So I’m undergoing mandatory training in how not to destroy my company by secretly renegotiating contracts behind the backs of the executive sales staff; the fact that I don’t ever have anything to do with contracts doesn’t seem to have any bearing on the fact that I must listen to Virtual Compliance Officer Mike drone on in his somnolent, emotionless, monotone vocoder as he reads material at me. Let’s see what’s up with webcomics before I open a vein.
It was ten days ago that we reported the start of filming on Penny Arcade’s original web series, Automata. At the time I figured the filming would be done in a couple of weeks, depending how how elaborate locations needed to be, and if weather the cooperated. Earlier today PA benevolent dictator Robert Khoo shared the news that shooting had wrapped, just in time for PAX South to kick off tomorrow.
No news as to whether or not any footage will be shown there (at this point, I wouldn’t hold my breath), but I stand by my hunch that at least some final cut will be available by PAX East in April. Those of you headed to San Antonio for South, have fun and remember to wash your damn hands.
Speaking of conventions, MoCCA Fest just announced the Guests of Honor for their shindig the weekend of 2-3 April. Please be prepared to welcome:
Cece Bell, creator of El Deafo and winner of both the Newberry Honor and the Eisner
RO Blechman, Emmy Award-winning illustrator, animator, cartoonist and author
Phoebe Gloeckner, creator of The Diary of a Teenage Girl, which is kind of a big deal these days
Sonny Liew, who’s done a stack of graphic novels, including the art on The Shadow Hero (with Gene Luen Yang), and whose latest is The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye
Rebecca Sugar, who made us all believe in Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, and Steven, and who is disgustingly young¹
See you all at the Metropolitan West event space on 2 April.
Still speaking of events, it appears that Angoulême managed to vote themselves a winner of the Grand Prix after all; Fleen Senior French Correspodent Pierre Lebeaupin has thoughts on the selection of Belgian cartoonist Hermann to be next year’s (largely ceremonial) President of the festival. Here’s hoping that next year’s FIBD can be held with less bumbling.
Spam of the day:
MY LAST RESPONSE
Jeeze, I hope so. You’ve been after me with your attempts to 419 me for months, Mr. Wang Zhiqiang working with Wing Lung Bank Hong Kong. Get bent.
________________
¹ Seriously, she wasn’t even born until after I’d finished my sophomore year of college. Stop being so damn young, incredibly skilled people that are achieving more than I ever have.