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‘Reed Gunther’ Literally Defines All-Ages Comics in Clever Press Release

Perhaps taking a cue from our own Laura Hudson, who frequently gives creators advice on how to get press attention when she speaks on the Indie Comics Marketing Panel at conventions around the U.S., the creators of acclaimed Image Comics series Reed Gunther have made themselves heard by creating aninnovative press release that is too clever to be ignored. Brothers Shane and Chris Houghton make an unassailable appeal to readers and retailers to consider all-ages comics in their proper context — comics made for all ages, not just children. 

Created by brothers Shane Houghton and Chris Houghton, Reed Gunther depicts the exploits of the lovably inept cowboy adventurer Reed Gunther and his curiously bright and typically frustrated grizzly bear, Sterling. The series is absolutely kid-friendly, but, as the label implies, suitable for all-ages. The story depicted in the cool comic-as-press-release suggests that some retailers and readers have confused “all-ages” for “kiddie stuff,” and Reed himself offers some helpful suggestions on how to correct the situation.

Reed Gunther is a favorite of many comics creators, including Usagi Yojimbo’s Stan Sakai, outgoing B.P.R.D. artist Guy Davis and Fraggle Rock and Our Love is Real writer Sam Humphries. Three issues are on sale now from Image, and you can check out a preview right here.

We’re getting some phenomenal love for our REED GUNTHER press release comic! Thanks everyone!

I said this on Twitter, and I’ll say it again: all press releases should look this way. Oh, and if you haven’t read Reed Gunther yet, what are you waiting for? Hop to it!

We are two weeks away from the opening of our show, and things are really coming together. There are lots of new paintings about happy things, and of course paintings utilizing the sarcastic humor the three of us are prone to use. This is the press release just in case you are looking for some more information about the show.

“Happy Serum” Art exhibition by Heather Hansma, Kill Taupe, and Crystal Mielcarek

June 3 - 25, 2011
Opening Reception: Friday, June 3, 6:00 – 10pm

Starkweather Arts Center
219 N. Main Street
Romeo, MI 48065
586-752-5700
www.starkweatherarts.com

Detroit has been getting a lot of attention lately: ruin porn, Eminem’s love letter to our hardworking people, and a love/hate relationship with the idea of a Robocop statue. These images of the city aren’t necessarily inaccurate, but they are definitely not the whole picture. There is one key aspect of the folks around here that isn’t shown very often and that is happiness. Three artists from different areas around Detroit see plenty of things to be happy about, and they want to give everyone a dose of Happy Serum.

Happy Serum is a collection of new art by pop surrealists Crystal Mielcarek, Kill Taupe, and Heather Hansma at Starkweather Arts Center in Romeo, MI. Heather Hansma’s colorful and humorous artwork usually features her signature Puff Bun characters paying homage to entertainment and pop culture, but this show will also include some of her portrait work. Kill Taupe is a geeky painter and illustrator of strange rabbits, cannibal cupcakes, forlorn Slurpee chugging bears, robots that bake, angry vegetables and other critters and riff-raff. Crystal Mielcarek’s art tends to reflect an odd balance in life with her super cute brightly colored characters combined with a dark, almost cynical look on life.

Starkweather Arts Center is a non-profit art gallery located in historic downtown Romeo, located north of Detroit, MI. It is located in the former home of Helen Starkweather, an art teacher who donated her home and studio to be used as an art and cultural center after she died in 1987. It is the goal of the SAC to foster and promote artistic excellence not only in Romeo, but in all the surrounding communities. The two story building has gallery space on each level, both of which will be used in showcasing the art of Happy Serum.

In an attempt to bribe all of Metro Detroit to make the commute out to Kid Rock’s hometown, we will be offering food and drink to the intrepid folks who make it out to the opening. Yorokobi, Romeo’s new sushi bar, will be providing sushi. There will be the traditional offering of wine that you usually find at gallery openings, but also beer because that’s how we lowbrow folks roll.

“A Bun A Day” Solo Exhibition by Heather Hansma

August 13 – September 10, 2010
Reception: Friday, August 13, 7:00 – 10pm

Five15
515 S Washington
Royal Oak, MI 48067
248-515-2551
www.five15.net

For the second year in a row Five15 will be hosting a solo exhibition from Metro Detroit lowbrow artist Heather Hansma. Last October she presented her collection “Bunderland.” This year’s show will also be centered around her “Puff Bun” characters, a sort of egg-shaped rabbit creature with minimal features. The show’s title, “A Bun A Day,” is a takeoff on the proverb “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

The Puff Buns are generally participating in some form or pop culture parody, and this show is no different. Painted, buntastic depictions of old-school PC game SkiFree, Paczki Day in Detroit, and even Yeshua of Nazareth are all par for the course.

Five15 Media Mojo and More is an independent coffee and gift shop that prides itself on featuring counterculture art, products, and events. An opening reception for “A Bun A Day” will take place 7:00 – 10:00pm on Friday, August 13, 2010. For more information please contact the artist at heather@hansmaillustration.com.

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