Our First In Person Wine and Comics Pairing Event!
Three Comics + Three Wines @ The Blending Lab in Los Angeles, Saturday January 20th!
Before we get started: our first comic book (we’re publishers!) bringing back a long out-of-print 1980’s classic, launches on Kickstarter next Monday, Jan 15th! Please sign up to be notified! Can we make it to 75 followers before Monday’s launch?
Where Are My Los Angeles People At? Because…
Yes! Our very first Live, In-Person wine and comics pairing event is happening 9 days from now, on Saturday, January 20th at The Blending Lab in Los Angeles!
It’s a flight of comics + a flight of wines!
All authors will be present to sell and sign books (and prints, etc. Think of it like a mini-Comic Con, or a triple-sized author meet and greet.) The Blending Lab and myself have selected three of their wines to each pair with a specific book. So buy a book and a glass (then take home a bottle with the book!) or all the books and a full flight.
I’ve been dreaming of an event like this since we started Wine and Comics a little over a year ago, so I am beyond thrilled to be kicking of 2024 and Year 2 of the show and this Substack with an event like this! It’s the first, but it won’t be the last.
The Blending Lab is a Paso Robles-based winery, all fruit from Paso, winemaking facilities in Santa Clarita, and tasting rooms in Paso and Los Angeles (5151 West Adams Blvd.)
Let’s Look at the Comics and the Wines
MARY SHELLEY'S SCHOOL FOR MONSTERS by Jessica Maison and Anna Wieszczyk
A young Mary Shelley is accidentally split into two versions of herself: the literary giant who goes on to write Frankenstein, and a supernatural girl named “Shel” who spends her immortality fighting evil humans who exploit monsters. All-ages friendly!
Creator/writer
will be present, maybe all-ages friendly herself, or maybe wine-soaked and not-so-much. Depends on when you get there, I suspect ;)PAIRED WITH: The Blending Lab’s ZCS (55% Zinfandel, 45% Cab Sauv blend)
Lovely acidity and structure with wild strawberry compote on the nose and fresh blueberry on the palate accentuated by toasted macadamia nut. Like an alcohol-soaked berry muffin! Perfect for that precocious child within us all.
MONSTER MATADOR by Steven Prince, Fabio Alves, and Alex Zief
Yes, it's an actual matador fighting actual giant kaiju (think Godzilla!) in a post-apocalyptic future where the kaiju reign supreme! It’s Mad Max meets Toho Studios’ Godzilla with a Zorro flair! PG-13-ish.
Creator/writer
will be present, and will be getting a wine-and-matador-themed present himself ;) (a belated Xmas/Chanukah gift, and presenting it at this event is kinda perfect, so it’s happening.)PAIRED WITH The Blending Lab’s MCS (58% Malbec, 42% Cab Sauv blend, aged in American Oak)
Red fruit forward with a peppery bouquet and a unique spiciness offered by the American oak. Malbec is a grape predominantly grown in Argentina and Chile today, and American oak is traditionally associated with Spanish Rioja wines. A perfect pairing with the Spanish-themed, spicy pulp action of Monster Matador.
DEMON BITCH by Christie Shinn
If you like your social commentary a little on the revenge side, Demon Bitch is the next comic you need in your arsenal. Short and sweet, the comic strips are short enough to be read quickly but long enough to remind you of someone you might know. Demon Bitch is a crude, insensitive, gross, foul-mouthed and utterly hilarious look at misplaced world values. Mature readers only!
Creator/writer/artist/everything
(Christie Shinn) will be present and DEFINITELY NOT SOBER. And neither should you when you read Demon Bitch!PAIRED WITH The Blending Lab’s SyPS (71% Syrah, 29% Petite Sirah blend)
Dark and juicy, with just a touch of acidity, then the darkest of black plums with that modestly tart skin and the crushableness of blackberries. Weighty but well-integrated tannins replicate the sensation of a well-crafted Demon Bitch comic.
Th-th-th-that’s all, folks! We hope to see you there!
I have never had their wines now I need to look for them!
I hope that said wine is waiting for me!