Quick Reviews for Comics Due 11-11-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 11-11-09

By John Judy

 

ABSOLUTE JUSTICE HC by Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Doug Braithwaite.  Collecting the 12-issue series in which the JLA fights bad guys and everyone looks like people on TV from the seventies.  Hear your coffee table groan from the strain!

 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #611 by Joe Kelly and Eric Canete.  Guest-starring Deadpool and Lady Stilt-Man.  Now just calm down, fan-boys…

 

BATMAN AND ROBIN #6 by Grant Morrison and Philip Tan.  It's the big finish for the Red Hood and Scarlet!  Recommended!

 

BATMAN DOC SAVAGE SPECIAL #1 by Brian Azzarello and Phil Noto.  The Man of Bronze and the Dark Knight mix it up good and pulpy!  Gotta look!

 

CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD: LAST BATTLE #2 of 6 by Garth Ennis and Oscar Jimenez.  So should Danny the Anti-Christ be worried when his best friend Jay the Second Coming starts getting his wits back about him?  And what about Jimmy the talking rabbit?  Not for kids.

 

COMIC BOOK COMICS #4 by Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey.  The Evil Twin boys are back with their comic about comics!  This issue features stories about the rise of Marvel Comics, Robert Crumb and Tin-Tin!  More fascinating than a lot of imaginary stories being published today!  Highly recommended!

 

DAREDEVIL #502 by Andy Diggle and Roberto De La Torre.  When dealing with depression and grief some people turn to faith, others to appropriate medication.  Still others take over the leadership of an international guild of ninja assassins.  And this is why Daredevil is way cooler than any of us will ever be.  Recommended.

 

DARK X-MEN #1 of 5 by Paul Cornell and Leonard Kirk.  Admit it, you've always wondered what a team of the most depraved second-string mutants working for a government-backed psychopath would be like!  Okay, fine, it's just me then.  This is by the guys who did CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 so it is awesome.  Recommended.

 

GHOUL #1 by Steve Niles and Bernie Wrightson.  When things get too weird for the LA cops they gotta call in… The Ghoul.  From two of comics' heaviest hitters!  Recommended!

 

HOT POTATOE HC written and drawn by Marc Bell.  No, it's not a Dan Quayle bio-comic, it's a decade's worth of indy-man Bell's wildest works.  This one's all over the map so you're bound to find something to love and (if you're really lucky) something to hate.

 

INSOMNIA CAFÉ HC written and drawn by M.K. Perker.  A disgraced rare book expert seeks redemption in the only thing he knows.  Neat stuff.  Preview pages available on the Dark Horse website.

 

LUNA PARK HC by Kevin Baker and Danijel Zezalj.  A former Russian soldier turned junkie leg-breaker for the Brooklyn mob and his hooker girlfriend try to find a way out.  Your noir is served.  Recommended.

 

PUNISHERMAX #1 by Jason Aaron and Steve Dillon.  An "explicit" series setting up a battle royale between the Punisher and the man who would be Kingpin!  Recommended.  Not for kids.

 

STRANGE #1 of 4 by Mark Waid and Emma Rios.  A peek into what Doctor Strange is up to since losing the title of Sorcerer Supreme to Brother fricking Voodoo.  I mean seriously, how much must that suck?  Is there enough Ny-Quil in the universe to make that pain go away?  Anyway, Mark Waid is writing it so count on lots of Inside Geekball references and awesomeness.  Recommended.

 

STRANGE SUSPENSE: STEVE DITKO ARCHIVES, VOL. 1 HC edited by Blake Bell.  The complete two-year run of all Ditko's pre-code horror comics from the earliest days of his career.  You must have this.

 

SUPERGOD #1 of 5 by Warren Ellis and Garrie Gastony.  Warren Ellis does terrible things to people in capes and everyone else. Again.  A must for blasphemers.  Recommended.

 

SUPERMEN: FIRST WAVE OF HEROES (1939-1941) GN edited by Greg Sadowski.  A look back at the first batch of characters trying to cash in on the phenomenal success of Superman.  Many of these have not been reprinted since DC sued them out of existence back in the day.  A true gem for golden-age buffs.

 

UNWRITTEN #7 by Mike Carey and Peter Gross.  The mysteries keep unfolding as Tom Taylor makes his way to Donostia Prison.  You can tell the creators are having a ball with this.  Highly recommended.

 

WALKING DEAD #67 by Robert Kirkman and Charles Adlard.  Rick and Carl have some father-son time and Eugene starts talking.  Not for kids, always recommended.

 

Also out this week: Orange and Indigo Lantern rings!

 

www.johnjudy.net

Post reviews Simpsons unauthorized history

Doh! The joke's on us.
Louis Bayard
Washington Post Sunday, November 8, 2009

Local webcomicker Julian Lytle's strip

Julian Lytle writes in...

I live in Capitol Heights, MD in PG county. I've lived in the Washington DC area my entire life.  I have been making my webcomic for about  7 months. It's here: http://ants.julianlytle.com/.

I'm working on this year's special 3rd issue of the International Journal of Comic Art so I'm behind on things, but check out his strip and let him know what you think.

Nov 21: Virginia Comic Con in Richmond

See Inside the Virginia Comic-Con, Scoop November 6 2009 for details and links.

Richmond cartoonist Ullman hangs with Crumb

Here's a strip and then another on Rob Ullman's chance dinner with Robert Crumb. Very cool, Rob and Ben.

Post's review of motion-capture animation Disney's Christmas Carol

Disney's A Christmas Carol: Too much spirit, too little heart
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post Friday, Nov. 6, 2009

SPX panel transcribed

SPX '09 | The Critics Roundtable, transcribed
November 5, 2009 - 12:30 PM by Sean T. Collins

Nov 25: Disney's Mulan at Imagination Stage in Bethesda

Disney's Mulan

Music and Lyrics by Matthew Wilder and David Zippel, Stephen Schwartz, Jeanine Tesori and Alexa Junge
Music Adapted and Arranged and Additional Music and Lyrics by Bryan Louiselle
Book Adapted and Additional Lyrics by
Patricia Cotter
Based on the 1998 Disney film Mulan
and the Story "Fa Mulan" by Robert D. San Souci
Directed by Janet Stanford

SHOWS:
November 25 - January 10, 2010

Saturday & Sunday at 1:30 & 4:00
Saturday at 11:00 - Nov 28, Dec 19 & 26 and
Jan 2 & 9
Many Thanksgiving Weekend &
Christmas/New Years week shows!

For Tickets please call 301-280-1660
In the Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Theatre at Imagination Stage

A Beeler cartoon that relies on color

Nate Beeler's told me a couple of times that he prefers to do his cartoons in black and white, so I was a little surprised to see the November 4 2009 cartoon which would be nonsensical without color.

Nov 14-22: The rest of the Tezuka fest

Saturday, November 14, 2009

The Film is Alive: Osamu Tezuka Filmography (Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga, Father of Anime) Saturday, November 14, 2 pm In Person: Frederik Schodt, author of The Astro Boy Essays; Helen McCarthy, author of The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga; and Natsu Onoda Power, author of God of Comics: Osamu Tezuka and the Creation of Post-WWII Manga. This documentary, made for the Tezuka Osamu exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum the year after Tezuka's death, boasts probably the most over specified title card in the world. Each of the ten letters has been handwritten by…

Week of Sunday, November 15, 2009

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Marine Express (Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga, Father of Anime) Sunday, November 15, 2 pm In Person: Frederik Schodt, Helen McCarthy Set in the near future of 2002, this tale of skullduggery and smuggling on an undersea train is set against a backdrop of environmental degradation and destruction of indigenous cultures and is interwoven with a time-travel fantasy. Directed by Dezaki Tetsu, it features appearances by nearly all of Tezuka's most famous characters, including Astro Boy, Black Jack, and Don Dracula. [Description adapted from…

Friday, November 20, 2009

Prime Rose (Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga, Father of Anime) Friday, November 20, 7 pm A Japanese city and an American city are thrown into conflict by demonic intervention. Prime Rose is one of the warriors, but she has a personal motive. Time Patrol member Gai is trying to reverse the timeslip and defeat the demon. Aired before the manga of the same title was completed, this film by Tetsu Dezaki is allegedly closer to Tezuka's original idea. [Description adapted from text by Helen McCarthy for Movies into Manga: Osamu Tezuka,…

Week of Sunday, November 22, 2009

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Tezuka's Short Films (Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga, Father of Anime) Sunday, November 22, 2 pm This remarkable showcase of shorts made between 1962 and 1987 reveals Tezuka's energy, originality, and clarity of vision as he employs music and imagery to render dialogue unnecessary. These films show Tezuka the art house animator at his inventive best. [Descriptions adapted from text by Helen McCarthy for Movies into Manga: Osamu Tezuka, shown at Barbican Film, Barbican Centre, London, in September 2008.] Tales of the Street Corner Drawing…

Nov 13: Fred Schodt at Freer Gallery

Introducing Astro Boy (Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga, Father of Anime)

Date Friday, November 13, 2009, 7 pm Categories Films Venue Freer Gallery Event Location Meyer Auditorium Cost Free; first come, first served Details In Person: Frederik Schodt, author of The Astro Boy Essays Astro Boy (known as Mighty Atom in Japan) is one of Tezuka's most iconic and enduring creations. Starting life as a character in manga comics, he later took the world by storm as the hero of three animated television series that were nearly as popular in the US as they were in Japan. To kick off the retrospective, author and Tezuka expert Frederik Schodt presents and discusses four Astro Boy episodes.

Part of the series Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga, Father of Anime

Library of Congress serials chief mentions comic books

The 3-minute interview: Mark Sweeney
Washington Examiner Staff Writer
November 1, 2009

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/people/THE-3-MINUTE-INTERVIEW---Mark-Sweeney-8450007-67715477.html

“I'm responsible for a division of about 50 people who work with the library's newspaper collection, our current periodicals, government publications and the library's comic book collection.”

The world is changing…

 

Examiner columnist on Danish Islamic Cartoons

Diana West: To remain free, we are also Danes

By: Diana West

Washington Examiner Columnist

November 1, 2009

Nov 12: Haynes Johnson on Herblock at Politics and Prose

Haynes Johnson - Herblock
7 p.m. Johnson, who worked with Herblock at The Washington Post, will launch a new anthology celebrating Block's life and career. The Post's editorial cartoonist was a protean figure whose career spanned thirteen American Presidents. His cartoons mocked Senator McCarthy and Richard Nixon, and continued on into the 1980s to take on President Reagan. Block made no pretense of objectivity; he was a good liberal with a love of the political game. In 1984 Herblock was incredibly generous to a tiny new bookstore at 5010 Connecticut Avenue, appearing twice to sign his book.

OT: Nick Thorkelson, friend of CDC, playing music in Boston

Nick Thorkelson's reviewed exhibits for me for IJOCA and done the cover of the Interplanetary Journal of Comic Art (buy it on the right) and now he's showing us he's got musical talent too.

Subject: Music on the Fly, Coming Nov. 14--FREE!

Dear friends:

I wanted to let you know that I will have pieces in both of the programs described below. I will play and sing a song I wrote called "Grave Robbery," accompanied by a series of images in a sort of pseudo animation style, as part of the "EP7: Music On the Fly" program November 14. And I have written a short play, "Lionel Banished," which will be performed at the "Carny Knowledge" program being performed January 28 to February 6. Hope to see all or many of you at each or both. 

Fort Point Theatre Channel Presents MUSIC ON THE FLY An evening of inter-genre performance works featuring made-up music Curated by Robin Smith and Christie Lee Gibson Saturday, November 14, 7 pm 35A Channel Center Street, Fort Point, Boston FREE With new works and works in progress, Fort Point Theatre Channel's seventh Exclamation Point! will feature music combined with video, acting improv, and other visual/stage components. Featured musicians, writers, actors, actresses include: Jon Burrowes, Jorrit Dykstra, Mary Fegreus, Liz Fenstermaker, Christie Lee Gibson, Daniel Harris, Allen Phelps, Alejandro Simoes, Robin Smith, Scott Sweatt, Nick Thorkelson, Arvid Tomayko-Peters, and friends. For directions, check out our Web site. Coming Up A Sideshow Extravaganza of Original Plays and Extraordinary Oddities Silvia Graziano & Marc S. Miller, Impresarios January 28-February 6, 2010 Channel Center, Fort Point, Boston Carny Knowledge joins short theatrical works and unique installation pieces to create an environmental extravaganza enveloping audiences and performers alike. Inspired by the sideshows of once-upon-a-time, playwrights and filmmakers, musicians and dancers, roustabouts and a concoction of practitioners of the carny crafts will create an unforgettable evening of ballyhoo, burlesque, and incomparable entertainment, sure to skin the rubes and marks of their fins, sawbucks, and c-notes.   AND IN THE FUTURE . . . · Hotel Cassiopeia, Charles Mee's fantasy inspired by the life and work of the master of assemblage art, Joseph Cornell · The Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder · The libretto from an opera being developed about the Marquis de Sade. ·  One-act plays by James Swindell and Silvia Grazianio www.fortpointtheatrechannel.org info@fortpointtc.org

This is one image/stanza from "Grave Robbery," a song inspired by the Jerry Cruncher character in Charles Dickens' "Tale of Two Cities":

Nick Thorkelson

Graphic Design & Cartoons

15 Channel Center Street, #601

Boston, MA 02210

617-417-5403

nthork@nickthorkelson.com

www.nickthorkelson.com

Nov 18: Waltz with Bashir at Arlington's Shirlington Library

Film: "Waltz with Bashir/Vals Im Bashir" [2008]
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 7pm
Shirlington Branch Library
The "World Cinema Spotlight" series at Shirlington presents "Waltz with Bashir/Vals Im Bashir" [2008]. Rated R, 90 minutes. Directed by Ari Folman and featuring Ron Ben-Yishai, Ronny Dayag and Ari Folman. An animated documentary nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, "Waltz with Bashir" tells the story of an Israeli film director who interviews fellow veterans of the 1982 invasion of Lebanon to reconstruct his own memories of that conflict.

Nov 30: Politics and Prose graphic novel meeting time change

The group had to move the meeting time, so the new one is the 30th of November, the Monday after Thanksgiving, at 7:30pm, discussing Ware's Jimmy Corrigan.

Harry Katz on Herblock on KPBS

To read the transcript with Harry Katz, former prints curator at the Library of Congress on Herblock, click through "Herblock Was One Of Most Influential Political Cartoonists In U.S. History," By Maureen Cavanaugh, Hank Crook, KPBS These Days | Monday, November 2, 2009, or click here to listen to the audio.

Post on Doonesbury on Twitter

'Doonesbury' on Twitter: A sweet tweet

Howard Kurtz

Washington Post Staff Writer

Monday, November 2, 2009

Nov 3: Herblock curator tour at Noon

Join the curators of the new Herblock exhibit at the Library of Congress’ Jefferson building at noon for a tour of the exhibit and a look at ‘Herblock in World War II.’

U of MD's Diamondback's streak of successful cartoonists

See "Diamondback doodlers: Several ’90s cartoonists went big-time with their drawings," By Kristi Tousignant, University of Maryland's Diamondback November 2, 2009. Featured are Frank Cho, Jeff Kinney, and Aaron McGruder. Corey Thomas, who does Watch Your Head, came out of Howard University.

Library of Congress Accepting Swann Fellowship Applications

Library of Congress
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington DC   20540

November 2, 2009
Public contact: Martha Kennedy (202) 707-9115, mkenn@loc.gov

Swann Foundation Accepting Fellowship Applications
Foundation Supports Research in the Humorous Arts of Caricature and Cartoon

The Caroline and Erwin Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon, administered by the Library of Congress, is accepting applications for its graduate fellowship for the 2010-2011 academic year.  Applications are due by close of business on Friday, Feb. 15, 2010, and notification will occur in the spring. 

The Swann Foundation seeks to award one fellowship annually (with a stipend of up to $15,000) to assist in continuing scholarly research and writing projects in the field of caricature and cartoon.  Depending on the number and quality of proposals, the advisory board may elect to make multiple, smaller awards.

A fellow is required to be in residence in Washington, D.C., for a minimum of two weeks, use the Library's extensive collections and deliver a public lecture at the Library on his or her work.  Each fellow must also provide a copy of his or her dissertation, thesis or postgraduate publication upon completion, for the Swann Foundation Fund files.

Guidelines and application forms are available through the Swann Foundation's website www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/swann-fellow.html, by e-mailing swann@loc.gov or by calling Martha Kennedy in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library at (202) 707-9115.

To be eligible, an applicant must be a resident of the United States and a candidate for a master's or doctoral degree at a university based in the United States, Canada or Mexico.  The applicant must be working toward completion of a dissertation or thesis for that degree or be engaged in postgraduate research within three years of receiving an M.A. or a Ph.D.  Individuals who are not U.S. residents but who otherwise meet these academic qualifications may also apply and be considered for a fellowship, contingent upon their visa eligibility. 

The applicant's research must be in the field of caricature and cartoon.  There are no restrictions on the place or time period covered.  To encourage research in a variety of academic disciplines, any university department may oversee a project proposed for the fellowship, provided the subject pertains to caricature or cartoon art.

Requirements for the fellowship applications include a statement of qualifications, a one-page abstract of the proposed project, a project description that specifies research needs and a budget, two letters of reference and official transcripts.

The Swann Foundation Fellowship in Caricature and Cartoon is one of a small number of scholarly fellowships that provide direct support for continuing graduate research in the field.  It has supported groundbreaking research on caricature and cartoon that focuses on a variety of subjects and topics such as the Cold War; representations of race, class conflict and disease; and the early origins of caricature and political satire, and the cultural and social forces that have influenced the development of prominent cartoonists' work.  For a list of research projects, visit www.loc.gov/rr/rint/swann/swann-fellowslist.html.

The Caroline and Erwin Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon is overseen by an advisory board composed of scholars, collectors, cartoonists and Library of Congress staff members.  The foundation's activities support the study, interpretation, preservation and appreciation of original works of humorous and satiric art by graphic artists from around the world.  New York advertising executive Erwin Swann (1906-1973) established the Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon in 1967.

# # #

PR09-225
11/2/09
ISSN: 0731-3527

KAL Creates 2010 Wall Calendar for The Economist

Kal writes in:

I am delighted to announce the publication of The Economist's first ever fully illustrated wall calendar. Here's how The Economist describes the 2010 "Illustrated Look at the Year Ahead":

Kevin "Kal" Kallaugher, The Economist's editorial cartoonist since 1978, takes you on an entertaining journey through the world's most celebrated (and occasionally obscure) global events, milestones and holidays. 
Each of the 12 monthly spreads provides a visual feast of original, hand-drawn artwork that brings to life the events of the current month and combines them into a hilarious interconnected story.

You can view the cover artwork with the attached image...or visit www.Kaltoons.com for more pictures and information on how to order the calendar at my online bookstore.

Best

Kal

Kevin Kallaugher

kal@kaltoons.com

www.Kaltoons.com

Post to colorize Doonesbury

Comic Riffs is reporting that the newly re-enlarged Doonesbury will also be appearing in dramatic color.

Big Planet Comics owner Greg Bennett may be coming to a town near you

Greg's about to go on tour with his band, The Jet Age. Their two-and-a-half week tour will take them through the midwest and the west.

Quick Reviews for Comics Due 11-04-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS 11-04-09

By John Judy

 

AGE OF BRONZE #29 written and drawn by Eric Shanower.  No promotional blurb could top the original: "Special Music Issue. Achilles headlines with a song about cosmic sex as Cressida has her heart ripped out."  Not for kids.  Recommended.

 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #609 by Marc Guggenheim, Marco Checchetto and Luke Ross.  Spidey fights the dinosaur dude.  No, the other one.  "Raptor."

 

ASTONISHING X-MEN #32 by Warren Ellis and Phil Jimenez.  Sentinels!  Zombie Sentinels!  Brood!  Oh, Ellis!

 

BATMAN: THE WIDENING GYRE #3 of 6 by Kevin Smith and Walter Flanagan.  "Guest-starring Aquaman!"  No fair making it irresistible, DC!

 

BLACK WIDOW: DEADLY ORIGIN #1 of 4 by Paul Cornell, Tom Raney and John Paul Leon.  What it sounds like, but Cornell is so darn clever he'll find a way to make it work!

 

THE BOYS #36 by Garth Ennis and John Darick Robertson.  The Awesome Origin of "Mother's Milk" at the conclusion of which you will please stop screaming.  Please.  Recommended.  Not for kids.

 

BOYS: HEROGASM #6 of 6 by Garth Ennis and John McCrea.  At last, the devastating climax!  (Hides head in shame…)  Not for kids.

 

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #30 by Jane Espenson and Georges Jeanty.  I'm starting to think the goal of these stories is to get the number of Slayers on Earth back down to one.  Recommended anyway because it's Jane Espenson and she writes real good.

 

CAPTAIN AMERICA: REBORN #4 of 6 by Ed Brubaker and Bryan Hitch.  Doctor Doom and the Red Skull have made a pact, so maybe this whole "reborn" thing is a tad premature…  Gotta look!

 

CRIMINAL DELUXE EDITION HC by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.  Collecting books 1-3 and a bunch of extras.  Why wait for Christmas?  Get it now!  Highly recommended.

 

DEATHLOK #1 of 7 by Charlie Huston and Lan Medina.  Marvel's classic killer cyborg gets the Moon Knight treatment: A full reboot with lots of violence!  Hey, it's Deathlok.  Not like we were ever gonna see him on "Super Hero Squad."  But wouldn't it be great if we did?

 

ESCAPISTS SC by Brian K. Vaughan, Michael Chabon and Various Really Good Artists.  Inspired by "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay" and the comic book capital of the world, Cleveland Ohio!  Recommended.

 

IMMORTAL WEAPONS #4 of 5 by Duane Swierczynski and Khari Evans.  Tiger's Beautiful Daughter.  Don't let the name fool you!  Her kung-fu is tough!  Recommended.

 

MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ #1 of 8 by Eric Shanower and Skottie Young.  Picking up where they left off with WONDERFUL WORLD OF OZ, Shanower and Young take on L. Frank Baum's next epic.  Forget the movie!  Read the comic!  (Always good advice.)

 

SECRET SIX #15 by John Ostrander and J. Calafiore.  Guest-writer John Ostrander returns to Deadshot and Deadshot returns to killing lots and lots of people!  OK, technically you need to leave something before you return to it, but you get the idea.

 

STRANGE TALES #3 of 3 by Various Creators.  Indy artists and writers take a crack at their favorite Marvel icons with interesting results.  Verrry interrresting….

 

STUMPTOWN #1 by Greg Rucka and Matthew Southworth.  When a private dick with a gambling problem finds herself on the hook for big money to a casino the best way out is probably to do the casino owner a favor.  Because that always ends well.  Highly "Rucka-mended!"

 

SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #9 of 12 by James Robinson, Greg Rucka and Pete Woods.  Jemm, Son of Saturn wants a word with the New Kryptonians!  No, seriously…

 

TORCH #3 of 8 by Mike Carey, Alex Ross and Patrick Berkenkotter.  Darn!  The original Human Torch is back but he's a mind-controlled bad guy now!  Sure hope that doesn't last!

 

X-MEN ORIGINS: ICEMAN ONE-SHOT by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Phil Noto.  What it sounds like but Aguirre-Sacasa's so darn clever he'll find a way to make it work!

 

X-MEN VS. AGENTS OF ATLAS #2 of 2 by Jeff Parker and Carlo Pagulayan.  Just go with it….

 

YELLOW LANTERN PROMOTIONAL RINGS by DC Comics and the Sinestro Corps!  Powered by Fear and Evil so turn on FoxNews and let 'er rip!

 

www.johnjudy.net

 

Nov 2: Lethem at Folger tomorrow

Comics-friendly author Jonathan Lethem will be in town, reading from his new book this fall.

Nov. 2: Lethem is at Folger Elizabethan Theatre, at 7:30, $15.

Zombie graphic novel chat on Post site yesterday

Zombies: Doomsday Attack - Max Brooks, Author and Screenwriter
Washington Post Friday, October 30, 2009; 11:00 AM

Nevin Martell at Big Planet Comics, a brief report

A couple of nights ago, Nevin Martell read from his new book, Looking for Calvin and Hobbes at Big Planet Comics. I've reviewed the book already, but Nevin's illustrated lecture for "the love child I've been working on for the past two years" as he put it, is worth seeing, because he "uncovered a lot of art that no one's ever seen before."

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

None of them did much for me, even though one of my neighbors is a winner, but see

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

See "A winning combination: Two local students win national editorial cartoon contest,"
By SHARON GLEASON, NeXt Editor, Buffalo News October 29, 2009.

Dec 6: Eisner film at AFI in Silver Spring

Dec 6th 12pm AFI Will Eisner: Portrait of a Sequential Artist

thanks to Liz for the tip

Pop culture professor Ray Browne dies

"Ray Browne, 87; Professor saw the potential in studying pop culture," By T. Rees Shapiro
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)

 

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

Thanks to Michael O'Connell for the tip...

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

Blackbeard Legend of the Pyrate King Autograph Event
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:

Microsoft realizes that it's incompatible with Seth MacFarlane, after all

By Lisa de Moraes
Washington Post Wednesday, October 28, 2009

and a review of a play with an imaginary superhero friend:

A bittersweet 'Barrio Grrrl!'

By Celia Wren
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Tonight - "Looking for Calvin and Hobbes" Reading and Signing

Nevin Martell says
--------------------
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

Baltimore - Halloween party at Atomic Books

Masked partiers can get their capes on Oct. 31 Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Halloween and comic books get matched at one exclusive gathering on Oct. 31. Atomic Books has announced their Heroes and Supervillains Costume Ball in Baltimore. The Windup Space, where art exhibits and bartenders attribute the environs, hosts the... Read more » 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

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2009/10/batman_brooding_obscure_charac_1.html?sc=nl&cc=msb-20091028

 

Fantom Comics new store

Masteribid writes in

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.

Weldon on crime comics

Crime Comics Make A Comeback With 'Noir'
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.

Arthur Szyk talk in DC for Veterans Day

Dear friends and members of The Arthur Szyk Society:

 

Greetings! You and your family and friends are invited to attend

 

 

    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

 

 

 

The Society is delighted to announce that the NMAJMH has invited Irvin to speak on the art of Arthur Szyk in honor of the Jewish War Veterans (JWV). As you may know, Szyk – a veteran of World War I – was an active member of the JWV in the United States. He created several beautiful works of art exclusively for the JWV's use, works that will be highlighted in Irvin's exciting presentation.

 

We hope you will invite your family and friends to enjoy this timely and inspiring event in our nation's capital. To help you spread the word, we have attached the NMAJMH's official event flyer (in both Microsoft Word and PDF format) so you can easily print or email it.

 

Please notify us if you are coming to Washington DC on November 11th so Irvin can plan to greet you with a warm "hello" on behalf of all of us at The Society. Hope to see you there!

 

Best regards,

Allison Chang
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

Nevin Martell writes in,

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

Randy pointed out that Blair Witch Project Director Eduardo Sanchez will be at one of the Beyond Comics in Gaithersburg on Saturday October 31st from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Beyond Comics | Gaithersburg Square | 536 North Frederick Avenue | Gaithersburg | MD | 20878

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

 

 

Fantom Comics 'settled' at Pentagon City

Fantom Comics' belated October newsletter says they've "settled into the Pentagon City Mall" which sounds good. I still haven't visited yet - anyone made it?

Zadzooks reviews comic books again this week

Zadzooks: Comic book reviews, Marvel Zombies Return, Emily the Strange and more
Joseph Szadkowski
Washington Times October 22, 2009

Post's Astro Boy review

This was buried in the Weekend section, but at least they reviewed it - "He's caught between two worlds," By Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday, October 23, 2009.

AAEC's Cartoons for the Classroom features Herblock

Click here for the October 25th teacher's handout on Herblock.

Comic Riffs greets returning USO cartoonists

Playing the Palace: Hours back from Iraq, top cartoonists share tales of a USO tour
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 24, 2009

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-28-09

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


     

PR: Fellowship applications being accepted by Swann Foundation

The Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon, administered by the Library of Congress is accepting applications for its graduate fellowship, one of the few for scholarly work in the field, for the 2010-1011 academic year. Deadline for receipt of applications is February 15, 2011. Please email swann@loc.gov or call (202) 707-9115, if you have questions. For criteria, guidelines, and application forms, please see:
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

Nov 2: Geppi's Entertainment Museum teacher's night

For details, see GEM’s Second Annual Teacher’s Night, Scoop October 23 2009

Crumb's appearance in Richmond

Here's a student mulling over it, and passing along the discount code - "The Good Book gets a new look," by Matt Fisher, RVA News October 22, 2009.

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

See Page Turner | ‘Looking for Calvin and Hobbes’ By Adam Kepler, New York Times' The Moment blog October 23, 2009, and remember he'll be signing the book at Big Planet Bethesda next week.

Comic Riffs looks at the 'Incredible Shrinking Comic' in the Washington Post

Michael Cavna's got some good points in When the Incredible Shrinking Comic Reaches the Reader's Tipping Point and you can't go wrong by starting an article with Henry Allen's opinion, but check out the comment section as well.

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)

Mark Streeter*** had the high-selling cartoon last night. His eulogy for Ted Kennedy went for $1,750.

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

Borders is remaindering the massive $85 Dilbert 2.0 with its cd of 6500 comics for $20, at least at the store at 14th and F Sts, NW. They had about 10 of them last night.

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

Belgian cartoonist postcards (and a Caribean one)

Here's some more Secret History of Comics bits - postcards found at the State Dept. booksale last weekend.

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

I'll be at Cartoons & Cocktails on Thursday night as Nate Beeler's guest. Or date. We're still negotiating.

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

The Curious Case of David Small's '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.

Crumb in Richmond reminder

Local cartoonist David Hagen writes in to remind us that -

 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

http://www.american.edu/cas/literature/colloquium/index.cfm
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

Oct. 25, 7 p.m.

Modlin Center for the Arts at Richmond University

"Graphic Details: Discussing Contemporary Comics"

A panel discussion, moderated by Chris Pitzer of AdHouse Books, that includes Gabrielle Bell, Kim Deitch, Hope Larson and Anders Nilsen. A book-signing will follow.

Good line up - thanks to Matt Dembicki for the tip.