PR: First Comic Strip Superstar Competition Announced by Amazon and Andews McMeel Universal

This sounds a lot like other contests such as DC's Zuda, but since it's a big chance for someone, I'm posting it even though it's not Washington-related. - Mike

 

Amazon and Andrews McMeel Universal Announce First Comic Strip Superstar Competition

 

Andrews McMeel to run inaugural contest to be hosted by Amazon, seeking out the next great comic strip artist; grand prize winner to receive publishing contract with sponsor Andrews McMeel Publishing

 

SEATTLE – Aug. 18, 2009 – Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Andrews McMeel Universal today announced the launch of the first Comic Strip Superstar, the international competition in search of the next popular comic strip artist. The winner will receive a publishing contract from Andrews McMeel Publishing, a $5,000 advance from Universal Uclick and a monthly stipend for the development of 20 comic strips that will be considered for syndication.

 

"As the nation's premier humor publisher in newspapers, books, mobile phones and online, Andrews McMeel Universal is uniquely suited to bring this comic strip contest to the public," said Hugh T. Andrews, executive vice president of Andrews McMeel Universal. "We are excited by the opportunity this contest provides to continue our mission to seek, recognize and celebrate remarkable creative talent, and to share it with an appreciative and enthusiastic audience through a variety of distribution channels."

 

Beginning today through Sept. 12, 2009, up to 5,000 entries will be accepted for the competition at www.amazon.com/comicstripsuperstar. Each entry should be original, unpublished work consisting of 10 daily comic strips and two Sunday comics, a title and a brief synopsis. From the submissions, Universal Uclick will narrow the entries down to 250 quarterfinalists. The quarterfinalists will then be narrowed down to 50 semifinalists by John Glynn and Lee Salem, seasoned Universal Uclick editors. In the semifinal round, popular comic strip creators Garry Trudeau ("Doonesbury"), Lynn Johnston ("For Better or For Worse"), Scott Hilburn ("The Argyle Sweater") and Mark Tatulli ("Lió" and "Heart of the City") will choose 10 finalists and post feedback for each on Amazon.com. Amazon.com customers will then have the opportunity to view the finalists' submissions and vote for the grand prize winner.

 

"We know Amazon customers are extremely creative and enjoy discovering new talent. This competition gives them the opportunity to discover great new comic strip artists, while having a few laughs along the way," said Jeff Belle, vice president of U.S. Books, Amazon.com.

 

The winner will be announced Nov. 9, 2009, and will receive a prize package from Andrews McMeel Universal which includes a publishing contract with Andrews McMeel Publishing and a newspaper syndication development deal and contract for distribution on GoComics.com desktop and mobile applications from Universal Uclick.

 

For complete terms and conditions on the Comic Strip Superstars competition, please visit www.amazon.com/comicstripsuperstar.

 

###

 

About Andrews McMeel Universal

Both Andrews McMeel Publishing and Universal Uclick are divisions of Andrews McMeel Universal, which was founded in 1970 by Jim Andrews and John McMeel. Andrews McMeel Publishing, LLC is an industry-leading publisher of humor, gift, general trade, cookbooks, and calendars with more than 300 new titles annually. Universal Uclick includes the nation's largest independent newspaper and licensed property syndicate and the leading digital entertainment provider of humor, comics, editorial cartoons, daily games and text features for the desktop, Web, and mobile phones.

 

About Amazon.com

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as books, movies, music & games, digital downloads, electronics & computers, home & garden, toys, kids & baby, grocery, apparel, shoes & jewelry, health & beauty, sports & outdoors, and tools, auto & industrial.

 

Amazon Web Services provides Amazon's developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business.  Examples of the services offered by Amazon Web Services are Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3), Amazon SimpleDB, Amazon Simple Queue Service (Amazon SQS), Amazon Flexible Payments Service (Amazon FPS), Amazon Mechanical Turk and Amazon CloudFront.

 

Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca and www.amazon.cn.

 

As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

I have seen the future of animation

...and it looks a lot like the past. Ponyo rocks! When Miyazaki melds the Little Mermaid with Apocalypse Now, adds a strong shot of Verne's Captain Nemo and liberally seasons with JG Ballard's The Drowned World and shakes well, we get Ponyo.

Weingarten and Shansby seek government employment

Unfortunately the Bureau of Public Dept has canceled the job opening, but should it reopen the duo stand ready as evidenced by Owe, That's a Riot! Red ink is no reason to feel blue, By Gene Weingarten and Eric Shansby, Washington Post Magazine Sunday, August 16, 2009.

Watch Your Head sneaks condom gag in on Post

After having a storyline about Quincy's girlfriend who was pretending to be pregnant to get married, the Watch Your Head strip ended up on August 11th with a condom joke, using terminology that became common during the AIDS crisis. As his friend says, "...You'd think someone like you would always wear a helmet." "I don't like the way headgear feels," replies Quincy.

I can't believe we're protected by the Post's vigilant editors from Dick Cheney innuendos in Tank McNamara, but Cory Thomas is able to sneak such filthy double entendres in.

Aug 17: Batman 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.

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

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

Is it Live? Or is it Richard Thompson?

Tom Racine recorded one of the panels Our Man Thompson was on at San Diego - and it's on his Tall Tale Radio site (which has lots of other interviews on it). Return with us to the thrilling days of yestermonth as Thompson, Stephan Pastis and Keith Knight ride again!

Glenn Martin, DDS animator featured in Post

See "The Back Story: This Animator Knows the Drill," Washington Post August 16 2009

Astro Boy videogame interview

DC apparently has a Videogame Examiner as well as a Comic Book one - here's a story about the Japanese hero Astro Boy.

Interview: Astro Boy: The Video Game, Cameron Rains, Producer, High Voltage Software
August 13, 2009
DC Video Game Examiner James Fleenor

American Association of University Professors president condemns Yale's cowardice on Danish Islam cartoons

See the Washington, DC-based American Association of University Professors' letter at "Academic Freedom Abridged at Yale Press" August 13, 2009.

Here's what the book's author thinks - "Culture Vulture: Interview with Prof. Jytte Klausen," by Helen Epstein, ArtsFuse blog on Aug 14, 2009.

William Gropper and a Semi- Secret History of Comics

I ran across the above at a flea market recently. Gropper sounded familiar, so I picked it up.

According to William Gropper Papers: An inventory of his papers at Syracuse University, Gropper was a leftist cartoonist, but he apparently had to make a living like everyone else and the library has a clippings file of:

New York American 1934, undated - includes Robert Benchley columns (2 folders)


I assume this drawing is for Benchley's column, but when Benchley's collection My Ten Years in a Quandry, and How They Grew came out, it was illustrated by the great Gluyas Williams. So my guess, and it's just a guess, is that nobody's really seen Gropper's illustrations for Benchley since they were done. In the book, one can find The Rule of 87, doubtless the work of fanatical reformers, is as follows: "One twin birth occurs to approximately 87 single births; one triplet to about 7,569 singles (87 squared); one quadruplet to about 658,503 singles (87 cubed); one quintuplet to about 57 million singles (87 to fourth power); one sextuplet to about five billion singles (87 to fifth power)". that's the rule. That's what we are supposed to abide by, whether we want to or not.

I'm sure modern fertility drugs have completely changed the rule.

This post benefited greatly from the help of Sara Duke of the Library of Congress. A search of the Library of Congress collections brings up 34 pieces by Gropper - to see them, go to http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pp/pphome.html and type in "William Gropper".

Quick Reviews for Comics Due 08-19-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 08-19-09

By John Judy

 

A.D.: NEW ORLEANS AFTER THE DELUGE GN written and drawn by Josh Neufeld.  Taking you back to the glory days of 2005 when Brownie was doing a heck of a job and nearly 2000 citizens of The Big Easy died before a certain Leader of the Free World was moved to joke about how drunk he used to get there in his younger days.  Recommended.

 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #603 by Fred Van Lente and Barry Kitson.  The Chameleon versus… Mary-Jane?  OK, that's more like it because really, The Chameleon?  I can beat The Chameleon and so can you.

 

ARCHIE #600 by Michael Uslan and Stan Goldberg.  Archie pops the question!  The Riverdale Gang is done with college and now it's time to make a lifetime commitment when you're barely into your twenties?  Reserve your copy now because this will no doubt get lots of media attention from reporters who like to use the words "Biff" and "Pow."

 

BATGIRL #1 by Bryan Q. Miller and Lee Garbett.  Now serving Number Six…  Seriously, this is the sixth Batgirl to grace the mean streets of Gotham.  And you thought Robin was a high turnover gig.

 

BLACKEST NIGHT: SUPERMAN #1 of 3 by James Robinson and Eddy Barrows.  The dead Earth-2 Superman is back and he's got some new jewelry.  Hijinks ensue.

 

DAREDEVIL #500 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark.  Kingpin, Lady Bullseye and almost no mention of Norman Osborn! How?  How is this possible?!

 

DARK ENTRIES HC by Ian Rankin and Werther Dell'Edera.  Here's how you make reality TV worth watching: Put John Constantine on it and watch him kick the whole thing upside-down.  Not for kids.  Recommended.

 

DAYS MISSING #1 of 5 by Phil Hester and Frazer Irving.  The story of everyone's first semester of college… No, seriously it's about a guy who can erase certain things from the collective memory of mankind, for our own good.  I nominate "American Idol" and anything attached to the name "Palin."

 

EX MACHINA #44 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris.  Mayor Hundred descends into the rat-infested sewers of New York.  Is it fund-raising time already?  Recommended.

 

FILTHY RICH HC by Brian Azzarello and Victor Santos.  Spoiled rich heiresses and the washed-up losers who love them.  Not for kids.

 

HELLBLAZER #258 by Peter Milligan and Giuseppe Camuncoli.  Constantine must seduce a 2000 year-old demon, preferably without mentioning her bottle blonde hair, prominent Adam's apple and many appearances on Fox News.

 

MIGHTY AVENGERS #28 by Dan Slott and Khoi Pham.  Lotsa craziness, guest-starring the Young Avengers!  Plus, the coolest scientist in comics, Hank Pym!  In your face, Reed Richards!

 

PUNISHER: FRANK CASTLE MAX  #73 by Victor Gischler and Goran Parlov.  The guy in Frank's trunk just woke up.  That always adds spice to a Punisher book.  Fun stuff.  NOT for kids.

 

RED CIRCLE: THE WEB #1 by J. Michael Straczynski and Roger Robinson.  A callow billionaire is secretly a super-hero!  What will they think of next?

 

THE STAND: AMERICAN NIGHTMARES #5 of 5 by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Mike Perkins.  The survivors of Captain Trips start coming together, for better or for worse.  Get ready for Volume Three: Sole Survivors.  Recommended.

 

SUPERMAN ANNUAL #14 by James Robinson and Javier Pina.  Celebrating 14 years since the Man of Steel first hit the racks!  Yeah, I remember where I was in 1995 when those crazy kids Siegel and Shuster took the world by storm.  Sure we lost Calvin and Hobbes but we got Superman!  Recommended.

 

WEDNESDAY COMICS #7 of 12 by Lotsa People.  OK, past the half-way mark and no idea how some of these strips are gonna wrap in five weeks.  Winners include: Batman, Kamandi, Deadman, Green Lantern, Adam Strange, and Hawkman.  Honorable Mention to Superman, Supergirl, Metal Men and the Flash for looking great.  The rest… well, they still have five more issues to pull it out.

 

WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #4 by Joltin' Jason Aaron and Rowdy Ron Garney.  Sure the Adamantium Men have him out-numbered and out-gunned, but they'll never have him out-haired!  From the team that made Wolverine stop sucking.  Recommended.

 

X-FACTOR #47 by Peter David and Valentine DeLandro.  Sentinels, time-travel and bi-sexuality.  Individually any of these can complicate a young mutant's life.  But all at once?  Hoo-boy!  Recommended.

 

X-MEN: LEGACY #227 by Mike Carey and Dustin Weaver.  Rogue learns the downside of absorbing the powers and memories of the Greek God of War:  An insatiable need for olives and awkward headgear.  Happy fun times!

 

www.johnjudy.net

Post on surpressed Family Guy cartoon [UPDATED]

This is sort of old news, having circulated around the Internet for weeks, but "'Family Guy' Channels Controversy Onstage," By Emily Yahr, Washington Post Staff Writer. Friday, August 14, 2009.

Oddly enough, a very similar story ran 2 days earlier by their TV reporter - "'Family Guy's' Look at the Lighter Side of Abortion,"
By Lisa de Moraes, Washington Post Wednesday, August 12, 2009.

Today's Tank for Post readers

Here's today's Tank. Presumably Sunday will be back to normal.

2nd Cul de Sac book is immanent

Our Man Thompson got his early copies today. I believe he's working to attend one of the local comics shows as well.

PR: Science Idol - And the winner is...

Recently, we invited you to help choose the winner in Science Idol: Celebrity Edition, a cartoon contest designed to poke fun at the not-so-humorous problem of political interference in science. After almost 10,000 votes were cast, Jesse Springer of Eugene, OR, came out on top. His cartoon will grace the cover of this year's Scientific Integrity Calendar:

Jesse is a graphic designer and part-time editorial cartoonist who recognizes the need for oversight of the Obama administration and Congress. "This is a really tricky time for those who hoped that Obama's election was going to be a start of something new," he said. "We need to point out the commitments that they made and hold the administration accountable to them."

Click to see all 12 contestants and learn more about Jesse.

The Scientific Integrity Calendar
In addition to providing you with a year's worth of laughs, the 2010 Scientific Integrity Calendar is a valuable educational tool, highlighting the need for the Obama administration and Congress to create a thriving federal scientific enterprise.

You can order your 2010 Scientific Integrity Calendar here. It makes a great gift to your scientist and non-scientist friends and family who believe that policy decisions should be guided by the best available science. The calendars are just $10 each, with discounts for UCS members and bulk orders and proceeds support the Union of Concerned Scientists.

I hope you enjoy the cartoons and the calendar!

Sincerely,

Michael Halpern
National Field Organizer
Scientific Integrity Program

P.S. Defending science from political interference will require the persistent and energetic engagement of both scientists and citizens. As a member of the UCS action network, we'll continue to keep you informed about ways you can help support independent science. Scientists, engineers, and health professionals are invited to join our Restoring Scientific Integrity Network.

Miyazaki's Ponyo opens today

I hope to be able to catch it tomorrow night. Here's the Washington Post:

"Disney's Japan Import 'Ponyo' Soars Sky-High Under the Sea," By Dan Kois, The Washington Post August 24, 2009.

...the Wash Times gives it 2 stars... what can one say about a review saying Miyazaki lacks "visual artistry"...

"MOVIE REVIEW: 'Ponyo'; Visual artistry lacking in new anime feature," By Sonny Bunch, Washington Times Friday, August 14, 2009.

Meanwhile the NY Times says "This movie has been designated a Critic's Pick by the film reviewers of The Times." Who you gonna trust?

"Forces of Nature, Including Children [Ponyo]," By MANOHLA DARGIS, August 14, 2009.

2004 Herblock award winner Matt Davies fired

See "Matt Davies, Pulitzer-Winning Cartoonist, Loses Job at 'Journal-News' -- With Many Others," By E&P Staff, August 13, 2009.

Today's Tank for Post readers

Here's today's Tank.

Nevin Martell taking questions at Daily Cartoonist

Go to "Ask Nevin Martell about Looking for Calvin and Hobbes," by Alan Gardner, August 13, 2009. Alan's also got a review of the book up.

Today's Tank for Post readers

Here's today's Tank.

PR: Baltimore Comic-Con 2009 Hotels and Guests So Far!

Baltimore Comic-Con 2009 Guests and More! Baltimore, Maryland - August 12, 2009 - The Baltimore Comic-Con staff have been busily working on arranging the Harvey Awards, accommodations, promotions, partnerships, exhibitors, and guests, and we're behind announcing much of it!  While there are a number of things still in the development stages, here's some information we can share now.   Hotel Accommodations A new feature of our on-line presence this year, the Baltimore Comic-Con is now providing a gateway to hotel accommodations around the Baltimore Convention Center!  From our main webpage, click on the "Hotels" link (http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/hotels.htm).  This helpful tool enables you to request rooms on-line, compare prices, and review descriptions, amenities, and locations.  We encourage those of you traveling from outside of the region to take advantage of this added convenience. Guests Last month, we announced a number of today's top Marvel creators attending the show, including Jason Aaron (Wolverine), Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers), Frank Cho (Ultimates 4), David Finch (Ultimatum), Matt Fraction (Uncanny X-Men), and Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man). We're bringing in an amazing slate of first-time guests this year for you to meet, including Mike and Laura Allred (Madman), Doug Braithwaite (Wolverine: Origins), Pat Broderick (Vincent Price Presents), Jo Chen (New Avengers:  The Reunion), Jimmy Cheung (New Avengers: Illuminati), J.M. DeMatteis (Daredevil), Evan Dorkin (Beasts of Burden), Jan Duursema (Star Wars:  Legacy), Sarah Dyer (Superman Adventures), Steve Englehart (Avengers), Bob Fingerman (Recess Pieces), Kathryn Immonen (Runaways), Scott Koblish (Final Crisis:  Legion of Three Worlds), Steve Lieber (Underground), Tom Mandrake (The Outsiders), Larry Marder (Beanworld), Laura Martin (Thor), Kevin Nowlan (The Spirit), Jeff Parker (Agents of ATLAS), Whilce Portacio (Spawn), Buddy Prince (Night), Brian Pulido (Lady Death), Ian Sattler (Final Crisis:  Aftermath), Marc Silvestri (Witchblade), Peter Tomasi (Blackest Night:  Batman), Jim Valentino (Shadowline Comics), Rob Venditti (The Surrogates), Len Wein (Justice League of America), and Brian Wood (sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics, Northlanders). You'll also see many returning guests, such as Dick Ayers (Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos), Jim Calafiore (Batgirl), Nick Cardy (Aquaman), Bernard Chang (Wonder Woman), Sean Chen (Dark Reign:  Fantastic Four), Cliff Chiang (Green Arrow & Black Canary), Chris Claremont (X-Men Forever), Steve Conley (Star Trek:  Year Four), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Todd Dezago (Marvel Adventures:  Spider-Man), Al Feldstein (Mad), John Gallagher (Buzzboy), Ron Garney (Wolverine:  Weapon X), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules), Cully Hamner (Detective Comics), Tony Harris (Ex Machina), Dean Haspiel (The Alcoholic), Adam Hughes (Power Girl), Stuart Immonen (New Avengers), Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), J.G. Jones (Final Crisis), Joe Jusko (Kolchak:  Tales of the Night Stalker), Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Greg LaRocque (Peter Parker:  The Spectacular Spider-Man), Luna Brothers (The Sword), David Mack (Kabuki), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Sean McKeever (Teen Titans), Mark McKenna (BananaTail), Mike McKone (Amazing Spider-Man), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Mark Morales (Secret Invasion), Doug Murray (Jungle Girl Season 2), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Phil Noto (Batgirl), Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex), Dan Parsons (Star Wars:  The Clone Wars), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Comics Armor Wars), Eric Powell (The Goon), Tom Raney (Dark Reign:  Hawkeye), Alex Robinson (Too Cool to be Forgotten), James Robinson (Superman), Budd Root (Cavewoman), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Iron Man & The Armor Wars), Stephane Roux (Amazing Spider-Man), Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), Tim Sale (Heroes), Scott Christian Sava (Dreamland Chronicles), Walt Simonson (Thor), Andy Smith (Dean Koontz's Nevermore), Jim Starlin (Strange Adventures), Brian Stelfreeze (Final Crisis Aftermath:  Ink), Karl Story (Batman:  Streets of Gotham), Herb Trimpe (Hulk), Billy Tucci (Sgt. Rock:  The Lost Battalion), Dexter Vines (Wolverine), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest), Doug Wagner (The Ride), Matt Wagner (Grendel), Mark Waid (The Incredibles), and Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing). Guest of Honor We're proud and ecstatic to announce that our tenth anniversary headliner is George Perez  (Final Crisis:  Legion of Three Worlds)!  George was one of our guests in our first year, and has returned numerous times over the past 10 years.  In addition to headlining the show, George will be providing the artwork for our program in 2009! "What an incredible line-up we've arranged for our 10th anniversary show," said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "We have been chugging along, building the guest list, working with the city of Baltimore on the hotel program, coordinating the Harvey Awards, and a million other little things involved with getting things ready for October." In coming weeks, look for ongoing announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting added guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found at our website, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and ComicSpace pages. This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held October 10-11, 2009. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, October 10th. As we continue to get ready for this year's show, we would like to remind you to mark your calendar for next year's Baltimore Comic-Con dates: August 28-29, 2010. About The Baltimore Comic-Con The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 10th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held Oct 10-11, 2009. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.   About The Harvey Awards The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 4 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.

Yale to publish book on Danish Islam cartoons without the cartoons

Well, this seems totally pointless, doesn't it? Publish a book called “The Cartoons That Shook the World” and leave out the images? For more details, read "Yale Press Bans Images of Muhammad in New Book," By PATRICIA COHEN, New York Times August 13, 2009. Mr. Aslan's comments in particular should be noted.

Normally I would buy a book like this as a matter of course, but I'm going to boycott this one. If Yale doesn't have the courage of their convictions, I see no reason to support them.

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

And we return to see what new items MSU's Comic Art Collection had added in June...

Randy keeps working his way through the cheap comics boxes, and getting parts of series, including Mark Chiarello's last big creative comic at DC before Wednesday Comics:

Solo. -- New York : DC Comics, 2004-2006. -- col. ill. ; 26
cm. -- Published no. 1 (Dec. 2004) - no. 12 (Oct. 2006),
cf. Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. -- Each
issue showcases work of a different comics creator. --
Partial contents: 3. Paul Pope ; ; 5. Darwyn Cooke. ; 6.
Jordi Bernet ; 7. Michael Allred ; ; 11. Sergio Aragonés.
-- LIBRARY HAS: no. 5-7, 11 (2005-2006). -- Call no.: PN6728.7.D3S6

...boy, after this there's a lot of partial sets of lame superhero titles...

...lots and lots of them...

Here's some old Clare Briggs...

Golf : the Book of a Thousand Chuckles : the Famous Golf
Cartoons / by Briggs. -- Chicago : P.F. Volland & Co.,
1916. -- 125 p. : ill. (some col.) 24 x 33 cm. -- Call no.:
folio GV965.B77 1916

I'll have to ask librarian Sara Duke about this one:

Five Paintings from Th. Nast's Grand Caricaturama /
introduction and commentary by Lloyd Goodrich. -- New York
: Swann Collection of Caricature and Cartoon, 1970. -- 14
p. : ill. (5 fold. col.) ; 20 x 25 cm. -- Catalog of an
exhibition held Mar. 24-May 10, 1970, at the Whitney Museum
of American Art, New York, and July 1-Aug. 30, 1970, at the
National Collection of Fine Arts, Washington, D.C. -- Call
no.: NC1429.N3G6

Here's a semi-pro fanzine...

Top Cow Newsletter. -- Haddonfield, N.J. : Dynamic Forces,
1997- . -- ill. ; 26 cm. -- Began with v. 1, no. 1 (Apr.
1997). -- "The official Top Cow fan club newsletter." --
LIBRARY HAS: no. 1-2 (1997). -- Call no.: PN6714.T59T6

By god, those hypocrites at Treasure Chest had their nerve:

"You Shouldn't Be Reading This Kind of Trash"* (You Are
Citizens Now) p. 11-16 in Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact,
v. 13, no. 10 (Jan. 16, 1958). -- Story about getting
objectionable comic books removed from newsstands. --
"Prepared under the supervision of the commission on
American Citizenship, Catholic University of America,
Washington, D.C." -- Call no.: PN6728.1.P43T7v.13no.10

This just sounds wrong:

Little Martin : Coloring Book / written by Jacquelyn Caffey ;
illustrated by Ron Scarbough. -- Highland Park, Mich. :
School District of the City of Highland Park, 1982 or 1983?
-- 32 p. : ill. ; 28 cm. -- About Martin Luther King Jr. --
Includes author and illustrator biographies on p. 2. --
Call no.: E185.97 K5C34 1980z

How many Publisher titles has Marvel done anyway?

The Punisher. -- New York : Marvel Comics Group, 2001-2004. --
col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Published no. 1 (Aug. 2001) - no. 37
(Feb. 2004), cf. Official Overstreet Comic Book Price
Guide. -- Has also volume numbering (v. 4). -- Superhero
genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 3, 10, 14-15, 21-23, 30-31
(2001-2003). -- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3P803
-----------------------------------------------------
Punisher Max Annual. -- New York : Marvel Publishing, 2007. --
48 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- (Max Comics) -- "No. 1,
November, 2007." -- Cover title: Punisher Annual. --
Superhero genre. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3P82 2007
-----------------------------------------------------
Punisher Presents : Barracuda Max. -- New York : Marvel
Publishing, 2007. -- col. ill. ; 26 cm.-- (Max Comics) --
Complete in 5 nos. -- Cover title: Punisher Presents
Barracuda. -- Superhero genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 2-3, 5.
-- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3P8305 2007
-----------------------------------------------------
Punisher : Red X-Mas. -- New York : Marvel Comics, 2005. -- 48
p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- "No. 1, February, 2005." --
Superhero genre. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3P8309 2005
-----------------------------------------------------
Punisher : Silent Night. -- New York : Marvel Comics, 2006. --
48 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- (Marvel One-Shot) -- "No. 1,
February, 2006." -- Christmas story. -- Superhero genre. --
Call no.: PN6728.7.M3P8312 2006

I read this yesterday for a lecture I'm doing - it's good:

Janet & Me : an Illustrated Story of Love and Loss / Stan
Mack. -- New York : Simon & Schuster, 2004. -- 157 p. :
ill. ; 24 cm. -- Summary: Stan Mack follows his
eighteen-year relationship with Janet Bode, a lighthearted
fling that beat the odds to become an enduring love affair.
The only thing they couldn't beat was cancer. As Janet and
Stan confront the jagged terrain of cancer, then navigate
the twilight of terminal illness, two portraits emerge: of
a woman who faced her cancer the same way she lived her
life, with guts and charm; and of the man who held her
close and shared her struggle. -- About breast cancer. --
Autobiographical genre. -- Format is text with interjected
drawings and comics. -- Call no.: RC280.B8B596 2004

Boltinoff did a lot of those innocuous half-page, 4 panel gags in 1960s DC Comics so this just sounds wrong too:

Sex is Better in College / edited by Henry Boltinoff. -- New
York : Pyramid Books, 1962. -- 158 p. : ill. ; 18 cm. --
"G-702". -- Jokes and cartoons. -- Call no.: PN6231.S54S4 1962

Oooh, I want one of these. I love a good advertising giveaway... well, it's probably not good, but you know what I mean...

Onstar Batman Special Edition #2. -- New York : DC Comics,
2001. -- 8 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- "Special limited
edition #2 presented by OnStar." -- "Can OnStar personal
calling & virtual advisor help Batman defeat Mr. Freeze?"
-- Superhero and advertising genres. -- Call no.: PN6728.25.D3 O52 2001

I'm thrilled to see so many biographies of cartoonists appearing now...

Man of Rock : a Biography of Joe Kubert / by Billy Schelly. --
Seattle, Wash. : Fantagraphics Books, 2008. -- 306 p. :
ill. ; 23 cm. -- Includes bibliographical references (p.
293-296) and index. -- Call no.: PN6727.K8 Z5S35 2008

I loved the Shadow as a kid, and bought the Steranko-covered reprint of the Charg, Monster pulp...

The Shadow Comics, v. 1, no. 8 (Jan. 1941)
CONTENTS: "Charg, the Murder Monster" (The Shadow) 20 p. --
"The Head" (Hooded Wasp) 12 p. -- "King Leo's Great Fight"*
(Cappy Can) 8 p. -- "Three Musketeers, pt. 5" 6 p. --
"Frank and Fearless" 7 p. -- "Case of the Gray Toupee"*
(Carrie Cashin) 6 p. -- "Stagecoach Reminiscences" 2 p.
text -- Data from Lou Mougin via Grand Comics Database
Project. -- Call no.: Film 15791r.171

Check out the incongruity of these following five titles being next to each other...

Disney's Mickey Mouse in The Cactus Kid / written by Lee
Nordling. -- New York : Mallard Press ; Greenwich, CT :
Twin Books, 1990. -- 43 p. : col. ill. ; 31 cm. -- Summary
(from OCLC): Mickey poses as the Cactus Kid when he goes
after some cattle rustlers. -- Funny animal fiction. --
Call no.: PN6728.M46C25 1990
-----------------------------------------------------
Mix Tape / Food One/Jim Mahfood art. -- Berkeley, Calif. :
Image Comics, 2008- . -- col. ill. ; 32 cm. -- Showcase of
Jim Mahfood's art. -- Spine title: Mixtape. -- Alternative
genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: v. 1. -- Call no.: PN6727.M308M5
2008
-----------------------------------------------------
The Wizard of Oz : Color by Number. -- 198-? or 199-? -- 1 v.
: ill. ; 28 cm. -- Call no.: folio PS3503.A923C65 1980z
-----------------------------------------------------
Ye Madde Designer / by Low. -- London : The Studio ; New York,
The Studio Publications, 1935. -- 128 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. --
Call no.: NC1479.L65A4
-----------------------------------------------------
Fun with Words in the Country. -- New York : Gallery Books,
1991. -- 44 p. : col. ill. ; 31 cm. -- (Disney Babies) --
"Twin Books." -- Summary (from OCLC): Baby Disney
characters learn words as they wander around in the
country. -- Key word: Vocabulary. -- Call no.: PE1449.F8 1991

I'm guessing there's not too many copies of this in America...

Nepalese Cartoons : Himalayan Humour / Ram Kumar Panday. --
Kathmandu : Ratna Pustak Bhandar, 1997. -- 94 p. : ill. ;
23 cm. -- (Sense of Humour Series) -- Includes pen
portraits of cartoonists represented. -- Includes
bibliographical references (p. 94). -- Call no.: DS495.3.P373 1997

And here's a copy of my buddy Gene's book...

Erotic Comics : a Graphic History from Tijuana Bibles to
Underground Comix / by Tim Pilcher with Gene Kannenberg,
Jr. -- New York : Abrams, 2008. -- 192 p. : ill. (some
col.) ; 26 cm. -- Includes bibliographical references (p.
188) and index. -- Call no.: PN6710.P54E7 2008

Damn them!

"The Nazis Invade New Jersey"* (Ajax the Sun Man) / Jack
Binder. 8 p. in Doc Savage Comics, v. 1, no. 9 (Sept.
1942). -- Call no.: Film 15791r.176

Who would have ever thought we'd see so much interest in the great Basil Wolverton?

The Original art of Basil Wolverton : from the Collection of Glenn Bray / by Glenn Bray. -- San Francisco, Calif. : Last
Gasp ; Santa Ana : Grand Central Press, 2007. -- 271 p :
ill. (some col.) ; 31 cm. -- Published in conjunction with
the exhibition, "The Original Art of Basil Wolverton for
the CSUF," Grand Central Art Center, Santa Ana, California,
Sept. 2 - Nov. 11, 2007. -- Call no.: PN6727.W57 O7 2007

Or a reference project like this?

The Definitive Frazetta Reference / James A. Bond, Dr. David Winiewicz, Andrew Steven. -- Lakewood, New Jersey :
Vanguard Productions, 2008. -- 208 p. : ill. (chiefly col.)
; 28 cm. -- Contents: Four-color Fritz : the comic book
years ; Devotees & afficionados : fan publications ; Off
the rack : the Frazetta magazines ; Frame by frame :
entertainment advertising ; Paperback dreams : book covers
& interior illustrations ; Art for art's sake : prints &
portfolios ; Sculptures & figurines ; In the groove : the
album covers ; The Frazetta canon / David Winiewicz ;
Appendix A. An alphabetical listing of Frazetta's painted
work ; Appendix B. A chronological listing of Frazetta's
comic book career. -- Call no.: PN6727.F7 Z5B6 2008

... I got mine!

Hmmm, this sounds interesting...

How They Draw Prohibition / edited and with foreword by Arthur Bartlett Maurice. -- New York : Association Against the
Prohibition Amendment, 1930. -- 93 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. --
Cartoons. -- Call no.: NC1763.P7M3 1930

So June wrapped up much better than it started... join us soon for July.

PR: Bamn ...And the Small Press Expo!

From: Troy Allen <bamncan@hotmail.com>

Last week, The Bamn Crew announced that we would be rolling into the Baltimore Comic Con in October. Well, it appears we will be having a busy 2 weeks --- I neglected to mention that we will also be returning to the Small Press Expo on September 26th thru the 27th of 2009.

We debuted the first issue of Bamn last year at "S.P.X." and will be debuting Jay's solo book "Crystal Clear" this year.

As an added bonus, we are exhibiting under DC Conspiracy, the same people who gave us The Dr. Dremo War Anthology. DC Conspiracy will be debuting their new Dremo book titled "The Spoils of Crime" which contains a short story by David Dean and I (Troy)!

You can find more about The SPX at their website: http://www.spxpo.com/

Washington Post joined in censorship of Tank

The Washington Post was joined in its censorship of Tank McNamara. See Michael's story at "Keeping Score: Who's NOT Running This Week's 'Tank'?," by Michael Cavna, Washington Post Comic Riffs August 12 2009. He's also got links to how the story went viral. I'll steal one of his links here, for the record -

Washington Post pulls comic featuring Vick, Cheney
By CHRISTIAN BOONE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution August 10 2009

And for those of us who still subscribe to the Post - here's today's Tank.

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

I've fallen a bit behind on these posts looking at MSU's newly-catalogued items for the comics collection, so lets dive into May.

The month started with some fairly pedestrian American superhero comics, but May 1 did have this oddity:

Afrique Citoyenne. -- Dakar : Association sénégalaise de
coopération décentralisée ; Fann Dakar : Fondation Konrad
Adenauer, 2003- . -- col. ill. ; 30 cm. -- Began with no. 1
(mai 2003). -- "Bande dessinée pour la jeunesse africaine".
-- Educational genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 17-18
(2008-2009). -- Call no.: PN6790.S44A35


There's a lot of single comic strip cataloguing, mostly from the King Features Syndicate donation of last year. If you're looking for 1933 Toots & Casper...

I actually saw this in a bookstore for half-price last week, but didn't go for it:

In the Small / written and illustrated by Michael Hague with
Devon Hague. -- New York : Little, Brown and Co., 2008. --
124 p. : col. ill. ; 27 cm. -- Summary (from OCLC): When a
mysterious cataclysmic event, "the blue flash," causes the
population of the earth to shrink in size to six inches
tall, suddenly humanity has the tables turned on itself:
The very civilization it has created becomes its greatest
obstacle to survival. Animals and the environment, which
have long suffered under the rule and/or destruction of
humans, are now some of their most feared enemies. Amid the
confusion and turmoil, two strong teenagers, 18-year-old
Mouse and his younger sister Beat, emerge as the most
promising leaders, eventually setting out on a quest to
discover the secret that could redeem this strange new
world. -- Fantasy genre. -- Call no.: PN6727.H253 I5 2008b


Randy Scott's still cataloging a lot of the Catholic comic:

Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact, v. 13, no. 3 (Oct. 10, 1957)
CONTENTS: "The Police Let Him Go"* (Chuck White and His
Friends) p. 3-8 -- "The Disconcerting Dodger" (Those Were
the Days!) p. 9-11 -- "Indulgences" (Traveling First-Class)
p. 12-15 -- "Danger! Curious Bear!" text p. 16-17 -- "What
Does Your State's Name Mean?" p. 18-19 -- "No Peace for
Bears" p. 20-25 -- "Personality Workshop" (Patsy Manners)
p. 26-28 -- "The Swiss Guards" p. 29-34 -- "The Serpent"*
(Pierre) p. 35 -- Call no.: PN6728.1.P43T7v.13no.3


...presumably somebody is interested.

I imagine this can't be too common - and there's some great cartoonists in it...

I Couldn't Help Laughing! : an Anthology of War-Time Humour /
edited by D.B. Wyndham Lewis. -- London : Lindsay Drummond,
1943. -- 3d enlarged ed. -- 160 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. --
Includes index of writers and artists. -- Artists are:
Acanthus ; Kay Ambrose ; Anton ; Bruce Bairnsfather ;
Nicolas bentley ; Fenwick ; Fougasse ; Walter Goetz ; Hynes
; Osbert Lancaster ; David Langdon ; Low ; Norman
Mansbridge ; George Morrow ; Palmer ; Pont ; Siggs ;
Sillince ; Strube ; Feliks Topolski ; Vicky. -- About World
War II. -- Call no.: D745.2.L4 1943


... and Zapiro's been in the news a lot lately for his feud with new South African president Zuma (who keeps suing him):

The Mandela Files / by Zapiro ; consultant editor: Andy Mason.
-- Cape Town : Double Storey, 2009. -- 206 p. : ill. ; 30 x
30 cm. -- Cartoons about Nelson Mandela and South African
politics. -- Call no.: folio DT1974.Z363 2009


Is Spain Yiddish?

Rivington Street : a Portfolio of Comics on Yiddish culture /
art by Spain Rodriguez ; stories by Joel Schechter. --
2009. -- 8 leaves : ill. ; 43 x 28 cm. -- "A special
collection of comic strips created for Jewish Currents and
other publications, January 2009." -- Historical genre. --
Call no.: broadsheet PN6727.R625R5 2009

Mark McKinney's book from my publisher... this one should be good, but I don't have a copy yet...

History and Politics in French Language Comics and Graphic
Novels / edited by Mark McKinney. -- Jackson : University
Press of Mississippi, 2008. -- 300 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. --
Includes bibliographical references and index. -- Contents
: French-language comics terminology and referencing ;
Representation of history and politics in French-language
comics and graphic novels: an introduction / Mark McKinney
; pt. 1. History, politics, and the Bande dessinée
tradition. Trapped in the past: anti-semitism in Hergé's
Flight 714 / Hugo Frey ; Re-imaging heroes/rewriting
history: the pictures and texts in children's newspapers in
France, 1939-45 / Clare Tufts ; The concept of "patrimoine"
in contemporary Franco-Belgian comics production / Bart
Beaty ; pt. 2. Political reportage and globalism in Bandes
dessinées. Citizenship and city spaces: Bande dessinée as
reportage / Ann Miller ; Games without frontiers: the
representation of politics and the politics of
representation in Schuiten and Peeters's La frontière
invisible / Fabrice Leroy ; pt. 3. Facing colonialism and
imperialism in Bandes dessinées. The Algerian War in Road
to America (Baru, Thévenet, and Ledran) / Mark McKinney ;
The Congo drawn in Belgium / Pascal Lefèvre ; Distractions
from history: redrawing ethnic trajectories in New
Caledonia / Amanda Macdonald ; Textual absence, textual
color: a journey through memory - Cosey's Saigon-Hanoi /
Cécile Vernier Danehy ; pt. 4. A French cartoonist's
perspective on the working class and Bandes dessinées. The
working class and comics: a French cartoonist's perspective
/ Baru. -- Call no.: PN6745.H52 2008

One wonders if Libertarian has the same connotation in England since Judge Dredd is about as fascist as one could find...

The Dredd Phenomenon : Comics and Contemporary Society / John
Newsinger. -- Bristol : Libertarian Education, 1999. -- 99
p. : ill. ; 21 cm. -- Includes bibliographical references.
-- About Judge Dredd and other British comics. -- Call no.:
PN6735.N43 1999

Here's one from a former and perhaps current Washington-area artist:

How to Draw Noir Comics : the Art and Technique of Visual
Storytelling / by Shawn Martinbrough. -- New York :
Watson-Guptill, 2007. -- 144 p. : ill. ; 28 cm. -- Includes
index. -- Summary (from OCLC): Describes the techniques
needed to draw noir comics such as creating mood, staging
action, working with a script, characters, and lightning.
-- Call no.: NC1764.M375 2007

One of the best books of 2007, now being remaindered at Borders for $1 I hear. Sigh:

Tamara Drewe / Posy Simmonds. -- Boston : Houghton Mifflin,
2008. -- 1 v. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- "A Mariner original."
-- Originally published: London : Random House, 2007. --
Alternative genre. -- Call no.: PN6737.S48T3 2008


Surely one of my readers can donate the missing X-Men issues - it's tax-deductible!

X-Men : Colossus : Bloodline. -- New York : Marvel Comics,
2005-2006. -- col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- (Marvel Limited Series)
-- Complete in 5 nos. -- Superhero genre. -- LIBRARY HAS:
no. 1-2. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3X234 2005
-----------------------------------------------------
X-Men : Deadly Genesis. -- New York : Marvel Comics, 2006. --
col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- (Marvel Limited Series) -- Complete
in 6 nos. -- Superhero genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 2, 4. --
Call no.: PN6728.7.M3X235 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
X-Men Fairy Tales. -- New York : Marvel Publishing, 2006. --
col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- (Marvel Limited Series) -- Complete
in 4 nos. -- Superhero and fantasy genres. -- LIBRARY HAS:
no. 1-2. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3X242 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
X-Men : First Class. -- New York : Marvel Publishing,
2006-2007. -- col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- (Marvel Limited Series)
-- Complete in 8 nos. -- Superhero genre. -- LIBRARY HAS:
no. 1-5. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3X244 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
X-Men Movie Special Premiere Prequel Edition. -- New York :
Marvel Comics, 2000. -- 32 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Cover
title: X-men the Movie. -- "May 2000." -- Superhero genre.
-- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3X33 2000
-----------------------------------------------------
Men & X-Men / Chris Claremont, Sean Chen. -- New York : Marvel
Publishing, 2006. -- col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- (X-Men : the End
; v. 3) -- Complete in 6 nos. -- Superhero genre. --
LIBRARY HAS: no. 3. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3X483 2006


Ahh, the "good" old days...

"The Worm Turns" back cover of Super-Mystery Comics, v. 1, no.
4 (Nov. 1940). -- Begins: "Softy Jones, the most sissified
kid on the block, has just purchased a magazine." --
Advertising strip for Sure Fire Comics. -- Call no.:
PN6728.1.A2S77m v.1no.4

Phil Foglio, who just won a deserved Hugo Award for Girl Genius, did the original art for the paperback novels of this series, but not these comics:

Mythadventures. -- Poughkeepsie, N.Y. : WaRP Graphics,
1984-1986. -- ill. ; 28 cm. -- Published no. 1 (Mar. 1984)
- no. 12. -- Fantasy genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: 1--12. -- Call
no.: PN6728.5.W3M9
COMPLETE HOLDINGS

May wrapped up with some DC reprints I never even noticed:

DC First : Green Lantern/Green Lantern. -- New York : DC
Comics, 2002. -- 48 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Cover title:
DC 1st : Green Lantern. -- "No. 1, Jul '02". -- "The first
team-up of Alan Scott & Hal Jordan." -- Superhero genre. --
Call no.: PN6728.7.D3 D22G7 2002
-----------------------------------------------------
DC First : Batgirl/Joker. -- New York : DC Comics, 2002. -- 48
p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Cover title: DC 1st : Batgirl
the Joker. -- "No. 1, Jul '02". -- Superheroine genre. --
Call no.: PN6728.7.D3 D22B3 2002
-----------------------------------------------------
DC First : Superman/Lobo. -- New York : DC Comics, 2002. -- 48
p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Cover title: DC 1st : Superman
Lobo. -- "No. 1, Jul '02". -- Superhero genre. -- Call no.:
PN6728.7.D3 D22S8 2002
-----------------------------------------------------
DC First : Flash/Superman. -- New York : DC Comics, 2002. --
48 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Cover title: DC 1st :
Superman the Flash. -- "No. 1, Jul '02". -- "The man of
steel versus the original Flash. Their first race." --
Superhero genre. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.D3 D22F55 2002

Join us again for ... JUNE!

Keeping up with Tank McNamara in spite of the Post

Remember, you can't see the Dick Cheney strips in today's Post or their online site so to see the strips if you're a Post reader, here's GoComics site.

And the NY Times chimes in, noting that the Post is the only paper to drop the strip - Comic Strips on N.F.L. and Race: Fair Game or Out of Bounds? By RICHARD SANDOMIR, August 11, 2009.

Outcome of DC Comics internship contest

Following up on our PR posting for this a couple of months ago, is the new PR about the winner of the contest:

STUDENT WINS $25,000 SCHOLARSHIP IN 2009 DESIGN CHALLENGE CONTEST

Recent High School Graduate Earns Chance to Work on Ad with DC Comics

The International Academy of Design & Technology (the Academy) in Troy has welcomed a new student to its school who was recently named the winner of the “2009 Design Scholarship Challenge.” Shane McCallion was among the finalists who flew to San Diego to visit Comic-Con 2009 last month. While there, they presented their submissions to a panel of judges and McCallion was announced as the recipient of the national prize.

The contestants, who were a mix of young men and women, displayed their original designs to the judges. Some drew by hand and others produced computer-generated graphics, all inspired by the DC Comics graphic novel, “Absolute Justice.” DC Comics provided a library of assets for the contestants to use and they were free to develop their concepts based on their interpretation and research. The winner, McCallion, expressed his own intrigue in the dark side of the series by coming up with the caption: “Which side will you serve?” He combined elements of good vs. evil in his depiction of three classic heroes and their rivals.

The judging criterion was based on execution against the creative brief, creativity/originality, aesthetics, the design process and the presentation to the panel. The final round was conducted by a national panel including representatives from DC Comics.

”Shane showed ingenuity and creativity, as well as a unique approach to the challenge” said Steve Rotterdam, senior vice president of sales & marketing for DC Comics.

About the Academy

The International Academy of Design & Technology was originally founded in Chicago in 1977. The Troy campus was established in 2003 to help Michigan students develop their skills and abilities needed for success in the fields of design and technology. The career-oriented degree programs provide hands-on training and real-world insights, taught by industry professionals who work in the fields in which they teach. The Academy is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to award associate and bachelor’s degrees. The Academy currently offers degree programs in Fashion Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Game Production, and Digital Media.

For more information about the Academy, please visit www.iadtdetroit.com or call 888.838.2111.

Aug 10: Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer 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.

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

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

Washington Post censors Tank McNamara

This time their own reporter, Michael Cavna, notes it as the Washington Post censors Tank McNamara for daring to satirize Dick Cheney because it was "inappropriate" - for details, see "'Dick Cheney' Orders a Hit on Michael Vick: Why YOU Won't See It," By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Comic Riffs August 10, 2009.

To see the strips if you're a Post reader, here's GoComics site. If I'm reading Michael's report correctly, the Post won't run the strips online either so going to their website is pointless.

DC Comic Book Examiner features local vampire reader club

See "Comic Books 101: What comic book Meetups are in the DC area? Part 1," August 9, 2009, by DC Comic Books Examiner Mark Ruffin for details. The group is all-female and just beginning to add comics into their mix. Just for the record, my favorite vampire superhero comic is the run of Captain America by Stern and Byrne where Cap went up against Baron Blood. Paul Grist's current series, Jack Staff from Image, has some good stuff in it too.

Quick Reviews for Comics Due 08-12-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 08-12-09

By John Judy

 

ACTION COMICS #880 by Greg Rucka, James Robinson, Julian Lopez and CAFU.  Nightwing, Flamebird, Supes, Kara, Captain Atom.  That's why they call it ACTION, folks!

 

ADVENTURE COMICS #1 by Geoff Johns, Francis Manapul and Clayton Henry.  Conner Kent's not dead anymore and he wants you to know it!  Plus, Starman, the schizophrenic hero from the future with the great costume and the power to make stuff heavier!  (I have the same power but it only works on myself.)

 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #602 by Fred Van Lente and Barry Kitson.  MJ's back but so is… the Chameleon!!!  Yeah, you heard me: The Chameleon, master of disguise!  That is totally impressive if you have no super-powers whatsoever and don't you forget it, mister!

 

BLACKEST NIGHT #2 of 8 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis.  My, but these Black Lanterns are saucy chaps and lasses, are they not?  Dead clever stuff.  Recommended.

 

DOMINIC FORTUNE #1 of 4 written and drawn by Howard Chaykin.  A depression-era pulp adventure set in old Hollywood.  A must for Chaykin fans!

 

FAHRENHEIT 451 GN by Ray Bradbury and Tim Hamilton.  A graphic adaptation of Bradbury's classic story of firemen who really expand on the traditional definition of the job.  Highly recommended.

 

JSA VS. KOBRA #3 of 6 by Eric Trautmann and Don Kramer.  Much better than a typical mini, this one's exploring some interesting and timely aspects of religious fanaticism.  Well worth a look.

 

MARVEL COMICS 70^th ANNIVERSARY EDITION #1 by Various Creators.  A little something to honor the first appearances of the Human Torch and the Sub-Mariner.  Oh, and Ka-Zar, Lord of the Jungle.  Him too.

 

MARVELS PROJECT #1 of 8 by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting.  The item of the week, hands down.  Mr. Brubaker explains it all to you, all the hidden connections in the first days of what would become the Marvel Universe.  First up: The race for the super-soldier!  Highly recommended.

 

RED CIRCLE: INFERNO #1 by J. Michael Straczynski and Greg Scott.  It's about a guy who can catch on fire and not die.  Finally!

 

RED HERRING #1 of 6 by David Tischman and Philip Bond.  A little spy story from the guy who brought you BITE CLUB.  And the artist's name is Bond.  Gotta look!

 

SANDMAN BY JOE SIMON AND JACK KIRBY HC by Joe and Jack.  What it sounds like.  Collecting the run from 1942-1946 in which Wes Dodds switched costumes and got a boy sidekick.  Neat stuff with lots of wild, Golden-Age appeal.  Recommended.

 

STARSTRUCK #1 of 13 by Elaine Lee, Mike Kaluta and Charles Vess.  Back in print after 20 years, this one's got it all:  money, anarchy and gorgeous ladies vying for dominance in a space opera universe.  Sweet!

 

SUPERMAN SECRET FILES 2009 #1 by Various Creators.  All the 411 you need to keep track of the players in the latest Supes sagas.  Helpful.

 

ULTIMATE COMICS: AVENGERS #1 by Mark Millar and Carlos Pacheco.  After ULTIMATUM let's face it, anything will be a vast improvement.  Here it is.

 

ULTIMATE COMICS: SPIDER-MAN #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and David LaFuente.  Ultimate Spidey:  Not drowned anymore!  Possibly crushed!  Certainly bruised, but (very likely) decidedly un-drowned!  That warrants a new first issue, wouldn't you agree?

 

UNCANNY X-MEN #514 by Matt Fraction and Terry Dodson.  Okay, since the Dark X-Men are led by Norman Osborn instead of Professor Xavier shouldn't they really be called the "O-Men?"  Or would that be too creepy?

 

UNWRITTEN #4 by Mike Carey and Peter Gross.  Someone's killing horror writers in the house where Mary Shelley created Frankenstein.  Your future self is so mad at you for not having read this already!  Recommended.

 

WALKING DEAD #64 by Robert Kirkman and Charles Adlard.  The scariest words you can hear in a world of zombies:  "A man's gotta eat."  Not for kids.

 

WEDNESDAY COMICS #6 of 12 by Various Creators.  Sunday newspaper comics from some alternate universe Utopia.  Recommended.

 

www.johnjudy.net

Fantom Comics announces new online subscription process

Here's their PR.

Important Announcement!!!!!   Making proverbial lemons out of lemonade, Fantom management has taken time freed up from managing 2 stores (RIP Tenleytown), and is using it to make the comic book shopping experience better for our customers, our most valuable resource! One such improvement is gradually moving our subscription service to Comixology: http://www.comixology.com/. Comixology is an online comic book resource that will allow you to manage your own subscriptions, ensuring that books are never overlooked. Here's the deal: This is a gradual transition. We recommend you follow the instructions below and sign up for Comixology right away. It really is a very fun website. However, Fantom's pull service will not switch to Comixology until Wednesday, September 2. Prior to that date, we will answer questions, email you your current pull list should you like (email us at info@fantomcomics.com for questions or to request your pull list), and ensure everyone is on the new system in time so nobody gets left behind. Until September 2nd, management will pull only your current subscriptions (or updates you give the clerk at the store, or email to us, per usual). Comixology Instructions (more detailed instructions will be available on the Fantom Comics website by week's end): 1) Log on to http://www.comixology.com/ 2) Sign Up 3) Once you've signed up, and are signed in, connect to Fantom Comics so we can pull your books each week. Paste the following link into your browser for Fantom's page on comixology: http://www.comixology.com/retailers/1157/Fantom-Comics-Union-Station 4) Select the "Retailer Connect" button on the left-hand side of the page 5) Sign yourself up! Note that the sign up fields on some computers come up messy. The first field is for your first name, the second field is for your last name and the third field is for your phone number. Fantom Comics requires your full name and phone number for our records. However, it does not change your username and in no way makes your personal information public! 6) Once you've signed up and connected you can set up your Pull List: a. Search for a title you'd like b. When you find it, either click on "Pull" for just that issue, or "Subscribe" for all issues of that series 7) When you're done selecting the books you'd like, go to the Subscriptions tab to review your choices 8) When you opt to subscribe to a comic book series, the default setting is for the monthly issues of that series. If you hit the Edit button in the Subscriptions page, you'll have the option to request: a. Trade Paperbacks of that title as well as the series b. Just the Trade Paperbacks (by clicking that option and un-clicking the comic option) c. 2nd Printings when on offer d. Variants As stated above, by the end of this week Fantom will have posted all of the rules and guidelines on its homepage. In the meantime, spend the month of August getting comfortable with Comixology and all it has to offer. thanks as always, Fantom Management Union Station - 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE | Washington, DC 20002 | 202-216-9478 www.fantomcomics.com

Another logo donated to us today!

MJ, whose cartoons are syndicated through Newsblaze Publications across the United States and is currently an editorial cartoonist for the National Free Press (Canada), kindly sent in his version of David Hagen's logo today, noting "Just got bored drawing editoons, thought I would do something for a blog I read often. Enjoy." He also notes his cartoons are also carried by Newropeans Magazine (Paris,France) and that he also started cartooning in 2009 for The Nashville Free Press. His cartoons also appear at his Tooned In blog for The National Free Press.

Thanks! I really appreciate it.

MJ is a member of the The International Cartoonist Conspiracy which produced Big Funny, the exhibit and newspaper that I still have to run a review for. [corrected 8/10/09]

Zadzooks on Watchmen game

Zadzooks: Watchmen: The End Is Nigh, the Complete Experience review, Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times August 2, 2009.

Also Greg Bennett's recommendations - I liked the Parker book quite a bit -

Bennett's Best for the week of July 19
Aug. 3, 2009 Zadzooks blog

Bennett's Best for the week of July 26
Aug. 3, 2009 Zadzooks

Wedding bells rang recently at Big Planet Comics

Big Planet Comics Bethesda recently hosted it's first wedding. Joel reported, "On Sunday, August 2, 2009, Alfredo Ignacio & Becky Kim were married at Big Planet Comics, Bethesda, MD." I wrote back to ask if Alfredo and Becky met at the store, and Alfredo replied "No, we didn't meet at Big Planet Comics. When we first met in 1993, one of the first topics of conversation we had was about the X-Men. I had just moved here from NYC and I started working for a Litigation Support company and that's were I first met Becky. The topic of comic books came up while we were hanging out during one of our breaks. Back then I used to live in the Wheaton/Aspen Hill area, but I'd hit Big Planet whenever I was in the area. I became a regular around late 1996 when I moved to Bethesda." Good for them - I had a similar conversation when I started at the Medical Museum although it was probably Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, but Robert Montgomery and I never dated. ;^) We're still friends though.

I'll echo Joel's Congratulations!

(By the way, that's Joel on the far right of the picture)

Arthur Wheelock caricature by Nate Beeler

Today's free Washington Examiner has a cover caricature by Nate Beeler of National Gallery of Art curator Arthur Wheelock. While that's an unlikely event, it does signify that there's a 2-page profile of one of the top art curators in Washington and should be read by anyone interested in European painting. Judith Leyster, a Dutch woman painter, is the subject of his current exhibit at the NGA.

GEM Hosts Captain Action Book, Exhibit

From Scoop - Where the Magic of Collecting Comes Alive!:

Geppi’s Entertainment Museum (GEM) in Baltimore’s historic Camden Yards sports complex will host a signing on Saturday, August 15, 2009, from noon to 3:00 PM, to mark the debut of the brand new edition of the critically acclaimed Captain Action: The Original Super-Hero Action Figure by Michael Eury. In addition to the author, Ed Catto and Joe Ahearn, the owners of Captain Action Enterprises, will be in attendance for the signing.

The event will also kick off a special exhibit covering the history of Captain Action, from the first action figures in the 1960s to the latest merchandise (and everything in between). The exhibit will run from August 15 through October 13, 2009.

Published by TwoMorrows Publishing, Captain Action: The Original Super-Hero Action Figure chronicles the history of this quick-changing champion, including photos of virtually every Captain Action product ever released. With spotlights on Captain Action, his allies Action Boy and the Super Queens, and his arch enemy Dr. Evil, an examination of his comic book appearances, and more, nearly every facet of the character’s existence is put under the microscope. From the earliest concept stages to the multiple (and supposedly final) demises of the toy line, and from thriving collectibles market to the modern resurgence, no stone is left unturned. It is due in stores on or about August 10.

“When the first edition of Michael Eury’s superb book Captain Action: The Original Super-Hero Action Figure was released, it was rightly referred to by some as a virtual ‘how to’ guide to doing a character-centric reference book. It reached longtime serious collectors, turned casual Captain Action fans into die-hard enthusiasts, and brought many new fans to the character,” said Melissa Bowersox, the museum’s Executive Vice-President. “This is the sort of project that GEM and our patrons are happy to support, and we’re also extremely happy to have the assistance of such passionate, creative fan-owners as Joe Ahearn and Ed Catto to help us present the history of this unique character.”

“We’re very happy to see Captain Action and Michael’s wonderful book given such a spectacular stage. Like many other collectors, Ed Catto and I really enjoy telling other enthusiasts about our favorite character, and this takes that enjoyment to the proverbial next level,” said Joe Ahearn, Partner of Captain Action Enterprises.

The original superhero action figure first arrived on the scene in 1966 with the ability to change into a fantastic range of other incredible heroes, including Superman, Batman, Captain America, Spider-Man, the Lone Ranger, Buck Rogers, and the Green Hornet. He took on their costumes and personas and fought the forces of evil in their places. Produced by the Ideal Toy Company and developed by Stan Weston, who had been involved in the genesis of Hasbro’s G.I. Joe just two years before, Captain Action enjoyed a fairly brief shelf life. The last of Ideal’s original production runs ended in 1968.

In that short time, though, the 12-inch action figure had also doubled for Aquaman, Flash Gordon, the Phantom, Steve Canyon, Sgt. Fury, and Tonto. He had a sidekick, Action Boy (who became Superboy, Aqualad and Robin the Boy Wonder) and a blue-skinned, bug-eyed alien arch foe named Dr. Evil (obviously years before Austin Powers fought another Dr. Evil). There were playsets, vehicles, a headquarters, flicker rings, playing cards, a Ben Cooper Halloween costume, and a fondly remembered five-issue series from DC Comics that included contributions from such legends as Wally Wood, Jim Shooter, and Gil Kane.

As the years followed, Captain Action became the purview of the collecting community. A thriving secondary market developed and kept interest in the character alive within its ranks. In 1998, thirty years after the original production run ended, Playing Mantis brought Captain Action back to the world of new toys. Although their tenure with the toy line would also end after two years, it greatly fanned the flames of interest in the character and the original collectibles, and led eventually to the formation of Captain Action Enterprises, the present day owners of the intellectual property.

The exhibit will conclude just after the Diamond Comic Distributors – Alliance Game Distributors Retailer Summit, which will be held at the BaltimoreConvention Center, immediately across the street from GEM, October 11-13, 2009.

Barks' paintings for sale at Geppi's Museum beginning tonight

An exhibit of Barks paintings is on at Geppi's Entertainment Museum now - I'm uncleard if this article means that you can buy some works that are in the show - Sale Details of Barks Paintings Unveiled, Scoop August 7 2009. The sale starts tonight, at midnight August 7th though if you've got an extra $100K hanging around. As Scoop notes, "Limited edition lithographs, mini-lithos and other pieces will be included, so there will be something for just about every price range up to mid-six figures."

Comic Riffs' Zits interview

After teasing it since Sunday night, he's put it up -

The Interview: 'Zits' Co-Creator Jerry Scott
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog August 6, 2009

Comic collector Mark Zaid in his role as lawyer at large

Local comic book collector Mark Zaid is in today's Post in his secret identity - "Police Chief Tells Driver Ticket for Flashing Lights Was Wrong," By Rick Rojas, Washington Post Staff Writer, August 7, 2009. Mark was ticketed for flashing his lights at the site of a speed trap - which I certainly have done - and fought the ticket.

Superheros and Alter Egos talk at Renwick Gallery

Friday, August 7
Noon

Superheros and Alter Egos

Mark Newport, one of the artists whose work is featured in Staged Stories: Renwick Craft Invitational 2009, shares his approach to knitting oversized superhero costumes that mix adolescent male subject matter with craft techniques usually associated with women.

Program held at the museum's Renwick Gallery on Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW

Post on Obama as Joker latest tempest in teapot

The August doldrums have struck, so a poster of President Obama overlayed with The Dark Knight's Joker's makeup has become 'news. If you're interested, see "Obama as The Joker: Racial Fear's Ugly Face; 'Political' Poster Turns On Violent Symbolism," By Philip Kennicott, Washington Post Staff Writer, Thursday, August 6, 2009 and the online discussion at "Impact of 'Socialist Joker'," Philip Kennicott, Washington Post Cultural Critic, Thursday, August 6, 2009.

Onion on terra-cotta mousketeers find

Today's Onion has an article about a new archeological discovery -
Legion of Terra-cotta Mouseketeers Found Beneath Disney World, Onion (August 6 2009): 1, 6.

National Geographic is opening an exhibit of the Chinese warriors in the fall - perhaps some of the Mouseketeers will sneak in.