Aaron McConnell

Exclusive Confessional Advertoon

| Aaron McConnell

I’m providing something a little different today.  Most of my blog posts are news updates relating to the projects I’m working on or process posts, but today I’m presenting a sequential cartoon strip that I drew specifically for this blog.  It’s also unique because it’s autobiographical and expresses something I care passionately about.  I’m calling it an “advertoon” because its meant to support my friend’s business, but I compiled this series of images simply because I wanted to express something important to me.  Thanks for taking at look.

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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

“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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