COMICSMITHY

“Stratosphere”

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 19:46:00 +0000

Proud to present my latest comic: a short sci-fi romance! This time with art by Beck Kubrick and colors by HonkyTonk Comics Ernie:

A VERY long time in the making, as rough versions of these characters and these scenes first popped into my head only months after I graduated college! I was extremely blessed to have the talented Beck Kubrick (@beckkubrick) choose to work with me on this and doubly blessed that they brought in Ernie (@HonkyTonkComics) to color it. Thank you both so much!

Beck can be found at https://beckkubrick.com

and

Ernie posts comics at https://honkytonkcomics.tumblr.com

~ @JonGorga

Art & the World

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 19:06:00 +0000

It’s really quite simple.

“The World” means your everything. Literally. The word “planet” means just the physical spinning rock you're standing on but your “world” can be your community or your whole industry but also everything our species has ever known or will ever know. Lock, stock, and barrel. Ideas, emotions, places, products, your Dad, your Mum, and Benedict Arnold. The baby and the bathwater. Everywhere and anywhere in the Universe we know. The whole shebang. Obvious maybe? It’s a starting place. It’s the WHERE.

“The Culture” means what you do. This cuts across nations, industries, families. Again, it could just mean what happens in your community or your field but it could be everything humanity has ever done or will ever do. Art is part of culture, but so is religion, history, politics, science, cooking, etc. Some cultures clash. This is why people like Jill Lepore are foolish when they assume something isn’t art because of the culture it came from. The academic grouping called the Humanities basically encompasses the disciplines that study Culture. Cultures are grounded in populations that are grounded in a specific time or its essential qualities, its zeitgeist. All of this can even form the context for the next thing you will do. It’s the WHEN.

“The Arts” means… Art is… Well now, this is where people begin to lose their fucking minds, isn’t it? This is where all the debate lies. This is what gets people rankled and fuming. This is what makes people confused. Some say it’s everything with an aesthetic. Some say it’s everything that has no practical, survival-based purpose. I prefer to think of it something like: creativity acting on the world. Anything that happened or was made or was said when something looked at reality and said “What if?” Small questions and big ones alike. Just as in the scientific definition of work: force exerted on the world, it can happen anywhere at any time to anything. Here’s one of the craziest parts— get ready for this. Part of art is often creating representations of things from the World, or indeed creating entire “Worlds”. That’s what they call WORLDbuilding. So you can have everything else on this list IN this one. So everything else on this list can, contextually, be this one without diluting it. “The Lord of the Rings” is a work of art that contains so many fictional people, works, places, and entire cultures in its fictional world, its diegesis. It has its own who, what, where, when, how, and attempt at a why. The World moves around the Arts and the Arts grow out of the World in an attempt to explain everything. It’s the WHY.

Scott McCloud’s extremely brilliant and extremely simple definition of art.

“The Mediums” mean the ongoing set of expectations for the delivery method of your art. Paper or canvas? Will it move or be static? Is there audio? Or are you making art of an idea or a dish of food? Yes, the food you eat and a few other things can straddle the cultural divide between art and practical human life needs. The form it takes matters as it alters the content, and the context, and the feeling. But the form can’t negate the creativity within, to the literal contrary! The imposed limits of each form encourage creativity. The form is just the frame you put something in. This is why people like Bill Maher are plainly wrong when they say something isn’t art because of its medium. Framing, plating, screening, composing, shooting, printing, drawing. It’s the HOW.

“The Genres” mean the ongoing set of expectations for the content of your art. I've heard it said, 'every genre is just an ongoing conversation' but I think it's more like a common framework. Stock characters or archetypes? Common situations or tropes? These aren’t necessarily bad! Artists sometimes just want to say what they need to without getting lost in detail. Settings can change but expectations about them rarely do. A “dock” is different from a “dick”, obviously. But both a “dock” and a “dick” can mean extremely various things in a gangster novel and in a sci-fi novel. This is why people like Martin Scorsese saying something isn’t art because of its genre (or distribution or cost) are flat wrong. Every art medium can have genres: from barbecue to baroque, from Afro-Futurism to constructivism. Everything beyond that is specific to exact works or a series of works or franchises, you can do almost any story within each genre. It’s the WHAT.

I’m not some super-genius. I’m not infallible. But I have been thinking about this, writing about this, and arguing about this for twenty years. I might change this with time, ain’t nothing written in stone. Argue with me about it, anywhere and everywhere. We each get to live in this crazy, huge, potentially never-ending World, with its Culture of Works in Genres & Mediums in the Arts. Everyone who has ever existed are all in this equation. You are the WHO.

So don’t judge other people’s stories, just take them as they come. Don’t be an ivory tower art snob or a couch potato entertainment junkie, wait for the thing to say what it has to say. It’s not hard. What’s harder is making the stories. You need a how, a who, a where, a what, a when, and somehow, someway we come closer to discovering a why. That’s what art is and what it’s for.

~ @JonGorga

Writer's Block

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 09:30:00 +0000

After spending the wee hours of the morning reading my housemate's copy of the latest issue of Poets & Writers I find myself thinking:

I'm the owner of a comic-book shop.

What the fuck am I doing?

I can almost hear the fourteen-year-old I used to be screaming: THAT WAS PLAN B!! YOU GAVE UP PRETTY FAST, ASSHOLE! I didn't give up. Not consciously, anyway. That said, I have some responsibilities and those responsibilities preclude having much time to do what I really want: write.

We'll see about that on the permanent. We'll see.

~ @JonGorga

Saving the World

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 03:13:00 +0000

This is a list of people who've saved the world as discovered/encountered by Jon Gorga starting Friday March 16, 2o12. It will be updated as needed.

So, to clarify:
ANYONE (i.e. fictional or real)
who SAVES (i.e. rectifies entirely or partially a standing or potential disaster)
the WORLD (i.e. any society of intelligent beings)

Martin Luther King Jr. counts but so does Luke Skywalker.
Superman will be counted the first upcoming time I read a comic in which he stops Brainiac from shrinking Earth for preservation but not a second time and JFK AND Khrushchev will be counted the first upcoming time I read about how they resolved the Cuban Missile Crisis. No one can make the list twice.

Current count: 9

1. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, for respecting both his people and the Chinese in the creation of a Tibetan government in exile allowing his culture to continue to thrive. 3/16/2o12
2. Caroline McKinnon, for her social work utilizing comics with children both in Africa and urban Brooklyn. 3/17/2o12
3. Rock Braddon, for defeating Dr. Diaboloque's plot to become ruler of the universe in the ludicrous short story reviving The Space Legion in "Crack Comics" #63. 3/18/2o12
4. Andrew Hamilton, for winning printer John Peter Zenger's case against the colony of New York in 1735, the first win of its kind and the bedrock of American freedom of the press. 3/19/2o12
5. Chief Justice Hugo Black, for spearheading the judgement that ruled in favor of The New York Times continuing to publish The Pentagon Papers, allowing the US government's internal record of the Vietnam War to become public history. 3/19/2o12
6. Seth, the "power-guy", for smartly saving the power to turn back time for the right person keeping a timeline in which the Nazis won WWII from becoming permanent in the fourth episode of the third season of "Misfits". 6/9/2o12
7. Jackie Estacado, The Darkness, for slicing the throat of The Curator before he could use the Thirteen Artifacts to destroy the entire universe in "Artifacts" #12. 10/25/2o12
8. Alice Meehan, for working as a public defender in the Bronx. 11/30/2o12

9. Frank the sausage, for bringing a spotlight to the false nature of religion in "Sausage Party". 2o17

There are good things all around you if you're wise enough to see.

Gorga's Thoughts Dix-Sept: "the rain came down in sheets on Eighth"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 04:59:00 +0000

So this is me doing "A Softer World".
Sort of. Because they're amazing.

It's also me doing Tom Waits.
If that makes any sense. Because he's also amazing.

Suggested tracks:
"Small Change (Got Rained On With His Own .38)"
and
"What's He Building?"

Kinda-sorta video version?

Next, less about me. Finally.

~ @JonGorga

Gorga's Thoughts Seize: "candy sweethearts"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:46:00 +0000

New comic for ya:

Recommended listening: "You Don't Drink Coffee" by Chuck Coleman.
The theme song to my last year of high school and first year of college...

Senia and I have been working on this slowly since mid-way through college, so after five years, you can finally read it.

The always wonderful and helpful Miss. Senia Hardwick, again, writes poetry at:
http://headachesandworry.blogspot.com

~ @JonGorga

Gorga's Thoughts Quinze: "New Shoes"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 03:51:00 +0000

Buying shoes for yourself is hard. Well, a little bit anyway.

Confession? I called my Mom and e-mailed her photos before putting down money on shoes. Smart or insecure? I'll be damned if I know.

~ @JonGorga

Gorga's Thoughts Quatorze: "Mustachio"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 03:55:00 +0000

My friend Senia Hardwick and I have noticed new work from a unique graffiti artist underneath the streets of New York City:He/she/they tickle me.

~ @JonGorga

P.S. ~ The talented Senia Hardwick has a poetry blog at http://headachesandworry.blogspot.com

Gorga's Thoughts Treize: "New York is a Comics Town"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 05:32:00 +0000

Been out of this game for a while now, so here's a softball to get us started again:
And that's the way I like it.

~ @JonGorga

P.S. ~
I haven't been posting my comic regularly here of late because I've been concentrating on my consulting work and my retail work. I'm now in a more financially secure place and the comics can start rolling out again.

P.P.S. ~
This comic was produced to connect with my recent editorial over at The Long and Shortbox Of It about comics culture in New York City, my adopted home.

MoCCA is Mecca (For Independent Comics Creators)

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 03:59:00 +0000

If you're attending the MoCCA Festival this weekend I hope you'll make the time to stop by the Pronto Comics booth (table G5) on Sunday between 1PM and 2PM where I will be doing shop-talk, connecting with fellow creators, and promoting Pronto and myself.

I'm also planning to give away copies of a here-to-fore not-seen-on-the-web comic by me!

I've submitted a script for an upcoming @ProntoComics publication and thus earned a spot at the table. After 2, you'll be able to find me wandering the hall at the Lexington Armory, doing more journalistic stuff for The @LongandShortbox Of It. I will, unfortunately, be unable to attend or table for any length of time on Saturday. I know, it makes me sad too.

Always really enjoyed MoCCA Fest in the past, and I plan to again this year!

Exciting!

~@JonGorga

P.S. ~ Above art by Josiah Sarr!

Gorga's Thoughts Douze: "Cortlandt Street Station"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 03:52:00 +0000

(Click once to open, and then again to read at FULL-SIZE.)

Another somewhat depressing subject. Chalk it up to my need to get dark thoughts out. I'm human.

The first in a new series will arrive next month.

~@JonGorga

Framed 1: Gary Panter, David Sandlin, Jerry Moriarty, and John Carlin at SVA Theater on 10/20/1o

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 15:38:00 +0000

Report comics. It's the new thing!

(Click to view at FULL-SIZE!)

Layout & commentary by me (@JonGorga)
Art by Josiah Sarr (JosiahSarr.blogspot.com; these sketches are here)

Gorga's Thoughts Onze: "GCT Life 6"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 04:44:00 +0000

Finally, the end of "GCT Life":

(Click to view full sized.)

Less sad, but equally serious, fare to come next month.

~@JonGorga

Gorga's Thoughts Dix: "Straw Man Arguing"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:54:00 +0000

Again with the strange comics from this weird guy named Gorga! I make no promises about the quality of this comic. But it has been drawn on a paper straw wrapper. So there's that.

(CLICK on the photo to view full-sized.)

Please don't worry about me. Yes, this is an expression of my sadness at this time but no it is not the end of my life. It's not about any one thing or person. I hope it's all legible. And the art itself is very small. It IS on a paper straw wrapper after all!

~@JonGorga

P.S. ~ Computer trouble and life troubles for me and those around me have left me no way to complete "GCT Life" for the time being. I apologize. When we will all see that final page? Hopefully at the end of January. This straw comic I dashed out while at a comics social event is your consolation prize.

Being Santa is Tough

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 00:12:00 +0000

People say strange things to Santa Claus on the street:

"Don't give her nothin'. She's not been nice!"

"Yo, I heard Santa had a big dick, izat true?"

"Hey, if you're Santa where the ho ho hoes at?"

"I bet YOU'RE the real Santa, what's the name of the reindeer with the shiny red nose?"

"How you doing Santa? I think Santa needs a drink!"

"You're not the REAL Santa!"

"You need to eat some pasta, Santa! You don't look right."

Well that last one depends a lot on the type of Santa, doesn't it?
I need to gain weight to be a physically believable Santa apparently, which is weird because I used to be pretty large before the whole starving artist thing.

And what does Santa come up with to say? "Smart Toys has select toys 25% off! Smart way to make your holiday merrier! Ho ho ho!"

Being Santa Claus is no joke. Capitalism reigns. I wonder if I'll do it again next year...

~@JonGorga

Gorga's Thoughts Neuf: "GCT Life 5"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 04:51:00 +0000

Here we are at the end of November, with the second to last page:

(Click to read the comic in a larger size!)

Next month comes a wrap-up, with some answers and a few more questions.

Just like life.

~ @JonGorga

Gorga's Thoughts Huit: "GCT Life 4"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 03:25:00 +0000

Hello all,

Page number 4:

(Click on the image to read it at a larger size!)

Hope you find it eduta-tional.

~ @JonGorga

Gorga's Thoughts Sept: "GCT Life 3"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 07:13:00 +0000

I spent a lot of time in Grand Central over the past few days hammering this out.
There's really no better place for it, after all.

September's edition:

(Click to read larger!)

Come back in a month for another page!

~ @JonGorga

Gorga's Thoughts Six: "GCT Life 2"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:53:00 +0000

And here, for August, is part two:
(Click to enlarge for reading!)

Hope you find it enlightening/interesting.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to come back next month for the next page!

~ @JonGorga

Gorga's Thoughts Cing: "GCT Life 1"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 03:58:00 +0000

Behind, but with something to look forward to...

(Click to read full-size!)

The comic for July is up and it is just the beginning!

This is to be my first continuing monthly comic. All true. All my point of view.

Check back in a month's time to read the second part.

~ @JonGorga

"Tragedy" & "Comedy"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:58:00 +0000

Two comic-strips for the price of one!

"Tragedy"

(CLICK to view!)

and

"Comedy"

(As always, CLICK to view in full!)

concept by Jon Gorga

pictures and text by Senia Hardwick (http://headachesandworry.blogspot.com)

It tells one story when my hands are straight and another one when crossed! Yeah, this totally makes up for the comic I missed for the month of June. Senia's little Sun and Moon are adorable, aren't they?

I like to think of these as separate comics, but that's really only because when this was ACTUALLY DRAWN ON MY HANDS, you couldn't look at both at once... Remember, there is no sequential art without sequence and there is no sequence of one!

We figured body art comics = Why not?

Gorga's Thoughts Quatre: "No Worries on the 6 Train"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 03:59:00 +0000

Click to view!

Well, I'm a bit behind with this one.

And I tried a whole lot of new things here. Tell me what you think.

Gorga's Thoughts Trois: "Do You Ever Stop to Think About Your Belly Button?"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 03:05:00 +0000

Click to read larger!

This one has been in a tortured... gestation for a really, really long time. (Literally, years.) And well, it was finally time for me to realize that there was nowhere more to take the subject on a single page. Another page in the future however... We shall see.

The Little Things

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 07:04:00 +0000

Last night I was making a subway trip I've made a bajillion times now after 10 months living in New York City: a train on the N, R, W, Q line late night from somewhere downtown-ish to Times Square-42nd St, where I can catch the A line up to my Washington Heights apartment building.

But last night things didn't follow the usual pattern. Something went wrong. Blame comics. I missed my stop. I was far too engrossed in Darwyn Cooke's brilliant "DC: The New Frontier" #6. And that's a comic I have read before in a different format. So that speaks to Mr. Cooke's incredible abilities at storytelling. He had me enraptured... again.

But if I hadn't been forced to get up and above ground and walk back through Times Square to get to the A line, I never would have met these guys:
The California Boys:
Cory and Jared, two artists making it in NYC by offering to draw your caricature for free.

I believe that rhymes.

Anyway, they are quite talented, very friendly, and are literally giving the art away for free! How often do you see that?

They can be found on the Facebooks and tweeting on Twitter.

I try to keep thankful for the little things. Comics distracted and delayed me, but may have led me to fresher pastures of comics-related things. Who knows...

Now if I can only discipline myself into making more comics and doing less writing about comics, I think I'll be on a good track.

Gorga's Thoughts Deux, Valentine's Day edition: "Lucky Stars"

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Gorga) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Click to read at full-size!

If anything gets me creative, it's my love for my girlfriend Clare!

Finally got it up on the site.