A Chat with Matt Dembicki online at City Paper now

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Matt Dembicki

Posted by Mike Rhode on Mar. 15, 2010

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/15/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-matt-dembicki/

PR: Bamn ...And the Small Press Expo!

From: Troy Allen <bamncan@hotmail.com>

Last week, The Bamn Crew announced that we would be rolling into the Baltimore Comic Con in October. Well, it appears we will be having a busy 2 weeks --- I neglected to mention that we will also be returning to the Small Press Expo on September 26th thru the 27th of 2009.

We debuted the first issue of Bamn last year at "S.P.X." and will be debuting Jay's solo book "Crystal Clear" this year.

As an added bonus, we are exhibiting under DC Conspiracy, the same people who gave us The Dr. Dremo War Anthology. DC Conspiracy will be debuting their new Dremo book titled "The Spoils of Crime" which contains a short story by David Dean and I (Troy)!

You can find more about The SPX at their website: http://www.spxpo.com/

DC Conspiracy's Chris Piers interviewed

See "Comic book writing - a perspective from Chris Piers," Mark Ruffin, July 7, 2009.

Counter Culture Fest crucial additional information

I've just been told "Viva Vienna shuts down Church St. for their festival. To make their way around the festivities, the easiest way to get to Dominion from Route 123 is to turn on Lawyers Rd. and take a right on Ayr Hill Ave (about 1/4 mile down Lawyers). Stay on Ayr Hill until you come to the stop sign at Ayr Hill and Dominion. Turn left on Dominion and we are on the right--#316. The Soundry, LLC, 316 Dominion Rd.,NE, Vienna, VA 22180, http://www.soundry.net."

D.C. Conspiracy's Counter Culture Fest IV featured in today's Post

See "Step Right Up to Counter Culture," By Lavanya Ramanathan, Washington Post Saturday, May 23, 2009. Since it's not in a bar, it's kid-friendly this year and I'll probably bring my daughter. If anyone's going, chime in below and perhaps we can set a time to meet and not have a beer.

New comic: 'Dr. Dremo's Taphouse of Tall Talls and Short Stories: The Horrors of War'

Matt Dembicki would like you to know:

The D.C. Conspiracy (www.dcconspiracy.com) premieres 'Dr. Dremo's Taphouse of Tall Talls and Short Stories: The Horrors of War,' it's latest themed-anthology (war) this Sunday, May 24, at the D.C. Conspiracy's Counter Culture Fest IV at the Soundry (www.soundry.net) in Vienna, Va.

The 72-page B&W book ($8) features a cover by Scott White and stories by Matt Dembicki, Evan Keeling, Andrew Cohen, Jason Rodriguez, Frank Naif and more!

May 24: fourth annual Counter Culture Fest

The D.C. Conspiracy is hosting its fourth annual Counter Culture Fest on Sunday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Soundry in Vienna,Va. The event is FREE. For a list of exhibitors (comics, zines, T-shirts, original art, etc.), workshops, screenprinting, etc.) and entertainment (music, comedy, etc.), visit www.dcconspiracy.com.

Bamn and DC Conspiracy PR

This one came in a few days ago, but slipped down the screen...

On the shoe laces of the DC Conspiracy’s “Horrors of War” anthology, we have now agreed to do another short for the DCC. This time, a yet-to-be-titled crime comic. Not sure who will be doing the art just yet (Dave or Jay), but David seemed intrigued and little disturbed by the opportunity to draw a person with their head crushed by a TV…

Similar to “Horrors of War,” the book will be edited by Evan Keeling and is tentatively scheduled for a July release date.
Want to find out more about the DCC and their quarterly anthology comics? Go here: http://www.dcconspiracy.com/

David Dean (“Bamn” Co-creator and “Horrors of War” artist) has agreed to be the colorist for the cover to Bamn #2. This will be our first color cover, but David showed me a few samples of some pre-existing artwork and it looks awesome. He definitely knows his way around whatever-the-hell-software he uses to work with.
We got a bit of flack from convention-goers (and friends) for doing Bamn #1 with a Black & White cover. Ultimately, it was issue of finances and time restraint (we literally got our original print a few days before our first comic show).

There has been a bit of delay in getting Bamn #1 to Alliance Comics and Games, it was entirely due to printing issues. It took a little bit longer this time, but we’ve been informed that the books should be out of Comixpress in NJ and into our possession very soon. That means, that very soon, Alliance Comics and Games will be the first store to sell Bamn directly off the shelf.

We are also working on bringing the title to Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, MD…and of course you can always purchase Bamn at comixpress.com: http://store.comixpress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1195&zenid=ls8k97lgud2a7aivip7ah57va0

Lastly, The DCC is hosting their annual Counter Culture Fest at The Soundry in Viena, Va. The Fest will feature artwork, comics, music, and sellable accoutrements from a pack of DC-Area creatives. The show will be held on May 24, 2009 and Bamn is slated to debut its’ second issue there. Be sure to come on out, get inspired, get creative, and get supportive. For more info about The Counter Culture Fest, go to:
http://www.soundry.net/

Horrors of War story preview available

Troy Allen writes in:

Switching it up this week. I figured I'd treat you kids to a preview page of "Disposable Heroes," A short story by the Bamn crew. It is slated to be featured in the "The Horrors of War" anthology book, presented by Dr. Dremo's Taphouse (R.I.P.) and the fine people of the DC Conspiracy.

The premise for the short is based on a true life account...but, yes, that is a Star Wars homage that you are seeing below. The story revolves around SPC Sergio Estavia's experience on Christmas during the Iraqi general election. A seeminlgy quiet evening for his convoy gives way to a fiery act of revenge.

Jay did the layouts, David did the final art, and I (me) did the typos. The book is due for an April release and will be available in comic shops around the D.C., Maryland, Virginia.

You can find out more here: http://dcconspiracy.com/

D.C. Conspiracy tidbits

Matt Dembicki writes in with "D.C. Conspiracy tidbits. We've started what we hope to be a new feature on our Web site www.dcconspiracy.com called 'Three Questions,' where were ask three questions of creators in the group and feature a few photos. (We've done one for Evan Keeling and Scott White so far.)

Also, we've finally nailed down a date and place for Counter Culture Fest IV! It'll be Sunday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Soundry in Vienna, Va. Promotional poster to come soon!"

He also notes that you can vote for the Fest at the City Paper's Best of DC list.

D.C. Conspiracy's website redone

Matt Dembicki wrote in to say, "D.C. Conspiracy's Web site has a new look. Check it out at www.dcconspiracy.com."

Jan 19: DC Conspiracy at Dr. Dremo's CORRECTED

DC Conspiracy members will be present at Dr. Dremo's tomorrow at the Counter Culture Festival with comics for sale beginning at 4 pm. I'm going to try to make this one.

SPX and DC's Matt Dembicki in the Examiner today UPDATED

The Examiner has a brief article on SPX today (now on the right, shhh) - Matt Dembicki of the local DC Conspiracy artists group is quoted in it. Matt's at SPX selling his Mr. Big, the story of a large turtle, which Matt says is all-ages appropriate.

Also, apparently yesterday's Post Weekend had a brief article, and on Thursday, Scott Rosenberg had a good size piece about Matt Wagner and SPX in the Express, with a lovely piece of art by Paul Horshenheiemer. He's got extras and he's roaming at SPX interviewing cartoonists with Chris Porter also of the Express.

I'll be there circa 1:30 on Saturday with Richard Thompson of the Post and Cul de Sac in tow.

Free Comic Book Day at Big Monkey Comics, Washington DC

On FCBD, a neighbor and I loaded up his minivan with kids - my 9-year-old daughter, a friend of hers, and his 7 and 4-year old daughters. We cruised into the city on 14th St, and drove right past Big Monkey Comics' new home. They had formerly been in Georgetown, but moved in March to 1722-B 14th St, NW (202-333-8650). The store has a couple of signs, and a monkey on the 2nd floor window. After going up a narrow stairway, we got into the store which was fairly crowded with a twenty-something average customer. The free comics were set up in the back room where the new comics racks are - the kids (and adults) each got to pick 3 comics and they also were giving away sets of bagged back issues. The kids all went out into the small hallway and started reading their comics while I took a quick look around. I'd say the store has less stock than it did on Wisconsin Avenue, but it has a little more space, some of which was being used for a table for a Heroclix game. The staff was friendly, and all wore FCBD shirts that made them easily identifiable.

The kids continued reading in the van and we cruised over to Georgetown to visit Big Planet's Dumbarton Street store. Store owner Peter's known me for years, and let the kids pick up some more comics while not holding me to the store's limit of 10 freebies. However I dropped a hundred on sale books and toys, so I think he came out ahead. The store continues to have a good range of collections and indy material - perhaps the best selection of the three stores. There was a good crowd here too and Peter was happy with the turnout.

The girls continued reading in the car. My daughter's friend was most taken with Fantagraphics' Peanuts - she reads the comics in the newspaper when she can. My daughter gets comics regularly so was a bit more jaded, and I'm not sure what the neighbors daughters were reading, although the 4-year-old passed out on the ride anyway. Both stores carried the DC Conspiracy's mini-comic as well and I picked up one for Michigan State University's Comic Art Collection which I'd encourage all 17 of my readers to donate to.