Mother's Play: Roz Chast's latest New Yorker cover brilliantly stitches in the magic of embroidery
You're a good Canadian, Charlie Brown: $345 million deal looks like a smart move for 'Peanuts'
Monday, May 15, 2017
Comic Riffs on Peanuts sale, Chast embroidery and Thompson's RFK award
Comic Riffs on Blitt's latest New Yorker cover
This is the best visual metaphor so far for Trump's ouster of Comey, courtesy of the New Yorker
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Tuesday, May 09, 2017
May 20: Graphic Novel Workshop at Hooray for Books
Graphic Novel Workshop with Vanessa Bettencourt
Saturday, May 20th: 3 pm
Have you ever wanted to write your own graphic novel? Or wondered what the process is to write and publish your own book? Join us for a FREE workshop with graphic novel author, Vanessa Bettencourt, who has written the Polly and the Black Ink series.
1555 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.hooray4books.comMonday, May 08, 2017
Flugennocks' Latest'n'Greatest: "Nah Nah, Hey Hey, Goodbye"
From DC's anarchist cartoonist, Mike Flugennock:
Last week, after having their asses handed to them on the healthcare bill, Democrats in the House Of Representatives inexplicably, gleefully burst into a chorus of "nah nah, hey hey, goodbye" in response.
This was claimed to have been a sarcastic response to indicate that Conservatives would lose their seats in next year's midterm elections because of their support of "Trumpcare", but it was just another example of the Democratic Party's arrogance, short-sightedness, selfishness, and utter political tone-deafness.
Last week, after having their asses handed to them on the healthcare bill, Democrats in the House Of Representatives inexplicably, gleefully burst into a chorus of "nah nah, hey hey, goodbye" in response.
This was claimed to have been a sarcastic response to indicate that Conservatives would lose their seats in next year's midterm elections because of their support of "Trumpcare", but it was just another example of the Democratic Party's arrogance, short-sightedness, selfishness, and utter political tone-deafness.
June 14-17: Library of Congress pop-up exhibit on comics
from https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-17-069/?loclr=eaue
....
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden today announced that the Library will host a series of pop-up displays in its Thomas Jefferson Building to showcase a wider variety of its vast collections.
The pop-ups will feature items related to current events or connect with something happening locally.
.....
The second is Library of Awesome, featuring items from the Library's comic- book collections June 14-17 in conjunction with Awesome-Con, Washington's annual convention of comics, cosplay and pop culture. The Library of Awesome is made possible by gifts to the Library of Congress Fund.
Both pop-ups will be held in the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street, S.E. Both events are free and open to the public. Additional details, including hours and special presentations, will be announced in the coming weeks.
.....
July 9: Neil Gaiman at Wolf Trap
"I make things up and write them down," is the way Neil Gaiman describes his varied art. His popular and acclaimed works, including Coraline, The Sandman, American Gods (television adaption coming in 2017), and The Graveyard Book have reached audiences of all ages and made Gaiman one of the most celebrated writers of our time. In this live event, "An Evening with Neil Gaiman," he will tell stories and read stories, answer questions, and in his own words "amaze, befuddle and generally delight. It will be fun and odd and not like any other evening with Neil Gaiman."
Tickets on sale now!
Tickets on sale now!
A new Shadow sketch by Wayno
Here's my latest sketch of the Shadow by Pittsburgh's Wayno, a birthday gift from my daughter.
May 13: Library Comic Con in Chantilly with Gene Yang
http://fairfaxlibraryfoundation.org/2017/04/26/library-comic-con/
Fairfax County Public Library is presenting their first Library Comic Con on Saturday, May 13 from 10am – 2:30pm at Chantilly High School! This may be the only Comic Con you'll find for FREE and it's family friendly!
From the library's website:
"Geek out" at our celebration of comic books, science fiction, fantasy, TV, movies and more, featuring Gene Luen Yang, author of the Secret Coders and Avatar: The Last Airbender series (Mr. Yang speaks at 10:30). Books available for sale and signing. Workshops, artists, vendors, prizes, food trucks and cosplay. Family-friendly costumes encouraged. Cosponsored by the Friends of the Chantilly Regional Library. Kids, teens and adults. No registration necessary.
Chantilly High School, 4201 Stringfellow Rd., Chantilly.
Comic Con Schedule – May 13
10:00 – Doors open (Use Main Entrance, Door #1)10-2:30 – Vendors, Artists' Alley
10-1:00 – Cosplay Central and Superhero Training Camp
10:30 – Keynote Speaker: Gene Luen Yang
11:15 – Author signing begins (limit 2 books per person)
11:45 – Choose from Panel Discussion or Workshop (see details below!)
12-2:30 – Gaming/Chill Zone
12:30 – Lunch, Author signing continues
1:00 – Choose from Nerd Jeopardy or Workshop (see details below!)
2:00 – Cosplay Contest!
*Food trucks will be on site starting at 11am
McDonnell's ‘Me…Jane’ Musical coming to Kennedy Center
Patrick McDonnell of Mutts drew a children's book about scientist Jane Goodall. He reports that it'll be adapted by the Kennedy Center in November.
Saturday, May 06, 2017
The Post on Disney weddings and Guardians vol. 2
What's it like getting married at Disney? It's not always a fairy tale [in print as Weddings, wished upon a star].
Washington Post
online at Is young Kurt Russell in 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' the best de-aging of an actor ever? [in print as In 'Guardians,' the young Russell is a CGI marvel, May 6, p. C1, 4]
How 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' reflects its director's painful childhood
Comic Riffs blog
The City Paper on Guardians Vol. 2 and Dash Shaw's animation
My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea Is a Trippy Animated Disaster Comedy [in print as The Fault in Their Stars]
Director Dash Shaw pays homage to various films, TV shows, and videogames, including The Poseidon Adventure in his feature debut.
Washington City Paper May 5, 2017, p. 23
online at http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/film-tv/blog/20860315/my-entire-high-school-sinking-into-the-sea-reviewed With Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, James Gunn Delivers Another Marvel Hit [in print as Space is the Place].
The film builds off the success of the first Guardians of the Galaxy, while adding emotional depth to its characters.
Washington City Paper May 5, 2017, p. 25
online athttp://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/film-tv/blog/20860276/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-reviewed
Friday, May 05, 2017
Mike Thompson wins Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for cartooning
"The Flint Water Scandal," by Mike Thompson
Detroit Free Press
More information is here - http://rfkhumanrights.org/news/news/announcing-2017-robert-f-kennedy-journalism-awards-winners/
NPR on Free Comic Book Day and Guardians 2
A Guide To Free Comic Book Day 2017: The Don't-Misses And The Near-Misses
http://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2017/05/05/525707610/a-guide-to-free-comic-book-day-2017-the-dont-misses-and-the-near-misses
Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2' And W. Kamau Bell
http://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2017/05/05/526865362/pop-culture-happy-hour-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-and-w-kamau-bell
https://play.podtrac.com/npr-510282/npr.mc.tritondigital.com/PCHH_PODCAST/media/anon.npr-mp3/npr/pchh/2017/05/20170505_pchh_pchh_346__-_final.mp3
Amanda Frazier: An Artomatic Interview
by Mike Rhode
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
I wouldn’t have thought of myself as someone doing comic work until receiving this, but perhaps because I think that has a lot to do with feeling like comic artists are more likely the actual creators of content, whereas I’m sorta more reproducing, sometimes throwing in my own spin and drawing attention to it?
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
Acrylic on canvas, but I don’t do the Ben-Day dots like Lichtenstein so everything is solid.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I’m going to play coy on the when but the where is Fairfax, VA.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
Not in Washington, though I often wish I was, but I live in Northern Virginia.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
None. I’ve been making art of some sort since I could grasp a crayon. In my 8th grade art class I was making quirky things to entertain my friends, or myself but I could tell that it wasn’t considered “real” or “serious” art so I abandoned it.
Who are your influences?
Obviously pop artists like Lichtenstein and Warhol influence me. Growing up I was drawn to their bold, flat colors and I enjoyed the attention they brought to everyday things. For my teen years-early 20’s, I worked in collage and spent hours cutting up old magazines, advertisements, comics, and photographs; delighting in placing them in out of context and sometimes inappropriate situations. I felt like I was creating art, but also playing. Eventually I switched over to mainly painting, but never lost my appreciation for comic book artwork.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
Well, I don’t have a career related to art so perhaps I would go back and tell my teen self not to give up, that there is plenty of room in the art world for the stuff I create. Maybe find a way to blend my current job (librarian) with something creative.
What work are you best-known for?
I don’t know about “known,” but most pieces are related to pop culture.
What work are you most proud of?
Anything that I can create that also speaks to someone else.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I’ve always wanted to incorporate music. Or a background loop of farting noises.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
Originally I got back into art to distract me from the writer’s block I was suffering from with my creative writing.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
I’m curious to see how the increased use of 3D printing will shape and be shaped by the art world.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Awesome Con, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?
I’ve attended SPX a few times and last year Awesome Con. They’re fun and most excellent for people watching.
What's your favorite thing about DC?
There is an endless supply of new and exciting things to do or see.
Least favorite?
Traffic.
What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?
I love the Renwick, Portrait Gallery, and Hirshhorn.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Not in DC but out in the hinterland I’ve been having a long-term love affair with Kumo Sushi in Herndon.
Do you have a website or blog?
I used to have one, but because I’d go through periods of inactivity, updating it seemed like a chore. Then I went to Meet the Artist night last weekend and felt neglectful for not having any web presence so I went home and put stuff up on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyoldskoolgeek/
My etsy shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/oldskoolgeek/
Amanda Frazier will probably be our last Artomatic interview since the show closes tomorrow. She's a librarian who's lately been painting pieces taken from a single panel of an older comic book.
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
I wouldn’t have thought of myself as someone doing comic work until receiving this, but perhaps because I think that has a lot to do with feeling like comic artists are more likely the actual creators of content, whereas I’m sorta more reproducing, sometimes throwing in my own spin and drawing attention to it?
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
Acrylic on canvas, but I don’t do the Ben-Day dots like Lichtenstein so everything is solid.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I’m going to play coy on the when but the where is Fairfax, VA.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
Not in Washington, though I often wish I was, but I live in Northern Virginia.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
None. I’ve been making art of some sort since I could grasp a crayon. In my 8th grade art class I was making quirky things to entertain my friends, or myself but I could tell that it wasn’t considered “real” or “serious” art so I abandoned it.
Who are your influences?
Obviously pop artists like Lichtenstein and Warhol influence me. Growing up I was drawn to their bold, flat colors and I enjoyed the attention they brought to everyday things. For my teen years-early 20’s, I worked in collage and spent hours cutting up old magazines, advertisements, comics, and photographs; delighting in placing them in out of context and sometimes inappropriate situations. I felt like I was creating art, but also playing. Eventually I switched over to mainly painting, but never lost my appreciation for comic book artwork.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
Well, I don’t have a career related to art so perhaps I would go back and tell my teen self not to give up, that there is plenty of room in the art world for the stuff I create. Maybe find a way to blend my current job (librarian) with something creative.
What work are you best-known for?
I don’t know about “known,” but most pieces are related to pop culture.
What work are you most proud of?
Anything that I can create that also speaks to someone else.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I’ve always wanted to incorporate music. Or a background loop of farting noises.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
Originally I got back into art to distract me from the writer’s block I was suffering from with my creative writing.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
I’m curious to see how the increased use of 3D printing will shape and be shaped by the art world.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Awesome Con, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?
I’ve attended SPX a few times and last year Awesome Con. They’re fun and most excellent for people watching.
What's your favorite thing about DC?
There is an endless supply of new and exciting things to do or see.
Least favorite?
Traffic.
What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?
I love the Renwick, Portrait Gallery, and Hirshhorn.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Not in DC but out in the hinterland I’ve been having a long-term love affair with Kumo Sushi in Herndon.
Do you have a website or blog?
I used to have one, but because I’d go through periods of inactivity, updating it seemed like a chore. Then I went to Meet the Artist night last weekend and felt neglectful for not having any web presence so I went home and put stuff up on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyoldskoolgeek/
My etsy shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/oldskoolgeek/
The Express on Wonder Woman
This may be the reason you're not seeing much 'Wonder Woman' marketing [in print as Ad subtraction: Wonder if this is sexism? It's not].
The Reelist is a column featuring Kristen Page-Kirby's musings on movies.
The Post on Guardians 2 and Dash Shaw's animation
'My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea': Laughs amid the waves [in print as Finally, a movie for teen freaks, geeks and misfits].
The animation of "My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea" isn't any more sophisticated than what could be found doodled on a notebook, but the comedy has an ocean's worth of cleverness and nihilism. (Gkids)
'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2': Bigger, better — and more touching — than the original [in print as A sequel that's bigger, better, more touching].
From left, Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Nebula (Karen Gillan), Star-Lord/Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), Drax (Dave Bautista) and Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) reprise their roles in Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2." It's more expansive, more beautiful, funnier and nuttier than the first film — and it features another great soundtrack. (Film Frame/Marvel Studios)
Signed Reid Fleming book on sale at Second Story Books in DC
David Boswell
FUN WITH REID FLEMING
WORLD'S TOUGHEST MILKMAN
[SIGNED] Forestville, California: Eclipse Books, 1991. Limited Edition. Number 3 of 300 copies, signed by author on limitations page. The inspiration for Boswell's truculent milkman includes a real-life childhood bully and influences as wide-ranging as film directors Josef von Sternberg and Luis Buñuel, composer Hector Berlioz, comedians Buster Keaton and W.C. Fields, humorist Robert Benchley, and early Hollywood and European cinema stars. A unique character optioned in the 1980s for a film as yet unproduced. Hardcover with dust jacket. 173 pages.
9-315-1272780 $100
Sat, May 6: Free Comic Book Day
Local comics stores will be handing out comics. There's over 50 possible selections although no one store will be carrying everything most likely. Remember that the comics aren't free to the store, so try to buy something while you're there.
Details of the day are at http://www.freecomicbookday.com/catalog
Thursday, May 04, 2017
PR: Free Comic Book Day - Saturday, May 6th at Beyond Comics
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Wednesday, May 03, 2017
Local Eisner award nominations
Here's the local people (and some former D.C.-area folks):
Best Limited Series
* The Vision, by Tom King and Gabriel Walta (Marvel)
Best Short Story
* "Good Boy," by Tom King and David Finch, in Batman Annual #1 (DC)
Best Reality-Based Work
* March (Book Three), by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell (Top Shelf)
Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism
* Comic Riffs blog, by Michael Cavna and David Betancourt
* PanelPatter.com, edited by Rob McMonigal
Best Single Issue/One-Shot
* Babybel Wax Bodysuit, by Eric Kostiuk Williams (Retrofit/Big Planet)
* Blammo #9, by Noah Van Sciver (Kilgore Books)
Best Webcomic
* The Middle Age, by Steve Conley
Best Limited Series
* The Vision, by Tom King and Gabriel Walta (Marvel)
Best Short Story
* "Good Boy," by Tom King and David Finch, in Batman Annual #1 (DC)
Best Reality-Based Work
* March (Book Three), by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell (Top Shelf)
Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism
* Comic Riffs blog, by Michael Cavna and David Betancourt
* PanelPatter.com, edited by Rob McMonigal
Best Single Issue/One-Shot
* Babybel Wax Bodysuit, by Eric Kostiuk Williams (Retrofit/Big Planet)
* Blammo #9, by Noah Van Sciver (Kilgore Books)
Best Webcomic
* The Middle Age, by Steve Conley
Evan Keeling talks making museum minicomics
#AAM2017 Preview: using comics to have difficult conversations in museums
Evan Keeling
Center for the Future of Museums blog May 3, 2017
http://futureofmuseums.blogspot.com/2017/05/aam2017-preview-using-comics-to-have.htmlTuesday, May 02, 2017
Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Yer Liberals, no. 3"
From DC's anarchist cartoonist, Mike Flugennock...
"Yer Liberals, No. 3"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=2251
For the better part of a year and a half, Liberals have been screeching about how Sanders wasn't "a real Democrat", saying he was "damaging" the Democrats and that he and his supporters should leave the party -- and after a year and a half of bullying, public insults, blame-shifting, gaslighting and other abuse, most progressive Democrats and other Left constituencies are thinking that ditching the Democratic Party sounds like a helluvan idea.
Needless to say these days, Liberals aren't getting the reaction they're hoping for from the Left on that point and, of course, the Liberals are having kind of a hard time getting their heads around it. Seems that finally, Liberal Democrats and the Left have reached common ground – just not in the way Liberals wanted.
"Yer Liberals, No. 3"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=22
For the better part of a year and a half, Liberals have been screeching about how Sanders wasn't "a real Democrat", saying he was "damaging" the Democrats and that he and his supporters should leave the party -- and after a year and a half of bullying, public insults, blame-shifting, gaslighting and other abuse, most progressive Democrats and other Left constituencies are thinking that ditching the Democratic Party sounds like a helluvan idea.
Needless to say these days, Liberals aren't getting the reaction they're hoping for from the Left on that point and, of course, the Liberals are having kind of a hard time getting their heads around it. Seems that finally, Liberal Democrats and the Left have reached common ground – just not in the way Liberals wanted.
Comic Riffs on Mankoff's new Equire cartoon job
New Esquire humor editor Bob Mankoff says he'll ditch the 'delusional' open-call approach of his New Yorker years
New ReDistricted comic by Kramer is online
"The Evolution of a Monument" by Josh Kramer is now on ReDistrictedComics.com! https://www.redistrictedcomics.com/washingtonmonument
Monday, May 01, 2017
Comic Riffs reports Bob Mankoff's new job
Bob Mankoff named humor editor for Esquire one day after exiting the New Yorker
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