Mike Kunkel and The Astonish Factory
Dec 12-14, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ARTISTS BRING JOY OF CARTOONING TO SANTA FE SCHOOLS IN DECEMBER

Santa Fe, NM - November 13, 2003 - The southern California-based Astonish Factory produces cartoons, toys and comics with a sense of childlike wonder often missing from such ventures these days. "Remember your childhood, and pass it on" is their advertising slogan as well as their business plan. True Believers Comics and Gallery is delighted to bring two of Astonish Factory's main cogs - Mike Kunkel and Randy Heuser - to Santa Fe in December.

The first half of Kunkel and Heuser's 2-day visit, on Friday, December 12, will be spent touring several Santa Fe schools (tentatively, Willow School, Atalaya Elementary, Monte Del Sol Charter School, and Oz Art School). They will be speaking about the field of cartooning as well as conducting workshops with interested students.

On Saturday, December 13, the artists will be hosting events at True Believers Comics and Gallery, 435 S. Guadalupe, Suite "C," across from Tomasita's in Santa Fe. Reproductions and original art will be available. Reception begins at 11 a.m., with sketches and signing until 1:00 p.m., followed by a children-oriented Art Exchange from 2:00-3:30 p.m. The Art Exchange will be a themed "sketch off" where the artists and the children will sketch on a pre-determined theme for 10 minutes. Afterwards, they exchange their sketches as gifts. The Art Exchange is open to children ages 10 and under. Following the Art Exchange, at 4 p.m., the artists will celebrity judge a winter/holiday-themed art contest, open to all ages. Submissions are now being accepted at True Believers Comics and Gallery. All events are free.

Mike Kunkel is the creator of the two-time Eisner Award winning comic book "Herobear and the Kid" and co-founder of The Astonish Factory, Inc. As an animator, he's worked for Warner Brothers, Sony and Walt Disney Features. Randy Heuser is co-creator of the new children's book "The Land of Sockmunster," as well as head of The Astonish Factory's toy division. Visit www.theastonishfactory.com or www.true-believers.com for more info.

Any questions regarding the artists, school visits, reception, art exchange and especially the all-ages art contest, should be directed to True Believers Comics and Gallery, 505-992-TRUE. Their winter business hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Images available upon request.