ABOUT
Vannotes is a writer, cartoonist, and educator from the Treasure Valley. Their work includes writing the official graphic novels for Bendy, Spy Ninjas, and Piggy for Scholastic. Other work includes publications from Boom! Studios, King Features Syndicate, Oregon East, Oroboro. Shelfdust, and ZEAL.
They received their BFA in Comic Art from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and their MFA in Creative Writing from Eastern Oregon University. When they’re not at their desk, they read far too many comic books and play far too many video games.
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To contact Vannotes for professional inquiries or just to say hi, please email vannotesbooks@gmail.com.
Below is a list of their featured work by year.
2023
Spy Ninjas Official Graphic Novel: New Recruits
Writer
PIGGY Original Graphic Novel:
Permanent Detention
Writer
After yet another trap set by Project Zorgo, Chad and Vy are left without the rest of their Spy Ninjas team. But this isn’t the end of the dynamic duo! After their friends leave the team, Chad and Vy get trapped in an endless loop of eating tacos and watching TV. But eventually they rally and train three new superfan recruits. They certainly have the skills to keep up, but do they have the heart?
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The new recruits quickly learn the meaning of true teamwork in the face of a looming Project Zorgo threat. Will their hacker skills, parkour stunts, and secret disguises be enough to take down Project Zorgo? Or will the infamous hackers get the last laugh?
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This comic was written using Scrivener software and edited in Apple Pages.
Welcome to the bone chilling, pulse-pounding world of PIGGY, the survival-horror game that will keep you up at night.
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After the outbreak of a zombie-like disease that's turned the world upside down, Willow and her mysterious team, the Silver Paw, do all they can to stay alive. It's not so easy when there's dangerous creatures called "the infected" and their leader, PIGGY, roaming the streets. Danger is around every corner.
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When PIGGY ambushes Willow and newcomer Cami, the two escape to an abandoned school only to find they'll have to survive a barbarian clan of kindergartners, a gladiator pit in the cafeteria, and an infected-filled gym, all with PIGGY hot on their trail. Can they escape in one piece? Or will this be the end of Willow and the Silver Paw?
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This comic was written using Scrivener software and edited in Apple Pages.
2022
Spy Ninjas Official Graphic Novel: Virtual Reality Madness
Writer
The Spy Ninjas are going viral in their first original graphic novel!
The Spy Ninjas finally have the upper hand! Chad and Vy have discovered a super secret project Zorgo base. It's filled with gadgets, gizmos and some serious technology. Chad and Vy just have to show some of this to the other Spy Ninjas. They bring a VR headset home with them, but it's more than meets the eye. Chad and Vy try on the headset and get sucked into a virtual world! This can't be good. Complete with digital bosses, exploding food, and wacky characters, will the Spy Ninjas be able to escape or will project Zorgo prevail once and for all? This original graphic novel is perfect for readers searching for a whirlwind adventure!
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This comic was written using Scrivener software and edited in Apple Pages.
2021
Small Town Speculation
Author and Illustrator
A short story zine that debuted at Boise Comic Art Festival.
Two dead beat vampires meet an ancient conquerer at the gas station. A forest rapidly grows in the middle of a small town. A young boy comes to understand the ways of a monster who lives in his grandparents' barn. A train rolling into town brings back memories for two old stargazers.
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This comic was written using Scrivener software, illustrated in Procreate with some assets produced using watercolor, and compiled in Affinity Publisher.
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2020
Bendy Crack-Up Comics Collection
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Writer
"World's finest"
fancomic
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Author and Illustrator
"Second Garden"
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Author and Illustrator
This collection of vintage 1930s-1940s Bendy comic strips is a must-have for those wanting to peek into the silly, scary world of Bendy and his friends!
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For those dying to know more about the simple, darkly funny cartoons produced at Joey Drew Studios, look no further than this illustrated collection of comics based on the exploits of Bendy, Boris the Wolf, Alice Angel, and all their friends! This collection of vintage comic strip adaptations brings to life the best of the many cartoon features produced by Joey Drew Studios. Fans of all ages won't want to miss this never-before-published romp that brings to life the world of Bendy!
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Written using Scrivener writing software.
A Superman/Batman fancomic featuring Lois Lane and the Joker. This was my best attempt at a classic 8 page adventure.
This comic was drawn using Pentel brush pens and various ink materials on Canson Watercolor paper.
A comic written and drawn after streaming way too many cult documentaries and reading too many Chick Tracts.
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This comic was drawn using Pentel brush pens and various ink materials on Canson Watercolor paper.
2019
ENIGMA AGENTS ISSUE 2
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Author and Illustrator
"isla_N"
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Illustrator
Popeye's
cartoon club!
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Writer and letterer
Illustrations for fellowship expansion
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Illustrator
Enigma agents issue 1
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Author and Illustrator
The second issue of Enigma Agents features King Catarrhine and his army of evil apes attacking the Enigma Agents. To beat the villains, the player must choose-your-own adventure to save the day!
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This 16 page issue came with 4 exclusive trading cards and a personalized drawing.
A short comic about ongoing narratives unfolding over a night on social media. You can find more of Alice's work at http://pussygoesgrrr.com.
This comic was drawn using Pentel brush pens and ink wash on Canson Watercolor paper and colored using Procreate for iPad.
Written for King Features Syndicate's celebration of Popeye's 90 anniversary. The strip was drawn by Maddi Gonzalez, a dear friend and cartoonist extraordinaire.
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Written using Scrivener software and lettered using Procreate for iPad.
Drawn for Fellowship a tabletop RPG game about going on an adventure, in the same vein as Lord of the Rings or Wakfu or The Legend of Zelda. The system is loosely based on the Apocalypse Engine, but the game does not feature the typical Game Master that many other tabletop games do.
These illustrations were drawn with Uniball Air pens and colored using Procreate for iPad.
Do you miss fun loving comic books for all-ages, featuring classic heroics and dastardly villains? Do you love having puzzles to solve and exclusive bonus swag with each issue? Then Enigma Agents is the perfect comic book for you!
The first issue features Baron Encrypto, the robot armed villain who battles the Enigma Agents with his Encrypto Bot.
2017
"Lakitu's Hook"
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Author and Illustrator
Cover for Adventure time comics #11
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Author and Illustrator
An autobiographical comic exploring Mario Kart's Kalamari Desert. This comic was drawn using Pentel brush pens on Canson Watercolor paper and colored using Adobe Photoshop.
This comic was funded through Patreon under the ZEAL project. ZEAL aims to provide high-quality criticism of rarely discussed games and comics, and showcase the talents of exciting new writers and artists. For details and information on how to donate, please check out their Patreon, where you can also get exclusive video content for $5+!
Illustrated the cover for Adventure Time Comics #11, published May 2017. Illustration drawn using Pentel brush pens and ink washes on watercolor paper and colored using Adobe Photoshop.
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Collected in Adventure Time Comics Vol 2.
