Friday, April 10, 2009
OT: Bechdel interview online
Fun Home was one of my favorite books for the year when it came out, and I was picking up the Washington Blade regularly to read Dykes when she was still doing it. Here's an interview - "Bechdel on the Essential Dykes To Watch Out For" by Alex Dueben, Guest Contributor, Thu, April 9th, 2009.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Kal in North Carolina at Chapel Hill
He's getting around...
I wanted to give you a news alert that l will be one of the featured guests at the 7th annual Carolina Comedy Festival at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, April 16 and 17. I will be giving a presentation and leading a hands on workshop on the art of political cartooning.
The festival is the brainchild of comedian and UNC alum Lewis Black who will be performing with other prominent guests during the festival.
I wanted to give you a news alert that l will be one of the featured guests at the 7th annual Carolina Comedy Festival at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, April 16 and 17. I will be giving a presentation and leading a hands on workshop on the art of political cartooning.
The festival is the brainchild of comedian and UNC alum Lewis Black who will be performing with other prominent guests during the festival.
Mo Willems at National Zoo members-only reading
Free Members-Only Event!
Mo Willems Reads at the National Zoo
Tuesday, April 21, 4-6 p.m.
Friends of the National Zoo is proud to offer our treasured members an exclusive book reading by #1 New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Mo Willems. He is best known for his Caldecott Honor-winning picture books Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity. His newest book, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed introduces young readers to one of the National Zoo's most popular small mammals. The main character, Wilbur, is different from the other naked mole-rats in his colony because he likes to wear clothes.
Come and meet the author and get your books signed. (Books will be available for purchase at the event.) Also, meet Zoo biologist David Kessler and get up close to one of the Zoo's underdressed inhabitants -- a naked mole-rat!
This exciting event is free and open just to members to thank you for your support, but space is limited. You must RSVP and bring your FONZ membership card for admittance. We anticipate the event will fill up quickly, so RSVP now!
Mo Willems Reads at the National Zoo
Tuesday, April 21, 4-6 p.m.
Friends of the National Zoo is proud to offer our treasured members an exclusive book reading by #1 New York Times best-selling author and illustrator Mo Willems. He is best known for his Caldecott Honor-winning picture books Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale, and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity. His newest book, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed introduces young readers to one of the National Zoo's most popular small mammals. The main character, Wilbur, is different from the other naked mole-rats in his colony because he likes to wear clothes.
Come and meet the author and get your books signed. (Books will be available for purchase at the event.) Also, meet Zoo biologist David Kessler and get up close to one of the Zoo's underdressed inhabitants -- a naked mole-rat!
This exciting event is free and open just to members to thank you for your support, but space is limited. You must RSVP and bring your FONZ membership card for admittance. We anticipate the event will fill up quickly, so RSVP now!
Comic Riffs Interviews DC Comics's editor Dan DiDio
They've got a somewhat atypical piece today - DAVID BETANCOURT has "The Interview: DC Comics's Dan DiDio," Washington Post Comic Riffs blog (April 9 2009) mostly on changes in Superman and The Flash.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Weingarten's comic strip picked up, opinions on other comics cease
From the April 7th chat, Gene Weingarten says,
I have a wonderful announcement about how Chatological Humor is going to get even better! This is exactly like announcements you've been seeing in other newspapers practically every day now about how they are cutting costs, paper quality, paper size, staff and features in order to bring to you, the reader, an EVEN BETTER, MORE STREAMLINED PRODUCT!
Well, this is the last week Chatological Humor will offer its picks for the best comics of the previous week. Yes, the CPOW [Comic Pick of the Week] is dead. All for your benefit!
Okay, as it happens, there is nothing dastardly or craven behind this decision and no one I can yell at self-righteously. Last week, the Washington Post Writers Group syndicate picked up its option on "Barney and Clyde," the comic strip being developed by me, my son, Dan, and cartoonist David Clark. Editors at The Writers Group feel that I can no longer offer my half-assed, semi-knowledgeable opinions about other comic strips that might, in the future, compete for space with mine. I hate to admit it, but they have a point.
_______________________
Alexandria: So, when does Barney and Clyde's run begin? And what will it replace? (this is news, not commentary, I'm asking for)
Gene Weingarten: No clear answer to either question; no way of knowing even if The Washington Post will run it. There are no obligations in any direction.
_______________________
Comics abomination: Gene, I noticed on Sunday that while some of the regular strips seem to have shrunk or the panels squeezed together oddly (Pearls especially got the short end of the stick), the Slylock Fox panel has grown significantly.
I'm all for encouraging youngsters' abilities to solve petty crimes through observation, but does it really need to be larger than most of the other strips?
Gene Weingarten: This may be deliberate, and smart. Pearls Before Swine (Pastis will hate me for this) seems to be drawn shrewdly, to deter shrinkage. Its characters are simple, dialogue simple, spaces big. It can shrink without injury more than most can.
_______________________
Re: Pearls Before Swine: I disagree with Pastis' strategy - I think he is inadvertently enabling shrinkage instead of deterring it. A comic editor might see his strip and assume that shrinking all comics won't hurt the content. What if the comics fought shrinkage by adding more art and content, so that readers would complain to the comics editors?
Gene Weingarten: Uh, that would be a lot of nose-cutting for face-spiting.
_______________________
Pearls shrinkage: I think you might be missing the point. Whether or not Pastis is deliberately drawing his strip to survive the Great Comic Shrink of 2009 or not, SLYLOCK FOX IS GETTING BIGGER!
Surely another comic deserves enlargement before Slylock.
Gene Weingarten: If you are going to run Slylock, you need to give it space! A lot of stuff is going on in there.
I have a wonderful announcement about how Chatological Humor is going to get even better! This is exactly like announcements you've been seeing in other newspapers practically every day now about how they are cutting costs, paper quality, paper size, staff and features in order to bring to you, the reader, an EVEN BETTER, MORE STREAMLINED PRODUCT!
Well, this is the last week Chatological Humor will offer its picks for the best comics of the previous week. Yes, the CPOW [Comic Pick of the Week] is dead. All for your benefit!
Okay, as it happens, there is nothing dastardly or craven behind this decision and no one I can yell at self-righteously. Last week, the Washington Post Writers Group syndicate picked up its option on "Barney and Clyde," the comic strip being developed by me, my son, Dan, and cartoonist David Clark. Editors at The Writers Group feel that I can no longer offer my half-assed, semi-knowledgeable opinions about other comic strips that might, in the future, compete for space with mine. I hate to admit it, but they have a point.
_______________________
Alexandria: So, when does Barney and Clyde's run begin? And what will it replace? (this is news, not commentary, I'm asking for)
Gene Weingarten: No clear answer to either question; no way of knowing even if The Washington Post will run it. There are no obligations in any direction.
_______________________
Comics abomination: Gene, I noticed on Sunday that while some of the regular strips seem to have shrunk or the panels squeezed together oddly (Pearls especially got the short end of the stick), the Slylock Fox panel has grown significantly.
I'm all for encouraging youngsters' abilities to solve petty crimes through observation, but does it really need to be larger than most of the other strips?
Gene Weingarten: This may be deliberate, and smart. Pearls Before Swine (Pastis will hate me for this) seems to be drawn shrewdly, to deter shrinkage. Its characters are simple, dialogue simple, spaces big. It can shrink without injury more than most can.
_______________________
Re: Pearls Before Swine: I disagree with Pastis' strategy - I think he is inadvertently enabling shrinkage instead of deterring it. A comic editor might see his strip and assume that shrinking all comics won't hurt the content. What if the comics fought shrinkage by adding more art and content, so that readers would complain to the comics editors?
Gene Weingarten: Uh, that would be a lot of nose-cutting for face-spiting.
_______________________
Pearls shrinkage: I think you might be missing the point. Whether or not Pastis is deliberately drawing his strip to survive the Great Comic Shrink of 2009 or not, SLYLOCK FOX IS GETTING BIGGER!
Surely another comic deserves enlargement before Slylock.
Gene Weingarten: If you are going to run Slylock, you need to give it space! A lot of stuff is going on in there.
Bamn and DC Conspiracy PR
This one came in a few days ago, but slipped down the screen...
On the shoe laces of the DC Conspiracy’s “Horrors of War” anthology, we have now agreed to do another short for the DCC. This time, a yet-to-be-titled crime comic. Not sure who will be doing the art just yet (Dave or Jay), but David seemed intrigued and little disturbed by the opportunity to draw a person with their head crushed by a TV…
Similar to “Horrors of War,” the book will be edited by Evan Keeling and is tentatively scheduled for a July release date.
Want to find out more about the DCC and their quarterly anthology comics? Go here: http://www.dcconspiracy.com/
David Dean (“Bamn” Co-creator and “Horrors of War” artist) has agreed to be the colorist for the cover to Bamn #2. This will be our first color cover, but David showed me a few samples of some pre-existing artwork and it looks awesome. He definitely knows his way around whatever-the-hell-software he uses to work with.
We got a bit of flack from convention-goers (and friends) for doing Bamn #1 with a Black & White cover. Ultimately, it was issue of finances and time restraint (we literally got our original print a few days before our first comic show).
There has been a bit of delay in getting Bamn #1 to Alliance Comics and Games, it was entirely due to printing issues. It took a little bit longer this time, but we’ve been informed that the books should be out of Comixpress in NJ and into our possession very soon. That means, that very soon, Alliance Comics and Games will be the first store to sell Bamn directly off the shelf.
We are also working on bringing the title to Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, MD…and of course you can always purchase Bamn at comixpress.com: http://store.comixpress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1195&zenid=ls8k97lgud2a7aivip7ah57va0
Lastly, The DCC is hosting their annual Counter Culture Fest at The Soundry in Viena, Va. The Fest will feature artwork, comics, music, and sellable accoutrements from a pack of DC-Area creatives. The show will be held on May 24, 2009 and Bamn is slated to debut its’ second issue there. Be sure to come on out, get inspired, get creative, and get supportive. For more info about The Counter Culture Fest, go to:
http://www.soundry.net/
On the shoe laces of the DC Conspiracy’s “Horrors of War” anthology, we have now agreed to do another short for the DCC. This time, a yet-to-be-titled crime comic. Not sure who will be doing the art just yet (Dave or Jay), but David seemed intrigued and little disturbed by the opportunity to draw a person with their head crushed by a TV…
Similar to “Horrors of War,” the book will be edited by Evan Keeling and is tentatively scheduled for a July release date.
Want to find out more about the DCC and their quarterly anthology comics? Go here: http://www.dcconspiracy.com/
David Dean (“Bamn” Co-creator and “Horrors of War” artist) has agreed to be the colorist for the cover to Bamn #2. This will be our first color cover, but David showed me a few samples of some pre-existing artwork and it looks awesome. He definitely knows his way around whatever-the-hell-software he uses to work with.
We got a bit of flack from convention-goers (and friends) for doing Bamn #1 with a Black & White cover. Ultimately, it was issue of finances and time restraint (we literally got our original print a few days before our first comic show).
There has been a bit of delay in getting Bamn #1 to Alliance Comics and Games, it was entirely due to printing issues. It took a little bit longer this time, but we’ve been informed that the books should be out of Comixpress in NJ and into our possession very soon. That means, that very soon, Alliance Comics and Games will be the first store to sell Bamn directly off the shelf.
We are also working on bringing the title to Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, MD…and of course you can always purchase Bamn at comixpress.com: http://store.comixpress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1195&zenid=ls8k97lgud2a7aivip7ah57va0
Lastly, The DCC is hosting their annual Counter Culture Fest at The Soundry in Viena, Va. The Fest will feature artwork, comics, music, and sellable accoutrements from a pack of DC-Area creatives. The show will be held on May 24, 2009 and Bamn is slated to debut its’ second issue there. Be sure to come on out, get inspired, get creative, and get supportive. For more info about The Counter Culture Fest, go to:
http://www.soundry.net/
Bamn comic now available in DC area
Some local PR came in (without the pictures unfortunately):
The Bamn crew is happy to announce that Bamn #1, our debut issue, is now available at Alliance Comics and Games.
Pictured above are the two variant covers for issue #1.
If you are in the Washington, DC Metro-area and haven’t already tried purchasing the book at Comixpress, feel free to stop by and pick up a copy of Bamn #1.
Alliance has two locations:
Alliance Comics and Games in Silver Spring, MD
8317 Fenton St
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 588-2546
Metro accessible. Take the Red line to Silver Spring station.
Alliance Comics and Games in Bowie, MD
6820 Hilltop Plaza
Bowie, MD 20715
(301) 352-4322
You can find out more about Alliance @ http://www.allianecomicsonline.com/
BAMN #1
Written by TROY JEFFREY ALLEN
Penciled by JAY PAYNE
50/50 Cover for Issue #1 by JAY PAYNE
Nerds vs. Jocks; Bullies vs. Misfits; the Weak vs. the Strong. Everyone loves a good underdog story...SO LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE! BAMN gets its title from the embittered main character. A surly and washed-up former pro wrestler, Bamn has spent the dying years of his career throwing up in bars. He lives out of his car and uses stolen credit cards to pay for beer. A chance encounter with a pair of local high schoolers, Art and Ian, brings him to the FWF, A backyard wrestling federation ran by the two young fans. When the school’s wrestling squad shows up to bully the kids, Bamn steps in. In a rare moment of clarity he promises all the teenagers that he’s going to teach them the most important thing they will ever learn…HOW TO FIGHT BACK AND LOOK GOOD DOING IT!
28PGS.(each)/Black & White/Parental Advisory …$3.50 (each)
The Bamn crew is happy to announce that Bamn #1, our debut issue, is now available at Alliance Comics and Games.
Pictured above are the two variant covers for issue #1.
If you are in the Washington, DC Metro-area and haven’t already tried purchasing the book at Comixpress, feel free to stop by and pick up a copy of Bamn #1.
Alliance has two locations:
Alliance Comics and Games in Silver Spring, MD
8317 Fenton St
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 588-2546
Metro accessible. Take the Red line to Silver Spring station.
Alliance Comics and Games in Bowie, MD
6820 Hilltop Plaza
Bowie, MD 20715
(301) 352-4322
You can find out more about Alliance @ http://www.allianecomicsonline.com/
BAMN #1
Written by TROY JEFFREY ALLEN
Penciled by JAY PAYNE
50/50 Cover for Issue #1 by JAY PAYNE
Nerds vs. Jocks; Bullies vs. Misfits; the Weak vs. the Strong. Everyone loves a good underdog story...SO LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE! BAMN gets its title from the embittered main character. A surly and washed-up former pro wrestler, Bamn has spent the dying years of his career throwing up in bars. He lives out of his car and uses stolen credit cards to pay for beer. A chance encounter with a pair of local high schoolers, Art and Ian, brings him to the FWF, A backyard wrestling federation ran by the two young fans. When the school’s wrestling squad shows up to bully the kids, Bamn steps in. In a rare moment of clarity he promises all the teenagers that he’s going to teach them the most important thing they will ever learn…HOW TO FIGHT BACK AND LOOK GOOD DOING IT!
28PGS.(each)/Black & White/Parental Advisory …$3.50 (each)
OT: Arnold Roth & Al Jaffee audio interviews
Bob Andelman's got an excellent interview "Humble Mr. Media welcomes two classic cartoonists, Al Jaffee and Arnold Roth, for a chat about Hefner, Kurtzman and Humbug!" today. To get a local slant, Roth's favorite comic strip is Bud Grace's Piranha Club. Mark Tatulli gets a shout-out from Andelman and Roth too. Jaffee recommends Bechdel's Dykes to Watch Out For and Fun Home. Both cartoonists like Nicole Hollander's Sylvia too.
OT: Steve Brodner audio interview
Brodner's one of the best caricaturists working regularly and I was lucky enough to hear him speak a few years ago at SPX. Here's a new interview with him - "MoJo Audio: Meet Cartoonist Steve Brodner: Satirical illustrator Steve Brodner talks about Newt Gingrich, Richard Nixon, and which senator he most wants to draw," by Nikki Gloudeman, Mother Jones podcast April 3, 2009. The direct download is http://www.motherjones.com/audio/download/21368/brodner_final.mp3
Comic Riffs interview with Monsters vs Aliens animator
See "The Interview: 'Monsters' Animator Phil 'Captain 3-D' McNally," By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 7, 2009.
Herblock award winner Pat Bagley on his experience
Herblock award winner Pat Bagley did a radio interview on his experience - "Bagley Wins Herblock Prize," by Jennifer Napier-Pearce, National Public Radio's KUER (April 6, 2009). He talks a little about the award, then his career and then his favorite cartoon which he also descirbed for us at the award ceremony. The cartoon can be seen on KUER's site.
Monday, April 06, 2009
On finally seeing the first Spider-Man
After breaking the news almost exactly a year ago, I finally got around to seeing the first Spider-Man original art by Steve Ditko in Amazing Fantasy #15.
The art was lovely, but it was somewhat anti-climactic since I'd read the story literally hundreds of times. Foolish, I know. There's a small bit of new information to be gleaned from the artwork, where Stan Lee asked for changes, but Ditko followed his pencils very closely so there's not a lot of underlying drawing.
The entire comic book art is there, so there are three other stories with Ditko art that aren't seen nearly as often.
I really can't think of any better home for this than the Library. Lee and Ditko's creation has become an American icon over almost 50 years now. More pictures are here.
The art was lovely, but it was somewhat anti-climactic since I'd read the story literally hundreds of times. Foolish, I know. There's a small bit of new information to be gleaned from the artwork, where Stan Lee asked for changes, but Ditko followed his pencils very closely so there's not a lot of underlying drawing.
The entire comic book art is there, so there are three other stories with Ditko art that aren't seen nearly as often.
I really can't think of any better home for this than the Library. Lee and Ditko's creation has become an American icon over almost 50 years now. More pictures are here.
Herblock award at Library of Congress
I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Herblock award ceremony at the Library of Congress where the award was presented to Pat Bagley. Ted Koppel was the featured speaker and spoke first as he was catching a plane. Koppel was quite entertaining, but Bagley did a good job, and then we saw a new short film on Herblock's life, that I guess will be on the Foundation's website at some point. At the reception, there was a large cake for Block's 100th birthday.
Wall Street wrong on Pixar too
Here's an interesting article - "Pixar's Art Leaves Profit Watchers Edgy," By BROOKS BARNES, New York Times April 6, 2009. Apparently the new UP isn't commercial enough, and neither were Ratatouille or Wall-E. Sigh. Aren't these the same Wall Street people that have run our country's finances into the ground?
Frank Springer has died
Frank Springer died in Long Island - he was a comic strip artist who migrated to comics in the 1970s and did a lot of books I bought. He worked on the Invaders and the Human Fly for Marvel, and for DC, the Shadow. I mention it here because he's survived by children in Fairfax County, and he brought many hours of enjoyment to my youth. See "LI comics artist Frank Springer dead at 79," BY JENNIFER BARRIOS, Newsday April 5, 2009.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Award for Dave Astor's 2nd career
Dave writes in that he's "co-won 2nd-place New Jersey Press Association award for my work in the editorial section of The Montclair Times. That's the newspaper for which I write the weekly "Montclairvoyant" topical humor column. Also, that editorial section includes the weekly work of cartoonist M.e. Cohen, whose drawings run on the page opposite to my column." He's at W23 - Packaging the News Product - Editorial Section Layout and Content if anyone wants the exact citation. His daughter Maggie won for a piece on Teenage Drinking in Montclair (see W-19 at the same link).
Dave's latest humor column for the Huffington Post can be found here, but boy I really miss his syndicate coverage for Editor & Publisher. And unfortunately I have the same view of the Yankees that he does.
Dave's latest humor column for the Huffington Post can be found here, but boy I really miss his syndicate coverage for Editor & Publisher. And unfortunately I have the same view of the Yankees that he does.
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-08-09
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-08-09
By John Judy
ALL-NEW SAVAGE SHE-HULK #1 of 4 by Fred Van Lente and Peter Vale. Okay, she’s got grey skin and Thundra’s old clothes and she’s from another dimension. On the surface this would appear to be a huge glowing Gamma Bomb of screwed up continuity, but it’s written by Fred Van Lente and it’s only four issues. Gotta look.
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 #12 by Paul Cornell and Leonard Kirk. Super-Limeys fight Dracula! Nuff said!
DARK REIGN: HAWKEYE #1 of 5 by Andy Diggle and Tom Raney. Yes, HAWKEYE mini-series are traditionally forgettable filler on our nation’s proud comic racks but this one’s by Andy Diggle and it’s actually about the Evil, Homicidal, Psychotic Fake-Hawkeye, a.k.a. Bullseye so it should provide gruesome amusement to beat the band.
GREEN LANTERN #39 by Geoff Johns and Philip Tan. GL meets the villainous Agent Orange whose power is fueled by greed. But isn’t greed good? GL’s not going commie, is he?
HARVEY COMICS CLASSICS, VOL. 5: THE HARVEY GIRLS SC edited by Leslie Cabarga. The best adventures of Little Audrey, Little Dot and Little Lotta from the years 1952-1962. All-ages fun providing keen insight into the society that screwed up your mothers and grandmothers.
IGNITION CITY #1 of 5 by Warren Ellis and Gianluca Pagliarani. “Where did the space heroes go to die?” The answer’s in this retro sci-fi noir series set in 1956 where the rockets are cool and the laser pistols are hot. Published by Avatar Press so you know you’re not paying for pesky frills like publicity and updated websites.
MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #1 of 4 by Fred Van Lente and Kev Walker. This never gets old! Not for kids.
NORTHLANDERS #16 by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly. The final chapter of “The Cross and the Hammer” in which we discover whatever became of little Brigid. Recommended.
PUNISHER: FRANK CASTLE MAX #69 by Duane Swierczynski and Michel Lacombe. Frank’s still dying and the bad guys are still trying to hurry things along.
SECRET IDENTITY: FETISH ART OF SUPERMAN’S CO-CREATOR JOE SHUSTER HC by Craig Coe. Exactly what it sounds like. Not for kids but highly recommended anyway.
SECRET SIX #8 by Gail Simone and Carlos Rodriguez. So what do you do to unwind when you’re a loose-knit band of renegade spandex baddies being hunted by heroes and villains alike? Does the word “inappropriate’ even mean anything at that point?
SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #2 of 12 by James Robinson, Greg Rucka and Pete Woods. Superman and Zod fail to bond. Go figure.
TIMESTORM 2009/2099 #1 of 4 by Brian Reed and Eric Battle. You know what would make those old 2099 heroes really awesome? A re-boot! Hey, it worked for the New Universe. A little. When Warren Ellis took a shot at it. A few years ago… For all you 2099 completists out there.
ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS HULK #4 of 6 by Damon Lindelof and Leinil Francis Yu. After three-years the big pay-off is… Ultimate She-Hulk! Now sure, this She-Hulk may be Ultimate, but is she All-New and/or Savage?
WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #1 by Jason Aaron and Ron Garney. The comic so awesome it needed five separate covers, not counting whatever they whip out for second and third print-runs! Seriously, this one re-unites the WOLVERINE Dream Team of Aaron and Garney, the last guys to regularly deliver Wolverine stories that did not uck-say uge-hay. Recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
ALL-NEW SAVAGE SHE-HULK #1 of 4 by Fred Van Lente and Peter Vale. Okay, she’s got grey skin and Thundra’s old clothes and she’s from another dimension. On the surface this would appear to be a huge glowing Gamma Bomb of screwed up continuity, but it’s written by Fred Van Lente and it’s only four issues. Gotta look.
CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 #12 by Paul Cornell and Leonard Kirk. Super-Limeys fight Dracula! Nuff said!
DARK REIGN: HAWKEYE #1 of 5 by Andy Diggle and Tom Raney. Yes, HAWKEYE mini-series are traditionally forgettable filler on our nation’s proud comic racks but this one’s by Andy Diggle and it’s actually about the Evil, Homicidal, Psychotic Fake-Hawkeye, a.k.a. Bullseye so it should provide gruesome amusement to beat the band.
GREEN LANTERN #39 by Geoff Johns and Philip Tan. GL meets the villainous Agent Orange whose power is fueled by greed. But isn’t greed good? GL’s not going commie, is he?
HARVEY COMICS CLASSICS, VOL. 5: THE HARVEY GIRLS SC edited by Leslie Cabarga. The best adventures of Little Audrey, Little Dot and Little Lotta from the years 1952-1962. All-ages fun providing keen insight into the society that screwed up your mothers and grandmothers.
IGNITION CITY #1 of 5 by Warren Ellis and Gianluca Pagliarani. “Where did the space heroes go to die?” The answer’s in this retro sci-fi noir series set in 1956 where the rockets are cool and the laser pistols are hot. Published by Avatar Press so you know you’re not paying for pesky frills like publicity and updated websites.
MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #1 of 4 by Fred Van Lente and Kev Walker. This never gets old! Not for kids.
NORTHLANDERS #16 by Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly. The final chapter of “The Cross and the Hammer” in which we discover whatever became of little Brigid. Recommended.
PUNISHER: FRANK CASTLE MAX #69 by Duane Swierczynski and Michel Lacombe. Frank’s still dying and the bad guys are still trying to hurry things along.
SECRET IDENTITY: FETISH ART OF SUPERMAN’S CO-CREATOR JOE SHUSTER HC by Craig Coe. Exactly what it sounds like. Not for kids but highly recommended anyway.
SECRET SIX #8 by Gail Simone and Carlos Rodriguez. So what do you do to unwind when you’re a loose-knit band of renegade spandex baddies being hunted by heroes and villains alike? Does the word “inappropriate’ even mean anything at that point?
SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #2 of 12 by James Robinson, Greg Rucka and Pete Woods. Superman and Zod fail to bond. Go figure.
TIMESTORM 2009/2099 #1 of 4 by Brian Reed and Eric Battle. You know what would make those old 2099 heroes really awesome? A re-boot! Hey, it worked for the New Universe. A little. When Warren Ellis took a shot at it. A few years ago… For all you 2099 completists out there.
ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS HULK #4 of 6 by Damon Lindelof and Leinil Francis Yu. After three-years the big pay-off is… Ultimate She-Hulk! Now sure, this She-Hulk may be Ultimate, but is she All-New and/or Savage?
WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #1 by Jason Aaron and Ron Garney. The comic so awesome it needed five separate covers, not counting whatever they whip out for second and third print-runs! Seriously, this one re-unites the WOLVERINE Dream Team of Aaron and Garney, the last guys to regularly deliver Wolverine stories that did not uck-say uge-hay. Recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Zadzooks reviews comic books!
It's been a while, but Zadzooks reviews actual comic books this week!
See "Zadzooks: Reviews of Marvel Apes and New Brighton Archaeological Society," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Thursday, April 2, 2009.
Zadzooks also reviews Monsters vs Aliens videogame .
Captain America and Morrison's Sea Guy are "Bennett's Best for the week of March 29," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks Blog April 02 2009.
See "Zadzooks: Reviews of Marvel Apes and New Brighton Archaeological Society," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Thursday, April 2, 2009.
Zadzooks also reviews Monsters vs Aliens videogame .
Captain America and Morrison's Sea Guy are "Bennett's Best for the week of March 29," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks Blog April 02 2009.
Faithkiller theater show with superheroes
See "A Postmodern Multimedia Experience," By Chris Klimek, Washington Post Friday, April 3, 2009; WE49.
The play is described by the Post as "The story concerns the creator of a fictional 1940s radio series, also called "The Faithkiller," chronicling the two-fisted adventures of the titular superhero who battled the Nazis with his Brain Drain Gun, from which a single, humanizing blast could cure even the staunchest brownshirt of his taste for fascism and genocide. We also see a present-day TV update, wherein the Faithkiller wages a guerrilla campaign against the fundamentalist theocracy that is the U.S. government of the near future."
The play is described by the Post as "The story concerns the creator of a fictional 1940s radio series, also called "The Faithkiller," chronicling the two-fisted adventures of the titular superhero who battled the Nazis with his Brain Drain Gun, from which a single, humanizing blast could cure even the staunchest brownshirt of his taste for fascism and genocide. We also see a present-day TV update, wherein the Faithkiller wages a guerrilla campaign against the fundamentalist theocracy that is the U.S. government of the near future."
Cartoon postcard in new Medical Museum collection
Postcard sent by Luther B. Otken, a World War 1 surgeon in the American Expeditionary Forces, stationed in France. This collection of WW1 correspondence was donated to the National Museum of Health & Medicine last month.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Kal in NYC on April 7th
Kal writes in:
I will be giving a public lecture at Columbia University on Tuesday evening April 7 at 7:30PM titled ”Drawing from Politics: Cartoons and Satire in the new digital age”. The event is free and open to the all.
The event will be at the Davis Auditorium - 412 Shapiro Center (new science building). To get to this building you enter the Columbia gates at 116th street and Broadway and proceed to the north of campus, the building is located on campus between 120th and 119th street, between Broadway and Amsterdam. Once you enter the building, the auditorium is to the right of the entrance.
He's always a lot of fun in his talks.
I will be giving a public lecture at Columbia University on Tuesday evening April 7 at 7:30PM titled ”Drawing from Politics: Cartoons and Satire in the new digital age”. The event is free and open to the all.
The event will be at the Davis Auditorium - 412 Shapiro Center (new science building). To get to this building you enter the Columbia gates at 116th street and Broadway and proceed to the north of campus, the building is located on campus between 120th and 119th street, between Broadway and Amsterdam. Once you enter the building, the auditorium is to the right of the entrance.
He's always a lot of fun in his talks.
Is The Onion peeling?
I've noticed that a bunch of Onion boxes were removed and it's not been distributed at Big Planet Comics for the past two weeks. Is the Onion's DC edition struggling?
Cavna twitters Thompson (no, not that one)
Boy, that headline sounds dirty. See "The Twitter Interview: Political Cartoonist Mike Thompson," By Michael Cavna, April 3, 2009 to get those images out of your head.
Craig Yoe and Joe Shuster at Big Planet
Craig will be signing his new book on Superman artist Joe Shuster's... alternative comics drawings ... at Big Planet Comics on Saturday, April 25th.
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Cagle and Cavna; Weingarten on comic strips
Off to the Herblock award, but check out "The Twitter Interview: Cartoonist Daryl Cagle," By Michael Cavna, April 2, 2009.
Gene Weingarten has a longish discussion of comic strips so I won't quote all of it - "Chatological Humor: Comics Section Shrinkage, Erogenous Zones (UPDATED 4.2.09)", Washington Post.com (March 31 2009).
Finally, there's a play with a superhero theme in town -
"A Crusade Against Religion: In 'The Faithkiller,' an atheistic superhero gets mixed reactions," by Express contributor Erin Trompeter, April 2, 2009.
Gene Weingarten has a longish discussion of comic strips so I won't quote all of it - "Chatological Humor: Comics Section Shrinkage, Erogenous Zones (UPDATED 4.2.09)", Washington Post.com (March 31 2009).
Finally, there's a play with a superhero theme in town -
"A Crusade Against Religion: In 'The Faithkiller,' an atheistic superhero gets mixed reactions," by Express contributor Erin Trompeter, April 2, 2009.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
British fascination with faces on transportation leads to autism cartoon dvd
This has been all over the place, but the Post picked it up so here you go - the country that gave us Thomas the Tank Engine and whatever those airplanes with faces on PBS were called is carrying anthropomorphism into new realms - "British DVD Takes Aim At Autism: Cartoons Focus on Facial Expressions," Rachel Saslow, Washington Post Tuesday, March 31, 2009; HE04.
Batcave Companion interview with Kronenberg
Their publisher has a podcast interview with the two authors - "TwoMorrows Tune-In #19: Michael Eury and Michael Kronenberg (The Batcave Companion)," April 1 2009. The direct link is http://twomorrows.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/19_rt_me_mk_090401.mp3
Cavna talks to Bell, Kurtz and other social networking cartoonists
Two are online at the Comic Riffs blog - "'Candorville' Cartoonist Finds His [Short-Form] Muse," By Michael Cavna, March 31, 2009 and "The Twitter Interview: 'PvP' Creator Scott Kurtz," By Michael Cavna, April 1, 2009. Cavna writes in that he would also like you to see "The Interview: Animator Bryan Brinkman," Michael Cavna, March 23, 2009, even though I had already linked to this as long ago as March 23rd.
In the physical post was "Cartooning's Webcrawler: The Micro-Blogs of Twitter," By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Staff Writer, Wednesday, April 1, 2009; C12. A similar article appeared on PBS's website - "Newspaper Cartoonists Engage Audiences (Including Haters) Online," by Mike Rosen-Molina, PBS Mediashift March 30, 2009.
In the physical post was "Cartooning's Webcrawler: The Micro-Blogs of Twitter," By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Staff Writer, Wednesday, April 1, 2009; C12. A similar article appeared on PBS's website - "Newspaper Cartoonists Engage Audiences (Including Haters) Online," by Mike Rosen-Molina, PBS Mediashift March 30, 2009.
Kal Theme Park
Kevin "Kal" Kallaugher says:
Today April 1, The Economist reports about a new theme park being built in Europe.(Also reported this morning on NPR) You can read the entire article here:
http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13395767&source=features_box4
Today April 1, The Economist reports about a new theme park being built in Europe.(Also reported this morning on NPR) You can read the entire article here:
http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displayStory.cfm?story_id=13395767&source=features_box4
April 2: Art Spiegelman at George Washington U
Art Spiegleman on April 2 will be at GWU's Jack Morton Auditorium at 7 PM.
I'll be at the Herblock award so I'll have to miss this, but he's always an entertaining speaker.
Thanks to Phil T. for the tip.
I'll be at the Herblock award so I'll have to miss this, but he's always an entertaining speaker.
Thanks to Phil T. for the tip.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Wildly OT, but amusing: Hustler cartoonist's blog
Dan Collins just wrote in, "I recently started my own cartoon blog. I've been a full time professional cartoonist since 1976."
Dan's work certainly fits into the Secret History of Comics - as he notes on his site, "Those cartoons have no doubt shown up in the inboxes of most of you at one time or another. Just look for the 'collins' at the bottom. If only I had a nickel every time they did."
I'm sure I've seen Dan's work that way too, but his blog is darned funny.
Dan's work certainly fits into the Secret History of Comics - as he notes on his site, "Those cartoons have no doubt shown up in the inboxes of most of you at one time or another. Just look for the 'collins' at the bottom. If only I had a nickel every time they did."
I'm sure I've seen Dan's work that way too, but his blog is darned funny.
Express reviews Complete Peanuts 11
See "This One Goes to 11: 'The Complete Peanuts 1971-1972'," by Express contributor Ewa Beaujon, Express (March 30 2009). I think this was online only. Anyone know?
OT: Donna Barstow, editorial cartoonist
Donna found me while looking for Dave Astor (sorry Dave!) and sent the following PR in, but she also noted "there are only 2 other women in [UCLICK's editorial group (over 60), and it's quite a switch to go from magazine gag cartoons to editorials (although I'm still doing mag cartoons mostly)! I'm hugely enjoying the challenge, but haven't gotten much feedback yet." So check her out on Slate (which actually offers you the opportunity to "Buy Donna Barstow for your Web, wireless or print publication." Is this the next step in cartooning?
She's also got a new New Yorker blog, "Why I did It".
Editorial Cartoonist Donna Barstow Brings Fresh, Original Voice to UCLICK® Website GoComics.com
Kansas City, MO (February 24, 2009) - Editorial cartoonist and acclaimed blogger Donna Barstow is bringing her signature style to GoComics.com, the popular Uclick comic strip and editorial cartoon portal that is home to some of the nation’s most renowned cartoonists.
Barstow’s new feature will update two to three times per week, putting on full display the unique commentary that has made her cartoons a hit on the pages of widely-read newspapers and periodicals such as Parade, The New Yorker, Harvard Business Review, the Los Angeles Times, and Glamour, among others. She has 2 books in print of cartoons for women, and her cartoon on food has run for several years in mainstream and alternative papers, including Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, Salt Lake Tribune, Albany Times Union, Pasadena Weekly, and more.
Barstow approaches her job as an editorial cartoonist in a way that differs from the political myopia that sometimes dominates the field.
“I try to see more of the positive in the news,” said Barstow. “It’s important to have a point of view, but does it have to be fatalistic? I try and bring light to a subject even though I might loathe it.”
While the focus of Barstow’s feature will usually fall on politics, the cartoonist expects a large dose of pop culture to work its way into the mix as well, all filtered through the lens of her own perspective.
“Living in Hollywood, I can’t help but be influenced by entertainment, and yes, sadly, the drama of it all,” said Barstow. “I’m originally from the East Coast, so I definitely see the conflict and layers in East vs. West coast culture! It’s a challenge I enjoy, letting my opinions be known.”
Barstow joins a star-studded lineup of editorial cartoonists on GoComics.com. The site features 27 Pulitzer Prize winners, including Pat Oliphant, Mike Luckovich, Matt Davies, David Horsey, Mike Ramirez and more.
“Donna paints the world in shades most of us don’t even consider,” said Douglas Edwards, Uclick CEO. “She brings an original point of view and an instantly recognizable cartooning style to her work, not to mention her brilliant wit. She’s a great fit for the GoComics community.”
Check out Donna Barstow’s cartoons at GoComics.com/DonnaBarstow.
GoComics.com is owned and operated by digital entertainment provider Uclick, America's #1 provider of comics on the web and on mobile phones.
About UCLICK:
UCLICK® is the leading digital entertainment provider of humor, comic strips, manga, graphic novels, editorial cartoons, and other content for desktop, web and mobile phones. Uclick is also the leading creator and distributor of crosswords, and other word and number puzzles. Partners featuring Uclick content include the leading consumer portals Yahoo!, MSNBC.com, New York Times, Slate.com, washingtonpost.com, CNN, USA Today, and AOL. Uclick features include the top brand franchises Garfield, Doonesbury, Calvin and Hobbes, Paul Frank, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, TOKYOPOP, USA Today, Pat Sajak, Wyland, and many more. Uclick creative content and services are available through the GoComics.com website, U.S. mobile phone operators, the iTunes App Store, and other distributors worldwide. UCLICK, LLC is a division of Andrews McMeel Universal, the leading newspaper syndicate and publisher of humor books and calendars in North America.
For more information on Uclick, visit www.uclick.com.
She's also got a new New Yorker blog, "Why I did It".
Editorial Cartoonist Donna Barstow Brings Fresh, Original Voice to UCLICK® Website GoComics.com
Kansas City, MO (February 24, 2009) - Editorial cartoonist and acclaimed blogger Donna Barstow is bringing her signature style to GoComics.com, the popular Uclick comic strip and editorial cartoon portal that is home to some of the nation’s most renowned cartoonists.
Barstow’s new feature will update two to three times per week, putting on full display the unique commentary that has made her cartoons a hit on the pages of widely-read newspapers and periodicals such as Parade, The New Yorker, Harvard Business Review, the Los Angeles Times, and Glamour, among others. She has 2 books in print of cartoons for women, and her cartoon on food has run for several years in mainstream and alternative papers, including Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, Salt Lake Tribune, Albany Times Union, Pasadena Weekly, and more.
Barstow approaches her job as an editorial cartoonist in a way that differs from the political myopia that sometimes dominates the field.
“I try to see more of the positive in the news,” said Barstow. “It’s important to have a point of view, but does it have to be fatalistic? I try and bring light to a subject even though I might loathe it.”
While the focus of Barstow’s feature will usually fall on politics, the cartoonist expects a large dose of pop culture to work its way into the mix as well, all filtered through the lens of her own perspective.
“Living in Hollywood, I can’t help but be influenced by entertainment, and yes, sadly, the drama of it all,” said Barstow. “I’m originally from the East Coast, so I definitely see the conflict and layers in East vs. West coast culture! It’s a challenge I enjoy, letting my opinions be known.”
Barstow joins a star-studded lineup of editorial cartoonists on GoComics.com. The site features 27 Pulitzer Prize winners, including Pat Oliphant, Mike Luckovich, Matt Davies, David Horsey, Mike Ramirez and more.
“Donna paints the world in shades most of us don’t even consider,” said Douglas Edwards, Uclick CEO. “She brings an original point of view and an instantly recognizable cartooning style to her work, not to mention her brilliant wit. She’s a great fit for the GoComics community.”
Check out Donna Barstow’s cartoons at GoComics.com/DonnaBarstow.
GoComics.com is owned and operated by digital entertainment provider Uclick, America's #1 provider of comics on the web and on mobile phones.
About UCLICK:
UCLICK® is the leading digital entertainment provider of humor, comic strips, manga, graphic novels, editorial cartoons, and other content for desktop, web and mobile phones. Uclick is also the leading creator and distributor of crosswords, and other word and number puzzles. Partners featuring Uclick content include the leading consumer portals Yahoo!, MSNBC.com, New York Times, Slate.com, washingtonpost.com, CNN, USA Today, and AOL. Uclick features include the top brand franchises Garfield, Doonesbury, Calvin and Hobbes, Paul Frank, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, TOKYOPOP, USA Today, Pat Sajak, Wyland, and many more. Uclick creative content and services are available through the GoComics.com website, U.S. mobile phone operators, the iTunes App Store, and other distributors worldwide. UCLICK, LLC is a division of Andrews McMeel Universal, the leading newspaper syndicate and publisher of humor books and calendars in North America.
For more information on Uclick, visit www.uclick.com.
Monday, March 30, 2009
OT: Cartooning in Africa book now available
I saw John Lent yesterday and got a copy of his new book, Cartooning in Africa. It's an edited volume of essays on Africa as a whole, Angola, Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Southern Africa, South Africa, Tunisia and Tanzania. Here's the description lifted from Amazon's site:
Product Description
This volume documents from historical and contemporary perspectives, the situations, trends and issues of cartooning in a number of African countries, and profiles the individuals, forms and phenomena that stand out. All types of cartooning are covered, including comic books, comic strips, gag and political cartoons, and humour magazines.
Product Details
* Paperback: 383 pages
* Publisher: Hampton Press (October 2008)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1572735546
* ISBN-13: 978-1572735545
Product Description
This volume documents from historical and contemporary perspectives, the situations, trends and issues of cartooning in a number of African countries, and profiles the individuals, forms and phenomena that stand out. All types of cartooning are covered, including comic books, comic strips, gag and political cartoons, and humour magazines.
Product Details
* Paperback: 383 pages
* Publisher: Hampton Press (October 2008)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 1572735546
* ISBN-13: 978-1572735545
Malaria Moe cartoons on Flickr
My colleague at the Medical Museum put up a bunch of scans of World War 2 Malaria Moe propaganda cartoons on Flickr today. The artist, Frank Mack, later went on to work for Ripley's Believe It Or Not.
That Darn Auth
Tom Toles isn't the only editorial cartoonist that gets complaints at the Post. Even though he works for a Philly paper, Tony Auth came in for this gripe, although he was unnamed. The accompanying cartoon was signed.
Catholicism Under Attack
Washington Post Saturday, March 28, 2009; A11
Of all the cartoons published last week, why did you choose one that is anti-Catholic for Drawing Board on March 21? Not only was it offensive, but its implications were false.
The cartoon showed Pope Benedict XVI in an AIDS ward saying, "Blessed are the sick, for they have not used condoms." The implication was that condoms would reduce the incidence of AIDS.
However, no less an authority than Edward C. Green, a senior research scientist at the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, was quoted as saying in National Review Online last week that "we have found no consistent associations between condom use and lower HIV-infection rates."
When asked to comment on a statement by Pope Benedict XVI on AIDS, Green said that the pope is correct, "or put it a better way, the best evidence we have supports the pope's comments."
The implication of the cartoon that the pope does not care about the plight of AIDS victims was insulting and outrageously untrue. What other group can match the care given to AIDS victims throughout the world by Catholic institutions and health-care workers?
-- Robert H. Follett
Lansdowne
Catholicism Under Attack
Washington Post Saturday, March 28, 2009; A11
Of all the cartoons published last week, why did you choose one that is anti-Catholic for Drawing Board on March 21? Not only was it offensive, but its implications were false.
The cartoon showed Pope Benedict XVI in an AIDS ward saying, "Blessed are the sick, for they have not used condoms." The implication was that condoms would reduce the incidence of AIDS.
However, no less an authority than Edward C. Green, a senior research scientist at the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, was quoted as saying in National Review Online last week that "we have found no consistent associations between condom use and lower HIV-infection rates."
When asked to comment on a statement by Pope Benedict XVI on AIDS, Green said that the pope is correct, "or put it a better way, the best evidence we have supports the pope's comments."
The implication of the cartoon that the pope does not care about the plight of AIDS victims was insulting and outrageously untrue. What other group can match the care given to AIDS victims throughout the world by Catholic institutions and health-care workers?
-- Robert H. Follett
Lansdowne
Post drops, shrinks comics
The Post introduced its new 2 comics pages today. The strips are about 1/4 smaller. They justified themselves in several places recently. First the ombudsman, and then the managing editors:
"Why Monday's Post Will Look a Lot Different,"
By Andrew Alexander
Washington Post Sunday, March 29, 2009; A11
Another [way to cut costs] is to trim the physical size of the paper. The savings can be substantial.
A single page of newsprint in the daily Post, with its 650,000 circulation, costs roughly $2,500. A single page on Sundays, with its 870,000 circulation, costs about $3,500.
Shaving two pages from each daily and Sunday paper can save close to $2 million a year. ...
Reducing the number of comics and games was a simple matter of gauging reader preferences. The Post uses an outside firm to regularly question more than 3,000 adults in the Washington area and also conducts its own surveys. To evaluate the comics and games, adults were asked which ones they read, and adults with children were asked which ones their kids read.
Those scoring at the bottom with both adults and kids got the ax.
So, by that logic, if you cut printing the paper out completely at 100 pages (guesstimate for an average day) X $2,500 = $250,000/page/day. Multiple that by the 650,000 copies you print and you can save $162 billion dollars a day! They may have solved the economic crisis!
Ask The Post: Liz Spayd and Raju Narisetti, Washington Post Managing Editors
Monday, March 30, 2009; 12:00 PM
The Washington Post's managing editors, Raju Narisetti and Liz Spayd were online Monday, March 30 at 12 p.m. ET to discuss the recent changes and enhancements in both the newspaper and Web site. They will also answer your questions about the current state of the news industry.
Anonymous: "For all the choices we are making, we have used reader surveys to make sure we keep the features that are most popular."
Does that include comics? Because I never saw one, and I'm a faithful reader.
How was the decision made to drop six current, ongoing strips while keeping Peanuts reruns and tired old "zombie" strips that might as well be reruns, such as Family Circus, Garfield, Beetle Bailey, Mark Trail, and Dennis the Menace. those strips should have been put our of their (and our) miserry years ago.
Sacred cows, anyone?
Raju Narisetti and Liz Spayd: We do regular readership surveys both on the phone and in-person and the comics that moved online were the least popular with our readers.
_______________________
Silver Spring, Md.: Why don't you put Gene Weingarten in charge of the Comics section?
Raju Narisetti and Liz Spayd: We are putting it on our list of things to ask Gene!!
"Why Monday's Post Will Look a Lot Different,"
By Andrew Alexander
Washington Post Sunday, March 29, 2009; A11
Another [way to cut costs] is to trim the physical size of the paper. The savings can be substantial.
A single page of newsprint in the daily Post, with its 650,000 circulation, costs roughly $2,500. A single page on Sundays, with its 870,000 circulation, costs about $3,500.
Shaving two pages from each daily and Sunday paper can save close to $2 million a year. ...
Reducing the number of comics and games was a simple matter of gauging reader preferences. The Post uses an outside firm to regularly question more than 3,000 adults in the Washington area and also conducts its own surveys. To evaluate the comics and games, adults were asked which ones they read, and adults with children were asked which ones their kids read.
Those scoring at the bottom with both adults and kids got the ax.
So, by that logic, if you cut printing the paper out completely at 100 pages (guesstimate for an average day) X $2,500 = $250,000/page/day. Multiple that by the 650,000 copies you print and you can save $162 billion dollars a day! They may have solved the economic crisis!
Ask The Post: Liz Spayd and Raju Narisetti, Washington Post Managing Editors
Monday, March 30, 2009; 12:00 PM
The Washington Post's managing editors, Raju Narisetti and Liz Spayd were online Monday, March 30 at 12 p.m. ET to discuss the recent changes and enhancements in both the newspaper and Web site. They will also answer your questions about the current state of the news industry.
Anonymous: "For all the choices we are making, we have used reader surveys to make sure we keep the features that are most popular."
Does that include comics? Because I never saw one, and I'm a faithful reader.
How was the decision made to drop six current, ongoing strips while keeping Peanuts reruns and tired old "zombie" strips that might as well be reruns, such as Family Circus, Garfield, Beetle Bailey, Mark Trail, and Dennis the Menace. those strips should have been put our of their (and our) miserry years ago.
Sacred cows, anyone?
Raju Narisetti and Liz Spayd: We do regular readership surveys both on the phone and in-person and the comics that moved online were the least popular with our readers.
_______________________
Silver Spring, Md.: Why don't you put Gene Weingarten in charge of the Comics section?
Raju Narisetti and Liz Spayd: We are putting it on our list of things to ask Gene!!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-01-09
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-01-09
By John Judy
AGENTS OF ATLAS #3 by Jeff Parker, Clayton Henry and Gabriel Hardman. Fighting commies back in The Day and everyone else in the Here and Now, these vintage super-folk just don’t know when to quit! A must for all aficionados of robots and talking gorillas!
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #590 by Dan Slott and Barry Kitson. Lots of doings in the Spider-verse, with a guest appearance by the Fantastic Four!
ANGEL: BLOOD AND TRENCHES #2 written and drawn by John Byrne. Oddly enough, both the best Angel story and best work from John Byrne in quite a while. Reminiscent of the TV show in all the ways his latest series isn’t. Good stuff.
AVENGERS/INVADERS #9 of 12 Alex Ross, Jim Kreuger and Steve Sadowski. Still coming out.
BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL: MAN-BAT #1 by Joe Harris and Jim Calafiore. Between you and me, that cowl ain’t gonna fit.
BLACK PANTHER #3 by Reginald Hudlin and Ken Lashley. While T’Challa heals the mysterious new lady Panther continues her quest to even some scores.
THE BOYS #29 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The dark secret of the G-Men is exposed at last! Not for kids.
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #24 by Jim Krueger and Cliff Richards. A Faith/Giles titanic team-up! Here’s hoping they take down the Dollhouse!
CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS 70th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1 by Joe Simon, Jack Kirby, James Robinson and Marcos Martin. A look back to Steve Rogers’ pre-Super Soldier days and a classic tale from Cap’s legendary creators. Recommended!
THE DESTROYER #1 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker. Legendary WWII hero Keen Marlowe (swear to god) is dying and with a name like “The Destroyer” he’s kind of obliged to take as many nefarious nogoodniks with him as he can. From the creator of WALKING DEAD and MARVEL ZOMBIES so you know it’s gonna be a twisty ride. Gotta look!
FLASH: REBIRTH #1 of 5 by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver. Barry’s back. Must Have!
GLAMOURPUSS #6 written and drawn by Dave Sim. For anyone interested in tracking CEREBUS creator Dave Sim’s inexorable path to the rubber room.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #25 by Geoff Johns and Jerry Ordway. At last! The big smack-down with Black Adam and Mighty Isis!
MY MOMMY IS IN AMERICA AND SHE MET BUFFALO BILL HC by Jean Regnaud and Emile Bravo. The English translation of the award-winning French graphic novel about the postcards a young French boy receives from his mother who’s off “traveling the world.” Recommended for readers age ten and up.
PREVIEWS by Diamond and Marvel Comics. To help you plan what to do with your bail-out money!
SCALPED #27 by Jason Aaron and Francesco Francavilla. Ladies and Gentlemen: FBI Agent Baylis Earl Nitz! May want to wear a rain poncho because this one’s gonna get wet! Highly recommended. Not for kids.
SEAGUY: THE SLAVES OF MICKEY EYE #1 of 3 by Grant Morrison and Cameron Stewart. And speaking of “wet” here’s more of the cartoon madness that is Grant Morrison. Hey, it’s only three issues. I mean, “Darn it!”
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
AGENTS OF ATLAS #3 by Jeff Parker, Clayton Henry and Gabriel Hardman. Fighting commies back in The Day and everyone else in the Here and Now, these vintage super-folk just don’t know when to quit! A must for all aficionados of robots and talking gorillas!
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #590 by Dan Slott and Barry Kitson. Lots of doings in the Spider-verse, with a guest appearance by the Fantastic Four!
ANGEL: BLOOD AND TRENCHES #2 written and drawn by John Byrne. Oddly enough, both the best Angel story and best work from John Byrne in quite a while. Reminiscent of the TV show in all the ways his latest series isn’t. Good stuff.
AVENGERS/INVADERS #9 of 12 Alex Ross, Jim Kreuger and Steve Sadowski. Still coming out.
BATMAN: BATTLE FOR THE COWL: MAN-BAT #1 by Joe Harris and Jim Calafiore. Between you and me, that cowl ain’t gonna fit.
BLACK PANTHER #3 by Reginald Hudlin and Ken Lashley. While T’Challa heals the mysterious new lady Panther continues her quest to even some scores.
THE BOYS #29 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The dark secret of the G-Men is exposed at last! Not for kids.
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #24 by Jim Krueger and Cliff Richards. A Faith/Giles titanic team-up! Here’s hoping they take down the Dollhouse!
CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS 70th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1 by Joe Simon, Jack Kirby, James Robinson and Marcos Martin. A look back to Steve Rogers’ pre-Super Soldier days and a classic tale from Cap’s legendary creators. Recommended!
THE DESTROYER #1 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker. Legendary WWII hero Keen Marlowe (swear to god) is dying and with a name like “The Destroyer” he’s kind of obliged to take as many nefarious nogoodniks with him as he can. From the creator of WALKING DEAD and MARVEL ZOMBIES so you know it’s gonna be a twisty ride. Gotta look!
FLASH: REBIRTH #1 of 5 by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver. Barry’s back. Must Have!
GLAMOURPUSS #6 written and drawn by Dave Sim. For anyone interested in tracking CEREBUS creator Dave Sim’s inexorable path to the rubber room.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #25 by Geoff Johns and Jerry Ordway. At last! The big smack-down with Black Adam and Mighty Isis!
MY MOMMY IS IN AMERICA AND SHE MET BUFFALO BILL HC by Jean Regnaud and Emile Bravo. The English translation of the award-winning French graphic novel about the postcards a young French boy receives from his mother who’s off “traveling the world.” Recommended for readers age ten and up.
PREVIEWS by Diamond and Marvel Comics. To help you plan what to do with your bail-out money!
SCALPED #27 by Jason Aaron and Francesco Francavilla. Ladies and Gentlemen: FBI Agent Baylis Earl Nitz! May want to wear a rain poncho because this one’s gonna get wet! Highly recommended. Not for kids.
SEAGUY: THE SLAVES OF MICKEY EYE #1 of 3 by Grant Morrison and Cameron Stewart. And speaking of “wet” here’s more of the cartoon madness that is Grant Morrison. Hey, it’s only three issues. I mean, “Darn it!”
www.johnjudy.net
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Newseum offering news?
Bruce Guthrie sent in this link to a story about Brenda Starr on the Newseum's website - "A Starr Is Mourned," By Sharon Shahid, senior Web editor, Newseum March 26, 2009.
While the comics are certainly part of a newspaper (take that, Washington Post), I have no idea why the Newseum would be devoting a writer to this given that they probably don't have anything about Brenda Starr on display.
While the comics are certainly part of a newspaper (take that, Washington Post), I have no idea why the Newseum would be devoting a writer to this given that they probably don't have anything about Brenda Starr on display.
Zadzooks on Resident Evil vidoegame, Bennet on Ambush Bug
"Zadzooks: Resident Evil 5 review," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Wednesday, March 25, 2009 and "Bennett's Best for the week of March 22," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks Blog March 26 2009. Greg recommends Ambush Bug, a comic I love.
OT: Ellen Lindner's new book
My friend Stephen Betts married a cartoonist - Ellen Lindner - and her new book Undertow is out.
You can buy a copy at Lulu.com for less than $12. Ellen describes it as:
Undertow by Ellen Lindner gives us a close-up view through the back door of Brooklyn in the sixties—with all the delinquency, drugs, and trips to Coney Island that implies. Beautifully drawn in sinuous, sharp style, Lindner's characters, and their fight to do more than survive, are unforgettable.
Although she's too young to remember Brooklyn in the 1960s. Actually, so am I. I just ordered mine to see what I missed.
You can buy a copy at Lulu.com for less than $12. Ellen describes it as:
Undertow by Ellen Lindner gives us a close-up view through the back door of Brooklyn in the sixties—with all the delinquency, drugs, and trips to Coney Island that implies. Beautifully drawn in sinuous, sharp style, Lindner's characters, and their fight to do more than survive, are unforgettable.
Although she's too young to remember Brooklyn in the 1960s. Actually, so am I. I just ordered mine to see what I missed.
March 30: Kal on Maryland public television
Kal's sent a note in...
On March 30, Maryland Public television will air the terrific documentary "Citizen Schaefer". The show follows the formidable career of the colorful Maryland politician William Donald Schaefer. For 50 years Schaefer reigned as a larger than life character in Maryland politics serving as Baltimore city councilman, President of the city Council, Baltimore city Mayor, state Governor and Comptroller.
Schaefer's flamboyant style and paper thin skin also made him a gift for cartoonists and caricaturists. During the course of my 17 year stint as editorial cartoonist for the Baltimore Sun, I had ample opportunity to lampoon Hizzoner in pen and ink... much to his chagrin.
For the MPT documentary, I was approached to share some cartoons and stories about the Schaefer years. I was also commissioned to create a selection of short animations to act as chapter headings for the documentary. The clips were designed to look as if they were my black and white cartoons on the page of the newspaper coming alive.
The animations are assembled together in the short film that you can view here: http://www.youtube.com/politicalcartoons
On March 30, Maryland Public television will air the terrific documentary "Citizen Schaefer". The show follows the formidable career of the colorful Maryland politician William Donald Schaefer. For 50 years Schaefer reigned as a larger than life character in Maryland politics serving as Baltimore city councilman, President of the city Council, Baltimore city Mayor, state Governor and Comptroller.
Schaefer's flamboyant style and paper thin skin also made him a gift for cartoonists and caricaturists. During the course of my 17 year stint as editorial cartoonist for the Baltimore Sun, I had ample opportunity to lampoon Hizzoner in pen and ink... much to his chagrin.
For the MPT documentary, I was approached to share some cartoons and stories about the Schaefer years. I was also commissioned to create a selection of short animations to act as chapter headings for the documentary. The clips were designed to look as if they were my black and white cartoons on the page of the newspaper coming alive.
The animations are assembled together in the short film that you can view here: http://www.youtube.com/politicalcartoons
Hagen exhibit
I went last night and met David and his family including his wife and inlaws who were all from England and fun to talk with. The exhibit is in 2 rooms of a real-estate firm, but that works surprisingly well. There's a variety of works including paintings of robots, odd animals and baseball players from a 1966 card set as well as some prints. I bought a cartoony portrait of S*p*rm*n. Go check it out!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
David Hagen visits his exhibit tomorrow night...
...and you can too!
The show will be from the beginning of March through the end of April with a reception on Friday, March 27 from 6pm to 9pm. All invited. Refreshments served! Century21 gallery space, 1711 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22209.
I'll be there tomorrow, fairly close to 6. And I hear a cartoonist known as RT will be making an appearance.
Express recommends Cherry Blossom Festival Anime tomorrow
Manga Manga Manga! Cherry Blossom Festival Anime Marathon
Vexille SATURDAY: Washington is so weird. We welcome in spring with a kite festival and an anime marathon. Next you'll be telling us about some giant rabbit that lays eggs and might have pastel-colored fur.
The Freer Gallery will show four anime films on Saturday, including "Vexille," about a futuristic Japan that has cut itself off from the world. Tickets are free, and the films are short, fun and lovely. If you can get over the guilt of spending a beautiful spring Saturday inside.
» Freer Gallery of Art, Jefferson Drive and 12th St. NW; Sat., March 28, 11 a.m., free; 202-633-1000. (Smithsonian)
Posted By Fiona Zublin at 7:00 AM on March 27, 2009
Vexille SATURDAY: Washington is so weird. We welcome in spring with a kite festival and an anime marathon. Next you'll be telling us about some giant rabbit that lays eggs and might have pastel-colored fur.
The Freer Gallery will show four anime films on Saturday, including "Vexille," about a futuristic Japan that has cut itself off from the world. Tickets are free, and the films are short, fun and lovely. If you can get over the guilt of spending a beautiful spring Saturday inside.
» Freer Gallery of Art, Jefferson Drive and 12th St. NW; Sat., March 28, 11 a.m., free; 202-633-1000. (Smithsonian)
Posted By Fiona Zublin at 7:00 AM on March 27, 2009
Kal at Walters in Baltimore
Cub reporter Rick Banning tells us about a Walters exhibit, "In the 3rd floor of the old building, a map of Word history, 12 feet wide x 6 feet high, has 8 cartoon features by Kal such as the inventions of printing and paper."
Groening and Simpsons in the Onion
Groening and Simpsons are in the paper Onion, but the online versions are longer - see "In a way, they're all winners: 10 Simpsons episodes from the past 5 seasons that stand among the series' best." by Genevieve Koski, Kyle Ryan, and Steve Heisler, Onion AV Club March 23, 2009 and an excellent interview, "Matt Groening," by Kyle Ryan, Onion AV Club March 25, 2009.
In the Examiner, Comic Art Indigene was selected as the Best Gallery Show of the weekend.
In the Examiner, Comic Art Indigene was selected as the Best Gallery Show of the weekend.
City Paper Best of DC 2009 out; Comics News fails to place
The City Paper Best of DC 2009 is out, but Comics News failed to place this year. However, they didn't have a Best (Comic) Art Blogger, and Wonkette won the best blogger, so I guess I'll survive. So much for the hat trick though...
Waltz with Bashir animator at Hirshhorn Museum tonight!
Hirshhorn Films: An evening with David Polonsky
8 pm, March 26 in the Ring Auditorium. Free
Craig Yoe Appearance at Politics & Prose
Craig Yoe, author of Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-Creator Joe Shuster, will be doing a discussion and book signing at Politics and Prose on April 24, 2009 at 7pm.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Kal cartoons in Maryland Public TV documentary
They appear in Citizen Schaefer , a film about the former governor, according to this article.
Another award for Nate Beeler
Examiner cartoonist Nate Beeler apparently won first place for editorial cartooning in the Virginia Press Association awards - if this is the proper citation:
D3: Editorial cartoons
Place: 1
Name: Nate Beeler
Publication: The Washington Examiner
City: Washington
Subject: 20/20 Insight
Comments: Beautiful artwork, humor and message. Nate's cartoons are among the best in the nation.
D3: Editorial cartoons
Place: 1
Name: Nate Beeler
Publication: The Washington Examiner
City: Washington
Subject: 20/20 Insight
Comments: Beautiful artwork, humor and message. Nate's cartoons are among the best in the nation.
May 4: Art Spiegelman at the Corcoran
I've seen him give this talk before and it's good.
May 4, Monday 7 p.m. at the Corcoran
Art Spiegelman: Comix 101
Members $20; Public $25
Art Spiegelman has almost single-handedly brought comic books out of the toy closet and onto the literature shelves. His comics are best known for their shifting graphic style, their formal complexity, and controversial content. In 1992, his masterful Holocaust narrative Maus won the Pulitzer Prize, and Maus II continued the remarkable story of his parents' survival of the Nazi regime. The New York Times Book
Review listed Spiegelman's In the Shadow of No Towers among the most Notable Books of 2004. On this evening, Spiegelman takes the audience on a chronological tour of the evolution of comics all the while explaining the value of this medium and why it should not be ignored.
The Argentina Copello Dudley Memorial Lecture, established in 1984, supported by the Dudley Endowment Fund, presents distinguished speakers who have contributed significantly to our understanding of the arts.
May 4, Monday 7 p.m. at the Corcoran
Art Spiegelman: Comix 101
Members $20; Public $25
Art Spiegelman has almost single-handedly brought comic books out of the toy closet and onto the literature shelves. His comics are best known for their shifting graphic style, their formal complexity, and controversial content. In 1992, his masterful Holocaust narrative Maus won the Pulitzer Prize, and Maus II continued the remarkable story of his parents' survival of the Nazi regime. The New York Times Book
Review listed Spiegelman's In the Shadow of No Towers among the most Notable Books of 2004. On this evening, Spiegelman takes the audience on a chronological tour of the evolution of comics all the while explaining the value of this medium and why it should not be ignored.
The Argentina Copello Dudley Memorial Lecture, established in 1984, supported by the Dudley Endowment Fund, presents distinguished speakers who have contributed significantly to our understanding of the arts.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
OT: Call for Papers--Graphic Novels in Libraries and Archives: Ideas and Issues.
Posted at Rob's request.
Call for Papers--Graphic Novels in Libraries and Archives: Ideas and Issues.
Graphic Novel publishing has exploded in the last decade. While, during the mid-1990s, it might have been possible for even a modestly budgeted library to acquire much of the published Graphic Novel output, now it is almost impossible even for libraries with big budgets to afford EVERYTHING published in this format. What was once considered a “cult” of devoted Graphic Novel readers and fans is now a part of the mainstream of readers. Graphic Novels is the one area of publishing that continues to grow year by year.
I am looking for essays that deal specifically with how libraries and archives have dealt with and are dealing with Graphic Novels in their collections. What are the various issues that have come up in regard to carrying Graphic Novels? What solutions, if any, did your library find?
Some of the topics that could be addressed in this book might include:
· Comics in Archives
· Real world issues in censorship of Graphic Novels - a case study on how a particular library or libraries dealt with challenged books
· How are academic libraries dealing with Graphic Novels?
· Promoting Graphic Novels collections in public libraries - Graphic Novel book clubs
· Problems collecting floppy comics in libraries and archives
· History of collecting comics and Graphic Novels in libraries
· Reaching out to Young Adults with Graphic Novels
· Senior library patrons and Graphic Novels - nobody has ever addressed this issue
· Graphic Novel - the term itself - problems with semantics for librarians?????
· Faculty who teach comics/Graphic Novels in other departments (say English/Sociology) and their relationship to their liaison librarian
· Graphic Novels in Libraries: Philosophical Issues
· Problems related to shelving Graphic Novels! Young Adult – Teen - Non Fiction - All Together?
· Manga/Anime vs. Superhero books in Libraries - Which is most popular?
· How to preserve Graphic Novels and comics in archives?
· Extending the shelve life of Graphic Novels in public libraries?
· How the boom of Hollywood movies, based upon graphic literature, affected library use.
· Metadata and Graphic Novels
· Web comics: implications for the library.
· History of comics in libraries
· The story of those Mexican/Spanish Photo novellas in libraries
· Any other topic related to Graphic Novels and libraries will be considered.
· META-DATA and Graphic Novels
Please send a 200 word abstract by April 31, 2009. Final due date for essays is June 31, 2009.
Final essays should be between 3,000-9,000 words long, including endnotes and bibliography, and should be done in Chicago Manuel of Style parenthetical with endnotes. Please keep in mind that these essays will be Peer Reviewed, and any essay that is not up to standard may not see final publication.
Please email me if you have any questions.
Rob Weiner
Humanities Librarian
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas
Rob.Weiner@ttu.edu
Rweiner5@sbcglobal.net
Call for Papers--Graphic Novels in Libraries and Archives: Ideas and Issues.
Graphic Novel publishing has exploded in the last decade. While, during the mid-1990s, it might have been possible for even a modestly budgeted library to acquire much of the published Graphic Novel output, now it is almost impossible even for libraries with big budgets to afford EVERYTHING published in this format. What was once considered a “cult” of devoted Graphic Novel readers and fans is now a part of the mainstream of readers. Graphic Novels is the one area of publishing that continues to grow year by year.
I am looking for essays that deal specifically with how libraries and archives have dealt with and are dealing with Graphic Novels in their collections. What are the various issues that have come up in regard to carrying Graphic Novels? What solutions, if any, did your library find?
Some of the topics that could be addressed in this book might include:
· Comics in Archives
· Real world issues in censorship of Graphic Novels - a case study on how a particular library or libraries dealt with challenged books
· How are academic libraries dealing with Graphic Novels?
· Promoting Graphic Novels collections in public libraries - Graphic Novel book clubs
· Problems collecting floppy comics in libraries and archives
· History of collecting comics and Graphic Novels in libraries
· Reaching out to Young Adults with Graphic Novels
· Senior library patrons and Graphic Novels - nobody has ever addressed this issue
· Graphic Novel - the term itself - problems with semantics for librarians?????
· Faculty who teach comics/Graphic Novels in other departments (say English/Sociology) and their relationship to their liaison librarian
· Graphic Novels in Libraries: Philosophical Issues
· Problems related to shelving Graphic Novels! Young Adult – Teen - Non Fiction - All Together?
· Manga/Anime vs. Superhero books in Libraries - Which is most popular?
· How to preserve Graphic Novels and comics in archives?
· Extending the shelve life of Graphic Novels in public libraries?
· How the boom of Hollywood movies, based upon graphic literature, affected library use.
· Metadata and Graphic Novels
· Web comics: implications for the library.
· History of comics in libraries
· The story of those Mexican/Spanish Photo novellas in libraries
· Any other topic related to Graphic Novels and libraries will be considered.
· META-DATA and Graphic Novels
Please send a 200 word abstract by April 31, 2009. Final due date for essays is June 31, 2009.
Final essays should be between 3,000-9,000 words long, including endnotes and bibliography, and should be done in Chicago Manuel of Style parenthetical with endnotes. Please keep in mind that these essays will be Peer Reviewed, and any essay that is not up to standard may not see final publication.
Please email me if you have any questions.
Rob Weiner
Humanities Librarian
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas
Rob.Weiner@ttu.edu
Rweiner5@sbcglobal.net
April 25: Library Workshop: Creating Graphic Novels
Aaarghh! Within blocks of me and I'll be at the History of Medicine meetings in Cleveland. I'll have to send the kid.
Workshop: Creating Graphic Novels
Sat Apr 25, 2009 1pm
Columbia Pike Branch Library, 816 S. Walter Reed Dr., Arlington, Va.
Learn the basic and finer points of creating graphic novels from Josh Elder, a graphic novelist and author of "Mail Order Ninja." Appropriate for students ages 10 and up. Contact mmiller@arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-5261 for more details.
And I'm missing the Library sale.
Workshop: Creating Graphic Novels
Sat Apr 25, 2009 1pm
Columbia Pike Branch Library, 816 S. Walter Reed Dr., Arlington, Va.
Learn the basic and finer points of creating graphic novels from Josh Elder, a graphic novelist and author of "Mail Order Ninja." Appropriate for students ages 10 and up. Contact mmiller@arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-5261 for more details.
And I'm missing the Library sale.
Matt Wuerker wants you to remember the Exxon Valdez oil spill 20 years later...
...and that seems reasonable to me. He says, "take two minutes to remember with John Nielsen's WWF piece, posted here on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbjC9SMKClE - and pass it on...
KAL illustrations for Frontline tonight?
Today's NY Times has a KAL cartoon that they say is from the Frontline documentary "Ten Trillion and Counting" on tv tonight.
March 25: Library of Congress Swann talk on Nast
Coming up tomorrow!
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.
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.
Weingarten on his comic strip, and the Post's
Gene W from the March 23rd chat:
Silver Spring, Md.: Re: Doonesbury CPOW - that's one thing that has always impressed me about that strip - he always seems to have a character already in place for any news event or trend or whatever that comes up. He can pick up a character and put he or she in the event without any problem or stretch. He has Joannie working on the hill, BD was set for any "hostilities", Bernie was perfectly positioned to be a high-tech mogul, Boopsie ended up in the movie industry. I loved it when Mike's youngish techie-wife turned out to be the Vietnamese orphan who had been adopted into the US years before.
Gene Weingarten: Obviously, this is not coincidence. Garry has more active characters than any strip ever, probably by a factor of five.
The strip my son and I are working on -- look for it soon, I hope -- is going to start with about 16. Absurdly high for a new strip, nowhere near Dbury.
_______________________
New strip: When your new strip debuts, can it replace Peanuts?
If you were able to, say, accidentally slip the email address of the comics editor, perhaps it may result that he or she is bombarded with enough requests to get rid of Peanuts repeats that his or her loins will be girded sufficiently to withstand the few complaint letters that will be mailed (from people who I don't think would folow through on their threat to cancel their subscriptions).
Gene Weingarten: I am beginning to think that no one will ever have the courage to replace Peanuts.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: AAAAAHHHHH! According to the notice on today's Style section, they're schwacking both "Pooche Cafe" and "Brevity" from the comics section. What's wrong with these people? They'll keep stale stuff like "Blondie," "Peanuts," "Mark Trail," "Family Circus," and "Dennis the Menace" but kill two of the comics that are actually, you know, funny? Isn't there anything we can do to stop this? AAAAAHHHHHH!!!
Gene Weingarten: They are also keeping Hagar the Horrible.
_______________________
Alex., VA: Do readers actually write in and support Peanuts?
Gene Weingarten: I don't know, but I doubt it. I think that newspaper comics deciders are loath to get rid of any strip so old that old loyal readers would miss it.
Very, very bad decisionmaking.
Silver Spring, Md.: Re: Doonesbury CPOW - that's one thing that has always impressed me about that strip - he always seems to have a character already in place for any news event or trend or whatever that comes up. He can pick up a character and put he or she in the event without any problem or stretch. He has Joannie working on the hill, BD was set for any "hostilities", Bernie was perfectly positioned to be a high-tech mogul, Boopsie ended up in the movie industry. I loved it when Mike's youngish techie-wife turned out to be the Vietnamese orphan who had been adopted into the US years before.
Gene Weingarten: Obviously, this is not coincidence. Garry has more active characters than any strip ever, probably by a factor of five.
The strip my son and I are working on -- look for it soon, I hope -- is going to start with about 16. Absurdly high for a new strip, nowhere near Dbury.
_______________________
New strip: When your new strip debuts, can it replace Peanuts?
If you were able to, say, accidentally slip the email address of the comics editor, perhaps it may result that he or she is bombarded with enough requests to get rid of Peanuts repeats that his or her loins will be girded sufficiently to withstand the few complaint letters that will be mailed (from people who I don't think would folow through on their threat to cancel their subscriptions).
Gene Weingarten: I am beginning to think that no one will ever have the courage to replace Peanuts.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: AAAAAHHHHH! According to the notice on today's Style section, they're schwacking both "Pooche Cafe" and "Brevity" from the comics section. What's wrong with these people? They'll keep stale stuff like "Blondie," "Peanuts," "Mark Trail," "Family Circus," and "Dennis the Menace" but kill two of the comics that are actually, you know, funny? Isn't there anything we can do to stop this? AAAAAHHHHHH!!!
Gene Weingarten: They are also keeping Hagar the Horrible.
_______________________
Alex., VA: Do readers actually write in and support Peanuts?
Gene Weingarten: I don't know, but I doubt it. I think that newspaper comics deciders are loath to get rid of any strip so old that old loyal readers would miss it.
Very, very bad decisionmaking.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Cavna animator interview on Post website, so you don't have to buy the paper
"The Interview: Animator Bryan Brinkman," Michael Cavna, March 23, 2009.
Post dropping 6 comics, not 5
Today the Post reported that it's dropping 6 comics - adding "Brevity" to the list of "Judge Parker," "Little Dog Lost," "Piranha Club," "Pooch Cafe" and "Zippy the Pinhead" - and shrinking the comics pages to 2 instead of 3. Dilbert is moving back to the comics section as the Business section goes down the tubes.
Comments are invited at comics@washpost.com
I'm sure they'll be announcing a price increase any day too. You know - this pisses me off - I actually subscribe to the paper and pay to get it and its ads, and they keep taking out stuff I read, but still offering it free on the web. Nice business model. Perhaps Madoff gave lessons on running newspapers too.
And for god's sake, drop Peanuts rather than a living strip. I loved it, I buy the Fantagraphics collections, and I don't need it in place of a current strip.
[I just made the last two paragraphs the core of my letter to the Post]
Comments are invited at comics@washpost.com
I'm sure they'll be announcing a price increase any day too. You know - this pisses me off - I actually subscribe to the paper and pay to get it and its ads, and they keep taking out stuff I read, but still offering it free on the web. Nice business model. Perhaps Madoff gave lessons on running newspapers too.
And for god's sake, drop Peanuts rather than a living strip. I loved it, I buy the Fantagraphics collections, and I don't need it in place of a current strip.
[I just made the last two paragraphs the core of my letter to the Post]
Sunday, March 22, 2009
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 03-25-09
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 03-25-09
By John Judy
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #589 by Fred Van Lente and Paulo Siqueira. Spidey’s old foe The Spot is breaking into the murder-for-hire biz. Don’t judge. It’s a bad economy and we’ve all gotta go where the work is.
AMERICAN JESUS, VOL. 1: CHOSEN SC by Mark Millar and Peter Gross. From the Department of Things That Can (and probably will) Go Horribly Wrong, it’s the story of a twelve year-old boy who discovers he’s the returned Jesus Christ with all the perks and liabilities. Did I mention it’s written by the guy who wrote ULTIMATES and KICK-ASS? Gotta look! (Especially if you’re from a right-wing fundie censorship organization!)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #48 by Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice. Bucky America, the Sub-Mariner and the Black Widow continue their unauthorized covert aggression against the Chinese super-scientist who done ‘em wrong. Guest-starring the original dead Human Torch.
DAREDEVIL #117 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. Daredevil returns to his own comic book and the Kingpin returns to the Big Apple! DD’s and KP’s latest gal-pals just got all messed up so there’s bound to be some tension. Recommended.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #24 by Duane Swierczynski and Kano. Bad as all get-out kung-fu mayhem as only an artist with one name can draw it!
MIGHTY AVENGERS #23 by Dan Slott and Khoi Pham. A new Avengers line-up is revealed in the traditional manner: Big Fight!
NEW AVENGERS #51 by Brian Michael Bendis and Billy Tan. As Sorcerer Supreme it appears ol’ Doc Strange just hasn’t been cutting the mustard as of late so it’s time for a big old magical Ruckus Royale to find a new one. Look for lots of gobbledy-gook, magic-looking letter fonts. Don’t strain your eyes, just assume it rhymes and sounds cool if Ian McKellen’s reading it.
THUNDERBOLTS #130 by Andy Diggle and Bong Dazo. Screw the comic book, don’t you wish your name was “Bong Dazo?”
TOP TEN SPECIAL #1 by Xander Cannon and Da Xiong. It’s a little courtroom drama in the City of Super-Heroes. Recommended even without Alan Moore scripting.
WOLVERINE SAGA #1 by No Credits. It’s the story of the fast-healing mutant Canucklehead James Howlett/Logan/Wolverine/Patch or whatever he’s calling himself today and get this: It’s Free. No charge. On the House of Ideas. You’d almost think there was a big-budget action movie someone was trying to promote…
WOLVERINE: FIRST CLASS #13 by Peter David and Ronan Cliquet. Okay, so “Ronan Cliquet” is no “Bong Dazo” but it’s up there. Are these the Sarah Palin kids nobody talks about?
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #589 by Fred Van Lente and Paulo Siqueira. Spidey’s old foe The Spot is breaking into the murder-for-hire biz. Don’t judge. It’s a bad economy and we’ve all gotta go where the work is.
AMERICAN JESUS, VOL. 1: CHOSEN SC by Mark Millar and Peter Gross. From the Department of Things That Can (and probably will) Go Horribly Wrong, it’s the story of a twelve year-old boy who discovers he’s the returned Jesus Christ with all the perks and liabilities. Did I mention it’s written by the guy who wrote ULTIMATES and KICK-ASS? Gotta look! (Especially if you’re from a right-wing fundie censorship organization!)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #48 by Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice. Bucky America, the Sub-Mariner and the Black Widow continue their unauthorized covert aggression against the Chinese super-scientist who done ‘em wrong. Guest-starring the original dead Human Torch.
DAREDEVIL #117 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. Daredevil returns to his own comic book and the Kingpin returns to the Big Apple! DD’s and KP’s latest gal-pals just got all messed up so there’s bound to be some tension. Recommended.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #24 by Duane Swierczynski and Kano. Bad as all get-out kung-fu mayhem as only an artist with one name can draw it!
MIGHTY AVENGERS #23 by Dan Slott and Khoi Pham. A new Avengers line-up is revealed in the traditional manner: Big Fight!
NEW AVENGERS #51 by Brian Michael Bendis and Billy Tan. As Sorcerer Supreme it appears ol’ Doc Strange just hasn’t been cutting the mustard as of late so it’s time for a big old magical Ruckus Royale to find a new one. Look for lots of gobbledy-gook, magic-looking letter fonts. Don’t strain your eyes, just assume it rhymes and sounds cool if Ian McKellen’s reading it.
THUNDERBOLTS #130 by Andy Diggle and Bong Dazo. Screw the comic book, don’t you wish your name was “Bong Dazo?”
TOP TEN SPECIAL #1 by Xander Cannon and Da Xiong. It’s a little courtroom drama in the City of Super-Heroes. Recommended even without Alan Moore scripting.
WOLVERINE SAGA #1 by No Credits. It’s the story of the fast-healing mutant Canucklehead James Howlett/Logan/Wolverine/Patch or whatever he’s calling himself today and get this: It’s Free. No charge. On the House of Ideas. You’d almost think there was a big-budget action movie someone was trying to promote…
WOLVERINE: FIRST CLASS #13 by Peter David and Ronan Cliquet. Okay, so “Ronan Cliquet” is no “Bong Dazo” but it’s up there. Are these the Sarah Palin kids nobody talks about?
www.johnjudy.net
Another Batcave Companion interview
See "Batman in the '60s & '70s: 'The Batcave Companion'," By Zack Smith, Newsarama 20 March 2009.
Zadzooks and Bennett's Best
Zadzooks is on toys again - "Zadzooks: Predator: The Cleaner and Darth Vader's T.I.E. Fighter," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Wednesday, March 18, 2009.
And Greg recommends some old DC, a new Vertigo title and Humbug -
"Bennett's Best for the week of March 15," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks Blog March 20 2009.
"Bennett's Best for the week of March 8," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks Blog March 19 2009.
And Greg recommends some old DC, a new Vertigo title and Humbug -
"Bennett's Best for the week of March 15," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks Blog March 20 2009.
"Bennett's Best for the week of March 8," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks Blog March 19 2009.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Frederick's Mike Imboden interviewed
See:
Episode 89: Jimmy Gownley - Mike Imboden
Comixology's It Came Out On Wednesday blog March 11, 2009
In the sixth New York Comic Con 2009 special podcast, we're joined by Amelia Rules creator Jimmy Gownley and by Mike Imboden, creator of Fist of Justice from Digital Webbing.
Episode 89: Jimmy Gownley - Mike Imboden
Comixology's It Came Out On Wednesday blog March 11, 2009
In the sixth New York Comic Con 2009 special podcast, we're joined by Amelia Rules creator Jimmy Gownley and by Mike Imboden, creator of Fist of Justice from Digital Webbing.
Wuerker to speak in Lebanon Valley
According to their website:
Cartoonist to Examine the Funny Side of Terror at LVC's Colloquium
Political cartoonist Matt Wuerker will look at The Funny Side of the Age of Terror as part of Lebanon Valley College’s Age of Terror Colloquium. He will speak on Friday, April 3 at 7 p.m. in LVC’s Zimmerman Recital Hall in the Suzanne H. Arnold Gallery. His talk is free and open to the public.
Wuerker will ask: “Do we have to be terrorized? Given all the troubles and tensions of the world perhaps humor is a better response.” Wuerker, a cartoonist for politico.com, will make his case that the war on terror might best be waged with satire. “Besides helping us not lose our own minds and own civil liberties, perhaps humor is the best response to those that would make us into monsters,” he believes. “Laughter can be disarming, and in many ways it is the most civilized way to attack those people that despise our civilization. Besides, if we turn them into jokes it will drive them crazy.”
Cartoonist to Examine the Funny Side of Terror at LVC's Colloquium
Political cartoonist Matt Wuerker will look at The Funny Side of the Age of Terror as part of Lebanon Valley College’s Age of Terror Colloquium. He will speak on Friday, April 3 at 7 p.m. in LVC’s Zimmerman Recital Hall in the Suzanne H. Arnold Gallery. His talk is free and open to the public.
Wuerker will ask: “Do we have to be terrorized? Given all the troubles and tensions of the world perhaps humor is a better response.” Wuerker, a cartoonist for politico.com, will make his case that the war on terror might best be waged with satire. “Besides helping us not lose our own minds and own civil liberties, perhaps humor is the best response to those that would make us into monsters,” he believes. “Laughter can be disarming, and in many ways it is the most civilized way to attack those people that despise our civilization. Besides, if we turn them into jokes it will drive them crazy.”
April 1: Barry Kitson Signing at Cards, Comics & Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD
Barry Kitson Signing at Cards, Comics & Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD
REISTERSTOWN, MD - MARCH 18, 2009 - Barry Kitson, artist of Marvel Comics' Amazing Spider-Man, will appear at Cards, Comics & Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD on Wednesday April 1, 2009. No joke!
Barry, whose work on Amazing Spider-Man includes the first story in the best-selling "Obama issue" #583, has had his work published in many titles, including runs on Marvel's The Order and Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four and DC's Legion of Super-Heroes, The Titans, and Empire.
The signing will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 from 3pm to 7:30pm. Our address is 100 A Chartley Dr., Reisterstown, MD 21136. For more information, call Cards, Comics & Collectibles at 410-526-7410.
May 1st starts our 25th year!
REISTERSTOWN, MD - MARCH 18, 2009 - Barry Kitson, artist of Marvel Comics' Amazing Spider-Man, will appear at Cards, Comics & Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD on Wednesday April 1, 2009. No joke!
Barry, whose work on Amazing Spider-Man includes the first story in the best-selling "Obama issue" #583, has had his work published in many titles, including runs on Marvel's The Order and Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four and DC's Legion of Super-Heroes, The Titans, and Empire.
The signing will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 from 3pm to 7:30pm. Our address is 100 A Chartley Dr., Reisterstown, MD 21136. For more information, call Cards, Comics & Collectibles at 410-526-7410.
May 1st starts our 25th year!
March 23: Chabon at GWU
From GWU's English Dept blog (!)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
For Your Calendar: Chabon and Jones (March 23)
The author of The Yiddish Policemen's Union, Wonder Boys, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, Summerland, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh -- and MORE -- will read from his work and then be interviewed live by Professor Faye Moskowitz.
Michael Chabon will be introduced by Edward P. Jones, GW's first Wang Professor of Contemporary Literature.
The event begins at 7 PM on Monday March 23 in the Jack Morton Auditorium, and is followed by a book signing for both Chabon and Jones. Free and open to all who wish to attend, but seating is on a first-available basis.
The auditorium is in the School of Media and Public Affairs, 805 21st Street, NW Washington, DC 20052
Thursday, February 26, 2009
For Your Calendar: Chabon and Jones (March 23)
The author of The Yiddish Policemen's Union, Wonder Boys, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, Summerland, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh -- and MORE -- will read from his work and then be interviewed live by Professor Faye Moskowitz.
Michael Chabon will be introduced by Edward P. Jones, GW's first Wang Professor of Contemporary Literature.
The event begins at 7 PM on Monday March 23 in the Jack Morton Auditorium, and is followed by a book signing for both Chabon and Jones. Free and open to all who wish to attend, but seating is on a first-available basis.
The auditorium is in the School of Media and Public Affairs, 805 21st Street, NW Washington, DC 20052
OT: David Lozell Martin's book signing on Sunday that I'm going to
My friend the novelist David Lozell Martin will be reading from his new autobiography. I'll be going to Shirlington tomorrow if anyone wants to meet up.
Busboys @ Shirlington
4251 South Campbell Ave
Arlington, VA 22206
(703) 379-9757
Author Event: David Lozell Martin
When Sunday, March 22, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where Shirlington Library/Busboys and Poets
Description Author David Lozell Martin will discuss and sign his most recent work, "Losing Everything: A Memoir". "Losing Everything" is less about getting lost and more about finding your way home again. In his pursuit of stability, Martin uncovered lessons that might help others who have encountered loss: take pleasure in something as small as an ampersand, keep a list of people you know who have died, meet your own death like a warrior, and be glad you don't own a monkey. Deeply personal yet surprisingly universal, Martin's story is for anyone who has wandered astray. If not a road map, his journey is a guide, providing hard-earned wisdom to illuminate the path home. Discussion will take place at Shirlington Library, followed by a book signing at Busboys and Poets.
This event is free and open to the public.
Busboys @ Shirlington
4251 South Campbell Ave
Arlington, VA 22206
(703) 379-9757
Author Event: David Lozell Martin
When Sunday, March 22, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where Shirlington Library/Busboys and Poets
Description Author David Lozell Martin will discuss and sign his most recent work, "Losing Everything: A Memoir". "Losing Everything" is less about getting lost and more about finding your way home again. In his pursuit of stability, Martin uncovered lessons that might help others who have encountered loss: take pleasure in something as small as an ampersand, keep a list of people you know who have died, meet your own death like a warrior, and be glad you don't own a monkey. Deeply personal yet surprisingly universal, Martin's story is for anyone who has wandered astray. If not a road map, his journey is a guide, providing hard-earned wisdom to illuminate the path home. Discussion will take place at Shirlington Library, followed by a book signing at Busboys and Poets.
This event is free and open to the public.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
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.
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.
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/
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
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
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Off to Watchmen
Back tomorrow, but I really enjoyed Super Human Resources comic book that came out today.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
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:
He'll be at Bethesda from 11-2 - Mike
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
Cathy Hunter posting for Mike Rhode
Monday, March 16, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
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.
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.
"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
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
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