Powell Street Festival appearance

I will be speaking at the Powell Street Festival, an annual celebration of Japanese-Canadian culture in Vancouver. 12:30 PM at the Firehall Studio on July 29, Saturday. Unlike the ads say, I will not be doing a reading. I’m sure a live reading of a comic book would be kinda interesting, but I’m not prepared for that kind of performance art yet. Instead I’m going to talk about how I started my career and some of the quirks that come with being a Japanese-Canadian who draws manga that isn’t manga because it’s in English!

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“Mayo Chiki!” anime used my Simpsons Death Note fanart

Some sharp-eyed anime viewer — I’m going to guess someone from /a/ in 4chan — was watching episode 3 of a new anime called “Mayo Chiki!” and somehow recognized a poster in the background as my Matt Groening-style “Death Note” fanart!

Pretty bizarre but cool discovery. I never would’ve noticed. I am honoured! Thanks to everyone who alerted me to this.

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Gamedeals grand opening

Fellow Vancouverites! If you’re free this Friday, come to Gamdeals‘ new location in Gastown (across the famous steam clock). They’re a store that specializes in retro video games.

Gamedeals Gastown grand opening party – May 20 (Friday), noon to 7pm

Their storefront is going to feature a big mural by me (not traditionally painted as there was no time for that, but printed)! Here’s a sneak peek:

I’ll be there in hiding. For those of you who can’t make it, I’ll post photos after the fact.

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Chicago Comic Con 2011 appearance

A major con appearance this time! I’ll be a guest at:

Chicago Comic Con August 11-14, 2011

Not sure what I’m doing there yet but fellow Vancouverite Ian Boothby, the most prolific writer for Bongo Comics and the mind behind “Murder He Wrote”, will also be there.

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see me at Anime Evolution

Fellow Vancouverites! I will be at our local con, Anime Evolution, as a special guest this weekend!

My panel is called “Mangaka Myths”, wherein I’ll talk a little about my experience being a manga artist and clear up some common misconceptions (mostly about OEL manga artists). It’s on Sunday, from 12:30-1:30.

I might also show up at the “AE Comic Jam” on Sunday from 2 to 4.

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Boy I’ve been neglecting this journal in favour of Twitter. Here’s some notable news:

* I’ve signed on to be an official guest at this convention in my hometown:

Anime Evolution
Vancouver, BC August 13-15

* If you live in Vancouver like me, check out the Chapters at Metrotown — I signed their copies of Yokaiden 2 there! (photo)

* Yokaiden 1 was recently picked by YASLA as one of the 2010 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

* I’m just a couple of days away from finishing work on The Last Airbender Movie Prequel: Zuko’s Story, which can be preordered online.

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TV appearances

Only one week left until March, and there’s quite a few things I need to finish. This month is too short!

Turns out I’ll be on CTV’s News at Six this Friday, Shaw TV’s The Express on Monday, and I’ll be interviewed for the CBC podcast next week. For the podcast, they’re not going to show my face at my request. Score one for coyote!

The comic is turning out well. The only difficulty is working at twice the scale I’m used to.

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