blink: so it goes - chapter 1 - wonka wonka kochalka

BLINK: So It GoesChapter 1: Wonka Wonka Kochalka

©2012 Maximilian Ink

“Guinnevere” written by David Crosby, © 1973 Stay Straight Music, “Comic Book” written by JasonQuicksall © 2009 Jason Quicksall, “Birdhouse In Your Soul” written by John Flansburgh and John

Linnell © 1990 They Might Be Giants, ASCAP, “Bacharach Galactica” written by James KochalkaSuperstar © 2009 James Kochalka, “Pure Imagination” written by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony

Newley © 1971 Taradam Music, Inc.,

BLINK is published by Point Media

Printed via CreateSpaceISBN: 978-2475016984

[email protected]

www.MaxInkComix.com

www.facebook.com/max.ink

SPECIAL THANKS TO:Todd and Doug for your assistance and bravery

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by anyelectronic or mechanical without having your parents or official

guardians filling out the necessary permission forms. If you’re a revieweror journalist or an intelligent/enthusiastic reader who wants to sing the

praises of Blink, feel free to post/print anything from the book you want.Because you’re awesome.

Lia EastepEditor

Joel ChastainCover

Y’know what’d be really sweet? If you’d do a searchfor “Max Ink’s Blink Comic Book” on Facebook

and if you’d “LIKE” it, that’d be totally awesomesauce.:)

Max InkWriter/Artist

Chapter 1:Wonka Wonka

Kochalka

Hello and welcome!

If this is your first time experiencing Blink, let me tell you a little about it, okay? Blink is the comic book series, So ItGoes is the name of the graphic novel (which is in progress) and “Wonka Wonka Kochalka” is the title of this chapter.Of course, I’m sure you could figure all that out by looking at the indicia, but I just want to be certain that we’re all onthe same page, capisci?

When the entire So It Goes graphic novel is all finished (sometime around the summer of `16), it will end up having13 chapters and be over 400 pages long. This is my second Blink graphic novel, the first was Blink: So Far. (There’san advert for it in the back of this book.) When I created the “chapters” that one, I didn’t have an overall plan for thebook; I just created whatever came to mind story-wise in 4-8 page self-contained vignettes. (Never mind that there’sa 20-page chapter, “Barefoot in America, Breakfast in the Park” which is sandwiched in the middle of the book andwas nominated in 2008 for the S.P.A.C.E. Prize.*)

This time around, I have a pretty well-defined concept for how the whole story of So It Goes will play out.** Thetitle–So It Goes–is taken from a phrase used many times in Kurt Vonnegut’s seminal book, Slaughterhouse Five. Kurtis one of my all-time favorite authors and his works and life will be featured prominently in chapter 5–”Tales FromTralfamadore,” which (if all goes well) I’ll be writing and drawing about two years from now. Yeah, I’ve got some longreaching plans for Blink, Sam, Hank & Co. and this chapter kicks things off in that direction.

A little history about this first chapter. “Wonka Wonka Kochalka” is one of the earliest “long-form” Blink stories I everconceived–way back in the Spring of 2004–and for various reasons, never actually finished it. (Back then, a “long-form”Blink story was anything that had a page count in the double digits.) The story originally had Blink and Hank meeting“officially” for the first time. (I adapted that dialog and used it a few years later in that “Barefoot In America, BreakfastIn The Park” chapter of Blink: So Far.) Also, the characters’ personalities were still evolving–in the original WWK,Blink acted more like Sam than herself–flying off the handle at the drop of a hat. Hank was pretty close to how he istoday, but for some reason I used up almost 6 pages with Hank explaining to Blink about author/physicist Fred AlanWolf’s concept of infinity–it was clever, but completely unnecessary. I was still learning about what makes thesecharacters tick and what it is that makes a good story a good story.

Speaking of history and this story, I’ve incorporated a few different things in this version which have been mentionedor alluded to in past stories. For instance: in 2006 I made my first free Blink mini-comic, Let It Be As It Is*** and hadHank talking about three of his friends playing Dungeons & Dragons. Now, they finally appear in the book. Also, thereare little details from the Blink: So Far chapters “A Brief Hopeless Case” and “Snow Day” woven herein as well asbits of back story that were laid down as far back as Poetic Pop (the very first Blink comic I ever did, back in 2003).

There you have it. A brief (albeit rambling) introduction to Blink: So It Goes, “Wonka Wonka Kochalka.”

Enjoy.

~Max InkColumbus, Ohio2012.03.11

* S.P.A.C.E. = Small Press & Alternative Comics Expo which is held every spring in Columbus, Ohio. I got a nifty plaque for being a runner-up in theS.P.A.C.E. Prize competition. It’s pretty cool. The plaque and the expo.

** I’ve made comparisons between music and sequential art–specifically songs and comic books. Songs use lyrics and music and comics use speechballoons and illustrations. There are “beats” and “rhythms” in both and while songs use aural stimuli to evoke images, comics use visual stimuli toevoke sounds. I also see parallels between how songs have been generally packaged for a listening audience (sold as singles and collected on albums)and how comics are generally published for a reading audience (in 32 page booklets and collected into trade paperback editions). When I wrote thechapters that make up my first graphic novel, I was essentially writing individual “songs” that were then collected into the “album,” Blink: So Far.

Now that I’m composing my second graphic novel, This time around I’m working from the “concept album” model, one that tells a story. Popularexamples of that form are The Who’s Tommy and Quadrophenia, Genesis’ The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Styx’s Paradise Theatre and KilroyWas Here and the “mother” of them all, Pink Floyd’s The Wall. (Two other not-as-well-know concept albums are worth mentioning: Jon Anderson’sOlias of Sunhillow and Mike Batt’s Zero Zero.) :)

*** If you haven’t read the Let It Be As It Is mini comic, it’s FREE and constantly being reprinted. Just email me your mailing address, and I’ll send youa copy! Or I might send you the other FREE Blink mini comic, FYI,IDK.

Creatorial

Dedication:To Bob Shortel & the Time Warpers andto all my fellow Comics-Music-Movies-(etc.) Geeks. Joshua, Amy & Kevin are

our people.

Chapter 1:Wonka Wonka

Kochalka

1

Wonka Wonka Kochalka

2

Blink: So It Goes

3


4

Blink: So It Goes

5


6

Blink: So It Goes

7


8

Blink: So It Goes

9


10

Blink: So It Goes

11


12

Blink: So It Goes

13


14

Blink: So It Goes

15


16

Blink: So It Goes

17


18

Blink: So It Goes

19


20

Blink: So It Goes

21


22

Blink: So It Goes

23


24

Blink: So It Goes

25


26

Blink: So It Goes

27


28

Blink: So It Goes

29


30

Blink: So It Goes

31


32

Blink: So It Goes

33


Welcome to the inaugural edition of“Platonic Social Intercourse,” the Blinkcomic book letters column!

I’m sure there are plenty of modern daycomic book readers who aren’t missing theabsence of letters columns in the comics thatthey read; and what with the proliferation ofgraphic novels and trade paperbackcollections, I’m sure there are lots of peoplewho’ve not even been exposed to a comicbook letters column. That’s not to say thatcomics letters columns have gone the way ofthe Dodo, but they aren’t thriving in the waythat they once did.

Once upon a time, letters columns in comicswas half the fun of reading those monthlymags of four-color fun. Some of my favoritecomics had my favorite letters columns:Groo the Wanderer ("Groo Grams"), TheQuestion (“The Answer”) and Animal Man("Animal Writes"); but my favorite was“Aardvark Comment,” which ran in the backof Dave Sim’s self-published Cerebus. Whatwas discussed there was more than just thecomic itself. There was a conversation beinghad on those pages—between the readers andthe creator and between each of the readersthemselves.

I know that in this 21st Century day and age,commenting/liking/tweeting and whatever inthe social media has generally replacedwriting thoughtful letters. But that doesn’tmean that thoughtful people must limit theircomments to 140 characters or less.

What follows is the beginning of aconversation that will take place in thecoming chapters of Blink. I hope that youenjoy what these readers have to say and Ialso sincerely hope that you’ll join in on thesocial intercourse (platonically speaking, ofcourse).

~::~

I feel the first letter needs a bit ofexplanation: I often go out and about towork on drawing Blink—usually at alibrary or a coffee shop. So long as whereverI am is well lit and not too busy, I can getmy work done. I like the flow of peoplearound me while I work, and most of thetime I am left to my own devices.

However, being as I am creating art in apublic place, from time to time there arepeople will notice me and notice what I’mdoing and maybe take a passing glance orproffer a comment or question. Typically, Iwill explain what I’m doing (making

comics) and ask the person if they read anycomics. Regardless of the answer, I offerthem a free Blink mini comic and autographit with a sketch as a sign of appreciation fortheir interest.

There are times when their interest in mywork is a step above curious and that’swhen I offer them a copy of BLINK: SOFAR. (I keep a few stashed in my backpackfor such occasions.) There have been timeswhen people have actually bought the bookon the spot (which is awesome) and othertimes when they decline (which isunderstandable). On a few occasions, thepeople are genuinely enthusiastic about thebook, but have no funds with them. Itypically give them the book—with themutual understanding that they’ll pay mewhen they can.

One afternoon, while working on Blink atStauf’s Coffee House in Grandview Heights,I struck up a conversation with a pleasantyoung lady, Norah who noticed my work.Although our chat was brief (she’s afreshman at OSU and had homework tofinish), she was one of those people who was“a step above curious” and a lover ofcomics, which prompted me to give her acopy of BLINK: SO FAR to be paid for later.

Later that evening, I received an email fromher like none I had ever received before--

Dear Max Ink,

I cannot tell you how happy I am to have metyou at Stauf’s! It was really the mostwonderful timing and I want to tell you why.Somehow, over the past few months, I havefound myself in this ugly depressed state. It isthe most unusual thing. I've always been veryhappy, and curious, and quietly silly, butlately, it's been hard to keep hold of theseinnate Norah qualities. I have felt very alonebecause I have known no one else who thinkslike me, until this evening when I met Blink.Without a doubt, Blink is the loveliest comicin all the world. Reading it has given me arevitalized sense of self, which I really neededat this time. Please allow me to pay you backfor the book.

Wishing you all the best,

Norah M.

I am so grateful to know that my work hasreminded you of your “innate Norahqualities” and that you’re a wonderfulperson. Your letter and response to Blink

remind me why I write and draw this book.I hope that you find some people with whomyou can relate to in a mutuallyunderstanding way.

This next is a letter from the blogger whomakes certain the world knows about“Comics Worth Reading” (and she was thevery first contributor to Blink’s Super KeenWonka Wonka Kochalka KickstarterCampaign!):

Although as a critic, I try to evaluate a workon its own merits, it's nearly impossible to doso in practice. That's complicated even moreby someone like you, Max, who is sodevotedly old-school about your comicmaking. You're practically a time capsule --and that's become part of the appeal of Blinkto me, knowing how you've labored over it byhand, putting down material that meanssomething to you and attempts to communicatesomething important. Please don't ever stopdoing what you're doing, because I lovespending time with Blink and her friends --and by extension, you.

Johanna Draper Carlsonwww.comicsworthreading.com

Thanks so much Johanna, I can alwayscount on you to be cheering me on!

I remember when I first encounteredJohanna in person, way back when in the20th Century at a Pre-Convention party (Ican’t recall which convention) in TheLaughing Ogre. That was back when I wasthe artist on a little small press comic, talkabout an “old-school/time capsule!”

Speaking of old-school and comic shops, thenext letter is from a gentleman whom I’veknown since I was in high school and heworked at a comic shop, The Wizard ofComics. (He’s also a Kickstartercontributor.)

Max,

Normally, I make contributions to charity...and I still do. Pearl S. Buck foundation, andKiva. I make political donations as well, butthis year I wanted to help people who werereally doing something I admire.

And that, my friend, is you.

Make your art, keep it going, and let's makethe world just a little fucking better.

Wrich Printz

Platonic SocialI n t e r c o u r s e

Send correspondences to:[email protected] or

1645 Elmwood Ave. Apt CColumbus, Ohio 43212

34

Blink: So It Goes

I’m doing my darndest to do just that,Wrich. Although making art and stayingsane (literally) can sometimes be a seriousstruggle for me, I’m doing my best. Thanksfor your generous support andencouragement all through the years.

This next letter is from a gentleman whoshares my understanding of the struggle increating comics.

Max,

One of the stories I could relate to the most inBlink: So Far was “A Spark's Desire.” Part ofthat may have had to do with watching thosepages slowly take shape on your Facebookpage. That’s one of the few times I’ve read acomic where silence was captured so well.Maybe it was the fact that we as an audiencewere watching you succeed that helped makeit more compelling. Your community offriends and well wishers watching you rise toyour own challenge.

I’ve come to realize as of late how important“community” is to any work. It’s the contextin which we find ourselves amongst our peers.It's never just Blink by herself, it’s Blink andher friends. Her friends are the context inwhich she expresses herself and that is whatmakes her interesting.

I have found that being an indie comicpublisher can be a lonely road. It’s partly selfimposed exile and partly an arduous task thatmany people simply don’t want to do. Thereare plenty of other immediate and gratifyingways to get your kicks in this world. So whenwe meet another weary traveler, I think we feela deeper sense of connection. Perhaps whyartists of any medium tend get along so well.It could be that we inherently recognize thestruggle and know that we would want themto succeed just as much as our self.

When I read Blink, I feel Columbus. I don’tknow what that means or how it’s possible. Idon’t live there and I've only visited 5 or 6times. Maybe a better way of saying it is that“Blink belongs to Columbus just as much asColumbus belongs to Blink.” Columbus hassuch a long history of outstanding comic artistsand it's no surprise that an art like yours wouldcome along and try to capture it's magic.

Best Wishes,David Branstetterwww.strawmancomics.com

Absolutely right, David—community isdarned important when it comes to makingart. Although I do write and draw forbasically my own enjoyment, I love to sharewhat I’ve made with others and try to makethe world a better place. And bravo toFacebook for being such a boon to me inreaching out to new readers and stayingconnected with the faithful.

Sooo,

I was listening to some music by Great White,came across this song--"She Only"--and notedthat I had been doodling & journal-writingwhile listening to this song.

Now, I'm not saying that this is what you drawabout, but ... as I was doodling and listening,well, I doodled and looked at my doodle andit kind of reminded me of Hank's facialexpression in one/few/some of your panels inBlink while playing the guitar. So, I mean, ifyou listen to this full song in a relaxed andpeaceful state, and look at your drawings ofHank or think of them, you'd probably feel thetranquility that I'm feeling.

I encourage you to encourage your readers toaccompany their Blink reading with peacefulmusic like this... Or whateva. It's just pretty-sounding.

And what music do you usually listen to whendrawing Blink, anyway??

Gigi

Oh, music! Sweet music! I used to listen tothe internet radio a lot but gave it upbecause I’d get distracted when I heard anew song and go searching for the song onYouTube or emusic. These days I have arotation of playlists with songs from the1960s, 70s, 80s and 2000s (generallyspeaking, I loathe the music from the 90s).

Sometimes, I’ll jot down songs that I’mlistening to when working on a page. Forexample: as I worked on page 10 (the“Comic Book” song page, I was listening toR.E.M., “Turn of the Century” and “Heartof the Sunrise” by Yes were playing as Iworked on pages 2 and 32 respectively and(of course), I was listening to the WillyWonka and the Chocolate Factory moviesoundtrack while working on page 29.

When I write, I don’t listen to any music.(Outside of whatever’s playing in my headalready.)

And now, for the last letter of this inauguralletters column–

Hey Max,

As a Kickstarter supporter, I have the benefitof having read “Wonka Wonka Kochalka”before writing this letter. I have to say I lovethe story, love the art, and, as an Ohio native,love that it’s set in Columbus. It really is anexcellent book.

Blink reminds me of what I love about thework of both Harvey Pekar, another great Ohiocomic book creator, and Terry Moore ofStrangers in Paradise fame. To paraphrasePekar, Blink demonstrates that real life reallycan be complicated, and interesting, stuff.And, like SiP, Blink features real, complex,and engaging female characters. It’severything that I love in a comic book.

As I mentioned before, I’m a native Ohioan.But it’s actually been some time since I’velived in the state. My parents moved westwhile I was in college, and I followed suit bygoing to law school in Arizona. Except for abrief stint back in Ohio shortly after I earnedmy law degree, I’ve lived out west ever since.Sometimes that’s meant going *really* west,as I’ve both lived in Japan and currently livein Taiwan. I’m a recovering lawyer now, andinstead spend my days teaching students at theAmerican school here about government,public speaking, and debate. And I enjoyliving overseas, especially the opportunities itgives me to travel and learn about othercultures, and I appreciate the long vacations Iget as a teacher, which allow me to get backto Ohio twice a year. But I still very much missthe state, and even though I’m from Clevelandinstead of Columbus, “Blink” reminds me ofhome and warms my heart.

Thanks so much for creating such a wonderfulbook! I’m very much looking forward to thechapters to come!

Adam NelsonTaipei, Taiwan

I’m looking forward to writing and drawingthose chapters! I’m also looking forward toreading the posthumously published HarveyPekar's Cleveland, written (of course) byour man, Harvey Pekar, and illustrated byJoseph Remnant.

Whelp– that’s all the letters I have this timearound. I hope the next P.S.I. is just asthoughtful and even longer!

35


As I wrote in the Creatorial,the idea of making a storytitled “Wonka WonkaKochalka” has been knockingaround in my head and in mysketchbooks since 2004. Twoyears in, I thought that I hada good enough story figuredout and decided to promptmyself (and my readers)with this little “comingsoon” teaser. It appeared inthe back of the Blink digestbook, Experiencing CreativeDifficulties, which featuredthe vignettes,”A Brief,Hopeless Case” and “SnowDay.”

Six years later, the tease isover and the story iscomplete.

Since I’ve done so muchwork on WWK over theyears, making dozens ofsketches and page layoutsand more sketches andmore notes... Well,there’s enough to fill anentire book with it all.

So that’s what I’ve done.I’ve made a separatebook, Behind TheSketchbook: The Makingof Wonka WonkaKochalka, filled to thebrim with copiousamounts of sketches,commentary and thepage roughs of theoriginal version of thestory.

What follows on thenext few pages is aglimpse of what can befound in that book.

SKETCHBOOKERY

36

Blink: So It Goes

37


38

Blink: So It Goes

39


40

Blink: So It Goes

41


There are lots more sketches, early draft page layouts, revised page layouts, commentary and so much more inBehind The Sketchbook: The Making of Wonka Wonka Kochalka Visit www.maxinkcomix.com for more info

42

Blink: So It Goes

THE LOCAL STORY/NOTESRAVINE RIDGE APARTMENTS / IUKA RAVINE (page 0)

My decisions on choosing locations to illustrate tend to be intuitive–not always directlyrelated to the narrative–and difficult for me to articulate why they are chosen. At least

until after I find the location; then the reasons fall intoplace.

When I decided to set new and improved “Wonka WonkaKochalka” in the block of Summit Street just south of E.Hudson Street I went looking for a nearby location that“spoke to me” to draw as the frontpiece illustration.

On a whim, I bicycled south along Summit and passedthrough some nice areas and good possibilities butnothing was saying, “Me! Me! Pick me!” Not until Istopped at the bridge that passes over the Iuka Ravine.There are a good number of ravines in the North CentralColumbus area (most are east of OSU, mainly in theClintonville neighborhood) and they have a long andstoried history; much of which can be found atwww.friendsoftheravines.org.

Just a little south of the bridge, on the west side of thestreet, I noticed some innocuous steps leading down astone path winding between some shrubbery and

overgrown flowers. It was there that I heard the sound I wassearching for–that visual melody I was waiting to see.Beauty can be anywhere, so long as you keep your eyes andears open.

WILD GOOSE CREATIVE (pages 1-8)

The `Goose is a non-profit completely volunteer runorganization that is located at 2495 Summit Street. It’s aspace for art, creativity and so much wonderfulawesomeness. They do all they can to celebrate the voices and methods and modes ofartistic expression that exists in Columbus. In fact, they do so much that it’s hard tokeep track: they have over 40 feet of gallery space that hosts a wide variety of creationsevery month (including the original art from WWK ), offer cooking classes, a writersgroup, anatomy classes, as well as an ongoing rotation of live comedy and music events.

“GUINNEVERE” (page 1-4)

The song “Guinnevere” was written by David Crosby and appeared on their firsteponymous album (which happened to have been released on Thursday, May 29, 1969–the same day I was born). The lyrics that Hank is singing are referencing Joni Mitchell.

ÜBER GEEKY BLINK TRIVIA ALERT! In Blink: So Far, when Hank met Blink andSam in Goodale Park in the “Barefoot In America, Breakfast In The Park” chapter, he

43


told them that one of the artists whose work he plays during open mic performancesis Joni Mitchell.

ELIJAH AARON (page 1)

I first heard Elijah play at a little Kafe Kerouac gig (I think there were maybe twodozen people in the audience) and bought his album The Gift of Every Word thenand there. (Actually, I think I traded some comics and a sketch I drew of him duringhis set.) He’s a multi instrumentalist–his music and songs aresweet and fulfilling to hear and it’s supremely entertaining tosee him perform his original songs live. Lots of fun (and hisbeat boxing is astounding!) BONUS! Elijah’s song, “TheBuckeye City” was one of 29 finalists in the “CelebrateColumbus in Song” contest held as part of Columbus’ 200-yearanniversary. You can hear songs, watch videos and buy hisalbums at www.elijahaaron.com

THE SATURDAY GIANT (page 1)

Thanks must be offered to my good friends of Available LightTheatre for inviting The Saturday Giant (the stage name of theunassuming Phil Cogley) to collaborate on their production,The Food Play, and participate in their Feed Your Soul annualfundraising event. I was captivated by the way he played hisguitar in such a tender, heartfelt way. Later in the year, Iattended the release party for his When Death Comes EP andwas completely blown away by his use of loop pedals to create a sonic soundscape.Check his stuff out now at www.thesaturdaygiant.com

THE BEATLES (pages 6,8)

These guys need no introduction, of course.

I love how people can be so very passionate and invested in their opinion whentalking about popular commercial music. Some little ditty written in an afternoonand then recorded with a bunch of friends later that evening can “change the world.”The Beatles did change the world in their own way, but they’re not the only ones.And just because something’s popular, that doesn’t mean that it’s good for everyone.Sam’s definitely not alone in her derision of the world’s most written about rockgroup.

Oh, and COLEOPTERA is the scientific term for beetle. Sam’s a whiz at crosswords,so she knows lots of little facts.

“DINOSAURS FOR CHRIST” / “YOUR ADOLESCENT FANTASIESRUINED MY ADULTHOOD” / “DICK’S PIZZA” T-SHIRTS (pages 6, 8, 29)

The T-shirt has reached a golden age, thanks to websites like Snorg Tees, BustedTees and print-on-demand shops like Cafe Press and Zazzle. The t-shirts whichJoshua, Sam and that one fellow in the Rumba crowd (on pages 29 and 30) are all ofmy own creation and available for sale at the BLINK BLING SHOPPE atwww.skreened.com/blinkbling

44

Blink: So It Goes

SKREENED (page 8)

Skreened is a “print-on-demand” t-shirt shop(much like Cafe Press and Zazzle) that once hada small, charming storefront in Clintonville, over the past few years, it has flourishedand relocated to 2887 Silver Drive in Columbus. It's really easy to use their t-shirtcreation tool to upload images and make cool, super-soft prints on responsibly sourcedapparel. (The company only sources garments that do not utilize sweatshop labor andhave been manufactured in the United States.) You can also browse or search thousandsof t-shirt designs (there are lots and lots of cool Columbus Pride type designs).

QUENTIN CRISP (page 7)

Crisp was a celebrated, iconic gay author-artist who wasvery much his own person. I mainly know of Quentin Crispthrough having seen John Hurt’s portrayal of him in thepseudo biopic “Englishman in New York” and the Stingsong of the same name. In late 1986 Sting visited Crisp inhis apartment and was told over dinner – and the nextthree days – what life had been like for a homosexual manin the largely homophobic Great Britain of the 1920s to the1960s. Sting was both shocked and fascinated and decided

to write the song. It includes the lines: It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile, /Be yourself no matter what they say.

“Is there anything worth being, other than true to one’s nature,” indeed!

“...IF IT WAS GOOD ENOUGH FOR EINSTEIN, BRUNDLE ANDMALCOLM...” (page 7)

One of the nice things about writing Blink, features fictional people talking about lotsof... um, various stuff... They can say things which they believe to be true, but it’s okayif they’re wrong. We all do that–that’s the way real life is–and that’s what happenedhere.

When I wrote Kevin’s dialog, I was remembering a scene from The Fly (1986) in whichSeth Brundle, (played by Jeff Goldblum) explained to Veronica Quaife (played byGeena Davis) why he owned five sets of the same clothes. “Learned it from Einstein.This way I don’t have to expend any thought on what I’m going to wear. I just grab thenext set on the rack.”

Well, I later learned that that was not, in fact, true. Einstein didn’t wear a “uniform,”but he certainly didn’t care about what he wore. He did say that “if most of us areashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture let us be more ashamed of shabbyideas and shoddy philosophies.... It would be a sad situation if the wrapper were betterthan the meat wrapped inside it.”

As for the Malcolm part of the “geek joke,” in Jurassic Park (1993), Jeff Goldblumagain portrayed a character, Dr. Ian Malcolm, that played the “I don’t want to thinkabout the clothes I wear” game. He dressed entirely in black. In the book, he says thathe only ever dresses in black and gray, so that he never has to waste time thinking aboutwhat to wear.

45


RUMBA CAFE (pages13-36)

The Rumba Cafe is not acafe. It’s actually a prettysweet bar that featurestop-notch live musicnearly every night of theweek. Some are localmusicians, some aretouring bands, but there’salways gonna besomething for everyonehere: rock, funk, alt

country, jazz and Latin jazz and every Sunday night, the Hoo Doo Soul Band take thestage. Oh, and they’ve got a healthy selection of locally brewed beers, too. More infoand calendar events can be found at www.columbusrumbacafe.com

JASON QUICKSALL (page 10)

On one of my photo reference trips to Rumba (there were a few), I met JasonQuicksall while he was working the sound board for a show that night. I ended uptalking with him about Blink and comics and local music. Jason works both behindthe board and on stage, playing some very cool “Americana Pop.” When he told meabout his song, “Comic Book,” I asked him if I could include it in this story, then Zip!Zap! Bing and Kablam–there it is.

Every Wednesday at Rumba Cafe, Jason hosts the Cowtown Round, which featureslocal and national singer/songwriters trading songs onstage. Listen to his tunes andsee what he’s got in the works at www.reverbnation.com/jasonquicksall

"BIRDHOUSE IN YOUR SOUL" (page 11)

I was in high school when They Might Be Giants’s first single, “Don’t Let’s Start,” hitcollege radio and the video played what seemed like every hour on MTV (back whenthey played music videos). For over 30 years, John Flansburgh and John Linnell (theduo behind TMBG) have been making music that’s filled with infectious melodies andlaced with a quirky, bizarre sense of humor. "Birdhouse in Your Soul" was off of theirthird album, Flood, and is their highest charted single to date (#3 on the US ModernRock chart). More TMBG goodness (and free mp3s can be had atwww.theymightbegiants.com

RANKIN/BASS HOLIDAY SPECIALS (page 11)

For nearly two decades during the late 60s to the early 80s, few television events gotkids so excited as did the stop-motion-animated specials produced by Rankin-Bass.These programs remained beloved even as the children grew up into adults, turningmany of the shows into holiday classics to be enjoyed again and again, year after year.

My personal favorite R/B shows--Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), The LittleDrummer Boy (1968), Frosty the Snowman (1969), Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town

46

Blink: So It Goes

(1970), Here Comes Peter Cottontail (1971) and The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)(that's the one with "Heat Miser" and "Snow Miser").

SNOW GOONS, CALVIN & HOBBES (page 12)

Bill Watterson's Calvin & Hobbes was one of the all-timebest comic strips that have ever been printed in Americannewspapers. The strip featured a number of reoccurringelements–-Calvinball, Stupendous Man, G.R.O.S.S. (GetRid Of Slimy Girls) and Spaceman Spiff. But his SnowGoons has received the most recognition with "best of"collections of snowman strips being emailed for years.There's even a YouTube short, "A Very Calvin & HobbesChristmas" that recreates classic snowman tormentscenarios out of playdough, wire frame sculpty and papermache.

I don't know if Watterson owns the copyright or trademark to "Snow Goons," but thatdoesn't matter. Blink doesn't build "Snow Goons," anyway. She builds "SnowZombies."

JAMES KOCHALKA (page 19-20)

James Kochalka is a force of cartooning nature– he’s one ofthe most prolific cartoonists alive in America, frequentlyreleasing new comics, mini-comics, graphic novels andmusic CDs. James and his alter ego character, American Elf,are what sparked this whole "Wonka Wonka Kochalka" storything way back in 2004.

Although Kochalka’s style of cartoon art looks simple, thecontent of his work is astoundingly varied. American Elf is adaily four-panel autobiographical comic strip, then there’sMagic Boy, Johnny Boo, Pinky & Stinky, Dragon Puncher,Monkey VS Robot, SuperF*ckers (that’s the actualtitle) and of course (myfavorite)– Peanut Butter &Jeremy’s Best Book Ever.(And, of course, PB&J is

out of print. But you can find used copies throughAmazon.)

His comics are noted for their blending of the realand the surreal. Largely autobiographical, Kochalka'scartoon expression of the world around him includessuch real-life characters as his wife, children, cat,friends and colleagues, but always filtered throughhis own observations and flights of whimsy. In March2011 he was declared the cartoonist laureate ofVermont.

www.americanelf.com

47


GERARD WAY (page 14)

Gerard Way is the writer of the Eisner Award-winning comic book The UmbrellaAcademy but he’s even more well known for his other career as the founding memberand lead singer of the chart-topping, million album selling band, My ChemicalRomance.

JOSS WHEDON, "ASTONISHING X-MEN," "BUFFY THE VAMPIRESLAYER," "DR. HORRIBLE" (page 15)

Joss Whedon is another crossover comics creator.

I used to watch Buffy every Tuesday with a group of friends and I was usually thesingular male in the group. I learned so much about "behind-the-scenes" ofwomanhood from those TV watching sessions. I highly doubt I would've been able tocreate Blink if it weren't for Buffy.

In addition to the aforementioned, Joss has created the television shows Angel, Fireflyand Dollhouse, directed the movies Serenity and The Avengers and written a variety ofcomic books including Astonishing X-Men, Fray and Runaways.

Then there’s a little musical thing that happened online called Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, starring Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion and Felicia Day.

THE TICK (page 15)

Here we have a comic book writer/artist, BenEdlund, who created The Tick as a comic book in1986, which spawned an animated series (1994) andthen a live action series (2001). Ben also worked as awriter on Joss Whedon’s Firefly, Angel and had ahand in helping with Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.SPOON!

BATGIRL (page 15)

The names that Kevin rattles off are all the variouscomic book characters who adopted the Batgirl personasince she was created by Julius Schwartz, Gardner Fox,Carmine Infantino in 1967. (There was an earlierversion of “Bat-girl” created in 1961, but... never mindabout that.) Yvonne Craig is the actress who playedBatgirl in the Batman TV show. Sam's crush on Ms.Craig was revealed way back in the very first Blinkcomic, "Poetic Pop."

I met Yvonne Craig in person at a Mid-Ohio-Con back in2003 and showed her the “Poetic Pop” comic and shesigned the original art on which Sam confesses heradoration for the purple-sparkled skin-tight suitedcrime fighter.

48

Blink: So It Goes

COLUMBUS ALOUD (page 16-17)

The ALOUD is a fictional weekly that exists in the Blink Universe. It combines tworeal-life Columbus alternative papers, The Other Paper and The Alive. The editorialslant of the ALOUD is full of bluster and snarky articles. A typical promotional blurbis "Hey C-Bus, we're awesome. Deal with it."

Expect to see more ALOUD in the future.

MAINSTREAM OHIO EXPO (MOE) / SMALL PRESS INDIE COMIXEXPO (S.P.I.C.E.) (page 17)

Like the ALOUD, the Mainstream Ohio Expo and the Small Press Indie Comix Expoare Blink Universe constructs based on real-life Columbus conventions.

MOE is a stand-in for the Mid-Ohio-Con, one of the longest running comic book andpop-culture conventions in America. My first experience with the show was in 1987,just after I graduated high school, when it was run by former radio host Roger Priceand held in a ginormous shed in the boondocks of Mansfield, Ohio. Eventually, MOCmigrated to Columbus, moved into more posh digs and, in spite of being purchasedby the conglomerate Wizard Entertainment TM, it continues to be an autumntradition for thousands of Mid Western comic book lovers.www.wizardworldcomiccon.com/home-midohio.html

The other annual Columbus comic convention is S.P.A.C.E. (Small Press AlternativeComics Expo), run by Bob Corby and held every spring since 2000. This showfocuses on creator-owned comics and draws a healthy variety of cartoonists, writersand artists from the Mid West and beyond, with table space usually selling outmonths in advance. Although the date and/or location of the show has bouncedaround year after year, the attitude and amount of enjoyment had by both exhibitorsand attendees alike has remained consistent. www.bit.ly/spacexpo

MATT FEAZELL and SHANNON WHEELER (page 21)

Matt Feazell is the writer, artist and self-publisher of the mini-comic series, The Amazing Cynicalman. Drawn in a deceptivelysimple “stick figure” style, Feazell’s work has accumulatedadmires (and imitators) far and wide. Matt appears (as acharacter) in the introduction to Scott McCloud’s seminal nonfiction book, Understanding Comics. More info and comics canbe found at www.cynicalman.com

Shannon Wheeler is the creator ofToo Much Coffee Man. He beganTMCM in 1990 as a comic stripwhile at college in Austin, Texas.Shannon went on to publish thecharacter in a series of self-published zines, comic books,magazines, and webcomics for a

number of years and has since been published throughDark Horse Comics. In 2006 he produced the Too Much

49


Coffee Man Opera (in one act), followed by Too Much Coffee Man Opera, The Refill(in two acts) in 2008. Check out his blog which features new TMCM strips and hishilarious The New Yorker cartoons (and most of them rejected!) at www.tmcm.com

"PURE IMAGINATION" (page 27-29)

In 1971, Roland Dahl’s book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was adapted into thecolorful cinematic musical Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Directed by MelStuart, it starred the scrumdiddlyumptious actor, Gene Wilder as the titularconfectionarian. As bright and kaleidoscopic as the movie is on the surface, there’s adark undercurrent that runs throughout the story. I can still recall being scared sillyas a child when Wonka took his guests on the boat ride through the trippy tunnel oftumultuous psychedelia (That scene secured the film a place on the “Bravo List of 100Scariest Movie Moments.”)

The immensely tuneful score by Leslie Bricusse with delightful fantasy-laced lyrics byAnthony Newley received a well deserved Oscar nomination with songs like “TheCandy Man,” “Cheer Up Charlie” and the various the “Oompa Loompa” songs.However, it’s the beguiling nature of Gene Wilder's rendition of the song "PureImagination," as he works his way through the lyrics and the melody that captures thespirit of the film and the book. Both Mr. Dahl’s and this one you hold in your hands.

"AWESOMESAUCE" (page 30)

Can anyone tell me when this wordfirst came into existence? I've used itsince at least the middle of 2010when I came up with Blink & Sam’sAwesomesauce Adventure, a storyabout Blink and Sam joining in on arole-playing game with Hank, Kevin,Amy and Joshua. It was intended tobe included in a science fictioncomic book anthology which hassince been put on hiatus. I wassoooo happy to be able to find aplace to insert the word into Blink.

Coming soon!Or maybe later.

Maybe later...

50

Blink: So It Goes

Adam Daughhetee

Adam Nelson

Andrea Grigoropol

Andrew Woods

Aran Carr

Billy Mizrahi

Benjamin Jay "Les Pencils" Bayliss

Benjamin Frey

Ben Smith

Bob Corby

Bob Hoskins

Brant & Lauren Jones

Brent Richardson

Canada Keck

Chris Howard

Chris Pitzer

Dan & Katie Merritt

Dan Mushalko

Daric Gill

Dave Hearn

Dave Van Domelen

David Branstetter

Elena Perantoni-Fehr & Jason Fehr

Emily Bach

Eric Adams

Evette Langford

Gigi

Green Brain Comics

Jack Tiberi

James Moore

Jamie & Teresa Colgrove

Jamie Gambell

Janeiro Blackmon

Jason Mosack

Thanks to all the supporters of“Blink's Super-Keen

WONKA WONKA KOCHALKAKickstarter Campaign!”

I was totally blown away by all of the support I got from so many of my readers and friends. I wasshaking with joy when I received enough pledges to reach my goal in less than 24 hours. On top ofthat, all the contributions over the following weeks amounted to almost twice as much as I had hopedfor! Here’s a list of everyone (to the best of my knowledge) that helped to make my first KickstarterCampaign a resounding success!

51


Jeff Cannell

Joe Dallacqua

Joel Chastain

Johanna Draper Carlson

John Dranschak

John Scrudder

Joshua Irish

Katie Wright

Ken Eppstein

Kevin Freeman

The Laughing Ogre

Laura Guzzo

Lauren Zakreski

Lenny Cooper

Lia Eastep

Lis Huey

Loring Resler

Margaret Liss

Marina Müller

Mary Gordon Hanna

Matt Miller

Matt Slaybaugh

Matthew Swift

Michael & Mary Neno

Michael A. Carroll

Michelle Schroeder

Michelle Whited & Ian Short

Mike Kitchen

Nathanial Perkins

Nick Tomashot

Packrat Comics

Paul & Beverly Guevin

Paul & Sheila White Guevin

Paul Hornschemeier

Rafer Roberts

Rob McMonigal

Robin Savage

Ron Weber

Ryan Claytor

Sara Plowman

Shannon Slayton & Carrie Byrd Slayton

Shawn Schulte

Steve Peters

Stormwatch Comics

Sue Olcott

Suzanne Goldsmith-Hirsch

Talcott Starr

Tatiana Gill

Travis Hoewischer

Underground Video Network

Wolfgang Parker

Wrich Printz

52

I got the idea of hanging all of the pagesfrom this story on the wall of the WildGoose Creative gallery in October, 2011when I attended my friend and fellowColumbus comics creator, MichaelNeno’s comic art gallery show,Simplexity.

I talked with the gallery coordinator,Katie Dune, about my idea and showedher the pages I had finished up to thatpoint (which included the Wild Goosescene). She was excited about the projectand everything fell into place shortly afterthat. I spent the next few months workingdiligently on finishing the book and drewthe last panel on the last page onFebruary 25, 2012–eight years and oneday after the “Dreamy Kochalka” sketchwhich got his whole thing started.

As a comic book reader, artist and writer,I’m more accustomed to seeing comics inthe pages of a book rather than hung asart on a gallery wall. But when it doeshappen, it’s quite a sight to see.

Photo credits: all but bottom panoramic are by Robert Walker www.walkerspace.com, the panoramic photo is by Max Ink

53

Outside the Lines

Comic artist craftsColumbus-basedgraphic novelBy Lia Eastep

The world is full of artists brimming withpassion for creative endeavors, but often theobligations and detours of life can diminishthe level of commitment it takes toconsistently turn those impulses into art.That’s never been an issue for artist/writerMax Ink, whose work will be featured in anexhibit at Wild Goose Creative this month.

“I’ve always been committed,” he said. “I’vealways wanted to pave my own path, whichis a challenge.”

Ink pens the comic strip Blink, whichfollows the lives of three friends: Blink, asweet spirit with a dark past; her best friendSam, a cynic protecting a tender heart; andHank, Blink’s love interest and all aroundgood guy.

Born in Pennsylvania and raised inConnecticut, Ink’s family settled in theColumbus suburbs when he was in highschool. A self-proclaimed typical geek, hisforay into comics emerged out of necessity.After becoming engrossed in the Marvelcomic series, STAR WARS: The ContinuingAdventures of Luke Skywalker, he foundhe could not wait a month for another issue.So he began writing his own, creating 50issues in all, featuring his own charactersand story lines. Ink spent the next severalyears networking and collaborating withother writers, all the while honing his craftas an artist.

“From 1996 to 2003, I was trying and tryingand trying and failing and failing andfailing.” And then the character of Blinkpopped into his head. “I thought, ‘This isit,’” he said, “I get it. Then I had to figureout how to adequately express just what itis that I get.” He has found that drawing andwriting about women allows him to be more

54

honest in how he expresses himself. “It hasbeen my experience that women seem to bemore forthcoming in sharing their feelings.”

Blink first appeared in the pages of a local ’zine,Theatre Summit, in 2004, which Ink picked upat Stauf’s, where he spends much of his timewriting and drawing. He emailed the editor andwas given a four-page spread to do with as hepleased. The Short North Gazette took noticeand ran the strip from 2008 to 2010.

The decision to exhibit the first chapter of theBlink graphic novel So It Goes at Wild Goosecame about when Ink attended the exhibitionof a fellow artist. He showed his work to gallerycoordinator Katie Dune, who felt the work wasa good fit.

“Max’s enthusiasm for the book was what mostimpressed me,” she said. “His attention todetail and ability to remember everyone hecomes into contact with really makes his workcome alive.”

The fact that Ink’s work happens to featureWild Goose as a location in his comic wasinevitable. The local landscape of Columbus isfeatured prominently in Blink – places likeRumba Café, the Topiary Park, Max & Erma’s,the North Market, the Park of Roses and Stauf’s– “Celebrating Columbus as it is,” he explained.

In preparation for his Wild Goose exhibition,Ink understood the endeavor would take moreof a financial undertaking than he couldmanage on his own. So he turned toKickstarter, the online pledge site for fundingcreative projects, and posted a modest goal of$1,500 that was reached in a mere 24 hours.

Ink estimates it will take him five years tocomplete the 400-page graphic novel. “But if Ikeep putting put in 30 to 40 hours each week,every week, I’ll be on track.”

Published in (614) Magazine, March 1, 2012

www.614columbus.com

blink: so it goes - chapter 1 - wonka wonka kochalka

Documents

thepraises of blink

blink graphic novel

book andwas

page chapter

comic book series

wonka wonkakochalkahello

kurt vonneguts seminal

page count