I've just finished reading "Moving Pictures" (Top Shelf), by Kathryn (writer) and Stuart Immomen (artist). I snagged it at the Top Shelf booth at Comic-Con. The graphic novel's stark simplicity caught my eye. I strive unsuccessfully for this
in my own work.
On one hand, the book is a keeper for the afore mentioned extreme graphic
simplicity of the art. Definitely some swipeable stuff here. I've never followed
Immomen's superhero work; it seems pretty good, but there's nothing interesting about it to me. But "Moving Pictures" has a really cool look.
On the other hand, I had difficulty following the story on first reading. There
was nothing graphically to help one keep track of the two narrative streams and time dislocations. I was ambivalent about the pacing which was slow, stately and reflective. It
was a tonic compared to the over-amped over-hyped crap that passes for
storytelling these days. But everything was SO serious. If any of the characters ever cracked a smile, it was a wan, ironic, thin lipped smile. Also, I would have preferred opening up the
story some to show some of the events referred to in the dialogue (Nazi's taking over in France, disappearing whole groups of people, etc), but that
would have conflicted with the interior/closed-room nature of the story I
suppose.
I liked the production values. The water color paper used for the cover and
similar (but smooth) paper of the interior pages gave the whole thing a very
classy look and feel.
About Me
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Interview podcast posted on da Vinci's Waking Dream
Will Norman posted an audio podcast interview of me on his da Vinci's Waking Dream blog at http://queersotv.com/daVinciPodcast.html
Monday, August 30, 2010
Kane Moebius
This is a recent sketch, a copy of a Gil Kane "Moebius The Living Vampire" cover from the early 70's. I love his compositional dynamism.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Fogtown reviewed in The Gay Comics List
The Gay Comics List reviews Fogtown. They really get it. They call me "an impressive graphic storyteller" at http://gaycomicslist.free.fr/blog/index.php/2010/08/fogtown.html
Fogtown reviewed in The Stranger
The famous Seattle alternative newspaper The Stranger reviews Fogtown. He likes it: "This is one of the best comic book mysteries I've seen in a great long while." Read it at http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/08/25/fogtown-is-a-good-gay-comic-book-mystery
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Fogtown page 88
This is another example of breaking the panel grid for heightened dramatic effect. The triangular panels 1and 3 become like blades, metaphorically slicing panel 2, itself a sceneof Frank slicing Bone's face with a stiletto.


Thursday, August 19, 2010
Fogtown page 76 inks
This is part of the first batch of pages that I inked in the
14" x 19" format with the newly acquired help of my assistant, Lee-Roy. The
larger size gave me more control in the inking, especially necessary for the 6
smaller panels on page 76.

14" x 19" format with the newly acquired help of my assistant, Lee-Roy. The
larger size gave me more control in the inking, especially necessary for the 6
smaller panels on page 76.

Saturday, August 14, 2010
Last chance to see show at Flazh Alley
"FILTHY FIFTIES FRISCO"
THE ART OF FOGTOWN
Closing Public Reception & Book Signing
THE ART OF FOGTOWN
Closing Public Reception & Book Signing
San Pedro's 1st Thursdays Art Walk Night September 2, 2010 from 7-11 PM
"This is a fantastic exhibition for anyone who appreciates graphic novels. Each of Mr. Rader's panels has a small placard that describes a bit about the behind-the-scenes creative process that takes a raw idea and transforms it into a finished book. Original panels from Brad Rader's newest book. This is a must-see for graphic novel fans! Great exhibition!" --Louis Jay, Webmaster, The Tom of Finland FoundationADULTS ONLY (18 and over) "Filthy Fifties Frisco" can also be seen by appointment until September 4,2010. Please call, 310.833.3633 or flazhalley@aol.com Flazh!Alley Art Studio is located at 1113 S. Pacific Ave., Suite B, San Pedro, CA. Park in the large city parking lot behind Ramona Bakery at Pacific Ave. & 11th Street. Enter Flazh!Alley from the alley, of course.
www.flazhalleystudio.com

Friday, August 13, 2010
Fogtown reviewed in the Miami Herald
The Miami Herald reviewed Fogtown. They say that my art is "the perfect evocation of the story."
Fogtown reviewed at Edge New York
A review of Fogtown in the Edge New York blog. They really liked it - "It transcends the comic book art form." Hey!
Fogtown review in Comic Book Resources
A review of Fogtown in the Comic Book Resources blog: http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2010/08/chain-reactions-fogtown/
Fogtown Pages 76-77 pencils
This is part of the last batch of pages
that I penciled in the 9" x 6" format.

that I penciled in the 9" x 6" format.

Thursday, August 12, 2010
Fogtown pages 70-71
This page is an example of my design strategy for the book. I established a fairly rigorous rectangular grid for the panel layout, with either two or three tiers per page, adhering to this for the most part. This produces a fairly even, metronomic baseline, which can be easily broken for heightened dramatic effect. For this near-rape sequence, I varied the panel shapes to slashing diagonals increasing in length during the four-page sequence, creating a feeling of descent.
Other examples are the meeting of Frank and Eliza Gray on pages 25-28 by using horizontal panels with each character on opposite sides of the composition, separated by their word balloons. Then followed immediately pages 29-31 where Frank threatened by Greg in Jack Kerouac Alley shown by narrow vertical panels giving a staccato, knife-like feel.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Fogtown pages 64-65
Page 64 introduces Colonel Thorpe, the main villain of the piece, partners in crime with Madam Tse. He is a pretend civic-reformer, bully-pulpit-wielder. He is based on Karl Rove. One of Andersen’s main themes in "Fogtown" was to show that all the characters wore masks, were liars on many levels. Sadly, that aspect had to be given short shrift as the novel was repurposed to fit in the Vertigo Crime format.


Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Fogtown reviewed in S.F. Chronicle
The San Francisco Chronicle reviewed Fogtown! This is particularly cool as Fogtown is set in San Francisco! Read it here.
Fogtown pages 56-57
One of my favorite aspects of cartooning is casting; i.e., designing the cast of characters. Over the years I've saved old model packs from TV series I've worked on with the idea of repurposing characters in my own work. In these two pages, two characters are lifted from King of the Hill, which I was working on at the time. Frank Grissel's lawyer on pages 56 and 57 is based on the model of Peggy Hill's real estate agent boss, Chris Sizemore. The uniformed SFPD office on page 56 is Enrique, one of Hank Hill's co-workers at Strickland Propane.
Page 57 is also the first appearance of Madam Tse, part of the criminal conspiracy afflicting the city by the bay. She went through several design permutations before we (Bob, Andersen and I) arrived at the current version. Andersen insisted that she sport the hairstyle worn by Jean Simmons in Angel Face.

Page 57 is also the first appearance of Madam Tse, part of the criminal conspiracy afflicting the city by the bay. She went through several design permutations before we (Bob, Andersen and I) arrived at the current version. Andersen insisted that she sport the hairstyle worn by Jean Simmons in Angel Face.

Monday, August 9, 2010
Fogtown pages 54-55
This page is part of a sequence that is heavily influenced by 50's film noir. I watched various DVDs and freeze framed, sketching several scenes to swipe their compositions, lighting, costuming, casting, etc. Movies I found especially helpful were The Dark Corner, Vicki, and House on Telegraph Hill.


Saturday, August 7, 2010
Fogtown pages 48-49
Toth was a key Caniff acolyte as a young man in the late 40's, but branched off into his own style in the early 50's. He took the "Caniff" approach to an even more extreme level of simplicity and graphic innovation. His calculated simplicity served him well when he transitioned to TV Animation in the 60's, working primarily as a designer and storyboard artist on The Herculoids, Space Ghost, Sea Lab, Superfriends and a host of other Hanna-Barbera series.


Monday, August 2, 2010
Fogtown News and Reviews
I'm posting two current items, one a news article and the other a review. Check them out!
http://www.insidesocal.com/outinthe562/http://www.insidesocal.com/outinthe562/
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/127228-fogtown-by-andersen-gabrych-and-brad-rader/
http://www.insidesocal.com/outinthe562/http://www.insidesocal.com/outinthe562/
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/127228-fogtown-by-andersen-gabrych-and-brad-rader/
Labels:
"Fogtown",
Andersen Gabrych,
Brad Rader,
Vertigo Noir
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2010
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August
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- Moving Pictures Review
- Interview podcast posted on da Vinci's Waking Dream
- Fogtown page 91
- Kane Moebius
- Fogtown reviewed in The Gay Comics List
- Fogtown reviewed in The Stranger
- Fogtown page 88
- Fogtown page 76 inks
- Last chance to see show at Flazh Alley
- Fogtown in the Vertigo Comics blog
- Fogtown reviewed in the Miami Herald
- Fogtown reviewed at Edge New York
- Fogtown reviewed at The Shelf Life blog
- Fogtown review at The Outhousers.com
- Fogtown review in Comic Book Resources
- Fogtown Pages 76-77 pencils
- Fogtown reviewed in Frontiers
- Fogtown pages 70-71
- Fogtown pages 64-65
- Fogtown reviewed in Monkeysee
- Fogtown reviewed in S.F. Chronicle
- Fogtown pages 56-57
- Fogtown pages 54-55
- Fogtown pages 48-49
- Fogtown News and Reviews
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