Canister X – A.P. Fuchs: Zombie, Paranormal Romance and Superhero Novelist, Blogger, Artist, Publisher

I just finished this graphic novel and, man, I loved it. It was inspiring, encouraging, and really connected me to my fellow man in a way very few books ever have. I originally bought it because it was adapted by Harvey Pekar, of whom I’m a giant fan. But I got much more than just a Pekar book. I got a book–based on another, mind you, that now I just have to read–filled with stories of human triumph and failure, happiness and sadness, love and loss, and the challenges of providing for your family.

If you’re one of those folks who work ever so hard for their loved ones and feel like you need a boost, I highly recommend picking up this graphic novel. The price of admission is certainly worth the value of its edification.

I also included a link to the original book published in 1977 as well.

Highly recommended.

Click Here to Order from Amazon.com

Click Here to Order from Amazon.com

For those who follow me on Twitter and Facebook, you know I’m a huge American Splendor fan. Harvey’s autobiographical comic book series is sheer genius and displays not only his writing talents, but also fantastic art from R. Crumb, Gary Dumm, and even *gasp* Alan Moore (back when he did cartooning). Of course, a ton of other awesome artists have illustrated Harvey’s stories over the years. The more American Splendor I read, the sadder I get that Harvey is no longer with us. Would loved to have met him at one point.

The movie, American Splendor, is awesome. The following graphic novel gives you a look behind-the-scenes at how the movie came to be, Harvey’s adventures and misadventures while promoting it, and an inside look at a man who found out that fame isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be.

Pick up this book. It’ll be good for you.

If you haven’t seen American Splendor, stop what you’re doing and watch this trailer:

Then go and rent/buy the movie. It’s a must-see for not only comic book fans and those who love the late Harvey Pekar’s work, but also those who need a boost to get through life itself. I’ve seen this flick several times now, and I love it more with each viewing. Harvey and I have a lot in common: both lonely, both depressed, both write comics, both love to read, both self-publishers, and more. If you’re like me or Harvey, then, please, see this movie, then go read the book American Splendor and More American Splendor: The Life and Times of Harvey Pekar, which was made from a collection of American Splendor (Harvey’s autobiographical comic book series) stories to serve as a companion piece to the movie.

You’ll love it. You just will.

Click Here to Order from Amazon.com

Another year of reading has gone by.

In 2010, I read 48 books, the majority of which were graphic novels and, yes, I consider graphic novels “real” books, as they carry the same depth and amazing storytelling ability that novels have.

Below is what I took in last year (<- weird saying that). I also linked the books up to Amazon (where able) in case you wanted to add one or more of these titles to your personal library.

Books Read in 2010

1.) The Holy Spirit by Billy Graham (finished from 2009)
2.) Sin City by Frank Miller
3.) How to Make Webcomics by Brad Guigar, Dave Kellett, Scott Kurtz and Kris Straub
4.) Gross Movie Reviews Volume One by Tim Gross
5.) Jumpstart Your Book Sales: A Money-making Guide for Authors, Independent Publishers and Small Presses by Marilyn and Tom Ross (finished from 2009)
6.) MacFish by Sean Simmans
7.) Animal Behavior and Other Tales of Lycanthropy by Keith Gouveia
8.) Bigfoot War by Eric S. Brown
9.) Zombie Fight Night: Battles of the Dead by A.P. Fuchs
10.) Alec: The Years of Have Pants by Eddie Campbell
11.) Judenhass by Dave Sim
12.) Do Anything by Warren Ellis
13.) All Star Superman Vol. 1 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly, with Jamie Grant
14.) All Star Superman Vol. 2 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly, with Jamie Grant
15.) Transmetropolitan: Back on the Street by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson
16.) Praise the Dead by Gina Ranalli
17.) Transmetropolitan: Lust for Life by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson
18.) Transmetropolitan Vol. 3 by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson
19.) Stargazer Vol. 1 by Von Allan
20.) Magic Man Plus 15 Tales of Terror by A.P. Fuchs
21.) Madman Vol. 1 by Michael Allred
22.) The Superman Madman Hullabaloo by Mike Allred
23.) The War of the Worlds Plus Blood, Guts and Zombies by H.G. Wells and Eric S. Brown
24.) King-Cat Classix: The Best of King-Cat Comics and Stories by John Porcellino
25.) Luke’s Story (The Jesus Chronicles) by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins (finished from 2009)
26.) Possession of the Dead (Undead World Trilogy, Book 2) by A.P. Fuchs
27.) Transmetropolitan: The New Scum by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson
28.) Transmetropolitan: Lonely City by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson
29.) Transmetropolitan: Gouge Away by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson
30.) Supreme: The Story of the Year by Alan Moore et al.
31.) American Splendor: The Life and Times of Harvey Pekar by Harvey Pekar et al.
32.) Invincible Vol. 1: Family Matters by Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker
33.) Invincible Vol. 2: Eight is Enough by Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley
34.) The Walking Dead Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore
35.) The Walking Dead Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us by Robert Kirman and Charlie Adlard
36.) Phase 7 #001-004 by Alec Longstreth
37.) Supreme: The Return by Alan Moore et al.
38.) Spawn Vol. 1 by Todd MacFarlane
39.) Spawn Vol. 2 by Todd MacFarlane, Alan Moore and Frank Miller
40.) Our Cancer Year by Harvey Pekar, Joyce Brabner and Frank Stack
41.) Spawn Vol. 3 by Todd MacFarlane et al.
42.) Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? by Alan Moore and Curt Swan
43.) The Walking Dead Vol. 3: Safety Behind Bars by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard
44.) The Weaponer by Eric S. Brown
45.) Final Crisis by Grant Morrison et al.
46.) Transition: Phase 7 #010-011 by Alec Longstreth
47.) The Black Cat and the Ghoul by Edgar Allan Poe and Keith Gouveia
48.) Making Comics by Scott McCloud

Canister X Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 7

October 2010

As noted in the last newsletter, September was a whirlwind, and in a lot of ways, October was, too. It was very much a month of aftermath of all of September’s hard work.

The beginning of this month was difficult for me after September’s all-out writing-fest. I was pretty burned out and, though I worked during the day, my productivity level was down. Thankfully, by the second week or so, I had recovered.

I launched Possession of the Dead earlier this month, both in print and in eBook. I was also in the newspaper and on the radio. Tonight I’m off to sign books at Coles, then this weekend is the Central Canada Comic Con so I’ll be selling a TON of Coscom books there.

Go, go, go. That seems to be the mantra here.

My wife, Roxy, is in the same boat. She just launched her webcomic, Fuzz Society, and aside from her posts on Tuesday and Thursday, she also got her art ready to sell as prints at the con. We’re off to the printer this afternoon to pick up the hardcopies of issue one, and we’ll be picking up the prints tomorrow. You should also join her Facebook group.

I’m also excited for her because Coles has graciously allowed her to sit in on my signing tonight to hand sell her comic without paying any commission to the store. (Good deal; if I could do that for my own books, I’d avoid that 40% discount they require, but ’tis the biz.)
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Got good news from Hollyweird as there’s been interest in one of Coscom Entertainment’s properties. Here’s hoping the book in question gets optioned for either film or a TV series.
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If you haven’t already been tuning in to Zomtropolis every Friday, please do so. My hope is to get the book going twice a week, but until things settle down, I simply can’t. Hopefully at some point during November, but no guarantees.
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In reading news, I’ve been gorging (almost literally) on graphic novels. Since I last wrote, I must have read at least five or six of them. For sure I read: Invincible Vols. 1 and 2 by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker and Ryan Ottley, The Walking Dead Vols. 1 and 2 by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard, Phase 7 #001-004 by Alec Longstreth. American Splendor by Harvey Pekar et al. is there, too, along with Supreme: The Story of the Year by Alan Moore et al.

All of the above was just terrific. All completely different comics, all differently paced, all with different styles. And they were all pure good.
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Also, Axiom-man trading cards came in the mail the other day. He’s part of the massive comic book crossover, War of the Independents. Creators with characters involved who also wanted to be part of the trading card set sent in art for it. In return, we got a free deck of the entire set (50 cards). I also ordered in an extra set at discount and 100 Axiom-man cards for the con this weekend. Not sure if I’ll sell them or give them out as incentives for the books, or whatever. We’ll see.

Speaking of the con again, Axiom-man cover artist Justin Shauf is coming into town. Originally from Saskatchewan, he moved here for school (where I met him), then a few years later he moved back. It’s awesome that we’ve stayed friends for about ten years now despite living so far apart. He’ll have a table in Artist Alley at the con, so if you’re in Winnipeg this weekend, stop on by the Convention Centre and say hello to both of us.
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That’s pretty much it for me. The clock is ticking and there’s loads to do.

Peace out for now.

Best,

A.P. Fuchs
Winnipeg, MB
October 28, 2010