In case you missed it, SPX (Small Press Expo) was held in Bethesda, Maryland for its 30th anniversary this past weekend. In the far back corner, two creators waited for book enthusiasts to pass by so they could give fans a taste of this inedible, yet wholesome CEREAL.
To celebrate the launch of their comic CEREAL, Don Steinberg, writer, had the intriguing idea to create a thoughtful collector's item for their comic book issues. With careful calculations, their team constructed the design so you can pull the box out of the creative cover sleeve and keep your books safe while awaiting future issues. Readers, don't forget to check off which issues you collect on the unique "ingredients nutrition label." The ingredients for your box will vary as you consume more CEREAL issues. The list has all current and upcoming titles, so we can expect more books soon. No red 40 to be found. Still not convinced to buy the cereal of the century? You'll be glad to know you can flip the box and have the option to display it on your bookshelf since they made it so the box also has a book spine.
Choose to feed your brain, not your stomach with this imaginative cereal. You can visit their website to order The CEREAL BOX before the shelves are wiped out. www.boinkcomix.com
Left to right: Don Steinberg and Rich Harrington photographed by Karly Maroney at Small Press Expo on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
What's In This CEREAL Box?
Interview: Don Steinberg, writer, and Rich Harrington, artist
Don: Cereal is a story that's set around a cereal company and our hero is Tracy who is a cereal inventor. She's trying to invent the world's greatest cereal and get revenge on this company that didn't treat her well. Meanwhile, in the cartoon universe where all of the cartoon mascots are cereals and they live in their own world, they're being mysteriously killed off one by one. Nobody knows what's happening and for some reason, Tracy has a connection to them that was kind of put into her mind when she watched commercials as a child and she could communicate with the Cereal characters and that's where it is.
It's a comedy, it's a mystery, it's a thriller, it's a fun story.
How long does it take you to make one page?
Rich: Well, one page depends on what else is happening on that day, or that week, or what other jobs I have to draw. I actually teach college, and I teach people how to do this. So, teaching people how to do this sometimes takes away the time I have to actually do it myself. I will say, because Don's standing next to me, it takes me over a month to do a page.
That way Don won't expect it that quickly.
Don: I think it takes one year.
Which issue is your favorite?
Don: Well, two are created so far. The other ones are in the production. But, issue number three is about to come out. It's going to be amazing. And that's going to be coming out later in the next few months.
Rich: And I'm about to draw more of issue number three. So I think it will probably be the better one, because usually the last thing I draw is one of the better things I've drawn.
But my favorite thing out of all the stuff on the table here is "The Thursday The Earth Stood Still." I think it's really a funny, well-written story, and I actually like the artwork that I drew for this particular issue. But the next one, we always say, the next issue, is gonna be really good.
Tell us more about the Cereal Box for Issues 1 and 2? Who thought of the idea?
Rich: Um, well, Don did.
Don: We were thinking of how could we promote CEREAL, the comic book, and since it is about cereal, we decided to make a cereal box, and make it look like a cereal box. It opens up, and you can put the comic books in it and it could be put nicely in your bookcase here [shows spine of box].
It even has a puzzle on the back for the kids. And people have really been liking this at the show. I mean, because it came out really nice.
Any last words for our audience?
Rich: Any last words? I hate when somebody asks me that question.
Don: We always just say, stay crunchy.
Stay crunchy. Stay creative. Stay VASH.
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