{comics} womanthology: team bonnie

I am reading through Womanthology: Heroic, a themed anthology featuring work by female artists of all ages and geographic locations who write, pencil, color, ink, letter, edit or some combination of the above. Last time was my first post in this endeavor and it was Part 4: Team Suzannah. Continuing my attention to disorder, today is “Part 3: Team Bonnie” (142-178).

Bonnie Burton was not only put in charge of a group of Womanthology contributors as the editor, but she plays one in real life. She is an author of various Star Wars related work as well as Girls Against Girls: Why We Are Mean to Each Other and How We can Change (which interests me). She contributes to anthologies, magazines, has a monthly column in SFX magazine, and is(was) a Senior Editor for Starwars.com and Lucasfilm. Yeah. And what does Womanthology mean to her, the anthology asks?

“It’s important for women and young girls everywhere to be inspired to believe in themselves and make their own comics. […] The fact that it’s also for charity just makes the experience even more important.”

Team Bonnie

“Once upon a time…” (143) by Lauren Montgomery (of Los Angeles).

That sweet Alice looking girl in a big bow, pinafore and ruffles from stories? Montgomery has her wielding giant scissors and kicking a pink plush bear in its sharp-toothed mouth. It is an awesomely suggestive full page panel. A must-see.

“The Dream Weaver” (144-8)

Writer: Jill Pantozzi (of NJ); Artist/letterer: Nur Hanie Mohd (of Kuching, Malaysia); Colorist: Neoma Lindley (of MI)

A fantasy weighing the pros & cons of weaving dreams for people (read Artist here) because not everyone dreams, others could use a boost of imagination, others yet need a counter-agent.  I enjoyed the writing, the rhythmic quality at the beginning and the capture of the protagonist’s personality. The artist is one to follow for the faces alone. The colors were comic tested, but I wouldn’t have mind a toned-down-moody quality. Still, I love the red and blue hues employed: I want them for shoes.

“Steampunk Athena” (149)

Artist Jenni Kirkruff (of Harrisburg, OR); Inker: Barbara Kaalberg (of WI); Colorist: Nei Ruffino

The above image is after the Inker Barbara Kaalberg got ahold of it; very cool, right? but Ruffino’s color and the use of light and shadow is as impressive.

“Yuna’s Day” (150-3)

Writer: Megan Metzger (of LA); Artist: Irma “Aimo” Ahmed (of Malaysia); Colorist: Maria Victoria Robado (of Argentina)

Yuna is running late for school is only the beginning of a hard morning. Along comes a little girl, vibrant against the downpour, with a band-aid for a scraped knee and they walk together for a little while and the day turns “warm, and beautiful.” A nice tribute by Writer and Artist for those of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

“Warrior” (154-7)

Writer & Letterer: Megan Lavey-Heaton (of Mechanicsburg, PA); Artist: Isabelle Melancon (of Canada).

A story about friendship, where heartache is monster and a best friend is feeling both fierce and a bit helpless. Dramatic. Great artwork. Another writer and artist to watch out for.

“Brightly Burning Stars” (158-61)

Writer: Christine Makepeace (of NYC); Art by Jennifer Weber (of NYC); edited by Bonnie Burton.

Aster has to learn how to care for her younger brother in a world (out of this world) without their parents. Is it the toughest that survive? Or is there another lesson here. Nice accessible art and story for young audiences despite tough premises.

“Lost Treasure” (162-5).

Lyrics: Samantha Newark (of Nashville); Story: Bonnie Burton; Art: Jessica Hickman; Letters: Rachel Deering.

One of my favorites. The story is based off of Newark’s song “Blue Sea.” A girl captaining her ship is in search of her lost treasure. I adore the woman on a ship, and other sea monsters like mermaids and kraken. The art and color work is marvelous fun.

“And You Will Know Them by the Rake of their Hats” (166-9).

Writer: Heather Royston (of Saint Augustine, FL); Artist Jolene Houser (of AZ); Colors: Elli “Harry” Moka (of Piraeus, Greece); Letters: Rachel Deering.

Awash in yellow with a few red and blue exceptions, the line work of a realist persuasion in the exploration of an alternative explanation of how the world turns and how time is effected by human action. The sequence of narrative is a nice one the text linear, the visual crosscutting quietly and effectively. The appearance of Old Scratch (the devil) there at the end a fitting but unexpected twist. {image (w/out text) via Moka’s “Asaph” deviant art gallery}

“Octobriana: How it Really Happened” (170-2)

by Trina Robbins, a writer (of SF); Karen Ellis, Pencil/Ink (of Bristol, England); Letters: Rachel Deering

Octobriana is a mythical figure that originated as a literary hoax by Petr Sadecký (see). She appears in this story as a lover of Prince Yusipov unaffected by the Russian Aristocracy of 1916 and looking for her Prince at a fancy party. The Prince did not stand her up without reason, his appointment poisoning Rasputin has taken longer than he thought. Octobriana takes the situation in hand, assassinating Rasputin herself so they might get on with their evening plans. Awesomely unexpected inclusion, but a perfect addition in how this woman does not let anything get in the way of what she wants.

“Defect: Light to Combat the Darkness” (174-7)

Writer: Talisha Harrison (of Longwood, FL); Artist/Letterer: Kelly Turnbull (LA); Coloring: Dawn Best (Columbus, OH)

With the slice of a page (seen above) I discovered this is Defect’s first story in a new series. I also discovered the greater context: “After participating in a clinical study to cure her disease, a young woman gains new-found powers and a unbreakable skateboard and becomes a superhero in order to fight crime in the city of Orlando, FL.” As it is, the story we have is of a young woman who takes action against a repeated offender, using her powers to stop a murderer, conscious of the conflict of light and darkness. The Thor references are nice, as well as the application of lyrics from Blind Melon’s “No Rain” and Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun.”

a page (178) penciller, colorist, pinup artist: Ashley Keene

A tiny figure in this world, the girl is undaunted, sword aloft, challenging the fantastical (nonplussed) creature before her. A creature who keeps humans in cages for dining.

The “Pro-Tips” in Part 3, in brief, it is well-worth reading each actual paragraph.

“Out Loud” Laura Morley (143) read your written dialog aloud.

“Role model” Wendy Pini (145) “Be the role model you wished you, yourself, had when you were very young. Treat yourself like gold and other will, too.”

“Draw” Mariah Mccourt (151) draw people of all sorts, constantly. observe the world about you and you will benefit from it not only technically, but artistically.

“Target” Annie Nocenti (163) do your research on your publishers and consider sending “tailored samples” of your work.

“Publishing” Bonnie Burton (167) if your favorite publisher isn’t biting, seriously consider self-publishing.

“Social Network” Renae De Liz (173) Social sites are good, so is keeping a good balance of the personal and professional when using them. And mind your conduct, “never know who’s watching.”

“Name” Dani Jones (175) Stick with a name, be consistent with it across sites/sources.

“Portfolio” Jessica Hickman (178) Be focused in the content you submit, mind the requirements outlined by employers.