CCS at Fantacon’s 2013 Revival

2013 marks the return of Fantacon, the popular Albany-are comics and horror convention. It’s been 23 years since its initial run as a convention from 1979 to 1990, but Fantacon is officially back, better than ever.

Here are a few of the CCS books that will be debuting at the exciting return of Fantacon.

Black Dog and the Hole at the Heart of the World pt 3 – Carl Antonowitz (Class of 2011)

Gabi and Caleb are a couple of kids with problems. Gabi’s living room is taken up by a portal to the lightless center of the universe, and Caleb is hounded (literally) by a Black Dog that scares the bejeezus out of him every time it shows up. Do they have any chance at a normal relationship? Does anyone?

Debuting at Fantacon, this is third chapter in the existential/horror/romance graphic novel, in which more is revealed about the Dog, Caleb’s romantic history, and also his alcohol tolerance. Also, Gabi gets mad and Em stares unblinking into the dark core of eternity, as usual.

Curious readers can find  parts 1 and 2 on Carl’s site for free!

Also by Carl: Inspired by the great El-P, this handsome print features skywritten profanity and lewd gestures. Not for kids. 7.75x17ish in, full-color digital print, 80pt Kromekote stock.

Carl Antonowicz is a graduate of the Center for Cartoon Studies, Texan, and ferret enthusiast. He tweets incessantly (@cantocomix), tumblrs occasionally, and blogs rarely. He lives in White River Junction, VT, where he is working on the next part of his existential/horror/romance graphic novel the Black Dog and the Hole at the Heart of the World.

 HUSK – Ian Richardson (Class of 2013)

HUSK is a fantasy horror comic about a stranger in a strange land.

The Legend of the Loup-Garou – Denis St. John (Class of 2008)

A 32 page horror comic about two sisters from New Orleans going to the swamp and finding out the legend of the cajun werewolf, Loup-Garou, that hunts down and eats lapsed Catholics is far more than a myth.  Full of violence and strangeness, this comic reads like a cross between a pre-code horror comic and a 70’s exploitation flick!

Bingo Baby – Denis St. John (Class of 2008 ), Joseph Lambert (Class of 2008 ), Jason Lutes (Faculty), Donna Almendrala (Class of 2012), Bill Bedard (Class 0f 2012)

This 72 page collaborative graphic novel is the project by produced by Penny Lantern, a group of cartoonists lead by Jason Lutes (in association with the Center for Cartoon Studies) which aims to create and publish a collaborative graphic novel each year. The story was created through an improve story telling game and centers around the down and out exploits of the residents of a small Vermont town, dealing with crime, bingo, babies, and more!

Monster Pie 2! Edited by Denis St. John (Class of 2008) and Stephen R. Bissette (Faculty)

This 80 page giant monster fan zine features page after page of monster illustrations, movie reviews, comics, and more!  Any monster kids out there won’t be disappointed by this truly monstrous mag!

Denis St. John creates homemade horror comics.  His first graphic novel, Amelia, was finished in 2012 and is available on his etsy shop,  Since Amelia he has been working on other comics, including a web horror story called The Legend of the Loup Garou,  Bingo Baby, a collaborative graphic novel created with other Center For Cartoon Studies alumni and Jason Lutes, and a monster fan zine series with Steve Bissette called Monster Pie!  More info is available at his blog,  and tumblr.

Night Terror – Jesse Durona (Class of 2011)

Night Terror is an 8-page mini-comic that borrows its atmosphere heavily from The Twilight Zone, except that it’s adorably drawn. It’s appropriate for all-ages, with a tiny warning about some scary imagery.  What lurks in the dead of night?  For one unfortunate little boy, the answer will soon come to light.

Jesse DuRona is a cartoonist living in the green mountain state, and a 2011 graduate from the Center for Cartoon Studies.  His style has been described as “cute and creepy.”  He enjoys making comics that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages!  His work can be found at www.therealdurona.com

Also present at Fantacon will be Randall Drew and Christopher “Radical” Warren!

Randall Drew is a Vermont Cartoonist with a NY soul! From the Capital Region of NY, he is a 2010 graduate of the Center For Cartoon Studies in WRJ, VT where he continues to live and work. A printer by day, he works on his fantasy web comic Citadel by night. He has illustrated for books; interior and cover art, album art for musicians and bands out of the video game arrangement community OcRemix.org, and is currently co-editing a Super Nintendo themed comics and art anthology called Beyond Mode 7 with fellow graduate Jesse Durona, to be released in early 2014! www.randalldrew.com

Christopher “Radical” Warren is a cartoonist. He writes weird fiction. He is a New England native and is currently alive. Flamejob.net