tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-154860272009-07-01T01:14:58.216-04:00Alan David Doane's blog of news and commentary relating to the work of James Kochalka, cartoonist and rock star.Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.comBlogger158125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-43785232941300798372008-10-28T16:21:00.006-04:002008-10-28T16:35:37.158-04:00

I've been a fan (and I hardly ever use that word) of James Kochalka's comics for most of the past decade, discovering him sometime in either 1999 or early 2000 (I think this review from the summer of 2000 may have been the first time I wrote about Kochalka's work). I could not possibly have guessed how important his comics would become to me, or how many times his work would lift my spirits, or

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-58294546340953348072008-10-28T16:18:00.001-04:002008-10-28T16:20:35.300-04:00

Here's comics blogger Tom Spurgeon on this past Sunday's tenth anniversary of the beginning of James Kochalka's daily diary comic strips:This is an astonishing achievement in a lot of ways, and I hope everyone appreciates it for what it is. Ten years is the length (before option) of a standard daily newspaper comic strip. You can stockpile work when you're working on that kind of endeavor in a

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-25557471900923809612008-10-27T05:34:00.003-04:002008-10-27T05:36:23.909-04:00

James Kochalka yesterday observed the tenth anniversary of his daily diary comic strips. You can read his comments on his blog, and see a nifty Magic Boy drawing by Maakies creator Tony Millionaire as well. Congratulations, James! I'm looking forward to the next decade of American Elf.

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-53676233969037206642008-09-09T02:12:00.002-04:002008-09-09T02:17:47.315-04:00

Top Shelf Productions is releasing a book collecting "several hundred of Kochalka's best little paintings from the last decade," in 2009. The publisher says "Kochalka began making little paintings as something to sell to fans at conventions, but they quickly became a consuming obsession that led to several incredibly successful gallery shows at Giant Robot. Dozens and dozens of cute kitties and

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-15403991213903341682008-09-08T14:46:00.001-04:002008-09-08T14:48:59.537-04:00

You'll now see an ad on this page for The Kochalkaholic Kiosk!By clicking over to the Kiosk, you'll find graphic novels, CDs and other recommended James Kochalka works available through Amazon.com.By ordering from The Kochalkaholic Kiosk, you help support this blog's efforts.If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to comment here or send me an email. And thanks for your continued

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-68963092201011103502008-09-05T13:49:00.003-04:002008-09-05T13:52:51.713-04:00

Read Yourself Raw has the solicitation information.This might be the most action-packed volume of all. His neighbor's car gets firebombed, his little son Eli learns how to invent his own swears (like "pump duck"), and James gets a gun pointed at his face. Most dramatic of all, this volume will introduce a new character, a new little baby Kochalka! This collection prints all the diary strips from

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-16178000836601021292008-09-02T15:13:00.002-04:002008-09-02T15:14:10.110-04:00

Click over to the Top Shelf Three Dollar Sale to find many of his best comics for three bucks, and bargain prices on many of his other works, too!

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-17553053400517342912008-08-25T05:55:00.003-04:002008-08-25T05:56:31.153-04:00

Here's James Kochalka backstage August 24th at a rock show in Vermont.See the full-size image here.

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-25681977644991185582008-08-03T01:57:00.002-04:002008-08-03T01:58:11.046-04:00

The makers tell me they sold out in San Diego, but more will be available in a few weeks. Picture and details here.

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-35489487534184768282008-08-03T01:55:00.001-04:002008-08-03T01:57:04.050-04:00

James links to his strips describing his experiences in San Diego, and talks about meeting an actress from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, and Samuel L. Jackson, in his newly-posted convention report.

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-71575417801398427122008-06-22T16:08:00.003-04:002008-06-22T16:10:53.665-04:00

James Kochalka is documenting people who have drawn similarities between a scene in the new Hulk movie and his landmark "Hulk vs. the Rain" story.I haven't seen the film and don't plan to, but taking a page from Kochalka's book would have to be a better idea than following the template of the first Hulk movie.

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-77473129869675457292008-06-16T09:45:00.002-04:002008-06-16T09:47:19.248-04:00

Now online is the entire Hulk vs. The Rain story by James Kochalka. This is the colour version from an Incredible Hulk Annual, not the original black and white version, which I think was published in Coober Skeeber? Anyway, click the link for possibly the greatest Hulk story of all time.

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-72449204572352456612008-05-21T10:33:00.001-04:002008-05-21T10:34:28.611-04:00

James Kochalka tipped me off to this profile of the musician/cartoonist in Vermont's Seven Days weekly paper. The picture alone is worth clicking over for.

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-28022961711959971622008-02-10T10:45:00.000-05:002008-02-10T10:46:54.187-05:00

Over at Comic Book Galaxy, I've posted my review of James Kochalka's new children's graphic novel Johnny Boo.

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-27987403947296787722007-12-06T03:29:00.000-05:002007-12-06T03:32:52.003-05:00

James Kochalka's American Elf website has relaunched as American Elf Supersite.The new version of the site includes new bonus strips (seems like 4 or 5 are up already) from days when he does more than one diary strip, and other features. Perhaps best of all, the archives have now been made available for all readers, not just paying subscribers. But more subscriber-only enticements are available,

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-54050383528138124832007-09-15T11:15:00.001-04:002007-09-16T07:54:56.995-04:00

Today's Rutland Herald features a brief profile of James Kochalka, focusing on the release of his children's book Squirrelly Gray.

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-77229483404098767842007-08-30T10:47:00.000-04:002007-09-16T07:55:23.006-04:00

Click here to watch and listen to the trailer for James Kochalka's new children's book Squirrelly Gray. I could listen to it but not see it, for some Quicktime-related reason, but the audio is very cute. I think kids and Kochalkaholics of all ages are gonna love this one.

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-79177430979446372622007-08-29T11:26:00.000-04:002007-08-29T11:27:54.169-04:00

You couldn't find a more qualified critic to judge the value of James Kochalka's autobiographical comics. Here's Eddie Campbell's look at American Elf Vol. 2.

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-73942053249832096452007-08-16T01:10:00.000-04:002007-08-16T01:12:29.391-04:00

Here are the details on James Kochalka's appearance next month at The Burlington, Vermont Book Festival:Sunday, September 16th12:30-1:30 PMJAMES KOCHALKAComics artist, musician and new children's book creator James Kochalka will bring his quirky humor to the Festival as he introduces his first picture book, Squirrely Gray, and sings songs with members of his band.Waterfront Theatre Great Room,

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-43150656292173825662007-08-08T08:51:00.000-04:002007-08-08T08:52:42.823-04:00

I think the point of this interview is to talk about what music James Kochalka has on his computer. It's a fun piece.

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-23925325524880346842007-06-19T21:35:00.000-04:002007-06-19T21:36:28.780-04:00

Marvel will be publishing an anthology of superhero stories by noted artcomix creators, including James Kochalka. Click here to go to a preview at Newsarama.

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-1718425687807210772007-06-16T09:04:00.000-04:002007-06-16T09:06:49.022-04:00

James Kochalka has created 188 small paintings for his latest art show at Giant Robot in San Francisco. Once you've clicked over, click on the thumbnail images to see a larger image. As is usual with Kochalka's small paintings, the actual paintings are 2 x 2 inches on 3 x 3 inch, acrylic on 2-ply bristol. Take a look and bring yourself home some James Kochalka art!

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-87788130538989804272007-04-05T15:38:00.000-04:002007-04-05T15:41:45.692-04:00

I received a review copy of Super-F*ckers #4 yesterday from Top Shelf, so if it isn't in comic stores yet, it will be shortly (the good comic stores, anyway).The series, of course, is practically review-proof -- it's dirty, funny and fun to look at, with Kochalka using a style not quite like anything else he has done. If you liked previous issues, you'll like this one too. If you hate the series

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-58072531102828245562007-04-05T15:33:00.000-04:002007-04-05T15:38:10.705-04:00

American Elf Vol. 2 is in stores, and The Daily Crosshatch has a review.

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15486027.post-11484337224348290892007-03-12T11:22:00.000-04:002007-03-12T11:29:39.434-04:00

...and just like that, five months have gone by. Sorry about that.Kochalkaholic! lumbers from its long, fall-winter-nearly spring hibernation to inform dedicated readers that the long-awaited American Elf Vol. 2 arrives this week in better comic book stores everywhere. You can also buy from Top Shelf through that link.Kochalka's diary strips have only improved over the years, to the point now

Alan David Doanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14926713718402276984alandaviddoane@gmail.com1