alternative comics – WitchesBrewPress's Blog

Stripwinkels in Amsterdam

The title of this post, Stripwinkels in Amsterdam translates simply as “Comic Book Stores In Amsterdam.” If that translation isn’t accurate, well then. Blame DeepL.

This short post has photos from my first trip to Amsterdam in late summer/early fall 2021. I fell in love with The Netherlands. Since then I’ve visited that country two more times. I particulary like Amsterdam as a city. Everyone says Paris is an amazing place. While I liked Paris, I still prefer Amsterdam.

City of Amsterdam at night. 2021. Photo taken by Michele Witchipoo.

Right now I’m just going to focus on two places inside Amsterdam. First one is Henk’s, which is Amsterdam’s eqivlent of Forbidden Planet. Not as large as Forbidden Planet or Midtown Comics in NYC, but it has a selection that is similiar. Hank’s focuses mostly on popular titles, superhero, manga and other pop-culture related items. What I liked about Hank’s was that it has two entrances. That way instead of waddling through the tourist crowds, I can just walk through one end of the store, and exit on the other side. Those two entrances were very conveinant.

Henk’s Comics & Manga in Amsterdam, 2021

Second comic book shop I visited was Lambiek. I’ve heard of Lambiek for years, as their website has an online encycopedia of cartoonists. There was no iternarity planned, so I took out my cell. It was still halfway through the pandemic in 2021, so there wasn’t that many tourists. Lambiek is on a side street, which makes it a bit tricky to find if you’re a first time visitor. Yet if you’re a huge Alternative comics fan, you’re going to love this place.

Lambiek comic shop in Amsterdam, 2021.

The shop has a mixture of old and new titles. As I was browsing, another local creative stepped in. Turns out he was an American expat, Chad Bilyeu. He has a comic series titled Chad In Amsterdam, which Lambiek highly recommends.

Chad Bilyea in Lambiek, 2021.

That’s it for now. Amsterdam is a very magickal place, I’ve been back two more times since then. Yes, I’ve been really slow on this blog, a lot has happened between Febuary 2021 and now. The year 2021 was a bad time for me, the only highlight was the trip to the Netherlands. Perhaps I’ll explain more in future posts. No worries, I’m doing much better now.

In the meantime, I shall leave you with this stray cat I met in Amsterdam.

Comic Book Convo Is Back

It’s been a while. Life offline has been full of twists and turns. Still busy, but glad to tell you I’m trying to get my radio show back on. It’ll be at the same radio station, WHCSradio.com. If we’re able to stream, this week’s guest will be artist, writer and publisher Ray Felix. Ray was also one of the folks behind Bronx Heroes Con and Women In Comics Con, both events which started in the Bronx, New York City. It looks like this interview might be broadcast in two or three parts. I’ll be a bit rusty but if you can deal then tune in on Wednesday evenings, 7-8 pm EST.

Squeaky Honors Black Cat Appreciation Day

Squeaky Squeakums, star of my latest comic is honoring Black Cat Appreciation Day. (August 18th) She got her demon buddy Magnus Maximus to round up a few of her black kitty sisters.

3E788B67-F6E4-4549-9F38-4978389F7DE6 — Squeaky Squeakums and Maximus celebrate Black Cat Appreciation Day. Based on the comic written and drawn by Michele Witchipoo, on WitchesBrewPress. Aug. 2019.

Black cats are awesome indeed. Despite their beauty, black and tuxedo cats have a hard time finding forever homes. ‘Tis a shame. I’ve personally found black and tuxedo cats to be quite smart. The real life Squeaky (who passed away a few months ago) was clever – especially when it came to food. So go down to your local shelter and adopt a black or tuxedo cat of your own today.

Squeaky was also the real life muse behind my latest comic. Available for order.

7A55A5DB-F0B6-4E6F-92F0-F6B66E840CF6 — Cover for ‘The Temptation of Squeaky’ written and drawn by Michele Witchipoo. Available on WitchesBrewPress. Spring/Summer 2019.

MICE 2016 Part III

Continued from MICE 2016 Part I and MICE 2016 Part II.

In all, being at MICE Expo 2016 was good. It was also a relief that not only did I make my money back for the table and bus fare, there was a bit of a profit. So it’s definitely worth break out of one’s comfort zone, and to do comic cons outside of your hometown. Even if you’re barely awake in the a.m.

14900331_387731984891953_4450194265880418657_n — Comicbook/Zine artist and writer Michele Witchipoo at MICE Expo 2016. Photo taken early in the morning, Oct. 2016.

Some more photos from MICE Expo 2016:

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Being in Cambridge was pretty nice as well.

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Being at MICE, I had the rare occasion of being near Salem, MA for Halloween. Managed to squeeze in a few hours, jumping on the train. Wasn’t far of a train ride from Cambridge and Boston.

It’s very easy to walk around Salem once you navigate around the tourists. Surprisingly I got a very accurate tarot reading in one of those occult shops. The psychic was a kind gentleman. His advice was spot-on as 2017 later unfolded.

There was some annoyance when some fundamentalist Christians started preaching on a street corner. Shouting about the evils on Halloween. Right across the street from one of the witch stores. Nobody really paid them any mind.

Here’s some photos from Salem, Halloween day, Oct 31st 2016:

Soon it was time to head back to NYC. Left Salem right before the rush of the evening crowds started coming in. BTW, Beer Works in Salem is an awesome brewery.

I’ll end the MICE 2016 series with some comics and zines picked up during the weekend. There was tons of talented artists, writers, zine makers and comic creators. Unfortunately a few months after MICE, there was an abrupt apartment move (no thanks to a former corrupt, greedy landlord, but that’s another story.) Most of the merch brought at MICE was thrown into a box, which I still have to locate. Luckily I was able to retrieve these:

DeadEndRobWEB — Dead-End Rob issue 2 by Luke Howard. Brought at MICE Expo 2016. deadendrob.com

AltarBoyWEB — Alter Boy By Rogan of LB Lee. Brought at MICE Expo 2016. etsy.com/shop/MadComics or email: loonybrain@healthymultiplicity.com

PaperPencilLifeWEB — Paper Pencil Life issue 2. Diary comics by Summer Pierre. Brought at MICE Expo 2016. http://www.summerpierre.com

doctor_dee_cover — Me & Doctor Dee.: A Jape. Script and art by E.J. Barnes on Drowned Town Press. Seen at MICE Expo 2016 as well as other comic cons. http://www.drownedtownpress.com

treerats_cover — Tree Rats! or, The Crepuscular Hobbyhorse. A Farrago by E.J. Barnes. E.J. Available from Drowned Town Press. Seen at MICE Expo 2016 as well as other comic cons. http://www.drownedtownpress.com

nymph_cover — A Beautiful Young Nymph Going To Bed by Jonathan Swift. Illustrated by E.J. Barnes. Available on Drowned Town Press. Seen at MICE Expo 2016 as well as other comic cons. http://www.drownedtownpress.com

That concludes the belated MICE 2016 blog entries.

Dead-End Rob by Luke Howard: deadendrob.com

Alter Boy By Rogan of LB Lee: etsy.com/shop/MadComics

Paper Pencil Life issue 2. Diary comics by Summer Pierre. www.summerpierre.com

Me & Doctor Dee.: A Jape/Tree Rats! or, The Crepuscular Hobbyhorse. A Farrago/A Beautiful Young Nymph Going To Bed by Jonathan Swift, Illustrated by E.J. Barnes all available on DrownedTownPress: http://www.drownedtownpress.com/

Then there’s me, Michele Witchipoo: WitchesBrewPress.com

Facebook: Psycho Bunny and Michele Witchipoo – WitchesBrewPress

MICE Expo 2018 Fundraiser: http://www.micexpo.org/2018/fat-cats-for-mice-fundraiser/

MICE 2018

MICE 2016 Part II

Continuing where I left off from MICE 2016 part one.

After setting up my table early in the a.m., I caught a bit of a local comic artist giving a small pep talk/lecture to the newer exhibitors.

micelecture — MICE Expo veteran giving a quick lecture to the newer exhibitors. Cambridge, MA. Oct. 2016.

As the comic con unfolded, you couldn’t help but notice many attendees in costume or cosplay. It just happened that MICE 2016 was scheduled on the weekend before Halloween. Here’s a few photos.

Surprisingly I did good at MICE. To my left was an artist who I met for the first time at NYCC 2016. Had brought his comic at NYCC. Had no idea only two weeks later I would be sitting next to him at MICE. It’s a small world after all. He was a former school teacher who decided to follow his dream.

Also had a chance to meet someone I’ve been conversing online since the early 2000s. Michelle Kane came down to the comic con. After our conversation, she invited me for some karaoke in her area of Quincy, MA. Usually I hate karaoke, but this time the invite was accepted. Later on after MICE closed for the night, me and E.J. Barnes, who was gracious enough to let me stay at her place traveled over.

We arrived at a huge restaurant called Cathay Pacific. In my little black heart I have a soft spot for old school Chinese eateries with vintage Polynesian decor. It was love at first sight. Didn’t care how good or bad the food was. After Michelle introduced us to her buddy Stephen Jay “The Handyman” Spector, karaoke began. Have to say, all three, E.J., Michelle and Stephen all had good voices. As for me, I sat my out of tune ass down.

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To be continued…

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MICE 2018 fundraiser: http://fundraiser.micexpo.org/

Psycho Bunny Sketches of The Week – 2017 End of Summer Edition.

Summer has come to a close. Technically Fall doesn’t begin until September 23rd. It’s going back to school, work, etc, that unofficially signifies the end of those warm summer days. Unless you’ve been paying attention to global warming.

Last month made some headlines in the U.S. The summer of 2017 was also the 50th anniversary of the famous ‘summer of love.’

PsychoBunnyHippieAug2017754 — The 50th anniversary of the “Summer of Love” Psycho Bunny style. Based on the comic drawn, written and published by Michele Witchipoo on WitchesBrewPress. Aug. 2017.

Back to the present. Yesterday as of this post was Labor Day. Of course, Psycho Bunny is the founder, member, president and CEO of The Unemployment Appreciation Society. Psycho Bunny’s beloved mother has some thoughts about this…

PsychoBunnyLaborDaySept2017755 — Labor Day 2017. Psycho Bunny is the founder, member, president and CEO of The Unemployment Appreciation Society. Psycho Bunny’s mother however, has a different opinion. Based on the comic drawn, written and published by Michele Witchipoo on WitchesBrewPress. Sept. 2017.

Now that I’ve somewhat caught up with the Psycho Bunny weekly postings, here’s the usual plugs. You can follow the following pages: Psycho Bunny and WitchesBrewPress on Facebook, Psycho Bunny on Twitter, Michele Witchipoo on Tumblr, DeviantArt, and Instagram.

Fly United – The Psycho Bunny Sketch of The Week 5/8/17

It’s nice to be back on schedule. Planning on your summer vacation? You might want to take advice from Psycho Bunny…

PSUnitedMay2017 — Psycho Bunny flies United Airlines. Based on the comic written and drawn by Michele Witchipoo on WitchesBrewPress. May 2017.

Even if you don’t fly United, you can still follow Psycho Bunny on his many misadventures. There’s his Facebook page, the WitchesBrewPress page, Twitter and Instagram. Don’t forget to order Psycho Bunny comics on the WitchesBrewPress website. Till next time.

Psycho Bunny On Free Comic Book Day

That Psycho Bunny doesn’t miss a beat. Here’s how he celebrates Free Comic Book Day.

PSFCBDMay2017 — Psycho Bunny’s attitude on Free Comic Book Day 2017. Based on the comic written and drawn by Michele Witchipoo on WitchesBrewPress. May 6th, 2017.

Check back on Monday, when Psycho Bunny returns to his regular schedule. A new sketch every week. You can also “like” Psycho Bunny on Facebook, and follow him on Twitter. You can also check out the other Facebook page for WitchesBrewPress, and likewise on Instagram. Afterwards, order copies of Psycho Bunny from the website. Till next time.

Shakespeare In Love – Psycho Bunny Edition! (Psycho Bunny Sketch of The Week 2/13/2017)

Psycho Bunny is a poet. Reciting Shakespeare at that! However, things doesn’t work as planned.

Introducing the Psycho Bunny sketch of the week for Feb. 13th, 2017. A special Valentine’s Day edition.

psychobunnyshakelovesonnetweb — Shakespeare in love – the Psycho Bunny edition. Based on the comic written and drawn by Michele Witchipoo. Valentine edition, Feb. 2017.

Whether or not you have romance in your own life, don’t forget to check out and click “like” for the Psycho Bunny Facebook page. There’s also a page for my other illustration stuff, Michele Witchipoo – WitchesBrewPress. You can click “like” on that page as well. I’ve marked my personal Instagram account private. In it’s place I’ve started another public Instagram account, WitchipooArt just for my cartoons, art, and illustration work. So if you follow that instead, it’ll be much appreciated.

What else? Psycho Bunny has his own Twitter account. You can order merch with my various designs on RedBubble.

You can always order my comics and greeting cards off my website, which should be update but hasn’t. If you specify what you’re looking for, email me. PayPal and Square accepted.

Till next time.

First Psycho Bunny Sketch of The New Year

Only the second day into 2017, which falls on a Monday. You know what that means. It’s the weekly Psycho Bunny sketch of the week.

PsychoBunnyGB2016 — Psycho Bunny says goodbye to 2016. Based on the comic by Michele Witchipoo. Jan. 2017.

Perhaps some of you out there will agree with Psycho Bunny’s sentiment.

Despite his bickering, 2016 was actually a very good year for me. Not exactly sure what 2017 will bring…

No new news as of yet, except for being part of the Nasty Women exhibit at Knockdown Center.

Don’t forget to click “like” on both Facebook pages: one for Psycho Bunny, and the other for WitchesBrewPress. I also got involved with a local collective from Ridgewood, Queens NY called Rock Paper Scissors. Click “like” on that page too, to hear about future events.