Sunday, June 10, 2007
Now It Can Be Told - Cul de Sac bursts out of Post...
...much like that scene in Aliens when they hatch out of the guy's stomach? Perhaps.
Richard Thompson is making the leap towards daily syndication with his formerly Sunday-only Washington Post magazine strip Cul de Sac. Congratulations, Richard! You've got to love a strip that has the line, "You interest me strangely" as today's does.
The UPS website says:
Richard Thompson's "Cul de Sac," is a comic strip about the life of a pre-school girl named Alice Otterloop. It is a light-hearted comic strip centered around a four-year old girl and her suburban life experiences on a cul-de-sac. with her friends Beni and Dill, older brother Petey and her classmates at Blisshaven Academy pre-school. Alice describes her father's car as a "Honda-Tonka Cuisinart" (Cuisinart being a toaster brand) and talks to the class guinea pig, Mr. Danders. She has the typical older brother who plays jokes on her, and she contemplates ways to keep the scary clown from jumping out of the jack-in-the-box with friends.
Richard Thompson has been drawing "Cul de Sac" for the Washington Post for nearly three years. He also does the comic strip, "Richard's Poor Almanac" for the Washington Post, which he been creating for the past 10 years. Thompson's work can be seen in galleries and in several illustrated works.
"Since we came up with 'Cul de Sac' for our magazine three years ago, it's become one of our more popular features. A December 2006 web survey (randomized, but not fully scientific) indicated that 43.2 percent of our readers read 'Cul de Sac' all/almost all the time, which placed it in the top third of our recurring features. We also have anecdotal evidence that the readers who follow 'Cul de Sac' feel very attached to it — based on many impassioned letters, both to the editors, and to Richard.," explains Tom Shroder, editor, The Washington Post Magazine.
From Bill Watterson, creator of "Calvin and Hobbes":
"I became a big fan of Richard Thompson when I saw his book, Richard’s Poor Almanac. Thompson has a sharp eye, a fun sense of language and a charmingly odd take on the world. Best of all, his drawings arewonderful—something one doesn’t often see in cartoons anymore. I'm delighted to see 'Cul de Sac', and I have high hopes that Thompson will bring a much-needed jolt of energy to the daily newspaper. We have a real talent here."
Tooned In editorial cartoon site
An email from MJ, editorial cartoonist sent these three cartoons - and I'm a sucker for creative reuses of existing comics tropes (hah! Say that 3 times fast). His (or possibly hers, but I doubt it) site can be found here.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Fred Thompson finger puppet
Richard Thompson's Richard's Poor Almanack (why'd you add the 'k' anyway?) on Saturday has a Fred Thompson finger puppet... to which I can only say, "Fred Thompson?" Who cares about Fred Thompson? We could have had a Paris Hilton puppet, or a Angela Merkel or a Putin, but we get Fred Thompson? This isn't some underhanded propagandizing by relatives, is it?
Friday, June 08, 2007
Wash Post chat - Tim Rickard
Meet the Comics Pages Tim Rickard Cartoonist -- "Brewster Rockit"
Friday, June 8, 2007; 1:00 PM
Join Washington Post Comics page editor Suzanne Tobin on Friday, June 8 at 1 p.m. ET for a discussion with "Brewster Rockit" cartoonist Tim Rickard.
I was able to get a few questions in - I'd encourage you to read the whole thing as it was interesting, but here's the bits from me:
IJOCA, VA: How do you draw the strip? Pen and ink, or is it done on a computer?
Tim Rickard: Half and half. It's drawn in ink, scanned into a computer, and the rest of the work is done in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop using a Wacom tablet.
------------------------
IJOCA, VA: How long did it take you to develop the strip and get it syndicated? How many papers do you have? Did you pick up more than the Post when Amend dropped his daily?
Tim Rickard: Not enough. Now I'll have to convince another cartoonist to cutback.
_______________________
IJOCA, VA: Will you be in DC in July for the AAEC convention?
Suzanne Tobin: For those of you that don't know, AAEC is the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists convention, which will be held in D.C. July 4-7.
Tim Rickard: Sorry. I'll be busy that week staying up til 4 doing cartoons.
_______________________
IJOCA, VA: Did this strip start as a webcomic? If so, did you have to make any changes in technique, style or story when taking it into print?
Tim Rickard: No, it was a syndicated strip from the start. But it has gone through different looks since its inception, though.
_______________________
Actually, I think I was 4/4 on this one. I started posting questions because Ms. Tobin was asking them which I usually figure isn't a good sign. People might have just been surprised though as the chat has been on hiatus for a good long while except for last month's Reuben nominees. It looks like she's back though, because she closed with "Join us again next month when we meet another fascinating cartoonist
here on "Comics: Meet the Pages."" I'm glad to see these back - they're always interesting.
Friday, June 8, 2007; 1:00 PM
Join Washington Post Comics page editor Suzanne Tobin on Friday, June 8 at 1 p.m. ET for a discussion with "Brewster Rockit" cartoonist Tim Rickard.
I was able to get a few questions in - I'd encourage you to read the whole thing as it was interesting, but here's the bits from me:
IJOCA, VA: How do you draw the strip? Pen and ink, or is it done on a computer?
Tim Rickard: Half and half. It's drawn in ink, scanned into a computer, and the rest of the work is done in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop using a Wacom tablet.
------------------------
IJOCA, VA: How long did it take you to develop the strip and get it syndicated? How many papers do you have? Did you pick up more than the Post when Amend dropped his daily?
Tim Rickard: Not enough. Now I'll have to convince another cartoonist to cutback.
_______________________
IJOCA, VA: Will you be in DC in July for the AAEC convention?
Suzanne Tobin: For those of you that don't know, AAEC is the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists convention, which will be held in D.C. July 4-7.
Tim Rickard: Sorry. I'll be busy that week staying up til 4 doing cartoons.
_______________________
IJOCA, VA: Did this strip start as a webcomic? If so, did you have to make any changes in technique, style or story when taking it into print?
Tim Rickard: No, it was a syndicated strip from the start. But it has gone through different looks since its inception, though.
_______________________
Actually, I think I was 4/4 on this one. I started posting questions because Ms. Tobin was asking them which I usually figure isn't a good sign. People might have just been surprised though as the chat has been on hiatus for a good long while except for last month's Reuben nominees. It looks like she's back though, because she closed with "Join us again next month when we meet another fascinating cartoonist
here on "Comics: Meet the Pages."" I'm glad to see these back - they're always interesting.
July 7 - Cartoonists With Attitude Cartoon Slideshow
Stringer Randy T. reports that Heidi MacDonald is reporting that in addition to attending the AAEC meeting, Ted Rall's group will be speaking downtown.
Sat July 7, 2pm | DC: Cartoonists With Attitude Cartoon Slideshow w/ Ted Rall, Keith Knight, Mikhaela Reid, Stephanie McMillan, Ruben Bolling, Jen Sorensen, Masheka Wood & more @ Borders, 18th & L Streets NW Washington, DC
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Ann Telnaes editorial animations in London's Guardian
Stringer (just kidding!) and Politico editorial cartoonist (really) Matt Wuerker just emailed to say, "Ann Telnaes is just today starting to run animations off the front page of the Guardian UK. check it out-- a great new venue for political cartoons on the front page of one of the marquee international newspaper's website--- http://www.guardian.co.uk/ "
Great news, Matt. I love her work. Here's the direct link. But... "specializing in animated cartoons?" I thought she put Disney behind her when she won that Pulitzer.
Great news, Matt. I love her work. Here's the direct link. But... "specializing in animated cartoons?" I thought she put Disney behind her when she won that Pulitzer.
Comic Strip play in Baltimore
The Baltimore Sun mentions a play of interest:
A Comic Strip
Baltimore Theatre Project
45 W. Preston St.
Baltimore, MD
This delightfully funny drama tells the story of a famous comic-strip artist who, in the midst of an identity crisis, receives help from his favorite childhood comic strip characters. But despite the show's seemingly juvenile subject matter, it is definitely not for kids.
The show replaces "The 761st: Men of War" as the last show in Theatre Project's 2006-07 season.
More information about Touchstone Theater can be found at www.touchstone.org.
Jun. 7: 8 p.m.
Jun. 8: 8 p.m.
Jun. 9: 8 p.m.
Jun. 10: 7 p.m.
Jun. 14: 8 p.m.
Jun. 15: 8 p.m.
Jun. 16: 8 p.m.
Jun. 17: 7 p.m.
Price: $16
Seniors and students: $11
Box office: 410-752-8558
A Comic Strip
Baltimore Theatre Project
45 W. Preston St.
Baltimore, MD
This delightfully funny drama tells the story of a famous comic-strip artist who, in the midst of an identity crisis, receives help from his favorite childhood comic strip characters. But despite the show's seemingly juvenile subject matter, it is definitely not for kids.
The show replaces "The 761st: Men of War" as the last show in Theatre Project's 2006-07 season.
More information about Touchstone Theater can be found at www.touchstone.org.
Jun. 7: 8 p.m.
Jun. 8: 8 p.m.
Jun. 9: 8 p.m.
Jun. 10: 7 p.m.
Jun. 14: 8 p.m.
Jun. 15: 8 p.m.
Jun. 16: 8 p.m.
Jun. 17: 7 p.m.
Price: $16
Seniors and students: $11
Box office: 410-752-8558
Victor Vashi cartoons
Last weekend, I picked up some original cartoons by Victor Vashi at a flea market. These were originally done for the Plumbers Journal. The bookseller who had them wrote a note saying Vashi was the author of Red Primer for Children and Diplomats, Viewpoint Books, 1967 and illustrated the Handbook of Humor by Famous Politicians by Stephen Skubik.
Here's scans of all the cartoons, only a few of which still have their captions.
Here's scans of all the cartoons, only a few of which still have their captions.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
former DC resident David Lewis profiled
See "A DAVE LEWIS & JASON COPLAND ON EMPTY CHAMBER" by Koben Kelly, Newsarama (June 5, 2007). Dave lived around here until heading off to Boston's environs a few years back.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
new International Journal of Comic Art is out
The new International J. of Comic Art is out with articles on the history of Chinese comics, and reviews of exhibits mentioned here. It's 750 pages! For $15! If you don't subscribe, hang your head in shame. Here's the info:
An individual subscription for one year (two issues) is US$30; institutions, $40.
Back Issues are available at same rates.
Payment must be made by check or international money order in U.S. dollars payable to John A. Lent/IJOCA.
Susbscriptions should be sent to
John A. Lent,
669 Ferne Blvd.,
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
USA.
Volume 1 is no longer available (but plans to reprint it are underway).
An individual subscription for one year (two issues) is US$30; institutions, $40.
Back Issues are available at same rates.
Payment must be made by check or international money order in U.S. dollars payable to John A. Lent/IJOCA.
Susbscriptions should be sent to
John A. Lent,
669 Ferne Blvd.,
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
USA.
Volume 1 is no longer available (but plans to reprint it are underway).
Monday, June 04, 2007
World War II posters
These four posters were from Linkbelt plant in Indianapolis during the war and are owned by a friend of mine who made them available for scanning. Her grandfather saved them. I really like those monkeys.
"A Good Egg is Always on the Job: Accidents Help the Enemy ...Grandpop" by Lawson Wood.
"Production Will Knock Out the Axis: Get Plenty of Sleep ...Grandpop" by Lawson Wood.
Rumors - The Axis' Secret Weapon: Only a Dope Spills the Dope ...Grandpop" by Lawson Wood.
"Mah Engagements Been Announced, Maw" Carelessness is Costly by P. Warr.
"A Good Egg is Always on the Job: Accidents Help the Enemy ...Grandpop" by Lawson Wood.
"Production Will Knock Out the Axis: Get Plenty of Sleep ...Grandpop" by Lawson Wood.
Rumors - The Axis' Secret Weapon: Only a Dope Spills the Dope ...Grandpop" by Lawson Wood.
"Mah Engagements Been Announced, Maw" Carelessness is Costly by P. Warr.
Tonight at 8 PM: Creature Comforts
Aardman Animation's Creature Comforts, which has already been running in the UK, makes its US debut in 7 minutes. Aardman's one of the best animation studios around - leave the computer and go watch the show.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Cartoonists in Portrait Gallery's Presidents exhibit
Cartoons are making more inroads into our culture, including the Smithsonian. The National Portrait Gallery's exhibit on the presidents includes the following art by cartoonists.
Oliphant's sculptures of Presidents.
Two views of Pat Oliphant's sculpture of George H.W. Bush.
Edward Sorel's caricature of Jimmy Carter.
MAD cartoonist Jack Davis' caricature of Brezhnev and Nixon.
MAD cartoonist Mort Drucker's caricature of Mao and Nixon.
Oliphant's sculptures of Presidents.
Two views of Pat Oliphant's sculpture of George H.W. Bush.
Edward Sorel's caricature of Jimmy Carter.
MAD cartoonist Jack Davis' caricature of Brezhnev and Nixon.
MAD cartoonist Mort Drucker's caricature of Mao and Nixon.
Fun times with Bob Mankoff
Bob Mankoff gave a very interesting talk today at the Smithsonian American Art Museum as part of their Steinberg exhibit. The talk was held in the lovely new auditorium apparently buried under the former courtyard. Mr. Mankoff talked about Steinberg's early cartoons for the New Yorker (which can be seen on the Complete New Yorker Cartoons cd), Steinberg's influence on his early work, and the nature of gag cartoons and humor. Mankoff said that the Caption Contest gets about 10,000 entries per week and showed a slide of how he and his assistants break up the entries to make sense of them. He had a lot of interesting points to make, and the working cartoonists I was sitting with, AAEC head Rob Rogers, Matt Wuerker, Nick Galifianakis and Richard Thompson all seemed engaged. I certainly was, but I'm not a professional cartoonist.
Crawford cartoon to illustrate the nature of humor.
Some of the 10,000 entries to the New Yorker Cartoon Contest sorted into categories.
Sample page of Cartoon Bank database.
Afterwards Mr. Mankoff signed books including the New Yorker Book of Art Cartoons. In the accompanying pictures (below), Warren Bernard gets confirmation that four books is the complete set of Mankoff books, and gets them all signed at one fell swoop. Mankoff said that he didn't even have copies of them all anymore.
The rain started in earnest so Rob Rogers invited Mr. Mankoff to the museum's cafe with us and we had a fun hour hearing stories of the New Yorker, and talking shop. Matt stood us all to drinks, and Rob picked up the chips - thanks guys! One point Mankoff did make was that by animating cartoons, the Cartoon Bank could pick up new sponsors like Lexus - here's an example that Richard found.
Rob Rogers, Matt Wuerker, Bob Mankoff, Richard Thompson and Nick Galifianakis talking in the museum lobby after the booksigning.
Rob Rogers forcibly suggests that Bob Mankoff might not want to go out in that rain.
The last two photos are everyone in the cafe. Richard's in the blue denim shirt, Nick's in blue shirt with long hair, Matt's in the brown jacket, Rob's in the dark blue jacket and Bob Mankoff's in the suit. This was a thoroughly enjoyable Sunday. Matt wrote down the best epigraphs from the talk, and hopefully one of the others will flesh out this entry a bit.
Friday, June 01, 2007
June 2: Comics librarian Randy Scott's birthday
Saturday is ace comics librarian Randy Scott's 60th birthday. Randy has built the Michigan State University Comic Art Collection into a world-class institution, while putting up one of the most helpful websites for in-depth scholarly comics research. Let's raise a glass to Randy! (and send him some comics. Obscure ones, not in English. I do it all the time.)
Shrek videogame review in Post
John Gaudiosi reviews the game in "You'll Get Ogre It All Too Quickly", Washington Post Friday, June , 2007; WE60.
June 2, 9: Improvs on Steinberg at American Art
On the next 2 Saturdays at 3 pm, Now This! will be presenting Sketchy Sketches improvs based on Steinberg's cartoons at American Art. It's free. And Bob Mankoff is appearing at 3 pm this Sunday.
LUNA BROTHERS ON THE END OF GIRLS
The Luna Brothers live somewhere between DC and Baltimore. An interview with them, "LUNA BROTHERS ON THE END OF GIRLS" by Vaneta Rogers, Newsrama (April 6, 2007) ran recently and might be of interest. I think they usually attend the Baltimore Comic-Con if wishes to meet them.
Comics: 'Avril Lavigne's Make 5 Wishes'
Scott Rosenberg has an online interview with artist Camilla d'Errico in "Comics: 'Avril Lavigne's Make 5 Wishes'". It came out on the 30th, but I would have missed it without Tom Spurgeon's Comic Reporter. I read the Express every day too...
Thursday, May 31, 2007
June 3: Bob Mankoff at American Art
New Yorker cartoonist and comics editor Bob Mankoff will be at the Saul Steinberg exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The free program is at 3 pm on Sunday
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Post dropping B.C. and Wizard of Id after cartoonists' deaths
A NOTE TO READERS
Washington Post Monday, May 28, 2007; Page C10
Beginning June 4, we will be adding two of our Sunday only comic strips to our daily lineup. "Sherman's Lagoon" and "Lio" will now run every day. The same day, we will drop "B.C." and "The Wizard of Id" from our daily pages. "Wizard of Id" will still run on Sundays. Johnny Hart, who created "B.C.," and Brant Parker, who co-created "The Wizard of Id" with Hart, died in April. Both "B.C." and "The Wizard of Id," now being done by family members, will still be available on our Web site, http://www.washingtonpost.com. As always, we welcome your comments. See our "Comics Feedback" contact information above "Garfield" on Page C11.
Washington Post Monday, May 28, 2007; Page C10
Beginning June 4, we will be adding two of our Sunday only comic strips to our daily lineup. "Sherman's Lagoon" and "Lio" will now run every day. The same day, we will drop "B.C." and "The Wizard of Id" from our daily pages. "Wizard of Id" will still run on Sundays. Johnny Hart, who created "B.C.," and Brant Parker, who co-created "The Wizard of Id" with Hart, died in April. Both "B.C." and "The Wizard of Id," now being done by family members, will still be available on our Web site, http://www.washingtonpost.com. As always, we welcome your comments. See our "Comics Feedback" contact information above "Garfield" on Page C11.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Bits from the papers
Remember, the City Paper that's on the racks until Thursday has Brian Ralph illustrations exactly like these in it.
I was traveling and haven't read the weekend's papers yet, but Friday's Post had a videogame review - "Now Spider-Man Needs Rescuing" by John Gaudiosi, Washington Post Friday, May 25, 2007; Page WE36.
The Onion had a Shrek videogame review, "Shrek The Third" by Chris Dahlen, Onion May 24st, 2007.
And of most interest to me, a review of the reissue of Jules Feiffer's novel from 1963, "Harry, The Rat With Women" by Jules Feiffer (Fantagraphics), Reviewed by Tasha Robinson, Onion May 24th, 2007.
Today's Post has a wire story on the Teletubbies, "Pursed Lips in Poland over Image of Purple Teletubby", Reuters, Washington Post May 29, 2007.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Tom Toles profiled by Dave Astor
"Tom Toles Reviews Five Years At 'Wash Post'" by Dave Astor, E and P Online May 25, 2007. Nothing surprising, unsurprisingly, as Mr. Toles has pretty straightforward views in his cartoons, but a good general interview.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Stuff in today's DC papers
Quick hits - I'll try to get links later...
The City Paper is covered and illustrated by Baltimore cartoonist Brian Ralph. Step away from the computer and go get one now.
The Express has 3 bits on comics:
Ennio Marchetto dresses in paper clothes as 'living cartoon' caricatures. There's a pic of him as Marilyn Monroe. Comics? I don't know.
Glenn Dixon reviews the Steinberg exhibit at American Art.
The Library of Congress has an exhibit of Radoslav's Times which appears to be a Serbian comic book. I'll follow up on that.
Also, the Express notes that the Arena Stage's excellent posters are on display at the Museum of American Illustration in NYC.
In the Examiner, Allison Hatfield has a page on all the goofy Spider-Man 3 merchandising available including the Mr. Potato Head which is sitting on my kitchen table right now.
I haven't read the Post yet - hopefully updates and links to follow.
The City Paper is covered and illustrated by Baltimore cartoonist Brian Ralph. Step away from the computer and go get one now.
The Express has 3 bits on comics:
Ennio Marchetto dresses in paper clothes as 'living cartoon' caricatures. There's a pic of him as Marilyn Monroe. Comics? I don't know.
Glenn Dixon reviews the Steinberg exhibit at American Art.
The Library of Congress has an exhibit of Radoslav's Times which appears to be a Serbian comic book. I'll follow up on that.
Also, the Express notes that the Arena Stage's excellent posters are on display at the Museum of American Illustration in NYC.
In the Examiner, Allison Hatfield has a page on all the goofy Spider-Man 3 merchandising available including the Mr. Potato Head which is sitting on my kitchen table right now.
I haven't read the Post yet - hopefully updates and links to follow.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Berkeley Breathed pictures - special edition!!!!
Cartoonist Berkeley Breathed reads from and signs his children's book, Mars Needs Moms in Alameda, CA on May 11, 2007. Photos courtesy of ComicsDC stringer Miron Murcury.
And look at this excellent scrapbook:
At Miron's request, the original cd of photos is being donated to Michigan State University's Comic Art Collection. The link is over there on the right.
Here's a few recent articles on and interviews with Breathed, as they wait to go into my Comics Research Bibliography (link also over there on the right):
Now that he's a parent, a cartoonist ponders the ultimate sacrifice
Regan McMahon, San Francisco Chronicle Deputy Book Editor
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Interview: Berkeley Breathed
by Ken Plume
Quick Stop Entertainment May 22, 2007
Just asking: A conversation with cartoonist/author Berkeley Breathed
– Eric Schelkopf
Northwest Herald (May 18, 2007)
Rehm, Diane. 2007.
Berkeley Breathed: "Mars Needs Moms".
National Public Radio's Diane Rehm Show (May 8).
Cartoonist knows kid lit
BY SARA PEARCE
Cincinnati Enquirer (May 6, 2007)
Exclusive: Berkeley Breathed Speaks!
Berkeley Breathed, celebrated creator of the "Bloom County" comic strip, writes a book for the grammar school set.
WEB EXCLUSIVE
By Jamie Reno
Newsweek May 3, 2007
Random Rules: Berkeley Breathed
by Tasha Robinson
Onion April 26th, 2007
And look at this excellent scrapbook:
At Miron's request, the original cd of photos is being donated to Michigan State University's Comic Art Collection. The link is over there on the right.
Here's a few recent articles on and interviews with Breathed, as they wait to go into my Comics Research Bibliography (link also over there on the right):
Now that he's a parent, a cartoonist ponders the ultimate sacrifice
Regan McMahon, San Francisco Chronicle Deputy Book Editor
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Interview: Berkeley Breathed
by Ken Plume
Quick Stop Entertainment May 22, 2007
Just asking: A conversation with cartoonist/author Berkeley Breathed
– Eric Schelkopf
Northwest Herald (May 18, 2007)
Rehm, Diane. 2007.
Berkeley Breathed: "Mars Needs Moms".
National Public Radio's Diane Rehm Show (May 8).
Cartoonist knows kid lit
BY SARA PEARCE
Cincinnati Enquirer (May 6, 2007)
Exclusive: Berkeley Breathed Speaks!
Berkeley Breathed, celebrated creator of the "Bloom County" comic strip, writes a book for the grammar school set.
WEB EXCLUSIVE
By Jamie Reno
Newsweek May 3, 2007
Random Rules: Berkeley Breathed
by Tasha Robinson
Onion April 26th, 2007
Bob McLeod visits Hagerstown
See "'Spidey' Comic Book Artist Inspires Local Students" by Jennifer Von Reuter. I always liked McLeod's work - he has a nice smooth fluid style. Now... why Hagerstown?
INTERPLANETARY JOURNAL OF COMIC ART repost
April 5, 2007 – INTERPLANETARY JOURNAL OF COMIC ART: A Festschrift in Honor of John Lent is now available.
Editor's note - The first issue of the new InterPlanetary Journal of Comic Art (or IPJOCA as we call it around the virtual office) is now available. We are proud to invite you to the 43rd indispensable academic organ published by JOHN LENT MULTIMEDIA ENTERPRISES. All are personally hand-edited by our founder and publisher JOHN LENT, and we remind you that any suggestions of forced labor or involuntary servitude were completely dismissed in Temple University grad students v. JOHN LENT FAMILY CONGLOMERATE. This issue is slightly late, and we apologize for that. Editor JOHN LENT was traveling widely with stops on Pluto, Venus, Charon, Deimos and Phobos, Antarctica, Cyprus, Monte Carlo and the French Riviera, interviewing aging cartoonists and presenting learned discourses on the history of comic art. LENT's presentation on Pluto, "Which came first? The planet or the dog?" was particularly well-received and will appear in a future issue of IPJOCA. IPJOCA is a proud successor to the Colonial Journal of Comic Art, the Union Journal of Comic Art, the Confederate Journal of Comic Art, and the Imperial Journal of Comic Art, as well as the continuing flagship International Journal of Comic Art.
Actually, IPJOCA is a work of satire and parody, published on the occasion of John's seventieth birthday in 2006, give or take a few months. Since 1960, John has published, taught, and lectured widely on comic art, and since 1999 has been the publisher and editor-in-chief of the academic International Journal of Comic Art. In March of this year, John served on the Pulitzer Prize Nominating Juries in Journalism. John has published over 70 books and 800 articles on comic art, mass communication and Asian studies.
John's colleagues in the comic world have come together to create a tribute book, and to present it to him on April 6th at the Popular Culture Association meeting in Boston. The fully-illustrated book features a front cover by cartoonist Nick Thorkelson, and a back cover by Ralph Steadman as well as 100 pages of witty articles.
To order your copy for $10, go to http://www.lulu.com/content/679026; to subscribe to the International Journal of Comic Art, go to
http://www.ijoca.com and follow the instructions.
Table of Contents
Lent Knows – cover by Nick Thorkelson
Seqart Scholarship across the United Planets: A Brief Survey - Josty Ketew (Randy Duncan)
ICAF Times – comic strip by Roger Sabin & C. Hill
"Domus inferna Sancti Guthlaci": A Rediscovery of the twelfth-century narrative of "The Saint and the Money Pit" - K. A. Laity
ICAF Round-table: 'The Contribution of John Lent' - Rogerius Sabinis
Give It Up For Lent! – cartoons by E.C. Lockett, from ideas by Sabin & Rhode
The Exegesis of John Lent's Exegesis: A Postmodest Explalicinalysis of John Lent's Comicological Scholarship - Dr. Solomon Davidoff
Cartooning on Venus: A Problematic Field - Michael Rhode
Cheroots of the Gods: Ancient Contact with Talking Animals from the Stars - Er'q Vondan Iken (Steve Thompson)
Letters - Fusami Ogi
From the X-JOCA Family Archives - K.A. Laity
Men's Comics are from Mars, Women's Comics are from Venus: A Visual Exploration - M.O.D.O.C.A. (Barbara Postema)
A Dozen True Facts about Fredric Wertham That I Will Only Reveal For John Lent - Bart Beaty
Japanese Comic Art History's Mystery Bearded Figure - Ronarudo Suchuwaato (Ron Stewart)
Battle of the Titans: The Great National Geographic - New Yorker Cartoon Rivalry - Cathy Hunter and Michael Rhode
Out of this World (…and back again…) – autobiographical comix by Craig Fischer
Animated Yoga - Cathy Hunter
News - Fantagraphics Books Searches for Saints - Ana Merino
Obituaries - Therian Blackenshort, Theban political cartoonist - Mark C. Rogers
Faded Star Column - Rad Signal by Weary'in Ellis -Michael Rhode
Book Reviews
Leonardo da Vinci, The da Vinci Codex - Trina Robbins
Purty Pitchers All In A Row: A Review of The Interplanetary Comic Art Bibliographies of JOHN LENT Comprehensive Companion Series - Dr. Solomon Davidoff
Martianorum Mangorum Universalis Historia - Marcus Titus Pellitterius (Marco Pellitteri)
Exhibition and Media Reviews
The McDuck Collection: World's Greatest Collection of Rarities, Duckburg Museum - Michael Rhode
Disney Planet Amusement Facility, the dwarf planet formerly known as Pluto, Sol system - Gene Kannenberg, Jr.
Corrections - Leonard Rifas
Anticipatory Errata - Charles Hatfield
Comic Art Bibliography - New Resources in the Field - Michael Rhode
So Who is JOHN LENT really? - Xu Ying
Contributors' Self-Serving Biographic Blurbs
The Serious Art of Laughter – back cover by Ralph Steadman
Cartoonists in Washington, DC area newspapers as of late May 2007
Thanks to "Hackwork hacked: The "Kelly" cartoons bring back a golden age of parody" by Tim Cavanaugh, Los Angeles Times March 29, 2007, I now know that the Onion political cartoon is actually by Ward Sutton, and is meant to be a right-wing satire.
Cartoonists in Washington, DC area newspapers
as of late May 2007
compiled by Mike Rhode
Washington Post
Tom Toles - editorial cartoonist (semi-daily)
Richard Thompson - Richard’s Poor Almanac (Saturdays); Cul de Sac strip (Sunday’s Magazine), illustrations for Joel Achenbach’s Rough Draft column (Sunday’s Magazine)
Rob Shepperson, Tim Grajek - illustrations for Sunday's Business section
Nick Galifianakis - cartoons for ex-wife Carolyn Hax's Tell Me About It advice column.
Bob Staake - cartoons for Style Invitational contest (Sunday)
Patrick M. Reynolds - Flashback comic strip; unique Washington version (Sunday comics)
Eric Shansby - illustrations for Gene Weingarten’s Below the Beltway column (Sunday’s Magazine)
Christopher Gash; Christopher Neimen - spot illos especially on Sunday
Michael Cavna - editorial cartoons in Arts section, extremely irregularly
Julie Zhu - Montgomery Blair High School student cartoonist for Extra Credit column in local Extra sections
Saturday box of syndicated editorial cartoons
Turkish cartoonist Selcuk Demirel illustrations in Book World, semi-regularly
Washington Times
Garner - editorial cartoonist
Joseph Szadkowski - Zadzooks column on comic books (Saturday)
Large array of editorial cartoons and illustrations every day.
Washington Examiner (daily, except Sundays)
Nate Beeler - editorial cartoonist (semi-daily); alternates with syndicated cartoonists
Washington City Paper (Friday-only paper)
Shawn Belschwender - News of the Weird column illustrator, unique to WCP
Ben Claasen III - Dirtfarm comic strip, unique to WCP; advertising illustrations
Joe Sayers - thingpart comic strip, started in 2006, unique to WCP?
Slug Signorino - The Straight Dope column illustrator
Robert Ullman - Savage Love column illustrator, unique to WCP
Max Kornell, Josh Neufeld - article illustrations
Syndicated comic strips - The City by Derf, Red Meat by Max Cannon, Ernie Pook’s Comeek by Lynda Barry, and Lulu Eightball by Emily Flake. (Ted Rall was dropped earlier this year).
Express
Eric Reece - illustration for Baggage Check advice column (Tuesday)
Washington Blade
No regular cartoonist - runs one syndicated editorial cartoon and six syndicated strips - Dykes to Watch Out For by Alison Bechdel, Jane’s World by Paige Braddock (2002 strips), Chelsea Boys by Glen Hanson and Allan Neuwirth (still running?), Troy by Michael Derry, Kyle’s Bed & Breakfast by Greg Fox and Adam & Andy by James Asal
The Hill
Weyant - editorial cartoonist for “Weyant’s World”
The Politico
Matt Wuerker - editorial cartoons, column-heading caricatures, maps
The Onion (national, not local content)
Kelly - fictional editorial cartoonist, actually done by Ward Sutton
Syndicated strips - Postage Stamp Funnies by Shannon Wheeler, The Leftersons by Colin T. Hayes, Wondermark by David Maiki, The Spats, Cathy by Cathy Guisewhite (in Spanish) and Red Meat by Max Cannon.
Additions, corrections and comments welcome.
Cartoonists in Washington, DC area newspapers
as of late May 2007
compiled by Mike Rhode
Washington Post
Tom Toles - editorial cartoonist (semi-daily)
Richard Thompson - Richard’s Poor Almanac (Saturdays); Cul de Sac strip (Sunday’s Magazine), illustrations for Joel Achenbach’s Rough Draft column (Sunday’s Magazine)
Rob Shepperson, Tim Grajek - illustrations for Sunday's Business section
Nick Galifianakis - cartoons for ex-wife Carolyn Hax's Tell Me About It advice column.
Bob Staake - cartoons for Style Invitational contest (Sunday)
Patrick M. Reynolds - Flashback comic strip; unique Washington version (Sunday comics)
Eric Shansby - illustrations for Gene Weingarten’s Below the Beltway column (Sunday’s Magazine)
Christopher Gash; Christopher Neimen - spot illos especially on Sunday
Michael Cavna - editorial cartoons in Arts section, extremely irregularly
Julie Zhu - Montgomery Blair High School student cartoonist for Extra Credit column in local Extra sections
Saturday box of syndicated editorial cartoons
Turkish cartoonist Selcuk Demirel illustrations in Book World, semi-regularly
Washington Times
Garner - editorial cartoonist
Joseph Szadkowski - Zadzooks column on comic books (Saturday)
Large array of editorial cartoons and illustrations every day.
Washington Examiner (daily, except Sundays)
Nate Beeler - editorial cartoonist (semi-daily); alternates with syndicated cartoonists
Washington City Paper (Friday-only paper)
Shawn Belschwender - News of the Weird column illustrator, unique to WCP
Ben Claasen III - Dirtfarm comic strip, unique to WCP; advertising illustrations
Joe Sayers - thingpart comic strip, started in 2006, unique to WCP?
Slug Signorino - The Straight Dope column illustrator
Robert Ullman - Savage Love column illustrator, unique to WCP
Max Kornell, Josh Neufeld - article illustrations
Syndicated comic strips - The City by Derf, Red Meat by Max Cannon, Ernie Pook’s Comeek by Lynda Barry, and Lulu Eightball by Emily Flake. (Ted Rall was dropped earlier this year).
Express
Eric Reece - illustration for Baggage Check advice column (Tuesday)
Washington Blade
No regular cartoonist - runs one syndicated editorial cartoon and six syndicated strips - Dykes to Watch Out For by Alison Bechdel, Jane’s World by Paige Braddock (2002 strips), Chelsea Boys by Glen Hanson and Allan Neuwirth (still running?), Troy by Michael Derry, Kyle’s Bed & Breakfast by Greg Fox and Adam & Andy by James Asal
The Hill
Weyant - editorial cartoonist for “Weyant’s World”
The Politico
Matt Wuerker - editorial cartoons, column-heading caricatures, maps
The Onion (national, not local content)
Kelly - fictional editorial cartoonist, actually done by Ward Sutton
Syndicated strips - Postage Stamp Funnies by Shannon Wheeler, The Leftersons by Colin T. Hayes, Wondermark by David Maiki, The Spats, Cathy by Cathy Guisewhite (in Spanish) and Red Meat by Max Cannon.
Additions, corrections and comments welcome.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
AAEC auction report includes DC cartoonists
Alan Gardner's got the story on the ebay auction to raise money for the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists at his Daily Cartoonist blog. Local cartoonists Telnaes, Toles and KAL participated.
Matt Wuerker Maps the Political Universe
Richard Thompson, fledgling ComicsDC scout reports, "Matt Wuerker, resident cartoon genius at Politico.com, created this vast interactive image of the political heavens."
Richard also regularly makes up new constellations in his Richard's Poor Almanack panel in the Post.
Richard also regularly makes up new constellations in his Richard's Poor Almanack panel in the Post.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Reuben cartoonists in Post chat at 1 pm
Dave Astor at E&P Online reported that the Daily Cartoonist blog reported that the Post will have another comics chat - the first in a while.
Friday, May 18, 1 p.m. ET
Meet the Comics Pages
Bill Amend, Dave Coverly and Dan Piraro
Cartoonists -- "Fox Trot," "Speed Bump" and "Bizarro"
Friday, May 18, 2007; 1:00 PM
Join Washington Post Comics page editor Suzanne Tobin on Friday, May 18 at 1 p.m. ET for a discussion with this year's Reuben nominees -- "Fox Trot's" Bill Amend, "Speed Bump's" Dave Coverly and "Bizarro's" Dan Piraro to discuss their National Cartoonist Society nominations and the art of cartooning.
You can submit questions in advance.
Friday, May 18, 1 p.m. ET
Meet the Comics Pages
Bill Amend, Dave Coverly and Dan Piraro
Cartoonists -- "Fox Trot," "Speed Bump" and "Bizarro"
Friday, May 18, 2007; 1:00 PM
Join Washington Post Comics page editor Suzanne Tobin on Friday, May 18 at 1 p.m. ET for a discussion with this year's Reuben nominees -- "Fox Trot's" Bill Amend, "Speed Bump's" Dave Coverly and "Bizarro's" Dan Piraro to discuss their National Cartoonist Society nominations and the art of cartooning.
You can submit questions in advance.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Animation and Cartooning summer classes UPDATED
Leila Cabib is teaching 4 classes at Glen Echo Park on MacArthur Blvd in MD - 1 for animation ($200; July 23-27; Aug 13-17) and 1 for cartooning ($175; July 9-13; July 30-Aug 3). The classes are in the mornings, 9:30-11:30, and the minimum age is 11 - no maximum age is listed. One can theoretically register online or try calling 301-634-2226. Ms. Cabib's number for class information is 301-299-2659, and her website is http://www.leilacabib.com.
By the way, Ms. Carib reports, "By the way, I don't set a maximum age for students. Most of my students are between the ages of 11 and 14, but on many occasions I've had adult students as well. A few years ago, I even had a 91-year old student! So there are no limits, and I think the adult students tend to be inspired by the way the kids plunge into their work without the self-consciousness that seems to creep up on us as we grow older."
By the way, Ms. Carib reports, "By the way, I don't set a maximum age for students. Most of my students are between the ages of 11 and 14, but on many occasions I've had adult students as well. A few years ago, I even had a 91-year old student! So there are no limits, and I think the adult students tend to be inspired by the way the kids plunge into their work without the self-consciousness that seems to creep up on us as we grow older."
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