Look what I found in the vault. Blader Mike Martinho circa 2006.
So I just finished my first major comics interview for BRAINFREEZE.de the largest Dutch-language comics news site. They caught wind of GIRL&BOY last week, took it upon themselves to give me this very flattering review of the comic, then they came at me for a look into my inspirations for GIRL&BOY and a little of my history and process.
The site itself is in Dutch but because I don’t speak Dutch (and I’m guessing you guys reading this don’t either) they did me the honour of including the English version too, so everybody can get down.
Huge thanks to Yann De Troyer @ BRAINFREEZE.de
If you enjoyed GIRL&BOY and you want to get more people involved you could do worse than send this interview to them. LINK
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So here’s where I’m at…
There’s been this mad rush of attention for GIRL&BOY and that’s amazing. I’ve had comics flying out to various countries around the world, digital sales from all over. There’s been some blog features and some new stores are now stocking so I’m gonna run through everything so you can get out in the sun and enjoy life and I can get back to drawing and also the sun. And life.
GIRL&BOY
GIRL&BOY hit Comics Alliance and then all hell broke loose. It did the business on Tumblr and now I have a bunch new followers here there and everywhere. Some of you are exceedingly pretty too so congratulations to you for that. Whatever it is you’re doing, it’s working.
BrainFreeze.de the largest Dutch-language website for US/UK comics posted up a review of GIRL&BOY. The review in its original Dutch is here or you can see the Google Translate one here. You might be hearing more from them and me soon too…
The Sidekick Cast did a hugely flattering review of GIRL&BOY. They also start the show by busting out freestyle rhyme introductions. So what’s not to love really.
OK!Comics just re-stocked GIRL&BOY this morning so if you’re in Leeds today, get on it.
Fish4Comics in Wales just received their order of GIRL&BOY this morning too and I just heard they’ve sold nearly 50% already. So I guess you should hurry if you want one before they sell out completely.
Other News
So Bristol Expo is over and done. The next UK convention stop for me will hopefully be Manchester MCM. It will be the second time the show’s ran and the first time I’ll be exhibiting. It will also be like a week after I get back from San Diego Comic Con so I’ll be juiced and ready to party with the hometeam after my Californian adventures.
PEABODY & D’GORATH #2 is in production. Mark Penman, the Snorlax to my Squirtle, is busting over new pages of his first book from SLG for me to colour and it’s going to be a serious step up for both of us from issue #1. You’re going to be surprised where this book goes.
I’m also still working away on my selection for the new INTRODUCING… art book from VEGAMOTION PRESS. There’s a great line-up of artists in this 4th entry into the series and I’m looking forward to seeing it out there in the world.
Ok, that’s it.
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vonvonyy asked: could you please make the long shirt/shirtdress that girl wears in the comics? SO in love with how casual chic it is - I think the other fans of the book would agree xD SELL IT on youre online store!
UH OH, I think you might be on to something here :)
Asa & Stumbleine - Your Secret EP -
Doing my first interview for GIRL&BOY right now with this on in the background. Packing up parcels of comics to go out into the world too. Best Sunday.
“I’ve been blown away by the response to GIRL&BOY this weekend. I’ve been getting orders non-stop since Thursday from all over the world. I guess the book is out there now and It feels amazing, you guys. But it wouldn’t have got there without the support of all those who were there at the beginning and championed a debut book from a no-name rookie with no publishing deal. Thanks.”
I originally added this as a caption in response to someone questioning the decisions behind naming a black character Boy. I’m no good at Tumblr and I messed up something in my dashboard and that’s not showing up, so I’m just reposting my response here instead…
The reason it’s Girl&Boy and not for instance Woman&Man (or Man&Man or Woman&Woman) is entirely down to the comic dealing with maturity, in this case of an emotional not a physical kind. The implication being that maybe this pair still have some growing up to do.
I’m aware that in the US the term ‘boy’ had other more insulting uses during the time of slavery… but I’m not making those parallels. As the book is set in contemporary England and is about contemporary English characters I would assume my readers would realise the context I’m using the word in here is very, very far removed from any negative, slave-trade associations and they would not make those parallels either.
I am simply using the word the English speaking world most usually given to a man before he reaches maturity.
It’s also shorthand for Girlfriend & Boyfriend because, while more accurate, that wouldn’t fit as well on a red Supreme/Obey/Barbara Kruger box logo.
Also..
<spoilers>
He’s not the only Boy in the book.
fenix-boden asked: How do I get the digital version here in the US. All I saw on your store were UK prices and I would very much like to have it the digital version. Thanks :)
Paypal automatically converts the price into US dollars or whatever currency you use at checkout. Then you’ll get an email with the download link so it doesn’t matter where you are from, it’s all ready for you :)
darnell5000 asked: Will Girl & Boy be available in the US at some point?
I would very much like Girl&Boy to be available in US stores. I’m working on a deal to send some to a gallery in Brooklyn, NY but other than that it is very early days in terms of US distribution. The print version only just launched in UK stores 2 weeks ago and I’m only one guy doing this all independently with no publisher, but I am trying to get this out to as many people as there are that want it.
As I’m in the UK and don’t have easy access to (or even much knowledge of) US stores right now, my best advice is to go to your local comic store/gallery/etc and ask them if they can place an order with me. Most likely they won’t even have heard of me, but if you show them the website (www.andrewtunney.com/comics/girlandboy) and they see the demand is there they can get in contact with me and we can work something out.
Until then if you’re trying to avoid paying for an import, which I totally understand, there is always the digital version.
Thanks a lot for contacting me about it and showing an interest. This book means a lot to me and I want everybody to be able to get it.
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“
There’s talk about Girl&Boy and I’m catching people saying “why couldn’t it be about lesbians?” or “why couldn’t it be about transgender or bisexual or gay people?”
Well it could. It totally could.
Except that’s not my story, it’s your story. And the only one qualified to write that story the way you want to see it written is you.
”“I never even thought to figure out how to reply to people on Tumblr because up until now, nobody was actually talking to me. #OhThatTunney…”
“People saying “I’ll wait for the Girl&Boy graphic novel”
There won’t BE one. This is it guys, it’s only ONE ISSUE :)”
These? Oh, just some digital comics I had lying around…
[video]
“Every time I draw buildings I think, Otomo could do that in a CAVE, with a box of SCRAPS!!”