March 31: Herblock lecture by Warren Bernard

Warren writes in,

This time, I am going to lecture on his editorial independence, and get into a few battles he had with his editors. This will include showing the cartoons that even the Washington Post did not run (though indeed his syndicated papers did run them) when Herblock and the then-editor of the Post, Phil Graham went head to head. This was not the first time Herblock battled his editors; we will also get into a large battle he had prior to his coming to the Post He was an ardent anti-isolationist, much to the chagrin of the isolationist syndicate he worked for.

We will get into all of this, and show cartoons galore!!

Here are the details, hope to see you!!!

Date: Wednesday March 31

Time: Noon (that 12:00PM...)

Place: Madison Building, Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave Washington, DC

Room: Dining Room A, 6th Floor

Metro: Capitol South exit, Blue or Orange Line

Alex Hunter of Washington Times wins award

Editor and Publisher is reporting that Alexander Hunter of the Washington Times has won the Scripps Howard Journalism Award which includes $10,000 and a trophy. Hunter does a full broadsheet multipanel editorial cartoon that I find fascinating. While I don't agree with his politics, I'd buy a book of the cartoons - I had the opportunity to see them recently and he's a facile cartoonist who can quote a lot of styles when making his arguement.

Unfortunately, I wonder if he's still in the paper since they dropped their weekend edition?

Comic Riffs interviews Judge Parker's Mike Manley

The 'Riffs Interview: Artist Mike Manley makes his 'Judge Parker' debut today
By Michael Cavna
March 15, 2010

Animator in Richmond

A bit far to the south perhaps, but we can drive there fairly quickly, so check out "Saxton Moore Gets Richmond Animated," By Andrew Cothern, Richmond.com March 15, 2010.

Andrew Cohen interview by DC Comic Books Examiner Mark Ruffin

Mark Ruffin catches up with one of the DC Conspiracy members - "Andrew Cohen constructs an ol' scratched vinyl note on comics," March 15, 2010, DC Comic Books Examiner on the same day that I do. At least we picked different people.

Weingarten on 'Watch Your Head' comic strip

In "Past imperfect: Is Gene Weingarten old school or just old?" By Gene Weingarten, Washington Post Magazine March 14, 2010; W36, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/05/AR2010030503120.html, he says of the strip:

 I consider myself an expert on newspaper comics; I can confidently deconstruct how a single panel of a 1939 Krazy Kat episode contained a sly foreshadowing of the anomie that would come to define the beat generation. But my own newspaper is now running a new strip, "Watch Your Head," that is hip and modern and filled with ironic detachment; therefore, I not only cannot understand the jokes, but I cannot tell for sure which characters are male and which are female. Hip people like this strip.

 

A Chat with Matt Dembicki online at City Paper now

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Matt Dembicki

Posted by Mike Rhode on Mar. 15, 2010

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/15/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-matt-dembicki/

ACT-I-VATE at Politics and Prose pictures

ACT-I-VATE webcomics people at Politics & Prose, l-r Simon Fraser, Jim Dougan, Joe Infurnari, and Dean Haspiel. Further down, Jim and Joe switch seats...




(that's Jim's wife who read some of the parts in the comics)

PR: April 16-18: T-MODE gaming and anime convention

T-MODE GETS READY TO ROCK

T-Minus 36 days and counting to the popular D.C.-area convention

ALEXANDRIA, VA. (March 12, 2010) – With just over a month to go, T-MODE 2010 is gearing up for a party like no other. The popular local anime and gaming convention makes its triumphant return April 16-18, 2010, and will be held this year at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town, just steps from the King Street Metro.

T-MODE offers a chance to get up close and personal with some of your favorite guests, including voice actors Wendee Lee ("Cowboy Bebop," "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya"... enough shows that we could be here all day!), Todd Haberkorn ("D.Gray-Man," "Claymore") and Cristina Vee ("Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha," "Anime TV"); author Roland Kelts ("Japanamerica"); musician Random ("Mega Ran") and webcomic artists Jessi and Matt Pascal ("Geeks Next Door") – with more surprises in store as the convention draws closer.

Along with guests and performances, T-MODE 2010 presents video game tournaments, a Cosplay Variety Show and Masquerade Prom, live event sessions, an interactive video room, the Otaku Bazaar with vendors and artists and much, much more. T-MODE also offers several different membership options, including its signature collection of Otaku Passports for fans who prefer closer interaction with the convention guests. For a truly unforgettable weekend, check out the Otaku Passport Premier. Only five of these very special memberships will be sold, but T-MODE guarantees a VIP fan experience like no other. Registration is still open and available online at www.tmode.org.

About T-MODE
T-MODE is where Asian, western and urban pop culture collide into a completely fun and unique convention experience. Held in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, T-MODE is a "fun-sized" event that celebrates the fusion of anime, gaming, music, cosplay, and all things otaku. T-MODE also strives to create a friendly and more personal atmosphere for convention attendees.

For more information about T-MODE and T-MODE 2010, please visit our Web site: www.tmode.org.

Comics on the Rack, Quick Picks for Comics Due 03-17-10

COMICS ON THE RACK

Quick Picks for Comics Due 03-17-10

By John Judy

 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #625 by Joe Kelly and Max Fiumara.  The new Rhino and the old Rhino butt heads.  Heh-heh…

 

AMERICAN VAMPIRE #1 by Scott Snyder, Stephen King (yes, THE Stephen King) and Rafael Albuquerque.  A Vertigo title throwing King's well-worn hat back into the Vampire ring.  This time it's the story of how vampirism came to the good old US of A and how we made it our own.  No "sparkling" guaranteed.  Recommended.

 

BRAVE AND THE BOLD #32 by J. Michael Straczynski and Jesus Saiz.  Give JMS credit, he comes up with team-ups that would not occur to the average bear.  This month: Aquaman and the Demon Etrigan.  Underwater flame breath sold here!

 

BRONX KILL HC by Peter Milligan and James Romberger.  A writer's wife goes missing and he has to go look for her.  He does.  Doesn't he?  Recommended.

 

CHOKER #2 by Ben McCool and Ben Templesmith. Having inked his deal with the devil, Choker meets his new partner on the Shotgun City force.  You love this comic and need it to be happy.  Highly recommended.  Not for kids.

 

DARK AVENGERS #15 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato.  Ms. Marvel (Moonstone) and Hawkeye (Bullseye) get sick, twisted and deviant.  Also the sun rises in the East.

 

GARTH ENNIS BATTLEFIELDS: THE FIREFLY AND HIS MAJESTY #4 of 9 by Garth and Carlos Ezquerra.  It's a first for an Ennis war book: The return of a character from a previous story.  In this case it's Corporal (now Sergeant) Stiles from THE TANKIES and he's got a new and improved Nazi-killing machine.  Unfortunately the ratzis have some new stuff of their own.  Highly recommended.

 

HULK #21 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness.  More big strong monsters fighting.  Reveal of Red Hulk's identity currently scheduled for 2013.

 

INCREDIBLE HULK #608 by Greg Pak and Paul Pelletier.  Bruce Banner leads the Avengers, or at least some people who have been Avengers, against people Bruce Banner doesn't like.  Sweet gig.  Plus, a Red She-Hulk back-up story.

 

IRREDEEMABLE #12 by Mark Waid and Peter Krause.  Modeus, the one guy who might be able to take out the Plutonian, has returned.  And he's pulling the big guy's strings.  Highly recommended but too violent for younger kids.

 

SIEGE #3 of 4 by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel.  A bunch of idiots attack Asgard, unaware perhaps that it's full of Gods!

 

SPIDER-WOMAN #7 by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev.  Can Spider-Woman be an Avenger and an Agent of S.W.O.R.D. at the same time?  It's like she's torn between two lovers, feelin' like a fool.  Lovin' both of them is breakin' all the rules…  And who came up with "S.W.O.R.D.?"  S.H.I.E.L.D. and H.A.M.M.E.R. weren't enough already?  We needed "S.W.O.R.D.?"  Oy…  Alex Maleev is a great artist.

 

SUPERMAN 80-PAGE GIANT #1 by Lotsa People.  An anthology of adventures featuring the Superman Family's most colorful characters.

 

X-MEN LEGACY #234 by Mike Carey and Yanick Paquette.  Rogue can finally, for the first time in her life, make skin contact with a man without knocking him out or killing him.  This could be The Greatest Marvel Comic of All Time.

 

www.johnjudy.net

Molly Crabapple in G40: The Summit exhibit in Crystal City

Today's Washington City Paper has an article about some legal problems for a couple of artists in the G40 exhibit, but it also mentions in passing that cartoonist Molly Crabapple is in the show. The article's online here, and mostly talks about 'lowbrow' art.

Here's the Post review - "'G40: The Summit' brings art to empty Crystal City space," by Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday, March 12, 2010. And details from the Post on the hours:

G40: The Summit Through March 27 at 223 23rd St., Arlington (Metro: Crystal City). From the Metro, follow the trail of "G40" signs stuck to the floor of Crystal City's underground tunnels. Performance schedules and information about public programs can be found at http://www.artwhino.com/g40. All works are for sale, with prices ranging from $20 to the mid four figures. Hours: Open Fridays 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturdays noon to midnight; Sundays noon to 6 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday 5 to 10 p.m. Admission: Free

Here's the NY Times with a better explanation of this type of art.

Washington City Paper best of DC poll

I haven't looked at this yet, but the City Paper (for whom I now freelance) is running their annual Best Of poll. I was a surprised winner of Best Comics Blog in 2008, especially since that wasn't a category.

OT: Nickelodeon looking to hire storyboard cartoonist

Editorial cartoonist MJ, who designed one of our logos (and it's on the current 'Friend of ComicsDC' pin that I'm handing out) wants unemployed fellow cartoonists to know about this storyboard artist job announcement at Nickelodeon.

World Bank online game based on comic, and offers free trip to DC

Not being a gamer, I'm not quite sure what to make of ""The entire game revolves around this graphic novel, this comic book which occur 10 years into the future," [Game producer Bob] Hawkins explained." but perhaps this will interest some of our readers, who oddly enough, come from around the globe: "By the end of the game, the top players will be mentored by business leaders and also win a trip to a conference next year in Washington."

For more details, see World Bank Online Game Invites Youth to Solve Global Problems
Zulima Palacio | Washington
Voice of America 10 March 2010

Comic Riffs noses around Bluewater political comics bio line

Sure, Michael ignored the comics about Hillary and Michele, but now that Bluewater's profiling a comedian....

Coming soon: Senator AL FRANKEN, comic book 'hero'
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post's Comic Riffs blog March 11, 2010

I supposed I should really cover these books, since they're usually set in DC, by default, but I just can't get too excited about them. By the way, Barack the Barbarian is actually still being published...

...and at local cons, you can buy the Marvel Spider-Man hardcover collection of his meeting with President Obama for $3.

My Feiffer blurb in today's City Paper

Jules Feiffer at Politics and Prose Thursday, March 18

By Mike Rhode
Posted: March 10, 2010

 

I believe this one is in print - the 2nd bit to so be honored.

Nate Beeler on the continuing Islam cartoon issue

Nate's got a great self-portait cartoon in today's Examiner about the ongoing Danish Islam cartoon issue.

Beyond Comics cracks down on scofflaw subscribers

And who can blame them? I never let my box go longer than 2 weeks - it adds up for the store owner. From their newsletter:

Delinquent Subscription Notification

To all subscribers delinquent in picking up your subscription, we ask that you please get caught up by the end of March.

Due to the tight economic conditions we have no choice but to begin to enforce some of our rules regarding subscriptions. While we have been exceedingly lenient over the last several years, we are no longer in the position to hold comics over any extended period of time unless the entirety of the subscription is purchased at pick up. What this means is that we can no longer store comics to be purchased "eventually." To this end, we are giving our subscribers (who have not made prior arrangements) until the end of March to clear out all of the old comics or we will take one or more of the following actions; loss of subscriber benefits, removal of comics, or suspension of subscription.

This applies to specialty items as well as comics. If you have been having us hold merchandise for you please make the effort to pick it up.

If you are one of our subscribers who have already made other arrangements to pick up your comics on a different schedule, we do not anticipate any change in service.

Additional Subscription Notices
If you are not sure whether you are currently subscribing to a title you want, please let us know and we will add it.

We have been finding subscription comics returned to the shelves and would like to take this time to point out that we order many of our non-returnable comics based on subscription numbers. If you no longer want to get a comic please inform us and we will remove it from your pull list. Do be aware that changes to your sub can affect some of you subscription benefits.

Glen Weldon on upcoming comics movies

For Glen's thoughts on Iron Man 2 (brief), Green Lantern (longer) and the attractiveness of superhero costumes (longest), see Steel and Spandex: Two Oscar Night Super-Developments, Considered, National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (March 10 2010).

May 3: Dan Clowes at Politics and Prose

Dan Clowes is at Politics and Prose, May 3rd at 7 pm. The Drawn & Quarterly blog says that he's got a 2-page story in the new New Yorker using Wilson, the character from his new book, that doesn't appear in the new book, so you might want to buy that now and bring it along in May.

ComicsDC Facebook group

Ok, I started a group on the suggestion of John Judy, who also writes for ComicsDC - but I have no idea what to do w/ it. Or even how to link to it. Have at it.

Nina Paley interview done by local blogger online now

Caroline Small's interview with Nina Paley is up at tcj.com, with part 2 now up as well. Caro, as I've never called her, joined HU last month, and one can frequently find her lurking around cartoonist events in DC, although she always claims she's there for her cousin. Well, now the truth is out.

Library of Congress animation exhibit reviewed at City Paper

Library of Congress' "Molto Animato!" Exhibit Is Hardly Vivace

Posted by Mike Rhode on Mar. 10, 2010

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2010/03/10/library-of-congress-molto-animato-exhibit-is-hardly-vivace/#more-19988

Beyond Comics' St. Patrick's Day sale

St. Patrick's Sale
25% OFF
GREEN GRAPHIC NOVELS
If it's Green, get a discount.

(Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Hulk, etc.)
Offer Expires: March 16, 2010

Cute idea.

Polite Dissent - a blog on comics and medicine

I can't believe I haven't run across this before - Polite Dissent - a blog on comics and medicine, but no, I hadn't until Bert Hansen pointed it out today. And "Scott"'s been doing this since 2004 with 1738 posts on comics! I need to dip in more obviously, especially if I'm going to keep talking about Comics and Cancer (next at American Association for the History of Medicine, Rochester, MN, late April - be there).

Honorary ComicsDCist Von Allan interviewed

Headline's a bit harsh though - 'You suck. Stop drawing' By Bruce Deachman, The Ottawa Citizen March 7, 2010.

R.C. Harvey on the Reuben, syndication, and by extension, Cul de Sac

Bob Harvey talks about what it takes to win the National Cartoonist Society's Rueben Award, which Our Man Thompson is up for this year. Harvey gets his opinion of the strip in too - "Thompson’s quirky stylistic mannerism is a good part of his strip’s charm, which is considerable. I like his work, both art and comedy, a great deal; some say his strip is the new Calvin and Hobbes, and while it embodies an active imagination as a vital part of childhood, I wouldn’t go so far as to say Thompson is the new Watterson. Thompson’s comedy is different; ditto his take on childhood."

Bert Hansen's book on medicine and comics wins award.

My friend Bert's excellent book, Picturing Medical Progress from Pasteur to Polio (Rutgers University Press), is winning an award at the Popular Culture Association meeting - see Baruch Historian Bert Hansen Honored for Book on Medicine and Popular Culture.

We're not journalists, but we agree with this PSA

Shooting ones' self in the foot? Or, 'Go to our website for comics'

A few months ago, we took the Express to task for dropping 2/3 of its comics page. One of the editors responded with the rationale that you could read them on their website. Here's an ad from the March 4th edition, conveying the same thing, but before I clipped it, it originally was sandwiched between two paid ads -- which they ain't getting on their website, or if they are, they won't make the same amount of money. And the rationale of going to their site is still weak, since you can go directly to the syndicates or some larger papers and read dozens of strips.

Is Second Life animation?

Obviously, it's an animation of a sort, just like motion capture movies like Avatar. But is it suitable to be considered comic art and covered here? I'm not sure - I've decided that Avatar and Alice in Wonderland are not the type of animation I want to cover here.

Read this and then feel free to give me your opinion -

Second Life's virtual money can become real-life cash
By Michael S. Rosenwald
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 8, 2010; A01

USA Today's Truitt on First Wave

Doc Savage is back! Brian Truitt on "'First Wave' reintroduces pulp heroes to new readers," USA Today (March 3 2010)

March 13: A true comic opera

This weekend is The Metropolitan Opera's staging of Shostakovich's The Nose. And why should we care? Because it's being directed by South African fine art animator William Kentridge and carried on WETA 90.9FM at 1 pm on March 13. The NY Times reviewed it today.

Comic Riffs' Michael Cavna interviewed at Tall Tales Radio

Episode 77 – Michael Cavna, "Comic Riffs"

By Tom Racine on March 8th, 2010
http://talltalefeatures.com/2010/03/08/episode-77-michael-cavna-comic-riffs/

Thanks to Our Man Thompson for the tip - he's been on the show too.

Matt Wuerker interview up at City Paper

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Politico's Matt Wuerker

Posted by Mike Rhode on Mar. 8, 2010

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/08/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-politicos-matt-wuerker/

PR: Sal Buscema book out

Sal Buscema was a Marvel mainstay for many years. I've got hundreds of comics he drew. He lives in Northern Virginia now, although I haven't had the luck to meet him.

 

If you enjoyed our previous books on Gene Colan and John Romita, Sr., don't miss SAL BUSCEMA: COMICS' FAST & FURIOUS ARTIST, which ships this week from TwoMorrows! And when you order directly from us, you get 15% off the retail price! (NOTE: Discount does not apply to the Ultra-Limited Hardcover sketch edition.)

In 1968, Sal Buscema joined the ranks of Marvel Comics and quickly became one of their most recognizable and dependable artists. Following in the footsteps of his big brother John Buscema, Sal quickly came into his own, and penciled some of Marvel's most memorable storylines, such as the original Avengers/Defenders war, as well as "The Secret Empire Saga" and the Nomad arc in the pages of Captain America. He also had a ten-year run on the Hulk and drew 100 consecutive issues of Spectacular Spider-Man, making him one of the few definitive artists of the Bronze Age. Sal Buscema: Comics' Fast & Furious Artist, by Alter Ego's Jim Amash with Modern Masters' Eric Nolen-Weathington, explores the life and career of this true legend of the comics industry, through an exhaustive interview with the artist, complete with extensive examples of his art, including a deluxe color section, and a
gallery of work from Sal's personal files. Fans love the fast and furious style of Sal Buscema, and this first-ever career-spanning book is guaranteed to please!  (NOTE: The deluxe hardcover contains a dust jacket, printed endpapers, and 16 extra full-color pages, not found in the softcover edition!)

The $26.95 SOFTCOVER can be ordered HERE at 15% off:
http://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=793

The standard $46.95 HARDCOVER can be ordered HERE at 15% off:
http://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=794

The $100 ULTRA-LIMITED HARDCOVER (which includes an individually numbered PENCIL SKETCH of one of Sal's favorite characters) can be ordered HERE:
http://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=106&products_id=838


Or just go to www.twomorrows.com where you'll find them listed on the home page for ordering. And as always, thanks for supporting TwoMorrows!

Best regards,
John Morrow, publisher
TwoMorrows
10407 Bedfordtown Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27614
919-449-0344
fax 919-449-0327
www.twomorrows.com

Cavna on animation Oscars race

Animation station: A race to the finish for these features
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, March 7, 2010; E06

March 27: Steranko at Geppi's Entertainment Museum

Colin Solan sends in "GEM hosts Steranko for a retrospective exhibit." Geppi's Museum site is here. As hard as it is to believe, it seems the exhibit is only up for 3 days.

Comics on the Rack, Quick Picks for Comics Due 03-10-10

COMICS ON THE RACK

Quick Picks for Comics Due 03-10-10

By John Judy

 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #624 by Mark Waid and Paul Azaceta.  Holy moley, did the new Vulture really barf acid all over J. Jonah's face?!  And will it be an improvement?  Thrilling suspense from the mind of Mark Waid!

 

BATMAN AND ROBIN #10 by Grant Morrison and Andy Clarke.  Will Robin chop Batman's head off with a sword or won't he?  Decisions, decisions…

 

BATMAN: WIDENING GYRE #5 of 6 by Kevin Smith and Walter Flanagan.  "The women in (Batman's) life force him into an awkward position."  Kevin, Kevin, Kevin…

 

THE BOYS, VOL. 6: SELF-PRESERVATION SOCIETY SC by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson.  The supes go after the Boys.  Not smart, supes.  Not smart at all.  Massive violence and perversion ensue.  Recommended.  Not for kids.

 

BPRD: KING OF FEAR #3 of 5 by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi and Guy Davis.  Abe Sapien and Liz versus Tibetan frog monsters and the big, bad King of Fear!  Pulpy!

 

BREAKING INTO COMICS THE MARVEL WAY #1 of 2 by C.B. Cebulski and Others Who Have Done It.  No, this isn't about how Jack Kirby got his original art back, nor is it about being Kevin Smith.  It's a guide for the aspiring dweller in the House of Ideas and you could certainly do worse than to give it a read.  After all, if Rob Liefeld did it, why can't you?

 

CRIMINAL: SINNERS #5 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Caught between the gangsters he works for and the military that wants him back Tracy Lawless is all out of options.  The big finish of this mini-series and possibly of its hard-luck star. Highly recommended.  Not for kids.

 

DARK X-MEN #5 of 5 by Paul Cornell and Leonard Kirk.  A battle for control inside Norman Osborn's mind could best be described as taking place on treacherous ground.  And isn't that always fun to watch?

 

DAYTRIPPER #4 of 10 by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba.  Bras has a son and then no doubt dies again.  Still a really good, beautiful read.  Highly recommended.

 

DOOM PATROL #8 by Keith Giffen and Matthew Clark.  More trouble comes to Oolong Island.  Why the gang doesn't pick up sticks and move is beyond me.  I mean, how good can an island be?

 

EX MACHINA #48 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris.  Long-ago prophecies come true as Mitchell Hundred comes one step closer to the end of his term.  Only two issues remain til the conclusion of this series which remains highly recommended.

 

GHOST PROJEKT #1 of 5 by Joe Harris and Steve Rolston.  A little something from Oni Press about a US weapons inspector and his Russian counterpart who have to track down a missing weapon that really shouldn't be.

 

GHOST RIDERS: HEAVEN'S ON FIRE SC by Jason Aaron and Roland Boschi.  Big, crazy, grindhouse biker brawl between heaven and hell with a bunch of Ghost Riders and the Son of Satan in the middle!  Great with Everclear and nachos!

 

GHOUL #3 Steve Niles and Bernie Wrightson.  A gorgeously illustrated monster noir mystery set in Hollywood.  This one really needs to be a movie.  From IDW.  Recommended.

 

HELLBOY, VOL. 9: THE WILD HUNT SC by Mike Mignola and Duncan Fegredo.  HB dukes it out with the Queen of Blood!  Because how can he not?

 

JUSTICE LEAGUE: RISE AND FALL SPECIAL #1 by James Robinson, J.T. Krul and Mike Mayhew.  Now that Green Arrow's back to greasing bad guys the JLA may need to re-examine their mission statement.

 

LOCKJAW AND THE PET AVENGERS UNLEASHED #1 of 4 by People Who Gotta Make Rent.  Six thousand years ago a naked lady ate an apple she wasn't supposed to and that's why this comic exists.

 

POWERS #3 Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming.  Walker's in trouble.  Lotsa swears.

 

PUNISHERMAX #5 by Jason Aaron and Steve Dillon.  After getting sledge-hammered and trampled by horses last issue Frank's gotta figure out how to take out the Mennonite, the Kingpin and everyone else who's looking to finish the job.  Highly recommended. Not for kids.

 

SECRET SIX #19 by Gail Simone and Jim Califiore.  Chesire the lady assassin/psycho-tramp has some news she wants to share with Catman.  Things kinda go south from there.

 

SOLOMON KANE: DEATH'S BLACK RIDERS #3 of 4 by Scott Allie and Mario Guevara.  Deep in the Black Forest things are smokin' at the Cleft Skull Tavern!  Indeed they are demon-slicing hot!  If you're a fan of the great Charles Vess you want to check out the art Mario Guevara's doing on this book.  Recommended.

 

SUPERMAN: LAST STAND ON NEW KRYPTON #1 of 3 by James Robinson, Sterling Gates and Pete Woods.  Rumble with Brainiac starts now!

 

THE MYSTIC HANDS OF DOCTOR STRANGE #1 by Lotsa People.  In the spirit of DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG-FU and BIG GREEN HANDS OF THE HULK and all those other black and white Marvel mags of the seventies that did so well, it's Doctor Strange's turn.  And are mystic hands anything like magic fingers?

 

THE TWELVE: SPEARHEAD #1 written and drawn by Chris Weston.  Captain America leads the heroes of The Twelve on a Nazi-fighting mission in 1945, which oddly enough was the last time we saw an issue of THE TWELVE.  Kidding!  It was November of 2008 which is much better.  Straczynski says issue #9 will come out "later this year."  Honest.  Anyway, Chris Weston is always amazing so this is Highly Recommended.

 

UNWRITTEN #11 by Mike Carey and Peter Gross.  In a city full of ghost Nazis Tommy Taylor tries to help.  But who can help him?  Recommended.

 

WOLVERINE: MR. X ONE-SHOT by Frank Tieri and Francesco Mattina.  Big fight!

 

www.johnjudy.net

Rob Ullman on Inkpanthers podcast

Mike Dawson and Alex Robinson have Rob Ullman on their March 3rd Inkpanthers podcast - Wrapping up our Olympic coverage, and coming to the conclusion that we should really be a sports show rather than a comedy one. We’re joined in the Lair by cartoonist and illustrator Robert Ullman, who schools us on Hockey, Curling, Jarts, and Fantasy Football Leagues. Comments Welcome!

Palin's 'Family Guy' quibble is the gift that keeps giving

Not so much a 'Patriot,' actor rejects praise from O'Reilly, By Lisa de Moraes, Washington Post March 5, 2010; C04.

April 17: Jules Feiffer at American Art

Saturday April 17, 2010

 American Pictures 

4:30 PM

McEvoy Auditorium, Lower Level
American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery

The American Pictures series offers a highly original approach to art and portraiture, pairing great works of art with leading figures of contemporary American culture. Each American Pictures event features an eminent writer, thinker, historian, or artist who speaks about a single, powerful image and explores its meaning. The series director is historian and essayist Adam
Goodheart, who is director of the C. V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience at Washington College.

Lectures begin at 4:30 p.m.
Free tickets available in the G Street lobby one hour prior.


Saturday, April 17, 4:30 p.m.
Cartoonist Jules Feiffer on Bob Landry's Fred Astaire in "Puttin' on the Ritz"

May 4: Richard Kelly speaks at American Art

I've seen his collection - it's great. It's not exactly cartoonists, but there are people who went both ways in it like AB Frost.

 

Collectors Roundtable
7:00 PM

McEvoy Auditorium, Lower Level
American Art Museum

This annual series provides insight and invaluable advice on collecting art from museum directors, curators, collectors, and art dealers and consultants. Free and open to the public; no advance registration required. All lectures begin at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Collecting for the Long Haul
Tuesday, May 4, 7:00 p.m.
Richard Kelly, The Kelly Collection of American Illustration

Bennett's Best with two good recs

Bennett's Best: First Wave and Strange Tales By Greg Bennett, Special to Zadzooks Thursday, March 4, 2010.

Can't go wrong with either Doc Savage or people satirizing Marvel, even if Marvel is paying them to do it. Well, actually, you can - I had forgotten about What The?!

(Image courtesy of the Grand Comics Database)

Zadzooks on Aliens vs Predators vs You vs the Kid down the block vs...

The idea for Aliens vs Predator actually originated in the Dark Horse comics, presumably because the movie would have cost a fortune. Anyway - "Zadzooks: Aliens vs. Predator review," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times March 4, 2010.

There seem to be a lot of us writing about comics in DC all of a sudden, eh? Zadzooks been doing it for at least 10 years though.

Apparently Garfield: The Play will arrive in DC in 2011

The Warner Theater is specifically suggested as a venue in "Garfield" Will Be Star of His Own Musical, Harry Haun, Playbill's Playblog (March 4 2010). Unless my daughter's tastes change radically in the next year, I'll be seeing this.

Takoma Park librarian on Benny and Penny

'Benny and Penny' tops 2010 list of best books for beginners, By KAREN MACPHERSON, Scripps Howard News Service March 3 2010.

Benny & Penny is one of Toon Books line.

DC writer reviews Sturm's Market Day

Unraveling Jewish Threads: James Sturm's Graphic Novel Market Day
Menachem Wecker
Jewish Press Mar 03 2010

PR: Festival Image (French Comics and Animation Festival)- Alliance Francaise de Washington

This looks good!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

The Alliance Française de Washington, MICA's Illustration and Experimental Animation Departments present

 

From April 16 to 24, 2010

 

Festival Imagé

French Comics and Animation Festival

Baltimore-Washington DC (USA)

The Alliance Française de Washington and The Maryland Institute College of Arts (MICA) are inaugurating their partnership with the Festival Imagé, first festival in the USA, which promotes the new generation of French artists working in comics and animated films.

 

From April 16 to 24, meetings, author-led workshops, and screenings of animated films will stress the similarities and differences which exist in "bande dessinée" and animated film between both sides of the Atlantic.

 

Five comics artists, four comic book publishers from both France and the US, as well as various comics connoisseurs and a series of events prepared by DC-based comics artists and students of MICA – America's oldest art school– will help animate this exceptional 10-day festival dedicated to sequential art.

 

The festival will engage a wide audience of amateurs, children, art students, Francophiles, and comic's aficionados of the "9ème Art" through the creativity and vitality of this made-in-France artistic format where more than 5000 titles are published each year.

 

Having been involved in the Festival Imagé since its inception, MICA's animation students will also have the chance to introduce their view of French culture through their own animated shorts, to be shown at two successive screenings.

During these two consecutive days, animated films from both MICA students and students from one of the most famous French schools, SUPINFOCOM, will be showcased in Baltimore and Washington.

 

A French author will also be visiting one of DC's underprivileged elementary schools through the Alliance Française's Outreach Program to share his passion with children.

 

On their side, students from MICA and local illustrators will meet French and US publishers and present their work through exhibitions during the professional forum.

This forum will offer a chance to create artistic ties and professional opportunities to be published in the USA but also in France.

 

Last but not least, French and American illustrators will launch a creative dialogue during the entire Festival Imagé with an interactive and collective production to be revealed during the festival's closing party.

 

Prepare to be overwhelmed by a new generation of talented and productive artists who interpret the daily complexities of modern society through an incredible variety of styles and artistic universes.

 

"Strike your imagination!"

 

Festival Imagé Program

 

 -Friday April 16 at MICA:

 

7:30 pm: Opening reception

8 pm: Panel discussion with Nicolas Nemiri, Antoine Dodé, Alain Corbel, and Laurence Arcadias. Moderated by José Villarrubia.

Beginning of the contest

At MICA/ Free

 

-Saturday April 17 at AFDC, 2 pm

Workshop with Antoine Dodé

http://www.antoinedode.com/

At the Alliance Française/ Free

 

 

-Monday April 19 at MICA, 8 pm

 

Lecture by José Villarrubia: "Colors in Comics"

 At MICA/ Free

 

 

-Tuesday April 20 at AFDC, 6:30 pm

 

Opening reception of the exhibition Les Trois Ombres by Cyril Pedrosa

Workshop with Domitille Collardey

http://www.domitille-collardey.com/ink.html

 At the Alliance Française/ Free for MICA students and AF members - General Admission $8

 

-Wednesday April 21st at MICA, 7 pm

Presentation: Laurence Arcadias

Short Films from SUPINFOCOM and MICA students

 At MICA/ Free

 

 

-Thursday April 22nd at Letelier Theater, 7 pm

Short Films from SUPINFOCOM and MICA students

At Letelier Theater 3251 Prospect Street, NW, Upper Courtyard, Washington DC

Free for MICA students and AF members - General Admission $8

 

-Friday April 23rd at AFDC, 6:30 pm

Lecture by Pascal Fioretto: "Humor in comics"

 At the Alliance Française/ free for MICA students and AF members - General admission: $8

 

-Saturday April 24th at MICA:

2:00 Alain Corbel presents his students work:

Exhibition "Gargantua"

2:30 pm: Workshop with Cyril Pedrosa http://www.firstsecondbooks.com/threeShadows.html

4 pm: Professional Forum with publishers from France and the US

Contest Results

6:30 pm: Closing Party

At MICA/ Free

 

 

---

Artists and speakers 

 

 

Antoine Dodé was born in Amiens and lived there until he moved to Belgium to study illustration at the Saint Luc School of Art. He is best known in the French and Belgian market for his character Armelle, who has been featured in two graphic novels published under Carabas Revolution (Semic): "Armelle and the Bird" and "Armelle and My Uncle."

 http://www.antoinedode.com/

 

José Villarrubia was born in Madrid, Spain, but is a long time Baltimore resident. A professor of the Illustration Department at MICA, José is best known for his coloring work in comics for Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and other companies and for his collaborations with author Alan Moore.

Domitille Collardey (born 1981) is best known for founding the Chicou-Chicou comics collective with Aude Picault. She currently lives in Paris and Brooklyn, NY. Domitille graduated from les Arts Decoratifs de Paris in 2004.  

She is currently working on an adaptation of Jean Teulé's novel "The Suicide Shop" for French publisher Delcourt, with Olivier Ka.

She also works for various press publications, such as Technikart, Beaux Arts Magazine, and Double.

 http://www.domitille-collardey.com/ink.html

 Pascal Fioretto Although he was a math whiz early on, having majored in chemistry at the Ecole normale supérieure of Chemistry, he also displayed a strong interest in literature and writing, which he finally gave in to. Catching the attention of cartoonist Marcel Gotlib, Fioretto then lent his wit to Fluide Glacial, a French monthly publication appealing to any and all lovers of truly tasteless jokes and irreverent humor.

Cyril Pedrosa began his career in animation, working on the Disney films "Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Hercules." He has since become a rising star in a new kind of graphic storytelling, combining the influences of animation and the literary traditions of Borges, Garcia Marquez, and Tolkien to create a unique visual signature. 

http://www.firstsecondbooks.com/threeShadows.html

Nicolas Nemiri is a French comics author and illustrator who has always been very much inspired by Japanese manga. His artistic style is unique in that it blends manga with French esthetics. Nicolas is actually working on the 3rd album of his series "Je suis morte" created with writer Jean-David Morvan, a sci-fi story where teenagers are dealing with life, death and eternity.

http://www.nemiri.com/

 

Alain Corbel. With comic creator Eric Lambe, he produced Mokka and Pelure Amere, two modern comic strip magazines that influenced many authors and publishers in France and Belgium like Amok, Freon and La Cinquieme Couche. He works as an illustrator, comic strip artist, and storywriter. He is also teacher at MICA, Illustration Department. He did many books published in France and Portugal. He has a passion for Africa where he organizes regularly with the Portuguese NGO ACEP  illustration/writing workshops.   http://www.alaincorbel.in-netz.com/  http://obaraleixo.blogspot.com/

 Laurence Arcadias teaches animation at MICA and is the Co- chair of the Animation department.

She started her career in Paris as an illustrator and animator. She directed a TV show: "Alex", best animated TV series in Annecy festival and spent 3 years as Animator in Residence at Apple. She also worked for several companies such as hotwired, Kodak, Leapfrog…Her films have been screened internationally.

http://www.arcadias.tv

Located in the north of France, SUPINFOCOM is a unique school, made of passionate people for passionate students, armed with an educational experience and managed by a united team, a demanding school, which innovates, supports the students towards their professional future by developing their artistic sensitivity, and opens unclear ways. After 20 years of existence and 1246 graduates, SUPINFOCOM is still filled with the enthusiasm of pioneers and enriched with collective experience. http://www.supinfocom.org/

 

With the support of the Maryland Institute College of Art's Office of Academic Services, the office of Research and the Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Faculty.             

 

 

Please include Festival Imagé, from April 16 to 24 in your cultural events listing. Do not hesitate to contact me directly if you want to attend or cover this event.

 

WHAT: Festival Imagé  French Comics and Animation Festival

 

WHEN: From April 16 to 24, 2010

 

WHERE: At the Alliance Française 2142 Wyoming Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008

                 MICA 1300 W. Mount Royal Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21217

And Letelier Theater 3251 Prospect Street, NW Upper Courtyard Washington DC 20007

 

 COST: All of the events are free for MICA students and Alliance Française members 

Events at the Alliance Française and Letelier Theater: free for MICA students and AF members - General Admission $8

 

 Information/reservation:  Alliance Française 202-234-7911 - MICA 410-225-2300

 

 

The Alliance Française is the largest network of French language and cultural centers in the world. Founded in 1949, the Alliance Française de Washington offers French classes for all levels, numerous cultural events throughout the year, and a multi-media library open to all members.  For more information visit www.francedc.org

You can download our press kit here: http://www.francedc.org/en/Article.aspx?id=460

 

L'Alliance Française de Washington is on Facebook! Join our group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4811854756

 

We are also on Twitter! http://twitter.com/FranceDC

 

Sonia Lahcene
Cultural Assistant
_______________________________________
Alliance Française de Washington
2142 Wyoming Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
tel: (202) 234-7911 ext 16
fax: (202) 234-0125
www.francedc.org
 
To subscribe to our email list and receive our messages on cultural activities, please go to  www.francedc.org then "sign up for our e-newsletter".

You can also join our Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4811854756
 

 

 

Has USA Weekend dropped its gag cartoons?

I haven't seen any in there for a few weeks. Another cost-cutting measure?

 

Produced locally, it's distributed in the Examiner on Sunday.

Family Circus lauded by Examiner columnist

Meghan Cox Gurdon

Family cartoon not corroded by acid culture.

Washington Examiner (March 4 2010): 37

 

If you want to see it online - click here and then look for page 37.

 

 

Searle's 90th birthday

Nick Galifianakis and Richard Thompson's favorite cartoonist Ronald Searle is 90 today - here's a link to some artwork we stuck up last year.

Weldon steps into catfight

In the "Fools rush in" category, Glen Weldon looks at the angst over 'Girl Comics' in 'Girl,' Erupted: The Comic Book Title That Launched An Internet Flame War, National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (March 3 2010).

This is actually the only comic I specifically asked for this week (beyond my usual pull list).

Kyle Baker and Bill Foster at Howard, now up on City Paper

Thursday: Kyle Baker and Bill Foster on Black-Themed Comic Books

Posted by Mike Rhode on Mar. 3, 2010, at 10:51 am

Jim Dougan interview from Post last year

D.C. United Inspires Graphic Art By Dan Steinberg, Washington Post D.C. Sports blog June 3, 2009.

Ok, I'm a bit late with catching this, but you can still read the excellent Sam & Lilah strip at Act-i-vate. So check out the interview and then read the strip with added understanding (as I did. I had no idea who the DC United player was).

March 3: Micah Gunnell at Beyond Comics

Meet ASPEN Comics Artist Micah Gunnell at the Beyond Comics Gaithersburg Square Store 536 North Frederick Avenue 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm

Free Sketches and Autographs Original Art For Sale.

OT: Strand Bookstore totebag art contest

The Strand has had a bunch of cartoonist-drawn tote bags already - Seth, Spiegelman, Sikoryak and Tomine -and I bought them all a couple of weeks ago, so perhaps this contest will interest someone from the DC area. Apparently you have a better chance if your name begins with 'S'.

Ponyo out on DVD today

...and I'm going out to buy my copy after dinner. Miyazaki is great.

Michigan State U's Comic Art Collection December 2009 additions

Getting back to our ocassional look at MSU's additions to the library, we turn to December 2009.

Hey! I bought this at an early SPX, back when they fit in one room.

Primitives. -- Poquoson, Va. : Spare Time Studios, 1995- . --
ill. ; 26 cm. -- Began with no. 1 (Jan. 1995). -- Superhero
genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 1. -- Call no.: PN6728.6.S609P7

I hope the Library isn't really worrying about whether their comics have UPC symbols or not...

Protectors. -- Westlake Village, CA : Malibu Comics,
1992-1994. -- col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Published no. 1 (Sept.
1992) - no. 20 (May 1994), cf. Overstreet Comic Book Price
Guide. -- This "direct market" ed. differs from the
"newsstand" ed. in that the covers are without UPC codes.
-- Partial wrapper of first cover appears in at least two
different colors. -- Superhero genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no.
1-20. -- Call no.: PN6728.6.M25P72
COMPLETE HOLDINGS

Anyone read this? Is it any good?

Doomed by Cartoon : How Cartoonist Thomas Nast and the
New-York Times brought down Boss Tweed and His Ring of
Thieves / John Adler, with Draper Hill. -- New York :
Morgan James Publishing, 2008. -- 310 p. : ill. ; 28 cm. --
Call no.: F128.47.T96A32 2008
Nast, Thomas, 1840-1902.
Tweed, William Marcy, 1823-1878.

Frank Tashlin keeps popping up in comics quiz circles because he became a movie director, but used a cartoonist as a character in one movie...

The World that Isn't / by Frank Tashlin. -- New York : Simon
and Schuster, 1951. -- 1 v. : ill. ; 23 cm. -- Story told
primarily in pictures. -- Call no.: NC1429.T18W6 1951

Remember how before Marvel killed Malibu after buying them, but toyed with their characters first? Nah, me either.

Rune vs. Venom. -- Calabasas, CA : Malibu Comics
Entertainment, 1995. -- 48 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. --
(Ultraverse) -- "Vol. 1, number 1, December 1995." -- Logo
of Marvel Comics on cover. -- Superhero genre. -- Call no.:
PN6728.6.M25R84 1995

Shouldn't this be linked to Spawn, since memories are fading of what a hot title it was once upon a time?

Spoof Comics Presents Spoon. -- Melville, N.Y. : Spoof Comics,
1992. -- 32 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. -- Superheroine and parody
genres. -- Call no.: PN6728.6.P43S62 1992

I don't imagine I will ever item-level catalogue Fred Bassett comic strips, but I think I would have either put all of these under golf...

"The First Time He's Been on the Fairway All Day"* (Fred
Basset, May 2, 1972) / Graham. -- Summary: Fred's master
hits a tree from the rough. -- Call no.: PN6726 f.B55
"fairways"
-----------------------------------------------------
"Nobody Will Believe Him"* (Fred Basset, June 29, 1973) /
Graham. -- Summary: Fred's master makes a hole in one, and
there are no witnesses. -- Call no.: PN6726 f. B55 "hole
in one"
-----------------------------------------------------
"She's Having a Lovely Time Up Here"* (Fred Basset, Apr. 27,
1972) / Graham. -- Summary: Fred's master has so far taken
seven strokes in the sand trap, and Fred's mistress is
gloating. -- Call no.: PN6726 f.B55 "gloating"
-----------------------------------------------------
"It Was His Golf Club Dinner Last Night"* (Fred Basset, July
13, 1973) / Graham. -- Summary: Fred's master seems to have
a hangover. -- Call no.: PN6726 f.B55 "golf"
-----------------------------------------------------
"I Never Know Whether It's the Thrashing Tail or the Pathetic
Whimpering that Does the Trick"* (Fred Basset, July 21,
1973) / Graham. -- Summary: Fred is allowed to come along
as his master leaves for golf. -- Call no.: PN6726 f.B55
"golf"

...although I like "begging" for the last one, and "hangover" for the one above that. For those that are wondering, these clipped strips are filed in envelopes under that topic.

Somebody gave them a ton of G.I. Joe. Here's a sample. Should G.I. Joe really be "Not intended for children under 13"?

The Best of Snake Eyes / Larry Hama ; pencils, Mike Vosburg,
et al. ; inks, Chic Stone, et al. -- San Diego, Calif. :
IDW Publishing, 2009. -- 145 p. : col. ill ; 26 cm. --
(G.I. Joe. ; 6) -- "Originally published by Marvel Comics
as 'G.I. Joe: a Real American Hero' issues #10, 21, 26, 27,
31, and 44." -- "Not intended for children under 13." --
Spy and war genres. -- Call no.: PN6728.G2B44 2009

A word of advice - don't take sex advice from Heavy Metal.

"How to be Adorable" / by Goupil and Walter. p. 18 in Heavy
Metal, v. 26, no. 3 (July 2002). -- Sex advice. -- Call
no.: PN6728.H43v.26no.3

Hmmmm... what's this?

Dr. Strange / created by Stan Lee ; screenplay by Bob Gale. --
Revised first draft. -- 115 leaves : 28 cm. -- "21 January
86." -- Call no.: PN1997.D77G35 1986
Gale, Bob, 1951-

A bunch of student minicomics came in due to Ryan Claytor's class - here's a sample.

Explovary : a Collection of Last-Minute Comics / by Matt
Bambach. -- East Lansing, MI : Bambaclat Comics, 2009. --
24 p. : ill. ; 22 cm. -- Done for the Fall 2009 Comics and
Visual Narrative class at Michigan State University. -- New
wave genre. -- Call no.: PN6728.55.C575B3 2009

Nothing towards the end of the month was particularly striking. Tune back in soon for ... 2010!

Denver Post claims people are happy losing 22 comics

Cavna continues to practice real journalism - Denver Post cuts 22 comics: 'It appears we didn't totally screw up' By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 2, 2010 - although I don't think he got real answers. "[Editor] Chavez notes that the first response she received to the polling... was: "You have too many comics.""

Uh-huh.

AAAS podcast on physics of comic books

Spider-Man and other comic-book characters help explain scientific ideas

-- Margaret Shapiro

Washington Post March 2, 2010

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/01/AR2010030102888.html

 

Comics on the Rack, Quick Picks for Comics Due 03-03-10

COMICS ON THE RACK

Quick Picks for Comics Due 03-03-10

By John Judy

 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #623 by Mark Waid, Tom Peyer and Paul Azaceta.  There's a new Vulture in town.  In fact make it a NEW new Vulture!  The newest in fact!

 

ASTRO CITY THE DARK AGE BOOK FOUR #2 of 4 by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson.  New heroes, a new villain and a big fight in Vegas!  New and big!  The best!  Recommended.

 

THE BOYS #40 by Garth Ennis and Darick Roberston.  Featuring a tragic misunderstanding between Butcher and Wee Hughie.  Also a supe with Tourette's who turns into an anvil.  Recommended.  Not for kids.

 

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON EIGHT, VOL. 6: RETREAT SC by Jane Espenson, Joss Whedon and Georges Jeanty.  Collecting issues #26-30, the return of Oz the Zen Werewolf!

 

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #33 by Brad Meltzer and Georges Jeanty.  This is the issue before they unmask Twilight so you probably want to read it just so you're braced.

 

CHEW #9 John Layman and Rob Guillory.  Tony Chu versus vampires?  What happens if Tony takes a bite out of a vampire?  Recommended.

 

CROSSED #9 of 9 by Garth Ennis and Jacen Burrows.  The big, bloody wrap-up to Garth's most twisted series to date.  NOT for kids.

 

DETECTIVE COMICS #862 by Greg Rucka, Jock and Cully Hamner.  Serious detectin' and bad-guy fightin' from Batwoman and the Question!  I hope those two crazy kids work it out.

 

FALL OF THE HULKS: SAVAGE SHE-HULKS #1 of 3 by Jeff Parker and Salva Espin.  Two She-Hulks for the price of one!  What a bargain!

 

FIRST WAVE #1 of 6 by Brian Azzarello and Rags Morales.  An alternate DCU going back to its pulp roots with non-super vigilantes like Doc Savage, the Spirit, the Blackhawks and Batman!  Recommended!

 

GIRL COMICS #1 of 3 by Many Talented Creators with Double X Chromosomes.  So it's an anthology book about the women of the Marvel Universe, written and drawn by female creators.  Hmmm, they're all adults so what should we call it….?  Let's chalk the title up to post-irony and have a look anyway.

 

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #24 by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca.  Tony Stark re-threads his head with a little help from his friends.

 

JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #7 of 7 by James Robinson and Mauro Cascioli.  The grand finale against Prometheus, leading into Robinson's new JLA run.

 

KEVIN SMITH'S GREEN HORNET #1 by Kevin Smith and Jonathan Lau.  It's Smith's unproduced "Hornet" screenplay done as a comic, which means all the scripts are in!  If future issues are late, blame the artist!  (Man, I hope "Lau" isn't a Smith alias…)

 

MIGHTY AVENGERS #34 by Dan Slott, Neil Edwards and Khoi Pham.  "The most insane thing Hank Pym will ever do!"  Give money to the Sarah Palin campaign?

 

MILESTONE FOREVER #2 of 2 by Dwayne McDuffie and the Milestone Art Crew.  The conclusion of how the Milestone and DC Universes merged, from the guy who would know.  Good stuff.

 

PLANETARY, VOL. 4 HC by Warren Ellis and John Cassaday.  Collecting issues #19-27 of the series and wrapping it up in a bow of quantum foam.  It's pretty.

 

PRELUDE TO DEADPOOL CORPS #1 of 5 by Victor Gischler, Ed McGuinness and Rob Freakin' Liefeld.  Featuring Deadpool, Lady Deadpool, Headpool, Kidpool and Dogpool all drawn by Rob Freakin' Liefeld.  Comes with a promotional set of Deadpool chopsticks for gouging out your own eyes.  (Not really.  You have to buy your own.)

 

PUNISHER MAX: BUTTERFLY ONE-SHOT by Valerie D'Orazio and Laurence Campbell.  Y'know how good guys never hurt women or kids?  The Punisher's not a good guy.  Not for kids.

 

SPARTA: USA #1 of 6 by David Lapham and Johnny Timmons.  A rebel returns to his dystopian hometown.  This is … SPARTA!!!

 

STEPHEN KING'S N #1 of 4 by Marc Guggenheim and Alex Maleev.  Believe it or not, something strange is going on in rural Maine.  Based on King's short story collection "Just After Sunset."

 

ULTIMATE COMICS: AVENGERS #5 by Mark Millar and Carlos Pacheco.  Ultimate Captain America's still on the trail of his son the Ultimate Red Skull.  Oh, Millar…  Gotta look.

 

ULTIMATE COMICS: NEW ULTIMATES #1 by Jeph Loeb and Frank Cho.  Ummm… Frank Cho's drawing it!

 

UNDERGROUND #5 of 5 by Jeff Parker and Steve Lieber.  A great week for finales.  A tandem chimney climb has never been so intense.  Great mini-series.  Highly recommended.

 

WOLVERINE WEAPON X #11 by Jason Aaron and Ron Garney.  Wolvie and Cap go out for a beer and end up fighting Deathlok the Demolisher.  He's a cyborg from the future.  Aren't they all?

 

X-MEN: HOPE #1 by Duane Swierczynski and Steve Dillon.  The adventures of the possible alternate future mutant heroine Hope Summers!  Okay, seriously did any mutants anywhere have kids other than Scott Summers and his redhead du jour?  Scott Summers is like the Jim-Bob Duggar of the Marvel Universe!  How many kids is this guy gonna have?!

 

www.johnjudy.net

Cavna mixes and matches ridiculous auction prices

And here's Michael's summing up of recent auction madness - Batman, Superman comic books set records for sale price, By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Staff Writer Saturday, February 27, 2010.

Singer on Spiegelman and Maus

Marc Singer writes on teaching Maus for weeks 6-7 of his class on comics at Howard.

Asaf Hanuka in Sunday's Post Magazine

Asaf Hanuka illustrated The Substitute in Sunday's Post Magazine (Feb 28, 2010).

March 18: Jules Feiffer at Politics and Prose

Jules Feiffer will be reading from his autobiography - I heard part of it a couple of years ago, and it's good.

Denver Post drops Cul de Sac; local IQ immediately drops

Alan Gardner is reporting that the Denver Post dropped 21 comic strips and added... 1. But hey, Pluggers is going to be in color now, so who cares?

Seriously, they dropped some of the best new strips in favor of this tired old lineup, and then adding insult to injury, had the nerve to headline it "We're serious about your comics and puzzles." Perhaps, but if you're going to assume your readers are that stupid, maybe you should have a subheading "But we're more concerned with lining our pockets than putting out a decent paper." Which they might as well be, actually, because they're not going to be in business once the generation voting for Family Circus and Classic Peanuts kicks off.

New, hard to find Nick Galifianakis interview

A new Nick Galifianakis interview appears in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of Signature: The Magazine of Association Media & Publishing. He also did the cover, and there's a 2 page spread about how the cover was designed w/ 4 illos.