New!! Underground and Independent Comics, Comix, and Graphic Novels Database

We now have access to the Alexander Street Press database Underground and Independent Comics, Comix, and Graphic Novels: Volume I

This is the first ever scholarly, primary-source database focused on comic books and graphic novels. Works of artists both celebrated and overlooked, alongside interviews, criticism, and journal articles that document the continual growth and evolution of this artform. The aim of this collection is to provide a comprehensive view of alternative comics from the 1960s to today, particularly those from North America.


You can make playlists of different themes and save, share, or present them for classes.

Includes online access to The Comics Journal from 1976-2004, which we also have a print subscription to.

This database was funded by an Alkek Library One-Time Online Resource Grant. I am very excited to announce it to you all! Learn more about One-Time Online Resource Grants available for faculty and librarians to apply for.

Questions? Please ask me, Tara Spies Smith, YOUR Art & Design Librarian, ts20@txstate.edu

Graphic Novelist T Edward Bak Presents New Book and Comics Workshop at Texas State, 4/14

Graphic Novel Reading/Q&A/Book Signing
April 14, 2014, Monday
Reception & Refreshments - 2:45 pm, Reading - 3:00pm
The Wittliff Collections
Alkek Library, 7th floor
Contact: Tara Spies Smith 512-245-1636

Comics Workshop
April 14, 2014, Monday
5:30pm School of Art & Design, Joan Cole Mitte Building, Room 1124
Contact: Matt Rebholz 512-638-1632



ISLAND OF MEMORY, T Edward Bak’s first volume of WILD MAN—The Natural History of Georg Wilhelm Steller, examines the human condition within the natural order at the extremes of the unknown. Part natural history, part adventure yarn and part experimental narrative, this 72-page full-color fever dream is the artistic realization of Bak’s inquiry into the socio-ecological consequences of empire.

T Edward Bak's presentation will include a discussion of the natural history and works which inspire and inform the narrative of his graphic novel. Read more from the publisher, Floating World Comics

An informal Q&A and book signing with Bak will follow the reading. Books will be available for purchase courtesy of the University Bookstore.

T Edward Bak teaches and lectures on comics in the Pacific Northwest, where he studies Environmental Studies. He was the 2007 Center for Cartoon Studies Fellow and is the cartoonist of Service Industry, and WILD MAN: The Natural History of Georg Wilhelm Steller. His stories appear in The Graphic Canon, The Best American Comics, MOME, and Drawn & Quarterly Showcase. A native of Colorado, Bak resides primarily in Portland, Oregon, but often migrates throughout North America.

List of Meta Messages in Comics by Brain Cronin!

Brian Cronin on the Comic Book Resources Comics Should Be Good Blog, has compiled a list of meta messages. These are messages where comics writers' characters reference the work of another comic artist's work or character. See Cronin's list on his Comics Should Be Good Blog original post!

To the left is a panel from # 17 on Cronin's list, "The Question Thinks Rorschach Sucks" where The Question is referencing Rorschach from the Watchmen. More on the #17 link above!

BLAMMO! Graphic Novel Course and Book Exhibit at Alkek Library, 1/2/14 - 2/6/14!

BLAMMO! is an exhibit on the 1st floor of Alkek Library featuring a selection of student work from the Graphic Novel Course, ARTS 43080, and books from the Alkek Library Graphic Novel Collection.

The exhibit is curated in collaboration by Matt Rebholz, Lecturer in the School of Art & Design and Tara Spies Smith, Reference & Instruction Librarian and Art & Design Librarian at Alkek Library.

The exhibit is on display now until February 6th 2014!


Please let us know what you think about this collaborative exhibit!

Thanks!

Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries - Deadline Feb. 7, 2014.

The American Library Association (ALA) and the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation have open applications for two grants - "the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant will provide support to a library that would like to expand its existing graphic novel services and programs; the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grant will provide support to a library for the initiation of a graphic novel service or program. Each recipient will receive a $4,000 program grant plus a collection of Will Eisner’s work and biographies as well as the graphic novels nominated for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards at Comic-Con International.  The grant award includes a travel stipend for a library representative to travel to the ALA Annual Conference to receive the grant from the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation" (From the ALA News article, "Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation and ALA open applications for new graphic novel grant", 12/06/2013).

The deadline for applications is February 7, 2014.

More information about the grants and a link to grant and application process information can be found on the original ALA News article.

Alkek Library Hosts Scholarly Publishing Opportunities

As part of Open Access week Alkek Library is hosting Scholarly Publishing Opportunities, Thursday, October 24, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in Rooms 105/106, on the first floor of the library.

Ryan Steans, Texas Digital Library (TDL) Director of Operations, and Kristi Park, TDL Program Coordinator, will provide information on services TDL can provide to scholars with respect to hosting online journals, conferences, and conference proceedings.

This event will provide anyone with an interest in Open Access publishing, author’s rights, as well as online journal and conference hosting, with an opportunity to ask questions and to join with fellow members of the Texas State community that share your interest.

See you there!

Getty Search Gateway with Open Content Images

The Getty Search Gateway is an excellent umbrella tool for searching the following Getty resources for paintings, photographs, drawings, sculpture, manuscripts, and much more:

• J. Paul Getty Museum Collection Database
• Getty Research Institute Research Library Catalog 
• Getty Research Institute Collections Inventories and Finding Aids 
• Getty Research Institute Digital Collections 

Read more about these resources here.

The Getty Search Gateway also includes high resolution open content images that you are free to download and use like this one below. From the home page you can go directly to an open content image search.

 
Pietro Paolini [Italian (Lucchese), 1603 - 1681], Achilles among the Daughters of Lycomedes, about 1625 - 1630, oil on canvas, The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA.