SPX political cartoonists appearances

“Outside Looking In: Alternative Political Cartooning in 2008” Announces Guests Jen Sorensen, Keith Knight and Nate Beeler

For Immediate Release
Contact: Warren Bernard


Phone: 301-537-4615

E-Mail:webernard@mindspring.com

Bethesda, Maryland; September 9, 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 Jen Sorensen, Keith Knight and Nate Beeler as guests for the SPX 2008 special event, “Outside Looking In: Alternative Political Cartooning in 2008”.

Jen, Keith and Nate join the prestigious and street cred ready talents of Tom Tomorrow (Saturday, October 4 only), Lloyd Dangle, Ruben Bolling, Matt Wuerker and Ted Rall for a special symposium on political cartooning in this most political of election years.

Jen Sorensen (“Slowpoke”) - http://www.slowpokecomics.com – Jen is now the political cartoonist for The Village Voice, as well as being syndicated nationally and is (unfortunately) one of the few women political cartoonists. She will be at SPX to sign her latest book, One Nation, Oh My God.

Keith Knight (“The K Chronicles”, “(th)ink”) - http://www.kchronicles.com/ - Keith Knight is an the creator of the syndicated daily and Sunday strip “The Knight Life”. His latest books are The Complete K Chronicles from Dark Horse books and his self published I Left My Arse In San Francisco. He draws regularly for Mad Magazine and ESPN the Magazine

Nate Beeler – http://www.dcexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/NateBeelerToons - Nate is the syndicated political cartoonist from The Washington Examiner. He won the John Locher Memorial Award as The Best College Political Cartoonist and will be making his first appearance at SPX.

Be sure to stop by the Cartoonists With Attitude booth at SPX, where many of the announced political cartoonists will be available to sign books and pontificate on the latest news from this historic election year.

The events surrounding “Outside Looking In: Alternative Political Cartooning in 2008” is included with the SPX admission fee of $8 for a single day and $15 for both days.

October 1: Nina Paley animation at Women in the Arts

Rick Banning pointed this out - "An Ancient Tale, Newly Animated," By Lavanya Ramanathan, Washington Post Thursday, September 25, 2008; C13. Nina Paley's "Sita Sings the Blues," fresh from the Ottawa Animation Festival will be shown at the National Museum of the Women in the Arts. 1250 New York Ave. NW. 202-783-5000, $5. 8:30 p.m. October 1, 2008.

Paley is better known as a comic strip cartoonist - this is her third and longest (corrected from first) foray into animation. Here's an article with more information on the film - "A Filmmaker’s ‘Blues’ Prompts Traditionalists To See Red," by Eric Kohn, Forward Web date May 29, 2008 appeared in June 6 issue, p.16

We Need Another Hero or 2: Baltimore ComicCon

http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2008/09/if_you_were_a_fan.php

In today's Print and On-Line editions of the Washington Post Express, by former Washingtonian, Scott Rosenberg, who will also be at SPX.

Baltimore Comic-Con Announces Panels for 2008!

Baltimore Comic-Con Announces Panels for 2008!

Baltimore, Maryland - September 24, 2008 - The Baltimore Comic-Con is proud to announce programming for panels at the 2008 show! Panels will occur both Saturday and Sunday upstairs from the main convention floor.

Once again, we have a panel for all tastes. A highlight this year includes the first public face-to-face discussion between Brian Michael Bendis and Robert Kirkman since each voiced dissenting opinions about work-for-hire and the future of comics. Guests who want to learn more about the graphic crafts can join Jose Villarubia and Bernie Wrightson, or see the Web Comics panel. Also, attendees will receive publishing updates from Dark Horse, DC, Kingdom Comics, Marvel, Image, Top Cow, and Visionary Comics Studio, and an exclusive art seminar by Jim Lee for eight hand-selected fans.


Without further ado...the panels!

Saturday, September 27, 2008
11am-12:30pm
DC Nation
Oa room (upstairs, room 307)
Join DC editor Dan Didio as he and special guests, discusses the current DC Universe, as well as hints to the future of the DC Universe.

11:30am-12:30pm
Web Comics
Tarnax IV room (upstairs, room 302-303)
Funny, timely, exciting, biting -- all words that can describe the Web Comic, the most widely-available of the comic art form. Join Scott Kurtz, Danielle Corsetto, Scott Sava, and others as they discuss the ins, outs, ups, downs, and overall variety of this forum.

12:35pm-1:35pm
Marvel Q&A: A Cup of B
Oa room (upstairs, room 307)
Tom Brevoort and Brian Michael Bendis answers questions about the Marvel Universe. You should join them. He loves you.

12:35pm-1:35pm
Silent Devil/Ahmet Zappa
Tarnax IV room (upstairs, room 302-303)
Kingdom Comics, a new division of the Disney film studio, showcases their upcoming projects as they bring back some of Disney Studios classic characters!

1:40pm-2:40pm
Top Cow
Oa room (upstairs, room 307)
Join Filip Sablik as he talks Dragon Prince (did you get your Baltimore Comic Con exclusive yet?) Witchblade, Darkness, and all things Top Cow. Moo.

1:40pm-2:40pm
DC Comics presents -- The Return of Sgt. Rock! With Billy Tucci
Tarnax IV room (upstairs, room 302-303)
DC Comics is proud to present the return of Easy Company with the six issue miniseries, "Sgt. Rock - The Lost Battalion." Join Sgt. Rock writer/artist and Shi creator Billy Tucci and special guest WW2 veterans Grant Hirabayashi, Joe Kelly Kuwayama, and Terry Shima for an intimate story and art preview of salute to the American soldier. Billy and Terry's discussion and photos will also show the incredible lengths the creator has gone to uphold Rock's honorable legacy by interviewing actual veterans, partaking in a massive World War II re-enactment, and visiting the beaches of Normandy!

2:45pm-3:45pm
Kirkman vs. Bendis: The Future of Comics
Oa room (upstairs, room 307)
What began as an open letter on the future of comics has turned into one of the hottest topics to hit the industry in decades. Now, the two main opposing forces in the discussion get together as Robert Kirkman and Brian Michael Bendis come face to face in a no-holds-barred debate! Don't miss out on what promises to be the most talked about panel of the year!

2:45pm-3:45pm
Dark Horse
Tarnax IV room (upstairs, room 302-303)
Join Dark Horse Director of Publicity Jeremy Atkins and Senior Managing Editor Scott Allie for a first hand look at the future of comics. You will be given insight into the next chapter of the breakout hit series, The Umbrella Academy, as well as a look at what the future holds for all of your other favorite series and characters. With exciting announcements and inside info, you won't want to be anywhere else.

3:50pm-5pm
DC Comics Presents: Men of Steel
Oa room (upstairs, room 307)
What is the future of the Superman Family? Join Geoff Johns, James Robinson, Sterling Gates, Jamal Igle, and Superman editor Matt Idelson as they give you a peek at what the next year holds for the Man of Steel and his family.

3:50pm-5pm
Comic Book Restoration and CGC
Tarnax IV room (upstairs, room 302-303)
Should restoration be considered for a comic? What does restoration do to the value of a comic? How will CGC grade a restored comic? These questions and more will be answered by Matt Nelson (Classics Incorporated) and Richard Evans (Bedrock City) as they give you insight into the do's and don'ts of comic book restoration.

Sunday, September 28, 2008
11am-12pm
Jim Lee Art Seminar
The Batcave (upstairs, room 301)
Eight lucky fans will be hand-picked by Jim Lee to attend his one hour art seminar! A contest will determine the lucky participants. During the day Saturday, you will turn in a piece of original art at a designated area. Then, on Sunday at 10:30am, Jim will choose eight artists from the entrants who will follow him to the seminar room for this unique experience.

11am-12pm
Visionary
Earth 53 (upstairs, room 307)
VCS just announced the new Headlocked: The Tryout 3-Issue series, with covers by Ron Wilson, John Hebert and Jerry "The King" Lawler in his first comic work. They also just launched their digital publishing arm on Wowio and have even more news in the wings! Check out this panel with a bunch of VCS professionals to find out what this up-and-coming studio has planned into 2009! This will also include a focus on Visionary's new submissions, and discussion of how to break into comics...the Visionary way.

11:30am-12:30pm
Boom!
The Savage Land (upstairs, room 302-303)
Join Boom! Studios Editor-In-Chief, Mark Waid, as he discusses the INCREDIBLE new projects coming soon from Boom!

12pm-1pm
Image Comics Show
Earth 53 (upstairs, room 307)
The Image Comics Show hits Baltimore as Robert Kirkman (WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE), Erik Larsen (SAVAGE DRAGON, IMAGE UNITED), Jimmy Palmiotti (Back to Brooklyn, The Pro), Richard Starkings (ELEPHANTMEN), and more give an exclusive glimpse into the future of Image Comics, featuring the public debut of all-new IMAGE UNITED art, along with many other announcements, surprises, and giveaways!

12:35pm-1:35pm
Spotlight on Wrightson (Villarrubia)
The Savage Land (upstairs, room 302-303)
Jose Villarrubia presents a Spotlight on his good friend, Living Legend, and Baltimore Comic-Con Guest of Honor, Bernie Wrightson!

1pm-2pm
Marvel: Your Universe
Earth 53 (upstairs, room 307)
Will you Embrace Change? Join the Marvel crew and accept your new Skrullian Overlords as you find out all you want to know about Secret Invasion and the rest of the Marvel Universe.

1:40pm-2:40pm
Chaykin/Hughes
The Savage Land (upstairs, room 302-303)
Howard Chaykin and Adam Hughes. Need we say more?

2pm-3pm
For the Love of Comics
Earth 53 (upstairs, room 307)
Dan Didio talks comics! Join Dan in this unique forum to discuss what he likes about comics in general.

2:45pm-4pm
Turner - In Memoriam
The Savage Land (upstairs, room 302-303)
Join Frank Mastromauro as he hosts a tribute to Michael Turner, a truly singular talent and an all around great guy.

Panel topics, descriptions, and creator participants are subject to change.

Crock writer Don Wilder has died

Kevin Rechin, the son of Crock comic strip creator Bill Rechin, says that Crock co-creator Don Wilder passed away this morning. Crock is carried by the Washington Times. Brant Parker, credited by Don Markstein as another creator of the strip, also passed away recently.

The tip is thanks to Richard Thompson.

Pekar book available in this month's Previews

In case you do all your comics shopping at a comics store through Diamond's Previews, here's the ad.

Oddly enough, I ordered nothing beyond my usual pull list out of the December Previews. Given that I spent $250.00 at Big Planet at lunchtime today, this doesn't bode well for the comics industry.

Some nice stuff was out today though - Moomin vol. 3, the 2nd Aya book, Garry Trudeau by Soper, Terry and the Pirates vol. 4, Derf's Trailer Parks, Sub-Mariner Marvel Masterworks... one can see where the money goes.

Neil Gaiman was on Post chat earlier today

Too late to ask questions, but you can read it at "National Book Festival: Novelist and Comics Author Neil Gaiman; Science Fiction, Fantasy, Film and More" Wednesday, September 24, 2008. Gaiman will be down on the Mall for the Library of Congress book festival on Saturday, but his line is usually hundreds of people long.

Weingarten likes F-Minus

In his Tuesday chat, Weingarten was asked about F-Minus:

Providence, R.I.: The best comic strip in the Boston Globe, which I read as a poor shadow of a substitute for my native Post, is Tony Carrillo's "F-Minus." Are you familiar? What do you think, and can you get this brilliant man in the pages of the WaPo?

Gene Weingarten: I like it a LOT. I will see what I can do, which isn't much.

Are YOU Going to Baltimore Comic-Con This Weekend?

I am! I know Mike and family (or at least daughter) are. Chris Shields from cIndy Center is. Joel Pollack from Big Planet Comics will be there on Sunday. Local yokels John K. Snyder III and Pop Mhan will be guests, and Jo Chen will be there (but not as an exhibitor at the show -- just socializing!).

I actually am part of Baltimore Comic-Con's Executive Staff, maintaining their MySpace and ComicSpace webpages, creating and issuing press releases, and a bevy of other random acts of miscellania. I'll probably be wearing a Staff shirt at the show, but it'll have my over-loaded backpack over it, as I intend to attend for my own entertainment. You may see me working before doors open both days as well, so if you do, say "hi." If you don't know if it's me, ask!

I'll have my "Anything Marvel" and "Least Expected" sketchbooks with me in the hopes of filling them up, which you're welcomed to peruse while they're not in use!

I have no gauge who all looks at this blog (maybe Mike does!), so if you're going, post a Comment and let us know! I'll (hopefully) see you there!

Randy

Jeff Kinney, former U of Maryland cartoonist, on YouTube

This has been linked to from all over (Dirk Deppey, Brian Fies), but I'll toss it up here too. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid author, Jeff Kinney, a former U of Maryland cartoonist, is interviewed on YouTube by the Borders bookstore chain. Kinney will be at Baltimore Comic-Con this weekend much to my daughter's interest. Here's the interview and his talk for the kids in the audience.

BTW, Fies' book on his mother's cancer is very good. Buy it.

Post religious blog on Oliphant cartoon

Gabriel Salguero, Pastor and Executive Member, Latino Leadership Circle, takes Oliphant to task in "Stereotyping Palin and Pentecostalism," Newsweek / Washington Post On Faith blog (September 22 2008).

He says, "Certainly, Mr. Oliphant is free to have an opinion concerning "tongue-speaking." I understand the genre of political cartoons, but I just think this is applying an old and unnecessary stereotype. To imply or even hint that good Christians who speak in tongues are naive or not able to lead is truly a leap to judgment. This may not have been Mr. Oliphant's intent but it has been construed in this way by some who have viewed his cartoon post. Certainly, very few would dare argue that the personal prayer practices of other religious groups makes them ill-equipped to lead."

Small Press Expo Announces New Yorker Illustrator and Syndicated Cartoonist Richard Thompson as a Guest for SPX 2008

Oh yeah, and I'll be interviewing him on Sunday I'm told...

Small Press Expo Announces New Yorker Illustrator and Syndicated Cartoonist Richard Thompson as a Guest for SPX 2008

For Immediate Release
Contact: Warren Bernard
Phone: 301-537-4615

Bethesda, Maryland; September 23, 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 New Yorker illustrators Richard Thompson as a guest for SPX 2008.

Richard Thompson is a long time contributor to The New Yorker and a first time guest at Small Press Expo. Richard contributes a weekly political/social strip to The Washington Post called Richards Poor Almanac. Richard is also a contributor to The Atlantic Magazine, National Geographic and U.S. News and World Report and won the National Cartoonists Society's Magazine and Book Illustration Award. He is also a syndicated cartoonist, whose strip Cul De Sac is now in over 100 newspapers. Richard will be signing copies of Cul De Sac: This Exit, the first Cul De Sac collection at SPX.

Richard Thompson is in addition to previously announced guests Joost Swarte, a fellow New Yorker contributor, Ben Katchor, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Hope Larson.

Please stay tuned for additional announcements about SPX 2008.

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.

Steve Dillon at Beyond Comics in Frederick, MD

In my opinion, if you want to see Dillon, this would be the place to do so, as I'm guessing he'll be busy in Baltimore!

Acclaimed artist Steve Dillon (Preacher, Wolverine, Punisher) will be hosted by a number of ComicsPRO member stores from September 22–October 1, 2008. Dillon’s tour is done in conjunction with The Hero Initiative, and Hero benefit events will be featured at each stop. ComicsPRO is the trade association for comics specialty retailers, and The Hero Initiative is the charitable organization dedicated to helping comic creators in financial need.

The tour coincides with the artist’s visit to the United States for the Baltimore Comic-Con on September 27-28. Store stops include:

...

Thursday, September 25th 6PM-9PM
BEYOND COMICS
5632 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD
http://www.beyondcomics.com/
Event: A pub night in honor of Steve will be held, with donated items offered by Beyond Comics as well.

...

“I’m looking forward to a fun and productive trip, which helps out The Hero Initiative all at the same time.” said Steve Dillon. “A splendid time is guaranteed for all.”

“ComicsPRO is happy to welcome artist Steve Dillon into a number of our member stores, especially for such a good cause as The Hero Initiative,” said Joe Field, ComicsPRO president.
And be on the lookout: ComicsPRO and The Hero Initiative will be hosting another fundraising tour with Jimmy Palmiotti and Darwyn Cooke in the first quarter of 2009. Exact schedule to be announced.

New acquistions of Michigan State's Comic Art Collection

Randy Scott, the librarian at Michigan State University's Comic Art Collection, puts online new catalogue records and new acquisitions for the collection so that a Google* search will find them (as opposed to them being buried in the dark web of the Library's catalogue). He's updated his list with new material from February through September. I find it interesting to stroll through and go "Never heard of that. Hmmm. Got that. Hmmm. Who'd want that? Hmmm...."

In February alone, we find some items of interest. Here's one by a friend of mine that Randy beat me out on when we were visiting Big Planet Comics Vienna:

Un Mode de Transport / Brian Biggs. -- Rodez : Editions de
Rouergue, 2004. -- 32 p. : all col. ill. ; 22 cm. --
(Touzazimute ; no. 18) -- A children's book. -- Call no.:
PN6727.B46M6 2004

and one from the M. Rhode clipping service, now safely filed under "pigs":

"At Least He's Not a Chauvinist"* (Postage Stamp Funnies, Jan.
10, 2008) / Shannon Wheeler. -- Summary: A woman is dating
a pig. -- Clipped from The Onion, A.V. section (Washington,
D.C.) -- Call no.: PN6726 f.B55 "pigs"

Something to make one wonder. I'll have to pull out Rob Weiner's Marvel bibliography to see what this really is:

Break the Chain! -- New York : Marvel Music, 1994- . -- ill. ;
26 cm. -- Vol. 1, no. 1 accompanied by a music cassette. --
LIBRARY HAS: v. 1, no. 1. -- Call no.: PN6728.6.M3B72

A Zapiro collection for those following the current South African controversy:

Take Two Veg and Call Me in the Morning : Cartoons from Mail &
guardian, Sunday times and Independent Newspapers / Zapiro.
-- Auckland Park, South Africa : Jacana Media, 2007. -- 160
p. : chiefly ill. ; 20 x 24 cm. -- Call no.: DT1975.Z37T3
2007

March's listing includes a bunch of comics that the DC Conspiracy donated.

And look what snuck in and was catalogued in September:

"This Hole Would Be More Interesting if it had a Windmill, a
Lava Pit and a Giant Robot with a Baseball Bat"* (Cul de
Sac, Aug. 28, 2008) / Richard Thompson. -- Call no.: PN6726
f.B55 "miniature golf"

and this:

Film & TV Adaptations of Comics / Michael Rhode & Manfred
Vogel. -- 2007 ed. -- Arlington, Va. : through Lulu.com,
2007. -- 149 p. ; 23 cm. -- Contents: Adaptations ; Live
action adapations from animation ; Films and TV shows with
superhero themes but not based on comic books ;
Cartoonist's appearances & work in movies and television ;
Documentaries & promotions ; Sources & bibliography ;
Index. -- Call no.: PN1995.9.C36R47 2007

Boy, I've got to visit there one day. In the meantime, I encourage all my readers to send their unwanted comic books, clipped strips, tearsheets about comics articles and the like to:

Randy Scott
MSU Libraries
East Lansing, MI 48824-1048


*I'm sure any search engine will work as well, but MSU uses Google to search all of its websites.

A couple of postcards

I had a truncated look at some paper ephemera while at the Farmer's Market this weekend and bought two postcards.



The first is by Gene Carr, who did various comic strips, as well as postcards. This one is 4th of July.



The second is Ain't My Flag A Beaut! postcard, a caricature of Old Man Winter or Jack Frost holding an American flag based on Robert Peary's trip to the North Pole in 1909.


Click through either one to see a larger version.

National Book Festival, Library of Congress and Small Press Expo news

Librarian Sara Duke's sent in some schedule information.

National Book Festival, September 27th, on the Mall

Neil Gaiman
Teens & Children Pavilion

11:45-12:15 pm
Book Signing

1-3 pm

For more than 20 years, Neil Gaiman has been a top writer of modern comics and a best-selling novelist. His work has appeared in translation in more than 19 countries, and nearly all of his novels, graphic and otherwise, have been optioned for films. He was the creator-writer of the monthly cult DC Comics series Sandman, which won many awards, including a World Fantasy Award. He is the author of the critically acclaimed American Gods, awarded the Hugo, Nebula, Bram Stoker, SFX and Locus awards, and his novel Stardust was a winner of the American Library Association’s Alex Award as one of 2000’s top 10 adult novels for young adults. His children’s books include the international best-selling novel Coraline (2002), a winner of the Bram Stoker Award and the Hugo Award. His latest novel for young readers is The Graveyard Book (HarperCollins, September 2008). He lives near Minneapolis.

Brad Meltzer
Fiction & Mystery Pavilion

11:10-11:40 am
Book Signing

12:30-1:30 pm

Brad Meltzer earned credit from Columbia Law School for writing his first book, The Tenth Justice (1997), the first in a line of New York Times best-sellers. His books have a total of almost 3 million copies in print and have been translated into more than a dozen languages. His latest thriller is The Book of Lies (Grand Central, September 2008). He is also the author of the critically acclaimed comic book Identity Crisis and the first author to ever reach the No. 1 spot on both the New York Times and the Diamond comic book best-seller lists simultaneously. He lives in Miami.

Small Press Expo overflow:

Oct. 3: Lynda Barry & Tom Tomorrow at Politics & Prose.

Small Press Expo:

Georgia Higley & Sara Duke will be manning a Library of Congress table at SPX. This is your chance to donate a copy of your comic book to the Library! (If you see me, you can give me one to give to Michigan State University's Comic Art Collection too).

Late posting of Baltimore Comic-Con guest PR

There's a few cancellations, so I rescued this from my list of 11,141 unread emails (seriously).

TWO WEEKS UNTIL THE BALTIMORE COMIC-CON! GUEST ANNOUNCEMENTS AND MORE!

Baltimore, Maryland - September 15, 2008 - The countdown has begun! In just under two weeks, the 9th annual Baltimore Comic-Con kicks off, starting Saturday, September 27th! Do you have your tickets yet?

We've spent the past few months telling you about our guests, exclusives, vendors, and exhibitors, and we're not done yet!

Guests
We've announced guests from all walks of the industry already, including stars such as Brian Michael Bendis, Jeff Kinney, Jim Lee, Bernie Wrightson, Tim Sale, Darwyn Cooke, Mike Mignola, Steve Dillon, Guy Davis, and Geoff Johns, just to name a handful.

We regret to announce a few cancellations: David Finch (whose wife is having a baby), Gene Colan (back problems), John Romita Sr. (conflict), and Mike Grell (conflict) are unable to attend this year.

But don't despair! The Baltimore Comic-Con is proud to welcome Mike McKone (Fantastic Four, Green Lantern), C.B.Cebulski (X-Men: Divided We Stand, Avengers Fairy Tales), Dan Slott (Amazing Spider-Man, Avengers: The Initiative), Tom Brevoort (Marvel Comics editor), Walt Simonson (Thor, Fantastic Four), Bernard Chang (Wonder Woman, The Rules of The Game), Sean Chen (Iron Man, Salvation Run), Mike Hawthorne (Salem, American Splendor), Paul Storrie (Worlds of Dungeons & Dragons, Star Trek: Aliens), Nelson Blake II (G.I. Joe, The Ride), Jamal Igle (Superman's Reign, Supergirl), Greg LaRocque (Power Man and Iron Fist, Marvel Team-Up), Afua Richardson (Pilot Season: Genius), Richard Starkings (Elephantmen), Andy MacDonald (NYC Mech), and Allison Sohn (Star Wars trading card artist).

"What an unbelievable group!" beamed show promoter Marc Nathan. "Mike McKone will be over from England for his first trip to our show. It's always great to have Walt, Bernard, Sean, Paul, Mike, Andy, and the Marvel gang in as well. We'll see some more new faces in Nelson, Afua, and Jamal (who had to cancel last year), and Greg and Allison are back too! Where are we going to put them all?!"

Jim Lee, the Baltimore Orioles, and Baltimore Comic-Con Team-Up

Jim Lee, the Baltimore Orioles, and Baltimore Comic-Con Team-Up

Baltimore, Maryland - September 19, 2008 - Comic book super star, Jim Lee, will help kick off the 9th annual Baltimore Comic-Con at Oriole Park at Camden Yards Friday, September 26th. Jim will throw out the first pitch before the Orioles meet the Toronto Blue Jays and then sign autograghs for fans at the ballpark to help awareness for the weekend convention next door.

"We know how well he can draw Batman -- let's see if he can throw a strike," promoter Marc Nathan said.

Fans for the convention can witness this themselves, as the Orioles are offering a discounted group rate for visitors coming into town for the Baltimore Comic-Con. Tickets begin as low at $8 for both Friday and Saturday nights' games.

On Friday night, the game will begin at 7:05pm, so fans who wish to see Jim deliver that first pitch should be in their seats 20 minutes ahead of time, at 6:45pm.

"The Orioles recognize how many people come to our event downtown," continued Marc, "and they wanted to enhance everyone's experience. All you have to do is mention that you are with the Baltimore Comic-Con group, and the discounts will apply. They have also made an easy-to-fill-out form to help chose which kind of seat you prefer."

Please go to Gate "H", the Orioles Main Box Office, to present your completed form. See our website for more details about the event and the show, and for copies of the form - http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/.

There will be fireworks at the end of Friday's game to celebrate the weekend.

Baltimore Comic-Con Announces 2008 Exclusives!

Baltimore Comic-Con Announces 2008 Exclusives!

Baltimore, Maryland - September 20, 2008 - As we get closer to the show, we are proud to announce this years set of Baltimore Comic-Con show exclusives! Our selection has grown from previous years, and we are sure everybody can find something to love!

The Baltimore Comic-Con, held at the Baltimore Convention Center on September 27-28, 2008, is offering 7 show exclusives this year from Aspen, Marvel, PopFun, Top Cow, and 3 Finger Prints.

"This is beautiful stuff," said show promoter Marc Nathan. "We've just finalized details on a few of these items, and we're really proud to be able to offer them to attendees this year. The Jim Lee Batman Toon Tumbler looks gorgeous, and the exclusive covers are all spectacular."

Show exclusives will be sold at a dedicated booth this year. Items are available while supplies last, and overall quantities and availability will vary by provider.

The details on the exclusives this year are as follows:

* Aspen - Michael Turner variant cover for Fathom #2.
* Marvel
o Frank Cho Secret Invasion #6 variant cover
o Mike Wieringo HERO Initiative: Marvel Apes cover
o John Romita, Jr. U.S. Exclusive Amazing Spider-Man #568 variant cover
* PopFun - Exclusive Batman Toon Tumbler
* Top Cow - David Finch Dragon Prince #1 Baltimore Comic-Con variant cover
* 3 Finger Prints - The 3 Geeks: Can Anyone Stop the Slab Madness?! variant cover

For details on show exclusives, please visit http://www.comicon.com/baltimore/exclusives.htm. Further information on the show, guests, exhibitors, retailers, Artist's Alley, and more can be found on our website or our MySpace page.

Date Correction for 2009!
We had an error in our previously-announced show date for 2009. Next year's 10th anniversary show will be held on October 10-11, 2009. (Re-)Mark your calendars!

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 09-24-08

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 09-24-08
By John Judy

ABSOLUTE RONIN HC written and illustrated by pre-psychotic Frank Miller. It’s awesome! The savage six-issue story of a psychokinetic, cyborg samurai, first published in 1983 back when Miller was only 26. What happened? Oh yeah….

ALL-STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN #10-B by Frank Miller and Jim Lee. Well it took ‘em two weeks but they finally got enough soap to wash out Frank Miller’s mouth. What a (redacted)!

AVENGERS INITIATIVE #17 by Dan Slott, Christos Gage and Stefano Caselli. The Skrulls get their big green heinies handed to them by the good ol’ U.S. Avengers!

BACK TO BROOKLYN #1 of 5 by Garth Ennis and Jimmy Palmiotti. How would you kill every crime crew in Brooklyn if you absolutely had to? This is a PUNISHER story so gruesome Marvel wouldn’t publish it. Recommended but not for kids or before meals.

BLACK PANTHER #41 by Jason Aaron and Jefte Palo. The Skrulls have T’Challa right where he wants them. Time to serve it up Wakanda-style!

CAPTAIN AMERICA #42 by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting. The Red Skull just can’t get good help these days. It’s an on-going problem when the only people who will work for you are drug-addled white supremacists and Scientists who are, technically, well y’know “Mad.” Anyway, the adventures of Bucky America continue to entertain. Recommended.

DAREDEVIL #111 by Ed Brubaker and Clay Mann. In which we meet Lady Bullseye and it’s a lot less horrible than that sounds. Also Matt does something so wrong it’s right. Good stuff.

FANTASTIC FOUR #560 by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. Some time-travel business supposedly tied into the “death” of the Invisible Woman. Who even knew she was sick?!

HELLBOY: THE CROOKED MAN #3 of 3 by Mike Mignola and Richard Corben. In which we learn that hillbilly country is about the last place in the world where people are still dumb enough to sell their souls to the Devil. Do they not get “Twilight Zone” reruns up there?

HULK #6 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness. Red Hulk! Green Hulk! Smash! Man, this thing writes itself!

IMMORTAL IRON FIST: ORSON RANDALL AND THE DEATH QUEEN OF CALIFORNIA #1 by Duane Swiercynski and Guiseppe Camuncoli. Yeah, I dated her… Recommended.

NEW AVENGERS #45 by Brian Michael Bendis and Jim Cheung. In which we learn what happened to the Secret Invasion Skrulls during the House of M. And possibly Heroes Reborn, Operation Galactic Storm and Atlantis Attacks. But not Countdown. IT NEVER HAPPENED!

NORTHLANDERS #10 by Brian Wood and Dean Ormston. A young boy gets to live his dream of watching Vikings destroy his hated hometown. A must for everyone who was ever The Last One Picked for Kickball. No, seriously, this series is a gem and you should give it a read. Highly recommended.

PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics. Find what you want for the holidays here!

RUNAWAYS #2 by Terry Moore and Humberto Ramos. Karolina Dean like, gets totally blamed for like, eradicating a whole planet of aliens which she like, totally did not do! Duh, angry space people! I am totally flaming you on MySpace about this!

SOLOMON KANE #1 of 5 by Scott Allie and Mario Guevara. A really well-drawn revival of Robert E. Howard’s other famous pulp creation, a tough as nails 17th century Puritan who mows through evil like a pinch-faced terminator. Definitely worth a look.

SUPERMAN #680 by James Robinson and Renato Guedes. Krypto vs. Atlas! Arf!

THUNDERBOLTS #124 by Christos Gage and Fernando Blanco. The T-Bolts fight the Skrulls for control of Washington D.C. But where do they stand on flag-burning?! Ya remember flag-burning?! Ah the good old days…

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #126 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen. Ultimate Spidey-Venom fights the Ultimates and tries to eat them. Big, hungry fight.

ULTIMATES 3 #5 of 5 by Jeph Loeb and Joe Madureira. In which we finally learn who killed the Scarlet Witch. Featuring robot duplicates and revolting plot points involving Quicksilver and SW engaging in the West Virginia State Sport. Yuck.

WOLVERINE: ROAR #1 by Duane Swiercynski and Mike Deodato. A stand-alone story about Wolverine and a vicious animal. But I repeat myself…

WOLVERINE ORIGINS #28 by Daniel Way and Mike Deodato. A story which firmly establishes Wolverine as a mass murderer of innocents and Professor X as a guy who looks the other way. Gee, now if only the X-Men can be ret-conned into Satanist pedophiles Mr. Way’s work will be complete.

X-MEN LEGACY #216 by Mike Carey and Phil Briones. Emma Frost psychically violates Professor X’s mind because she’s a twisted, sadistic witch. Pardon me. “Because it’s for his own good.” Pots and kettles all around! Hoo-ha!

www.johnjudy.net

Brad Melzer Chat at 3pm Today!

From our friends at The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/09/08/DI2008090801900.html

Comic bits in the NY Times

There are two good pieces in today's NY Times. Superhero fan Lethem returns from media purgatory in Maine and maps The Dark Knight onto American Politics in - "Art of Darkness," By JONATHAN LETHEM, New York Times September 21, 2008.

In a story that ties in locally, the Muppets are featured in the paper (much as they are in the Smithsonian for another month) in
"Fuzzy Renaissance," By BROOKS BARNES, New York Times September 21, 2008. I'm sure Barnes' story about Disney attempting to rejuvenate the characters is tied into the traveling exhibit - many of the video clips on the Times' website are the same ones running in the Smithsonian exhibit - and we're talking fifty year old commercials.

Mr. Trail comes to Washington

Following hot on the heels of the Family Circus, Mark Trail is visiting Washington to see the Smithsonian and meet with Christian Samper, the head of the Natural History Museum. Meanwhile, in Doonesbury, NPR host Mark Slackemeyer has a Library of Congress archivist on his show to talk about a new document she's acquired. Unfortunately last week the Post laid off reporter Rick Redfern... well, they offered him a buyout. Perhaps he can work for them on contract!

That darn Toles, continued

Political Bias Seen, One Way or Another
Washington Post Saturday, September 20, 2008; Page A17

Ideally, a newspaper's cartoonist would show some degree of nonpartisanship and address topics with an even hand. Not so in the case of Tom Toles. He wears his Democratic Party hat almost every time he picks up his pen.

Once in a while it would be nice to see him sling a little mud in the other direction, let's say, maybe one out of five cartoons, or would that result in his being drummed out of the party?

-- Jack McIntyre

Ashburn

NY Times on Watchmen movie rights confusion again

I'm slow in getting the papers read this morning, but here's one article - "Battle Over ‘Watchmen’ Surrounds a Producer," By MICHAEL CIEPLY, New York Times September 20, 2008.

I must say I have no real interest in this movie, especially since the comic has apparently been used to make something close to a one-to-one adaptation. When I was younger, strict adaptations were appealing (and my young daughter has issues with the liberties taken with the Harry Potter movies), but the older I get, the more I feel that one should do something different.

GEM curator continues to discuss comics course

Arnold Blumberg, the curator at Geppi's Entertainment Museum, has another column online talking about designing his University of Maryland comics course. I mentioned the first and linked to it in this post.

Zadzooks on Star Wars video game

Zadzooks seems to be bouncing all over the Times lately so I keep missing it. Here's the latest which is videogame animation and the adaption into a comic book - "ZADZOOKS: Star Wars, The Force Unleashed review," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Monday, September 15, 2008.

Online is "Bennett's Best for the week of September 14," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks blog September 18 2008 in which the Big Planet owner recommends two comics, one of which I've never heard of and the other is a cheap attempt to cash in on current events that DC should be commended for. Like Dell in the 1960s - give the people what they want, even if it is Gunsmoke adaptations!

Comic Riffs quotes Trudeau

Comic Riffs quotes Trudeau in "The Morning Line: "Doonesbury" Sings the Newspaper Blues," By Michael Cavna, September 16, 2008.

I read this earlier in the week, but the quotes didn't click until Brian Steinberg blogged about it in his Comics Examiner.

Derf's got a new book out and will be at SPX

One of the things I miss the most (besides Rob Ullman) from Creative (HAH!) Loafing's takeover of the City Paper is Derf's strip, The City. Here's an article about his new book - "DERF HOPES FOR A HIT WITH PUNK ROCK & TRAILER PARKS," Jennifer M. Contino, Comicon's The Pulse 09-18-2008.

Comic Riffs interviews animator

The Interview: HBO Animator Steve Dildarian, By Michael Cavna , Washington Post Comic Riffs blog September 19, 2008.

This was also published in September 21st's paper.

An embarrassingly positive Pekar review...

...sure Mike Everleth's in the book, but you can trust his opinion. He's only got five pages and the book's more than 200!

Favorite comic of the summer

I just read Guy Delisle's Burma Chronicles and enjoyed it immensely. This is the Canadian animator's third travelogue, and is his most polished yet. It's from Drawn and Quarterly.

Marc Singer on All-Star Superman #12

All-Star Batman's getting all the media attention this week due to last week's dirty words, but Marc Singer's got a lovely appreciation of Morrison and Quitely's All-Star Superman 12.

I'm glad to see that he's as puzzled about the final page as I am.

My only complaint about this series is that DC released half of it as a collection. I hate collections of halves of series. I bought it, but I hate halves.

OT: Dave Astor online on Friday

Dave Astor of Editor and Publisher, who I've swapped a few tips with, and who kindly points people here, will be interviewed online at 8:15 am on Friday at Ray Hanania's site.

Ted Rall's political animation

Ted Rall, whose hard-hitting and vicious cartoons are sadly missing from the City Paper, sent in this press release today. Rall will be at SPX next month, as he usually is, and I've bought his books from him regularly there. I'm not all that keen on political animation for some reason, but I understand the need to keep current.

TED RALL GETS ANIMATED

September 18, 2008 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Outrageous political cartoonist Ted Rall has released his first animated editorial cartoon. "President Obama's First Day," which depicts the Democratic hopeful taking the oath of office, dumping billions of dollars out of an airplane, and shooting rays of sweet, sweet love at the Taliban, is available at YouTube and at Rall's website, tedrall.com.

Rall wrote, drew and designed the characters for "President Obama's First Day," a tongue-firmly-in-cheek look at liberal Democrats' fantasies of how an Obama Administration would instantly change things for the better. The video can be seen at the following YouTube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fimEJAklKso

The animation was done by David Essman (see biography below).

"There are some great Flash-based edittoons out there, but they take a different approach than I do. I see each animated cartoon as a skit, as a mini TV show," Rall said. "I hope people enjoy watching 'Obama's First Day' as much as David and I enjoyed making it."

Rall and Essman plan to continue releasing Web-based animated cartoons.

BIOS:

Ted Rall, 45, is President of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. A nationally-syndicated editorial cartoonist for Universal Press Syndicate, Rall's cartoons have appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Village Voice, Los Angeles Times, Time, Newsweek and more than 200 other publications. He was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1996, and twice won first place in the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards.

David Essman is a 22 year old animator, currently studying at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His films have been screened across the country at film festivals including San Francisco Shorts, Animation Block Party, and the St. Louis International Film Festival.

Contact: Ted Rall, ted@rall.com

Oliphant and the Pentecostals continued

In a post with a lot of comments, Alan Gardner quoted my earlier post on this and linked to a letter to the Post from a Pentecostal minister: Pastor Bernard's Response to Washington Post Cartoon, Tuesday, September 16th, 2008.

Small Press Expo Announces its Slate of Discussion Panels for SPX 2008

Bill Kartalopoulos has set up a rich set of programs for SPX. These all look good, darn it.

I appear to be interviewing Our Man Thompson, probably on Sunday I'm told. I've started the pre-interview and can confidently report that his favorite desserts are "either a canoli or Amy's cherry pie." Look for detailed discussions about our children still to come. If one has any questions one wants answered, let me know.

Small Press Expo Announces its Slate of Discussion Panels for SPX 2008

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


Bethesda, Maryland; September 18, 2008 – Small Press Expo (SPX) 2008 announces its slate of panels, creator Q&As and Spotlight sessions for SPX 2008. This year we feature Joost Swarte, Ben Katchor and Richard Thompson in one on one interview’s along with a diverse series of panels on all aspects of comics.

SPX will be held on Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5 at the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, across form the White Flint Metro stop. Admission is $8 per day and $15 for both days.

For more information on SPX and the Ignatz Awards, please visit our web site at www.spxpo.com.

Below are the discussion panels for SPX 2008. See our web site above for times and locations of the panels.

Q+A and Spotlights

Joost Swarte Q+A

Joost Swarte has produced comics, illustrations, graphics and architectural designs that have made him a legend in his native Netherlands. His clear line-influenced avant-garde comics were introduced to American audiences in RAW and his illustrations have graced the covers and pages of The New Yorker. Cartoonist, teacher and editor Paul Karasik will moderate a special spotlight session with the artist.

Ben Katchor Spotlight

Ben Katchor has long chronicled the pleasures of urban decay and small-scale ambition in comic strips including Julius Knipl: Real Estate Photographer, Hotel and Farm, and The Cardboard Valise. He is also the author of the graphic novel The Jew of New York and has collaborated on theatrical productions with musicians Bang on a Can and Mark Mulcahy. Today he will present full-color strips from his monthly series in Metropolis Magazine and answer questions moderated by comics scholar Mike Wenthe.

Bryan Lee O’Malley Q+A

Bryan Lee O’Malley has gained an enormous audience as the author of the multi-volume “Scott Pilgrim” series, combining manga-influenced artwork with contemporary pop culture motifs to spin a bubblegum saga of youth’s modern pursuit of romance and rock. Comics critic Joe “Jog” McCulloch will lead the discussion.

James Kochalka in Conversation

Alt-comics perennial James Kochalka will reflect on his career to date in a wide-ranging conversation with Heidi MacDonald, covering his whimsically semi-autobiographical Magic Boy character, his online autobiographical comic strip American Elf, children’s comics, and, of course, Super F*ckers.

Richard Thompson Spotlight

Richard Thompson is an illustrator whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and The Atlantic Monthly and a cartoonist whose weekly strip Richard’s Poor Almanac appears in the Washington Post and whose daily strip Cul de Sac is syndicated nationally. In this special spotlight presentation Richard will discuss his work and career with comics scholar Mike Rhode.


PANELS/PRESENTATIONS

CCS Workshop

Join faculty members Robyn Chapman and Alec Longstreth join CCS graduate Joseph Lambert for a presentation on The Center for Cartoon Studies' unique curriculum and a hands-on cartoon workshop. Robyn will present some of CCS's most successful classroom exercises, including a comic book revision of the classic fable, Tortoise and the Hare. Audience members will be invited to join in a cartooning exercise and make their own page of comics. No matter how much or little experience you have, you will leave this workshop having drawn a comics page!

Critics’ Roundtable

A panel of comics critics will consider crucial topics facing the art form and industry in a special roundtable session. Panelists will include Rob Clough, Gary Groth, Tim Hodler and Joe “Jog” McCulloch in a session moderated by Bill Kartalopoulos.

Cartooning in Collaboration/Collaboration in Cartooning

Co-moderators and mini-comics collaborators Isaac Cates and Mike Wenthe will lead this unique panel discussion on the challenges, problems, and pleasures of collaborative comics making. Panelists Becky Cloonan, Mike Dawson, Jim Ottaviani, Frank Santoro and Dash Shaw will discuss their varying experiences with the collaborative process.

The Page as Canvas

Alongside the word balloon, the formal device most closely associated with comics is the panel grid itself, the framework that provides structure and sequence to most comics pages. What happens when artists break the grid and use the page more broadly as a narrative canvas? What problems and opportunities does this approach present? Moderator Austin English will explore this topic with panelists Molly O’Connell, Juliacks, Jillian Tamaki, and Lauren Weinstein.

Background, Setting and Subject

Sometimes considered a separate element – and even a separate craft – in commercial comics, the rendering of background or setting is often itself a major subject in auteurial comics. Moderator Rob Clough will delve into this topic with panelists Kevin Huizenga, Jason Lutes and Ben Katchor.

Hergé and the Clear Line

In 1977 Joost Swarte coined the term “clear line” to describe the style employed by Tintin creator Hergé. Since then Swarte has been one of several artists to employ elements of that style to vastly different ends. Moderator Bill Kartalopoulos will narrate a slideshow presentation about the clear line style, followed by commentary and discussion by Jason Lutes, Swarte, and Kim Thompson.

The Kramers Ergot 7 Panel

One of the most hotly anticipated (and occasionally controversial) comics projects in recent years is Kramers Ergot 7, the forthcoming installment of the landmark contemporary comics anthology series, which offers contributing cartoonists the opportunity to produce new work at Little Nemo-scale in a deluxe full-color hardcover format. Moderator Bill Kartalopoulos will discuss the project with publisher Alvin Buenaventura and contributing artists including CF, Kevin Huizenga, Ben Katchor and Matthew Thurber.

Kim Thompson: Vingt Sur 20

Fantagraphics co-publisher Kim Thomspon presents "Vingt sur 20: French Comics from Goscinny to Satrapi," a slideshow lecture on the twenty men and women who, over a generation, redrew la bande dessinée française from a children's medium into le neuvième art.

Children’s and YA Comic Books

Comics were long considered a children’s medium before ambitious cartoonists began making comics for an adult audience. More recently, good work for children had nearly become an endangered species before a contemporary resurgence in comics for younger audiences. Panelists Frank Cammuso, Hope Larson, Dave Roman and Raina Telgemeier will discuss issues related to making comics for children and young adults.

Small Press Publishers’ Roundtable

A group of small press comics publishers discuss the opportunities and challenges of publishing comics and reaching audiences today. Moderator Rob Clough will lead a discussion with publishers including Leon Avalino (Secret Acres), Alvin Buenaventura (Buenaventura Press), Randy Cheng (Bodega), and Dylan Williams (Sparkplug).

Harvey Pekar: Conversations Errata #1

Hopefully not in a series, but probably. Print this out and put it in the book.

On page xv, in the Chronology, under 1989 - "American Splendor: Bedtime Stories comic book published by Dark Horse." This actually occurred in 2000.

I regret the error.

Oliphant's Palin cartoon on Post website shakes teapot

Ken Gurley in his "Cartoonist Lampoons Palin's Pentecostal Faith," Houston Chronicle Houston Belief blog 9/15/2008, takes issue with a cartoon by Pat Oliphant that ran on the Post's website.

He wrote, Palin's Pentecostal faith is now being lampooned by Pat Oliphant, Washington Post cartoonist. Oliphant has been called by the New York Times Magazine the "most influential editorial cartoonist" now working.

Sadly, Oliphant is not a Washington Post cartoonist, but works for a syndicate.

Continuing his misrepresentation and misapprehensions, he concludes,

Speaking of the Danish cartoonist, the editor of that newspaper issued an apology for its extreme insensitivity to the Muslim faith. What about it Washington Post? Do you want to go down this slippery slope in the pick-and-choose mode of offending religions? Even your own ombudsman said this was beyond the pale. Why not pony up an apology?

Well, no, the Danish editor didn't apologize. In a Radio Free Europe interview from March 29, 2008, Fleming Rose said, And in fact, one of the leading Muslims who had tried to take me and my newspaper to court, and who had said at the time that this would never end until Flemming Rose apologized to 1.5 billion Muslims, this time came forward saying: "OK, we now know from the court decision that we live in a country where it is allowed to ridicule and defame our religion. We don't like it but we have to accept it."

In any event, one wonders why Ken Gurley would like his religion compared to one whose members, after months of inciting to be sure, rioted over cartoon depictions. Perhaps he'd like a story on Radio Free Europe about it.

And the Post, again, is not Oliphant's newspaper. What the ombudsman said was, "Readers were right to complain; I will deal with political cartooning in another column. Political cartoons and comics aren't selected at washingtonpost.com the way they are for The Post in print; they are automatically posted." I think Howell is wrong about the "right to complain" remark, but she says she'll address the issue of political cartoons in another article. The Post had... 350 complaints! Shocking! I wonder how many of them actually even buy the paper since the cartoon only ran online. I certainly didn't see it until people started complaining about it, so I appreciate the fact that they did and I could then enjoy the cartoon.

Christianity Today also blogged on the tempest "Readers say Washington Post cartoon lampooned their faith," by Sarah Pulliam.

Also, in That Darn Toles news, the Wall Street Journal's John Fund noted on his blog "A better riposte might have been to note that Mr. Obama seemed to be channeling a hard-left newspaper cartoonist named Tom Toles." Toles was not actually identified, but he is the Washington Post's cartoonist.

DC-based artist has new comic book out

Josh Eiserike wrote in today to mention his new comic. He said, I'm from DC (lived here most of my life). My best friend Mitch (also from DC, but he lives in Baltimore now) and I have a new book out and was wondering if you'd be interested in some kind of coverage.

The book is called "Assholes." We just got the second issue-- it's self-published, kind of a Wedding Crashers / Clerks-inappropriate-humor book. You can read the first issue and part of the second issue here, on my Web site. We'll have it at SPX, of course (stop by and say hi!).

A little about me: I'm the artist on Assholes, but I also write my own comics, including "Class of 99" (which I also drew) and "Anyone But Virginia" (which I only wrote). I do freelance writing for MAD Magazine, amongst other things.

Josh has a nice, webcomic type style that I assume he's doing on a computer. I'll be checking out his work online and at SPX and encourage you all to support our local cartoonists. And inappropriate humor, of course.

Oct 3: Lynda Barry at Politics and Prose

... is what her publisher, Drawn and Quarterly, says on their website. She'll also be at SPX apparently.

Small Press Expo Announces the 2008 Ignatz Award Nominees

Small Press Expo Announces the 2008 Ignatz Award Nominees

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



Bethesda, Maryland; September 16, 2008 – Small Press Expo (SPX) 2008 will host the twelfth annual presentation of the Ignatz Awards on Saturday night, October 4 at 9PM at the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. The Ignatz Awards are a celebration of outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning, the nominees being determined by a jury of five comic artists. This year’s jury consisted of Gabrielle Bell, Farel Dalrymple, Eleanor Davis, John Hankiewicz and Andy Hartzell.

The Ignatz Awards are voted on by those who attend this year's SPX on Saturday, October 4 only.

The Ignatz, named after George Herriman's brick-wielding mouse, recognizes exceptional work that challenges popular notions of what comics can achieve, both as an art form and as a means of personal expression. The Ignatz Awards are a festival prize, the first of such in the United States comic book industry.

SPX will be held on Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5 at the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, across form the White Flint Metro stop. Admission is $8 per day and $15 for both days.

For more information on SPX and the Ignatz Awards, please visit our web site at www.spxpo.com.

The categories and nominees for this year’s Ignatz Awards are:



Outstanding Artist

Warren Craghead, How to Be Everywhere (self-published)

Lat, Town Boy (First Second Books)

Jillian Tamaki, Skim (Groundwood Books)

Laura Park, Do Not Disturb My Waking Dream (self-published)

Michel Rabagliati, Paul Goes Fishing (Drawn & Quarterly)


Outstanding Anthology or Collection

Inkweed, Chris Wright (Sparkplug Comic Books)

Little Lulu Vol. 18, John Stanley (Dark Horse)

Papercutter #7, edited by Greg Means (Tugboat Press)

Pond Life, John Broadley (PictureBox)

Windy Corner #2, edited by Austin English (Sparkplug Comic Books)


Outstanding Graphic Novel

The Hot Breath of War, Trevor Alixopulos (Sparkplug Comic Books)

Notes for a War Story, Gipi (First Second Books)

Paul Goes Fishing, Michel Rabagliati (Drawn & Quarterly)

Skim, Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki (Groundwood Books)

Spent, Joe Matt (Drawn & Quarterly)


Outstanding Story

"Americus", MK Reed and Jonathan Hill, Papercutter #7 (Tugboat Press)

"The Candy Rod", Onsmith, Hotwire Comics #2 (Fantagraphics Books)

"The Galactic Funnels", Dash Shaw, Mome #11 (Fantagraphics Books)

The Thing About Madeleine, Lilli Carre (self-published)

"The Urn", Chris Wright, Inkweed (Sparkplug Comic Books)


Promising New Talent

Oliver East, Trains Are... Mint (Blank Slate)

Austin English, Windy Corner #2 (Sparkplug Comic Books)

Chuck Forsman, Snake Oil #1 (self-published)

Sarah Glidden, How To Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less (self-published)

Lars Martinson, Tonoharu (Pliant Press/Top Shelf Productions)


Outstanding Series

Eye of the Magnetic Creature, Leslie Stein (self-published)

Injury, Ted May, Jason Robards, and Jeff Wilson (Buenaventura Press)

Paul series, Michel Rabagliati (Drawn & Quarterly)

Reich, Elijah Brubaker (Sparkplug Comic Books)

Snake Oil, Chuck Forsman (self-published)


Outstanding Comic

Cryptic Wit #2, Gerald Jablonski (self-published)

Department of Art, Dunya Jankovic (self-published)

Lucky Vol. 2 #2, Gabrielle Bell (Drawn & Quarterly)

Palooka-ville #19, Seth (Drawn & Quarterly)

Snake Oil #1, Chuck Forsman (self-published)


Outstanding Mini-Comic

Bluefuzz, Jesse Reklaw

Dorado Park, Lilli Carre

How To Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less, Sarah Glidden

Ochre Eclipse #2, Jonas Madden-Connor

Swell, Juliacks


Outstanding Online Comic

Achewood, Chris Onstad (www.achewood.com)

Danny Dutch, David King (www.reliablecomics.com)

Slow Wave, Jesse Reklaw (www.slowwave.com)

Thingpart, Joe Sayers (www.jsayers.com/thingpart/thingpart.html)

Traced, Tracy White (www.traced.com)

Art exhibit in Baltimore by a friend

My colleague Donna Rose has an exhibit of her artwork in Baltimore.

She makes collages by tearing apart magazines. Fortunately this behavior hasn't spread to comic books.

Reggie Hudlin Interview

Betancourt, David. 2008.
The Interview: Ex-BET Chief Reg Hudlin of "Black Panther".
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog (September 15):
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2008/09/the_interview_ex-bet_chief_reg.html

Charlos Gary joining Washington Times

Alan Gardner's Daily Cartoonist pointed out that Charlos Gary, who does the strip Cafe con Leche, is moving to Washington and joining the staff of the Times. Gary's blog post doesn't say what he'll be doing though.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 09-17-08

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 09-17-08
By John Judy

ACTION COMICS #869 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. “He’s a Brainiac, Brainiac on the floooorrr….!” I’m sorry.

ALL-STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN #10 (the amended version) by Frank Miller and Jim Lee. This isn’t actually on the invoice but I’m hoping DC is able to ship all the replacement copies for the ones they had to destroy or put on E-Bay last week thanks to Frank Miller’s insistence that all his potty-mouth dialogue be printed before being “blacked-out” afterwards. Oops. Frank is at that point in his career in which he appears comfortable with every word except “No.” Hopefully this will pass after “The Spirit” wins a few Razzies.

ALL-STAR SUPERMAN #12 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. Well, it’s taken three years but we’ve finally made it to issue twelve! In this climactic issue we find out how a dying Superman deals with Lex, Lois and all sorts of other stuff! All without a single crude reference to female anatomy!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #572 by Dan Slott and John Romita Jr. The amazing Norman Osborn continues dancing his sociopathic jig on the corpse of decency. Fun stuff! Oh, and Spider-Man appears too. Recommended.

ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #8 by Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard. Now monthly The Astounding W.M. goes out looking for the Were-Creep who cast his life into a furry Hell. (Note: “Furry Hell” is also where you go when you die while misbehaving at Sci-Fi conventions.)

BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #2 written and drawn by Mike Kunkel. Setting up the Captain Marvel/Black Adam rivalry. Gotta admit the art on this series doesn’t grab me the way Jeff Smith’s did but the spirit remains the same and my kid seems to enjoy it. And shouldn’t there always be a Captain Marvel comic on the racks?

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 #5 by Paul Cornell and Pat Olliffe. Well the cover kind of gives everything away. Be advised: Spitfire is NOT naked in this issue, but she does appear to have gone swimming.

DC UNIVERSE: DECISIONS #1 of 4 by Judd Winick, Bill Willingham and Rick Leonardi. The superheroes of the DCU start off just protecting their presidential candidates and end up endorsing them. Gotta look, but I’m afraid this is one of those cases of Reality out-weirding the comic books….

GHOST RIDER #27 by Jason Aaron and Tan Eng Hut. Okay, the art here could be better but Jason Aaron is clearly having a ball making Ghost Rider terrorize his way through Biker Country. Like a seventies grindhouse movie where the budget ran out early on. Recommended.

GRAVEL #5 by Warren Ellis, Mike Wolfer and Oscar Jimenez. Combat Magician William Gravel continues killing magicians who have what he wants. If only he’d go after the Avatar Press webmaster next! This is kind of like Marvel’s “Infinity Gauntlet” only with more smoking and swearing.

GREATEST HITS #1 of 6 by David Tischman and Glenn Fabry. Imagine if the Beatles had been superheroes instead of musicians. Now meet The Mates, the four supermen from England. Absolutely must-look, but it’s Vertigo so probably not for kids.

HELLBLAZER #247 by Andy Diggle and Leonardo Manco. Diggle’s final story-arc as Constantine faces down a War-Magus who eats people for power. Like Venom only with less tongue.

MARVEL APES #2 of 4 by Karl Kesel and Ramon Bachs. It’s the adventures of Marvel superheroes on Earth-Ape! Twisted fun. “Paging Doctor Zaius!”

MIGHTY AVENGERS #18 by Brian Michael Bendis and Khoi Pham. Needs apes.

PUNISHER #62 by Gregg Hurwitz and Laurence Campbell. Thus far a worthy successor to the Garth Ennis run. No small hurdle. Recommended.

SCALPED #21 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. That’s not a peace pipe Dashiell Bad Horse is smoking. If you ever wondered how the darkest noir comic on the stands today could get darker, here’s your answer: Have your hero start smoking rock. Why is it the higher I recommend this thing the lower the orders go? Fine. It’s horrible! With mutants! Check it out before some jerk at DC/Vertigo cancels my favorite book!

SQUADRON SUPREME #3 by Howard Chaykin and Marco Turini. Quite possibly the all-around worst comic series I have read this year. And I’ve read WOLVERINE: ORIGINS.

UNCANNY X-MEN #502 by Matt Fraction, Ed Brubaker and Greg Land. Hard to say what’s more disturbing in this issue: Greg Land’s photo swipes or Cyclops’ newfound pleasure in using torture to extract information from prisoners when he’s got super-powered mind-readers on his team. I’m honestly sickened by this post Abu Ghraib idea that heroes (as opposed to anti-heroes) can do this stuff. Maybe it’s the way Greg Land draws everybody grinning ear-to-ear while they go all X-Gestapo. When did the X-Men become Bush-McCain Republicans?

WALKING DEAD #52 by Robert Kirkman and Charles Adlard. And speaking of John McCain… Recommended as always. The comic, not the Senator. Oy.

X-FACTOR #35 by Peter David and Larry Stroman. Longshot’s back! Plus lumpy artwork!

Also this week, many bundles of “Halloween” Mini-Comics arrive including ARCHIE, BONE, COWA!, DONALD DUCK, and PEANUTS. Excellent treats, appropriate for all ages and guaranteed to rot only your mind, never your teeth. Get some!

www.johnjudy.net


I'll be giving out the Halloween comics - Mike

Sept 27: Gaiman, Meltzer at National Book Festival

Here's some info from the Library of Congress. These events are always mob scenes.

Jim Henson exhibit at Smithsonian

I've been lax on posting about this, even though DC blogger and work buddy Master Ibid recommended it to me. I've never really considered Henson a cartoonist, but the show opens with gag and strip cartoons he did. Also when you look at some of the early concept sketches for his puppets, he appears to have been influenced by Searle. You can get details and a podcast on the Smithsonian's traveling exhibits site. The exhibit is up through October 5th and is in the Ripley center under the Haupt garden, behind the Castle.

Oliphant cartoon draws complaints for Post's website

The cartoon in question.

The Post's readers have been complaining about an online Oliphant cartoon - in "Campaign, and Complaints, Heat Up," By Deborah Howell, Washington Post Sunday, September 14, 2008; Page B06, she says, Speaking of overdoing it, a political cartoon by Pat Oliphant that appeared on washingtonpost.com Wednesday prompted complaints from about 350 readers who said he lampooned their faith. The cartoon showed Palin speaking in tongues, an aspect of worship in some Pentecostal churches, and then God telling St. Peter that he didn't understand what she was saying -- "All I can hear is some dam' right-wing politician spouting gibberish." Readers were right to complain; I will deal with political cartooning in another column. Political cartoons and comics aren't selected at washingtonpost.com the way they are for The Post in print; they are automatically posted.

Like my recent post on Zapiro, I'd have to say "what issue?"

Washington City Paper on Bash's Onion Head

See "Five Minutes with Onion Head," by Mike Riggs, Washington City Paper's City Desks blog Sep. 12, 2008 for an interview with Bryan Stone on his feature in the Bash comics tabloid.

Bennet's Best Back at Zadzooks

This week Greg recommends Gotham Central and Omega the Unknown. See Bennett's Best for the week of September 7 By Greg Bennett.

Zadzooks on Star Wars Clone Wars and its artist

"ZADZOOKS: Clones at war again," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Thursday, September 4, 2008.

"ZADZOOKS: Scott Hepburn tackles 'The Clone Wars'," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Thursday, September 11, 2008

Baltimore City Paper annual comics issue out now

Baltimore City Paper's annual comics issue (Sept 10, 2008) is out now. It's got an article by Emily Flake on how-to books, and the results of their annual comics contest. It also has a comic strip "Ten Jobs I Have Known" by Eamon Espey, "War Profits: New Biography Reveals WWII's Toll On Willie & Joe Cartoonist Bill Mauldin," By Christopher Skokna, and "Open Secret: Closed Caption Comics Creators Gaining Local Notice Just as Some Are Leaving Town," by Michael Northrup on a Maryland Institute College of Art comics collective.

Dan Nadel interview on Rory Hayes

Former Big Planet Comics clerk, and now comics historian and publisher Dan Nadel has a new book on Rory Hayes out. Here's an interview - "Where Demented Wented: Nadel on Rory Hayes," by Van Jensen, Guest Contributor, Thu, September 11th, 2008.

Rosenthal illustration in Post

Back to Washington, Marc Rosenthal did a lovely cover to the Post's Weekend section. Here's the snippet the paper had online.

Harvey Awards at Baltimore Comic-con Press Release

Harvey Awards Dinner Tickets Available!
Brian Michael Bendis to be Keynote Speaker!
Dinner Gift Bag Contents Announced!

BALTIMORE, MD (September 11, 2008) - The Harvey Awards dinner and presentation ceremony, featuring Emcee Kyle Baker and Keynote speaker Brian Michael Bendis, will be held on Saturday, September 27th, at the Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards. Tickets are now available for the event, which will begin at 7:00pm with a cocktail hour, to be followed by dinner and the awards ceremony at 8:00pm .

The Harveys, named after the legendary MAD founding editor and master storyteller Harvey Kurtzman, recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.

The Harveys are also very excited to announce Brian Michael Bendis as the keynote speaker for this year's awards ceremony. Brian is one of the most prolific and successful writers working in mainstream comics today. For well over six years, Brian's titles have consistently charted in the top five best sellers on the nationwide comic sales rankings.

Brian is one of the premiere architects of Marvel Comics' Ultimate Universe, a line of comics created specifically for the new generation of comics readers. Since it's best-selling launch, he has written every issue of Ultimate Spider-Man to date, and has also written Ultimate Fantastic Four, Ultimate X-men, Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, and Ultimate Six. In addition to scripting the action in the Ultimate Universe, Brian is also responsible for the writing duties on titles such as Secret Invasion, New Avengers, and Mighty Avengers. His creator-owned title, Powers (with series co-creator and artist Mike Oeming), has brought acclaim and accolades as well.

Brian has been nominated for 4 Harvey Awards, for his work on Powers, Daredevil, and New Avengers. He has also won five prestigious Eisner awards, including 'Best Writer of the year' two years in a row.

He is creator of the Jinx line of crime comics published by Image Comics. This line has spawned the graphic novels Goldfish, Fire, Jinx, Torso (with Marc Andreyko), and Total Sell Out.

"We are thrilled to be hosting the Harvey Awards again this year, " said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "Award shows are all about having a moment that you will remember. Last year, Kyle Baker was a great MC, Rich Koslowski danced onto stage to present an award, James Jean gave us all a little bit too much information as he won an award, Erik Larsen made us laugh with a single line read, and we were able to see industry legend Joe Kubert honored by HERO Initiative. These are the moments that stood out to me. With Brian added to the event as our keynote speaker, I can't wait to see what happens this year. We hope as many fans as possible will join us."

Guests for dinner and the awards ceremony will enjoy a full banquet-style dinner of filet mignon and Baltimore-style crabcake. For the third year, we are pleased to have Kyle Baker to act as our Master of Ceremonies for the evening. In addition, the 3rd Annual Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented.

Continuing the very successful promotion from last year, a gift bag will be available to all dinner guests. The first 200 attendees will receive The MAD Archives vol. 1 from DC Comics, Diary of a Wimpy Kid from Amulet Books, an imprint of Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Beowulf Trade Paperback, based on the screenplay by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary from IDW, Creator Chronicles Preview DVD Featuring Michael Golden from Woodcrest Productions and Eva Ink, Stephen King's Dark Tower : The Gunslinger Born, courtesy of Cards, Comics, and Collectibles & The Baltimore Comic-Con, a Toon Tumbler drinking glass from Popfun merchandising, and an exclusive Harvey Awards keychain from LaserMach.

Harvey Awards tickets are on sale now. Tickets to the event, which includes the full cocktail hour (cash bar), full service dinner, awards ceremony, and gift bag are now available for $90. Tickets are available by calling Cards, Comics & Collectibles in Reisterstown, Maryland at (410) 526-7410. Major Credit Cards will be accepted for payment. Dinner tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, September 24th and will not be available at the door.

For those who wish to attend the ceremony only, tickets are available for $10, or free with a two-day pass to the convention. The hall will be opened for those ticket holders at approximately 8:45pm. Attendees who purchase a ceremony-only ticket are not eligible to receive the gift bag. The two-day convention tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster, accessible from www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

In addition to the Baltimore Comic-Con, named sponsors of the 2008 Harvey Awards include DC Comics, ComiXology.com, Top Shelf Comix, Top Cow Productions, Painted Visions Comics, Cards, and Games, and Brett's Comic Pile. Without these sponsors, the event would not be possible and the Baltimore Comic-Con staff expresses their gratitude. While time is short, there are still sponsorship opportunities available.

For more information about The Harvey Awards, visit www.harveyawards.org.

For more information about the convention, visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

For additional directions to the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards, visit
www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bwiih-baltimore-marriott-inner-harbor-at-camden-yards

Thompson does Nickelodeon cover

Alan Gardner at the Daily Cartoonist is reporting that Our Man Thompson will be doing a cover for Nickelodeon magazine. I can add the totally uninteresting factoid that Nickelodeon cartoon editor Chris Duffy and Richard actually met in person at HeroesCon this year, demonstrating conclusively that ... well, I don't know what... networking helps, maybe?

Also, I owe Mr. Duffy a shout-out for sending me a set of Nickelodeon's carton magazines in exchange for my Interplanetary Journal of Comic Art. Thanks, Chris!

OT: Zapiro's editorial cartoon controversy in South Africa

Obviously South Africa is a bit off this blog's usual beat, but reader Lorrainne Thompson wrote in a few minutes ago, "I was wondering what you thought about the recent caricature done by Zapiro (and the resulting furor) in South Africa?"

Since we're in America and I'm a First Amendment absolutist, here's the cartoon:



Now that's a strong and unpleasant cartoon. However, editorial cartoonists don't view their job as making a politician's life sweetness and light, and god bless them for that. Neither do I.

Secondly, Zuma and Zapiro have a history of going at each other. Last year when Zapiro was at the Cartoonists Rights Network to accept an award, it was because Zuma was suing him over another cartoon. This was reflected in the press release from the CRN which said:

Two of Shapiro's three "Zuma" cartoons are cited in a US$2 million defamation suit ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma has brought against the cartoonist, editors and South African publishers. Zuma's political pedigree includes resistance organizer, 10-year Robben Island prisoner, exile, ANC negotiator, party official and former deputy president of South Africa. In recent years, Zuma has drawn criticism from the press due to his in-fighting for ANC leadership and the company he keeps. There are allegations of tax evasion, corruption and rape.

The rape case did go to trial and was deemed consensual sex by the court 8 May 2006. However, Zuma's own testimony outraged HIV/AIDS educators. This former chair of the National AIDS Council testified that he did not use a condom. He said he minimized the risk of infection from the 32-year-old HIV positive woman by taking a shower.

So we can see some of the same issues and motifs of concern to Zapiro popping up in this drawing - the shower head on Zuma's head, the rape threat, the complicity of South African political parties in the scandal. At this point, Zuma's a leading candidate for President, filling a seat once held by Nelson Mandela, in spite of being on trial for corruption charges. For more details, see
"Zuma's Cartoon Character," by Barrett Sheridan, Newsweek blog Wednesday, September 10, 2008.

Earlier this year in "Freedom of expression in Jester's space," April 15 2008, Zapiro defined his idea of an editorial cartoonists responsibility and rights: "The line stops when you make a tangible connection between what you are saying and instances of people going out and doing violence or causing physical hurt or death because of what you say," he said.

"Its about taboos, about whether a cartoonist has the right to go beyond a certain point. I am a freedom of expression junkie. I don't gratuitously go out of my way to piss people off."

In conclusion - I think Zapiro was perfectly right to draw what he wanted to, and I applaud his newspaper for standing behind him. Many of the articles I've seen have been generated by complaints from the parties depicted in the cartoon. If they, and Jacob Zuma, had ignored the cartoon, it would have been forgotten in a week. Instead it's being blogged about in Washington, DC. I welcome any comments others (or Lorraine) would care to make.


For those with a continuing interest, here's another article on Zapiro's career, followed by much of what I've compiled for the Comics Research Bibliography on this:

"Shooting Sacred Cows: A POLITICAL CARTOONIST DISCUSSES THE PERILS OF RIDICULING GEORGE W. BUSH--AND WHY HE GOT A PERSONAL PHONE CALL FROM NELSON MANDELA," Arlene Getz, Newsweek Web Exclusive, Oct 17, 2007.

Alan Gardner of the Daily Cartoonist found this interview - "Times Q & A with South African cartoonist under attack; Zapiro defends his cartoon depicting ANC chief and presidential hopeful Jacob Zuma as about to rape the justice system, which has drawn criticism from his supporters," By Robyn Dixon, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer, September 12, 2008.

IOL polled its readers and in 'Zapiro's cartoon was very much appropriate', By Fundile Majola, September 10 2008, reported:

With the cartoon having been a central theme of the international media this week, Shapiro himself has expressed shock at the volume of response. "I've had some pretty huge responses, but nothing has come close to this," he said.

Following the uproar, IOL decided to engage their readers on the issue, asking if they thought the picture was indeed inappropriate. Of the 548 readers who responded, an overwhelming 76 percent (412 votes) thought the cartoon was in fact the most appropriate reflection of what the judiciary is going through under the Zuma camp while a not-so-convincing 17 percent (94 votes) thought it was inappropriate and the remaining 6 percent (32 votes) just couldn't care less. I don't know who IOL's readers are - perhaps literacy is another unspoken issue in this - but that's a pretty lopsided vote of confidence in Shapiro.

This is typical of the press releases from parties pictured in the cartoon - "YCL calls on SAHRC to investigate Zapiro cartoon - Statement issued by National Secretary Buti Manamela," September 11 2008.

"Zapiro: cartoonists join the fray," September 10 2008.

"Paper supports cartoonist," Port Elizabeth Herald September 11 2008.

This is a good article about what's been going on, without the hyperbole - "Editor stands by Zapiro cartoon," Sapa, 10 Sep 2008.

"South Africa: We Should Draw on Our Humility in Cartoon Saga," Business Day (Johannesburg) COLUMN by Sipho Seepe, 10 September 2008.

"Zapiro cartoon gets SA talking," September 09 2008.

"Zuma camp vents fury over rape cartoon," By Ian Evans in Cape Town, Tuesday, 9 September 2008

Fleminger, David. 2008. "A Zap in the Face," The Times of South Africa' In My Humble Opinion blog 9 September 2008.

"Why, Zapiro? An open letter to Zapiro from Sandisiwe Vilakazi"

"Zuma cartoon: Worth a thousand words?," MAIL & GUARDIAN ONLINE REPORTER AND SAPA, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, Sep 09 2008.

and a few older articles:

"Zapiro: 'Strange things happening' in media freedom," by NATASHA MARRIAN, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, Apr 15 2008.

Berger, Guy. 2008. Dr Zapiro dispenses his muti. Mail and Guardian (April 2). Online at http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=336076&area=/insight/insight__converse/

Enwemeka, Zeninjor. 2006. Cape Times cartoonist Zapiro wins top award [in South Africa].
IOL (April 7). Online at http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3015&art_id=vn20060407015346380C125851

Thorpe, Lindsey. 2006. Public figures fair game - Zapiro. Saturday Argus (July 8): 10. online at http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20060708103232744C351304

Unknown. 2006. Safm and Independent Newspapers scoop Journalism Awards. Media Online (August 30): http://www.themedia.co.za/article.aspx?articleid=282412&area=/media_news/

Geppi's Entertainment Museum sponsers mystery authors booksignings

Here's the article - "Geppi’s Entertainment Museum Welcomes Bouchercon" which lists a bunch of comic book writers appearing as well. Although it gives the details, In celebration of the arrival of Bouchercon XXXIX, the preeminent annual gathering of crime fiction authors, editors, artists, and fans, and in conjunction with Crimespree magazine, Geppi’s Entertainment Museum (GEM) will host a signing on Friday, October 10, 2008, from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, at the museum’s 301 West Camden Street facility in Baltimore, Maryland. the article doesn't say if you have to have signed up for Bouchercon or need to pay to get into the museum.

Also in Scoop, curator Arnold Blumberg talks about his UMD comics course.

NY Times on Frank Miller's latest

In "Arts, Briefly: A Superhero Glitch," By GEORGE GENE GUSTINES, New York Times September 12, 2008, he reports that DC has called for the destruction of shipped issues of All-Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder #10 due to language. Black bars were printed over top of Batgirl's profanity. Gustines says, "Unlike other series that are aimed at an older readership, this Batman title does not have a “Suggested for Mature Readers” label," but given the copy that I saw, DC wouldn't have published some of these words in any of their lines. This also begs the question of 'why letter them in, if you're going to suppress them?' It's not like they appear magically - somebody has to put them there and then sanitize them.

I rail against censorship in the comic strips in this blog, but there's only one word for Miller's writing here. Ridiculous.