An ex-pat Pittsburgher, Rina Ayuyang revisits many chapters of her eventful life through the avenues of memory and  depiction.  There is a special focus on family and work in the pages of this new collection, which also pays a pen-and-ink visit to her old stomping grounds here in Pittsburgh.  Jointly published by Portland publishing powerhouses Sparkplug Comic Books and Tugboat Press, Whirlwind Wonderland assembles the self-selected "best of" Ayuyang's self-published series, Namby Pamby, work that originally appeared in a variety of anthologies, and all new work that appears here for the first time.  This 128 page collection includes an 8 page color section along with 120 pages of black and white art.  Ms. Ayuyang not long ago finally made it back to town in person, and gave a well-received presentation at The ToonSeum, and stopped by our shop as well.  The curious among you may learn more about it here, on her blog.

edited by Joe Kuth Years in the making, this 60-page, horizontally formatted volume contains short pieces by a diverse group of independent comics artists including:  Rina Ayuyang, Jeffrey Brown, Chris Cornwell,  Warren Craghead, Sam Henderson, Alex Holden, Dan Moynihan, and Dan Zettwoch, as well as editor Kuth himself and a number of others.  All pay tribute to the so-imitable Ed Emberly, whose simple how-to-draw books demonstrated how to make the world come alive with a few simple lines.  

GONE!  I doubt we'll ever see this one again, but you never know...

This is the long awaited third volume from Unicorn Mountain, published right here in Pittsburgh, PA.  While lacking the musical component of the first two volumes (in other words: no CD this time around), the comics and illustration work, taken as a whole, is head and shoulders above the first two.  Also worthy of note is the fact that this 228 page volume that includes the work of more than 25 local, national and international creators contains full color work for the first time – including an all-new, six-page story by Theo Ellsworth (his first in full color?).  Limited to a mere 500 copies!  

Blame This on the Boogie is a classic American tale of growing up in a traditional, suburban family and then moving out to go to college and eventually start a family of one's own.    Rina Ayuyang's comics memoir is one of perseverance and fulfillment that will carry readers along with it's vibrantly colorful, and engagingly choreographed account of home and school, wherein we are treated to, among other things:  memorable scenes of the fantasy play channeled through toys and dolls; scenes of Catholic school teachers and students at work and at play; and, especially, the portal provided by television into the glamorous worlds of music, dance and showbiz!  It was these worlds that enchanted – and empowered – the young Rina and were a crucial part of what enabled her to connect with her inner strengths and to find her own rhythm, one through which adversity becomes opportunity, and challenges a chance for song and, especially, dance.

And none other than Jaime Hernandez sez: "A delightful book.  Love how Rina takes on childhood, motherhood and of course, the Solid Gold Dancers.  Yes, and those colors.  Oh, those colors..."