The Slacker Asteroid

Website up and running.

2007-04-11T07:36:00.000-07:00

Hello to all,

This is to let you know that my website, robwaltoon.com, is up and running and I'll be doing my business and correspondence through there.

Please visit me there and add the link to your blogs and websites.

Happy days,

Rob

Ragmop Price List... Sort of...

2007-01-24T08:46:00.000-08:00

Hello to all. For those of you who have inquired after the original art in Ragmop I'm still trying to figure out a fair market for my work. That said most pages that don't include dinosaurs or that aren't splash pages will be priced at $100. The dinosaur pages will be slightly higher ($125?) and some splash pages will start around $150 depending on the content. The pinup pages I'm listing for $200. Pages 8-16 (drawn at 11 x 16.6)and page 128 are likewise $200.

As I said this is all tentative as I try to establish a place for my original art in the market and what I feel is a fair return for my labor. I'm open to negotiation especially if you'd like to purchase more than one page. Or you can just jolly well tell me where to go.

Rob Walton

The Comedy Stylings of Grace Walton & Dave Sim

2007-01-22T19:01:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone. Trevor just posted the last of the Ragmop book launch video on YouTube featuring my daughter Grace and Dave Sim (not my daughter) in heated debate over the merits of the Three Stooges. Warning: This video contains scenes of extreme cartoon violence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wchgu1luu-w

Enjoy.

Yet More YouTube Links

2007-01-10T11:33:00.000-08:00

Hey all.

Trevor just posted two more segments from the Ragmop book launch on YouTube. They feature me reading from the book. The second installment features my daughter Grace joining me for a reading from the section where Alice meets Little Miss Universe.

Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rrGaqcqFB8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9v3MlKGqcw

Artwork For Sale Part 2: The New York Con

2007-01-10T10:40:00.000-08:00

Thank you to those of you who have inquired about and/or purchased artwork from both Ragmop and Grendel Tales: The Devil's Hammer. I will be in New York for the Con in February with art to sell as well as the book. For those of you attending please drop by. I'll be sharing a table with an old friend Andrew Pepoy.

In the meantime, if you're interested in my original art, please send me an email at robwaltoon@sympatico.ca. Right now people are getting the pick of the littler, so if there's a special page you'd like to inquire about I'm here. Or, if you'd like to comment on the book itself, you can do that too.

Thank you to all of you for receiving me back so generously.

Happy New Year. Here's to a great 2007.

Rob

Ragmop Art For Sale

2007-01-04T18:33:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's that time of the year when no one has money to spend. What better moment to put the contents of Ragmop up for sale? For prices and page availability please contact me at robwaltoon@sympatico.ca

Prices do vary, of course. Ragmop was done in the stone age method of cut and paste with the lettering on the artboaeds (so you can read the funny bits). Some pages that were reproduced as scans due to missing artboards are obviously not for sale. If anyone knows the whereabouts of the artwork for "Spiked" and "Ragmop Babies" please let me know. If you see this artwork for sale anywhere else (not that there's any great demand for my art) please note that I consider it stolen material.

Happy New Year to one and all.

Rob Walton

Dave and Rob on YouTube

2006-12-10T07:02:00.000-08:00

Hello to all.

For those interested parties, you can catch the mini-interview and comedy stylings of Dave Sim & Rob Walton on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n82pI4SD1E

Ragmop's been out for a couple of weeks now and if you have any comments or queries please feel free to pass them along. You can either post them here or send me an email at robwaltoon@sympatico.ca

In the meantime I wish you well. Happy reading.

BTW if you haven't picked up the Midnighter penned by Warren Ellis, don't hesitate another moment. The first issue was probably the best first issue I've read in years with a real good ol' fashioned kicker of an ending. Issue 2 was out last week. You might as welll pick up Desolation Jones while you're at it. I find the current artist a little difficult to get used to after Williams III but perfectly suitable to the book nonetheless and the writing remains top notch. Don't say I didn't tell you.

Rob

Ragmop Launch a Great Success

2006-12-01T13:36:00.000-08:00

Wow! What a night. What a day. It began with meeting Dave Sim for lunch along with his cartoon sidekick, Chester Brown. Dave wanted to video an artist on the day of his launch, so Trevor was along with camera and mike in hand to record the events of the afternoon. The resulting film will appear on Dave's blog and YouTube sometime next week.

After lunch Trevor and I went off to pick up my daughter Grace --the inspiration for Ragmop's “Little Miss Universe”. We headed downtown to World Salon where Grace had her hair cut and styled by the beautiful and delightful Aki. While in between shampoo and cut I interviewed Grace on camera about being a character in the book and what it was like watching me put the book together over the past two years. She handled the interview like a seasoned professional.

Once coiffed, Grace, I, and Trevor headed to the Victory Cafe for dinner and the launch. Grace changed into a floor length gold gown and I slipped into my tux. As I met and greeted people as they arrived Grace got up on stage for an interview with Dave. When he asked her if she thought the Three Stooges were funny, Grace replied, "What? You think this is funny?" and grabbed Dave's nose with a pair of pliers. You could hear Dave shouting "Moe! Moe!" for blocks.

Presentations got underway around eight with my reading two sections from Ragmop. Then Grace and I read a portion of the book with her character, Little Miss Universe. Also present was Duck-Duck although she shied away from the microphone and preferred I speak in her stead.

All in all it was a great time. I was so proud of Grace who captured everyone's hearts and co-signed the books with me --often putting her name ahead of mine since the crowd generally asked for her signature first. Everyone was very generous and accepting of her contribution to the book and the evening. It made me feel very good to be part of this community. You all gave comics a good name.

Other news is that independent bookstores around Toronto have been enthusiastically welcoming Ragmop on their shelves. If you're around Toronto and can't find Ragmop through the comics outlets, try Pages, Book City, This Ain't the Rosedale Library, and Another Story.

I'd like to thank Chris Butcher, Dave, Chester, Trevor, and everyone who came out to the event for making the return of Ragmop such a special day and night for me and Grace.

Thank you all for welcoming Ragmop back with open arms. Think I better dance now.

Toronto Book Signing

2006-11-28T08:06:00.000-08:00

Hi Kids,
For those of you in the Toronto area who haven't heard, I'll be at the Victory Cafe, 581 Markham St in Toronto (one block west of Bathurst, south of Bloor) on Thursday, November 30th at 7PM to launch the Ragmop TPB! I'll be reading from the book along with my daughter Grace --who inspired the character of Little Miss Universe-- and signing copies of the book. I look forward to meeting you all there.

Rob

RAGMOP HAS LANDED!

2006-11-22T17:00:00.000-08:00

Hokey Smokey, kids! Let the bells ring out and the banners fly! I know it's too good to be true, but I've got a copy of Ragmop in hand! Hot off the press and winging its way to your store next Wednesday. I'm happy to report that the book is everything I hoped it would be and I'm personally thrilled. I'm trusting you will be also. If not, I'm sure I'll be hearing from you malcontents soon! In the meantime, start the countdown. Ragmop is on sale Wednesday November 29. For anyone in the Toronto area please join us at the book launch, Thursday Nov. 30th at 7pm at the Victory Cafe, 581 Markham Street one block west of Bathurst, south of Bloor.

Thank you all for your patience, encouragement, support, and loyalty to the book and myself. I fooloishly promised I'd finish this book. It was a promise I never expected to keep.

Peace!

Rob

Ragmop Ships!

2006-11-17T15:02:00.000-08:00

Knock on wood. I've been told that Ragmop gets bound on Monday November 20th. Diamond gets their copies on the 22nd. That means you could get your copies on sale on the 29th.

Best to all!

Rob

Mignola Cover

2006-11-12T12:56:00.000-08:00

Here's a blast from the past. Currently framed and hanging in my office (re:bedroom) is the cover for Ragmop #4 by Mike Mignola. For those of you who missed it the first time around I thought I'd post Mike's wonderful take on my dinosaurs for all to enjoy. And, yes, I know he draws them better than I do so that's enough of that!

Rob

Ragmop review

2006-11-12T12:53:00.000-08:00

Here's the review of Ragmop posted on Panel to Panel. I encourage any of you who order your books online to visit John's wonderful site. Heck, visit it anyway for great reviews and interviews with a variety of creators and special exclusive deals that only John can offer.

Rob

RAGMOP
Written & Illustrated by Rob Walton
Published by Big Bang, Inc. 2006

Review by Jean-Emmanuel Dubois

It's been a long time since I have read a graphic novel so out of the ordinary, so out there and so refreshing! Three hundred fifty or so pages can seem quite a burden to read if you don't like the material. But with this work of genius, I forgot about the weight of the book and read it in one sitting. Sometimes 23 page comics can be such a bore, but "au contraire," this phonebook sized graphic novel is just a pleasure.

A one of a kind jewel that rose during the mid-90's "black & white glut", RAGMOP, expanded, updated and upgraded, is back with a vengeance for all the lonely people who used to wander like lost souls in search of some succulent food for thought in their local comic shops. RAGMOP brings back a clever and sharp North American style of satire (even though Rob Walton is Canadian) to the century we will all die in (sorry, mates but that's a fact).

I'm a sucker for American-style conspiracy theories and we all know that conspiracy is as American (and Canadian?) as apple pie (what do you expect from a country that sees it's Prez shot in front of live TV just like any vulgar henchman?). Imagine a world where Hanna and Barbera mated with Guy Debord, Derrida, Chomsky and other cool lefties. Yep, before the PC- holier-than-thou-bore that the American Left has become, there was a time where the liberal agenda was more interested by what's happened with the economy and by social issues than to censor "offensive" people. RAGMOP brings back this freedom which is missing so much in contemporary comics (from the spandex guys to the sometime formulaic autobiographical comics) and in modern life (which is as Blur used to sing: rubbish). RAGMOP's art is fluid, bold, bouncy and, oh God almighty, a relief in an industry cursed with clones and the derivative art of clumsy, over-hyped indie comets. The story and the characterization are intelligent without being pretentious, (which even Art Spiegelman's twin tower book never achieved).

Dinosaurs, strange heroines, lobotomy, a giant O-ring, God, angels, and a PoMo Jocker are a few of the colorful character that inhabit the 'Rob Walton-verse'. Once you open up the book you will be hooked. The story? More details about the characters? Do you want me to spoil the party?? Let's say we follow the adventures of a "so-called" female super-villain in a dysfunctional world, which is how the great satirists succeed in holding a magnifying glass up to our crazy global village. Metaphysics (the author has got a masters in theology), politics and comics enhanced with Coolsville art can be fun (again)! If you don't believe me try RAGMOP! Be there or be square!

__________________________________
Jean-Emmanuel Dubois is a pop journalist writing for: Roctober (US), Scram (US), Il Giaguaro (It), The Idler (UK), Nude (UK), Citizen K(France), Standard (France), Keyboard recordings (France), French magazine (France) & so on.... JED working on a book on bubblegum pop & sunshine pop for a french publisher + work on his own album (Beach Boys meets Kraftwerk) with lotsa friends and on his own label: Martyrs of Pop (records, magazine & DVD's)

review © Jean-Emmanuel Dubois. Reprinted with Permission.

Ragmop is Go!

2006-11-11T11:09:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone. Well, the printer says Ragmop will ship out the week of the 20th. That's four weeks late and I appologize for the reality of small press publishing, but at least the book is coming. In the meantime, check out John Rovnak's Panel to Panel website for an interview with myself and a glowing review of Ragmop from French journalist, Jean-Emmanuel Dubois. Mais oui!

http://www.paneltopanel.net/article/view/13689/1/1990/
http://www.paneltopanel.net/article/view/13890/1/1431/

The countdown has begun!

The Usual Delays

2006-10-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

Hey gang. Just thought I'd let whoever's out there reading this know that we've had a slight delay at the printers and Ragmop probably won't ship until around November 8, 2006. So what else is new?

Peace to all

Rob

I can see you through the keyhole!

2006-10-05T19:07:00.000-07:00

Because I'm excited I thought I'd post another couple of pages for you to have a sneak peek at. Enjoy!

Ragmop at the Printers

2006-10-05T18:59:00.000-07:00

Well, folks it's true. All 464 pages of Ragmop is at the printers as I write. They are working to ship the book Oct. 23-25 which could put it on sale as early as Wed. Nov 1 (that is if Diamond is prompt with its distribution). So knock on wood and keep your fingers crossed. The end is Nigh! The book is coming and it's beautiful, thanks to Jon Adams and his design work. So mark it down on your calanders. The wait is over. Who gets the o-ring? Who lives? Who dies? You'll find out soon. Send your laughter out into the universe. God knows we need it.

Peace to all.

Rob

Stuff from the Cutting Room Floor.

2006-09-26T18:21:00.000-07:00

Hey, gang. here's some stuff that got squeezed out of the Ragmop GN. Thought you'd like to have a look.

Order Ragmop online from Panel to Panel!

2006-09-09T07:06:00.000-07:00

Did your poopy retailer not order Ragmop? Fear not! You can order your copy from me old pal John Rovnak at his online store Panel To Panel! I'll be doing an exclusive bookplate deal with him. He makes the plates, I sign em, he puts em in the book, you get it, all for less than cover price! Sounds too good to be true? This is not a dream! This is not an imaginary tale! Go! Go! Go! Order yer copy today! Or tomorrow if your day is already booked.

Follow the white rabbit to: http://www.paneltopanel.net

Cover

2006-09-09T06:53:00.000-07:00

Hey guys and gals (and i do know for a fact that the gals read Ragmop), here's the cover for Ragmop sans color and masthead. My color files are too big to publish, but believe me for a first effort it's pretty good. Enjoy.

Rob

Initial Ragmop sales figures

2006-09-09T06:40:00.000-07:00

Hey group! I got the initial sales figures for Ragmop and they leave me with some work to do. It's not a worst case scenario, but I'm also not giving up my day job as an unemployed storyboard artist either. I feel confident that when you all see the book and the knock-out design work that Jon Adams (Trurth Serum) did on the textual portions it will be something you'll be telling your friends about. BUT, if you were planning on giving generously this Christmas by including Ragmop in a few stockings, then you'd better tell your retailer to re-order because with only 627 copies out there in October I don't expect them to last long. I'm going to do my bit by printing enough to cover possible re-orders and beyond. So if you like the book start the word of mouth. I'll be covering the media and a few alternative distribution markets as well as hitting the convention circuit (not to mention starting the next project or two). With a little help from my friends we can make this tiny acorn of dissent flower into a mighty oak of malcontent. Or something like that. My best to you all. Peace in troubled times.

Rob

Ragmop is Go!

2006-09-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

Hey! To whomever is listening, or reading this... Although my website is no where in sight, Ragmop continues on schedule as the final stages of production wrap up before the book goes to the printer's. we're all very excited. Never at a loss for words, Steve Bissette handed in an eight page introduction to compliment Steve Darnall's Forward. Together with Jon Adam's Afterword they pretty well sum up everything RAGMOP. The book should be on sale the last week of October(if not sooner). Thank you to everyone for raising the level of anticipation for Ragmop's completion. Onwards and outwards.

Ragmop in Diamond Previews

2006-08-12T13:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess it's really going to happen. As I work on the production end of publishing, the solicitation for Ragmop has appeared under Big Bang Inc on page 250 of the current Diamond Previews. Fun, fun, fun. Reality comes home in October. Hope to see you there... In reality, that is.

Hey, Rocky! More pages!

2006-07-27T15:00:00.000-07:00

These pages follow the main story and introduce Brad Walton's fabulous backup, "Adam Smith Against Capitalism!" Enjoy!

2006-07-22T04:19:00.000-07:00

More pages!

2006-07-22T04:15:00.000-07:00

Hey kids! Here's five more pages. Enjoy.

2006-07-22T04:03:00.000-07:00

Website on the way!

2006-07-13T07:25:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone... well at least the three of you... Just wanted to let you know that the Planet Lucy Press Website is on the way and the sooner the better I say! It will include a thirty page "trailer" for Ragmop in the gallery as well as other stuff about my life and art such as it is. Keep your fingers crossed and hope that the techno-geek gods smile upon me. The countdown has begun. Have a great day. Peace and love to all.

2006-07-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm getting the hang of this. Below you'll find some new Ragmop pages actually in order!

2006-07-08T11:20:00.000-07:00

Ragmop pages up at last!

2006-07-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Here's your first glimpse at some new Ragmop pages!

2006-07-08T08:35:00.000-07:00

Is nothing sacred --Again?The Secret is out! The Eisner Award-nominated series “Ragmop” returns in a new Graphic Novel presentation!

2006-07-03T19:51:00.000-07:00

Back in June of 1995 I launched the first issue of “Ragmop,” a no-holds barred science fiction/political satire. Imagine James Bond written by Noam Chomsky and directed by Chuck Jones. Mix in a healthy dose of conspiratorial paranoia and the mad cap antics of the Marx brothers, three time traveling dinosaurs and a race for the ultimate power in the universe and you’ll have a comedy that Wizard Magazine called “Dementedly inspired” and “The best kept secret in comics!”

When the asteroid “Nemesis” threatens to collide with the Earth, America’s secret government hires super-villain wannebe Alice Hawkings to go on a wild quest across the universe in search of the O-Ring, a cosmic device that controls the laws of nature. Suspecting that her nefarious employers want to use the O-ring for more than simply save the earth, Alice resolves to double cross them by returning the O-ring to its rightful owner, none other than the Creator of the Universe itself. How will the insanity resolve itself? You’re about to find out!

Ragmop received two 1997 Eisner Award Nominations for Best Humor Publication and Talent Deserving Wider Recognition. It garnered glowing reviews from almost every industry magazine throughout its run, and a few outside comics as well, including The Seattle Times and The Washington Times.

Far from being a simple reprint of old material, Ragmop has been completely updated with new story and art to reflect the current dynamics of the world we live in. The art has been completely re-mastered, and dialogue has been rewritten throughout to transform the story from a serialized comic into a unified single graphic narrative. Then of course, there’s the matter of the missing ending. The original series was left incomplete. Not so the graphic novel. Like Jack Kirby’s “The Hunger Dogs” the Ragmop graphic novel will wrap up the story in dramatic and hilarious fashion.

By these standards, I regard the Ragmop graphic novel as an original work, and not a reprint. It will be a brand new reading experience for both old and new readers alike.

I am therefore inviting you to preview the first 50 or so pages of Ragmop in order to wet your appetite for the complete and definitive version of the comic Dave Sim exclaimed to be “Funny as Hell!" And believe me, Dave knows Hell!