Funtime Comics
Encyclopedia
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
based collective of comic artists and writers whose aim is to provide a forum for the promotion and discussion of the comic medium, promote New Zealand comics and encourage local writers and artists through the publishing of their own comics. Funtime publishes the Funtime Comics Anthology, and a variety of other comics, many of which are collaborative efforts, featuring stories and artwork from local and international comics artists.
History
Funtime Comics was formed in 1990 by a group of comic artists and enthusiasts from the University of CanterburyUniversity of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
.
The first anthology was published the following year under the editorship of Bean McGregor, Jason Brice (founder of Comics Bulletin
Comics Bulletin
Comics Bulletin is a website with an emphasis on the American comic book industry, updated daily with news, reviews, interviews, and editorial content. Coverage ranges from mainstream to independent/small press comic book and graphic novel publishers.-History:...
) and Nigel Campbell, with the name Funtime coming from a competition for the title and cover banner won by Debra Boyask. Edward Dewe assumed the editorship for the next three issues in 1992-1993. Issue 2 was the first published under the series title Funtime Comics Presents, the name by which it was known until Issue 22.
Issue 5 came out in November 1993 under the editorship of Darren Schroeder
Darren Schroeder
Darren Phillip Schroeder is a Small Press editor, critic, stand up comedian, and comics creator. He is best known for founding the , editing the Small press section of the Comics Bulletin website and as long-standing editor of the Funtime Comics anthology Funtime Comics Presents...
. He remained editor up until the publication of Issue 21 in 2005. It was during Darren's long-standing editorship that the Funtime anthology extended its range to include contributions from other parts of New Zealand and overseas. He also established the tradition of
monthly Funtime Workshops at which members draw comics and drink Tea and eat Animal Biscuits. His efforts also extended to the promotion of New Zealand comics through the creation of the most comprehensive and authoritative resource on New Zealand Comics, the website New Zealand Comics - Comics.org.nz.
Current editor Isaac Freeman has produced four issues of the regular anthology since mid 2007. In 2011 a special issue of Funtime Comics Anthology was released in response to the devastating earthquake of 22 February 2011 in Funtime's home town of Christchurch, New Zealand. Contributors from all around the world sent work for the special issue and all proceeds from the sale of the comic went to the Red Cross.
Achievements
Isaac Freeman and Funtime Comics have recently published Issue 23 (January 2009) under the new series name Funtime Comics Anthology. With the publication of this issue it is now believed to be New Zealand's longest-running title, in years and number of issues.In 2006 Issue #20 of Funtime Comics Presents, Unau Prolepsis, won Best Anthology of 2004-2005 in the Black River Digital 'Eric' Awards.
In 2006 the Funtime Comics hosted website New Zealand Comics - Comics.org.nz received the following two awards:
- The 2006 Black River Digital 'Eric' Award for Best Website in New Zealand Comics
- Gibson Comic Awards 2006 Award for Favourite New Zealand Web Related Material
A Funtime Comics workshop is featured in the Shirley Horrocks documentary The Comics Show, alongside individual interviews with Funtimers Jared Lane
Jared Lane
Jared Takrouna Lane is a well known and highly respected New Zealand artist. He is most notable for his comic art , but has also made a name for himself as an illustrator, storyboard artist and as an exhibiting fine artist.- Biography :Jared Lane was born on the 16th October 1972...
, Isaac Freeman and Darren Schroeder
Darren Schroeder
Darren Phillip Schroeder is a Small Press editor, critic, stand up comedian, and comics creator. He is best known for founding the , editing the Small press section of the Comics Bulletin website and as long-standing editor of the Funtime Comics anthology Funtime Comics Presents...
. A DVD version features extra interviews with Funtime artists Ruth Boyask and Bob Gibbons.
They also held the tongue-in-cheek First Annual Funtime Comics Awards in 2002, and there are rumours that they may yet hold another one.
Anthologies
- Issue #1: Funtime Cartoons (1991-09-1)
Funtime Comics Present
- Issue #2: Woof Woof (1992)
- Issue #3: Cyber-Dump (1993-03)
- Issue #4: Wrap Up! (1993-5)
- Issue #5: Dark Panels (1993-11)
- Issue #6: Serious Tome (1994-04)
- Issue #7: Big Life (1994-08)
- Issue #8: Landfill (1995-01)
- Issue #9: Fontan (1995-06)
- Issue #10: Limbeck (1996-07)
- Issue #11: Legumic Ovis (1997-07)
- Issue #11.5: Autumnal Yule(Special) (1998-05)
- Issue #12: Cult-$ure (1999-01)
- Issue #13: Inner Jest (1999-09)
- Issue #14: Edenic Gad (2000-07)
- Issue #15: Pistolgraph (2001-03)
- Issue #16: Decennium (2001-09)
- Issue #17: Stryk Erf (2002-04)
- Issue #18: Lithe Rauk (2002-10)
- Issue #19: Flap-tastic (2003-03)
- Issue #20: Unau Prolepsis (2004-09)
- Issue #21: Jurassic Jam (2005-09-29)
- Issue #22: Rare Window (2007-06)
Funtime Comics Anthology
- Issue #23: The Walls of Halls (Release Date: 2009-01; Cover: Craig Gillman; Editor: Isaac Freeman)
- Issue #24: Venus Infers (Release Date: 2010-03; Cover: Mat Tait; Editor: Isaac Freeman)
- Issue #25: Short Sharp Shockwave (Release Date: 2010-10; Cover: Danny Sugar; Editor: Isaac Freeman)
Anthology Contributors
Well known New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
comic artists Jared Lane
Jared Lane
Jared Takrouna Lane is a well known and highly respected New Zealand artist. He is most notable for his comic art , but has also made a name for himself as an illustrator, storyboard artist and as an exhibiting fine artist.- Biography :Jared Lane was born on the 16th October 1972...
, Bob Gibbons, Isaac Freeman, Debra Boyask and Ruth Boyask are long-term contributors. Funtime has been instrumental in launching the comics/animation careers of several New Zealanders. For example, Craig Gillman (winner of the Favourite New New Zealand Artist - Gibson Awards 2006) and Andrew Kepple (perhaps best known for his animutation French Erotic Film and now working as an animator in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
). Regular international contributors include Zlatko Krstevski from Macedonia, Claudio Parentela from Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and sisters Mary Knott and Beppi from Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, USA.
Other Titles
- Avatar
- The Sound Of Muzac
- The Case Of The Big Pink Lighthouse
- Are We There Yeti
- Funtime Comics In Bristol
- Jam Comics Textbook
- Darkest Day: Comics for Christchurch
External links
- Official website
- History of Funtime at the Register of New Zealand Comics
- Funtime comics livejournal community