Press Releases & Images

“Best of the New: Idea” — The Boston Globe

CCS Graphic Novel Series make Booklist Top 10!

“Creative Economy exemplified” – The Rutland Herald

Welcome to The Center for Cartoon Studies media web site. This page contains CCS press releases, logos, images, and contact information for media representatives. Please contact us for approval and use of our logo and copyright images: media@cartoonstudies.org

See CCS front page of this site for articles, accolades, and stories about us.

Art & Courage: A Guide to Sustaining a Creative Path

The Applied Cartooning Lab is pleased to announce its newest graphic guide, Art & Courage: A Guide to Sustaining a Creative Path. The comic book is based on Art & Fear, Observations On the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland. Since its release in 1993, that book has become an underground classic helping artists across various disciplines persevere through uncertainty and self-doubt.

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ALUM COCO FOX’19 PUBLISHES DEBUT GRAPHIC NOVEL WITH HARPERALLEY

The debut graphic novel by Coco Fox ‘19, LET’S GO, COCO!, hits bookshelves on 8/13 with HarperAlley!

“This is the book I wish I could have read when I was in sixth grade. It would have made me laugh while also making me feel less alone,” said Coco Fox ‘19. “LET’S GO, COCO! is a middle grade graphic novel that shows how making new friends and being yourself is a clumsy, silly, scary and fun experience. It felt cathartic to revisit that time and felt a little bit like I was whispering to that sixth-grade me, ‘Psst, you’re going to be OK. You’re confused, but so is everyone else… also, when you get older, you’ll get to draw as much as you want to.’”

LET’S GO, COCO has received great reviews:

“In this semi-autobiographical debut, Fox combines middle school angst with giggle-inducing humor to deliver a wholesome graphic novel romp.”

—Publishers Weekly  

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Alum Luke Healy’s Hilarious New Book: Self-Esteem and the End of the World

Self-Esteem and the End of the World

Self-Esteem and the End of the World (such an excellent title) may be described as autofiction. But the word “cartoon” is key here, because while regular autofiction is rarely funny – more often, it’s the polar opposite – Healy’s book is hilarious.” The Guardian

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New release: WOE, A Housecat’s Story of Despair by alum Lucy Knisley ‘09

Congratulations to Lucy Knisley ’09 on the release of what Kirkus Reviews calls an “an amusing, heartfelt, and bittersweet read that will resonate deeply with pet lovers”! 

“WOE is a beautiful tribute….will be enjoyed by not only cat enthusiasts but also by ­readers who enjoy memoir comics with a bit of humor.” —School Library Journal

Cat lovers and fans of the hilarious Linney the Cat webcomic will be especially happy to hear that WOE: A Housecat’s Story of Despair releases 7/2 by Random House Graphic. You can pre-oder the comic collection now!

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A NEW GRAPHIC BIOGRAPHY OF WORLD-RENOWNED ARTIST RUTH ASAWA by alum Sam Nakahira ‘21

The much-awaited graphic biography of world-renowned artist Ruth Asawa by Sam Nakahira ‘21 who was bestowed the privilege of documenting and sharing the life of such an amazing human being. RUTH ASAWA: AN ARTIST TAKES SHAPE released on March 20 by Getty Publications and ABRAMS Kids!  

“This graphic biography by Sam Nakahira, developed in consultation with Asawa’s younger daughter, Addie Lanier, chronicles the genesis of Asawa as an artist—from the horror of Pearl Harbor to her transformative education at Black Mountain College to building her life in San Francisco, where she would further develop and refine her groundbreaking sculpture.” —Getty Publications

“Nakahira chronicles the young adult years of acclaimed Japanese American artist Ruth Asawa (1926–2013) in this illuminating graphic novel debut.” —Publishers Weekly 

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Congratulations to the CCS 2024 Eisner Award Nominations

San Diego Comic-Con announced the nominees for the 2024 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, honoring works published in 2023. Congratulations to CCS faculty, alum, and fellow nominees:

BEST WRITER/ARTIST
Tillie Walden ‘16, Clementine Book Two (Image Skybound)

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CCS at Graphic Medicine Conference in Ireland

The Center for Cartoon Studies is heading to Ireland for the annual Graphic Medicine Conference. CCS president and co-founder, Michelle Ollie, along with several alumni and CCS fellows will be participating in the traveling conference. 

Cartoonist and comics librarian Natalie Norris ‘20 will discuss “Harnessing the Transformational Magic of Graphic Memoir to Process Trauma.” J.D. Lunt ‘16 will present, “Comics, Oral History, and Sharing the Magic of St. Dorothy’s Rest, the Oldest No Cost Health Camp in California.” Michelle Ollie will lead a design talk, “Using Design to Improve Accessibility.”

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TENDER, A new psychological thriller Graphic Novel by alum Beth Hetland ‘11

“An incredibly paced horror story that’s equal parts sardonic, gruesome, and tender. A Jeanne Dielman for the Instagram generation.” —Katie Skelly

“Chicago cartoonist and educator Beth Hetland’s graphic novel debut is a brilliant psychological thriller that tears down the wall of a genre — body horror — so often identified with male creators. Heady and visceral, Tender uses horrific tropes to confront women’s societal expectations of self-sacrifice despite those traditional roles often coming at the expense of female sexuality and empowerment.” —Fantagraphics

Congratulations to Beth Hetland ‘11 on the release of her graphic psychological thriller debut, TENDER, by Fantagraphics!

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Announcing the winners of the 2024 CARTOONIST STUDIO PRIZE

The twelfth annual Cartoonist Studio Prize is presented by The Center for Cartoon Studies and The Beat. Each year, the Cartoonist Studio Prize is awarded to work that exemplifies excellence in cartooning. The creators of two exceptional comics for this year will be awarded $1,000 each. The winners were selected by The Beat and The Schulz Library staff at The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS).

The winner in the Best Long-Form Comic category is The Great Beyond by Léa Murawiec by Léa Murawiec. The Great Beyond was translated by Aleshia Jensen and published by Drawn and Quarterly in October 2023.

The winner in the Best Short-Form Comic category is 10-10 to the Wind by Cole Degenstein by Cole Degenstein. 10-10 to the Wind was published in September 2023 by Fieldmouse Press.

Congratulations to both winners of the 2024 Cartoonist Studio Prize! Learn more about the winning selections over at The Beat.


Announcing the shortlist for the 2024 CARTOONIST STUDIO PRIZE AWARD

Each year, the Cartoonist Studio Prize will be awarded to work that exemplifies excellence in cartooning. The creators of two exceptional comics for this year will be awarded $1,000 each. The winners will be selected by The Beat and The Schulz Library staff at The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS).

This year, there are thirteen nominees in each the “long-form” category and the “short-form” category.

The nominees for Best Long-Form Comic are:

  • Anais Nin: A Sea of Lies by Léonie Bischoff
  • The Chromatic Fantasy by H.A.
  • The Cliff by Manon Debaye
  • Cuckoo by Joe Sparrow
  • Eden II by K. Wroten
  • Eric’s Sister by Kaitlin Chan
  • The Great Beyond by Léa Murawiec
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2024 Thesis Exhibition

Congratulations to the Class of 2024! An exhibit featuring work by the graduating class is on display at the CCS Gallery. The gallery is located at 94 South Main Street, in downtown White River Junction, in the Colodny building. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 12 noon to 4 pm. The Thesis Exhibition will be on display and open to the public from May 8th to May 31st.

The Commencement Speaker for the class of 2024 is Ngozi Ukazu. Ngozi is a New York Times-bestselling cartoonist, a DC Comics artist, and the creator of the award-winning graphic novel Check, Please!, BUNT, and has a forthcoming graphic novel FLIP. Check, Please! began as a popular webcomic, noted as the highest funded project in Kickstarters history. The series won numerous awards including the Reuben and the William Morris Award. Check Please has also been translated into multiple languages. Since 2020 her cartoons have also appeared in The New Yorker. She graduated from Yale University with a degree in Computing and The Arts, and later received a master’s in sequential arts and comics.  Commencement will be held on Monday, May 6th, at 12 noon at Northern Stage’s The Barrette Center for the Arts in White River Junction.


A For Effort is the latest graphic novel by alum Jarad Greene ’17, a compelling depiction of teenage uncertainty, vulnerability, and encouraging school drama

A FOR EFFORT, the second semi-autobiographical graphic novel by Jarad Greene ‘17.

“A for Effort’s refreshingly witty and honest story is a heartfelt exploration of how it’s not always the outcome but the journey itself that truly matters.”  -HarperCollins

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BIPOC Summer 2024 Workshop Scholarships

These merit-based scholarships are to support the professional development for BIPOC* cartoonists. CCS is offering 1 full scholarship for each of its summer cartooning workshops! A $300 stipend is also included (for in-person workshops only), to help defray the costs of travel and lodging.

Deadline to apply is March 21, 2024.

Our workshops are for both beginners and advanced artists and cover topics from tools and techniques to writing and drawing for both comics and graphic novels!

To see the complete list of summer workshops and for scholarship information, visit cartoonstudies.org/workshops


2024 Cornish CCS Residency Fellowship Announced

Applications are now open for the 2024 Cornish CCS Residency Fellowship, which will take place October 22- November 22, 2024. The Deadline to apply is April 1, 2024. This month-long residency provides housing, a studio space, access to all CCS facilities, and a living stipend.

The Cornish CCS Residency is designed to create a focused and inspiring environment for cartoonists in order to create exceptional work. Cornish is located 16 miles from The Center for Cartoon Studies (VT) in rural New Hampshire. For a complete description of the fellowship, application requirements, and eligibility, visit: cartoonstudies.org/cornishfellowship


Non-Fiction Comics Festival

November 18, 11am – 6pm
Fletcher Free Library Burlington, Vermont

The second annual Non-Fiction Comics Festival (NFCF) features panel discussions, workshops, and exhibiting cartoonists creating non-fiction and autobiographical work. From science to politics, history to health care, cartooning has exploded as a legitimate medium for exploring non-fiction topics and the textures of lived experience.

Special Guests include Vermont Cartoonist Laureate Tillie Walden ’16, Keith Knight of the K Chronicles, Janet Biehl, CCS faculty and alum Stephen R. Bissette, James Sturm, Jarad Greene ’17, Jason Lutes, Natalie Norris ’20, Dan Nott ’18, and Robyn Smith ’17, as well as Matt Bors, Rachel Lindsay, and Bill Tulp. Plus a keynote Presentation Hey Kids, Vermonters in the Comics! A Conversation with Stephen R. Bissette and Rick Veitch!

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