lunarcy II - COMING SOON!

Six years in the making! The follow up to the smash hit lunarcy, lunarcy II features 16 pages of our lone existential satellite. Coming first quarter 2017. Only $1! Don't miss it.

Volume 17 Out Now

Candy or Medicine Vol. 17 is out now! This issue features "The Training Beard" by Bobby Mono, "Pizza Bill" by Jon Light, some lesser known awareness organizations by M Young, "Dungeon Dudes" by Buttersword, "Waltz No. 7" by Harry Nordlinger and front and back covers by Willard Herman. Good stuff all around.

You can order on the Candy or Medicine Etsy page or click the Paypal button below to order. Sixteen pages for $1.50 shipped.

Candy or Medicine Volume Sixteen Lineup

With Christmas and some unused vacation days, I'm going to have five extra days off in the next three weeks. My goal is to get Candy or Medicine Volume Sixteen ready for publication in January. To whet your appetite, here is the contributor line up and a first look at the cover, by the wonderful Emi Gennis.

• Cover- Emi Gennis
• Nate McDonough (four pages)
• Harry Nordlinger (three pages)
• Jim Gullet (five pages)
• Andy Nukes (one page)
• Robert Dayton (one page)

New Comic: How to Successfully Make an Incognito Dubbed VHS Porn Tape

 You like how you can see my foot in this picture?

Or "Incognito" for short. In case you haven't heard enough from me lately, I made a new comic last night, in my basement no less! It was the first comic I've printed on my new (old) Brother laser printer. I'm hoping to do most of my printing at home now. I didn't have a paper trimmer, so I had to use scissors, but I hope to purchase one today.

Anyway, this is some low-brow stuff here. Don't expect anything too raunchy, though, as it's barely PG-13. It's a random idea by me, sort of a love letter to being 15 years old, illustrated by my Brit pal Russ Walton, who you might remember from his Evil Ed and Nasty Ted in a couple issues of Candy or Medicine.

How to Successfully make an Incognito Dubbed VHS Porn Tape (longest mini-comic title ever, perhaps?) is eight, black-and-white, quarter-sized pages printed on nice paper (not that cheap stuff). And best of all, it is only 75 95 cents shipped (in the U.S.). You heard me, only 75 95 cents shipped! It doesn't get much cheaper than that. Or if you order it along with an issue of Candy or Medicine, it's only 25 cents extra. (I had to update the price because I didn't realize PayPal fees were so high. At 75 cents shipped, it ended up costing me a couple of cents to sell one, and that doesn't make any sense!)

Mini-Comic a Month Challenge for July 2011: Rav 2 & 3

Rav 2 & 3
by Mickey Zacchilli
Eighty half-sized pages, two-color offset outside cover, one-color offset inside cover, offset interior (brown ink on yellow paper), limited run of 500ish
$6 plus shipping
Available here.

It's not often that when I first open up an envelope containing a comic, that I want to read it right away, but that was the case with Rav 2 &3. However, with coming home to three kids, I am not afforded that opportunity. Although, I did read it as soon as they were tucked away in bed.

I'm not sure where I came across Mickey Z's site, but I'm really glad I did. I usually shy away from comics that are more than $3 or $4 because I'm a total cheapskate, but this one I knew I had to have. I could just sense it.

This is a thick ass book (I had to take a pee break in the middle of it), and it's jammed packed with awesomeness. The story revolves around a couple named Juice and Sally who go to a graveyard to make out. They stumble across some occultists who try to capture them, but Sally gets away. Eventually, Juice frees himself and tried to locate Sally, who ends up at IHOP, where some snake-face dude hits on her.

That synopsis in no way does this story justice. It's totally bizarre (in a good way), and the artwork has a scratchy, trippin' balls kind of vibe to it. There's also some extras at the end likes doodles, a word jumble and mazes. Definitely one of the best comix I've read all year.

News and Notes, June Edition

• I could almost fill this whole thing with Noah Van Sciver updates. First, Noah Van Sciver has a Tumblr (make sure to check out the issue of Alpha Flight he drew). He will also appear in the Best American Comics 2011 and in MAD Magazine. He also released a possible cover to his much-anticipated graphic novel, The Hypo. And Sean T. Collins reviews Blammo! #7
• Sam Spina has a new comic out. He's also now a Xeric award winner!
• Rob Clough reviews Rob Jackson's The Gods Must Be Bastards. He also reviews Candy or Medicine Vol. 13. The Poopsheet Foundation reviews Vol. 13 as well.
• Isaac Bidwell and Cayetano Valenzuela will have pieces in a show in San Francisco.

Mini-Comic a Month Challenge for June 2011: The Adventures of Apple and Banana and Let's Be Happy No. 2

The Adventures of Apple and Banana
by Sassy Spinster
Sixteen half-sized pages
Price: $1 plus shipping

Let's Be Happy Issue #2
by Sassy Spinster
Sixteen half-sized pages
Price: $1 plus shipping

Available here

So we've reached the half way point of the 2011 Mini-Comic a Month Challenge. I'm glad I've kept up with it and I'm looking forward to the second half of the year. So far, I've read some great comics. Anyway, this time we have two by Sassy Spinster: The Adventures of Apple and Banana and Let's Be Happy Issue #2.

The Adventures of Apple and Banana is about, you guessed it, the adventures of an apple and a banana. It's a compilation stories about run ins with rocks, worms, gorillas and fun houses plus the circle of life for an apple. A quick, fun read. If you're a fan of Minty Lewis, you will like this comic.

Let's Be Happy is a compilation of eight of Sassy's previously published comics. Topics range from swimming, anthropomorphic food, urban myths and creative impotence. Another quick, fun comic. I'm looking forward to reading more of these.

Mini-Comic a Month Challenge for May 2011: bananaslug

bananaslug
by Leslie Perrine
48 pages, quarter sized, black and white, with hand-stenciled and bound covers in grey
Price: $2.50 shipped
Available here

bananaslug is about a lonely bananaslug who, despite being self-sufficient, longs for a mate. Leaving his snail friend behind, the bananaslug eventually finds someone who he thinks is a perfect match. Will the snail be the voice of reason or try to maliciously destroy the relationship out of jealousy?

Mini-Comic a Month Challenge for April 2011: Aloha and The Island

Aloha and The Island
by Desmond Reed
16 pages each, 2.5" x 4", black and white
Price: $2.50 shipped for both.
Available here.

There are a couple of really fun, short mini-comics. Aloha tells the story of an annoying worm and how his friends decide to "politely" stop having lunch with him. The Island centers around a man and a dog who are stranded on a deserted island.

I really liked both of these comics, with Aloha being my favorite. They are exactly what I'm looking for in a mini-comic: fun to read and they tell a complete story. Aloha's humor is delivered with perfect timing. The Island's punchline is a bit abrupt, but still funny nonetheless. A couple of really solid, humorous, affordable comics. I've already ordered another pair of Desmond's comics.

News and Notes, March Edition

March was a busy month. Here's what went down:

• You can preorder HIVE FIVE, featuring Noah Van Sciver, Ed Choy Moorman and yours truly.
• The Onion's AV Club interviews Noah Van Sciver. You can also order Blammo #7, which is really great, by the way. Here's a review.

• Daniel Olson was featured in a Bleeding Cool article about C2E2.
• Josh Blair/Candy or Medicine featuring in a Liberal Ohian article about SPACE.
• Katie Omberg offers her SPACE recap.
• Kyle Nolan has a new comic out and it's pretty rad.

• Candy or Medicine Vol. 11 is reviewed in another SPACE recap.
• Tori Holder now has her debut comic for sale.

Volume Nine Contributors Revealed

I know it's not as exciting as the "Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed" show, but here is the list of contributors to Candy or Medicine Volume Nine, which will see a late March/early April release in time for SPACE.

Jonny Smeby (cover, seen at right)
Daniel McEwen (three pages)
Cameron Callahan (two pages)
Alex Chiu (two-page center spread)
Joseph Carlough (one page)
Maggie Morrill (three pages, one of which can be seen below)
Sean Steward (one page)
Danny Ferbert and Sarah Bunker (one page)
Tyler Stafford (back cover)

Still sixteen pages, still printed on nice paper, still just a buck.


Two new issues recently? Three blog posts this week? I'm not sure where all this productivity came from. Since purchasing a new computer a couple weeks ago, it's been much easier to put the issues together, if only I can pry myself away from Plants vs Zombies long enough to get any work done.

Free Comic Book Day 2010

It's not often I accomplish a task way before deadline, but this past Sunday, I picked up 500 copies of the Candy or Medicine Free Comic Book Day Special in anticipation of the May 1 event. I've celebrated Free Comic Book Day the past two years with free all-new, exclusive-content Candy or Medicine issues/PDFs, and this year is no exception. The only thing I'm doing different this year is 1) printing about 200 fewer copies and 2) distributing them to fewer stores. The reason being, of course, finances. I'd love to print a million of these and have them in every comic book/record/zine store in the world, but I can't. So I've decided to ship them to a few select stores that either a) already stock Candy or Medicine, b) are mini-comic friendly or c) are local to me.

Of course, if people want a copy, and they don't live near one of the listed stores, all they have to do is send me an e-mail and I'll drop one in the mail or they can download the PDF when it's available on May 1. Currently, the FCBD Special will be available at the following stores (about 10 more to come): Chicago Comics, Zanadu Comics (Seattle), Jim Hanley's Universe (New York City), Meltdown Comics (Los Angeles) and Clifton Comics (Cincinnati).

Here are the details of the comic: "Candy or Medicine presents its third annual Free Comic Book Day Special. All new, all ages, exclusive content for zero dollars. Featuring a cover by Indonesian artist Fami Faminas, a tired ghost by Josh Blair, punk rock/shark/tornado madness by Patt Kelley, a silent comic by Slovenian artist Domen Finzgar and two pages by the all-knowing Tyler Stafford."

I'm not one to brag, but every page of this comic is spot on. I'm really happy with the was this issue turned out, and I know everyone will enjoy it. It features the same quality of every Candy or Medicine issue (printed on nice paper). The only difference is that it's eight pages and, more importantly, it's free. 

Plus it features the coolest contributors page you've probably ever seen, courtesy of Tyler Stafford.

A Late Introduction

I see you've met Jonny Smeby. Jonny's artwork will grace the cover of Candy or Medicine Vol. 9, which will be out this month. I was supposed to write a post introducing Jonny, but I'm a little late. Oh well. I'm a big fan of Jonny's work. He is a very talented guy and I'm happy to have him in both the pages of Candy or Medicine and on the blog. I'm also glad that in his first blog post he reviewed a mini-comic because that's something I haven't had time to do in a while.


Make sure you visit Jonny's Web site and order all of his comics. Mulder & Bolder is a really fun comic set in a world that has existed in Jonny's head for a while. He has a lot of really great ideas and he knows the characters and their world inside and out. Plus there is a free Mulder and Bolder comic coming out this month, so keep an eye out for that.

While I haven't had a chance to check out his Jonny RPG comic, the previews I've seen look great and what seems great about it is that it's a complete mini-series, so you don't get the typical issue #1 and no subsequent issues, and, seeing as how the series is complete, you have the whole storyline at your disposal. It's also not a typical autobiographical comic. It's loosely autobiographical featuring monsters and intense action.

So a big thanks to Jonny Smeby for being a part of the team, making some damn good comics and having a really cool name.

For Your Eyes Only

Tentative cover to Candy or Medicine Volume Three. By the magnificent Kel Winser.

Vol. 3 Contributor bios

Complete bios for contributors to Candy or Medicine Vol. 3 are now up. Go to www.candyormedicine.com to check them out. The cover will be published within the next two weeks. Stay tuned.

Update from Kel Winser, cover artist for Vol. 3

Hi, there. My name is Kel and I drew the cover of Candy or Medicine Volume 3, due out April 15. I thought I'd stop by and let you all know a thing or two about what I do and where you can see it! I run a little comics organization called Linoleum Press (www.linoleumpress.com) where we (that's my cohort Rich Lillie and I) make little nuggets of comics goodness and post it on the site. You will find our portfolios with lots of great images for your eyes to drool at, online comic jams and information about our live comic jam events. The live events obviously only happen in the UK at the moment but we are looking into that! You can see pictures on the Web site though!

However, the online comic jam is open world wide and welcomes contributors from all over. The are
two plot lines currently running and feature some of the best UK small-press comics artists currently
running around the convention circuit here in the UK. Please go there, even if you draw a little, and
contribute the next panel in the ongoing adventures. All e-mailing details are on the site.

My own stuff is mostly slice-of-life or semi-autobiographical stories but I have also created a superhero
strip 'Jeff Legend' and his adventures can be read on Linoleum Press as well as on my blog
messyfingers.blogspot.com along with any art I may be creating at the time, please stop by and take a
look -  and don't forget to bookmark! Alternatively, become my friend on Myspace
(www.myspace.com/idrawcomics) and get all the updates there!

One of my goals in life is to become an educator in the field of comics storytelling and cartooning. I
currently work in a high school as an Art Technician and I teach comics at after-school clubs. I am
planning to go into Art and Design teaching in September 2008, but continue to create and draw
comics as my own method of communicating my dreams, fears and anxieties.

Thanks for reading and enjoying my stuff. See you in the funnies! 

Candy or Medicine blog now online

This blog will have regular updates about Candy or Medicine and its future and past contributors.

Candy or Medicine Volume Three will be out April 15. It will feature nine contributors from three countries and five states. The final contributor list is: Kostis Tzortzakakis, Dan Taylor, Kel Winser, Eric Meyers, Curtis Noel and Erik Dauplaise, Russ Walton, Molly Mullen and Colin Tedford. It will be 20 pages, black and white, quarter-sized (4.25" W X 5.5" H) and still only $1 (plus postage).

A preview and the cover will be posted soon. For more information, visit www.candyormedicine.com.