I'm Hooked

Friend and illustrator Stacy Curtis got me hooked on Strip Search. With the exception of The Amazing Race, I hate reality TV competitions, but this, THIS speaks to me. Cartooning and a reality show where folks are actually civil to each other? Sign me up!

I watched the first episode just out of curiosity, and there was enough to keep me coming back for 24 more episodes. Several shows into it, I wondered aloud as to why I was watching this thing, but now I'm fully immersed and unashamed.

It's down to the final four cartooning combatants, but I'm not going to spoil it all for you. If the teaser above didn't drive you away, jump right into the first episode.

A side note: I'm a webcomic junkie, but I've read very little of Penny Arcade, the title (and apparent pop culture empire – they've got a shitload of shows and merch, man) that this show is based on. Unlike Sinfest, Girls with Slingshots, and Johnny Wander, I've never felt like diving way back into the archives to start at the beginning. And I can't say that the whole "dickwolves" thing spoke to me, either. With that said, none of the 12 contestants seem to have a problem with any of that. So, I'll continue watching.

Disclosure: I've got crushes on Katie and Lexxy. Can you blame me?

International Women's Day "Women In Comics" Shout-Out

My friend Vanda (as Zatanna) and Sarah at the 2009 Central Canada Comic Con (which is now owned by Wizard)

Since today is the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, I thought I'd tip my hat to my favorite cartoonists that just happen to be female:

• Jen Wang: This was my introduction to her work. I LOVE the way she draws hands. Go pick up her book, Koko Be Good. It's pretty sweet!
  
• Kate Beaton: No one in the comics biz makes me laugh more than this lady. No one. If you're not yet familiar with Hark, A Vagrant, prepare to laugh your ass off...about historical stuff! And Nancy Drew!
  
• Danielle Corsetto: The day I discovered Danielle's Girls with Slingshots, I went through the site's archives and read every strip. There was something compelling about the characters she created and the way she drew them. Reading GWS is a very fun part of my nightly web-surfin' ritual.
  
• Yuko Ota: Yuko is the drawrin' half of the Johnny Wander comic team. Charm and skill flows from her pen (and whatever other tool she happens to be using). See what I mean via her Tumblr blog.
  
• Kelly Turnbull: Remember that set of cool tutorials and drawing advice in my last post? They're hers! I'm relatively new to her comic Manly Guys Doing Manly Things, but it was a hoot for me from the get-go.
  
• Becky Cloonan: When I first saw Becky's work via gigposters.com, I was not only blown away, but I also had no idea that she was already a name in comics. You're gonna want to keep tabs on what she's doing, so check her blog out.
  
• Jess Fink: Before it became a Top Shelf release (droppin' in May, y'all!), Jess published her entire Chester 5000 comic online, and I'll be the first to tell you that it's an amazing and captivating erotic love story. Don't be surprised if you sweat a little while you read it. Read some of her other stuff at her site.
  
• Liz Suburbia: Been keeping tabs on Liz's Sacred Heart comic via her LJ. It's SO good. Her clear line style is so tight, and I wasn't a partygoer in high school, but her depiction of an out-of-control house party makes me feel like I've been there before.
  
• Liz Prince: This Liz does cute, loose comics about the single life, cats, and punk. Endlessly endearing.
  
• Jill Thompson: This woman slays with watercolor, f'real. Go to her blog and see for yourself. She's responsible for the thing of beauty that is Beasts of Burden (with the awesome Evan Dorkin), and she's quite a wrestling fan, too! (Bryan Danielson/Daniel Bryan is among her admirers)