Unfortunately, it's sold out:
Washington, D.C.: E Street Cinema
Film Opens Fri, Nov 14
Bruce Campbell In Person Sat, Nov 15 at 7:45 & 10:15pm.
Please note that both performances are now SOLD OUT.
Bruce Campbell has written The Hire and Man with the Screaming Brain for Dark Horse and Obergeist for Top Cow (Image).
But hey, just because it's sold out doesn't mean you can't show up and try to get a scalped ticket. Or just stalk the side entrance looking for an autograph. (Just don't try to get your Army of Darkness from Dynamite Entertainment signed!)
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Elena Steier's new book
Fringe: A Cartoon History of the George Dubya Bush Administration is Elena Steier's new book of political cartoons. I was Elena's guest at the only Cartoons & Cocktails that I've been to (as she's a friend of my friends Gene and Kate), and these are cartoons about the Administration, so there's two DC links. This press release gives the details on the book and how to order it.
Zadzooks reviews
"ZADZOOKS: Comic book reviews of Dear Dracula and The Joker; Boy seeks Dracula's assistance," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Thursday, November 13, 2008.
OT: Harvey Pekar opera?
In a forlorn hope of seeing some reviews for Harvey Pekar: Conversations, I have a Google alert for Pekar. Today's alert noted, in addition to the University of San Diego Libraries buying a copy of the book (thanks!), the blog LIBeral ARTs: News from the Clarence Ward Art Library is reporting that Harvey Pekar will write and appear in an opera at Oberlin. There's no word if this is another American Splendor adaptation, but it seems like it might be. Here's the official information from Oberlin's website:
LEAVE ME ALONE!: A Jazz Opera
Director & Sponsor: Jonathon Field, Bibbins 131, x58206
Full Credit - Group Project
Category: Academic Study
On Campus: Finney Chapel
Limit: 15 - Fee: None
Oberlin Opera Theater, in association with Real Time Opera, is presenting a world premiere of the jazz opera LEAVE ME ALONE!, with music by Dan Plonsey and libretto by Harvey Pekar. This opera will feature Oberlin students as performers, both vocal and from the jazz department. Due to the nature of the writing, vocal soloists do not necessarily have to be classically trained singers, and the Jazz Department has expressed their willingness to help out as well. There are also opportunities for designers, technicians, performers and stage management students to participate.
The opera will feature Mr. Plonsey and Mr. Pekar onstage playing themselves, both as characters and as individuals having a dialogue about creating an opera. Often times the singers will take over from the authors themselves, giving an atmosphere of "reality opera", where the creators and the interpreters are one and the same. This opera will be presented in Finney Chapel on January 31, and will have a live web-stream version that will open up the world of an international audience to this event. A kind of "Lost Highway" meets Dave Brubeck.
LEAVE ME ALONE!: A Jazz Opera
Director & Sponsor: Jonathon Field, Bibbins 131, x58206
Full Credit - Group Project
Category: Academic Study
On Campus: Finney Chapel
Limit: 15 - Fee: None
Oberlin Opera Theater, in association with Real Time Opera, is presenting a world premiere of the jazz opera LEAVE ME ALONE!, with music by Dan Plonsey and libretto by Harvey Pekar. This opera will feature Oberlin students as performers, both vocal and from the jazz department. Due to the nature of the writing, vocal soloists do not necessarily have to be classically trained singers, and the Jazz Department has expressed their willingness to help out as well. There are also opportunities for designers, technicians, performers and stage management students to participate.
The opera will feature Mr. Plonsey and Mr. Pekar onstage playing themselves, both as characters and as individuals having a dialogue about creating an opera. Often times the singers will take over from the authors themselves, giving an atmosphere of "reality opera", where the creators and the interpreters are one and the same. This opera will be presented in Finney Chapel on January 31, and will have a live web-stream version that will open up the world of an international audience to this event. A kind of "Lost Highway" meets Dave Brubeck.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
First Second reads Cul de Sac
Mark Siegel who's doing a generally excellent job picking books at First Second brings some high praise to Cul de Sac on his blog. Regarding First Second, check out Bourbon Island 1730 by Apollo and Trondheim - it's my favorite comic of the fall so far.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Ira Schnapp, the genius that most inspired Joel Pollack's interests in comics
Big Planet Comics founder and owner Joel Pollack sent me a note which he said I could reprint here:
Just found on Wikipedia, an article on Ira Schnapp, the genius that most inspired my interests in comics. Ira was a friend of my Aunt Kitty Goldberg, and hosted me to two long visits to DC Comics offices when I was 15.
Ira's career before comics was amazing. His comic work was unsung, but he helped define the look of DC Comics covers from 1938-68. To what should be DC's great shame, Ira was left out of "The 50 That Made DC Great" commemorative publication.
The ultimate Ira Schnapp article.
The Wikipedia article is interesting, but also of note is the kindness shown to a 15-year-old who ended up making comics his career. I've had a few people do the same for me - my Mom and Dad bought comics we read to death; Mike Violante who married my cousin and shared his collection of Silver-Age DC and Marvel with me; Frank Grembowiec the owner of Collectors Comic Shop formerly in the Bergen Mall in Paramus NJ who sold me comics in my teens, Joel who picked that role up, John Lent who asked me out of the blue to be a part of the International Journal of Comic Art... there's a lot of people I could list and you just never know how things will work out.
Just found on Wikipedia, an article on Ira Schnapp, the genius that most inspired my interests in comics. Ira was a friend of my Aunt Kitty Goldberg, and hosted me to two long visits to DC Comics offices when I was 15.
Ira's career before comics was amazing. His comic work was unsung, but he helped define the look of DC Comics covers from 1938-68. To what should be DC's great shame, Ira was left out of "The 50 That Made DC Great" commemorative publication.
The ultimate Ira Schnapp article.
The Wikipedia article is interesting, but also of note is the kindness shown to a 15-year-old who ended up making comics his career. I've had a few people do the same for me - my Mom and Dad bought comics we read to death; Mike Violante who married my cousin and shared his collection of Silver-Age DC and Marvel with me; Frank Grembowiec the owner of Collectors Comic Shop formerly in the Bergen Mall in Paramus NJ who sold me comics in my teens, Joel who picked that role up, John Lent who asked me out of the blue to be a part of the International Journal of Comic Art... there's a lot of people I could list and you just never know how things will work out.
OT: Stan Lee's Soapbox raising money for cartoonist's charity
Hero Initiative is receiving money from reprints of Stan Lee's Soapbox columns from Marvel Comics in the 1970s. Here's a video message from Stan - and a review of the book - "Comics: Stan's Soapbox: The Collection," By Chris Landers, Baltimore City Paper November 10 2008. I've already ordered mine from Previews. Nostalgia and charity - two great tastes that taste great together!
Nov 12: Billy Tucci and WWII veterans in Reistertown
Billy Tucci and WWII veterans are signing Sgt Rock comics tomorrow in Reisterstown at:
Cards, Comics & Collectibles
100 Chartley Drive
Reisterstown, Maryland 21136
(410) 526-7410
Special Guests: 442nd RCT veterans Kelly Kuwayama and Terry Shima, and Merrill's Marauders' Grant Hirabayashi
I'm not sure of the time, but give them a call. More information on Sgt Rock's mixing with real-life units is at Tour of Duty 11 - Some Will Say "It's Just A Comic Book" By Billy Tucci, Newsarama 2008-11-03.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Brian Wood interview
This one's online only. See "'Local' Matters: Brian Wood," by Express contributor Scott A. Rosenberg, November 10, 2008
Deepak Chopra appearance
11/12/08, 7:30 P.M. - Deepak Chopra, a teacher of Eastern philosophy and spirituality, discusses and signs his new book, Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment, at the National Cathedral, Wisconsin & Massachusetts Ave. NW. Tickets are $22, $16 for students and seniors; call 877-537-2228 or visit http://www.cathedral.org.
Deepak Chopra has written Buddha - A Story of Enlightenment and Beyond for Shakti (Virgin Comics).
Deepak Chopra has written Buddha - A Story of Enlightenment and Beyond for Shakti (Virgin Comics).
Animator Seth McFarlane interview in Express
Today's Express has an Associated Press interview with animator Seth McFarlane who created Family Guy and American Dad and has just been signed to a $100 million production deal.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
KAL at Duke this week
Charm City's editorial cartoonist Kal sent in this note:
From November 10-14, Editorial Cartoonist for The Economist Kevin "KAL" Kallaugher will be an Artist-in-Residence at Duke University's Sanford Institute for Public Policy. During his time on campus, he will be creating a clay sculpture to commemorate the 2008 Presidential campaign.
The Sanford Institute will also be holding a forum titled “Laughing at Power: Satire in American Politics” on Tuesday November 11. It will feature Kal and North Carolina cartoonist Dwane Powell as well two staff members of the “Daily Show” with Jon Stewart. The forum is Free and open to the public.
For more information visit the Sanford Institute's website: http://www.pubpol.duke.edu/news/features/panel_nr102208.php
From November 10-14, Editorial Cartoonist for The Economist Kevin "KAL" Kallaugher will be an Artist-in-Residence at Duke University's Sanford Institute for Public Policy. During his time on campus, he will be creating a clay sculpture to commemorate the 2008 Presidential campaign.
The Sanford Institute will also be holding a forum titled “Laughing at Power: Satire in American Politics” on Tuesday November 11. It will feature Kal and North Carolina cartoonist Dwane Powell as well two staff members of the “Daily Show” with Jon Stewart. The forum is Free and open to the public.
For more information visit the Sanford Institute's website: http://www.pubpol.duke.edu/news/features/panel_nr102208.php
Irwin Caplan 1951 gag cartoon
This has nothing to do with ComicsDC, but I saw this Irwin Caplan gag cartoon on the back of a clipping from the International Herald Tribune, March 18, 1951 so I tossed it on the scanner. Enjoy.
Comics in the World photographs - National Museum of Natural History
The new Oceans exhibit in the National Museum of Natural History in Washington has some cartoons scattered through it. According to one of the exhibit designers, Jill Johnson (in a comment below), they're "by local artist Jim Haynes, Graphics Plus, Silver Spring, MD." The exhibit is very good, and big, so there's probably more than these three that I caught:
Art Spiegelman at Politics and Prose
Spiegelman gave his usual entertaining performance at a booksigning for Breakdowns last week. The crowd was standing room only, but I was near the front due to Rick B's vigilant saving of a seat. After noting that he didn't have to worry about the government trying to kill him or any of his usual fears, Spiegelman ran through a powerpoint that covered the high points of the Breakdowns book, touched on his children's book for his wife's imprint and then took questions. You can buy a recording of the talk from Politics and Prose.
Bruce Guthrie took his usual load of shots, but here's three that I got:
Bruce Guthrie took his usual load of shots, but here's three that I got:
Saturday, November 08, 2008
November: Thurber play
A Thurber Carnival is appearing on Fridays and Saturdays this month at The Kellar Theater in Manassas. Written by a cartoonist who spent time in the area as a child, the show also features Amy "Mrs. Cul de Sac" Thompson. Amy made some of the props based on Thurber's artwork, which sounds cool to me.
Today's finger puppet - Obama!
Our Man Thompson finally draws a finger puppet that I want to make - Obama!
Friday, November 07, 2008
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 11-12-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 11-12-08
By John Judy
ACTION COMICS # 871 by Geoff Johns and Pete Woods. In which we learn if you didn’t escape Krypton before it exploded it’s only because you didn’t try.
BATMAN: CACOPHONY #1 of 3 by Kevin Smith and Walt J. Flanagan. Don’t worry, the working title of this comic was not “Bruce and Selina Make a Porno.” Unfortunately the Big Bad’s name is “Onomatopoeia” and I am not making that up. To save you a trip to Wikipedia I’ll tell you that the word is Greek in origin and refers to the making of words that sound like their meanings. Words like buzz, bop, thump and whatever sound Kevin Smith’s head makes when you smash it repeatedly into a concrete floor for trying too damn hard to be clever. Oh yeah, “Onomatopoeia” in this case is the name of a “mysterious masked killer” bent on vexing the Gotham Goliath. No doubt by making him say his name three times fast. Oy…
BLACK TERROR #1 by Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Mike Lilly. No, it’s not about what red state voters are experiencing this week. It’s a series spun off from PROJECT SUPERPOWERS that will no doubt appeal to both of the people still reading PROJECT SUPERPOWERS. I liked the Alan Moore TERRA OBSCURA version better on account of Moore being able to write. Hey, these Golden-Age revamps are public domain so write your own if you like!
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 #7 by Paul Cornel and Leonard Kirk. The Mindless Ones are on the attack! Guess they’re still not over last Tuesday. J
JLA/AVENGERS SC by Kurt Busiek and George Perez. Finally one of the biggest of Big Fights is collected in affordable, bookshelf-friendly, trade paperback form. From the days when Big Event comics didn’t suck and/or take all year to come out. Recommended for all ages.
JSA KINGDOM COME SPECIAL: SUPERMAN #1 written and illustrated by Alex Ross. This is the first comic ever done by Alex Ross flying solo. That automatically gets it a “Gotta Look.” Here’s hoping it’s more KINGDOM COME and less EARTH X or PROJECT SUPERPOWERS. Fingers crossed.
THE STAND: CAPTAIN TRIPS #3 of 5 by Stephen King, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Mike Perkins. The best Stephen King adaptation ever continues as we see the super-flu begin its extermination of the world population. No more long lines at the polls! Recommended.
THUNDERBOLTS, VOL.2: CAGED ANGELS SC by Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato. That nice Mister Ellis shows us what happens when one attempts the psychic domination of people who self-mutilate, eat people and throw exploding pumpkins at Spider-Man. Most entertaining! Not for kids.
WALKING DEAD #54 by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. New friends, old friends and lotsa zombie-killin’! It’s good to vent now and then. Recommended. Not for kids.
WOLVERINE #69 by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. Okay, much as I hated the movie “Wanted” and don’t want Millar on the next Superman flick, he is delivering a solid, intriguing alternate-future Wolverine story here. But the pay-off better not be that he saw a puppy die and swore off claw-popping forever. Fair warning has been given. Recommended.
X-MEN: MAGNETO TESTAMENT #3 of 5 by Greg Pak and Carmine Di Giandomenico. The Nazis invade Poland and young Magneto still hasn’t powered up. A dark story that doesn’t flinch from the history in which it’s based. Probably too intense for young kids. Good for teens and up. Recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
ACTION COMICS # 871 by Geoff Johns and Pete Woods. In which we learn if you didn’t escape Krypton before it exploded it’s only because you didn’t try.
BATMAN: CACOPHONY #1 of 3 by Kevin Smith and Walt J. Flanagan. Don’t worry, the working title of this comic was not “Bruce and Selina Make a Porno.” Unfortunately the Big Bad’s name is “Onomatopoeia” and I am not making that up. To save you a trip to Wikipedia I’ll tell you that the word is Greek in origin and refers to the making of words that sound like their meanings. Words like buzz, bop, thump and whatever sound Kevin Smith’s head makes when you smash it repeatedly into a concrete floor for trying too damn hard to be clever. Oh yeah, “Onomatopoeia” in this case is the name of a “mysterious masked killer” bent on vexing the Gotham Goliath. No doubt by making him say his name three times fast. Oy…
BLACK TERROR #1 by Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Mike Lilly. No, it’s not about what red state voters are experiencing this week. It’s a series spun off from PROJECT SUPERPOWERS that will no doubt appeal to both of the people still reading PROJECT SUPERPOWERS. I liked the Alan Moore TERRA OBSCURA version better on account of Moore being able to write. Hey, these Golden-Age revamps are public domain so write your own if you like!
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 #7 by Paul Cornel and Leonard Kirk. The Mindless Ones are on the attack! Guess they’re still not over last Tuesday. J
JLA/AVENGERS SC by Kurt Busiek and George Perez. Finally one of the biggest of Big Fights is collected in affordable, bookshelf-friendly, trade paperback form. From the days when Big Event comics didn’t suck and/or take all year to come out. Recommended for all ages.
JSA KINGDOM COME SPECIAL: SUPERMAN #1 written and illustrated by Alex Ross. This is the first comic ever done by Alex Ross flying solo. That automatically gets it a “Gotta Look.” Here’s hoping it’s more KINGDOM COME and less EARTH X or PROJECT SUPERPOWERS. Fingers crossed.
THE STAND: CAPTAIN TRIPS #3 of 5 by Stephen King, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Mike Perkins. The best Stephen King adaptation ever continues as we see the super-flu begin its extermination of the world population. No more long lines at the polls! Recommended.
THUNDERBOLTS, VOL.2: CAGED ANGELS SC by Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato. That nice Mister Ellis shows us what happens when one attempts the psychic domination of people who self-mutilate, eat people and throw exploding pumpkins at Spider-Man. Most entertaining! Not for kids.
WALKING DEAD #54 by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. New friends, old friends and lotsa zombie-killin’! It’s good to vent now and then. Recommended. Not for kids.
WOLVERINE #69 by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. Okay, much as I hated the movie “Wanted” and don’t want Millar on the next Superman flick, he is delivering a solid, intriguing alternate-future Wolverine story here. But the pay-off better not be that he saw a puppy die and swore off claw-popping forever. Fair warning has been given. Recommended.
X-MEN: MAGNETO TESTAMENT #3 of 5 by Greg Pak and Carmine Di Giandomenico. The Nazis invade Poland and young Magneto still hasn’t powered up. A dark story that doesn’t flinch from the history in which it’s based. Probably too intense for young kids. Good for teens and up. Recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
Local Reviews of Madagascar 2
Local reviews of the new animated movie -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/11/06/ST2008110601327.html
'Escape 2 Africa': The Hip Are Best When Shaking It [Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa]
By Ann Hornaday
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 7, 2008; C01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/06/AR2008110601106.html
Who's That Voice? [Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa]
By Ellen McCarthy
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 7, 2008; WE26
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/06/AR2008110601103.html
Animation: Not Just A Push of a Button [Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa]
By Ellen McCarthy
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 7, 2008; WE27
'Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa' has some humor for everybody
By Sally Kline
Washington Examiner (November 7): 21
http://www.dcexaminer.com/entertainment/Madagascar_Escape_2_Africa_has_some_humor_for_everybody.html
Germain, David / Associated Press. 2008.
Youthful Appeal: 'Madagascar 2' is yet another manic mess aimed at the children.
[Washington Post] Express (November 7): 19
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/07/madagascar-2-knows-how-to-move-it/
Washington Times Friday, November 7, 2008
MOVIES: 'Madagascar 2' knows how to move it
Kelly Jane Torrance
http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/movies/07mada.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
New York Times November 7, 2008
Duck! The Penguins Are Flying the Plane [Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa].
By MANOHLA DARGIS
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/11/06/ST2008110601327.html
'Escape 2 Africa': The Hip Are Best When Shaking It [Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa]
By Ann Hornaday
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 7, 2008; C01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/06/AR2008110601106.html
Who's That Voice? [Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa]
By Ellen McCarthy
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 7, 2008; WE26
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/06/AR2008110601103.html
Animation: Not Just A Push of a Button [Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa]
By Ellen McCarthy
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 7, 2008; WE27
'Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa' has some humor for everybody
By Sally Kline
Washington Examiner (November 7): 21
http://www.dcexaminer.com/entertainment/Madagascar_Escape_2_Africa_has_some_humor_for_everybody.html
Germain, David / Associated Press. 2008.
Youthful Appeal: 'Madagascar 2' is yet another manic mess aimed at the children.
[Washington Post] Express (November 7): 19
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/07/madagascar-2-knows-how-to-move-it/
Washington Times Friday, November 7, 2008
MOVIES: 'Madagascar 2' knows how to move it
Kelly Jane Torrance
http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/movies/07mada.html?partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
New York Times November 7, 2008
Duck! The Penguins Are Flying the Plane [Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa].
By MANOHLA DARGIS
Thursday, November 06, 2008
OT: My friend, the Food Fluffer
See how food styling really works, and quickly discover you wouldn't want to actually eat that dish in "How to Build a Dish Like a Food Stylist; Step One: Be very, very picky," by Jule Banville, Washington City Paper November 5, 2008. It features my friend Lisa Cherkasky.
Art Spiegelman! (updated!)
'Toonsmith Art Spiegelman Gets Graphic About His Life, Career and the Processes of a Comics Universe
By Bob Thompson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 6, 2008; Page C01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/05/AR2008110504443.html
Secret Identity: Art Spiegelman's Life Work
Written by Scott A. Rosenberg for Express
Posted By Express at 12:08 AM on November 6, 2008
http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2008/11/secret_identity_art_spiegelman_and_his_l.php
Athitakis wrote in to point out:
another interview -
Art Spiegelman Is Not Arrogant
Posted by Mark Athitakis
Washington City Paper City Desk blog Nov. 6, 2008, at 10:56 am
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2008/11/06/art-spiegelman-is-not-arrogant/
and a review of Breakdowns -
Art Spiegelman
Friday, Nov. 7, at Politics and Prose
By Mark Athitakis
Washington City Paper November 6, 2008
http://washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=36439
By Bob Thompson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 6, 2008; Page C01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/05/AR2008110504443.html
Secret Identity: Art Spiegelman's Life Work
Written by Scott A. Rosenberg for Express
Posted By Express at 12:08 AM on November 6, 2008
http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2008/11/secret_identity_art_spiegelman_and_his_l.php
Athitakis wrote in to point out:
another interview -
Art Spiegelman Is Not Arrogant
Posted by Mark Athitakis
Washington City Paper City Desk blog Nov. 6, 2008, at 10:56 am
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2008/11/06/art-spiegelman-is-not-arrogant/
and a review of Breakdowns -
Art Spiegelman
Friday, Nov. 7, at Politics and Prose
By Mark Athitakis
Washington City Paper November 6, 2008
http://washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=36439
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Michigan State's comic librarian
My buddy Randy Scott is featured in "Fortress of comic-tude: Almost 40 years of collecting has left MSU with the world's largest library comic book collection," By Sarah Harbison, MSU's The State News November 4, 2008. There's also a video showing some of the collection. I regularly send MSU material and encourage you all to do so as well. Icelandic comics! Polish Tom & Jerry! (actually I think that one IS from me).
Seth in today's New York Times
Good luck finding a hard copy, but Canadian cartoonist Seth illustrated five poems about the Presidential election for the New York Times' editorial page. Fortunately they actually put them on the web this time - and a one, and a two, and a three, and a four, and a five.
Yesterday, Sarah Wheaton had an article on a Treasure Chest comic featuring a black president. The story's been kicking around a while - Catholic University even put out a press release linked to here earlier about owning the issue. See "Foreshadowing a Political First," By Sarah Wheaton, New York Times November 4, 2008.
That darn Toles, continued
Spurgeon called him "the Best Editorial Cartoonist in North America" and linked to today's cartoon, which I liked immensely as well.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Nov 7: Art Spiegelman at Politics and Prose
Politics and Prose Friday, November 7, 7 p.m.
BREAKDOWNS
ART SPIEGELMAN
(Basic Books, $26.95)
The creator of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Maus explores the comics form—and how it formed him. Spiegelman traces his life, from a MAD-comics-obsessed boy in Queens to an adult examining his parents’ memories of Auschwitz. An illustrated essay looks back at the ’60s as the artist reaches sixty.
BREAKDOWNS
ART SPIEGELMAN
(Basic Books, $26.95)
The creator of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Maus explores the comics form—and how it formed him. Spiegelman traces his life, from a MAD-comics-obsessed boy in Queens to an adult examining his parents’ memories of Auschwitz. An illustrated essay looks back at the ’60s as the artist reaches sixty.
Nov 6: Israeli comics lecture at Library of Congress REPOST
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20540
Phone: (202) 707-2905
Fax: (202) 707-9199
Email: pao@loc.gov
October 3, 2008
ISRAELI COMICS TO BE SUBJECT OF NOV 6. LECTURE
Drawing both from Judeo-European and American cultures, comics have been a mainstay of Israeli newspapers and readers’ markets since the early 1930s. Little known outside the Middle East, these comics open an interesting window into Israeli society, past and present.
Ofer Berenstein will deliver a lecture titled “Israeli Comics: Past and Present” at the Library of Congress at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, in the Montpelier Room, located on the sixth floor of the James Madison Building at 101 Independence Ave S.E., Washington, D.C.
The lecture, which is sponsored by the Library’s Prints and Photographs Division, Serial and Government Publications Division and the Hebraic Section of the African and Middle Eastern Division, is free and open to the public; tickets are not required.
Ofer Berenstein is a founding member of the Israeli Comic Book Readers and Collectors Society. He served in the Israeli Army Home Front Command as a photographer, graphic designer and editor. He is a graduate student at Bar-Ilan University in Israel.
The Library of Congress, the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution, is the world’s preeminent reservoir of knowledge, providing unparalleled integrated resources to Congress and the American people. Founded in 1800, the Library holds more than 138 million items, including 21 million cataloged books, 61 million manuscripts and nearly 14 million photographs, posters, prints and drawings.
The Library’s Prints and Photographs Division houses the Library’s outstanding holdings of original cartoon and caricature drawings and makes them accessible through its online catalog at www.loc.gov/rr/print/catalog.html. The Library’s Serial and Government Publications Division houses the world’s largest comic book collection (5,000 titles; 100,000 issues).
The Library’s African and Middle Eastern Division (www.loc.gov/rr/amed) is the center for the study of some 78 countries and regions from Southern Africa to the Maghreb and from the Middle East to Central Asia.
# # #
PR 08-181
ISSN 0731-3527
10/3/08
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20540
Phone: (202) 707-2905
Fax: (202) 707-9199
Email: pao@loc.gov
October 3, 2008
ISRAELI COMICS TO BE SUBJECT OF NOV 6. LECTURE
Drawing both from Judeo-European and American cultures, comics have been a mainstay of Israeli newspapers and readers’ markets since the early 1930s. Little known outside the Middle East, these comics open an interesting window into Israeli society, past and present.
Ofer Berenstein will deliver a lecture titled “Israeli Comics: Past and Present” at the Library of Congress at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, in the Montpelier Room, located on the sixth floor of the James Madison Building at 101 Independence Ave S.E., Washington, D.C.
The lecture, which is sponsored by the Library’s Prints and Photographs Division, Serial and Government Publications Division and the Hebraic Section of the African and Middle Eastern Division, is free and open to the public; tickets are not required.
Ofer Berenstein is a founding member of the Israeli Comic Book Readers and Collectors Society. He served in the Israeli Army Home Front Command as a photographer, graphic designer and editor. He is a graduate student at Bar-Ilan University in Israel.
The Library of Congress, the nation’s oldest federal cultural institution, is the world’s preeminent reservoir of knowledge, providing unparalleled integrated resources to Congress and the American people. Founded in 1800, the Library holds more than 138 million items, including 21 million cataloged books, 61 million manuscripts and nearly 14 million photographs, posters, prints and drawings.
The Library’s Prints and Photographs Division houses the Library’s outstanding holdings of original cartoon and caricature drawings and makes them accessible through its online catalog at www.loc.gov/rr/print/catalog.html. The Library’s Serial and Government Publications Division houses the world’s largest comic book collection (5,000 titles; 100,000 issues).
The Library’s African and Middle Eastern Division (www.loc.gov/rr/amed) is the center for the study of some 78 countries and regions from Southern Africa to the Maghreb and from the Middle East to Central Asia.
# # #
PR 08-181
ISSN 0731-3527
10/3/08
Monday, November 03, 2008
Baltimore City Paper's Tim Kreider interviewed
Brian Heater's got the interview at "Election 2008: An Interview with Tim Kreider," Daily Cross Hatch (November 2). Unfortunately Kreider says he's going to pack it in next year. Say it ain't so, Tim! I get the Baltimore City Paper hand-delivered largely for your comic!
Shilling for Ted Rall
He asked nicely, so here's a press release about Ted Rall's EXCELLENT AND EXCITING NEW ANIMATION:
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
New Animated Cartoon by Ted Rall:
DEATH CAB FOR SARAH PALIN
Editorial cartoonist Ted Rall and animator David Essman have released a hilarious, vicious parody of GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin to celebrate Election Day 2008.
Distributed for free on YouTube and at tedrall.com, "Death Cab for Palin" is an animated political cartoon that lampoons Sarah Palin's presidential ambitions. Noting that vice presidents frequently become presidents, "Death Cab" depicts a rabid Vice President Palin trying to poison and bomb President McCain in the style of the classic "Road Runner" cartoon series.
Rall, a syndicated cartoonist for Universal Press Syndicate, is no stranger to controversy. His "Terror Widows" and "FDNY 2011" cartoons after 9/11 were some of the most controversial cartoons in U.S. history. Will "Death Cab for Sarah" join their ranks? "I don't know," says Rall, "but it was such a fun idea I just couldn't resist going with it."
Permission for reproduction and broadcast are freely given under the condition that the piece not be altered in any form without express permission. To contact Ted Rall, please email ted@rall.com.
---
TED RALL's editorial cartoons and columns are syndicated to more than 100 newspapers around the U.S. Twice the winner of the RFK Journalism Award and a Pulitzer Finalist, he is President of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists.
DAVID ESSMAN is an animator currently at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His animated films have been screened across the country, including Animation Block Party, The Chicago Underground Film Festival, and the St. Louis International Film Festival.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
New Animated Cartoon by Ted Rall:
DEATH CAB FOR SARAH PALIN
Editorial cartoonist Ted Rall and animator David Essman have released a hilarious, vicious parody of GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin to celebrate Election Day 2008.
Distributed for free on YouTube and at tedrall.com, "Death Cab for Palin" is an animated political cartoon that lampoons Sarah Palin's presidential ambitions. Noting that vice presidents frequently become presidents, "Death Cab" depicts a rabid Vice President Palin trying to poison and bomb President McCain in the style of the classic "Road Runner" cartoon series.
Rall, a syndicated cartoonist for Universal Press Syndicate, is no stranger to controversy. His "Terror Widows" and "FDNY 2011" cartoons after 9/11 were some of the most controversial cartoons in U.S. history. Will "Death Cab for Sarah" join their ranks? "I don't know," says Rall, "but it was such a fun idea I just couldn't resist going with it."
Permission for reproduction and broadcast are freely given under the condition that the piece not be altered in any form without express permission. To contact Ted Rall, please email ted@rall.com.
---
TED RALL's editorial cartoons and columns are syndicated to more than 100 newspapers around the U.S. Twice the winner of the RFK Journalism Award and a Pulitzer Finalist, he is President of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists.
DAVID ESSMAN is an animator currently at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His animated films have been screened across the country, including Animation Block Party, The Chicago Underground Film Festival, and the St. Louis International Film Festival.
Luna Bros. interview on Filipino site
The local cartoonists are interviewed in "Luna Brothers conquer US comic book scene," Interview by DAVID DIZON, abs-cbnNEWS.com 10/31/2008.
Nov 14: Doraemon The Movie
DC Anime Club and Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan Present: Doraemon The Movie
The DC Anime Club and the Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan present Doraemon on Friday November 14, 2008 at 6:30pm as part of the Anime/Live Action Series based upon Manga (Japanese Comics).
The adorable blue robo-cat from the future and beloved Japanese icon Doraemon is back and better than ever in this 2006 remake of his first feature length film. Doreamon's human friend Nobita discovers an egg that hatches into a cute little dinosaur. However as the baby dino grows bigger and bigger the entire town is thrown into chaos. With both the town and the dinosaur in danger, Nobita realizes that he must return the creature to its own time. With Doraemon's help, the gang sets out on a prehistoric adventure full of obstacles and danger.
The screening will be held at the Japanese Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan located at Lafayette Center III 1155 21st Street, NW Washington, DC 20036-3308.
Seating for the screening of Doraemon is limited and attendees are encouraged to rsvp by sending an e-mail to jiccrsvpfall08@embjapan.org.
This program is free and open to the public. For more information please visit the Japanese Information and Culture Center website at http://www.us.embjapan.go.jp/jicc/ or visit the DC Anime Club website at http://dcanimeclub.org.
About DC Anime Club:
DCAC was established in 2003 to introduce and educate people in the Washington,DC area about East Asian culture, through viewing and discussion of Japanese animation (also known as anime) and Japanese comics (manga). DCAC is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, contributions to DC Anime Club are taxed deductible to the extent allowable under the law.
The club also works to provide a positive, alternative activity to the youth in the area by exposing them to foreign culture, encouraging artistic expression and creativity, and providing opportunities for participation in community activities and leadership.
In addition to our weekly meetings, the club holds an Annual Art Show, an Annual Costume fundraising event, and visits local schools to do presentations on anime. The club also works with the Smithsonian Freer Gallery and DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival on their anime screenings, and has helped locally promote performances for Japanese bands such as Puffy Ami Yumi and Pine am. DC Anime Club was founded by Chris Wanamaker (President), Jules Chang (Vice President) and Craig Vaughn (Sgt in ARMS) on Saturday June 5, 2003. We have a strong membership that continues to grow -- most of which are teenagers.
About Japan Information and Culture Center:
The Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) is the cultural and public affairs section of the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. Our primary role is to promote better understanding of Japan and Japanese culture by providing a wide range of
information, educational services and programs to the public. The JICC is located on the lower level of the glass-enclosed Galleria at Lafayette Centre III in downtown Washington, D.C. Its facilities include a research library, a 152-seat auditorium, and a 1,500-square-foot exhibition gallery where a wide variety of events sponsored by the JICC are hosted throughout the year.
--
Christopher Wanamaker
DC Anime Club President
http://www.dcanimeclub.org
Big Planet Comics alumni Dan Nadel in HEEB 100
Joel Pollack reports, "Hip Jewish magazine, HEEB, has picked Big Planet Comics alumni, Dan Nadel, for the HEEB 100.
Congratulations, Dan!"
Congratulations, Dan!"
Two comics articles in Express today
For some reason, the Express, which is owned by the Washington Post, ran a wire story on Trudeau calling the election in Doonesbury from the LA Times even though the story was broken by the Post’s own Michael Cavna on the Post’s Comic Riffs blog.
Also, Scott Rosenberg had an article, "Comedy Before Country: A Mad magazine man talks about poking fun at the political" interviewing John Ficarra in the Express (November 3): 18.
Also, Scott Rosenberg had an article, "Comedy Before Country: A Mad magazine man talks about poking fun at the political" interviewing John Ficarra in the Express (November 3): 18.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 11-05-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 11-05-08
By John Judy
(NOTE: What better day to read comics, either in celebration or to escape?)
ADVENTURE COMICS SPECIAL: GUARDIAN by James Robinson and Pere Perez. The Great Kirby Character Kill-Off continues! Pretty soon they’ll be down to the Marvel romance and western characters. Still pretty good in all.
AVENGERS: INITIATIVE SPECIAL #1 by Dan Slott and Steve Uy. Two of your favorite characters have it out. Can True Love win out over secret Hydra membership? And Dan Slott’s back at the helm! Recommended.
FINAL CRISIS: RESIST #1 by Greg Rucka, Eric Trautman and Ryan Sook. Darkseid’s in the driver’s seat and it’s up to Checkmate, Snapper Carr and Mister Terrific to pull him over. I know, but it’s Rucka so it’ll actually be good.
FREAKANGELS, VOL. 1 SC by Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield. The notorious web-comic in tangible form for the first time, in full color. Featuring twelve special children with one big secret. Gotta look!
IRON MAN: THE END #1 by David Michelinie and Bernard Chang. The latest in Marvel’s continuing series of “Last” stories of iconic characters. I believe this one involves an aging and still bitter Terrence Howard.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #20 by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross and Dale Eaglesham. Alternate Universe JSAs do battle and Gog the big scary guy hangs back being all cryptic and omnipotent. Come on, people! Let’s show Geoff Johns the love so he gets to write the next Superman movie instead of Mark Millar! Did you see “Wanted?” We cannot let that happen again!
POPEYE, VOL. 3: LET’S YOU AND HIM FIGHT HC by E.C. Segar. The third of six volumes from Fantagraphics collecting Segar’s complete run of Popeye strips. This one covers the years 1932-34 and includes a two-week extra large sequence done specially for the Chicago World’s Fair. It has never been reprinted anywhere until now. Also includes the only appearance of Popeye’s arch-rival Bluto by Segar. Highly recommended.
SANDMAN: DREAM HUNTERS #1 of 4 by Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell. Yes, it’s a re-telling of an illustrated story released ten years ago, but it’s Neil and P. Craig so we are all compelled to buy it and sleep with it tucked under our pillows next to our guns. Highly recommended.
SECRET SIX #3 by Gail Simone and Nicola Scott. It’s the Six versus everyone they used to drink with. As usual. Also a new member joins the team. Who? Well, that’s the “secret” part, isn’t it? Good stuff.
TOP TEN SEASON TWO #2 of 4 by Zander Cannon and Gene Ha. Among the best news in comics is that this police procedural set in the world of capes and tights holds up fine even without co-creator Alan Moore scripting. Recommended for fans of both genres.
ULTIMATUM #1 of 5 by Jeph Loeb and David Finch. The great powers of the Ultimate Universe band together against… bad weather? Will this mark the debut of Ultimate Al Roker?
WOLVERINE: CHOP SHOP #1 by Mike Benson and Roland Boschi. Some dope thinks he’s gonna harvest Wolverine’s organs. That’s why this is a one-shot.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
(NOTE: What better day to read comics, either in celebration or to escape?)
ADVENTURE COMICS SPECIAL: GUARDIAN by James Robinson and Pere Perez. The Great Kirby Character Kill-Off continues! Pretty soon they’ll be down to the Marvel romance and western characters. Still pretty good in all.
AVENGERS: INITIATIVE SPECIAL #1 by Dan Slott and Steve Uy. Two of your favorite characters have it out. Can True Love win out over secret Hydra membership? And Dan Slott’s back at the helm! Recommended.
FINAL CRISIS: RESIST #1 by Greg Rucka, Eric Trautman and Ryan Sook. Darkseid’s in the driver’s seat and it’s up to Checkmate, Snapper Carr and Mister Terrific to pull him over. I know, but it’s Rucka so it’ll actually be good.
FREAKANGELS, VOL. 1 SC by Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield. The notorious web-comic in tangible form for the first time, in full color. Featuring twelve special children with one big secret. Gotta look!
IRON MAN: THE END #1 by David Michelinie and Bernard Chang. The latest in Marvel’s continuing series of “Last” stories of iconic characters. I believe this one involves an aging and still bitter Terrence Howard.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #20 by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross and Dale Eaglesham. Alternate Universe JSAs do battle and Gog the big scary guy hangs back being all cryptic and omnipotent. Come on, people! Let’s show Geoff Johns the love so he gets to write the next Superman movie instead of Mark Millar! Did you see “Wanted?” We cannot let that happen again!
POPEYE, VOL. 3: LET’S YOU AND HIM FIGHT HC by E.C. Segar. The third of six volumes from Fantagraphics collecting Segar’s complete run of Popeye strips. This one covers the years 1932-34 and includes a two-week extra large sequence done specially for the Chicago World’s Fair. It has never been reprinted anywhere until now. Also includes the only appearance of Popeye’s arch-rival Bluto by Segar. Highly recommended.
SANDMAN: DREAM HUNTERS #1 of 4 by Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell. Yes, it’s a re-telling of an illustrated story released ten years ago, but it’s Neil and P. Craig so we are all compelled to buy it and sleep with it tucked under our pillows next to our guns. Highly recommended.
SECRET SIX #3 by Gail Simone and Nicola Scott. It’s the Six versus everyone they used to drink with. As usual. Also a new member joins the team. Who? Well, that’s the “secret” part, isn’t it? Good stuff.
TOP TEN SEASON TWO #2 of 4 by Zander Cannon and Gene Ha. Among the best news in comics is that this police procedural set in the world of capes and tights holds up fine even without co-creator Alan Moore scripting. Recommended for fans of both genres.
ULTIMATUM #1 of 5 by Jeph Loeb and David Finch. The great powers of the Ultimate Universe band together against… bad weather? Will this mark the debut of Ultimate Al Roker?
WOLVERINE: CHOP SHOP #1 by Mike Benson and Roland Boschi. Some dope thinks he’s gonna harvest Wolverine’s organs. That’s why this is a one-shot.
www.johnjudy.net
That darn Agnes
Pope Trashed
Washington Post Saturday, November 1, 2008; Page A13
At first I thought I must have misread the "Agnes" comic strip you published Oct. 29. How do you justify publishing such a vitriolic attack on the beloved Pope John XXIII? The comic frivolously associated him with a 12th-century mass murderer.
Anti-Catholic slants seem to be acceptable in The Post. Would you have allowed such a mention of a figure from another religion?
-- Jean Shema
Gaithersburg
Washington Post Saturday, November 1, 2008; Page A13
At first I thought I must have misread the "Agnes" comic strip you published Oct. 29. How do you justify publishing such a vitriolic attack on the beloved Pope John XXIII? The comic frivolously associated him with a 12th-century mass murderer.
Anti-Catholic slants seem to be acceptable in The Post. Would you have allowed such a mention of a figure from another religion?
-- Jean Shema
Gaithersburg
Friday, October 31, 2008
Good stuff in today's papers
"Godzilla's Older, Creepier Cousins: Beings Such as Filth Licker Haunt Japanese Culture," By Blaine Harden, Washington Post Foreign Service, Friday, October 31, 2008; A01. This is about creatures called yokai, who are apparently roughly equivalent to goblins and boggarts. Hiroko Yoda and Matt Alt are a married couple have written a book about them, when not translating manga.
The animated movie Fear(s) of the Dark was also reviewed in "Gripped (at Times Loosely) by Fear," By Neely Tucker, Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday, October 31, 2008; Page C06.
Meanwhile in the Post's Comic Riffs, Michael Cavna's interviewed a bunch of cartoonists about the election including locals Telnaes, Sorenson, and Wuerker in "Who'll Win the White House? Cartoonists Issue Their Predictions" as well as decidedly non-local Garry Trudeau in "Obama Wins? Yes, 'Doonesbury' Calls the Election!"
And on Disney's direct to video movie and Fairies product line is "Disney Hoping 'Tinker Bell' Spreads Fairy Dust on Sales" By BROOKS BARNES, New York Times October 31, 2008.
The animated movie Fear(s) of the Dark was also reviewed in "Gripped (at Times Loosely) by Fear," By Neely Tucker, Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday, October 31, 2008; Page C06.
Meanwhile in the Post's Comic Riffs, Michael Cavna's interviewed a bunch of cartoonists about the election including locals Telnaes, Sorenson, and Wuerker in "Who'll Win the White House? Cartoonists Issue Their Predictions" as well as decidedly non-local Garry Trudeau in "Obama Wins? Yes, 'Doonesbury' Calls the Election!"
And on Disney's direct to video movie and Fairies product line is "Disney Hoping 'Tinker Bell' Spreads Fairy Dust on Sales" By BROOKS BARNES, New York Times October 31, 2008.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Comics articles in Thursday's papers
The Washington City Paper has reviewed the film Fear(s) of the Dark - it's animated, and based on the works of famous cartoonists Blutch, Charles Burns, Marie Caillou, Pierre di Sciullo, Lorenzo Mattotti, and Richard McGuire.
Steve Niles' Cal McDonald and Criminal Macabre artist is interviewed in "ZADZOOKS: Nick Stakal's lifelong love of art," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Thursday October 30, 2008.
New Ware and the Joker are "Bennett's Best for the week of October 26," Zadzooks Blog October 30 2008.
The Onion has a hilarious article on Bazooka Joe which is now online, and an interview with comic book store owner, writer and filmmaker Kevin Smith which is.
Steve Niles' Cal McDonald and Criminal Macabre artist is interviewed in "ZADZOOKS: Nick Stakal's lifelong love of art," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Thursday October 30, 2008.
New Ware and the Joker are "Bennett's Best for the week of October 26," Zadzooks Blog October 30 2008.
The Onion has a hilarious article on Bazooka Joe which is now online, and an interview with comic book store owner, writer and filmmaker Kevin Smith which is.
OT: Phil Jupitus' latest BBC interview with Zippy
Since I've linked to the others, here's Phil Jupitus' October 28th interview with Zippy's Bill Griffith.
Eiserike on Ultimate Spider-Man
I owe Josh a review of his comic book that I picked up at SPX but haven't had a chance to read yet. In my defense, I haven't read anything I picked up at SPX yet, including athe minicomics. So instead of the review, read "Column: For the love of Spider-Man and Mary Jane," By Josh Eiserike, October 30, 2008.
Someday soon I hope to get around to reading and reviewing some of the books from SPX including Josh's and some manga from Fanfare that I both bought and was kindly given by Deb Aoki who writes about manga for About.com.
Someday soon I hope to get around to reading and reviewing some of the books from SPX including Josh's and some manga from Fanfare that I both bought and was kindly given by Deb Aoki who writes about manga for About.com.
Chance visit in DC causes lifetime of collecting
See "Political cartoons inspired alumnus; Michael Kahn, a UCLA graduate of 1970, boasts an extensive collection of more than 75,000 images," by Max Schneider, Daily Bruin Tuesday, October 28, 2008.
The article begins, "Michael Kahn remembers the moment he fell in love with political cartoons... The UCLA alumnus, who graduated in 1970, was studying in Washington D.C. and while visiting his professor’s apartment with his class, he saw something that struck a chord."
The article begins, "Michael Kahn remembers the moment he fell in love with political cartoons... The UCLA alumnus, who graduated in 1970, was studying in Washington D.C. and while visiting his professor’s apartment with his class, he saw something that struck a chord."
OT: Ask Bob Mankoff, the New Yorker cartoon editor a question
The New Yorker cartoon issue is shipping now, although I haven't looked at mine yet. They've got some online features including a selection of Luckovich cartoons and a Bob Mankoff Q&A. I had a drink with Mankoff once, along with some other cartoonists. He's got a keen appreciation of humor and cartooning as well as a very good grasp of the economics of cartooning.
Questions for Bob Mankoff
Bob Mankoff, The New Yorker’s cartoon editor, takes questions about the November 3, 2008, Cartoon Issue, the Cartoon Caption Contest, and drawing for the magazine.
Submit questions for Mankoff here; he will post his answers later in the week. Your questions may be edited for length and clarity, and
will be answered at The New Yorker’s discretion.
Questions for Bob Mankoff
Bob Mankoff, The New Yorker’s cartoon editor, takes questions about the November 3, 2008, Cartoon Issue, the Cartoon Caption Contest, and drawing for the magazine.
Submit questions for Mankoff here; he will post his answers later in the week. Your questions may be edited for length and clarity, and
will be answered at The New Yorker’s discretion.
Gaiman's The Graveyard Book - Politics and Prose book of the week.
Politics and Prose's BOOKS OF THE WEEK
(20% off through 11/5)
“It is going to take more than just a couple of good-hearted souls to raise this child. It will…take a graveyard.” And so the living baby, Nobody (Bod) Owens, is adopted and raised by the folk of the graveyard. They grant Bod “Freedom of the Graveyard,” teaching him to pass through walls and see in the dark, just like the dead do. Bod encounters adventures and dangers in the graveyard, but the greatest danger lurks just outside its gates: the man, Jack, who murdered Bod’s family and intends to finish the job. Beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman weaves a creepy tale for all ages and any time of year in THE GRAVEYARD BOOK (HarperCollins, $17.99). Ages 9 and up. • Heidi Powell
(20% off through 11/5)
“It is going to take more than just a couple of good-hearted souls to raise this child. It will…take a graveyard.” And so the living baby, Nobody (Bod) Owens, is adopted and raised by the folk of the graveyard. They grant Bod “Freedom of the Graveyard,” teaching him to pass through walls and see in the dark, just like the dead do. Bod encounters adventures and dangers in the graveyard, but the greatest danger lurks just outside its gates: the man, Jack, who murdered Bod’s family and intends to finish the job. Beloved master storyteller Neil Gaiman weaves a creepy tale for all ages and any time of year in THE GRAVEYARD BOOK (HarperCollins, $17.99). Ages 9 and up. • Heidi Powell
Nov 23: David Rees at Busboys and Poets
Here's the slightly edited (to take out a review copy offer and modify an F-word that a filter might choke on) - I plan on going to this. Rees has been in DC a lot, but I've never been able to make it to see him. Busboys and Poets is a cool place too. And note that bit about Rees putting his profits into land mine removal - wow.
Are you planning your post-election elegies for the Bush regime yet?
David Rees, creator of the infamous Get Your War On cartoon, will be making people laugh at Busboys and Poets (1025 5th Street, NW (5th and K), Washington DC) on Sunday, November 23, at 6pm.
Check out the latest animated strip at the Huffington Post blog:
http://www.236.com/video/2008/get_your_war_on_jump_off_the_r_9773.php
In the aftermath of 9/11, when experts and citizens rallied behind President George W. Bush and his worldwide "War on Terror," a scrappy internet comic called "bullshit" on the whole undertaking and never looked back.
It's taken years for conventional wisdom to catch up to Get Your War On.
David Rees's infamous cartoon—which went on to be serialized in Rolling Stone, adapted for the stage, and animated—isn't just a caustic analysis of American foreign policy. It's also an emotional kaleidoscope of American life and absurdity, from October 9th, 2001, when American bombs first fell in the poverty-stricken, terrorist safe haven of Afghanistan, to 2008, when bombs continue to fall in the poverty-stricken, terrorist safe haven of Afghanistan. (There's some stuff about Iraq in the middle, too.)
Get Your War On: The Definitive Account of the War on Terror, 2001-2008 illustrates better than any artist, politician, or pundit the true state of America's soul--its violence and its compassion.
And it's f*cking hilarious.
"Riotous and principled."--Washington Post
"Brilliant."--USA Today
"[T]he Thomas Nast of the internet."--Comedy Central
"[H]ilariously deadpan fatalism . . . a surprisingly articulate expression of our anxieties."--Newsweek
"Rees [is] a phenomenal cult hero."--Variety
"A glorious excoriation of our post-9/11 loony bin."--New York Times
"The most original cartoon to emerge since . . . well ever. Raw, enraged, sardonic, hilarious, despairing, and impossible to pigeonhole."--Rolling Stone
About the Author:
David Rees was working a crummy magazine job when Operation: Enduring Freedom inspired him to make his cartoon Get Your War On. The satire about the war on terrorism became an Internet phenomenon—sales of the two GYWO books have raised almost $100,000 for land mine removal in western Afghanistan, it has been published in British, French, Spanish, and Italian editions, and it has been adapted for the stage by the Austin theater company the Rude Mechs. His comics have appeared in Rolling Stone, GQ, the Guardian, the Village Voice, and the Nation. He currently lives in Beacon, NY.
-------------------------------------------------
Listing:
Sun, Nov 23, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Busboys and Poets
1025 5th Street, NW (5th and K), Washington DC
Come Get Your War On with David Rees at the 5th and K location of Busboys and Poets (DC). David Rees will presumably be reading from his newly released book, Get Your War On, or he could also be talking to us about... whatever he wants. You'll never know unless you check it out! It's at Busboys and Poets @ 5th & K 1025 5th Street NW Washington, DC 20001 for more info, the Busboys' website: http://www.busboysandpoets.com/about_5th.php
Are you planning your post-election elegies for the Bush regime yet?
David Rees, creator of the infamous Get Your War On cartoon, will be making people laugh at Busboys and Poets (1025 5th Street, NW (5th and K), Washington DC) on Sunday, November 23, at 6pm.
Check out the latest animated strip at the Huffington Post blog:
http://www.236.com/video/2008/get_your_war_on_jump_off_the_r_9773.php
In the aftermath of 9/11, when experts and citizens rallied behind President George W. Bush and his worldwide "War on Terror," a scrappy internet comic called "bullshit" on the whole undertaking and never looked back.
It's taken years for conventional wisdom to catch up to Get Your War On.
David Rees's infamous cartoon—which went on to be serialized in Rolling Stone, adapted for the stage, and animated—isn't just a caustic analysis of American foreign policy. It's also an emotional kaleidoscope of American life and absurdity, from October 9th, 2001, when American bombs first fell in the poverty-stricken, terrorist safe haven of Afghanistan, to 2008, when bombs continue to fall in the poverty-stricken, terrorist safe haven of Afghanistan. (There's some stuff about Iraq in the middle, too.)
Get Your War On: The Definitive Account of the War on Terror, 2001-2008 illustrates better than any artist, politician, or pundit the true state of America's soul--its violence and its compassion.
And it's f*cking hilarious.
"Riotous and principled."--Washington Post
"Brilliant."--USA Today
"[T]he Thomas Nast of the internet."--Comedy Central
"[H]ilariously deadpan fatalism . . . a surprisingly articulate expression of our anxieties."--Newsweek
"Rees [is] a phenomenal cult hero."--Variety
"A glorious excoriation of our post-9/11 loony bin."--New York Times
"The most original cartoon to emerge since . . . well ever. Raw, enraged, sardonic, hilarious, despairing, and impossible to pigeonhole."--Rolling Stone
About the Author:
David Rees was working a crummy magazine job when Operation: Enduring Freedom inspired him to make his cartoon Get Your War On. The satire about the war on terrorism became an Internet phenomenon—sales of the two GYWO books have raised almost $100,000 for land mine removal in western Afghanistan, it has been published in British, French, Spanish, and Italian editions, and it has been adapted for the stage by the Austin theater company the Rude Mechs. His comics have appeared in Rolling Stone, GQ, the Guardian, the Village Voice, and the Nation. He currently lives in Beacon, NY.
-------------------------------------------------
Listing:
Sun, Nov 23, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Busboys and Poets
1025 5th Street, NW (5th and K), Washington DC
Come Get Your War On with David Rees at the 5th and K location of Busboys and Poets (DC). David Rees will presumably be reading from his newly released book, Get Your War On, or he could also be talking to us about... whatever he wants. You'll never know unless you check it out! It's at Busboys and Poets @ 5th & K 1025 5th Street NW Washington, DC 20001 for more info, the Busboys' website: http://www.busboysandpoets.com/about_5th.php
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Dec 6: Grave of the Fireflies anime at Freer
Gorgeous Entertainment Presents New Anime Masterpieces Film
"Grave of the Fireflies" at the Freer's Meyer Auditorium
Washington, DC-Anime Masterpieces, a new series highlighting the best in Japanese animated feature films, presents "Grave of the Fireflies," Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m., in the Freer Gallery of Art's Meyer Auditorium. The film is followed by a panel discussion with leading authorities on the subject of Japanese animation, or anime.
Produced by New York-based company Gorgeous Entertainment, the series is aimed at enhancing the understanding and appreciation of the Japanese art of anime. At each screening, audience members are given study guides containing essays by eminent scholars of Japanese pop culture and animation, which are supplemented by numerous images from the film.
Major support for the series is provided by the Japan External Trade Organization. Arrangements for the screening are also made possible by Central Park Media, the U.S.-based distributor for the film.
The winner of several international film awards, "Grave of the Fireflies," written and directed by Isao Takahata, chronicles the experiences of two children as they valiantly struggle to survive amidst the ravaged landscape of Japan during World War II. It is considered by many critics as one of the most moving anti-war films ever made. Chicago Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert calls the film "an emotional experience so powerful it forces a rethinking of animation."
The panel discussion features Pulitzer prize-winning historian John W. Dower, author of "Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II"; Japanese literary authority Susan J. Napier, author of "Anime from Akira to Howl's Moving Castle"; and manga and anime historian Frederick L. Schodt, author of "Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics."
The next scheduled screening of "Grave of the Fireflies" is Feb. 11, 2009, at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
The next film in the Anime Masterpieces series is "Tekkonkinkreet" and is available for screenings courtesy of Sony Home Entertainment beginning January 2009. For more information, visit www.AnimeMasterpieces.com or contact Kenji Kono at (212) 398-7145 or e-mail at kenji@gorgeousentertainment.com.
Up to two free tickets per person to the "Grave of the Fireflies" screening at the Meyer Auditorium will be distributed one hour before show time. For a listing of all featured films, please visit www.asia.si.edu/events/films.asp.
The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, located at 1050 Independence Avenue S.W., and the adjacent Freer Gallery of Art, located at 12th Street and Independence Avenue S.W., are on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day, except Dec. 25, and admission is free. The galleries are located near the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the National Mall. For more information about the Freer and Sackler galleries, the public is welcome to visit www.asia.si.edu. For general Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.
# # #
1050 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20013
202.633.1000
Metro: Smithsonian
www.asia.si.edu
"Grave of the Fireflies" at the Freer's Meyer Auditorium
Washington, DC-Anime Masterpieces, a new series highlighting the best in Japanese animated feature films, presents "Grave of the Fireflies," Saturday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m., in the Freer Gallery of Art's Meyer Auditorium. The film is followed by a panel discussion with leading authorities on the subject of Japanese animation, or anime.
Produced by New York-based company Gorgeous Entertainment, the series is aimed at enhancing the understanding and appreciation of the Japanese art of anime. At each screening, audience members are given study guides containing essays by eminent scholars of Japanese pop culture and animation, which are supplemented by numerous images from the film.
Major support for the series is provided by the Japan External Trade Organization. Arrangements for the screening are also made possible by Central Park Media, the U.S.-based distributor for the film.
The winner of several international film awards, "Grave of the Fireflies," written and directed by Isao Takahata, chronicles the experiences of two children as they valiantly struggle to survive amidst the ravaged landscape of Japan during World War II. It is considered by many critics as one of the most moving anti-war films ever made. Chicago Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert calls the film "an emotional experience so powerful it forces a rethinking of animation."
The panel discussion features Pulitzer prize-winning historian John W. Dower, author of "Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II"; Japanese literary authority Susan J. Napier, author of "Anime from Akira to Howl's Moving Castle"; and manga and anime historian Frederick L. Schodt, author of "Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics."
The next scheduled screening of "Grave of the Fireflies" is Feb. 11, 2009, at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
The next film in the Anime Masterpieces series is "Tekkonkinkreet" and is available for screenings courtesy of Sony Home Entertainment beginning January 2009. For more information, visit www.AnimeMasterpieces.com or contact Kenji Kono at (212) 398-7145 or e-mail at kenji@gorgeousentertainment.com.
Up to two free tickets per person to the "Grave of the Fireflies" screening at the Meyer Auditorium will be distributed one hour before show time. For a listing of all featured films, please visit www.asia.si.edu/events/films.asp.
The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, located at 1050 Independence Avenue S.W., and the adjacent Freer Gallery of Art, located at 12th Street and Independence Avenue S.W., are on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day, except Dec. 25, and admission is free. The galleries are located near the Smithsonian Metrorail station on the National Mall. For more information about the Freer and Sackler galleries, the public is welcome to visit www.asia.si.edu. For general Smithsonian information, the public may call (202) 633-1000.
# # #
1050 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20013
202.633.1000
Metro: Smithsonian
www.asia.si.edu
Editor and Publisher on what a great guy Dave Astor is...
...isn't it a shame they had to lay him off? Here's the article - "Astor Hailed on Departure from 'E&P' After 25 Years," By Greg Mitchell, October 29, 2008. No word yet on whether or not they gave him a gold watch along with the push.
Washington after a new young President, almost 50 years ago
Ger Apeldoorn has posted Washington Frontier Sketches by Ed Fisher reporting on DC after Kennedy's election from Help #10... ...the more things change...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
NY Times article suggests cutting newspaper content may not help circulation
Those who aren't just downloading the Joker pumpkin pattern may recall that in reporting on Dave Astor's firing I suggested that reducing the content of a publication wasn't a good way to keep readers. Here's a NY Times article in which that point is made by people paid to know these things:
Analysts have warned in recent years that by offering steadily less in print, newspapers were inviting readers to stop buying. Most papers have sharply reduced their physical size — fewer and smaller pages, with fewer articles — and the newsroom staffs that produce them.
“It just seems impossible to me that you’re cutting costs dramatically without having some impact on the editorial quality of your product,” said Peter Appert, a newspaper analyst at Goldman Sachs. “I can’t prove that this is driving circulation, but it’s certainly something that if I were a newspaper publisher would keep me up at night.”
Analysts have warned in recent years that by offering steadily less in print, newspapers were inviting readers to stop buying. Most papers have sharply reduced their physical size — fewer and smaller pages, with fewer articles — and the newsroom staffs that produce them.
“It just seems impossible to me that you’re cutting costs dramatically without having some impact on the editorial quality of your product,” said Peter Appert, a newspaper analyst at Goldman Sachs. “I can’t prove that this is driving circulation, but it’s certainly something that if I were a newspaper publisher would keep me up at night.”
The incredible shrinking Examiner cartoon
The Washington Examiner, Nate Beeler's home paper, has cut the size of its editorial cartoons in half again to about 3" x 4" - tiny in other words. They've got Nate doing a full cover color caricature for the front of the Sunday tabloid (and two other editons), but inside you can barely see the cartoon. When the paper started a few years ago, Nate's cartoon ran at about 1/3 of a page and they had two pages of comic strips which are now gone. I'm sensing a trend...
KAL illos in Washington Post Health section
Our Man Thompson may be gone from the Post's Health section, but today they've got two illustrations by the incomparable KAL. One is online.
Weingarten on Doonesbury and judging people by their comic strips
Two weeks of the Chatalogical Humor chat by Gene Weingarten leads to a couple of interesting observations on comics.
From Tuesday, October 14, 2008:
Gimmeabre, AK: I agree that Sarah Palin is singularly unqualified to be Vice President, let alone President. And I also grit my teeth whenever some yahoo starts spouting off about the sanctity of "family values." But I think Gary Trudeau went waaaay over the line in Sunday's "Doonesbury." Now, I know you are a regular worshiper at the Church of St. Gary, but since when is "stay-at-work mom" (which I think most people call, "working mother") pejorative? And who told Trudeau that Palin's last pregnancy was unplanned? And was the shot at Palin's pregnant daughter really warranted? Come on, Gene; man up, and admit that your hero blew it this time.
washingtonpost.com: Doonesbury, (Oct. 12)
Gene Weingarten: I had no problem with the shot at Bristol; Palin made Bristol a subject of public discussion, and the "family values' Republican mantra makes it germane. I wondered about the other things, too, though. And after I saw your posting, I emailed Garry about it. Here is his answer:
I believe that Palin has said herself that Trig was a surprise. Certainly her choosing to hide her pregnancy for many months suggests she didn't find it convenient. But planned or not, I regret including that detail for another reason; since Palin is married, it has no bearing on "family values". It's value-neutral, and I should have left it out.
"Stay-at-work Mom" is just a play on the "Stay-at-home Mom", once viewed as morally superior in family values universe. The general point, of course, is that conservatives have used family values as a bludgeon against liberals for many years, and that the general messiness of Palin's family life has complicated that line of attack. What Mark is saying is that despite our best intentions, life DOES happen, and as he makes clear in the last panel, he doesn't exempt himself. To him, the death of sanctimony is something to be celebrated.
and from October 28:
Washington, D.C.: My friends and I have been discussing: Is there any one book, movie, or TV show, that having as a favorite is an automatic deal breaker? What interests would prove to you that someone is totally unfunny, has a different worldview, and that this relationship would never work?
Some say "Da Vinci Code" as a favorite book is a deal breaker. The best example I've come up with is ruling out someone whose favorite television show is "Everybody Loves Raymond."
Gene Weingarten: Dan Quayle's favorite movie was, famously, "Ferris Beuller's Day Off."
I judge people by their taste in comic strips, where there are obvious and cliched deal breakers. But there are also subtle red flags. I'm worrying about someone who claims to like "Prickly City" or "Mallard Fillmore."
DowntheDrai, IN: Gene --
What was your reaction to Sunday's "Doonesbury?" I have trouble with this whole "attack Joe the Plumber" thing. For all you, I or Trudeau knows, Joe's a great plumber -- or maybe a terrible one -- but why should we care? The cartoon comes across as just a vicious personal attack on the guy for having the temerity to disagree with Obama.
So I figured there must be a deeper point being made -- some metaphor about the candidates -- but if Trudeau is trying to suggest that one of them will prove to be an inept bumbler who doesn't know what he's doing -- well, Obama's the one without the track record of accomplishment, but somehow I don't think that's where Trudeau was going.
Was this funny and I just missed it?
washingtonpost.com: Doonesbury, (Oct. 26)
Gene Weingarten: Yes, it was funny and you just missed it. First off, you need to understand that because of Sunday comic deadlines, Trudeau must have punched this out in minutes, the day after the last debate, when it became manifest that Joe the Plumber was not a licensed plumber.
Is this fair satire? Yep. Why? Because Trudeau knows exactly as much about Joe the Plumber as McCain apparently did before he hauled him out to be the CENTERPIECE of his failing, desperate campaign. McCain had already created this ridiculous stalking horse, and Trudeau is doing exactly what his job is: Exposing the hypocrisy behind it.
It doesn't matter whether Joe is a competent, unlicensed plumber. He's a caricature, and McCain made him one.
From Tuesday, October 14, 2008:
Gimmeabre, AK: I agree that Sarah Palin is singularly unqualified to be Vice President, let alone President. And I also grit my teeth whenever some yahoo starts spouting off about the sanctity of "family values." But I think Gary Trudeau went waaaay over the line in Sunday's "Doonesbury." Now, I know you are a regular worshiper at the Church of St. Gary, but since when is "stay-at-work mom" (which I think most people call, "working mother") pejorative? And who told Trudeau that Palin's last pregnancy was unplanned? And was the shot at Palin's pregnant daughter really warranted? Come on, Gene; man up, and admit that your hero blew it this time.
washingtonpost.com: Doonesbury, (Oct. 12)
Gene Weingarten: I had no problem with the shot at Bristol; Palin made Bristol a subject of public discussion, and the "family values' Republican mantra makes it germane. I wondered about the other things, too, though. And after I saw your posting, I emailed Garry about it. Here is his answer:
I believe that Palin has said herself that Trig was a surprise. Certainly her choosing to hide her pregnancy for many months suggests she didn't find it convenient. But planned or not, I regret including that detail for another reason; since Palin is married, it has no bearing on "family values". It's value-neutral, and I should have left it out.
"Stay-at-work Mom" is just a play on the "Stay-at-home Mom", once viewed as morally superior in family values universe. The general point, of course, is that conservatives have used family values as a bludgeon against liberals for many years, and that the general messiness of Palin's family life has complicated that line of attack. What Mark is saying is that despite our best intentions, life DOES happen, and as he makes clear in the last panel, he doesn't exempt himself. To him, the death of sanctimony is something to be celebrated.
and from October 28:
Washington, D.C.: My friends and I have been discussing: Is there any one book, movie, or TV show, that having as a favorite is an automatic deal breaker? What interests would prove to you that someone is totally unfunny, has a different worldview, and that this relationship would never work?
Some say "Da Vinci Code" as a favorite book is a deal breaker. The best example I've come up with is ruling out someone whose favorite television show is "Everybody Loves Raymond."
Gene Weingarten: Dan Quayle's favorite movie was, famously, "Ferris Beuller's Day Off."
I judge people by their taste in comic strips, where there are obvious and cliched deal breakers. But there are also subtle red flags. I'm worrying about someone who claims to like "Prickly City" or "Mallard Fillmore."
DowntheDrai, IN: Gene --
What was your reaction to Sunday's "Doonesbury?" I have trouble with this whole "attack Joe the Plumber" thing. For all you, I or Trudeau knows, Joe's a great plumber -- or maybe a terrible one -- but why should we care? The cartoon comes across as just a vicious personal attack on the guy for having the temerity to disagree with Obama.
So I figured there must be a deeper point being made -- some metaphor about the candidates -- but if Trudeau is trying to suggest that one of them will prove to be an inept bumbler who doesn't know what he's doing -- well, Obama's the one without the track record of accomplishment, but somehow I don't think that's where Trudeau was going.
Was this funny and I just missed it?
washingtonpost.com: Doonesbury, (Oct. 26)
Gene Weingarten: Yes, it was funny and you just missed it. First off, you need to understand that because of Sunday comic deadlines, Trudeau must have punched this out in minutes, the day after the last debate, when it became manifest that Joe the Plumber was not a licensed plumber.
Is this fair satire? Yep. Why? Because Trudeau knows exactly as much about Joe the Plumber as McCain apparently did before he hauled him out to be the CENTERPIECE of his failing, desperate campaign. McCain had already created this ridiculous stalking horse, and Trudeau is doing exactly what his job is: Exposing the hypocrisy behind it.
It doesn't matter whether Joe is a competent, unlicensed plumber. He's a caricature, and McCain made him one.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Louts on Onion AV Club comment board attempt to tear down Cul de Sac
Noel Murray reviewed Our Man Thompson's first collection in "Comics Panel: October 27, 2008," concluding "Once Thompson gets into a groove, he produces one of the few strips around where nearly every individual panel is standalone delight… A-"
The first comments bash the strip around, but then more literate defenders come on strong. Although really, who cares? Besides Richard, that is. Don't read the first comments, Richard!
The first comments bash the strip around, but then more literate defenders come on strong. Although really, who cares? Besides Richard, that is. Don't read the first comments, Richard!
Catholic University has a comics collection... who knew?
Of course, they're all issues of a Catholic comic - Treasure Chest, which had some pretty good art. See "CUA Archives Holds Comic Book With First Known Depiction of Black President," by Justine Garbarino, Catholic University's The Tower October 27, 2008 for the link between Obama and Nostradamus.*
*A new rumor! You heard it here first!
*A new rumor! You heard it here first!
That darn Washington Post
Even its Sunday comics are liberal!
...now if only it's editorial page (with the notable exception of That Darn Toles) was...
...now if only it's editorial page (with the notable exception of That Darn Toles) was...
Check out Tuesday's Comic Riffs
I hear there will be news on the Post's Sunday Comics Section on Comic Riffs on Tuesday morning.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Great Pumpkin resonates in comics
Two strips in the Post today, Lio and Little Dog Lost, both tipped a wink towards Peanuts and Linus' search for the Great Pumpkin. If Dave Astor still was at E&P, I wouldn't have to write posts like this.
In the USA Weekend magazine including in the Examiner, there's a funny Walmart ad for the video of the Incredible Hulk movie. A family is watching the Hulk movie, and the Hulk himself has busted through the wall of their house and is crunching one side of their sofa as he settles in to watch himself on the tv. The paper also included a trick-or-treat bag for Halloween with ads for animated movies Madagascar 2 and Monsters vs. Aliens.
In the USA Weekend magazine including in the Examiner, there's a funny Walmart ad for the video of the Incredible Hulk movie. A family is watching the Hulk movie, and the Hulk himself has busted through the wall of their house and is crunching one side of their sofa as he settles in to watch himself on the tv. The paper also included a trick-or-treat bag for Halloween with ads for animated movies Madagascar 2 and Monsters vs. Aliens.
Art of Political Cartooning in an Election Year photographs
The event at the Writer's Center was a lot of fun. KAL showed print cartoons of the last few presidential elections and then demonstrated several of his projects including Democrazy and his live poltical animation. Richard followed his with drawing caricatures - he marveled that people think it's 'magic' that he can draw a recognizable face, but then again so do I. Matt wrapped up and talked about doing political cartoons for Politico. Links to the websites of all three can be found on the right.
All the pictures I shot can be seen on my flickr site, but here's a few. You can also download an audio recording of indifferent quality.
Richard Thompson caricaturing Sarah Palin. Lipstick courtesy of KAL.
Matt Wuerker showing his Politico home page.
KAL's cartoon journalism on attending a presidential convention.
All the pictures I shot can be seen on my flickr site, but here's a few. You can also download an audio recording of indifferent quality.
Richard Thompson caricaturing Sarah Palin. Lipstick courtesy of KAL.
Matt Wuerker showing his Politico home page.
KAL's cartoon journalism on attending a presidential convention.
Post's review of Philly's Crumb exhibit
This review is more for someone with no familiarity with Crumb - "Digging 'Underground': In a Temple of High Art, the Lowbrow Work Of R. Crumb Certainly Rises to the Occasion," By Paul Richard, Washington Post Sunday, October 26, 2008; M06.
Signed copies of Harvey Pekar: Conversations for sale at Big Planet Comics
I signed a few copies of Harvey Pekar: Conversations that are for sale at Big Planet Comics in the Bethesda and Georgetown stores. It would make a lovely Christmas present!
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-29-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-29-08
By John Judy
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1 by Marc Guggenheim and Mike McKone. In which we finally learn who Jackpot really is. Hope this issue comes with aspirin…
ASTONISHING X-MEN: GHOST BOXES #1 of 2 by Warren Ellis, Frank Cho and Alan Davis. A tie-in series to the current Ellis AXM storyline, chiefly interesting for the artists involved. Guaranteed pretty!
ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #9 by Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard. Wolf-Man on the run? Always fun! And what about this “Elder Brood” business? It’s the old Hulk TV show done right!
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #18 by Dan Slott, Christos Gage and Stefano Caselli. Scrappy kids still fightin’ Skrulls because that never gets old!
BOYS #24 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. This issue has an “Animal House” tribute cover. Why did nobody think of this before? “In your face, first issues of Action Comics and Fantastic Four!” Highly recommended. Not for kids.
DC UNIVERSE: DECISIONS #4 of 4 by Bill Willingham, Judd Winick and Howard Porter. An evil entity is taking over Presidential candidates and forcing them to self-destruct. (Insert Sarah Palin joke here.)
ELEKTRA BY FRANK MILLER OMNIBUS HC by Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz. Lots of ninja super-action from early (pre-insane) Frank Miller. This stuff is great! What happened…?
EMPOWERED, VOL. 4 SC written and drawn by Adam Warren. Kind of like a bawdy HBO comedy built around a super-hero awards show and the personalities involved. Manga-style art, salty dialogue, for older teens and up.
ESSENTIAL MARVEL HORROR, VOL.2 SC by Various Creators. “Boo!”
FINAL CRISIS: RAGE OF THE RED LANTERNS #1 by Geoff Johns and Shane Davis. Okay, the Lantern spectrum so far is Green = Will Power. Yellow = Fear. Red = Anger. Of course the ones you really need to watch out for are the Plaid With Stripes Lanterns. Get offa their lawns!
GARTH ENNIS’S BATTLEFIELDS: NIGHT WITCHES #1 of 3 by Ennis and Russ Braun. 1942. Commie women pilots drop bombs on Nazi invaders. This is so Grindhouse!
GREEN LANTERN: IN BRIGHTEST DAY SC edited by Geoff Johns. A bunch of old GL comics selected and introduced by the guy who revitalized the franchise. A chance to peek behind the curtain.
HELLBLAZER: FAMILY MAN SC by Jamie Delano and Many Great Artists. Collecting eight issues from the early days of HELLBLAZER in which John Constantine had to contend with a completely non-mystical serial killer. Still one of the best Constantine stories ever done. Highly recommended.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #19 by Duane Swierczynski and Travel Foreman. In which Danny tries to learn why all previous Iron Fists have died at age 33. Did someone let it slip that that’s when your life as a man peaks, never to get that good again? Oops…
JOKER HC by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo. An original graphic novel focusing on the Batman’s Big Bad. Mr. J decides to take control of the Gotham underworld in his own inimitable style. Guaranteed oogies!
KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND GN by Grant Morrison and Philip Bond. A third printing of the Vertigo cult classic from 1995. Exactly what it sounds like. Fun stuff, especially when you consider the original target audience is probably having their second kids by now.
MAN OF ROCK: A BIOGRAPHY OF JOE KUBERT SC by Bill Schelly. Tracing the life and work of the 82 year-old living legend of comics. Includes interviews with the artist, his family and colleagues going back to 1938 when he got his first job in comics at age twelve. Recommended.
MARVEL APES #4 of 4 by Karl Kesel and Ramon Bachs. The final issue! Yes, it really made it all the way to number four! Your favorite Marvel heroes as apes! Some as vampire apes! Ook!
MISTER X ARCHIVES HC by Dean Motter, Los Bros Hernandez and Others. It’s 25 years old and really, really weird. But Important! If you like noir, art deco and German Expressionism this one’s for you!
NO HERO #2 of 7 by Warren Ellis and Juan Jose Ryp. If you want to be a super-hero you have to take dangerous drugs. That nice Mr. Ellis tells me so and he’s got an honest face. Not for kids.
NORTHLANDERS #11 by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly. A tale set in the closing days of the Viking rule of Ireland. Vikings fighting Irish. Will this title ever stop being completely awesome? Highly recommended.
PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics. See what you’re getting tomorrow today!
SOLOMON KANE #2 of 5 by Scott Allie and Mario Guevara. Starring the only Puritan that Ed Brubaker’s ever been a fan of! This series had a very strong first issue and appears to be maintaining its high quality. Recommended.
STREETS OF GLORY #6 of 6 by Garth Ennis and Mike Wolfer. Wrapping up Ennis’ oater epic in a fashion to be expected by Fans of Garth. Not for kids.
SUPERMAN #681 by James Robinson and Renato Guedes. One Hundred-Thousand Kryptonians hit the third rock! What could go wrong?
THOR #11 by J.Michael Straczynski and Olivier Coipel. Believe it or not, Loki is up to something…
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #3 by Brian Michael Bendis and David Lafuente Garcia. Ultimate Peter and Ultimate Mary-Jane appear headed to an ultimate experience, sans purity rings. Tsk-tsk, are these kids from Ultimate Alaska or something?
UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION GRAPHIC ADAPTATION HC & SC by Jonathan Hennessey and Aaron McConnell (with a little help from James Madison). What it says: A graphic exploration of the document that made us a pretty amazing country up until the age of signing statements, extraordinary rendition and warrantless wiretaps. A worthy addition to any library and an appropriate parting gift for various Congresspersons, Senators, etc. Highly recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1 by Marc Guggenheim and Mike McKone. In which we finally learn who Jackpot really is. Hope this issue comes with aspirin…
ASTONISHING X-MEN: GHOST BOXES #1 of 2 by Warren Ellis, Frank Cho and Alan Davis. A tie-in series to the current Ellis AXM storyline, chiefly interesting for the artists involved. Guaranteed pretty!
ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #9 by Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard. Wolf-Man on the run? Always fun! And what about this “Elder Brood” business? It’s the old Hulk TV show done right!
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #18 by Dan Slott, Christos Gage and Stefano Caselli. Scrappy kids still fightin’ Skrulls because that never gets old!
BOYS #24 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. This issue has an “Animal House” tribute cover. Why did nobody think of this before? “In your face, first issues of Action Comics and Fantastic Four!” Highly recommended. Not for kids.
DC UNIVERSE: DECISIONS #4 of 4 by Bill Willingham, Judd Winick and Howard Porter. An evil entity is taking over Presidential candidates and forcing them to self-destruct. (Insert Sarah Palin joke here.)
ELEKTRA BY FRANK MILLER OMNIBUS HC by Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz. Lots of ninja super-action from early (pre-insane) Frank Miller. This stuff is great! What happened…?
EMPOWERED, VOL. 4 SC written and drawn by Adam Warren. Kind of like a bawdy HBO comedy built around a super-hero awards show and the personalities involved. Manga-style art, salty dialogue, for older teens and up.
ESSENTIAL MARVEL HORROR, VOL.2 SC by Various Creators. “Boo!”
FINAL CRISIS: RAGE OF THE RED LANTERNS #1 by Geoff Johns and Shane Davis. Okay, the Lantern spectrum so far is Green = Will Power. Yellow = Fear. Red = Anger. Of course the ones you really need to watch out for are the Plaid With Stripes Lanterns. Get offa their lawns!
GARTH ENNIS’S BATTLEFIELDS: NIGHT WITCHES #1 of 3 by Ennis and Russ Braun. 1942. Commie women pilots drop bombs on Nazi invaders. This is so Grindhouse!
GREEN LANTERN: IN BRIGHTEST DAY SC edited by Geoff Johns. A bunch of old GL comics selected and introduced by the guy who revitalized the franchise. A chance to peek behind the curtain.
HELLBLAZER: FAMILY MAN SC by Jamie Delano and Many Great Artists. Collecting eight issues from the early days of HELLBLAZER in which John Constantine had to contend with a completely non-mystical serial killer. Still one of the best Constantine stories ever done. Highly recommended.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #19 by Duane Swierczynski and Travel Foreman. In which Danny tries to learn why all previous Iron Fists have died at age 33. Did someone let it slip that that’s when your life as a man peaks, never to get that good again? Oops…
JOKER HC by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo. An original graphic novel focusing on the Batman’s Big Bad. Mr. J decides to take control of the Gotham underworld in his own inimitable style. Guaranteed oogies!
KILL YOUR BOYFRIEND GN by Grant Morrison and Philip Bond. A third printing of the Vertigo cult classic from 1995. Exactly what it sounds like. Fun stuff, especially when you consider the original target audience is probably having their second kids by now.
MAN OF ROCK: A BIOGRAPHY OF JOE KUBERT SC by Bill Schelly. Tracing the life and work of the 82 year-old living legend of comics. Includes interviews with the artist, his family and colleagues going back to 1938 when he got his first job in comics at age twelve. Recommended.
MARVEL APES #4 of 4 by Karl Kesel and Ramon Bachs. The final issue! Yes, it really made it all the way to number four! Your favorite Marvel heroes as apes! Some as vampire apes! Ook!
MISTER X ARCHIVES HC by Dean Motter, Los Bros Hernandez and Others. It’s 25 years old and really, really weird. But Important! If you like noir, art deco and German Expressionism this one’s for you!
NO HERO #2 of 7 by Warren Ellis and Juan Jose Ryp. If you want to be a super-hero you have to take dangerous drugs. That nice Mr. Ellis tells me so and he’s got an honest face. Not for kids.
NORTHLANDERS #11 by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly. A tale set in the closing days of the Viking rule of Ireland. Vikings fighting Irish. Will this title ever stop being completely awesome? Highly recommended.
PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics. See what you’re getting tomorrow today!
SOLOMON KANE #2 of 5 by Scott Allie and Mario Guevara. Starring the only Puritan that Ed Brubaker’s ever been a fan of! This series had a very strong first issue and appears to be maintaining its high quality. Recommended.
STREETS OF GLORY #6 of 6 by Garth Ennis and Mike Wolfer. Wrapping up Ennis’ oater epic in a fashion to be expected by Fans of Garth. Not for kids.
SUPERMAN #681 by James Robinson and Renato Guedes. One Hundred-Thousand Kryptonians hit the third rock! What could go wrong?
THOR #11 by J.Michael Straczynski and Olivier Coipel. Believe it or not, Loki is up to something…
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #3 by Brian Michael Bendis and David Lafuente Garcia. Ultimate Peter and Ultimate Mary-Jane appear headed to an ultimate experience, sans purity rings. Tsk-tsk, are these kids from Ultimate Alaska or something?
UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION GRAPHIC ADAPTATION HC & SC by Jonathan Hennessey and Aaron McConnell (with a little help from James Madison). What it says: A graphic exploration of the document that made us a pretty amazing country up until the age of signing statements, extraordinary rendition and warrantless wiretaps. A worthy addition to any library and an appropriate parting gift for various Congresspersons, Senators, etc. Highly recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Geppi's Entertainment Museum rent continued
Here's an update on the unpaid rent issue at Geppi's Entertainment Museum - "Geppi’s Entertainment Museum owes $600K in rent and other fees," LIZ FARMER, Maryland Daily Record Business Writer, October 22, 2008.
Post recommends uncensored Looney Tunes collection
See "Bugs Bunny Takes a Bow," By JEN CHANEY, washingtonpost.com Staff Writer, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008 which was published as Warner Bros. Says, 'That's All, Folks!', Washington Post October 24 2008. This is the 6th and last collection apparently. At some point, I'd like to pick these up but I don't know when I'd ever find the time to watch them.
Virginia Comic-Con in Richmond, November 23, 2008
The upcoming Virginia Comic-Con (or Central Virginia Comic-Con, depending on where you look on their web pages) will be on November 23rd, 2008 (the weekend before Thanksgiving). It's out of the DC metro area proper, but still within reasonable driving distance (depending on where in the region you are, I suppose!). I've never been, but it looks to be a reasonably small show, but with a decent guest list this year!
Special Guests include the Tsunami Studios gang (Rick Ketcham, Randy Green, Steve, Bird, John Wycough, Kelly Yates, and Brian Shearer). James Kuhoric (his only convention appearance this year), local yokel Steve Conley, Jason Craig, Louis Small Jr., and small press creators Martin Krause, Brian Vissagio, and Dan Nokes of 21st Century Sandshark Studios.
Their vendor list looks similar to the one you find at the Capital Associates show in Tyson's Corner -- Tomorrow's Treasures, Cards Comics and Collectibles, Richmond Comix, Dino Thore, Guy Rose, Dave Shankle, FanData Comics, Banks' Comics, Rick Fortenberry, Battlefield Comics, Brett's Comic Pile, New World, Kuti's Comics, All-American Comics, West End Comics, Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, Kupinski's Comics, Wonder Wares, Zeno's Comics, and Dominion Comics. Some names there that don't ring a bell though, so you're bound to find something you haven't seen before or are looking for that the "usual suspects" haven't had.
Special Guests include the Tsunami Studios gang (Rick Ketcham, Randy Green, Steve, Bird, John Wycough, Kelly Yates, and Brian Shearer). James Kuhoric (his only convention appearance this year), local yokel Steve Conley, Jason Craig, Louis Small Jr., and small press creators Martin Krause, Brian Vissagio, and Dan Nokes of 21st Century Sandshark Studios.
Their vendor list looks similar to the one you find at the Capital Associates show in Tyson's Corner -- Tomorrow's Treasures, Cards Comics and Collectibles, Richmond Comix, Dino Thore, Guy Rose, Dave Shankle, FanData Comics, Banks' Comics, Rick Fortenberry, Battlefield Comics, Brett's Comic Pile, New World, Kuti's Comics, All-American Comics, West End Comics, Heroes Aren't Hard to Find, Kupinski's Comics, Wonder Wares, Zeno's Comics, and Dominion Comics. Some names there that don't ring a bell though, so you're bound to find something you haven't seen before or are looking for that the "usual suspects" haven't had.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Caricature waaaay back in the Reagan era
Back in the 1980s when I was in college in DC, great caricature posters of President Reagan and his cabinet would appear around town glued up overnight. Robbie Conal was the artist and here's a profile of what he's doing now -- but DC needs him back! There are still plenty of politicians who need caricaturing in town.
See "Robbie Conal and the Art of Character Assassination: Guerrilla pop," By Dwayne Booth, LA Weekly October 21, 2008.
Boy, I'm sorry I never got any of those posters peeled off although I'm not sure I need to see Ed Meese ever again, even in a caricature.
See "Robbie Conal and the Art of Character Assassination: Guerrilla pop," By Dwayne Booth, LA Weekly October 21, 2008.
Boy, I'm sorry I never got any of those posters peeled off although I'm not sure I need to see Ed Meese ever again, even in a caricature.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Marc Singer on Morrison's Superman
Marc Singer's got a lovely essay up on his blog about Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman. Hopefully Marc will find the time to devote himself to the Morrison book he's obviously got in him.
Comic Riffs interviews Breathed
Ok, today Michael Cavna jumped from an interview on Black Panther's sex to comic strips and interviewed the once-again retiring Berkeley Breathed.
Dave Astor laid off at Editor and Publisher
Dave Astor sent a note saying he's been laid off from Editor and Publisher as of the end of this month. Dave's been a friend of this blog, but beyond that he's one of the few in the mainstream media who has covered comics for years. Dave covered the syndicates that distribute comic strips, writing both small blurbs and larger articles as necessary. Dave's voice went beyond the readers of comics-centered specialty magazines or blogs like this one, and our field is poorer for the loss of his column. I hope that another publisher realizes the richness of Dave's knowledge and his ability and quickly snaps him up so we can get back to reading his stories.
As an aside, I can't help but think that newspapers and magazines letting go of the people that know the most about their field, whether in Washington Post buyouts, Baltimore Sun layoffs or Dave's current firing makes any sense at all if "content" is king as the media moguls keep trying to tell us.
I see I used the same 'headline' as Alan Gardner whose Daily Cartoonist site has better coverage of this whole stupid story. Tom Spurgeon has much the same tenor as I do.
As an aside, I can't help but think that newspapers and magazines letting go of the people that know the most about their field, whether in Washington Post buyouts, Baltimore Sun layoffs or Dave's current firing makes any sense at all if "content" is king as the media moguls keep trying to tell us.
I see I used the same 'headline' as Alan Gardner whose Daily Cartoonist site has better coverage of this whole stupid story. Tom Spurgeon has much the same tenor as I do.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
OT: Phil Jupitus' latest BBC interview
Jupitus, a British cartoonist turned comedian, has been interviewing cartoonists for the BBC. We've already linked to his Trudeau and Cartoonists with Attitude shows, so here's the October 21st interview with Russell Taylor and Charles Peattie about their British strip Alex which focuses on the financial world. Of the top of my head, I can't think of an American equivalent.
Richard Thompson on the differences between Virginia and Maryland suburbs
I try to avoid linking to Richard's blog too often just to avoid the overly-cozy relationship that can come up between a stalker and his objective, but this hilarious and uncannily accurate map should be seen by the ComicsDC audience.
Oct 22: Daryl Cagle at UVA
It's at the edge of our coverage area, but see "U.Va. to host political cartoonist," October 20, 2008 for details.
OT: Dennis the Menace artist Marcus Hamilton
Here's a story on Marcus Hamilton who I met over the summer at Heroes Con - he's a real nice guy, and I really enjoyed having lunch with him. See "Cartoonist shares message of perseverance with hometown,"D BY HEATHER J. SMITH, The Dispatch Monday, October 20, 2008.
Kuper covers Post Health section
Peter Kuper did a somewhat atypical drawing for the Post Health section today - the original is quite large, but only this mini-version can be seen online.
Comic Riffs breaks news of Black Panther's breast implants
David Betancourt and Michael Cavna have broken the story of Marvel's new female Black Panther. They write, "The first modern black superhero is about to get a serious facelift -- even if we can't yet see under the mask" but I believe they've gotten the type of plastic surgery wrong, since they follow that up with "Black Panther will now be a woman warrior."
The comments are hot and heavy though - proving something about comic book readers perhaps.
The comments are hot and heavy though - proving something about comic book readers perhaps.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Joker pumpkin pattern
Yesterday's USA Weekend, distributed in the Examiner, had this in it: Download The Joker stencil for your pumpkin carving, USA WEEKEND October 19 2008. The stencil looks rather hard actually...
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-22-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-22-08
By John Judy
BERNIE WRIGHTSON’S FRANKENSTEIN HC by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley and Bernie Wrightson. If you’ve never seen this book before brace yourself for a religious experience. On the 25th anniversary of its original release, Dark Horse Comics has put together this Cadillac of a collectible. Contains the full text of the classic novel and 47 full-page illustrations by the Grand Master of American horror art. Highly Recommended and Then Some.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #43 by Ed Brubaker and Luke Ross. Winter Bucky fights that freedom-hating Frenchie, Batroc the Leaper! The moustache wax is gonna fly!
CRIMINAL 2 #6 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. The bodies are piling up and the poor slob behind “Frank Kafka: Private Eye” is in so far over his head he oughta change his name to Aquaman. Highly recommended!
DAREDEVIL #112 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. The notorious assassins guild known as The Hand runs all over New York in search of a good thumping! And DD spends the night in jail for being a big man-whore. Spicey stories!
DC UNIVERSE HALLOWEEN 2008 by Various Spooks. A little something to hand out to the kids that won’t rot their teeth or get your house torched.
FINAL CRISIS #4 of 7 by Grant Morrison and J. G. Jones. Evil wins as Darkseid finally attains “The Anti-Life Equation!” (Also known as John McCain’s latest budget proposal.)
FINAL CRISIS: SUBMIT #1 by Grant Morrison and Matthew Clark. Darkseid and his goons want Black Lightning to submit! Insist on a safety-word, Black Lightning!
HULK #7 by Jeph Loeb, Frank Cho and Arthur Adams. Come for the Red Hulk, stay for the legendary artists! Or vice-versa. BTW, the Red Hulk is secretly Ang Lee.
NEW AVENGERS #46 by Brian Michael Bendis and Billy Tan. Otherwise known as “The Old Red Hood.” This issue contains trace elements of actual Avengers.
NORTHLANDERS, VOL.1: SVEN THE RETURNED SC by Brian Wood and Davide Gianfelice. An engaging, original “You Can’t Go Home Again” story set near the turn of the last millennium. Stark and beautiful, giving the reader a real sense of how desolate Viking country was back then. Highly recommended.
RUNAWAYS #3 by Terry Moore and Huberto Ramos. Mostly Skrull-free! Still, these kids need a bigger Bad to fight. Or at least run away from. That Brian K. Vaughan is a tough act to follow…
SCALPED #22 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. In which we finally see Chief Lincoln Red Crow’s first murder. I’d suggest you buy extra copies to hand out at Halloween but it would get you arrested. For “Great Taste in Comics!” Highly recommended.
SECRET INVASION #7 of 8 by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu. Big fights!
SUPERMAN: NEW KRYPTON SPECIAL #1 by Tons O’People. There’s 100,000 new Kryptonians in town. At least they’re not mutants.
THOR: THE TRUTH OF HISTORY ONE-SHOT written and drawn by Alan Davis. A Thor adventure in ancient Egypt. “Osiris have mercy on us! Their skin is the color of a blood-drained corpse!” Guest-starring Laurel and Hardy! Honest!
THUNDERBOLTS #125 by Christos Gage and Fernando Blanco. Skrull fightin’ action!
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #127 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen. Creepy Ultimate Carnage/Gwen Stacy is back. “But her face!”
WARREN ELLIS AETHERIC MECHANICS GN by Internet Jesus and Gianluca Pagliarani. Ellis’ twisted take on a Holmes/Watson mystery. So compelling that Avatar Press ALMOST decided to publicize it! Gotta look!
WOLVERINE: MANIFEST DESTINY #1 of 4 by Jason Aaron and Stephen Segovia. Wolverine goes to Chinatown looking to peacefully settle an old score. Not with three issues still to go, bub! Good stuff. Recommended.
X-FACTOR #36 by Peter David and Larry Stroman. If mutants are the next step in human evolution why does Larry Stroman draw them all like cro-magnon men? Even the girls. Starring all the mutants nobody else currently wants.
X-MEN: LEGACY #217 by Mike Carey and Scot Eaton. Wolverine’s long-lost son, nerd-level sexual intrigue and the saddest-looking last page I’ve seen this year. Sigh…
Y: THE LAST MAN DELUXE EDITION HC by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. The first ten issues of the now-legendary series, done up nice and posh. Recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
BERNIE WRIGHTSON’S FRANKENSTEIN HC by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley and Bernie Wrightson. If you’ve never seen this book before brace yourself for a religious experience. On the 25th anniversary of its original release, Dark Horse Comics has put together this Cadillac of a collectible. Contains the full text of the classic novel and 47 full-page illustrations by the Grand Master of American horror art. Highly Recommended and Then Some.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #43 by Ed Brubaker and Luke Ross. Winter Bucky fights that freedom-hating Frenchie, Batroc the Leaper! The moustache wax is gonna fly!
CRIMINAL 2 #6 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. The bodies are piling up and the poor slob behind “Frank Kafka: Private Eye” is in so far over his head he oughta change his name to Aquaman. Highly recommended!
DAREDEVIL #112 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. The notorious assassins guild known as The Hand runs all over New York in search of a good thumping! And DD spends the night in jail for being a big man-whore. Spicey stories!
DC UNIVERSE HALLOWEEN 2008 by Various Spooks. A little something to hand out to the kids that won’t rot their teeth or get your house torched.
FINAL CRISIS #4 of 7 by Grant Morrison and J. G. Jones. Evil wins as Darkseid finally attains “The Anti-Life Equation!” (Also known as John McCain’s latest budget proposal.)
FINAL CRISIS: SUBMIT #1 by Grant Morrison and Matthew Clark. Darkseid and his goons want Black Lightning to submit! Insist on a safety-word, Black Lightning!
HULK #7 by Jeph Loeb, Frank Cho and Arthur Adams. Come for the Red Hulk, stay for the legendary artists! Or vice-versa. BTW, the Red Hulk is secretly Ang Lee.
NEW AVENGERS #46 by Brian Michael Bendis and Billy Tan. Otherwise known as “The Old Red Hood.” This issue contains trace elements of actual Avengers.
NORTHLANDERS, VOL.1: SVEN THE RETURNED SC by Brian Wood and Davide Gianfelice. An engaging, original “You Can’t Go Home Again” story set near the turn of the last millennium. Stark and beautiful, giving the reader a real sense of how desolate Viking country was back then. Highly recommended.
RUNAWAYS #3 by Terry Moore and Huberto Ramos. Mostly Skrull-free! Still, these kids need a bigger Bad to fight. Or at least run away from. That Brian K. Vaughan is a tough act to follow…
SCALPED #22 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. In which we finally see Chief Lincoln Red Crow’s first murder. I’d suggest you buy extra copies to hand out at Halloween but it would get you arrested. For “Great Taste in Comics!” Highly recommended.
SECRET INVASION #7 of 8 by Brian Michael Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu. Big fights!
SUPERMAN: NEW KRYPTON SPECIAL #1 by Tons O’People. There’s 100,000 new Kryptonians in town. At least they’re not mutants.
THOR: THE TRUTH OF HISTORY ONE-SHOT written and drawn by Alan Davis. A Thor adventure in ancient Egypt. “Osiris have mercy on us! Their skin is the color of a blood-drained corpse!” Guest-starring Laurel and Hardy! Honest!
THUNDERBOLTS #125 by Christos Gage and Fernando Blanco. Skrull fightin’ action!
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #127 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen. Creepy Ultimate Carnage/Gwen Stacy is back. “But her face!”
WARREN ELLIS AETHERIC MECHANICS GN by Internet Jesus and Gianluca Pagliarani. Ellis’ twisted take on a Holmes/Watson mystery. So compelling that Avatar Press ALMOST decided to publicize it! Gotta look!
WOLVERINE: MANIFEST DESTINY #1 of 4 by Jason Aaron and Stephen Segovia. Wolverine goes to Chinatown looking to peacefully settle an old score. Not with three issues still to go, bub! Good stuff. Recommended.
X-FACTOR #36 by Peter David and Larry Stroman. If mutants are the next step in human evolution why does Larry Stroman draw them all like cro-magnon men? Even the girls. Starring all the mutants nobody else currently wants.
X-MEN: LEGACY #217 by Mike Carey and Scot Eaton. Wolverine’s long-lost son, nerd-level sexual intrigue and the saddest-looking last page I’ve seen this year. Sigh…
Y: THE LAST MAN DELUXE EDITION HC by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra. The first ten issues of the now-legendary series, done up nice and posh. Recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
"Kal and University students launch Democracy website" reads the PR
Kal, who will be in DC this Saturday, sent in the following announcement:
I am very excited to announce the launch of a special and important website. www.USDemocrazy.net is the creation of students and staff at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). The site is a fun and informative using cartoons, animation and playful language to help address and explain the complexities of our democracy.
My team at USDemocrazy set out to capture the color and character of each of our 50 states. To help in this endeavor, we contacted the very best experts in each state-The Political Cartoonists-to be our first contributors. With their help we have built a growing data base of fun and important information.
Check out the short introduction video below:
http://www.usdemocrazy.net/mission
The site is an interactive venture. We are still looking to add more information on each state and expand our state animations (I have finished 32 so far). Check out the site and offer your insights.
Kal
Kevin Kallaugher
kaltoons@comcast.net
www.Kaltoons.com
I am very excited to announce the launch of a special and important website. www.USDemocrazy.net is the creation of students and staff at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). The site is a fun and informative using cartoons, animation and playful language to help address and explain the complexities of our democracy.
My team at USDemocrazy set out to capture the color and character of each of our 50 states. To help in this endeavor, we contacted the very best experts in each state-The Political Cartoonists-to be our first contributors. With their help we have built a growing data base of fun and important information.
Check out the short introduction video below:
http://www.usdemocrazy.net/mission
The site is an interactive venture. We are still looking to add more information on each state and expand our state animations (I have finished 32 so far). Check out the site and offer your insights.
Kal
Kevin Kallaugher
kaltoons@comcast.net
www.Kaltoons.com
Oct 23: Politics, etcetera… by Sid Chafetz political woodblock exhibit opens
Stanford in Washington Art Gallery Presents
Politics, etcetera… by Sid Chafetz
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Stanford in Washington Art Gallery is proud to host the new exhibition Politics etcetera... by acclaimed international artist Sid Chafetz. This retrospective includes a variety of portraits, scenes, and political lithographs that comment on national and global events while speaking to the human condition.
Chafetz is considered to be one of the world’s greatest living woodblock artists and has stated that his work utilizes, “…satire to stab at pomposity – whether in my own field of academe or in our political world.” Author and independent curator Allon Schoener remarked that Chafetz’s work, “provokes our social, political, and moral awareness, and forces us to recognize the boundaries of individual responsibility and personal culpability.”
Sid Chafetz began his artistic studies in 1940 at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). He was drafted into the army his sophomore year and survived combat in the Battle of the Bulge. Chafetz returned to the United States after World War II, graduated from RISD, and continued with his education in France at the American School at Fontainebleau, the Academy Julian, and with the artist Fernand Leger. Chafetz has been exhibited regularly since 1947 in national and international shows and is currently the emeritus professor of art at Ohio State University where he launched the printmaking program in 1959. His work can be found in private and public collections including the Library of Congress, the Museum of Modern Art, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Dahlem Museum in Berlin, and the Columbus Museum of Art.
The Stanford in Washington Art Gallery
2655 Connecticut Avenue, NW; Washington, DC 20008
Metro: Red Line to Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan.
Hours: 9:00 – 7:00 Monday through Friday, 12:00-6:00 Saturday and Sunday
Exhibit runs from October 23, 2008, until January 31, 2009.
Admission is free.
Call 202-332-6235 for more information.
Politics, etcetera… by Sid Chafetz
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Stanford in Washington Art Gallery is proud to host the new exhibition Politics etcetera... by acclaimed international artist Sid Chafetz. This retrospective includes a variety of portraits, scenes, and political lithographs that comment on national and global events while speaking to the human condition.
Chafetz is considered to be one of the world’s greatest living woodblock artists and has stated that his work utilizes, “…satire to stab at pomposity – whether in my own field of academe or in our political world.” Author and independent curator Allon Schoener remarked that Chafetz’s work, “provokes our social, political, and moral awareness, and forces us to recognize the boundaries of individual responsibility and personal culpability.”
Sid Chafetz began his artistic studies in 1940 at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). He was drafted into the army his sophomore year and survived combat in the Battle of the Bulge. Chafetz returned to the United States after World War II, graduated from RISD, and continued with his education in France at the American School at Fontainebleau, the Academy Julian, and with the artist Fernand Leger. Chafetz has been exhibited regularly since 1947 in national and international shows and is currently the emeritus professor of art at Ohio State University where he launched the printmaking program in 1959. His work can be found in private and public collections including the Library of Congress, the Museum of Modern Art, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Dahlem Museum in Berlin, and the Columbus Museum of Art.
The Stanford in Washington Art Gallery
2655 Connecticut Avenue, NW; Washington, DC 20008
Metro: Red Line to Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan.
Hours: 9:00 – 7:00 Monday through Friday, 12:00-6:00 Saturday and Sunday
Exhibit runs from October 23, 2008, until January 31, 2009.
Admission is free.
Call 202-332-6235 for more information.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Luna Brothers interview
The local creators were interviewed at Baltimore Comic-Con - "Catching Up with the Luna Brothers," By Vaneta Rogers, Newsarama 2008-10-13.
Mid-October madness in Dc, chronologically REVISED
One could do something related to comics every night this week in DC. I don't know which of these I'll make, but I've RSVP'd for Macaulay at Aladdin's Lamp, Rob Tornoe's appearance and will see my friends at the Writer's Center.
Oct 20: Chemistry Set's No Formula release party
Oct 20: David Macaulay at Aladdin's Lamp
Oct 21: David Macaulay at Politics and Prose
Oct 22: Rob Tornoe on panel in DC
Oct 23: Cartoons and Cocktails
Oct 23: Canadian animation at National Archives
Oct 24: Bleach movie showing
Oct 25: Campaign Cartoons with KAL (Kevin Kallaugher)
Oct 25: political cartoonists Wuerker, Thompson and Kal at Writer's Center
Nov 6: Israeli comics lecture at Library of Congress
Nov 7: Art Spiegelman
Oct 20: Chemistry Set's No Formula release party
Oct 20: David Macaulay at Aladdin's Lamp
Oct 21: David Macaulay at Politics and Prose
Oct 22: Rob Tornoe on panel in DC
Oct 23: Cartoons and Cocktails
Oct 23: Canadian animation at National Archives
Oct 24: Bleach movie showing
Oct 25: Campaign Cartoons with KAL (Kevin Kallaugher)
Oct 25: political cartoonists Wuerker, Thompson and Kal at Writer's Center
Nov 6: Israeli comics lecture at Library of Congress
Nov 7: Art Spiegelman
In today's papers
The Washington Examiner ran a brief review of Art Spiegelman's Breakdowns on page 35 - it's not online.
The NY Times reviewed two comics creator's works - Jules Feiffer's Explainers and the Hernandez Brothers' Love and Rockets.
The Wash Post has a minor Gaiman review.
The NY Times reviewed two comics creator's works - Jules Feiffer's Explainers and the Hernandez Brothers' Love and Rockets.
The Wash Post has a minor Gaiman review.
Thompson in Nickelodeon magazine
Chris Duffy stopped by Richard's table at HeroesCon and suggested that Richard do a piece for Nickelodeon Magazine. The result is in the November issue - a cover for their comic book insert that's very nice. I'll be buying a copy this week.
Frank Cho interview at Comic Book Resources
"Frank Cho on Jungle Girl Season 2," by Kiel Phegley, Contributing Writer, Wed, October 15th, 2008. For those coming in late, Cho was a University of Maryland cartoonist when he started University Squared which became Liberty Meadows when it was syndicated. He still lives in suburban Maryland.
Oct 21: David Macaulay at Politics and Prose
In addition to being at Aladdin's Lamp in Arlington on Monday night at 6:30, Macaulay will appear twice at Politics and Prose on Tuesday, October 21st at 10:30 am and 7 pm.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Zadzooks on Batman Lego and Bennett's Best
Okay, I can understand the appeal of making your own stop-action animation film using LEGO Batman toys. But a videogame? Can anyone explain this to me? Zadzooks reviews it anyway in "ZADZOOKS: Dynamic Duo must save city in LEGO Batman: The Videogame," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Wednesday, October 15, 2008.
And in "Bennett's Best for the week of October 5," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks blog October 15 2008, Greg recommends DC apes and UK World War 1 stories.
Good Richard Thompson interview in City Paper
Amanda Hess of the Washington City Paper sent a note saying that she'd interviewed Richard Thompson in the current issue and I'd missed it, although I did catch the "cartoonist with an odd theme" as I prefer to put it. I've got to stop reading the paper after going to the dentist.
I just read her article - it's good one. People aren't paying enough attention to Richard's caricature although that's how he made his name. Recently I was at his house and saw the sketches for his Palin finger puppet in the recycling, along with a bunch of photos of her he'd printed from the web. It was a fascinating look at how caricature works (I'm not a cartoonist and can't draw). For those who are interested, Richard runs a lot of his caricatures on his blog.
I just read her article - it's good one. People aren't paying enough attention to Richard's caricature although that's how he made his name. Recently I was at his house and saw the sketches for his Palin finger puppet in the recycling, along with a bunch of photos of her he'd printed from the web. It was a fascinating look at how caricature works (I'm not a cartoonist and can't draw). For those who are interested, Richard runs a lot of his caricatures on his blog.
Friday, October 17, 2008
City Paper features local cartoonist with odd theme
Animator Lamar Abrams is featured in "Farting Women Inspire Local Cartoonist," by Amanda Hess, Washington City Paper's Sexist blog Oct. 10, 2008, in print, October 17, p. 44.
Thompson interviewed at Newsarama
The Strip Thing: Richard Thompson on Cul de Sac By Zack Smith, Newsarama 2008-10-16.
Cul de Sac poetry contest results
Michael Cavna's contest of poetry to win a signed copy of Cul de Sac at Comic Riffs concluded with Richard judging the winners. Unfortunately they were all anonymous. So the books are being signed by someone walking down the street and then given to a library, I guess.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Oct 20: DAVID MACAULAY at Aladdin's Lamp
He'll also be at Politics and Prose the following day. Macaulay's also a cartoonist - I just scored a used copy of Great Moments in Architecture tonight.
MEET AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR DAVID MACAULAY
Monday, October 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Author and illustrator David Macaulay, who has won numerous awards (including the Caldecott Medal) for his books, will introduce his newest book The Way We Work: Getting to Know the Amazing Human Body. Starting with cells, Mr. Macaulay takes readers on a stunning visual journey through the major systems of the body. All who have wondered why their neck hurts, or how their food is digested; how someone gets sick, how someone gets better; or how life is created – the answers are in The Way We Work. Mr. Macaulay’s other books include Castle, Cathedral (Caldecott Honors), Black and White (Caldecott Medal), The New Way Things Work, Pyramid, Mosque, and many more. A book signing will follow. Grades 4-adult. Please call to register.
Alina Gawlik
Aladdin's Lamp Children's Books and Other Treasures
2499 N. Harrison St.
Arlington, VA 22207
Tel 703-241-8281
Fax 703-241-8283
Email: aladlamp@speakeasy.net
STORE HOURS: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday 10 am to 6 pm, Tuesday & Thursday 10 am to 8 pm, Sunday 11 am to 5 pm
MEET AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR DAVID MACAULAY
Monday, October 20 at 6:30 p.m.
Author and illustrator David Macaulay, who has won numerous awards (including the Caldecott Medal) for his books, will introduce his newest book The Way We Work: Getting to Know the Amazing Human Body. Starting with cells, Mr. Macaulay takes readers on a stunning visual journey through the major systems of the body. All who have wondered why their neck hurts, or how their food is digested; how someone gets sick, how someone gets better; or how life is created – the answers are in The Way We Work. Mr. Macaulay’s other books include Castle, Cathedral (Caldecott Honors), Black and White (Caldecott Medal), The New Way Things Work, Pyramid, Mosque, and many more. A book signing will follow. Grades 4-adult. Please call to register.
Alina Gawlik
Aladdin's Lamp Children's Books and Other Treasures
2499 N. Harrison St.
Arlington, VA 22207
Tel 703-241-8281
Fax 703-241-8283
Email: aladlamp@speakeasy.net
STORE HOURS: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday 10 am to 6 pm, Tuesday & Thursday 10 am to 8 pm, Sunday 11 am to 5 pm
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