Animator Mike Judge's live-action movie

Cavna's got a story on animator Mike Judge in today's paper, but had the full interview on his blog yesterday.

The 'Extract' Interview: Filmmaker Mike Judge After 'Office Space'
By Michael Cavna | August 29, 2009;
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog

Here's the story -

It Took a Decade, But the Boss of 'Office Space' Is Back in Business
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, August 30, 2009

- and here's a similar one at the NY Times -

Men at Work: Finding Humor in Missteps
By DENNIS LIM
New York Times August 30, 2009

Cartoons for the Classroom - Berryman's Teddy Bear

The August 30 2009 Cartoons for the Classroom features Washington Star cartoonist Clifford Berryman and the teddy bear he created.

Review of Harvey Pekar: Conversations I missed

A friend just sent me a link to this, asking if I'd seen it. I hadn't so I'm sharing it with you all (we're south of the Mason-Dixon line, so I use that instead of youz).

Bredehoft, Tom. 2009.
Harvey Pekar Conversations,
VillageGrouchy blog Sunday, November 30, 2008
http://villagegrouchy.blogspot.com/2008/11/harvey-pekar-conversations.html

Dean Haspiel art on HBO

I got a tip! One of my buddy's is doing some art for tv:

 Dean Haspiel's art was in the first episode of the upcoming HBO  show "Bored to Death" starring Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis based on a story by Jonathan Ames.

Haspiel and Ames did The Alcoholic graphic novel together last year.

LEGO Brickfest 2009 continued

Kids - don't buy ice cream from Uncle Joker's trucks. Presumably this came with a specialty Batman set when the movies were released.

Washington Post editorial on Danish Islam Cartoons

Here's a good editorial, opposed to Yale's decision, and written by an Egyptian-born columnist.

Yale's Misguided Retreat
By Mona Eltahawy
Washington Post Saturday, August 29, 2009

LEGO Dilbert

Unlike Calvin and Hobbes, this is a 'mosaic'.

As is this Mickey Mouse in the Sorcerer's Apprentice.



And this Wall-E.

LEGO Brickfest 2009

There's always some comic art-types at Brickfest, which was held last weekend in Tyson's Corner. Here's a favorite of mine.

New Luna Bros. interview online

I assume they'll be at Baltimore Comic-Con again this year...

The Luna Brothers Sheathe "The Sword", by Josh Wigler, Staff Writer, Wed, August 26th, 2009.

Oct 27: Crumb and Mouly at VCU in Richmond

Genesis: A Conversation with R. Crumb and Françoise Mouly
Sponsored in part by the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation

Presented in partnership with the Department of Art & Art History, University Museums, Velocity Comics and VCU Libraries Special Collections

“Crumb doesn't posit answers to the human mess; instead he affirms it, in all its craziness, and invites us to laugh at the spectacle.” – The Boston Globe

“Robert Crumb . . . is the one and only genius the 1960s underground produced in visual art, either in America or Europe.” – The Guardian (UK)

Tuesday, October 27, 2009
7:30 pm
Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage
A Modlin Downtown Event

R. Crumb, regarded as the founding father of underground comics, got his first taste of fame, as well as notoriety, during the 1960s – his “Zap Comix” rapidly attracted the attention of a fan base whose members dwelt well beyond the geographical parameters of San Francisco’s Bay Area. Crumb, whose cartoons are controversial, funny, at times bizarre and always idiosyncratic, today occupies a place of honor in the world of high culture and art. His graphic narrative Genesis, scheduled for release in the fall of 2009, has generated more-than-eager anticipation. For his Richmond engagement, one of only five appearances nation-wide, Crumb will participate in a conversation with Françoise Mouly, art editor for The New Yorker since 1993. She is also the founder, publisher, designer and co-editor along with her husband, cartoonist Art Spiegelman, of the avant-garde comics anthology RAW.

Audience Advisory:
Mature audiences only; contains sexual content.

Public Tickets: $19-$38 with discounts for seniors & children; through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com. Patrons requesting accessible seating should contact the Modlin Center Box Office at (804) 289-8980. Tickets for this and all Modlin Downtown events go on sale through Ticketmaster on August 24, 2009.

Campus Tickets: $30 employees (limit 4), FREE for students (limit 2); the campus community should contact the Modlin Center Box Office for premium tickets.

Zadzooks reviews comic books

Zadzooks: Comic book reviews, Blackest Night, X-Force/Cable and more: Geronimo rescues Sphinx, By Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times August 27, 2009.

Politico on Ted Kennedy comic book

This comic is solicited in Diamond's September previews which came out Weds, should you which to buy one.

Ted Kennedy: The comic book, By PATRICK GAVIN, Politico.com 8/27/09.

That darn Post editorial board!

Yale's Cartoon Controversy
Washington Post Thursday, August 27, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/26/AR2009082603531.html

The Aug. 23 editorial "Self-Muzzled at Yale" criticized Yale University Press for its decision to exclude controversial Danish cartoons of the prophet Muhammad from a forthcoming book. We found this to be a curious opinion given The Post's own decision not to publish the cartoons. This very fact validates Yale Press's decision.

We were two of the many experts in diplomacy, national security and academia asked by Yale Press to assess the likelihood of violence if the cartoons and other images of the prophet Muhammad were published in a book about the cartoon controversy. We advised Yale Press that publishing these images was very likely to result in violence, as there was a clear record of violence following their publication. More than 200 innocent people have been killed, and hundreds more injured, as recently as June 2008.

We who counseled Yale understand the book is a balanced, scholarly work. However, experience shows the book's purpose and tenor would not mitigate the risk of violence. In choosing not to print the cartoons, The Post made that very same judgment.

IBRAHIM GAMBARI

Under-Secretary-General

JOSEPH VERNER REED

Under-Secretary-General
United Nations
New York

The right of free speech guarantees that we may speak the truth without fear of government reprisal. This precious right is not compromised in any way by the Yale University Press deciding not to publish cartoons that would needlessly offend the sensitivities of large numbers of people. Even The Post editorial, which describes some of the cartoons, illustrates that publication of the cartoons was not necessary to make a point -- although inclusion of the offensive material would undoubtedly improve sales.

STAN NAMOVICZ

Takoma Park

PR: Small Press Expo Announces Carol Tyler and Josh Neufield as Guests for SPX 2009

Small Press Expo Announces Carol Tyler and Josh Neufeld as Guests for SPX 2009

 

For Immediate Release    
Contact: Warren Bernard

  Phone: 301-537-4615

                                                                          E-Mail: warren@spxpo.com

 

Bethesda, Maryland; August 27, 2009 - The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce Carol Tyler and Josh Neufeld as guests for SPX 2009.

Carol Tyler, one of the original "Wimmen" cartoonists, has contributed to Weirdo, Drawn & Quarterly, Zero Zero, along with the anthologies Wimmens Comix and Twisted Sisters. She will be at SPX to talk about her latest graphic novel, You'll Never Know Book One "A Good and Decent Man", released by Fantagraphics. You'll Never Know has received acclaim from critics and librarians alike for its portrayal of not only her fathers story of his experiences in World War 2, but how those experiences shaped Carol and her family.  See more of Carol's work at her web site http://www.bloomerland.com.

Josh Neufeld, author of the Xeric Grant winner A Few Perfect Hours, spent time as a volunteer for the Red Cross in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. This resulted on the online graphic novel A.D. New Orleans After The Deluge, which is now a full color book published by Pantheon that has garnered rave reviews. Josh also created the series The Vagabonds and as well as collaborating with Dean Haspiel on Keyhole. Visit Josh at his website at http://joshcomix.home.mindspring.com/.

Both Josh and Carol will be on discussion panels to talk about their works, in addition to being available for book signings while at SPX.

SPX will be held Saturday, September 26 from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday, September 27, noon-6PM at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days. 

For further information on the Ignatz Awards, the nominees or to request an interview, please contact Warren Bernard at warren@spxpo.com.

For more information on the Small Press Expo and the Ignatz Awards, please visit http://www.spxpo.com.

Heavy Metal animation showings this weekend

Heavy Metal, the animated movie, is showing at AFI Silver in Silver Spring on Friday at 10 and on Saturday at midnight for $10. The number is 301-495-6700.

Tip from the Express.

Weldon on Hiro, Johnny Hiro

I liked this quite a lot too.

See:
Weldon, Glen.  2009.
The Greatest American Hiro.
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (August 26):
http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2009/08/the_greatest_american_hiro_1.html?sc=nl&cc=msb-20090826

Examiner comics page alters time

It's fishwrap now, but Monday's Examiner printed Tuesday's comic strips. Then they were repeated on Tuesday. No word as to whether the miscreant playing around with time has been disciplined.

Brant Parker used to live in Centreville

Brant Parker used to live in Centreville back when it wasn't a farm of tract houses. See his wife's reminiscences in "‘Wizard of Id’ cartoonist’s wife makes Lynchburg home" By Liz Barry, The Lynchburg News & Advance August 25, 2009.

I remember being a kid 30 years ago and reading the Wizard of Id, B.C. and Crock in those paperback reprints. For a while there the Hart-Parker-Rechin team was unbeatable.

That darn Archie

'Archie' on Bended Knee
Washington Post Saturday, August 22, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/21/AR2009082103417.html

Regarding the Aug. 19 Style article "Arch Rivals":

Lost in the "Archie" comic's Betty/Veronica debate are the voices of Archie's parents. Has his father's 401(k) been so depleted that the parents are more concerned with their own golden retirement funding than they are with their son's moral compass and his welfare?

Maybe we've overestimated Archie himself these many years. Perhaps, the man is so insecure that he needs a trophy wife for validation.

Archie's decision to propose to Veronica may be revealing of his true character, not out of character.

Materialism and egocentrism vs. altruism and selflessness . . . the battle continues.

DONNA MANZ

Vienna

--

It has been a long time since I read "Archie" comics but, based on what I know, it is hard for me to believe that Archie Andrews would marry Veronica Lodge. We can only hope that he comes to his senses, recants his proposal and marries his one true love -- Jughead.

ROBERT J. TETLOW

Vienna

Bert Hansen's book on mass media images reviewed in today's Times

This article -

 

When a Doctor Is More, and Less, Than a Healer

By ABIGAIL ZUGER, M.D.

August 25, 2009

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/health/25book.html

 

Reviews Bert’s new book -

 

PICTURING MEDICAL PROGRESS FROM PASTEUR TO POLIO

A History of Mass Media Images and Popular Attitudes in America. By Bert Hansen. Rutgers University Press. 348 pages. $37.95.

 

-which I thought was excellent. It has a lot of material on cartooning and comic books.

Carol Tyler at SPX

Carol Tyler, who has recently published You'll Never Know Book One " A Good and Decent Man"about her father's World War II experience, will also be appearing at SPX according to Karen Flage.

PR: SMITH magazine announces THE PEKAR PROJECT

Harvey's tackling a new media - should be fun. Also check out Josh Neufeld's A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge from Smith - I bought the hardcover collection last week.

THE PEKAR PROJECT
Harvey Pekar's First Ongoing Webcomics Series
www.smithmag.net/pekarproject

Harvey Pekar's been mining the mundane for magic for more than 30 years in his autobiographical American Splendor comics. Now he has teamed with SMITH and four remarkable artists to create his first ongoing webcomics series—and some of his jazziest work to date. The new stories will appear every other week, with interviews, creator spotlights, and behind-the-scenes goodies, as well as essays and art from Pekar collaborators and inhabitants of the extended Pekarverse.

The Pekar Project seeds were planted when Pekar discovered artist Tara Seibel, a fellow Clevelander. They began collaborating on stories for her blog, Rock City Comix. For The Pekar Project, Pekar has formed a band including editor Jeff Newelt and four artists: Seibel, Joseph Remnant, Rick Parker, and Sean Pryor. Just as Duke Ellington composed pieces with a particular featured soloist in mind, Pekar is tailoring each true-life tale to these artists' individual strengths.

Tara Seibel is the Thelonious Monk of the bunch—wholly different from the rest. Once you lock-in to her avant-garde, design-and-color driven way of doing comics, its like the first time Hendrix starts sounding less like chaos and more like Heaven.

Joseph Remnant was introduced to Pekar by underground comics legend Jay Lynch, and to SMITH by way of his superb work for Arthur Magazine. He's our resident classicist, a chip off the ole' Crumb.

Sean Pryor is a pyrotechnic young artist, who first collaborated with Pekar for Royal Flush magazine, on a boisterous strip that had Pekar reviewing heavy metal CDs.

Rick Parker is a veteran comics master craftsman, with a style at once elegant and mischievous. Parker, a long-time letterer for Marvel Comics, drew the Beavis and Butt-Head Comic Book, currently draws the intro pages for the new Tales From The Crypt comics, and is working on a graphic novel Tales From The Crypt: The Diary of A Stinky Dead Kid.

With The Pekar Project, SMITH has encouraged Harvey to go out there, to go in there, to be abstract, jazzy, esoteric, silly, erudite, and most off all, to have fun. Call it autobiography as poetry, or as art—or call it anything you like. We call ourselves honored to be working with a legend of personal storytelling.

SMITH is proud to present The Pekar Project.

— Jeff Newelt, Comics Editor

Just give Richard Thompson all of your money now

As Richard and Andrews McMeel continue to monetize his brain and drawing hand, they're offering a 2010 Cul de Sac desk calendar... 4 months early!

PR: Cartooning in Conflict, a New Project from the Parents Circle/Families Forum

I was interested to see this spinoff of Cartooning for Peace is due to come to DC at some point.

Cartooning in Conflict The PCFF, together with Israel's most famous cartoonist 'Kichka' as curator, have created an exhibition of cartoons with a reflection on conflict, its consequences and in many of the works hope and reconciliation. This exhibit, will act as a catalyst for the Parents Circle - Families Forum to bring its message of empathy rather than revenge, of dialog rather than violence to an audience who might otherwise never have been exposed to an alternative to the hatred and impasse in the Middle East. Some of the world's most famous cartoonists, many of whom have won the "Pulitzer" and other prestigious awards have contributed their works to this exhibition which will include round 60 - 100 cartoons. We created a calendar from the cartoons that displays the Moslem, Jewish, Druze and Christian holidays. We will also create a catalog. All the funds from the sale of the above will go towards the education project in Israeli and Palestinian schools. The Exhibition will open in September 12, 20:00 PM, at the Cartoon Museum in Holon Israel, and we hope Bethlehem or Ramalla and then travel to many European Capitals. We would like to bring it to New York in 2010. It will then go to Washington where we are exploring venues. We would also like to send it to the West Coast as well as Miami. The Exhibition will always be accompanied by a Palestinian and an Israeli member of our group so that lectures on reconciliation will be part of all venues. Being exposed to the cartoons and also to a Palestinian and Israeli who have paid the highest price and yet are willing to speak in one voice for reconciliation, can only benefit any audience. Famous names like Oliphant, Danziger, Donnelly and Morin from the States, No Rio, Japan, Plantu France, El-Roto Spain, Wilcox Australia are just a small example of the quality of work. The calendar is a perfect gift for the holiday season! For more information see http://www.theparentscircle.com/products.asp Buy the calendar online!

PR: 'Xoc' #1 nominated for Ignatz

And a local cartoonist is up for one of the awards. Good luck, Matt!

From: Matt Dembicki <threecrowspress@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 4:12 PM

Just wanted to drop a quick note that Xoc #1 has been nominated for the 2009 Ignatz Award in the Outstanding Mini-Comic category!
If you haven't the read the book, please do before the Small Press Expo Sept. 26-27 in Bethesda, Md., so you can make an informed decision on the Ignatz ballot! If you're noting going to SPX, just read it for the heck of it!


Thanks for your time and support!
Matt
http://threecrowspress.blogspot.com

Small Press Expo Announces the Ignatz Award Nominees for SPX 2009

Small Press Expo Announces the Ignatz Award Nominees for SPX 2009 For Immediate Release                                        Contact: Warren Bernard                                                                           Phone: 301-537-4615                                                                           E-Mail: warren@spxpo.com Bethesda, Maryland; August 24, 2009 - The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce nominees for the thirteenth annual presentation of the Ignatz Awards, a celebration of outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning. The Ignatz, named after George Herriman's brick-wielding mouse, recognizes exceptional work that challenges popular notions of what comics can achieve, both as an art form and as a means of personal expression. The Ignatz Awards are a festival prize, the first of such in the United States comic book industry. The nominees for the ballot were determined by a panel of five of the best of today's comic artists, Lilli Carre, Vanessa Davis, Robert Kirby, Scott Mills and Laura Park with the votes cast for the awards by the attendees during SPX. The Ignatz Awards will be presented at the gala Ignatz Awards ceremony held on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 9:00 PM. SPX will be held Saturday, September 26 from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday, September 27, noon-6PM at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $8 for a single day and $15 for both days. For further information on the Ignatz Awards, the nominees or to request an interview, please contact Warren Bernard at warren@spxpo.com. For more information on the Small Press Expo and the Ignatz Awards, please visit http://www.spxpo.com. Outstanding Artist Tim Hensley, Mome (Fantagraphics), Kramer's Ergot #7 (Buenaventura) Nate Powell, Swallow Me Whole (Top Shelf) Richard Sala, Delphine (Fantagraphics/Coconino) Josh Simmons, Mome (Fantagraphics) Carol Tyler, You'll Never Know, Book One: A Good and Decent Man (Fantagraphics) Outstanding Anthology or Collection Abandoned Cars, Tim Lane (Fantagraphics) Against Pain, Ron Rege Jr.. (Drawn & Quarterly) Drawn & Quarterly Showcase Book 5, T. Edward Bak, Anneli Furmark, Amanda Vähämäki (Drawn & Quarterly) Fuzz and Pluck: Splitsville by Ted Stearn (Fantagraphics) Kramer's Ergot 7, ed. Sammy Harkham (Buenaventura) Outstanding Graphic Novel Acme Novelty Library #19, Chris Ware (Drawn & Quarterly) Disappearance Diary, Hideo Azuma (Fanfare/Potent Mon) Drop-In, Dave Lapp (Conundrum) Nicolas, Pascal Girard (Drawn & Quarterly) You'll Never Know, Book One: A Good and Decent Man, Carol Tyler (Fantagraphics) Outstanding Story "The Carnival," Mome #14, Lilli Carre (Fantagraphics) Disappearance Diary, Hideo Azuma (Fanfare/Potent Mon) "Seeing Eye Dogs of Mars," Acme Novelty Library #19, Chris Ware (Drawn & Quarterly) "Untitled," Drawn & Quarterly Showcase Book 5, Amanda Vähämäki (Drawn & Quarterly) "Willy," Papercutter #10, Damien Jay (Tugboat) Promising New Talent T. Edward Bak, Drawn & Quarterly Showcase Book 5 (Drawn & Quarterly) Colleen Frakes, Woman King (self-published) Hellen Jo, Jin & Jam #1 (Sparkplug), "Diamond Heights," Papercutter #9 (Tugboat) Ed Luce, Wuvable Oaf (self-published) Amanda Vähämäki, Drawn & Quarterly Showcase Book 5 (Drawn & Quarterly) Outstanding Series Danny Dutch, David King (Sparkplug) Delphine, Richard Sala (Fantagraphics/Coconino) Interiorae, Gabriella Giandelli (Fantagraphics/Coconino) Reich, Elijah Brubaker (Sparkplug) Uptight, Jordan Crane (Fantagraphics) Outstanding Comic Danny Dutch #1, David King (Sparkplug) Dead Ringer, Jason T. Miles (La Mano) Interiorae #3, Gabriella Giandelli (Fantagraphics/Coconino) Reich #6,  Elijah Brubaker (Sparkplug) Uptight #3, Jordan Crane (Fantagraphics) Outstanding Mini-Comic Claptrap #2, Onsmith Just So You Know #1, Joey Alison Sayers Stay Away From Other People, Lisa Hanawalt Stewbrew, Kelly Froh & Max Clotfelter Xoc, Matt Dembicki Outstanding Online Comic Bodyworld, Dash Shaw (www.dashshaw.com) Danny Dutch, David King (www.flickr.com/photos/kingkomics/sets/72157603500714748) Thingpart, Joey Alison Sayers (www.jsayers.com/thingpart/thingpart.html) Vanessa Davis's comics for Tablet (www.tabletmag.com/author/vdavis/) Year of the Rat, Cayetano Garza (www.magicinkwell.com)

Quick Reviews for Comics Due 08-26-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 08-26-09

By John Judy

 

BATMAN AND ROBIN #3 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely.  Professor Pyg gets his.  You don't go up against Batman with a name like Professor Pyg.  Even the Calendar Man feels bad for guys named Professor Pyg.

 

BATMAN: WIDENING GYRE #1 of 6 by Kevin Smith and Walter Flanagan.  They're letting Smith write Batman again.  Be sure to ask your grand-children yet unborn to bring you issue six at the home.

 

BOYS: HEROGASM #4 of 6 by Garth Ennis and John McCrea.  What exactly did Black Noir do to Wee Hughie?  Thumbs down?  Not for kids.

 

DARK AVENGERS #8 by Matt Fraction and Luke Ross.  Something vile, kinky and yet strangely exciting is going on in San Francisco.  Just another day really…

 

DARK X-MEN: THE BEGINNING #3 of 3 by Jason Aaron, Paul Cornell, Humberto Ramos and Jock.  Don't even pretend you don't want to read an X-Men story by the guy who writes SCALPED.  Mutant Madness.  Recommended.

 

DETECTIVE COMICS #856 by Greg Rucka, JH Williams III and Cully Hamner.  The continuing adventures of Batwoman and the Question!  A perfect gift for the tough as nails lesbian crime-fighters in your life!  Recommended.

 

FANTASTIC FOUR #570 by Jonathan Hickman and Dale Eaglesham.  Reed Richards explains it all to you.  New creative team starts here!  Gotta look!

 

FLASH: REBIRTH #4 of 6 by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver.  Barry Allen continues his triumphant but ominous return from Speed Force/Death.

 

GREEN LANTERN #45 by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke.  Is there anything better than seeing old friends you never thought you'd see again?  Johns' masterpiece continues.  Recommended.

 

HULK #14 by Jeph Loeb and Ian Churchill.  Apparently Red Hulk has his own team now.  It is called "Code Red" and I think the best course for all concerned is to start treating this stuff as taking place in an alternate universe far, far away from anywhere in which "continuity" is a recognized word. 

 

INCREDIBLE HULK #601 by Greg Pak and Ariel Olivetti.  I'm kind of hoping that this whole "Son of Hulk" business ends with the Hulk's son and Wolverine's son hooking up and finding a nice little cabin together in the Negative Zone or Counter-Earth or wherever Spider-Clones go to die.  For pete's sake, did we learn nothing from "Superman Returns?"

 

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #30 by Matthew Sturges, Bill Willingham and Jesus Merino.  The return of Dr. Fate!  Because this team can never be too big!

 

KING CITY #1 written and drawn by Brandon Graham.  Drugs, aliens and super-cats.  Save room for dessert!

 

NEW AVENGERS #56 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen.  Okay, who turned off all the Avengers' powers in the middle of the Big Fight?  Fess up.  We're not leaving here until somebody puts this Deus back in the Machina….

 

PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics.  To help you plan what you'll be begging, nagging and guilting your loved ones for this holiday season.  Excelsior!

 

RED CIRCLE: THE SHIELD #1 by J. Michael Straczynski and Scott McDaniel.  JMS completes his relaunch of four classic heroes originally from the ARCHIE line of comics.  And this ain't Riverdale, pal…

 

SCALPED #31 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera.  In which crooked, vicious, insane FBI Agent Nitz learns to be careful what he wishes for.  Highly recommended.  Not for kids.

 

SUPERMAN'S PAL JIMMY OLSEN SPECIAL #2 by James Robinson and Bernard Chang.  It's all up to Jimmy Olsen.  Does anything else promise Comic Book Excitement in quite the same way?  Hide your daughters.

 

WEDNESDAY COMICS #8 of 12 by Lotsa People.  Still weekly.  Still mostly awesome.  Recommended.

 

WONDER WOMAN #35 by Gail Simone and Aaron Lopresti.  WW and Black Canary continue with the bad guy spankage!  Great fun!  Recommended!

 

www.johnjudy.net

PR: Fantom's New Subscription Policy

Attention Store Update Email List recipients: If you're a comic book subscriber with Fantom Comics and have not yet transferred your pull list to Comixology.com, please do so ASAP! This Wednesday, August 26th will be the last day we pull your books from the lists we have on file. On Thursday we will be deleting every single book on subscription and using only the Comixology lists. Visit our Subscription Policy page for instructions on how to sign up with Comixology. It's a huge, colossal improvement over our current method of tracking subs, and a fun website on top of that. So please sign up and enjoy! PS: If you'd like us to email you your current pull list - or have any questions at all about the new policy - just email your request to info@fantomcomics.com. And here's the link to the August Diamond Previews (deadline for guaranteed August books is this Friday at 11:59pm). Union Station - 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE | Washington, DC 20002 | 202-216-9478 www.fantomcomics.com

Aug 24: Batman Returns 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 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

Death Note 2: The Last Name at JICC

Death Note 2: The Last Name to be screened at the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan.

DC Anime Club in collaboration with Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan Present screen Death Note 2: The Last Name on August 28, 2009 6:30 pm as part of inaugural showing for a new film series based on both Anime (Japanese Animation) and Manga ( Japanese Comics).

Yagami Light, a young man who resents the crime and corruption in the world. His life undergoes a drastic change when he discovers a mysterious notebook, known as the "Death Note", lying on the ground. The Death Note's instructions claim that if a person's name is written within it while picturing that person's face, that person shall die. Light is initially skeptical of the notebook's authenticity, but after experimenting with it, he realizes that the Death Note is real. After meeting with the previous owner of the Death Note, a shinigami named Ryuk, Light seeks to become "the God of the New World" by passing his judgement on those he deems to be evil or who get in his way.

Soon, the number of inexplicable deaths of reported criminals catches the attention of the National Police Agency and a mysterious detective known only as "L". L quickly learns that the serial killer, dubbed by the public as "Kira" (キラ ?, derived from the Japanese pronunciation of the word "killer"), is located in Japan. L also concludes that Kira can kill people without laying a finger on them. Light realizes that L will be his greatest nemesis, and a game of psychological cat and mouse between the two begins.

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

RSVP to jiccrsvpsummer09@embjapan.org.

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

For more information please visit the Japanese Information and Culture Center website at

http://www.us.embjapan.go.jp/jicc/  or visit the DC Anime Club website at http://dcanimeclub.org.

Post on Movies vs Comic Books

This is from Slate, but the author is uncredited - "America Saw the Movies But Missed the Books: Comic Publishers Are Losing Out," Washington Post Sunday, August 23, 2009

Post calls kettle black

The Washington Post has again editorialized that somebody who isn't them should be publishing the Danish Islam cartoons - in this case Yale. As a letter writer pointed out in 2008, this would have more force if the Post hadn't refused to publish the cartoons when they were reporting on the story.

SPX brings Gahan Wilson

I ran into Karon Flage this weekend and she said that SPX is going to have the great cartoonist Gahan Wilson appear! Whoo-hoo! Click through that link for more details.

ACT-I-VATE Primer Coming in October from IDW

Jim Dougan writes in to pass along some information about his strip's print appearance:

Have you heard about the ACT-I-VATE Primer?  It's a hardcover collection of stories from the A-I-V creators (including Dean Haspiel, Nick Bertozzi, Roger Langridge, Molly Crabapple, Simon Fraser, Tim Hamilton, etc. etc.) coming in October from IDW.  Hyeondo Park and I have a new SAM & LILAH story in there, and all of the stories in the book are exclusive (that is, they don't appear on the http://www.activatecomix.com website). It will make its official debut at the Baltimore Comicon, and will be in stores either immediately before the show or immediately thereafter (depending on Diamond's shipping schedule).  Oh, and it's got an introduction by Warren Ellis.

The Diamond code is AUG090968.

You can see a preview of the book, which includes the covers and one page from each story, here:

http://www.act-i-vate.com/88-1-1.comic

This is the official IDW announcement:

http://www.idwpublishing.com/news/article/767/

And here are various articles/interviews with Dean (who edited the book) and various other contributors:

Dean Haspiel on the ACT-I-VATE Primer at CBR:
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22511

LA Times: Dean Haspiel and Billy Dogma's broken heart
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2009/08/deal-haspiel-.html

CBR: ACT-I-VATE Artists on IDW's "Primer"
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=22559

Blake Gopnik reviews student animation

See "Diving Into Highlights of Student Shows," By Blake Gopnik, Washington Post Staff Writer, Saturday, August 22, 2009 for his review of "Divers," by Pratt Institute MFA Paris Mavroidis.

Advice columnists words to Betty in today's Post

This appears in today's Style section, but here's another link to it, with super-voice-action!

Dickinson, Amy.  2009.

Archie Broke My Heart! Now What?

National Public Radio's All Things Considered (August 19).

online at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112029322&ps=cprs and http://public.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/atc/2009/08/20090819_atc_08.mp3

Tintin Banned in Brooklyn

See "An Intrepid Cartoon Reporter, Bound for the Big Screen but Shut in a Library Vault," By Alison Leigh Cowan
New York Times (August 20, 2009): A21. The story appeared on their blog yesterday as "A Library's Approach to Books That Offend, New York Times City Room blog August 19, 2009, http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/a-librarys-approach-to-books-that-offend/?ref=nyregion

Washington Post Weekly ceasing publication, affects editorial cartoonists

The Washington Post Weekly is apparently ceasing publication, which affects editorial cartoonists. In his article "Bad things come in threes" The Steve Greenberg Blog August 13th, 2009, Greenberg notes:

The WP Weekly stood out for running more editorial cartoons than probably any publication in the country, save for cartooning-oriented periodicals like The Funny Times. Their pay was very low — $10 per cartoon — but they ran cartoons on nearly every page, dozens per issue.

Just as significantly, they were willing to run work beyond the usual syndicated people, giving never-syndicated cartoonists such as myself valuable national exposure, as well as the prestigious Washington Post name to mention. I've had cartoons in the WP Weekly one, two or three times a year for many years now, including places I've worked that never had national exposure.

I've never even heard of this publication, probably because I'm a regular Post subscriber, but it's a shame another venue is gone. I wonder if a syndicate or a bunch of editorial cartoonists should try putting together their own monthly subscription publication?

Aug 26: Excellent manga in Politics and Prose book group

I liked this a lot – it’s a little choppy because it was done over a period of time, but it’s a cartoonist’s battle with alcoholism and homelessness.

 

Wednesday, 26 August, 7:30 p.m.
GRAPHIC NOVEL (4th Wednesday)
Disappearance Diary
by Hideo Azuma

P&P's book groups

PR: Baltimore Comic-Con 2009 Adds More Guests!

Baltimore Comic-Con 2009 Adds Rob Liefeld and More! Baltimore, Maryland - August 19, 2009 - The Baltimore Comic-Con, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2009, continues to add to this year's big show as we get closer to the event!  Our web pages are now updated with this year's exhibitors, retailers, and Artists Alley, and you can both buy tickets (http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets.htm) and reserve discounted hotel rooms (http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/hotels.htm) via the website. Guests In our most recent press release, we announced an amazing number of guests, but we didn't get to everyone, and we're still adding!   We're very pleased to announce the return of Rob Liefeld to this year's Baltimore Comic-Con!  Rob's body of work as an artist, writer, founding member of Image Comics, and publisher on is own is filled with noteworthy contributions, from his New Mutants, X-Force, and the controversial Heroes Reborn titles at Marvel to his numerous creations, such as Youngblood at Image.   In addition to Rob, here's the latest batch of stars from the world of creating comics:  Ryan Bodenheim (Red Mass for Mars), Buzz (Atomika), Eric Canete (Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin), Jay Faerber (Noble Causes), Sanford Greene (Marvel Adventures Spider-Man), Jamal Igle (Supergirl), Jerry "The King" Lawler (Headlocked), Norman Lee (GeNext), Pop Mhan (World of Warcraft), Terry Moore (Echo), Mike Oeming (Mice Templar), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Khoi Pham (Mighty Avengers), Mike Raicht (Army of Darkness), Alex Saviuk (The Phantom Generations), John K. Snyder III (Doctor Mid-Nite), Allison Sohn (Star Wars trading card artist), Taki Soma (Rapture), Paul Storrie (Worlds of Dungeons & Dragons), Mark Texeira (Moon Knight), and Thom Zahler (Love & Capes). Already announced guests, new and returning, include:  Jason Aaron (Wolverine), Mike and Laura Allred (Madman), Dick Ayers (Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos), Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers), Doug Braithwaite (Wolverine: Origins), Pat Broderick (Vincent Price Presents), Jim Calafiore (Batgirl), Nick Cardy (Aquaman), Bernard Chang (Wonder Woman), Jo Chen (New Avengers:  The Reunion), Sean Chen (Dark Reign:  Fantastic Four), Jimmy Cheung (New Avengers: Illuminati), Cliff Chiang (Green Arrow & Black Canary), Frank Cho (Ultimates 4), Chris Claremont (X-Men Forever), Steve Conley (Star Trek:  Year Four), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), J.M. DeMatteis (Metal Men), Todd Dezago (Marvel Adventures:  Spider-Man), Evan Dorkin (Beasts of Burden), Jan Duursema (Star Wars:  Legacy), Sarah Dyer (Superman Adventures), Steve Englehart (Avengers), Al Feldstein (Mad), David Finch (Ultimatum), Bob Fingerman (Recess Pieces), Matt Fraction (Uncanny X-Men), 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), Kathryn Immonen (Runaways), 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), Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man), Scott Koblish (Final Crisis:  Legion of Three Worlds), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Greg LaRocque (Peter Parker:  The Spectacular Spider-Man), Steve Lieber (Underground), Luna Brothers (The Sword), David Mack (Kabuki), Tom Mandrake (The Outsiders), Larry Marder (Beanworld), Laura Martin (Thor), 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), Kevin Nowlan (The Spirit), Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex), Jeff Parker (Agents of ATLAS), Dan Parsons (Star Wars:  The Clone Wars), Guest of Honor George Perez (Final Crisis:  Legion of Three Worlds), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Comics Armor Wars), Whilce Portacio (Spawn), Eric Powell (The Goon), Buddy Prince (Night), Brian Pulido (Lady Death), 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), Ian Sattler (Final Crisis:  Aftermath), Scott Christian Sava (Dreamland Chronicles), Marc Silvestri (Witchblade), 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), Peter Tomasi (Blackest Night:  Batman), Herb Trimpe (Hulk), Billy Tucci (Sgt. Rock:  The Lost Battalion), Jim Valentino (Shadowline Comics), Rob Venditti (The Surrogates), Dexter Vines (Wolverine), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest), Doug Wagner (The Ride), Matt Wagner (Grendel), Mark Waid (The Incredibles), Len Wein (Justice League of America), Brian Wood (sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics, Northlanders), and Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing). "We keep adding great guests.  Rob added to our list of other Image United creators is leading to a very special day for Image," said Baltimore Comic-Con promoter, Marc Nathan. "Rob is great to his fans.  When we had him a few years back, he proved once again to be an overwhelming fan-favorite." In coming weeks, look for ongoing announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con.  We are looking forward to adding yet more guests and providing details on 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.

NPR on Archie, Veronica and poor Betty

Archie Marries Veronica! Not a Dream! Not an Imaginary Story! Oh. Wait.
By Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog August 19, 2009

Washington Post on Archie, Veronica and poor Betty

Arch Rivals: As Archie Sidles Up to a Bride, Why Does The Betty-vs.-Veronica Debate Ring Eternal?
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 19, 2009

and

The Interview: Archie Comics EIC Victor Gorelick
By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Comic Riffs blog  August 19, 2009

Examiner goes negative

Today's Examiner printed Eric Allie's "Bending the Curve" syndicated cartoon from Cagle Cartoons, as a negative image, so it's black and
green and purple. It's an odd effect.

Simpsons profile on Express website

This wasn't in the hardcopy paper today - Worst. Retrospective. Ever: Comic Book Guy's Top 7 'Simpsons' Appearances, Written by Express contributor Meg Zamula, August 18 2009.

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.