My thoughts on Watchmen

So I finally saw the Watchmen movie last night. For years, I've been saying that 1.) this is not a comic book to recommend to a beginning reader of comics and 2.) I don't know who'd they'd expect to see this movie because you really have to care about superheroes.

I stand by those statements.

I also enjoyed the movie, but I've been reading comic books for over thirty years.

I liked it fine for what it was - a lavish, yet slavish, adaptation of a comic book of limited interest to a broader public.

Snyder's second comic book adaptation followed the path of 300, his first - he used the comic book as a storyboard and made a visually-stunning movie. Watchmen is lush and lovely and just ooozes thoughtful caring. And I appreciated that. And about 1/3 of the readers of this blog probably will as well.

But if you didn't grow up on superhero comic books (movies don't count), this probably isn't the movie for you.

Richmond's Adhouse Books has another sweeet one coming out

See "Pixar & Comics - Ronnie del Carmen on 'And There Your Are'," By Chris Arrant, Newsarama 18 March 2009. Publisher Pitzer is usually at SPX with a pile of lovelies.

Geppi's Museum baseball game discount

I've said it before, but I love this museum.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date of Release: March 19, 2009

Geppi’s Entertainment Museum announces dollar-day admission during Orioles’ and Ravens’ 2009 home games

BALTIMORE – With families more challenged than ever to find economical forms of entertainment, Geppi’s Entertainment Museum at Camden Yards (“GEM”) has stepped up to the plate with a budget-pleasing offer. On any day that the Os or Ravens have home games scheduled this year, admission to the museum – located adjacent to Oriole Park – will be only $1.

“This special offer is an unbeatable value,” said GEM’s Executive Director, Melissa Bowersox, “Our hours of operation will be extended on home game days to allow individuals and families to experience America’s most exciting pop culture museum at a very affordable price. Whether you’re attending a game or just in the area, the admission will be only a dollar.”

A tour guide is required for all groups availing themselves of the Game Day Special. An additional $1 per person tour-guide fee will be added to admission, for a total of $2 per person. Groups at this rate must adhere to guided-tour times of 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30pm. This rate is valid on HOME Game Days only for the Baltimore Orioles 2009 season and Baltimore Ravens 2009 season, and is valid for one group per tour time.

Other discounts available at GEM include; half-price Tuesdays and Thursdays. Last year, GEM introduced half-price Tuesdays, and it proved so popular, a second half-price day – Thursday – was added.

GEM also offers $2 off admission to those who “go green” with transportation and show a public transportation ticket when entering GEM (not valid with any other offers or discounts).

Geppi’s Entertainment Museum at Camden Yards is located on the second floor at 301 W. Camden St., Baltimore, MD 21201. For additional information call 410-625-7060, email info@geppismuseum.com or log on to www.geppismuseum.com.

Editorial cartoonist Bill Day let go, interviewed at Comic Riffs

See "The Exit Interview: Pink-Slipped Memphis Cartoonist Bill Day," By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 19, 2009. I believe it's becoming apparent that firing your cartoonist is becoming a fad at newspapers, and publishers are doing it now because everyone else is.

Horrors of War story preview available

Troy Allen writes in:

Switching it up this week. I figured I'd treat you kids to a preview page of "Disposable Heroes," A short story by the Bamn crew. It is slated to be featured in the "The Horrors of War" anthology book, presented by Dr. Dremo's Taphouse (R.I.P.) and the fine people of the DC Conspiracy.

The premise for the short is based on a true life account...but, yes, that is a Star Wars homage that you are seeing below. The story revolves around SPC Sergio Estavia's experience on Christmas during the Iraqi general election. A seeminlgy quiet evening for his convoy gives way to a fiery act of revenge.

Jay did the layouts, David did the final art, and I (me) did the typos. The book is due for an April release and will be available in comic shops around the D.C., Maryland, Virginia.

You can find out more here: http://dcconspiracy.com/

March 26: Morrie Turner documentary fundraiser

Posting for Mike Rhode:


Tue Mar 17, 2009
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20090317/pl_usnw/new_documentary_to_explore_america_s_first_multi_cultural_comic_strip;_ylc=X3oDMTB0ZWs2cDJqBF9TAzIxNTExMDUEZW1haWxJZAMxMjM3Mzc4MTQy
To: NATIONAL EDITORS

Contact: Jennifer White of NPJ Advertising & Public Relations, +1-202-347-6464, for Heaven Sent Productions

"Wee Pals" documentary coming to D.C. as the first stop on the film's tour across the country

WASHINGTON, March 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Actress, producer, director, comedian, and author of Master the Art of Cold Reading Angel Harper and Heaven Sent Productions will be hosting An Evening with the Stars, a discussion and screening of Keeping the Faith with Morrie, the award-winning documentary short on Morrie Turner, "Wee Pals" creator and America's first nationally syndicated African American cartoonist.

On Thursday, March 26th, D.C.'s Busboys & Poets will be holding this event of fun, food, entertainment provided by Koli Tengella, a HBO comedian and performer. In addition, there will be a discussion with Angel Harper in the Langston Hughes room at Busboys & Poets, located at 2021 14th St NW. This is the first stop on a four city tour that will showcase Harper's work and will continue on to Baltimore and Philadelphia before culminating in New York City.

Keeping The Faith With Morrie, directed by Angel Harper and produced by Heaven Sent Productions, is a documentary which chronicles the incredible life journey of African American cartoonist Morrie Turner. Turner is the first American cartoonist to have a nationally syndicated multiethnic comic strip. Morrie, following his dream, overcame emotional hurdles, and societal road blocks to become an American pop culture icon and history maker. Turner's work "strove to create an animated world of acceptance and racial tolerance through the medium of comics," says Harper regarding the film's historical and cultural impact, and is worthy of recognition.

Angel Harper, in addition to founding Heaven Sent Productions, is an actress who has appeared in such notable films as Clara's Heart (with actress Whoopi Goldberg) and Kiss the Girls (alongside actor Morgan Freeman). She is an award-winning voice-over performer and a stand-up comedian who won an "America's Funniest People" award. With "Keeping the Faith with Morrie Turner," Harper hopes to showcase Turner's influential career, humanitarianism, and determination to improve race relations.

This special screening is an effort to raise finishing funds to complete the feature length documentary film. With proper funding, Harper and the Heaven Sent team hopes to create an inspiring film detailing Morrie Turner's life and contributions, but also hopes to raise awareness of the little-known history and impact of African-American comic strips and comic strip artists on American pop culture.

Heaven Sent Productions is a non-profit production company located in Los Angeles, CA and supported by user donations and a board of trustees. Heaven Sent Productions is lead by executive producer, actress, voice-over performer, and comedian Angel Harper. One of their latest projects is award-winning documentary "Keeping the Faith with Morrie" which is currently being promoted in order to increase its running time from 10 minutes to a 60-minute documentary.

SOURCE Heaven Sent Productions

Off to Watchmen

Back tomorrow, but I really enjoyed Super Human Resources comic book that came out today.

Comic Art Indigene artist interview

See "Q&A: Comic Artist Jolene Nenibah Yazzie," By Megan Gambino, Smithsonian's Around the Mall blog March 16, 2009.

Upcoming Appearance: Ken Marcus at Big Planet Comics in Vienna, VA

Kevin Panetta, manager at Big Planet Comics in Vienna, VA writes in to say:

No. It’s not Superman. It’s Super Human Resources scribe Ken Marcus! He’ll be here from 4PM-7PM on March 18th signing copies of the first issue of his hilarious new take on tights and capes, Super Human Resources! See what happens when Tim takes a job as a temp at a superhero agency. So stop by, get your new comics, and support a local creator all in one fell swoop!

He'll be at Bethesda from 11-2 - Mike

Ben Classen illo in Express

Ben Classen has a 4-panel comic strip in today’s Express illustrating an article on a website where people recount rotten things that have happened to them. Classen’s work, including his comic panel Dirtfarm, usually appears weekly in the City Paper.

Cathy Hunter posting for Mike Rhode

March 27: Naruto anime screening

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Chris Wanamaker, (202) 262 2083 president@dcanimeclub.org


DC Anime Club to screen Naruto The Movie at the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan.


DC Anime Club in collaboration with Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan will screen Naruto The Movie.

Friday March 27, 2009 6:30 pm as part of inaugural showing for a new film series based on both Anime (Japanese Animation) and Manga ( Japanese Comics).

Naruto The Movie is a 2004 film directed by Tensai Okamura and written by Katsuyuki Sumisawa based on the popular anime and manga series Naruto by manga artist Masashi Kishimoto.

Kakashi orders Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura to watch a movie before their next mission.

Naruto is a big fan of the lead actress. After the movie, they see the heroine in person and being chased. They help her and Naruto asks for an autograph but she wouldn't give him one. When the three returns, Kakashi tells them about their mission: to escort the actress to the Snow Country to film a new movie.

This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required.

RSVP to jiccrsvpspring08@embjapan.org.

Seating is limited and granted on a first come, first served basis.

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.

Mark Wheatley interview with Mr. Media

Bob Andelman interviews a lot of pop culture figures and hits comic people up too. Here's one with Maryland cartoonist Mark Wheatley that I just ran across. The description following is Bob's and a here's a direct link to listen, but click through so he can count you on his stats. Besides there's a lot of other cartoonist interviews there too - I just linked to one relevant to this site.

Original Air Date: 1/9/2009 1:00 PM
Mark Wheatley and Robert Tinnell, LONE JUSTICE, EZ STREET comics creators: Mr. Media Interview

Robert Tinnell has spent the last half decade racking up credits as a graphic novelist with The Black Forest, The Wicked West, and Sight Unseen splashing blood across the comic book pages. Now, Mark Wheatley and Robert Tinnell, the creative team behind last year's Harvey-nominated webcomic/graphic novel EZ Street, follow up with Lone Justice: Crash. LJ:C, like EZ Street, will run for free right on ComicMix beginning January 12, but that's not where the similarities end.

In EZ Street, central characters Scott and Danny Fletcher set to work on a comic book project featuring their character, Lone Justice. Lone Justice: Crash is in fact Wheatley and Tinnell's take on what that book would be. Featuring the art of Wheatley (Frankenstein Mobster, Mars) and co-scripted by Tinnell (Feast of the Seven Fishes), Lone Justice: Crash takes place during the Depression, but given this era's economic troubles will most certainly resonate with the modern reader.

Lone Justice: Crash follows the exploits of the titular character, who was first introduced as the creation of Scott and Danny Fletcher, themselves characters in Tinnell and Wheatley's EZ Street. Occupied for years successfully battling crime as Lone Justice, millionaire Octavius Brown has let his own finances slip to the point of ruin. Now destitute, unable to even effectively re-arm his weaponry, Brown must live amongst the masses of homeless in the city. It is there that he learns the true face of evil, and from nothing is reborn as a true defender of the innocent. Combining the thrills of two-fisted pulp action with a storyline that parallels much of our nation's current socio-economic struggles, Lone Justice: Crash represents a sincere effort to deliver what comics can do at their best: an entertaining message.

Thompson nominated for Reuben for 2nd year

Alan Gardener's reporting the nominations for the National Cartoonist Society's Rueben Awards, and Cul de Sac is up for newspaper comic strip again this year. I don't know where Lars Leetaru lives, but he's been doing work for the Washington Post lately since the NY Times dropped him from their Metropolitan Diary column and some of that must have influenced his newspaper illustration nomination. I like his work quite a bit. Bob Staake is up for magazine illustration - presumably for his New Yorker work, but he's still appearing in the Post every Saturday.

March 28: National Cherry Blossom Anime Marathon

Freer and Sackler Galleries Celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival with Monster Tales, Anime Films and ImaginAsia Workshops March 28-April 12

The Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery will offer a variety of programs, exhibitions and tours to celebrate the 2009 National Cherry Blossom Festival, March 28 through April 12, in Washington, D.C.

Coinciding with the festival, the Sackler Gallery presents “The Tale of Shuten Dōji,” March 21 through Sept. 20. Colorful illustrations on scrolls, screens, fans and books from Japan’s Edo period (1615-1868) tell the heroic tale of the conquest of the terrifying red monster Shuten Dōji by the hero Minamoto Yorimitsu (948–1021), known as Raikō. Docent-led tours will be available throughout the duration of the exhibition. Visitors can also explore the Japanese galleries in the Freer and learn how artists from the ninth through 19th centuries developed a distinctive repertoire of techniques for applying gold and silver to works of art in “Moonlight and Golden Clouds: Silver and Gold in the Arts of Japan,” on view through Nov. 8. In the adjacent galleries, 13 ceramics from China, Vietnam, Korea and Japan show how broken clay vessels were mended with lacquer resin and sprinkled with gold dust—transforming their appearance and creating a new component of appreciation in "Golden Seams: The Japanese Art of Mending Ceramics,” also on view though Nov. 8. In the Freer and Sackler’s ImaginAsia workshops, children ages 8-14 and their adult companions can experience an exhibition and create a related art project to take home. On March 28 and 29, ImaginAsia presents an “Anime Artist Workshop,” which explores how contemporary artists draw upon the traditions of Japanese masters. On April 4-19, participants can learn about the exhibition “Moonlight and Clouds” and make their own silver and gold creations.

On Saturday, March 28, the Freer Gallery hosts the seventh annual “National Cherry Blossom Anime Marathon” in cooperation with the Japan Information and Culture Center and Otakorp Inc. The daylong event, beginning at 11 a.m. in the Meyer Auditorium, features a costume show and exhibition courtesy of the DC Anime Club. Nine Japanese films are also coming to the Freer in the traveling retrospective “In the Realm of
Oshima,” showcasing the brash, rebellious, passionate and conservative films of director Nagisa Oshima. Films will be screened on Fridays and Sundays from March 6 through April 5; two tickets per person will be distributed at the Meyer Auditorium one hour before each screening. For up-to-dateinformation on show times and film titles and descriptions, visit www.asia.si.edu.
“The Tale of Shuten Dōji” has been made possible with support from the Anne van Biema Endowment Fund. “In the Realm of Oshima” was organized by James Quandt of the Cinematheque Ontario and sponsored by the Japan Foundation, the Kawakita Memorial Film Institute and Janus Films. The National Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual two-week, citywide event featuring daily cultural performances, arts and crafts, exhibits and demonstrations, sporting events, international cuisine and other special events. It will be held March 28-April 12, with the parade April 4. The 2009
festival celebrates the 97th anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees to United States from Japan and the enduring friendship between the citizens of the two countries.

The Freer Gallery of Art, located at 12th Street and Independence Avenue S.W., and the adjacent Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, located at 1050 Independence Avenue S.W., are on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Hours are from 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 Blue and Orange lines. For more information, the public may call (202) 633-1000 or visit the Web site: www.asia.si.edu

---

Cherry Blossom Anime Marathon
March 28, 2009


Animal Treasure Island
11:30 AM
Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s beloved novel Treasure Island, Hiroshi Ikeda’s delightful children’s film tells the story of a boy, Jim, and his mouse friend Gran, who set sail in search of riches, only to a band of dastardly pirates led by Captain Silver. Suitable for all ages. (1971, 78 min., English, video)

Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone
1:30 PM
This sci-fi tale co-directed by Hideaki Anno, Masayuki and Kazuya Tsurumaki is set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, where the population defends itself from alien invaders with the help of human/mechanical hybrid battle robots. Its hero, Shinji, is a shy 14-year-old boy mysteriously chosen to save the planet from the aliens for good. Rated PG. (2007, 98 min., Japanese with English subtitles, video)

4:00 PM
Vexille
Visual effects whiz Sori directed this stunning example of animation as high tech high art – a fusion of advanced techniques and sophisticated thinking about mankind’s possible future. In the year 2077, Japan has isolated itself from the world. The film’s eponymous heroine and her team of US commandos are ordered to infiltrate its barricades and get to the root of the illegal biotechnology experiments being conducted by sinister mega-corporation Daiwa. Rated PG-13. (2007, 110 min., Japanese with English subtitles, video)

7:00 PM
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
In 35mm!
As the title suggests, Mamoru Hosoda’s cheery comedy is about a teenage tomboy who discovers that she can travel through time. After discovering her power, goofy, scatterbrained Motoko goes on all manner of exciting adventures, but ultimately realizes that friendship is the greatest adventure of all. Rated PG. (2006, 98 min., Japanese with English subtitles)

Tickets
Tickets for all films (two per person per film) will be distributed beginning at 10:30 AM. Half of the tickets for each film will be held back and distributed approximately one hour before each show time.

Zadzooks on Halo videogame

Not comics for the most part, but you can view this as animation - "Zadzooks: Halo Wars review: Microsoft Game Studios latest a fans' epic," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Wednesday, March 11, 2009.

"Bennett's Best for the week of March 1," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks Blog March 09 2009 recommends a couple of Marvel titles.

"Zadzooks: Watchmen movie versus comic books," BY JOE SZADKOWSKI, Zadzooks Blog March 13 2009.

Washington Times reporters Sonny Bunch and Joseph Szadkowski compare Zack Snyder's Watchmen movie to the Watchmen comic book series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 03-18-09

New Gaiman/Vess!

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 03-18-09
By John Judy

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #588 by Marc Guggenheim and John Romita Jr. The conclusion of the “Character Assassination” storyline with lots of fights and Goblin-critters.

AMERICAN FLAGG DEFINITIVE COLLECTION. VOL. 2 SC written and drawn by Howard Chaykin. Collecting issues 8-14 of Chaykin’s signature work, plus never before published material.

BLUEBERRY GIRL HC by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess. The creator credits on this make it a Must-Have but if you need a taste try this: “Ladies of Light and Ladies of darkness and Ladies of never-you-mind. This is a prayer for a blueberry girl.” And it’s all drawn by Vess. Highly recommended for anyone who has or has been a daughter.

COURTNEY CRUMRIN, VOL. 4: MONSTROUS HOLIDAY SC written and drawn by Ted Naifeh. The latest supernatural adventures with Courtney and her Uncle Aloysius.

DARK AVENGERS #3 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato. Morgan LeFay is still pretty hot and bothered about Sentry ripping her head off last issue. Did she not understand these were the DARK Avengers? Fun stuff, perhaps a bit much for the youngers.

HELLBLAZER #253 by Peter Milligan and Giuseppe Camuncoli. John Constantine must confront the demons of his past. Wow, is it Every Day of the Week again?

ULTIMATUM #3 of 5 by Jeph Loeb and David Finch. All the heroes what ain’t drownded have to go after Ultimate genocidal bug-bat Magneto. Straight up.

UNCANNY X-MEN #507 by Matt Fraction and Terry Dodson. Crazy parallel storylines of mutants fighting! Classic X-book action! And it looks swell.

WATCHMENSCH by Rich Johnston and Simon Rohrmuller. A two-fisted parody/satire that requires almost no knowledge of Yiddish to enjoy! “Hurm!” Recommended!

WOLVERINE #71 by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. “Old Man Logan” continues as a T-Rex wearing a Venom symbiote enters the scene. A must-have for all T-Rex/Venom Symbiote aficionados!

X-FACTOR #41 by Peter David and Valentine De Landro. Sentinels! The giant purple robot rumble starts here!

www.johnjudy.net

OT: MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY COMICS FORUM 2009 poster out

Ryan Claytor, who's teaching comics there, designed a poster, which is cool. Buy his books - they're cool too. Attend the Forum - I'm sure it's cool too. Go to the MSU libary's Special Collections Division and ask to see the Mike Rhode Collection - it's not as cool, but what the heck, it'll get them wondering.

Ronald Searle, OR I didn't expect to have any news today

"The Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines" cartoons by Ronald Searle, Milwaukee Journal August 22, 1965. What does this have to do with Washington? Well, Searle is a favorite cartoonist of Nick Galifianakis and Richard Thompson.

Post dropping comics

Mike Cavna's breaking the story that his colleagues are dropping Pooch Cafe, Zippy, Judge Parker, Piranha Club and Little Dog Lost as of March 30th. Bah.

I really like Judge Parker and Pooch Cafe, Zippy and Piranha Club (Bo Grace is local by the way) both have their appeal. Little Dog Lost didn't catch on with me. No notice as to why except that Dilbert is moving back from the Business section, but I'll bet they're putting in another Soduku type game since the NY Times just added one.

French comic artist glanced at in Post

A French cartoonist, Viravong has space in Centquatre – he isn’t mentioned in the Travel section article, but the accompanying illustrations showed a panel of his work. See "A Brush With The Paris Art Scene: Out-of-the-Way Sites Show Off The Avant-Garde Side of the City," By Blake Gopnik, Washington Post Staff Writer, Sunday, March 8, 2009; F01.

Gopnik describes the studio space as a "sprawling complex, covering almost half a million square feet, does date to 1873. Until just a decade ago, it housed the city's funeral works, once home to 1,400 hearse grooms, coffinmakers, shroud-sewers and everyone else involved in burying the dead. (In typically French fashion, until very recently the government even had a monopoly on death.) But now the abandoned site has been emptied out to a loft-ish shell of masonry and skylights and poured-concrete floors, which reopened in the fall as a giant container for art and creativity." He also noted, "The Centquatre has a full program of exhibitions, but it still feels less like a place to look at finished art, on the classic model of the Musee d'Orsay, than somewhere to witness art in the making."

UMBC profiles KAL

Journalista noted this article about Kal, the editorial cartoonist turned mad tinkerer - "Kal on Campus," Richard Byrne, UMBC Magazine (Winter 2009).

Another Comic Art Indigene review by a local

See "We Love Arts: Comic Art Indigene," By Jenn Larsen, March 10th, 2009.

Bash Magazine's website to end as well

Unfortunately I've heard that April will see the last of the Bash Magazine website which was hosting the comics after the newspaper folded last month. Too bad - they had some good stuff.

Liquid Revolver comic out

Matt Dembicki says "'Liquid Revolver' is officially for sale! The 68-page book features
the talents of D.C. area artists, such as Scott White, Chris Piers, Mal Jones, Dale Rawlings, Mike Short, Khalid Iszard and yours truly! What's it about? Nazis and mind control. How can you not wanna peek? It's $6, and I'll throw in free shipping. If you'd like to buy a copy, e-mail: threecrowspress(at)gmail(dot)com.

Thanks for giving me a few seconds.

Matt Dembicki
http://threecrowspress.blogspot.com

Eat Right to Work and Win corrected

I had dropped pages 2-3 by not photographing them, but I just took a snapshot and added them in - the quality isn't as good, but it's still readable.
Eat Right to Work and Win, a 1942 book using King Features Syndicate characters. "Contributed by Swift & Companyto America's All-Out Effort through the National Nutrition Program. Office of Defense Health and Welfare Services." To read the whole booklet, click here.

South Park's special musical guests

"Will 'South Park' Get a Population Boost When the Jonas Brothers Come to Town?" By Lisa de Moraes, Washington Post Tuesday, March 10, 2009; C07.

OT: Haspiel on Simonson

My buddy Dean talks on his blog about visiting his mentor Walt Simonson - "Walter Simonson." Man_Size blog (March 9).

Boy, I loved that run on Thor, even with the frog.

March 25: Library of Congress Swann talk on Nast

Thomas Nast and French Art
The Topic of Swann Grantee’s Talk on March 25

Swann Foundation grantee Marie-Stéphanie Delamaire will present a lecture entitled, "The Artist as Translator: Thomas Nast and French Art,” Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at 12 noon, in the West Dining Room on the sixth floor of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, DC.

In her illustrated talk, Delamaire will examine American cartoonist Thomas Nast’s appropriation of the visual language used in prints and photographs of grand manner and history paintings in his political cartoons of the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. The analysis of Nast’s cartoons suggests that they functioned much like visual, cultural, and political translations of the era’s leading issues and articulated the cartoonist’s artistic identity.

Thomas Nast (1840-1902) began his career as a newspaper illustrator in the antebellum era for the growing illustrated press of the 1850s in New York. During the Civil War years, Nast developed a new style of large-scale cartoons that made extensive use of the visual vocabulary of old masters and contemporary French academic painters, particularly those whose works were reproduced in prints then being disseminated by the American branch of Goupil & Cie in New York. Nast referenced or alluded to specific French paintings as a means of capturing and engaging his viewers’ interest in major political developments of the day as seen in such cartoons as “Democracy” or “The Tammany Tiger Loose” (published respectively in Harper’s Weekly on November 11, 1865 and November 11, 1871). In so doing, Nast not only translated “facts into black and white,” as suggested by Clarence Cook (Putnam Magazine, July 1869), but also transformed history painting into a mass medium and appropriated the significance of foreign images into the American national or local political sphere.

Delamaire contends that looking closely at Nast’s cartoons demonstrates that the artist deliberately emphasized the discontinuity between the original painting and his final image in order to construct the cartoon’s underlying meaning. Nast’s translations of history paintings into cartoons can thus be seen to question the authority and priority commonly associated with the grand tradition of European history painting. Delamaire suggests that Nast’s appropriations reveal a shift from his role as a newspaper illustrator to that of a translator of fine art’s visual language mediating the political significance of foreign works of art widely
disseminated in print form to his American audience.

Delamaire is a Ph.D. candidate in Art History at Columbia University. Her dissertation project entitled, “Art in Translation: Franco-American exchanges in the Civil War and Reconstruction Era,” has been awarded a Terra Foundation Pre-doctoral Fellowship at the Smithsonian Institution and a Swann Foundation grant. Her research interests focus on transnational exchanges in relation to the development of reproductive technology in nineteenth century visual culture, the international art market and the emerging apparatus of international exhibitions. She completed a Master’s Degree in Egyptian Archaeology. She has published several essays on the American perception of ancient Egypt, the 1867 Paris Exposition Universelle, and the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial International Exhibition.

This presentation is part of the Swann Foundation’s continuing activities to support the study, interpretation, preservation and appreciation of original works of humorous and satiric art by graphic artists from around the world. The Swann Foundation’s advisory board is composed of scholars, collectors, cartoonists and Library of Congress staff members. The foundation strives to award one fellowship annually (with a stipend of up to $15,000) to assist scholarly research and writing projects in the field of caricature and cartoon. Applications for the academic year 2009-2010 are due Feb. 15, 2010. More information about the fellowship is available through the Swann Foundation’s Web site: www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/swannhome or by emailing swann@loc.gov.

Express Poll on comics movies generates little interest

"Do you think graphic novels are good source materials for making movies?" was the question asked. As published in this morning's paper it was split 50-50, but when you go to the site only 12 people voted.

Horsey interview concludes on Comic Riffs

The Interview (Pt. 2): David Horsey of the (RIP?) 'Seattle Post-Intelligencer' has some really interesting viewpoints in it. Like "I decided I needed to get to know the president of Hearst Newspapers. It helps. Two Pulitzers also helps. I recommend that to anyone."

Lone Wolf and Cub at Satisfactory Comics

Journalista points out Michael Wenthe's reviews of all 28 volumes of Lone Wolf and Cub. Michael's a local prof at American University and I apologize for not linking to his blog more. Satisfactory Comics, the experimental minicomic he does with Isaac Cates is a lot of fun and you can buy them on the site.

Comic Art Indigene reviewed at Comicsgirl blog

I'm guessing Comicsgirl is local since she popped into Comic Art Indigene on the first day it was open and wrote up her impressions. She also linked to Marcus Amerman, a bead artist who had two (both commissioned, according to the curator) pieces in the show - this George Perez's Wonder Woman bracelet and a Jae Lee's Batman belt buckle.

I'll be writing a full review of this show sometime soon...

Amazon advertises my own book to me

This got emailed to me over the weekend:





Yes, my own book, Harvey Pekar: Conversations, was one of the featured Pekar titles. I immediately considered ordering another five copies, it was so convincing.

Flora in old New York Times

James Flora is largely forgotten these days, except for Fantagraphics' fine book about him. Here's a couple of drawings from the NY Times Magazine on April 11, 1965 - the day I was born - that I found on the back of a clipped article.


My, isn't it funny how the article is still topical today?

Editorial cartoonist Horsey interviewed at Comic Riffs

Michael Cavna's got part one up today - "David Horsey: How a Cartoonist Survives If Ink Newspaper Dies," Washington Post's Comic Riffs March 9, 2009.

Art Daily features Comic Art Indigene

See "Comic Art Exhibition Opens at the National Museum of the American Indian," Art Daily March 8 2009.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 03-11-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 03-11-09
By John Judy

30 DAYS OF NIGHT: 30 DAYS TIL DEATH #4 written and drawn by David Lapham. So it looks like vampires and self-control don’t always go hand in hand….

ACTION COMICS #875 by Greg Rucka and Eddy Barrows. Traditionally Superman comics without Superman have not been very good. But this is written by Greg Rucka so it will be as good as it can possibly be.

ALAN MOORE’S LIGHT OF THY COUNTENANCE GN by Moore and Felipe Massafera. A new tale from the creator of WATCHMEN about television, ghosts and old gods. Contains no giant blue phalluses that we know of.

BATMAN BATTLE FOR THE COWL #1 of 3 written and drawn by Tony Daniel. Lotsa people fighting to wear Bruce Wayne’s old undergarments. I think it should be Bucky!

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI 13 #11 by Paul Cornell and Leonard Kirk. It takes a certain brass to write stories in which Dracula trades catty remarks with Doctor Doom on his secret vampire moonbase before going off to fight limey superheroes. It’s something you don’t see everyday and thus evokes a sense of “Gotta Look.” Make of this what you will.

EX MACHINA SPECIAL #4 by Brian K. Vaughan and John Paul Leon. More weirdness from Mayor Hundred’s superhero past comes creeping into the present day. A political thriller with jetpacks. Recommended.

GHOST RIDER #33 by Jason Aaron and Tony Moore. After everything blowed up real good last issue it is time to reassess. Do Ghost Riding and Vengeance Spiriting really have a future in today’s economy? And, based on previous Ghost Riders’ experiences, is it really something you’d want to pursue in the best of times? Maybe community college ain’t so bad….

IMMORTAL IRON FIST #23 Duane Swierczynski and Travel Foreman. Our heroes are getting their asses kicked in the Eighth City of Hell. And that, ladies and gentlemen is how you tell a Great Kung-Fu Story! Recommended.

LOSERS BY JACK KIRBY HC written and drawn by “The King.” Collecting OUR FIGHTING FORCES #151-162 and featuring the adventures of Johnny Cloud, Captain Storm, Gunner and Sarge. Stories influenced by Kirby’s own service in WWII. Featuring a foreword by Neil Gaiman.

NORTHLANDERS #15 by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly. The penultimate issue in which we learn of Magnus’s past and what has made him so relentless in his vendetta against the Viking invaders. Great stuff. Recommended.

PERRY BIBLE FELLOWSHIP ALMANACK HC written and drawn by Nicholas Gurewitch. The final volume collecting the comic strips that claim such diverse fans as Jim Woodring, Scott McCloud, Tony Millionaire and the woman who wrote “Juno.”

PUNISHER: FRANK CASTLE MAX #68 by Duane Swierczynski and Michel Lacombe. Frank’s got three hours left to live and most of Philadelphia is still breathing. This will not do!

SCALPED #26 by Jason Aaron and Davide Furno. A stand-alone issue spotlighting Diesel, the rogue FBI, wanna-be Indian and his adventures behind bars. Among the best comics being published today. Highly recommended.

SPECIAL FORCES #4 of 6 written and drawn by Kyle Baker. Okay, so this title comes out about as often as Boo Radley. It’s still Kyle Baker so it’s gorgeous, clever and edgy as all get out. If the Iraq War and its accompanying military recruitment policies still have you mad you need to be reading this book. Highly recommended.

THE STAND: AMERICAN NIGHTMARES #1 of 5 by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Mike Perkins. The second arc of this amazingly high-quality graphic adaptation begins here. The super-flu has destroyed the world and now the survivors have to cowboy up and keep living. Turns out there’s a guy named Randall Flagg in town and they’re gonna have to choose a side. Recommended.

THE STAND: CAPTAIN TRIPS PREMIERE HC by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Mike Perkins. As noted above, Aguirre-Sacasa and Perkins have brought Stephen King’s epic to vivid life. This collects the first five issues to whet your appetite for what’s yet to come.

SUPER HUMAN RESOURCES #1 of 4 by Ken Marcus and Justin Bleep. A humorous look at a world-class super-team through the eyes of a temp worker. Hopefully no one tries to set the building on fire…

TOP 10 SEASON TWO #4 of 4 by Xander Cannon and Gene Ha. A jail-break in Neopolis, the city of science heroes. Now that’s how you wrap up a mini-series! Recommended.

WALKING DEAD #59 Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. After the past couple of issues it’s kind of a relief to see some old-fashioned “drive over the zombies with a big car” action. Not for kids or otherwise squeamish folk.

X-MEN NOIR #4 of 4 by Fred Van Lente and Denis Calero. Wrapping up my favorite X-MEN mini-series in years: The X-Men re-imagined as hard-boiled pulp fiction characters from the thirties. Crackling dialogue with danger and double-crosses on every page. Highly recommended!

www.johnjudy.net

Staake and Thompson in New Yorker

Bob Staake, who regularly appears in the Post on Saturday, did the March 9th cover for the New Yorker. Our Man Thompson has a small caricature of a fugitive American millionaire who may be ruining sports in England. The issue also has Anthony Lane's negative review of Watchmen.

Book of Esther comic exhibit in Baltimore

The exhibit opened today. See "New-age depiction of Esther's age-old story: Exhibit at Jewish Museum focuses on graphic novel's retelling," By Edward Gunts, Baltimore Sun March 8, 2009 for JT Waldman's graphic novel story.

Here's the basic information - "Drawing on Tradition: The Book of Esther," runs through July 26 at the Jewish Museum of Maryland, 15 Lloyd St. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students and free for members. Call 410-732-6400 or go to jewishmuseummd.org.

Dave Astor continues his humor column

His third is up today - and it's funny, but pointed just like his two previous ones.

Zadzooks, superheroes and Watchmen at Washington Times

On superheroes is "EDGE: Saving the world ain't what it used to be," Peter Suderman, Washington Times Friday, March 6, 2009.

Zadzooks is still on toys - "Zadzooks: More from toy fair; Legions of action figures on parade," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Thursday, March 5, 2009.

But his blog has a piece by someone who doesn't know anything about Watchmen or comics - "Remembering Watchmen," By Heidi Haynes, Washington Times Zadzooks Blog March 04 2009.

And finally, here's the paper's review - "MOVIES: 'Watchmen' leap into action," Sonny Bunch, Washington Times Thursday, March 5, 2009.

Greg Houston covers Washington City Paper

I like Greg Houston's illustrations for the City Paper quite a bit. There's only one online, but the current issue has 4 or so in it.

Post on the Unbearable Whiteness of Superbeings

See "What Color Is Your Superhero?" By Adam Serwer, Washington Post Sunday, March 8, 2009; B05. I'm afraid I'm not convinced, although if the demographics are changing I'm sure it's from movies about superheroes and not comic books.

Kronenberg interview on Batcave Companion

Here's another interview with the former DC-ite, and now telecommuter, Michael Kronenberg on his new book:

Sheriff, Amanda. 2009.
Inside The Batcave Companion.
Scoop (March 6): http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=265&ai=80649

Another Wimpy Kid interview

See "Talking to `Wimpy Kid' author Jeff Kinney" -Bo Book Club, TimeforKids.com, Buffalo News March 4 2009.

Sara and Mike go to Charlottesville

Sara Duke and I went to Charlottesville yesterday to see an exhibit, but we also stopped at a bunch of antique stores to exercise our comics-senses. So here's some of what I found:




Opus 'n Bill On the Road Again screen saver box covers. Unfortunately, I have no idea how one could view the animated segments now.


Eat Right to Work and Win, a 1942 book using King Features Syndicate characters. "Contributed by Swift & Companyto America's All-Out Effort through the National Nutrition Program. Office of Defense Health and Welfare Services." To read the whole booklet, click here.

Foxy Grandpa doorstop by Carl 'Bunny' Schultze. This is the second Foxy Grandpa thing I've found around Charlottesville - the first was a bank of his head. Sara and I both think this was repainted, but that doesn't much matter to me.

Wordless comic strip Ferd'nand 1957 collection.

Bud Sagendorf's Davy Crockett game, done around the time he was doing Popeye. I love the fact that someone saved this out of the Sunday comics and mounted it. I'll probably make a color copy and play it with my daughter. If there's any interest, I can do a hi-res scan for you readers.









Seven plates from Merry Masterpieces Fine Porcelain plates, Dayton Hudson, 1999. Anybody know anything more about these? Is it a New Yorker artist? They look vaguely like Danny Shanahan to me.

I bought a few more books and some Puck lithographs too.

Acquisitions considered, but not made: Raymond Briggs' Snowman place setting, 4 pieces by Royal Doulton - $40; Wood bas relief carving of Charles Dana Gibson cartoon - ? (some non-buyer regret over not at least checking the price); Raymond Briggs' Snowman porcelain box by Royal Doulton - $18; James Thurber house 50th anniversary commemorative plate - $40;

Watchmen: Portraits book review

Enos, Clay. Watchmen: Portraits. London: Titan Books, 2009.
192 pages, $50.00 (hc)
ISBN-10: 1848560699, ISBN-13: 978-1848560697

Portraits is the oddest of the three books that Titan published as companions to the movie, but it also has the highest production values and is physically the largest of the three. Clay Enos was the official still photographer, but also decided to shoot sets of portraits of both the actors in costume and the people working on the film. He shot in black and white, and used harsh lighting and a white backdrop, so every pore and hair can be seen. This gives the images a curious effect as though Richard Avedon decided to photograph superheroes. This is added to by the juxtapositions of the crew members and actors – “2nd Assistant Camera” is followed by “1940s Store Owner” who is followed in turn by “Captain Axis” all in hyper-detailed photographs. In his foreword Snyder says, “Not only do these pages immortalize individual cast and crewmembers, but they also celebrate in particular the exceptional work of our talented costume, hair and make-up departments. But beyond even that, the photos of the actors in costume capture something more. What at first glance simply might appear to be an extra dressed up as a general for a day, reveals on closer study the decades of a career spent in uniform.” Snyder’s point is somewhat undermined by the lack of identification of everyone, including him, by name. They are only identified by position. However, Enos decided to follow his muse, and a book and traveling photograph exhibit have resulted. I am not sure who this book will appeal to, but I appreciate the fact that Enos thought outside of the job he was hired for to create it.

Impera et Divide exhibit in Charlottesville, VA UPDATED

Just some quick notes and photos as Sara Duke is doing the formal writeup for the International Journal of Comic Art.

Sara and I took a meandering trip down, stopping at antique stores and trying to stump each other with obscure comics knowledge. As previously noted here, the exhibit is in the non-profit Second Street Gallery, Charlottesville, Virginia.

It has six artists - Frédéric Coché (France), Aerim Lee (South Korea), André Lemos (Portugal), Ilan Manouach (Greece), Andrei Molotiu (US) and Fabio Zimbres (Brazil) and was curated by Pedro Moura (Portugal) and Charlottesville's Warren Craghead III. Although Pedro declared that the art was all just 'comics,' these really are art comics. A companion book, Divide et Impera, by Pedro gives a good overview of the artists and their artwork. Pedro, Warren and Andre were at the show, and it was a pleasure to meet with them and talk about the exhibit. Andre did a special mini-comic/zine just for the exhibit and probably on the plane flight over. I bought a copy of this, the exhibit companion book, and many of the other publications for sale for Michigan State University's Comic Art Collection should one like to see them in the future.

The exhibit suffered somewhat from being trimmed significantly at the last moment due to a smaller gallery size than expected. The version shown in Amador in Portugal was much larger and included Craghead's work which was left out of this version. Of the artists, I was only familiar with Zimbres previously (and Molotiu's academic writing on comics). I'll leave it to Sara to get into the details, but I was especially taken with Cloche's aquatint comics - essentially he engraves a plate and prints 10 of them (according to Pedro) and then cleans the plate. He sells the engravings while reproductions of the art make up his books, 3 of which were on display from Warren's collection. Sara was taken with the work of Ms. Lee, which was eyepopping in color. Much of the artwork is for sale.

Due to the smaller size of the show, many pieces couldn't be displayed, but Pedro took us back to look through them. If you're interested, I would imagine arrangements can be made with the gallery. One could probably buy the book from them through the mail as well, and perhaps the other publications.

There's a blog by Craghead at http://imperaetdivide.blogspot.com/ which has pictures as well.

Here's my photographs, largely taken as a mnemonic device for writing a review:

Frédéric Coché (France)

Ilan Manouach (Greece)

Fabio Zimbres (Brazil)

Andrei Molotiu (US)

André Lemos (Portugal)

Frédéric Coché (France) books

Aerim Lee (South Korea)

Aerim Lee (South Korea)

International Comic Arts Forum WANTS YOU!

CALL FOR PROPOSALS EXTENDED:

The 14th Annual International Comic Arts Forum: ICAF 2009

October 15-17, 2009

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

<http://www.internationalcomicartsforum.org>

ICAF, the International Comic Arts Forum, invites scholarly paper proposals for its fourteenth annual meeting, to be held at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, from Thursday, October 9, through Saturday, October 11, 2008.

The deadline to submit proposals HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO April 3, 2009. (Scroll down for proposal guidelines and submission information.) Proposals will be refereed via blind review.

ICAF welcomes original proposals from diverse disciplines and theoretical perspectives on any aspect of comics or cartooning, including comic strips, comic books, albums, graphic novels, manga, webcomics, political cartoons, gag cartoons, and caricature. Studies of aesthetics, production, distribution, reception, and social, ideological, and historical significance are all equally welcome, as are studies that address larger theoretical issues linked to comics or cartooning, for example in image/text studies or new media theory. In keeping with its mission, ICAF is particularly interested in studies that reflect an international perspective.

PROPOSAL GUIDELINES:
For its refereed presentations, ICAF prefers argumentative, thesis-driven papers that are clearly linked to larger critical, artistic, or cultural issues; we strive to avoid presentations that are merely summative or survey-like in character. We can accept only original papers that have not been presented or accepted for publication elsewhere. Presenters should assume an audience versed in comics and the fundamentals of comics studies. Where possible, papers should be illustrated by relevant images. In all cases, presentations should be timed to finish within the strict limit of twenty (20) minutes (that is, roughly eight to nine typed, double-spaced pages). Proposals should not exceed 300 words.

AUDIOVISUAL EQUIPMENT:
ICAF's preferred format for the display of images is MS PowerPoint. Regretfully, we cannot accommodate non-digital media such as transparencies, slides, or VHS tapes. Presenters should bring their PowerPoint or other electronic files on a USB key or CD, not just on the hard drive of a portable computer. We cannot guarantee the compatibility of our equipment with presenters' individual laptops.

REVIEW PROCESS:
All proposals will be subject to blind review by the ICAF Executive Committee, with preference given to proposals that observe the above standards. The final number of papers accepted will depend on the needs of the conference program. Due to high interest in the conference, in recent years ICAF has typically been able to accept only one third to one half of the proposals it has received.

SEND ABSTRACTS (with complete contact information) by March 20, 2009, to Prof. Cécile Danehy, ICAF Academic Director, via email at:

cdanehy@wheatoncollege.edu

Receipt of proposals will be acknowledged immediately; if you do not receive acknowledgment within three days of sending your proposal, please resubmit. Applicants should expect to receive confirmation of acceptance or rejection by April 17, 2009.

Mar 18: Superhuman Resources signing at Big Planet

Ken Marcus writes in:

I just wanted to let you know that we're doing a signing at Big Planet (Bethesda from 10-2 and Vienna from 3-7.) on March 18th.

Oh, here's a preview if you'd like to post. Thanks so much.

Comic Art Indigene very Quick Review

Comic Art Indigene had a press preview at the National Museum of the American Indian last night and I got to stop by.

Assumption: Tony Chavarria was a comics fan before becoming a Curator of Ethnology. Hypothesis: He combined his two interests into one exhibit. Conclusion: This exhibit is cool - it takes a few minutes for you to see how everything relates to comic art, but it's worth it.

A real review will follow this, but I wanted to get something up quick.

With apologies to John Judy for stealing his trademark title phrase.

ICAF's 2009 John A. Lent Scholarship in Comics Studies

2009 John A. Lent Scholarship in Comics Studies

Students of comics!

ICAF, the International Comic Arts Forum, is proud to hold each year the John A. Lent Scholarship in Comics Studies competition. The Lent Scholarship, named for pioneering teacher and researcher Dr. John A. Lent, is offered to encourage student research into comic art. ICAF awards the Lent Scholarship to a current student who has authored, or is in the process of authoring, a substantial research-based writing project about comics. (Preference is given to master’s theses and doctoral dissertations, but all students of comics are encouraged to apply.) The Scholarship was established in 2005.

The Scholarship is subject to the condition that the recipient present a half-hour talk, based on her or his research, during ICAF. The award consists of up to US$500 in kind to offset the cost of travel to and/or accommodations at the conference. A commemorative letter and plaque are also awarded. No cash is awarded.

Applicants must be students, or must show acceptance into an academic program, at the time of application. For example, applicants for ICAF 2009 must show proof of student status for the academic year 2008-2009, or proof that they have been accepted into an academic program beginning in academic year 2009-2010.

The Scholarship competition is adjudicated by a three-person committee chosen from among the members of ICAF’s Executive Committee. Applications should consist of the following written materials, sent electronically in PDF form:

* A self-contained excerpt from the project in question, not to exceed twenty (20) double-spaced pages of typescript.

* A brief cover letter, introducing the applicant and explaining the nature of the project.

* The applicant’s professional resume.

* A brief letter of reference, on school letterhead, from a teacher or academic advisor (preferably thesis director), establishing the applicant’s student status and speaking to her/his qualifications as a researcher and presenter.

PLEASE NOTE that applications for the Lent Scholarship are handled entirely separately from ICAF’s general Call for Proposals (which can be viewed at http://www.internationalcomicartsforum.org/icaf/call-for-proposals-icaf-2009.html). Students who submit abstracts to the general CFP are welcome to apply separately for the Lent Award.

Send inquiries and application materials via email to Ana Merino of the ICAF Executive Committee, at ana.merino@dartmouth.edu. The deadline for 2009 submissions is May 1, 2009.

Dave Astor's new Huffington Post column started today

Dave Astor, the great former E&P syndicate reporter, has started a new humor column at Huffington Post. Check it out - the first one is a good start.

Watchmen: The Art of the Film book review

Aperlo, Peter. Watchmen: The Art of the Film. London: Titan Books, 2009.
256 pages, $40 (hc).
ISBN-10: 1848560680, ISBN-13: 978-1848560680

Unsurprisingly, The Art of the Film complements and somewhat overlaps The Film Companion. It focuses more on the film’s design and special effects. Of special interest to comic book readers is concept art by Adam Hughes, David Finch and John Cassaday, prop art by James Jean and new art by Dave Gibbons and colorist John Higgins including three pages drawn as a new alternative ending to the comic book, and thus the movie.

The only word to describe this movie, and this resulting book is ‘lush.’ An ad for The Veidt Method (Page 13) quotes comic books’ one-time ubiquitous Charles Atlas self-improvement ads. Dozens of prop newspapers hang in a hallway, with decades spanned in their headlines, waiting for approval to use in the movie. Production manager Alex McDowell explained part of the rationale for such detail, “This film is interesting because environments really have to represent the characters iconically, because you are in this very complex, fluid time stream back and forth. You need something to ground you when you cut back to something that’s 1970 or ’77 or ’85.” (p.28-29) The small black & white television shown in the original Nite Owl’s apartment on p. 39 is actually the same model that this reviewer had in his bedroom as a teenager.

The Introduction chapter gives the basic rationale behind the design and look of the movie. Concept Art has the initial redesigns of characters, the storyboards and the new ending by Gibbons and Snyder. Several pages focus on James Jean’s painting of Silk Spectre I’s World War II propaganda poster. Jean painted her in both Norman Rockwell and Vargas’ styles. Production Art focuses more on how a scene is actually laid out and what it will look like – an example is the cemetery for the Comedian’s funeral which is shown as a painting and a set of elevation drawings. This leads naturally into the Sets chapter, which again shows design artwork and stills from the finished movie; here a good example is Dr. Manhattan’s apartment or Adrian Veidt’s office.

Props drills down into more detailed pieces especially, and unsurprisingly, weapons although it also includes the newspapers seen waiting for approval in the Introduction, Rorschach’s diary, Watchmen action figures from Veidt’s office (sculpted for the film by Neville Page, but the viewer can now own a set as a result of the movie, as reality and fiction intertwine). Moore and Gibbon’s original story had a secondary story running through it – a knock-off of an EC pirate horror comic called The Black Freighter. Interleaving that into the movie would have been impossible, so Snyder created an animated direct-to-video version which went on sale before The Watchmen opened. A few pages show artwork from the ‘comic book’ and the resulting animation.

The Owlship, a flying version of Batman’s Batmobile, gets a chapter to itself, as do Costumes. Both are filled with production artwork and the final results. The book ends with a look at the multiple poster campaigns designed for the movie. Like The Film Companion, this book is well-done and should appeal to those interested in more information than the movie alone could provide.

Watchmen movie reviews and other bits UPDATED

Gene George Gustines says the NY Times is starting a best-seller list (online only) for graphic novels.

And the City Paper recommends John Malloy's show in Maryland - "Sunday, March 8, at Art Whino," By Mike Riggs, Washington City Paper March 6, 2009: 37.

Now, Watchmen reviews from local papers:

"Men (and Women) in Tights: Watchmen is a slog; Ballerina is a poignant spectacle," By Tricia Olszewski, Washington City Paper March 6, 2009.

"Watching the Watchmen: Movie Review," By Michael O'Connell, Springfield Connection / Connection Newspapers Thursday, March 5, 2009.

"Blight 'Watchmen': Graphic Novel's Edge Is Dulled in Adaptation," By Philip Kennicott, Washington Post Staff Writer, Thursday, March 5, 2009; C01.

Slate intern Katie Rolnick sent me these next two links - thanks Katie!

"The wizard of "Watchmen": Alan Moore talks about his career, his favorite characters and his bad influence on the comics world," By Andrew Firestone, Salon Mar. 05, 2009.

"Alan Moore's environmental monster: The genius behind "Watchmen" redefined both the audience and the narrative possibilities of comic books with his newly reissued "Saga of the Swamp Thing."" By Andrew O'Hehir, Salon Mar. 04, 2009.

and finally I was interviewed at Arlington's Lost Dog Cafe for this article - "Real World in Four Colors: Movie, comic book fans find a world of entertainment in graphic novels," By Michael O'Connell, Springfield Connection / Connection Newspapers Thursday, March 05, 2009. I stand by my conclusions.

Ok, not quite finally - the Onion had 3 comics pieces today:

The movie review - "Watchmen" which got a B from Keith Phipps, Onion March 5, 2009.

A Rorschach interview - "Jackie Earle Haley," by Tasha Robinson, Onion March 5, 2009.

In the physical paper, this is 5 - "In the wake of Watchmen: 24 more graphic novels we'd like to see made into movies," by Chris Mincher, Genevieve Koski, Leonard Pierce, Noel Murray, Steven Hyden, Tasha Robinson, and Zack Handlen, Onion March 2, 2009.

And a podcast - "A.V. Talk: Watchmen" directly here.

Takoma Park librarian on Amelia Rules

See "Corner Books: Comics for kids" By KAREN MACPHERSON, Scripps Howard News Service, March 4, 2009, for her look at Amelia Rules! by Jimmy Gownley.

Watchmen: The Film Companion book review

Aperlo, Peter. Watchmen: The Official Film Companion. London: Titan Books.
176 pages, $19.95 (pb), $29.95 (hc)
ISBN-10: 1848560672 (pb), ISBN-13: 978-1848560673 (pb), ISBN-10: 1848561598 (hc), ISBN-13: 978-1848561595.

Watchmen, a movie that I thought would never be made due to its absolute need for familiarity with comic book superhero tropes, is generating merchandising and spinoffs just like the original comic books did over two decades ago. The movie audiences’ familiarity with DC Comics characters such as Superman and Batman apparently carried over to acceptance of the Watchmen characters which Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons had based on Charlton Comics’ superhero knockoffs of the DC heroes.

Titan Books has put out some handsome volumes on the making of the movie. To long-time American readers, Titan was best known for repackaging DC and Marvel comics for the British market, frequently collecting material like Neal Adams’ Batman in black and white. More recently, they have been the source for reprints of British works including comic strips like the excellent James Bond series. Now, as it publishes high quality books about the making of movies based on comics, the company has moved into a market held by Chronicle Books and Hyperion. This business decision was probably partly motivated by the success of books such as “The Art of (Our New Animated Movie)” which now accompany every new animation release.

The Official Film Companion is a lovely book. It is largely a photography book with a small amount of text, as these books tend to be. The printing is of excellent quality, and is far higher than earlier books of this type such as those that came out for the first Batman series. The book is divided into seven chapters: Pre-Production, World of Watchmen, The Characters, Production, Post-Production, Making Manhattan and Conclusion.

Pre-Production features some interesting artwork by other comic book artists, but is mostly devoted to background material such as set and prop designs. World of the Watchmen demonstrates the inherent difficulty of a book like this – the ‘history’ of the Watchmen’s world is written straightly and shown in photographs. Then director Zach Snyder is quoted. “What does [being a superhero] do to you?” Snyder asks … “Does it make you crazy? Does it make you a recluse? Does it make you lose touch with humanity?” (p. 38). The book then continues on describing the formation of the Minuteman team in the 1940s. The Characters, a chapter describing each one in some detail, has the same problem differentiating between the character’s reality and the actor’s reality. The next three chapters examine how the movie was actually made, especially the special effects. The chapter on Dr. Manhattan has many pictures of the motion-capture suit, and decisively settles the issue of how much of Billy Crudup’s anatomy is actually shown on the screen: none, except for his face.

Overall, this is a very well-produced, typical example of this type of book. If you are interested in knowing more about the film, or if you like looking at cool photos of props or special effects, you’ll find something of interest in the book.

Soon to come - reviews of The Art of the Film and Portraits.

Thanks to Katharine Carroll of Titan Books for providing review copies. A revised copy of this review will run in the Fall 2009 International Journal of Comic Art.

New Batman book written by local DC guy Kronenberg

In "HOLY INFO! EURY & KRONENBERG BATMAN COMPANION," by Jennifer M. Contino, Comicon's The Pulse February 24 2009, the interview with the two writers ends with "MICHAEL KRONENBERG: I’m primarily a graphic designer. I just wrapped up the designs for Batcave Companion and Hopalong Cassiday: An American Legend for Russ Cochran. I’m currently designing Grailpages: Original Comic Art and the Collectors for TwoMorrows publishing. I’m also the ongoing designer for the EC Archives, Twomorrows’ Rough Stuff magazine, and I’m Michael’s cover designer for Back Issue. Like Michael, I do have a day job; I’m the art director for a large environmental firm in Washington, DC." Another unsuspected local comics laborer revealed! Check out the whole interview for more details on the book - I like most of TwoMorrows productions because they're so obviously labors of love.

Watchmen in today's Express

The paper version has a Watchmen story from Angela Dawson and a Wonder Woman animation story from the LA Times Hero Complex blog, but their online version has an article by a new reader of the graphic novel - "Graphic, Not Novel: Who Reads the 'Watchmen'?" Stephen M. Deusner, Express at 9:30 AM on March 4, 2009.

Comic Art Indigene opens on Friday at American Indian museum

Here's the press info:

Comic Art Indigène
March 6, 2009–May 31, 2009
NMAI on the National Mall, Washington, DC

Storytelling has long been a part of Native American culture. Comic Art Indigène examines how storytelling has been used through comics and comic-inspired art to express the contemporary Native American experience. Under the larger definition of narrative art, comic art is more related to Native American art traditions than one might expect. The earliest surviving example of such narrative art is rock art. The historic examples used in the exhibition, such as photographs of rock art, ledger art, and ceramics, are meant to link Native American art traditions with contemporary voices.

Times of London picks up Doonesbury's Post - Post story

"Cartoonist Gary Trudeau upsets newspaper image," Tim Reid, The Times March 3, 2009.

Wimpy Kid's creator profiled in Post

Bob Thompson seems to be the Post's default graphic novel guy now.

"GET OUT OF HERE! Jeff Kinney Isn't Kidding About How 'Wimpy Kid' Came to Life," By Bob Thompson, Washington Post Staff Writer, Tuesday, March 3, 2009; C01.

And here's a podcast from February 13th.

March 6-7 Washington Antiquarian Book Fair

I imagine there's cartoon and comics material there. Washington Antiquarian Book Fair, Holiday Inn Rosslyn at Key Bridge, 1900 N Fort Meyer Dr in Arlington. 301-654-2626. It's Friday 5-9 pm and Saturday 10-5, $14 for both, $8 for just Saturday.

Richard Thompson at San Diego Comic-Con

Now it can be told! Even if he's not on YouTube, Richard will be a guest at the San Diego Comic-Con this year - he's got a link to an interview the Con did with him up now.

Live-action Avatar movie casting in Arlington

See "In Va., Casting About For Mongolian Actors," By Dan Zak, Washington Post Staff Writer, Monday, March 2, 2009; C01 for information on Avatar: The Last Airbenders leap from tv animation to movies. The article also talks about the controversy around the casting of the lead actors who are all white. Earlier this year cartoonist Derek Kirk Kim wrote about his objections on his blog - "New day in politics, same old racist world on the silver screen," January 20 2009.

NY Times calls out Post on Doonesbury reprints

The Post started running the Doonesbury Flashback (ie repeat) strips where they laid off Rick Redfern and then stopped last week, and then restarted them. I didn't really think this was a story since they'd already run the strips about the Post firing Rick Redfern closer to the time that they actually laid people off. However, since the Paper of Record has noted it, we will too - see "Washington Post Corrects a Goof on Doonesbury," By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA, New York Times March 2, 2009.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 03-04-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 03-04-09
By John Judy

AGENTS OF ATLAS #2 by Jeff Parker and Carlo Pagulayan. This funky little fifties retro comic continues to be way cooler than it has any right to be. For readers who like the odder corners of the Marvel Universe. Recommended.

BATMAN CACOPHONY #3 of 3 by Kevin Smith and Walter J. Flanagan. If you like your Joker gay and your comics bi- (monthly) then Kevin Smith has a comic for you!

BLACK PANTHER #2 by Reginald Hudlin and Kan Lashley. The Black Panther is a girl now. This is the sort of stunt I usually hate but Hudlin is making it work so far. That cover by J. Scott Campbell has got to go though. Dr. Doom with a big “D” belt buckle? Please. Is this the Big Bad of the Marvel Universe or a Texas pimp?

THE BOYS #28 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Wee Hughie’s undercover gig starts going seriously pear-shaped. Not for kids.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #23 by Drew Z. Greenberg and Georges Jeanty. Buffy and Andrew together on a mission to Italy. What’s Italian for “Kill me now?”

DAREDEVIL #116 by Ed Brubaker and David Aja. So what’s the Kingpin been up to lately? From the Dream Team who revamped IRON FIST into a readable title. Recommended.

GOON #32 (10th ANNIVERSARY ISSUE!) written and drawn by Eric Powell. “Okay, you drunken miscreants, it’s the Goon’s birthday and we’re gonna make it a good one, see!” Featuring pin-ups by Mignola, Jeff Smith and Bernie Wrightson! Recommended!

SECRET SIX #7 by Gail Simone and Nicola Scott. After last issue’s big betrayal and twisted revelation the only possible follow-up is a Seriously Big Fight. Guest-starring everyone. Recommended.

SOLOMON GRUNDY #1 of 7 by written and drawn by Scott Kolins. The hulking monster of Slaughter Swamp teams up with his alter-ego Bruce Banner to… oh, wait…

SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #1 of 12 by Greg Rucka & James Robinson and Pete Woods. Not a hoax, not a dream, not an imaginary story! The Last Son of Krypton (except for those 100,000 other guys, give or take) is going to spend a year screwing around on the other side of the sun with all the other Last Sons and Daughters of K-Town. Expect lots of intrigue and punch ‘em ups, starting here. And what about Zod?

ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS HULK #3 of 6 by Damon Lindelof and Leinil Yu. I hesitate to mention this book until all six issues have been published and collected in trade paperback but… three years after issue two hit the stands… IT’S BACK! A big, hopelessly outdated by continuity fight between, well, y’know, it’s in the title. Gotta look. Too violent for younger kids.

www.johnjudy.net

Examiner's USA Weekend magazine on Watchmen

The Washington Examiner's USA Weekend Sunday magazine is on Watchmen. That's the free paper that's delivered to some homes in the area. They commissioned Dave Gibbons to make them a new poster too, as seen on the right. I just walked around my neighborhood in the snow picking up copies for the libraries I supply. The poster's interesting - Gibbons used features of the actors so it's a curious blend of the graphic novel and the movie.

FYE in Georgetown has some Watchmen giveaway material too, I'm told.

Cul de Sac gets animated UPDATED

Now it can be told. Cul de Sac is being animated for cellphones by Ring Tales and Andrews McMeel has loaded an episode onto YouTube. They've also put up one for Argyle Sweater.

Apparently it can't be told. They took them back down a day later - although Michael Jantze of Jantze Studio wrote in to say that he worked worked on it. Jantze used to do a strip/book called The Norm which I enjoyed a lot.


Updated again - Alan Gardner notes that Ring Tales, not Andrews McMeel has the distribution rights to the animation.

Mardi Gras parade with life-size Thompson finger puppets

The planning:



Design sketches for BonoTom's Richard Thompson-influenced entry at the Clarendon Mardi Gras parade in Arlington, VA.



The parade on Fat Tuesday in Clarendon, Arlington, Va:


The Secret Service clotheslined the guy in the vest seconds after this picture was taken.




That's the head of last year's float.


A print of two of Thompson's caricatures is wrapped around the beads they're tossing.

Zadzooks on Toy Fair

See "Zadzooks: Hasbro powers toy fair," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Thursday, February 26, 2009 and "Watchmen, The End is Nigh and Halo Wars," BY JOE SZADKOWSKI, Zadzooks Blog February 26 2009.

In "Bennett's Best for the week of February 15," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks Blog February 26 2009 recommends Urasawa. In "Bennett's Best for the week of February 22," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks Blog February 26 2009, he recommends Scott Pilgrim and Black Panther.

OT: Hembeck. Fred Hembeck

I was out tonight with some other comics-loving people and Fred Hembeck came up. Fred is one of the funniest people to ever 'do' superheroes (along with Don Rosa), but the other guys didn't know he was doing a column now at the LA Times Hero Complex blog. So here's links to the first three:

Fred Hembeck's Hero Complex: Captain America (Part 1)
Feb 1 2009

Fred Hembeck's Hero Complex: Captain America (Part 2)
Feb 8 2009

Fred Hembeck's Hero Complex: The Hulk (Part 1)
Feb 18 2009

Seek out his new collection now for more Silver Age greatness.