Thursday, April 30, 2009

Zadzooks on Wolverine comics

See "Zadzooks: Wolverine comic book reviews; X-Men's Wolverine and Logan explored," By Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times April 30, 2009. I actually bought my first Wolverine comic in perhaps a decade - the faux manga one that Marvel and Del Ray put out this week, just out of curiosity.

And I think I missed at least one Bennett's best:

Scalped and Viking for last week: "Bennett's Best for the week of April 19," By Greg Bennett, April 25, 2009 Zadzooks blog.

Dylan Dog and Paul Pope from two weeks ago: "Bennett's Best for the week of April 12," April 16, 2009 Zadzooks blog.

Jim Dougan and Molly Lawless at Fantom Comics

Jim writes in self-deprecatingly,

I'm going to be at Fantom Comics in Tenleytown this Saturday from 12-6ish along with my occasional collaborator but more importantly fabulous cartoonist in her own right, the inimitable Molly Lawless! We're kind of a local opening act of sorts, because the "headliner" is REX MUNDI writer/creator Arvid Nelson!

More details here:

http://www.fantomcomics.com/2009/04/join_fantom_comics_for_free_co.html

And a brief article from the Express that rightfullly focuses on REX MUNDI:

http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/04/slim_volumes_big_fantasies_free_comic_bo.php

I'll have a laptop to show SAM & LILAH, copies of CRAZY PAPERS and NO FORMULA and maybe my controversial collaboration with Molly HOW I LOST MY S#?! AT THE APPLE STORE, Molly will have copies of INFANDUM...AD INFINITUM, I'm sure Fantom will have a ton of REX MUNDI, and we'll all have a good time!

I plan on being there. I've already got Jim's books (somewhere in a pile, sigh...) and perhaps Molly's, but I'll buy the Rex Mundi books which Arion Berger in the Express liked quite a bit.

Kate Feiffer interview

She was at Politics and Prose today with her father Jules Feiffer, and will be in Old Town Alexandria tomorrow. See "Big Woof: Kate Feiffer's 'Which Puppy?'," by Express contributor Stephen M. Deusner, Express April 30, 2009.

Also as we've noted, they'll be appearing tomorrow:

We’d be thrilled if you would mention that Jules & Kate Feiffer will be appearing at Hooray For Books! 1555 King St., Alexandria, VA on Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m. We’ll have copies of “The Explainers” and “Great Comic Book Heroes” on hand.

Weingarten's Chatalogical Humor chat on some comics

Comments on comics from the past two weeks including Chatological Humor: Denim Friendly Since 2001; Talking Susan Boyle (UPDATED 4.24.09) aka Tuesdays With Moron, Gene Weingarten, Washington Post Staff Writer, Tuesday, April 21, 2009; 12:00 PM.

--------------
What were they thinking?: So the comics editors brought back "Judge Parker." Okay, fine, I'm cool with that. I was wondering if Sophie was going to make the cheerleading squad. But to make room, they chose a strip to move to the KidsPost page, and the strip they chose was... "Agnes"? Um, has anyone involved with this decision actually read "Agnes"? It's often incomprehensibly edgy, certainly for the KidsPost demographic.

I have a ten-year-old daughter who likes to read some of the comics, and I can tell you without a doubt which strip most appeals to her: "Baby Blues." It manages to be truly funny but also understandable to kids. If the point of this exercise is to get more kids to look at KidsPost, they should really rethink the choice of strip.

Could you go slap the comics editors around for me, Gene?

Gene Weingarten: I am not allow to slap comics editors.

_______________________

I am not one of your sycophant groupies...: I want you to know how utterly reprehensible it is that your weekly harangue against Hagar the Horrible, Beetle Bailey, Dennis the Menace, Family Circus et al should result in your comic strip being picked up by a syndicate. Many of us cut our teeth and learned how to read from those very strips and what you don't seem to understand is that not every comic has to appeal to the tastes of a 60 year old, old fart like yourself.

So go enjoy your ill gotten fruit but know that some of us recognize the dublicity of it all especially picking on poor little PJ -- I mean heck, he's just a little kid !

Gene Weingarten: I think P.J. is something like 48 years old.

_______________________

[apropos of a previous discussion of what makes a hero]

Krypt, ON: I find it interesting that Superman would not be considered a hero here for doing good since he risks nothing and expends, for him, little effort, but would be because he does it on his own time. Sometimes. When he isn't defrauding a newspaper. Which may be the real reason newspapers are going under.

Gene Weingarten: Whoa, whoa. He is a hero. It's not a question necessarily of what you risk, it's what you sacrifice. He sacrifices privacy. He sacrifices the ability to be a fully realized person. He is definitely a hero.

Rockville, Md.: Gene,

Is there something wrong with me because I was incredibly turned on by seeing Janis topless in yesterday's Arlo and Janis? I'm a happily married 39 year old guy if it makes a difference.

washingtonpost.com: Arlo and Janis, (April 20)

Gene Weingarten: I've said it before. Arlo and Janis is the hottest comic strip maybe ever.

_______________________

Funny Pa, PR: Since you're not allowed to bring this up: the April 17 Lio was genuinely unreadable at the size the Post printed it. The only way to make sense of it was to work backwards: there was a staggering drunk spider, so the spiderweb must have had something intoxicating in it.

At first there didn't seem to be anything in the middle of the web at all. Prolonged close study revealed what I guess was a beer can. Figuring this out was not worth the eyestrain.

Gene Weingarten: This was absolutely true. It's how I had to read it to get the joke. Liz, can you link to this? Online, it will be bigger; but imagine trying to figure it out at an inch high.

and a 'new' contest, although Cavna's been doing this off and on at Comic Riffs, usually with editorial cartoons.

Chatological Humor: Swine Flu Fever; Quiet Cars; Cat Calls (UPDATED 4.30.09), Gene Weingarten, Washington Post Staff Writer, Wednesday, April 29, 2009; 12:00 PM

Several weeks ago, Chatological Humor discontinued its regular Comic Pick of the Week feature, on the theory that it would be unseemly for me to critique comic strips if I were soon to be the author of one. I promised to find a replacement feature, and here it is. It's going to be reader-generated, and the first submission is by Justin Stone.

That's what we're doing. Rewrite dialog balloons for any current comic strip; you can either post your results on a Web site like flickr or Facebook, and send me a link, or you can send it right to me at weingarten(at)washpost.com. Important: You must make your dialogue fit the existing balloons. As Justin discovered, this can be hard. Comic-strip writing is Pinteresque.

Gene Weingarten: Ooh, this just in. Chatological Humor might have had a beneficial, tangible effect in the world.

Last week, a chatter noted, correctly, that "Agnes" was a tone-deaf joice as the comic strip chosen to appear on the KidsPost page. Very, very true: It's excellently cynical, even nihilistic, with big words and complex themes.

Someone apparently listened. I've just heard that it goes back on the comics page, and will be replaced in KidsPost by Frazz. Much better choice. Frazz or Big Nate would have been my choices.

I disagree here, as did some other Comic Riffs commenters. Garfield or Peanuts would have been a better choice. My 11-year-old daughter doesn't read Frazz.

Free Comic Book Day at Big Planet Comics PR

Free Comic Book Day is this Saturday, May 2nd, at Big Planet Comics!

We’ll be open from 11AM-6PM and we’ll have piles of free comics from Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Image, Oni, Top Shelf, and many more! Some highlights include the first part of Green Lantern’s Blackest Night written by Geoff Johns and a new Avengers comic written by Brian Bendis.

We have special pre-packs for the kids.

Stop by, say hi; we'd love to see you!

--

BIG PLANET COMICS
4908 Fairmont Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-654-6856

Also affiliated with:

BIG PLANET COMICS
3145 Dumbarton St. NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-342-1961

BIG PLANET COMICS
426 Maple Ave. East
Vienna, VA 22180
703-242-9412

BIG PLANET COMICS
7315 Baltimore Ave.
College Park, MD 20740
301-699-0498

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Free Comic Book Day "not available in any store" freebies

Hogan's Alley, a magazine I infrequently write for, but really like says:

Even in the depths of the Great Recession, the best things in life are free! Mark your calendars for this Saturday, May 2: Free Comic Book Day. Send us an e-mail ON THAT DATE with your mailing address, and we’ll send you a FREE issue of Hogan’s Alley! No obligations, no strings attached; the only thing it will cost you is several hours as you enjoy the issue. (This offer is valid for all U.S. residents, whether you’re a current subscriber or not.) Remember the one condition —we must receive your e-mail request on Free Comic Book Day (May 2), not the day before or the day after. (Before and after that date, any requests for freebies will receive only scorn and derision.) Feel free to pass this offer along to anyone you know who might enjoy Hogan’s Alley! [their email seems to be hoganmag@gmail.com]


TwoMorrows revolutionized fanzine publishing with Jack Kirby Collector and mags with lots and lots of creator interviews. They say:


TwoMorrows Publishing, in its 15th year of celebrating the art and history of comic books and LEGO, is commemorating Free Comic Book Day by again giving away publications online at www.twomorrows.com.

From May 1-3, TwoMorrows will be offering free complete digital issues of their various magazines for download, so customers can sample their publications. This limited time offer includes issues of their current magazine line-up:

ALTER EGO (focusing on Golden and Silver Age comics)

BACK ISSUE! (celebrating comic books of the 1970s, 1980s, and today)

THE JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR (documenting the life and career of the "King" of comics)

DRAW! (the professional "how-to" magazine on comics and cartooning), and

BRICKJOURNAL (the ultimate resource for Lego enthusiasts)

Also featured are past favorites ROUGH STUFF and WRITE NOW!, which are still available as back issues. Digital Editions normally retail for $2.95-$3.95 per download, but are free over the three-day Free Comic Book Day weekend, to encourage more readers to try them out, and consider ordering them at their local comic book shop.

TwoMorrows is also making available free downloads of previous years' FCBD publications: COMICS GO HOLLYWOOD (revealing secrets behind fans' favorite on-screen heroes, and what's involved in taking a character from the comics page to the big screen) and COMICS 101 (featuring how-to and history lessons from top comics professionals).

All these publications are available as free downloadable Digital Editions just by logging in and adding them to the shopping cart, and checking out at www.twomorrows.com.

Publisher John Morrow explained, "With the economy down, every penny counts, and these Digital Editions are an economical way for us to let readers sample our stuff, and see if it piques their interest. If so, I hope they'll add new issues to their local retailer's pull list, and get older issues direct from us if their retailer doesn't stock our publications."

Glen Weldon on the joys of Free Comic Book Day

See "Free Comic Books: Say it Soft and it's Almost Like Praying," by Glen Weldon, National Public Radio's Monkey See blog April 29 2009.

Big Planet Comics Bethesda will have premade packages of kids and adult comics as well as individual issues. They also have a sale table which has some good stuff on it like Love & Rockets collections.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Glen Weldon on A Drifting Life manga and Shuster porn

See "Books We Like: Memoir Of A Manga Master," by Glen Weldon, NPR.org, April 24, 2009 on A Drifting Life By Yoshihiro Tatsumi; translated by Adrian Tomine.

For Shuster porn info read, "Faster Than a Speeding Bullwhip: Superman Creator's Kinktastic Art," by Glen Weldon, National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (April 15 2009).

And for Craig Yoe's own take, you can listen to him on Fresh Air - "The Sexy 'Secret Identity' Of Superman's Creator," National Public Radio's Fresh Air from WHYY, April 23, 2009.

Free Comic Book Day at Cards, Comics and Collectibles PR

Straight press release here, but two excellent creators.

Free Comic Book Day at Cards, Comics and Collectibles

From the Store that Brings You the Baltimore Comic-Con...

REISTERSTOWN, MD - April 28, 2009 - In honor of 2009's Free Comic Book Day promotion, Cards, Comics and Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD will be celebrating along with the rest of the nation on May 2, 2009. Come and meet artist Frank Cho (Hulk, Mighty Avengers) from 1pm-4pm, and artist Steve Conley (Star Trek) from 11am-7pm!

FCBD Special -- modern back-issues are only one dollar! Oh yeah, and we're also giving away free comics while they last! Our hours for Free Comic Book Day are
11am-7pm.

Come help us celebrate our 25th year!

Comic Riffs on characters crossing between strips

I'd noted this and planned on posting on it, but Michael beat me to it - "Barrel of Laughs: Why Dennis Is Buck-Nekkid In TWO Strips Today," by Michael Cavna, April 28, 2009.

College Cartoonist of the Year awarded last week in DC

See "Winning 'Cartoonist of the Year' is not peanuts," Derek Simons, University News 4/27/09.

The article begins, "University News cartoonist and illustrator Grant Snider walked onto the National Press Club stage Friday evening in Washington, D.C. to accept the Charles M. Schulz award as College Cartoonist of the Year from the Scripps Howard Foundation and a $10,000 check."

Monday, April 27, 2009

Express on Yoe on Shuster on porn

Another one that's late, but you can still buy Craig's book, signed I'd guess at Big Planet and Politics & Prose. See "Super Secret: Craig Yoe Uncovers Joe Shuster's 'Secret Identity'," Written by Express contributor Stephen M. Deusner, April 23 2009.

Shawn Martinbrough had an Art Whino show last week

Due to my lack of email access in Cleveland, I missed posting this in time to be of use to you, but here it is for the historical record (thanks to Bruce Guthrie):

Black and White
The Art of 3 local artists
Tyler Matthew Oyer, Shawn Martinbrough and Anthony Patrick Jones II
Saturday April 25th
6pm-Midnight

Black and White is a show bringing together three very different genres of art and effectively taking a cross section of formal, comic book, and abstract
styles that each present very different approaches to art that formally relies solely on the positive and negative spatial tension between black and white.

Three separate series will be featured; "MEN" by Tyler Matthew Oyer, Black Ink Noir by Shawn Martinbrough, and Black Ink Abstract Series by Anthony Patrick Jones II. Together they will create an exhibition focused on the aesthetic and intrinsically dualistic elements of black and white compositions.


Saturday, April 25th, from 6pm – Midnight

Location:
173 Waterfront St.
National Harbor, MD 20745

The event is FREE and open to the public.

Shawn Martinbrough:

Shawn Martinbrough’s client list includes Coca Cola/POWERade, LucasArts, Playboy, Vibe, Bad Boy Entertainment, Black Enterprise, McGraw-Hill, Penguin Books and Milestone Media. The bulk of his work has been done for DC Comics, Vertigo and Marvel Comics, illustrating books and characters ranging from Batman to the X-Men.How to Draw Noir Comics, an instructional book based on Shawn’s high contrast noir style, was published by Watson Guptill/Random House and currently, he is illustrating Luke Cage Noir for Marvel Comics. Shawn’s work has been covered by USA Today, Architecture Magazine, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, The Washingtonian, National Public Radio, SIRIUS/XM Radio, Black Entertainment Television, Vibe, The Source, AintItCoolNews.com and others.


Tyler Matthew Oyer:

Tyler Matthew Oyer’s MEN series was conceived as an investigation of the displaced male form. This displacement is a result of two specific social trends; the increased attention to the presentation of masculinity, and also the anxieties society has when viewing male beauty. This examination reveals the awkwardness many people experience when utilizing traditionally female nuances to address the increasingly considered male body. For some, the pairing of beauty and man in the same phrase brings a sort of ungrounded discord. The social definition of masculinity has evolved over centuries, often switching roles and exceptions with its female complement. This suite of 8 paintings attempts to present the simplified androgynous form in a manner which strips the man of his social presumptions and showcases a stylistically stamped masculinity which encourages equally the male and female speculation of beauty.


Anthony Patrick Jones II:

Anthony Patrick Jones II is a native Washingtonian that found himself in the world of Art by chance. As a youth, he was a bit of an eccentric to family and friends that accepted his abilities, differences and his pursuit of self-discovery. Not any different from other children that dream of going to the moon while playing in a cardboard box in a room, or an architect, or even a Rock Star. It has translated into a continued journey of self-discovery. Of finding a purpose to why Art chooses an individual to follow through with an idea given unto them. In 1994 while in Frederick, Maryland the Rorschach choose Anthony, to embark on a testimony of works that would not come easy. This venture would prove to be challenging and also a personal crusade into the genre. Anthony became more focused on the scientific aspect of the Rorschach and less on the art form. Anthony and his family of Rorschach have shown themselves in galleries in New York, and Wisconsin. There have been several articles written about Anthony in such publications as the “Badger Harold”, “Madison Times” and the “Wisconsin State Journal”. During the early years, Anthony’s Rorschachs found themselves in the possession of individuals such as Chuck Close, Jan Frank, Carlos Santana, Christian Bale, Betsy Johnson, Simon Le Bon, Fab 5 Freddy, Spike Lee among others. Maintaining the integrity of the Rorschach, in order to create the symmetry effect, is to maintain the principles of ink onto paper followed by a fold of the paper in which the ink composition lays and the psyche does the rest.

# # #


Art Whino,llc
173 Waterfront St.
National Harbor, MD 20745
Office: 301.567.8210
Fax: 574.830.1651
www.ArtWhino.com

Schulz money given to OSU Cartoon Library and Museum

Good news here, as I work my way back through email - so Jenny and Lucy, how're you soliciting donations?

Jean Schulz, Widow of Peanuts Creator Charles M. Schulz,
Gives $1 Million to Cartoon Library & Museum Move
Promises to match an additional $2.5 million in a “challenge” to others

April 23, 2009

Columbus, OH — The Ohio State University received a gift of $1 million from Jean Schulz, the widow of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz to support the renovation of Sullivant Hall, the future home of the world’s most comprehensive academic research facility dedicated to documenting printed cartoon art.

Along with her generous gift, Mrs. Schulz issued a challenge: She will provide an additional matching gift of $2.5 million if Ohio State raises the same amount from other sources, making the total impact of her gift $6 million.

"By helping to underwrite a state-of-the-art facility for the University's renowned Cartoon Library and Museum, Jean Schulz advances the work of students, faculty, and scholars and deepens our understanding of the importance of the genre," said Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee. "Her gift is an especially fitting way to honor the remarkable creative legacy of her late husband, Charles."

Located at a highly visible location along High Street and adjacent to the Wexner Center for the Arts, the historic Sullivant Hall is in dire need of repair. The planned renovation will provide 40,000 gross square feet of space for the new Cartoon Library and Museum that will include a spacious reading room for researchers, three museum-quality galleries, and expanded storage with state-of-the-art environmental and security controls. A dedicated ground-level entry will allow for easy access to the new facility. The addition of exhibition galleries dedicated to cartoon art will facilitate public display of the Library's extraordinary collection.

When asked what inspired her to give to The Cartoon Library and Museum at Ohio State, Jean Schulz said, “Lucy Caswell has done a marvelous job in collecting and preserving works in the cartoon medium. I was pleased at the opportunity to help provide a fitting home for this important collection and to recognize her contribution in the field.”

The Sullivant renovation will also provide new spaces for the Department of Dance and the Music/Dance Library, and an upgraded auditorium, which will be used for numerous community, academic, and performance purposes.

Total renovation cost is estimated at $20.6 million, with architectural design to take 12 months, followed by 6 months for bidding and contracts and 24 months for construction.

Due to its outstanding reputation, growing collection and a surge of scholarly interest in comics and cartoons, the Cartoon Library and Museum — formerly known as the Cartoon Research Library — is a destination location for researchers from around the world.

With a founding gift of the Milton Caniff Collection, Ohio State’s Cartoon Library and Museum was established in 1977 in two converted classrooms in the university’s Journalism Building. From this small beginning, founding curator Lucy Shelton Caswell has spent more than 30 years building the Library into the widely renowned facility it is today.

The Cartoon Library and Museum at Ohio State is one of the most admired and sought-after caretakers of legacy collections. Thousands of donors have contributed to the collection, with gifts ranging from one item to tens of thousands. In 1992, the Robert Roy Metz Collection of 83,034 original cartoons by 113 cartoonists was donated by United Media, and in 2007, the entire collection of the International Museum of Cartoon Art (IMCA), numbering more than 200,000 originals, was transferred to the Cartoon Library and Museum.

With the addition of the IMCA’s extensive permanent collection, the Cartoon Library and Museum now houses more than 400,000 works of original cartoon and comics art, 35,000 books, 51,000 serial titles, 2,800 linear feet of manuscript materials, and 2.5 million comic strip clippings and newspaper pages. Moving into its new home from its current location, a 6,800-square-foot basement north of Mershon Auditorium, will allow more of the Collection to be displayed and readily accessible.

“We are very grateful to Jean Schulz for her generous gift, and for her challenge which will encourage everyone who cares about cartoon art to become involved in our project,” said Lucy Shelton Caswell. “The new Cartoon Museum and Library will be a place of learning and enjoyment for the public and scholars alike.”
###

Contact: Jane Carroll, Public Relations Manager
Development Communications, The Ohio State University
(614) 292-2550 or carroll.296@osu.edu

May 8-9: Cartoon characters at Trademark Expo

Does the idea of the Air Force trademarking itself strike anyone else as wrong? 1. They're part of our government which usually says intellectual property created by the government is in the public domain and 2. their job at the most basic level is killing people and destroying property. I'm feeling old and out of touch. I will however go see Popeye.

Colorful Opening Ceremony Planned for Trademark Expo
United States Air Force Brass Quintet to Perform and 25 Costumed Characters to Appear

The United States Air Force Band’s brass quintet will join 16 exhibitors and a cast of 25 costumed characters for the gala opening of the 2009 National Trademark Expo. The event will take place on Friday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m. on the USPTO’s campus at 600 Dulany Street in Alexandria, Virginia. Following the ceremony, the Expo will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. No admission is charged and free parking is available on Saturday.

The Air Force will display their federally registered Air Force symbol, the official emblem of the U.S. Air Force, as well as three other important trademarks -- the Air Force Coat of Arms, the Air Force Thunderbirds Emblem, and the "Hap Arnold", which is also known as the Army Air Corps Symbol." A complete list of exhibitors is available at http://www.uspto.gov/main/homepagenews/2009apr07a.htm. Since its formation in 1941, the United States Air Force Band has played superb music for music lovers around the globe, earning its reputation as “America's International Musical Ambassadors.”

This year’s collection of costumed trademark characters is the largest in the history of the Expo. Included are some costumes that rarely make appearances outside their home venues. The all star cast, in alphabetical order, includes: Beetle Bailey, Betty Boop, Crayola Crayons, Curious George, Dennis the Menace, Energizer Bunny, Faux Paw the Techno Cat, Hershey Kisses, Hershey Bar, Maisy Mouse, McGruff, Mr. Jelly Belly, Olive Oyl, Peter Rabbit, Pillsbury Doughboy, Popeye, Smokey Bear, Sprout, the Cat in the Hat and the Grinch. Their host for the two days will be the USPTO’s own character, T.Markey. All characters will be on stage for the opening and will appear periodically throughout the two day Expo.

The National Trademark Expo is designed to educate the public about the vital role trademarks play in our economy, No admission is charged. The Expo will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Free parking will be available on Saturday.

OT: Cancer comics

I'm working up a paper on the recent spate of comics about cancer, most of which follow in Harvey Pekar's footsteps of Our Cancer Year. Here's a webcomic - PHD from 4/20/09 - that's a nice short look at the problem.

OT: Rather offensive Marvel PR

In "Captain America: Where Were You? We conclude Captain America Week by asking Marvel creators and editors to recall where they were the day Steve Rogers died," (Posted: 2009-04-24 Updated: 2009-04-27), Kevin Mahadeo opens with:

It was a day that will live in infamy.

Television news stations, talk show hosts and comic shops across the nation broke the shocking and unimaginable news: Captain America—the symbol of hope and freedom, the embodiment of the American dream—was dead.


No, actually it was a comic book, as opposed to the opening of a World War... December 7th 1941 may not live in infamy forever, as Franklin Roosevelt would have it, but real men died that day as opposed to a comic book character.

Catching up with Comic Riffs - Earth Day, Breen interview, and Deflocked interview

I didn't have much internet access last week while traveling on business, so here's some interesting stuff from Michael Cavna's Comic Riffs blog -

"The Interview: Jeff Corriveau, "Deflocked" Creator & TV Comedy Writer,"
By Michael Cavna, April 23, 2009.

"Steve Breen Dedicates Pulitzer to Out-of-Work Colleagues," Michael Cavna, April 22, 2009.

"Do My Comics Look, Well, Green?,"
By Michael Cavna, April 22, 2009.

April 30: Dan Didio on intellectual property and economic recovery

Reposting for freshness...

This sounds pretty interesting - if one wants to go, just RSVP. I'm still mulling it over.

YOU'RE INVITED
•••••••••••••••••••••

Institute for Policy Innovation


It's a Bird! It's a Plane!
It's...

Dan DiDio
Senior Vice-President, Executive Editor - DC Comics



Dan DiDio of DC Comics joins the line-up for IPI’s Fourth Annual World Intellectual Property Day Forum,
“The Role of Intellectual Property in the Global Recovery”

•••••••••••••••••••••

Previously Confirmed Speakers:
Michael Gallagher
President, Entertainment Software Association

Dr. Mark Esper
Executive Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Intellectual Property Center


Program Discussion Panels:
The Role of IP in a Struggling Economy
Does Growing Protectionism Limit Access to Innovation?
Insider Forum: IP and the Future of Innovation


Make Plans Now To Attend:
Thursday, April 30, 2009
9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Reserve Officers Association (ROA) Headquarters Minuteman Memorial Building
Minuteman Ballroom, 5th Floor
One Constitution Ave NE
Washington DC 20002

*Complimentary lunch will be served.

RSVP: Erin Humiston at (972) 874-5139 or erin@ipi.org

DC-Area Free Comic Book Day Signings!

This weekend (May 2, 2009) is Free Comic Book Day, and DC-area stores have a bunch of creator signings. I'm going to err on the broad side here, so you'll see locations up through the Baltimore area too -- gas up those cars! Please note, this information is all up on the FCBD web pages with the exception of the Virginia information below, and I just happen to have stumbled upon it via their webpages. If you have further information, please contact us and we will update this posting!

DC:
Fantom Comics
4500 Wisconsin Ave.
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 362-5053
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Arvid Nelson (Rex Mundi, Kull) 12 Noon - 2 PM; 4 PM - 6 PM
Jim Dougan (Crazy Papers, How I Lost My S*@t at the Apple Store, Sam & Lilah) 12 Noon - 6 PM
Molly Lawless (Infandum!... Ad Infinitum) 12 Noon - 6 PM

Prize Wheel for prizes every hour on the hour.

Krispy Kreme donuts. A whole table's worth. Be sure to bring pants with a stretchy waistband.

Maryland:
Beyond Comics
Lakeforest Mall, 701 Russell Ave.
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
(301) 216-0007
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Gene Ha (Alan Moore's Top Ten)

Beyond Comics
5632 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD 21704
(301) 668-8202
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Mike Imboden (Creator/writer: Fist of Justice)

Big Planet Comics
7315 Baltimore Ave.
College Park, MD 20740
(301) 699-0498
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Lamar Abrams

Cards, Comics & Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD
100 A Chartley Dr.
Reisterstown, MD 21136
410-526-7410
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Frank Cho (Hulk, Mighty Avengers) from 1pm-4pm
Steve Conley (Star Trek) from 11am-7pm

Collectors Corner Inc.
8108 A Harford Rd.
Baltimore/Parkville, MD 21234
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
All artists and characters will appear from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM on May 2nd

Writers and artists:

Jo Chen (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Runaways)
Pat Carlucci (Hotinks Studios)
H.C. Noel (Mr. Scootles)
Michael S. Bracco (Birth & Novo)
Nathan Getz (No One)
Tony Calandra (No One)
GW Fisher (Image Comics' Shadowhawk)
Frank Zeigler (Waki & Rusty)
Patrick Kelly (Local Artist)
Carlos Taylor (Local Artist)
Chris Hewitt (The Living Corpse)
Tom Arvis (Sureshot Comics)
Ver Curtis (Moonstone Comics)
Kata Dales (Lost in the Woods)

Character Appearances : (Spider-Man, Captain America, Black Cat, Elektra, Supergirl, Rorschach, Venom, Iron Man, Wolverine, Hawkeye, Ozymandias, The Comedian, Batman, War Machine, Hulk, Deadpool, Superman, White Queen, Daredevil, Green Lantern, Thor)

SALE all DAY - 20% Off Everything in the store on Free Comic Book Day!
25 Cents Back Issues (5 for $1.00) - 1000's to chose from!

Charm City Roller Girls (Baltimore's Own Pro Roller Derby Girls)
Vu Skateshop : Gary Smith - Professional Skateboarder

Plus, Live Music and Free Pizza & Refreshments All Day!

Game demonstrations, MTG, D&D, HeroCLix and BOARD GAMES too!

BAND list and schedule:

Playing in front of the Gaming Clubhouse in the back parking lot behind the store

12:00 – 12:40 – The Alameda
1:00- 1:40 – Bene Gesserit Witch
2:00 – 2:40 - Davey G and the Keyboard
3:00 – 3:40 - Muscle Twin
4:00 – 4:40 - Person Parcel (Gary B)
5:00 – 5:40 - Mandroids

Super Villains Comic Book Shop
4361 Ebenezer Road
Nottingham, MD 21236
(410) 870-1253
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Greg LaRocque (Spiderman, Flash, Iron Man, the Avengers & many more - http://www.greglarocque.com/)
Keith Chow & Jeff Yang ("Secret Identities")
Adam Russo ("The Dreaming")
Car Import Super Model Jasmine Mai (http://www.myspace.comultimatejasminemai/, signing her convention exclusive comic book!
more guests TBA

$1.00 back issues with over 150 long boxes to choice from!

Character Appearances
Spiderman, black & classic red
The Joker
Rorschach from the Watchmen.

Free Pizza!!
Chances to win tickets to the Baltimore sneak peek showing of 'Star Trek Countdown'

Washington Street Books
131 N. Washington Street
Havre de Grace, MD 21078
(410) 939-6215
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Greg Cox (Author: Novelization of the DC Comics' "INFINITE CRISIS", "52" and "COUNTDOWN" along with various Star Trek Novels)
Jim Clatterbaugh (Monsters from the Vault Magazine)
Garth Gerhart (Bitterman and Beelzebum Comics)
Chelsea Carr (Baltimore Betty & Political Cartoonist)

Virginia:

Laughing Ogre Comics
Lansdowne Shopping Center
19340 Promenade Drive
Lansdowne, VA 20176
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Chris Giarrusso (writer/artist of Mini Marvels and G-Man) from 11 am- 3 pm

Laughing Ogre Comics
University Mall
10647 Braddock Road
Fairfax, VA 22032
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Fillbach Bros (writer/artists of Star Wars Clone Wars Adventures) from 11 am- 3 pm

Sunday, April 26, 2009

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-29-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-29-09
By John Judy


ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #15 by Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard. Wolfie goes nuts in prison. How can this not be great? Also Vol. 2 SC is out, collecting issues 8-12 and his crossover with INVINCIBLE.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THEATRE OF WAR: BROTHERS IN ARMS #1 by Paul Jenkins and John McCrea. If you miss the real Cap, here’s him back in WWII, fighting Nazis and taking one of them captive behind enemy lines. Tough gig.

DARK AVENGERS #4 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato. Crazy Norman Osborn makes some adjustments to the roster. Ouch.

FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #4 of 5 by Geoff Johns and George Perez. Yes, I know FINAL CRISIS ended months ago and this title’s kind of taking its sweet time coming out. But the villian’s the Time-Trapper so you have to expect this sort of thing. Recommended anyway.

GARTH ENNIS: BATTLEFIELDS: TANKIES #1 of 3 by Ennis and Carlos Ezquerra. In WWII Normandy a lone British tank crew struggles to rejoin their mates while keeping one step ahead of the ratzis. Ennis war comics remain top of the line, but not for younger kids.

GREEN LANTERN #40 by Geoff Johns and Philip Tan. Hal Jordan must battle the leader of the Orange Lantern Corps, “the most disgusting, filthiest, vilest being in the universe!” It’s Green Lantern vs. Ann Coulter! To the death!

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #26 by Geoff Johns and Dale Eaglesham. Stargirl’s having a birthday. Party-crashers beware!

LITERALS #1 of 3 by Bill Willingham, Matthew Sturges and Mark Buckingham. A tough one to jump into if you’re not already up to speed on the whole FABLES universe. Put another way, this first issue is chapter 3 of 9 of “The Great Fables Crossover.” But if it’s what you like…!

MODERN MASTERS, VOL. 20: KYLE BAKER SC by Eric Nolen-Weathington. Certain artists in this series from Two Morrows Publishing arguably may not quite warrant the term “Modern Master.” And then you have Kyle Baker for whom the term is an understatement. Any collection of his work must rate a Highly Recommended.

PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics. Comics and stuff in your future! It ain’t all on-line yet, kids!

RASL #4 written and drawn by Jeff Smith. Our interdimensional alkie art-thief has hard choices to make or else the lizard-faced killer will make them for him. From the award-winning creator of BONE and SHAZAM: MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL. Recommended.

SECOND THOUGHTS GN written and drawn by Niklas Asker. A story about a brief encounter between a novelist and a photographer and the repercussions in both their lives. Not exactly a Big Fight, but nothing’s perfect. Recommended.

SHERLOCK HOLMES #1 by Leah Moore, John Reppion and Aaron Campbell. Alan Moore’s daughter and her husband present their take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous creation. From the folks who brought you ALBION and WILD GIRL.

SUPERMAN #687 by James Robinson and Renato Guedes. Mon-El learns how hard it is to fill the Man of Steel’s big red boots.

THUNDERBOLTS #131 by Andy Diggle and Bong Dazo. Deadpool and the T-Bolts have a Big Fight! Bong Dazo!

ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS. HULK #5 of 6 by Damon Lindelof and Leinil Francis Yu. Ultimate Betty She-Hulk is in the mix! Could get awkward! Can’t believe this thing is actually coming out! Monthly too! Excelsior!

UNCANNY X-MEN #509 by Matt Fraction and Greg Land. It’s a mutant soap-opera on ‘roids and it’s working! Yes, this book is rapidly becoming the most consistently entertaining X-book on the stands. Who’da thunk it? Recommended.

WONDER WOMAN #31 by Gail Simone and Aaron Lopresti. Between Achilles and the creature called Genocide, our heroine has used up all her time-outs. Action-packed!

www.johnjudy.net

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Yoe on Shuster on radio and in DC

Craig writes, I'm on NPR's Fresh Air program today interviewed by Terry Gross about "Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-Creator Joe Shuster". Plus the book's in "Time" magazine this week and Washington Post, and I'll be at Politics and Prose and Big Planet bookstores in Washington D.C. this weekend. For more info on the book see http://secret-identity.net

May 1: Jules & Kate Feiffer

Trish Brown writes in:

We’d be thrilled if you would mention that Jules & Kate Feiffer will be appearing at Hooray For Books! 1555 King St., Alexandria, VA on Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m. We’ll have copies of “The Explainers” and “Great Comic Book Heroes” on hand.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Kate Beaton, Robbi Behr, Emmanuel Guibert et al @ O’Neill Literary House MD 4/26

April 26, 2009 Pictures + Words: The New Literature of Graphic Narrative
With Kate Beaton, Robbi Behr, Emmanuel Guibert, Chad Parmenter, and Matthew Swanson

Don’t miss this special afternoon on Maryland’s Eastern Shore for a perspective on a compelling literary form. Featuring Emmanuel Guibert from France, Kate Beaton from Canada, and Robbi Behr, Chad Parmenter, and Matthew Swanson from the United States.

When: Saturday, April 26, 2009: 2–7 p.m.
Where: The Rose O’Neill Literary House: 407 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD

http://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/3285/prmID/1831

OT: The Book of Marvels: An Explorer's Miscellany

A good friend of mine, Mark C. Jenkins, the unofficial historian of National Geographic, has a book coming out on April 28. It is a wonderful compendium of the best of travel writing through the centuries, and the accompanying illustrations are gorgeous.

Here is the link to Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1426204094/ref=s9_sims_gw_s1_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0MMKCWA76E1352SH73N4&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Searching inside the book isn't available yet, but the chapter titles are as follows:
1. Wild and Unfathomable Always--The Sea
2. The Mournful Kingdom of Sand--The Desert
3. One Boundless Pasture--The Grasslands
4. Arborious Wonders--The Forest
5. The Sublime Harp--Peaks and Chasms
6. The Mystic Circles--The Poles

Many thanks for taking the time to check it out! Cathy

Cul de Sac gets animated, again

Cartoonist Michael Jantze, who created them, would like you to know that Cul de Sac animations are online again. I didn't post about it earlier, because if you're reading this, I assume you're also reading Richard's blog.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Dental cartoons from National Museum of Health & Medicine

NCP 3593
Switching hats, one of the other archivists at the Medical Museum posted a set of 1960s dental cartoons to Flickr last week. I didn't even remember these existed, although judging from their numbers, I would have catalogued them. I think the scans are probably of 35mm slides, although the original artwork would have been done by the Museum's Scientific Illustration Division and is probably long-gone.

Steve Artley's cartoons added to Alexandria Times

Countering the general trend towards firing political cartoonists, the Alexandria (VA) Times has hired Alexandria cartoonist Steve Artley to provide local cartoons twice a week. See "Toons for the Times," Alexandria Times April 19 2009. Excellent news - we haven't had anyone in neighboring Arlington since the Sun-Gazette let Mikula go.

The cartoonists who visited troops in Washington

An article mentioned here recently noted that Jef Mallet was on a USO tour that visited troops in Washington hospitals - the rest are named in "Oh, and as for that list of generous cartoonists ..." Posted by Neal Rubin (The Detroit News) on Neal Rubin's Blog Sun, Apr 19, 2009.

Beni may be Mexican, says Cul de Sac cartoonist

Actually Richard said, "I think he’s Mexican. I’m not real sure." in this interview with his latest paper - "‘Cul de Sac’ comic strip starts today in The Star," By JAMES A. FUSSELL, The Kansas City Star April 19 2009.

Matt Wuerker was a Pulitzer Prize finalist

Alan Gardener has the story that Politico's Matt Wuerker was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for "his engaging mix of art and ideas, resulting in cleverly conceived cartoons that persuade rather than rant and that sometimes use animation to widen their impact." Congratulations, Matt, and best of luck getting it next year.

Oh yeah, Steve Breen won, and Mike Thompson was another finalist.

Serious Comics presentations at GWU, April 23-24

Phil Troutman writes in saying, several first-year students in my "Serious Comics" course will be presenting research at The George Washington University's annual Writing and Research Symposium, this Thursday/Friday, April 23-24 (free & open to the public). The program is at http://www.gwu.edu/~capstone/symposium/program.htm

Gelman Library events are accessed via Foggy Bottom Metro.
For GW's Mount Vernon campus (Foxhall Rd. & W St. NW), there is on-street parking on nearby 46th Street (do not park on W St.). And campus maps might be helpful: download PDFs at http://gwired.gwu.edu/adm/visit/directions/GWCampusMaps/

Here are the relevant panels:

Th. 2:30-3:45
SESSION MV 09
Location: Academic 122, Mt Vernon campus
PANEL: Wonder Women
includes: "Wonder Woman and Popular Culture," Deborah Kye

Th. 4:00-5:15
SESSION MV12
Location: Eckles Auditorium, Mount Vernon campus
PANEL: Political Pop
includes:
"Watchmen's Utopia: Utopias and Dystopias in Comic Books as Compared to SF," Lindsay Life
"Miller Misunderstood: Rethinking the Politics of the Dark Knight," Jessica M. Kowalik

Fri. 1:00-2:15
SESSION MV 20
Location: Eckles Auditorium, Mount Vernon campus
PANEL: Choices and Problems in Media Production
includes:
"Moving Pictures: The Technique of Adapting Comics to Film," John Bramley

Fri. 2:30-3:45
SESSION G20
Location: Gelman Library 301, Foggy Bottom
Roundtable: Cold War Comics: Exploring Thematic Changes in American Ideologies
PRESENTERS: A roundtable discussion with Brad Canales, Medha Gupta, Lindsay Life, Travis Reynolds, Graham Robinson, and Christina Williams

Neil Gaiman Appearance in MD

This is a little off the beaten track, but still arguably pertinent geographically (and I've never gotten to see Neil, even though he's been through here 4-5 times now):

http://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/3190/prmID/1831


April 27 Neil Gaiman in Conversation with Joshua Wolf Shenk

With Neil Gaiman and Joshua Wolf Shenk

Nowhere do the combinations of words and images make for more fantastical creations than in the work of Neil Gaiman. Author of the Sandman series, The Books of Magic, and many others, Gaiman will discuss his inspiration with Joshua Wolf Shenk, the director of Washington College’s Rose O’Neill Literary House.

SEATS STILL AVAILABLE!
Please note that this event has moved to a new venue.*

When: Monday, April 27, 2009: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Cain Gymnasium: 300 Washington Avenue, Washington College, Chestertown, MD.

Free and open to the public. No reservations required.

Cosponsored by Washington College

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Minor Washington links to cartoonists

In "Lansing cartoonist's talks with troops rewarding," Detroit News Thursday, April 16, 2009, Neal Rubin wrote, "Lifelong Michiganian Jef Mallett, the creator of "Frazz," just came home from a USO tour of military hospitals in Washington, D.C., and Germany."

In "Former KU student wins cartoonist award," By Jennifer Torline, University Daily Kansan on Thu., April 9th, 2009, she notes "Grant Snider and his wife, Kayla, will travel on April 24 to the National Press Club in Washington D.C. to attend a banquet where Snider will receive the award."

Post on Disney's latest Princess ... who's black

Fortunately, we know that it had to be in production long before the Obamas entered the White House so it's not as opportunistic as it might appear. For information on The Princess and the Frog, see "A Fairy Tale Beginning: Snow White, She's Not. Among Disney's Royal Ladies, Tiana Is a Notable First," By Neely Tucker, Washington Post Staff Writer, Sunday, April 19, 2009.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-22-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-22-09
By John Judy

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #592 by Mark Waid and Mike McKone. Quite a few surprises awaiting Spidey when he gets home, mostly courtesy of the Jameson family. Featuring an extra cover that looks like an issue of WOLVERINE as rendered by Salvador Dali. Recommended anyway.

ASTONISHING X-MEN #29 by Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi. Are you ready for the secret of the Ghost Box? Well, you’d better be, because Warren Ellis waits for no man!

AVENGERS INITIATIVE #23 by Christos Gage and Humberto Ramos. Your monthly Big Fight is served up here.

BUCK ROGERS #0 by Scott Beatty and Carlos Rafael. It’s back to the future with comics’ original time-tossed spaceman! Guaranteed Gil Gerard-free!

DAREDEVIL #118 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. Lotsa people want to kill the Kingpin. That’s always good for some laughs. Plus another Wolverine variant cover. Oh well. Recommended.

DC LIBRARY: BATMAN THE ANNUALS, VOL. 1 HC by Various Creators. Collecting the first three Bat-Annuals from the early sixties. Classic stuff!

DETECTIVE COMICS #853 by Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert. Part two of “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?” Recommended.

EX MACHINA #18 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. In which we begin to learn the true source of Mayor Mitchell Hundred’s power over machines. And our hearts…

FREAKANGELS VOL. 2 SC by Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield. Collecting the second arc of Ellis and Duffield’s post-apocalyptic web-comic for old people who like paper.

HELLBLAZER #254 by Peter Milligan and Goran Sudzuka. John Constantine plus The Wrong Girl equals reliable entertainment.

HULK #11 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness. Your other Big Fight can be found here. Along with four variant covers, one of which features Sir Cuts-a-lot, him, the one with the movie coming out. Sigh…

IGNITION CITY #2 of 5 by Warren Ellis and Gianluca Pagliarani. Mary Raven has made it to the IC in search of more info on her dead space-hero dad. There’s folks who don’t want that and they’ve got cool, retro zap guns. Good-looking comic.

IMMORTAL IRON FIST #25 by Duane Swierczynski and Travel Foreman. What?! No Wolverine variant cover?! What kind of rip-off is this?! I don’t care if he’s not in the story! I just want him on the cover of…. EVERYTHING!!!!

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #32 by Dwayne McDuffie and Frederico Dallocchio. Starbreaker wants what he wants when he wants it, especially when it’s a cosmic source of unimaginable power. Understandable really.

KICK-ASS #6 by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. It does, you know. “Kick ass.” In its own special way. But it really needs a Wolverine variant cover.

MARVELS: EYE OF THE CAMERA #5 of 6 by Kurt Busiek and Jay Anacieto. This is a good, smart comic with characters I believe in and relate to. On the other hand its variant cover is merely black and white. No Canadian, serial-killing mutants. It’s like Marvel doesn’t even care anymore…

MIGHTY AVENGERS #24 by Dan Slott and Rafa Sandoval. So after the big reveal last issue about “The Scarlet Witch” things start to get very interesting. Great character work by Slott as usual. Recommended.

NEW AVENGERS #52 by Brian Michael Bendis and Billy Tan. You know the economy’s getting bad when even the Sorcerer Supreme is getting laid off. Worse yet, they’re making him train his replacement. I hope ol’ Doc Strange steals a ton of office supplies.

QUESTION, VOL. 4: WELCOME TO OZ SC by Dennis O’Neil, Denys Cowan and Other Talented Folk. Collecting issues 19-24 of this iconic eighties zen noir series, featuring fights, philosophy and facelessness. Worth a read even if you weren’t even born in the eighties and think Ayn Rand was nuts.

SCALPED #28 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. In which we finally learn who greased those two FBI Agents in 1975. Must! Have! Highly recommended.

SCALPED, VOL. 4: THE GRAVEL IN YOUR GUTS SC by Jason Aaron, Davide Furno and R.M. Guera. Collecting issues 19-24 in which we learn exactly what Chief Lincoln Red Crow will and will not put up with in his quest for absolute power. Glorious stuff but not for kids.

THOR #601 by J. Michael Straczynski and Marko Djurdjevic. Thor’s out. Balder’s in. But will anyone care about the monthly adventures of The Mighty Balder?

VIKING #1 by Ivan Brandon and Nic Klein. A couple of 9th century Viking brothers decide they want to move up in the world. Think “Goodfellas” meets NORTHLANDERS. Cool.

www.johnjudy.net

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Judge Parker returns to Post, Cul de Sac joins KC Star and Twitterverse

Michael Cavna of the Post's Comic Riffs blog naturally had the story first, but I think there's a few unattributed quotes in "Here Comes the Judge: Reader Protests Bring Back Comic Strip," By Harry Jaffe, Washingtonian's Capital Comment Blog Friday, April 17, 2009. Michael also noted that the Post's ombudsman felt compelled to address the Judge Parker issue tomorrow.


Also Cul de Sac has been picked up by the Kansas City Star. Yay, Richard! Ohh, and Richard's Tweeting. Boo, Richard!

Friday, April 17, 2009

April 25: Sal Buscema Spider-Man drawing auctioned

The bit of interest to us is "we also have an original 11 x 17 black and white drawing of "Spiderman" drawn for us and donated by Mr. Sal Buscema, artist and inker for Marvel Comics since the late 1960s."

Spring Auction at Northern Virginia Christian Academy
On Friday, April 24 from 7 - 10 p.m. the Northern Virginia Christian Academy, 11000 Berry St., Fairfax, is holding a Silent and Live Auction. Sports, vacation, day excursion, and children's party packages available for bids. Admission is $10 per person. Call 703-273-0803 or visit www.nvchristianacademy.org.

April 25: Library Workshop: Creating Graphic Novels

Reminder time.

Workshop: Creating Graphic Novels
Saturday, April 25 1pm

Columbia Pike Branch Library
816 S. Walter Reed Drive
Arlington, Va.
Learn the basic and finer points of creating graphic novels from Josh Elder, a graphic novelist and author of "Mail Order Ninja."

Appropriate for students ages 10 and up.

Contact mmiller@arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-5261 for more details.

Ivan Brandon Signing at Laughing Ogre Comics

After a reasonably lengthy dry-spell, DC's getting a massive influx of comics-oriented events going on during this weekend! In addition to Craig Yoe and Josh Elder appearances, we now get Ivan Brandon!

Ivan Brandon Signing
Writer of Viking
April 25, 2009 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Landsdowne, VA

Ivan Brandon, writer of the new Image book Viking will be signing at Laughing Ogre Comics LANSDOWNE from 4-7 on Saturday April 25. Brandon is also known for writing such titles as NYC Mech and Cross Bronx.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Peanuts play in DC this weekend

GWU's got You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown running for 3 days this weekend. See "Directors tackle Charlie Brown, Godot," by Emily Katz, George Washington University Hatchet 4/16/09.

Here's the relevant details:

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," presented by Forbidden Planet Productions, will run from Friday, April 17 through Sunday April 19 in the Mitchell Hall theater. "Waiting for Godot," presented by Fourteenth Grade Players, will run from Thursday, April 16 through Saturday, April 18 in Lisner Downstage. Tickets for each performance are $5.

Tom Shales doesn't like Sit Down, Shut Up

Read what the Post's long-time TV critic has to say - "'Sit Down': Arrested Development, Indeed," By Tom Shales, Washington Post Staff Writer, Thursday, April 16, 2009.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Nov 20-21 BSO plays Superman-based Metropolis Symphony

Daugherty's Metropolis Symphony is probably almost a couple of decades old by now. Hard to believe. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is playing part of it next fall.

Demons, Drama, Dance
Friday, November 20, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.

Marin Alsop, conductor
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano
Daugherty - "Red Cape Tango" from Metropolis Symphony
Liszt - Totentanz
Berlioz - Symphonie fantastique

Marin Alsop leads a program of musical flair and fantasy. Michael Daugherty's whimsical "Red Cape Tango" portrays Superman's fight to the death with Doomsday. French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet flashes his breathtaking technique in Franz Liszt's "Dance of Death" for piano and orchestra. And Berlioz's symphony takes us on a rollicking dream of passion gone mad.

Walt Simonson and Joel Pollack

Joel Pollack of Big Planet Comics and I were talking today, and Walt Simonson's name came up in passing. Joel met him when Simonson was working at the Maryland Book Exchange, and drew a sign for their science fiction section that Joel asked about. Joel says that when Simsonson decided to go to NYC to make it in comics, Joel passed along Howard Chaykin's phone number. A little bit of comics history there for you, brought up by the fact that NYC Graphic Novelists blog has a Simonson interview up this week.

Michigan State U's Comic Art Collection's January 2009 additions, and another comics library

Before we get into looking at MSU, Richard Graham of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Library has created a Government Comics Collection of 168 scans of educational comic books. Check it out.

At MSU, new acquistions waited until January 5th of this year and started with ...

Avengelyne Deadly Sins. -- Anaheim, CA : Maximum Press, 1995.
-- col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Complete in 2 nos. -- Superheroine
and horror genres. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 1. -- Call no.:
PN6728.6.M34A935 1995


...eh... and then there's a bunch of Batman and Star Trek comics, just to get back to the base...

Star Trek, Deep Space Nine Special Hero Edition. -- Calabasas,
CA : Malibu Comics Entertainment, 1995. -- 16 p. : col.
ill. ; 26 cm. -- Distributed with the magazine Hero
Illustrated. -- "January 1995." -- Science fiction genre.
-- Call no.: PN6728.6.M25S764 1995


...although editorial cartoons aren't #1 on their wish list, MSU collects them too...

The Race for the 2008 Republican Nomination : a Book of
Editorial Cartoons / edited by Eric Appleman. -- Gretna,
La. : Pelican Pub. Co., 2008. -- 160 p. : ill. ; 28 cm. --
Includes index. -- Call no.: E902.R335 2008


...(hmmm, I appear to have fallen off Pelican's reviewer list) and you don't have to be an American editorial cartoonist either...

Yardley Jones Cartoons : book one. -- Edmonton, Alta. :
Edmonton Sun, 1981. -- 95 p. : ill. ; 28 cm. -- Canadian
political cartoons, from the Edmonton Sun. -- Call no.:
NC1449.J66A79 1981


...a lot of licensed superhero children's books are being published by the UK's Dorling Kindersley (I picked up a Spider-Man one myself tonight) and MSU is getting them...

JLA Green Lantern's Book of Inventions / written by Clare
Hibbert. -- New York : Dorling Kindersley Pub., 2005. -- 48
p. : col. ill. ; 24 cm. -- (Dorling Kindersley Readers. 4,
Proficient Readers) -- Includes index. -- Summary (from
OCLC): Comic book superhero Green Lantern introduces some
important inventions like the wheel, flying machines, and
digital images. -- Call no.: T48.H382 20046:45 PM 1/13/2009
Hibbert, Clare, 1970-
-----------------------------------------------------
Spider-Man's Amazing Powers / written by James Buckley, Jr. --
New York : Dorling Kindersley Pub., 2001. -- 48 p. : col.
ill. ; 23 cm. -- (Dorling Kindersley Readers. 4, Proficient
Readers) -- Summary (from OCLC): Describes Spider-Man's
super powers, from web-slinging and wall-crawling to the
mysterious "spider sense." Includes facts about spiders. --
Includes index. -- Call no.: PN6728.A5B8 2001


They've got a run of Ryan Claytor's comics (we've mentioned him here before), and he's teaching at MSU now, including this one I don't have (and just added to next edition of the the wordless bibliography on sale at the right; if you own the current one, pencil it in)...

Rock & soul : a 24-Hour Comic Book Challenge / written &
illustrated by Ryan Claytor. -- Santa Ynez, Calif. :
Elephant Eater Comics, 2004. -- 24 p. : ill. ; 22 cm. --
Indicia title: Ryan Claytor's Rock and Soul. -- "No. 1." --
Story without words. -- Alternative genre. -- Call no.:
PN6727.C557R6 2004


...some Crock books, and Kevin Rechin, Bill's son is a DC-area cartoonist mentioned here before...

Crock, You're All Heart! / by Bill Rechin and Don Wilder. --
New York : Fawcett Gold Medal, 1981. -- 125 p. : ill. ; 18
cm. -- Funny military genre. -- Call no.: PN6728.C74Y63
1981
-----------------------------------------------------
It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's a Crock! / by Bill Rechin and
Don Wilder. -- New York : Fawcett Gold Medal, 1982. -- 126
p. : ill. ; 18 cm. -- Funny military genre. -- Call no.:
PN6728.C74 I8 1982


...oooh, some David Low, the great British cartoonist, and another darn silent comic book...

Lions and Lambs / by Low ; with interpretations by 'Lynx'. --
London : Jonathan Cape, 1928. -- 156 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. --
Call no.: NC1479.L65L5 1928
-----------------------------------------------------
Bone House. -- United Kingdom : Bonehouse Books, . -- ill. ;
18 cm. -- Wordless comics by Jon Chandler. -- Alternative
genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: v. 4 (2006). -- Call no.:
PN6737.C45B6


...another plug for a friend, or rather his wife...

Oval Comics / Ellen Lindner. -- London : Little White Bird, 2006. -- 28 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. -- Alternative genre. --
Call no.: PN6727.L495 O87 2006


Ellen's got a new romance comic book out, Undertow, which can be found at Lulu. I just read and enjoyed my copy...

...and here's Ben Towle with another darn mute comic...

Gravity / by Ben Towle. -- Greenville, SC : Wide Awake Press, 2006. -- 20 p. : ill. ; 11 cm. -- Story without words. --
Alternative genre. -- Call no.: PN6727.T655G7 2006


I really liked Ben's Midnight Sun.

...and here's an excellent science fiction strip...

Gil Kane and Ron Goulart's Star Hawks : the Complete Series / foreword by Ron Goulart ; introduction by Daniel Herman. --
Neshannock, PA : Hermes Press, 2003. -- 320 p. : some col.
ill. ; 23 cm. -- Science fiction genre. -- Call no.:
PN6727.K27G5 2003


...another classic strip I haven't read enough of...

Moon Mullins / by Willard. -- New York : Cupples and Leon,
1930. -- 136 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. -- Cover title: Moon
Mullins Big Book. -- Call no.: PN6728.M63W5 1930


...something that most of us won't ever need, but it's good to know it's out there...

Batmobile Owner's Manual / written by Mike McAvennie. --
London : DK Pub., 2008. -- 31 p. : col. ill. ; 31 cm. --
Includes flaps to lift and 1 loose piece in pocket. --
Summary (from OCLC): This incredible new format puts Batman
fans behind the wheel and under the hood of the coolest car
ever imagined! Fabulous photos, illustrations, and diagrams
of Jim Lee's Batmobile fill the pages of this super-guide
to every Batman fan and grease monkey out there. -- Call
no.: PN6728.B37 O9 2008


...and other oddities...

Adventures @ eBay. -- eBay, 2000. -- 12 p. : col. ill. ; 18
cm. -- "Premiere issue" ; "#1". -- Comic book to introduce
eBay to comics collectors. -- Educational genre. -- Call
no.: PN6728.25.E2A3 2000


...an unlikely book (the cartoonists are uncle and niece) that I enjoyed...

The Virgin Project : Real People Share Real Stories : a Comics
Anthology / by K.D. Boze and Stasia Kato ; introduction by
Ellen Forney. -- Seattle, WA : Girlie Press, 2008. -- 142
p. : ill. (some col.) ; 28 cm. -- "For mature readers." --
Autobiographical genre, stories of first sexual
experiences. -- Call no.: PN6726.V48 2008


...and I'm exhausted. I don't know how Randy does it. Tune in again for... February!

Weldon on Yoe on Shuster on porn

Glen Weldon's got a new piece on Joe Shuster's sweat mag art at "Faster Than a Speeding Bullwhip: Superman Creator's Kinktastic Art," National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (April 15 2009). Remember Craig Yoe will be speaking about and signing the book at Politics and Prose and Big Planet Comics

OT: Doonesbury in the New Yorker

The April 20th New Yorker has an original Doonesbury prose piece by Trudeau, 'The Tweets of Roland Hedley'. Trudeau's popped up with Doonesbury in other magazines before, although not recently I don't think. Mike and JJ got married in Life, Zonker covered Newsweek at least once, and the New Republic printed the Silent Scream II strips that the syndicate refused to carry (all from memory so doublecheck yourself).

There's also a cover by Jacques de Loustal and spots by Petit-Roulet, both of France.

Rosenberg spoils Spider-Man

Our old buddy, former-Examiner-and-Express-columnist-gone-big-city-boy-reporter, Scott Rosenberg's got a story in AM NY that reveals so much you don't actually have to buy the comic book. Take it away, Scott - "Marvel Comics shocker: Bloomberg out, Spider-Man's nemesis in as city's new mayor," by Scott A. Rosenberg on April 15, 2009.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Michigan State's Comic Art Collections November- December 2008 attractions

We're back to check out what the MSU Library added to its comic collection in November, 2008.

Mid-month saw a bunch of original Tijuana Bibles (of which this is only a few)...

Robert Mitchum in Goof Butts. -- between 1930 and 1950? -- 8
p. : ill. ; 78 x 101 mm. -- A "Tijuana bible." -- Erotic
genre, about smoking marijuana. -- Call no.: PN6728.15.R6
1930z
-----------------------------------------------------
Popeye the Sailor in A Pisser of an Episode. -- between 1930
and 1950? -- 9 p. : ill. ; 70 x 113 mm. -- A "Tijuana
bible." -- The pages are numbered, starting with the cover,
J1 through J9. -- Erotic genre. -- Call no.: PN6728.15.P58
1930z
-----------------------------------------------------
Harold Teen in The Wrong Number. -- between 1930 and 1950? --
8 p. : ill. ; 80 x 109 mm. -- A "Tijuana bible." -- Erotic
genre. -- Call no.: PN6728.15.H32 1930z
-----------------------------------------------------
Johnny Quick in 30 Sec's. Flat. -- between 1940 and 1950? -- 8
p. : ill. ; 77 x 101 mm. -- A "Tijuana bible." -- Erotic
and superhero genres. -- Call no.: PN6728.15.J65 1940z
-----------------------------------------------------
Little Annie Rooney. -- between 1930 and 1950? -- 8 p. : ill.
; 70 x 101 mm. -- A "Tijuana bible." -- Erotic genre. --
Call no.: PN6728.15.L5 1930z
-----------------------------------------------------
Ella Cinders in Tsk-Tsk. -- Between 1930 and 1950? -- 8 p. :
ill ; 70 x 104 mm. -- A "Tijuana bible." -- "16". -- Erotic
and career girl genres. -- Call no.: PN6728.15.E42 1930z
RESEND TO CHANGE FROM PHOTOCOPY TO REAL
-----------------------------------------------------
George Raft in Gangster Up! -- between 1930 and 1950? -- 8 p.
: ill. ; 69 x 115 mm. -- A "Tijuana bible." -- Erotic
genre. -- Call no.: PN6728.15.G43 1930z
-----------------------------------------------------
Saltydick Inc. Presents Little Annie Rooney and Zero / Elmer
Zilch. -- between 1930 and 1950? -- 8 p. : ill. ; 68 x 108
mm. -- A "Tijuana bible." -- Appearances of Popeye and
Wimpy. -- Erotic genre. -- Call no.: PN6728.15.L52 1930z
-----------------------------------------------------
Upyer Brown Presents Boots in Love's Labor Lost. -- between
1930 and 1950? -- 8 p. : ill. ; 69 x 101 mm. -- A "Tijuana
bible." -- Erotic genre. -- Call no.: PN6728.15.B59 1930z


... a whole lot of Israeli comics, presumably from Ofer B. ...

Sipure Gugi / Uri Fink. -- Netanyah : Shim'oni, 2005. -- 108
p. : ill. ; 17 x 20 cm. -- (Kuts : Komiks Yisre'eli) --
Alternative genre. -- Call no.: PN6790 .I83 F5S5 2005


...and PvP before Image picked them up...

PvP. -- Colleyville, TX : Toonhound Studios, . -- ill. ; 26
cm. -- Collects a webcomic about computer gaming. -- PvP
stands for Player versus Player. -- Dork Storm logo on
cover. -- LIBRARY HAS: v. 1, no. 2 (2001). -- Call no.:
PN6728.75.T6P2


Slow month! Off to December.

This Norwegian one is from me iirc, donated by the creators at SPX ...

Oslo Comics Expo 07 : Schous Plass, 4-5 Mai / redaktør,
Kristoffer Kjølberg. -- Oslo : OCX 07, 2007. -- 32 p. :
ill. (part col) ; 33 cm. -- Call no.: folio PN6790.N6 O8
2007

...an Ariel Schrag interview in a publication I've never heard of...

"Ariel Schrag is All Grown Up" / by Diane Anderson-Minshall.
p. 46-47 in Curve, v. 18, no. 10 (Dec. 2008) -- "Her comics
are a candid take on adolescence. Now, this cult favorite
is turning her hand to TV, film and children's books." --
An interview, with a photograph of Schrag. -- Call no.:
HQ75.D4v.18no.10


(Here's an article about her from last week).

A bunch of new books on comic art were added including Michaelis' Schulz bio, Best American Comics 2007, How to Make Webcomics, and my friend Gene's book...

500 Essential Graphic Novels : the Ultimate Guide / Gene
Kannenberg, Jr. -- New York : Collins Design, 2008. -- 527
p. : col. ill. ; 21 cm. -- Includes indexes. -- Contents:
Adventure ; Non-fiction ; Crime and mystery ; Fantasy ;
General fiction ; Horror ; Humor ; Science fiction ;
Superheroes ; War. -- Each entry is a cover reproduction, a
plot summary and a review. -- Call no.: PN6710.K35 2008


...the 24-hour comic idea has gone international...

Amsterdam 24 Hour Comics Day 2006. -- Amsterdam :
Stripantiquariaat Lambiek, 2007. -- 300 p. : ill. ; 21 cm.
-- Introduction in Dutch; some comics in Dutch, some in
English, and some wordless comics. -- Alternative genre. --
Call no.: PN6790.N42A5 2007

...some surprisingly brand-new material, perhaps overstock from a local store...

Ambush Bug : Year None. -- New York : DC Comics, 2008-2009. --
col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- To be complete in 6 nos. -- Superhero
genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 1. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.D3A47
2008
-----------------------------------------------------
Final Crisis : Legion of Three Worlds. -- New York : DC
Comics, 2008-2009. -- col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- LIBRARY HAS:
no. 1-2. -- To be complete in 5 nos. -- Superhero genre.
-- Call no.: PN6728.7.D3 F52L4 2008


...Romance genre fotonovelas? Superhero miscellanea?

Tu y yo. -- Capital (Argentina) : Ediciones Record, . -- ill.
; 27-29 cm. -- Romance genre fotonovelas. -- LIBRARY HAS:
no. 52, 83, 88-89 (1972-1979). -- Call no.: PN6790.A74T8
RECLASSIFY
-----------------------------------------------------
Tú & Yo. -- Medellín, Colombia : Ediciones Albon Zig-Zag, . --
ill. ; 28 cm. -- Romance genre fotonovelas. -- LIBRARY HAS:
nr. 10 (1970). -- Call no.: PN6790.C64T8
-----------------------------------------------------
Marvel Heroes Activity Book. -- Ashland, OH : Bendon
Publishing Int'l, 2006. -- 30 p. : ill. ; 27 cm. --
Includes coloring pages, stickers and a poster. --
Superhero miscellanea. -- Call no.: PN6714.M3C6 2006


...Milt Caniff popping up in surprising places...

A Pocket Guide to China / prepared by Special Service
Division, Services of Supply, United States Army. --
Washington, D.C. : War and Navy Departments, 1942. -- 75 p.
: ill. ; 14 cm. -- "How to Spot a Jap" / by Milton Caniff,
comics insert: p. 65-75. -- Call no.: DS710.U6 1942


...and the last book of the year...

Fury/Agent 13. -- New York : Marvel Comics, 1998. -- col. ill.
; 26 cm. -- Published no. 1 (June 1998) - no. 2 (July
1998). -- Spy genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 1. -- Call no.:
PN6728.6.M3F815


Tomorrow, we see what 2009 has brought!

Jack Ohman wins RFK Journalism award

100_6889Sara Duke (foreground), Mike Rhode (seated) and Nick Galifianakis judging the 2009 RFK Journalism award for cartooning. Warren Bernard, the 4th judge, submitted his comments earlier.


RFK CENTER ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 2009 ROBERT F. KENNEDY JOURNALISM AWARDS

4/13/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Simone Greggs
202-463-7575, ext. 234
greggs@rfkmemorial.org

Washington, D.C. – The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights has announced winners of the nine professional and four student categories of the 41st Annual Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards. This year's winning journalists attacked diverse subjects including the risks faced by the workers who bring chicken to America's tables, the crackdown on rights and democracy in Russia under Vladimir Putin, the effects of gun violence in the United States and Guatemala, and new evidence about the conviction that led to the longest stretch of solitary confinement endured by any prisoner in modern U.S. history.

The RFK Journalism Awards honors outstanding reporting on issues that reflect Robert F. Kennedy's concerns, including human rights, social justice and the power of individual action in the United States and around the world. Winning pieces examine the causes, conditions and remedies of injustice and analyze relevant public policies and attitudes and private endeavors. The winning entries were selected by a panel of 40 judges in several rounds. The Journalism Committee, comprised of five advisors, chose the grand prize winner from the first place contenders in each category.

The RFK Journalism Awards will be presented at a ceremony on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 6:00 PM at George Washington University in Washington, DC. The Grand Prize winner will be announced at the ceremony. Winners receive a cash prize and a bust of Robert Kennedy created by Robert Berks. For more details on the event, please visit www.rfkcenter.org.

The winners of the 41st Annual RFK Journalism Awards (clipped to just the cartoonist):

Cartoon Winner: Jack Ohman, The Oregonian: Ohman's cartoons tackle a range of difficult topics including poverty and unemployment in Oregon, the practice of shuffling Oregon teachers suspected of molesting children to other schools, rising college tuition costs, and human rights in China. From civil rights to the election of our nation's first black President, from ethanol to the struggles of American families in the economic downturn, his graphic journalism on behalf of the downtrodden exudes an insightful sensitivity.


I was one of the judges for this with cartoonist Nick Galifianakis, librarian Sara Duke and collector and library cataloguer Warren Bernard.. It was quite interesting. All of the portfolios were full of good cartoons, and that didn't make deciding on a winner easy. Mr. Ohman won for a particular reason that made him stand out, but I won't mention it as I'm not sure how this award process actually works, but it's mentioned specifically in the judges' letter to the RFK Center.


100_6891
Nick makes a point, and then because he's Greek, continues to make it.
100_6892

100_6888 Sara Duke, Mike Rhode, Nick Galifianakis

100_6887 Sara Duke

100_6885
The pile of portfolios we had to go through. It was really cool to see such a selection.


100_6886 Nick GalifianakisWe're luck we had Nick - he had plenty of experience being a judge and helped us with the procedure, although Sara and I had begun before he arrived.

April 30: Dan Didio on intellectual property and economic recovery

This sounds pretty interesting - if one wants to go, just RSVP. I'm mulling it over.

YOU'RE INVITED
•••••••••••••••••••••

Institute for Policy Innovation


It's a Bird! It's a Plane!
It's...

Dan DiDio
Senior Vice-President, Executive Editor - DC Comics



Dan DiDio of DC Comics joins the line-up for IPI’s Fourth Annual World Intellectual Property Day Forum,
“The Role of Intellectual Property in the Global Recovery”

•••••••••••••••••••••

Previously Confirmed Speakers:
Michael Gallagher
President, Entertainment Software Association

Dr. Mark Esper
Executive Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Intellectual Property Center


Program Discussion Panels:
The Role of IP in a Struggling Economy
Does Growing Protectionism Limit Access to Innovation?
Insider Forum: IP and the Future of Innovation


Make Plans Now To Attend:
Thursday, April 30, 2009
9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Reserve Officers Association (ROA) Headquarters Minuteman Memorial Building
Minuteman Ballroom, 5th Floor
One Constitution Ave NE
Washington DC 20002

*Complimentary lunch will be served.

RSVP: Erin Humiston at (972) 874-5139 or erin@ipi.org

Craig Yoe and Joe Shuster at Big Planet

Here's the offical info: Craig Yoe, author of Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman Co-Creator Joe Shuster, will appear at Big Planet Comics Bethesda store (4908 Fairmont Ave.) to sign and discuss the book, on Saturday, April 25 from Noon-2 PM.

Unfortunately I'll be at the American Association for the History of Medicine meetings.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Michigan State U's Comic Art Collection's new acquisitions

Those in the know can see records for material that Randy Scott's catalogued recently at Michigan State University's Comic Art Collection. I'll begin with August of 2008, but you can follow it up to today, as he's recently caught up and is now doing it daily. I usually surf through and see what he's listed that I've never heard of.

In August, we find a few things that I passed along to him iirc, including this on Barbarella's father...

"Dossier Jean-Claude Forest" p. 6-41 in Schtroumpf, les
Cahiers de la Bande Dessinée, no. 26 (1975). -- Contents:
"Entretien avec Jean-Claude Forest" p. 8-22 ; "Jean-Claude
Forest en Ses Mythes" p. 23-27 ; "Barbarella Cache Forest"
p. 28-29 ; "Forest et les Couvertures de S.F." p. 30-32 ;
"Une Chanson de Jean-Claude Forest" p. 33 ; "L'Île Mystère
Rieuse" p. 34-35 ; "Bibliographie de Jean-Claude Forest" p.
36-41 -- Photographic portrait and brief biography on back
cover. Forest was born in 1931. -- Call no.:
PN6745.S37no.26


...and here's a wordless comic that I had listed as "Fisk" in my bibliography (see right for ordering info) at least for the Danish version. Anyone know if the name changed as it moved to the US?

Fish / Peter Kielland. -- New York : Kim-Rehr Productions,
2004. -- 68 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. -- "In prehistoric times,
the somewhat naive Fish lives an easy life, deified by a
tribe of ape men. When visitors from outer space zap the
ape men out of their ignorance, Fish must suddenly fend for
himself. Being unable to do so, he instead digs a hole in
the ground and goes into hibernation. Aroused by
construction work in the sewers, Fish wakes up in the midst
of modern life. Confused and scared, he must make sense of
the people and events he encounters." -- Story without
words. -- Fantasy genre. -- Call no.: PN6790.D33 K52F5 2004

In August, you ain't getting this just anywhere...

Sangokushi / Yokoyama Mitsuteru. -- Tokyo : Ushio Shuppansha,
1974-1988.-- ill. ; 18 cm. -- (Kibo Komikkusu) -- Complete
in 60 vols. -- History of China (Three Kingdoms, 220-265
A.D.) --- Adapts a work of Lo Kuan-chung (ca. 1330- ca.
1400) -- LIBRARY HAS: v. 1-60. -- Call no.: PL842 .O58 S26
1974

...nor this (3, 5 & 6 are also available)...

O Tico-Tico : Jornal das Crianças, no. 1 (Outubro 11, 1905)
COMICS CONTENTS: "Manda quem Póde" p. 1 -- "Por Causa de
uma Laranja" p. 2 -- "No Circo" p. 5 -- "A Mulher Enganou o
Diado" p. 8 -- "A Morte do Gato" (As Historias de seu
Fortunato, 1) p. 9 -- "A Corrida com o Jagunço" (As
Desventuras do Chiquinho, 1) p. 10 -- "A Vingança de
Velludo e Mimi" p. 11 -- "Historia sem Palavras" p. 12 --
"Pum!" p. 15 -- "O Menino que Montou no Cachorro" p. 16 --
Call no.: folio PN6790.B74T462 2005


...or this...

Honey Talks : Comics Inspired by Painted Beehive Panels. --
Slovenia : Forum Ljubljana, 2006. -- 1 cardboard box (with
10 booklets) : ill. (some col.) ; 13 x 22 x 4 cm. -- Each
booklet is 12 x 21 cm. and has a small rectangle cut from
the bottom center of its front cover for the passage of
bees. -- Some of the stories do not have any words. --
Alternative genre. -- Contents: Honey talks : comics
inspired by painted beehive panels ; The king of the bees /
Feuchtenbergerowa ; Grandma's painting / by Matthias
Lehmann ; Pegam & Lambergar / by Milorad Ktstic ; Beton &
honey / Danijel Zezelj ; Wanted! / Vladan Nikolic ;
Sidetracked / by J. Klemencic ; The hunter's daughter / by
Rutu Modan ; The goat / by Koco [20]05 ; Alvearium / Marcel
Ruijters. -- Call no.: PN6790.C944H6 2006

...but you will this - surely someone can donate the rest of this run...

The Spirit. -- New York : DC Comics, 2007- . -- col. ill. ; 26
cm. -- Began with no. 1 (Feb. 2007). -- Cover title: Will
Eisner's The Spirit. -- Detective genre. -- LIBRARY HAS:
no. 1. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.D3S64


...and there's news that didn't happen - Walker sent the Museum's collection to Ohio State instead which has just announced plans to add footage for the collection...

"Walker Takes Museum to Big Apple" p. 43 in The Comics
Journal, no. 271 (Oct. 2005). -- (Newswatch : Journal
Datebook) -- International Museum of Cartoon Art will move
to the Empire State Building and open in 2006. -- Call no.:
PN6700.C62no.271


...and material that somebody needs to collect...

Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo Playtime Fun Pad. -- Harbor House
Publishers, 1985. -- Cover title: Scooby-Doo Happytime Fun
Pad. -- 64 p. : chiefly ill. ; 28 cm. -- A coloring and
activity book. -- "13377". -- Call no.: PN1992.77.S35C6
1985


October had...

...a bunch more Treasure Chests, the Catholic comic, that Randy's been cataloguing for a while...

Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact, v. 11, no. 17 (Apr. 19, 1956)
CONTENTS: "How to be Popular with your Family" (Patsy
Manners) p. 3-4 -- "Ernie Pyle was a Hero, But Who Wants to
be a Dead Hero?"* (Chuck White) p. 5-10 -- "The Eyes Have
It!" p. 11 -- "The Weather Story" p. 12-17 -- "What Makes
Us Do It?" p. 18-19 -- "Mr. Wizard's Science Secrets" p.
20-21 -- "The Merry Martyr, part 7" p. 22-26 -- "Honored
Athletes Maintain a Balanced Perspetive When Winning!"
(Secrets of Success in Sport) p. 27-31 -- "The Rookie" text
p. 32-34 -- "Timber!"* (Woody) p. 35 -- Call no.:
PN6728.1.P43T7v.11no.17


...and somebody must have asked for the "Milk in Comics" folder, because at MSU they catalogue strips by subject...

"You Must Drink Your Milk If You Want to Be Big and Strong!"*
(Hank and Honey, Nov. 4, 1946) / by Seeg. -- Summary: Honey
is urging Elsworth (in his high chair) to drink his milk,
and Hank sneaks a glass for himself. -- Call no.: PN6726
f.B55 "milk"
-----------------------------------------------------
"When You Order Milk, They Bring the Cow to Your Table!"*
(Garfield, Apr. 22, 1993) / Jim Davis. -- Summary: Garfield
is impressed with a fancy restaurant. -- Call no.: PN6726
f.B55 "milk"
-----------------------------------------------------
"Where Is It Written That Humans Must Give Cats Milk in
Saucers?"* (Garfield, Aug. 17, 1984) / Jim Davis. -- Call
no.: PN6726 f.B55 "milk"
-----------------------------------------------------
"We're Almost to the Dairy Section"* (Marvin, Nov. 14, 1984) /
Tom Armstrong. -- Summary: The family is grocery shopping,
and Marvin has to be restrained. -- Call no.: PN6726 f.B55
"milk"
-----------------------------------------------------
"Ice Cream and Three Cows"* (Dennis the Menace, Sept. 18,
1984) / Ketcham. -- Summary: Dennis names four things that
contain milk. -- Call no.: PN6726 f.B55 "milk"
-----------------------------------------------------
"The Clean-Up After the Clean-Up"* (Out Our Way, Feb. 1, 1969)
/ Neg Cochran. -- Summary: The dog gets to clean up the
spilled milk, and the Dad gets a sponge mop to clean up
after the dog. -- Call no.: PN6726 f.B55 "milk"
-----------------------------------------------------
"I Hate the Aftertaste of Diet Milk"* (Marvin, Sept. 13, 1984)
/ Tom Armstrong. -- Summary: Marvin's mother gives him 2%E
milk. -- Call no.: PN6726 f.B55 "milk"
-----------------------------------------------------
"Please Leave 1 Qt. of Grade A Milk"* (Donald Duck, Nov. 21,
1941) / by Walt Disney. -- Summary: Daisly leaves an empty
bottle and a note by a cow on Gus Goose's farm. -- Call
no.: PN6726 f.B55 "milk"
-----------------------------------------------------
"Why Not Just Leave It In The Cow?"* (Flintstones, Sept. 24,
1982) -- Summary: Pebbles has a way to keep milk from
spoiling in hot weather. -- Call no.: PN6726 f.B55 "milk"


...and a superhero 'collectible' comic...

Wizard Presents Nightwing 1/2. -- Congers, NY : DC Comics and
Wizard Press, 1997. -- 24 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. --
Superhero genre. -- Call no.: PN6728.6.D3N5215 1997

...but not Lady Rawhide #4! Come on, someone send a copy in...

Lady Rawhide. -- New York : Topps Comics, 1995-1996. -- col.
ill. ; 26 cm. -- "Vol. 1," complete in 5 nos. --
Superheroine and western genres. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 1-3,
5. -- Call no.: PN6728.6.T63L3 1995
-----------------------------------------------------
Lady Rawhide Mini Comic / Don McGregor, writer ; Estaban
Maroto, artist. -- New York : Topps Comics, 1995. -- 16 p.
: col. ill. ; 22 cm -- "Vol. 1, no. 1, July 1995." --
"Supplement to Wizard the Guide to Comics." -- Western
genre. -- Call no.: PN6728.6.T63L29 1995


...and here's some of the King Features Syndicate proof collection that showed up last year...

Gunner : daily syndicate proof sheets / by José Luis Salinas &
Alfredo J. Grassi. -- New York : King Features Syndicate, .
-- ill. ; 36 x 22 cm. -- (King Features Syndicate Proof
Sheet Collection) -- Six strips per leaf. -- Complete run
starts with week of Mar. 22, 1976. -- Later art signed:
Lucho Olivera (1977), Andrada (1979), Carlos Pedrazzini
(1979), Tobias (1979-1981), Ricardo Barrosa (1981-1983),
Klacik (1984). -- Stored remotely. Please request from
Special Collections staff at least three days in advance of
use. -- Sports genre, about a soccer player and team. --
LIBRARY HAS: 1976-1984. -- Call no.: oversize PN6726.K52G84

Tune in tomorrow as we look at November, 2008!

Pulse magazine's lamented comics pages

My buddy Mark Weidenbaum was an editor of comics for Tower Records' Pulse Magazine and he's put an index of some of the strips on his website. I used to grab these magazines in the DC store - I lived across the street from it at George Washington University for a couple of years, and then, as I got more into comics, I'd stop in just to pick up this magazine.

Sunday, April 12, 2009