I’m happy to announce that artwork from my two comic books, Tonoharu and Young Men of a Certain Mind, will be displayed at the Minnesota Museum of American Art as a part of their fall exhibit Hot Ink: Comic Art in Minnesota!

The exhibit opens on September 28, with an opening party taking place on October 3rd at 8pm.

This is the first time my work has ever been publicly displayed, so needlessly to say I’m thrilled; the only downside is that since I’m in Japan, I won’t be able to attend the party. But my parents will be representin’, so here’s your chance to meet them! Oh boy!

For more information, check out the MMAA’s website.

*UPDATE* The International Cartoonist Conspiracy website has a page with even more details, including a full list of featured artists. Check that out here.

I’m delighted to announce that I have been nominated for a 2008 Ignatz Award in the category of “Promising New Talent”! For those who aren’t familiar with the Ignatz Awards, here’s a description taken from their website:

The Ignatz Awards, named for the character in the classic comic strip Krazy Kat by George Herriman, is a festival prize that recognizes outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning. The ballot is created by a panel of five cartoonists and is then voted on by the attendees [of the Small Press Expo]. This offers a unique reflection of the views the professionals and their fans.

The Ignatz Awards is one of the most prestigious comics awards, so I’m thrilled just to be nominated. Of course I’d be even more thrilled to win, so if you happen to be attending the Small Press Expo next month, please consider voting for me! Thanks!

*UPDATE* I didn’t win. Shucks. But my thanks to those who voted for me, and my congratulations to winner Sarah Glidden!

I always feel a little gross writing these press releases, and yet… I do it anyway. Enjoy!

*****

NO LOVE FOR MANGA
American Cartoonist finds inspiration in Japan, but not in its comics

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Among comic fans, mention of Japan instantly brings to mind a very specific art style. A staple of Japanese comics (or “manga”), it features hyper-expressive characters with neon hair and huge sparkling eyes. Manga has become increasingly popular around the world, and has influenced the work of many non-Japanese artists.

One might expect American cartoonist Lars Martinson to be among them. He has lived in Japan for more than four years, and it is the setting of his graphic novel Tonoharu. But despite Japan’s prominent role in Martinson’s life, the influence of Japanese comics is noticeably absent from his work.

“I’m not much of a fan of the manga art style.” Martinson said. “It tends to be a little too flashy, and distracts from the story rather than compliments it. For my own work, I wanted something more subtle.”

Martinson’s Tonoharu tells the story of an American who moves to rural Japan to teach English. With its leisurely pace, somber art style, and weighty themes of isolation and cultural identity, Tonoharu is not what one generally expects from a Japan-centric comic.

But it seems to have struck a chord. The first printing sold out less than four months after its publication date, and the book has garnered coverage from mainstream publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Entertainment Weekly. Not that Martinson has had much of an opportunity to brag about these accomplishments.

“I was in Japan when Tonoharu was released, and none of my friends here have heard of the American newspapers and magazines that covered it.” Martinson said. “They were more impressed when a local school paper did a little blurb about me.”

More information about Tonoharu can be found on Martinson’s blog at:
www.larsmartinson.com

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