Please Take and Share

Fall 2016

free

We

cried out for comics and this is what came

back! This a celebration of stories: words,
pictures and heartfelt expression.
The North is a unique and magical place. This yearbook
of local, regional and international artwork features
contributions from all ages, professional and enthusiast
alike, including participants of comics workshops
held in Dawson City this September. We cried out
and you answered! Heres to the wonder of creativity.
We are delighted and thank you.
JR and RR

The Tundra Touch

Tundra Comics Cartoonist Chad Carpenter
Celebrates Our Northern Stories

had Carpenter transcends

place by being of place.
The regional cartoonist has gone
international, representing the
North through his independently
syndicated Tundra Comics. The
Alaska-based, Reuben Award
winning cartoonist's strip now runs
in almost 500 newspapers around
the world.
Carpenter learned from comics
greats Dik Browne of Hgar
The Horrible and Mike Peters of
Mother Goose & Grimm. My
uncle Doug owned a 19th century
oil painting gallery in Sarasota,
Florida, and said, Come on down,
recalls Carpenter, Growing up
in Alaska there werent other
cartoonists I could talk to.
They taught me pretty much
everything I know, says Carpenter.
Peters said to come up with a strip
you can draw every day without
running out of ideas. Write what
you know, so I chose Alaska.
In 1991, Tundra Comics began

appearing in the Anchorage Daily

News. Carpenter began building
an audience outside Alaska by
vending at in-state tourist markets.
I kept a mailing list of people from
all over the world and they helped
spread the word, Carpenter says,
Especially down there in America,
as we say.
My wife Karen and I have
been fortunate because were an
independent voice and editors like
that, says Carpenter.
Just the fact that I used to live
in Wasilla alongside Sarah Palin
helped. And theres this lure to the
North. That's why you see so many
reality TV shows set here.
By being so specifically set in
the North, Tundra Comics offers
humour based on lived experiences
in a real, magical environment. I
think the fact that my strip is funny
helps too, says Carpenter. Even
as hes having a laugh, Carpenters
love for home shines.
When I was growing up, I was

not a great artist, but I loved doing

it. Eventually I got good. Even if
you cant draw it doesnt matter if
you like doing it you can learn it
the hard way.

Look out for more Tundra

Comics and mini-blockbuster's
Moose The Movie and
Sudsy Slim Rides Again
at TundraComics.com

Emile
Bouffard,
@yukon_
man

Chris Caldwell

Bones of Dawson
The bones of Dawson still
stand
Slanted spars and sagging
roof-lines
Stark lines across the
killing cold
Once home to Commerce
and argument
steaming kettles and mur
mured voices
Now home to the sliding,
soft gaze of Foxes
and perch mount to the
jeering Raven
Gold Dust tickles the
broken floorboards
And Ice Fog blurs their grey
bleached bones
The bones of Dawson still
stand
Dean Sudarsky, DeanSudarsky.com

Alice Thompson
DawsonCityRealty.com

Prolific
Versatile

&

m originally from Manitoba and I was

raised in BC. Ive been at it since I was
seven. Thats how I got into the Boys Club
because I would draw logos and things.
I started professionally at 12 doing covers
for our local Saddle Club magazine using
a Gestetner offset printing machine, if
you recall what that is.
I moved up here in 79 and I've been
doing every kind of commission in any
style since. Originally, I did it mostly
about horses, influenced by Norman
Thelwell. As for my artwork, Im just
putting together a show. I do fantastic art,
more towards Frank Frazetta. I like all
kinds of dark, horror-macabre stuff.

My own comics are very adult.

The stuff I'm known for are like
Polaroids of my life. These comics are
based on experiences I've had here,
adventures in the bush, friends, family
and everything. People who have gone
fishing or camping can identify with it.
My Yukonia shows what it's like to live
on the edge of nowhere but at the same
time you have some facilities of modern
life that makes for odd juxtapositions and
tons of material.
Its all about telling stories. It goes
back so many years in our evolution, this
thing that everyone should be able to
participate in.
Chris Caldwell, CaldwellArt.com

Northern Wildlife

Dieter Weise

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE:

PAGE 2

Artists Rebecca Roher and Jonathan Rotsztain are grateful to be artists-in-residence at the Klondike Institute of Art and Cultures
Macaulay House. Heres a taste of some of the comicbook artwork they each created during their time in the Dawson City, Yukon.

T he Dawson CiT y Farmers markeT oFFers super-sizeD vegeTables ChargeD by ConsTanT

sunshine. During T he peak oF summer, perioDs oF almosT 24-hour DaylighT soak
CanaDas norTh. hyper-phoTosynT hesis leaDs To glowing proDuCe when growing:

T he Dawson CiT y Farmers markeT oFFers super-sizeD vegeTables ChargeD by ConsTanT

sunshine. During T he peak oF summer, perioDs oF almosT 24-hour DaylighT soak
CanaDas norTh. hyper-phoTosynT hesis leaDs To glowing proDuCe when growing:

we Travel by boaT or snowmobile.

granT DowDell has been a sTaple,
8 miles
From
Town.
FeeDing
his upsTream
Dawson CiTy,
yukon
granT For
DowDell
neighbours
almosT 40has
years.been

im
ive been a Trapper
onby
one
oF The
islanDs
selFwewere
Travel
boaT
or snowmobile.

we're
in The
miDDle oF The im
anD Fisherman Too.
ive been
a Trapper
a sTaple,
in The
yukon river.
TaughT.
8 miles
upsTream
From
Town.
selFriver valley,
anDThe
Fisherman
Too.so we're
were on one yukon
oF
islanDs
FeeDing his
Dawson
CiTy, yukon
iT has
no name.
TaughT.
really proTeCTeD From a loT
iT s very large wiTh heavy Timber
in 1970, i Came up From onTario.
in
The
yukon
river.
neighbours For almosT 40 years.
oF
ColD
air
anD
FrosT.
iT has no name.

i guess we Call iT
aFTer abouT a year
i wanTeD
To be
granT
s islanD.
alaska
yk
a markeT garDener.
i applieD For a

iTs a speCial ClimaTe.

we Don'T have To use

i on
learneD
how To iT
FixanD
anDi broke
builD iT
iT. i CleareD

everyThing.
ThaT's
whaT
i like There.
To Do.
anD puT a
markeT
garDen
i guess we Call iT

in 1970, i Came up From

onTario.alaska
Dawson

lease in 1972 anD goT TiTle in 1980.

CiT y

iT s very
granT s islanD.

yk

any Crop proTeCTion.

i learneD how To Fix anD builD

large
wiTh heavy
everyThing.
ThaT's Timber
whaT i like To Do.

on Dawson
iT. i CleareD iT anD i broke iT

aFTer abouT a year i wanTeD To be

CiT y

anD puT a markeT garDen There.

kl

a markeT garDener. i applieD For a

on

river anD goT TiTle in 1980.

kon1972
lease yuin

kl

on

ver
yukon ri

ik

D
ik
e

The soil wasn'T greaT.

iTs a speCial ClimaTe.

iT's The sun you know.

karen Digby Came up norTh in 1989.

The soil wasn'T greaT.

The Topsoil, i esTimaTe,

is abouT six inChes ThiCk.

iT's The sun you know.

The Topsoil, i esTimaTe,

i Came To work For The

a solar
explosion!
is abouT
six inChes
ThiCk.

Then iT's sanD

anD gravel.
we Don'T
have To use

any Crop proTeCTion.

summer, anD like so many

a people,
solari explosion!
never leFT.

Then iT's sanD anD gravel.

i haD To aDD some kinD oF

niTrogen FerTilizer To ThaT.
buT The TexTure is gooD.

The amounT oF energy

From
sun. kinD oF
i haDmiDnighT
To aDD some
niTrogen FerTilizer To ThaT.
buT The TexTure is gooD.

The amounT oF energy

From miDnighT sun.

surFaCe

There was suCh a phenomenal

show oF norThern lighTs

surFaCe

Topsoil

Topsoil

sanD

sanD

gravel

gravel

noT only have They FeD us, buT

iThey
was DiD
a TypiCal
yukoner,
Doing
The beDDing
planTs
For
all a
The
parks
CanaDajobs:
builDings.
loT
oF DiFFerenT

9.

9.

FALL 2016

THE DAWSON COMICS CRIER

anD i'm very aCCusTomeD To

reCeiving a large pumpkin
From granT every year
For my birThDay.

granT
wriTing

There was suCh a phenomenal

granT is one oF The mosT

i was a TeChniCian
amazing
people ive For
evergrowers
meT.
oF organiC FooD yukon~gooFy,
hes
also
an
haha ~using legumes To
aCComplisheD musiCian
improve niTrogen in The soil.
granT's
was one
my
i'll noTiCe
granT
anDoF
karen
experimenTal ploTs.
noT being aT The markeT.

yukon sCienCe insTiTuTe

Co-orDinaTor.

show oF norThern lighTs

also a Canoe, baCkpaCking

anD Dog-mushing guiDe.

iTs a speCial ClimaTe.

im reTiring beCause i have ms.

i saw This sTorybook,

piCTure-perFeCT liTTle Farm.

i Think iT's a preTTy saFe beT

we Don'T have To use

i'll be Doing less nexT year.

i joke, i Chose The

any Crop proTeCTion.

mosT beauTiFul Farm.

This markeT has been

iT was one oF my Dreams
our soCial liFe!
To be a markeT garDener.

karen
has
known
granT
someDubois
say ThaT
iT's
Too isolaTeD
sinCe he arriveD in Dawson.
anD harD, buT i Can'T see
living any oTher way.
They have These amazing
greenhouses ouT There.

people shoulD Do whaT They like

To Do as long as They Can.
granT Does his

planTing in February.
ill be up
here as long
as i Can
manage.

Thanks To
karen Dubois

Jonathan Rotsztain is a writer, graphic designer

and cartoonist. He's been sharing daily comics on

DrearyDiary.com since 2013. Rotsztain.com

Read Jonathan and

Rebecca's full comics at:
DawsonComics.tumblr.com

Writers Trust of Canada

Berton House Writer-in-Residence

There was suCh a phenomenal

show oF norThern lighTs

Sounds a Raven Makes

Smokers laugh, bedsprings, stone skipped
across the river. Raven imitated by kids
flapping parka sleeves on a skating rink.
Raven imitated by a miner whos not seen
people in days. Rusty bike chain,
3 a.m. phone call, snow melting off roof.
Raven imitated by raven. Coin dropped
in a tip jar. Dog locked in a truck.

Claire Caldwell is a poet and editor

based in Toronto. Her first book is
Invasive Species, part of the Buckrider
Books imprint at Wolsak and Wynn.
Photo by Stephen Spencer Davis.
Claire-Caldwell.com

Rebecca Roher is a cartoonist, educator and the author of Bird in Cage, a new

graphic memoir from Conundrum Press.

he Dawson
City
Museum Society
was founded in
1959 and strives
to preserve and
share Dawson
history, including
managing the
archives of many
past periodical
publications.
The Yukon
Sun was
one of many
newspapers that
started during
the Gold Rush
and folded by
1904. It was the
citys second
newspaper,
owned by
Thomas W.
O Brien, a
brewer, railway
magnate and
politician.

This
edited,
uncredited
excerpt
appeared
above the
fold on the
front page
of a Yukon
Horticultural
Fair
promotional
giveaway
featuring
caricatures
of prominent
19 th century
Dawsonites.
At the time
these figures
would have
been well
known.
Today they
are almost
completely
obscure, with
the exception

of Chief Isaac
who, along with
the depiction of
a black servant,
has not been
reproduced

RebeccaRoher.com

because the
images are racist
and offensive.
J. Rotsztain
with thanks to
Alex Somerville

FALL 2016

THE DAWSON COMICS CRIER

PAGE 3

Esther Hoflick, JessicaHoflick.com. Photo by Stephan Guy

Juneau Kater

Lochland

Liv Carmen,
@regularfantasy

Mens Lament
Woman are right
Men are wrong
Thats the whole poem.
An Anonymous Guy

Robson Walker
Learnt Wisdom

Bennie Allain, www.BennieAllain.com

LearntWisdom.tumblr.com

FALL 2016

THE DAWSON COMICS CRIER

PAGE 4

Knock Knock

jesus wept

Mark Laliberte, www.MarkLaliberte.com

Lochland

Noah

David Wenzel

Max the March Hare Shelley Hakonson, ShelleyHakonson.com

FALL 2016

THE DAWSON COMICS CRIER

Northern Wildlife

PAGE 5
Dieter Weise

Kimberly Edgar, www.kimedgar.weebly.com

Wyatts Other Worlds

Politcial Cartoonist
Wyatt Tremblay
& the Compulsion
to Create

his November will mark the

25th year that I have had the
distinction of providing the Yukon
News with political cartoons and
the Christmas colouring page.
There will be no fanfare, no
cake, and no anthology of Wyatts
visual witticisms. There will simply
be another cartoon on page six or
eight of this feisty Northern paper.
I may produce a book for
my 26th anniversary, just to be
different, but as a life-long artist
I understand that what we do, we
do because we must. It doesnt
need recognition. I could no more
shut my imagination off, and lay

A Dedication
You met me, as promised
In the open space of grass
Netted by a fence
In the center of the sorry heart
Of this ocean city

my pencil down, then I could quit

breathing. Were I to try, I would
eventually gasp, reach for a 2H, and
begin furiously doodling on any
scrap of paper. Its simply my state
of being.
I have an archive of nine
bankers boxes, in which you will
find thousands of my cartoons
from the age of 16 to the present.
These boxes take up very little
space, and sometimes I look at
them and wonder to myself, Is
that it? My entire career is in the
contents of this little stash?
I should have been a sculptor.
But size and quantity are not an

honest reason for creating. The

imaginings that feverishly flow out
of us through whatever form they
take - pencil, ink, stone, drama,
song, or any number of mediums
are driven by a relentless passion to
recreate what already exists in our
imaginations.
In truth, our success can only
be measured by our willingness to
be honest with our compulsion to
create.
Anything else that comes from
it, fame or fortune, is simply a
fringe benefit.

www.WyattsWorld.ca

There
Under the stone statue of a man
I sat, miniaturized on the plinth of it
Waiting
My figure, memorialized in kind
As my scarf whips and flaps like a flag
Behind which my eyes found respite
Tearing from overcast glow
Making like concentration becomes me
I smooth the fabric of my skirt
Which defiantly lifts around me
And I watch
Your irrational stride
Burdensome with upkeep
As it cuts the air towards my cool ledge
Legs swinging
I rise, buckle-limbed
Rumpled and somehow truncated
Under the canopy of this carved greatness
I am halved doubly
Water brims on my lids ledge
As though the days light

Self Portrait in Perpetual Daylight

Was a rehearsal
I spare only a greeting
So sparse
My teeth close it in

Kiki van Cramp

I offer you a gesture in lieu:

A cotton square
Starched and salted
With an emblem implicating, M
And a book
Busy with pencil lead
Shaking in line with letters
Wherein a dedication states:
Maybe all we really need is some gusto

Stefanie Bruce

Karen Thomas, KarenKitdottir.com

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $153 million to bring the arts to
Canadians throughout the country. Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien. Lan dernier, le Conseil
a investi 153 millions de dollars pour mettre de lart dans la vie des Canadiennes et des Canadiens de tout le pays.

Publisher

COPY EDITING

CONTACT US

Jonathan Rotsztain

Meg Walker

Editor-in-chief

All work copyright

2016 its author.

DawsonComicsCrier
@gmail.com

Rebecca Roher

Dominion Station
Convenience Store
Gas & Diesel
24-Hour Self-Service

Corner of 5th & Princess

Automotive, Gourmet Coffee,

Snacks, Lotteries Yukon Retailer

DawsonComics.tumblr.com

5th Ave. & Harper St.

www.aurorainn.ca

SAT & SUN BRUNCH: 7AM 1PM

TUES-FRI: 7AM 1:30PM, 5:30 9PM
SATURDAY: 7AM 1PM, 5:30 9PM
SUNDAYS BRUNCH ONLY