A fourth Harvey Pekar article that didn't make the book

I had thought I convinced them to leave this one in Harvey Pekar: Conversations (available now for purchase), darn it. This one is Harvey interviewing himself in his comic book. The odd typesetting is an attempt to replicate the way it was printed originally. This is amusing because Harvey talks about never working for DC, but 20 years later they were his publisher.

Oh well. Print it out and tuck it in after Mike Barson's interview from Heavy Metal.

The Situation as of 9-20-85
From American Splendor #11, 1986. Reprinted with permission of Harvey Pekar.

To what extent were you involved in the production of the stage version of American Splendor?

Not at all. See- here's what happened. My wife you know knows the Bishops (Conrad Bishop is the Independent Eye's artistic director). The way she knew them—she used to work in the Delaware state prison system, and they did some programs together there for the inmates. And so when we got married, she sent them copies of my books, uh, you know and Conrad liked the stuff, and he thought he would possibly like to make a stage production out of it. So I talked to Conrad about it, and we seemed to be in general agreement about how to handle the material. And so, you know, really I had — I don't think I have anything to lose by him doing it, and possibly something to gain, so I said, "Sure. Why not?" That's how I became involved.

Why did you start the book, American Splendor?

Well, simply because it was just too difficult to get published in those days on a regular basis any place. And I had ideas that I didn't want to sit around for 25 years before I saw it in print. So I, uh, I just, uh, I mean I-I don’t known if you’ve ever read my books, but, uh—

(Interviewer): Uh, no, but I just bought some. I can’t find them in this area…

The once-a-year thing was just a matter of—that's about how long it takes to get the stories. It's a 60-page book, and that's about how 'long it takes to get the stuff illustrated. That's one reason. Another reason is I'm currently losing money on the book and have been on every issue, and I couldn't you know I can – I couldn’t — sustain the losses. I can recover from losses on one book a year, but I couldn't do it for two books. So there's a couple of practical reasons. You know, it just evolved, it just sort of evolved out of these circumstances and became a once-a-year book.

When I did the first one, I had no idea if or when the second one would be coming out, or even if I would call it another name instead of American Splendor. But the title--I don't know--I like it and people liked it, and so I just kept.it, and I just kept calling it number two and number three and stuff like that.

Have you had any offers from the big comic companies like DC or Marvel, or if you would get such an offer, would you consider it, considering that their product is mainly superheroes?

First of all, do you know I'm getting a contract, that I've signed a contract with Doubleday to get a 160-page trade paperback book, an anthology of stories from the first through the ninth book, that'll be coming out in April?

As far as the Marvel and DC thing, you realize how unlikely it is that they would offer me anything. It's almost like totally—I don't know—I've had contact. I haven't asked anybody there to do anything for me, but I've had contact with a few people at both companies. I mean, it's out of the question. They know my work, and some of the people over there--maybe a lot of them for all I know—liked it, but it's like asking some publisher that puts out these gothic romances to put out my comic books. I mean, it's like, yeah, they're books, they're both books, but there's a big difference between a plumbing textbook and a book of poetry.

And I think Marvel and DC--their comics are a lot more commercial than maybe you'd like to get into.

Yeah. Well, I mean it’s just –it’s much—you know – it’s true what I used to say – “form.” As a – uh – as a, as a, you know what I mean—My book is a comic book in form but not in content, and that means a typical comic book in form but not in content. In other words, by that I mean that the book is—I use balloons and panels and stuff, but as I said in the interview in The Comics Journal, people have traditionally used comics in a very limited way, when there's no reason for that. So when people think of comic books, they just think of like maybe a few genres actually, instead of when you say a novel, you want to know what kind of a novel. There arc all kinds of different novels. But when people say, "comic books," they think about some costumed superhero or maybe a talking duck or- something. But there's not really much variety in straight comics, and alternative comics are not easy to find or anything.

It's conceivable that what happened to comics could've happened to any art form; that is, if the people who employ the art form had just only wanted to do one thing. But in movies, at first the stuff they did was confined to rather narrow limits, but then eventually, guys were making movies about just about every subject and doing all kinds of things and affiliated with all kinds of artistic schools. If they had just stayed with, say, cowboy movies and slapstick comedies and something like that, the people would probably think movies are junk.

Do you think the play will help the sales of the book? Do you think it's good publicity?

It certainly won't hurt it. I mean, of course, I mean obviously you see an example here – you bought some books. But I mean as far as whether this will be just a local-uh-I mean, you know - you - you know, the book, I mean. The play got some very nice reviews in the morning and afternoon papers here, so that might stimulate some local interest in Lancaster, but Lancaster's not—this is not a real large theater, and Lancaster's not a real big community. So even if they like me a lot here-and I appreciate it if they do—it's not going to make a big impact on my standard of living or anything like that. But on the other hand, if it's a big Broadway hit or something like that, obviously it would help. You've just got to more or less use a rule of reason to think about the question. If it's a big national hit or something like that, it helps you, you know. But it's okay. It's great. I've been having a good time out here, and I've been treated very, very well, and I've been out here just today and yesterday, but I've had a great time, and that's worth it.

I'm not concerned about money that much, because I've got a steady job. I can live on the income. I'm not that greedy, you know. It just so happens that what I want can be purchased for relatively little money. What I want is a lot of books right now.

Is there a particular reason why you do the books autobiographically?

Yeah, there's a reason why I'm dealing with them autobiographically, because what I want to do is write about everyday experience, and I think that everday experience has a huge effect on people—the accumulation of everyday experience. Everyday experience has been ignored by far too many writers, and I wanted to write things that people could identify with, write about experiences that people could say, "Oh yeah, I knew that kind of guy," or "I went through that." I didn't want to write about generic experiences. I wanted to write about particular experiences, and I can write about because I think if you write about the particular rather than the general, it's much more specific, much more believable. So if you write stuff that's true, as accurate as possible, I think -- my work, anyway — has a chance to have much more impact on people.

When people invent fictional characters, I mean they're not really fictional, in a sense. There have been any number of novels, I suppose, that have been written where most of the material has been factual, except the names have been changed. But maybe a person's been a compilation, a character of a novel's been a compilation, of two people that a guy knew, and maybe he's fit the parts together badly, so that the character's implausible. I don't have to run that kind of risk doing the kind of thing I'm doing. So that's my rationale.

Obviously, not everybody thinks like me. Obviously, there are all sorts of different ways to write good stories, good novels, but I give you the reasons for why I do what I'm doing. This is the method I've evolved. In order to attain my goals, I employ autobiographical writing, and the reason that I employ autobiographical writing is –you know – I gave you the reasons – you know – it’s you know – so that – you know - it would be easier to identify with, so it would have a greater impact on people, stuff like that. Other people—I don't know. I can't speak for any other writer. I just speak for myself. I haven't talked to other guys about why they do this or don’t do that.

Editorial cartoonist Jack Ohman influenced by DC years

See the article, and video, "Cartoonist draws on his roots (video): Editorial cartoonist Jack Ohman describes his inspiration to the Columbia Forum," By SANDRA SWAIN, The Daily Astorian September 5 2008. Ohman lived in DC during the Watergate years.

September 10: Steve Niles at Big Monkey Comics

Chris of cIndy podcasts sent along this flyer which says that Steve Niles will be at Big Monkey Comics on 14th St at 5 pm on September 10th. That night the National Academy of Sciences is also having a comics-related event.


The NAS event is The Physics of Superheroes
Wednesday, September 10, 7:00 pm

Ever wondered how strong you would have to be to “leap a tall building in a single bound?” Was it the fall or the webbing that killed Gwen Stacy, Spider-Man’s girlfriend in the classic Amazing Spider-Man #121? How does Kitty Pryde from the X-Men comics and movies use quantum mechanics to walk through walls? And who is really faster, Superman or the Flash? Join in the fun as we explore physics through comic book examples where the superheroes got their physics right!

James Kakalios, Ph.D., is a professor in the University of Minnesota’s School of Physics and Astronomy. His research interests include amorphous semiconductors, pattern formation in sandpiles and fluctuation phenomena in neuroscience. He has been reading comic books longer than he has been studying physics. He is the author of The Physics of Superheroes and he knows the chemical composition of Captain America’s shield.

Thanks to Jeff Reznick for the tip!

Our Man Thompson in San Francisco exhibit

Richard donated a piece to this Totoro Forest Project exhibit which will support anime great Miyazaki's love for forests - "Local artists join to save forest in Japan," Beth Hughes, San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writer, Friday, September 5, 2008. See his blog for more details.

Local cartoonist John Gallagher on podcast

Buzz Boy John Gallagher's on Indie Spinner Rack from Heroes Con.

Harvey Pekar book is in my hand

Metaphorically at least. A box of them - 10 author copies - showed up in the mail today. It finally exists and I can move on. Well, I have to move some of them too - buy it here. But secondly....!

Thanks to the generosity of the Press, which donated two copies, Harvey's going to sign both copies and mail them back to me and I'll sign and bring them to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund table for auction at the Small Press Expo in North (hah!) Besthesda this fall. This whole project started when Harvey was at the SPX and they needed someone to interview him, and that person turned out to be me. So I'll pay the CBLDF back a little bit with these books.

That'll be the super-collectible edition, limited to two.

Student cartoonist featured in Post

A student cartoonist featured in Post, but seventh-grader Crystal Wormack is only in the Prince William section. Fortunately, the article is online - "Middle-School Cartoonist Draws on Animal Insight," By Ian Shapira, Washington Post Staff Writer, Thursday, September 4, 2008; VA03.

Small Press Expo Announces Ben Katchor As A Guest For SPX 2008

For Immediate Release

Contact: Warren Bernard
Phone: 301-537-4615
E-Mail: webernard@spxpo.com

Bethesda, Maryland; September 4, 2008 - The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comic books, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, is proud to announce Ben Katchor as a guest for SPX 2008.

Fresh from his appearance at the international comics exposition, Stripdaagen, held in Haarlem, The Netherlands, Mr. Katchor is making his first appearance at SPX. Mr. Katchor is known for his books "Julius Knippel, Real Estate Photographer", "The Jew Of New York", and "Beauty The Supply District". He is a contributor of comics to both The New Yorker and the New York Times, and has a regular strip that is printed in Metropolitan Magazine. Mr. Katchor has turned his talents to the stage, writing the libretto and creating the backgrounds for the plays "The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island" and "The Rosenbach Company".

SPX is proud to add Ben Katchor to the other guests appearing at this years SPX, Joost Swarte, Bryan Lee O'Malley, Hope Larson, Tom Tomorrow and Lloyd Dangle.

Additional guests will be added over the next few weeks, please stay tuned for those announcements.

This year, SPX will be held Saturday, October 4 from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday, October 5 noon-6PM at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $8 for a single day and $15 for both days.

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.

SPX culminates with the presentation of the 12th Annual Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning that will occur Saturday night, October 4. The Ignatz is the first Festival Prize in the US comic book industry, with winners chosen by balloting during the SPX.

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 and graphic novel festival. This annual event brings together comic creators, publishers and fans together to celebrate the art of visual storytelling.

Peanuts Animator Obituary

Bill Melendez, 91; Award-Winning 'Peanuts' Animator
By Matt Schudel
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 4, 2008; B07
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/03/AR2008090303840.html

The Peanuts Gang
By Matt Schudel Washington Post's Post Mortem blog September 4, 2008; http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postmortem/2008/09/the_peanuts_gang.html?sid=ST2008090401641&s_pos=list

3rd Harvey Pekar article on his life, and the movie thereof

Here's the 3rd piece that got dropped from Harvey Pekar: Conversations for not being a conversation, except for between Harvey and his readers. The book's available now at UPM's site, even if Amazon's saying it's not ready.

My Film Future: Movie producers are not flooding me with projects

Harvey Pekar / 2004

From Cleveland Free Times, January 21, 2004. Reprinted with permission of Harvey Pekar.


I'm getting kind of tired of writing about my movie experiences, but if that's what the editors want from me, I don't see how I can refuse them. Now I'm told a lot of people want to know what it's like going from a nobody to the protagonist of a successful film. It's happened to others before me, I guess, but I would think each would've reacted differently. For me the movies were basically a one-shot opportunity to make some extra money.

I'm pleased that American Splendor turned out as well as it did, but I would've gladly signed up with filmmakers I did not believe were particularly competent if the monetary compensation was right. See, I'm not a moviemaker. Yes, the American Splendor film was based on my comic book stories and dialogue, and to that extent I guess my American Splendor comics had something to do with the film's success.

But I had very little to do with coming up with the style that directors Bob Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman created to make the film. No one was consulting with me about how to cast American Splendor, or which stories to base it on. And with good reason — I had virtually no experience in the film business on the one hand, and, on the other, producer Ted Hope put together a cast and crew that were highly competent — a group of all-stars. I was gonna tell them their business? Forget it! They knew what they were doing already.

Now that the movie's been made, I don't find a bunch of producers flocking to me to try to involve me in this or that film project. What would I have to offer them? My wife kidded me about being a has-been as far as movies are concerned, and I guess she's right. There's no place for me to go in the film business. American Splendor covered my life from when I was a little kid 'til I reached the age of 62. There's not much left to make a sequel about.

I never got too excited about the success of American Splendor because I figured it was, as I mentioned earlier, a one-shot deal. It'd be different if I had a bunch of film scripts lying around to produce after American Splendor , but I don't. I'm very grateful to be the object of praise and flattery, even if I don't really deserve it, but I'm not going to get my head turned by it so that I'll be riding for a fall.

I do face a daunting challenge, though, and that's how to increase the sales of my books, which I intend to continue to write. For one thing, the comic book industry is in terrible shape right now. Sales are down and they've been heading in that direction for some time.

For another, although I'm proud of my work in the comic-book area, and have been called an innovative and influential writer, sales of my own books have never been that hot, even when the rest of the industry was in fine condition. I was paid $17 a page for the last three comics I had published before the movie came out, to give you an idea of the amount of commercial success I'd attained.

Now I go back to my publisher after American Splendor has gotten awards at Sundance, Cannes and other places, and won the top prize for best film of 2003 by the National Society of Film Critics, to see what I'm offered for my next book. It turns out I'm offered $44 a page, or less than I received for the first book I did for him. So how much good did the American Splendor movie do me in my chosen profession — comic book writing? Not a lot, in view of the lack of interest that comic book producers are currently showing in my works.

There may be some signs of hope for me in the comic book biz, however. For one thing, my next comic stories are going to be printed in trade paperback, not the old pamphlet form. People who like my work best seem to be general readers who, unlike comic book fans, can't find my stuff in comic book stores or, in fact, don't even know such stores exist. Traditional comic book (super hero) fans have never had much enthusiasm for my work. They like escapist stuff. So if my books are released in trade paperback form, they may appear in places like Barnes & Noble and Borders, where general readers could find them.

I've already written a number of new stories for my new book and have lined up several top-notch artists to illustrate them. They're willing to do so even though they're not going to get much money either. It's nice to know that there are some talented people out there who're willing to work with me even though there's not much money in it for them.

So I'm busily preparing my next comic book opus, with some pleasure and plenty of apprehension. We'll see how things progress.

Comic Riffs interviews Hulk writer

See "Interview With the Cartoonist: "Hulk" Writer Jeph Loeb" By Michael Cavna, September 3, 2008. I'm not quite sure how Cavna is picking his interviewees, but more power to him.

OT: Deitch exhibit in NYC

Here's a posting for Bill K, who's handling the programming for SPX as well. This should be an excellent exhibit:

For immediate release
CONTACT: Bill Kartalopoulos
kartalopoulos@gmail.com

Major Retrospective of Work by Legendary Underground Cartoonist Kim Deitch Opens at MoCCA on September 9

• Exhibition dates: September 9 – December 5, 2008
• Opening Reception: September 12, 2008, 6 – 9 pm

The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) is pleased to announce a major retrospective of work by underground cartoonist and graphic novelist Kim Deitch (b. 1944), opening September 9th and running through December 5th, 2008.

Kim Deitch: A Retrospective will display original comics pages and other work covering the artist's entire career to date, beginning with full-page comic strips drawn for the East Village Other in the sixties up to recent graphic novels including The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Alias the Cat, Shadowland, and Deitch's Pictorama. The exhibit will also feature rarely seen work including elaborate preparatory
drawings, hand-colored originals, animation cel set-ups and lithographs.

Kim Deitch was born in Los Angeles in 1944, the eldest son of Oscar-wining animator Gene Deitch (Tom Terrific, Munro). Deitch studied at the Pratt Institute, traveled with the Norwegian Merchant Marines and worked at a mental institution before joining the burgeoning underground press in 1967. As an early contributor to the East Village Other and the editor of Gothic Blimp Works, Kim Deitch was a charter member of the underground comix scene that exploded with the 1968 publication of Robert Crumb's Zap #1. Forty years later, he stands alongside Crumb, Bill Griffith, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, and Art Spiegelman as one the most notable and prolific artists to emerge from that milieu. In addition to his comic books and graphic novels, Deitch's work has appeared in venues including RAW, Weirdo, Arcade, Details, the L.A. Weekly, McSweeney's, Nickelodeon Magazine, and The New Yorker.

"Kim Deitch's career spans the entire post-war history of avant-garde comics, from the underground to the literary mainstream," said exhibit curator Bill Kartalopoulos. "Deitch brilliantly weaves vast intergenerational narratives that enfold a deep history of American popular entertainment. Distinctions between fiction and reality blur in his meta-fictional world just as real madness bleeds into the visions and schemes of the artists, entertainers, and hustlers who populate his stories. The result is a rich narrative tapestry as compelling and as breathtaking as Deitch's densely layered, tightly woven, and intricately detailed black and white comics pages."

Deitch's body of work stretches outward from comics to embrace a spectrum of visual-narrative modes, including extra-textual single images and illustrated prose modeled after Victorian illustrated fiction. His most recent book is Deitch's Pictorama, a collection of illustrated fiction produced in collaboration with brothers Seth and Simon Deitch. The exhibit includes several examples of Deitch's
career-long experimentation with text/image modes.

MoCCA will publish an original poster and 1" button featuring the "Sunshine Girl" character who stars both in Deitch's earliest and most recent work. The Museum will also host a series of talks and events related to the exhibit.

MoCCA is located at 594 Broadway, Suite 401, between Houston and Prince. New York, NY 10012
Phone: 212 254-3511
MoCCA is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 12 – 5 pm, Sundays 12 – 3 pm.
Suggested Donation: $5
The opening reception is free and open to the public.
For more information please visit: http://www.moccany.org

Pekar-saturated book now available!

Harvey Pekar: Conversations LIVES!

I got a laconic email from the master of marketing at the University Press of Mississippi today:

Books are in the warehouse and shipping.

The link to purchase is now live on our website.

So, go buy twenty-five years of Harvey Pekar reflecting on his life and career. Read about his triumph and tragedy. Marvel at his fortitude. 'Nuff said (for now).

Melter's Superman-tinged book released today

His wife sends out the PR! I love that! Here's the email, which since it was labelled "Brad’s new book -- pass it on..." I am posting here. Again, I'm going to the Thursday night signing at Politics and Prose.

Here it is -- Brad's new thriller, The Book of Lies, is published today, and as you'll see below, he's been waiting his whole life to write this one (which is why it's my true favorite). It's filled with his usual obsessive research, but this is the one that will make your Mom (and Dad) cry. So what's it about?

In Chapter 4 of the Bible, Cain kills Abel. But the Bible is silent about the weapon Cain used to kill his brother. That weapon is still lost to history.

In 1932, Mitchell Siegel was killed by three gunshots to his chest.While mourning, his son created the world's greatest hero: Superman. And like Cain's murder weapon, the gun used in this unsolved murder has never been found. Until now.

What do these two murders, committed thousands of years apart, have in common? The
answer is in The Book of Lies.

To buy the book, you can click here:
http://www.bradmeltzer.com/novels/book-of-lies/buy.php

To read the first chapter, click here:
http://www.bradmeltzer.com/novels/book-of-lies/first-chapter.php

To hear the soundtrack (oh, yes -- a real soundtrack from Victor Records, plus REM and the new Book of Lies song) is here:
http://www.bradmeltzer.com/soundtracks.php

To see the video Brad made with Joss Whedon, Christopher Hitchens and Damon Lindelof, click here: http://www.bradmeltzer.com/novels/book-of-lies/movie-trailer.php

And finally, to see the most important thing we've done with any of the books -- and what we're doing to save the house where Superman was created, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25R2kcJxQuc

And of course he's on facebook, myspace, and all that other stuff I refuse to acknowledge exists.

Let me just say one last thing: I hope you know how much your love and support of Brad and the rest of us has meant over the past few months. In many ways, I was afraid that him seeing everyone on tour would turn into something sad, but it's clear it's truly a celebration. So please do go find Brad on one of the tour stops and give him a hug for me.

(that last is definitely from Brad's wife, not me.)

Terry Brooks signing in Bailey's Crossroads

Terry Brooks, an author whose Dark Wraith of Shannara title has been adapted as a Graphic Novel, will be signing this week:

September 3, 7:30pm
Borders Books & Music
5871 Crossroads Center Way
Baileys Crossroads, VA 22041
Reading, Q&A, Signing

The title is from Del Rey books, is adapted by Robert Napton, and has art by Edwin David.

Meltzer and Superman's house

"Repairing a House With Superman Ties," By GEORGE GENE GUSTINES, New York Times September 2, 2008

Dustin Harbin on Watchmen and beyond

I met Dustin at HeroesCon this year, and liked him immensely. Here's a link to something he's written - "Okay, I've Read Watchmen. What's Next?" By Dustin Harbin,
Newsarama 2008-08-28.

Another Meltzer bit or two

Here's a review of his new comic book "DC Universe: Last Will and Testament": John Hardick: "Kuberts create a surprising new tale," Lehigh Valley Express Times Saturday, August 30, 2008.

And here's a blog post: "Brad Meltzer: Faster than a speeding bullet," by Chauncey Mabe, South Florida Sun Sentinel's Off the Page blog August 31, 2008.

Give me that ol' time Bat-religion, and other news

R. Kikuo Johnson's illustrated today's New York Times magazine story on President Bush. Rutu Modan's comic story is continuing too, although it hasn't really captured my imagination.

"Must-See Sermons: Va. Pastor Culls Lessons From Silver Screen to Pull In Larger Audience," By Ben Hubbard, Washington Post Staff Writer, Sunday, August 31, 2008; C01 is about a minister who's preached dressed as both the Batman and the Joker during sermons.

Also, the last completely new For Better or For Worse strip appeared in the Sunday Post comics section. Ms. Johnston extrapolates what happens to the characters in the future, much as the last Harry Potter book did.

In the "Lord, what fools these mortals be" column we find "Studio War Involving ‘Watchmen’ Heats Up," By MICHAEL CIEPLY, New York Times August 30, 2008.














This piece explained a James Gillray cartoon, which can be incomprehensible at a remove of 200 years - "Be an Old Master, for 10 Guineas," By J. D. BIERSDORFER, New York Times August 31, 2008

In the Sunday Examiner's inserts - "Why I love Superman: A best-selling novelist on why he adores the Man of Steel," By Brad Meltzer, USA Weekend August 29 2008.

Jen Sorenson blogged from the DNC and we missed it

Jen's based in Charlottesville, and a regular attendee of SPX. She's also got a new book out. You can still see her blog on the DNC even if the event's over.

Family Circus has left Washington

The Family Circus flew out of DC yesterday, leaving via Dulles Airport (in a fine rendering of the architecturally significant airport). With four children and two adults, they significantly added to the local tourism economy in spite of sticking to free monuments and museums. We hope they enjoyed their visit.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE THURSDAY 09-04-08

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE THURSDAY 09-04-08
By John Judy

(Note: Long weekends mean late comics but only by a day.)

AL JAFFE TALL TALES HC by Al Jaffe. Collecting 120 installments of the world’s first and last vertical newspaper comic-strip from the veteran MAD artist who gave us “Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions” and the folding back-cover gags of about a million issues of MAD. Very cool stuff. Recommended.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #570 by Dan Slott and John Romita Jr. Big fights between Spidey, Venom and “Anti-Venom” so help me. Where’s a Skrull when you need one? But it’s Dan Slott so of course he makes it all sing.

ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL #12 by Brian Lynch and Nick Runge. The incomprehensibility continues! Contains vaguely humanoid shapes and words!

BOYS #22 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The Legend wraps it up, the Homelander throws a hissy, and Butcher learns something. Featuring a variant glow-in-the-dark cover and lots of perversion. Not for kids. Recommended.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #18 by Joss Whedon and Karl Moline. Buffy’s in the future and Dawn’s a centaur. A really hot centaur… Hey Michelle Trachtenberg’s like 32 years old now so it’s okay! Oh man, it’s never gonna be okay….

GREEN LANTERN #34 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis. Hal Jordan and Sinestro take on Abin Sur’s killer. It’s like Anakin and Obi-Wan if George Lucas knew how to write. Recommended.

MARVEL APES #1 of 4 by Karl Kesel and Ramon Bachs. An alternate universe where the Marvel heroes are all monkeys. Hey, it was this or more zombies… Oh wait, they’re doing that too. I don’t care! It’s monkeys as heroes! I’m reading it! Ook-ook!

SECRET SIX #1 by Gail Simone and Nicola Scott. The always awesome Gail Simone returns to chronicle the on-going adventures of DC’s favorite anti-heroes. Strong, character-driven stories of triple-crosses, desperation, out-and-out psychosis and other stuff straight out of the GOP National Convention! Highly recommended.

STORMING PARADISE #3 of 6 by Chuck Dixon and Butch Guice. It’s game-on as the allies invade the Japanese mainland in this alternate-world history in which there was no Fat Man or Little Boy to end WWII. Weird, wild stuff. Recommended.

SUB-MARINER: DEPTHS #1 of 5 by Peter Milligan and Esad Ribic. The Marvel Knights version of Namor the Sub-Mariner which means it’s out of continuity and probably incredibly sexy, vulgar and violent. And other stuff straight out of the GOP National Convention! (Call-back! Yes!) Gotta look. Unless you’re a kid.

TWELVE ½ by Various Creators, including Stan Lee, Joe Simon and Basil Wolverton. Collecting early golden-age appearances of the stars of the hit series THE TWELVE. This issue includes the Fiery Mask, Rockman and Mister E. For those of us who love such stuff but can’t afford the big-buck back issue prices. Cool.

X-MEN: MANIFEST DESTINY #1 of 4 by Mike Carey, Michael Ryan and Others. A series of stories laying out the latest status quo of all things “X.”

www.johnjudy.net

Diary of a Wimpy Kid's Jeff Kinney at Baltimore Comic-Con!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid's Jeff Kinney at Baltimore Comic-Con!
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Baltimore, Maryland - August 23, 2008 - Jeff Kinney, author of the #1 New York Times best-selling title Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and nominee in 8 Harvey Award categories this year, will be making his Baltimore Comic-Con debut on Saturday, September 27th!

"Jeff Kinney's been picking up accolades left and right with his series, and really draws a different demographic to the show," said show promoter Marc Nathan. "We're really excited to have him and think his appearance is going to be a huge hit."

Jeff is appearing courtesy of Amulet Books, an imprint of Harry N. Abrams, Inc., and will be signing in their booth on Saturday at 3pm.

A full list of retailers can now be found on our website.

Swamp Thing co-creator and Frankenstein artist Bernie Wrightson will be the show's Guest of Honor.

He headlines a guest list that includes, in alphabetical order, Michael Bair (Identity Crisis, 52), Kyle Baker (Nat Turner, The Bakers), Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man, Secret Invasion), Ivan Brandon (NYC Mech, Marvel Comics Presents), Buzz (JSA), Jim Calafiore (Exiles, Countdown), Dennis Calero (X-Factor, Countdown), Nick Cardy (Aquaman, Teen Titans), Tommy Castillo (Grimm Fairy Tales, Kong: King of Skull Island), Howard Chaykin (Wolverine, American Flagg), Cliff Chiang (Green Arrow & Black Canary), Gene Colan (Daredevil, Tomb of Dracula), Darwyn Cooke (New Frontier, The Spirit), Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows, Mighty Avengers), Steve Conley (Star Trek, The Escapist), Amanda Conner (Green Arrow/Black Canary, JSA Classified), Guy Davis (B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson), Todd Dezago (Perhapanauts, Tellos), Steve Dillon (Punisher, Preacher), David Finch (World War Hulk, New Avengers), Ramona Fradon (Aquaman, Mermaidman and Barnacleboy), John Gallagher (Buzzboy, Roboy Red), Ron Garney (Wolverine, Skaar: Son of Hulk), Michael Golden (Micronauts, The 'Nam), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Mike Grell (John Sable, Iron Man), Cully Hamner (Blue Beetle, Black Lightning), Dean Haspiel (American Splendor, Brawl), Adam Hughes (Catwoman), Stuart Immonen (Ultimate Spider-Man), Chris Ivy (Beast Boy, Marc Spector: Moon Knight), Geoff Johns (Green Lantern, Action Comics), J.G. Jones (52, Wonder Woman), Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Ultimate X-Men), Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man, Empire), Rich Koslowski (Marvel Comics Presents, Sonic the Hedgehog), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon, Image EIC), Jim Lee (All Star Batman & Robin, Wildcats), Norman Lee (Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man, Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane), the Luna Brothers (The Sword, Girls), David Mack (Kabuki, Daredevil), Sean McKeever (Teen Titans, Countdown), Mark McKenna (Banana-Tail, Annihilation: Conquest), Bob McLeod (New Mutants, Spider-Man), Pop Mhan (Blank, Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Mike Mignola (Hellboy, Disney's Atlantis), Mark Morales (Civil War, Secret Invasion), Rags Morales (Identity Crisis, Batman Confidential), Phil Noto (Danger Girl, Jonah Hex), Michael Avon Oeming (Mice Templar, Powers), Mike Okamoto (Hellraiser, Chaos! Quarterly), Jimmy Palmiotti (Painkiller Jane, Jonah Hex), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate X-Men, Strange), Eric Powell (The Goon), Tom Raney (Annihilation: Conquest, Ultimate Secrets), Alex Robinson (Too Cool to be Forgotten, Box Office Poison), James Robinson (Superman, JSA), John Romita Sr. (Amazing Spider-Man), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Perhapanauts, X-Men: First Class), Andy Runton (Owly), Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween, Heroes), Alex Saviuk (Web of Spider-Man, Feast of the Seven Fishes), Tony Shasteen (O.C.T.: Occult Crimes Taskforce), Jim Shooter (Legion of Super-Heroes), John K. Snyder III (Grendel), Taki Soma (Silent Forest, You'll Never Die), Mark Sparacio (Heroes for Hire, Captain Action), Brian Stelfreeze (Midnighter, The Ride), Karl Story (Black Canary Wedding Planner, Number of the Beast), Robert Tinnell (EZ Street), Peter Tomasi (Nightwing, Green Lantern Corps), Herb Trimpe (Incredible Hulk), Timothy Truman (Conan, Grimjack), Billy Tucci (Shi, Sgt. Rock - The Lost Battalion), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest, The Wicked West), Doug Wagner (The Ride, Gun Candy), Matt Wagner (Zorro, Grendel), Mark Waid (Flash, Boom! Studios), Mark Wheatley (Frankenstein Mobster, Mighty Motor Sapiens), Ron Wilson (The Thing), and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).

The Harvey Awards will return to the Baltimore Comic-Con for the third consecutive year. The awards dinner and ceremony will be held Saturday night, September 27, 2008, following the convention's normal hours. As in 2007, the first 300 paid attendees and honorees at the 2008 Harvey Awards Ceremonies will receive a Hollywood-style bag of swag. Last year's bag included The EC Archives: Two-Fisted Tales - Volume 1 from Gemstone Publishing, a complete base set of the soon-to-be-released Jericho Season One trading cards from Inkworks, an exclusive pin from AdHouse Books, a Comic-Con exclusive edition of 30 Days of Night: Red Snow 1 from IDW Publishing, a Toon Tumbler from Popfun Merchandising, and an exclusive Harvey Awards keychain from LaserMach. Final ballots are presently online at www.harveyawards.org. Kyle Baker will return as Master of Ceremonies for the evening's events.

Tickets are now available for sale. For more information about the Baltimore Comic-Con, email cardscomicscollectilbes@yahoo.com or call (410) 526-7410. The guest list, ticket information, directions, and other information can be found on the convention's website or on its MySpace page.

For more information about the Harvey Awards, including sponsorship opportunities, e-mail baltimorecomiccon@yahoo.com.

Upcoming Anime Con

The Anime USA convention, "For Otaku, By Otaku", is coming up at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, VA over the Columbus Day Weekend (October 10-12, 2008).

http://www.animeusa.org/

Guests include Robert DeJesus, a pretty big name in manga circles, and local yokel Jo Chen, who does covers for Runaways at Marvel and the vast majority of the Joss Whedon-verse titles at Dark Horse, among other things, plus Allison Strom, who does manga work at Seven Seas Entertainment, Matt Herms, who works at Archie, and webcomics artsts of Paradox Lost and Applegeeks.

As with all of these Anime conventions, the price of admission is steep -- $40 through the end of September, and then I assume it goes up. I guess if you're going for the whole experience, that might be more reasonable than if you're me and just want to see the folks I just mentioned above!

Selcuk Demirel is BACK

Turkish cartoonist Selcuk Demirel used to be a regular illustrator in the Post's Book World section, but he went missing years ago. Today he is BACK, illustrating the cover of the Weekend section. The above lift from the Post's website is 1/2 the cover he did, and obliterates the tree. More Demirel!

Also in today's Post is a review of the latest Nightmare Before Christmas DVD release which appeared online earlier in the week as "A Very Vivid 'Nightmare'," By JEN CHANEY, washingtonpost.com Staff Writer, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008 and in print as "An Early Christmas Present," Post August 29 2008, Weekend p. 32

More Meltzer ephemera

Brad's publisher is really pushing this book. Here's the postcard that came in the mail yesterday.


Brad's comic book Last Will and Testament came out from DC Comics this week and I picked it up, but haven't read it yet. It seems to deal with Geo-Force from the Outsiders and whatever the Final Crisis is.

Washington Post selects Little Dog Lost to replace FBOFW

Michael Cavna is reporting that on Monday the Post will begin running "Little Dog Lost," by Ohio-based artist Steve Boreman in place of Canada-based Lynn Johnston's "For Better or For Worse."

BASH! Magazine #2..."featuring new stories from D.C. artists in your monthly comic alternative"

I noticed issue #2 of BASH! Magazine was on the stands today at the Vienna Metro station (though not in the kiosk at Gallery Place yet!). Says the cover, "This month in Bash Magazine read about the strange fates awaiting those who dare take fake vacations, walk obsure forest paths, order frozen lobster, travel to Cuba, or ride the bus!" It truly is a cornucopia of variety and strangeness. From your political-leaning cartoons by the likes of Keith Knight and Jen Sorensen to the illustrated poetry of John Dimes.

For your edification, the Table of Contents:

Something Peculiar by John Dimes
As I Wait by Theo Ellsworth
Something Happens by Thomas K. Dye
Limbs of the Megalith by Eamon Espey
Onionhead by Bryan Stone
K Chronicles by Keith Knight
One Cannot Travel Where There are Not Roads by Morgan Pielli
Slow Wave by Jesse Rekaw and Susan Ortiz
Cuba Libre by Dan Archer
Tiny Sepuku by Ken Cursoe
slowpoke by Jen Sorensen
Animal Stew by Matt Dembicki

All that, and free to boot!

Zadzooks on videogame with minor comics tie-in and ill-fitting Star Wars characters

For info on some videogame called Soulcatcher IV, the DC comic book that comes with it, and the weird fact that you can have Darth Vader in your game, see "ZADZOOKS: Swords cast world into strife," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Thursday, August 28, 2008.

We also have Bennett's Best online - I looked at the Superman 3-D Final Crisis and put it back. If I made a mistake, somebody let me know.

Disney expands on Blu-ray plans

"At Disney, Blu-ray Sales Team Is a Cast of Characters," By BROOKS BARNES, New York Times August 27, 2008 reports that five more animated films are joining Sleeping Beauty as Blu-ray releases - Pinocchio, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia, Fantasia 2000 and Beauty and the Beast.

They also had a mention of Virgin Comics imploding - "Virgin Comics Venture Is Shut Down," by JULIE BLOOM, New York Times August 27, 2008.

Smackin' around the Post over the Danish cartoons

I just loved this letter to the editor:

Throwing Stones At Random House
Washington Post Wednesday, August 27, 2008; Page A12

The Post was entirely correct to criticize Random House for preemptively caving in to Islamic fundamentalists who might take offense with the novel "The Jewel of Medina" ["Random House's Retreat," editorial, Aug. 22].

But I can't help but think you would have a little more credibility on the subject if you hadn't allowed the same potential threats to dictate how you reported the controversy two years ago over cartoons depicting the prophet Muhammad. The Post had its chance to assert its right to report current events as a major newspaper should by printing the cartoons, but instead you caved in to the mob just as Random House has.

JOE SCHWIND
Martinsburg, W.V.

Meltzer's Book of Lies begins getting press

USA Today raved about Meltzer's book and theory in "The crime that created Superman: Did fatal robbery spawn Man of Steel?" By David Colton, USA TODAY April 26 2008.

Today, The Cleveland Plain Dealer smacks it around a bit in response - "Novel's Superman lore a bit weak on the facts," by Patrick O'Donnell and Michael Sangiacomo, Wednesday August 27, 2008.

Seth MacFarlane's new animation for Burger King

A few days ago, I linked to a NYTimes article about Seth MacFarlane’s Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy project. A rep from Burger King's ad agency wrote in to say that while "Exclusive Cavalcade content will be presented by BK on youtube.com/bk beginning September 10" there's a sneak peak up now. Which actually looks rather dementedly amusing. Plus she said nice things about the blog...

MTV wants you, maybe, perhaps...

I've started getting press releases due to this blog, and while I'd like to stay focused on the DC area, I'll stick a few up that tickle my funny bone or some other anatomical part. Here's one from MTV's True Life show, which beyond being over 28 by some years, I still wouldn't apply to go on. However if it appeals to you, here's the unedited PR:

ARE YOU A FANBOY?

MTV’S TRUE LIFE WANTS TO HEAR YOUR STORY!

Are you a young person who is obsessed with a certain book, comic, or video game? MTV’s True Life is looking for young people who are die-hard fans of certain brands, characters, or fantasy series.

Are you obsessed with comic books, anime, fantasy, or manga? Do you like to dress up as your favorite character and attend conventions with other fans? Have you ever waited in line overnight for a book, movie, or videogame release? Do you have tattoos depicting your favorite brand or characters? Have you ever missed work, school, or other important events to engage in role-playing or cosplay? Are you misunderstood by your family or significant other because of it? Do you aspire to author your own graphic novel or comic series despite your parents’ disapproval?

If you appear to be between the ages of 16 and 28, and want to share the story of your fantasy obsession, email us at fanboy@mtvn.com with all of the details. Be sure to include your name, location, phone number and a photo, if possible.

Tell MTV why you need to be seen and heard. This is your chance to let others see what your life is all about!

So there you have it. If you do decide to apply, feel free to let us know as well.

Threefer For Better or For Worse

Actually, there was a 3rd bit in the Post today, at least the electronic one - Cavna, Michael. 2008. "Interview With the Artist: "For Better or For Worse's" Lynn Johnston," Washington Post Comic Riffs blog (August 27). It ended with the surprise news that "As of next Monday, The Washington Post plans to drop "For Better or for Worse" from its print edition but continue to carry it online."

Twofer Betterfer Worse

For Better For Worse articles in today's Post:

Something for Everyone to Hate by Hank Stuever

and

Lynn Johnston's Drawn-Out Adieu to Cartooning by Michael Cavna

I expect we'll see many more of these before all is said and done!

Small Press Expo Presents Tom Tomorrow and Lloyd Dangle in “Outside Looking In: Alternative Political Cartooning in 2008”

Small Press Expo Presents Tom Tomorrow and Lloyd Dangle in “Outside Looking In: Alternative Political Cartooning in 2008”

For Immediate Release
Contact: Warren Bernard
Phone: 301-537-4615
E-Mail:webernard@mindspring.com

Bethesda, Maryland; August 26, 2008 - Small Press Expo (SPX) 2008 will hold a special series of panel discussions, presentations, interviews and book signings in conjunction with the upcoming Presidential and National elections. Outside Looking In: Alternative Political Cartooning In 2008 will look back at the last 8 years and forward to the 2008 elections and beyond. Outside Looking In will survey the political landscape and how the field of political cartooning is adjusting to technology and business changes in the 21st Century.

Making a very rare comic convention appearance in conjunction with Outside Looking In is the award winning cartoonist, Tom Tomorrow, one of the pioneers in the alternative political cartooning field. The creator of the strip This Modern World and its protagonist, Sparky The Wonder Penguin, will promote his newly released book, The Future Is So Bright I Can’t Bare To Look!. Visit Mr. Tomorrow’s web site at http://www.thismodernworld.com.

Attending SPX as a guest for the first time in many years is the creator of the long running social and political cartoon series Troubletown, Lloyd Dangle. Mr. Dangle also has a new book out, Troubletown, I Told You So!. See his cartoons at http://www.troubletown.com.

Both Mr. Tomorrow and Mr. Dangle will be participants in panel discussions and will be available for signing their latest books over the two day event.

Outside Looking In events are included in the SPX admission fee of $8 for 1 day and $15 for both days

The best alternative political cartoonists in the United States will be added over the next few weeks to “Outside Looking In”, please stay tuned for those announcements.

This year, SPX will be held Saturday, October 4 from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday, October 5 noon-6PM at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

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.

SPX culminates with the presentation of the 12th Annual Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning that will occur Saturday night, October 4. The Ignatz is the first Festival Prize in the US comic book industry, with winners chosen by balloting during the SPX.

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 and graphic novel festival. This annual event brings together comic creators, publishers and fans together to celebrate the art of visual storytelling.

Formal invitation to The Book of Lies by Brad Meltzer

Here's a scan of an invitation that arrived in the mail. As I've said, I'm going to the Politics and Prose one.

Baltimore Comic-Con Brings Cardy, Davis, Kindt, Lemire, and Slade

Directly from the press release...

Baltimore, Maryland - August 21, 2008 - Making their inaugural Baltimore Comic-Con appearances in 2008 are Nick Cardy (Aquaman, Teen Titans), Guy Davis (B.P.R.D., Lobster Johnson), and, courtesy of Top Shelf, Matt Kindt (Super Spy), Jeff Lemire (Essex County), and Christian Slade (Korgi)!

The Baltimore Comic-Con is also proud to welcome back Brian Stelfreeze (Midnighter, The Ride), Chris Ivy (Beast Boy, Marc Spector: Moon Knight), Doug Wagner (The Ride, Gun Candy), Karl Story (Black Canary Wedding Planner, Number of the Beast), Taki Soma (Silent Forest, You'll Never Die), and Tony Shasteen (O.C.T.: Occult Crimes Taskforce)!

"We're just thrilled to have these guests with us this year," said show promoter Marc Nathan. "Top Shelf always brings along great guests, and we've been receiving requests to have Nick Cardy and Guy Davis for years. In fact, Nick Cardy is a hero of mine and many of the professionals already in attendance. Along with all of the returning guests, we think the show's going to be just a real treat for all of our fans!"

A full list of retailers can now be found on our website. Swamp Thing co-creator and Frankenstein artist Bernie Wrightson will be the show's Guest of Honor. He headlines a guest list that includes, in alphabetical order, Michael Bair (Identity Crisis, 52), Kyle Baker (Nat Turner, The Bakers), Brian Michael Bendis (Ultimate Spider-Man, Secret Invasion), Ivan Brandon (NYC Mech, Marvel Comics Presents), Buzz (JSA), Jim Calafiore (Exiles, Countdown), Dennis Calero (X-Factor, Countdown), Tommy Castillo (Grimm Fairy Tales, Kong: King of Skull Island), Howard Chaykin (Wolverine, American Flagg), Cliff Chiang (Green Arrow & Black Canary), Gene Colan (Daredevil, Tomb of Dracula), Darwyn Cooke (New Frontier, The Spirit), Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows, Mighty Avengers), Steve Conley (Star Trek, The Escapist), Amanda Conner (Green Arrow/Black Canary, JSA Classified), Todd Dezago (Perhapanauts, Tellos), Steve Dillon (Punisher, Preacher), David Finch (World War Hulk, New Avengers), Ramona Fradon (Aquaman, Mermaidman and Barnacleboy), John Gallagher (Buzzboy, Roboy Red), Ron Garney (Wolverine, Skaar: Son of Hulk), Michael Golden (Micronauts, The 'Nam), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Mike Grell (John Sable, Iron Man), Cully Hamner (Blue Beetle, Black Lightning), Dean Haspiel (American Splendor, Brawl), Adam Hughes (Catwoman), Stuart Immonen (Ultimate Spider-Man), Geoff Johns (Green Lantern, Action Comics), J.G. Jones (52, Wonder Woman), Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Ultimate X-Men), Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man, Empire), Rich Koslowski (Marvel Comics Presents, Sonic the Hedgehog), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon, Image EIC), Jim Lee (All Star Batman & Robin, Wildcats), Norman Lee (Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man, Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane), the Luna Brothers (The Sword, Girls), David Mack (Kabuki, Daredevil), Sean McKeever (Teen Titans, Countdown), Mark McKenna (Banana-Tail, Annihilation: Conquest), Bob McLeod (New Mutants, Spider-Man), Pop Mhan (Blank, Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Mike Mignola (Hellboy, Disney's Atlantis), Mark Morales (Civil War, Secret Invasion), Rags Morales (Identity Crisis, Batman Confidential), Phil Noto (Danger Girl, Jonah Hex), Michael Avon Oeming (Mice Templar, Powers), Mike Okamoto (Hellraiser, Chaos! Quarterly), Jimmy Palmiotti (Painkiller Jane, Jonah Hex), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate X-Men, Strange), Eric Powell (The Goon), Tom Raney (Annihilation: Conquest, Ultimate Secrets), Alex Robinson (Too Cool to be Forgotten, Box Office Poison), James Robinson (Superman, JSA), John Romita Sr. (Amazing Spider-Man), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Perhapanauts, X-Men: First Class), Andy Runton (Owly), Tim Sale (Batman: The Long Halloween, Heroes), Alex Saviuk (Web of Spider-Man, Feast of the Seven Fishes), Jim Shooter (Legion of Super-Heroes), John K. Snyder III (Grendel), Mark Sparacio (Heroes for Hire, Captain Action), Robert Tinnell (EZ Street), Peter Tomasi (Nightwing, Green Lantern Corps), Herb Trimpe (Incredible Hulk), Timothy Truman (Conan, Grimjack), Billy Tucci (Shi, Sgt. Rock - The Lost Battalion), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest, The Wicked West), Matt Wagner (Zorro, Grendel), Mark Waid (Flash, Boom! Studios), Mark Wheatley (Frankenstein Mobster, Mighty Motor Sapiens), Ron Wilson (The Thing), and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).

The Harvey Awards will return to the Baltimore Comic-Con for the third consecutive year. The awards dinner and ceremony will be held Saturday night, September 27, 2008, following the convention's normal hours. All the votes are in and being tabulated as we write this announcement. Look for a major press release in the next week concerning ticket details. We look forward to welcoming the comic book industry to Baltimore to honor some of the best work of 2007. Kyle Baker will return as Master of Ceremonies for the evening's events.

Tickets are now available for sale. For more information about the Baltimore Comic-Con, email cardscomicscollectilbes@yahoo.com or call (410) 526-7410. The guest list, ticket information, directions, and other information can be found on the convention's website or on its MySpace page.

For more information about the Harvey Awards, including sponsorship opportunities, e-mail baltimorecomiccon@yahoo.com.

Spurgeon interviews Hellman

We've been seeing Danny Hellman's work regularly in the Post's Source section as well as in the City Paper. Here's a big interview with him by Tom Spurgeon. CR Sunday Interview: Danny Hellman. Comics Reporter (August 24 2008): http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/cr_sunday_interview_danny_hellman/

I've got an e-copy of the Typhon book to review, but right now am reading and planning on reviewing Who Can Save Us Now? a book of superhero short stories.

Frankenstein, the illustrated novel (or one of them)

Here's a blog post that reproduces Lynn Ward's illustrations for Frankenstein. I've got this book - I inherited it from my grandfather - and it's awesome. Note the comments about Georgetown University Library's collection. They had a Ward exhibit about two years ago.

cIndy podcast news

Chris wrote in with some updates to his interview podcast site that I quote verbatim (to get to some of these, click the rotating images on the site):

1. http://www.cindycenter.com presents: Butterfly's Convention Adventure... you can see the promo picture in the right rail of the cindycenter.com site. The picture is from Jason Rodriguez's Coast-to-Coast report. On Jason's road trip he met-up with Butterfly.

Dean's photo essay of the SDCC is coming soon, IT IS GOING TO ROCK :-) It will be similar to the Roger Rabbit inspired MOCCA report he did last year.

2. I had an interview with local guy and Crazy Paper, Zuda and Chemistry Set writer Jim Dougan. He worked on www.desperadopublishing.com's NO FORMULA: STORIES FROM THE CHEMISTRY SET VOL. 1 Color / B&W, 120 pp. 6in x. 9in. Price: $16.99.

3. We have redesigned the site to better highlight the guests. You can see the coverflow is very similar to the latest version of itunes.

4. The cIndyCenter.com Podcast is proud to sponsor Dean Trippe's Butterfly SDCC adventure, please check-out Part 1 of the SDCC adventure @ http://www.cindycenter.com/SDCC_Dean_Trippe_Butterfly_report.htm
About the Dean Trippe - Dean Trippe is an alien robot ninja wizard (from the future). He is also a freelance comics creator who lives with his wife and son outside Nashville, TN. Dean is best known for his superhero parody webcomic, Butterfly, and as the founder and editor of Project: Rooftop. He is also a member of the all-ages webcomics collective Lunchbox Funnies. His publishers include Ad House Books, Image Comics, New Reliable Press and Oni Press. He is a former comic shop manager, a lifelong superhero fan, and has an actual degree in comics.

Marvel attempting manga... again

For their current effort, see "Superheroes to Be Recast for Japan," By GEORGE GUSTINES, New York Times August 25, 2008. This is by no means new though - both Spider-Man and the X-Men were produced in Japan and reprinted in America, and there was a Hulk series not seen in the US. There's a nice big book on Batman manga coming out from Chip Kidd soon. Marvel also took a shot at putting Spider-Man in India recently.

NY Times on Watchmen movie rights confusion

See "The Murky Side of Movie Rights," By MICHAEL CIEPLY, New York Times August 24, 2008.

Schiller, the comic book playwrite

Maybe not, but today's Post described the play Maria / Stuart's plot as "The arrival of a strange, supernatural visitor causes aspiring graphic novelist Stuart to question his family's buried past."

The Post's review from last week says, "Only Eli James, as neurotic comic book artist Stuart, comes from New York, and he's the lone man in the cast."

Comics, comics and comics in today's Post

I read the paper copy of Bob Thompson's long article on graphic novels this morning. It's enlivened by three strips by Thompson and Jonathan Bennett by the way. The article is an absolutely competent examination of what a 'graphic novel' is and isn't and why one might care. Thompson talked to the right people (Mouley, Tomine, distributors, publishers, Scott McCloud) and drew the standard conclusions that comics can be about just about anything. However, I know Thompson put a lot more research into this than shows in the article - he came to the talk last fall that PEN sponsored with Ware and Barry. He also went to the Shakespeare manga talk at the Folger. So give this article a read.

Over in the Book World, Douglas Wolk reviews four comic books too. Feiffer, Dash Shaw, Chaykin's American Flagg! and McCloud's Zot!

On the cover of the Source section, there's a lovely drawing by Ward Sutton on the demonization of DC by politicians.

Brad Meltzer blog post

Geoff Boucher has a nice little piece on ex-local guy Brad Meltzer and his new book at "Brad Meltzer and the 'The Book of Lies'." Brad will be in town signing this and his new DC Comic, which comes out this week, in September. Click on his name in the labels for information on the signings.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 08-27-08

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 08-27-08
By John Judy

ALL-STAR SUPERMAN VOL.1 SC by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. Collecting the first six issues of Morrison’s best work lately. A series of strong stand-alone stories that string together well and look great. Recommended for all ages.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #569 by Dan Slott and John Romita Jr. Norman Osborn and his Thunderbolts have broken into Spidey’s apartment! Bunk-check! Plus Venom.

AMERICA’S BEST COMICS PRIMER SC by Alan Moore and His Band of Yore. A bunch of first issues from back when Moore was still writing this stuff. Clever, entertaining, mostly pre-psychotic. Recommended for newbies to His Mooreness.

ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN VOL.1 SC by Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard. Collecting issues #1-7 of this lycanthropian lollapalooza! Fun stuff but too violent for the little ones.

AVENGERS INITIATIVE #16 by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli. The Skrull Kill Krew is back! How timely!

BLACK PANTHER #40 by Jason Aaron and Jefte Palo. Undefeated Wakanda versus the quite often defeated Skrulls. Great stuff from the creator of SCALPED. Recommended.

DAREDEVIL #110 by Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka and Michael Lark. DD wraps up the mystery of the death-row inmate who wants to die. Yes, prison food is that bad.

DC UNIVERSE: LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT #1 by Brad Meltzer and Adam Kubert. Every hero in the DCU prepares to die. They should never have killed Inigo’s dad….

EC ARCHIVES: TALES FROM THE CRYPT VOL.3 HC by The Best of The Best of The Best! Issues #13-18 with a forward by Robert Overstreet. Yeah, THAT Robert Overstreet! Save yourself around $11,000.00 in back issues and get this instead.

FINAL CRISIS: ROGUE’S REVENGE #2 of 3 by Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins. In which Captain Cold and the boys realize how badly they have screwed themselves. Another example of a spin-off series being much better and easier to follow than the core title. Recommended.

FINAL CRISIS: SUPERMAN BEYOND #1 of 2 by Grant Morrison and Doug Mahnke. Will this be Good Focused Grant or Bad All-Over-the-Place Grant? Hint: This issue involves parallel Earths and comes with 3-D glasses included. “Mommy!” Gotta look!

GRAVEL #4 by Warren Ellis, Mike Wolfer and Oscar Jimenez. Warren Ellis has hidden all information on this comic in a site designed by the CIA, the Mossad, and Willy Wonka’s Oompa-Loompa Death Squad to keep any mention of its existence from pesky, prying fan-folk with their curious ways and desire to spend money on his products. I refer of course to the Avatar Press website. Ssshhh…. Mum’s the word…

IMMORTAL IRON FIST #18 by Duane Swierczynski, Travel Foreman and The Great Russ Heath. His fist may be iron but his ribs, face and ‘nads? Not so much. Featuring a dude getting his heart punched out by a kung-fu demon. Good times!

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #18 by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross and Dale Eaglesham. Okay, on the one hand this story is taking forever to tell. On the other hand we’re getting all these Alex Ross covers out of it and, golly, it’s like there’s a new super-hero’s great-grandchild introduced every few pages, so… Maybe it’ll really fly by in trade?

KICK-ASS #4 by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. If you need more graphic violence and sado-masochistic kink in your life than the current administration can provide, this one’s for you! Featuring a nine year-old girl with a sword. Not for kids.

MIGHTY AVENGERS #17 by Brian Michael Bendis and Khoi Pham. Skrulls! Fights!

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN-AGE MARVEL COMICS VOL.3 HC by Various Creators. Collecting MARVEL MYSTERY COMICS #9-12, featuring Electro (from THE TWELVE), the Angel, and the Sub Mariner duking it out with the Human Torch! All for a lot less than the $60,000.00 retail the back-issues would cost on E-Bay! Flame on, True Believer!

NEW AVENGERS #44 by Brian Michael Bendis and Billy Tan. Fights! Skrulls!

NEWUNIVERSAL: CONQUEROR by Simon Spurrier and Eric Nguyen. A new NEWUNIVERSAL title from a creator “hand-picked” by Warren Ellis to write all the NEWUNIVERSAL stuff he doesn’t want to!

NORTHLANDERS #9 by Brian Wood and Dean Ormston. An all-new story begins here as young Saxon boy encounters a Viking invasion. Oh dear, this is certainly NOT for kids. Still a great series. Recommended.

PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics. For the forward-looking fan.

ROY ROGERS ARCHIVES VOL.1 HC by Various Talents. From Dark Horse, collecting Dell’s ROY ROGERS COMICS (FOUR COLOR) #38, 63, 86, 95 and 109. Whatever they’re smoking up at Dark Horse Comics I want a Hefty-Bag. These five comics would run you $7,000.00 at a convention, but for you: A Lot Less! “Yippee-ki-yay!”

RUNAWAYS 3 #1 by Terry Moore and Humberto Ramos. The kids are goin’ back to Cali and there are a bunch of space-baddies who hate Karolina Dean so much that they keep repeating her full name over and over and over. It would make me run away too, so I guess there’s a point.

SHE-HULK #32 by Peter David and Vincenzo Cucca. Skrulls fighting Skrulls in a big Skrull-fight!

SUPERMAN #679 by James Robinson and Renato Guedes. For some reason Superman is still having trouble with this Atlas clown. Maybe if someone gives him a shirt he’ll go away.

THUNDERBOLTS #123 by Christos Gage and Fernando Blanco. The post-Ellis era continues on this title and it ain’t half-bad. Skrulls!

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #125 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen. No Skrulls, ultimate or otherwise, but there is Venom. He eats a horse.

WOLVERINE #68 by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. “Old Man Logan” says he’d rather die than pop those claws again. And yet….

www.johnjudy.net

Naval Academy to recruit via comic books

See the story about the The U.S. Naval Academy's coming comic book at "Academy aims to appeal to minorities: Superintendent unveils tailored recruiting tools," By Stephen Kiehl, Baltimore Sun reporter, August 22, 2008. And here I thought comics weren't for kids anymore.

That darn Toles

A letter in today's Post criticizes this cartoon for mocking McCain's "religious experiences." Umm. Ok.

Post on graphic novels

See "Drawing Power, By Bob Thompson, Washington Post Staff Writer, Sunday, August 24, 2008; M01.

It begins

NEW YORK -- I've wandered into an alternative universe, and I'm trying to decide if I want to stay. The setting is the lovely, old-fashioned library of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, in midtown Manhattan. The event is a gathering called "SPLAT! A Graphic Novel Symposium." I'm here because the organizers have promised to lay out, in the course of a single day, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Graphic Novels."

What I want to know is: How did this formerly ghettoized medium became one of the rare publishing categories that's actually expanding these days?

I've got a great idea for a better title - "Pow! Zap! Bam! Comics aren't for kids anymore!"

Pearls Before Felines?

Today's Pearls Before Swine may look oddly familiar - it's "in tribute to George Herriman (1880-1944)." Herriman created Krazy Kat for decades, and reprints are now being done by Fantagraphics.

http://members.comics.com/members/common/affiliateArchive.do?site=washpost&comic=pearls

Book review: European Comics in English Translation: A Descriptive Sourcebook.

I've submitted this to the International Journal of Comic Art for the Spring 2009 issue, but I think I've got a different audience here. If not, read it twice; it's short, it won't hurt too much.

Randall W. Scott. European Comics in English Translation: A Descriptive Sourcebook. McFarland & Company , 2002. 401 pages. $75.00. ISBN-10: 0786412054; ISBN-13: 978-0786412051.

Although the comic art form is almost four hundred years old – dating reasonably to the popularity of British satirical prints in 1729 – there has been very few scholarly bibliographical works available to the average researcher. American studies have been particularly slow to follow in the footsteps of the British who began cataloguing their prints as early as 1870. American comics bibliography took approximately a century to start after the first comic art ‘golden age,’ that of editorial cartoonists, but it is growing strongly now. Randy Scott is one of the key figures in the field, having worked to build Michigan State University’s Comic Art Collection for two decades.

In this book, Scott has provided an annotated bibliography for European albums that are available in a variety of stand-alone forms in English. The bibliography is arranged by creator and all of the books listed in it are available at the MSU library. Since he does not include serials, stories from Heavy Metal magazine, which has frequently published translated material in both single and multi-issues, is not included. Given the amount of material that has appeared in Heavy Metal and nowhere else, this is an unfortunate decision, although possibly the only practical one. In spite of this, Scott lists 543 albums, along with publication information, and more impressively, plot summaries for the albums. The plot summaries mean that the book’s index can be used to find items of particular interest, such as the randomly selected “cross dressing” which is linked to six citations. As with any work of this type, some points are arguable. The genre ‘funny animal’ probably would have been a helpful index term to link to books like Benoit Sokal’s Inspector Canardo. Although his stories belong to the genre of crime fiction and are not funny at all, Canardo is a duck.

Scott also included citations for reviews when he knew of them; an example can be seen in the listing for Mattotti’s Murmer which includes listings for two reviews from The Comics Journal. Most helpful of all may be his “Author/Translator Notes & Index” which gives brief biographical information as well as references to albums cited in the book, and source material that the biographical information was found in. An example of this is:

Madsen, Frank. Danish artist, writer, and translator, born in 1962. Annotated here are Kurt Dunder in Tirol (album 299), which he wrote, drew, and translated, and Sussi Bech’s Nofret: Kiya (album 27), which he translated. Source: DANISH (i.e. Danish Comics Today, Copenhagen, 1997), p. 104-105.

This type of additional biographical information can be very useful especially since Scott’s book covers the whole continent and is not segregated by country. The sole reason this reviewer would have for not recommending the book to anyone interested in learning about comics beyond America is the cost. The list price is far beyond what a paperback volume of this length should cost.

Cartoons and Cocktails event being advertised

This is from yesterday's Examiner. Note Nate Beeler's artwork - I guess he donated it for auction. He doesn't usually part with it, so this might be rare.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown play is in town?

I believe Charles SCHULZ actually wrote Peanuts however.

Meltzer signings

Here's the ad that was handed out at Big Planet Comics (where Brad used to shop) this week. I'm planning on going to the Politics and Prose one.

Zadzooks no more; Mr. Zad on Thor

See "Thor sets heavens on Earth" in the column which may no longer be "Zadzooks" but rather "Mr. Zad's comic critique" in the Washington Times Thursday, August 21, 2008.

On his blog, which is still Zadzooks, he posts Greg Bennett's weekly recommendations. The ones for August 10th are the most recent, and oddly enough, are Halo and Wolverine. It looks like Greg picked these for the writers, Jason Aaron and Brian Bendis.

Comics scholarship from Singer of Howard

Marc Singer's "Embodiments of the Real: The Counterlinguistic Turn in the Comic-Book Novel," Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction 49 (3; Spring 2008): 273-289, just came out. Marc's teaching at Howard and ran SPX for a couple of years. The article deals with Lethem and Chabon for the most part. In mentioning it on the comix-scholar's email list, Marc said, "The article focuses on novels about comics (Chabon, Lethem, Moody, etc), but it also addresses some of the distinctive figurative possibilities of comics and it draws on the work of comics scholars like Don Ault, Scott Bukatman, and Richard Reynolds."

If that sounds like it's of interest to you, hit the library for inter-library loan or convince your library to order the journal.

Read This Comic: The Return

Many years ago, one of the Internet mailing lists I joined was Comix@ - supposedly devoted to alternative comics, but actually anything was fair game. I made a lot of good friends on the list, and was sorry to see it eventually die - done in by message boards and websites. One of the conceits of the list was "Read this Comic" in which one recommended an obscure or odd title. Here's some that I wrote up years ago. Perhaps I'll start doing this again - but meanwhile anyone can play! Mail them to me and I'll post them.

And now, Read this Comic, circa 2000 - a bit dated (Lynda Barry and Ted Rall have both lost plenty of newspapers unfortunately), but still perhaps of interest:

--Xeric-winner Ellen Forney's collection of strips from Seattle newspapers "I was Seven in '75" (ISBN 0-9660258-8-1) recalls the horrors of the Seventies in ways that retro-fashion trends can only hint at. From her brother's swept back Farrah Fawcett hair, to her mother's nudist tennis game, to Forney's favorite rainbow-stiched pants, it's all here. Her autobiographical style is a pleasant stroll compared to much of the genre. Hopefully, she'll be able to break into to a larger syndicated market and compete with Lynda Barry and Ted Rall's mean streaks.

--The strangest comic that I've read by far this year is Life with Archie #129 (January 1973). Al Hartley wrote and drew the issue around the time he began producing Christian comics . Hartley's style is instantly recognizable for his amazing overuse of facial expressions and floating objects around heads like hearts, stars, sweatbeads, speed lines, etc. In many ways, it's a very appealing style. Archie and the gang are magically transported back to the 1890s in "Nostalgia Gets Ya!" There's no attempt at an explanation; when Archie asks for one, Betty says "Nothing's impossible, Arch! If you believe in miracles, they come true!"

The gang walks four miles to school (oddly enough, I thought sprawl was a post-WWII problem) and Archie discovers that "Mr. Weatherbee seems bigger to me!" Jughead notes, "He seems to have more confidence!" as Betty remarks, "Everyone seems to know what they're doing!" presumably including the janitor Swensen, shown in the background.

Later that evening Archie calls on Veronica for a date. Mr. Lodge spends the entire time with them and as Archie is leaving, Veronica apologizes. Archie responds, "I'll bet some girls wish their fathers would pay attention to them! You father's a busy man! I'm flattered that he took the time to keep me out of trouble!"

The weirdness continues and Dilton, (the brain of the group, for those who didn't grow up on Archie) is able to draw some conclusions. "No one calls a policeman a pig! And women are treated as more than equals! People take pride in their neighborhood!" Archie agrees, "There is something different about these people." Veronica sums it up, "Everybody's going in the same direction! They have unity! But where do you look for it?" And Betty provides the capper, "That's easy! You look up!" I must confess that, as a historian of sorts, I did find his longing for a mythical golden age in the 1890s rather tiresome. After all, this is the time period when Jacob Riis was producing his photographs of child labor, published in How the Other Half Lives. Hartley didn't work for Archie much longer after this comic came out, but while he was there he created some .... memorable work. Good luck finding this.

--Another 1 para RTC: Don Rosa's Life of Scrooge McDuck series (Uncle Scrooge 285-296) is a tour-de-force. Originally done for European publisher Egmont in 1991-1993, these were published in America by Gladstone in 1994-1995. In 12 stories, the self-admittedly-obsessed Rosa pulled a multitude of facts about Scrooge from Carl Bark's original classic stories and wove them into an entertaining story. He covered Scrooge's life from 1867-1947 including the Alaskan gold rush. Rosa frequently refers to his work as overly-detailed, but he's obviously lovingly studied Elder's early Mad art. Rosa's stories work on several levels so this can be enjoyed by children and their parents. The story was recently collected by Gladstone.

Justin Bilicki wins Science Idol contest

The Union of Concerned Scientists picked Justin Bilicki as winner for its 2008 "Science Idol: Scientific Integrity Editorial Cartoon Contest." You can see the cartoon online at www.ucsusa.org/scienceidol and get more information on the contest from their press release which notes that a calendar of the cartoon is for sale as well. Bilicki wins a trip to Washington, DC -- that lucky devil.

Comic Riffs' Cavna on Pekar

Michael Cavna's got a nice post on Harvey Pekar online based on getting an advance copy of my Harvey Pekar: Conversations book. He found some words of wisdom in an interview with Harvey done by Jim Ottaviani and Steve Leiber for Hogan's Alley that Jim let me reprint in my book that's appearing soon. This is the first mention in 'print' of the book so I'm happy.

History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels press release

Here's some PR from my, uh-hmm, publisher. I know Mark and a lot of the authors in this book and I'm sure it's a good one. I'll be buying a copy when it's in paper.

History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels
Edited by Mark McKinney
University Press of Mississippi
ISBN 978-1-60473-004-3, hardback, $50

Book News for Immediate Release

French, Belgian comics have long been outlets of historical, political expression

Cartoonists have long created graphic narratives that provide engaging perspectives on the world’s historical and political events. In France and Belgium in particular, many well-known comics artists have focused their attention–explicitly and implicitly–on events that have affected these countries.

History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels (University Press of Mississippi) collects new essays that address French-language comics from a variety of theoretical perspectives. This anthology edited by Mark McKinney establishes the French comics tradition as one rich with historical and political inquiry and is one of the first English-language collections to explore this subject

In works ranging from comic books and graphic novels to newspaper strips and editorial cartoons, French-language cartoonists have addressed such controversial topics as French and Belgian collaboration and resistance during World War II; European colonialism and U.S. imperialism; anti-Semitism in France; the integration of African immigrant groups in Europe; May 1968 in France; and the ecology and feminist movements.

The essays range from discussion of the canonical (Hergé’s Tintin series, Rodolphe Töpffer’s picture-stories) to the contemporary (Jean-Philippe Stassen’s Déogratias, about the 1994 Rwandan genocide).

Several essays are close readings of specific comics series and graphic novels, such as Cécile Danehy’s examination of Cosey’s Saigon-Hanoi, about French involvement in Vietnam during the 1950s.

With essays by Baru, Bart Beaty, Cécile Vernier, Danehy, Hugo Frey, Pascal LefPvre, Fabrice Leroy, Amanda Macdonald, Mark McKinney, Ann Miller, and Clare Tufts.

History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels is one of the first English-language works to address history and politics in French-language comics and graphic novels and features over 60 illustrations of the works being discussed

Mark McKinney is associate professor of French at Miami University, Ohio. With Alec G. Hargreaves, he edited Post-Colonial Cultures in France.

–30–

For more information contact Clint Kimberling, Publicist, ckimberling@mississippi.edu

Read more about History and Politics in French-Language Comics and Graphic Novels at http://www.upress.state.ms.us/books/1111

Local food fluffer Lisa Cherkasky on meeting a star

My neighbor Lisa does a lot of food styling for the Washington Post and I always look forward to seeing the Food section on Wednesday. Here's her blog post about running into another local Post celebrity - Our Man Thompson.
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Boy, this is incestuous, isn't it?

Cavna's interview two-fer - Thompson and BK Vaughan

Sure, Cavna and Betancourt have got the Washington Post behind them so they can interview big names like Richard Thompson and Brian K Vaughan...