150th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg 12:10 PM

on July 1st, One hundred and fifty years ago one of the most decisive battles of the American Civil war was fought. The battle last for three days and at the end there were nearly fifty thousand casualties- nearly eight thousand people and three thousand horses were dead (amazingly only one civilian died during the battle of a stray bullet). On July 4th of 1863, The Confederate Army retreated and the Army of the Potomac slowly pursued.

A couple of years ago I wrote and drew a graphic novel about the battle and the dedication in which Lincoln delivered his address called simply "Gettysburg" you can pick it up here

I did this sketch to commemorate the anniversary.

No News is Good News but this is Good News 12:26 PM

First thing first- The American Library Association has posted it's best picks for 2010 and guess who tops the list for non-fiction? Okay okay, it's in alphabetical order but Gettysburg is amongst some amazing titles and I'm very fortunate. You can see it all right HERE! Aside of that a young Italian graphic designer- Lorenzo Fortunati of Piacenza wrote me kindly asking if he could use the drawing from this post for a the poster that you see here. Pretty damn cool though I haven't the faintest idea what italian ritard punk rock is.

Society of Illustrators 10:22 AM

I had a great time last Thursday at the reception of the Original Art Show at the Society of Illustrators. It was cool and rewarding to have a spread from Gettysburg up on the wall next to the work of some incredibly talented illustrators (it was the spread featured above). I didn't have to celebrate alone, Lauren Castillo and Tae Eun Yoo, both Rabid Rabbit illustration contributors and in 2005 grad class at SVA had pieces in the show. Paul Hoppe the co-founder of the Rabid Rabbit was there as arm-candy (no- not for me, but for Ms. Castillo). Not mention many other amazingly talented folks who I got a chance to chat with- including my two editors for Gettysburg- Brenda Bowen and Molly O'neill! It was a great show and is now open to the public so drop on by and check it out!

Society of Illustrators- Original Art Show 12:49 PM

Just a reminder that a spread from my graphic novel "Gettysburg" was chosen and will be on display at the Soceity of Illustrators Original Art 2009. So if your free and are willing to purchase the tickets I'll humbly be there amongst some of the greatest illustrators out there.

Click HERE for more info on the show

New good review for Gettysburg! 3:15 PM

Always happy to post a good review for my book Gettysburg! This time from the Reading tub blog! check it out here!

Another beautiful September day in NYC maybe I was just waiting for Fall to kick in!

Gettysburg is Selected by Society of Illustrators 8:06 AM

My book- "Gettysburg" was selected by the hallowed Society of Illustrators for their 2009 Original Art show- "The fine art of Children's book illustration. "The Original Art", an exhibit celebrating the fine art of children's book illustration, is on display at the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators from October 22 through November 25, 2009. I am very much pleased and honored that I was selected to participate in this show!

The price for the reception is a bit hefty- so if you can't make that- please stop by later and check it out!

To purchase tickets for the Opening Reception please 212-838-2560
Tickets are $30 and are limited.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Feirtag kate@societyillustrators.org

Teaching Nonfiction Graphic Novels- Gettysburg 1:59 PM

Gettysburg the Graphic Novel was recently used by Dr. Katie Monnin of the University of North Florida in this article and will be featured in this book "Teaching Graphic Novels: Practical Strategies for the Secondary ELA Classroom from Maupin House". Dr. Monnin has done some exceptional work on the methods and practical curriculum of reading and teaching Graphic Novels. So, don't take it from me- check out the article and buy the book when it comes out!

Gettysburg "Top Ten U.S. History Graphic Novels" 5:46 PM

Author Judy Drury has recently informed me that she has chosen "Gettysburg" to featured in her book on the top non-fiction graphic novels for publisher Neal-Schuman. She then told me that she thought it was in the top ten of "U.S. History" graphic novels- with the works by Jason Lutes and James Sturm out there, I consider that a huge compliment! Drury particularly favored this spread!

Stumptown Trade Review 6:05 AM

As I've said before I had a great time at the Stumptown Comics festival in Portland, Oregon. I met so many cool people and got some amazing comics. A couple of days before at the Kennedy School I met an individual named "Tiny". At 6+ feet and wearing a t-shirt that said "I beat anorexia". Tiny, liked the civil war. He had done some Re-enacting and loved history. I signed him a copy of Gettysburg and He said he'd bring his friends who write comic blog by to check it out.

That he did. Brian of the Stumptown Trade Review wrote up what I'd consider an accurate critique of Gettysburg. Cheers to that.

Graphic Novel Reporter interview and stumptown 1:59 PM

Ohh, man. I'm tired in too many ways to describe. I just got back from Portland, OR after attending a great Stumptown comicsfest. It was a truly good time and cheers to everyone I met there-

On another note my interview with Dr. Katie Monnin about Graphic Novels is now up at the Graphic Novel Reporter. It was good fun and she asked some great questions so Check that out! Dr. Katie Monnin is an assistant professor of literacy at the University of North Florida.

Some new reviews for Gettysburg 11:16 AM

Just a short note on some reviews that have been floating around. I found these recently and they for the most part are favorable. 

The Graphic Novel Reporter

Rob Vollmar's comic review blog

Shelf Employed

And I was nominated American Library Association for the Great Graphic Novels for teens award. 

Gettysburg page samples 1:41 PM

Here are some pages from my new book Gettysburg. I'll be signing the book at New York Comic Con at the Harper Collins table (1814) at 6 pm on Saturday, February 7th.

Gettysburg signing 10:35 AM

Hello all, I'll be signing my book "Gettysburg, the graphic novel" at New York Comic Con this year on Saturday the 7th at 6pm at the Harper Collins table.