ComicsDC

Monday, May 04, 2009

Free Comic Book Day in Washington

The crowd at Big Planet Comics Bethesda.

FCBD seemed to be a success in the area. I went to three stores, along with my daughter, a neighbor, and his daughter.

Big Planet Comics Bethsda, with Lee screaming behind the counter (I guess someone started changing without using the phone booth).

We began with Big Planet Comics Bethesda which was as crowded as I'd ever seen it. Already by 11:30 they had run out of adult packs of comics, even though they only opened at 11. Many of the people coming in had children with them and appeared to be coming in solely due to FCBD.

Jim Dougan and Molly Lawless and their comics.

We next went to Fantom Comics in Tenleytown which had three cartoonists appearing - writer Jim Dougan (see his new strip on Act-I-Vate), Molly Lawless and Arvid "Rex Mundi" Nelson. Molly had 3 comics books for sale, 2 of which were minis. I bought a complete set (and one for Michigan State's Comic Art Collection). Jim had 4 comics, all of which I had already. You should buy them though, right Jim? Arvid Nelson had a stack of his 5 Rex Mundi collections so I bought one of each and hope to start reading them this week (along with the preview comic Jim gave me). I wasn't wearing my reporter hat, so all I can report is that Hollywood's interested in a Rex Mundi movie (duh) and he's happy with his publisher, Dark Horse. Actually I cut in front of a guy with dozens of comics he was having signed (with his permission) and then some other people were buying trades so I didn't linger at the table.

Unfortunately, Fantom is having a 50%-off moving sale so I also bought a stack of comics 3 feet high so... However, my friend Chris has already started on his stack of five AND has been able to tell a co-worker that he saw her spouse's favorite comic book writer while he had to stay home to try to sell his house - a ridiculous excuse (my wife has been harping on seeing Stan Lee when I didn't for over 20 years now).

Arvid Nelson and Rex Mundi.

We ended up checking in with Big Planet Comics Georgetown where they said they'd had steady foot traffic, although not as crazy as Bethesda. They still had a few packs of children's comics and gladly contributed one set for the Library of Congress (although Sara Duke may have gotten her own set in which case another library will get them).

Discerning consumers.

There are more pictures in this photo set on Flickr.

The band at Fantom Comics.

The Best of Simon & Kirby (Titan Books) received for review

Today's mail brought The Best of Simon & Kirby (Titan Books) for review and I hope to have something up here soon.

They also sent me some Terminator movie books, and we may have a guest reviewer since these aren't comic-book based. Purist, I know, but one must draw the line at some point especially since I've got a lot of comics material that I've told people that I'd be reviewing (apologies if you're still waiting - I haven't forgotten).

Spiegelman interview online at Express

Here's another interview with Spiegelman - "Graphic Art: Art Spiegelman," by Express contributor Tim Follos, Express May 4, 2009.

Remember he's at the Corcoran tonight.

John Judy MAKES Star Trek

John Judy, who lets us run his Quick Reviews and was one of the key components of the early years of Big Planet Comics, would like you to know that he is now immortal.

That's him, the good-looking one, on the far left. Carrying Spock's bag.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 05-06-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 05-06-09
By John Judy

AGENTS OF ATLAS #4 by Jeff Parker and Gabriel Hardman. A tale of two times: 1958 and the present day with the Agents throwing down hard in both eras. And one of them’s starting to lose his calm center. Recommended.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #593 by Mark Waid and Mark McKone. Okay, so last issue’s last panel probably had you scrubbing your eyes with lye. Now we find out how Spidey deals with the fact that Aunt May still has “a woman’s needs.” This never happened in the Lee-Ditko Era. Back then it was all wheat cakes and heart attacks…

ANGEL: BLOOD AND TRENCHES #3 written and drawn by John Byrne. An entertaining romp that succeeds in capturing the spirit of the much-missed TV show. It also begs the question of whether vampires ever fought on behalf of non-Germans in either World War. Y’know, except for good vampires…

ASTRO CITY: THE DARK AGE BOOK THREE #1 of 4 by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson. Kurt and Brent continue their epic saga of the Williams brothers, one a thug with a good heart, the other a conflicted cop. Oh, and there’s superheroes too. Recommended.

THE BEATS: A GRAPHIC HISTORY HC edited by Paul Buhle. What it sounds like: A history of the beat poets told in graphic form. Contributors include Harvey Pekar, Joyce Brabner, Peter Kuper and Trina Robbins among many others. Recommended, daddy-o!

BLAZING COMBAT HC by Archie Goodwin and a Pantheon of Sixties Art Gods. Collecting all four issues of the war comic that was so good it got put out of business by people who were afraid it would end the Vietnam War. Kudos to Fantagraphics for putting this together. Highly, highly recommended.

BOYS #30 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. A bonus cover by Jim Lee marks the Big Three-Oh for our heroes as they each regroup in their way after the apocalyptic events of last issue. Not for kids. Recommended.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #25 by Doug Petrie and Georges Jeanty. This story is titled “Living Doll” but don’t worry. It focuses on Buffy’s sister Dawn and is NOT an awkward promotional tie-in with A Certain TV Show of Which We Do Not Speak.

CREEPY ARCHIVES VOL. 3 HC by Various Creators, including Frazetta Toth, Orlando, Morrow and Torres. The third in this series of superb horror reprints from Dark Horse Comics. Recommended.

DESTROYER #2 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker. Destroyer destroys stuff before he is destroyed. Hey, it’s still got more heft than the Wolverine movie! Give ‘er a look!

FIN FANG FOUR RETURN #1 by Scott Gray and Roger Langridge. Admit it, you’d want to know what Triple-F, Elektro, Googam and Gorgilla were up to even if it wasn’t hysterically funny. Me too. Recommended.

FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: RUN #1 of 6 by Matthew Sturges and Freddie E. Williams II. The story of the costumed moron who taped the murder of the Martian Manhunter on his cell phone. Meet the Red Flame. Everyone hates him so now he’s got to RUN!

FLASH PRESENTS REBIRTH #2 of 5 by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver. Barry Allen! Still fast and still not dead! Gotta look!

HUMAN TORCH COMICS 70th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL by Scott Snyder and Scott Wegener. My heroes have always been flaming Golden-Age androids so I kind of have to have this. Comes with a new story and a classic reprint. And two covers to signify twice the awesomeness.

LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN CENTURY #1 (1910) by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill. The lads are at it again. Hopefully they got their game back after BLACK DOSSIER. Significantly, this is the first LOEG from Top Shelf Productions, with Moore having now completely divorced himself from DC/Wildstorm/ABC. Gotta look.

MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #2 of 4 by Fred Van Lente and Kev Walker. The Hood’s gonna make everyone zombies unless the Marvel monsters can stop him. There. A story. Nice and straightforward. Respect.

NEW MUTANTS #1 by Zeb Wells and Diogenes Neves. It’s a reunion of the old crew as done by people whose names make me suspect that they too are mutants. Zeb and Diogenes? Right, suit up and to the Danger Room with you! PS- Four covers!

POWER GIRL #1 by Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray and Amanda Conner. Um, I read it for the articles….

SUPERMAN WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #3 of 12 by James Robinson, Greg Rucka and Pete Woods. Superman’s a grunt in the Kryptonian Army, but he’s a sassy one! Expect to see Private El peeling a lot of potatoes. Hoo-yah!

Y: THE LAST MAN: DELUXE EDITION VOL. 2 HC by Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra and Others. Collecting issues #11-23 of this groundbreaking series in a beautiful oversized format. Recommended.

www.johnjudy.net

May 4: Spider-Man movie in Crystal City

Crystal Screen - Superheroes

Join the Crystal City BID for 21 weeks of Superheros! On Monday nights from May 4, 2009-September 21, 2009, Crystal City will be protected by Batman, Spiderman, Superman, and many others. Each night will also have special giveaways, sponsors, and other activities.

Date(s):
May 4, 2009 - September 21, 2009

Location:
18th and Bell Street - Courtyard Across from Crystal City Metro Station & Marriott Hotel

Event Fee:
Free

Hours:
Movies begin at sundown

Description:
Join the Crystal City BID for 21 weeks of Superheros! On Monday nights from May 4, 2009-September 21, 2009, Crystal City will be protected by Batman, Spiderman, Superman, and many others. Each night will also have special giveaways, sponsors, and other activities. Check back here for more information.

CRYSTAL KID BONUS: Since it gets dark later in the summer and movies often start past bedtime, the BID has partnered with Crystal City Sports Pub to rebroadcast each movie at 3:30 PM on the 3rd Floor of CCSP on the Wednesday following the outdoor showing, starting May 6. Bring your kids and a blanket and enjoy the fabulous surround network of TVs.

OPENING NIGHT SPECIAL: On Opening Night, May 4th, swing by the Noodles & Company at 2011 Crystal Drive and get a FREE soup, salad, or noodles from 5-7PM when you mention Crystal Screen.

Festival Rules: Patrons can bring their own picnics as long as they abide by city and festival rules. Low-backed chairs and blankets are allowed, but grills, umbrellas, and pets are prohibited.

Schedule

May 4th 2009 - Spider-Man
May 6th 2009 - Spider-Man - at CCSP
May 11, 2009 - Spider-Man 2
May 13, 2009 - Spider-Man 2 - at CCSP
May 18, 2009 - Spider-Man 3
May 20, 2009 - Spider-Man 3 - at CCSP
May 25, 2009 - The Hulk
May 27, 2009 - The Hulk - at CCSP
June 1, 2009 - Hulk 2: The Incredible Hulk
June 3, 2009 - Hulk 2: The Incredible Hulk - at CCSP
June 8, 2009 - Superman: The Superman Movie
June 10, 2009 - Superman: The Superman Movie - at CCSP
June 15, 2009 - Superman 2
June 17, 2009 - Superman 2 - at CCSP
June 22, 2009 - Superman 3: Superman vs. Superman
June 24, 2009 - Superman 3: Superman vs. Superman - at CCSP
June 29, 2009 - Superman 4: The Quest for Peace
June 31, 2009 - Superman 4: The Quest for Peace - at CCSP
July 6, 2009 - Superman 5: Superman Returns
July 8, 2009 - Superman 5: Superman Returns - at CCSP
July 13, 2009 - X-Men
July 15, 2009 - X-Men - at CCSP
July 20, 2009 - X2
July 22, 2009 - X2 - at CCSP
July 27, 2009 - X-Men: The Last Stand
July 29, 2009 - X-Men: The Last Stand - at CCSP
August 3, 2009 - Fantastic Four
August 5, 2009 - Fantastic Four - at CCSP
August 10, 2009 - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
August 12, 2009 - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - at CCSP
August 17, 2009 - Batman
August 19, 2009 - Batman - at CCSP
August 24, 2009 - Batman Returns
August 26, 2009 - Batman Returns - at CCSP
August 31, 2009 - Batman Forever
September 2, 2009 - Batman Forever - at CCSP
September 7, 2009 - Batman & Robin
September 9, 2009 - Batman & Robin - at CCSP
September 14, 2009 - Batman Begins
September 16, 2009 - Batman Begins - at CCSP
September 21, 2009 - Batman: The Dark Knight
September 23, 2009 - Batman: The Dark Knight - at CCSP

Art Spiegelman at the Corcoran tonight

Tonight at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, 500 17th St, NW at 7 pm. It's his Comix 101 lecture, and is $25.

An interview by Chris Kilmer is in the physical Washington Examiner today, but not apparently online.

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Washington Post highlights

In addition to the Jen Sorenson story mentioned a few days ago, Steve Brodner covered the Travel section. In the Business section, Disney's investment into healthy food is examined.

Travels with Harvey

Last weekend I was at the History of Medicine meetings in Cleveland, the home to Harvey Pekar. I had called him beforehand and asked if we could meet and Harvey, who's always gracious, agreed. He picked me up after the Medical Museums Association meeting and took me to an early dinner in his town, Cleveland Heights.

After asking me if I liked milkshakes, he took me to Tommy's Restaurant (1824 Coventry Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118, for those planning a trip) where he was greeted by name. We were parked in a booth and talked comics, food and mutual acquaintances for a while while I had a black cherry ice cream milkshake and a meat pie with lamb, beef and onions. Harvey had a grilled cheese, which I report for the sake of history. We talked a little bit about his appearance on Tony Bourdain's tv show No Reservations last year, and in spite of Harvey's reputation as a tv disdainer (apropos of his Letterman appearances), he's got a real liking for Bourdain who's another self-made man like Harvey is. I specifically asked because my wife and I are addicted to No Reservations and I buy any of Bourdain's books when he comes to DC for a signing.

I don't think Harvey will mind if I mention that DC hasn't picked up American Splendor for a 3rd series - drop a line to Vertigo now asking for more! These were excellent versions of his stories. His new book, The Beats, has just come out and he kindly gave me a copy. I also got him to sign some of the Harvey Pekar: Conversations books (on sale on the right) that I still have after buying a case of them. I'll probably be selling a few at Heroes Con when I accompany Our Man Thompson to help man his table this year.

It was a real pleasure to hang out with Harvey on his home ground. I'd recommend it to all of you, except that I think Harvey's brain would explode.

Michigan State U's Comic Art Collection's February 2009 additions

I'm afraid I fell off doing these for a couple of weeks due to travel, but the feature that nobody asked for is back! Randy tells me he's keeping the new cataloging index up to date every day so Google searches will tell you that something is in his collection.

Speaking of something, I've picked up some of the Free Comic Book Day books for MSU, courtesy of Big Planet Comics, but if you've got some of the smaller press ones, consider donating them.

February opened with a lot more Treasure Chest, a fairly tiresome Catholic educational comic...

...here's an interesting little piece, reflective of the feeling in many quarters that women in superhero comics are ill-treated...

Frost Flowers / Susanna Doyle. -- between 1988 and 2008. -- 6
p. : 28 cm. -- "Dedicated to Barbara Randall, whose new
Barbara is going to be a wonderful addition to the DC
Universe no matter what legacy Alan Moore left to her." --
Summary: Fan fiction in the Batman universe, set
immediately after the incident in the 1988 graphic novel
Batman : the killing joke, in which the character Barbara
Gordon is shot by the Joker and left paralyzed. The story
follows Dick Grayson's wait for news about her condition
from hospital staff and then his visit to her bedside. --
Call no.: folio PS3554.O94F76 1988

...given that Batman was cured of a broken back contemporaneously with Barbara "Batgirl" Gordon's injury which still persists 2 decades later, I generally concur with them...

...and surely someone can provide #2 of this title...

Glory & Friends Bikini Fest. -- Anaheim,CA : Image Comics,
1995. -- col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Complete in 2 nos. --
Superheroine pinup art. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 1. -- Call no.:
PN6728.6 .I45G545 1995

...this was my copy, picked up at Big Planet Comics, but MSU needed it more...

From the Shadow of the Northern Lights. v. 1 : an anthology of
Swedish Alternative Comics / editor, Johannes Klenell. --
Stockholm, Sweden : Ordfront Galago, 2008. -- 200 p. : ill.
; 25 cm. -- Call no.: PN6790.S92F7 2008

Librarian Randy Scott began picking up comics at his local store (which I think was moving) and we can see evidence of odd titles and issues from the back issue bins surfacing...

Amazing Fantasy. -- New York : Marvel Comics, 2004-2006. --
col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Published no. 1 (Aug. 2004) - no. 20
(June 2006), cf. Official Overstreet Comic Book Price
Guide. -- Superhero genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 2 (2004). --
Call no.: PN6728.7.M3A48
-----------------------------------------------------
Anarky. -- New York : DC Comics, 1999. -- col. ill. ; 26 cm.
-- Complete in 8 nos. -- Superhero genre. -- LIBRARY HAS:
no. 5, 7. -- Call no.: PN6728.6.D3A482 1999
-----------------------------------------------------
Araknis. -- Costa Mesa, CA : Mushroom Comics, 1996- . -- col.
ill. ; 26 cm. -- Began with no. 0 (Apr. 1996). -- Superhero
genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 0. -- Call no.: PN6728.6.M848A7
-----------------------------------------------------
Bay City Jive. -- La Jolla, CA : WildStorm Productions, 2001.
-- col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Complete in 3 nos. -- Takes place
in San Francisco in the 1970s. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 3. --
Call no.: PN6728.7 .I5B34
-----------------------------------------------------
Civil War : Front Line. -- New York : Marvel Publishing,
2006-2007. -- col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Complete in 11 nos. --
Superhero genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 8. -- Call no.:
PN6728.7.M3C5034 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
Civil War : War Crimes. -- New York : Marvel Publishing, 2007.
-- 48 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- "No. 1, February, 2007.
Published as a one-shot." -- Superhero genre. -- Call no.:
PN6728.7.M3C5039 2007
-----------------------------------------------------
Rebel. -- Milwaukie, OR : Dark Horse Comics, 1993. -- Special
limited ed. -- 16 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- (Comics'
Greatest World) -- "Exclusive to Heroes World
Distribution." -- "July 1993." -- Superhero genre. -- Call
no.: PN6728.6.D34R39 1993
-----------------------------------------------------
Faction Paradox. -- Orange, CA : Image Comics, 2003- . -- col.
ill. ; 26 cm. -- Began with v. 1, no. 1 (Aug. 2003). --
Science fiction genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: v. 1, no. 1. -- Call
no.: PN6728.7 .I5F3

...obviously they need the Civil War issues that you're now wondering what to do with...

...and here's a nice oddity that shows how comics were merchandised from the very beginning...

Mutt and Jeff in the Wild and Wooley West. -- Chicago : Harold
Rossiter Music Company, 1911. -- 16 p. : music ; 35 cm. --
Caption title: Popular Song Hits of Mutt and Jeff. -- "A
Gus Hill production." -- Songs with and without piano
accompaniment, one page of song lyrics without music, plus
jokes, advertising, and on the back cover, "Mutt and Jeff's
dream dictionary." -- Probably to be sold at a theatrical
production. -- Call no.: folio PN6728.M87W5 1911

...and the quarter bins lead to the completing of one Valiant title (which I was buying at the time - I think Barry Windsor Smith started the title)...

Archer & Armstrong. -- New York : Valiant, 1992-1994. -- col.
ill. ; 26 cm. -- Published no. 0 (June 1992) - no. 26 (Oct.
1994). -- Superhero genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 0-26. --
Call no.: PN6728.6.V6A6
COMPLETE HOLDINGS

...this book is done by DC-area cartoonist John Gallagher...

Buzzboy. -- Kensington, MD : Sky Dog Press, 1998. -- ill. ; 26
cm. -- Complete in 4 nos. -- "The world's most upbeat super
hero." -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 4. -- Call no.: PN6728.6.S532B8
1998

...and a new (at least to Randy) German comic book library pops up...

Comic Bibliothek Renate. Founded in 1992 by a group of comic
artists the library now has about 15,000 titles. Because of
its intention to give access to many kinds of comics, and
show their diversity and possibilities, the library is for
researchers and journalists as well as for comics lovers
and friends. Most of the titles can be borrowed for two
weeks. The main collection is independent and single-author
comics, but there are examples of nearly everything in
comics. (2/09) Contact: Comic-Bibliothek "Renate",
Tucholskystrasse 32, 10117 Berlin, Germany. Phone:
0049(0)30 97 00 58-15 Website: www.renatecomics.de

...more swimsuits!

Razor Swimsuit Special. -- Hickory, N.C. : London Night
Studios, 1995. -- 32 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Cover
title: Everette Hartsoe's Razor Swimsuit Special. -- "April
1995." -- Pinup style full-page illustrations. -- Call no.:
PN6728.6.L57R315 1995

...ooooh, Barnaby's Crockett Johnson...

Willie's Adventures : Three Stories / by Margaret Wise Brown ;
illustrated by Crockett Johnson. -- Katonah, N.Y. : Young
Readers Press, 1967. -- 68 p. : ill. ; 21 cm. -- "WW 646"
on spine and front cover. -- Copyright 1944. -- Summary
(from OCLC): Three stories about a young boy and his
experiences: Willie's Animal, Willie's Pockets, and
Willie's Walk. -- Call no.: PS3503.R82184W555 1967
Brown, Margaret Wise, 1910-1952.

...DC is about to bring back Archie's superhero line, including the Shield, so Randy probably got these out of the quarter bin just in time...

Lancelot Strong, the Shield. -- New York : Red Circle
Productions, 1983. -- Continued by: The Shield. -- col.
ill. ; 26 cm. -- Published no. 1 (June 1983) only. --
Superhero genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 1. -- Call no.:
PN6728.5.A7S75
-----------------------------------------------------
The Shield. -- New York : Red Circle Productions, 1983. --
col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Published no. 2 (Aug. 1983) only. --
Continues: Lancelot Strong, the Shield. -- Continued by:
Shield-Steel Sterling. -- Cover title: Lancelot Strong, the
Shield. -- Superhero genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 2. -- Call
no.: PN6728.5.A7S75

...one wonders what the 'Classex' this is illustrating is...

Illustrated Classex. -- Berlin, NJ : Comic Zone Productions,
1991- . -- ill. ; 26 cm. -- "Adults only." -- Erotic genre.
-- LIBRARY HAS: no. 1. -- Call no.: PN6728.6.C58 I4

...and Green Lantern's title from when he wasn't carrying his own book gets completed too...

The Green Lantern Corps. -- New York : DC Comics, 1986-1988.
-- col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Published no. 201 (June 1986) -
no. 224 (May 1988), cf. Official Overstreet Comic Book
Price Guide. -- Continues: Green Lantern. -- Superhero
genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 201-224. -- Call no.:
PN6728.3.N3G7
COMPLETE HOLDINGS

...but this is an academic library so things turn serious...

The Best American comics 2008 / edited and with an
introduction by Lynda Barry. -- Boston : Houghton Mifflin,
2008. -- 324 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 24 cm. -- (Best
American Series) -- Contents: Burden / Graham Annable ;
War-fix (excerpt) / David Axe and Steve Olexa ; Trouble /
T. Edward Bak ; Proxy War ; A terribly civil war ; Life 2.0
; Scandal in the house ; Who's your daddy? ; and The uses
of intelligence / Alison Bechdel ; The salon (excerpt) /
Nick Bertozzi ; The thing about Madeline / Lilli Carré ;
Hopscotch / Martin Cendreda ; The monkey and the crab /
Shawn Cheng and Sara Edward-Corbett ; Seven sacks / Eleanor
Davis ; The bunker ; Pressure ; Strange thoughts for
strange times ; The man ; and Wal-Mart / Derf ; Part II.
The Benders arrive / Rick Geary ; 'Fraid monkeys ; Daddy I
got a haircut ; Important questions about monsters ; King
of Monster Island ; Movies I'm going to make when I grow up
; Will and Abe's guide to Bali, Parts I, II, and III ; Will
and Abe's guide to superheroes ; Abe and Will in The dinner
conversation ; and My class went on a field trip / Matt
Groening ; Mammalogy / Eric Haven ; Gold diggers of 1969 /
Jaime Hernandez ; Underworld strips / Kaz ; Cousin Granpa /
Michael Kupperman ; Turtle, keep it steady! / Joseph
Lambert ; Cupid's day off / Evan Larson ; Berlin (excerpt)
/ Jason Lutes ; Percy Gloom (excerpt) / Cathy Malkasian ;
The teachers edition (excerpt) / John Mejias ; Graveyard /
Sarah Oleksyk ; The fordbidden zone / Kevin Pyle ; George
Sprott (1894-1975) (excerpt) / Seth ; The Thanksgiving
series / Chris Ware ; American born Chinese (excerpt) /
Gene Luen Yang. -- Alternative genre. -- Call no.:
PN6726.B335 2008
-----------------------------------------------------
An Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons, & True Stories, v.
two / edited by Ivan Brunetti. -- New Haven, Conn. : Yale
University Press, 2008. -- 400 p. : ill. ; 27 cm. --
Alternative genre. -- Call no.: PN6726.A49 2008
-----------------------------------------------------
Breakdowns : Portrait of the Artist as a Young %@/*! /
Spiegelman. -- New York : Pantheon Books, 2008. -- 1 v. :
ill. (chiefly col.) ; 37 cm. -- Selection of Spiegelman's
works. -- Alternative genre. -- Call no.: folio PN6727.S6B7
2008

...and we wrap up the month with some fifty-year-old comic books...

Cowpuncher. -- New York : Realistic Comics, 1953. -- 32 p. :
col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- "A Realistic reprint." --
"Action-packed stories of the West!" -- Western genre. --
Call no.: PN6728.2.R4C6 1953
-----------------------------------------------------
Hi Ho Comics. -- St. Louis, Mo. : Four-Star Publications,
1946. -- col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Published no. 1 - no. 3, cf.
Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. -- Cover title:
Hi-Ho Comics. -- First issue undated. -- Funny animal
genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 1. -- Call no.: PN6728.1.F58H4
-----------------------------------------------------
Tex Morgan. -- New York : Comic Combine Corp., 1948-1950. --
col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Published no. 1 (Aug. 1948) - no. 9
(Feb. 1950), cf. Official Overstreet Comic Book Price
Guide. -- Western genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 1. -- Call

Tune in tomorrow for the thrilling days of March 2009!

Saturday, May 02, 2009

Richard's Poor Almanack previewed Free Comic Book Day for the 4th time

See all 4 strips here. He cracks me up.

Crystal City's summer Superheroes movies fest starts May 4th

Fantom Comics moving sale

I stopped by Fantom Comics today to get the 5 trade paperbacks of Arvid Nelson's Rex Mundi - you can still do that for another couple of hours and he does a nice signature and quote in each - and found out that they'll be moving at the end of this month to an undetermined location. In the meantime, they're having a 50% off sale of a lot of good stuff - I bought a bunch. If I hadn't been going to Big Planet since 1986, Fantom would be my store of choice because they've got a lot of stuff beyond superheroes.

Free Comic Book Day - it's time to hit the streets

The tag below this will take you to our earlier posts about who's signing where. I'll be checking out Fantom Comics in Tenleytown and a couple of the Big Planets.

Friday, May 01, 2009

RFK Journalism Awards reception report

I'm posting this because my wife thinks it's cool.

Last night, the RFK Journalism Awards had a reception for we (us?) judges downtown. Of the cartoon judges, half of us made it - namely Nick Galifianakis and me. The food was excellent and it was a pleasure to talk to Nick and the photo judges (who did their judging the same day we did, but were seemingly more contentious). The part Cathy thinks is cool is that Mrs. Ethel Kennedy was able to stop in and made a point of greeting everyone and shaking their hand and thanking them - which I thought was very nice. To avoid this being a totally content-free post, I will say that she recommended reading The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast by Douglas Brinkley which seems like a good idea to me too.

The actual award will be given to Jack Ohman later this month.

David Coverly and Jef Mallett's visit to Walter Reed Hospital detailed

I never hear about this in the base newspaper - sigh. For Jef (Frazz) Mallett and David (Speed Bump) Coverly's visit to Walter Reed Hospital and Bethesda Naval Hospital, see "From the funny page to just off the frontline: Lansing cartoonist takes trip to sketch for wounded soldiers," by Bill Castanier, Lansing City Pulse (April 29 2009).

Wash Post on Wolverine

See "So Violent, and Yet So Blhttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=34955617oodless," By John Anderson, Special to The Washington Post, Friday, May 1, 2009.

Wolverine's history is so convuluted now that it's impenetrable to reason, as when A.O. Scott in "I, Mutant, Red in Face and Claw," says, "“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” will most likely manage to cash in on the popularity of the earlier episodes, but it is the latest evidence that the superhero movie is suffering from serious imaginative fatigue. A twist at the end that gives poor Wolverine a bad case of amnesia — turning him into a kind of Jason Bourne with sideburns — is a virtual admission that nothing terribly interesting has been learned about the character. He forgets his origins before the movie devoted to their exposition is even over. It won’t take you much longer." He's actually got it backwards by blaming the movie - in the comic books, Wolverine had amnesia which had become necessary as various writers added parasitical bits to a fairly basic origin story that couldn't support them.

Jen Sorenson interview on Comic Riffs

See "The Interview: 'Slowpoke' Alt-Cartoonist Jen Sorensen," By Michael Cavna, May 1, 2009. Jen's always good. I buy her new book at SPX every year, even if I already have it because it's not really new. Because she appreciates it.

UPDATE: A version of this apparently runs in Sunday's physical paper - The Back Story: Sister, Can You Spare a Smile?, Washington Post May 3, 2009

David Hagen's new Zazzle site

David Hagen's Gallery at Zazzle went live yesterday, and you can buy t-shirts by the man who devised the ComicsDC logo spontaneously, out of the goodness of his heart, without knowing me from Adam. Personally I'm getting the Drop Everything and Read shirt. The whole family might be getting it.

Last Chance: Free Bo Nanas Mini-comic for Free Comic Book Day

John Kovaleski writes in to inform us:

Only two more days to get a free copy of the Bo Nanas mini-comic, "TheBlustery Day." It's all in honor of Free Comic Book Day (Saturday. May 2), All you have to do is e-mail me and I'll send you a PDF copy. (There's ateeny bit of assembly required, but I know you can handle it.) So what are you waiting for? Get your copy today! Offer ends tomorrow!

Also, on Free Comic Book Day I'll be at Comix Connection in York, PA, 10:00 to 2:00. I'll have the usual books and fun and FREE signed Bo prints.

As always you can find out too much about me on my blog: http://kovaleski.wordpress.com/

Enjoy Free Comic Book Day - the greatest holiday of them all.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Zadzooks on Wolverine comics

See "Zadzooks: Wolverine comic book reviews; X-Men's Wolverine and Logan explored," By Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times April 30, 2009. I actually bought my first Wolverine comic in perhaps a decade - the faux manga one that Marvel and Del Ray put out this week, just out of curiosity.

And I think I missed at least one Bennett's best:

Scalped and Viking for last week: "Bennett's Best for the week of April 19," By Greg Bennett, April 25, 2009 Zadzooks blog.

Dylan Dog and Paul Pope from two weeks ago: "Bennett's Best for the week of April 12," April 16, 2009 Zadzooks blog.

Jim Dougan and Molly Lawless at Fantom Comics

Jim writes in self-deprecatingly,

I'm going to be at Fantom Comics in Tenleytown this Saturday from 12-6ish along with my occasional collaborator but more importantly fabulous cartoonist in her own right, the inimitable Molly Lawless! We're kind of a local opening act of sorts, because the "headliner" is REX MUNDI writer/creator Arvid Nelson!

More details here:

http://www.fantomcomics.com/2009/04/join_fantom_comics_for_free_co.html

And a brief article from the Express that rightfullly focuses on REX MUNDI:

http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/04/slim_volumes_big_fantasies_free_comic_bo.php

I'll have a laptop to show SAM & LILAH, copies of CRAZY PAPERS and NO FORMULA and maybe my controversial collaboration with Molly HOW I LOST MY S#?! AT THE APPLE STORE, Molly will have copies of INFANDUM...AD INFINITUM, I'm sure Fantom will have a ton of REX MUNDI, and we'll all have a good time!

I plan on being there. I've already got Jim's books (somewhere in a pile, sigh...) and perhaps Molly's, but I'll buy the Rex Mundi books which Arion Berger in the Express liked quite a bit.

Kate Feiffer interview

She was at Politics and Prose today with her father Jules Feiffer, and will be in Old Town Alexandria tomorrow. See "Big Woof: Kate Feiffer's 'Which Puppy?'," by Express contributor Stephen M. Deusner, Express April 30, 2009.

Also as we've noted, they'll be appearing tomorrow:

We’d be thrilled if you would mention that Jules & Kate Feiffer will be appearing at Hooray For Books! 1555 King St., Alexandria, VA on Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m. We’ll have copies of “The Explainers” and “Great Comic Book Heroes” on hand.

Weingarten's Chatalogical Humor chat on some comics

Comments on comics from the past two weeks including Chatological Humor: Denim Friendly Since 2001; Talking Susan Boyle (UPDATED 4.24.09) aka Tuesdays With Moron, Gene Weingarten, Washington Post Staff Writer, Tuesday, April 21, 2009; 12:00 PM.

--------------
What were they thinking?: So the comics editors brought back "Judge Parker." Okay, fine, I'm cool with that. I was wondering if Sophie was going to make the cheerleading squad. But to make room, they chose a strip to move to the KidsPost page, and the strip they chose was... "Agnes"? Um, has anyone involved with this decision actually read "Agnes"? It's often incomprehensibly edgy, certainly for the KidsPost demographic.

I have a ten-year-old daughter who likes to read some of the comics, and I can tell you without a doubt which strip most appeals to her: "Baby Blues." It manages to be truly funny but also understandable to kids. If the point of this exercise is to get more kids to look at KidsPost, they should really rethink the choice of strip.

Could you go slap the comics editors around for me, Gene?

Gene Weingarten: I am not allow to slap comics editors.

_______________________

I am not one of your sycophant groupies...: I want you to know how utterly reprehensible it is that your weekly harangue against Hagar the Horrible, Beetle Bailey, Dennis the Menace, Family Circus et al should result in your comic strip being picked up by a syndicate. Many of us cut our teeth and learned how to read from those very strips and what you don't seem to understand is that not every comic has to appeal to the tastes of a 60 year old, old fart like yourself.

So go enjoy your ill gotten fruit but know that some of us recognize the dublicity of it all especially picking on poor little PJ -- I mean heck, he's just a little kid !

Gene Weingarten: I think P.J. is something like 48 years old.

_______________________

[apropos of a previous discussion of what makes a hero]

Krypt, ON: I find it interesting that Superman would not be considered a hero here for doing good since he risks nothing and expends, for him, little effort, but would be because he does it on his own time. Sometimes. When he isn't defrauding a newspaper. Which may be the real reason newspapers are going under.

Gene Weingarten: Whoa, whoa. He is a hero. It's not a question necessarily of what you risk, it's what you sacrifice. He sacrifices privacy. He sacrifices the ability to be a fully realized person. He is definitely a hero.

Rockville, Md.: Gene,

Is there something wrong with me because I was incredibly turned on by seeing Janis topless in yesterday's Arlo and Janis? I'm a happily married 39 year old guy if it makes a difference.

washingtonpost.com: Arlo and Janis, (April 20)

Gene Weingarten: I've said it before. Arlo and Janis is the hottest comic strip maybe ever.

_______________________

Funny Pa, PR: Since you're not allowed to bring this up: the April 17 Lio was genuinely unreadable at the size the Post printed it. The only way to make sense of it was to work backwards: there was a staggering drunk spider, so the spiderweb must have had something intoxicating in it.

At first there didn't seem to be anything in the middle of the web at all. Prolonged close study revealed what I guess was a beer can. Figuring this out was not worth the eyestrain.

Gene Weingarten: This was absolutely true. It's how I had to read it to get the joke. Liz, can you link to this? Online, it will be bigger; but imagine trying to figure it out at an inch high.

and a 'new' contest, although Cavna's been doing this off and on at Comic Riffs, usually with editorial cartoons.

Chatological Humor: Swine Flu Fever; Quiet Cars; Cat Calls (UPDATED 4.30.09), Gene Weingarten, Washington Post Staff Writer, Wednesday, April 29, 2009; 12:00 PM

Several weeks ago, Chatological Humor discontinued its regular Comic Pick of the Week feature, on the theory that it would be unseemly for me to critique comic strips if I were soon to be the author of one. I promised to find a replacement feature, and here it is. It's going to be reader-generated, and the first submission is by Justin Stone.

That's what we're doing. Rewrite dialog balloons for any current comic strip; you can either post your results on a Web site like flickr or Facebook, and send me a link, or you can send it right to me at weingarten(at)washpost.com. Important: You must make your dialogue fit the existing balloons. As Justin discovered, this can be hard. Comic-strip writing is Pinteresque.

Gene Weingarten: Ooh, this just in. Chatological Humor might have had a beneficial, tangible effect in the world.

Last week, a chatter noted, correctly, that "Agnes" was a tone-deaf joice as the comic strip chosen to appear on the KidsPost page. Very, very true: It's excellently cynical, even nihilistic, with big words and complex themes.

Someone apparently listened. I've just heard that it goes back on the comics page, and will be replaced in KidsPost by Frazz. Much better choice. Frazz or Big Nate would have been my choices.

I disagree here, as did some other Comic Riffs commenters. Garfield or Peanuts would have been a better choice. My 11-year-old daughter doesn't read Frazz.

Free Comic Book Day at Big Planet Comics PR

Free Comic Book Day is this Saturday, May 2nd, at Big Planet Comics!

We’ll be open from 11AM-6PM and we’ll have piles of free comics from Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Image, Oni, Top Shelf, and many more! Some highlights include the first part of Green Lantern’s Blackest Night written by Geoff Johns and a new Avengers comic written by Brian Bendis.

We have special pre-packs for the kids.

Stop by, say hi; we'd love to see you!

--

BIG PLANET COMICS
4908 Fairmont Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-654-6856

Also affiliated with:

BIG PLANET COMICS
3145 Dumbarton St. NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-342-1961

BIG PLANET COMICS
426 Maple Ave. East
Vienna, VA 22180
703-242-9412

BIG PLANET COMICS
7315 Baltimore Ave.
College Park, MD 20740
301-699-0498

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Free Comic Book Day "not available in any store" freebies

Hogan's Alley, a magazine I infrequently write for, but really like says:

Even in the depths of the Great Recession, the best things in life are free! Mark your calendars for this Saturday, May 2: Free Comic Book Day. Send us an e-mail ON THAT DATE with your mailing address, and we’ll send you a FREE issue of Hogan’s Alley! No obligations, no strings attached; the only thing it will cost you is several hours as you enjoy the issue. (This offer is valid for all U.S. residents, whether you’re a current subscriber or not.) Remember the one condition —we must receive your e-mail request on Free Comic Book Day (May 2), not the day before or the day after. (Before and after that date, any requests for freebies will receive only scorn and derision.) Feel free to pass this offer along to anyone you know who might enjoy Hogan’s Alley! [their email seems to be hoganmag@gmail.com]

TwoMorrows revolutionized fanzine publishing with Jack Kirby Collector and mags with lots and lots of creator interviews. They say:

TwoMorrows Publishing, in its 15th year of celebrating the art and history of comic books and LEGO, is commemorating Free Comic Book Day by again giving away publications online at www.twomorrows.com.

From May 1-3, TwoMorrows will be offering free complete digital issues of their various magazines for download, so customers can sample their publications. This limited time offer includes issues of their current magazine line-up:

ALTER EGO (focusing on Golden and Silver Age comics)

BACK ISSUE! (celebrating comic books of the 1970s, 1980s, and today)

THE JACK KIRBY COLLECTOR (documenting the life and career of the "King" of comics)

DRAW! (the professional "how-to" magazine on comics and cartooning), and

BRICKJOURNAL (the ultimate resource for Lego enthusiasts)

Also featured are past favorites ROUGH STUFF and WRITE NOW!, which are still available as back issues. Digital Editions normally retail for $2.95-$3.95 per download, but are free over the three-day Free Comic Book Day weekend, to encourage more readers to try them out, and consider ordering them at their local comic book shop.

TwoMorrows is also making available free downloads of previous years' FCBD publications: COMICS GO HOLLYWOOD (revealing secrets behind fans' favorite on-screen heroes, and what's involved in taking a character from the comics page to the big screen) and COMICS 101 (featuring how-to and history lessons from top comics professionals).

All these publications are available as free downloadable Digital Editions just by logging in and adding them to the shopping cart, and checking out at www.twomorrows.com.

Publisher John Morrow explained, "With the economy down, every penny counts, and these Digital Editions are an economical way for us to let readers sample our stuff, and see if it piques their interest. If so, I hope they'll add new issues to their local retailer's pull list, and get older issues direct from us if their retailer doesn't stock our publications."

Glen Weldon on the joys of Free Comic Book Day

See "Free Comic Books: Say it Soft and it's Almost Like Praying," by Glen Weldon, National Public Radio's Monkey See blog April 29 2009.

Big Planet Comics Bethesda will have premade packages of kids and adult comics as well as individual issues. They also have a sale table which has some good stuff on it like Love & Rockets collections.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Glen Weldon on A Drifting Life manga and Shuster porn

See "Books We Like: Memoir Of A Manga Master," by Glen Weldon, NPR.org, April 24, 2009 on A Drifting Life By Yoshihiro Tatsumi; translated by Adrian Tomine.

For Shuster porn info read, "Faster Than a Speeding Bullwhip: Superman Creator's Kinktastic Art," by Glen Weldon, National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (April 15 2009).

And for Craig Yoe's own take, you can listen to him on Fresh Air - "The Sexy 'Secret Identity' Of Superman's Creator," National Public Radio's Fresh Air from WHYY, April 23, 2009.

Free Comic Book Day at Cards, Comics and Collectibles PR

Straight press release here, but two excellent creators.

Free Comic Book Day at Cards, Comics and Collectibles

From the Store that Brings You the Baltimore Comic-Con...

REISTERSTOWN, MD - April 28, 2009 - In honor of 2009's Free Comic Book Day promotion, Cards, Comics and Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD will be celebrating along with the rest of the nation on May 2, 2009. Come and meet artist Frank Cho (Hulk, Mighty Avengers) from 1pm-4pm, and artist Steve Conley (Star Trek) from 11am-7pm!

FCBD Special -- modern back-issues are only one dollar! Oh yeah, and we're also giving away free comics while they last! Our hours for Free Comic Book Day are
11am-7pm.

Come help us celebrate our 25th year!

Comic Riffs on characters crossing between strips

I'd noted this and planned on posting on it, but Michael beat me to it - "Barrel of Laughs: Why Dennis Is Buck-Nekkid In TWO Strips Today," by Michael Cavna, April 28, 2009.

College Cartoonist of the Year awarded last week in DC

See "Winning 'Cartoonist of the Year' is not peanuts," Derek Simons, University News 4/27/09.

The article begins, "University News cartoonist and illustrator Grant Snider walked onto the National Press Club stage Friday evening in Washington, D.C. to accept the Charles M. Schulz award as College Cartoonist of the Year from the Scripps Howard Foundation and a $10,000 check."

Monday, April 27, 2009

Express on Yoe on Shuster on porn

Another one that's late, but you can still buy Craig's book, signed I'd guess at Big Planet and Politics & Prose. See "Super Secret: Craig Yoe Uncovers Joe Shuster's 'Secret Identity'," Written by Express contributor Stephen M. Deusner, April 23 2009.

Shawn Martinbrough had an Art Whino show last week

Due to my lack of email access in Cleveland, I missed posting this in time to be of use to you, but here it is for the historical record (thanks to Bruce Guthrie):

Black and White
The Art of 3 local artists
Tyler Matthew Oyer, Shawn Martinbrough and Anthony Patrick Jones II
Saturday April 25th
6pm-Midnight

Black and White is a show bringing together three very different genres of art and effectively taking a cross section of formal, comic book, and abstract
styles that each present very different approaches to art that formally relies solely on the positive and negative spatial tension between black and white.

Three separate series will be featured; "MEN" by Tyler Matthew Oyer, Black Ink Noir by Shawn Martinbrough, and Black Ink Abstract Series by Anthony Patrick Jones II. Together they will create an exhibition focused on the aesthetic and intrinsically dualistic elements of black and white compositions.

Saturday, April 25th, from 6pm – Midnight

Location:
173 Waterfront St.
National Harbor, MD 20745

The event is FREE and open to the public.

Shawn Martinbrough:

Shawn Martinbrough’s client list includes Coca Cola/POWERade, LucasArts, Playboy, Vibe, Bad Boy Entertainment, Black Enterprise, McGraw-Hill, Penguin Books and Milestone Media. The bulk of his work has been done for DC Comics, Vertigo and Marvel Comics, illustrating books and characters ranging from Batman to the X-Men.How to Draw Noir Comics, an instructional book based on Shawn’s high contrast noir style, was published by Watson Guptill/Random House and currently, he is illustrating Luke Cage Noir for Marvel Comics. Shawn’s work has been covered by USA Today, Architecture Magazine, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, The Washingtonian, National Public Radio, SIRIUS/XM Radio, Black Entertainment Television, Vibe, The Source, AintItCoolNews.com and others.

Tyler Matthew Oyer:

Tyler Matthew Oyer’s MEN series was conceived as an investigation of the displaced male form. This displacement is a result of two specific social trends; the increased attention to the presentation of masculinity, and also the anxieties society has when viewing male beauty. This examination reveals the awkwardness many people experience when utilizing traditionally female nuances to address the increasingly considered male body. For some, the pairing of beauty and man in the same phrase brings a sort of ungrounded discord. The social definition of masculinity has evolved over centuries, often switching roles and exceptions with its female complement. This suite of 8 paintings attempts to present the simplified androgynous form in a manner which strips the man of his social presumptions and showcases a stylistically stamped masculinity which encourages equally the male and female speculation of beauty.

Anthony Patrick Jones II:

Anthony Patrick Jones II is a native Washingtonian that found himself in the world of Art by chance. As a youth, he was a bit of an eccentric to family and friends that accepted his abilities, differences and his pursuit of self-discovery. Not any different from other children that dream of going to the moon while playing in a cardboard box in a room, or an architect, or even a Rock Star. It has translated into a continued journey of self-discovery. Of finding a purpose to why Art chooses an individual to follow through with an idea given unto them. In 1994 while in Frederick, Maryland the Rorschach choose Anthony, to embark on a testimony of works that would not come easy. This venture would prove to be challenging and also a personal crusade into the genre. Anthony became more focused on the scientific aspect of the Rorschach and less on the art form. Anthony and his family of Rorschach have shown themselves in galleries in New York, and Wisconsin. There have been several articles written about Anthony in such publications as the “Badger Harold”, “Madison Times” and the “Wisconsin State Journal”. During the early years, Anthony’s Rorschachs found themselves in the possession of individuals such as Chuck Close, Jan Frank, Carlos Santana, Christian Bale, Betsy Johnson, Simon Le Bon, Fab 5 Freddy, Spike Lee among others. Maintaining the integrity of the Rorschach, in order to create the symmetry effect, is to maintain the principles of ink onto paper followed by a fold of the paper in which the ink composition lays and the psyche does the rest.

# # #

Art Whino,llc
173 Waterfront St.
National Harbor, MD 20745
Office: 301.567.8210
Fax: 574.830.1651
www.ArtWhino.com

Schulz money given to OSU Cartoon Library and Museum

Good news here, as I work my way back through email - so Jenny and Lucy, how're you soliciting donations?

Jean Schulz, Widow of Peanuts Creator Charles M. Schulz,
Gives $1 Million to Cartoon Library & Museum Move
Promises to match an additional $2.5 million in a “challenge” to others
April 23, 2009

Columbus, OH — The Ohio State University received a gift of $1 million from Jean Schulz, the widow of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz to support the renovation of Sullivant Hall, the future home of the world’s most comprehensive academic research facility dedicated to documenting printed cartoon art.

Along with her generous gift, Mrs. Schulz issued a challenge: She will provide an additional matching gift of $2.5 million if Ohio State raises the same amount from other sources, making the total impact of her gift $6 million.

"By helping to underwrite a state-of-the-art facility for the University's renowned Cartoon Library and Museum, Jean Schulz advances the work of students, faculty, and scholars and deepens our understanding of the importance of the genre," said Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee. "Her gift is an especially fitting way to honor the remarkable creative legacy of her late husband, Charles."

Located at a highly visible location along High Street and adjacent to the Wexner Center for the Arts, the historic Sullivant Hall is in dire need of repair. The planned renovation will provide 40,000 gross square feet of space for the new Cartoon Library and Museum that will include a spacious reading room for researchers, three museum-quality galleries, and expanded storage with state-of-the-art environmental and security controls. A dedicated ground-level entry will allow for easy access to the new facility. The addition of exhibition galleries dedicated to cartoon art will facilitate public display of the Library's extraordinary collection.

When asked what inspired her to give to The Cartoon Library and Museum at Ohio State, Jean Schulz said, “Lucy Caswell has done a marvelous job in collecting and preserving works in the cartoon medium. I was pleased at the opportunity to help provide a fitting home for this important collection and to recognize her contribution in the field.”

The Sullivant renovation will also provide new spaces for the Department of Dance and the Music/Dance Library, and an upgraded auditorium, which will be used for numerous community, academic, and performance purposes.

Total renovation cost is estimated at $20.6 million, with architectural design to take 12 months, followed by 6 months for bidding and contracts and 24 months for construction.

Due to its outstanding reputation, growing collection and a surge of scholarly interest in comics and cartoons, the Cartoon Library and Museum — formerly known as the Cartoon Research Library — is a destination location for researchers from around the world.

With a founding gift of the Milton Caniff Collection, Ohio State’s Cartoon Library and Museum was established in 1977 in two converted classrooms in the university’s Journalism Building. From this small beginning, founding curator Lucy Shelton Caswell has spent more than 30 years building the Library into the widely renowned facility it is today.

The Cartoon Library and Museum at Ohio State is one of the most admired and sought-after caretakers of legacy collections. Thousands of donors have contributed to the collection, with gifts ranging from one item to tens of thousands. In 1992, the Robert Roy Metz Collection of 83,034 original cartoons by 113 cartoonists was donated by United Media, and in 2007, the entire collection of the International Museum of Cartoon Art (IMCA), numbering more than 200,000 originals, was transferred to the Cartoon Library and Museum.

With the addition of the IMCA’s extensive permanent collection, the Cartoon Library and Museum now houses more than 400,000 works of original cartoon and comics art, 35,000 books, 51,000 serial titles, 2,800 linear feet of manuscript materials, and 2.5 million comic strip clippings and newspaper pages. Moving into its new home from its current location, a 6,800-square-foot basement north of Mershon Auditorium, will allow more of the Collection to be displayed and readily accessible.

“We are very grateful to Jean Schulz for her generous gift, and for her challenge which will encourage everyone who cares about cartoon art to become involved in our project,” said Lucy Shelton Caswell. “The new Cartoon Museum and Library will be a place of learning and enjoyment for the public and scholars alike.”
###

Contact: Jane Carroll, Public Relations Manager
Development Communications, The Ohio State University
(614) 292-2550 or carroll.296@osu.edu

May 8-9: Cartoon characters at Trademark Expo

Does the idea of the Air Force trademarking itself strike anyone else as wrong? 1. They're part of our government which usually says intellectual property created by the government is in the public domain and 2. their job at the most basic level is killing people and destroying property. I'm feeling old and out of touch. I will however go see Popeye.

Colorful Opening Ceremony Planned for Trademark Expo
United States Air Force Brass Quintet to Perform and 25 Costumed Characters to Appear

The United States Air Force Band’s brass quintet will join 16 exhibitors and a cast of 25 costumed characters for the gala opening of the 2009 National Trademark Expo. The event will take place on Friday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m. on the USPTO’s campus at 600 Dulany Street in Alexandria, Virginia. Following the ceremony, the Expo will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. No admission is charged and free parking is available on Saturday.

The Air Force will display their federally registered Air Force symbol, the official emblem of the U.S. Air Force, as well as three other important trademarks -- the Air Force Coat of Arms, the Air Force Thunderbirds Emblem, and the "Hap Arnold", which is also known as the Army Air Corps Symbol." A complete list of exhibitors is available at http://www.uspto.gov/main/homepagenews/2009apr07a.htm. Since its formation in 1941, the United States Air Force Band has played superb music for music lovers around the globe, earning its reputation as “America's International Musical Ambassadors.”

This year’s collection of costumed trademark characters is the largest in the history of the Expo. Included are some costumes that rarely make appearances outside their home venues. The all star cast, in alphabetical order, includes: Beetle Bailey, Betty Boop, Crayola Crayons, Curious George, Dennis the Menace, Energizer Bunny, Faux Paw the Techno Cat, Hershey Kisses, Hershey Bar, Maisy Mouse, McGruff, Mr. Jelly Belly, Olive Oyl, Peter Rabbit, Pillsbury Doughboy, Popeye, Smokey Bear, Sprout, the Cat in the Hat and the Grinch. Their host for the two days will be the USPTO’s own character, T.Markey. All characters will be on stage for the opening and will appear periodically throughout the two day Expo.

The National Trademark Expo is designed to educate the public about the vital role trademarks play in our economy, No admission is charged. The Expo will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Free parking will be available on Saturday.

OT: Cancer comics

I'm working up a paper on the recent spate of comics about cancer, most of which follow in Harvey Pekar's footsteps of Our Cancer Year. Here's a webcomic - PHD from 4/20/09 - that's a nice short look at the problem.

OT: Rather offensive Marvel PR

In "Captain America: Where Were You? We conclude Captain America Week by asking Marvel creators and editors to recall where they were the day Steve Rogers died," (Posted: 2009-04-24 Updated: 2009-04-27), Kevin Mahadeo opens with:

It was a day that will live in infamy.

Television news stations, talk show hosts and comic shops across the nation broke the shocking and unimaginable news: Captain America—the symbol of hope and freedom, the embodiment of the American dream—was dead.

No, actually it was a comic book, as opposed to the opening of a World War... December 7th 1941 may not live in infamy forever, as Franklin Roosevelt would have it, but real men died that day as opposed to a comic book character.

Catching up with Comic Riffs - Earth Day, Breen interview, and Deflocked interview

I didn't have much internet access last week while traveling on business, so here's some interesting stuff from Michael Cavna's Comic Riffs blog -

"The Interview: Jeff Corriveau, "Deflocked" Creator & TV Comedy Writer," By Michael Cavna, April 23, 2009.

"Steve Breen Dedicates Pulitzer to Out-of-Work Colleagues," Michael Cavna, April 22, 2009.

"Do My Comics Look, Well, Green?," By Michael Cavna, April 22, 2009.

April 30: Dan Didio on intellectual property and economic recovery

Reposting for freshness...

This sounds pretty interesting - if one wants to go, just RSVP. I'm still mulling it over.

YOU'RE INVITED
•••••••••••••••••••••

Institute for Policy Innovation

It's a Bird! It's a Plane!
It's...

Dan DiDio
Senior Vice-President, Executive Editor - DC Comics

Dan DiDio of DC Comics joins the line-up for IPI’s Fourth Annual World Intellectual Property Day Forum,
“The Role of Intellectual Property in the Global Recovery”

•••••••••••••••••••••

Previously Confirmed Speakers:
Michael Gallagher
President, Entertainment Software Association

Dr. Mark Esper
Executive Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Intellectual Property Center

Program Discussion Panels:
The Role of IP in a Struggling Economy
Does Growing Protectionism Limit Access to Innovation?
Insider Forum: IP and the Future of Innovation

Make Plans Now To Attend:
Thursday, April 30, 2009
9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Reserve Officers Association (ROA) Headquarters Minuteman Memorial Building
Minuteman Ballroom, 5th Floor
One Constitution Ave NE
Washington DC 20002

*Complimentary lunch will be served.

RSVP: Erin Humiston at (972) 874-5139 or erin@ipi.org

DC-Area Free Comic Book Day Signings!

This weekend (May 2, 2009) is Free Comic Book Day, and DC-area stores have a bunch of creator signings. I'm going to err on the broad side here, so you'll see locations up through the Baltimore area too -- gas up those cars! Please note, this information is all up on the FCBD web pages with the exception of the Virginia information below, and I just happen to have stumbled upon it via their webpages. If you have further information, please contact us and we will update this posting!

DC:
Fantom Comics
4500 Wisconsin Ave.
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 362-5053
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Arvid Nelson (Rex Mundi, Kull) 12 Noon - 2 PM; 4 PM - 6 PM
Jim Dougan (Crazy Papers, How I Lost My S*@t at the Apple Store, Sam & Lilah) 12 Noon - 6 PM
Molly Lawless (Infandum!... Ad Infinitum) 12 Noon - 6 PM

Prize Wheel for prizes every hour on the hour.

Krispy Kreme donuts. A whole table's worth. Be sure to bring pants with a stretchy waistband.

Maryland:
Beyond Comics
Lakeforest Mall, 701 Russell Ave.
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
(301) 216-0007
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Gene Ha (Alan Moore's Top Ten)

Beyond Comics
5632 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD 21704
(301) 668-8202
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Mike Imboden (Creator/writer: Fist of Justice)

Big Planet Comics
7315 Baltimore Ave.
College Park, MD 20740
(301) 699-0498
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Lamar Abrams

Cards, Comics & Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD
100 A Chartley Dr.
Reisterstown, MD 21136
410-526-7410
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Frank Cho (Hulk, Mighty Avengers) from 1pm-4pm
Steve Conley (Star Trek) from 11am-7pm

Collectors Corner Inc.
8108 A Harford Rd.
Baltimore/Parkville, MD 21234
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
All artists and characters will appear from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM on May 2nd

Writers and artists:

Jo Chen (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Runaways)
Pat Carlucci (Hotinks Studios)
H.C. Noel (Mr. Scootles)
Michael S. Bracco (Birth & Novo)
Nathan Getz (No One)
Tony Calandra (No One)
GW Fisher (Image Comics' Shadowhawk)
Frank Zeigler (Waki & Rusty)
Patrick Kelly (Local Artist)
Carlos Taylor (Local Artist)
Chris Hewitt (The Living Corpse)
Tom Arvis (Sureshot Comics)
Ver Curtis (Moonstone Comics)
Kata Dales (Lost in the Woods)

Character Appearances : (Spider-Man, Captain America, Black Cat, Elektra, Supergirl, Rorschach, Venom, Iron Man, Wolverine, Hawkeye, Ozymandias, The Comedian, Batman, War Machine, Hulk, Deadpool, Superman, White Queen, Daredevil, Green Lantern, Thor)

SALE all DAY - 20% Off Everything in the store on Free Comic Book Day!
25 Cents Back Issues (5 for $1.00) - 1000's to chose from!

Charm City Roller Girls (Baltimore's Own Pro Roller Derby Girls)
Vu Skateshop : Gary Smith - Professional Skateboarder

Plus, Live Music and Free Pizza & Refreshments All Day!

Game demonstrations, MTG, D&D, HeroCLix and BOARD GAMES too!

BAND list and schedule:

Playing in front of the Gaming Clubhouse in the back parking lot behind the store

12:00 – 12:40 – The Alameda
1:00- 1:40 – Bene Gesserit Witch
2:00 – 2:40 - Davey G and the Keyboard
3:00 – 3:40 - Muscle Twin
4:00 – 4:40 - Person Parcel (Gary B)
5:00 – 5:40 - Mandroids

Super Villains Comic Book Shop
4361 Ebenezer Road
Nottingham, MD 21236
(410) 870-1253
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Greg LaRocque (Spiderman, Flash, Iron Man, the Avengers & many more - http://www.greglarocque.com/)
Keith Chow & Jeff Yang ("Secret Identities")
Adam Russo ("The Dreaming")
Car Import Super Model Jasmine Mai (http://www.myspace.comultimatejasminemai/, signing her convention exclusive comic book!
more guests TBA

$1.00 back issues with over 150 long boxes to choice from!

Character Appearances
Spiderman, black & classic red
The Joker
Rorschach from the Watchmen.

Free Pizza!!
Chances to win tickets to the Baltimore sneak peek showing of 'Star Trek Countdown'

Washington Street Books
131 N. Washington Street
Havre de Grace, MD 21078
(410) 939-6215
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Greg Cox (Author: Novelization of the DC Comics' "INFINITE CRISIS", "52" and "COUNTDOWN" along with various Star Trek Novels)
Jim Clatterbaugh (Monsters from the Vault Magazine)
Garth Gerhart (Bitterman and Beelzebum Comics)
Chelsea Carr (Baltimore Betty & Political Cartoonist)

Virginia:

Laughing Ogre Comics
Lansdowne Shopping Center
19340 Promenade Drive
Lansdowne, VA 20176
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Chris Giarrusso (writer/artist of Mini Marvels and G-Man) from 11 am- 3 pm

Laughing Ogre Comics
University Mall
10647 Braddock Road
Fairfax, VA 22032
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Fillbach Bros (writer/artists of Star Wars Clone Wars Adventures) from 11 am- 3 pm

Sunday, April 26, 2009

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-29-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-29-09
By John Judy

ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #15 by Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard. Wolfie goes nuts in prison. How can this not be great? Also Vol. 2 SC is out, collecting issues 8-12 and his crossover with INVINCIBLE.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THEATRE OF WAR: BROTHERS IN ARMS #1 by Paul Jenkins and John McCrea. If you miss the real Cap, here’s him back in WWII, fighting Nazis and taking one of them captive behind enemy lines. Tough gig.

DARK AVENGERS #4 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato. Crazy Norman Osborn makes some adjustments to the roster. Ouch.

FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #4 of 5 by Geoff Johns and George Perez. Yes, I know FINAL CRISIS ended months ago and this title’s kind of taking its sweet time coming out. But the villian’s the Time-Trapper so you have to expect this sort of thing. Recommended anyway.

GARTH ENNIS: BATTLEFIELDS: TANKIES #1 of 3 by Ennis and Carlos Ezquerra. In WWII Normandy a lone British tank crew struggles to rejoin their mates while keeping one step ahead of the ratzis. Ennis war comics remain top of the line, but not for younger kids.

GREEN LANTERN #40 by Geoff Johns and Philip Tan. Hal Jordan must battle the leader of the Orange Lantern Corps, “the most disgusting, filthiest, vilest being in the universe!” It’s Green Lantern vs. Ann Coulter! To the death!

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #26 by Geoff Johns and Dale Eaglesham. Stargirl’s having a birthday. Party-crashers beware!

LITERALS #1 of 3 by Bill Willingham, Matthew Sturges and Mark Buckingham. A tough one to jump into if you’re not already up to speed on the whole FABLES universe. Put another way, this first issue is chapter 3 of 9 of “The Great Fables Crossover.” But if it’s what you like…!

MODERN MASTERS, VOL. 20: KYLE BAKER SC by Eric Nolen-Weathington. Certain artists in this series from Two Morrows Publishing arguably may not quite warrant the term “Modern Master.” And then you have Kyle Baker for whom the term is an understatement. Any collection of his work must rate a Highly Recommended.

PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics. Comics and stuff in your future! It ain’t all on-line yet, kids!

RASL #4 written and drawn by Jeff Smith. Our interdimensional alkie art-thief has hard choices to make or else the lizard-faced killer will make them for him. From the award-winning creator of BONE and SHAZAM: MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL. Recommended.

SECOND THOUGHTS GN written and drawn by Niklas Asker. A story about a brief encounter between a novelist and a photographer and the repercussions in both their lives. Not exactly a Big Fight, but nothing’s perfect. Recommended.

SHERLOCK HOLMES #1 by Leah Moore, John Reppion and Aaron Campbell. Alan Moore’s daughter and her husband present their take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous creation. From the folks who brought you ALBION and WILD GIRL.

SUPERMAN #687 by James Robinson and Renato Guedes. Mon-El learns how hard it is to fill the Man of Steel’s big red boots.

THUNDERBOLTS #131 by Andy Diggle and Bong Dazo. Deadpool and the T-Bolts have a Big Fight! Bong Dazo!

ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS. HULK #5 of 6 by Damon Lindelof and Leinil Francis Yu. Ultimate Betty She-Hulk is in the mix! Could get awkward! Can’t believe this thing is actually coming out! Monthly too! Excelsior!

UNCANNY X-MEN #509 by Matt Fraction and Greg Land. It’s a mutant soap-opera on ‘roids and it’s working! Yes, this book is rapidly becoming the most consistently entertaining X-book on the stands. Who’da thunk it? Recommended.

WONDER WOMAN #31 by Gail Simone and Aaron Lopresti. Between Achilles and the creature called Genocide, our heroine has used up all her time-outs. Action-packed!

www.johnjudy.net

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Yoe on Shuster on radio and in DC

Craig writes, I'm on NPR's Fresh Air program today interviewed by Terry Gross about "Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-Creator Joe Shuster". Plus the book's in "Time" magazine this week and Washington Post, and I'll be at Politics and Prose and Big Planet bookstores in Washington D.C. this weekend. For more info on the book see http://secret-identity.net

May 1: Jules & Kate Feiffer

Trish Brown writes in:

We’d be thrilled if you would mention that Jules & Kate Feiffer will be appearing at Hooray For Books! 1555 King St., Alexandria, VA on Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m. We’ll have copies of “The Explainers” and “Great Comic Book Heroes” on hand.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Kate Beaton, Robbi Behr, Emmanuel Guibert et al @ O’Neill Literary House MD 4/26

April 26, 2009 Pictures + Words: The New Literature of Graphic Narrative
With Kate Beaton, Robbi Behr, Emmanuel Guibert, Chad Parmenter, and Matthew Swanson

Don’t miss this special afternoon on Maryland’s Eastern Shore for a perspective on a compelling literary form. Featuring Emmanuel Guibert from France, Kate Beaton from Canada, and Robbi Behr, Chad Parmenter, and Matthew Swanson from the United States.

When: Saturday, April 26, 2009: 2–7 p.m.
Where: The Rose O’Neill Literary House: 407 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD

http://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/3285/prmID/1831

OT: The Book of Marvels: An Explorer's Miscellany

A good friend of mine, Mark C. Jenkins, the unofficial historian of National Geographic, has a book coming out on April 28. It is a wonderful compendium of the best of travel writing through the centuries, and the accompanying illustrations are gorgeous.

Here is the link to Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1426204094/ref=s9_sims_gw_s1_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0MMKCWA76E1352SH73N4&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Searching inside the book isn't available yet, but the chapter titles are as follows:
1. Wild and Unfathomable Always--The Sea
2. The Mournful Kingdom of Sand--The Desert
3. One Boundless Pasture--The Grasslands
4. Arborious Wonders--The Forest
5. The Sublime Harp--Peaks and Chasms
6. The Mystic Circles--The Poles

Many thanks for taking the time to check it out! Cathy

Cul de Sac gets animated, again

Cartoonist Michael Jantze, who created them, would like you to know that Cul de Sac animations are online again. I didn't post about it earlier, because if you're reading this, I assume you're also reading Richard's blog.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Dental cartoons from National Museum of Health & Medicine

Switching hats, one of the other archivists at the Medical Museum posted a set of 1960s dental cartoons to Flickr last week. I didn't even remember these existed, although judging from their numbers, I would have catalogued them. I think the scans are probably of 35mm slides, although the original artwork would have been done by the Museum's Scientific Illustration Division and is probably long-gone.

Steve Artley's cartoons added to Alexandria Times

Countering the general trend towards firing political cartoonists, the Alexandria (VA) Times has hired Alexandria cartoonist Steve Artley to provide local cartoons twice a week. See "Toons for the Times," Alexandria Times April 19 2009. Excellent news - we haven't had anyone in neighboring Arlington since the Sun-Gazette let Mikula go.

The cartoonists who visited troops in Washington

An article mentioned here recently noted that Jef Mallet was on a USO tour that visited troops in Washington hospitals - the rest are named in "Oh, and as for that list of generous cartoonists ..." Posted by Neal Rubin (The Detroit News) on Neal Rubin's Blog Sun, Apr 19, 2009.

Beni may be Mexican, says Cul de Sac cartoonist

Actually Richard said, "I think he’s Mexican. I’m not real sure." in this interview with his latest paper - "‘Cul de Sac’ comic strip starts today in The Star," By JAMES A. FUSSELL, The Kansas City Star April 19 2009.

Matt Wuerker was a Pulitzer Prize finalist

Alan Gardener has the story that Politico's Matt Wuerker was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for "his engaging mix of art and ideas, resulting in cleverly conceived cartoons that persuade rather than rant and that sometimes use animation to widen their impact." Congratulations, Matt, and best of luck getting it next year.

Oh yeah, Steve Breen won, and Mike Thompson was another finalist.

Serious Comics presentations at GWU, April 23-24

Phil Troutman writes in saying, several first-year students in my "Serious Comics" course will be presenting research at The George Washington University's annual Writing and Research Symposium, this Thursday/Friday, April 23-24 (free & open to the public). The program is at http://www.gwu.edu/~capstone/symposium/program.htm

Gelman Library events are accessed via Foggy Bottom Metro.
For GW's Mount Vernon campus (Foxhall Rd. & W St. NW), there is on-street parking on nearby 46th Street (do not park on W St.). And campus maps might be helpful: download PDFs at http://gwired.gwu.edu/adm/visit/directions/GWCampusMaps/

Here are the relevant panels:

Th. 2:30-3:45
SESSION MV 09
Location: Academic 122, Mt Vernon campus
PANEL: Wonder Women
includes: "Wonder Woman and Popular Culture," Deborah Kye

Th. 4:00-5:15
SESSION MV12
Location: Eckles Auditorium, Mount Vernon campus
PANEL: Political Pop
includes:
"Watchmen's Utopia: Utopias and Dystopias in Comic Books as Compared to SF," Lindsay Life
"Miller Misunderstood: Rethinking the Politics of the Dark Knight," Jessica M. Kowalik

Fri. 1:00-2:15
SESSION MV 20
Location: Eckles Auditorium, Mount Vernon campus
PANEL: Choices and Problems in Media Production
includes:
"Moving Pictures: The Technique of Adapting Comics to Film," John Bramley

Fri. 2:30-3:45
SESSION G20
Location: Gelman Library 301, Foggy Bottom
Roundtable: Cold War Comics: Exploring Thematic Changes in American Ideologies
PRESENTERS: A roundtable discussion with Brad Canales, Medha Gupta, Lindsay Life, Travis Reynolds, Graham Robinson, and Christina Williams

Neil Gaiman Appearance in MD

This is a little off the beaten track, but still arguably pertinent geographically (and I've never gotten to see Neil, even though he's been through here 4-5 times now):

http://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/3190/prmID/1831

April 27 Neil Gaiman in Conversation with Joshua Wolf Shenk

With Neil Gaiman and Joshua Wolf Shenk

Nowhere do the combinations of words and images make for more fantastical creations than in the work of Neil Gaiman. Author of the Sandman series, The Books of Magic, and many others, Gaiman will discuss his inspiration with Joshua Wolf Shenk, the director of Washington College’s Rose O’Neill Literary House.

SEATS STILL AVAILABLE!
Please note that this event has moved to a new venue.*

When: Monday, April 27, 2009: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Cain Gymnasium: 300 Washington Avenue, Washington College, Chestertown, MD.

Free and open to the public. No reservations required.

Cosponsored by Washington College

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Minor Washington links to cartoonists

In "Lansing cartoonist's talks with troops rewarding," Detroit News Thursday, April 16, 2009, Neal Rubin wrote, "Lifelong Michiganian Jef Mallett, the creator of "Frazz," just came home from a USO tour of military hospitals in Washington, D.C., and Germany."

In "Former KU student wins cartoonist award," By Jennifer Torline, University Daily Kansan on Thu., April 9th, 2009, she notes "Grant Snider and his wife, Kayla, will travel on April 24 to the National Press Club in Washington D.C. to attend a banquet where Snider will receive the award."

Post on Disney's latest Princess ... who's black

Fortunately, we know that it had to be in production long before the Obamas entered the White House so it's not as opportunistic as it might appear. For information on The Princess and the Frog, see "A Fairy Tale Beginning: Snow White, She's Not. Among Disney's Royal Ladies, Tiana Is a Notable First," By Neely Tucker, Washington Post Staff Writer, Sunday, April 19, 2009.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-22-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-22-09
By John Judy

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #592 by Mark Waid and Mike McKone. Quite a few surprises awaiting Spidey when he gets home, mostly courtesy of the Jameson family. Featuring an extra cover that looks like an issue of WOLVERINE as rendered by Salvador Dali. Recommended anyway.

ASTONISHING X-MEN #29 by Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi. Are you ready for the secret of the Ghost Box? Well, you’d better be, because Warren Ellis waits for no man!

AVENGERS INITIATIVE #23 by Christos Gage and Humberto Ramos. Your monthly Big Fight is served up here.

BUCK ROGERS #0 by Scott Beatty and Carlos Rafael. It’s back to the future with comics’ original time-tossed spaceman! Guaranteed Gil Gerard-free!

DAREDEVIL #118 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. Lotsa people want to kill the Kingpin. That’s always good for some laughs. Plus another Wolverine variant cover. Oh well. Recommended.

DC LIBRARY: BATMAN THE ANNUALS, VOL. 1 HC by Various Creators. Collecting the first three Bat-Annuals from the early sixties. Classic stuff!

DETECTIVE COMICS #853 by Neil Gaiman and Andy Kubert. Part two of “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?” Recommended.

EX MACHINA #18 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. In which we begin to learn the true source of Mayor Mitchell Hundred’s power over machines. And our hearts…

FREAKANGELS VOL. 2 SC by Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield. Collecting the second arc of Ellis and Duffield’s post-apocalyptic web-comic for old people who like paper.

HELLBLAZER #254 by Peter Milligan and Goran Sudzuka. John Constantine plus The Wrong Girl equals reliable entertainment.

HULK #11 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness. Your other Big Fight can be found here. Along with four variant covers, one of which features Sir Cuts-a-lot, him, the one with the movie coming out. Sigh…

IGNITION CITY #2 of 5 by Warren Ellis and Gianluca Pagliarani. Mary Raven has made it to the IC in search of more info on her dead space-hero dad. There’s folks who don’t want that and they’ve got cool, retro zap guns. Good-looking comic.

IMMORTAL IRON FIST #25 by Duane Swierczynski and Travel Foreman. What?! No Wolverine variant cover?! What kind of rip-off is this?! I don’t care if he’s not in the story! I just want him on the cover of…. EVERYTHING!!!!

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #32 by Dwayne McDuffie and Frederico Dallocchio. Starbreaker wants what he wants when he wants it, especially when it’s a cosmic source of unimaginable power. Understandable really.

KICK-ASS #6 by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. It does, you know. “Kick ass.” In its own special way. But it really needs a Wolverine variant cover.

MARVELS: EYE OF THE CAMERA #5 of 6 by Kurt Busiek and Jay Anacieto. This is a good, smart comic with characters I believe in and relate to. On the other hand its variant cover is merely black and white. No Canadian, serial-killing mutants. It’s like Marvel doesn’t even care anymore…

MIGHTY AVENGERS #24 by Dan Slott and Rafa Sandoval. So after the big reveal last issue about “The Scarlet Witch” things start to get very interesting. Great character work by Slott as usual. Recommended.

NEW AVENGERS #52 by Brian Michael Bendis and Billy Tan. You know the economy’s getting bad when even the Sorcerer Supreme is getting laid off. Worse yet, they’re making him train his replacement. I hope ol’ Doc Strange steals a ton of office supplies.

QUESTION, VOL. 4: WELCOME TO OZ SC by Dennis O’Neil, Denys Cowan and Other Talented Folk. Collecting issues 19-24 of this iconic eighties zen noir series, featuring fights, philosophy and facelessness. Worth a read even if you weren’t even born in the eighties and think Ayn Rand was nuts.

SCALPED #28 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. In which we finally learn who greased those two FBI Agents in 1975. Must! Have! Highly recommended.

SCALPED, VOL. 4: THE GRAVEL IN YOUR GUTS SC by Jason Aaron, Davide Furno and R.M. Guera. Collecting issues 19-24 in which we learn exactly what Chief Lincoln Red Crow will and will not put up with in his quest for absolute power. Glorious stuff but not for kids.

THOR #601 by J. Michael Straczynski and Marko Djurdjevic. Thor’s out. Balder’s in. But will anyone care about the monthly adventures of The Mighty Balder?

VIKING #1 by Ivan Brandon and Nic Klein. A couple of 9th century Viking brothers decide they want to move up in the world. Think “Goodfellas” meets NORTHLANDERS. Cool.

www.johnjudy.net