Comics Resources

Here are some comics resources that Rafi recommends.

Conventions and Shows

Comic Con International
http://www.comic-con.org/
The biggest comic book and pop culture show of them all -- this really huge show takes place once a year in San Diego. You owe it to yourself to attend Comic Con at least once -- Rafi and I did. (Comic Con also presents the smaller Wonder Con and the small press' own big show, APE -- both in San Francisco.)

MegaCon
http://www.megaconvention.com/
Nowhere near as big as San Diego, but it's Florida's largest show, held every year in Orlando. Until 2005, I went there every year as a spectator, and in 2006, Rafi and I made our debuts as artists there.

Emerald City ComiCon
http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/
The Pacific Northwest's biggest show, held every May in Seattle -- another must-see, must-participate show on my list, considering that I plan on living there in a few years.

Stumptown Comics Fest
http://www.stumptowncomics.com/
Smaller than Emerald City, but nevertheless a must-see show featuring the industry's top artists and publishers, held every year about 160 miles south of Seattle, in Portland, Oregon.

Small Press Expo
http://www.spxpo.com/
An annual big show specifically for small-pressers, presented for two days each fall in the Washington DC area.

STAPLE! The Independent Media Expo
http://www.staple-austin.org/
An annual, one-day salute to the small pressers, held each year in Austin, TX.

The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MOCCA)
http://www.moccany.org/
An important museum dedicated to comics and drawings in New York City; also plays host to the annual MOCCA Art Festival -- another must-go for me.

Tampa Comic Book and Toy Convention
http://www.comicbookconventions.com/tampaconvention/
The small comic show in my neck of woods, usually held four times during the second half of the year.

Lists and Directories

OnlineComics.net
http://www.onlinecomics.net/
A comprehensive list of comics that are available online, submitted by the creators themselves. ("The Mundane Circus" has a listing here.)

Lambiek
http://www.lambiek.net/
Comic book store in Amsterdam, Holland with loads of information online about various comic books, strips, and artists worldwide.

Comixpedia
http://www.comixpedia.org/
Wikipedia-style website dedicated to webcomic authors.

Wikia: Comic Book Series
http://comics.wikia.com/
Similar website on printed comics.

Webcomics Nation
http://www.webcomicsnation.com/
Source and resource of various webcomics.

For Women

Friends of Lulu
http://www.friends-lulu.org/
Organisation that promotes the awareness of the involvement of women in comics.

Sequential Tart
http://www.sequentialtart.com/
A webzine featuring women's perspectives on the comics.

Do It Yourself

Vogelein
http://www.vogelein.com/
This is mainly a website about a comic about a fairy, but it has a lot of information on those wanting to get into the comics or writing business.

Drawing Coach
http://www.drawingcoach.com/
A comprehensvile website on those who want to learn how to draw.

Squidoo: How To Draw Cartoon Characters
http://www.squidoo.com/How-To-Draw-Cartoon-Characters
A brief lesson on drawing cartoon characters.

Drawing Words Writing Pictures
http://www.dw-wp.com/
A website that educates how anyone can draw a comic. Designed mainly as an adjunct to Jessica Abel and Matt Madden's book.

Preditors & Editors
http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/
Ready to have your book published? Here's a valuable site on where to go for advice, and where to stay away from.

Software

Plasq
http://plasq.com/
Makers of popular artistifc software for Mac users, including "Comic Life" (now for Windows, too).

Comic Book Creator
http://www.mycomicbookcreator.com/
Another great software for those wanting to make their own comics. Also available for various licensed characters.

Education

Comics and Graphic Novels in the Classroom
http://www.teachingcomics.org/
Website on how teachers can instruct students how to get actively involved in comics.