Alternative Comics Explained
Alternative Comics was an American independent graphic novel and comic book publisher most recently based in Cupertino, California. In addition to publishing creator-owned titles, Alternative Comics was also a noted publisher of anthologies such as , Hi-Horse, Hickee, Rosetta, and True Porn.
History
Jeff Mason era
Alternative Press, Inc. was founded in 1993 by Jeff Mason – while he was still a law student at the University of Florida[2] — to publish Indy Magazine, a magazine devoted to small-label music and comics.[3] (Indy was published in print form, with founder Dan DeBono, from 1993 to 1997 and revived as a digital magazine from 2004 to 2005).[4]
In 1996, Mason made the decision to publish comics, specifically to give up-and-coming creators their first break in the industry. The company changed its name to Alternative Comics and began publishing such cartoonists as Steven Weissman, Ed Brubaker, and Sam Henderson. At this point, the company established its policy of giving creators "complete artistic and legal control of their work."[5]
In 1999, Alternative Comics published Monica's Story, by James Kochalka and Tom Hart, which satirized the Starr Report's coverage of President Bill Clinton's affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Proceeds from Monica's Story benefitted the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.[6] The publisher also received mainstream notice for publishing 2001's Titans of Finance: True Tales of Money and Business, by R. Walker and Josh Neufeld;[7] and 2002's 9-11: Emergency Relief, a post-9/11 benefit anthology.[8] [9] [10]
In 2003–2004, the company expanded its offerings, debuting new ongoing titles by such cartoonists as Graham Annable, Scott Campbell, Damon Hurd, Nick Bertozzi, and Josh Neufeld, as well as a number of one-shots and graphic novels. Alternative faced a major financial challenge in 2004 as a result of the 2002 bankruptcy of the distributor LPC. The company scaled back its publication schedule and was forced to cancel a few titles.[11]
Mason operated Alternative Comics from 1993 to 2008, when the company went defunct.
Marc Arsenault era
In July 2012, it was announced that Alternative Comics was resuming operations under the new general manager Marc Arsenault, owner of the publisher/distributor Wow Cool, and moving to Cupertino, California.[12] [13] (Wow Cool had been formed in 1990 by Arsenault, Tom Hart, and Sam Henderson,[14] so the company already had established relationships with a number of Alternative Comics' core cartoonists.)
In February 2015, Alternative Comics formed a distribution cooperative with the small publishers Floating World Comics, Hic and Hoc Publications, Revival House Press, Study Group Comics, Hang Dai Editions, and Steve Lafler/Manx Media. Dubbed the Alternative Comics Publishing Co-Op, the publishers agreed to have their titles listed in distribution catalogs under the Alternative Comics banner, thus giving the publishers access to distribution from Diamond Comic Distributors and Consortium Book Sales and Distribution. In addition, Altenrative Comics announced it was reviving Indy Magazine (vol. 3).[15]
When Sparkplug Comics shut down in June 2016, the company's backlist was moved to Alternative Comics.[16] [17]
The company again ceased its operations in the spring of 2020, with at least some of its former titles being distributed by Wow Cool.[18]
In early June 2024, Wow Cool announced on Instagram that "Alternative Comics has landed in its third home of Troy, New York. Everything should be up and running by next week."[19]
Creators
Cartoonists who have published with Alternative include Graham Annable, Gabrielle Bell, Nick Bertozzi, Brandon Graham, Asaf Hanuka, Tomer Hanuka, Tom Hart, Dean Haspiel, Sam Henderson, James Kochalka, David Lasky, Jon Lewis, Matt Madden, Josh Neufeld, Dash Shaw, Jen Sorensen, and Sara Varon.
The company was also known as a distributor for Xeric Foundation award-winners, such as Leela Corman, Derek Kirk Kim, Neufeld, Bishakh Som, Sorensen, Karl Stevens, Lauren Weinstein, and many others.
Ongoing or limited series
Jeff Mason era
- Alternative Comics anthology (2 issues, 2003–2004)
- Bipolar, by Asaf Hanuka, & Tomer Hanuka (5 issues, 2001–2004)
- Detour, by Ed Brubaker (1 issue, 1997)
- A Fine Mess, by Matt Madden (2 issues, 2002–2004)
- Hickee, by Graham Annable, Scott Campbell, Joe White, et al. (4 issues, 2003–2007)
- Humongous Man, by Dan Stepp and Jim Harrison (4 issues, 1997–1998)
- Magic Whistle, by Sam Henderson (11 issues, 1998–2008; continued by Arsenault)
- Peanutbutter & Jeremy, by James Kochalka (4 issues, 2001)
- The Power of 6, by Jon Lewis (1 issue, 2006)
- Rosetta: A Comics Anthology, edited by Ng Suat Tong (2 issues, 2003–2005)
- Rubber Necker, by Nick Bertozzi (4 issues, 2002–2004)
- Slowpoke, by Jen Sorensen (1 issues, 1998)
- A Sort of Homecoming, by Damon Hurd and Pedro Camello (3 issues, 2003–2007)
- Spectacles, by Jon Lewis (4 issues, 1997–1998)
- True Porn anthology (2 issues, 2003–2005)
- Urban Hipster, by David Lasky & Greg Stump (2 issues, 1998–2003)
- The Vagabonds, by Josh Neufeld (2 issues, 2003–2006)
- Yikes, by Steven Weissman (2 issues, 1997–1998)
Marc Arsenault era
- Death in Oaxaca, by Steve Lafler (3 issues, 2014–2015)
- Hawd Tales, by Devin Flynn (2 issues, 2014–2016)
- Injury, by Ted May, et al., (4 issues, 2012–2014)
- Irene anthology edited by Dakota McFadzean, Andy Warner, and dw (3 issues, 2014-2015)
- Magic Whistle, by Sam Henderson (4 issues, 2012–2015)
- Magic Whistle 3.0 by Sam Henderson et al. (3 issues, 2015–2016)
- Reich, by Elijah Brubaker, (12 issues, 2016–2017)
- Secret Voice, by Zack Soto (3 issues, 2015–2016)
- Slasher, by Charles Forsman (5 issues, 2017–2018)
- Sun Bakery, by Corey Lewis (4 issues, 2016–2017)
- Terra Flats, mostly by Jason Fischer (2 issues, 2016–2017)
- Titan, by François Vignéault (5 issues, 2016–2017)
- True Stories, by Derf Backderf (4 issues, 2014–2018)
- Vile, by Tyler Landry (2 issues, 2016–2017)
- The Willows, by Nathan Carson and Sam Ford (2 issues, 2017–2018)
Graphic novels, trade paperbacks, and one-shots
- 9-11: Emergency Relief, by various writers and artists, January 2002, .
- Aim to Dazzle, by Dean Haspiel, 2003
- The Cute Manifesto, by James Kochalka, 2005, .
- Fancy Froglin's Sexy Forest, by James Kochalka, 2003, .
- Fantastic Butterflies, by James Kochalka, 2002, .
- Further Grickle, by Graham Annable, 2003, .
- Grickle, by Graham Annable, 2001, .
- Lou, by Melissa Mendes, 2016
- Lunch Hour Comix by Rob Ullman, 2005
- Monica's Story, by "Anonymous," James Kochalka, and Tom Hart, 1999.
- The Mother's Mouth, by Dash Shaw, 2006, .
- My Uncle Jeff, written by Damon Hurd & illustrated by Pedro Camello, 2003.
- Never Ending Summer, by Allison Cole, 2004, .
- Opposable Thumbs, by Dean Haspiel, 2001
- Peanutbutter & Jeremy, by James Kochalka, 2004,
- Pizzeria Kamikaze, written by Etgar Keret & illustrated by Asaf Hanuka, 2006, .
- The Placebo Man, by Tomer Hanuka, 2006, .
- Quit Your Job, by James Kochalka, 1998, .
- RabbitHead, by Rebecca Dart, 2004, .
- Red Eye, Black Eye, by K. Thor Jensen, 2007
- Salmon Doubts, by Adam Sacks, 2004, .
- The Sequential Artists Workshop Guide to Creating Professional Comic Strips, by Tom Hart, 2016,
- She's Not into Poetry: Mini-Comics 1991–1996, by Tom Hart, 2016,
- Slowpoke: Café Pompous, by Jen Sorensen, 2001 .
- Slowpoke: America Gone Bonkers, by Jen Sorensen, 2004 .
- Stickleback, by Graham Annable, 2005, .
- A Strange Day, written by Damon Hurd & illustrated by Tatiana Gill, 2005
- Strum and Drang: Great Moments in Rock 'n' Roll, by Joel Orff, 2003, .
- Subway Series, by Leela Corman, 2002, .
- Sweaterweather, by Sara Varon, 2003, .
- Titans of Finance, by R. Walker & Josh Neufeld, 2001
- True Swamp: Underwoods and Overtime, by Jon Lewis, 2000
- True Swamp: Stoneground and Hillbound, by Jon Lewis, 2001
- Waterwise, by Joel Orff, 2004, .
- When I'm Old, by Gabrielle Bell, 2003, .
- The White Elephant, written by Damon Hurd & illustrated by Chris Steininger, 2005, .
References
Sources consulted
Notes and References
- News: IDW moves to Penguin Random House for book distribution. Heidi . MacDonald . Heidi MacDonald. September 13, 2016. The Beat.
- Guzzetta . Marli . Geoffrey Mason, 36, Comic Book Publisher, Attorney. Claim to Fame: He's a Heroic, Underground Publisher of Cool Comic Books . Gainesville Magazine . April–May 2005.
- Doherty . Brian . The embarrassment of riches . . 29. 4 . August–September 1997. 21–27.
- News: Wolk . Douglas. Douglas Wolk. Lawyer, aka Graphic Novel Publisher . Publishers Weekly . 251. 11 . March 15, 2004 . 34.
- MacDonald, Heidi. "Alternative comics offers just that," Publishers Weekly 249.51 (December 23, 2002), p. 30.
- Beyette, Beverly. "This Was an Affair to Remember—and Satirize," Los Angeles Times (February 16, 1999).
- McGeehan, Patrick. "Dumbed Down on Wall St.: Junk Finance, With Pictures," New York Times (June 3, 2001).
- Lew, Julie. "Comics Turning Tragedy Into Tribute," New York Times (December 29, 2001).
- Rahner, Mark. "Comic books find post-Sept. 11 roles; Cartoonists' creations help them, others cope with terror's impact," The Seattle Times (January 22, 2002).
- Shapiro, Stephanie. "Comic Book Artists Draw Inspiration from Sept. 11," Orlando Sentinel (January 31, 2002), p. E9.
- News: Nadel . Dan . Financial Woes at Alternative Comics . Publishers Weekly . 251. 42 . October 18, 2004. 10.
- News: MacDonald . Heidi . Indie Comics Publisher Alternative Comics to Relaunch . Publishers Weekly . July 25, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120730225735/http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/book-news/comics/article/53177-indie-comics-publisher-alternative-comics-to-relaunch.html. July 30, 2012.
- News: Rongere . Azadeh. Alternative Comics relocates to Cupertino, adds new GM . Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal . July 31, 2012.
- Web site: Wow Cool. July 11, 2024. Grand Comics Database.
- Floating World joins Alternative Comics distribution co-op. Cupertino, California. Floating World Comics. Feb 18, 2015.
- MacDonald, Heidi. "Sparkplug Books Shutting Down This Summer," The Beat (February 18, 2016).
- Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20200920045738/https://wowcool.com/product-category/comics/sparkplug-books/. Sparkplug Books. September 20, 2020. Wow Cool. Founded in 2002 by cartoonist Dylan Williams, Sparkplug Books provided artists whose talents deserved a larger audience with the starting place to find it. In June 2016 Sparkplug’s backlist catalog moved to Wow Cool Alternative Comics. There will be no new releases under the label..
- Web site: Alternative Comics. Wow Cool. July 11, 2024.
- Alternative Comics has landed in its third home of Troy, New York.. Instagram. altcomics. C74XhqQxAA8 . June 6, 2024.
