'Rolling Stone' interview with Jaime Hernandez, Chris Ware, Daniel Clowes, and Gilbert Hernandez

Here's a group interview from "Rolling Stone" magazine with Jaime Hernandez, Chris Ware, Daniel Clowes, and Gilbert Hernandez conducted by Sean Collins at SPX 2012.

Revisiting the "Comics: Philosophy and Practice" conference in May, 2012

photo: Jason Smith

Here's a link to a nice photo set and video from the University of Chicago from the Comics: Philosophy & Practice conference in May. 

Video from University of Chicago

my souvenir.

It was an unforgettable weekend with so many of comics heavies, all gathered in one place for a weekend to talk comics. With no obligations to promote or sell books, the environment and programming were ideal for these often isolated, hard-at-work cartoonists to unwind, commiserate and celebrate, share inspired words, and all with lots of laffs. Lynda Barry is so damn funny (and brilliant, if you ever get a chance to take a workshop with her she'll take you down deep to remember what it's all about...) Robert Crumb went into impromptu song on stage, Carol Tyler and Aline Kominski-Crumb kept limber with their asana practice in the green room... Daniel Clowes shared the 'greatest idea for a comic' that came to him in a dream... At the end of one of the long days, a large group found themselves on a schoolbus (probably many for the first time since grade school) in a truly surreal and awkward commute to be delivered to the Ware's home for dinner... and again the talks, Ben Katchor's presentation... so much... The epitome of a professional conference--very human, very real, life affirming, yeah, historical... Also in attendence Gary Leib, Art Spiegelman, Justin Green, Gary Panter, Phoebe Gloeckner, Ivan Brunetti, Seth, Alison Bechdel, Ben Katchor, Joe Sacco, Francoise Mouly, Charles Burns, Daniel Clowes. Whew! Shit, did I forget anyone? Thanks to Hillary Chute for making this happen. -Alvin Buenaventura

Chris Ware joins Daniel Clowes for a talk and signing this Friday at the OMCA

In a talk moderated by guest curator Susan Miller and Senior Curator of Art René de Guzman, Daniel Clowes and Chris Ware will be speaking at OMCA's James Moore Theater on Friday, July 27, 2012 from 7-8:30pm. Seating will be limited and is expected to fill up quickly. Come early to see the Modern Cartoonist: The Art of Daniel Clowes exhibiton at the OMCA which closes in just a few weeks on August 12.

Tickets for the panel discussion are included with Museum admission. Seating in OMCA's James Moore Theater is limited, and is available on a first-come, first served basis the day of the event. The Museum encourages you to come early to stand in line. Doors open at 6:30 pm. 

For more info, go here.

After the talk until about 10pm, Clowes and Ware will be signing their books in the OMCA bookstore along with Alvin Buenaventura signing The Art of Daniel Clowes: Modern Cartoonist, a monograph that accompanies the exhibition that's currently up at the museum. FYI: We hear that due to the expected turnout the OMCA bookstore will be limiting autographs to books bought in the store that night . The good news is that the OMCA bookstore will also be giving away (yes, free) a special unique promo book that is a "reverse preview" of Ware's upcoming Building Stories, to each customer purchasing one of the cartoonist's books that night, while supplies last. (btw, the BS preview is incredible and will not be included actual book in this format.)

Lastly, I'll have a new, third batch of 100 Mister Jones pins in orange, made just for this event to give out to those who want them (again, while supplies last). Thanks to Niem 'Buttoneers' 
Tran for whipping these up.

In the News: NPR, The Onion AV Club and more...

Françoise Mouly moderates a panel with Clowes, Crumb, and Ware at the University of Chicago

Daniel Clowes in the News:


ArtForum - 500 words by Naomi Fry.


Chicago Tribune - Feature on panel with R. Crumb and Chris Ware moderated by Françoise Mouly at University of Chicago's  Comics: Philosophy & Practice conference.


Houston Chronicle -  Andrew Dansby interview for Sunday feature.


NPR - KQED's Forum with Michael Krasny interview.


NPR - WBEZ Alison Cuddy interview.


The Onion AV Club - Keith Phipps interview. 


Pop! & Circumstance - Popcast #585 featuring Clowes inspired playlist.


TCJ - Brad Mackay reviews the monograph.


Wired - Modern Cartoonist Prefers Paper to iPad interview with a contest to win an autographed book.


(pssst. Hey Dan. Stop talking to people and get to work. I need to more comics to read! -AB)