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Saturday, July 30, 2016

That darn Mark Trail

'Mark Trail' objectifies women [in print as Free for All Swimsuit Edition].

Daniel Bender, Bethesda

Washington Post July 30 2016

From the July 11 "Mark Trail." (James Allen/North America Syndicate)

Ann Telnaes interviewed

Three Female Cartoonists Open Up About Drawing Hillary Clinton

And sexism. Loads of sexism.

07/30/2016 
Katherine Brooks Senior Arts & Culture Editor, The Huffington Post.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/women-cartoonists-on-hillary-clinton_us_579ba932e4b0e2e15eb5d00f

Mark Korsak on this weekend's Graphic Recording professional meeting

by Mike Rhode

Mark Korsak recently contacted me to tell me that Scott McCloud would be in town for an event, courtesy of Maga Design. The International Forum of Visual Practioners is having it's annual meeting in DC. It's not open to the general public, but you can register to attend. Several local cartoonists such as Kevin Rechin, Joe Sutliff, Teresa Logan and especially Joe Azar have done jobs in this emerging field. Mark's quite happy with his new career, noting that he gets to travel around and was just in India for three days.

MR: What is graphic recording?  

MK: Graphic Recording is one of a few terms used to describe someone who uses hand done static visual media to capture and document information, communicate ideas and foster development and creative thinking in real time. Most Graphic Recorders are hired for a presentation or development meeting. They go in to the event, tape a 4 x 8 foot sheet of paper up on a wall, and draw/write what everyone in the room is saying while they're saying it. Live. Improvisationally. They do this because  it engages people in a way that talking alone, or a powerpoint presentation, can't. The audience becomes more absorbed in the subject. They retain information better and participate in the experience. Afterwards there is a unique visual record or the experience that can be referenced. Over all there is a much deeper impact.

There are 2 camps in the field. One would be Graphic Recorders, like me, who draw/write what is happening. The second camp is Graphic Facilitators. They tend to have much less drawing experience, but have psychology and management degrees. They know how to get a room full of people to think/work together and use the drawing more as a tool to build consensus. I am often paired with a facilitator on an assignment. They do the talking, I do the drawing.

Do the drawings tell a story?

Absolutely. For the people in the room, drawing is magic. It leaves a much deeper impression and ends up standing as an inspiration.

How did you get involved in the field? Are you a cartoonist?

I'm an illustrator/designer. I moved to DC from New York a few years ago. In an effort to connect with the local design community. I attended a cocktail party at Maga Design, a consulting firm here in DC that engages all their clients with Graphic Recording (and host of the cocktail party). I met Jim Nuttle and Greg Gersch at that party. Both of them are illustrator/designers that have become highly sought after Graphic Recorders. They introduced me to the Graphic Recording industry (along with Joe Azar) and I have since taken up the mantle.

Why do cartoonists make good practitioners? Or don't they?

Cartoonists/Illustrators/artists make excellent Graphic Recorders because they are, foremost, keen observers. Listening skills are paramount when capturing a sessions. Secondary advantages are knowledge of how to design a page, tell a story visually, an extensive visual vocabulary, knowledge of what works or doesn't work on a page, familiarity with type and different fonts, color theory, and general comfort with drawing/filling a page, just about all the skills a visual artist has.


Why did you invite Scott McCloud to come to DC to speak to your group? 

There are many fantastic books out there that talk about visual thinking and facilitating, but Scott McCloud's book "Understanding Comics" has become a must read for the Graphic Recording industry as it delves so deeply into the nuts and bolts of why/how images/drawings work. Scott is finishing up his tour for "The Sculptor" and starting to research his next book, which will be more along the lines of "Understanding Comics" (or so he tells me). Not only will his lecture be informative to the attendees of the conference, but he will also be conducting interviews himself and researching his next book.


To give you an idea of what Graphic Recording looks like here are the finish files from the capture I did recently. In an effort to learn more about the needs of the DC and Suburban Maryland community Kaiser Permanente gathered together a variety of community leaders and medical professionals for a day of dialogue and discussion. Both these panels are 4 x 8 ft. At the end of the day, the client keeps them. They usually hang them up in their office for a time as inspiration.
 

The Post's obituary for Jack Davis

Jack Davis, Mad magazine illustrator, dies at 91 [in print as Jack Davis, 91: Horror comics launched Mad cartoonist's career].


Washington Post July 29 2016, p. B6
online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/comics/jack-davis-mad-magazine-illustrator-dies-at-91/2016/07/28/65fd0380-54e6-11e6-88eb-7dda4e2f2aec_story.html

The early Thompson - Science fiction fandom art

The early Thompson - Science fiction fandom art

July 29, 2016

http://richardspooralmanac.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-early-thompson-science-fiction.html

We compiled a lot of art that wasn't used in The Art of Richard Thompson book. Here's some raw scans of a selection of it. Richard's earliest published works were in the convention program for the local sci-fi con Disclave, and the fanzine Science Fiction Eye....

Cartoonists Stacy Curtis and Dave Kellett remember Richard Thompson

Both Stacy and Dave knew Richard - Stacy worked on Cul de Sac with him, and Dave interviewed him at length for a documentary.

Rest in Peace, Richard Thompson

http://stacycurtis.blogspot.com/2016/07/rest-in-peace-richard-thompson.html?m=1


Dave Kellett's Sheldon comic

http://www.sheldoncomics.com/archive/160728.html

Thursday, July 28, 2016

A short personal remembrance of Richard Thompson

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Richard Thompson collected friends. And admirers who became friends. I first met Richard ten years ago in November 2006. Although it seems longer ago than that, probably because I'd seen his work in the Washington Post, practically every day, for the previous two decades. Joel Pollack introduced us at the opening of the Cartoon America exhibit at the Library of Congress.  We hit it off, Richard's quiet, sly wit keeping me grinning, and soon we began taking in more exhibitions with other of Richard's old friends (who are also talented artists) such as Bono Mitchell, Nick Galifianakis and Kevin Rechin. Soon I was popping over to his house in North Arlington, where Amy, or their daughters Emma and Charlotte would answer the door and yell down to the basement studio, "Dad, Mike's here again," because of course, he was never on time for whatever event we were going to. Richard and his gang kindly enfolded me into their lives, and I can never pay him or them or his family back for that kindness. An inexact analogy would have Richard as the sun in a solar system, with family and friends orbiting around him and then around each other as a result. I met many good people, some famous and some not, through being privileged enough to hang out with Richard (and having a drivers license that I was willing to use).

Richard was an engaging traveling companion, even if he could be a bit... frustrating. At one Con, he was panicking because he couldn't find the $400 he made earlier in the day. (This is when he was selling his daily Cul de Sac strips for $100 or less). We tore apart our hotel room, over and over, obsessively rechecking his luggage and clothes. Eventually it turned up where he'd 'safely' stored it - in his pillowcase. Certainly, no maid of a criminal bent would ever have checked there. That wasn't atypical behavior for him, because in many ways, Richard was a typical artist, forgetting to eat, or leaving jobs until the last minute so inspiration would strike. One of my great regrets is that he never took Francoise Mouly up on her offer to do a New Yorker magazine cover. I actually saw her pleading with him to submit one.

As I noted for Andrew Farago of The Comics Journal, in spite of the appearance of being an overnight sensation with Cul de Sac, Richard had paid his dues. He worked regularly doing illustrations for the Washington Post from the early 1980s, eventually appearing almost every day of the week. He also did two comics for them - Saturday's Richard's Poor Almanac panel and Sunday's Cul de Sac in the Magazine. Beginning in 1991, he did interior illustrations for the New Yorker. He did over 400 caricatures for US News and World Report over the course of nine years. In short, Richard was a successful working illustrator long before most people outside of a small world of editors and other illustrators ever paid attention. When Cul de Sac went into the world beyond the Washington Post in 2007, a new audience began gravitating to him, but the devastation of a rapid case of Parkinson's disease meant that all of us, old and new readers, only got another four years of Richard's imagination to enjoy. I think he could have easily run for another twenty years with Cul de Sac, doing quality work. He's written on his blog about how he enjoyed introducing new characters, and Mr. Danders was just waiting to be returned to the strip.

I began writing this just a few hours after learning of Richard's death, although those of us who were lucky enough to live close to him knew it was coming. Richard's art and his family had meant everything to him (with food colored orange coming in third, oddly enough). He lost his ability to make art years ago. He broke his hip while compiling the Complete Cul de Sac and then couldn't get out and do things and see people. They came to him, but it wasn't the same as him being able to pop down to the Washington Post when he wanted to get out of the house, as he did for much of his career. The past year, he took a rapid slide downhill, and several weeks ago, friends from out of town began arriving for what we all knew was a goodbye visit, even if nobody referred to it that way.

Even though Richard's body betrayed him in the end, his talent and his mind and his way of looking at the world gave enjoyment to many people for three decades, which is more than many of us can ever claim. Richard lives on in his art and books, so my friend has an immortality of sorts (that I know was a comfort to him), and I hope the new books Richard's friends are working on will give people a small glimpse into what I enjoyed over the past ten years of our friendship. - Mike Rhode

Highlights from last night's Politically Inclined live drawing event

by Steve Loya

Last night I attended the late July Takoma Park city council meeting as part of the "Politically Inclined" project, inviting artists who are currently on exhibit at the Takoma Park Community Center's "Stylized Notions" art exhibit, featuring works from local, DC-area cartoonists and comic artists who participated in the Cartoonists Draw Blood blood drive events. In addition to myself, Bill Brown, Art Hondros, and Eric Gordon participated. Unlike Eric, Art, and Bill, all residents of Takoma Park, I drove out from Sterling, VA, and it was interesting to participate in some small way, and contribute something to the democratic process that is a City Council meeting - something I've never done before. In addition to being in good company, and hanging out with some great fellow artists for a little bit, I also wanted to try something slightly new and different, creatively. 

The event was recorded and shown live on the Takoma Park community TV channel, as well as on their Facebook page. During a brief intermission, the artists spread their work out on the stage for folks to see, and it was great seeing the variety of approaches everyone took, and witnessing the positive reactions from the people in the auditorium. I think it was a great, positive experience for us artists as well.

A big big thanks goes out to organizers Marilyn Sklar and Chanthi Chandra-Sekar, Carolyn Belefski for the heads-up, and to all the artists and folks who participated in last night's city council meeting. In the meantime, there's talk of possibly having a little exhibit featuring last night's work. I'll post more, if anything more comes out of it. In the meantime, HERE are a few more photos, etc. from the event. You can also read more about it in the Takoma Voice!

                                                                                                                         - Steve Loya


*above pic: Bill Brown


*above pic: Steve Loya


*above pic: Takoma Park residents looking at some of the artwork made throughout the evening


above pic: Art Hondros


*above pic: Eric Gordon

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Richard Thompson to be memorialized on WUSA news tonight

Ellison Barber of WUSA news compiled a memorial profile about Richard Thompson's life and art which should air at 11 pm EDT if all goes well.

Cartoonist Richard Thompson has passed away

I've been informed by Richard's best friend Nick Galifianakis that Richard passed away today due to the effects of Parkinson's Disease. We're poorer for his loss, but richer for his life and art.

Library of Congress scrapbooks on WWI

This is an interesting resource. Click through to read the full article:

World War I: A Wartime Clipping Service
07/27/2016
http://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2016/07/world-war-i-a-wartime-clipping-service/

(The following is a post by Arlene Balkansky, reference specialist in the Serial and Government Publications Division, and Will Elsbury, military history specialist in the Humanities and Social Sciences Division.) The Library of Congress' historical newspaper collections are extensive in their coverage of World War I. From the beginning of the war to America's involvement to […]

World War I news, editorials, features, cartoons, photos, maps, and more are also contained in a unique 400 volume 80,000-page set of newspaper clippings found within the collections of the Library of Congress Serial and Government Publications Division. The set, "World War History: Daily Records and Comments as Appeared in American and Foreign Newspapers, 1914-1926," was created after the war through the dedicated direction of Otto Spengler, owner of the Argus Press Clipping Bureau.

http://blogs.loc.gov/loc/files/2016/07/clippings-article-1.jpg

Josh Kramer interviewed on cartoon journalism

The CoJo List: A comics journalism newsletter
posted by Dominic Umile
Dominic Umile Blog May 16 2016
http://www.dominicumile.com/cojo-list-comics-journalism/

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

DCist follows up on that Harry Potter satire cartoon website

Harry Potter FanFic Writer Behind ClintonKaine.com Awaits His Windfall
by Rachel Kurzius in News on Jul 25, 2016
http://dcist.com/2016/07/one_progressive_is_really_happy.php

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Chris Fenoglio

by Mike Rhode

A Baltimore Comic Con staffer tipped me about Chris Fenoglio of Alexandria, VA, who kindly answered our usual questions. Fenoglio should be getting wider recognition soon as he's drawn an X-Files spin-off that comes out this summer.


MR: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

CF: I have a couple of projects right now. The biggest one I’m working on is the X-Files Origins: Mulder series coming out in August from IDW. I just finished the first issue of a project called Bloodworth written by the supremely talented Dan Corey that’s coming out really soon as well. I also work on a webcomic strip called Chris & Christina about me and my wife. It’s funnier than it sounds…

MR: How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

CF: Mostly computer… especially lately. I have a lot of plates spinning, and it’s just faster this way.

MR: When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

CF: In Berkeley, CA in the early 1980s.

MR: Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

CF: Alexandria. Does that count still?

MR: What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

CF: I have a master’s degree in illustration from The Academy of Art University. I teach some of their online classes now (like I said… lotsa plates).

MR: Who are your influences?

CF: Too many to count, but the major ones would be, like, Jeff Smith from Bone, Alex Toth, Chris Samnee, and Greg Capullo… at least those are the guys I try to copy as much as I can.

MR: If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

CF: Nothing so far… maybe go to art school sooner in life? Or maybe pick a career that makes a lot of money… like accounting.

MR: What work are you best-known for?

CF: Probably the X-Files one now… but I also colored a few issues of the Orphan Black comic IDW put out.

MR: What work are you most proud of?

CF: Right now it’s a tie between my X-Files and Chris & Christina stuff. X-Files feels like a huge step forward in my career both artistically and in terms of my standing in the industry. Chris & Christina scratches that artistic itch of putting something together that’s totally mine. And it also lets me try out some of my weirder ideas.

MR: What would you like to do  or work on in the future?

CF: Everything. Is that an answer?

MR: What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

CF: Just keep working. I find that you can usually work through things like that if you just keep noodling. Worse comes to worse, I’ll take a break and go do something else for awhile.

MR: What do you think will be the future of your field?

CF: Hopefully universal acceptance. I’d love to live in a world where everyone read comics. I think the way the medium is expanding and diversifying is really helping, but it’s still got a ways to go.


MR: What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

CF: I just moved to the area about 2 years ago, so not a bunch. I’ve gone to NYCC the last two years and it’s been pretty great. I also checked out Baltimore this year also, which was a ton of fun.

MR: What's your favorite thing about DC?

CF: Is it cheesy to say, “the monuments and museums?” If you grew up on the other side of the country, they’re really awesome to see up close.

MR: Least favorite?

CF: Traffic… And that’s coming from a Californian. Is getting hit over the head with a tack hammer part of the driving exam out here?

MR: What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?

CF: Portrait Gallery. I like paintings.

MR: How about a favorite local restaurant?

CF: There’s this awesome place in Alexandria called Rustico. I love their pizza… and vast selection of beer.

MR: Do you have a website or blog?

CF: I have a website (that’s in dire need of an update) at
www.chrisfenoglio.com and you can check out my webcomic at https://tapastic.com/series/chrisandchristina. And people can always follow me on Instagram and Twitter @ChrisFenoglio




Guardians of the Galaxy go into space with NASA

Marvel’s Groot and Rocket will head to space on NASA’s newest mission patch

By Rachel Feltman
Washington Post Speaking of Science July 25 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/07/25/marvels-groot-and-rocket-will-head-to-space-on-nasas-newest-mission-patch

 

One famous comics linkup not mentioned in the story above is Peanuts and the Apollo 10 mission.
Charles Schulz used Snoopy and his other characters in support of NASA for many years around the Apollo missions.


Window dressing at Second Story Books

Second Story Books at Dupont Circle on occasion displays some of its pop culture books in its street windows. This week, it features of some graphic novels and comics-related books.

 

Monday, July 25, 2016

Eisner Awards - local winners and Comic Riffs coverage

Here's the local winners:

Best publication for early readers (up to age 8)

"Little Robot," by Ben Hatke (First Second)

Best reality-based work

"March: Book Two," by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell (Top Shelf/IDW)

and here's a couple of Comics Riffs stories:

Comic-Con: 'Overjoyed' Rep. John Lewis wins 'the Oscar of comics' for his civil rights memoir (+ winners' list)


Washington Post Comic Riffs  July 23 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/07/23/comic-con-overjoyed-rep-john-lewis-wins-the-oscar-of-comics-for-his-civil-rights-memoir-winners-list/


Comic-Con: Eisner nominee Tom King turned five months in Iraq into a Vertigo Comics hit


Washington Post Comic Riffs July 21 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/07/21/comic-con-eisner-nominee-tom-king-turned-five-months-in-iraq-into-a-vertigo-comics-hit/


Sunday, July 24, 2016

July 24: Deadline for 'Magic Bullet' 13

Today is the deadline for comics submissions and ads for Magic Bullet 13, the semi-annual comics newspapers of the D.C. Conspiracy. To whet your appetite, here's a work-in-progress of the cover for the new issue by Dale Rawlings.



Friday, July 22, 2016

July 23: Zinefest DC

 Zinefest DC is tomorrow from 11-5, in NW on 16th and Newton. There's at least 5 cartoonists tabling, and Fantom Comics too.

Names I recognize are:

3a-G. E. Gallas
5-Katie McDermott
27a-Andrew Cohen
27b-Michael Cowgill
29b-Mike Brace
32-Robin Ha

I'm not familiar with 7b-Dummie Comics Inc. (update: They're from New Jersey)

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Kickstarter for The Protectorate graphic novel begins today

RY'EUN

Former local resident Christian Farmer has written in about a new graphic novel planned in collaboration with J.C. Williams. Farmer tells ComicsDC:


My wife and I moved to DC in the winter of 2008. We lived in Old Town Alexandria for about 3 years actually, but we were in the city a lot. I played in a r&b/jazz band for a while there. Mostly we were just figuring out how to grow up. We decided not to. My wife grew up in the Annapolis area and went to school in Tampa, where we met. When she graduated she wanted to spend some time in DC.

The Protectorate story is so incredible and we've been extremely lucky with the art team we found. With the success of our Kickstarter we will be able pay the amazing artists that we've hired to make our story come to life.

Our story follows a group of unlikely heroes as they reform the Protectorate. The previous Protectorate was a band of warriors that guarded the civilized planets of the universe from an evil overlord; whom relentlessly sought to destroy everything good in place of greed, pain, fear, and suffering. After 120 years of the evil overlord's rule a new Protectorate begins to slowly emerge and build an army to restore the balance of peace.

We  launched our Kickstarter campaign today, July 19th! The successful funding of our Kickstarter will allow us to hire our art team at Inkstand Studios, and print the first run of Limited Edition books for our backers. This 140 page graphic novel is the first book of what will be over 1500 pages of art, telling a story that blends science fiction with the world's events as we see them. We seek to use this epic story as a way of opening peoples eyes to the problems of today's world, and showing readers a path to positive societal change. 

The link to our Kickstarter is https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/525399862/protectorate-awakening-volume-1 Our rewards start at only $1, and at that level you get the first 26 pages of our story in PDF form!

ATAUNA

Hilary Clinton in Faith comic book

Faith and politics will collide when Hillary Clinton appears in Valiant Comics


Hillary Clinton will appear in the fifth issue of Faith from Valiant Comics. (Courtesy of Valiant Comics)

Monday, July 18, 2016

New webcomic from Steve Conley

Steve's left NoVA for FLA but he's just let me know that he's got an attractive new strip that launched today.

The Middle Age is a new comic strip from cartoonist Steve Conley which launched today, Monday, July 18. Click here to read the very first episode!


Friday, July 15, 2016

Amateur DC cartoonists owns political webdomains and posts cartoons there

D.C. Lawyer Squatting On Clinton Website Domains With 'Hillary Potter' Cartoons

7_15_16_hillarypotter.png
Hillary Potter and the Boredom of the Phoenix. (Cartoon courtesy of Jeremy Pegg)

July 15-17: Shore Leave con in MD

This is a science fiction con, but some of the authors write comic books too.

'Fight the Bite' and Zika

While at a pool in Fairfax, I noticed a public announcement regarding mosquitoes and Zika that included art very similiar to the work of local cartoonist Joe Sutliff. And it looked like it might be re-purposed from some of his previous work for Fairfax County. I asked Joe, and sure enough it was his work and it was re-purposed. Here's his email reply (with his permission to post):

"Yes, that's my art from some of the projects I've done for them. Because it's sold to the VA government, they get to use it as much as they want. They showed the posters to me after they did them - the CDC is getting slammed with requests for Zika materials, and they don't have anything ready, so these were thrown together. All public pools in Fairfax will soon feature one."


Thursday, July 14, 2016

Robin Ha interviewed by Metro

This author uses comics to showcase Korean cuisine

Robin Ha is not your typical kitchen scribe.

July 28: Animezing!: MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM I

Join us for a SUMMER OF GUNDAM at the JICC!
Join us for a SUMMER OF GUNDAM at the JICC!
JICC Logo
SUMMER OF GUNDAM
The JICC is excited to present a SUMMER OF GUNDAM with screenings of the MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM Movie Trilogy!
In the year 0079 of the Universal Century, the war between the Earth Federation and the Principality of Zeon has reached a stalemate. However, when Zeon learns about the Federation's new mobile suits being developed at the Side 7 space colony, Char Aznable launches an attack to destroy them. A boy named Amuro Ray finds himself caught up in the conflict when he becomes the unwilling pilot of the Federation's new mobile suit - the Gundam.
Japanese w. English Subtitles | Not Rated | 1981
Recommended for ages 13+
You are invited to
Thursday, July 28th, 2016
from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM (EDT)
Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan
1150 18th Street Northwest
Suite 100
Washington DC 20036 US
REGISTER HERE!
Event venue map
Don't miss the second and third parts of the MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM Movie Trilogy screening at the JICC on August 5 and August 12!
Animezing!: MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM II Soldiers of Sorrow
August 05th, 2016 6:30 PM
Register Here!
Animezing!: MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM III Encounters in Space
August 12th, 2016 6:30 PM
Register Here!
These events are free and open to the public, but registration is required. 

*** When registering you may receive an email asking you to "Activate your Eventbrite account" if you have never used Eventbrite before. It is NOT necessary to activate an account for you to attend this event and you may ignore this email from Eventbrite. ***

In the event of a cancellation, please contact us at jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp.

Doors open 30 minutes before the program. Program begins at 6:30PM.
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