The second volume of Zen Pencils comics takes more of your favorite inspirational quotes and poetry and transforms them into heartwarming cartoon stories. Featuring quotes of revered minds including Isaac Asimov, Maya Angelou, Kahlil Gibran, Robert F. Kennedy, and William Shakespeare plus celebrities such as Amy Poehler, Jim Henson, and Kevin Smith, wise words are given a new lease on life through the medium of comics. This collection also includes a pull-out poster and an all-new 16-page story from creator Gavin Aung Than.

Read one or two of the witty and provocative Zen riddles in this book, and you will find, in the words of Zen, that "nothing is left for you but to laugh." In Ioanna Salajan's delightful drawings, the Old Monk and his disciples spread the message of Zen through stories and koan that are as hilarious as they are profound, as meaningful as they are mysterious. This book dips further into the treasures of Zen wisdom that furnished the first volume of Zen Comics, which has enjoyed extraordinary popularity around the world. Due to the concise self-contained nature of the Zen riddle, those who have not read the first volume can start just as well with this second one. The comic strip turns out to be an ideal medium to communicate the Zen spirit, in which laughter deflates pretension, and a good rap on the head may transcend all logic. A koan is a paradox used in Zen Buddhism as an instrument of meditation, a bit of apparent nonsense that forces one to abandon dependence on reason and break through to sudden intuitive understanding. The Old Monk, a wise and whimsical character, dispenses enlightenment to his disciples (and perhaps the reader) through these ironic, rapier-like verbal thrusts ... or sometimes a whack with a stick. Zen teaches that it is not where you are going, but how you are going. Truley there is no better way to go than with these fresh but eternal gems of insight.

Zen Pencils turns your favorite quotes into fun and unique comics that will inspire and motivate even the most cynical of readers. Famous words modern thinkers, including Neil Gaiman, Stephen Fry, John Green, Roger Ebert, and Neil deGrasse Tyson as well as historic greats Marie Curie, C.S. Lewis, Bruce Lee, Vincent van Gogh, and Confucius are transformed into charming narrative comics that are sure to unlock your inner passion and creativity.

Zen Pencils: Creative Struggle is a call to wake up the creative spirit inside you. Through Zen Pencils cartoon quotes on creativity from inspirational artists, musicians, writers, and scientists, you'll discover what inspired each of the subjects to reach the full potential of their creativity. In each comic, the speaker of the quote is the character in the story. Imagine cartoon versions of Albert Einstein, Frida Kahlo, Marie Curie, and Vincent van Gogh revealing the spark that ignited them to achieve their dreams!

"In the wake of IDENTITY CRISIS, the JLA decides the time has come to tell Batman that they stole part of his memory. But, the League is attacked by the Secret Society of Super-Villains -- out for vengeance now that their own memories are restored. As the JLA battles, the Martian Manhunter confronts Despero -- the alien conqueror and the one behind the villains' memory-restoration. By the time the dust settles, the JLA may have won the battle but lost the war!"--

This extraordinary volume examines the life and animation philosophy of Maurice Noble, the noted American animation background artist and layout designer whose contributions to the industry span more than 60 years and include such cartoon classics as Duck Dodgers in the 24 ½th Century, What's Opera, Doc?, and The Road Runner Show. Revered throughout the animation world, his work serves as a foundation and reference point for the current generation of animators, story artists, and designers. Written by Noble's longtime friend and colleague Tod Polson and based on the draft manuscript Noble worked on in the years before his death, this illuminating book passes on his approach to animation design from concept to final frame, illustrated with sketches and stunning original artwork spanning the full breadth of his career.

The definitive biography of one of the most prolific creators in the history of American comics! From a start in 1947 at the Simon & Kirby shop, he co-created the legendary Western strip American Eagle with Will Elder, and became an EC Comics mainstay, working with Harvey Kurtzman on Mad and Two-Fisted Tales. In addition to a 40+ year association with Cracked magazine, his pivotal Marvel Comics work included an extended run inking Herb Trimpe on The Hulk, and teaming with sister Marie Severin to create the classic comics version of King Kull. Throughout his storied career, he freelanced for every major publisher, and remained a workhorse up till his final Dark Horse mini-series at age 90. Included in this volume is a special "American Eagle" section, an eye-popping art gallery, and extensive personal photos and artifacts (including WWII "Victory Mail" cartoons and handmade greeting cards for his family). Also featured are commentary from over 25 peers gathered just for this book, including Neal Adams, Richard Corben, John Byrne, Russ Heath, Walter Simonson, and many others. Written by Greg Biga and multiple Eisner Award-winner Jon B. Cooke, with an introduction by Howard Chaykin, Foreword by Mort Todd, and Afterword by Chuck Dixon, this profusely illustrated book celebrates the centennial of the two-fisted artist's birth!

Zen Intergalactic Ninja: Alien Hero contains five stories, "Mistress of Chaos" finds Zen bounty-hunting the serial killer known as Razorhead. "Jewel of Forgetfulness" brings Zen face-to-face with the legendary Queen Azuta, possessor of the mysterious gem. "Phandra" is the beautiful young daughter of a plastic of a galactic diplomat, gone missing on the party planet Strega-2. In "Zen Rising" the alien hero is buried alive by a race of savage cannibals. Lastly, "A Matter of Life and Death" teaches Zen an unusual lesson in just how deceiving appearances can be. Through it all, Zen retains his very sense of humor that makes these tales as amusing as they are exciting to read.

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