Stories tagged CCS Alum

Alum EMMA HUNSINGER ‘20 releases new graphic novel, HOW IT ALL ENDS

Cover of book featuring a cartoon drawing, girl at a school desk, dreaming.

Congratulations to Emma Hunsinger ‘20 on her debut graphic novel, HOW IT ALL ENDS by HarperCollins/Greenwillow Books. After working on it for three years, it releases 8/6 wherever books are sold! You can pre-order it now!

HOW IT ALL ENDS has received many starred reviews. Including: 

“Hunsinger’s distinctive style. . . is reminiscent of doodles in the margins of student notebooks and perfectly suits the subject matter. . . . Tara’s voice rings true, and readers will find much to relate to in her various social and emotional struggles. Frequent moments of humor create a lighthearted tone despite Tara’s overall angst. . . . A slice of life that’s as imaginative as its protagonist.” —Kirkus Reviews 

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Kori Michele Handwerker ’19 to debut Tiny Book Science at SPX

TINY BOOK SCIENCE by faculty and alum Kori Michele Handwerker ’19 will debut at this year’s Small Press Expo (SPX) in Bethesda, MD, the premier event for graphic novels, comics and cartooning. The self-published zine workbook was inspired by Kori’s years of making and teaching about zines. Kori’s passion for zines can be seen throughout the 60-page educational publication, which they designed and drew entirely. TINY BOOK SCIENCE features a library of handouts and lessons for zine-makers and other educators to teach about zines and how to make them. A digital copy is also available.

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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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New Anthology: Universal Flaws of Robotics

Universal Flaws of Robotics is a comics anthology collecting 19 stories all about automata. Our amazing team of creators have spun electric dreams of romance, adventure, horror, humor, and more. Dive in, and discover that no two robots are built quite the same.

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Alum Pepita Sandwich ’19 explores the superpower of crying in her latest book The Art of Crying: The Healing Power of Tears

Exciting news! You can now pre-order THE ART OF CRYING by CCS alum, visual artist, and educator, Pepita Sandwich ‘19, and Hatchette Books. 

“A book that I’ve been researching and working on for the past 3 years… I’m already crying tears of joy.”

The brilliantly researched and illustrated book officially hits bookstores on April 30, 2024. More from Hachette Books: “In The Art of Crying, Pepita Sandwich makes the case that crying is humanity’s most misunderstood and magical special effect. We are the only animals who shed tears as a result of the emotions we feel. But crying is not our weakness: it’s our superpower. Our tears are a path to growth and healing that leads to deeper and more fulfilling experiences.” 

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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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Alum Kit Anderson’s ’22 graphic novel SAFER SPACES explores the secrets and magic typically unseen in everyday life

Book cover for: Safer Spaces by Kit Anderson '22

Safer Spaces is a 208-page new collection of stories about isolation, memory, liminal spaces, and small magic from up-and-coming author Kit Anderson with Avery Hill Publishing. From road trips to doctors’ offices to the mysterious spaces under the house, Kit Anderson’s short stories explore the secrets and magic typically unseen in everyday life. A walk through the forest, a family move, a day in a normal life – Anderson’s depictions of these ordinary moments transform them with a double-take, revealing the strangeness, surreality, and transformation within. Order a copy!

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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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Natalie Norris ‘20 Publishes Debut Graphic Memoir, DEAR MINI

Congratulations to Natalie Norris ‘20 for the release of her debut graphic memoir, DEAR MINI, out now via Fantagraphics! DEAR MINI began as Natalie’s thesis project while at CCS. The second and final volume of the graphic memoir will be printed in 2025.

“I first connected with Eric [at Fantagraphics] back in 2019 when I sent him some minicomics for The Center for Cartoon Studies’ Industry Day. He liked my early work so when I finished my thesis I sent him a physical copy to see if it would be something he’d be interested in. And luckily he was!” said Natalie.

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CCS wants your old comics! These comics and many more were donated to support CCS's BIPOC Cartoonist Fund. If you're interested in making a comic book or cash donation drop us a line. 

FREE COMICS

CARTOONING IN AN ANXIOUS AGE

Cartooning In An Anxious Age (pdf) is a free comic by Cara Bean on the act of drawing, which focuses your attention and intimately connects you with the generative act of creation. It’s an inspiring read.

Let's Talk About It: A Graphic Guide to Mental Health

Let's Talk About It: A Graphic Guide to Mental Health

Created for middle and high school students, Let’s Talk About It: A Graphic Guide To Mental Health is a lively and educational comic book that destigmatizes the conversation around mental health.

A 32-page comic on how our government works

This Is What Democracy Looks Like comic cover

Using the power of comics to teach teens about the way our government works This Is What Democracy Looks Like, A Graphic Guide To Governance is a 32-page comic book created by The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS). This short comic guide helps to bring democracy back to the hands of the people by explaining what democracy actually means and how the whole thing works. This guide will be a great jumping-off point to learn about our government.

THE APPLIED CARTOONING MANIFESTO

Download a free copy of The World is Made of Cheese, The Applied Cartooning Manifesto.

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