Author: Aaron McConnell

Lanky Link’s Gettysburg Address 150th Anniversary

| Aaron McConnell

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It is for us, The Swingin’, to pick up the dues of these Fine Studs who cut out here and flieth through to Endsville…

There is all manner of reflection on the Gettysburg Address today, and I thought I’d illuminate a little Easter Egg that Jonathan Hennessey hid on page 162 of The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation.  He sent me some reference material of various memorabilia commemorating the speech to include in the above panel as I saw fit, and I included this red vinyl album for visual interest without knowing anything about “Lord” Richard Buckley.  If you aren’t familiar with his recitation of the Address you have YouTube to thank:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4u8bblgV1g

I have various links to share, and hope that you have time to check them out, so here we go:

  • Chapter 2 in its entirety (pages 31-49) available for you to read at Slate.com.
  • “The Gettysburg Address — a prescription for America’s split personality” written by Jonathan for Foxnews.com.
  • The Chicago Public Library has an exhibit of pages from the book printed at large scale in the Harold Washington Library Center.  Here’s the info and location for those who may be in Chicago sometime between now and March 2nd, 2014.
  • Interview with Jonathan on the Library of Congress Blog.
  • Jonathan will also be on WBEZ’s “Morning Shift.”  In Southern California he will be on KPCC’s “Take Two” with Alex Cohen.  Link to WBEZ interview.  Link to KPCC interview.
  • And here is a podcast that briefly recommends our book along with some other good books about the Gettysburg Address.

As always, I thank you for your interest.

50 Years Ago

| Aaron McConnell

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Commemorating the March on Washington 50 years ago today, here’s a panel from The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaption.  Below is a round-up of some of the internet buzz that the book has created since its release.  If you want to cut to the chase, these articles suggest that the book is worth your time.   It is interesting to read the different parts of the narrative that resonate with each reviewer, though.   If you only have time to read one of the following, I suggest the CBR article since it includes commentary from Jonathan Hennessey (and a little from me) about the process of creating the book and the ideas therein.

Interview

“Gettysburg Address Gets Graphic with Lincoln, Bias and The Civil War” at Comic Book Resources

Reviews

Comics Grinder

Thirteen Minutes

Multiversity Comics

George P Wood

Library Journal

Aint It Cool

Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

13th Age Core Book Preview

| Aaron McConnell

The 13th Age Core Book is finally available from Pelgrane Press!  Buy It Here!  The book has been long anticipated by some patient folks (it was originally slated for release in December 2012), but all new to others.  The game has been available as a PDF for months, but the official book release was at Gen Con this past weekend.  It has been rewarding to see numerous snapshots of the cover pop up on the web posted by people who pre-ordered and received the book by mail.  I’ve seen very few pictures of the book’s interior, though, so I thought I’d make use of my blog and post a few shots of what you see inside when you crack that cover.  Much of the polish and beauty of the interior can be attributed to Lee Moyer who meticulously art directed the overall design, created the icon symbols and various tiles, and painted many of my illustrations.  In addition, Chris Huth is responsible for the stunning page layouts.  It’s a $45 dollar book, but at 320 pages and over 60 illustrations, this is a book that even the Archmage would add to his library of mystical tomes.

Here’s a Preview…

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Those pictures with my hand may just seem like an opportunity to fulfill my dream to be a hand model, but I’m trying to showcase the Icon Ring that came with my comp.  An outer piece rotates and allows the bearer of the ring to randomly select an icon during key moments of game play.  A few of the illustrations showcase characters who in some way are representing a relationship that they have with one of the Icons.  Buy the book and try to find all the connections…then it’s time to start making up your own!  Game On!

The Addams Family in Portland

| Aaron McConnell

The Keller Auditorium has a fun show this weekend.  This past Wednesday I joined my family on opening night of The Addams Family Musical.  My 4 year old son loved it and so did my 13 year old.  I enjoyed it, too, and the Uncle Fester sketch  below is from my favorite number, “The Moon and Me.”  It captures the dark strangeness of the Addams’ vibe while offering up a unique spectacle that would make Jim Henson proud.  That’s all I’ll give away.

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When the daylight ends and the moon ascends,
I would rather be just the moon and me.
When I feel her pull, then my heart is full.
And the night is softly, sweetly calling:
“Fester, look and see.”

La la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la
It’s a dream that’s coming true
when the moon says “I love you”.

Though I’m told it’s wrong
when I sing my song
she accepts, she attends
she believes, she befriends.

La la la la la la
(ohh la la la)
La la la la la
(ooh la la la)
La la la la la
(ooh la la la)
It’s a dream that’s coming true
when the moon says “I love you”.

How it can feel when love is real.

-Lyrics to The Moon And Me by Kevin Chamberlin

 

Review at Multiversity Comics

| Aaron McConnell

…And at a more basic level, it’s just good comics, deftly constructed and maintaining an engaging balance between textual and visual information.

Quoted from an honest, thoughtfully considered review of The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation at MultiversityComics.com.  That quote is profoundly meaningful to me because it articulates my highest priority in illustrating non-fiction comics.  To hear that it’s working as intended is absolutely satisfying.

“Available Wherever Books are Sold”

| Aaron McConnell

I received my author comps in the mail this morning on this official release day of The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation.  I’m very happy with the print quality and it’s satisfying to have it in hand after putting years of work into the project.  I hope you get a chance to read it soon and I’d be interested to hear your impressions.  Thoughtful reviews on amazon.com are also much appreciated.  Speaking of reviews, there are already two starred reviews from Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly.  Go to graphicgettysburg.com to read the reviews, if you like.  Thank you for your interest!

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The Latest

| Aaron McConnell
Francavilla Cover
Savage Sword 6

News!  I will be drawing Part 2 and 3 of a 3 part story adaptation of Robert E Howard’s Dark Agnes published in the Dark Horse anthology Savage Sword #6.  I stopped by a comic shop yesterday and had to look in the back issues  for Savage Sword #5 released in August 2012.  Here’s a preview of 5 that includes a couple pages from Dark Agnes Part One drawn by Francesco Francavilla.  I’ve been a fan of Francavilla’s pulpy artwork and couldn’t be happier to fill in for him on this adaptation.  In addition, the adaptation is written by Periscope Studiomate Paul Tobin!  Paul and I went to a Portland dive and smashed flagons of ale over each other’s morions to get in the right frame of mind for this tale.  (Maybe I only imagined we did that, because in actuality the book was late to press and I started working on the pages immediately after I got the script.  It’s all a blur whether the ale is to blame or not.)  I’ve been approved to post preliminary drawings for the story here on my blog, so I’ll get that rolling with a character sketch of Agnes in the forest!

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More News!!  The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation will be released next week!  Here’s a link to the listing on the HarperCollins website.  There are already some favorable reviews that will become public very soon, but in the meantime may I remind you of the excellent website with videos, annotations and more available at graphicgettysburg.com  Below is another process image from the book: Inks to final colors.  But I don’t have my comps yet, and if you pre-ordered a book there’s a possibility you’ll get your copy before I do…(I’m making this up, just tryin’ to keep things exciting here at aamcconnell.com…truthfully I know nothing about the distribution process.)

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And speaking of printing, I’ve been enjoying these delightful teaser images of 13th Age going to print courtesy of Pelgrane Press.  One day I’d like to actually visit a print shop when one of my books is being printed, but I have a feeling printing people like to keep illustrators removed from that process to avoid any unreasonable demands or unnecessary interruptions.  These pics, though, are giving me an appreciation of the process from afar. Also, there’s a new review of 13th Age at RPG.net.  Spoiler…they like it.

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And finally, here’s an illustration I did for a start up gaming company Unrestrained Games.  “Orc of the Spires” (aka “Lord of the Flies” since orcs are basically teenage hulks).  Thanks for following my blog!

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