Category Archives: Graphic Novel: Tonoharu

Progress Bar Key
Scripting/Page Layout: Self-explanatory
Artwork: The Drawing, Inking, and Computer Work for the comic
Final Edits/Incidentals: Post-Production Edits, Designing the Cover, Preparing for Press, etc.

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When I wrote the first progress report for Tonoharu: Part Two back in mid-July, I was a quarter of the way through the artwork. I concluded the entry saying I’d update on my progress again when the artwork was halfway done. I estimated/hoped that that update would come in “three or four months”, which would have been in mid-October/November.

So here we are at the end of December. And instead of being halfway done with the artwork, I’m only a little over a third of the way through it. Sigh.

I started a post-grad research scholarship in April of this year, and that, along with other obligations, have placed more demands on my time than I had originally anticipated. So I haven’t been able to put in as many hours into the comic as I had hoped, hence the slower production. Continue reading Tonoharu: Part Two–Progress Report #2→

Pictured: Morikami-sensei, and Yours Truly

I haven’t done a “Media Coverage Roundup” since August, so I figured it was about time for another one.

My graphic novel Tonoharu: Part One has been out for a while now, and the effects of my initial marketing push have died down. So there hasn’t been a massive amount of coverage since last time. But there still were a few notable pieces:

*** As you probably gathered from the scan at the top of this entry, I was recently covered in a Japanese newspaper. Tokushima Shinbun wrote an article about my comics and Japanese Calligraphy research at Shikoku University. This is the first Japanese coverage I’ve ever gotten (that I’m aware of), so it was fun to see. For those who can read Japanese, the article can be read online here, or a virtually incomprehensible Google Translate English translation can be found here.

*** Tonoharu: Part One was reviewed in the October 2008 issue of the venerable Comics Journal (issue #293). The review doesn’t appear to be online, but if you’d like to pay a little over ten bucks to get your hands on it, here’s the amazon.com link. The review is mixed, but overall is fairly positive. Reviewer Bill Randall begins by saying he wants to buy me a beer, which is how all reviews for Tonoharu should begin.

*** Finally, Brandon & Tim (couldn’t find their last names anywhere) chatted about my book on their podcast Deconstructing Comics. This is, to my knowledge, the first (and so far only) non-text coverage I’ve ever received. I’ve grown accustomed to reading complete stranger’s opinions about my work, but listening to complete strangers talk about it was a little weird/unsettling; more visceral, or something.

They had mixed feelings about the book, and conclude by giving it “two thumbs sideways”. Oh well. Click here for the mp3. They start off discussing a different graphic novel (Alex Robinson’s Too Cool to be Forgotten), so they don’t get into Tonoharu until the 14:30 mark. Continue reading Media Coverage Roundup→

I’m putting my How I Self-Published a Graphic Novel series on hold for one week, since the following announcement is time-sensitive.

I just wanted to remind Twin Cities residents that the opening party for the Minnesota Museum of American Art’s fall exhibit Hot Ink: Comic Art in Minnesota is tonight at 8pm! Admission is $10, or $5 for students and MMAA members.

I unfortunately will not be in attendance, since I’m currently on the opposite side of the globe. But I assume that most of the other contributing cartoonists will be there, so anyone interested in the Minnesota comics scene should definitely check it out!

*UPDATE* It’s over now, of course. The MMAA website has some pictures of the event here.

The exhibit actually opened last Sunday, and my parents snapped a few pics of my contribution to it: Continue reading Opening Party for MMAA show TONIGHT, October 3rd 2008!→

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!

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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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