Stories tagged CCS Alum

Critically New Book: Acclaimed Horror Graphic Novel TENDER by 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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NEW BOOK: A FOR EFFORT by Jarad Greene ‘17

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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You can now pre-order THE ART OF CRYING by Pepita Sandwich ’19

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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Safer Places by Kit Anderson ’22 is up on Kickstarter

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. Safer Spaces is coming out March 26, 2024. You can find out more and back this project over on Kickstarter.

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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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Sasha Velour ‘13 Designed Pride Cover of The New Yorker

Happy Pride! Our very own Sasha Velour ‘13 designed the 6/12/23 New Yorker cover, “The Look of Pride.”

Sasha spoke with The New Yorker’s art editor, Françoise Mouly, about the power of drag: “Queer expression, including drag, is the ultimate proof that a person can decide for themselves how to dress, dance, act, and live . . . and still find success, or a life worth living. Drag shows us that we don’t need to be afraid of who we are . . . and, if anything, we should exaggerate our quirks!”

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Two Center for Cartoon Studies Graduates Nominated for Eisner Awards

We are honored and excited to announce that two of our The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) grads and current faculty, Robyn Smith ’17 and Tillie Walden ’16, have been nominated for the prestigious Eisner Award! Both are in the running for “The Best Publication for Teens  (ages 13-17).”

Robyn Smith ’17 for WASH DAY DIARIES (Chronicle Books) with writer Jamila Rowser. Robyn is a 2017 graduate of CCS, was a fellow from 2021-22, and is a member of our faculty. 

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HIDDEN SYSTEMS by Dan Nott ‘18 IS OUT MARCH 14

HIDDEN SYSTEMS by Dan Nott '18! HIDDEN SYSTEMS was Dan’s thesis project at The Center for Cartoon Studies! Random House Graphic is publishing the book in March 2023. Read this CCS Student Spotlight on Dan Nott '16 to see how this project came to be.

A graphic novel thesis project published by Random House Graphic.

HIDDEN SYSTEMS was Dan Nott’s ‘16 thesis project at The Center for Cartoon Studies! Random House Graphic is publishing the book in March 2023.

“The true power of comics is on display here, with complex, difficult-to-comprehend structures presented both through a variety of metaphors and by placing those metaphors in context with simplified renditions of their real physical appearance.” —Booklist 

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The Center for Cartoon Studies Has Big Showing in LA Times Book Prize Finalists

Three Cartoon Studies fellows have been nominated for the prestigious Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Graphic Novel/Comic of the year! They include:

Robyn Smith ’17 for WASH DAY DIARIES (Robyn Smith/Jamila Rowser). Robyn got her MFA at CCS, was a fellow from 2021-22, and is a member of our faculty.

Tommi Parrish for MEN I TRUST. Tommi was a CCS fellow from 2020-21.

Noah Van Sciver for JOSEPH SMITH AND THE MORMONS. Noah was a CCS fellow from 2015-16.

Shoutout to Jamila Rowser, who wrote WASH DAY DIARIES, she was recently a CCS visiting artist.

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Tillie Walden To Be Appointed Vermont’s Fifth Cartoonist Laureate


MONTPELIER, VT—Norwich resident Tillie Walden will be appointed Vermont’s fifth Cartoonist Laureate on Thursday, April 13, 2023, when she will be recognized on the Vermont Statehouse floor.

Walden is one of the most celebrated and accomplished cartoonists working today. She won the 2018 Eisner Award for Best Reality-Based Work for her graphic novel memoir “Spinning,” making her at 22 one of the youngest Eisner Award winners ever.

Beautifully crafted and charged with emotion, Walden’s work is celebrated for its intimate and authentic portrayal of adolescence that often explores queer themes. Entertainment Weekly named her as one of “the most essential graphic novelists of her generation.”

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