Aaron: Kansas City comics scene helped launch his career

Jason Aaron, Tony Moore, and Matt Fraction
Jason Aaron, Tony Moore, and Matt Fraction

In his latest column for Comic Book Resources, Kansas City comics writer Jason Aaron reminisces about his early days in the comics business and the importance that the local network of comics creators had in shaping his career.

The first week I was here, I found a comic shop and started a pull list: Elite Comics in Overland Park. I’ve been buying my books there ever since. Through that shop I first met local comic folk like B. Clay Moore, Ande Parks and Jai Nitz, and later some fellow KC-transplants like Tony Moore and Matt Fraction. Here were people who actually made their living making comics. I couldn’t believe it.

Aaron credits his interaction with local creators, and their assistance and advice in shaping his career. “I honestly don’t know that I would be here today if it wasn’t for them,” he writes.

In addition to his CBR columns, you can keep up with Jason Aaron on his website, jasonaaron.info.

KC voice actor announces the Oscars

Tom Kane
Kansas City's Tom Kane is not only the voice of Yoda, he's also the voice of the Academy Awards.

Local voice-over artist Tom Kane is the announcer for tomorrow’s Academy Awards broadcast. Aaron Barnhart of the Kansas City Star interviewed Kane and other Kansas City area announcers and voice performers.

In addition to announcing, Kane is a busy animation voice performer. He is currently the voice of Yoda in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and has also had regular roles in The Wild Thornberries, PowerPuff Girls, and Foster’s Home. “There are only two guys who do voice-over work and animation, but I also do promos and commercials and narration,” Kane told Barnhart. “I’ve essentially got four or five voice-over careers running at the same time.”

Kane is also a featured guest at Kansas City’s Planet Comicon March 26-27. The event will be held at the Overland Park International Trade Center. Adult weekend passes are available in advance for $15 or at the event for $20.

Andrews McMeel makes Kansas City comic strip central

Universal Uclick
Universal Uclick, a division of Kansas City's Andrews McMeel Universal, will begin distributing United Feature Syndicate properties in June.

Kansas City publishing powerhouse Andrews McMeel Universal has announced that its Universal Uclick division has agreed to become the full-service syndication partner of Scripps’ United Feature Syndicate properties. As of June 1, 2011, Universal Uclick will manage all aspects of syndication for United Feature Syndicate properties including Pearls Before Swine, Get Fuzzy, Marmaduke, Frank & Ernest, The Born Loser, Big Nate and Miss Manners.

The new properties will join Universal Uclick’s stable of syndicated comic strips, including comic heavyweights Doonesbury, Garfield, Non Sequitur, For Better or For Worse and Ziggy. Universal Uclick has also recently announced agreements to syndicate Peanuts and Dilbert.

“We could not be more pleased to welcome the inspired creators represented by these features,” said John McMeel, co-founder, chairman, and president of Andrews McMeel Universal. “When we began this venture in 1970, and our office was on the 5th floor of a Manhattan walk-up, we would never have believed AMU would be in this position today. However, our goal has always been to represent the best. The addition of these features and creators to our outstanding lineup moves us further toward that goal, and establishes an extraordinary roster that is unmatched in the industry.”