Much of that was Watterson's early high school and college cartoons, and his stint as a professional political cartoonist, but Nevin also showed us what Watterson's most recent public art has been. He's done these projected illustrations for a friend's Spanish Day, a Flamenco guitar rock opera.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Nevin Martell at Big Planet Comics, a brief report
Much of that was Watterson's early high school and college cartoons, and his stint as a professional political cartoonist, but Nevin also showed us what Watterson's most recent public art has been. He's done these projected illustrations for a friend's Spanish Day, a Flamenco guitar rock opera.
Wash Post Style Invitational contest to combine two comic strips results
The Style Invitational
Washington Post October 31 2009
Report from Week 837
in which we asked you to combine two comic strips and tell about the result:
Two NY students win Herblock-related cartoon contest
By SHARON GLEASON, NeXt Editor, Buffalo News October 29, 2009.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Pop culture professor Ray Browne dies
Washington Post Staff Writer, Thursday, October 29, 2009.
I never met him, but obviously I agree with his life's work. By the way, the current New Yorker, November 2, 2009, is this year's thin cartoon issue - it doesn't even say it on the spine - and it's got work by Chris Ware in it. Speaking of pop culture sneaking into high brow worlds...
Maira Kalman visits the Capitol
...and discovers that law making can be a messy thing - E Pluribus Unum, New York Times' And The Pursuit of Happiness blog (October 29 2009)
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Nov 6: Photographs Redefining the American Superhero
Another one from Michael O'Connell...
Contact: Brooke Seidelmann
1632 U Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
p: 202.483.8600
brooke@smithfarm.com
www.smithfarm.com/gallery
Redefining the American Superhero
Washington, DC - Opening Reception: Friday, November 6, 6:00-8:00PM. The Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery located at 1632 U Street, NW celebrates the opening of The Real Story of the Superheroes, featuring photographs by Dulce Pinzón.
This exhibition introduces the Latino immigrant in New York in a satirical documentary style featuring ordinary men and women in their work environment donning superhero garb. In doing so, Pinzón raises questions of both our definition of American heroism and the ignorance of and indifference to the workforce that fuels our ever-consuming economy. The exhibition runs November 4 - 28.
Above: Spiderman. Bernabe Mendez from the State of Guerrero works as a professional window cleaner. He sends $500 home each month.
High resolution photos are available upon request.
Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Friday 11:00AM-5:00PM, Saturday 11:00AM-3:00PM and by appointment. Additional details are available at www.smithfarm.com/gallery.
This exhibition is a part of FOTOWEEK DC and sponsored in part by the Mexican Cultural Institute.
About the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Farm Center:
The Gallery is a mission of Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts, a Washington, DC nonprofit organization grounded in the profound belief that each person has tremendous innate abilities to heal in the face of life's challenges, Smith Farm's mission is to develop and promote proven healing practices that explore physical, emotional, and mental resources that lead to life-affirming changes. Programs and exhibitions in the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery celebrate and stimulate the dynamic creative resources that contribute to health and wellness in each of us.
Garfield Teams Up With Attorney General, Virginia Schools to Teach Online Safety
COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Office of the Attorney General
Richmond, VA 23219
William C. Mims
900 East Main St.
Attorney General
Richmond, VA 23219
804-786-2071
For Immediate Release
Contact: David Clementson
http://www.vaag.com/
804-692-0552
dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Garfield Teams Up With Attorney General, Virginia Schools to Teach Online Safety
RICHMOND – The Commonwealth of Virginia is hoping that a grouchy, opinionated, lasagna-loving cat can help teach children about Internet safety.
At the 15th annual Virginia Educational Technology Conference today, Attorney General Bill Mims and the creator of Garfield, Jim Davis, unveiled an interactive program to teach children about Internet safety, which the Virginia Department of Education is offering to schools statewide.
The Department of Education worked with the Garfield Foundation to draft the script and comprehensive curriculum. The Attorney General's Office provided guidance and funding. Paws Inc. Studios and Hollywood talent provided the animation, voices and production, including legendary film and television voice Frank Welker as Garfield.
"What better than a grouchy, opinionated, lasagna-loving cartoon cat to entertain kids while teaching them how to stay safe on the
Internet?" Attorney General Mims said. "Our Office has partnered with the Department of Education for years through the Youth Internet Safety Task Force and other various initiatives. We thank Jim Davis and his entertainment team for doing this so we can continue to reach students, parents and teachers while having fun."
The first installment of the program, entitled "Online Safety and You," goes live today with interactive lessons, episodes, games,
quizzes and teaching materials. The first lesson is about "cyberbullying." It is offered free to everyone through InfiniteLearningLab.org.
"You wouldn't believe the number of moms, dads and teachers who've told me that Garfield was the reason their child started reading, and – gasp! – learning," Jim Davis said. "Professor Garfield can teach students about Internet safety, tickling their brain and their funnybone."
Two years ago Virginia became the first state in the nation to mandate that all public schools teach Internet safety. The new Professor Garfield program is not mandatory for schools, but rather a recommended addition to the teaching arsenal.
"Professor Garfield is an exciting addition to the Commonwealth's nationally-recognized Internet safety team," said Patricia Wright,
Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Virginia Department of Education. "On behalf of Virginia's public schools, I thank Jim Davis for his generosity and commitment to the children of Virginia."
Today the Garfield comic strip is in almost every newspaper in the world. More than 2,400 newspapers now carry Garfield and an estimated 200 million people read the strip every day. The strip is the most widely syndicated comic strip in the world.
The Professor Garfield Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational collaboration between Paws, Inc., the global headquarters
for Garfield the Cat, and Ball State University's teacher training and digital education.
Oct 31: Beyond Comics sale along with Blair Witch signing
Featuring
Eduardo Sanchez, Writer and Director, The Blair Witch Project
Saturday October 31st 1:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m.
HUGE SALE !!! NEW COMICS $1 Each
Certain Restrictions May Apply
OVER 7,000 25 cent COMICS
Trade Paperback & Manga Clearance Books from $3 each
Catching up with comics in the Post
Comic Riffs looks at a couple of dunderheaded decisions in the Style section –
Doonesbury shrunk by almost an inch in the latest redesign, but it’s back at a bit larger now:
The Post's 'Doonesbury' shrinkage: winning the Battle of Inch-On
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 28, 2009
and Frazz, which has been exiled to appearing sometimes on the Kid’s page is missing this week because of a Halloween story which has a naked kid in a tree - god, you just can’t make this stuff up. The kids flip past, in today’s paper “TV report on breast self-exam bares all” and “The Dark Side of Peter Pan” book review to get to the Kid’s page, and they’re then protected from cartoon nudity. Anyway, here’s the story with the rationalization “There was no way this could run in KidsPost so we decided to hold it out for a week.”:
Calling all comics readers: To save 'Frazz,' what strip should we send to KidsPost?
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 29, 2009
In yesterday’s Style section (not the trend here), there’s a TV report on how inappropriate Family Guy is, at least as far as Microsoft is concerned:
By Lisa de Moraes
Washington Post Wednesday, October 28, 2009
and a review of a play with an imaginary superhero friend:
By Celia Wren
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tonight - "Looking for Calvin and Hobbes" Reading and Signing
--------------------
Subject: *TONIGHT* "Looking For Calvin and Hobbes" Book Release Party *TONIGHT*
Just wanted to remind everyone that tonight is the book release party for "Looking for Calvin and Hobbes" at Big Planet Comics in Bethesda from 7-9. There will be a reading, a presentation of early, unseen Watterson art, a Q&A session and a book signing. Hope to see you there!
My best,
Nevin
Link for info on Big Planet Comics:
http://www.facebook.com/l/85efb;www.bigplanetcomics.com/
I'm planning on being there. - Mike
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Baltimore - Halloween party at Atomic Books
DC Comic Books Examiner, Mark Ruffin Mark Ruffin, a freelance writer and story editor, recalls a first read of Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man #8 and a collection of comic books from that point. Following honorable service in the military, he has contributed and edited articles on subjects political, sports car related, and of murder mystery dinner games. Grouped with his enthusiasm for culinary arts and sports, he enjoys discussions on the various perspectives of the comics medium. Contact Mark here. | |
NPR's Weldon on Brave and the Bold cartoon
(Batman - Brooding + Obscure Characters) x NPH = A Thing That is Arguably Good
By Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog October 28, 2009
Fantom Comics new store
I was in Pentagon City Mall last night so I stopped in to Fantom Comics. They haven't gotten on the mall map yet. They're kind of out of the way so you're not likely to just stumble across their store. They're up on the top floor near Nordstroms and the Radio Shack. For such a small space they've done well with it. The walls are all glass so they've positioned their most popular selections (comics and graphic novels for kids) where you can see them from up the hall. The inner walls are filled with graphic novels. They had several that I hadn't seen in other shops. Hidden behind the hallway viewable stuff is a small selection of back issues.
The whole place can be described as small, but well proportioned. It has a good selection despite its dimensions. They will not, however, be hosting Magic or D&D sessions.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Weldon on crime comics
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Books We Like (October 27 2009)
You know, for a small city, we bloggers don't run into each other. I've never met Weldon, or Mark Ruffin, or Zadzooks... They may all be fictional. I know I'm real.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Arthur Szyk talk in DC for Veterans Day
Arthur Szyk: Soldier in Art
An illustrated presentation on the art and messages of Polish-Jewish artist Arthur Szyk (1894-1951)
by Irvin Ungar, Curator of The Arthur Szyk Society
Veterans Day
November 11, 2009
1:00 - 3:00pm EST
National Museum of American Jewish Military History
1811 R Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 265-6280
Society Coordinator
The Arthur Szyk Society
1200 Edgehill Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010
Tel: 650-343-9588
Fax: 650-579-6014
allison@szyk.org
www.szyk.org
Looking for Calvin and Hobbes This Thursday at 7 PM at Big Planet Comics in Bethesda
LOOKING FOR CALVIN AND HOBBES" BOOK RELEASE PARTY
Come on down this Thursday to celebrate the release of my latest book, "Looking for Calvin and Hobbes: The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and His Revolutionary Comic Strip." There will be a reading, a presentation of unseen Watterson art, a Q&A and a signing. Feel free to bring friends and pass along this invite.
THE DETAILS
This Thursday, October 29th
7 PM - 9 PM
Big Planet Comics
4908 Fairmont Ave
Bethesda, MD
http://www.bigplanetcomics.com/
--
Blair Witch movie director at Beyond Comics UPDATED
2 obituaries for Addams Family music composer
Composer wrote snappy themes to 'Addams Family, 'Green Acres'
By T. Rees Shapiro
Washington Post, October 22, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/21/AR2009102103966.html
Vic Mizzy, Songwriter of ‘Addams Family’ Fame, Dies at 93
By MIKE HALE, October 21, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/arts/television/21mizzy.html
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Fantom Comics 'settled' at Pentagon City
Zadzooks reviews comic books again this week
Joseph Szadkowski
Washington Times October 22, 2009
Post's Astro Boy review
AAEC's Cartoons for the Classroom features Herblock
Comic Riffs greets returning USO cartoonists
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 24, 2009
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-28-09
By John Judy
ABE SAPIEN ONE-SHOT by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi and Patric Reynolds. A story from Abe's early days with the BPRD that is haunting in all senses of the word. Recommended.
ARKHAM REBORN #1 of 3 by David Hine and Jeremy Haun. Arkham Asylum is being rebuilt to its original specs. This cannot possibly bode well for anyone…
ASTRO CITY: ASTRA SPECIAL #2 of 2 by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson. Not-so-little Astra and her beau have a bit of a to-do at an extra-dimensional watering hole. Fun stuff and a nice reprieve from the grimness of "The Dark Age" epic in the regular title. Recommended.
BLACKEST NIGHT #4 of 8 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis. Earth is evacuated as the dead continue to rise. Can even Hal Jordan discover the secret behind the Black Lanterns? Well, one would hope… Recommended.
DARK REIGN: THE LIST – WOLVERINE #1 by Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic. It's Jason Aaron writing Wolverine and he's one of the only guys on the planet who can do that and not suck. For this reason alone we must read this comic. Oh, and Ribic's art is choice as always. Recommended.
FANTASTIC FOUR #572 by Jonathan Hickman and Dale Eaglesham. Things were going so well for the Justice League of Reed Richardses. But then they stopped going well and started getting very problematic. Can even the JLoRRs solve this one? Big Brains and Big Fights galore! Excelsior!
FREAKANGELS VOL.3 SC by Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield. The third collection of the adventures of "twelve strange children." Featuring a serial killer and a breaking of a rule. Recommended.
GREEN LANTERN #47 by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke. Lantern fight! Blue Lanterns mix it up with Orange Lanterns and things are looking… Brown? Seriously, that's what you get when you mix blue with orange. A Brown Lantern would just be… kind of disturbing…
HULK #16 by Jeph Loeb and Ian Churchill. "Red She-Hulk." There, I said it. A She-Hulk who's red. This issue: Streaky the Hulk Cat. I mean, why not at this point?
IGNITION CITY #5 of 5 by Warren Ellis and Gianluca Pagliarani. The grand finale in which we finally stop hearing how crappy Ignition City is and find out why it's so crappy! Plus, jet packs, zap guns and explodey stuff! Recommended.
MAP OF MY HEART GN written and drawn by John Porcellino. A little something from Porcellino celebrating the 20th anniversary of his zine KING CAT COMICS and mourning his divorce. From Drawn and Quarterly.
NEW AVENGERS #58 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen. The Hood, guest-starring some Avengers! Ya remember Korvac? Thanos? Those were guys ya felt deserved to fight Earth's Mightiest Heroes. The Hood? Not so much. Just sayin'…
NORTHLANDERS #21 by Brian Wood and Leandro Fernandez. The new story-arc begins here! "The Plague Widow" follows the troubles of a Russian Viking village in the year 1020. A contagion afflicts them, as does an enemy within. Recommended.
PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics. The Future of Comics! Literally!
SUPERMAN #693 by James Robinson and Fernando Dagnino. Lois Lane's evil military dad is torturing the super-people again. Also Bizarro.
SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #2 of 6 by Geoff Johns and Mike McKone. Superboy meets the Legion of Super-Heroes for the first time! Again! Recommended!
ULTIMATE COMICS: ARMOR WARS #2 of 4 by Warren Ellis and Steve Kurth. Ultimate Tony Stark fights a bunch of people over his stolen technology. Ellis on the scripting so it will involve lots of "bleeding edge" references and violence. Recommended.
ULTIMATE COMICS: AVENGERS #3 by Mark Millar and Carlos Pacheco. Ultimate Captain America has gone rogue hunting down his son, the Ultimate Red Skull. Seriously. The Skull is Cap's son. And let's not even get into the whole "cutting his own face off" thing. Maybe not the title to give to the "Super Hero Squad" fan on your list.
WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #6 by Jason Aaron and Yanick Paquette. Wolverine's in a nut-house with a doctor who wants to cut his brain out. And this is why Jason Aaron is the best writer ever. Recommended.
WONDER WOMAN #37 by Gail Simone and Bernard Chang. There's a rash among the Amazons! Of pregnancies! Why couldn't they have called it a spate? Go figure…
X-FACTOR #50 by Peter David and Valentine De Landro. Big wrap-up to a year's worth of story-lines! Or else! Recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
Saturday, October 24, 2009
PR: Fellowship applications being accepted by Swann Foundation
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/swann-fellow.html
Thank you for the opportunity to post this notice. My apologies for cross listing.
Martha H. Kennedy
Curator, Popular & Applied Graphic Art
Prints and Photographs Division
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20540-4730
Ph.: 202/707-9115 Fax: 202/707-6647
Friday, October 23, 2009
Nov 2: Geppi's Entertainment Museum teacher's night
Crumb's appearance in Richmond
Based on David Hagen's comment earlier this week (boy I hope I remembered that right), and a ridiculous discount on Amazon, I've ordered the book.
Martell's Calvin and Hobbes in NY Times blog
Comic Riffs looks at the 'Incredible Shrinking Comic' in the Washington Post
By the way, there was a 'stamp-sized comic' done on purpose - Shannon Wheeler's Postage Stamp Funnies that used to run in the Onion before they axed their comics. There's a collection one can buy.
Cartoons & Cocktails high seller NOT from DC (corrected)
There seemed to be a pretty good crowd there last night. I went as Nate Beeler's date* and saw Justin Dembicki (formerly of the NY Observer) whose work sold well, and Steve Breen -- the three did a jam cartoon of Obama holding a pit bull on one leash and Cheney on another. Matt Wuerker's pieces went for more than I could afford. David Hagen was there too with his wife, but they had to leave early for the long drive home. The mysterious #123 bought by far the most cartoons - I'm guessing at least 1/3 of what was offered. I'm missing other people, but I'm still pretty tired. I got 4 pieces of art in the silent auctions, so I appreciate Nate's kindness** at asking me to go along.
*He's not a great date folks. First he was at least 1/2 hour late; then he kept rushing away and leaving me standing alone on the dance floor, and then I did cadge a ride home, but he dropped me off blocks from my house.
**This is the true footnote. Nate's a generous guy and an excellent cartoonist and you should all pick up the Examiner regularly to check out his work. He's got it all on his work blog too.
***my thanks to Clay Jones for the correction from Wuerker to Streeter. I shouldn't write these things when I'm tired. My apologies to anyone I misled.
Dilbert 2.0: News you can use
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Oct 24: Barrio Grrrl!: A New Musical
Barrio Grrrl!: A New Musical opens at the Kennedy Center on Saturday. The 9-year old heroine, "as her alter-ego Barrio Grrrl with her invisible sidekick Amazing Voice, is pretty busy preserving justice in the barrio and protecting her neighborhood." The play is in the Family Theatre, is for ages 9+ and costs $15.
OT: Batmobile replica for charity auction for Africa
I was asked to post about this, and it seems like a good cause. However, you will not see this under the "Mike's new acquisitions" heading.
A working replica of the 1960s Batmobile is being auctioned for The Life Project For Africa, Giving Hope To The Poor. The replica has 705 hp 514 cu in Stroker motor with Billett alum parts, flame thrower, custom transmission, adjustable air suspension, Pioneer AZIC 3 Navigation system, and much more.
You can view the detailed information and bid on the Batmobile here: http://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/106401
PBS cartoon on film premieres in DC yesterday
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, and Lisa Henson, CEO of the Jim Henson Company, will join local DC-area school children for a screening of the new Sid the Science Kid special episode on the flu on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009. The Department of Health and Human Services has teamed up with the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR) through a cooperative agreement to work with the Henson Company and its partners to create a special episode of PBS' Sid the Science Kid, in which Sid explores the science behind flu vaccinations. The episode, which is also supported by PBS kids, will premiere on PBS on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009. The title is "Getting a Shot: You Can Do It!"
You can view the video at http://www.flu.gov/psa/#sid
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Belgian cartoonist postcards (and a Caribean one)
I didn't recognize the artists behind these first 3 cards at all, but the style looked vaguely familiar - it's that Franco-Belgian look.
Mazel artwork. #22.010-50 Belgian postcard.
Jean-Pol artwork. #22.010-58 Belgian postcard.
Jean-Pol artwork. # 22.010-53 Belgian postcard/
Now I want the rest of the set of course...
Caribbean Classic Series postcard. Pam Kerschner artwork. She's a cartoonist on the Virgin Islands. See "Caribbean Living With a Sense of Humor," By Pam Kerschner.
And here's the great Pat Oliphant, working for the man (or the US Postal Service)...
"This maximum card was issued in connection with the U.S./ Australia commemorative stamp which was jointly issued in Washington, D.C. and Sydney, Australia, on January 26, 1988. The stamps was designed by Roland Harvey of Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia. The art shown on the reverse of this card was designed by the renowned syndicated cartoonist, Pat Oliphant.
No. 88-1
Cartoons and Cocktails tomorrow night
Anyone else going?
Ceaseless self-promotion
I wrote about part of my comic art book collection today at Comic Book Resources for my friend Chris Mautner, who's a real journalist in Pennsylvania. Anyone who'd like to see the original photos can click through to my Flickr site for the closeups that I used to write the captions.
Paul Karasik at Politics and Prose
Paul Karasik spoke last weekend on Fletcher Hanks, the odd comic book artist who worked from 1939-1941. Paul just compiled a second, and final collection of Hanks' works. All the pictures are here. Paul ran a little movie interview with Hanks' son, who certainly did not like his father.
Weldon on Stitches
By Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (October 21, 2009)
Glen also goes into one makes a graphic novel vs a memoir. I think this is largely a false dichotomy - as a marketing term, Graphic Novel should just be accepted, just like Movie is.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Crumb in Richmond reminder
R. Crumb speaking in Richmond next week. He's only doing two US stops and Richmond, for some reason is one of them. They're charging something like $30 a ticket for the talk and I don't think he's signing anything.
http://rvamag.com/articles/full/4912/r-crumb-coming-town
Oct 2: Bechdel at American U reminder
An all-day Sunday event that needs an RSVP. Bechdel's Fun Home is great though, so consider going.
Oct 25, Richmond: Discussing Contemporary Comics
Good line up - thanks to Matt Dembicki for the tip.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Oct 29: SPECIAL VIDEO SCREENING AND CONVERSATION WITH ARTIST SUN XUN
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Michael Chabon is really, REALLY liked by NY Times
But the Times must like him better. They've run three stories on him in two days:
Parents Burning to Write It All Dow
By MALIA WOLLAN, October 18, 2009
First-Person Masculine
By DAVID KAMP, New York Times Book Review October 18, 2009
Boy to Man: Amazing Adventures
By MICHIKO KAKUTANI, October 19, 2009
By the way, Politics and Prose has signed copies of his new book. I bought one last night.
Post redesign?
Oh wait, that's where the new editor in chief came from (and I had to look that up on Wikipedia. It just really looks like the Journal). You know, if I wanted the WSJ, I'd buy the damn thing.
Wow, just what we needed - another makeover. I guess lifting the new magazine logo from the NY Times Style Mag gave them a taste for this. I can't wait to get out of the A section to see how small the comics are now.
Oct 31: Eduardo Sanchez at Beyond Comics
and writer of the new comic book
Blackbeard Legacy of the Pyrate King
Eduardo Sanchez
Beyond Comics
Saturday October 31st
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Only at the Gaithersburg Store
<> Discounts <> Prizes <> 25 Cent Comics <>
<> Wear a Costume get a free comic book <>
Mr Media looks for Calvin and Hobbes too
Nevin Martell, LOOKING FOR CALVIN AND HOBBES comics historian: Mr. Media Radio Interview.
Original Air Date: 10/16/2009
Oct 20: Hajdu at Politics and Prose
The music critic for The New Republic, Hajdu joins Wieseltier, the magazine’s literary editor, for a discussion of jazz, pop, movies, comics, and all manner of things cultural. In this wide-ranging collection of essays, as in his books The Ten-Cent Plague and Positively Fourth Street, Hajdu combines deep knowledge of popular art with its socio-historical context. Along with pieces on Elmer Fudd, Woody Guthrie, Ray Charles, and others, the book features a profile of Billy Eckstine which celebrates not just his talent but the daring presentation of sex appeal and black machismo that tested the limits of a racially-segregated country and transformed American music.
Location:
Politics and Prose
5015 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
Heroes and Villains: Essays on Music, Movies, Comics, and Culture (Paperback)
By Hajdu, David $17.95
ISBN-13: 9780306818332
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Da Capo Press, 10/01/2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Cartoon reporting concept explained in Our Town
Did I link to last week's panel on the C&O Canal Boatride?
For those who like this type of thing, Politics and Prose has some remaindered copies of James Stevenson's excellent Lost and Found New York collection. These pages originally appeared in the NY Times.
Crumb features in Wash Post and NY Times
And an interview (you need to click through to the slide show) - "Sketching His Way Through Genesis," By ALLEN SALKIN, New York Times October 18, 2009.
Any readers bought this yet? I did not, under the assumption I was in no hurry to read it and it would be remaindered in a year. Did I err?
Tonight 5 pm - Karasik at Politics & Prose
--
www.fletcherhanks.com
I've bought both volumes already.
Quick Reviews for Comics Due 10-21-09
By John Judy
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #609 by Marc Guggenheim, Marco Checchetto and Luke Ross. The post- Clone Saga continues as we scratch our heads and wonder why everyone in the world hasn't figured out that Peter Parker is Spider-Man already.
ANGEL VS. FRANKENSTEIN ONE-SHOT written and drawn by John Byrne. Should be listed as "Angelus vs. Frankenstein" but what are you going to do? Read it! For some reason Byrne is able to recapture his old comics magic when working on this character. Recommended.
ARCHIE #602 by Michael Uslan and Stan Goldberg. Archie and Veronica have twins! Can a tummy-tuck be far behind? Fun stuff from the land where they're all imaginary stories.
BATMAN: THE UNSEEN #2 of 5 by Doug Moench and Kelley Jones. Oh, sure "skinless meat-man", go completely invisible! See if it helps. Batman doesn't need to see your @$$ to kick it!
BLACKEST NIGHT: SUPERMAN #3 of 3 by James Robinson and Eddy Barrows. In which we learn if a code against killing still applies when one's opponents are already dead.
BRAVE AND BOLD #28 by J. Michael Straczynski and Jesus Saiz. Barry "The Flash" Allen meets the Blackhawks! He runs at the speed of light! They fly planes! It's spectacle galore!
CHEW #5 by John Layman and Rob Guillory. The conclusion of the first story-arc of this twisted work of genius. A cop who gains psychic information from everything he eats. Read it before Hollywood screws it up as a movie! Recommended!
DARK AVENGERS #10 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato. You know trouble's a-brewing when all the main characters are on the cover looking up at you with fear and surprise.
EX MACHINA #46 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. Mayor Hundred's newest foe plans on killing everyone on the planet! And you thought teacher's unions were tough! Recommended.
HELLBLAZER #260 by Peter Milligan and Simon Bisley. You would think by now London crime lords would know not to screw with John Constantine. And you would be wrong…
INCREDIBLE HULK #603 by Greg Pak and Ariel Olivetti. Hulk and Hulk-Boy duke it out with Wolverine and Wolver-Lad. Also that back-up feature with the crazy alternate-future She-Hulk in Thundra's costume continues. If you're looking for characters you want to see die horribly this is the book for you!
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #38 by James Robinson and Mark Bagley. The new creative team begins this issue and it looks like some of the old guard won't be around much longer. Gotta look!
MIGHTY AVENGERS #30 by Christos Gage, Dan Slott and Sean Chen. The Mighty, New, Dark, Young and Initiative Avengers all team up to hit someone!
SCALPED VOL. 5: HIGH LONESOME SC by Jason Aaron, R.M. Guera, Davide Furno and Francesco Francavilla. Collecting issues #25-29, in which Agent Dash Bad Horse descends into the chaos of drug addiction in the wake of his mother's murder. Best ongoing series being published today. Highly recommended.
SPIDER-WOMAN #2 by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev. The lady in the skintight bodysuit heads to a sleazy city to work for a group called "SWORD." This does not sound at all porny.
THE STAND: SOUL SURVIVORS #1 of 5 by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Mike Perkins. Once again we join the best Stephen King comics adaptation ever, already in progress. Recommended.
SUGARSHOCK ONE-SHOT by Joss Whedon and Fabio Moon. A rock band battles in space! This won an Eisner Award for Best Web Comic and is awesome in all the ways one expects from the guy who gave us Buffy, Angel, Firefly and Dr. Horrible. Recommended.
THUNDERBOLTS #137 by Rick Remender and Mahmud A. Asrar. Norman Osborn now has Luke Cage and Iron Fist as his personal assassins! That guy…!
UNDERGROUND #2 of 5 by Jeff Parker and Steve Lieber. It's noir suspense set in a cave! You want edgy? This is cave-noir edgy! Recommended.
X-MEN LEGACY #228 by Mike Carey and Daniel Acuna. Emplate is back and he wants to suck mutant bone marrow! That guy…!
www.johnjudy.net
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Nov 11: Metropolis at JICC
DC Anime Club in collaboration with Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan Present screen Metropolis on
Friday November 13, 2009 6:30 pm at Lafayette Center III (Lower Level) 1155 21st Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 as part of inaugural showing for a new film series based on both Anime (Japanese Animation) and Manga ( Japanese Comics).
Kenichi and his detective uncle, Shunsaku Ban, leave Japan to visit Metropolis, in search of the criminal, Dr. Laughton. However, when they finally find Dr. Laughton, Kenichi and Shunsaku find themselves seperated and plunged into the middle of a larger conspiracy. While Shunsaku searches for his nephew and explanations, Kenichi tries to protect Tima (a mysterious young girl), from Duke Red and his adopted son Rock, both of whom have very different reasons for wanting to find her.
This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required.
RSVP to jiccrsvpfall09@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.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/index.htm or visit the DC Anime Club website at http://dcanimeclub.org.
CONTACT: Chris Wanamaker, (202) 262 2083 president@dcanimeclub.org
Tomorrow - Karasik at Politics and Prose
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www.fletcherhanks.com
I've bought both volumes already.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Zadzooks on superhero animation
OT: Tomi Ungerer in today's NY Times
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Comic Riffs' Herblock article also in today's hardcopy Post
Ian Sattler reminisces about being Big Planet prole
Weldon on Matt Kindt
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog October 14, 2009
Comic Story Arc blog features opinion by local comic book reader
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
DC Comic Books Examiner: Costume cavalcade at Baltimore Comic-con
DC Comic Books Examiner, Mark Ruffin Mark Ruffin, a reader of comics for over twenty years, is a freelance writer who tirelessly generates awareness for the Non-Fraternity Conversation and Write-up on Comic Books. Contact Mark here. | |
Nevin Martell interviewed at CBR
Martell's got a nice word about Our Man Thompson too - Richard Thompson's "Cul de Sac" has a great artistic sensibility and top-notch writing -- I describe it in the book as "[looking] like Ralph Steadman and Charles Schulz fighting over a pen to draw "The Yellow Kid" crossed with "FoxTrot," with a dollop of Watterson’s wit thrown in for good measure."
Herblock exhibit covered by Tom Sherwood
He interviews my friends Martha Kennedy and Sara Duke, and you get a good sense of what the exhibit looks like.
ABC has a text story on the exhibit - "Herblock: Cartoonist Who Coined 'McCarthyism' Honored at Library of Congress; Master of Editorial Cartooning: Herbert Block Cartoons on Display," By LINDSEY ELLERSON, Oct. 13, 2009.
As does the sadly-diminished Syndicate World section of Editor and Publisher - "Library of Congress Opens 'Herblock!' Exhibit," By Elaine Williams, E& P Online October 13, 2009.
Comic Riffs on new Herblock exhibit
The 'Herblock!' Show: Cartoonists, Library of Congress Pay Tribute on Legend's 100th Birthday
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 13, 2009
Catching up with Weingarten's irregular chats
Actually, in his comments later, he says, "Gene Weingarten: I am surprised that I am in such a small minority that finds both versions of the cartoon problematic. To me, both versions are (humorously) equating the suffering of victims of terrible cataclysmic human injustices -- the Holocaust, slavery -- to the suffering of high school students in detention." He's speaking of a reference to Harriet Tubman smuggling a student in the original, versus Oskar Schindler in his modified version. For the record, neither particularly bothered me. The debate between Gene and his readers goes on for a while if one is interested.
I agree with this responder: Baltimore, Md.: "To me, both versions are (humorously) equating the suffering of victims of terrible cataclysmic human injustices -- the Holocaust, slavery -- to the suffering of high school students in detention." Really? Can't believe you, of all people, read it so literally. It's not about detention = slavery and the Holocaust. It's about Stupid Teenage Drama that equates detention with "terrible cataclysmic human injustices."
Gene Weingarten: I accept that is how most people are reading it. I'll go further: I'll accept that I must be oversensitive.
In the second poll, he took some shots at the first Our Town panel. The polls running pretty hard against Our Town, but that's perhaps due to the negative slant the questions have. On the other hand, this was a bad choice to start the feature off with. The idea of a park for handicapped kids is not an intuitive one, as most of us have never seen such a park.
As I continue reading, I find Gene says in response to someone who'd been to the park and liked it "I don't get it. If this is about a place for handicapped children, why are there no handicapped children? If it is filled with rides, why are there no rides shown? If it is a place of extreme bliss, why is no one shown having fun? Why is everyone just... standing around? Why do the words -- bliss, joy, etc. -- seem to counteract the imagery? Does it seem to anyone else as though this seemed a little ... snide and sarcastic? I cannot believe it was meant to be that, but I'm not sure it's delivering whatever it meant to deliver. Why no color, except for in an occasional insignificant place? What purpose do the asterisks serve -- none that seems consistent with any prior use of asterisks that I have seen. Why is "acronym" continuously misused?"
Monday, October 12, 2009
Baltimore Comic Con photos continued - Cosplay
Hawkwoman.
The Joker - an excellent version that reminded me of Marshall Rogers' art.
The Ghostbusters posed with a family, and doesn't the one on the right really look like Dan Ackroyd?
Rorschach, Nite Owl and Poison Ivy - a teamup that Alan Moore will never want to see.
Hawkwoman.
Scarlet Witch and the White Queen.
Scarlet Witch, #21 henchman of the Monarch from the Venture Bros cartoon, and the White Queen.
Here's an article about the cosplay contest - "Comic book fans get in character: Baltimore Comic-Con's debut costume contest draws dozens of colorful entrants," By Tricia Bishop, Baltimore Sun October 12, 2009.
I'm sure Bruce Guthrie will have plenty of photographs on his website of the cosplayers (link towards the right - over there).
Another Jeff Kinney interview
DC Comic Books Examiner: Baltimore Comic-con celebrated 10 year anniversary
DC Comic Books Examiner, Mark Ruffin Mark Ruffin, a reader of comics for over twenty years, is a freelance writer who tirelessly generates awareness for the Non-Fraternity Conversation and Write-up on Comic Books. Contact Mark here. | |
Our Town, #3
Washington Examiner editorial on Danish Islam Cartoons and Yale
Ann Telnaes has a new blog
Anyone interested in editorial cartooning should definitely check this out. Ann's one of the best cartoonists around, and her line is lovely.
Her animations are still appearing regularly on the Washington Post website.
Baltimore Comic Con photos continued
Baltimore Comic Con. Don Rosa correcting Scrooge's eyeglasses. He said he draws the view through the lenses but European publishers blank them out.
Baltimore Comic Con. Robert Montgomery and Don Rosa.
Rob Ullman. Rob said that he did well at the show, although Sunday was slower.
Frank Cho.
Image Comics booth.
Dark Horse Comics booth.
Tim Sale, racing the hourglass for some reason.
George Perez.
Scott Kurtz, with Greg Horn's booth signs showing oddly behind him.
Quick Reviews for Comics Due 10-14-09
Zadzooks on Marvel Ultimate Alliance videogame.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Stitches reviewed in today's Post
There's also an interview with Small on their website - "How Cinema Influences the Memoir "Stitches"," By Steven E. Levingston, Washington Post's Short Stack blog October 9, 2009.
Baltimore Comic Con photos
Here's my photographs from Sunday at the Baltimore Comic Con. Labels to follow, and more pictures will be put up here too. Most of the photographs were taken by Claire. (If you click through the link, several people are unidentified in the photo names, and if you know who they are, please comment).
Steve Conley original art
Steve Conley original strip art from Socks and Barney - ahh, that Mark Trail.
History judges George W. Bush.
'History' closeup - click through to note the blue line sketch behind the inks.
Jeff Kinney interview in Balitmore Sun
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Whoops - happy birthday to Richard Thompson
Our Man Thompson turned 52 a couple of days ago, and I spaced out and missed it. So here's an 'artistic' picture for him too.
My Baltimore Comic Con plans
Mike