But Like Maybe? in The New York Times

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Instagram’s Sneakiness Makes Super Bowl Ads Look Quaint

When the commercials come on during the game, at least you’ll know Jason Bateman is trying to sell you something. 

By Sheila Marikar

Ms. Marikar is a Los Angeles-based writer

Feb. 2, 2019

"...Among companies with products to promote and Instagram influencers with themselves to promote, authenticity has become a goal, a thing that people try to reverse engineer either by turning the kid next door into a pitchman — in the case of Johnson & Johnson — or by posting what we’re supposed to believe are unfiltered accounts of their daily lives, like the makeup guru who posts a selfie in her mussed but not messy bed, claiming she “woke up like this.”

“If you’re trying to be authentic, by definition, you’re not authentic — you’re manufacturing your online persona,” said Arianna Margulis, the artist behind the Instagram-based comic strip But Like Maybe(it’s like “Cathy” for millennials and Generation Z). Ms. Margulis says she follows the guidelines laid out by the Federal Trade Commission and discloses when she’s being paid for a post: she’s done advertisements for brands like Harper’s Bazaar, the dating app Hinge and Pizza Hut. But those guidelines aren’t always clear, and a frequently asked questions page on the F.T.C.’s websitepoints to confusion around who qualifies as an influencer and what qualifies as an advertisement.

Take this sample question: “If I post a picture of myself to Instagram and tag the brand of dress I’m wearing, but don’t say anything about the brand in my description of the picture, is that an endorsement? And, even if it is an endorsement, wouldn’t my followers understand that I only tag the brands of my sponsors?” (Short answer: Tagging a brand is an endorsement and may require disclosure. Don’t assume that your followers know anything.)

Ms. Margulis’s line of work has become so sought after that people who are not paid in money, sneakers, or makeup are claiming sponsorships from brands like Nike and Sephora in their posts so as to “fake it ’til they make it” as social media influencers. “They’ll caption a post ‘#sponsored,’ even though they’re not sponsored, to either impress their followers or to impress companies that they want to get paid by,” said Brian Braiker, the editor in chief of the magazine AdAge.....

WEED MAGIC NO.3 (FEB191544) - in stores April 20th

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Weed Magic No.3 by Bliss on Tap

FEB191544

(W) Brian Phillipson, Jordan Lichtman (A/CA) Alex Cormack

After literally altering the course of ancient history, Moe and Bunny get serious and decide that they must use the awesome powers of Weed Magic to help the good citizens of Hollyweird.  After reanimating their trusted simian sidekick, Senator Dimples, Moe, and Bunny pay a visit to a "whistle blower" client of Irv's looking for legal protection from his vengeful boss. Little could Moe have anticipated that his 'legal advice' would require defeating a 420-foot woman hellbent on trashing all of Hollyweird. Red Eyes. Full Bong. Can't Lose.

SRP: $4.20

Alex Nino nominated for Eisner Hall of Fame

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Congratulations to artist Alex Nino (God the Dyslexic Dog, Monster Candyand Andie and the Alien) on his well-deserved Eisner Hall of Fame nomination.  

Alex Niño was among the Philippine comics artists recruited for U.S. comic books by DC Comics editor Joe Orlando and publisher Carmine Infantino in 1971. Niño’s earliest DC work was drawing stories for House of Mystery, Weird War Tales, and other supernatural anthologies, as well as the jungle-adventure feature “Korak” in Tarzan. In the decades since then, Niño has drawn all types of stories for DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Warren Publishing (Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella), Heavy Metal, Byron Preiss, Dark Horse Comics, and other publishers. Starting in the 1980s, Niño branched out into movies and video games, doing design work and concept art for Hanna-Barbera, Sega, and Walt Disney Pictures (Mulanand Atlantis). Niño received an Inkpot Award in 1976.

Review: Train 8: The Zombie Express #2 by Graphic Policy

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October 21, 2018 by pharoahmiles

Train 8: The Zombie Express #2 (of 3)

“Nowhere To Run” was one of my favorite songs from Motown. I would hear the song in my parents’ house growing up ever so often and instantly get transported to another time and place. The voices of Martha and the Vandellas made that song soar and I can even hear it now. It brings back happy memories. It wasn’t until I saw the song play in a certain video that it gave me perspective.

It was used in NWA’s “100 Miles and Runnin,” and in that context was used to illustrate what the group was trying to convey. Since then, I wished that it was used more in horror movies. The irony of the lyrics combined with the situation would make for a perfect scene. In the second issue of Train 8: The Zombie Express, the unaffected passengers must find a way both survive and save humanity.

We catch up with the passengers as the train passes through the Idaho mountains and as Conductor Johnson looks for any life beyond the passenger cab he inhabits. As Tyler and the last of the unaffected passengers make their way through the train, they find the carnage left by those who are infected. We also find out that greater powers have their hands in what is going on and they try their best to contain the virus. By issue’s end, the remaining passengers find an empty cab and temporary refuge while one of them is trapped in a cabin full of primordials.

Overall, a nail biter of an issue which leaves you on the edge of your seat. The story by the creative team is action packed, well told, and smart. The art by the creative team complements the story well. Altogether, an exciting issue that sets up what looks to more than satisfy fans.

Story: Marysol Levant, Brian Phillipson, David Stephan
Art: Alex Cormack, Ashley Cormack
Story: 9.6 Art: 9.3 Overall: 9.6 Recommendation: Buy

Weed Magic No.3

Coming to comic book stores April 20, 2019...

Weed Magic No.3

Forbes: Weed Magic Lights Up New York Comic Con

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Weed Magic Lights Up New York Comic Con

Sara Brittany Somerset Contributor Vices

I cover marijuana, global affairs and the intersection of the two.

Weed Magic Comic BookAlex Cormack

Comic-Con is in full swing at the Jacob K. Javitz convention center in New York City. Thousands of cosplayers and collectors alike are delightedly consuming a new comic book series called Weed Magic.

To be blunt, not since Kevin Smith's cult classic Bluntman and Chronic published by Oni Press in 2001, has there been another comic book about the unique superpowers unleashed by a mystical, magical super strain of cannabis before. Independent producer and publisher of original comic books and graphic novels Bliss on Tap, will surely resonate with tokers, with their latest illustrated creation.

Weed Magic is a fun tale of two best buds looking for kush on the most celebrated day of the year for recreational marijuana users globally — 4/20.

However, when these two best friends in need of a buzz wait too long to purchase herb, they subsequently discover the all the dispensaries in the city are sold out! They must decide what price they are truly willing to pay for a bag of magical trees.

Written by Brian Phillipson and Jordan Lichtman with art by Alex Cormack, Weed Magic debuted at Comic-Con for the cheeky, suggested retail price of $4.20.

When asked at his booth, if he feels his subject manner is inappropriately exposed to children, Phillipson points to the booth across from his, displaying a life-size depiction of a half-naked woman and says, "not any more than that." 

“We have been life-long comic book fans and it was a joint decision to write a comic that weed [sic] like to see in stores,” said Jordan Lichtman, who daylights as assistant general counsel for a Hollywood studio.

Green Market Report: Weed Magic is The Only Cannabis Comic Book at NYCC

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New York Comic Con features only the hottest pop culture characters. With cannabis becoming legalized in over 30 states, one would think that there would be more cannabis references in comic books. However, it remains a taboo to have cannabis in a comic book.

Some people may think that comic books are only for kids and thus, cannabis shouldn’t be featured. But there are numerous adult level comics that feature scantily clad women and most of the attendees at NYCC are adults, so it really isn’t just for children.

Weed Magicis published by Bliss on Tap publishing. The company President Brian Phillipson said he had been kicking around the idea for years and always assumed someone else would do it, but they never did. “Stoners like reading comic books, but they had no heros and no books for them,” he said. So he decided to break the taboo and publish his own.

The story is as follow: It’s 4/20 and two lovable stoners – Moe and his best friend Bunny – find themselves (and the whole city) completely dry.
When local vagabond My$tic gifts the boys a strange and exotic strain of cannabis (along with a cryptic warning), Moe and Bunny soon discover that this “magic” weed provides potent yet fleeting super-human powers of body and mind.
The love child of “Pineapple Express” and “The Greatest American Hero,” Weed Magic will delight the sober and stoned alike.  Red Eyes.  Full Bong.  Can’t Lose.

History
There have been stoner comics in the past. The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers came out at the end of the 1960’s. It was created by Gilbert Sheldon and the characters were based on hippies from Sa Francisco. It spawned famous catchphrases like, “Dope will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no dope.”—Freewheelin’ Franklin.
Director Kevin Smith issued a short-lived comic called Bluntman and Chronic published by Oni Press in Oregon. According to Wikipedia, “In the first issue, after encountering several comic book references, Jay and Silent Bob win the lottery and decide to become superheroes. After Bob handles most of the gadget work, the two don the names Bluntman and Chronic.” The comic was featured in the film Chasing Amy.

See you in New York? We'll be at booth 1730!

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‘Train 8: The Zombie Express #2’ - Comic Book Review by Fanbase Press

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Written by  Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief

Cover of Zombie Express #2

Last month, publisher Bliss on Tap continued its high-speed zombie comic book series with the release of Train 8: The Zombie Express #2, picking up right where it left off on a rollercoaster ride of terror.  As part of a three-issue series, the second installment maintained a palpable tension throughout, leaving readers worried as to when a flesh-eating walker might appear from around the next corner.

For those who may have missed the first issue, Train 8 is a series written by David Stephan and Marysol Levant and with artwork by Alex Cormack.  Following a virus outbreak on the well-known Train 8 (which travels the rail line from Seattle to Chicago), the passengers and crew have quickly dwindled in numbers due to those affected by the virus . . . and their subsequent hunger for flesh.  To make matters worse, the train is speeding out of control with no one at its helm, putting the remaining survivors on board with little hope for salvation.  With little-to-no information as to what is happening to their fellow passengers or whether help is on the way, the survivors band together in Issue #2 in an attempt to stop the train and escape the slaughter.

As with the first issue, writers Stephan and Levant maintained a commendable level of tension and suspense throughout the story which is no easy feat in the sequential art medium.  In other visual mediums like film and TV, external effects like music cues and lighting changes can greatly benefit the storyteller in increasing the anxiety of viewers as to what may happen next.  In the case of Train 8, I have been consistently in awe of the creators' ability to ratchet up the stakes in each subsequent panel, unsure of what may occur (to the benefit or detriment of the characters). Likewise, artist Cormack's portrayal of the beleaguered passengers, fraught with peril, shines through his dark and dreary palette that equally symbolizes their chances of survival. 

If there is any minor quibble, it is simply this:  With the full awareness that this property is being developed into a full-length motion picture, some of the captions listed within the text read more like stage directions from a screenplay rather than essential text that would assist the reader.  While the text did not detract from the story nor the tension of the action, it was perhaps unnecessary in the grander scheme of things.

This reviewer is very much looking forward to the third and final issue of the Train 8: The Zombie Express saga!  Be sure to pick up your copies of Issues #1 and #2 at your local comic book store.


Creative Team: David Stephan (writer), Marysol Levant (writer), Brian Phillipson (additional writing), Alex Cormack (artist/colorist), Ashley Cormack (colorist), Alex Murillo (letterer)
Publisher: Bliss on Tap Publishing
Click here to purchase.

The Little Book of Puppet Sutra

Just some NSFW Puppet Sutra for your Friday afternoon. Here are samples from the book we helped out on for The Happytime Murders movie.  Get your very own copy at the InkHole pop-up in Hollywood this weekend! #blissontap #happytimemurders #puppetsutra #makecomics #comics #stxentertainment