Vitajte! Welcome to the WEBCOMIC face of Marek Bennett’s 2011-2012 Slovakia Comics Travel project.
Where to start reading:
I’ve been posting comics to this site in the order in which I’m drawing them… which is to say, all out of order and somewhat out of context!
Here are a few possible starting points:
<< mini-comic that started it all…
<< first time I went to draw in church
<< drawing in time of slaughter
<< cleaning Fall garden with Babka
<< Vaclav Havel on HOPE
<< history sits down next to you…
<< because you need to know
<< little pieces of Bratislava history
<< buying milk 
<< secret graveyard
<< two views of community on ALL SAINTS EVE
<< oh, that. 
<< but that, too
<< shocking but true! 
<< talking roma
<< aw, nuts
Special Series: LIVES OF THE SAINTS!
Detailing all the horrible things that have happened to people who stand strong for what they believe in… Choose from these exciting episodes:
F.A.Q.
~ Some quick Q&A about this blog… ~
Add your own questions to the COMMENTS field at the bottom!
Q) You’re in Slovakia?!?
I was in Slovakia during Fall, 2011. I am currently in the USA, drawing comics and travel sketches (& more) about my adventures. In 2012, I’ll collect these comics & stories into a graphic novel about language, culture, dumplings, history, music, comics, education, castles, & more. [DONATE/ORDER YOUR COPY HERE]
Q) What were you DOING in Slovakia?
I’ll tell the whole story in comics format in the book… Here’s the basic idea:
First, I studied in the capital city of Bratislava, and then headed East and to live in small towns in Šariš region of Eastern Slovakia (where my family lives). That’s the Family History component of my trip.
I also did some COMICS WORKSHOPS for schools and community programs. That’s the Educational Component of the trip… The EDUCATIONAL component of the trip is funded by donations and book pre-sales on this blog (see “REPORT”)
I also traveled around researching (& drawing from) old comics artifacts in churches and cathedrals, and discovered some surprising stories…
Q) Why Slovakia?
My great grandmother came to New England from Slovakia about a hundred years ago. Fortunately, 
our family branches on either side of the ocean never lost contact with each other, and so I grew up knowing many of my cousins who live in Eastern Slovakia.
Q) Why comics?
I’m a comics creator and teaching artist, it’s what I do! Plus, comics have an amazingly deep and rich history in Eastern Europe… but don’t take my word for it, read my comics about it!
Q) Have you done this before?
Sort of — although this project is much bigger and deeper. But to get a sense of my previous travel work, you might want to check out some pre-trip artwork, or even my 2009 graphic novel:
Nicaragua Comics Travel Journal
For other examples of my work, see:
In the meantime, keep reading and commenting on (and sharing) this blog… and thanks so much for your support in this work!
Q) Okay, can I subscribe to this blog?
Yup — you should see a SUBSCRIPTION button on the sidebar. Click it, and then you’ll get email updates every time I post new material here.
– Marek
very nice comic. I like your inking. Hope your book does well.
Thank you very much!
It’s all inking, I don’t pencil anything here. (Well, every 20 or 30 pages sometimes I’ll sketch out a more complicated panel with lots of buildings in pencil first, but nothing else!)
I’ll keep you posted about the book, and thanks for helping spread the word…
Marek, I don’t know if you are into blogging awards, but I love you work, art and writing, so I nominated you for a “One Lovely Blog Award.” The nomination post is here: http://ourprocess.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/one-lovely-blog-award/