Matt's wife Sara hosted a party for him this past weekend, and Joe Sutliff made Matt a crown fit for a Pulitzer-prize winner... that's a golden inkpen on top.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Matt Wuerker's Pulitzer party
Matt's wife Sara hosted a party for him this past weekend, and Joe Sutliff made Matt a crown fit for a Pulitzer-prize winner... that's a golden inkpen on top.
Meet a Local Animator: Neil Dittbenner
Neil Dittbenner was one of the local animators* at Gigacon at the Art Institute of Washington (which is actually in a lovely facility in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington) this past January who kindly answered my usual questions. Mike Rhode: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
Neil Dittbenner: I am a Flash animator at Latman Interactive. I also do freelance work for animation studios in the D.C Metro area.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
I enjoy experimenting with different mediums but, my tool of choice is Flash.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I was born in Kansas City on May 31, 1986
Why are you in the Washington sphere now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I moved to the area as a teenager and then attended The Art Institute of Washington. After school I stayed in the area working as a subcontractor and freelance artist.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
Lots of television as a child and BFA from The Art Institute of Washington in Media Arts and Animation.
Who are your influences?
I'm a huge fan of Jim Smith and John K. They had a pretty big influence on my style and taste in humor.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
I'm happy with where my life is heading right now. The path I choose may have been bumpy but it lead me to the right place in the end so, I don't think I would do-over or change anything.
What work are you best-known for?
I did some freelance work for PBS Kids through a local studio called Karptoons. It was a great project and the end results were really creative and fun.
What work are you most proud of?
I have a side project about carnivals, magic, and love that I'm working on that I'm pretty excited about. My personal projects give me a great sense of accomplishment.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I'm really happy with the jobs I'm working currently but, I'm hoping to work on children's books or web comics in the future.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
I find that just taking a break from art for a couple minutes lets your brain relax. Once I'm relaxed ideas seem to come more easily because I'm not forcing creativity.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
The Internet is becoming the center of entertainment for a lot of people. It's cheaper and easier to watch things on Netflix and Youtube than it is on cable and with a lot of newer televisions becoming Internet capable online content is growing more important. I think short online animations are a good bet for the future.
What's your favorite thing about DC?
I think my favorite thing about DC has to be the National Zoo. It is a great place to sketch and people watch. Plus it's totally free which is a major plus.
Least favorite?
High cost of living and traffic are really awful here. I could easily live without either of those.
What monument or museum do you take most out-of-town guests to?
The Natural History Museum is always a big hit with out-of-town guests. The dinosaurs and animals never get old.
Favorite restaurant?
The Burger Joint chain is fantastic.
Do you have a website or blog?
www.dittbenner.com and these are some other goodies to check out www.latman.com, and www.Karptoons.com
*Since he's an animator, you should definitely check out his website to view his cartoon work.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Post on animator Peter Lord and the dangers of Family Circus
Animator Peter Lord brings to life 'The Pirates' in his latest movie
By John DeFore
Washington Post April 29 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/animator-peter-lord-brings-to-life-the-pirates-in-his-latest-movie/2012/04/26/gIQABgzNjT_story.html
Letter to the Editor: Don't use a comic strip for seat-belt advice
Lisa Marie Daniel, Bethesda
Washington Post April 28 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dont-use-a-comic-strip-for-seat-belt-advice/2012/04/27/gIQAhNzAmT_story.html
By John DeFore
Washington Post April 29 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/animator-peter-lord-brings-to-life-the-pirates-in-his-latest-movie/2012/04/26/gIQABgzNjT_story.html
Letter to the Editor: Don't use a comic strip for seat-belt advice
Lisa Marie Daniel, Bethesda
Washington Post April 28 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dont-use-a-comic-strip-for-seat-belt-advice/2012/04/27/gIQAhNzAmT_story.html
Truitt on Ramiel
Javier Grillo-Marxuach creates a heavenly hero for 'Ramiel'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY April 26 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-04-26/Ramiel-angel-comic-book-series/54562724/1
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY April 26 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-04-26/Ramiel-angel-comic-book-series/54562724/1
Big Planet Comics Orbit Newsletter - April 27, 2012
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Next Saturday, May 5, is the annual Free Comic Book Day! As always, all of our stores are participating, so stop by and get some free comics! It's also a great time to bring your friends or children in too! We have been receiving our free comic books over the last few weeks, and there are a LOT this year. Avengers, DC New 52, Simpsons, Mega Man, a HARDCOVER from Archaia, Serenity, Star Wars, Yo Gabba Gabba, Adventure Time, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Spider-Man, and more! You can see the full list of free comics at 
Free Comic Book Day is just a few weeks away! Bring your friends, we have a lot of great comics to give away this year! To see the complete list, go to 
11 am-1 pm
PR: Gorilla w/Baseball Bat Battles Zombies comic book by Rob Anderson
From Rob Anderson:Rex, Zombie Killer will be hitting the stands next week, on 5/2!
It's been getting some good buzz -- including a review in the current issue of Fangoria magazine on stands right now.
This web post has some more details: http://www.rexzombiekiller.com/2012/04/rex-zombie-killer-1-hits-comic-shops-on.html
Finally, just to give you the particulars -- it's 56 pages, full color, only $3.50, published by Big Dog Ink, and tells the story of a hyper-intelligent Golden Retriever and a small pack of animals -- including a gorilla with a baseball bat -- trying to cross the country after a zombie apocalypse.Meet a Local Animator: Todd Churn
Todd Churn was one of the local animators* at Gigacon at the Art Institute of Washington (which is actually in a lovely facility in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington) this past January who kindly answered my usual questions Mike Rhode: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
Todd Churn: I am an animator that makes cartoons move.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
On my free time... a little bit of both depending what mood I'm in.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I was born as a mid-late 80's baby in Richmond VA.
Why are you in the Washington sphere now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
Currently I live in Arlington but my current job is a commute over in Maryland. I am the lead animator for Latman Interactive, a mobile gaming company.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
Who are your influences?
I really enjoy a lot of the work Chuck Jones produced from
Looney Tunes to The Dot and the Line. He could make some of the
funniest facial expressions on a cartoon character.If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
If I could, I would jump back in time to tell my younger self in kindergarten to start on art... right away.
What work are you best-known for?
I have been given the great privilege to animate a duck for my current job at Latman Interactive. Basically, in our past games the duck runs into massive conflictions with a meddling goose.
What work are you most proud of?
Not too long ago I did a really fun gig through a sub contractor, Karptoons. We made these awesome music videos for PBS Kids and it was really cool to see it broadcasted on tv when we finished.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I know a great group of animators around the area and I hope that one day, we can start create fun short films for people to see.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
If I feel like I've been burnt out on my daily schedule, I try to watch real low budget films on Netflix. They may not have the awesome effects, but they manage to be incredibly imaginative with some of their stuff. Whether it's believable or not is another case, but it seems to free up my art block pretty well.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
Well drawn 2D animation is something I believe will stick around until the end of time, no matter what other new dimension people manage to bring into the market.
What's your favorite thing about DC?
If I ever want some reference or information about something I want to illustrate, I just hop onto the metro rail to the National Mall and I'm set.
Least favorite?
Traffic.
Favorite restaurant?
Dunkin' Donuts.
Do you have a website or blog?
You can see the work I post on my blog at: http://dotanimations.blogspot.com/
*Since he's an animator, you should definitely check out his website to view his cartoon work.
*Since he's an animator, you should definitely check out his website to view his cartoon work.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Meet a Local Cartoonist: Chris Mararac
Chris Mararac is the subject of the last of our local webcomics creator interviews...
Mike Rhode: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
I work mostly in digital, using a wacom tablet and photoshop for illustrations. For actually comics, I started using a program called Manga Studio. It's a great program because it streamlines word bubbles and makes using screentones a snap. I sometimes still do the rough sketches for preliminary work though.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
5/27/1980.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I'm actually in the Silver Spring, MD.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
I have a bachelor in Fine Arts from the University of Maryland.Who are your influences?
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
Currently, art seems to have taken a backseat for me. I'm still trying to get a graphic design position anywhere but I'm currently working for Navy Federal Credit Union as a loan servicing account specialist. I think if I was to do it all over again, I'd probably would have liked to taken more risks in my younger years, because the older you get, the harder it is, when you're tied down with a mortgage.
What work are you best-known for?
I honestly don't know what I'm known for. LOL
What work are you most proud of?
I strangely get really proud of whenever I finish a new project and I try to showcase it to all my friends. Drawing makes me feel like such a kid, in a good way.What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I'm trying to finish a short graphic novel for SPX 2013. I usually just do short zines, but would like to work on a bit more developed story.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
Whenever I'm stuck, I try to relax and find inspiration to start up my motivation again from other things, whether it's a movie or an interesting comic. I sometimes try to remind myself what inspired me in the first place. I have a small list of things that always seem to inspire me and I'll go back to that. But overall, I try not to force myself too much when I'm overly exhausted. Rest is just as important.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
For now, comics will probably just remain as a hobby but it's something I still want to continue to do as long as it's fun.
What's your favorite thing about DC?
Also, DC, MD, VA, is pretty culturally versed, there is a pretty big Asian community, as well as other ethnicities... so that's another plus.
Least favorite?
I don't like how they call the DC, Maryland, Virginia area, DMV... because I start to think of the department of Motor Vehicles, and nothing good comes from that association.
What monument or museum do you take most out-of-town guests to?
I think the most interesting museum is the Spy Museum but whenever I have family or a guest over, they always seem to have to do the whole tourist thing, see the monuments, etc. Can't really avoid that. But I think I usually focus on the Smithsonian Museums, because we're in a recession and free stuff is awesome.
I think the most interesting museum is the Spy Museum but whenever I have family or a guest over, they always seem to have to do the whole tourist thing, see the monuments, etc. Can't really avoid that. But I think I usually focus on the Smithsonian Museums, because we're in a recession and free stuff is awesome.
Favorite restaurant for same?
Hmmm... Off in Rockville, there is Jo's Noodle House which is an awesome hole in the wall Chinese place. Usually after the Small Press Expo, we'll go there. For DC Proper, I would suggest the food trucks.
Not the new hipster ones, but the ones that sell hot dogs all across DC Area. I personally think they're better than NY hotdogs.
Do you have a website or blog?
I do have a personal website, http://www.uppercut-justice.com/, where I post (on hiatus) Work Time Friends, as well as a artblog I run with some people called Digital Sketchbook.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Comic Riffs talks to Satrapi
THE COMIC RIFFS INTERVIEW: 'Persepolis's MARJANE SATRAPI comes not to bury American culture but to (mostly) praise it [*even if modern Hollywood is incapable of 'Casablanca']
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 27 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-comic-riffs-interview-persepoliss-marjane-satrapi-on/2012/04/27/gIQAaeRhlT_blog.html#pagebreak
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 27 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-comic-riffs-interview-persepoliss-marjane-satrapi-on/2012/04/27/gIQAaeRhlT_blog.html#pagebreak
Marjane Satrapi at George Washington's Lisner tonight
Fri. Apr 27, 8:00PM
GW Lisner Auditorium presents Marjane Satrapi Author of Persepolis & Chicken With Plums
Interviewed by Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran
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Interviewed by Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran
World-renowned for her award-winning graphic memoir (and film) Persepolis,
a global best-seller, Marjane Satrapi will make a rare US appearance.
Satrapi grew up during the Iranian revolution and witnessed firsthand
the brutal and historic overthrow of the Shah. The subsequent Islamic
repression and Marjane's own journey away from Iran are intricately
linked to all of her books, films, and artwork.
She will be interviewed by Azar Nafisi, whose acclaimed Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books
electrified readers with a compassionate and often harrowing portrait
of the Islamic revolution in Iran and how it affected one university
professor and her students.
$25, $30, $40. GW Students and Alumni: $10, $20 at Lisner Box Office
Tickets available from the Lisner Box Office, 800-745-3000, and ticketmaster.comMeet a Local Cartoonist: Monica H. or "MonMon"
I met Monica Horn, who draws as Monica H. or "MonMon" at last fall's Intervention con. Here’s her interview:
Mike Rhode: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
Monica H: I run a webcomic called Ocean Tides which is on Smackjeeves.com. It is a ghostly romance drama about a girl name Lily who Lily meets a spirit named Alex. She has to help Alex realize what’s happening around him and wonder why he hasn't crossed over yet. I update every Friday unless stated otherwise.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
It is a combination of both. Along with my laptop, the materials and programs I use are computer paper, cardstock, Black Faber-Castell ink pens (SX, S, M, B, and F), Prismacolor markers, lightbox, HP scanner, my tablet and Photoshop. I start out sketching a thumbnail based off of the script I wrote for the chapter. Then a larger sketch, I ink using my lightbox. Scan, clean it up and tone in Photoshop.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I was born 1986 in Monterey, California.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I moved out here because of my job as a graphic/web designer. I currently reside in Northern Virginia.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
I majored in graphic design and minored in illustration. I have been drawing every since I was little, and inspired by many different Artists. I am a graphic/web designer by day and a webcomic artist by night.
Who are your influences?
Walking in the artist alleys at conventions sure does inspire me at times but I have to say many other webcomic artists, Illustrators, my friends, my family and of course my fans of my comic.
I wouldn't change anything about my career, though I am always willing to learn new things and learn ways to improve my work.
What work are you best-known for?
I guess my webcomic Ocean Tides, or my watercolor paintings. If you asked me this 5 years ago I would say my fan art for different anime shows, but I felt that I need to improve my own work and find my own style.
What work are you most proud of?
Since I only have one webcomic at the moment and I can say that I am proud of Ocean Tides, my style has changed in the past three years. I can say I am proud of trying to find my own style as well with in those three years.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I hope to complete Ocean Tides and start working on a new webcomic that I am currently scripting.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
I sketch or doodle anything, whether it be characters from my webcomic or just characters from a show and book. I just keep at it until something sparks my interest. I also paint -- painting is also a great stress relief.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
I plan on trying to get my work out there for others to enjoy and by the end of day to know that I am placing something out there for others to enjoy, I am happy.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?
Intervention Con 2011 was my first con that I attended as a artist and I have to say I have had a lot of fun, I learned a lot from the other artists in the artist alley. As for other cons I do go to Otakon as a attendee, I always enjoy going.
What's your favorite thing about DC?
I enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival and the 4th of July Fireworks
Least favorite?
The traffic, I can live without it. Haha.
What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?
How about a favorite local restaurant?
I enjoy the Hamburger Hamlet in Crystal City, they make a great rueben sandwich and the sweet potato fires.
Do you have a website or blog?
My blog is http://chibihoshiko.wordpress.com/ and my webcomic for Ocean Tides is http://oceantides.smackjeeves.com/
Washington Post on Aardman's Pirates
Ahoy! Another fun clay creation
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post Apr. 27, 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/the-pirates-band-of-misfits,1159367/critic-review.html
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post Apr. 27, 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/the-pirates-band-of-misfits,1159367/critic-review.html
and here's the NY Times for good measure - http://movies.nytimes.com/2012/04/27/movies/the-pirates-band-of-misfits.html
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Batman movie article in Express
Silva, Cristina / Associated Press. 2012.
Darkness Falls: Christopher Nolan teases that his final Batman movie is a cinematic spectacle.
Express (April 26): 23
I'm sure it's easily findable online.
Meet a Local Cartoonist: Gregory Uchrin
A rarer breed than many other cartoonist types, Gregory Uchrin is a webcomic political cartoonist who answered my questions at last fall’s Intervention con.
Mike Rhode: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
Gregory Uchrin: I’ve been doing a political cartoon on the web since 2003. The original title was “Hail Dubyus!” -in response to the imperial aspirations of our then administration, but since 2008, I’ve published under a more neutral title “Intravenous Caffeine” , since I realized I would have much more scope for parody with the new administration. I also wanted to expand into less political areas with other works.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
I sketch, pencil and ink traditionally. Depending on the complexity of the cartoon, I may scan in the sketch or pencil work and print it out in non-photo blue for inking, but usually I will ink directly on the pencils. After scanning my inks, I color them on the computer.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
1951—I was 60 in October. I’m an old fart :D I was born in New Jersey.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I grew up in New Jersey, but came to DC for college and stayed on because I liked it here. I lived up by Catholic U in Brookland. I also did grad school at Catholic, but since marriage, I’ve lived just outside the city in Alexandria VA.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
I’m self-taught, but with all the art books and internet tutorials available, being self-taught is a highly individual thing. I grew up watching Jon Gnagy on live television and that was the start of my artistic education. Classwork can be very important though, because if you’re self-taught, you have to figure out everything for yourself, while a good teacher will help you to learn the techniques that will aid in the realization of what you’re trying to show.
Who are your influences?
So many to choose from! I really love the late 19th/early 20th century illustrators like the Brandywine School, Edwin Austin Abbey, and J. Allen St. John and the science fiction/fantasy illustrators of the 30s/40s like Virgil Finlay and Margaret Brundage. In serious comics, for sheer style, I go for the classics like Hal Foster and Alex Raymond, but for comic stuff, I go for the early MAD school, like Harvey Kurtzman, Wally Wood, Bill Elder and Jack Davis. New Yorker cartoons, especially Charles Addams. CREEPY and EERIE (and EC reprints) were another early love. In politics, I love Herblock and Doonesbury, but they really haven’t influenced my style. I’ve been getting more and more into manga but at this point, it’s too early to talk about any influences except in a general way. Except Masamune Shirow!
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change? LOL - I would have started a LOT earlier and taken some courses in anatomy and life drawing.
What work are you best-known for?
My political cartoon series are still my most recognizable works, but I’m starting to be known for my quirky humor pieces, like my Chibi Last Supper, a parody of the da Vinci picture.
What work are you most proud of?
My next one :D. I did some rather hard-hitting cartoons during the Bush administration that make me feel like I actually did something important. And I’ve got a BLEACH parody (called BLECCH!) that makes people laugh out loud. On a more artistic note, I recently did a pastel portrait of a cosplayer friend of mine that surprised me that I managed to do it so well. It’s on my deviantart site.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I’d like to do a narrative webcomic that’s character rather than news driven. With political cartoons, you spend 75% of your time reading and watching news, looking for something that gives you a comic image. I’ve got a series of “fantasy casting” pieces--what actors/actresses I’d cast in a live version of an anime or manga and I’m currently working on a “Ghost in the Shell” picture. And I’ve been sketching out a horror story I’d like to turn into a graphic novel.What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
I experiment with sound restoration. 78s. PRE-VINYL! And I do research on the medieval period and Arthurian legends. Anything far from actually drawing anything. I’m not a games player though. I never seemed to develop that kind of hand-eye coordination with the early videogames. Which may be a good thing for me since it keeps me working.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
I’m not sure. After the insanity of last week’s Miss Republican Idol—ooops, I mean, CNN tribute to anyone running against Barry--oh, wait, was that supposed to be a debate?--I’m not sure politics hasn’t gotten so ridiculous that it’s impossible to satire. It’s probably a good time to expand beyond it.
What local cons do you attend ? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?
I attend all of the local cons, but I’ve only started participating in Artist’s Alleys in the past year. InterventionCon is only two years old and it’s becoming a very well run event. I also did AA at Katsucon and Anime MidAtlantic, but I missed out on applying to AnimeUSA because they announced the Alley practically the same day of the Japanese earthquake and my attention was elsewhere. But I like AUSA a lot and may actually cosplay there this year! T-mode is a nice small con, but I’ve only attended once. And of course, Otakon is mind-blowing. Both as an attendee and Alley participant.
What's your favorite thing about DC?
I like that it’s a big town that’s small enough to know. I can go anywhere and wind up running into a friend or colleague.
Least favorite?
Traffic.
What monument or museum do like to take visitors to? The Smithsonian, National Gallery, Freer Gallery, Hirschhorn.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Since moving to Alexandria, I don’t get much into the city for dining, especially since there’s a number of great restaurants in my neighborhood that I love: Hana Tokyo, La Casa for pizza, and Tempo for more elegant but laidback dining.
Do you have a website or blog?
Politics: Intravenous Caffeine— http://ivcaffeine.com/ —my older Bush era cartoons are still on HAIL DUBYUS! http://haildubyus.com/ I display my non-political works at DeviantArt at http://gregoriusu.deviantart.com/gallery My books BUSHWHACKED and BLECCH! -are available at Ka-Blam http://ka-blam.com/ (search for the titles).
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