Yes, you read that right: toaster.

No, it is not April 1.

From the press release:

Dynamic Forces is excited to work with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to release these collectible image toasters that capture the spirit of some of Warner Bros.’ most admired properties and timeless brands,” President of Dynamic Forces, Nick Barrucci said via press release. “We’re thrilled to give fans the opportunity to interact with their favorite brands and characters in a new way.

No comment.

Indie cartoonist Derf will give a free talk Tuesday, May 15, at OSU’s Wexner Center film/video theater.

Ohio State grad and Cleveland-based cartoonist Derf Backderf visits to discuss his new graphic novel, My Friend Dahmer, an account of growing up in the same small Ohio town as notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.

Best known for his strip The City, Derf is a two-time Eisner Award nominee and received a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism award in 2006. Join us following the event for a book signing in the Wexner Center Store.

Shit My Students Write

A few of my favorites:

Having tattoos is just like slavery but not as bad.

Murder is the number one cause of itself.

The Internet as we know it may be in its final stages of existence. Granted, this is a bold statement.

Bold indeed, you magnificent bastard!

I was familiar with Hugo Pratt. I’ve read the Corto Maltese collections from the library, and was always impressed with his art, but Ididn’t realize the extent of his skills as a writer. As for Manara, I was only familiar with the stroy he illustrated for Neil Gaiman in the Sandman “Endless Nights” book.

This stuff is amazing. The first nine pages have no dialogue. Its beautiful (except for the fact that the scene depicts a brutal rape- but its not Millar or Bendis, it actually is the impetus for the stroy that follows. A tragedy that sets off a chain of tragedies.) Manara has been accused of misogyny, and based on some of his other work I’ve seen that probably fact based, but under the writing of Pratt, I really feel like thats not the case in this work. Its sort of a retelling of the “Scarlet Letter”. Amazing stuff. Great art, just beautiful. the figures, the linework, the backgrounds. Didn’t care as much for the second story “:the paper man”, but still enjoyed the art. Highly recommend y’all check this out.

Here are some pages. Just gorgeous.

Robert Crumb, as channeled by Jim Steranko!

(via CBR)

And best of all, it’s free to attend, and parking is free as well.

The 2012 Featured Authors are:

Tom Batiuk
Jeni Britton Bauer
Cinda Williams Chima
Casey Daniels
Nancy Petro
Donald Ray Pollock
Emilie Richards
Les Roberts
Michael J. Rosen
Robin Yocum

I’ll be one of the guests at the festival, and I’m also participating in a panel at 2:15 pm titled “Young Adult Fiction – For Tweens & Teens.” There will be a ton of other panels, workshops, and author readings as well. Plus, children’s activities. Check out the website for all the details.

Hope to see some of you there.

If you like Ruben’s comics, be sure to check out his Inner Hive, where for $9.99 every six months, you get his latest comic emailed to you a day before publication, plus access to additional content like sketches, unused scripts, and giveaways

Yeah you do.

Thos #380, Marvel Comics, 1987.

Man, I could just do months and months of this feature from that single issue. Simonson at the top of his game. Gorgeous stuff.

(scan from Daily Splash Page)

OK, on to this week:

“Why, that arrogant, ice-blooded–”

Easy there, Mr. Jameson. Don’t blow a gasket.