Falling For You

Goldenbird readers may know that Mayann’s little B/W puppy Mochi is an Akita Inu. This dog breed of Japanese origin is very close to my heart. My family loves all Spitz-type breeds for their independence, sensitivity and so-called “primitive” traits, and we had the honour of calling the wonderful Akita lady Himitsu von Nobara-ken a member of our pack for almost 12 years. No surprise, then, that the welfare of dogs in general and Akitas in particular (as a large-sized breed with a strong protective instinct, always in the risk zone for abuse and neglect) is important to me.

Some time ago, I did a charity illustration for the benefit of the Akita Rescue Society of Florida, Inc. Note cards with this motif can be ordered from their website. But why Florida, of all places? The ARSF volunteer Jen Fone discovered my Mochi illustrations and approached me with this idea. Among many things, she has been teaching dog bite prevention with her loveable Akitas. (How many times haven’t I seen people approach cuddly-looking dogs carelessly, not realizing the clear warning signs that the animal communicates to its own protection? And how many times haven’t I made mistakes myself, and been kindly corrected by the dog? Yes, they are predators, but they cut us so much slack…) I’d like to sincerely thank Jen for providing me with this opportunity to give something back to the dogs that I love.

Here’s my table, or 1/3 of 1,5 tables shared with my sister Tinet, who was representing herself as well as her publisher Epix. (Here’s Tinet’s SPX report in Swedish, with plenty of photos by me and others.) Of course I forgot to take pictures of myself. Even sadder is that I forgot to take photos of some Very Important People that I met, for example the lady who took the above photo – Stef Gaines. But I did buy the latest issue of her oeuvre, Anima. There was a most surprising dedication hidden on the last page… Poor Falco!

Photo by Shazam.se

I just had to steal some shots that Shazam.se had published on Facebook. After all, I’m in them.  Here’s a view of the main hall of the Small Press Expo.

Photo by Shazam.se

I was sitting next to the nice guys at Svenska Superserier. Who knows, perhaps I will try my hand at superheroes at some point. Although I’ve read some vintage Superman and 80′s X-Men (and I confess, I am a Nightcrawler fangirl, predictably?) I prefer supervillains of the serial silent movie type – Fantômas, Les Vampires, and why not a certain Oriental Doctor… No superpowers as such – except for hypnosis and excessive charisma – but psychopathic intelligence. Still, I have to recommend the latest issue of Svenska Superserier. Not only is it full-colour, but also contains cleverly written stories with a twist, including tentacles!

Photo by Stef Gaines

Here I’m checking out the anthology Comic Royale 3, one of the MANY great new discoveries at SPX this year. The others are the talented Johan Jergner-Ekervik, Yvette Gustafsson and Randi Johansson.

Photo by Stef Gaines

And that’s me at the far left, listening to the panel on historical and/or adventure comics (alright, I admit, I stood up and held a rambling lecture on some almost related issue at one point until somebody snatched the mic). I’m sitting next to Li Österberg whose fanzine Agnosis won an award after I had bought one issue (coincidence? You decide!).

Invented by Spanish booksellers in the 1920′s, the World Book Day coincides with the date of the death of Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, as well as the Catalan tradition of celebrating Saint George’s Day on 23 April by men giving roses to the ladies of their hearts. Since 1925, the tradition was updated: in return for the rose, the woman gave a book. (Falco and Mayann are therefore wearing costumes from Catalonia.)

Since 1995, UNESCO celebrates the World Book and Copyright Day on this date. Confused Brits claim that it is also the anniversary of the birth and death of William Shakespeare, but forget that the staunchly anti-papist Elizabethans did not adopt the Gregorian calendar until much later. Thus, Shakespeare died 10 days after Cervantes, although both died on 23 April!

Don Quixote has been considered the first modern novel; it introduced many previously unknown or sparsely used storytelling techniques. The anti-hero also shows character development, contrary to many of his idols in earlier chivalric romances – Don Quixote makes a pessimistic inner journey from enchantment to disillusion. (Let’s hope that Falco’s and Mayann’s journey will be a happier one.)

My name is: Ainur
I live in: Lund, but very soon in Helsinki

I have been to SPX Stockholm (# of times): Three times? Yeah, I guess so. Dissertation work causes amnesia… But I clearly remember living on a hotel boat twice, and staying with Horst Schröder once… Hey, I didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition!

At this year’s SPX I will: Join the Swedish Comics Association jury for the big beauty competition for self-published comics on Sunday. I also look forward to seeing old friends, making new ones, fangirling celebrities etc, although I have been too busy with other things to actually check all events…
It would be great to go to one or two of the many release parties around Stockholm this time. Usually I’m too exhausted (after sitting on my butt and selling comics the whole day) but maybe, just maybe this time… (It’s the wrong time of the month, too D:)

Three fanzines I’m looking forward to: Anima by Stef Gaines, Agnosis by Li Österberg, and Tunguska by Tinet Elmgren.

My best discovery on SPX: The works of Olivia Skjöld. (Inspelningen, ett märkligt album med fascinerande dialog om stumfilmsstjärnan Al Jolson och underhållningsindustrins barndom, går att beställa på Dreamboat Music.)

My best memory from SPX: When Goldenbird 3-4 won an award for the prettiest fanzine cover last year! Honour and glory (and Fanzineindex 2001)! And no, I wasn’t in the jury at that time.

Apparently, the theme this year is “adventure and history in comics” (I thought it was sex). Cool! Right up my alley. (Though I don’t mind sex either.)

Others who have also replied: Micke Sol, Stef Gaines, Tinet Elmgren, Staffan på Staffars Serier

These two double editions are now available – get them from me or come to SPX Stockholm this weekend!

I’m very grateful for this opportunity to practice editing (originally I planned a storyline of 28 installments, but now I was forced to squeeze in a satisfying conclusion in 10 pages – much better and much more convincing! At least if you’re a Lovecraft fan…). Hopefully people who haven’t read Goldenbird before will appreciate this short story and come here for more.

“Nyarlathotep” has everything – 1920′s pseudoscience, Lovecraft, puppies, fashion, egyptomania, tentacles, sexy men with big mustaches and/or big noses. Love it or lose your mind.