HeroesCon 2013 Mega Music Panel: On the Intersection(s) of Comics and Music

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Comics and music share a lot of affinities-both depend heavily on rhythm and intervals,and many cartoonists are also musicians-and cartoonist Ben Towle and blogger Craig Fischer have organized a diverse smorgasbord of a panel to explore these affinities. Ben will discuss the many ways cartoonists represent music visually, and will chair a wide-ranging panel on comics and music with Peter Bagge (Hate, Yeah!), Ed Piskor (Hip Hop Family Tree), Andrew Robinson and Vivek J Tiwary (The Fifth Beatle). Craig will talk about the work of Marc Weidenbaum, an editor, teacher, and musician who's been combining comics and music in his creative projects for over two decades. And Charlotte, NC avant-duo Ghost Trees (Brent Bagwell on saxophone, Seth Nanaa on drums) will participate in two live comics/music performances, including a soundtrack for Joe Lambert's "Turtle Keep it Steady," a rock-n-roll retelling of the Tortoise-Hare fable!

HeroesCon 2011: Master of Screaming Metal: Tribute to Moebius

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Exerpt from Ben Towle’s Blog:  We showed the documentary Moebius Redux, which was reallywell-done, although it certainly shied away from addressing some of themore troubling aspects of the artist’s later career.The real star of the panel, though, was Geof Darrow who had aseemingly-limitless well of hilarious anecdotes about Moebius…

Runtime 28 minutes 26 seconds

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Review: Amelia Earhart: This Broad Ocean

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I began writing this review April 29, 2011 then a bunch of stuff happened.  I made it as far as the first 2 paragraphs.  I’ve completed it just now and I feel the exactly the same.

I don’t usually write reviews for the Dollar Bin.  I tend to convey my opinions on the audio recordings.  However, after I finished reading the Eisner nominated  Amelia Earhart:  This Broad Ocean by Sarah Stewart Taylor and Ben Towle I just had to get my thoughts and emotions out now, so here I write.

I want to start by telling you that multiple times through my reading experience I felt my whole body well up with emotion.  I found myself just grinning and tearing up all at the same time.  (Did I mention I was reading this in the middle of a crowed restaurant?  Well I was and the threat of out-pouring emotions was a little embarrassing.)  Ben Towle has the incredible ability to give characters with simple black dot eyes the most amazing range of expression.  I truly felt every bout of anxiety, moment of anticipation, and glimmer of hope along with Amelia and the rest of the cast.  Even has I flip through the book to write this review I keep catching myself grinning as I scan the panels.

Sarah Stewart Taylor’s tale of Amelia Earhart as told through the eyes of the young Grace Goodland, writer of the self published local newspaper, The Trepassey Herald,  couldn’t have been told any better.  Grace is a pioneer of her own merit and is the perfect conduit to relay such a powerful example of hope and inspiration.  Her story is both informational and encouraging.  The scenes depicted as the tale is told are well paced and so full of hope and wonder.
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HeroesCon 2010: Defective Comics: A Celebration of Superhero Oddness

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Let’s face it:  superheroes can be kinda dopey.  For every cultural icon like Superman or Spider-Man, there’s five thousand off-beat B-listers lining up to die in the next big crossover event.  For HeroesCon 2010, Amelia Eahart: This Broad Ocean cartoonist, Ben Towle, and Thought Balloonist blogger, Craig Fischer, host a lovingly critical look at just how bizarre the superhero genre can be.

Runtime 1 hour 08 minutes 23 seconds

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