Cavna BEARds Pixar in their den

Comic Riffs exposes a Toy Story 3 ad campaign via faked commercials at Was Pixar behind that viral bear ad? The 'TOY STORY 3' writer talks, By Michael Cavna, June 17, 2010.

Crackin' good work, Michael.

(Sorry about that title pun).

American's Next Great Cartoonist top 10 posted, and Joe Sutliff is among them

The Post's American's Next Great Cartoonist contest top 10 finalists is posted, and NOVA's own Joe Sutliff is among them. I interviewed Joe for the City Paper recently.

The main page is here and the top 10 page is here.

Gag cartoonists Bob Erskine and Thomas Mullany, as well as Olivia Walch are also from this area, and Richard Thompson likes Dave Mitchell's strip.

Cavna on Ulysses v. Apple

The Plump Irony: Come Bloomsday, Apple admits mistake over 'Ulysses' app
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 16, 2010

Comic Riffs' full court Weingarten press

The interview -

The 'Riffs Interview: GENE WEINGARTEN, New Cartoonist, dares to attempt comic pearls before breakfast
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs June 4, 2010

The discussion of the strip at the Post Hunt event -

POST HUNT: When a comic strip stands between you and $2K

Comic Riffs' Shrek interview

The 'Riffs Interview: 'SHREK' animator Walt Dohrn steps into the oh-so-green limelight
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 21, 2010

Cavna on the political cartoon.

THE RIFF: A day after 'Draw Muhammad,' the political cartoon gets a powerful reminder
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 21, 2010

My pictures of the 2010 Herblock Award

Matt Wuerker making his acceptance speech.


George Stevens Jr. speaking about his Herblock film while Frank Swoboda looks on.


Richard Thompson and Rob Rogers.


Michael Cavna and Kevin Rechin.


Nick G's friend from Greece and Richard Thompson.


Kevin Rechin, Nick's friend from Greece and the back of Nick's head.


Nick Galifianakis with his friend from Greece and Richard Thompson (in the red tie) in the background.


Matt Wuerker's contemplating the uses to which the award may be put.


Everyone wants a picture of Matt with his award.


Richard Thompson - not ALL of those drinks were his.


Kevin Rechin's STILL contemplating the award.


Kevin Rechin's now got it all - the award, the girl, the cheesy grin. It's better not to ask questions.

Cavna on the economics of Little Orphan Annie

Good interview here with the Steve Tippie of the Tribune Media Services syndicate - "Why canceled 'LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE' is really seeing her final 'tomorrow'..." By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 17, 2010.

Comic Riffs on Frazetta's influence

A warrior's farewell: RIP, Frank Frazetta, master of fantasy illustration
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 11, 2010

-and I must say I wasn't (and still am not) immune to the allure of Frazetta's art. I bought all those Bantam collections in the '70s and still pick up used books just because he did the covers.

Post launches cartoon contest - updated

America's Next Great Cartoonist Contest. Enter now. Chance to win a one-month stint in the Washington Post Style section. Work for the man for free. No purchase necessary.

Our Man Thompson, who got paid for his Post Style cartoon appearances, is one of the judges, as is Garry "Greatest cartoonist of the 4th quarter of the 20th century" Trudeau, the Post's Gene Weingarten the latest person to break onto their comics page, and Tom "that darn" Toles as well as Stephan Pastis and Jerry Scott. Cavna's blog post on it is here and be sure to read the comments about legal concerns being raised.

I'm feeling slightly less cranky as I update this, so I will say it's a good opportunity for someone to break out of the syndication pack.

Comics Riffs announces new cartoon project on Monday

Michael Cavna's got a tease for the Post project on his blog now.

Cavna on Comedy Central Jesus cartoon

Comedy Central considers giving Jesus his own show [online title: Comedy Central considering cartoon series about Jesus], By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday, May 7, 2010; C05.

Archie's new gay character featured in Post

Kevin Keller debuts as first openly gay character in Archie's Veronica Comics
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 23, 2010; C03

Wuerker's Herblock award - Cavna makes his attendance tax-deductible

I'll have my own post up eventually, with photos from Joe Azar, but here's Michael's take on the evening -

Politico's MATT WUERKER accepts the Herblock Prize
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post's Comic Riffs blog April 16, 2010

He also talked to Steve Breen and Jen Sorenson about their recent awards -
Fischetti-winning Steve Breen: Awards 'mean more than ever' in tough times
By Michael Cavna, April 17, 2010

Comic Riffs interviews Pulitzer winner Mark Fiore

The 'Riffs Interview: New Pulitzer winner MARK FIORE drafts a path less traveled
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 13, 2010

Comic Riffs pushes Cul de Sac to sell out

Cavna thinks it should be an animated tv series based on the new RingTales shorts.

The comments quickly turned surly due to the Post's iffy record of running the Sunday strip haphazardly, as well as not updating the e-version. Our Man Thompson also chimed in with his opinion, for what that is worth.

Cavna's Kells interview

The 'Riffs Interview: 'Secret of Kells' filmmaker TOMM MOORE
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 2, 2010

Comics Riffs on Dick Giordano's death

Giordano was a great penciler and inker for DC Comics, who also became an editor there. Even if you've never read a comic book, you've seen his work because it's used on all kinds of licensed products.

RIP, Dick Giordano: Remembering a comics legend
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 29, 2010

Comic Riffs interview for Dragon Trainers in print too

Reprinted from Comic Riffs -

Cavna, Michael. 2010.
'Dragon' directors are flying in the face of fearsome 3-D technology
Washington Post (March 28): E5.

Comic Riffs interviews Dragon Trainers

The 'Riffs Interview: 'TRAIN YOUR DRAGON' directors enter a new dimension
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 26, 2010