Syncopated Jottings

A Salon/Syncopated Signing

2007-06-13T05:25:00.000-07:00

What better excuse to resurrect my dismally infrequent blogging than to make mention of an exiting signing event!?

Wednesday, June 20th, from 6-8pm, Jim Hanley's Universe will be hosting a signing for Nick Bertozzi's new graphic novel, The Salon and our new anthology, Syncopated Vol.3. Many of you may not already know that Nick's stellar cartoons adorn the new volume of Syncopated, along with a dozen or so other great creators.

In addition to Nick, Jim Campbell, Paul Hoppe, Rina Piccolo and I will be on hand for the signing. Should be a great way to get primed for the upcoming MoCCA Art Fest.

Hope to see you there!

- Brendan

Syncopated On Indie Spinner Rack

2007-03-25T15:25:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back, while I was exhibiting at the New York ComicCon, those swell fellas at Indie Spinner Rack cornered me for about 20 minutes or so and we talked matters Syncopated.

The podcast interview (Issue #73) was posted to the ISR site recently. You can listen to it through the internet or you can download it to itunes. The interview is part of a much larger ComicCon wrap show they did, so if you listen through the internet, it'll be quite a while before you get to the Syncopated segment (not that the rest of the show isn't totally worthwhile). If you download it to itunes, and you want to skip ahead, my interview begins at the 1:15 mark.

Enjoy!

- Brendan

Syncopated Distribution

2007-03-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

Good news: Syncopated Vol. 3 has been picked up by Diamond distributors. Some of you out there may know that Diamond had recently been enforcing (more stringently) their policy toward small publishers. They always had minimum invoice amounts, but they've been a lot less lenient about it lately. Syncopated Vol.2 fell just below their minimums last time out, and they were reluctant to carry the newest offering. It seems that Volume 3 spoke for itself, though, and they felt strongly enough about it to list it in the May issue of Previews.

That's the news regarding mass distribution, but you should already be seeing Volume 3 in select stores in New York, Chicago, the SF Bay Area, and some other cities. Small independent orders continue to flood in, and I'm sending out as quickly as I can.

And, of course, you can also get your hands on Volume 3 through our friends at Bodega Distribution.

More news to come soon!

- Brendan

Getting Yer Hands On Vol.3

2007-02-27T06:30:00.000-08:00

As if it weren't already evident, I should come clean anyway about my woefully inept digital skills -- particularly those of the online variety. You'll notice that SyncopatedComics.com is quite spare, and doesn't currently offer a way to purchase any of our fine wares. This I intend to correct very soon.

For now, however, you CAN get yer mitts on the new volume of SYNCOPATED over at Bodega Distribution. You'll notice that it's a swell place to shop, with plenty of choice titles to grab up.

- Brendan

The NY ComicCon Experience

2007-02-26T17:43:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, I set up shop at the 2nd annual New York ComicCon. Last year, the inaugural year, I was surprised at how well I did (considering the element that is known to attend this sort of show). I didn't necessarily feel as though I fit in as well as I might at say the MoCCA Art Fest or SPX, but financially it made sense. This year, with a new book in tow, I figured it would be a no-brainer to grab a table and see how the ol' Syncopated operation might fare. Again, financially, it was a wise move -- I showed up with six boxes of books, and I went home with two (one of which was mainly filled with free stuff acquired throughout the weekend). The new volume of Syncopated was well received.

Very little evidence of the jubilation for my time spent this weekend at the show exists, but I was able to snatch the photo below from my pal Chris Butcher's blog (which, by the way wouldn't be a bad site to bookmark). As you can see, Mr. Jim Campbell and I are quite tickled by the success we experienced at the show.

And, although I haven't been able to listen back at it, I'm sure I displayed a great amount of zest while I was featured on the increasingly popular Indie Spinner Rack podcast show. As soon as I have a link to the interview I'll post it here.

However, as I mentioned, I didn't necessarily feel as though I fit in. I figure I'll take this opportunity to post a few photos to show how well Syncopated Comics blended with the majority of the attendees of the NY ComicCon. Bear with me...

I guess I feel sort of bad about the sarcastic tone of this post -- I'm well aware of the fact that comics is comics, and all the many faces of comics enthusiasts contribute to the overall good will toward the art form. But I suppose I wish it didn't have to be so pathetically redundant and inbred sometimes (as these photos clearly illustrate). A part of me also feels bad for taking advantage of the very-proud-to-pose-for-a-picture characters that were walking around the show -- but they have to know what they're getting into, right?

Anyway, all cynicism and ungratefulness aside, I'll probably attend again next year, if for no other reason than to see/meet/sell-to the numerous like-minded comics fans who attend this show -- they really do make me feel good about what it is we're all trying to do.

- Brendan

Release Party Redux

2007-02-21T13:34:00.000-08:00

Well, it seems the SYNCOPATED Vol.3 release party was a success. Plenty of people turned out, much beer was consumed, much good will was extended toward the new tome, and I'm pretty sure everyone had a good time.

Anyway, here are a few picks from last night. I took many more photos that this, but most of them turned out lousy. Oh well, this will have to serve as a good enough encapsulation...

Here's Brian, manning the store. His charm was undoubtably to credit for selling all those books last night.

Two gentlemen SYNCOPATED contributors, Dave Kiersh, and Nick Bertozzi,. Dave came all the way down from Massachusetts -- I'm pretty sure he had things to do while in town other than simply attend our little gathering.

Here's Dave again, only this time with good ol' Tom Hart.

My good pals, Celia and Micah.

Here's young Susie Cagle with her lovely friend, Olivia.

Susie again, but this time with the life of the party, Caroline Dworin.

Caroline, hamming it up with Tom and Peter.

Happy as a clam, Jim Campbell.

Here's Jim again with that grin of his, along with Joe, Celia and Micah.

Of course, I couldn't take any pictures of myself without looking like an absolute nimrod, so I stole this one from Mike Lynch's blog.

Geez, there were so many other people there that I wish I had photos of, but as I said, very few of the pictures actually came out right (y'know, dimly lit bar, drunk camera man, etc.). Those not shown here will probably thank me for not posting them anyway.

- Brendan

SYNCOPATED Release Party Tonight!

2007-02-20T05:54:00.000-08:00

A quick reminder that we'll be celebrating the release of SYNCOPATED Vol.3 tonight!

Here are those details once again:

What: A SYNCOPATED Volume 3 Release Party
When: Tuesday, February 20th from 6-9pm
Where: Drop Off Service (211 Avenue A, Btwn 13th & 14th Sts., NYC)
Bonus: Free Six Point Beer! ('til it runs out -- oh, and you really should tip the bartender for that free beer, y'know)

It'll be a short while before the books start showing up in stores and are available for purchase at SyncopatedComics.com so come down to the party and get yer very own, very exclusive early copy!

All are welcome so tell your friends!

Hope to see you there...

- Brendan

Volume 3 In Hand & Accounted For!

2007-02-17T08:34:00.000-08:00

I typed that little exclamation point after the title of this post so as to put across some level of excitement or that this is news, etc., but the truth is, the book arrived a week and a half ago, and I guess you could argue that it doesn't count as news, necessarily. Then again, aside from a few people who've gotten a copy, this is the first published acknowledgement that books are safely in hand here at the ol' SYNCOPATED warehouse. That said, I figured the exclamation was warranted.

A quick reminder that we'll be celebrating Volume 3's release this coming Tuesday... Here are those details once again:

What: A SYNCOPATED Volume 3 Release Party
When: Tuesday, February 20th from 6-9pm
Where: Drop Off Service (211 Avenue A, Between 13th & 14th Street, NYC)
Bonus: Free Beer! ('til it runs out -- oh, and you really should tip the bartender for that free beer, y'know)

It'll be a short while before the books start showing up in stores and are available for purchase at SyncopatedComics.com so come down to the party and get yer very own, very exclusive early copy!

- Brendan

Rolling East

2007-02-02T07:07:00.000-08:00

So, this recent issue of SYNCOPATED was printed at WestCan Printing Group in Winnipeg, Canada (which, so far, has been a perfectly lovely experience), and I was informed two days ago that the books are on a truck, headed this way. Using the tracking number they provided me, I learned this morning that the shipment is in St. Paul, Minnesota, and everything is on schedule to arrive next Tuesday. I'm not quite sure why I'm taking the time to post this somewhat anti-climactic entry, other than giddiness, perhaps.

More updates soon...

- Brendan

The Lineup

2007-01-29T06:39:00.000-08:00

If I'm going to generate any excitement about the upcoming release of SYNCOPATED Volume 3, I now realize it would probably be a good idea to reveal some of the stellar talent that will adorn the thing.

Some household names, and some gems worth discovering, here's the list of contributors: Nick Bertozzi, Susie Cagle, Jim Campbell, Greg Cook, Tom Devlin, Gary Gianni, Paul Hoppe, Dave Kiersh, John Martz, Rina Piccolo, and myself.

It's a wonderful lineup, and each of the contributors brings something totally worthwhile to the project. Hope this whets the appetite a bit.

- Brendan

Release Party Feb. 20th!

2007-01-28T10:24:00.000-08:00

With SYNCOPATED Volume 3 due to arrive in just a couple weeks, we've put together a little shin-dig to help celebrate. So come out and join us Tuesday, February 20th at Drop Off Service (Ave. A btwn. 13th & 14th St.) from 6-9pm, and be one of the first people to get their hands on the new tome, while quaffing a couple of pints of free beer!

Yes, free beer! We've got a keg that will pour about 65 pints of Brooklyn's own Six Point Brownstone Ale, so get there early, 'cause I'm sure it'll run out before long. Drop Off Service is an otherwise fully stocked bar, so after the Six Point runs out, there'll be plenty to choose from (at full price, or course). Oh, hey, even though we're looking at free pints, please do tip whoever's tending bar.

- Brendan

SYNCOPATED Vol.3 On Its Way...

2007-01-25T13:37:00.000-08:00

SYNCOPATED Volume 3 is at the printers!

It's been a long time coming... Well, not necessarily, if you consider the generally slow output of most independent publishers. Volume 2 hit the shelves in June of 2005, so we're looking at a little over a year-and-a-half since I've had anything to offer the public (assuming you don't count the couple of useless mini comics I hastily compiled out of sheer panic to stay relevant).

I'm really looking forward to seeing Volume 3 in hand. I think it's a swell collection this time around, with some stellar contributors being represented. It weighs in at 104 pages, and hopefully you'll agree, and find it a worthwhile purchase.

I'll be posting info very soon about a release party we'll be throwing on February 20th. That'd be the Tuesday evening just before the New York ComicCon. So start getting excited! Ugh, how presumptuous of me to assume anyone would be getting excited... I guess we'll see, huh?

- Brendan

Frequent Infrequency

2007-01-25T13:25:00.000-08:00

Clearly I'm one of those bloggers who can't be relied upon to deliver updated news and thoughts, etc. on a regular basis. I'm also guessing that anyone who may have been tracking what goes on here has long since lost hope in seeing anything worthwhile or interesting. But I'm determined not to be one of those bloggers that start every entry with an apology for lack of frequency. So, from here on in, even if blogging is light, I don't plan on addressing it. This blog will probably have little bursts of frequently added interesting news/material fairly infrequently, but so be it, right?

Maybe I shouldn't post this entry... Is it off-putting? Maybe I'll just hit whichever readers might be out there with a flurry of worthwhile posts and bury this one, while still having gotten the above off my chest. How convenient! I happen to have quite a bit to report currently, so ignore this and scroll up!

- Brendan

Progress Check

2006-11-19T08:38:00.000-08:00

As expected, my posting to this blog has been unreliable. I suppose I can chalk it up to spending time putting together SYNCOPATED Vol.3. I'm embarrassingly slow at drawing, and getting my own contributions done for the next volume has been consuming quite a bit of my "creative" time. I'm also looking to include even more text pieces this time around, which means making sure copy flows smoothly and that it interacts with the accompanying spot illustrations in a pleasing way.

The piece I'm most excited about (as far as my own efforts are concerned) is a short picto-essay on Manhattan's South Street Seaport area. Here's a panel from that piece that shows the Schermerhorn row houses.

I'm fairly optimistic about getting the book off to the printers by the first week or two of the new year. The New York ComicCon will be held February 23-25, and I'd like to have something new by then. It's not a major priority to arrive with something new for that show, but it seems like a fair goal to set for myself.

Assuming work on putting together Vol.3 doesn't become too consuming (and, frankly, I anticipate it will), I'll try to post more soon.

- Brendan

A Useless Preview?

2006-09-01T10:26:00.000-07:00

I've always been conflicted about whether it makes any sense to post work-in-progress on the internet.

Here's why:

Say I've done a short story of eight pages or so, and I plan to use it in a future edition of my magazine one day -- why post the full story on the web? It might deter a potential reader from buying the book that the story would one day appear -- They may be satisfied with the fact that they've read the thing, and that's that. It's honestly not a major concern that I have that person's money in my pocket, but (and I don't want to sound like a snob or anything), It's important to me that the reader hold what was intended in the first place; a printed book.

Okay, so then why not just post some of the story, right? Well, I don't know, then the reader is forced to pass some level of judgment on the piece without having read the entire story.

Well, despite this senseless inner-debate I'm posting the second page to a four-page story I did about the origin of one of New York's many monikers, "Gotham". It will, in all likelihood appear in SYNCOPATED Vol.3. (click image for the larger version)

Why page two? I don't know, I guess the first page isn't deep enough to be worth it, and besides, this page has that funny guy with the British Rock invasion haircut in the lower right hand panel.

Enjoy, but please don't judge just yet... And, my apologies for all of the stupid flip-flopping.

- Brendan

Injury Update

2006-09-01T08:56:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow marks the four week anniversary of that awful, gruesome accident I mentioned a few posts back, and I'm incredulous with the fact that I'm still not quite on my feet yet. I'm getting the stitches from the surgery out tomorrow, but the doctors are imploring me not to put any weight on the thing for another couple of weeks. In their words: "If that laceration opens up, we won't be able to close it again, and you'll be left with a gaping gash in the bottom of your foot, inviting infection."

Can you believe this is happening?! The ridiculously slow recovery time aside, I'm definitely getting better, but I'm just growing impatient.

One thing that has helped me along has been all of the get well cards and emails I've gotten from friends and family -- none better than the image atop this post. It's a manipulation of the Syncopated homepage that my best friend, Brian sent me in an email a couple of days after I got back from the hospital. It's remarkably accurate -- from the sympathy beard I grew to the little sock tip that I cut to keep my toes warm to the wooden crate I've been elevating my leg with.

I think this is that last I'll mention this stupid injury, but thanks for reading about this senseless little episode...

- Brendan

Another Belated Thanks

2006-08-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

For those if you who found SyncopatedComics.com and this here blog through those swell people at Drawn!, a special thanks goes out.

Again, (as with ComicsReporter.com) I find it highly unlikely that you're not already aware of the enormously popular Drawn!, but if for some reason you're not, you really should pay them a visit. Regularly.

At Drawn!, John Martz and his troops do the digging for you when it comes to unearthing great, inspirational comics and illustration related websites. Thanks John!

- Brendan

Thanks, Tom!

2006-08-15T07:48:00.000-07:00

This is a special belated thanks and a tip o' the hat to Tom Spurgeon for linking to the new SyncopatedComics.com from his irreplaceable comics news site, The Comics Reporter. I think he posted the link on the day of my injury -- Which is why I haven't thanked him until now.

I'm guessing that if you're the type of person who'd find any interest in what we're doing here at Syncopated, there's virtually no chance you aren't already aware of Tom's efforts. But, on the slim chance you haven't been introduced to the Comics Reporter, please, bookmark that site! A daily dose of Tom's reporting is all you need to look like you know what you're talking about at a party full of comics aficionados.

- Brendan

A Gruesome Absence

2006-08-11T06:45:00.000-07:00

You'll notice that I haven't posted anything on the blog since the new SyncopatedComics.com website launched. I'm sure there will be lulls in the future where I don't post for long periods, but this time, I have a somewhat unique excuse -- I've been in the hospital for the past five days. And, interestingly enough, the reason I post this explanation here is because my hospitalizing is related to my efforts in getting the next volume of SYNCOPATED published.

Let me explain...

Glenn Mott, whose stellar work you'll find in SYNCOPATED Vol.2 is planning on writing a piece for the next volume on an amazing old tugboat graveyard down in Staten Island. I don't want to reveal too much about Glenn's story, but I think it's fair to mention that Glenn and I decided last weekend to visit this tugboat graveyard and gather some information. Our goal was simple; take some reference shots for the illustrator who will be assigned to the segment, and try to wrangle an interview with the gentleman whose scrap metal yard the tugboats are beached near.

Well, in our trudging through the low-tide swamps where the boats are nested, I stepped on a large rusty spike, which went right through my sneaker, and about an inch-and-a-half into the bottom of my foot. So, as luck would have it, not only did a rusty spike jam up through my foot, but it took along with it fragments of my dirty old sneaker, and bacteria-laden salt-marshy mud.

I immediately knew that what had happened was quite bad, and I started yelling to Glenn that I was hurt (he wasn't near me when the accident occurred). In an adrenaline-rushed panic, I ran out f the woods that encircled the swamp. Across the street from the woods was a car wash -- I ran to the car wash, grabbed their hose without asking, and began washing the mud off of my feet. I pointed the hose into my sneaker, and what seemed like pints of blood began bubbling out of the shoe.

Glenn rushed me to the near-by Staten Island University Hospital emergency room, where they began treating the wound. It wasn't long before they informed me that I would have to undergo surgery, and likely spend a couple of nights at the hospital. I was incredulous, but as the pain increased, and the tests they ran looked more and more dire (positive bone scans, etc.), I resigned myself to the fact that if I didn't get the proper treatment, I'd be in for some real trouble.

At one point, the doctors told me that if I had simply washed the wound and bandaged it up really well, I would probably experience so much pain that I'd eventually give in and see a doctor. However, he said, if I had waited, let's say two weeks, there would have been a chance that they would have to amputate my foot due to the spread of infection. Scary, huh?

Anyway, as I said, I home now, but here I sit with a three-inch long, one-and-a-half-inch deep surgical laceration on the bottom of my foot, and a "picc" line in my arm that enters on the inside of my bicep (just above the elbow), and travels inside me, through my armpit and into my chest cavity where intra-venous antibiotics will be self-administered for the next six weeks. Fortunately, they've also given me a big bottle of Percocet tablets -- We'll see how long they last.

Don't think for a minute that any of this will keep Glenn and I from bringing you that tugboat graveyard piece -- We're planning on going back when I can walk again,,,

- Brendan

The New SyncopatedComics.com

2006-08-03T06:36:00.000-07:00

The New SyncopatedComics.com is now live.

It isn't really the most impressive website, but there are some fun things to browse in the gallery, and of course, it gives our little operation a web presence that it has lacked.

Speaking of lacking, you'll notice that there isn't currently a way to purchase any of the Syncopated line of books... Obviously it's not fully up to speed. I would encourage you to support your local comic shop and see if you can find what you're looking for there. Otherwise, drop me a line, and we'll have whatever it is you're looking for sent out.

Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts as well.

- Brendan

Rocketship Saturday

2006-07-28T06:17:00.000-07:00

Not that many of you are reading this little blog of mine by now, but if you do happen across this post, you should know that this Saturday, July 29th, Rocketship, that fine little comics shop down in Brooklyn, is holding an event well worth attending.

Jim Campbell, of SYNCOPATED Vol.2 fame, will be featured -- along with three other swell cartoonists -- at Rocketship's second annual CARTOON BROOKLYN show. I plan to be there, and I'm told Rocketship will be stocking plenty of SYNCOPATED wares.

- Brendan

Further Hopelessness

2006-07-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

As promised, a bit more on Despondent Duck...

Despondent Duck is sort of an homage to many of the old comic strips that I adore. I continue to love the simple nature of a lot of the old syndicated newspaper comic strips of seventy-five, or even a hundred years ago. Often times, these strips would be able to survive on a very simple premise or variations of that premise. I my case, every Despondent Duck relies on his hopeless outlook on the ins and outs of everyday living.

The piece below is just me addressing the speculation around my creation's possible autobiographical leanings.

I'll try to post more Despondent Duck material in the future, but I don't want it to dominate this blog -- Maybe if it's warranted, good ol' Mr. Duck will get his own home on the web...

- Brendan

Hopeless Jottings

2006-07-24T12:22:00.000-07:00

*This isn't really associated with SYNCOPATED in any way (aside form the fact that I'm responsible for it), but I'll post it here anyway, for lack of a better, more familiar venue.

I created this character, Despondent Duck, a while back. Over the past couple of years, I've put together a few mini comics featuring the duck, and hand-sold them at shows. I don't think I need to worry about him eclipsing SYNCOPATED necessarily, but good ol' Despondent Duck has become quite popular in his own right. I think I can attribute this popularity to the instant accessibility of stand-alone, cheap mini comics.

Anyway, the page below originally appeared in the 2005 SPX anthology. I recently colored it and created high-quality Ink-jet prints of it to sell last June at the MoCCA Art Fest.

Further postings on Despondent Duck to follow...

- Brendan

Syncopated?

2006-07-22T10:37:00.000-07:00

From time to time, people ask me, "Why Syncopated?" or "What does Syncopated mean?"

Well, it's a musical element that is prominent in a lot f the old jazz music I enjoy listening to -- I guess that's why I picked it. But it sort of makes sense for other reasons, too. Here's what the dictionary has to say regarding syncopation:

syn·co·pa·tion
Pronunciation: "si[ng]-k&-'pA-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : a temporary displacement of the regular metrical accent in music caused typically by stressing the weak beat

So essentially it means a stress of the weak beat, right? Yes, well I said that to someone once, and they said, "Weak? But don't you want people to think that the work you're producing in your magazine is strong, not weak?"

Yes, of course, but not "weak" as in "not strong" -- "weak" as in "ignored" or "unaccented" as the dictionary says... The idea is that first person reportage can reveal something that may have gone unnoticed otherwise.

Sigh... I always feel so compelled to explain myself -- I should've just named it something completely arbitrary with no real meaning. Oh, well, I hope this sets the record straight.

- Brendan

First Jottings

2006-07-21T12:44:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the official blog of Syncopated Comics.

For those not initiated, the irregularly published SYNCOPATED is an anthology of reportage, most often in the form of comics.

In the interest providing something to chew on for this first post, I submit the tentative cover to the next volume (vol. 3) of SYNCOPATED. So far, some positive reactions on this one -- The logo across the top may change, but overall I'd say I'm fairly pleased with the way this turned out.

It should be noted that I had no intentions for the book to take on any sort of theme, but independent of any instruction from me, it seems some of the intended contributors have come up with nautically-leaning stories.

More to come...

- Brendan