2024 Reflection

I didn’t do a big reflection at the end of 2023, but this has been packed, and it feels necessary to share some takeaways. I embarked on a 6-month long graphic novel intensive program through the Sequential Artist Workshop. The workshop, my mentor, and my cohort were all helpful and inspiring. Truth be told, I thought I was on the verge of quitting comics altogether as soon as I signed up for the program. I’m glad I didn’t because I’m really happy with how my work continues to evolve. Sid & the Sickos #2 (official title TBA) is in a good spot, and I fully intend to release it in 2025. Should you so choose to support me in my self-publishing and small press endeavors, the best way to do that is either via my patreon or buying my books.

I was, however, battling some depression this year (and maybe I had been for a couple of years), which sometimes makes it difficult to find a purpose in creative outlets. I went back to therapy, though, and that was good for me. Depression aside, I did start up Comics Club at Indie Northern Kentucky, released 2 new Mild Pain digests, had work published in 2 anthologies (Splintermouth and Set List), tabled at Chicago Zine Fest, was on an episode of Gutter Boys podcast, facilitated what I believe to be FLUKE's first pre-party and live comics reading, and formed new and lasting friendships! This shows me that even when I feel totally low, I somehow manage to do things that make me feel good and brighten the community around me (honoring my accomplishments is also a new practice I'm working on implementing).

2024 marked the first year I’ve ever traveled SO much in a year. Aside from 2 routine visits back to Georgia and a family visit to Alabama, we went to Philadelphia, Denver, Memphis, and San Francisco. Actually, as I’m writing this, I just left the beach in Alabama. Also, I went on my second cartoonist retreat in Hocking Hills, Ohio, and we moved from Ohio to Georgia at the end of November.

I said it was a big year! Who knows what’s going to happen in the years to come? Shit has been pretty scary out in the world. All I know for me, at least, is that I continue to build lasting relationships with caring people, and that’s important for me to hold onto.

Now, for the real reason I’m writing this, the year-end round-up of media I’ve consumed that I highly recommend checking out. Please note that not all these things were newly released in 2024, but 2024 is when they were new to me! Also, they’re listed in no particular order.

Comics & Books

• The Shifting Ground by Joe Walsh

• Upstate #4 by Stephen Pellnat

• Heat by Jean Wei

• Cheat Sheets by Tiger Tateishi

• Kafka by Nishioka Kyodai

• Tell Me A Story Where the Bad Girl Wins by Caitlin McGurk

• Demons: Rise & Grind by Hyena Hell

• Punk Rock Karaoke by Bianca Xunise

• Secret History of Black Punk by Raeghan Buchanan

• You & A Bike & A Road by Eleanor Davis

• Late Bloomer by Carol Tyler

Music (including venues where I saw some of these bands!)

• Sacred Times by PyPy (Gonerfest, Memphis, TN)

• Piss Park by Cel Ray (The Comet, Cincy, OH)

• Cartoon Darkness by Amyl & the Sniffers

• Three Bells by Ty Segall

• The Worst of Itchy and the Nits by Itchy and the Nits

• SPLIIT SYSTEM by Split System (Gonerfest, Memphis, TN)

• II Manzo by BEEF (MOTR, Cincy, OH)

• 20X MULTIPLIER by Choncy (The Comet, Cincy, OH)

• Elude the Torch by The Drin

• Infinite Sky by Twen (MOTR, Cincy, OH)

• The Moon Is In The Wrong Place by Shannon & the Clams

• Live at the Whirling Tiger by DOOM GONG (MOTR x2, Cincy, OH)

• Tired of Being Tough by JJ & The Mood

• Letter To Self by SPRINTS

• Expensive Air by Oneida (Gonerfest, Memphis, TN)

• Half Divorced by Pissed Jeans

• Club Hits by R.M.F.C. (Gonerfest, Memphis, TN)

• Growth by Pat and The Pissers (The Comet, Cincy, OH)

• Home Movies by Rodeo Boys (Northside Tavern, Cincy, OH)

• Demo by Centipede (40 Watt Club, Athens, GA)

I was going to include a link to all of these bands individually, but instead, here's a playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5aZo5lZu3k5fztyHW2YgYr?si=4e45a78d139049dc

Honorable mention to Osees' new album SORCS 80. We saw Osees play at The Chapel in SF at the start of their 2024 US Tour. Anyone who knows me knows I love this band and any JPD project to shit, but I will not claim Dwyer Dork status after seeing some of the biggest nerds and fans ever this year, both IRL and online. No offense to the nerds either; I appreciate the work y'all do to deliver lost recordings or footage from old performances, but I will never match such a level of obsession. You can read my reflection on the show and our trip to SF in Mild Pain #4!

If you like all things punk, post-punk, garage, psych, etc., and you're not familiar with Goner Records or Gonerfest in Memphis, TN, then you must have been like me - a person who was living under a rock for the last decade. We went to Gonerfest for the first time this year, and it is now an event that I'm going to have to budget in time for every year because we had a blast. I could've easily listed every single band that performed there on my list above because they were all incredible. Go educate yourself now and plan for the next Gonerfest.

Another exciting music experience was when we got to see Kraftwerk at Megacorp Pavilion in Northern Kentucky, which is the funniest name for a venue to see said band. They were so incredible, and I'm so glad I got to see them in my lifetime. An amazing show.

Looking ahead to 2025, I hope the best for all of us. Resilience and community are as important as ever. Keep making art, keep rocking out, and keep revolting.