How to Make Comics — the Smash Way!

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Recently Kyle and I visited a couple of classrooms (one of 5th graders, the other middle schoolers) to talk about how we make comics. We put together a pamphlet to hand out so the kids could take them home and have a step-by-step guide to making their own comics. Now we want to share that pamphlet with others, in the hopes that a whole new generation of comic creators will be inspired to start working right away.

Click here to open a printable, downloadable PDF of "How to Make Comics — the Smash Way!"

Smash Cover 500

Teachers, librarians, and instructors: Please feel free to use these in your classrooms, study groups, and what-have-you. If you do, we'd love to hear how it went or see pictures! Email us at smashcomic@gmail.com.

SMASH Goes to School!

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Yesterday, SMASH creators Chris and Kyle Bolton went back to school! To the Oregon Episcopal School, that is, where they gave a presentation on "How to Make Comics — the SMASH Way!" First, Chris gave an overview of six easy steps kids can use to make their own comics. Then Kyle demonstrated how to draw Smash, giving tips and helpful pointers to all the young artists in the room.

They gave one presentation to two 5th grade classes (click here for pics), then another to a dozen middle school students. Even though both creators were a little nervous about talking to that many kids, they had a great time — and the kids were fantastic! Hugely enthusiastic, full of great questions, and head-over-heels for Smash!

Here are some pictures of the middle school session, courtesy of OES Web and Communications Editor Tom Berridge.

Chris and Kyle OES

Chris (left) listens happily to Kyle's drawing advice.

Kyle at Board

Kyle demonstrates how the design of Smash basically boils down to a large circle above a bunch of rectangles. (The artists in the audience were amazed by that!)

Poster Lineup

When the Boltons finished, the lineup to get posters signed began.

Kyle Draws

Librarian Patrick Fuller looks on as Kyle sketches Smash for some eager fans.

Smash Sketch

One young artist takes Kyle's lesson to heart with a great Smash sketch of her own!

HUGE thanks are owed to OES's wonderful librarians: Lara Ingham, Heidi Hackenjos, and Patrick Fuller. (Extra-special thanks to Emily Alkek from Powell's Books for setting up the event!)

SMASH Nominated for Great Graphic Novels for Teens Award!

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We just found out that SMASH: TRIAL BY FIRE has been nominated for a 2014 YALSA* Great Graphic Novels for Teens award! It's quite an honor, especially considering how many very distinguished titles were nominated along with us. Smash Cover Small

* FYI, YALSA stands for Young Adult Library Services Association. In case you were wondering.

"The Intersection of Spider-Man and Calvin & Hobbes!"

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A great review from Richard Dansky at The Sleeping Hedgehog:

SMASH: Trial by Fire sits squarely at the intersection of Spider-Man and Calvin and Hobbes. And this is a good thing....Although specifically targeted at kids, SMASH: Trial By Fire isn’t condescending or simplified. There’s plenty here for adult comics fans...

Smash Flies

Photos: Wordstock and the PNBA Nightcapper Events

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Wow, what a busy weekend! On Sunday, we were at Portland's terrific Wordstock Festival of Words, where we read from Smash: Trial by Fire, answered questions, and signed books. Then we were off to the Nightcapper event for the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association's annual conference, where we signed and handed out copies of Smash to booksellers and librarians from around the region. We were overwhelmed by all of the enthusiastic responses to the book, to say the least!

Bolton Bros Wordstock Kyle and I pose in the iconic Wordstock red chair.

Bolton Bros PNBA At our table at the PNBA Nightcapper event, waiting for the doors to open so we can unleash our powers.

Green Bean Huge thanks to Jennifer and all the folks at Portland's Green Bean Books for providing copies of Smash for sale and for signing at Wordstock!

Kyle Phone Kyle checks his notes before the Wordstock reading.

Bolton Bros Q&A Answering questions after the reading.

Kyle Signs Kyle autographs a copy of Smash at the signing table.

Bolton Bros Pose The Bolton brothers, posing with a young fan.

Smash Girl 1

Smash Girl 2 Girls love Smash, too!

Fill-in Panel I had the unexpected honor of being a fill-in moderator for the Visual Narrator panel, featuring some wonderful comic artists: Gene Luan Yang, Colleen Coover, Shannon Wheeler, Nicole J. Georges, and Mark Russell. It was great meeting them all!

Chris and Stina Sitting with one of our colorists, the amazing Christina Mackin!

Bolton Bros Fight

Bolton Bros Fight 2

Bolton Bros Fight 3 This is how most of our story conferences look. Kyle and I always make sure to respect the other's opinion, hear each other out, and come to a reasonable compromise.

Bolton Bros Make Up And, no matter how tough it gets, we always make up afterward.

Bolton Bros Nightcapper Arriving at the PNBA Nightcapper event.

Bolton Bros PNBA Before Before the event, books piled high.

Bolton Bros PNBA 1 From the minute the doors opened, booksellers showed up to tell us how excited they were for Smash!

Bolton Bros PNBA Line The line started long...

Bolton Bros PNBA Line 2 And got longer...

Bolton Bros PNBA Line 3 And longer...

Bolton Bros PNBA Line 4 And stayed long...

Bolton Bros PNBA After Until we were completely cleaned out!

Smash Fans PNBA Enthusiastic Smash fans!

Smash Wordstock We had a fantastic time at both shows, and can't wait for next year! Thanks for checking out our photos.