It’s the end of the Queens birthday weekend and I and the rest of the IZS crew (including honorary member Zara) just spent most of it in Tauranga serving the good folks there some wholesome lion butt hole.
We stopped in Paeroa for supplies. When we got back out to the car Kristof had a bit of trouble starting the car, due to being an automatic driver native. The first bunny hop is fine, the second spells embarrassment, the third maybe even a spot of frustration. It’s fine, we were cheering him on. Then this scruffy local comes over to his window and tells him he’s stalling all over the place. Good thing he told us or we would never have noticed! anyway, Kristof yelled at him through the window that “We’re OK!!” grumpily as he fights the arcane powers of the stick.
I wind down the window. “It’s ok, he’s not drunk or anything.”
The guy didn’t believe us as he said we should “be careful, cause the cops will whip you all up in no time!”
Fortunately we did get out of there and did eventually make it to Tauranga, with a few anecdotes along the way.
We got extended to a full table so we could actually spread out our posters for a change! We did a roaring trade in stickers however, everyone was excited for those.
Becky’s poster was once again the darling of the posters. It just pops so well, and all the girls dig it.
I spent most of my time drawing while Kristof acted as the friendly face. Near the end of the day I did some original art on some watercolour paper and people were really stoked with those at well. So original art may become a regular feature at our tables now.
Zinefest got a shot of us (me in red, Becky/Kristof in some sort of excuse for blue). That guy looking at our table told us that our format would work well in a resthome, but we’d have to change all our content first. AKA, old people like comics, but not yours.
It was inspiring seeing everyone else’s stuff. And a lot of the faces at the booths were people we met at the Hamilton Zinefest, so it sort of feels like a roomful of mates who have similiar choices in hobbies.
It’s really cool seeing people enjoy the strip and get excited about it. Everything from old ladies getting stuff for the grandkids to pro’s interested in our process. I even had fun tutoring one kid who got super excited about my notebook (full of future strips). I know that when I was that age (and somehow got the confidence to talk to someone on the other end of the table) I’d be super stoked to talk to an actual cartoonist.
The cat lived but I don’t know where the scissors have gone, the cat is acting more broody recently. Like she’s planning something.
you might notice I picked up a sticker set from the Hamilton Zinefest, I was dying to get them there but was totally broke, so I made sure I got the set this time.
I’d just like to thank all the people who came and said hi to us and got enthusiastic about our simple little comic. It makes me (and Kristof/Becky) feel real loved, and we couldn’t keep going without you guys.
Sucks for everyone who doesn’t live in the North Island or anywhere in New Zealand and couldn’t make it. But if you’re keen for a set of the comics or want some stickers be sure to check out our store!
