My Comics Reading List: THE HIGH DESERT

43. THE HIGH DESERT by James Spooner (Libby app)

I just finished reading THE HIGH DESERT by James Spooner. I was a little wary when I started, as on the surface it seems like another well-intentioned poorly-executed graphic memoir. Nothing could be further from the truth. Art and story come together perfectly for this intense narrative. 

The author as a teenage punk, making his way through a year in the California high desert and high school. 

He, thankfully, never falls back on cliche or melodrama. He portrays himself as a real person throughout. I came to empathize with all the characters throughout the story, although not necessarily like them.

Another layer is the soundtrack, with song lyrics accentuating most scenes. Love this music, but even more so Spooner's historical grounding of the music.

I recommend this to all the punks out there, and anyone who had some rough teenage years.

Watching Comics: CXC Festival

 Looking through the videos of the Cartoons Crossroads Columbus, it seemed like a good opportunity to celebrate Black History Month. Many African-American artists have been involved in the festival's programming the last few years. 

Let's start with Ronald Wimberly who is in several videos...

Ronald Wimberly interviewed by CM Campbell at the 2021 CXC.

Inside the LAAB 2021 with Ronald Wimberly, Tanna Tucker, and Josh O'Neill (co-founder of Beehive Books, publisher of the LAAB newspaper).

Creating Kinetic Comics a panel with Ronald Wimberly and Bryan Moss from 2022.

CM Campbell moderates the 2022 Re-ignition: The  Craft of Rebellion panel with Ronald Wimberly and James Spooner (THE HIGH DESERT).

The CXC YouTube channel also has quite a few panels spotlighting African-American newspaper cartoonists:

K CHRONICLES and Woke Hulu show creator Keith Knight. 2022

Where I'm Coming From creator Barbara Brandon-Croft. 2022

Six Chix contributing cartoonist Bianca Xunise reads from her work and talks about life and comics. A really amazing talent and personality. 2021

I enjoyed this 2022 Newspaper Comics Roundtable discussion between African-American cartoonists Steenz (Heart of the City) and Barbara Brandon-Croft, as well as the very funny Peter Gallagher (Heathcliff) and Jim Keefe.

Finally, a great 2021 conversation with Jamila Rowser and Robyn Smith, authors of the recently released Wash Day Diaries.

Further Reading:

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