Here's a review of his new comic book "DC Universe: Last Will and Testament": John Hardick: "Kuberts create a surprising new tale," Lehigh Valley Express Times Saturday, August 30, 2008.
And here's a blog post: "Brad Meltzer: Faster than a speeding bullet," by Chauncey Mabe, South Florida Sun Sentinel's Off the Page blog August 31, 2008.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Give me that ol' time Bat-religion, and other news
R. Kikuo Johnson's illustrated today's New York Times magazine story on President Bush. Rutu Modan's comic story is continuing too, although it hasn't really captured my imagination.
"Must-See Sermons: Va. Pastor Culls Lessons From Silver Screen to Pull In Larger Audience," By Ben Hubbard, Washington Post Staff Writer, Sunday, August 31, 2008; C01 is about a minister who's preached dressed as both the Batman and the Joker during sermons.
Also, the last completely new For Better or For Worse strip appeared in the Sunday Post comics section. Ms. Johnston extrapolates what happens to the characters in the future, much as the last Harry Potter book did.
In the "Lord, what fools these mortals be" column we find "Studio War Involving ‘Watchmen’ Heats Up," By MICHAEL CIEPLY, New York Times August 30, 2008.
This piece explained a James Gillray cartoon, which can be incomprehensible at a remove of 200 years - "Be an Old Master, for 10 Guineas," By J. D. BIERSDORFER, New York Times August 31, 2008
In the Sunday Examiner's inserts - "Why I love Superman: A best-selling novelist on why he adores the Man of Steel," By Brad Meltzer, USA Weekend August 29 2008.
Jen Sorenson blogged from the DNC and we missed it
Jen's based in Charlottesville, and a regular attendee of SPX. She's also got a new book out. You can still see her blog on the DNC even if the event's over.
Family Circus has left Washington
The Family Circus flew out of DC yesterday, leaving via Dulles Airport (in a fine rendering of the architecturally significant airport). With four children and two adults, they significantly added to the local tourism economy in spite of sticking to free monuments and museums. We hope they enjoyed their visit.
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE THURSDAY 09-04-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE THURSDAY 09-04-08
By John Judy
(Note: Long weekends mean late comics but only by a day.)
AL JAFFE TALL TALES HC by Al Jaffe. Collecting 120 installments of the world’s first and last vertical newspaper comic-strip from the veteran MAD artist who gave us “Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions” and the folding back-cover gags of about a million issues of MAD. Very cool stuff. Recommended.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #570 by Dan Slott and John Romita Jr. Big fights between Spidey, Venom and “Anti-Venom” so help me. Where’s a Skrull when you need one? But it’s Dan Slott so of course he makes it all sing.
ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL #12 by Brian Lynch and Nick Runge. The incomprehensibility continues! Contains vaguely humanoid shapes and words!
BOYS #22 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The Legend wraps it up, the Homelander throws a hissy, and Butcher learns something. Featuring a variant glow-in-the-dark cover and lots of perversion. Not for kids. Recommended.
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #18 by Joss Whedon and Karl Moline. Buffy’s in the future and Dawn’s a centaur. A really hot centaur… Hey Michelle Trachtenberg’s like 32 years old now so it’s okay! Oh man, it’s never gonna be okay….
GREEN LANTERN #34 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis. Hal Jordan and Sinestro take on Abin Sur’s killer. It’s like Anakin and Obi-Wan if George Lucas knew how to write. Recommended.
MARVEL APES #1 of 4 by Karl Kesel and Ramon Bachs. An alternate universe where the Marvel heroes are all monkeys. Hey, it was this or more zombies… Oh wait, they’re doing that too. I don’t care! It’s monkeys as heroes! I’m reading it! Ook-ook!
SECRET SIX #1 by Gail Simone and Nicola Scott. The always awesome Gail Simone returns to chronicle the on-going adventures of DC’s favorite anti-heroes. Strong, character-driven stories of triple-crosses, desperation, out-and-out psychosis and other stuff straight out of the GOP National Convention! Highly recommended.
STORMING PARADISE #3 of 6 by Chuck Dixon and Butch Guice. It’s game-on as the allies invade the Japanese mainland in this alternate-world history in which there was no Fat Man or Little Boy to end WWII. Weird, wild stuff. Recommended.
SUB-MARINER: DEPTHS #1 of 5 by Peter Milligan and Esad Ribic. The Marvel Knights version of Namor the Sub-Mariner which means it’s out of continuity and probably incredibly sexy, vulgar and violent. And other stuff straight out of the GOP National Convention! (Call-back! Yes!) Gotta look. Unless you’re a kid.
TWELVE ½ by Various Creators, including Stan Lee, Joe Simon and Basil Wolverton. Collecting early golden-age appearances of the stars of the hit series THE TWELVE. This issue includes the Fiery Mask, Rockman and Mister E. For those of us who love such stuff but can’t afford the big-buck back issue prices. Cool.
X-MEN: MANIFEST DESTINY #1 of 4 by Mike Carey, Michael Ryan and Others. A series of stories laying out the latest status quo of all things “X.”
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
(Note: Long weekends mean late comics but only by a day.)
AL JAFFE TALL TALES HC by Al Jaffe. Collecting 120 installments of the world’s first and last vertical newspaper comic-strip from the veteran MAD artist who gave us “Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions” and the folding back-cover gags of about a million issues of MAD. Very cool stuff. Recommended.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #570 by Dan Slott and John Romita Jr. Big fights between Spidey, Venom and “Anti-Venom” so help me. Where’s a Skrull when you need one? But it’s Dan Slott so of course he makes it all sing.
ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL #12 by Brian Lynch and Nick Runge. The incomprehensibility continues! Contains vaguely humanoid shapes and words!
BOYS #22 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The Legend wraps it up, the Homelander throws a hissy, and Butcher learns something. Featuring a variant glow-in-the-dark cover and lots of perversion. Not for kids. Recommended.
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #18 by Joss Whedon and Karl Moline. Buffy’s in the future and Dawn’s a centaur. A really hot centaur… Hey Michelle Trachtenberg’s like 32 years old now so it’s okay! Oh man, it’s never gonna be okay….
GREEN LANTERN #34 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis. Hal Jordan and Sinestro take on Abin Sur’s killer. It’s like Anakin and Obi-Wan if George Lucas knew how to write. Recommended.
MARVEL APES #1 of 4 by Karl Kesel and Ramon Bachs. An alternate universe where the Marvel heroes are all monkeys. Hey, it was this or more zombies… Oh wait, they’re doing that too. I don’t care! It’s monkeys as heroes! I’m reading it! Ook-ook!
SECRET SIX #1 by Gail Simone and Nicola Scott. The always awesome Gail Simone returns to chronicle the on-going adventures of DC’s favorite anti-heroes. Strong, character-driven stories of triple-crosses, desperation, out-and-out psychosis and other stuff straight out of the GOP National Convention! Highly recommended.
STORMING PARADISE #3 of 6 by Chuck Dixon and Butch Guice. It’s game-on as the allies invade the Japanese mainland in this alternate-world history in which there was no Fat Man or Little Boy to end WWII. Weird, wild stuff. Recommended.
SUB-MARINER: DEPTHS #1 of 5 by Peter Milligan and Esad Ribic. The Marvel Knights version of Namor the Sub-Mariner which means it’s out of continuity and probably incredibly sexy, vulgar and violent. And other stuff straight out of the GOP National Convention! (Call-back! Yes!) Gotta look. Unless you’re a kid.
TWELVE ½ by Various Creators, including Stan Lee, Joe Simon and Basil Wolverton. Collecting early golden-age appearances of the stars of the hit series THE TWELVE. This issue includes the Fiery Mask, Rockman and Mister E. For those of us who love such stuff but can’t afford the big-buck back issue prices. Cool.
X-MEN: MANIFEST DESTINY #1 of 4 by Mike Carey, Michael Ryan and Others. A series of stories laying out the latest status quo of all things “X.”
www.johnjudy.net
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Diary of a Wimpy Kid's Jeff Kinney at Baltimore Comic-Con!
Diary of a Wimpy Kid's Jeff Kinney at Baltimore Comic-Con!
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Baltimore, Maryland - August 23, 2008 - Jeff Kinney, author of the #1 New York Times best-selling title Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and nominee in 8 Harvey Award categories this year, will be making his Baltimore Comic-Con debut on Saturday, September 27th!
"Jeff Kinney's been picking up accolades left and right with his series, and really draws a different demographic to the show," said show promoter Marc Nathan. "We're really excited to have him and think his appearance is going to be a huge hit."
Jeff is appearing courtesy of Amulet Books, an imprint of Harry N. Abrams, Inc., and will be signing in their booth on Saturday at 3pm.
A full list of retailers can now be found on our website.
Swamp Thing co-creator and Frankenstein artist Bernie Wrightson will be the show's Guest of Honor.
He headlines a guest list that includes, in alphabetical order, Michael Bair (Identity Crisis, 52), Kyle Baker (Nat Turner, The Bakers), Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man, Secret Invasion), Ivan Brandon (NYC Mech, Marvel Comics Presents), Buzz (JSA), Jim Calafiore (Exiles, Countdown), Dennis Calero (X-Factor, Countdown), Nick Cardy (Aquaman, Teen Titans), Tommy Castillo (Grimm Fairy Tales, Kong: King of Skull Island), Howard Chaykin (Wolverine, American Flagg), Cliff Chiang (Green Arrow & Black Canary), Gene Colan (Daredevil, Tomb of Dracula), Darwyn Cooke (New Frontier, The Spirit), Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows, Mighty Avengers), Steve Conley (Star Trek, The Escapist), Amanda Conner (Green Arrow/Black Canary, JSA Classified), Guy Davis (B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson), Todd Dezago (Perhapanauts, Tellos), Steve Dillon (Punisher, Preacher), David Finch (World War Hulk, New Avengers), Ramona Fradon (Aquaman, Mermaidman and Barnacleboy), John Gallagher (Buzzboy, Roboy Red), Ron Garney (Wolverine, Skaar: Son of Hulk), Michael Golden (Micronauts, The 'Nam), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Mike Grell (John Sable, Iron Man), Cully Hamner (Blue Beetle, Black Lightning), Dean Haspiel (American Splendor, Brawl), Adam Hughes (Catwoman), Stuart Immonen (Ultimate Spider-Man), Chris Ivy (Beast Boy, Marc Spector: Moon Knight), Geoff Johns (Green Lantern, Action Comics), J.G. Jones (52, Wonder Woman), Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Ultimate X-Men), Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man, Empire), Rich Koslowski (Marvel Comics Presents, Sonic the Hedgehog), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon, Image EIC), Jim Lee (All Star Batman & Robin, Wildcats), Norman Lee (Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man, Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane), the Luna Brothers (The Sword, Girls), David Mack (Kabuki, Daredevil), Sean McKeever (Teen Titans, Countdown), Mark McKenna (Banana-Tail, Annihilation: Conquest), Bob McLeod (New Mutants, Spider-Man), Pop Mhan (Blank, Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Mike Mignola (Hellboy, Disney's Atlantis), Mark Morales (Civil War, Secret Invasion), Rags Morales (Identity Crisis, Batman Confidential), Phil Noto (Danger Girl, Jonah Hex), Michael Avon Oeming (Mice Templar, Powers), Mike Okamoto (Hellraiser, Chaos! Quarterly), Jimmy Palmiotti (Painkiller Jane, Jonah Hex), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate X-Men, Strange), Eric Powell (The Goon), Tom Raney (Annihilation: Conquest, Ultimate Secrets), Alex Robinson (Too Cool to be Forgotten, Box Office Poison), James Robinson (Superman, JSA), John Romita Sr. (Amazing Spider-Man), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Perhapanauts, X-Men: First Class), Andy Runton (Owly), Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween, Heroes), Alex Saviuk (Web of Spider-Man, Feast of the Seven Fishes), Tony Shasteen (O.C.T.: Occult Crimes Taskforce), Jim Shooter (Legion of Super-Heroes), John K. Snyder III (Grendel), Taki Soma (Silent Forest, You'll Never Die), Mark Sparacio (Heroes for Hire, Captain Action), Brian Stelfreeze (Midnighter, The Ride), Karl Story (Black Canary Wedding Planner, Number of the Beast), Robert Tinnell (EZ Street), Peter Tomasi (Nightwing, Green Lantern Corps), Herb Trimpe (Incredible Hulk), Timothy Truman (Conan, Grimjack), Billy Tucci (Shi, Sgt. Rock - The Lost Battalion), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest, The Wicked West), Doug Wagner (The Ride, Gun Candy), Matt Wagner (Zorro, Grendel), Mark Waid (Flash, Boom! Studios), Mark Wheatley (Frankenstein Mobster, Mighty Motor Sapiens), Ron Wilson (The Thing), and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).
The Harvey Awards will return to the Baltimore Comic-Con for the third consecutive year. The awards dinner and ceremony will be held Saturday night, September 27, 2008, following the convention's normal hours. As in 2007, the first 300 paid attendees and honorees at the 2008 Harvey Awards Ceremonies will receive a Hollywood-style bag of swag. Last year's bag included The EC Archives: Two-Fisted Tales - Volume 1 from Gemstone Publishing, a complete base set of the soon-to-be-released Jericho Season One trading cards from Inkworks, an exclusive pin from AdHouse Books, a Comic-Con exclusive edition of 30 Days of Night: Red Snow 1 from IDW Publishing, a Toon Tumbler from Popfun Merchandising, and an exclusive Harvey Awards keychain from LaserMach. Final ballots are presently online at www.harveyawards.org. Kyle Baker will return as Master of Ceremonies for the evening's events.
Tickets are now available for sale. For more information about the Baltimore Comic-Con, email cardscomicscollectilbes@yahoo.com or call (410) 526-7410. The guest list, ticket information, directions, and other information can be found on the convention's website or on its MySpace page.
For more information about the Harvey Awards, including sponsorship opportunities, e-mail baltimorecomiccon@yahoo.com.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Baltimore, Maryland - August 23, 2008 - Jeff Kinney, author of the #1 New York Times best-selling title Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and nominee in 8 Harvey Award categories this year, will be making his Baltimore Comic-Con debut on Saturday, September 27th!
"Jeff Kinney's been picking up accolades left and right with his series, and really draws a different demographic to the show," said show promoter Marc Nathan. "We're really excited to have him and think his appearance is going to be a huge hit."
Jeff is appearing courtesy of Amulet Books, an imprint of Harry N. Abrams, Inc., and will be signing in their booth on Saturday at 3pm.
A full list of retailers can now be found on our website.
Swamp Thing co-creator and Frankenstein artist Bernie Wrightson will be the show's Guest of Honor.
He headlines a guest list that includes, in alphabetical order, Michael Bair (Identity Crisis, 52), Kyle Baker (Nat Turner, The Bakers), Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man, Secret Invasion), Ivan Brandon (NYC Mech, Marvel Comics Presents), Buzz (JSA), Jim Calafiore (Exiles, Countdown), Dennis Calero (X-Factor, Countdown), Nick Cardy (Aquaman, Teen Titans), Tommy Castillo (Grimm Fairy Tales, Kong: King of Skull Island), Howard Chaykin (Wolverine, American Flagg), Cliff Chiang (Green Arrow & Black Canary), Gene Colan (Daredevil, Tomb of Dracula), Darwyn Cooke (New Frontier, The Spirit), Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows, Mighty Avengers), Steve Conley (Star Trek, The Escapist), Amanda Conner (Green Arrow/Black Canary, JSA Classified), Guy Davis (B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson), Todd Dezago (Perhapanauts, Tellos), Steve Dillon (Punisher, Preacher), David Finch (World War Hulk, New Avengers), Ramona Fradon (Aquaman, Mermaidman and Barnacleboy), John Gallagher (Buzzboy, Roboy Red), Ron Garney (Wolverine, Skaar: Son of Hulk), Michael Golden (Micronauts, The 'Nam), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Mike Grell (John Sable, Iron Man), Cully Hamner (Blue Beetle, Black Lightning), Dean Haspiel (American Splendor, Brawl), Adam Hughes (Catwoman), Stuart Immonen (Ultimate Spider-Man), Chris Ivy (Beast Boy, Marc Spector: Moon Knight), Geoff Johns (Green Lantern, Action Comics), J.G. Jones (52, Wonder Woman), Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Ultimate X-Men), Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man, Empire), Rich Koslowski (Marvel Comics Presents, Sonic the Hedgehog), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon, Image EIC), Jim Lee (All Star Batman & Robin, Wildcats), Norman Lee (Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man, Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane), the Luna Brothers (The Sword, Girls), David Mack (Kabuki, Daredevil), Sean McKeever (Teen Titans, Countdown), Mark McKenna (Banana-Tail, Annihilation: Conquest), Bob McLeod (New Mutants, Spider-Man), Pop Mhan (Blank, Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Mike Mignola (Hellboy, Disney's Atlantis), Mark Morales (Civil War, Secret Invasion), Rags Morales (Identity Crisis, Batman Confidential), Phil Noto (Danger Girl, Jonah Hex), Michael Avon Oeming (Mice Templar, Powers), Mike Okamoto (Hellraiser, Chaos! Quarterly), Jimmy Palmiotti (Painkiller Jane, Jonah Hex), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate X-Men, Strange), Eric Powell (The Goon), Tom Raney (Annihilation: Conquest, Ultimate Secrets), Alex Robinson (Too Cool to be Forgotten, Box Office Poison), James Robinson (Superman, JSA), John Romita Sr. (Amazing Spider-Man), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Perhapanauts, X-Men: First Class), Andy Runton (Owly), Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween, Heroes), Alex Saviuk (Web of Spider-Man, Feast of the Seven Fishes), Tony Shasteen (O.C.T.: Occult Crimes Taskforce), Jim Shooter (Legion of Super-Heroes), John K. Snyder III (Grendel), Taki Soma (Silent Forest, You'll Never Die), Mark Sparacio (Heroes for Hire, Captain Action), Brian Stelfreeze (Midnighter, The Ride), Karl Story (Black Canary Wedding Planner, Number of the Beast), Robert Tinnell (EZ Street), Peter Tomasi (Nightwing, Green Lantern Corps), Herb Trimpe (Incredible Hulk), Timothy Truman (Conan, Grimjack), Billy Tucci (Shi, Sgt. Rock - The Lost Battalion), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest, The Wicked West), Doug Wagner (The Ride, Gun Candy), Matt Wagner (Zorro, Grendel), Mark Waid (Flash, Boom! Studios), Mark Wheatley (Frankenstein Mobster, Mighty Motor Sapiens), Ron Wilson (The Thing), and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).
The Harvey Awards will return to the Baltimore Comic-Con for the third consecutive year. The awards dinner and ceremony will be held Saturday night, September 27, 2008, following the convention's normal hours. As in 2007, the first 300 paid attendees and honorees at the 2008 Harvey Awards Ceremonies will receive a Hollywood-style bag of swag. Last year's bag included The EC Archives: Two-Fisted Tales - Volume 1 from Gemstone Publishing, a complete base set of the soon-to-be-released Jericho Season One trading cards from Inkworks, an exclusive pin from AdHouse Books, a Comic-Con exclusive edition of 30 Days of Night: Red Snow 1 from IDW Publishing, a Toon Tumbler from Popfun Merchandising, and an exclusive Harvey Awards keychain from LaserMach. Final ballots are presently online at www.harveyawards.org. Kyle Baker will return as Master of Ceremonies for the evening's events.
Tickets are now available for sale. For more information about the Baltimore Comic-Con, email cardscomicscollectilbes@yahoo.com or call (410) 526-7410. The guest list, ticket information, directions, and other information can be found on the convention's website or on its MySpace page.
For more information about the Harvey Awards, including sponsorship opportunities, e-mail baltimorecomiccon@yahoo.com.
Upcoming Anime Con
The Anime USA convention, "For Otaku, By Otaku", is coming up at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA over the Columbus Day Weekend (October 10-12, 2008).
http://www.animeusa.org/
Guests include Robert DeJesus, a pretty big name in manga circles, and local yokel Jo Chen, who does covers for Runaways at Marvel and the vast majority of the Joss Whedon-verse titles at Dark Horse, among other things, plus Allison Strom, who does manga work at Seven Seas Entertainment, Matt Herms, who works at Archie, and webcomics artsts of Paradox Lost and Applegeeks.
As with all of these Anime conventions, the price of admission is steep -- $40 through the end of September, and then I assume it goes up. I guess if you're going for the whole experience, that might be more reasonable than if you're me and just want to see the folks I just mentioned above!
http://www.animeusa.org/
Guests include Robert DeJesus, a pretty big name in manga circles, and local yokel Jo Chen, who does covers for Runaways at Marvel and the vast majority of the Joss Whedon-verse titles at Dark Horse, among other things, plus Allison Strom, who does manga work at Seven Seas Entertainment, Matt Herms, who works at Archie, and webcomics artsts of Paradox Lost and Applegeeks.
As with all of these Anime conventions, the price of admission is steep -- $40 through the end of September, and then I assume it goes up. I guess if you're going for the whole experience, that might be more reasonable than if you're me and just want to see the folks I just mentioned above!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Selcuk Demirel is BACK
Turkish cartoonist Selcuk Demirel used to be a regular illustrator in the Post's Book World section, but he went missing years ago. Today he is BACK, illustrating the cover of the Weekend section. The above lift from the Post's website is 1/2 the cover he did, and obliterates the tree. More Demirel!
Also in today's Post is a review of the latest Nightmare Before Christmas DVD release which appeared online earlier in the week as "A Very Vivid 'Nightmare'," By JEN CHANEY, washingtonpost.com Staff Writer, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008 and in print as "An Early Christmas Present," Post August 29 2008, Weekend p. 32
More Meltzer ephemera
Brad's publisher is really pushing this book. Here's the postcard that came in the mail yesterday.
Brad's comic book Last Will and Testament came out from DC Comics this week and I picked it up, but haven't read it yet. It seems to deal with Geo-Force from the Outsiders and whatever the Final Crisis is.
Brad's comic book Last Will and Testament came out from DC Comics this week and I picked it up, but haven't read it yet. It seems to deal with Geo-Force from the Outsiders and whatever the Final Crisis is.
Washington Post selects Little Dog Lost to replace FBOFW
Michael Cavna is reporting that on Monday the Post will begin running "Little Dog Lost," by Ohio-based artist Steve Boreman in place of Canada-based Lynn Johnston's "For Better or For Worse."
BASH! Magazine #2..."featuring new stories from D.C. artists in your monthly comic alternative"
I noticed issue #2 of BASH! Magazine was on the stands today at the Vienna Metro station (though not in the kiosk at Gallery Place yet!). Says the cover, "This month in Bash Magazine read about the strange fates awaiting those who dare take fake vacations, walk obsure forest paths, order frozen lobster, travel to Cuba, or ride the bus!" It truly is a cornucopia of variety and strangeness. From your political-leaning cartoons by the likes of Keith Knight and Jen Sorensen to the illustrated poetry of John Dimes.
For your edification, the Table of Contents:
Something Peculiar by John Dimes
As I Wait by Theo Ellsworth
Something Happens by Thomas K. Dye
Limbs of the Megalith by Eamon Espey
Onionhead by Bryan Stone
K Chronicles by Keith Knight
One Cannot Travel Where There are Not Roads by Morgan Pielli
Slow Wave by Jesse Rekaw and Susan Ortiz
Cuba Libre by Dan Archer
Tiny Sepuku by Ken Cursoe
slowpoke by Jen Sorensen
Animal Stew by Matt Dembicki
All that, and free to boot!
For your edification, the Table of Contents:
Something Peculiar by John Dimes
As I Wait by Theo Ellsworth
Something Happens by Thomas K. Dye
Limbs of the Megalith by Eamon Espey
Onionhead by Bryan Stone
K Chronicles by Keith Knight
One Cannot Travel Where There are Not Roads by Morgan Pielli
Slow Wave by Jesse Rekaw and Susan Ortiz
Cuba Libre by Dan Archer
Tiny Sepuku by Ken Cursoe
slowpoke by Jen Sorensen
Animal Stew by Matt Dembicki
All that, and free to boot!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Zadzooks on videogame with minor comics tie-in and ill-fitting Star Wars characters
For info on some videogame called Soulcatcher IV, the DC comic book that comes with it, and the weird fact that you can have Darth Vader in your game, see "ZADZOOKS: Swords cast world into strife," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Thursday, August 28, 2008.
We also have Bennett's Best online - I looked at the Superman 3-D Final Crisis and put it back. If I made a mistake, somebody let me know.
We also have Bennett's Best online - I looked at the Superman 3-D Final Crisis and put it back. If I made a mistake, somebody let me know.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Disney expands on Blu-ray plans
"At Disney, Blu-ray Sales Team Is a Cast of Characters," By BROOKS BARNES, New York Times August 27, 2008 reports that five more animated films are joining Sleeping Beauty as Blu-ray releases - Pinocchio, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia, Fantasia 2000 and Beauty and the Beast.
They also had a mention of Virgin Comics imploding - "Virgin Comics Venture Is Shut Down," by JULIE BLOOM, New York Times August 27, 2008.
They also had a mention of Virgin Comics imploding - "Virgin Comics Venture Is Shut Down," by JULIE BLOOM, New York Times August 27, 2008.
Smackin' around the Post over the Danish cartoons
I just loved this letter to the editor:
Throwing Stones At Random House
Washington Post Wednesday, August 27, 2008; Page A12
The Post was entirely correct to criticize Random House for preemptively caving in to Islamic fundamentalists who might take offense with the novel "The Jewel of Medina" ["Random House's Retreat," editorial, Aug. 22].
But I can't help but think you would have a little more credibility on the subject if you hadn't allowed the same potential threats to dictate how you reported the controversy two years ago over cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad. The Post had its chance to assert its right to report current events as a major newspaper should by printing the cartoons, but instead you caved in to the mob just as Random House has.
JOE SCHWIND
Martinsburg, W.V.
Throwing Stones At Random House
Washington Post Wednesday, August 27, 2008; Page A12
The Post was entirely correct to criticize Random House for preemptively caving in to Islamic fundamentalists who might take offense with the novel "The Jewel of Medina" ["Random House's Retreat," editorial, Aug. 22].
But I can't help but think you would have a little more credibility on the subject if you hadn't allowed the same potential threats to dictate how you reported the controversy two years ago over cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad. The Post had its chance to assert its right to report current events as a major newspaper should by printing the cartoons, but instead you caved in to the mob just as Random House has.
JOE SCHWIND
Martinsburg, W.V.
Meltzer's Book of Lies begins getting press
USA Today raved about Meltzer's book and theory in "The crime that created Superman: Did fatal robbery spawn Man of Steel?" By David Colton, USA TODAY April 26 2008.
Today, The Cleveland Plain Dealer smacks it around a bit in response - "Novel's Superman lore a bit weak on the facts," by Patrick O'Donnell and Michael Sangiacomo, Wednesday August 27, 2008.
Today, The Cleveland Plain Dealer smacks it around a bit in response - "Novel's Superman lore a bit weak on the facts," by Patrick O'Donnell and Michael Sangiacomo, Wednesday August 27, 2008.
Seth MacFarlane's new animation for Burger King
A few days ago, I linked to a NYTimes article about Seth MacFarlane’s Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy project. A rep from Burger King's ad agency wrote in to say that while "Exclusive Cavalcade content will be presented by BK on youtube.com/bk beginning September 10" there's a sneak peak up now. Which actually looks rather dementedly amusing. Plus she said nice things about the blog...
MTV wants you, maybe, perhaps...
I've started getting press releases due to this blog, and while I'd like to stay focused on the DC area, I'll stick a few up that tickle my funny bone or some other anatomical part. Here's one from MTV's True Life show, which beyond being over 28 by some years, I still wouldn't apply to go on. However if it appeals to you, here's the unedited PR:
ARE YOU A FANBOY?
MTV’S TRUE LIFE WANTS TO HEAR YOUR STORY!
Are you a young person who is obsessed with a certain book, comic, or video game? MTV’s True Life is looking for young people who are die-hard fans of certain brands, characters, or fantasy series.
Are you obsessed with comic books, anime, fantasy, or manga? Do you like to dress up as your favorite character and attend conventions with other fans? Have you ever waited in line overnight for a book, movie, or videogame release? Do you have tattoos depicting your favorite brand or characters? Have you ever missed work, school, or other important events to engage in role-playing or cosplay? Are you misunderstood by your family or significant other because of it? Do you aspire to author your own graphic novel or comic series despite your parents’ disapproval?
If you appear to be between the ages of 16 and 28, and want to share the story of your fantasy obsession, email us at fanboy@mtvn.com with all of the details. Be sure to include your name, location, phone number and a photo, if possible.
Tell MTV why you need to be seen and heard. This is your chance to let others see what your life is all about!
So there you have it. If you do decide to apply, feel free to let us know as well.
ARE YOU A FANBOY?
MTV’S TRUE LIFE WANTS TO HEAR YOUR STORY!
Are you a young person who is obsessed with a certain book, comic, or video game? MTV’s True Life is looking for young people who are die-hard fans of certain brands, characters, or fantasy series.
Are you obsessed with comic books, anime, fantasy, or manga? Do you like to dress up as your favorite character and attend conventions with other fans? Have you ever waited in line overnight for a book, movie, or videogame release? Do you have tattoos depicting your favorite brand or characters? Have you ever missed work, school, or other important events to engage in role-playing or cosplay? Are you misunderstood by your family or significant other because of it? Do you aspire to author your own graphic novel or comic series despite your parents’ disapproval?
If you appear to be between the ages of 16 and 28, and want to share the story of your fantasy obsession, email us at fanboy@mtvn.com with all of the details. Be sure to include your name, location, phone number and a photo, if possible.
Tell MTV why you need to be seen and heard. This is your chance to let others see what your life is all about!
So there you have it. If you do decide to apply, feel free to let us know as well.
Threefer For Better or For Worse
Actually, there was a 3rd bit in the Post today, at least the electronic one - Cavna, Michael. 2008. "Interview With the Artist: "For Better or For Worse's" Lynn Johnston," Washington Post Comic Riffs blog (August 27). It ended with the surprise news that "As of next Monday, The Washington Post plans to drop "For Better or for Worse" from its print edition but continue to carry it online."
Twofer Betterfer Worse
For Better For Worse articles in today's Post:
Something for Everyone to Hate by Hank Stuever
and
Lynn Johnston's Drawn-Out Adieu to Cartooning by Michael Cavna
I expect we'll see many more of these before all is said and done!
Something for Everyone to Hate by Hank Stuever
and
Lynn Johnston's Drawn-Out Adieu to Cartooning by Michael Cavna
I expect we'll see many more of these before all is said and done!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Small Press Expo Presents Tom Tomorrow and Lloyd Dangle in “Outside Looking In: Alternative Political Cartooning in 2008”
Small Press Expo Presents Tom Tomorrow and Lloyd Dangle in “Outside Looking In: Alternative Political Cartooning in 2008”
For Immediate Release
Contact: Warren Bernard
Phone: 301-537-4615
E-Mail:webernard@mindspring.com
Bethesda, Maryland; August 26, 2008 - Small Press Expo (SPX) 2008 will hold a special series of panel discussions, presentations, interviews and book signings in conjunction with the upcoming Presidential and National elections. Outside Looking In: Alternative Political Cartooning In 2008 will look back at the last 8 years and forward to the 2008 elections and beyond. Outside Looking In will survey the political landscape and how the field of political cartooning is adjusting to technology and business changes in the 21st Century.
Making a very rare comic convention appearance in conjunction with Outside Looking In is the award winning cartoonist, Tom Tomorrow, one of the pioneers in the alternative political cartooning field. The creator of the strip This Modern World and its protagonist, Sparky The Wonder Penguin, will promote his newly released book, The Future Is So Bright I Can’t Bare To Look!. Visit Mr. Tomorrow’s web site at http://www.thismodernworld.com.
Attending SPX as a guest for the first time in many years is the creator of the long running social and political cartoon series Troubletown, Lloyd Dangle. Mr. Dangle also has a new book out, Troubletown, I Told You So!. See his cartoons at http://www.troubletown.com.
Both Mr. Tomorrow and Mr. Dangle will be participants in panel discussions and will be available for signing their latest books over the two day event.
Outside Looking In events are included in the SPX admission fee of $8 for 1 day and $15 for both days
The best alternative political cartoonists in the United States will be added over the next few weeks to “Outside Looking In”, please stay tuned for those announcements.
This year, SPX will be held Saturday, October 4 from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday, October 5 noon-6PM at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
For further information on the artists or to request an interview, please contact Warren Bernard at webernard@spxpo.com.
SPX, a non-profit organization, brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, political cartoon books and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. A series of panel discussions will also be held of interest to readers, academicians and creators of graphic novels and political cartoons.
SPX culminates with the presentation of the 12th Annual Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning that will occur Saturday night, October 4. The Ignatz is the first Festival Prize in the US comic book industry, with winners chosen by balloting during the SPX.
As in previous years, all profits from the SPX will go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), protecting the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, go to their website at
http://www.cbldf.org/.
Founded in 1994, SPX is North America's premier alternative comic-book and graphic novel festival. This annual event brings together comic creators, publishers and fans together to celebrate the art of visual storytelling.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Warren Bernard
Phone: 301-537-4615
E-Mail:webernard@mindspring.com
Bethesda, Maryland; August 26, 2008 - Small Press Expo (SPX) 2008 will hold a special series of panel discussions, presentations, interviews and book signings in conjunction with the upcoming Presidential and National elections. Outside Looking In: Alternative Political Cartooning In 2008 will look back at the last 8 years and forward to the 2008 elections and beyond. Outside Looking In will survey the political landscape and how the field of political cartooning is adjusting to technology and business changes in the 21st Century.
Making a very rare comic convention appearance in conjunction with Outside Looking In is the award winning cartoonist, Tom Tomorrow, one of the pioneers in the alternative political cartooning field. The creator of the strip This Modern World and its protagonist, Sparky The Wonder Penguin, will promote his newly released book, The Future Is So Bright I Can’t Bare To Look!. Visit Mr. Tomorrow’s web site at http://www.thismodernworld.com.
Attending SPX as a guest for the first time in many years is the creator of the long running social and political cartoon series Troubletown, Lloyd Dangle. Mr. Dangle also has a new book out, Troubletown, I Told You So!. See his cartoons at http://www.troubletown.com.
Both Mr. Tomorrow and Mr. Dangle will be participants in panel discussions and will be available for signing their latest books over the two day event.
Outside Looking In events are included in the SPX admission fee of $8 for 1 day and $15 for both days
The best alternative political cartoonists in the United States will be added over the next few weeks to “Outside Looking In”, please stay tuned for those announcements.
This year, SPX will be held Saturday, October 4 from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday, October 5 noon-6PM at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
For further information on the artists or to request an interview, please contact Warren Bernard at webernard@spxpo.com.
SPX, a non-profit organization, brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, political cartoon books and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. A series of panel discussions will also be held of interest to readers, academicians and creators of graphic novels and political cartoons.
SPX culminates with the presentation of the 12th Annual Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning that will occur Saturday night, October 4. The Ignatz is the first Festival Prize in the US comic book industry, with winners chosen by balloting during the SPX.
As in previous years, all profits from the SPX will go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), protecting the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, go to their website at
http://www.cbldf.org/.
Founded in 1994, SPX is North America's premier alternative comic-book and graphic novel festival. This annual event brings together comic creators, publishers and fans together to celebrate the art of visual storytelling.
Formal invitation to The Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer
Here's a scan of an invitation that arrived in the mail. As I've said, I'm going to the Politics and Prose one.
Baltimore Comic-Con Brings Cardy, Davis, Kindt, Lemire, and Slade
Directly from the press release...
Baltimore, Maryland - August 21, 2008 - Making their inaugural Baltimore Comic-Con appearances in 2008 are Nick Cardy (Aquaman, Teen Titans), Guy Davis (B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson), and, courtesy of Top Shelf, Matt Kindt (Super Spy), Jeff Lemire (Essex County), and Christian Slade (Korgi)!
The Baltimore Comic-Con is also proud to welcome back Brian Stelfreeze (Midnighter, The Ride), Chris Ivy (Beast Boy, Marc Spector: Moon Knight), Doug Wagner (The Ride, Gun Candy), Karl Story (Black Canary Wedding Planner, Number of the Beast), Taki Soma (Silent Forest, You'll Never Die), and Tony Shasteen (O.C.T.: Occult Crimes Taskforce)!
"We're just thrilled to have these guests with us this year," said show promoter Marc Nathan. "Top Shelf always brings along great guests, and we've been receiving requests to have Nick Cardy and Guy Davis for years. In fact, Nick Cardy is a hero of mine and many of the professionals already in attendance. Along with all of the returning guests, we think the show's going to be just a real treat for all of our fans!"
A full list of retailers can now be found on our website. Swamp Thing co-creator and Frankenstein artist Bernie Wrightson will be the show's Guest of Honor. He headlines a guest list that includes, in alphabetical order, Michael Bair (Identity Crisis, 52), Kyle Baker (Nat Turner, The Bakers), Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man, Secret Invasion), Ivan Brandon (NYC Mech, Marvel Comics Presents), Buzz (JSA), Jim Calafiore (Exiles, Countdown), Dennis Calero (X-Factor, Countdown), Tommy Castillo (Grimm Fairy Tales, Kong: King of Skull Island), Howard Chaykin (Wolverine, American Flagg), Cliff Chiang (Green Arrow & Black Canary), Gene Colan (Daredevil, Tomb of Dracula), Darwyn Cooke (New Frontier, The Spirit), Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows, Mighty Avengers), Steve Conley (Star Trek, The Escapist), Amanda Conner (Green Arrow/Black Canary, JSA Classified), Todd Dezago (Perhapanauts, Tellos), Steve Dillon (Punisher, Preacher), David Finch (World War Hulk, New Avengers), Ramona Fradon (Aquaman, Mermaidman and Barnacleboy), John Gallagher (Buzzboy, Roboy Red), Ron Garney (Wolverine, Skaar: Son of Hulk), Michael Golden (Micronauts, The 'Nam), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Mike Grell (John Sable, Iron Man), Cully Hamner (Blue Beetle, Black Lightning), Dean Haspiel (American Splendor, Brawl), Adam Hughes (Catwoman), Stuart Immonen (Ultimate Spider-Man), Geoff Johns (Green Lantern, Action Comics), J.G. Jones (52, Wonder Woman), Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Ultimate X-Men), Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man, Empire), Rich Koslowski (Marvel Comics Presents, Sonic the Hedgehog), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon, Image EIC), Jim Lee (All Star Batman & Robin, Wildcats), Norman Lee (Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man, Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane), the Luna Brothers (The Sword, Girls), David Mack (Kabuki, Daredevil), Sean McKeever (Teen Titans, Countdown), Mark McKenna (Banana-Tail, Annihilation: Conquest), Bob McLeod (New Mutants, Spider-Man), Pop Mhan (Blank, Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Mike Mignola (Hellboy, Disney's Atlantis), Mark Morales (Civil War, Secret Invasion), Rags Morales (Identity Crisis, Batman Confidential), Phil Noto (Danger Girl, Jonah Hex), Michael Avon Oeming (Mice Templar, Powers), Mike Okamoto (Hellraiser, Chaos! Quarterly), Jimmy Palmiotti (Painkiller Jane, Jonah Hex), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate X-Men, Strange), Eric Powell (The Goon), Tom Raney (Annihilation: Conquest, Ultimate Secrets), Alex Robinson (Too Cool to be Forgotten, Box Office Poison), James Robinson (Superman, JSA), John Romita Sr. (Amazing Spider-Man), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Perhapanauts, X-Men: First Class), Andy Runton (Owly), Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween, Heroes), Alex Saviuk (Web of Spider-Man, Feast of the Seven Fishes), Jim Shooter (Legion of Super-Heroes), John K. Snyder III (Grendel), Mark Sparacio (Heroes for Hire, Captain Action), Robert Tinnell (EZ Street), Peter Tomasi (Nightwing, Green Lantern Corps), Herb Trimpe (Incredible Hulk), Timothy Truman (Conan, Grimjack), Billy Tucci (Shi, Sgt. Rock - The Lost Battalion), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest, The Wicked West), Matt Wagner (Zorro, Grendel), Mark Waid (Flash, Boom! Studios), Mark Wheatley (Frankenstein Mobster, Mighty Motor Sapiens), Ron Wilson (The Thing), and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).
The Harvey Awards will return to the Baltimore Comic-Con for the third consecutive year. The awards dinner and ceremony will be held Saturday night, September 27, 2008, following the convention's normal hours. All the votes are in and being tabulated as we write this announcement. Look for a major press release in the next week concerning ticket details. We look forward to welcoming the comic book industry to Baltimore to honor some of the best work of 2007. Kyle Baker will return as Master of Ceremonies for the evening's events.
Tickets are now available for sale. For more information about the Baltimore Comic-Con, email cardscomicscollectilbes@yahoo.com or call (410) 526-7410. The guest list, ticket information, directions, and other information can be found on the convention's website or on its MySpace page.
For more information about the Harvey Awards, including sponsorship opportunities, e-mail baltimorecomiccon@yahoo.com.
Baltimore, Maryland - August 21, 2008 - Making their inaugural Baltimore Comic-Con appearances in 2008 are Nick Cardy (Aquaman, Teen Titans), Guy Davis (B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson), and, courtesy of Top Shelf, Matt Kindt (Super Spy), Jeff Lemire (Essex County), and Christian Slade (Korgi)!
The Baltimore Comic-Con is also proud to welcome back Brian Stelfreeze (Midnighter, The Ride), Chris Ivy (Beast Boy, Marc Spector: Moon Knight), Doug Wagner (The Ride, Gun Candy), Karl Story (Black Canary Wedding Planner, Number of the Beast), Taki Soma (Silent Forest, You'll Never Die), and Tony Shasteen (O.C.T.: Occult Crimes Taskforce)!
"We're just thrilled to have these guests with us this year," said show promoter Marc Nathan. "Top Shelf always brings along great guests, and we've been receiving requests to have Nick Cardy and Guy Davis for years. In fact, Nick Cardy is a hero of mine and many of the professionals already in attendance. Along with all of the returning guests, we think the show's going to be just a real treat for all of our fans!"
A full list of retailers can now be found on our website. Swamp Thing co-creator and Frankenstein artist Bernie Wrightson will be the show's Guest of Honor. He headlines a guest list that includes, in alphabetical order, Michael Bair (Identity Crisis, 52), Kyle Baker (Nat Turner, The Bakers), Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man, Secret Invasion), Ivan Brandon (NYC Mech, Marvel Comics Presents), Buzz (JSA), Jim Calafiore (Exiles, Countdown), Dennis Calero (X-Factor, Countdown), Tommy Castillo (Grimm Fairy Tales, Kong: King of Skull Island), Howard Chaykin (Wolverine, American Flagg), Cliff Chiang (Green Arrow & Black Canary), Gene Colan (Daredevil, Tomb of Dracula), Darwyn Cooke (New Frontier, The Spirit), Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows, Mighty Avengers), Steve Conley (Star Trek, The Escapist), Amanda Conner (Green Arrow/Black Canary, JSA Classified), Todd Dezago (Perhapanauts, Tellos), Steve Dillon (Punisher, Preacher), David Finch (World War Hulk, New Avengers), Ramona Fradon (Aquaman, Mermaidman and Barnacleboy), John Gallagher (Buzzboy, Roboy Red), Ron Garney (Wolverine, Skaar: Son of Hulk), Michael Golden (Micronauts, The 'Nam), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Mike Grell (John Sable, Iron Man), Cully Hamner (Blue Beetle, Black Lightning), Dean Haspiel (American Splendor, Brawl), Adam Hughes (Catwoman), Stuart Immonen (Ultimate Spider-Man), Geoff Johns (Green Lantern, Action Comics), J.G. Jones (52, Wonder Woman), Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Ultimate X-Men), Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man, Empire), Rich Koslowski (Marvel Comics Presents, Sonic the Hedgehog), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon, Image EIC), Jim Lee (All Star Batman & Robin, Wildcats), Norman Lee (Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man, Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane), the Luna Brothers (The Sword, Girls), David Mack (Kabuki, Daredevil), Sean McKeever (Teen Titans, Countdown), Mark McKenna (Banana-Tail, Annihilation: Conquest), Bob McLeod (New Mutants, Spider-Man), Pop Mhan (Blank, Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Mike Mignola (Hellboy, Disney's Atlantis), Mark Morales (Civil War, Secret Invasion), Rags Morales (Identity Crisis, Batman Confidential), Phil Noto (Danger Girl, Jonah Hex), Michael Avon Oeming (Mice Templar, Powers), Mike Okamoto (Hellraiser, Chaos! Quarterly), Jimmy Palmiotti (Painkiller Jane, Jonah Hex), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate X-Men, Strange), Eric Powell (The Goon), Tom Raney (Annihilation: Conquest, Ultimate Secrets), Alex Robinson (Too Cool to be Forgotten, Box Office Poison), James Robinson (Superman, JSA), John Romita Sr. (Amazing Spider-Man), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Perhapanauts, X-Men: First Class), Andy Runton (Owly), Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween, Heroes), Alex Saviuk (Web of Spider-Man, Feast of the Seven Fishes), Jim Shooter (Legion of Super-Heroes), John K. Snyder III (Grendel), Mark Sparacio (Heroes for Hire, Captain Action), Robert Tinnell (EZ Street), Peter Tomasi (Nightwing, Green Lantern Corps), Herb Trimpe (Incredible Hulk), Timothy Truman (Conan, Grimjack), Billy Tucci (Shi, Sgt. Rock - The Lost Battalion), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest, The Wicked West), Matt Wagner (Zorro, Grendel), Mark Waid (Flash, Boom! Studios), Mark Wheatley (Frankenstein Mobster, Mighty Motor Sapiens), Ron Wilson (The Thing), and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).
The Harvey Awards will return to the Baltimore Comic-Con for the third consecutive year. The awards dinner and ceremony will be held Saturday night, September 27, 2008, following the convention's normal hours. All the votes are in and being tabulated as we write this announcement. Look for a major press release in the next week concerning ticket details. We look forward to welcoming the comic book industry to Baltimore to honor some of the best work of 2007. Kyle Baker will return as Master of Ceremonies for the evening's events.
Tickets are now available for sale. For more information about the Baltimore Comic-Con, email cardscomicscollectilbes@yahoo.com or call (410) 526-7410. The guest list, ticket information, directions, and other information can be found on the convention's website or on its MySpace page.
For more information about the Harvey Awards, including sponsorship opportunities, e-mail baltimorecomiccon@yahoo.com.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Spurgeon interviews Hellman
We've been seeing Danny Hellman's work regularly in the Post's Source section as well as in the City Paper. Here's a big interview with him by Tom Spurgeon. CR Sunday Interview: Danny Hellman. Comics Reporter (August 24 2008): http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/cr_sunday_interview_danny_hellman/
I've got an e-copy of the Typhon book to review, but right now am reading and planning on reviewing Who Can Save Us Now? a book of superhero short stories.
I've got an e-copy of the Typhon book to review, but right now am reading and planning on reviewing Who Can Save Us Now? a book of superhero short stories.
Frankenstein, the illustrated novel (or one of them)
Here's a blog post that reproduces Lynn Ward's illustrations for Frankenstein. I've got this book - I inherited it from my grandfather - and it's awesome. Note the comments about Georgetown University Library's collection. They had a Ward exhibit about two years ago.
cIndy podcast news
Chris wrote in with some updates to his interview podcast site that I quote verbatim (to get to some of these, click the rotating images on the site):
1. http://www.cindycenter.com presents: Butterfly's Convention Adventure... you can see the promo picture in the right rail of the cindycenter.com site. The picture is from Jason Rodriguez's Coast-to-Coast report. On Jason's road trip he met-up with Butterfly.
Dean's photo essay of the SDCC is coming soon, IT IS GOING TO ROCK :-) It will be similar to the Roger Rabbit inspired MOCCA report he did last year.
2. I had an interview with local guy and Crazy Paper, Zuda and Chemistry Set writer Jim Dougan. He worked on www.desperadopublishing.com's NO FORMULA: STORIES FROM THE CHEMISTRY SET VOL. 1 Color / B&W, 120 pp. 6in x. 9in. Price: $16.99.
3. We have redesigned the site to better highlight the guests. You can see the coverflow is very similar to the latest version of itunes.
4. The cIndyCenter.com Podcast is proud to sponsor Dean Trippe's Butterfly SDCC adventure, please check-out Part 1 of the SDCC adventure @ http://www.cindycenter.com/SDCC_Dean_Trippe_Butterfly_report.htm
About the Dean Trippe - Dean Trippe is an alien robot ninja wizard (from the future). He is also a freelance comics creator who lives with his wife and son outside Nashville, TN. Dean is best known for his superhero parody webcomic, Butterfly, and as the founder and editor of Project: Rooftop. He is also a member of the all-ages webcomics collective Lunchbox Funnies. His publishers include Ad House Books, Image Comics, New Reliable Press and Oni Press. He is a former comic shop manager, a lifelong superhero fan, and has an actual degree in comics.
1. http://www.cindycenter.com presents: Butterfly's Convention Adventure... you can see the promo picture in the right rail of the cindycenter.com site. The picture is from Jason Rodriguez's Coast-to-Coast report. On Jason's road trip he met-up with Butterfly.
Dean's photo essay of the SDCC is coming soon, IT IS GOING TO ROCK :-) It will be similar to the Roger Rabbit inspired MOCCA report he did last year.
2. I had an interview with local guy and Crazy Paper, Zuda and Chemistry Set writer Jim Dougan. He worked on www.desperadopublishing.com's NO FORMULA: STORIES FROM THE CHEMISTRY SET VOL. 1 Color / B&W, 120 pp. 6in x. 9in. Price: $16.99.
3. We have redesigned the site to better highlight the guests. You can see the coverflow is very similar to the latest version of itunes.
4. The cIndyCenter.com Podcast is proud to sponsor Dean Trippe's Butterfly SDCC adventure, please check-out Part 1 of the SDCC adventure @ http://www.cindycenter.com/SDCC_Dean_Trippe_Butterfly_report.htm
About the Dean Trippe - Dean Trippe is an alien robot ninja wizard (from the future). He is also a freelance comics creator who lives with his wife and son outside Nashville, TN. Dean is best known for his superhero parody webcomic, Butterfly, and as the founder and editor of Project: Rooftop. He is also a member of the all-ages webcomics collective Lunchbox Funnies. His publishers include Ad House Books, Image Comics, New Reliable Press and Oni Press. He is a former comic shop manager, a lifelong superhero fan, and has an actual degree in comics.
Marvel attempting manga... again
For their current effort, see "Superheroes to Be Recast for Japan," By GEORGE GUSTINES, New York Times August 25, 2008. This is by no means new though - both Spider-Man and the X-Men were produced in Japan and reprinted in America, and there was a Hulk series not seen in the US. There's a nice big book on Batman manga coming out from Chip Kidd soon. Marvel also took a shot at putting Spider-Man in India recently.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
NY Times on Watchmen movie rights confusion
See "The Murky Side of Movie Rights," By MICHAEL CIEPLY, New York Times August 24, 2008.
Schiller, the comic book playwrite
Maybe not, but today's Post described the play Maria / Stuart's plot as "The arrival of a strange, supernatural visitor causes aspiring graphic novelist Stuart to question his family's buried past."
The Post's review from last week says, "Only Eli James, as neurotic comic book artist Stuart, comes from New York, and he's the lone man in the cast."
The Post's review from last week says, "Only Eli James, as neurotic comic book artist Stuart, comes from New York, and he's the lone man in the cast."
Comics, comics and comics in today's Post
I read the paper copy of Bob Thompson's long article on graphic novels this morning. It's enlivened by three strips by Thompson and Jonathan Bennett by the way. The article is an absolutely competent examination of what a 'graphic novel' is and isn't and why one might care. Thompson talked to the right people (Mouley, Tomine, distributors, publishers, Scott McCloud) and drew the standard conclusions that comics can be about just about anything. However, I know Thompson put a lot more research into this than shows in the article - he came to the talk last fall that PEN sponsored with Ware and Barry. He also went to the Shakespeare manga talk at the Folger. So give this article a read.
Over in the Book World, Douglas Wolk reviews four comic books too. Feiffer, Dash Shaw, Chaykin's American Flagg! and McCloud's Zot!
On the cover of the Source section, there's a lovely drawing by Ward Sutton on the demonization of DC by politicians.
Over in the Book World, Douglas Wolk reviews four comic books too. Feiffer, Dash Shaw, Chaykin's American Flagg! and McCloud's Zot!
On the cover of the Source section, there's a lovely drawing by Ward Sutton on the demonization of DC by politicians.
Brad Meltzer blog post
Geoff Boucher has a nice little piece on ex-local guy Brad Meltzer and his new book at "Brad Meltzer and the 'The Book of Lies'." Brad will be in town signing this and his new DC Comic, which comes out this week, in September. Click on his name in the labels for information on the signings.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 08-27-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 08-27-08
By John Judy
ALL-STAR SUPERMAN VOL.1 SC by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. Collecting the first six issues of Morrison’s best work lately. A series of strong stand-alone stories that string together well and look great. Recommended for all ages.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #569 by Dan Slott and John Romita Jr. Norman Osborn and his Thunderbolts have broken into Spidey’s apartment! Bunk-check! Plus Venom.
AMERICA’S BEST COMICS PRIMER SC by Alan Moore and His Band of Yore. A bunch of first issues from back when Moore was still writing this stuff. Clever, entertaining, mostly pre-psychotic. Recommended for newbies to His Mooreness.
ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN VOL.1 SC by Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard. Collecting issues #1-7 of this lycanthropian lollapalooza! Fun stuff but too violent for the little ones.
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #16 by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli. The Skrull Kill Krew is back! How timely!
BLACK PANTHER #40 by Jason Aaron and Jefte Palo. Undefeated Wakanda versus the quite often defeated Skrulls. Great stuff from the creator of SCALPED. Recommended.
DAREDEVIL #110 by Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka and Michael Lark. DD wraps up the mystery of the death-row inmate who wants to die. Yes, prison food is that bad.
DC UNIVERSE: LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT #1 by Brad Meltzer and Adam Kubert. Every hero in the DCU prepares to die. They should never have killed Inigo’s dad….
EC ARCHIVES: TALES FROM THE CRYPT VOL.3 HC by The Best of The Best of The Best! Issues #13-18 with a forward by Robert Overstreet. Yeah, THAT Robert Overstreet! Save yourself around $11,000.00 in back issues and get this instead.
FINAL CRISIS: ROGUE’S REVENGE #2 of 3 by Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins. In which Captain Cold and the boys realize how badly they have screwed themselves. Another example of a spin-off series being much better and easier to follow than the core title. Recommended.
FINAL CRISIS: SUPERMAN BEYOND #1 of 2 by Grant Morrison and Doug Mahnke. Will this be Good Focused Grant or Bad All-Over-the-Place Grant? Hint: This issue involves parallel Earths and comes with 3-D glasses included. “Mommy!” Gotta look!
GRAVEL #4 by Warren Ellis, Mike Wolfer and Oscar Jimenez. Warren Ellis has hidden all information on this comic in a site designed by the CIA, the Mossad, and Willy Wonka’s Oompa-Loompa Death Squad to keep any mention of its existence from pesky, prying fan-folk with their curious ways and desire to spend money on his products. I refer of course to the Avatar Press website. Ssshhh…. Mum’s the word…
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #18 by Duane Swierczynski, Travel Foreman and The Great Russ Heath. His fist may be iron but his ribs, face and ‘nads? Not so much. Featuring a dude getting his heart punched out by a kung-fu demon. Good times!
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #18 by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross and Dale Eaglesham. Okay, on the one hand this story is taking forever to tell. On the other hand we’re getting all these Alex Ross covers out of it and, golly, it’s like there’s a new super-hero’s great-grandchild introduced every few pages, so… Maybe it’ll really fly by in trade?
KICK-ASS #4 by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. If you need more graphic violence and sado-masochistic kink in your life than the current administration can provide, this one’s for you! Featuring a nine year-old girl with a sword. Not for kids.
MIGHTY AVENGERS #17 by Brian Michael Bendis and Khoi Pham. Skrulls! Fights!
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN-AGE MARVEL COMICS VOL.3 HC by Various Creators. Collecting MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS #9-12, featuring Electro (from THE TWELVE), the Angel, and the Sub Mariner duking it out with the Human Torch! All for a lot less than the $60,000.00 retail the back-issues would cost on E-Bay! Flame on, True Believer!
NEW AVENGERS #44 by Brian Michael Bendis and Billy Tan. Fights! Skrulls!
NEWUNIVERSAL: CONQUEROR by Simon Spurrier and Eric Nguyen. A new NEWUNIVERSAL title from a creator “hand-picked” by Warren Ellis to write all the NEWUNIVERSAL stuff he doesn’t want to!
NORTHLANDERS #9 by Brian Wood and Dean Ormston. An all-new story begins here as young Saxon boy encounters a Viking invasion. Oh dear, this is certainly NOT for kids. Still a great series. Recommended.
PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics. For the forward-looking fan.
ROY ROGERS ARCHIVES VOL.1 HC by Various Talents. From Dark Horse, collecting Dell’s ROY ROGERS COMICS (FOUR COLOR) #38, 63, 86, 95 and 109. Whatever they’re smoking up at Dark Horse Comics I want a Hefty-Bag. These five comics would run you $7,000.00 at a convention, but for you: A Lot Less! “Yippee-ki-yay!”
RUNAWAYS 3 #1 by Terry Moore and Humberto Ramos. The kids are goin’ back to Cali and there are a bunch of space-baddies who hate Karolina Dean so much that they keep repeating her full name over and over and over. It would make me run away too, so I guess there’s a point.
SHE-HULK #32 by Peter David and Vincenzo Cucca. Skrulls fighting Skrulls in a big Skrull-fight!
SUPERMAN #679 by James Robinson and Renato Guedes. For some reason Superman is still having trouble with this Atlas clown. Maybe if someone gives him a shirt he’ll go away.
THUNDERBOLTS #123 by Christos Gage and Fernando Blanco. The post-Ellis era continues on this title and it ain’t half-bad. Skrulls!
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #125 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen. No Skrulls, ultimate or otherwise, but there is Venom. He eats a horse.
WOLVERINE #68 by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. “Old Man Logan” says he’d rather die than pop those claws again. And yet….
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
ALL-STAR SUPERMAN VOL.1 SC by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. Collecting the first six issues of Morrison’s best work lately. A series of strong stand-alone stories that string together well and look great. Recommended for all ages.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #569 by Dan Slott and John Romita Jr. Norman Osborn and his Thunderbolts have broken into Spidey’s apartment! Bunk-check! Plus Venom.
AMERICA’S BEST COMICS PRIMER SC by Alan Moore and His Band of Yore. A bunch of first issues from back when Moore was still writing this stuff. Clever, entertaining, mostly pre-psychotic. Recommended for newbies to His Mooreness.
ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN VOL.1 SC by Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard. Collecting issues #1-7 of this lycanthropian lollapalooza! Fun stuff but too violent for the little ones.
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #16 by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli. The Skrull Kill Krew is back! How timely!
BLACK PANTHER #40 by Jason Aaron and Jefte Palo. Undefeated Wakanda versus the quite often defeated Skrulls. Great stuff from the creator of SCALPED. Recommended.
DAREDEVIL #110 by Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka and Michael Lark. DD wraps up the mystery of the death-row inmate who wants to die. Yes, prison food is that bad.
DC UNIVERSE: LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT #1 by Brad Meltzer and Adam Kubert. Every hero in the DCU prepares to die. They should never have killed Inigo’s dad….
EC ARCHIVES: TALES FROM THE CRYPT VOL.3 HC by The Best of The Best of The Best! Issues #13-18 with a forward by Robert Overstreet. Yeah, THAT Robert Overstreet! Save yourself around $11,000.00 in back issues and get this instead.
FINAL CRISIS: ROGUE’S REVENGE #2 of 3 by Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins. In which Captain Cold and the boys realize how badly they have screwed themselves. Another example of a spin-off series being much better and easier to follow than the core title. Recommended.
FINAL CRISIS: SUPERMAN BEYOND #1 of 2 by Grant Morrison and Doug Mahnke. Will this be Good Focused Grant or Bad All-Over-the-Place Grant? Hint: This issue involves parallel Earths and comes with 3-D glasses included. “Mommy!” Gotta look!
GRAVEL #4 by Warren Ellis, Mike Wolfer and Oscar Jimenez. Warren Ellis has hidden all information on this comic in a site designed by the CIA, the Mossad, and Willy Wonka’s Oompa-Loompa Death Squad to keep any mention of its existence from pesky, prying fan-folk with their curious ways and desire to spend money on his products. I refer of course to the Avatar Press website. Ssshhh…. Mum’s the word…
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #18 by Duane Swierczynski, Travel Foreman and The Great Russ Heath. His fist may be iron but his ribs, face and ‘nads? Not so much. Featuring a dude getting his heart punched out by a kung-fu demon. Good times!
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #18 by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross and Dale Eaglesham. Okay, on the one hand this story is taking forever to tell. On the other hand we’re getting all these Alex Ross covers out of it and, golly, it’s like there’s a new super-hero’s great-grandchild introduced every few pages, so… Maybe it’ll really fly by in trade?
KICK-ASS #4 by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. If you need more graphic violence and sado-masochistic kink in your life than the current administration can provide, this one’s for you! Featuring a nine year-old girl with a sword. Not for kids.
MIGHTY AVENGERS #17 by Brian Michael Bendis and Khoi Pham. Skrulls! Fights!
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN-AGE MARVEL COMICS VOL.3 HC by Various Creators. Collecting MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS #9-12, featuring Electro (from THE TWELVE), the Angel, and the Sub Mariner duking it out with the Human Torch! All for a lot less than the $60,000.00 retail the back-issues would cost on E-Bay! Flame on, True Believer!
NEW AVENGERS #44 by Brian Michael Bendis and Billy Tan. Fights! Skrulls!
NEWUNIVERSAL: CONQUEROR by Simon Spurrier and Eric Nguyen. A new NEWUNIVERSAL title from a creator “hand-picked” by Warren Ellis to write all the NEWUNIVERSAL stuff he doesn’t want to!
NORTHLANDERS #9 by Brian Wood and Dean Ormston. An all-new story begins here as young Saxon boy encounters a Viking invasion. Oh dear, this is certainly NOT for kids. Still a great series. Recommended.
PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics. For the forward-looking fan.
ROY ROGERS ARCHIVES VOL.1 HC by Various Talents. From Dark Horse, collecting Dell’s ROY ROGERS COMICS (FOUR COLOR) #38, 63, 86, 95 and 109. Whatever they’re smoking up at Dark Horse Comics I want a Hefty-Bag. These five comics would run you $7,000.00 at a convention, but for you: A Lot Less! “Yippee-ki-yay!”
RUNAWAYS 3 #1 by Terry Moore and Humberto Ramos. The kids are goin’ back to Cali and there are a bunch of space-baddies who hate Karolina Dean so much that they keep repeating her full name over and over and over. It would make me run away too, so I guess there’s a point.
SHE-HULK #32 by Peter David and Vincenzo Cucca. Skrulls fighting Skrulls in a big Skrull-fight!
SUPERMAN #679 by James Robinson and Renato Guedes. For some reason Superman is still having trouble with this Atlas clown. Maybe if someone gives him a shirt he’ll go away.
THUNDERBOLTS #123 by Christos Gage and Fernando Blanco. The post-Ellis era continues on this title and it ain’t half-bad. Skrulls!
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #125 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen. No Skrulls, ultimate or otherwise, but there is Venom. He eats a horse.
WOLVERINE #68 by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. “Old Man Logan” says he’d rather die than pop those claws again. And yet….
www.johnjudy.net
Naval Academy to recruit via comic books
See the story about the The U.S. Naval Academy's coming comic book at "Academy aims to appeal to minorities: Superintendent unveils tailored recruiting tools," By Stephen Kiehl, Baltimore Sun reporter, August 22, 2008. And here I thought comics weren't for kids anymore.
That darn Toles
A letter in today's Post criticizes this cartoon for mocking McCain's "religious experiences." Umm. Ok.
Post on graphic novels
See "Drawing Power, By Bob Thompson, Washington Post Staff Writer, Sunday, August 24, 2008; M01.
It begins
NEW YORK -- I've wandered into an alternative universe, and I'm trying to decide if I want to stay. The setting is the lovely, old-fashioned library of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, in midtown Manhattan. The event is a gathering called "SPLAT! A Graphic Novel Symposium." I'm here because the organizers have promised to lay out, in the course of a single day, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Graphic Novels."
What I want to know is: How did this formerly ghettoized medium became one of the rare publishing categories that's actually expanding these days?
I've got a great idea for a better title - "Pow! Zap! Bam! Comics aren't for kids anymore!"
It begins
NEW YORK -- I've wandered into an alternative universe, and I'm trying to decide if I want to stay. The setting is the lovely, old-fashioned library of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, in midtown Manhattan. The event is a gathering called "SPLAT! A Graphic Novel Symposium." I'm here because the organizers have promised to lay out, in the course of a single day, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Graphic Novels."
What I want to know is: How did this formerly ghettoized medium became one of the rare publishing categories that's actually expanding these days?
I've got a great idea for a better title - "Pow! Zap! Bam! Comics aren't for kids anymore!"
Friday, August 22, 2008
Pearls Before Felines?
Today's Pearls Before Swine may look oddly familiar - it's "in tribute to George Herriman (1880-1944)." Herriman created Krazy Kat for decades, and reprints are now being done by Fantagraphics.
http://members.comics.com/members/common/affiliateArchive.do?site=washpost&comic=pearls
http://members.comics.com/members/common/affiliateArchive.do?site=washpost&comic=pearls
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Book review: European Comics in English Translation: A Descriptive Sourcebook.
I've submitted this to the International Journal of Comic Art for the Spring 2009 issue, but I think I've got a different audience here. If not, read it twice; it's short, it won't hurt too much.
Randall W. Scott. European Comics in English Translation: A Descriptive Sourcebook. McFarland & Company , 2002. 401 pages. $75.00. ISBN-10: 0786412054; ISBN-13: 978-0786412051.
Although the comic art form is almost four hundred years old – dating reasonably to the popularity of British satirical prints in 1729 – there has been very few scholarly bibliographical works available to the average researcher. American studies have been particularly slow to follow in the footsteps of the British who began cataloguing their prints as early as 1870. American comics bibliography took approximately a century to start after the first comic art ‘golden age,’ that of editorial cartoonists, but it is growing strongly now. Randy Scott is one of the key figures in the field, having worked to build Michigan State University’s Comic Art Collection for two decades.
In this book, Scott has provided an annotated bibliography for European albums that are available in a variety of stand-alone forms in English. The bibliography is arranged by creator and all of the books listed in it are available at the MSU library. Since he does not include serials, stories from Heavy Metal magazine, which has frequently published translated material in both single and multi-issues, is not included. Given the amount of material that has appeared in Heavy Metal and nowhere else, this is an unfortunate decision, although possibly the only practical one. In spite of this, Scott lists 543 albums, along with publication information, and more impressively, plot summaries for the albums. The plot summaries mean that the book’s index can be used to find items of particular interest, such as the randomly selected “cross dressing” which is linked to six citations. As with any work of this type, some points are arguable. The genre ‘funny animal’ probably would have been a helpful index term to link to books like Benoit Sokal’s Inspector Canardo. Although his stories belong to the genre of crime fiction and are not funny at all, Canardo is a duck.
Scott also included citations for reviews when he knew of them; an example can be seen in the listing for Mattotti’s Murmer which includes listings for two reviews from The Comics Journal. Most helpful of all may be his “Author/Translator Notes & Index” which gives brief biographical information as well as references to albums cited in the book, and source material that the biographical information was found in. An example of this is:
Madsen, Frank. Danish artist, writer, and translator, born in 1962. Annotated here are Kurt Dunder in Tirol (album 299), which he wrote, drew, and translated, and Sussi Bech’s Nofret: Kiya (album 27), which he translated. Source: DANISH (i.e. Danish Comics Today, Copenhagen, 1997), p. 104-105.
This type of additional biographical information can be very useful especially since Scott’s book covers the whole continent and is not segregated by country. The sole reason this reviewer would have for not recommending the book to anyone interested in learning about comics beyond America is the cost. The list price is far beyond what a paperback volume of this length should cost.
Randall W. Scott. European Comics in English Translation: A Descriptive Sourcebook. McFarland & Company , 2002. 401 pages. $75.00. ISBN-10: 0786412054; ISBN-13: 978-0786412051.
Although the comic art form is almost four hundred years old – dating reasonably to the popularity of British satirical prints in 1729 – there has been very few scholarly bibliographical works available to the average researcher. American studies have been particularly slow to follow in the footsteps of the British who began cataloguing their prints as early as 1870. American comics bibliography took approximately a century to start after the first comic art ‘golden age,’ that of editorial cartoonists, but it is growing strongly now. Randy Scott is one of the key figures in the field, having worked to build Michigan State University’s Comic Art Collection for two decades.
In this book, Scott has provided an annotated bibliography for European albums that are available in a variety of stand-alone forms in English. The bibliography is arranged by creator and all of the books listed in it are available at the MSU library. Since he does not include serials, stories from Heavy Metal magazine, which has frequently published translated material in both single and multi-issues, is not included. Given the amount of material that has appeared in Heavy Metal and nowhere else, this is an unfortunate decision, although possibly the only practical one. In spite of this, Scott lists 543 albums, along with publication information, and more impressively, plot summaries for the albums. The plot summaries mean that the book’s index can be used to find items of particular interest, such as the randomly selected “cross dressing” which is linked to six citations. As with any work of this type, some points are arguable. The genre ‘funny animal’ probably would have been a helpful index term to link to books like Benoit Sokal’s Inspector Canardo. Although his stories belong to the genre of crime fiction and are not funny at all, Canardo is a duck.
Scott also included citations for reviews when he knew of them; an example can be seen in the listing for Mattotti’s Murmer which includes listings for two reviews from The Comics Journal. Most helpful of all may be his “Author/Translator Notes & Index” which gives brief biographical information as well as references to albums cited in the book, and source material that the biographical information was found in. An example of this is:
Madsen, Frank. Danish artist, writer, and translator, born in 1962. Annotated here are Kurt Dunder in Tirol (album 299), which he wrote, drew, and translated, and Sussi Bech’s Nofret: Kiya (album 27), which he translated. Source: DANISH (i.e. Danish Comics Today, Copenhagen, 1997), p. 104-105.
This type of additional biographical information can be very useful especially since Scott’s book covers the whole continent and is not segregated by country. The sole reason this reviewer would have for not recommending the book to anyone interested in learning about comics beyond America is the cost. The list price is far beyond what a paperback volume of this length should cost.
Cartoons and Cocktails event being advertised
This is from yesterday's Examiner. Note Nate Beeler's artwork - I guess he donated it for auction. He doesn't usually part with it, so this might be rare.
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown play is in town?
I believe Charles SCHULZ actually wrote Peanuts however.
Meltzer signings
Here's the ad that was handed out at Big Planet Comics (where Brad used to shop) this week. I'm planning on going to the Politics and Prose one.
Zadzooks no more; Mr. Zad on Thor
See "Thor sets heavens on Earth" in the column which may no longer be "Zadzooks" but rather "Mr. Zad's comic critique" in the Washington Times Thursday, August 21, 2008.
On his blog, which is still Zadzooks, he posts Greg Bennett's weekly recommendations. The ones for August 10th are the most recent, and oddly enough, are Halo and Wolverine. It looks like Greg picked these for the writers, Jason Aaron and Brian Bendis.
On his blog, which is still Zadzooks, he posts Greg Bennett's weekly recommendations. The ones for August 10th are the most recent, and oddly enough, are Halo and Wolverine. It looks like Greg picked these for the writers, Jason Aaron and Brian Bendis.
Comics scholarship from Singer of Howard
Marc Singer's "Embodiments of the Real: The Counterlinguistic Turn in the Comic-Book Novel," Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction 49 (3; Spring 2008): 273-289, just came out. Marc's teaching at Howard and ran SPX for a couple of years. The article deals with Lethem and Chabon for the most part. In mentioning it on the comix-scholar's email list, Marc said, "The article focuses on novels about comics (Chabon, Lethem, Moody, etc), but it also addresses some of the distinctive figurative possibilities of comics and it draws on the work of comics scholars like Don Ault, Scott Bukatman, and Richard Reynolds."
If that sounds like it's of interest to you, hit the library for inter-library loan or convince your library to order the journal.
If that sounds like it's of interest to you, hit the library for inter-library loan or convince your library to order the journal.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Read This Comic: The Return
Many years ago, one of the Internet mailing lists I joined was Comix@ - supposedly devoted to alternative comics, but actually anything was fair game. I made a lot of good friends on the list, and was sorry to see it eventually die - done in by message boards and websites. One of the conceits of the list was "Read this Comic" in which one recommended an obscure or odd title. Here's some that I wrote up years ago. Perhaps I'll start doing this again - but meanwhile anyone can play! Mail them to me and I'll post them.
And now, Read this Comic, circa 2000 - a bit dated (Lynda Barry and Ted Rall have both lost plenty of newspapers unfortunately), but still perhaps of interest:
--Xeric-winner Ellen Forney's collection of strips from Seattle newspapers "I was Seven in '75" (ISBN 0-9660258-8-1) recalls the horrors of the Seventies in ways that retro-fashion trends can only hint at. From her brother's swept back Farrah Fawcett hair, to her mother's nudist tennis game, to Forney's favorite rainbow-stiched pants, it's all here. Her autobiographical style is a pleasant stroll compared to much of the genre. Hopefully, she'll be able to break into to a larger syndicated market and compete with Lynda Barry and Ted Rall's mean streaks.
--The strangest comic that I've read by far this year is Life with Archie #129 (January 1973). Al Hartley wrote and drew the issue around the time he began producing Christian comics . Hartley's style is instantly recognizable for his amazing overuse of facial expressions and floating objects around heads like hearts, stars, sweatbeads, speed lines, etc. In many ways, it's a very appealing style. Archie and the gang are magically transported back to the 1890s in "Nostalgia Gets Ya!" There's no attempt at an explanation; when Archie asks for one, Betty says "Nothing's impossible, Arch! If you believe in miracles, they come true!"
The gang walks four miles to school (oddly enough, I thought sprawl was a post-WWII problem) and Archie discovers that "Mr. Weatherbee seems bigger to me!" Jughead notes, "He seems to have more confidence!" as Betty remarks, "Everyone seems to know what they're doing!" presumably including the janitor Swensen, shown in the background.
Later that evening Archie calls on Veronica for a date. Mr. Lodge spends the entire time with them and as Archie is leaving, Veronica apologizes. Archie responds, "I'll bet some girls wish their fathers would pay attention to them! You father's a busy man! I'm flattered that he took the time to keep me out of trouble!"
The weirdness continues and Dilton, (the brain of the group, for those who didn't grow up on Archie) is able to draw some conclusions. "No one calls a policeman a pig! And women are treated as more than equals! People take pride in their neighborhood!" Archie agrees, "There is something different about these people." Veronica sums it up, "Everybody's going in the same direction! They have unity! But where do you look for it?" And Betty provides the capper, "That's easy! You look up!" I must confess that, as a historian of sorts, I did find his longing for a mythical golden age in the 1890s rather tiresome. After all, this is the time period when Jacob Riis was producing his photographs of child labor, published in How the Other Half Lives. Hartley didn't work for Archie much longer after this comic came out, but while he was there he created some .... memorable work. Good luck finding this.
--Another 1 para RTC: Don Rosa's Life of Scrooge McDuck series (Uncle Scrooge 285-296) is a tour-de-force. Originally done for European publisher Egmont in 1991-1993, these were published in America by Gladstone in 1994-1995. In 12 stories, the self-admittedly-obsessed Rosa pulled a multitude of facts about Scrooge from Carl Bark's original classic stories and wove them into an entertaining story. He covered Scrooge's life from 1867-1947 including the Alaskan gold rush. Rosa frequently refers to his work as overly-detailed, but he's obviously lovingly studied Elder's early Mad art. Rosa's stories work on several levels so this can be enjoyed by children and their parents. The story was recently collected by Gladstone.
And now, Read this Comic, circa 2000 - a bit dated (Lynda Barry and Ted Rall have both lost plenty of newspapers unfortunately), but still perhaps of interest:
--Xeric-winner Ellen Forney's collection of strips from Seattle newspapers "I was Seven in '75" (ISBN 0-9660258-8-1) recalls the horrors of the Seventies in ways that retro-fashion trends can only hint at. From her brother's swept back Farrah Fawcett hair, to her mother's nudist tennis game, to Forney's favorite rainbow-stiched pants, it's all here. Her autobiographical style is a pleasant stroll compared to much of the genre. Hopefully, she'll be able to break into to a larger syndicated market and compete with Lynda Barry and Ted Rall's mean streaks.
--The strangest comic that I've read by far this year is Life with Archie #129 (January 1973). Al Hartley wrote and drew the issue around the time he began producing Christian comics . Hartley's style is instantly recognizable for his amazing overuse of facial expressions and floating objects around heads like hearts, stars, sweatbeads, speed lines, etc. In many ways, it's a very appealing style. Archie and the gang are magically transported back to the 1890s in "Nostalgia Gets Ya!" There's no attempt at an explanation; when Archie asks for one, Betty says "Nothing's impossible, Arch! If you believe in miracles, they come true!"
The gang walks four miles to school (oddly enough, I thought sprawl was a post-WWII problem) and Archie discovers that "Mr. Weatherbee seems bigger to me!" Jughead notes, "He seems to have more confidence!" as Betty remarks, "Everyone seems to know what they're doing!" presumably including the janitor Swensen, shown in the background.
Later that evening Archie calls on Veronica for a date. Mr. Lodge spends the entire time with them and as Archie is leaving, Veronica apologizes. Archie responds, "I'll bet some girls wish their fathers would pay attention to them! You father's a busy man! I'm flattered that he took the time to keep me out of trouble!"
The weirdness continues and Dilton, (the brain of the group, for those who didn't grow up on Archie) is able to draw some conclusions. "No one calls a policeman a pig! And women are treated as more than equals! People take pride in their neighborhood!" Archie agrees, "There is something different about these people." Veronica sums it up, "Everybody's going in the same direction! They have unity! But where do you look for it?" And Betty provides the capper, "That's easy! You look up!" I must confess that, as a historian of sorts, I did find his longing for a mythical golden age in the 1890s rather tiresome. After all, this is the time period when Jacob Riis was producing his photographs of child labor, published in How the Other Half Lives. Hartley didn't work for Archie much longer after this comic came out, but while he was there he created some .... memorable work. Good luck finding this.
--Another 1 para RTC: Don Rosa's Life of Scrooge McDuck series (Uncle Scrooge 285-296) is a tour-de-force. Originally done for European publisher Egmont in 1991-1993, these were published in America by Gladstone in 1994-1995. In 12 stories, the self-admittedly-obsessed Rosa pulled a multitude of facts about Scrooge from Carl Bark's original classic stories and wove them into an entertaining story. He covered Scrooge's life from 1867-1947 including the Alaskan gold rush. Rosa frequently refers to his work as overly-detailed, but he's obviously lovingly studied Elder's early Mad art. Rosa's stories work on several levels so this can be enjoyed by children and their parents. The story was recently collected by Gladstone.
Justin Bilicki wins Science Idol contest
The Union of Concerned Scientists picked Justin Bilicki as winner for its 2008 "Science Idol: Scientific Integrity Editorial Cartoon Contest." You can see the cartoon online at www.ucsusa.org/scienceidol and get more information on the contest from their press release which notes that a calendar of the cartoon is for sale as well. Bilicki wins a trip to Washington, DC -- that lucky devil.
Comic Riffs' Cavna on Pekar
Michael Cavna's got a nice post on Harvey Pekar online based on getting an advance copy of my Harvey Pekar: Conversations book. He found some words of wisdom in an interview with Harvey done by Jim Ottaviani and Steve Leiber for Hogan's Alley that Jim let me reprint in my book that's appearing soon. This is the first mention in 'print' of the book so I'm happy.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels press release
Here's some PR from my, uh-hmm, publisher. I know Mark and a lot of the authors in this book and I'm sure it's a good one. I'll be buying a copy when it's in paper.
History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels
Edited by Mark McKinney
University Press of Mississippi
ISBN 978-1-60473-004-3, hardback, $50
Book News for Immediate Release
French, Belgian comics have long been outlets of historical, political expression
Cartoonists have long created graphic narratives that provide engaging perspectives on the world’s historical and political events. In France and Belgium in particular, many well-known comics artists have focused their attention–explicitly and implicitly–on events that have affected these countries.
History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels (University Press of Mississippi) collects new essays that address French-language comics from a variety of theoretical perspectives. This anthology edited by Mark McKinney establishes the French comics tradition as one rich with historical and political inquiry and is one of the first English-language collections to explore this subject
In works ranging from comic books and graphic novels to newspaper strips and editorial cartoons, French-language cartoonists have addressed such controversial topics as French and Belgian collaboration and resistance during World War II; European colonialism and U.S. imperialism; anti-Semitism in France; the integration of African immigrant groups in Europe; May 1968 in France; and the ecology and feminist movements.
The essays range from discussion of the canonical (Hergé’s Tintin series, Rodolphe Töpffer’s picture-stories) to the contemporary (Jean-Philippe Stassen’s Déogratias, about the 1994 Rwandan genocide).
Several essays are close readings of specific comics series and graphic novels, such as Cécile Danehy’s examination of Cosey’s Saigon-Hanoi, about French involvement in Vietnam during the 1950s.
With essays by Baru, Bart Beaty, Cécile Vernier, Danehy, Hugo Frey, Pascal LefPvre, Fabrice Leroy, Amanda Macdonald, Mark McKinney, Ann Miller, and Clare Tufts.
History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels is one of the first English-language works to address history and politics in French-language comics and graphic novels and features over 60 illustrations of the works being discussed
Mark McKinney is associate professor of French at Miami University, Ohio. With Alec G. Hargreaves, he edited Post-Colonial Cultures in France.
–30–
For more information contact Clint Kimberling, Publicist, ckimberling@mississippi.edu
Read more about History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels at http://www.upress.state.ms.us/books/1111
History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels
Edited by Mark McKinney
University Press of Mississippi
ISBN 978-1-60473-004-3, hardback, $50
Book News for Immediate Release
French, Belgian comics have long been outlets of historical, political expression
Cartoonists have long created graphic narratives that provide engaging perspectives on the world’s historical and political events. In France and Belgium in particular, many well-known comics artists have focused their attention–explicitly and implicitly–on events that have affected these countries.
History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels (University Press of Mississippi) collects new essays that address French-language comics from a variety of theoretical perspectives. This anthology edited by Mark McKinney establishes the French comics tradition as one rich with historical and political inquiry and is one of the first English-language collections to explore this subject
In works ranging from comic books and graphic novels to newspaper strips and editorial cartoons, French-language cartoonists have addressed such controversial topics as French and Belgian collaboration and resistance during World War II; European colonialism and U.S. imperialism; anti-Semitism in France; the integration of African immigrant groups in Europe; May 1968 in France; and the ecology and feminist movements.
The essays range from discussion of the canonical (Hergé’s Tintin series, Rodolphe Töpffer’s picture-stories) to the contemporary (Jean-Philippe Stassen’s Déogratias, about the 1994 Rwandan genocide).
Several essays are close readings of specific comics series and graphic novels, such as Cécile Danehy’s examination of Cosey’s Saigon-Hanoi, about French involvement in Vietnam during the 1950s.
With essays by Baru, Bart Beaty, Cécile Vernier, Danehy, Hugo Frey, Pascal LefPvre, Fabrice Leroy, Amanda Macdonald, Mark McKinney, Ann Miller, and Clare Tufts.
History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels is one of the first English-language works to address history and politics in French-language comics and graphic novels and features over 60 illustrations of the works being discussed
Mark McKinney is associate professor of French at Miami University, Ohio. With Alec G. Hargreaves, he edited Post-Colonial Cultures in France.
–30–
For more information contact Clint Kimberling, Publicist, ckimberling@mississippi.edu
Read more about History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels at http://www.upress.state.ms.us/books/1111
Local food fluffer Lisa Cherkasky on meeting a star
My neighbor Lisa does a lot of food styling for the Washington Post and I always look forward to seeing the Food section on Wednesday. Here's her blog post about running into another local Post celebrity - Our Man Thompson.
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Boy, this is incestuous, isn't it?
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Boy, this is incestuous, isn't it?
Cavna's interview two-fer - Thompson and BK Vaughan
Sure, Cavna and Betancourt have got the Washington Post behind them so they can interview big names like Richard Thompson and Brian K Vaughan...
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 08-20-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 08-20-08
By John Judy
AIR #1 by G. Willow Wilson and M.K. Perker. Something about air travel, terrorism and countries that don’t exist. Okay. Sure looks pretty though. Not for kids.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #568 by Dan Slott and John Romita R with a back-up by Mark Waid and Adi Granov. Ominous doings with the Osborn boys and the man once known as Venom gets reflective. Pretty darn good issue.
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #16 by Mark Waid and Scott Kolins. Superman and Catwoman! They’re just trying to make Batman jealous…
CAPTAIN AMERICA #41 by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting. Cap may be “dead” but his villains have never been more interesting. Sucks to be Sharon Carter though…
FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #1 of 5 by Geoff Johns and George Perez. Time-Trapper, Superboy-Prime, Huge Fights! It’s Perez so you know it’ll look great and Johns so you know it’ll make sense! Recommended!
GHOST RIDER #26 by Jason Aaron and Tan Eng Huat. Danny Ketch is back, no doubt to get his flaming skull handed to him by the real Ghost Rider. From the author of SCALPED! Recommended!
HERBIE ARCHIVES VOL.1 HC by Shane O’Shea (Richard Hughes) and Ogden Whitney. Collecting the earliest adventures of The Fat Fury and his magic lollipops. Hey, it was the sixties and he went after Castro! Did you ever go after Castro? Weird stuff for them that likes it. Go Herbie!
IRON FIST: ORIGIN OF DANNY RAND by Lotsa People including Matt Fraction and Kano. He knows kung-fu!
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #24 by Dwayne McDuffie and Ed Benes. Okay, normally I wouldn’t care who had control of the Tantu Totem but this story has actually maintained my interest. Fun stuff! Tantus all around!
PUNISHER #61 by Greg Hurwitz and Laurence Campbell. The post-Ennis era starts here and it ain’t half-bad. Let’s give these plucky lads their fair shake, eh? Recommended.
SANDMAN PRESENTS: DEAD BOY DETECTIVES SC by Ed Brubaker, Bryan Talbot and Steve Leialoha. Collecting the first bunch of stories from back before everyone knew how awesome Brubaker was. Gotta look!
SCALPED #20 by Jason Aaron and Davide Furno. More revelations from the twisted past of Dash’s crackhead significant other, Carol. Everyone should be reading this series, except for kids. Highly recommended.
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: THE ATOM VOL. 2 SC by Gardner Fox, Dennis O’Neil, Gil Kane, Murphy Anderson and Others. Collecting the Silver-Age adventures of the Mighty Mite from ATOM #18-38 and ATOM AND HAWKMAN #39-45. Expensive comics found cheaply here!
UNCANNY X-MEN #501 by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction and Greg Land. I tried reading this but was blinded by the rows of white teeth Greg Land traced from fashion magazines and various soft-core websites. The new drinking game is: Every time you recognize a starlet Land traced for an Emma Frost pose you have to drink. Hide your car keys before playing.
X-FACTOR #34 by Peter David and Larry Stroman. She-Hulk! Long-Shot! Skrulls! Hijinks galore!
X-FACTOR SPECIAL: LAYLA MILLER #1 by Peter David and Valentine DeLandro. A one-shot based upon a character who is clearly one of PAD’s favorites. Really good stuff even though I usually hate dystopian alternate future stories. Worth a read.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
AIR #1 by G. Willow Wilson and M.K. Perker. Something about air travel, terrorism and countries that don’t exist. Okay. Sure looks pretty though. Not for kids.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #568 by Dan Slott and John Romita R with a back-up by Mark Waid and Adi Granov. Ominous doings with the Osborn boys and the man once known as Venom gets reflective. Pretty darn good issue.
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #16 by Mark Waid and Scott Kolins. Superman and Catwoman! They’re just trying to make Batman jealous…
CAPTAIN AMERICA #41 by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting. Cap may be “dead” but his villains have never been more interesting. Sucks to be Sharon Carter though…
FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #1 of 5 by Geoff Johns and George Perez. Time-Trapper, Superboy-Prime, Huge Fights! It’s Perez so you know it’ll look great and Johns so you know it’ll make sense! Recommended!
GHOST RIDER #26 by Jason Aaron and Tan Eng Huat. Danny Ketch is back, no doubt to get his flaming skull handed to him by the real Ghost Rider. From the author of SCALPED! Recommended!
HERBIE ARCHIVES VOL.1 HC by Shane O’Shea (Richard Hughes) and Ogden Whitney. Collecting the earliest adventures of The Fat Fury and his magic lollipops. Hey, it was the sixties and he went after Castro! Did you ever go after Castro? Weird stuff for them that likes it. Go Herbie!
IRON FIST: ORIGIN OF DANNY RAND by Lotsa People including Matt Fraction and Kano. He knows kung-fu!
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #24 by Dwayne McDuffie and Ed Benes. Okay, normally I wouldn’t care who had control of the Tantu Totem but this story has actually maintained my interest. Fun stuff! Tantus all around!
PUNISHER #61 by Greg Hurwitz and Laurence Campbell. The post-Ennis era starts here and it ain’t half-bad. Let’s give these plucky lads their fair shake, eh? Recommended.
SANDMAN PRESENTS: DEAD BOY DETECTIVES SC by Ed Brubaker, Bryan Talbot and Steve Leialoha. Collecting the first bunch of stories from back before everyone knew how awesome Brubaker was. Gotta look!
SCALPED #20 by Jason Aaron and Davide Furno. More revelations from the twisted past of Dash’s crackhead significant other, Carol. Everyone should be reading this series, except for kids. Highly recommended.
SHOWCASE PRESENTS: THE ATOM VOL. 2 SC by Gardner Fox, Dennis O’Neil, Gil Kane, Murphy Anderson and Others. Collecting the Silver-Age adventures of the Mighty Mite from ATOM #18-38 and ATOM AND HAWKMAN #39-45. Expensive comics found cheaply here!
UNCANNY X-MEN #501 by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction and Greg Land. I tried reading this but was blinded by the rows of white teeth Greg Land traced from fashion magazines and various soft-core websites. The new drinking game is: Every time you recognize a starlet Land traced for an Emma Frost pose you have to drink. Hide your car keys before playing.
X-FACTOR #34 by Peter David and Larry Stroman. She-Hulk! Long-Shot! Skrulls! Hijinks galore!
X-FACTOR SPECIAL: LAYLA MILLER #1 by Peter David and Valentine DeLandro. A one-shot based upon a character who is clearly one of PAD’s favorites. Really good stuff even though I usually hate dystopian alternate future stories. Worth a read.
www.johnjudy.net
Small Press Expo Announces Bryan Lee O’Malley and Hope Larson as Guests for SPX 2008
Small Press Expo Announces Bryan Lee O’Malley and Hope Larson as Guests for SPX 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Warren Bernard
Phone: 301-537-4615 E-Mail:webernard@mindspring.com
Bethesda, Maryland; August 19, 2008 - The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comic books, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, is proud to announce Bryan Lee O’Malley and Hope Larson as guests for SPX 2008.
Bryan Lee O’Malley is the creator of the Scott Pilgrim (http://www.scottpilgrim.com) series of books issued by Oni Press. Scott Pilgrim was named Best Indy Comic of the Year by Entertainment Weekly and was recently optioned as a motion picture by Universal Studios. Bryan has been nominated for both the Eisner and Harvey Awards and is a past recipient of the Joe Schuster Award for Best Canadian Cartoonist and the Doug Wright Award for Best Emerging Talent. Bryan’s web site is http://www.radiomaru.com/.
Hope Larson is the creator of the recently released book, Chiggers, published by the Atheneum imprint of Simon & Schuster. She was the recipient of the 2006 Ignatz Award in the category Promising New Talent and the Eisner Award for Special Recognition in 2007. Her previous works include Gray Horses published by Oni Press and Salamander Dreams, her web comic subsequently published by Adhouse Books. Hope’s web site is
http://www.hopelarson.com/.
Hope and Bryan are in addition to the previously announced Joost Swarte, who will be making a rare American appearance at this year's SPX.
Additional guests will be added over the next few weeks, please stay tuned for those announcements.
This year, SPX will be held Saturday, October 4 from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday, October 5 noon-6PM at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $8 for a single day and $15 for both days.
For further information on the artists or to request an interview, please contact Warren Bernard at webernard@spxpo.com.
SPX, a non-profit organization, brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, political cartoon books and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. A series of panel discussions will also be held of interest to readers, academicians and creators of graphic novels and political cartoons.
SPX culminates with the presentation of the 12th Annual Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning that will occur Saturday night, October 4. The Ignatz is the first Festival Prize in the US comic book industry, with winners chosen by balloting during the SPX.
As in previous years, all profits from the SPX will go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), protecting the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, go to their website at
http://www.cbldf.org/.
Founded in 1994, SPX is North America's premier alternative comic-book and graphic novel festival. This annual event brings together comic creators, publishers and fans together to celebrate the art of visual storytelling.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Warren Bernard
Phone: 301-537-4615 E-Mail:webernard@mindspring.com
Bethesda, Maryland; August 19, 2008 - The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comic books, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, is proud to announce Bryan Lee O’Malley and Hope Larson as guests for SPX 2008.
Bryan Lee O’Malley is the creator of the Scott Pilgrim (http://www.scottpilgrim.com) series of books issued by Oni Press. Scott Pilgrim was named Best Indy Comic of the Year by Entertainment Weekly and was recently optioned as a motion picture by Universal Studios. Bryan has been nominated for both the Eisner and Harvey Awards and is a past recipient of the Joe Schuster Award for Best Canadian Cartoonist and the Doug Wright Award for Best Emerging Talent. Bryan’s web site is http://www.radiomaru.com/.
Hope Larson is the creator of the recently released book, Chiggers, published by the Atheneum imprint of Simon & Schuster. She was the recipient of the 2006 Ignatz Award in the category Promising New Talent and the Eisner Award for Special Recognition in 2007. Her previous works include Gray Horses published by Oni Press and Salamander Dreams, her web comic subsequently published by Adhouse Books. Hope’s web site is
http://www.hopelarson.com/.
Hope and Bryan are in addition to the previously announced Joost Swarte, who will be making a rare American appearance at this year's SPX.
Additional guests will be added over the next few weeks, please stay tuned for those announcements.
This year, SPX will be held Saturday, October 4 from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday, October 5 noon-6PM at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $8 for a single day and $15 for both days.
For further information on the artists or to request an interview, please contact Warren Bernard at webernard@spxpo.com.
SPX, a non-profit organization, brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, political cartoon books and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. A series of panel discussions will also be held of interest to readers, academicians and creators of graphic novels and political cartoons.
SPX culminates with the presentation of the 12th Annual Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning that will occur Saturday night, October 4. The Ignatz is the first Festival Prize in the US comic book industry, with winners chosen by balloting during the SPX.
As in previous years, all profits from the SPX will go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), protecting the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, go to their website at
http://www.cbldf.org/.
Founded in 1994, SPX is North America's premier alternative comic-book and graphic novel festival. This annual event brings together comic creators, publishers and fans together to celebrate the art of visual storytelling.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Couple of comic art things in NY Times
One story on the Family Guy animator "Serving 3 Brands: Burger King, Google and Seth MacFarlane," By BROOKS BARNES, New York Times August 18, 2008 and that bastard mix of art and commerce to quote Mr. Spiegelman.
Another story is on some Watchmen movie nonsense - "Judge Backs Fox on Rights to Superhero Movie," By MICHAEL CIEPLY, New York Times August 19, 2008.
Another story is on some Watchmen movie nonsense - "Judge Backs Fox on Rights to Superhero Movie," By MICHAEL CIEPLY, New York Times August 19, 2008.
Honorary Washingtonian Von Allan has a comic
Here's his press release:
Canadian artist Von Allan publishes his first graphic novel
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (August 17, 2008) – Comic books and graphic novels have, over the past twenty years, become a widely embraced medium in book publishing. Initially dismissed as children’s entertainment, comics have now developed a maturity and range of vision that rivals other forms of art and literature. Graphic novels are read by people from all walks of life and have reached a level of critical acceptance that was unheard of decades ago. This resurgence has been led by a number of young artists who bring unique voices to the medium. Von Allan, an Ottawa-based artist and graphic novelist, joins this group with his recently published graphic novel “Li’l Kids: road to god knows… adventures!”
“Graphic novels offer a combination of words and images that speak to us on a very fundamental level,” says Allan. “In a way I think it’s storytelling at its most primal form. It allows an author to engage with a reader in a way that’s similar to literature and yet very, very different. Comics, when you come right down to it, are just ink marks on a piece of paper. That a reader can interpret that into a fully formed story is really quite remarkable. On top of it, so much of what makes sequential art come alive is defined by what’s not there. The gutter space between each panel of art is very important. This is where the reader’s imagination and personality comes into play. It’s a beautiful medium and one I love exploring. Hopefully that sense of exploration comes across in ‘Li’l Kids.’”
Another unique aspect of the graphic novel is its availability in multiple channels. “Li’l Kids” is downloadable as a free PDF eBook on the artist’s website. In addition, a free torrent version is available via LegalTorrents.com. The graphic novel is distributed under a Creative Commons Canada licence that grants readers the ability to distribute the online versions of the book for free. “I believe in both print publishing and bookstores and I always have,” says Allan. “But I also believe that obscurity is one of the hardest things for young artists to avoid. By using a variety of online distribution tools as well as more traditional print publishing, I’m hoping more people will get to know both myself and my work. I believe that this helps build a platform for my continued development as an artist and helps grow my audience at the same time. I’m also very pleased to see that the book is already available through a number of channels, notably online at both Amazon and Barnes & Noble.”
“Li’l Kids” is a collection of three interlocked short stories that focus on elements from a young girl’s life. We see Marie, the main character in each story, develop and grow; from meeting a new friend to her burgeoning awareness of both her family’s poverty and her mom’s mental illness. This later theme is more fully explored in the graphic novel “the road to god knows…;” Marie is only eight years old at the time of these three stories. As a result, she is only just beginning to be aware of the world around her and her place in it. Each story stands on its own but, when taken together, they demonstrate that childhood, like most aspects of life, can have its ups and downs. Being a child can be fun, scary, and magical; but sometimes the things that seem very little at the time can have a profound effect on you later on in life. That’s certainly true for Marie and her experiences in these stories help to bear that out. Later, in “the road to god knows…,” we see just how significant some of those events can be.
In addition to the three stories, this collection includes a large amount of supporting material. Concept and thumbnail art illustrate how each story was put together. Allan also discusses where each story’s inspiration came from and how each story’s initial idea formed. Lastly, he shows each step from story outline to completed script.
“Li’l Kids: road to god knows… adventures!” is an 88 page graphic novel and has an ISBN of 978-0-9781237-1-0. The suggested retail price is $13.95 US.
About Von Allan: Von Allan was born red-headed and freckled in Arnprior, Ontario, just in time for “Star Wars: A New Hope.” He managed Perfect Books, an independent bookstore in Ottawa, for many years while working on story ideas in his spare time; eventually, he decided to make the leap to a creative life, and “the road to god knows…” was the result. Additional information about the graphic novel can be found at vonallan.com.
--
Von Allan
My first graphic novel, Li'l Kids (ISBN: 978-0-9781237-1-0) is now available! Links for a free PDF Ebook and to online retailers for a physical copy are at http://www.vonallan.com/shop.html
And my original graphic novel the road to god knows... (ISBN: 978-0-9781237-0-3) can be now read entirely online at http://www.girlamatic.com/comics/godknows.php
Von Allan Studio
P.O. Box 20520, 390 Rideau Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. K1N 1A3
Phone: 613-236-9957
Email: von@vonallan.com
Web: http://www.vonallan.com
Blog: http://vonandmoggy.livejournal.com
Canadian artist Von Allan publishes his first graphic novel
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (August 17, 2008) – Comic books and graphic novels have, over the past twenty years, become a widely embraced medium in book publishing. Initially dismissed as children’s entertainment, comics have now developed a maturity and range of vision that rivals other forms of art and literature. Graphic novels are read by people from all walks of life and have reached a level of critical acceptance that was unheard of decades ago. This resurgence has been led by a number of young artists who bring unique voices to the medium. Von Allan, an Ottawa-based artist and graphic novelist, joins this group with his recently published graphic novel “Li’l Kids: road to god knows… adventures!”
“Graphic novels offer a combination of words and images that speak to us on a very fundamental level,” says Allan. “In a way I think it’s storytelling at its most primal form. It allows an author to engage with a reader in a way that’s similar to literature and yet very, very different. Comics, when you come right down to it, are just ink marks on a piece of paper. That a reader can interpret that into a fully formed story is really quite remarkable. On top of it, so much of what makes sequential art come alive is defined by what’s not there. The gutter space between each panel of art is very important. This is where the reader’s imagination and personality comes into play. It’s a beautiful medium and one I love exploring. Hopefully that sense of exploration comes across in ‘Li’l Kids.’”
Another unique aspect of the graphic novel is its availability in multiple channels. “Li’l Kids” is downloadable as a free PDF eBook on the artist’s website. In addition, a free torrent version is available via LegalTorrents.com. The graphic novel is distributed under a Creative Commons Canada licence that grants readers the ability to distribute the online versions of the book for free. “I believe in both print publishing and bookstores and I always have,” says Allan. “But I also believe that obscurity is one of the hardest things for young artists to avoid. By using a variety of online distribution tools as well as more traditional print publishing, I’m hoping more people will get to know both myself and my work. I believe that this helps build a platform for my continued development as an artist and helps grow my audience at the same time. I’m also very pleased to see that the book is already available through a number of channels, notably online at both Amazon and Barnes & Noble.”
“Li’l Kids” is a collection of three interlocked short stories that focus on elements from a young girl’s life. We see Marie, the main character in each story, develop and grow; from meeting a new friend to her burgeoning awareness of both her family’s poverty and her mom’s mental illness. This later theme is more fully explored in the graphic novel “the road to god knows…;” Marie is only eight years old at the time of these three stories. As a result, she is only just beginning to be aware of the world around her and her place in it. Each story stands on its own but, when taken together, they demonstrate that childhood, like most aspects of life, can have its ups and downs. Being a child can be fun, scary, and magical; but sometimes the things that seem very little at the time can have a profound effect on you later on in life. That’s certainly true for Marie and her experiences in these stories help to bear that out. Later, in “the road to god knows…,” we see just how significant some of those events can be.
In addition to the three stories, this collection includes a large amount of supporting material. Concept and thumbnail art illustrate how each story was put together. Allan also discusses where each story’s inspiration came from and how each story’s initial idea formed. Lastly, he shows each step from story outline to completed script.
“Li’l Kids: road to god knows… adventures!” is an 88 page graphic novel and has an ISBN of 978-0-9781237-1-0. The suggested retail price is $13.95 US.
About Von Allan: Von Allan was born red-headed and freckled in Arnprior, Ontario, just in time for “Star Wars: A New Hope.” He managed Perfect Books, an independent bookstore in Ottawa, for many years while working on story ideas in his spare time; eventually, he decided to make the leap to a creative life, and “the road to god knows…” was the result. Additional information about the graphic novel can be found at vonallan.com.
--
Von Allan
My first graphic novel, Li'l Kids (ISBN: 978-0-9781237-1-0) is now available! Links for a free PDF Ebook and to online retailers for a physical copy are at http://www.vonallan.com/shop.html
And my original graphic novel the road to god knows... (ISBN: 978-0-9781237-0-3) can be now read entirely online at http://www.girlamatic.com/comics/godknows.php
Von Allan Studio
P.O. Box 20520, 390 Rideau Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. K1N 1A3
Phone: 613-236-9957
Email: von@vonallan.com
Web: http://www.vonallan.com
Blog: http://vonandmoggy.livejournal.com
August 29: Death Note showing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Chris Wanamaker, (202) 262 2083 president@dcanimeclub.org
DC Anime Club and Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan Present:
DeathNote
The DC Anime Club and the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan Present the DeathNote on Friday August 29, 2008 at 6:30pm as part of the Anime Summer Series. A live action film based on the extremely popular manga, starring Tatsuya Fujiwara from the Battle Royale films. The Death Note is a notebook of the gods of death. Anyone whose name is written in it will die. The screening will be held at the Japanese Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan located at Lafayette Center III, 1155 21st Street, NW Washington, DC 20036-3308. Seating for the screening of DeathNote is limited and attendees are encouraged to rsvp by sending an e-mail to jiccrsvpspring08@embjapan.org.
This program is free and open to the public. For more information please visit the Japanese Information and Culture Center website at http://www.us.embjapan.go.jp/jicc/ or visit the DC Anime Club website at http://dcanimeclub.org.
About DC Anime Club:
DCAC was established in 2003 to introduce and educate people in the Washington,DC area about East Asian culture, through viewing and discussion of Japanese animation (also known as anime) and Japanese comics (manga). DCAC is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, contributions to DC Anime Club are taxed deductible to the extent allowable under the law.
The club also works to provide a positive, alternative activity to the youth in the area by exposing them to foreign culture, encouraging artistic expression and creativity, and providing opportunities for participation in community activities and leadership.
In addition to our weekly meetings, the club holds an Annual Art Show, an Annual Costume fundraising event, and visits local schools to do presentations on anime. The club also works with the Smithsonian Freer Gallery and DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival on their anime screenings, and has helped locally promote performances for Japanese bands such as Puffy Ami Yumi and Pine am. DC Anime Club was founded by Chris Wanamaker (President), Jules Chang (Vice President) and Craig Vaughn (Sgt in ARMS) on Saturday June 5, 2003. We have a strong membership that continues to grow -- most of which are teenagers.
About Japan Information and Culture Center:
The Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) is the cultural and public affairs section of the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. Our primary role is to promote better understanding of Japan and Japanese culture by providing a wide range of
information, educational services and programs to the public. The JICC is located on the lower level of the glass-enclosed Galleria at Lafayette Centre III in downtown Washington, D.C. Its facilities include a research library, a 152-seat auditorium, and a 1,500-square-foot exhibition gallery where a wide variety of events sponsored by the JICC are hosted throughout the year.
--
Christopher Wanamaker
DC Anime Club President
http://www.dcanimeclub.org
202 262 2083
CONTACT: Chris Wanamaker, (202) 262 2083 president@dcanimeclub.org
DC Anime Club and Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan Present:
DeathNote
The DC Anime Club and the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan Present the DeathNote on Friday August 29, 2008 at 6:30pm as part of the Anime Summer Series. A live action film based on the extremely popular manga, starring Tatsuya Fujiwara from the Battle Royale films. The Death Note is a notebook of the gods of death. Anyone whose name is written in it will die. The screening will be held at the Japanese Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan located at Lafayette Center III, 1155 21st Street, NW Washington, DC 20036-3308. Seating for the screening of DeathNote is limited and attendees are encouraged to rsvp by sending an e-mail to jiccrsvpspring08@embjapan.org.
This program is free and open to the public. For more information please visit the Japanese Information and Culture Center website at http://www.us.embjapan.go.jp/jicc/ or visit the DC Anime Club website at http://dcanimeclub.org.
About DC Anime Club:
DCAC was established in 2003 to introduce and educate people in the Washington,DC area about East Asian culture, through viewing and discussion of Japanese animation (also known as anime) and Japanese comics (manga). DCAC is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, contributions to DC Anime Club are taxed deductible to the extent allowable under the law.
The club also works to provide a positive, alternative activity to the youth in the area by exposing them to foreign culture, encouraging artistic expression and creativity, and providing opportunities for participation in community activities and leadership.
In addition to our weekly meetings, the club holds an Annual Art Show, an Annual Costume fundraising event, and visits local schools to do presentations on anime. The club also works with the Smithsonian Freer Gallery and DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival on their anime screenings, and has helped locally promote performances for Japanese bands such as Puffy Ami Yumi and Pine am. DC Anime Club was founded by Chris Wanamaker (President), Jules Chang (Vice President) and Craig Vaughn (Sgt in ARMS) on Saturday June 5, 2003. We have a strong membership that continues to grow -- most of which are teenagers.
About Japan Information and Culture Center:
The Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) is the cultural and public affairs section of the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. Our primary role is to promote better understanding of Japan and Japanese culture by providing a wide range of
information, educational services and programs to the public. The JICC is located on the lower level of the glass-enclosed Galleria at Lafayette Centre III in downtown Washington, D.C. Its facilities include a research library, a 152-seat auditorium, and a 1,500-square-foot exhibition gallery where a wide variety of events sponsored by the JICC are hosted throughout the year.
--
Christopher Wanamaker
DC Anime Club President
http://www.dcanimeclub.org
202 262 2083
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Another Harvey Pekar article
Here's another one that was struck from the book. It's another on Pekar's relationship with Letterman, this time after he had cancer and just before Our Cancer Year about to come out.
Harvey Pekar / Letterman
By Harvey Pekar and Joyce Brabner / 1994
From alt.fan.letterman, June 3, 1994. Reprinted with permission of Harvey Pekar.
As promised: Harvey wrote the following article for the Boston Herald. I'm posting my own notes, too. -- Joyce
On the Late Show With David Letterman
by Harvey Pekar
Yeah, that was me you saw on David Letterman's May 16 show, announcing to a guy I work with that he owed me ten bucks for mentioning his name on national TV, telling Dave I was getting twenty five more for wearing a T-shirt with a Cleveland Free Times logo on it. Nickel and diming, but it adds up.
I've made a cottage industry out of Dave's program-- appearing on it eight times, six during a two year period, then writing about my experiences for various newspapers. For this I've received, by my standards, decent money. My standards are those of someone who has been a file clerk for the Cleveland VA hospital since 1966.
Steve O'Donnell, once Letterman's head writer and another Clevelander, got me on Late Night in October 1986, because he liked my autobiographical comic book series American Splendor.
I did a self-parody of a working stiff on the show and Dave was so impressed that he had me on again in January, March, July and November of 1987, and, after a six month's writers' strike, August of 1988. However, our relationship soured.
Dave was happy to have me come on like a rust belt "dese an' doser" but I tired of it and brought politics into the act by talking about the conflict of interest involved in the chronically corrupt and extremely powerful General Electric corporation's ownership of NBC, Letterman's employer at the time. GE has been convicted numerous times of violating anti-trust laws. They get caught, pay the fine and do it again, a profitable policy.
They are also a huge arms manufacturer and, by owning NBC, are in a position to influence public opinion regarding weapons sales. Obviously, they shouldn't be allowed to own a major TV news source.
When GE was being sued for over a billion dollars in 1987 by three Ohio utility companies for selling them a nuclear reactor GE's own engineers and scientists considered defective, NBC didn't mention the story for months, and then only under pressure, and they didn't pursue it.
Meanwhile, I saw Dave making personal cracks about Robert Wright, the GE-installed NBC president, and thought he'd dig it if I joined in the fun by bringing up GE's long criminal record. Was I ever wrong.
The first time I mentioned the issue Dave switched to a commercial, after which he brought someone else on. When I wouldn't stop ragging on GE during a July '87 show, we got into a spirited on the air argument, which, however, the audience enjoyed.
As far as I'm concerned that should be enough for Dave. He considers Late Night/Late Show (the CBS version) a comedy program in a talk show format. We got laughs while we were squabbling about GE, but he still wasn't satisfied. He only wants light weight comedy and avoids serious political or social issues like the plague (AIDS, for example, is never mentioned).
Dave is bright and talented, but seriously interested in nothing but beating Jay Leno in the ratings. He deserves a kick in the butt for his anti-intellectualism. Make anything but a quick reference to a heavy issue and he's nervous. "This isn't Meet the Press," Letterman staffers tell you. "Don't stay on any subject too long, don't get serious about anything."
Dave is so contradictory. He makes all this money but lives modestly and could get along with far less. Money is just a success symbol to him. He despises show biz phoniness and stupidity, but interviews vacuous movie and TV stars night after night so that he can appear on Time Magazine covers. It's hard to believe he doesn't realize that having the most popular late night talk show means nothing if it stinks. Does he really believe he's doing anything creative by interviewing talentless celebrities, being increasingly nice to people he doesn't respect so he can please his closer-to-prime time audience?
Disgusted with the scene, I decided to end my TV career by goading Dave into a nasty argument during his August, '88 show. It was so ugly I figured I would never be asked back. Amazingly, a year later, his people invited me to return. I refused. The next year they asked again, but that's when I was a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. I couldn't have gone back if I'd wanted.
In early 1993, in remission for some time, I was offered another invitation. They were paying $600, covering airfare for two, a limo and our hotel costs. This was too good to be ignored so I made an appearance, got some laughs and went home.
The show is still nowhere. Occasionally, I've seen Letterman do fine satire, but that's pretty much behind him now that he's trying to impress Peoria.
Dave raps with giddy stars and starlets five nights a week, gets in his car and races home, dodging fans. But, I'll take his money. What else is he good for?
Here's Joyce's version of the same event...
We don't watch Letterman unless Harvey's on the show. Someone usually tapes it for us at home. We sometimes stay up to watch Harvey when we're in New York and the show is aired later that same night. Doing LS/DL is a lot like being 11 years old and visiting relatives you don't care to know once or twice each year. One meets vaguely familiar people who ask the same questions and say the same things. You have nothing in common but, on the way over, you've been drilled in what/what not to talk about.
You show up because they always hand out money and terrible gifts that can be brought back to the store. For some reason, there is also a pumped and primed audience-- we always hear them practice laughing—but it's all over in only a few minutes and you don't have to swallow meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
Instead of exchanging ugly shirts and sweaters for department store refunds, Harvey collects bags full of whatever books and CDs people send Letterman and unloads them at used book and record stores for extra cash.
Sometimes Joyce trades DL merchandise, weird souvenirs, backstage passes or tickets for computer supplies and materials needed by the kids she's writing her own comic books with, usually by chatting up alt.fan.letterman readers on Usenet. Harvey writes about Letterman in his own autobiographical comic book series American Splendor, so he always has something to promote on the show-- a comic book about the last show. I forget what you call that kind of self-contained economic system. Maybe it's just plain television.
We used to think the Letterman show was a talk show, until its various producers explained "It's a comedy show that looks like a talk show. No one talks." We're not supposed to tell you which casual throwaway lines, lightning quick put downs, leading questions, canny insights and spontaneous discussions were mapped out ahead of time on those blue index cards Dave holds. Afterwards, the cards are carefully collected and unused banter gets stored by writers for later use.
Every so often Harvey and Dave say something unexpected to each other. That's called "a real moment" and often excites sophisticated people with lots of excuses for watching the show, as in "I only turned it on because Harvey..." After the show, everyone's a critic, evenly divided between those certain Harvey missed some wonderful opportunity to talk about comics as an adult art form-- or his chance to promote tourism in and around the city of Cleveland (where we live)-- and those who see Harvey as ugly little David up against smugly mugging Goliath. Or Mammon.
It's nothing more than meatloaf and potatos, served up by someone we think really does read Harvey's comics, since they made such a big deal about it last time: "Dave wants his own copy. He's decided to hold the comic book on camera." There's not much they can talk (not talk) about. Letterman knows Harvey's been sidelined by cancer and reconstructive surgery but that's not to be mentioned at the table.
"It bums people out," we're told. "Not when people tell the truth," we argue, convinced there's at least one guy out there going through chemotherapy with a really bad attitude, scared he won't get well because he hasn't turned his non-Hodgkins lymphoma into an opportunity for personal growth. On TV we're shown serene "before" pictures of Jackie O.
Harvey's scowling face is what "after" that same cancer sometimes looks like-- ragged hairline, bushy eyebrows and all. It grows back, you see. Not everyone dies.
Who's scamming who? LS/DL wanted Harvey to be red-faced and rude, to add a touch of color to beige and blonde Heather Locklear. If she didn't show, Harvey expected to be bumped. I'm Harvey's entourage. His wife.
So, they sat me next to 5 women, all wearing the same perfectly bleached and bell shaped hairdo and anxiously watching HL on the monitor backstage. One turned and trilled to the rest "Her makeup looks so good!" Then, all the Heathers sighed.
Being Heather is their job, just like being Dave is a job. Being Harvey Pekar, a very minor cult figure who writes himself into comics and sometimes turns up on TV is, well... Easy on the meatloaf. Who knows what that stuff is made of?
Harvey Pekar / Letterman
By Harvey Pekar and Joyce Brabner / 1994
From alt.fan.letterman, June 3, 1994. Reprinted with permission of Harvey Pekar.
As promised: Harvey wrote the following article for the Boston Herald. I'm posting my own notes, too. -- Joyce
On the Late Show With David Letterman
by Harvey Pekar
Yeah, that was me you saw on David Letterman's May 16 show, announcing to a guy I work with that he owed me ten bucks for mentioning his name on national TV, telling Dave I was getting twenty five more for wearing a T-shirt with a Cleveland Free Times logo on it. Nickel and diming, but it adds up.
I've made a cottage industry out of Dave's program-- appearing on it eight times, six during a two year period, then writing about my experiences for various newspapers. For this I've received, by my standards, decent money. My standards are those of someone who has been a file clerk for the Cleveland VA hospital since 1966.
Steve O'Donnell, once Letterman's head writer and another Clevelander, got me on Late Night in October 1986, because he liked my autobiographical comic book series American Splendor.
I did a self-parody of a working stiff on the show and Dave was so impressed that he had me on again in January, March, July and November of 1987, and, after a six month's writers' strike, August of 1988. However, our relationship soured.
Dave was happy to have me come on like a rust belt "dese an' doser" but I tired of it and brought politics into the act by talking about the conflict of interest involved in the chronically corrupt and extremely powerful General Electric corporation's ownership of NBC, Letterman's employer at the time. GE has been convicted numerous times of violating anti-trust laws. They get caught, pay the fine and do it again, a profitable policy.
They are also a huge arms manufacturer and, by owning NBC, are in a position to influence public opinion regarding weapons sales. Obviously, they shouldn't be allowed to own a major TV news source.
When GE was being sued for over a billion dollars in 1987 by three Ohio utility companies for selling them a nuclear reactor GE's own engineers and scientists considered defective, NBC didn't mention the story for months, and then only under pressure, and they didn't pursue it.
Meanwhile, I saw Dave making personal cracks about Robert Wright, the GE-installed NBC president, and thought he'd dig it if I joined in the fun by bringing up GE's long criminal record. Was I ever wrong.
The first time I mentioned the issue Dave switched to a commercial, after which he brought someone else on. When I wouldn't stop ragging on GE during a July '87 show, we got into a spirited on the air argument, which, however, the audience enjoyed.
As far as I'm concerned that should be enough for Dave. He considers Late Night/Late Show (the CBS version) a comedy program in a talk show format. We got laughs while we were squabbling about GE, but he still wasn't satisfied. He only wants light weight comedy and avoids serious political or social issues like the plague (AIDS, for example, is never mentioned).
Dave is bright and talented, but seriously interested in nothing but beating Jay Leno in the ratings. He deserves a kick in the butt for his anti-intellectualism. Make anything but a quick reference to a heavy issue and he's nervous. "This isn't Meet the Press," Letterman staffers tell you. "Don't stay on any subject too long, don't get serious about anything."
Dave is so contradictory. He makes all this money but lives modestly and could get along with far less. Money is just a success symbol to him. He despises show biz phoniness and stupidity, but interviews vacuous movie and TV stars night after night so that he can appear on Time Magazine covers. It's hard to believe he doesn't realize that having the most popular late night talk show means nothing if it stinks. Does he really believe he's doing anything creative by interviewing talentless celebrities, being increasingly nice to people he doesn't respect so he can please his closer-to-prime time audience?
Disgusted with the scene, I decided to end my TV career by goading Dave into a nasty argument during his August, '88 show. It was so ugly I figured I would never be asked back. Amazingly, a year later, his people invited me to return. I refused. The next year they asked again, but that's when I was a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments. I couldn't have gone back if I'd wanted.
In early 1993, in remission for some time, I was offered another invitation. They were paying $600, covering airfare for two, a limo and our hotel costs. This was too good to be ignored so I made an appearance, got some laughs and went home.
The show is still nowhere. Occasionally, I've seen Letterman do fine satire, but that's pretty much behind him now that he's trying to impress Peoria.
Dave raps with giddy stars and starlets five nights a week, gets in his car and races home, dodging fans. But, I'll take his money. What else is he good for?
Here's Joyce's version of the same event...
We don't watch Letterman unless Harvey's on the show. Someone usually tapes it for us at home. We sometimes stay up to watch Harvey when we're in New York and the show is aired later that same night. Doing LS/DL is a lot like being 11 years old and visiting relatives you don't care to know once or twice each year. One meets vaguely familiar people who ask the same questions and say the same things. You have nothing in common but, on the way over, you've been drilled in what/what not to talk about.
You show up because they always hand out money and terrible gifts that can be brought back to the store. For some reason, there is also a pumped and primed audience-- we always hear them practice laughing—but it's all over in only a few minutes and you don't have to swallow meatloaf and mashed potatoes.
Instead of exchanging ugly shirts and sweaters for department store refunds, Harvey collects bags full of whatever books and CDs people send Letterman and unloads them at used book and record stores for extra cash.
Sometimes Joyce trades DL merchandise, weird souvenirs, backstage passes or tickets for computer supplies and materials needed by the kids she's writing her own comic books with, usually by chatting up alt.fan.letterman readers on Usenet. Harvey writes about Letterman in his own autobiographical comic book series American Splendor, so he always has something to promote on the show-- a comic book about the last show. I forget what you call that kind of self-contained economic system. Maybe it's just plain television.
We used to think the Letterman show was a talk show, until its various producers explained "It's a comedy show that looks like a talk show. No one talks." We're not supposed to tell you which casual throwaway lines, lightning quick put downs, leading questions, canny insights and spontaneous discussions were mapped out ahead of time on those blue index cards Dave holds. Afterwards, the cards are carefully collected and unused banter gets stored by writers for later use.
Every so often Harvey and Dave say something unexpected to each other. That's called "a real moment" and often excites sophisticated people with lots of excuses for watching the show, as in "I only turned it on because Harvey..." After the show, everyone's a critic, evenly divided between those certain Harvey missed some wonderful opportunity to talk about comics as an adult art form-- or his chance to promote tourism in and around the city of Cleveland (where we live)-- and those who see Harvey as ugly little David up against smugly mugging Goliath. Or Mammon.
It's nothing more than meatloaf and potatos, served up by someone we think really does read Harvey's comics, since they made such a big deal about it last time: "Dave wants his own copy. He's decided to hold the comic book on camera." There's not much they can talk (not talk) about. Letterman knows Harvey's been sidelined by cancer and reconstructive surgery but that's not to be mentioned at the table.
"It bums people out," we're told. "Not when people tell the truth," we argue, convinced there's at least one guy out there going through chemotherapy with a really bad attitude, scared he won't get well because he hasn't turned his non-Hodgkins lymphoma into an opportunity for personal growth. On TV we're shown serene "before" pictures of Jackie O.
Harvey's scowling face is what "after" that same cancer sometimes looks like-- ragged hairline, bushy eyebrows and all. It grows back, you see. Not everyone dies.
Who's scamming who? LS/DL wanted Harvey to be red-faced and rude, to add a touch of color to beige and blonde Heather Locklear. If she didn't show, Harvey expected to be bumped. I'm Harvey's entourage. His wife.
So, they sat me next to 5 women, all wearing the same perfectly bleached and bell shaped hairdo and anxiously watching HL on the monitor backstage. One turned and trilled to the rest "Her makeup looks so good!" Then, all the Heathers sighed.
Being Heather is their job, just like being Dave is a job. Being Harvey Pekar, a very minor cult figure who writes himself into comics and sometimes turns up on TV is, well... Easy on the meatloaf. Who knows what that stuff is made of?
Educational editorial cartoons
My, that title sounded boring, didn't it? Actually I wanted to mention the American Association of Editorial Cartoonist's Cartoons for the Classroom site. Every week or so, they pick an editorial cartoon, write some explanatory text about it and put up a downloadable version that teachers can use. I like this a lot - in fact, we used one in the museum I work in last year. They've got 127 that you can download as of today, by a wide variety of cartoonists.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Otakon followup article
See "Otakon convention: 'Halloween gone mad' ensues as animation fans hit Baltimore," Sarah Moses, Cumberland Times-News August 15 2008 and there's photos too.
Fiction House artwork on display at Geppi's museum
In his Scoop newsletter column, Curator Arnold Blumberg says they've put on display original art from "an installment in an ongoing strip, “Simba, King of the Beasts,” published by Fiction House in Jungle Comics... with art by William Allison."
August 16: Berryman exhibit closes
Tomorrow's the last day of the Clifford Berryman political cartoon exhibit at the National Archives on 9th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW. It's a good show.
NY Times notices Ditko
Boy, the world has gotten to be a strange, yet better, place - "From Spider-Man to Ayn Rand," By DOUGLAS WOLK, New York Times August 17, 2008 reviews the book STRANGE AND STRANGER: The World of Steve Ditko, By Blake Bell, Illustrated. 216 pp. Fantagraphics Books. $39.99.
Cul de Sac collection - I got a sneak peak
I just saw Our Man Thompson and got a sneak peek at the Cul de Sac book collection that Andrews McMeel is doing. It looks great - there's a ton of the Sunday strips that had only appeared in the Post, and they're still in color. You're going to want this one, even if there isn't a Petey temporary tattoo enclosed (I'd been hoping...).
Richard will be making appearances to sign them in the DC region this fall - he's still working out when and where. Buy 5 and give them for holiday gifts. I'm going to.
Richard will be making appearances to sign them in the DC region this fall - he's still working out when and where. Buy 5 and give them for holiday gifts. I'm going to.
The Family Circus is in DC, and didn't even call
I've been looking at these all week and didn't even think to do a post on them until Thursday's Washington Times ran a photograph by Barbara Salisbury (which isn't online) showing two Congressman holding a copy of one of the panels and inviting Bil Keane to visit the Capitol.
Anyway, the strips can be seen here - Monday 8/11, Tuesday 8/12, Wednesday 8/13, Thursday 8/14, Friday 8/15, Saturday 8/16. You can tell they're in Washington because our obelisk is taller than anyone else's.
Anyway, the strips can be seen here - Monday 8/11, Tuesday 8/12, Wednesday 8/13, Thursday 8/14, Friday 8/15, Saturday 8/16. You can tell they're in Washington because our obelisk is taller than anyone else's.
Zadzooks on Hellboy videogame
"ZADZOOKS: Hellboy players on the attack," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Thursday, August 14, 2008.
Quick Reviews comment
John Judy would like to make a priority claim for his Quick Reviews:
Did I call this one first?
Yes.
Yes I did.
Okay, it's Colbert rather than Fox.
Give 'em time.
Did I call this one first?
Yes.
Yes I did.
Okay, it's Colbert rather than Fox.
Give 'em time.
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