Blog
AJET Connect Interview
I recently did an interview with AJET Connect Magazine.
I talk about my experience working on Life After the B.O.E., as well as my run-in with rampaging monkeys while on JET.
Also interviewed are L.E. Fred, Lars Martinson, and Josh Shelton.
Updating Old Comics
Some of you may have noticed already, but I’ve started to replace the older comics on the site with the version that appears in the graphic novel.
Why am I doing this?
The comics from the first two years are significantly rougher than the later comics. They look as though they were drawn by a different person. And you could say that they were – I was a very different artist at the beginning of Life After the B.O.E.
When I made the graphic novel, Life After the B.O.E. the Book, I redrew many of the older comics to polish them up and to reflect my improvement as an artist.
I left the web comics as is for the past three years, but I think it’s time that they, too, get updated.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be updating the remainder of the older comics.
International Manga Fest, Oct. 20th
If you’re in Tokyo on Oct. 20th, come by the Big Sight between 11am and 4pm to check out the International Manga Fest which is taking place along side Comitia.
I’ll be there with my comics, The Long Kingdom #1, The Long Kindgom #2, マークと皆(Mark and the Gang), and of course, Life After the B.O.E. the Book.
Drop by and say hi!
CLAIR Forum
Last year, I was asked by CLAIR to write an article about my experiences on the JET Programme and the influence the JET Programme had on my post-JET life for the JET Plaza section their publication, CLAIR Forum.
I talk about my 10 year journey as an animation school dropout who went on JET in 2002 to an illustrator/comic book artist returning to Japan in 2012 to exhibit at the International Manga Festival.
Here’s a link to all the JET Plaza articles on the JET Programme website (English).
TCAF Tomorrow!
Hi folks, just a reminder that the Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) is tomorrow (May 11) and Sunday (May 12) at the Toronto Reference Library.
Admission is free!
I’ll be selling Life After the B.O.E. the Book, as well as my new comic, The Long Kingdom #1 – both the regular version and a special TCAF Edition which is a limited 50 print run.
Hope to see you all at TCAF!
Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2013
I’ll be exhibiting at the Toronto Comic Arts Festival this coming Saturday and Sunday (May 11, 12) selling copies of Life After the B.O.E. the Book, as well as my new comic, The Long Kingdom #1.
I’ll post my table/booth number as soon as I find out.
Graduation Season
My friends who are currently on JET are posting about their students’ graduations on Facebook.
This made me realize that the students who were in 4th grade during my final term on JET are graduating high school this month.
I hope that they are all doing well.
卒業おめでとう。
Gonna go listen to some graduation/sakura themed songs now…
Kaigai Manga Festa
The Kaigai Manga Festa was a great success! Sold a few copies of Life After the B.O.E. gave away copies of Torja Magazine and met some fantastic people!
Didn’t have too much time to check out Comitia (the Festa was running concurrent to Comitia), but what I saw blew my mind. So much talent, and so much awesome manga! Seeing all that awesomeness makes me want to work even harder and make more comics.
Can’t wait until next year!
Life After the B.O.E. in Japan!
I’m heading to Japan in November to participate in a number of comic-arts related events as part of the Toronto Comic Arts Festival Japan 2012 Exhibition!
Kaigai Manga Festa
Tokyo Big Sight, November 18
I’ll be part of the Toronto Comic Arts Festival booth at the Kaigai Manga Festa, which is being held at the Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba, selling copies of “Life After the B.O.E the Book” and handing out copies of Torja Magazine where I have a monthly comic.
Drop by the booth to say hi and purchase a copy of “Life After the B.O.E the Book“!
En Masse in Tokyo
Shibuya, Design Festa Gallery West (Rm 1-D), November 13 ~ 15
Presented by the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, I’ll be participating in En Masse‘s large-scale, collaborative drawing.
Come see me draw on the 13th!
Canada Comic Arts
Shibuya, Shibuya Parco Part One B1F, November 15 ~ December 2
Presented by the Toronto Comic Arts Festival, “Life After the B.O.E. the Book” will be on sale at the exhibit.
See you all in Tokyo!
10 Years
I can’t believe 10 years have passed since I stepped off the plane at Narita and began my life-changing, two-year adventure in Aomori-ken as a JET.
I’m grateful for all the lasting friendships, memories, and the laughter.
And as my former elementary school students start entering their twenties, I sometimes wonder what they are doing. Wherever they are, and whatever they are doing, I wish them all the best.
