{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna","title":"Hark! A Vagrant","subtitle":"Hark! A Vagrant","author":{"name":"Hark! A Vagrant"},"link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"service.feed","type":"application\/x.atom+xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom","title":"Hark! A Vagrant"}}],"updated":"2012-07-10T13:34:47Z","entry":[{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:155875","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/155875.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=155875"}}],"title":"Pony Meets a Ghost","published":"2012-07-10T13:34:47Z","updated":"2012-07-10T13:34:47Z","content":"\"Screen<\/a>

New comic!<\/a> Click to see!

I'm going to try this, I think. I haven't been updating the lj, because I don't like seeing people link to it instead of my website (which is still my home base and main source of comics-related income!). But then I didn't want to leave it either, so I think I can work the lj like the tumblr<\/a> and just post a leading image. Just a little change, no big deal! With the site, twitter, tumblr and lj I feel like things are all over the place, and I'd like to keep things as tight (but accessible!) as I can.

thanks!"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:155644","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/155644.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=155644"}}],"title":"Idler","published":"2012-07-10T13:29:47Z","updated":"2012-07-10T13:29:47Z","content":"\"Screen

Comic!<\/a> Click the link!"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:155318","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/155318.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=155318"}}],"title":"Mother's Day","published":"2012-05-14T15:35:31Z","updated":"2012-05-14T15:36:23Z","content":"I made a comic for my mother yesterday, who has believed in my abilities longer and more fiercely than anyone else. You can find it here.<\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:154889","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/154889.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=154889"}}],"title":"Q&A Answers, Part one.","published":"2012-02-21T18:11:13Z","updated":"2012-02-21T18:11:27Z","content":"You can find them here on my tumblr.<\/a> It's part one of two, and hopefully there's a word to the wise in there at least once."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:154777","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/154777.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=154777"}}],"title":"Peasants return","published":"2012-01-16T05:32:13Z","updated":"2012-01-16T05:32:13Z","content":"

I have been obsessing over Medieval history in the past while. It only seemed natural to come back to the world of our old friends<\/a>. I like the idea of recurring characters in this strip, and that's why you're seeing more of it! Though we might take them from 15th century to 14th century. The 14th century is just so.. gloriously Medieval.

I like a good old mix of funny history with a lil' anachronism thrown in the mix. For allergies, I'll be honest: I have no idea what people thought then. And I've been looking at medical Medieval image catalogues like nobody's business. I should really make a tumblr or something to record research travels on the internet, because I just want to share everything with you! There is so much great stuff out there! We'll see. But anyway, back on track re: allergies-

I once read that it's possible Jean Paul Marat suffered from a gluten intolerance which led to him being confined to his bath, which led to him being murdered, which led to him being painted Pieta-style with a bathtub instead of the Virgin Mary.<\/a> Can you imagine, an old timey French dude just chowing down baguettes every day and wondering what the heck was the matter while all the doctors bang their heads on the wall? C'est tragique. But in a funny way.

Weren't we talking about Middle Ages stuff? Well, read all about it in my new book, How to write jokes about topics that are unrelated<\/i>.

And for heaven's sake, watch Terry Jones' Medieval Lives<\/a> and do it now- you won't find a more charming, intelligent host anywhere. Terry, if you're reading this (you're not, but just in case you are), you're the best."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:154429","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/154429.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=154429"}}],"title":"Picture Analysis","published":"2012-01-06T00:54:30Z","updated":"2012-01-06T00:54:30Z","content":"While looking though The Boston Public Library's Flickr account<\/a>, I found this picture<\/a>, and decided to share with you all the reasons I find it funny. Just for fun. I see a lot of these sorts of pictures! Everything is symbolic sure, but let's do this anyway.




OK:
The title is \"News from America, or the patriots in the dumps\"<\/i>, so if you were wondering how old the phrase \"in the dumps\" is, the answer is At Least 1776 Old.

The summary reads, \"Lord North shows a letter from General Howe, whose victory at Long Island had just recently been announced. A dowdy, bare-breasted woman with a liberty cap falls down weeping and American ships sink in the background.\"<\/i>

Where to begin?


Who is this jolly fellow?? Why it's the Prime Minister, Lord Frederick North. He certainly looks a lot more jovial here than in his glum official portrait-

Though perhaps that was painted after his side had lost the Revolution.

Speaking of Prime Ministers, yes, we are in Britain! That is where this cartoon is taking place. The Brits have won a victory at Long Island and everyone has shown up at the Vague Town Steps to hear the news. And by everyone, of course I mean:


A bunch of Americans! Yes, they took a wrong turn at Albuquerque and ended up on an English beach (damn this wartime geographic confusion!) just in time to have their noses shoved in the latest reports by the Prime Minister himself. Ho ho! They are displeased!

This person is especially displeased.


And what's this? Lady Liberty herself, sitting on the ground, tits out, weeping, too sad to even blow on her vuvuzela (remember those?). God it's like my prom all over again! But don't be too sad, American Liberty Woman, as Delacroix immortalized years later, if you're going to fight for Liberty, tits out is the way to go.


But let's look at the British folks gathered for the news.


Is that the king in the upper right corner? He's got that fishy-face weak-chinned Georgian King look. He's not gloating as much as the rest, he just bumped into everyone on his morning stroll. But here is what cannot be missed-

When, when is this gesture coming back as a big Fuck You? If someone did that to me I'd be confused but also sort of angry, like I know it's a dickish thing to gesture even though it's completely ridiculous.

And in the background, naturally,

A bunch of American ships are, first of all, there (what?) and second of all, sinking. Probably because they were foolish enough to sail to England! But also possibly because of those icebergs."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:154330","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/154330.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=154330"}}],"title":"Question Time","published":"2012-01-05T23:10:24Z","updated":"2012-01-05T23:10:24Z","content":"Hi there!

Are you an aspiring comic creator?

It's been a very good year for me and comics. To celebrate, and to give a little back, I thought I would take on questions from people who are trying to make it in the world of webcomics. If there's one thing I really understand, it's that this business can be confusing- knowing what to do and how to do it. I asked a lot of questions when I started, that's for sure.

Running a comic is different for everyone, and I can only really speak from my own experience, but hopefully I'll have something worth telling by this point.

If you have anything you'd like to ask, write to this address: beatonna at gmail dot com. Put the subject as 'webcomics'!

I'll take the most commonly asked questions and answer them after a while in a new post. Don't ask me to look through your comics send a link to your site, I'm not going to look through anyone's website (stressful). This is more of a for-everyone thing. Your questions, of course, will be about you and for you and that's fine! But ask in a way that will be useful for more people, so we can all get in on the fun.

I'll be as honest as I can!"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:154048","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/154048.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=154048"}}],"title":"veloss","published":"2012-01-03T03:07:56Z","updated":"2012-01-03T03:07:56Z","content":"


Happy New Year everyone!

Just playing around with drawing pictures.

The greatest thing about the invention of the bicycle and ladies starting to ride them is: everything. The clothes! The bikes! The attitude! But perhaps especially: the scads of satirical cartoons made at the time that were supposed to make women look shocking and inappropriate<\/a> but just makes them look super stylish and badass instead. I just can't get over the cigarette in the cartoon I used though, and the splayed legs as she rumbles willy-nilly down the street. God, is there anything better than cartoons?

Incidentally, 'velocipedestrienne,' not a word I made up. You're looking for page 89 of this very informative contemporary read<\/a>. I enjoyed the chapter very much. You would not believe how many words they manage to birth out of the word 'velocipede' in that book. If you notice the date you'll see that I stuck a phonograph in the cartoon about ten years too early and well that is just because I can do what I like around here."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:153626","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/153626.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=153626"}}],"title":"Christmas 2011","published":"2011-12-28T05:48:46Z","updated":"2011-12-28T05:57:36Z","content":"


I hope you all had a good holiday with your families,

love Kate\n
By the way, the signing was really lovely, the support in my hometown is wonderful and I'm so proud. I took a few little iphone videos: here<\/a>, here<\/a> and here<\/a>\n
\n<\/a>
"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:153553","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/153553.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=153553"}}],"title":"ho ho ho","published":"2011-12-22T05:36:05Z","updated":"2011-12-22T05:42:53Z","content":"

I'm headed home! Here are some holiday drawings before I go. Ken in the Nativity Scene is there just because I remember both owning Hollywood Ken (he had stars on his pants and the word HOLLYWOOD on his t-shirt) and trying to play with the figures in Mom's Nativity scene. I mean let's face it: they're dolls right? Amirite. The problem was that they were all puny next to the Barbies and that is a problem, because no doubt Mary would consider a man-about-town like Hollywood Ken to be the foster father of her miracle child, but she only went up to his hip, so Joseph was a more reasonable choice in the end.

As for Hunks, you may remember this twitter comic I made about meeting my neighbours:

I had to make a comic out of it in some way right! Here are some things that will always be funny to me:
butts
hunks and babes
people lying on the floor
top gun

And that is the secret to anything I have ever made.

Will you be in New York between Christmas and New Years?

Then come to the third Crime Stoppers Club<\/a>, a show put on by Michael Kupperman and myself, this month featuring the great talents of Julia Wertz, Anthony Devito, Mitch Magee, Julie Klausner and MARK TWAIN!

That's December 27th, at Luca Lounge in the East Village! Clicka that link hey why not

Oh one more thing - if you're back in Cape Breton for Christmas like me, I'm going to do a little signing or meet and greet sort of thing on Boxing Day in my hometown, Mabou. It's at the museum - An Drochaid, the Gaelic and Historical Society building - at 7:30pm. Be sure to drop by and say hello before the dance starts, hmm?"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:153250","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/153250.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=153250"}}],"title":"Wuthering Three","published":"2011-12-14T20:05:14Z","updated":"2011-12-14T21:39:46Z","content":"


It's interesting to go this far with a book, over more than one update. I have re-read so many parts of Wuthering Heights in the last while that all the characters are swimming around in my brain like .. brain fish.

Nelly, I AM Heathcliff!

Come in here close now, I have a secret: Did you buy my book as a gift for someone this holiday season? If you are in New York on Friday (the 16th), come to Community Bookstore<\/a> in Brooklyn, and I will sign it to them for you. I'll be there from 7-9pm. I'm trying to keep this event pretty low key, a nice little holly-jolly thing, not too many \"I bought this as a gift for myself!\" if you please. There may be cider!


Felipe Galindo<\/a> gave me his book recently, and it's a real charmer! Put that on your list for your Mexican-American friends.

My comrades at Pizza Island have also been busy<\/a>.

Time is runnin' out for Christmas!
The store has three new shirts!<\/a> It's been a while. But here they are!

<\/a>



The book is still available for order!


<\/a>

Topatoco is selling it, along with a reissue of the first book!<\/a> There is a pretty good combo deal there."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:152986","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/152986.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=152986"}}],"title":"Wondy","published":"2011-12-05T21:21:55Z","updated":"2011-12-05T21:21:55Z","content":"\"\"

Oh Wonder Woman, I love you, not even secretly. I really do find her fascinating, along with creative and fan based world around her. We just want her to be great, what's wrong with that? Maybe she wants to be great too. 
"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:152779","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/152779.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=152779"}}],"title":"Nemesis","published":"2011-11-24T03:08:36Z","updated":"2011-11-24T04:04:19Z","content":"


Do you remember these guys?<\/a> I brought them back for their own comics. I always had a soft spot for 'em. I threw the original comics in so that anyone new to the characters would have an idea about them!


You know what one of the funnest parts of my job is? Research! I don't usually show you guys research, but for anyone curious, here are some of the things I've used for this one:

When I found this guy<\/a> last year, I wanted to draw him, and he became Nemesis.
Great clothing reference!<\/a> There is also this one,<\/a> and many out there like it. The internet is amazing.
This collection of prints<\/a> turns up in a lot of places.
I guess the other guy was a surgeon<\/a>, somehow.
How did they hold one of those things<\/a> anyway? Ah.
Flintlocks<\/a>
What's looking at Napoleonic naval images without a few stills from Master and Commander<\/a>, I ask you?


I always have a load of that stuff up, a million tabs open. Good times all around.


By the way, the CBC Q interview I had is on youtube now!<\/a> Thanks Jian!


anyhow


The store has three new shirts!<\/a> It's been a while. But here they are!

<\/a>

The book is still available for order on Amazon!


<\/a>


Other buying options for the book? Topatoco is selling it, along with a reissue of the first book!<\/a> There is a pretty good combo deal there."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:152392","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/152392.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=152392"}}],"title":"Goreys 5","published":"2011-11-14T22:05:29Z","updated":"2011-11-14T22:05:29Z","content":"

Goreys!

I looove calling back old jokes. haha!

Many of the articles I read about the book cited the Gorey\/Nancy book cover business as the best work I do, which I am uncertain how to take (artists! amirite) but hey, if it's your favorite it's your favorite right? I think that the really good thing about them is that they don't need nor are made better by any previous knowledge of anything else coming in, so everyone reads them the same way. I like that! History and comic book things are fun but it's nice for everyone to be on the same page too.




anyhow


The store has three new shirts!<\/a> It's been a while. But here they are!

<\/a>

The book is still available for order on Amazon!


<\/a>


Other buying options for the book? Topatoco is selling it, along with a reissue of the first book!<\/a> There is a pretty good combo deal there."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:152264","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/152264.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=152264"}}],"title":"A Belated Adventure","published":"2011-11-07T19:14:48Z","updated":"2011-11-07T19:14:48Z","content":"

The tour is OVER!

so over!

It was long but it was fun and good to meet people! Thank you everyone who came out, and to the organizers and to Drawn and Quarterly. As usual, I got sick as soon as I came home, but at least it didn't pop up until the end of the tour, not so much during, though thank you to those understanding people in Toronto who were very gracious when I had to cut the line. I'll see you at TCAF I hope!

This comic was just a sketch in my book, I had intended to make a big ol' Halloween comic out of it, but since it's been so long since the last update and I'm not 100% yet, I thought I'd just open my sketchbook for you! I'm pretty worn out by comics you guys, I've spent a lot of time talking about and presenting my comics in the past couple of months to the point where I hardly want to look at 'em, but I'm excited to get back into it, back to normal, like. Nancy is up to her old tricks. Regular updates should be happening soon. I have some costume sketches too, when this comic was more ambitious:



Now here is an exciting thing:

The store has three new shirts!<\/a> It's been a while. But here they are!

<\/a>

If you missed it, here are a few interview links:

Q with Jian Ghomeshi on CBC Radio<\/a>
The Sound of Young America with Jesse Thorn on NPR<\/a>


The book is still available for order on Amazon!



<\/a>


Other buying options for the book? Topatoco is selling it, along with a reissue of the first book!<\/a> There is a pretty good combo deal there."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:151985","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/151985.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=151985"}}],"title":"KRAVEN","published":"2011-10-19T17:47:15Z","updated":"2011-10-19T17:47:15Z","content":"

Good afternoon!

First off, I have an interview in The Onion AV Club!<\/a> Very cool.

Well, I thought that during this book tour I'd have the time to make comics, but it's been pretty tough. As good as the book business is, I'm pretty tired, and everything I tried to come up with this past week or so has been brain mush. I guess most people on tours don't also have to keep a website going, maybe! I hope they don't, it's too nutty. I asked Marvel if I could share with you some of the comics that I made for Strange Tales, and they agreed! So here is one of my favorites, Kraven the Hunter!


Researching characters for Marvel stories was a real blast, I enjoyed it very much. Kraven was suggested to me by Ryan North, because that guy knows what he is talking about! The book that all of these are collected in is Strange Tales II<\/a>, it's a great collection! I found some amazing new artists by looking through it too, like Rafael Grampa.<\/a> That guy is unreal. Bill Crabtree colored this one, though (so you know!).


If you pick up Best American Comics 2011<\/a>, you'll find me inside with many others to enjoy!

I have some pages in a new book of nursery rhymes. Each rhyme is illustrated by a different cartoonist, the book is published by First Second (who are amazing), and you should keep an eye out for it! It's a real gem. I can share mine with you:



<\/a>

ok!


My own book is still available for order on Amazon!


<\/a>


Other buying options for the book? Topatoco is selling it, along with a reissue of the first book!<\/a> There is a pretty good combo deal there.


The tour update is here! Still some dates to go! We added MIAMI!:

MIAMI Saturday Nov 19th

http:\/\/www.miamibookfair.com<\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:151658","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/151658.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=151658"}}],"title":"Wuthering Two","published":"2011-10-08T02:25:25Z","updated":"2011-10-08T02:25:25Z","content":"

Wuthering Heights, Part Two! We are keeping this juggernaut on course, and we haven't even gotten to the part where Heathcliff starts breaking into graves yet. They are still children here, it's funny to see movie adaptations with adults playing Catherine and Heathcliff spying in the Lintons' windows.

Book tour and business keeps rolling, I am extremely proud to say that this week Hark! A Vagrant<\/i> hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list<\/a> for graphic books. Thank you everyone who bought it and made this happen. The day before the book was released, I made this little thank you video.<\/a> It's nice to be a real person sometimes you know? Instead of a twitter account.

There's been a host of interviews and things, be on the lookout for more, including some NPR action!

Some links from friends:

Two of my oldest and dearest friends started a little blog of odds and ends<\/a>.

My lovely acquaintances Ohbijou have realeased a new album, and boy oh boy is is wonderful.<\/a>

My very talented Halifax friend Faith Erin Hicks has a new book coming out with First Second, and it's being serialized online! Free, amazing comics? Sign me up! It's called Friends With Boys<\/a> and it is right at that link. Faith can draw circles around me for sure, she's amazin'

Speaking of First Second, I have some pages in a new book of Nursery Rhyme Comics<\/a>, with many, many other talented people. It's a sure bet, for kids, just trust me. Here is a preview over at Comics Alliance<\/a> that includes my contribution.

But also, speaking of KIDS and speaking of BOOKS, I have two more that I want to share with you because they are so great! One is I Want My Hat Back<\/a> by Jon Klassen<\/a> and the other is Zombie In Love<\/a>, illustrated by Scott C.<\/a> Both of these guys make work so charming, your kids will have their work cut out for them in not loving every minute of it. I also picked up Wildwood by Carson Ellis and Colin Meloy<\/a> this week, and I'm in love with it.

ok!

The book is available for order on Amazon! So many exciting things happening.


<\/a>"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:151323","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/151323.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=151323"}}],"title":"I'm so co-o-o-ld, let me in-a your windo-oh-oh","published":"2011-09-26T03:28:32Z","updated":"2011-09-26T17:57:52Z","content":"


I had just about given up on ideas for Wuthering Heights until the other day when I stumbled upon a beautifully illustrated version of the book by Fritz Eichenberg. It was two dollars! Unbelievable. His evocative woodcuts spurred me into action!



Because this is such a busy time, and such an intense book to cover, I am breaking the comics into smaller updates! That way you won't be waiting so long for them while I run around town and do all that fancy press and tour stuff.


Speaking of fancy stuff, there are some interviews and articles coming your way! Here is an interview from Salon<\/a>, and here is a review from the NPR blog.<\/a> We're picking up steam, ladies and gents!



The book is available for order on Amazon! So many exciting things happening.





Did you know that the actual book launch is very soon? It's September 27 here in New York, at Housing Works! Here are some details on Time Out New York!<\/a>


The tour update is here! So much stuff going on!
<\/a>
BROOKLYN Sunday Sept 18th
http:\/\/www.brooklynbookfestival.org\/BBF\/Home
At Brooklyn Book Festival, 1PM

MANHATTAN Tuesday Sept 27th
http:\/\/www.housingworks.org\/locations\/detail\/bookstore-cafe
http:\/\/www.desertislandbrooklyn.com\/
At Housing Works with Desert Island, 7PM

SAN FRANCISCO Saturday Oct 1st & Sunday Oct 2nd
http:\/\/www.comic-con.org\/ape\/index.php
At APE

BOSTON Saturday Oct 15th
http:\/\/www.bostonbookfest.org\/bookfest\/schedule_detail\/schedule_kate_beaton\/
At the Boston Book Festival, panel: "Far Out Fiction," 4:30pm

VANCOUVER Friday Oct 21st
http:\/\/www.writersfest.bc.ca\/
At the Vancouver International Writers Festival, panel "Conversations with Bill", 10 AM

PORTLAND Saturday Oct 22nd
http:\/\/www.livewireradio.org\/
During Live Wire at Alberta Rose Theater, 7PM

LOS ANGELES Sunday Oct 23rd
http:\/\/www.skylightbooks.com\/
Signing at Skylight Books, 5PM

TORONTO Saturday Oct 29th & Oct 30th
http:\/\/www.readings.org\/?q=ifoa
At the IFOA

MONTREAL Tuesday Nov 1st
http:\/\/211blog.drawnandquarterly.com\/
At our very own Librairie Drawn & Quarterly, 7PM

HALIFAX Wednesday Nov 2nd
http:\/\/www.strangeadventures.com\/
At Strange Adventures, 7PM
"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:151290","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/151290.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=151290"}}],"title":"Leonine","published":"2011-09-16T20:48:20Z","updated":"2011-09-17T23:01:42Z","content":"

Back with more French history!

Robespierre is the real star of the French Revolution but Danton is the one who always fascinated me. Robespierre's idealism and cruelty was strange and lofty and alien, while Danton is so much more agreeably flawed and human, and he understood the nature of people better, and yet he still remains just out of reach. Would it have killed the man to write something down? He brought on terrors and he tried to stop The Terror, and then he lost his head for it. He loved working up crowds with speeches, and he was good at it, with a roaring voice that suited well since he looks rather like a lion.

I'm just talkin' and talkin' so I'll wrap up, do yourselves a favor and watch Andrzej Wajda's \"Danton,\" it's great and it's part of the Criterion Collection. Here is a clip from Danton's trial<\/a>, marvelous! And who can resist Depardieu? Well, it's always a good idea to quote someone who knows what they are talking about, so I will pull up JM Thompson<\/a>'s popular summary: \"Not a great man, not a good man, certainly no hero; but a man with great, good, and heroic moments.\"

The book is still available for preorder on Amazon! So many exciting things happening.


<\/a>


Did you know that the actual book launch is very soon? It's September 27 here in New York, at Housing Works! Here are some details on Time Out New York!<\/a>

I got a great review with Publishers Weekly<\/a>, very proud!


Come see myself, Michael Kupperman, Keith Knight and Jennifer Hayden this Sunday at the Brooklyn Book Festival!<\/a>

My good friends Emily and Tim are running a project called Border Town that you should check out<\/a> there is also a Kickstarter<\/a> with info and a chance to get involved! You know Emily of course from the wonderfulA Softer World<\/a>.

The tour update is here! So much stuff going on!

BROOKLYN Sunday Sept 18th
http:\/\/www.brooklynbookfestival.org\/BBF\/Home<\/a>
At Brooklyn Book Festival, 1PM

MANHATTAN Tuesday Sept 27th
http:\/\/www.housingworks.org\/locations\/detail\/bookstore-cafe<\/a>
http:\/\/www.desertislandbrooklyn.com\/<\/a>
At Housing Works with Desert Island, 7PM

SAN FRANCISCO Saturday Oct 1st & Sunday Oct 2nd
http:\/\/www.comic-con.org\/ape\/index.php<\/a>
At APE

BOSTON Saturday Oct 15th
http:\/\/www.bostonbookfest.org\/bookfest\/schedule_detail\/schedule_kate_beaton\/<\/a>
At the Boston Book Festival, panel \"Funny Ha-Ha: Comedy in Comics\", 1PM

VANCOUVER Friday Oct 21st
http:\/\/www.writersfest.bc.ca\/<\/a>
At the Vancouver International Writers Festival, panel \"Conversations with Bill\", 10 AM

PORTLAND Saturday Oct 22nd
http:\/\/www.livewireradio.org\/<\/a>
During Live Wire at Alberta Rose Theater, 7PM

LOS ANGELES Sunday Oct 23rd
http:\/\/www.skylightbooks.com\/<\/a>
Signing at Skylight Books, 5PM

TORONTO Saturday Oct 29th & Oct 30th
http:\/\/www.readings.org\/?q=ifoa<\/a>
At the IFOA

MONTREAL Tuesday Nov 1st
http:\/\/211blog.drawnandquarterly.com\/<\/a>
At our very own Librairie Drawn & Quarterly, 7PM

HALIFAX Wednesday Nov 2nd
http:\/\/www.strangeadventures.com\/<\/a>
At Strange Adventures, 7PM"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:150858","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/150858.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=150858"}}],"title":"Home for August","published":"2011-09-05T17:11:21Z","updated":"2011-09-05T17:38:38Z","content":"I was home with my family for a bit, mostly my parents but for a few days my sisters were here too.

There's some comics, for as long as they put up with them.

















<\/a>
"},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:150665","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/150665.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=150665"}}],"title":"Le Petit Caporal","published":"2011-09-04T03:15:43Z","updated":"2011-09-04T12:11:56Z","content":"

Napoleon is something of an unofficial mascot to this comic, so sometimes I think I ought to throw him in more. He is at least the character whom I have pared down into a certain design over the years. However, as you can see, my depictions don't really help his uh, Napoleon Complex problem. As a person who is 5'2\" myself I would tell him it ain't so bad down here, but then, if people made my height as big a deal as they did his and got it wrong anyway, I'd probably have a word or two to say about it.

I'll give you some of James Gilray's caricatures, Gilray really zeroed in on Napoleon's height and I think it's a good example of how powerful cartoons could be with the public imagination! Gilray is one of my favorites anyway, do yourself a favor and look up his work, it's all terribly mean and clever.



You have to admit though, when it came to old political cartoons, nobody got it worse than George IV.



The cheek of that! Haha a cane is going to pull me offstage for that joke. Anyway!

I want to point some friends your way, the first is my old buddy Henry Svec, who has a new album out for which I did the artwork!<\/a> But there is a lot of talent in this collection, a lot of names to check out. And you can download the whole thing right off the website, and then you can sit and enjoy it, and then you can be very pleased with your day! This is my plan for you.

The second is another musical friend, the extra talented Greg MacPherson<\/a>, whose newest record Disintegration Blues is juuusst coming out right now, you can catch some shows in Winnipeg this weekend ( Sept 9th\/10th at the West End Cultural Center in Winnipeg<\/a> )when it does! I've heard the album already and it is the best!

Holy heck, ok more news, speaking of this coming weekend. I am going to be at SPX in Bethesda<\/a> on Sept. 10th and 11th, it is one of the best comic shows of the year! You can catch me at the Drawn and Quarterly booth. With my new book! For the first time! You gotta come! If it is reasonable for you to do that!

Did you know that I am going on tour with the new book? I am! I even have some confirmed dates for you!


BETHESDA: SPX<\/a> Saturday September 10 & Sunday September 11th
BROOKLYN: BBF<\/a> Sunday, September 18th
MANHATTAN: Housing Works<\/a> with Desert Island Tuesday, September 27th
SAN FRANCISCO: APE<\/a> Saturday October 1st and Sunday October 2nd
BOSTON: The Boston Book Festival<\/a> October 15th
VANCOUVER: VIWF<\/a> Friday, October 21st
PORTLAND: Live Write Saturday, October 22nd
TORONTO: IFOA SAturday October 29th and Sunday October 30th

Oh and there are more dates to come too! Look for Montreal, Halifax and possibly LA."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:150444","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/150444.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=150444"}}],"title":"\"How long do you mean to be content?\"","published":"2011-08-25T04:24:01Z","updated":"2011-08-25T18:08:40Z","content":"


Back again! Can't win em all, you know how it is. Maybe.

These two scaliwags are loads of fun, why didn't I come back to them earlier? Originally it was supposed to be about Byron being kind of grossed out by Shelley's fish eaten corpse but maybe that's not all the barrel of laffs I thought it would be. It's funny how when Shelley, the intense atheist, died, all the newspapers were like THAT SHOWED HIM as if God himself just put his thumb on the boat and pushed down to prove a point. Take that Shelley!

A couple of things have happened, one, my very good friends Meaghan and Adam got married! I love those guys. Guys are you reading this? Kiss kiss kiss this is for you kiss kiss

Also I have an interview up at The Hairpin!<\/a>

Also, to my great surprise, I won a Harvey Award.<\/a> Thank you so much to everyone who voted! It was truly unexpected.

Also

Also

The book stuff is picking up steam like crazy, I will have some exciting things to tell you soon, but here is a link to the thing itself on Amazon<\/a>, I will probably be linking the heck out of this! From now on! Is it finally time to be a good businessman?? (Businesslady??)

Look at these Mad Men portraits that Carly is drawing!<\/a> I keep dropping links to them like crazy because they are the best. Dropping links like bread crumbs at Hansel and Gretel's house."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:150261","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/150261.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=150261"}}],"title":"Feynman","published":"2011-08-08T14:52:53Z","updated":"2011-08-08T14:52:53Z","content":"

Today brings us a guest strip, and I am lucky to have it, from the marvelously talented pair Jim Ottaviani and Leland Myrick (written by the former and illustrated by the latter). You'll know them soon, I hope, from the graphic novel biography<\/a> of the rad scientist Richard Feynman.



It comes out at the end of the month, and I've read it already so I know it's good! And I know I have more than a few readers who wish I made more comics about scientists myself.

Keep your eyes peeled for a few things, I've had an interview with Newsarama<\/a>, one coming out soon with the Hairpin<\/a>, one with Quill and Quire<\/a> and one with the Walrus<\/a>. There's an illustration in the Walrus too! A lot of activity happening around the book, yes indeed."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:149867","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/149867.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=149867"}}],"title":"Nancy Drew Four","published":"2011-08-01T23:07:09Z","updated":"2011-08-01T23:08:39Z","content":"

Nancy's BACK

What is up with that bagpipes one, did Nancy learn to play the bagpipes for a case? Is she that determined? My sister had to play the chanter for a while in elementary school and that was bad enough. She gave me a hand in writing these, it was fun! She ain't got a website or anything, but she's on twitter as @laureenbeat if you're into that sort of twittering thing.

Right now I am back with the family in Cape Breton. I met with old friends this weekend at Sappyfest<\/a> in New Brunswick. The best people I know all in one place, and new friends to meet. Who could ask for more? I love you all, I love you all."},{"id":"urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:beatonna:149538","link":[{"@attributes":{"rel":"alternate","type":"text\/html","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/149538.html"}},{"@attributes":{"rel":"self","type":"text\/xml","href":"https:\/\/beatonna.livejournal.com\/data\/atom\/?itemid=149538"}}],"title":"Top Puns","published":"2011-07-24T05:45:50Z","updated":"2011-07-24T05:45:50Z","content":"

It's so hot outside that I lost my mind and drew pictures in a delirium. If I am passed out on the sidewalk near you, ship me to the arctic.

If I am not fried like a pancake by Monday, I will be doing this show<\/a>!

My last update was about my book being available at San Diego Comic Con. They Sold out! But did you know you can pre-order copies on Amazon?<\/a> You certainly can!

Thanks to Olly Moss<\/a> for Top Pun inspiration"}]}