5-10 pictures if you’re an artist
Sit down, relax and get ready to be contacted back!

Muy Mareado!, Indie Spotlight: Yumi Sakugawa

Michael Bay’s Ninja Turtles Movie Starts Shooting Soon

Cody "The Thorverine" Ferrell — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 06:43:26 +0000

We all know the story by now. Michael Bay is producing a new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live-action film that will be directed by Jonathan Liebesman. The turtles are supposedly no longer teenage or mutant. The film was met with extreme displeasure from fans when details from the script emerged. In fact the whole script leaked online and many who read it thought it was fake due to all of the oddball choices it took story wise. Not long afterwards the film was put on hold to dial back the budget and rewrite most of the script. It seems like Paramount Pictures is now happy with the rewrite.

Production Weekly, who are usually very reliable when it comes to things like this, report that the film will start shooting in New York this April. New York and April, how appropriate.

Principle photography on TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, is scheduled to begin this April in New York.

— Production Weekly (@prodweek) January 12, 2013

No word other than that. I would say it’s a safe bet that some of the things that caused so much fan discord has been tweaked or completely changed. With principle photography beginning so soon, it should be no time at all until we hear some solid casting info. What do you think? Are you saying this one is out for the count or should we wait to hear what’s changed?

Cody "The Thorverine" Ferrell, Michael Bay’s Ninja Turtles Movie Starts Shooting Soon

Don Cheadle Says Iron Man 3 Is “Bigger and Badder”

Cody "The Thorverine" Ferrell — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 05:57:01 +0000

Don Cheadle may have missed out on all the action in The Avengers, but from what we’ve seen so far he’ll make up for it in Iron Man 3. Colonel James Rhodes will be suiting up in a new patriotic War Machine suit in the Shane Black directed threequel. The actor wouldn’t comment on the new suit though, only saying he’d let people react to it when they see it. While out promoting his Showtime comedy series, House of Lies, Cheadle spoke with Collider about the highly anticipated Marvel film.

Cheadle knows that expectations are extremely high for the first post-Avengers film, but it sounds like he and the cast are ready for the challenge:

I hope that it performs to those levels. We did a little piece of it at Comic-Con and people went crazy. It looked great. The script is good. We’re doing a couple re-shoots next week, but I’m encouraged.

Iron Man 2 was directed by Jon Favreau whereas 3 will be handled by the aforementioned Shane Black. Cheadle praises the new director saying he had a good time with a really good cast. He said the director came up with “an interesting script” that was “a lot of fun.” When asked how he would shake things up in Iron Man 3, the actor may have let a spoiler out of the bag:

I’m not supposed to say that he kills Robert Downey Jr.’s character. Is that a spoiler? That would be a spoiler. You knew that was coming. You read the comic books. No. I will just say that the buddy relationship that these guys have gets tighter. The third act set piece for the big finale is bigger and badder. It’s just a lot more.

OK that wasn’t really a spoiler. It would be an incredible shock though you have to admit. The actor did confirm what we had only heard rumors of, that some re-shoots will take place next week in Manhattan Beach. With the stills and clips we’ve seen from the film it does look like the Rhodes/Stark relationship will be explored even further than the second film. To read the rest of the interview where Cheadle talks about his TV show, production company, and family click right here. Everything he said about Iron Man 3 and the third act set piece being “bigger and badder” sounds incredibly promising. What do you think?

Cody "The Thorverine" Ferrell, Don Cheadle Says Iron Man 3 Is “Bigger and Badder”

Wreck-It Ralph Review

MrComicBook — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 14:11:58 +0000

It has been quite the weak year for animated features. Brave didn’t please audiences as much as other Pixar films, and the stupid Madagascar films continued to bore adults. But then comes along Wreck-It Ralph, a movie in the vein of Shrek, where the adult and child love the movie.

Ralph is a very simple movie at heart, but has plenty of deeper messages. Kids will see what they want, and so will adults. Kids will see a man who thinks he is bad be a good person. Adults will see a complex film about heroes and their somewhat ambiguous morality. It’s amazing how easily the movie balances these two extremes. Never does the audience feel like these plot twists are forced or shoved in for the sake of it. Everything feels natural for the story. The plot does a great job of giving the audience to care for each and every character. Even a character like King Candy, who turns out to be a villain for the movie. The rules of the world are also stated nicely. The audience doesn’t have to sit through some long exposition scene about how and why they game jump. The rules are brought up naturally, or in a funny way.

Yes, there are video game references a plenty. They go from obscure arcade games like Tappers, to main stream characters like Sonic. The majority of Ralph takes place in a Mario Kart knock off, with plenty of jokes at that series. It should take a couple viewings to get all of the hints and nods to games. While many movies have tried to have their setting be a video game, none have succeeded. But Ralph soars in this setting. It’s clear the creators have a love for video games, and know what they are about. There are plenty of jokes at modern and classic video games, but there is a respect behind those jokes.

The special effects are on the same level of Pixar. 8-bit characters move in quick motions, as they would when playing the game. If something in an 8-bit game splashes, the puddles are squares. It’s a small thing, but goes a long way to help sell the world that these characters are in. Another big thing is having every character react as they would in their game. On a small scale, this is to be expected. But when there is a huge scene, filled with hundreds of characters, every character acts accordingly. Sonic is in the background of one of these scenes, and we see him get hit with debris. Naturally, he starts blinking and shoots out coins. He was so far in the background, I almost missed it.

Wreck-It Ralph isn’t perfect though. While the writing is great in most scenes, occasionally the writing gets a little on the nose with their message. The movie treads the line well of adult and kid content, but the script creeps into preachy territory every so often. It’s jarring, considering there are a few scenes that are quite dark emotionally, and filled with subtlety. Then we go to a scene that lays everything out on the table. It doesn’t ruin the movie by any means, but it could have been changed.

The voice actors create a great team. No one steals the show, but they all work together to create a better movie. John C. Riley makes Ralph lovable, and instantly the audience feels for the guy. Sarah Silverman makes Vanellope annoying as hell, then the audience’s heart just breaks for her. Her voice is one of the few who can’t be picked out right away. Jane Lynch plays the tough as nails commander well, in a tongue-in-cheek fashion. Jack McBryer was hysterical as Fix It Felix. But the biggest surprise was that Alan Tudyk played King Candy. He sounds nothing like Tudyk’s normal voice. And as I have always said, “Putting Alan Tudyk in your movie ALWAYS makes it better.”

If Wreck-It Ralph proves one thing, it’s that kids don’t need a movie that coddles them. Ralph deals with some heavy emotions that are accentuated by some perfectly voiced scenes. It seemed almost un-Disney to have these characters so sad. But it works. Kids loved the movie, and many were screaming that they wanted to see it again.

Wreck-It Ralph gets 4/5.

MrComicBook, Wreck-It Ralph Review

GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY: GLORY #23 Sells Out, Gets Second Printing!

Agent Burgos — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:08:33 +0000

GLORY, the second title in Image Comics’ hotly anticipated relaunch of their Extreme line, has sold out of issue #23 at the distribution level, before it even arrives on store shelves on February 15. Image has immediately gone back to press and a second printing of GLORY #23 (DEC118223), with a new cover by Ross Campbell, will be in stores on the same day as GLORY #24, March 14.

GLORY #23 marks writer Joe Keatinge’s and artist Ross Campbell’s bold revival of the Rob Liefeld-created superheroine. Glory has returned to Earth — this time, not to save it but to live as a human among humans. And there are two young women there who have been waiting for her.

Keatinge and Campbell bring a euro-comic-meets-indie sensibility to the superhero comic. This sensibility is most visible in the art by Campbell, who is known for his realistic and varied depictions of women in his books Wet Moon and Shadoweyes, but also present in the inclusion of new characters Riley and Gloria, through whom the reader gets to know the god-like warrior princess.

“Seeing such a different take on the superhero genre succeed has me thrilled,”

said writer Keatinge.

“Glory is an atypical heroine and I’m very thankful there’s such demand to see what we do with her.”

Agent Burgos, GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY: GLORY #23 Sells Out, Gets Second Printing!