SMASH Has Super Bowl Fever!
Can you tell which team he's rooting for?
Click on the image for a larger version!
Please Help Stan Sakai!
Aside from the singular achievement of writing and drawing the fantastic comic series Usagi Yojimbo for more than 30 years, Stan Sakai is a truly kind, generous person. But sometimes, for reasons we struggle to understand, terrible things happen to wonderful people. Recently Stan met with some personal tragedies. Money can't solve all problems, but it sure helps with medical bills and financial difficulties in times of crisis. CAPS, the Cartoon Art Professional Society, has set up a donation page to help Stan and is accepting art donations for auction.
Here is Kyle's contribution, a team-up of Smash and Usagi Yojimbo. (Click the image for a larger version.)
If you'd like to help Stan out, please click here to donate. Every little bit counts!
Give the Gift of SMASH!
'Tis the season for hunting down the perfect gift for everyone you know and love. If someone on your shopping list craves adventure, humor, fantasy, and a fast-paced story with unforgettable characters, pick up a copy of SMASH: TRIAL BY FIRE! A Junior Library Guild Selection and 2014 Great Graphic Novels for Teens nominee, SMASH: TRIAL BY FIRE brings every child's superhero fantasy to life with action, humor, and eye-popping artwork.
"Smash is an action-packed crowd-pleaser....Sure to be a draw for superhero fans and reluctant readers alike." — School Library Journal
"Filled with humor, action, and art that makes it a fun ride for everyone." — Good Comics for Kids
"SMASH: Trial by Fire sits squarely at the intersection of Spider-Man and Calvin and Hobbes." — The Sleeping Hedgehog
This holiday season, share the magic — and help Santa delight your loved ones with a gift they'll never forget!
Available at Barnes & Noble stores or your favorite independent bookseller, you can also find SMASH online at Amazon, Indie Bound, and Powells.com.
Kyle Bolton Interview at NW Book Lovers Blog!
The blog NW Book Lovers interviewed Kyle about Smash, his drawing inspirations, and more! And writer Kristianne Huntsberger had some lovely things to say about Smash: Trial by Fire:
Chris' energetic storytelling and Kyle's bright illustrations capture readers in the thrill and confusion of Andrew's new powers and leave us all wondering what will happen to the hero as he tries to grow into them.
Big thanks to Kristianne for taking the time and interest to meet with Kyle!
Click here to read the interview.
Indies First Photos
Kyle and I were honored to participate in Indies First on Small Business Saturday. I appeared at Powell's City of Books in Portland, OR, and Kyle was at two bookstores, Queen Anne Book Company and the University Bookstore, both in Seattle, WA. Here are some pics!
Chris works the info desk at Powell's Books. (With a little help from Smash.)
Kyle gears up outside the Queen Anne Book Company.
Powell's created its own lanyards for the event.
Kyle heads into Queen Anne...
Chris asks a Powell's employee for some tips.
Kyle browses the front display. (Note Smash: Trial by Fire right in front — hooray!!)
A real-life superhero: Powell's kids books expert Gloria Moe poses in Smash goggles!
Kyle is only too happy to autograph a copy for a customer.
Rear view of Chris helping a customer. (Powell's is a HUGE store and it's so easy to get lost in there!)
Kyle moves on to the University Book Store.
Kyle chats with fellow Indies First authors and customers alike.
We both had a great time and are looking forward to next year!
SMASH Supports Small Business Saturday!
Black Friday sales are great, but Small Business Saturday brings crucial attention to companies that need your financial support. Small businesses are the economic heart of any community, and we're thrilled to have a day set aside to promote them. As part of Small Business Saturday, Kyle and I are proud to participate in Indies First, a movement that has more than 300 authors helping to promote independent bookstores.
Either Kyle or I will be at these stores in person, to suggest some of our favorite books to share with loved ones on your gift-giving list:
Drop by and say hello! Click here to read more about Indies First.
And thank you for supporting small businesses and independent booksellers!
How to Make Comics — the Smash Way!
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!"
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!
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 (left) listens happily to Kyle's drawing advice.
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!)
When the Boltons finished, the lineup to get posters signed began.
Librarian Patrick Fuller looks on as Kyle sketches Smash for some eager fans.
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!
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.
* FYI, YALSA stands for Young Adult Library Services Association. In case you were wondering.
Nowhere to Hyde...
Happy Halloweek! We love Halloween so much, we can't contain it to a single day. Here's a little trick (or treat) from SMASH artist Kyle Bolton, who wonders if Dr. Jekyll should perhaps not take a sip from that serum... (Click on the image for a bigger look)
