2014 in Review: Jason Chatfield
What have been your personal cartooning/comics highlights of 2014?
Getting an editor from Universal Uclick was a big help. Having a qualified second set of eyes on your work makes you concentrate on every aspect of your audience online and in print. I also started going in to the New Yorker each week to pitch my cartoons to Bob Mankoff which has been a bit of a surreal thrill.
What are some of the comics you've enjoyed in 2014?
I've really enjoyed seeing one of my favourite Web Comics, WuMo by WULFF & MOREGENTHALER successfully go from online to also now be syndicated internationally in print. They also had another comic release on GoComics in June I've been enjoying called Truth Facts.
One of my favourite cartoonist discoveries of 2014 was the work of both Peter Arkle and Edward Steed.
What is something non-comics that you have enjoyed in 2014?
Moving my life to New York was a big one. I've been doing the best work of my life in comics and stand-up comedy. I'm out nearly every night doing a gig somewhere in the city which helps hone material way faster than trying to get gigs in Melbourne.
What are you looking forward to in 2015?
I've been asked to join the board of the National Cartoonists Society and host the 2015 Reuben Awards in Washington DC. I'm pretty excited to get to work on that... It's going to be a busy year!
2014 in Review: Simon Hanselmann
What have been your personal cartooning/comics highlights of 2014?
"new york times best seller list / joining the international velvet rope club".
What are some of the comics you've enjoyed in 2014?
"arsene schrauwen / everything breakdown press published."
What is something non-comics that you have enjoyed in 2014?
"getting married to my beautiful wife / yung lean"
What are you looking forward to in 2015?
"angouleme / madrid / new book."
2014 in Review: Dean Rankine
What have been your personal cartooning/comics highlights of 2014?
Having three issues of, Itty Bitty Bunnies in Rainbow Pixie Candy Land printed on paper and in comic book shops was a definite highlight, Continuing to do stuff for Simpsons Comics, Being a guest at conventions and being nominated for a Ledger and Stanley awards was cool too!
What are some of the comics you've enjoyed in 2014?
Saga, Sex Criminals and I've catching up on some older comics; iZombie and Gotham Central.
What is something non-comics that you have enjoyed in 2014?
What do you mean 'non-comic'? I don't understand the question ;)
What are you looking forward to in 2015?
I've been really happy with the work I've been producing. I'm hoping to keep improving throughout 2015.
2014 in Review: Sarah Laing
What have been your personal cartooning/comics highlights of 2014?
Having Let Me Be Frank #5 published, of course! Being invited over to London to talk about comics at the Australian NZ literary festival. Also, drawing 150 final draft pages of my graphic novel - it’s taking me forever but I’m on the home straight now.
What are some of the comics you've enjoyed in 2014?
Locally, it’s been super exciting being involved in the Three Words project and getting to read amazing comics by New Zealand women. There is so much talent here! I also loved reading Ant Sang’s Dharma Punks, Sam Orchard’s Family Portraits, Dylan Horrocks’ two new books, Mary Tamblyn and Alex McCrone’s Nothing Fits and Brent Willis’ Thrust Justice - he is hilarious. Internationally, I was pleased to get my hands on Gabrielle Bell’s Truth is Fragmentary, Eleanor Davis’ How to be Happy and AK Summers’ Pregnant Butch.
What is something non-comics that you have enjoyed in 2014?
Sneaking off to Paris when I was in London was pretty cool. I went on a bit of a TV binge this year, gobbling up Orange is the New Black, Broad City and True Detective. I compulsively listened to Serial (it’s over! sob!) and I read quite a few books without pictures. I just finished The Wilds, Julia Elliott’s southern gothic-meets Sci-fi, which reminded me of Nic Lowe’s Arms Race. I was moved by NoViolet Bulawayo’s We Need New Names and Miriam Toews All My Puny Sorrows. I loved Tracy Farr’s The Lives and Loves of Lena Gaunt and Ruth Ozeki’s A Tale for the Time Being. Now I’m wondering what to read next...
What are you looking forward to in 2015?
The Three Words book being published, of course! I’ve got a job making comics out of Italian WW1 poems in translation, which I will draw in a shipping container made out like a western front trench. I can’t wait to read the other comics in the Faction climate change issue (I have one in there) and also I’m looking forward to being an honorary Australian in the latest issue of Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!
