Some say that the Power of Three has a mystical quality. Just look at the great pyramids and it is clear that even the ancient Egyptians knew that there is something powerful about the number three. It is used very productively in writing, design and architecture. Now the Power of Three has embraced CO2 Comics,the web comic collective operated by former Comico publishers, Bill Cucinotta and Gerry Giovinco.
Three Decades!
Can you believe it? It has been exactly thirty years since Cucinotta and Giovinco first teamed up as co-partners in a little publishing venture called ComicoThe Comic Company. One of their priorities as they began publishing on the web as CO2 Comics was to remind people of their accomplishments as co-publishers of Comico which they do regularly through their weekly blog post. http://www.co2comics.com/blog/?s=comico
Three Years!
That's right! It has been three years since CO2 Comics was initially launched, intentionally coinciding with Independence Day, reflecting their continued support of independent publishers everywhere the entrepreneurial spirit that drives them. Cucinotta and Giovinco believe that the future success of the comics industry lies in the hands of the independent publishers who they feel are the true innovators in the field. Annually, they celebrate their own independence as comics publishers on the 4th of July referring to it as "Independents Day" and would hope to inspire an industry wide tradition.
Three New Books in Print!
And now for the BIG news! CO2 Comics has been primarily a publisher of web comics for the last three years with their only print publication so far being the huge first volume of David Anthony Kraft's COMICS INTERVIEW the Complete Collection, an incredible 680 page collection of the greatest interviews in comic book history.
CO2 Comics been bursting at the seems waiting to produce their first print collections derived from the comics that populate their growing web site. Somehow one graphic tome just wasn't enough so the publishers put together (what else) THREE! These three black-and-white books are bound with full-color covers in both paperback and hardback editions. Keeping with the tradition of their former Comico publications, these graphic albums are all 8.5" x 11" so readers can fully enjoy the larger scale images of the sequential art inside. All three publications are being produced as Print on Demand publications and are available immediately for purchase at the CO2 Comics store on Lulu.com. http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/co2comics
Introducing CO2 Comics' first three graphic albums, now in print:
Heaven and the Dead City by Raine Szramski - This gothic fantasy is a tale of two cities, one beautiful and flourishing... the other, not quite as dead as it would seem. Raine Szramski lavishly hand-paints each panel in her unique style that brings both cities to life with a Victorianesque, Deco quality that will absorb readers into this world of magic, mystery, and adventure! 64 pages.
The Heavy Adventures of Captain Obese! by Don Lomax - Finally collected in one handsome volume the adventures of Don Lomax's favorite fat boy, originally published by WARP Graphics in the 1980's, chronicles the amazing story of the world's fattest super hero. Don Lomax is a long time veteran of adult comics,celebrated creator of Vietnam Journal and author of Marvel Comics' The Nam. 108 pages.
Menage à Bughouse by Steve Lafler - The highly acclaimed Bughouse trilogy of graphic novels, formerly published by Top Shelf Productions, comes together in one giant package! Bughouse, Baja, and Scalawag combine to paint a full picture of life as an improvisational jazz musician set in an obviously fictional world where all of the characters are insects living in early fifties era Manhattan. On their road to success, the members of the band are tempted by the music, sex, money and the ever addictive "bug juice." Menage à Bughouse is an authentic look at the lifestyle of musicians and the challenges they face in an effort to satisfy their desire to create incredible music. 408 pages.
Topping off CO2 Comics celebration of independence as comic publishers is a good old-fashioned road trip by that maniacal comic creator, himself! Steve who is also the creator of Dogboy and El Vocho, featured on the CO2 Comics site, is so excited about getting the word out about his project Menage à Bughousethat he has hit the streets in his trusty 2002 Toyota RAV4 and is traveling cross-country from his home in Mexico.
Look for Steve at any of these fine locations as he blows is own horn as only a buggy cartoonist/musician can!
July 11, Ada Books, Providence, RI
July 12, MoCCA, New York City
July 14, Locust Moon Comics, Philadelphia, PA
July 17, Boxcar Books, Bloomington IN
July 18, Daydream Comics, Iowa City, IA
July 20, Time Warp Comics, Boulder, CO
July 25, Cartoon Art Museum, San Francisco, CA
July 28, Cosmic Monkey Comics, Portland, OR
Gerry Giovinco is especially excited to have been invited by Steve to sit in on his panel at MoCCA in New York City on July 12!
The Power of Three is alive and well at CO2 Comics!
Three decades since their first comic book publication as Comico.
Three years as web comic publishers on the internet as CO2 Comics.
Three books, in print, Heaven and the Dead City, The Heavy Adventures of Captain Obese! and Menage à Bughouse.
Oh, and one road trip!