Home > Letters to CR

Brandon Huigens About Jeffrey Brown In Phoenix 11-07-07 (PR)
posted October 31, 2007
 

Phoenix New Times 2007 Best Comic Book Store award-winner Samurai Comics continues to vault comic book culture to the literary forefront in Arizona, bringing Ignatz award-winning cartoonist Jeffrey Brown to Phoenix. On Wednesday, November 7, 2007 from 7 to 9pm, Brown will appear at Samurai Comics' 7th Street location, where fans can enjoy a free screening of Drawing Between the Lines, a 19-minute documentary about the young man's already staggering body of comics work. After the screening, Brown will be answering questions about the film and will be available to meet-and-greet with readers as well as signing copies of his work. Samurai Comics always provides the largest available stock of Brown’s comic books and graphic novels in the state.

Jeffrey Brown is the acclaimed Chicago cartoonist behind nearly a dozen independent graphic novels. His first book Clumsy was featured on NPR's This American Life, is in its 5th printing and has been translated into French, Spanish and Finnish. His comics have appeared in magazines, newspapers and anthologies all over the world, and in 2006 he directed an animated music video for Death Cab For Cutie's Grammy animated album 'Plans.'

Additionally appearing for a Q&A with Brown will be director and filmmaker Bruce Parsons, creator of the documentary about Brown's burgeoning career and successes.

The film, Drawing Between the Lines, is a short documentary examining the autobiographical world of Chicago cartoonist Jeffrey Brown. Whether sitting in his apartment, riding the L-train, or traveling the country promoting his work, Brown spends his time filling the pages of his sketchbooks. His graphic novels provide a humorous, yet intensely personal look at love, sex and relationships. Drawing Between the Lines explores Brown's candid approach to storytelling and unconventional method of cartooning and provides insight from friends, fans and fellow cartoonists.

As for those fellow cartoonists, they hold the 32-year-old in extremely high esteem, just as his gigantic following of readers do. Here's what Brown's peers have to say about his work:

"...I think Jeff Brown's cartoons are really great. He gets closer to the feeling of real experience better than most cartoonists, yet he works in a very unaffected, diary-like style... In fact, his work is at its best when it's not drawn at all, when you can actually feel him trying to just find the figures on the page; he's not trying to be fancy or anything," says Chris Ware.

Regarding Brown's first published work, James Kochalka says: "Clumsy is the story of a new relationship and is stunning in it's realism and honesty. The frailty of the drawn line perfectly matches the human frailty portrayed within the story. It's just so damn human. This is my favourite graphic novel ever. Even if Jeffrey Brown never draws another line again, he has already won a permanent place in my heart. Still, I want more."

In celebration of the event, Samurai Comics' Brandon Huigens, a cartoonist inspired to begin making comics after reading Clumsy five years ago, is putting together an exhibition of local autobiographic comic book art. The show will feature original work from, among others, Phoenix-based cartoonists Brad Dwyer, Jeffrey Owens, David Bessent, and Huigens himself. The exhibition will be displayed at both Samurai Comics and the neighboring 70's Shop and Hookah Lounge, a novelty and specialty store. Art will be displayed throughout November, with much of it being made available for purchase.

"Autobiographical comics, as a form of artistic communication, are the most clear relation of vision between creator and audience," says Huigens. "There's no other media available - television, movies, music, or even fictional comics - that present such unconstrained clarity and clear personal expression. This event is a tremendous opportunity to create awareness in our community about comics and the amazing people creating them, both on a national level and here in Phoenix."

Samurai Comics, a Best of Phoenix award-winning retailer, is dedicated to encouraging awareness and understanding of comic books as a medium of socially relevant literature and art. Since its' inception five years ago, Samurai Comics has brought top-notch comic book creators to Phoenix, such as James Kochalka, Craig Thompson, Scott McCloud, Ben Templesmith, Jim Mahfood, and Scott Morse - many of whom have never appeared in Arizona otherwise. Samurai Comics is proud to host this extraordinary, one-time special event.