The Vision on another best of list

The best comic books of 2016

Stop what you're doing and pick up The Flintstones.

by Alex Abad-Santos and Genevieve Koski Dec 28, 2016
http://www.vox.com/culture/2016/12/28/14009216/the-best-comic-books-of-the-year

Glen Weldon on Love Is Love

'Love Is Love' Comics Anthology Offers Raw Expressions of Grief, Rage — And Defiance

Glen Weldon

NPR's Monkey See blog December 29, 2016
http://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2016/12/29/507237355/love-is-love-comics-anthology-offers-raw-expressions-of-grief-rage-and-defiance

More on Resist! which will be distributed at the inaugaration

Here's How Women Artists Are Reacting to a Donald Trump Presidency [Resist].

By Claire Landsbaum

Dec 21 2016

http://nymag.com/thecut/2016/12/heres-how-women-artists-are-reacting-to-a-trump-presidency.html

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Carbon Footprint"

From Mike Flugennock, DC's anarchist cartoonist (on Dec 23rd):

"Carbon Footprint"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=2133

Congratulations, USA – another dirty, bloody regime-change proxy war down the crapper.

11x12 inch medium-res color .jpg image, 541kb.

Michael O'Connell interviews Jessica Abel

#231 – Jessica Abel: Words, images, storytelling and beyond

Michael O'Connell

It's All Journalism podcast,December 15, 2016
http://itsalljournalism.com/231-jessica-abel-words-images-storytelling-and-beyond/

On this week's It's All Journalism podcast, host Michael O'Connell talks to cartoonist Jessica Abel about the differences and surprising similarities in audio and graphic storytelling. Abel is the author of Out on The Wire, a graphic novel about the storytelling techniques behind the popular Radiolab and This American Life radio shows.

Apatoff on Victor Juhasz's combat art

THE "WITNESS ART" OF VICTOR JUHASZ

December 21, 2016

http://illustrationart.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-witness-art-of-victor-juhasz.html

Swann Foundation is accepting fellowship applications

The Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon, administered by the Library of Congress is accepting applications for its graduate fellowship, one of the few in the field, for the 2017-2018 academic year. Deadline for applications is February 24, 2017. For criteria, guidelines, and application forms, please see:

http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/swann-fellow.html

 

Please email swann@loc.gov or call (202) 707-9115 if you have questions.

 

Martha Kennedy

 

Martha H. Kennedy

Curator, Popular & Applied Graphic Art

and poster acquisitions team member

Prints & Photographs Division

101 Independence Avenue SE

Washington, D.C. 20540-4730

Voice: 202-707-9115;  fax: 202-707-6647

http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local comics writer JC Thomas (@SuperUltraGo) on Twitter

at https://mobile.twitter.com/superultrago

Look for "Gates of Dawn" in his feed. He's a Fairfax County Public Schools 4th grade teacher from Herndon and this is his 2nd graphic novel. Big Planet Comics, probably at Vienna, is carrying it according to his feed.

John Fantucchio's comic collection to be sold

From: Mary Fantucchio

Dear family and friends - as most of you know, John died in August of a stroke.  Please pass this on to anyone you know who might be interested.  For more information about John's work in fandom, see Aaron Caplan's website www.fantucchio.com.  

CGC recognizes a new pedigree! CGC has recognized a new Silver Age Pedigree. The John G. Fantucchio Pedigree features nearly every comic published by Marvel and DC Comics from the inception of the Marvel era in the early 1960s through the mid-70s. Rounding out the collection are numerous other high grade comics from other publishers including Charlton, Gold Key, Dell, ACG, Tower and many others.  "This collection was beautiful," said Paul Litch, CGC's Primary Grader, "It is a rare treat when a previously unseen collection of high grade comics becomes available to the public. It is even more rare for a collection to be recognized as a pedigree... a collection like this, cannot be denied."  The books were collected by artist John G. Fantucchio and stored in ideal conditions. The result is a collection of beautifully preserved comics with amazing color and page quality. John had been a serious collector since the 1940's and was an adult at the beginning of the Silver Age.  These books had been stored for decades until being viewed by Rick Lowell of Casablanca Comics. "I had known about these books for years, but nobody had ever seen them"  says Lowell. "I was unsure what I was going to find and as I unpacked them I was amazed at the quality. I was also stunned at how complete the collection is."  John Fantucchio was one of the most prominent artists during the early days of comic fandom. He created hundreds of covers and illustrations for fanzines such as Rocket's Blast Comic Collector, Fantastic Fanzine, Comic Crusader and many others. John also did covers for the early issues of The Buyer's Guide for Comic Fandom, including the very first issue.  "It has been over eight years since we've brought out an original owner collection dating back to the early Silver Age of comics with depth like this," stated Josh Nathanson, Founder and CEO of ComicLink.  "There is a distinct beauty in looking at book after book with a homogeneous look and feel, having been stored in the same place in the same way for decades.  It's one of the perks of this job that I relish.  I'm thrilled that ComicLink is working with Rick to disperse the collection into the hands of today's collectors.  We've decided that Amazing Spider-Man will be the first title to be offered, within the ComicLink.com Winter Featured Auction commencing on February 15th.  I'm looking forward to the event!" P.O. Box 4738 • Sarasota, FL 34230 • 877-NM-COMIC (662-6642)  CGCcomics.com • email CGC@cgccomics.com

The Post reviews Sing animated movie

Saved by the singing, anthropomorphic animals [online as As crooning animals, Hollywood heavyweights give 'Sing' the boost it needs]By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post (December 23 2016)

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/as-crooning-animals-hollywood-heavyweights-give-sing-the-boost-it-needs/2016/12/20/7fcb953c-c6c0-11e6-85b5-76616a33048d_story.html

Cole Goco's first Billy the Pop collection out now

From Cole Goco, Arlington's hardest working student cartoonist,

"I have BIG news today. The first Billy the Pop BOOK is now available for purchase! It contains the first year and a quarter of Billy strips, and features never-before-seen illustrations, as well as an amazing foreword by Mike Rhode, the editor of ComicsDC! If you guys really love Billy, are looking for a last-minute Christmas present, or just want to support the strip, I would truly appreciate it if you would buy a copy. It's super exiting to be able to look at my own work in book form, and I hope you feel the same way!
Here it is: https://www.amazon.com/Billy-Pop-Cole-Goco/dp/1539198022/ "

Ron Wimberley on 10 best list

The 10 Best Comic Book Reprints of 2016

By Hillary Brown, Tobias Carroll, Sean Edgar, Steve Foxe, Caitlin Rosberg
The Paste Comics Crew  |  December 14, 2016 
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/12/the-best-comic-book-reprints-of-2016.html

and here''s a review of his book -

Ron Wimberly's Prince Of Cats

Longbox Coffin

7 Dec 2016

http://arecomicsevengood.tumblr.com/post/154162715016/ron-wimberlys-prince-of-cats

Ben Hatke and Alexis Frederick-Frost on Paste kids comics list

The Best Kids Comics of 2016

By Hillary Brown, Sean Edgar, Steve Foxe The Paste Comics Crew  |  December 16, 2016
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/12/the-best-kids-comics-of-2016.html

March and Mighty Jack make SLJ's comics list

Top 10 Graphic Novels | 2016

 

Brigid Alverson is editor of "Good Comics for Kids." Also contributing: Lori Henderson, Esther Keller, Mike Pawuk, Scott Robins, Eva Volin.

By the "Good Comics for Kids" bloggers on November 21, 2016

This article was published in School Library Journal's December 2016 issue

http://www.slj.com/2016/11/reviews/best-of/top-10-graphic-novels-2016/#

March leads PW critics poll

'March Book Three' Tops 10th Annual PW Graphic Novel Critics Poll

By PW staff

Dec 21, 2016
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/comics/article/72373-march-book-three-tops-10th-annual-pw-graphic-novel-critics-poll.html

"La Fabrique à Bulles" - "Bubble Factory" contest

The Alliance Française 

de washington, dc

Presents the Second Edition of

A Graphic Novel Contest! 

The 2017 Theme:

​Childhood Memories / Les Souvenirs d'Enfance 

8 December 2016 - 30 April 2017 

Alliance Française de Washington DC  |  FranceDC.org  |  +1 202.234.7911
2142 Wyoming Avenue N.W. | Washington, DC 20008 | USA

Juana Medina (and Cece Bell) reviewed in NY Times

Two New Chapter Books for Rookie Readers

By SARAH MLYNOWSKI

A version of this review appears in print on December 18, 2016, on Page BR19 of the Sunday Book Review with the headline: Opening a New Chapter.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/16/books/review/two-new-chapter-books-for-rookie-readers.html

Telnaes, Toles and Cavna on 2016 cartooning

How three editorial cartoonists took on 2016

by Ann Telnaes, Tom Toles and Michael Cavna

Medium (December 16 2016):

https://medium.com/thewashingtonpost/how-three-editorial-cartoonists-took-on-2016-d4154fe5b0fa#.ihb1mh1bk

12/17: Charles Soule at Third Eye Comics

Richard Thompson remembered in Montgomery College alumni magazine

Richard Thompson '78; Cartoonist Richard Thompson made us laugh.

Gail Rubin
Montgomery College's INSIGHTS Fall 2016, p. 44
online (December 6 2016) at http://mcblogs.montgomerycollege.edu/insights/2016/12/06/cartoonist-richard-thompson-made-us-laugh/

Ron Wimberly interviewed by Calvin Reid

I believe Wimberly is a DC native.

More To Come 240: Ron Wimberly interview

Calvin Reid

PW Comics World: More To Come 12/09/2016
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?channel=2&podcast=668

ReDistricted: 'Emancipation Day'

The new installment of ReDistricted is up, featuring "Emancipation Day" by writer Chad Lambert and artist Mark McMurray. 

Dec. 17: The Return of Grump!

The off-beat holiday expo GRUMP returns this Saturday, Dec. 17, to the Shops in Crystal City in Arlington, Va. Among the vendors are local comic-bookers Santiago Casares, Jason Rodriguez and myself.

Esther Kim leaving Fantom Comics store for Image Comics publisher

From today's Fantom Comics newsletter -

Saturday, December 17 – Fantom Holiday Party: "Bon Voyage, Esther!" – Our holiday party! With party games, booze, and a tearful farewell to Esther, who's leaving in January to go work for Image Comics in Portland, Oregon. Stop by to celebrate the holiday season AND say farewell to the gal before she leaves!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1535864199773797/

Fantom has become one of DC's standout stores, and we'll miss Esther and her enthusiasm.

Matt Dembicki tells me that current employee Jake Shapiro is taking over as manager.

Ben Hatke interview at Paste

Mighty Jack Cartoonist Ben Hatke on Juggling Art, Blowing Fire and Creating Ridiculously Charming Comics

By Hillary Brown 
Paste Magazine December 12, 2016
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/12/mighty-jack-cartoonist-ben-hatke-on-circus-life-ru.html

Eddie Campbell on March

Episode 16: Eddie Campbell (Part I)

BY Greg Hunter

Comic Book Decalogue Dec 12, 2016

http://www.tcj.com/episode-16-eddie-campbell-part-i/

Local comic books make more Best of 2016 lists

March and The Vision make this list -

Top 10 Graphic Novels of 2016

Rob Salkowitz ,  Dec 8, 2016

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robsalkowitz/2016/12/08/the-best-graphic-literature-of-2016/#2c17eaf414f2

 March, The Vision and Sheriff of Babylon make this list -

The 31 Most Interesting Comics of 2016

 Rich Barrett

Mental Floss December 2016

http://mentalfloss.com/article/89562/31-most-interesting-comics-2016

Venus Winston, October 8, 1981-December 11, 2016

by Mike Rhode & Matt Dembicki

According to her Facebook page, artist and cartoonist Venus Winston passed away last night, from cancer. She was a member of the DC Comics Conspiracy (DCC) and a contributor to the group's Magic Bullet comics newspaper. 

Winston was a DC native, but lived recently in Hyattsville, MD. For an interview with us earlier this year, she noted, "In high school I attended Duke Ellington School of the Arts majoring in Visual Arts. After graduating I majored in Illustration at Rhode Island School of Design. I started making art at age 8 and loved reading comic books. I actually didn't start creating comics till 2010, when I started writing. Before this, I wanted to be a children's book illustrator or animation."  Winston began her "Cooking with Cancer" comic in 2014 as her own therapy. In addition to showing how to prepare food that might help a cancer patient, Winston was in favor of medical marijuana to stimulate the appetite.

Earlier this year, Winston was invited to present on her comic at Dundee University in Scotland this summer for the Annual International Graphic Medicine Conference. While fundraising to attend the conference, Winston wrote, "I lost my ovaries to cancerous Krukenberg tumors and it is my belief I survived by enforcing a healthy diet and mindset within my personal environment. 'Cooking with Cancer' has now grown into a collection of short stories, recipes and informative pieces focusing on my experience with cancer and how food can help beat illness."

Winston told us in September, "In a few months, I'll be self-publishing a children's book I've been working on for years." If her family continues that plan, ComicsDC will attempt to highlight it. Her work can be seen on her websites www.bongyongart.com and www.cookingwithcancer.tumblr.com

We here at ComicsDC send our condolences to her family and friends.

'They Came to See Me Die!' No. 2

The long-awaited continuation to They Came to See Me Die! is now available! OK, not sure it's really long-awaited, but we finally got it printed. It's the story of legendary aviator Lincoln Beachey--and I'm willing to guess you've never heard of him. Too bad. He was quite the guy. But you can learn now about him in our comic (art by Andrew Cohen, story by me). I've attached the first few pages. Email me or ping me on Facebook if you'd like a copy. 

 

My mini-comics collection now at Library of Congress

by Matt Dembicki

On Friday, I loaded up the minivan and brought my minicomics collection to the Library of Congress. It wasn't easy to part with, because these are not just books, but momentos and memories. But in the end, LOC will do a much better job preserving it and allowing researchers and others to find those gems they're looking for. My collection is mostly from 2000 up to present (with a heavy does of Midwest and D.C. area cartoonists) but there are a bunch from earlier decades as well as from other countries. One that comes to mind was a mini done by Kevin Eastman before he did Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Cast a Vote for that Occasional Contributor to the ComicsDC blog, aka Steve

Last week, while laying in bed reading, getting ready to fall asleep, I suddenly heard a gleeful squeal from my wife Kris, who happened to be looking at her i-phone with eyes wide open. Barely able to get the words out of her mouth, she managed to inform me that I was nominated in the "best artist" category for the current 2017 Best of Loudoun poll. At first I thought she was being funny, but to my pleasant surprise, there was my name, among about fourteen others. In the past, Kris and I would fill in these polls, and I'd always give Kris my "write-in" vote, as she would also do with me, but this time I found myself on the actual list. I'm not sure what it means to be "best artist", as there is a plethora of great artists in this very large county known as Loudoun, however I am very grateful to whoever it was who nominated me, and found my work worthy enough to be in this poll. If you also find my artwork worthy, and if you've followed my artistic endeavors and adventures for a while, or if you've just found out about it and like what you see, then why not vote for me? A win is definitely a long shot, but it's always so nice to see there are folks who appreciate what you do, somewhere out there. By the way, the pic below is just a screen shot. HERE's the link to vote. It's simple and you can vote from anywhere. Thanks a ton, in the meantime (and apologies for the horn tooting)! -Steve Loya

                                                                                                                                              

Bedtime for Batman's Dahl at Hooray for Books

by Mike Rhode

A few nights ago, author Michael Dahl entertained a group of youngsters wearing their Batjammies at Alexandria's Hooray for Books. Dahl put on his own set and then read the book he wrote that is illustrated by Ethen Beavers. Dahl's story draws a parallel between a young boy getting ready for bed and Batman heading out to fight crime. Beavers did an excellent job with the Batman Adventures animation style. The book is aimed at the very young, and the children in the crowd certainly enjoyed it. Full disclosure - I was the only adult there without young children.

 

Dahl's next book is Good Morning, Superman, but some children starting reading it so I didn't get a glimpse. It's by a different artist though.

And they have autographed Wimpy Kid books for sale still.

Washington Wizards Collecti-Con on Feb. 26

The Washington Wizards are starting a one-day, all-age sports/pop culture/comic book show that will happen a few hours before their game on Sunday, Feb. 26 (10 am to 2 pm). It's $100 for a table (includes 4 tickets to the game). The agreement/applications forms are below.

 

Juana Medina interview in Wash City paper

Juana Medina, Children's Book Scribe

Liz Garrigan

Washington City Paper (December 9 2016): 15-16

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/special-issues/article/20846183/the-people-issue-2016#medina

Juana Medina on the Kojo Nmamdi show

Audio should be online tomorrow.

How To Fall In Love With Reading As A Young English Language Learner

Kojo Nmamdi Show Dec 07 2016

http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2016-12-07/helping-young-english-language-learners-love-reading

Learning a new language is an enriching, educational experience for some children and a necessity for others. For D.C. based author and illustrator Juana Medina, learning English in her native Columbia was a requirement she resisted as a child, yet appreciated later as an adult. Medina uses her early experience in her latest book "Juana & Lucas" to both encourage children to learn and to foster an appreciation of diversity in young readers. We talk with Medina and Mary Ellen Icaza of Montgomery County Public Libraries about the role communities have in encouraging young readers of varied backgrounds, and how libraries can make immigrant families feel more at home.

Guests

• Mary Ellen Icaza Public Services Administrator for Community Engagement, Programming, and Learning, Montgomery County Public Libraries
• Juana Medina author and illustrator, "Juana & Lucas" and "1 Big Salad"; teacher, George Washington University

D.C. in new 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' movie?

The trailer teaser for the upcoming "Spider-Man: Homecoming" movie has the webslinger sitting on top of the Washington Monument.

The Post on Krazy Kat's Creator

What was the source of Krazy Kat's comic genius?

By Glen David Gold
Washington Post.com (December 6 2016): https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/what-was-the-source-of-krazy-kats-comic-genius/2016/12/06/561381e8-bb1f-11e6-91ee-1adddfe36cbe_story.html 

NPR's comics of the year list includes locals

NPR's Book Concierge

Our Guide To 2016's Great Reads

Showing books tagged Comics & Graphic Novels (31)

Produced by Nicole Cohen, Rose Friedman, Petra Mayer and Beth Novey | Executive Producer: Ellen Silva
Designed by David Eads, Juan Elosua and Clinton King – Published Dec. 6, 2016

http://apps.npr.org/best-books-2016/#/tag/comics-and-graphic-novels

Produced by DC-area types are:

The Caped Crusade: Batman And The Rise Of Nerd Culture
by Glen Weldon

Cook Korean! A Comic Book With Recipes
by Robin Ha

March: Book Three
by John Lewis, with Andrew Aydin, illustrated by Nate Powell

Vision Volume 1: Little Worse Than A Man
by Tom King, illustrated by Gabriel Hernandez Walta

Matt Wuerker's Facebook page is...

https://www.facebook.com/wuerkercartoons/

Comic Riffs on Resist!

Cartoonists are creating a newspaper to protest Trump's view of women

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog December 1 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/12/01/hundreds-of-cartoonists-are-creating-a-newspaper-to-protest-trumps-view-of-women/

March vol 3 is #1 on Paste's best comics list

The 25 Best Comics of 2016

By The Paste Comics Crew  |  December 5, 2016 
https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/12/the-best-comics-of-2016.html?a=1

More on the upcoming Resist! comic

An anti-Trump comics collection edited by the Spiegelman family

By Gabe Friedman
December 2, 2016
http://www.jta.org/2016/12/02/life-religion/an-anti-trump-comics-collection-edited-by-the-spiegelman-family

Clay Jones on the ridiculous Comet Ping Pong problem

Paranoid Pizza

Work in progress: 'Magic Bullet' 14 cover

Sneak peek at the cover-in-progress for Magic Bullet #14 by Wendi Strang-Frost. Deadline for submissions and ads is Jan. 2. 

 

Dec 28: Adults Read YA Book Club - Gene Yang's American Born Chinese

Adults Read YA Book Club Pick

Wednesday, December 28th at 6:30 pm

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

Three apparently unrelated tales come together with an unexpected twist in this modern fable. In one story, Jin-Wang is the only Chinese American student at his school. He is picked on by jocks and bullies, and to make matters worse, he falls hopelessly in love with an all-American girl. Another strand of this novel tells the tale of the Monkey King, one of the oldest and greatest Chinese fables. A third story involves Danny and his cousin, Chin-Kee. When Chin-Kee makes his yearly visit, he ruins Danny's life and Danny has to switch schools to escape the shame. These three tales weave together in this astonishing novel from Gene Luen Yang.

Hooray for Books 1555 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 548-4092 info@hooray4books.com www.hooray4books.com