Year: 2010

Come see me in Miami!

Posted on by — 2 Comments ↓

Hey Miami Residents–

Come see me at the Miami Book Fair Saturday, November 20, 2010! I’ll be giving a presentation as a part of a panel (along with cartoonists Tracy White and  Sid Jacobson) and then we’ll all be taking questions for the audience. After that will be a signing. Admission to the panel is free*, so come out if you can!

Event Details:
What: “Graphic Lives” Panel Discussion & Book Signing
Who: Cartoonists Tracy White, Sid Jacobson and me!
When: Saturday, Nov. 20, 4:00 p.m.
Where: Miami Dade College, Centre Gallery (Building 1, 3rd Floor, Room 1365)

More information available here:
http://www.miamibookfair.com/events/lars_martinson_on_emtonoharuem_tracy_whi.aspx

*(With paid admission into the fair itself)

“Tonoharu: Part Two”–Now In Stores!

Posted on by — 6 Comments ↓

Tonoharu: Part Two is now available at fine retailers everywhere! (At least, that’s the word on the street; I haven’t been to a bookstore this week, so I can’t say for absolute certain. If anyone’s actually seen it in a bookstore, please leave a comment!)

But in the very least, it’s now in stock at Amazon.com, so if you’ve been waiting for that, head on over and pick up a copy!

(And of course, you can always order a signed copy from my store.)

“Tonoharu: Part Two” Preview up at Boing Boing!

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

Boing Boing has an exclusive preview of Tonoharu: Part Two up on their website. Check it out!
http://www.boingboing.net/2010/11/10/tonoharu-part-two-ex.html

***

If you’re a new reader who came to this site because of the Boing Boing coverage, here’s a few things you might enjoy:

Posts about Tonoharu
Posts about the making of the book, etc.

Miscellaneous amusing posts
Most of which are Japan-related

Web comics by me
Not many of them, but do check them out.

***

You can get a signed copy Tonoharu: Part Two from my store. Otherwise you can pick it up at your favorite comic store, or pre-order it from Amazon. (Or I’ll be at the Miami Book Fair on November 20th, if anyone’s in the area.)

My sincere thanks to Boing Boing’s Mark Frauenfelder for his coverage & interest in the book!

DRAWN FROM EXPERIENCE

Posted on by — No Comments ↓

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DRAWN FROM EXPERIENCE
An American Cartoonist’s Life in Japan

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA ‒ Imagine moving to a foreign country where you don’t speak the language and starting a job you are in no way trained to do.

From 2003 to 2006, cartoonist Lars Martinson did just that. Working as an assistant English teacher in rural Japan, he taught 1800 students, ranging in age from six to sixteen. With a background in graphic design, Lars had no previous teaching experience before taking the job.

“Coming up with lesson plans for all the different age groups was a real nightmare at first. It took about a year before I felt like I had any idea what I was doing,” Lars said. “But for all that, I wouldn’t trade my time in Japan for anything. It was one of the best experiences of my life.”

Lars’ graphic novel series Tonoharu is based on this period of his life. He feels that comics are well-suited for this type of story.

“I’ve always had a hard time describing my life in Japan to those who have never been there before, because there’s no common frame of reference,” said Lars. “By relating the experience in comics, I can show what happened rather than just tell about it, which really helps bring the story to life.”

Tonoharu: Part One is available now; the follow-up Tonoharu: Part Two hits shelves this December. For further details, visit:
http://pliantpress.com/media

#     #     #

*******

Well folks, this is the last press release I’ve prepared for Tonoharu: Part Two, so no more puns based on the word “drawn” for a while! Next week, something else.