Lat, KAL and Drew Rougier-Chapman pictures

The three cartoonists spoke on Iconophobia at George Washington's Gelman Library for the International Comic Arts Forum. I'll try to post something more than pictures soon, but here they are.

Lat signing my books at ICAF.

Lat still signing my books at ICAF.

Newspaper clipping of Lat receiving an honorary doctorate.

Lat speaking at ICAF.

KAL's whiteboard drawing of his first victim at the International Comic Arts Forum.

KAL's whiteboard drawing of his first victim at the International Comic Arts Forum.

KAL's whiteboard drawing of his first victim at the International Comic Arts Forum.

Lat and editorial cartoonists Drew Rougier-Chapman and KAL at the International Comic Arts Forum.

Editorial cartoonist KAL signing his book while John Lent loiters, at the International Comic Arts Festival.

Editorial cartoonist KAL signing his book while John Lent loiters, at the International Comic Arts Festival.

Nov 9: PenFaulkner on comics REPOST

Lynda Barry, Alison Bechdel and Chris Ware - Nov. 9, 2007
PenFaulkner Reading series

Tickets are $15.00.

Graphic Novels
Lynda Barry, Chris Ware
Daniel Raeburn, Moderator
Friday, November 9, 8 p.m.

Held at the Aaron and Cecile Goldman Theater of the Washington, DC Jewish Community Center

Lynda Barry

Lynda Barry is a writer and cartoonist whose comic strip “Ernie Pook’s Comeek” celebrates its 30th year in print in 2007. She is the author of The Good Times are Killing Me, which she adapted into a long-running off-Broadway play. The New York Times called her second novel, Cruddy, “a work of terrible beauty.” She received the 2003 William Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album and an American Library Association Alex Award for her book One! Hundred! Demons! She lives and works in southern Wisconsin.

Alison Bechdel

Alison Bechdel’s comic strip Dykes To Watch Out For has become a countercultural institution since it began in 1983. The strip is syndicated in dozens of newspapers, translated into several languages and collected in a series of award-winning books. Utne magazine has listed DTWOF as “one of the greatest hits of the twentieth century.” And Comics Journal says, “Bechdel's art distills the pleasures of Friends and The Nation; we recognize our world in it, with its sorrows and ironies.”
Chris Ware

Chris Ware is the writer and cartoonist of the periodical The ACME Novelty Library. His other works include Jimmy Corrigan — the Smartest Kid on Earth, recipient of an American Book Award, the Guardian First Book Award, and L’Alph Art; The ACME Novelty Datebook Volumes 1 and 2; and Quimby the Mouse. His work has appeared in many national and international art exhibits, including the Whitney Biennial exhibit in 2002. He was recently awarded the Hoi Fellowship by the newly-formed United States Artists. A regular contributor to The New Yorker, Ware is currently at work on two longform graphic novels, Rusty Brown and Building Stories.


Daniel Raeburn is the author of the book Chris Ware. His essays have appeared in The Baffler, Tin House, and The New Yorker. His book about comic books, The Imp of the Perverse, is forthcoming. He teaches creative writing at the University of Chicago.

Zadzooks on Fantastic Four and Superman dvds

See Joseph Szadkowski, "Comic-book legends come to life on DVD," Washington Times October 20, 2007.

Oct 20: Kyle Baker at ICAF at LOC today

ICAF's been good, as usual this year. In two hours, the rest of the conference wraps up. Kyle Baker is speaking and he's always interesting. See you there?

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20
1:00-2:30 Panel 7: Remembrance and nostalgia
Moderated by Marc Singer, ICAF Executive Committee
Jennifer Castel, “Nostalgia, Representation, and Identity in Art Spiegelman's In the Shadow of No Towers”
Pedro Pérez del Solar, “’A Führer’s day’: Comics and politics of memory in 1980s Spain”
Jason Buchanan, “A Superman without a World: Mourning, Melancholy, and Nostalgia in the Images of Post 9/11 Superman”
2:30-2:45 Break
2:45-3:45 Lent Scholarship Lecture: Orion Ussner Kidder, University of Alberta
3:45-4:00 Break
4:00-5:00 Guest Artist KYLE BAKER (USA)
5:00 Closing remarks

Administrivia - UPCOMING EVENT

Anyone know if blogger has a calendar function? In the meantime, GWU professor Phil Troutman pointed out that it's hard to find upcoming events especially after they've crawled off the main page. I agree with him so look below this for a new label - UPCOMING EVENT. If you click on that, you should get a new page with all the posts labelled with it.

Rob Tornoe on Oliphant

New Jersey's The Press of Atlantic City's editorial cartoonist Rob Tornoe emailed in, "I went to see Oliphant last night at Politics & Prose, and I put up a very brief description of it, as well as a couple of photos, on my blog, http://tornoe.blogspot.com."

Rob also linked to Bruce Guthrie's pictures - I'm in photo 248 so please feel free to come up and say hello at the next event. A few of us from the International Comic Arts Forum and Bruce went out for pizza after the signing.

I went too, and met a bunch of people I know there. I'm downloading my pictures now and will add them in later. I got there late, but Oliphant mainly was doing caricatures - just whipping them out in charcoal - of the presidential wannabees.

Rob's got two more sites:

http://www.pressofac.com - The Press of Atlantic City
http://www.politicsnj.com/tornoe

Oct 25: David Michaelis on Charles Schulz at Olsson's

David Michaelis will be discussing his new and controversial biography of Charles Schulz at the Olsson's on 418 7th St, NW at 7 pm. Bill Watterson highly recommended this and John Updike reviewed it as well. Unfortunately I'll be traveling to Ohio State for their comics symposium and will have to miss this.

Thanks to Ignatz-nominee Matt Dembicki for the tip!

ICAF announces presenter refused admission to US updated

Over on the blog of Marc Singer, ICAF chair, Marc and Ernesto Priego engage in a little back and forth with Priego writing in that he feels his visa problem was a normal paperwork snafu. One can make up one's own mind depending on how one feels about the government, but I think Charles Hatfield will be reading Priego's paper on Saturday.

Charles and I are off to ICAF now - if you're coming to the sessions, look us up.

Another finger puppet!!!!

SPX meant I couldn't get this mentioned on Saturday, but Richard Thompson caricatured Hilary Clinton as a finger puppet this week. I've made it and she's glaring at my house guests now.

Oh, and my daughter appeared in The Beat's photos

Here she is in the purple beret, with her friend Dagny, bracing Jeff Smith after his talk. Heidi MacDonald did the interview with him, and must have shot some photos afterwards. Dagny spotted the SPX bit in the Post and cajoled her dad into checking with me about going up there. Her dad shepherded them through Jeff Smith's talk whilst I hit the con floor.

Claire's also in some of Bruce Guthrie's photos which I linked to yesterday, also hanging with Jeff Smith. She does better at these things than I do.

Chris Pitzer and AdHouse Books

One of the interesting people I met at the Matt Wagner signing at Big Planet Comics was Chris Pitzer, publisher of AdHouse Books. He's got an absolutely lovely, and giant, James Jean art collection out now - the thing is enormous. Chris is based in Richmond - local enough for this blog! Check out his blog and publishing sites.

Nov 8-17: World Premiere of Tezuka-inspired play

Now this is different... Anyone want to go with me? I'm busy on the 8th at the Pen/Faulkner thing, but later in the month should be fine.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Joshua Speiser
Tel: 202.687.6933
js47@georgetown.edu


Georgetown University’s Theater and Performance Studies Program presents

Trees and Ghosts
Adapted and Directed by Natsu Onoda, from the Graphic Novels of Osamu Tezuka
WORLD PREMIERE!

November 8th - 10th, 14th – 17th at 8 pm; November 11th at 2pm

Trees and Ghosts is a groundbreaking, new play adapted from three short, relatively unknown graphic novels by manga pioneer Osamu Tezuka (1928-1989) who is revered in his native Japan as the “God of Manga.” Spirits, elements of nature and memories of World War II haunt each of the stories that make up this highly visual production which employs interactive video, on-stage drawing, and live taiko drums.

The second production in the 2007-2008 Hidden Histories Season of New and Unseen Works, Trees and Ghosts exemplifies the Theater and Performance Studies Program’s commitment to the development of new work. According to Professor Derek Goldman, Director of Georgetown University’s Theater and Performance Studies Program, “each of the four plays chosen this year – Fabulation, Trees and Ghosts, Wisconsin Death Trip and Stuff Happens - deals explicitly with the relationship between history ‘writ large’ and its more microcosmic, personal, and psychic reverberations.”

Adapter/director Natsu Onoda, Visiting Assistant Professor of Theater and Performance Studies, has been a fan of Tezuka since she could read. One of her treasured memories of her childhood is that of meeting Tezuka himself in sixth grade. As a young aspiring cartoonist, she visited Tezuka’s studio and showed him her work. Tezuka, known for his generosity for young fans, responded: “This is very good. Come back in three years, and, if you have made a progress, you should become a cartoonist.” Tezuka died two and a half years later. Since then, Onoda has adapted Tezuka’s work into live theater, published papers and given lectures on them, and is currently working on the first English-language book on his work, to be published from the University Press of Mississippi in late 2008. The three Tezuka stories Onoda has chosen to adapt to the stage have never before appeared in English translation.

The cast of talented Georgetown undergraduates received a one-week intensive training in taiko drumming by accomplished drummer Yoshihiko Fueki, a Nagoya-based taiko drummer who has been playing the taiko for fourteen years. Also assisting with the production is Belgian video and sound designer Ben Dierckx, a multimedia artist who uses custom interactive software and projection technology to create an altered visual palette that mimics dreams and hallucinations.

Tickets: $15 general, $12 faculty/staff/alumni/seniors, $7 students. To purchase, call 202.687.ARTS.

Trees & Ghosts (World Premiere)

Nov 8/07—Nov 17/07 Adapted & Dir by Natsu Onoda. A new multimedia production adapted from three short graphic novels by a Japanese cartoonist Tezuka Osamu, who is considered the inventor of manga (contemporary Japanese comics). The stories, all dealing with nature, spirits and World War II, come alive in this highly visual production using interactive video, live on-stage drawing, and live taiko drums. [PLEASE CALL FOR ACCESSIBLE SEATING OR GROUP RATES: 202-687-ARTS] Pic. ID req'd to pick up tix and for verification of purchase. Please arrive 30 minutes early to collect your tickets. The house is general seating.


--
Christopher Wanamaker
DC Anime Club President
http://www.dcanimeclub.org
202 262 2083

Tom Spurgeon memorializes SPX

Tom's posting links for what he calls "Collective Memory," a nice term. Since it's a local event, I'll just link to his Memory.

Boy, that "link to his Memory" sounded depressing, didn't it? It's not. As an archivist (professionally) and comics bibliographer (dilettante), it's very interesting to see how information sharing is evolving.

Oct 18: Oliphant at Politics and Prose

Thursday, October 18, 7 p.m.
PAT OLIPHANT
LEADERSHIP (Andrews McMeel, $19.95)
Pat Oliphant's newest collection of sharp-witted cartoons tackles Bush's tenure in office, taking him and other leaders to task. Oliphant, a Pulitzer winner, is the most widely syndicated political cartoonist in the world.

Unfortunately, I think ICAF will interfere and I won't be able to make it, but I called to order a signed copy. Also, I'll bet Thursday's Express has an interview with him since Scott Rosenberg did one last week.

The bookstore also has a bunch of signed Zippy books by Bill Griffith.

Politics & Prose Bookstore and Coffeehouse
5015 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 364-1919 or (800) 722-0790
Fax: (202) 966-7532


www.politics-prose.com
e-mail: books@politics-prose.com

Store Hours:

Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-10 p.m
Sunday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Trudeau in town for Doonesbury Sandbox book promotion

See War Dispatches To 'Doonesbury'; Garry Trudeau Draws Soldiers to Blog" by David Montgomery, Washington Post Staff Writer, Wednesday, October 17, 2007; C01.

By the way, I can state for a fact that Walter Reed Army Medical Center blocks Blogger completely.

Also, Politics and Prose has some signed copies of:

Garry B. Trudeau, DOONESBURY.COM’S THE SANDBOX

Garry B. Trudeau, HECKUVA JOB, BUSHIE!

Garry B. Trudeau, THE LONG ROAD HOME

Garry B. Trudeau, THE WAR WITHIN

I just called and ordered mine.

Politics & Prose Bookstore and Coffeehouse
5015 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 364-1919 or (800) 722-0790
Fax: (202) 966-7532


www.politics-prose.com
e-mail: books@politics-prose.com

Store Hours:

Monday-Saturday: 9 a.m.-10 p.m
Sunday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

new Mike Flugennock editorial cartoon

DC's only (most likely) anarchist political cartoonist Mike Flugennock has posted a new piece. See the story and the art. The Fox News one to the left is from over the summer by the way.

And that reminds me - I should really mention Mike's site. It's great - I love his work.

Oct 27: Shoff Promotions Comic Book Show

Saturday, Oct 27, 10-3:30, Tysons Corner VA Holiday Inn Crown Plaza. Call 301-990-4929 or got to http://shoffpromotions.com for details. $3 fee.

Fantom Comics expands?

I hear that Fantom Comics, a good story in Tenleytown, is opening a second store in Union Station. Anyone got any details?

Zadzooks on toys

"She-Hulk's action plays outweigh sculpted look," by Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times October 13, 2007.

Colonel America the zombie? Who buys this stuff?

Bruce Guthrie's pix of Richard Thompson and Small Press Expo

Bring me the head of Mr. Danders!
cake by Amy Thompson, photo by Bruce Guthrie. It was delicious.

Bruce Guthrie took a ton of SPX shots and has some online.

At Richard's talk at the Bethesda Writer's Center, Richard's the one in the sports coat, I'm wearing a black sweater and editorial cartoonist Jen Sorenson's in a leather coat, and then a short-sleeve yellow shirt. Be sure to notice the piles of original art Richard's handing around.

Bruce's SPX pics can be seen here and here. Note Richard Thompson introducing himself to Jeff Smith of 'Bone' fame for the sake of his daughters.

Toles anniversary

Dave Astor's reporting that Tom Toles has been syndicated for 25 years in "Anniversaries for Tom Toles and 'Cornered' Cartoonist" E&P October 16, 2007.

ICAF schedule

Ok, again - I'm going. Anyone else? I'll be there all three days.

THE TWELFTH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL COMIC ARTS FORUM
Madison Building, Library of Congress, Washington DC
October 18-20, 2007

This schedule is subject to change.

ICAF is free and open to the public. No registration is necessary to attend.

All events will be held in the Mumford Room on the sixth floor of the Madison Building unless otherwise noted.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18
9:00-9:15 Welcome and introduction
9:15-10:45 Panel 1: To and against type: Othering and stereotyping
Moderated by Stanford Carpenter, ICAF Executive Committee
Phillip Troutman, “Abolition Comix: Semiotics, Icon, Sequence, and Network in Anti-Slavery Visual Argument”
Jay Casey, “Advance and Be Criticized: A Reappraisal of the Portrayal of Friend and Foe by Overseas Soldier Cartoonists during the Second World War”
Frank Bramlett, “Camp, Sissies, and Queers in The Rawhide Kid”
10:45-11:00 Break
11:00-12:00 Panel 2: Political tensions in contemporary Asian cartooning
Moderated by Craig Fischer, ICAF Executive Committee
Todd S. Munson, “Anti-Chinese Rhetoric in Contemporary Japanese Manga”
Josette Mazzella di Bosco Balsa, “Political cartoonists in the historical context of Hong Kong after the Handover, 1997-2007”
12:00-1:30 Lunch
1:30-2:30 Panel 3: Sound and speech in comics
Moderated by Cecile Danehy, ICAF Executive Committee
Robert S. Petersen, “The Metamorphosis of Phylacteries”
C. W. Toph Marshall, “Diegetic Sound in Dave Sim’s Cerebus”
2:30-2:45 Break
2:45-3:45 Guest Speaker DR. IAN GORDON (Australia/Singapore)
3:45-4:00 Break
4:00-5:00 Art display in the Prints & Photographs Reading Room
Courtesy of the Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon
Curated by Sara Duke and Martha Kennedy, The Swann Foundation
5:00-6:00 Display of drawings by Lat in the Asian Division Reading Room
Courtesy of the Library of Congress Asian Division
Curated by Kathryn Wellen, Library of Congress Asian Division

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19
9:30-11:00 Panel 4: Comics in cultural institutions
Moderated by Arnold Blumberg, Geppi's Entertainment Museum
Poliana Irizarry and Joshua C. Roberts, “Beyond Leisure Reading: Garnering Support for Comics Scholarship from Your Academic Library”
John Jennings and Damian Duffy, “Remasters of American Comics: Sequential art as new media in the face of the transformative museum context”
11:00-11:30 Break
11:30-12:30

Panel 5: The theory and practice of comics studies
Moderated by Charles Hatfield, ICAF Executive Committee
Ernesto Priego, “The Tell-Tale Smell of Burning Paper: ‘Logic of Form’ and the Origin of Comics”
Benjamin Woo, “An Age-old Problem: Problematics of Comic Book Historiography”
Joseph Witek, “American Comics Criticism and the Problem of Dual Address”

Ernesto Priego is unable to present his paper at ICAF because he has been denied entry into the United States of America. The U.S. government has not renewed his visa, nor have they given him any explanation why he will not be allowed into the country. ICAF protests this refusal of entry, part of a recent and disturbing trend of excluding foreign scholars, as an infringement on academic freedom.
12:30-2:00 Lunch
2:00-3:30 Panel 6: Audiences and reception cultures
Moderated by Guy Spielmann, ICAF Executive Committee
Noriko Inomata, “The establishment of female manga readership in Japan and its circulation system: A comparison with the case of French market”
Ken Parille, “Jason and the Appropriators: Fashion, Photos, and the Comic”
José Alaniz, “Autobiography and Post-Soviet Russian Comics”
3:30-4:00 Break
4:00-5:00 Guest Artist LAT (Mohammed Nor Khalid) (Malaysia)
Introduced by John A. Lent, Temple University
5:00-7:30 Dinner
7:30-9:00 ICAF AND THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY JOINTLY PRESENT:
Iconophobia: Comics, Politics, and the Power of the Image
A special event at the George Washington University’s Gelman Library featuring Lat, Kevin “KAL” Kallaugher, and Robert Russell
Co-sponsored by the Gelman Library, the GWU English Department, & the GWU Writing Program

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20
1:00-2:30 Panel 7: Remembrance and nostalgia
Moderated by Marc Singer, ICAF Executive Committee
Jennifer Castel, “Nostalgia, Representation, and Identity in Art Spiegelman's In the Shadow of No Towers”
Pedro Pérez del Solar, “’A Führer’s day’: Comics and politics of memory in 1980s Spain”
Jason Buchanan, “A Superman without a World: Mourning, Melancholy, and Nostalgia in the Images of Post 9/11 Superman”
2:30-2:45 Break
2:45-3:45 Lent Scholarship Lecture: Orion Ussner Kidder, University of Alberta
3:45-4:00 Break
4:00-5:00 Guest Artist KYLE BAKER (USA)
5:00 Closing remarks

Beeler. Nate Beeler.

Nate's picture is grinning from the weird wrap-around advertising for their website that the Examiner put on today's papers. So, they pick the most interesting picture for the cover they can, to attract attention in a town with ohhh, five free papers, I think, and then put a wrap-around ad over it. Nate's on the back as part of The Examiner News Team and Partners. His shortcut is Cartoons.

He did have a good bash at Al Gore in today's paper.

Woodbridge's Luna Brothers

The interview is in "Luna brothers living by 'The Sword'" by JOSH EISERIKE, Potomac News Sunday, October 14, 2007.

Small Press Expo 2008 photos

Steve Hamaker and Claire

Steve Hamaker

Kevin Greenlee of Fantagraphics

Kim Deitch

Raina Telgemeier and Claire

Raina Telgemeier and Claire

Steve Hamaker, Bone colorist and Fish n Chips cartoonist

Matt Wagner and Big Planet Comics co-owner Greg Bennett

Voice of America - Indonesia doing interviews

Voice of America - Indonesia doing interviews

Roger Langridge, smiling even before I bought three pages of art from him

Kim Deitch, drawing a clown

Matt Wagner drawing in his new book, The Art of Matt Wagner

Jeff Smith congratulating and buying a book from an Ignatz nominee

Matt Wagner

Matt Wagner

Matt Wagner

Here are some pictures I took - higher resolution ones can be downloaded at http://www.flickr.com/photos/42072348@N00/. If I spelled anyone's name wrong, please let me know.

Pictures by Bruce Guthrie should be appearing here soon - http://www.digitalphalanx.com/graphlib.nsf/Last_45?OpenView&count=-1

Washington Post Writers Group editor Amy Lago interview

Click to"Episode 19 - The Amy Lago Show" by Brian Dunaway, on Comics Coast to Coast podcast, Thursday, 11 October 2007 to listen.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-17-07

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-17-07
By John Judy

52 THE COMPANION SC by Various Folks. A hodge-podge of earlier stories featuring the stars of 52. For all of you who need to bone up on your Metal Men and Rip Hunter back-stories. A quirky kick.

52 THE COVERS HC by J.G. Jones. All 52 “52” covers along with thumbnail sketches and production notes. A must-have for all fans of great comic book cover art. Recommended.

THE ABYSS #1 of 4 by Kevin Rubio and Lucas Marangon. A little super-hero action from the writer of the on-line Star Wars spoof “Troops” and the artist of “Tag and Bink.” If you’re looking for something off the beaten path of established universes check it out.

ARMY @ LOVE VOL.1: THE HOT ZONE CLUB SC by Rick Veitch and Gary Erskine. Collecting the first story-arc of this controversial, subversive series. Lots of adult content. NOT for kids.

BOOKHUNTER GN written and drawn by Jason Shiga. A cool little indy about hard-boiled library police tracking down a stolen book in the means streets of Oakland circa 1973.

BOYS #11 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The Boys go to Moscow. Not enough red ink in the world, ladies and gents. Not for kids, highly recommended.

BRAVE AND BOLD #7 by Mark Waid and George Perez. Wonder Woman and Power Girl team up to fight something. Excellent! What, you want more?

CAPTAIN AMERICA #31 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. Bionic Bucky gets the treatment from Doctor Faustus, the most evil and fattest of the Marvel U shrinks. Fun stuff.

DEATH OF THE NEW GODS #1 of 8 written and drawn by Jim Starlin. As Dorothy Parker said upon hearing of the death of President Coolidge, “How could they tell?”

EX MACHINA #31 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. Will Mayor Hundred kill the Pope? And what’s with the gorilla on the cover? Gorilla covers are awesome. Recommended.

JSA ALL-STAR ARCHIVES VOL.1 HC by All Kinds Folks. This one collects all the golden-age solo adventures of Johnny Thunder, Hour-Man, Atom, Dr. Mid-Nite, Mr. Terrific, Wildcat, and Red Tornado from the years 1940-1942. Buy this and laugh at all the back issue vendors at the next convention! Recommended!

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #14 by Dwayne McDuffie and Ed Benes. Injustice League, big fight, possible death. With chili-fries please.

MARVEL MASTERWORKS AVENGERS VOL.7 HC by Roy Thomas, John Buscema, Gene Colan, and Barry Windsor-Smith. A heck of a classic run here, collecting AVENGERS #59-68. For those of you keeping score, that’s the first Yellowjacket, the wedding of Giant-Man and the Wasp, Hawkeye becoming Goliath, and Ultron before he became a naked girl!
Recommended!

MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #1 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips. They’re back with the best opening line of the year! Highly recommended. NOT. FOR. KIDS.

MARVEL ZOMBIES HULK ACTION FIGURE. “Hulk is the hungriest one there is!!!”

MIGHTY AVENGERS #5 by Brian Michael Bendis and Frank Cho. The new improved naked girl Ultron is trying to launch nukes while the Sentry kicks his/her ass. Just write your Summer movie already, Bendis!

PENANCE RELENTLESS #2 of 5 by Paul Jenkins and Paul Gulacy. Dark Speedball reveals what’s up with his numbers obsession. It ain’t good. Rated “C for Creepy.”

SHAZAM MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL DELUXE HC written and drawn by Jeff Smith. All four issues collected here. “Yes, please!” Highly recommended.

UMBRELLA ACADEMY APOCALYPSE SUITE #2 of 6 by Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba. Yeah, it’s a comic written by the guy from My Chemical Romance, but it’s a really good one and it’s coming out on schedule! Definitely worth a look if you like your super-stuff a little twisted and dark. Recommended.

WOLVERINE ORIGINS #18 by Daniel Way and Steve Dillon. Daniel Way is the George Bush of comics. Steve Dillon must cry himself to sleep each night remembering what it was like to draw “Preacher.” That is all.

www.johnjudy.net

Express videography of Small Press Expo

Scott Rosenberg and Chris Porter of the Express walked around Saturday recording interviews. The first, with SPX head Karon Flage is online and more will be appearing here.

Comics Alliance, another DC-area blog CORRECTED

I think I got my blog listed with the Post tonight and also spotted a listing for John Anderson and Chris Dooley's Comics Alliance as being local too. We've never run into each other as far as I know though.

ICAF announces presenter refused admission to US FOLLOWUP

Tom Spurgeon's got a bit more back and forth with Marc Singer..

Come to ICAF this weekend and grill Marc for yourself!

JOHN DANIELS INTERVIEWS FRANK BEDDOR ON SEEING REDD

Our guest columnist returns as JOHN DANIELS INTERVIEWS FRANK BEDDOR ON SEEING REDD

First and foremost I want to thank you for taking the time to interview with me again.

The incredible sequel to the Looking Glass Wars is enthralling. Seeing Redd is the type of novel that could catapult you into literary history. Seeing Redd is the most awe-inspiring novel of the season.

How did it feel to see your book Seeing Redd which was just released on August 21st already topping the New York Times bestseller list?

Very, very satisfying. Having it at #4 on the NYT bestseller list the week it was released showed me that the momentum created by the Looking Glass Wars and Hatter M had carried readers to the next book and this was incredibly exciting.

How would you describe the atmosphere of Seeing Redd compared to the Looking Glass Wars novel?

Well…the dust has barely settled since the Alyssians trounced Queen Redd and she fled through the Heart Crystal to parts unknown. We return to a Wonderland in flux as the young queen Alyss attempts to rule a world she barely knows; a world where everyone is seeing Redd! Has Her Imperial Viciousness returned or it only black imagination? So in one word I would describe the atmosphere as TENSE in Seeing Redd. Book Two readers, assuming they have read book one, have already been introduced to Alyss and her Wonderland and many of the characters they will see again in Book 2. While LGW covered a 13-year period, Seeing Redd focuses on an adventure that takes place over a short period of time. There will be new characters introduced plus a heightened sense of immediacy as events and crisis follow in rapid order. Characters will again be traveling back and forth from Wonderland via the Pool of Tears but this time a new twist will be added as inhabitants of our world travel to Wonderland. These travelers are not exactly welcome as they are villains first introduced in the Hatter M comics. Much of the fun of the parallel story of Hatter M is crossing back and forth from different perspectives. While Hatter battled these villains on earth to save Imagination, Redd sees them in an entirely different light.


The depths of the characters portrayed in your novels are astonishing. Are there any characters returning from the Looking Glass Wars novel, and could you tell us some of the new characters in Seeing Redd?

Alyss and all the Alyssians return in full force for Seeing Redd as well as Redd and her murderous feline, the Cat. Villains introduced in the Hatter M comic mini-series will also re-appear in Seeing Redd as they join with Her Imperial Viciousness in the cause of Black Imagination. With regard to new characters, readers will be introduced to Boarderland and it’s alpha leader, King Arch, an avowed male chauvinist who loathes the idea of Queens ruling Wonderland. Aided by his henchmen, Ripkins and Blister, and the 21 warrior tribes, King Arch lays out his plan to dominate Wonderland like a master chess player. It comes quite naturally to Arch since Boarderland is a land of incessant gamers and gamblers. If you are a fan of anagrams, closely inspect the map included in Seeing Redd and see if you can decode the names of each of the 21 tribes. Hint: Each name is an anagram of a card or board game. Good luck!

Last time we interviewed I made a statement this could be a franchise in the making and this would be an incredible tale for a movie. How much is this in fruition?

I have completed the screenplays for the Looking Glass Wars and Hatter M. which I see as companion films. I am currently working on Book 3 of the trilogy and the screenplay for Seeing Redd. If I am fortunate enough to get the first two films produced then I would like to go on and produce the second two, which would create a 4 film series. In the franchise crazed studio world this amount of material has generated a lot of interest and excitement, however I’m holding out on making any deals. Currently, I have been having conversations with directors because the final and most important piece of the puzzle is my creative counterpart, the director who will take what I’ve created even further.

I first read Hatter M before the Looking Glass Wars; I have been a fan of your writings since 2005. How do you feel about the recognition you have received from all of the media and comic book reviewers?

I feel extreme gratitude for all the time and effort taken by these writers to get to know my work and help to articulate it to their readers. The positive feedback really helps by encouraging me to take the intuitive leaps that guide me with all of these projects. You think to yourself, “Oh man…is this too much?” But then you get this amazing feedback to go further and it just pushes you to keep trying for the high notes. It really is a collaborative effort on everyone’s part who enjoys the projects to keep them expanding and delivering what the LGW fans enjoy about the characters and their adventures.

Are you going to be coming to the east coast and doing any book signings or Comic -Cons, because you have loyal fans that would enjoy meeting a creative artisan as yourself?

I always try to do as many Comic Cons as I can physically and realistically fit in to my schedule because meeting the fans and talking about the work is truly ground zero for me. FRANK – ANY EAST COAST COMIC CONS SCHEDULED??????

Are you going to have a comic book about the Seeing Redd novel?

It is a definite possibility. If I were to do a ‘comic’ based on Redd I would want to do it in a similar fashion to how I created Hatter M which was created not as a comic book version of the character as readers were introduced to him in LGW, but as a stand alone series that is really an adjunct or extension of the novel. Through Hatter’s perspective readers are taken on an entirely different albeit connected adventure from what they have read in LGW. Redd’s comic book series would possibly be a prequel of the girl who would kill to become Queen or maybe an exploration of Wonderland when she ruled for 13 years where the four suit families were vying for power as they assemble their own armies.

How were the skeptics concerning you writing this fantastic story?

Debate is healthy. I welcome all forms of criticism and only ask that they read my books first.

As I read Chapter 32 in the book, I was so amazed how you incorporated our friend Mr. Dodgson. How does the Lewis Carroll society feel about you writing about their founder?

I have not had any direct contact with the venerable society, however, I believe via several anonymous posts to our forums that there may be a divisive ‘curiosity’ developing within the society and that some of the members have opened their imaginations to the possibility that there was much more to Lewis Carroll than history had recorded.

You have surrounded yourself in the company of some great artists in the past such as Ben Templesmith and Liz Cavalier. Now in this novel Seeing Redd you have artwork by Vance Kovacs, Stephan Martiniere, and Nate Barlow. How have the contributions of these artists helped in spreading the glow?

Working with the people you named (as well many, many others you did not) has been an alchemical explosion of creativity that has not only helped to spread the glow but since the very beginning has revealed that imagination glows brightest when the effort is collaborative.

Which is more demanding and fulfilling being a movie producer or being a writer?

Both are demanding and fulfilling, as is any job where something of value is accomplished. The difference I noticed most was that when you produce a movie you have to rely on other people on a daily basis while when writing it is solely up to you to deliver that day’s pages. When writing you stand, or fall, alone on each day’s work. This makes for an intense experience and your daily moods correspond to how well the writing is going which can turn you into a functioning manic/depressive.

Is there any advice you would give aspiring writers?

They always tell you to write what you know. I think this is boring advice. If you know it already where is the fun for you? I say go out and discover something you do not know but are incredibly interested in and write about that. At least you will have a good time doing it and if it is something you find fascinating chances are others will too or at least enough people to support your ongoing authorial efforts.

What would you like fans to go away with after reading "Seeing Redd"?

An intense desire to know what happens in Book 3.

As always, it has been a pleasure talking with you. Mr. Beddor, your creativeness and written artistry are that of a modern day genius. Thank you and the multitudes of creative artists that work with you to bring us the readers an incredible novel about the real Alyss of Wonderland.

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.

OT: Mauldin / Feiffer exhibit in Chicago

this press release was sent to me and I've got a great deal of respect and admiration for the two cartoonists, so here it is:

Jean Albano Gallery
215 West Superior Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
312.440.0770 fax 312.440.3103
www.jeanalbanogallery.com

October 11, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Jean Albano Gallery is pleased to announce an exhibition, History Revealed, featuring work by famed cartoonists BILL MAULDIN and JULES FEIFFER. The show opens on Friday, October 26, 2007, and will run through Saturday, January 6, 2008. The gallery will host an opening reception on Friday, October 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at 215 West Superior Street, Chicago. This exhibition will explore subtleties between the work of these two men, whose editorial cartoons continue to be socially and politically relevant. Original watercolor drawings, editorial cartoons, and Feiffer’s illustrations from The Long Chalkboard (2006) will be shown. In addition, new limited edition prints by Bill Mauldin will be featured, including a special limited edition printing of Mauldin’s iconic “Weeping Lincoln” image.

The late cartoonist BILL MAULDIN is remembered for his depiction of life in the trenches during World War II. Stationed in Europe during the war, Mauldin drew cartoons for the Stars and Strips featuring two infantrymen named Willie and Joe. In 1945, Mauldin won his first Pulitzer Prize, “for distinguished service as a cartoonist, as exemplified by the series entitled ‘Up Front with Mauldin.” Mauldin became staff cartoonist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in 1959. In the same year, he won his second Pulitzer for a cartoon entitled I won the Nobel Prize for Literature. What was your crime? In 1962, Mauldin moved to the Chicago Sun-Times, where he worked until his retirement in 1991. One of Mauldin’s most famous cartoons, depicting the statue of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial holding his head in his hands, appeared in the paper after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. Mauldin passed away at the age of 81 in 2003.

JULES FEIFFER is a legendary, multi-dimensional personality whose talent is reflected in his many endeavors, including his beautifully composed and engaging artwork. In 2003, Feiffer was honored with a solo exhibition, Julz Rulz: Inside the Mind of Jules Feiffer, at the New York Historical Society. In addition, Feiffer’s most recent play, A Bad Friend, was commissioned by and performed at Lincoln Center, New York in summer, 2003. Jules Feiffer is known for his internationally syndicated cartoon strip, which ran for 40 years in The Village Voice and as a monthly feature in The New York Times. He is the author of over 35 books, including the children’s books By the Side of the Road, (2002) and I Lost My Bear (1998). He has written film scripts, among them Popeye (1980) and Carnal Knowledge (1971), and won an Academy Award for Munro (1960), an animated cartoon based on his story. Feiffer won the Obie and Outer Critics Circle Awards for his first full-length play, Little Murders, in 1969. He lives and works in New York City.

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm, and Saturday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, or by appointment. For further information, please contact Sarah Kaliski or Lindsey Walton at 312.440.0770.


Also, this bit about Mauldin's Lincoln cartoon was included separately:

The “WEEPING LINCOLN,” by the great Bill Mauldin, is one of the most acclaimed and distinguished cartoons of the twentieth century. Drawn on November 23, 1963, the day of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the cartoon ran in commemoration the following day as the back page of the Chicago Sun-Times.

The cartoon captured the immediate emotional response to the president’s death as felt by millions of people around the world. The image remains unequivocal; a powerful tribute to this historic occasion.

Mauldin gave the original drawing of the “Weeping Lincoln” to Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy, who later donated it to the Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston.

Unknown to the world, the original metal plate used for printing was rescued from the refuse container by Mr. Ralph Otwell, Weekend News Editor for the Chicago Sun-Times, and has been on the wall of his study for over forty years. Mr. Otwell brought the plate to Jean Albano Gallery in 2006, during their first exhibition of Bill Mauldin’s cartoons. It was an amazing discovery.

The Estate of Bill Mauldin, in association with Jean Albano Gallery, is privileged to offer a limited edition print of the “WEEPING LINCOLN,” hand-pulled from the original plate. This special edition is limited to ONLY 650 prints.

The “Weeping Lincoln” will be featured as part of the exhibition History Revealed: Jules Feiffer and Bill Mauldin, on display at Jean Albano Gallery from October 26, 2007 through January 6, 2008.

Matt Wagner signing at Big Planet

I went to the Matt Wagner signing at Big Planet and bought a lot of books. I already had some of them in comics books, but it's easier to find compilations on the shelf. Matt was a real nice guy and I'm sure I'll get some photos from BP to post here. I've got some nice sketches in the books too!

How'd the other signings in town go?

Small Press Expo article

There's a good Small Press Expo article in the Express - this is too late for you to pick up a physical copy, but check out Scott's story. The print copy had a beautiful piece of art by Paul Hornschemeier - perhaps Scott can let us know if it's onlin.e

Apparently this article on Cul de Sac will run in the Express

"Comics: A Week of Wry Laughs" by Scott Rosenberg, Express, Posted at 12:00 AM on October 11, 2007.

Why isn't Cul de Sac in the Post?

Beats me. Supposedly they bought it.

I'd encourage you all to write to comics@washpost.com.

Here's the note I sent today:

So, what are we all waiting for? Perhaps you can drop 'Watch Your Head' which sadly never fulfilled its promise. Or finally put 'Peanuts' out of its misery.

Michael Rhode
Arlington, VA

ICAF announces presenter refused admission to US

Tom Spurgeon was informed of this by chair Marc Singer. From the ICAF website (emphasis in the original):

Panel 5: The theory and practice of comics studies
Moderated by Charles Hatfield, ICAF Executive Committee
Ernesto Priego, “The Tell-Tale Smell of Burning Paper: ‘Logic of Form’ and the Origin of Comics”
Benjamin Woo, “An Age-old Problem: Problematics of Comic Book Historiography”
Joseph Witek, “American Comics Criticism and the Problem of Dual Address”

Ernesto Priego is unable to present his paper at ICAF because he has been denied entry into the United States of America. The U.S. government has not renewed his visa, nor have they given him any explanation why he will not be allowed into the country. ICAF protests this refusal of entry, part of a recent and disturbing trend of excluding foreign scholars, as an infringement on academic freedom.

Marc Singer expands on it a little more at his blog.

Oct 12 signings - new Feiffer one!

The Small Press Expo starts at 2 pm of course. See http://www.spxpo.com/

Politics and Prose, Friday, October 12, 10:30 a.m.
KATE FEIFFER and JULES FEIFFER **CHILDREN’S EVENT**
HENRY THE DOG WITH NO TAIL (Paula Wiseman, $16.99)
All of his dog friends have tails, and Henry wants one too. Inspired by Kate’s own tailless Australian Shepherd, Henry, and wonderfully illustrated by Kate’s father, Jules Feiffer, this is an understated, humorous dog tale. Ages 2-5

Writer's Center (Bethesda):
An evening with Washington Post cartoonist Richard Thompson (whose strip "Cul-de-Sac" appears in the Washington Post Magazine, and "Richard's Poor Almanac" in the Style section). Thompson, who is going into national syndication this month, will talk about how he finds and develops ideas and will share samples of work in process.
Date/Time 10/12/2007 [7:30 PM to 9:30 PM]
Event Type Special Event
Venue/Room Bethesda, Room: Reading Room
Capacity 80 spaces

Politics and Prose Friday, October 12, 9 p.m.
Coffee and Donuts with Zippy
BILL GRIFFITH
ZIPPY: Walk a Mile in My Muu-Muu (Fantagraphics, $18.95)
Zippy’s elusive creator Bill Griffith is in town for the Small Press Expo. Due to a delay at the printer, Bill Griffith’s new collection, Walk a Mile in My Muu-Muu, will not be available at the event, although he will be discussing it. His previous Zippy collections will be available for purchase. You will be able to sign-up for a signed copy of the new collection at the event, and we will contact you when they are printed. Coffee and donuts will be provided during the event.

Oct 11 book signings

As Charlie Brown would say - AAARRRRGGGGHHHH! I'll be doing the Matt Wagner one, I think.

Matt Wagner will be at a 25th Anniversary of Grendel signing at Big Planet Bethesda on October 11, from 5-7 pm.

Nick Abadzis will be signing his new book, Laika, on the Russian space dog at Big Planet College Park, 5-7 pm

Douglas Wolk - Reading Comics: How Graphic Novels Work and What They Mean, Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 07:00 PM at Olsson's Books & Records-Dupont Circle, 1307 19th St. NW, (202) 785-1133.

SPEAKING AT THE DC JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER, Thursday, Oct. 11, 7:30 PM, 1529 16th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20036; Cost: $8/$6 member; Rutu Modan speaks about and signs her graphic novel Exit Wounds.

Kim Deitch (Alias The Cat) and Cartoonists With Attitude with Ted Rall, Jen Sorensen and Keith Knight will have a joint signing event including a slide presentation about their respective works. Date: October 11; Time: 7PM; Location: Barnes and Nobles Bethesda 4801 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD.

So who's going to SPX, what day, and want to get together?

I plan on being there around opening time on Friday, depending on how soon I can get away from work. I'm not sure about Saturday yet, but I'm hopeful. Anybody else?

Takoma Park librarian on Yang's American Born Chinese

See "Children's Corner: Mild-mannered high school teacher channels Batman" by Karen MacPherson, Scripps Howard News Service Tuesday, October 09, 2007.

It's no wonder this editorial isn't signed

This editorial "Get a clue, Bruce", by The Washington DC Examiner Oct 8, 2007 conflates the threats against Fleming Rose for publishing the Danish Islam cartoons with Springsteen's opposition to the Iraq war. Cause and effect seem to be a problem here as America invaded two Muslim countries years before Rose published the cartoons AND ignoring the fact that it took six months of agitating to actually get anyone excited about the Islam cartoons. I wonder why this editorial feels that Freedom of Speech can be exported and supported by invasion. So I call it a crock.

Richard Thompson and the Big L

Since he's got his own blog, these mentions are becoming redundant, but check out this post for the Big L story.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-10-07

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-10-07
By John Judy

ABSOLUTE SANDMAN VOL.2 HC by Neil Gaiman and Too Many Art Gods to Mention. Collecting issues #21-39 of the classic series along with all kinds of extra goodies in an over-sized format worthy of the material. To paraphrase Robin Williams “Absolute Editions are God’s way of saying “You got too much money!””

BLACK ADAM THE DARK AGE #3 of 6 by Peter Tomasi and Doug Mahnke. DC’s best-loved mass murderer fights Hawkman. Good thing the Big H is into reincarnation.

BLACK SUMMER #3 of 7 by Warren Ellis and Juan Jose Ryp. Bodies everywhere, super-heroes on the run, and a U.S. President in the morgue. The series that’s gonna get Ellis water-boarded in an undisclosed location. Read it before they burn down the comic stores! Not for kids. Recommended.

BOOSTER GOLD #3 by Geoff Johns, Jeff Katz, and Dan Jurgens. Our Hero goes back to the Old West and meets Jonah Hex, as everyone who goes back to the Old West is wont to do. If you miss HBO’s “Deadwood” this will just remind you how bad it hurts. It’s a time-travel story that doesn’t suck. Recommended.

CAPTAIN CARROT AND THE FINAL ARK #1 of 3 by Bill Morrison and Scott Shaw! The anthropomorphic JLA is back and the they brought The Funny with ‘em! It might be possible to read this book sober but I wouldn’t advise it. Gotta look!

EC ARCHIVES: VAULT OF HORROR VOL.1 HC by The Elder Gods of Horror. Collecting the first six issues from 1950-51. Twenty-four spine-tingling, subversive tales with a foreward by R.L. Stine. You must own this book. Highly recommended.

FANTASTIC FOUR #550 by Dwayne McDuffie and Paul Pelletier. Somebody in Marvel Editorial really wants us to care about a minor character named “Gravity.” It’s time to let it go, Somebody. We’re just not that into him. Also guest-starring the Silver Surfer and Dr. Strange, pre- or post- “Civil War.” Can’t tell anymore.

FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #24 by J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada. “One More Day”, chapter two of the Aunt may death-watch can be found here.

GARTH ENNIS CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD SC by GE and Jacen Burrows. A rollicking good six issues of blasphemy from Ireland’s favorite son. Featuring a brain-damaged Rasta Jesus, a talking rabbit, and an Aussie Pope. It’s great, but absolutely NOT FOR KIDS. Recommended.

GREEN LANTERN #24 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis. Hal’s still fighting the Sinestro Corps War but this issue features one of those classic “Screwed-Up Statue of Liberty” covers that have been a staple of fantasy adventure ever since Charlton Heston had the worst walk on the beach ever in “Planet of the Apes.”

I KILLED ADOLF HITLER GN by Jason. Okay, what if a hitman traveled back in time to kill Hitler but somehow Hitler got away and came to the future? Wouldn’t it have made those “Back to the Future” movies way more interesting? Especially if the crazy actor who played George McFly got to play Hitler? From Fantagraphics.

NEW AVENGERS #35 by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Yu. Something bad appears to happen to Tigra the Were-Woman beyond being named “Tigra the were-Woman.” Guest-starring “Wol-Venom-Rine” if we are to believe the cover.

PUNISHER #51 by Garth Ennis and Goran Parlov. How hard is it to get a sitter if the Barracuda’s got your baby? Looks like a seriously dark story-line even by Garth Ennis standards. NOT for kids.

PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #12 by Matt Fraction and Ariel Olivetti. Frank puts on a insane exo-skeleton super-suit and fights aliens in this “World War Hulk” cross-over. Because isn’t that what the Punisher’s all about?

RUNAWAYS #28 by Joss Whedon and Michael Ryan. Your semi-annual dose of Joss Whedon-y goodness can be found here! Lotsa twists and turns in yet another of the few time-travel stories that doesn’t suck. Recommended.

SIMON DARK #1 by Steve Niles and Scott Hampton. Gotham City has a new guardian creature of the night. Okay, it’s kind of like opening next to a Wal-Mart, but the creative team is amazing. Gotta look.

SUPERMAN #668 by Kurt Busiek and Rick Leonardi. “The Third Kryptonian” story-line begins here, although because the mystery-supe is a new character he or she should properly be called “The 6th or 7th Kryptonian.” Of course that doesn’t sound as cool…

WOLVERINE #58 by Marc Guggenheim and Howard Chaykin. Did you know that every time Logan gets really messed up his soul goes to heaven to fight an angel who hides his real name in an anagram? See? This is why you’re not part of Marvel’s on-going “Who Can Write the Stupidest Wolverine Story EVER?!” contest.

WONDER WOMAN #13 by Gail Simone and Terry & Rachel Dodson. At long last we have Gail Simone writing this title! Between that and the Dodsons’ art we are looking at this week’s Must-Read. Recommended.

X-FACTOR #24 by Peter David and Pablo Raimondi. Wrapping up the latest story of the latest guy who wants to kill all the mutants.

X-MEN DIE BY THE SWORD #1 of 5 by Chris Claremont and Juan Santacruz. Don’t let the title fool you. It’s “Excalibur Meets the Exiles.” Recommended for people with easy access to whiskey and guns with one bullet. Five issues, dear god….

www.johnjudy.net

The return of Von Allen

Von Allen was one of the first people to check out this blog, so even though he's Canadian, we're going to keep in touch with him. He wrote to me today to mention that he'd been interviewed about his recently completed graphic novel. See "AN UNKNOWN TAKES THE "ROAD TO GOD KNOWS…"" by Justin Jordan, Comic Book Resources, October 3, 2007. Von's taken a different route - promoting his graphic novel about schizophrenia before he finished it. I enjoyed the ashcan he handed out at SPX and am looking forward to the final book when he finds a publisher.

Jason Rodriguez interviewed by Newsarama

Local comics writer Jason Rodriguez is interviewed about his next project after Postcards. See "LIFE AFTER POSTCARDS: CATCHING UP WITH JASON RODRIGUEZ" by Zack Smith, Newsarama October 1, 2007.

Baltimore sessions on Jewish comic book creators

See "Jewish authors bring novels to life: McDaniel College hosts five-part discussion series on graphic novels" By Laura McCandlish, Baltimore Sun Reporter.

Richard Thompson attempts to fill all Post pages by himself, part deux UPDATED

Richard, in addition to the usual Cul de Sac strip in the Post's Magazine, has a piece on how to create a cartoon in the Style & Arts section. Giving away part of it, a hammer, a head and drumming might be involved. Richard's posted it on his blog too.


AND, he has a full-page illo for an Achenbach article about open houses later in the Magazine as well.

Chilling, isn't it?

Richard's Poor Almanack blogs in paper

Richard's panel today makes fun of blogs and then gives the address of his new, and raaaather entertaining, blog.

Beeler, Herblock cartoons auctioned at Cartoons and Cocktails

See "Yeas & Nays: Cartoonists enjoy evening in the sun" by Jeff Dufour and Patrick Gavin, Washington Examiner October 5, 2007.

Nobody invited me as their date, so this is the first I've seen of this. Good work, Nate! Anybody who was there (Nate?) want to post a few details? The menu? Risque stories?

Small Press Expo To Be Held October 12-13, with Special Guests Bill Griffith, Gilbert Hernandez, Rutu Modan, Matt Wagner, Jeff Smith and Kim Deitch

Small Press Expo To Be Held October 12-13, with Special Guests Bill Griffith, Gilbert Hernandez, Rutu Modan, Matt Wagner, Jeff Smith and Kim Deitch

Bethesda, Maryland; October 4, 2007 - The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comic books, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, will hold its annual exposition from October 12 to October 13. This years exposition will again be held at the at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland across from the White Flint Metro.

This year’s slate of special guests include:

Bill Griffith, who is known world wide for his syndicated strip, Zippy The Pinhead, which runs daily in The Washington Post. He has a new Zippy collection out from Fantagraphics entitled “Zippy: Walk A Mile In MY Muu-Muu”. SPX is proud to have him make one of his rare convention appearances at this years show.

Jeff Smith, is the creator of the celebrated epic “Bone”, which has over a half million copies in print and is now available in Italian, Spanish, German and many other foreign languages. Jeff recently completed his critically acclaimed reworking of the Golden Age hero Captain Marvel, “Shazaam! The Monster Society of Evil” for DC Comics. He has recently been named by Fantagraphics as the art designer in charge of the upcoming reprints of Walt Kelly’s classic, “Pogo”.

Matt Wagner is one of the pioneers of indie comics with his original creation of “Grendel”, which celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year. Matt also created, wrote and drew “Mage”, and has worked on a number of projects for both DC and Vertigo. His next installment of the Grendel saga, “Behold The Devil” is due to be released this November from Dark Horse.

Gilbert Hernandez, whose Love and Rockets is considered one of the groundbreaking works in the history of comics, will be at SPX to promote his first graphic novel in four years, “Chance in Hell” from Fantagraphics.

Rutu Modan, one of the founders of the Actus Tragicus comics collective, will be at SPX with her first full length graphic novel entitled “Exit Wounds”, from Drawn & Quarterly.

Kim Deitch will be at SPX to promote his well received latest graphic novel, “Alias The Cat” from Pantheon Books. Kim is one of the original “underground” cartoonists who redefined comics in the 1960’s and has also worked in the field of animation.

There will be a full two day session of Creator Spotlights, where each of the above special guests and others will have a live 1 hour interview session, in addition to a number of panels and workshops on the comic arts.

As in previous years, there will be an exposition hall with over 300 creators and publishers, where attendees can buy the latest in commix and graphic novels, as well as interact with the exhibitors.

SPX will be open to the public from 2 pm - 8 pm, Friday, October 12 and 10am - 7 pm Saturday, October 13. Admission is $8 for a single day and $15 for both days.

SPX culminates with the presentation of the 11th Annual Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning. The awards will be held Saturday evening at 9PM and is open to all SPX attendees for free. The Ignatz is the first Festival Prize in the US comic book industry, with winners chosen by balloting during the SPX.

For further information on the artists or to request an interview, please contact Warren Bernard at webernard@spxpo.com.

SPX, a non-profit organization, brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, political cartoon books and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. A series of panel discussions will also be held of interest to readers, academicians and creators of graphic novels and political cartoons.

As in previous years, all profits from the SPX will go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), protecting the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, go to their website at

http://www.cbldf.org/.

Founded in 1994, SPX is North America's premier alternative comic-book festival. This annual event brings together comic creators, publishers and more than 2000 fans together to celebrate the art of storytelling.

Two minor bits

Today's Express gave The Jungle Book dvd a glowing review. The article's not online.

And in the Post's Food section, the Palm, the restaurant chain with local caricatures got a write-up with a photograph of said caricatures, and the photograph actually is online.

OT: Oct 15: Pekar at Walsh University in North Canton, OH

Some readers may have noticed I've asked about a couple of Harvey Pekar interviews. That's because I'm compiling a book of them for the University of Mississippi Press. I think it's far enough along that mentioning it won't jinx it, and besides I wanted to post my friend Mark Roger's flier about Harvey's appearance. Note the FREE appearance at 7:30 PM on OCTOBER 15 at WALSH UNIVERSITY in NORTH CANTON, OHIO.

Harvey's pretty darned entertaining in person actually, and a nice guy. Everyone reading this blog, say within 8 hours drive, should go.

Anybody wondered about Thingpart in the City Paper?

Yeah, me too. Namely why they waste the ink to print it. And, "For this they dropped Ted Rall?" But here's an interview with the cartoonist - "Cartoonists, craftspeople do it themselves," by Christina Troup, The San Francisco? Examiner Oct 3, 2007

2007 Festival of Cartoon Art adds Pope, Roth and Saylor to line-up

Off-topic, I know, but... I'm going! Anyone else? Besides Jenny Robb of the library asked me to let people know that there's still time to sign up.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 2, 2007

2007 Festival of Cartoon Art adds Pope, Roth and Saylor to line-up
October 25-27, 2007

The Cartoon Research Library is pleased to announce the addition of Paul Pope, Arnold Roth and David Saylor to its list of speakers for the 2007 Festival of Cartoon Art: Graphic Storytelling. Spaces are currently still available, but please note that participants must make their hotel reservations by October 14th in order to receive the amazing rate of only $109 per night. Registration forms are available at http://cartoons.osu.edu/FCA2007/site/registration.php.

Paul Pope’s career spans alternative comics, manga, superhero comics, and graphic design. Pope is the creator of the comic book series, THB, begun in 1995. He worked for Japan’s leading manga publisher, Kodansha, for 5 years, and has published several graphic novels including The One Trick Rip-off and Heavy Liquid.

Arnold Roth is an award-winning free-lance cartoonist and illustrator whose work has appeared in numerous publications including the New Yorker, TIME, Sports Illustrated, Playboy, Punch, the New York Times, and many more. Roth will join the Remembering Milton: A Gathering of Friends panel.
David Saylor is Vice President and Creative Director for Scholastic Books. In addition to designing the U.S. editions of the Harry Potter series, he is the creative director for Scholastic’s graphic novel imprint, Graphix. Saylor joins the panel of graphic novel publishers.
In addition, we are sorry to announce that Jules Feiffer, Guy Delisle and Mark Siegel have had to cancel and will not be appearing at the Festival.

About the Festival: The ninth triennial Festival of Cartoon Art organized by the Ohio State University Cartoon Research Library will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Columbus. Attendees will enjoy presentations by top cartoonists, scholars and comics professionals on the art of graphic storytelling. Registration is $150 (only $25 for students and seniors 65 and over!) and includes admission to all Festival of Cartoon Art Forum presentations and special pre-conference events, the exhibit catalogue for Milton Caniff: American Master and School of Caniff, morning refreshments and lunch at the Renaissance Hotel on both Forum days, a special exhibit reception at The Ohio State University, and a souvenir tote bag.

For an updated schedule, please see our website: http://cartoons.osu.edu.

For further information or images contact cartoons@osu.edu or telephone 614-292-0538.

###

Contact: Lucy Caswell
023L Wexner
27 W. 17th Avenue Mall
Columbus OH 43210-1393
614-292-0538
cartoons@osu.edu
www.cartoons.osu.edu

Nick Galifianakis on Post chat

Earlier today, the Post had "Tell Me About It: The Art; Nick Galifianakis, Illustrator." Wednesday, October 3, 2007 which consisted of

Nick Galifianakis, who illustrates Carolyn Hax's Tell Me About It advice column, will be online Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m. ET to field questions and comments about his work and the column's new daily appearance in The Post.

The article also linked to this 2001 chat, with Nick and his ex-wife. with whom he's still working, discussing their divorce.

"Tell Me About It" Hosted by Carolyn Hax, Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday, Nov. 9, 2001

Astro City review

Howard University professor Marc Singer has a nice piece on Kurt Busiek's Astro City up.

Bendis interview in Express

For Brian Michael Bendis's take on Halo and the comic book resulting from it, see "The Empire Strikes Back: 'Halo: Uprising'" by Scott Rosenberg, Express October 2, 2007.

Big Planet expands in College Park part 2

See "Liberty comics store becomes a Big Planet" by Rudi Greenberg, University of Maryland Diamondback 10/1/07. Tip courtesy of Richard Thompson.

Profile of Silent Devil Comics, Fairfax VA publishers

Tom Spurgeon caught this one - "Comic Books: A Family Affair: Fairfax family’s comic book business starting to take off," by Lauren Glendenning, Fairfax Connection September 26, 2007.

For Better or For Worse inspiration to speak in DC

Dave Astor's got the story in "Inspiration for Comic Character to Speak in D.C.," E&P Staff Online, October 01, 2007.

The article begins, The U.S. Department of State's Office of Civil Rights has asked Stephanie H. -- the inspiration for Shannon Lake in "For Better or For Worse"...