His father in government custody, Ken is one of the over 100,000 Japanese Americans forced to move to makeshift relocation camps in the tumultuous months after Pearl Harbor. As traditional family bonds fray, and sometimes break, he stumbles toward a state of gaman: enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity.

Nearly four decades later, another boy also begins a new life. A recent arrival to his rapidly developing suburb, Kyle assumes the role of daredevil and thief, always willing to take a risk too far. But when his exploits land him in jail, it’s clear that risks have consequences and debts must be paid.

Exploring the intersection of individuals and history TAKE WHAT YOU CAN CARRY is filled with evocative imagery that brings to life a story of unlikely ties across generations.

(PREORDER on Amazon)

While there is lots to see on this site, it won’t let me post images or links anymore. While I try to fix the problem, you can keep up with the latest at http://www.boatfire.blogspot.com (paste url into browser)

or you can click on the “Illustration” category in the above menu and follow the link.

Thanks…

UPDATE: The problem seems to have resolved itself (after YEARS of not working) but you’ll still see more recent material on the “boatfire” site. (Click Here)

I’m always amazed how the binding process transforms the work. This won’t hit the stores until September but copies are going out to reviewers soon.

I’m 65 pages into the thumbnails (if your thumb is 7 x10.5 inches)
on the next book. Here’s a little character sketch.

Here’s the final, final cover:

And here the back cover text:

Expelled into the hot, empty streets, fifteen-year-old Kit takes to feeding the stray cats that haunt the forgotten and unseen spaces of his town. There he also meets Jess, a manga-loving punk stuck with heavy-metal headbangers. But the pack can only hold for so long once she creates Katman, a ferocious shape-shifting stand-in for Kit’s quiet version of heroism. Not that he thinks of himself as a hero. After all, heroes don’t typically lie, steal, and hang out with crazy people.

Exploring themes of abandonment, reluctant responsibility, and the transformative power of art, KATMAN tells the story of two people forced to make a choice: Is it cooler to care about something, someone, or nothing at all?

And, finally, a preview (click on image to see larger):

“Teaching with the Real Cost of Prisons Comix has been one of the most meaningful experiences I have had as an educator. I absolutely recommend this book…” (Here)
“The illustrations, all in stark black and white, are paired beautifully with the text.” (Here)
“As a book, it is beautiful and genuinely entertaining in its own right, the veritable launching pad of a new artistic/political press. As an organizing tool, it is perhaps a great deal more.” (And here)

Here’s a nifty show I’m in. 51 artists, each addressing, in an 8 x 8 ft. space, the idea of the Labyrinth as a metaphor for our confusing, complex national/global situation. It’s at Exit art at 36th and 10th ave. and opens Sunday the 14th (3-9pm) but the public can drop in an see the artists at work. here’s some pics:

My old friend (and shadow editor) Scott Cunningham has launched a hilarious, “kid-friendly,” webcomic. Check it out (here.)

The Real Cost of Prison Comix series I did an issue of (Prison Town) has been collected into one highly informative, perfect bound, collection by PM press. It also has comics by fellow WW3 contributors/editors Sabrina Jones and Susan Willmarth, who also did the cover. You can check it out (here.)

I’m incredibly honored to have BLINDSPOT included in Houghton Mifflin’s latest collection. This year was edited by Lynda Barry, which makes the honor especially sweet as I’ve loved her work forever. It’s out now and I’m anxiously awaiting my own copy. Order your’s now!