I’ve started making some changes to the website, in preparation for some events and projects that might actually lead to eyeballs hitting this lonely corner of the internet, and the process making those changes has required a review of all of the files on my computer. As I went through my desktop folder by folder, I look at all of the one-off ads and posters that I’ve had created for events. Two thoughts occurred to me:
1) I should be giving artists more credit for this work.
2) I should have a spot for sharing this art on a permanent basis
Until I come up with a fancy way of doing those things in an effective way this blog post will have to suffice.
RYAN BRINKERHOFF DESIGNS:
The first set of graphics that were created for Nix Comics ad use came from Ryan Brinkerhoff. The Face, Brain, Hands combo have been used for T-Shirts, Buttons, and Stickers ever since. If I remember correctly, I paid Ryan $75 for these. The Holy Snot logo, header for the editorial column in Nix Comics Quarterly was a gift from Ryan… who HATED the header I made using “word art” in Microsoft publisher.
Rachel Autumn Deering’s “Alternative” Nix Comics Quarterly Logo
Also given as a gift, I ended up paying Rachel $50 to be able to use this cool graphic for T-Shirts, Buttons, and Stickers on an ongoing basis. There’s definitely a camp of Nix Fans who consider this logo superior to the Red White and Black logo I normally use.
NIX COMICS SOLD HERE POSTERS
The garage rock girls were designed by Michael Neno and the Guitar playing Frankenstein by Mark Rudolph. I paid $100 each for the art. Originally I was going to start commissioning a new one of these posters every year or so, sending them to stores that carried Nix. Lost Weekend Records is the only one that I know of actually hanging one.
NEW YORK COMIC CON BANNER
I exhibited at NYCC in 2012 and had Rich Trask cook this guy up for me for (I bet you’re sensing a pattern) $100. I used it a few more times despite it being branded specifically for NYCC, but I don’t use any such banner anymore at shows. Sales have been the same or better since I stopped and its one less thing to carry in and out of the exhibition hall. These was a cool banner, though
NIX WESTERN COMICS PROMO POSTERS
Commissioned from Matt Wyatt as an experiment in skinnier posters that would be easier to sneak into spots on crowded or small bulletin boards. I like these a lot! Matt really captured the 70s spaghetti western poster motif I wanted. (Although, secret revealed, I originally wanted more of a mirror effect between the two with the shadows extending in opposite directions when they were placed side by side. Sorry Matt, my bad directions!)
NIX COMICS 2012 CATALOG COVERS:
The front of this catalog cover was by Pander Bear co-creator Bob Ray Starker and the back was by Matt Wyatt. I know I paid them, but I can’t find the record of how much!
INDIE COMICS FAIR POSTERS
I ran this event at the Ace of Cups for 8 years in a row leading up to the pandemic and I hope to pick up the tradition again soon! SPACE has historical cosponsored the event for $100, which I pass on to the poster artist. The credits by year are as follows:
2012: Ken Eppstein, not original art and not pictured!
2013: One by Michael Neno (Space man) and One by Matt Wyatt (Scruffy lookin’ characters)
2014: Rich Trask
2015: Matt Wyatt
2016: Michael Neno
2017, 2018, 2019: Rich Trask
2020: Renkorama
ARCANE MEDIA FAIR POSTERS:
Both by Michael Neno, commissioned for $100 each. The Arcane Media fair was an effort to combined comic sellers, music sellers and book sellers, both new and used/collectible. It worked out OK but for some reason I got away from running these events.
EXTRA SPACE POSTERS:
In 2015 the Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo lost its venue just weeks before the event was scheduled. The Ramada Inn that it had used for the previous few years just literally locked doors without warning. I decided to throw an alternative event that same date for exhibitors and attendees who had already made travel arrangements or other obligations. I can’t remember why I decided to do two posters for $100, but I did: One by Rich Trask and one by Mike Watson
NIX COMICS MONTHLY PRESS KIT
Then there was the time that I decided I was going to run a monthly free comic newspaper here in Columbus. People scoffed at the ambition! (They were right. My vision was too big for my budget) I did get Michael Neno to do this nice cover for my press kit, though. (Paid him $100)
ANA TATSURA Glow In the Dark T-Shirt
Designed by Pat Redding Scanlon in support of her premier as a Nix Comics Quarterly Artist in issue #9. This art was paid for on a percent of sales basis and the total ended up being $186.
