Sunday, April 11, 2010
Rose Herman, 1914-2010
My grandmother, Rose Herman, died yesterday a few weeks shy of her 96th birthday. Coming out of a poor family in Browndale, PA, and then being a young adult in the Depression, Gram didn't have much time for the foolishness of buying comic books for her grandchildren. However, she let me store 15,000 or so in her attic while I was out of space at home, or living at college or in rented apartments. She was quite amused when I'd show up every 3 months or so with another longbox to 'insulate her attic' (not a recommended way to store your comics, of course, but needs must). We used to visit her every Saturday when I was young too, and I used to sit on her back porch and page through the Overstreet Price Guide (pre-Internet), amazed at the number of comics I still had to even see, let alone collect.
Over the past few years, she'd been fading away, getting confused and aggressive, so she was in a nursing home in Texas near her son when she passed away, having outlived almost everyone she knew.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
CHS Otaku Fest Press Release.
For information, contact:
Sophie Song
Convention Chair of CHS Otaku Fest
Former President of Centennial High School Anime Club
president.chsanime@gmail.com
609.220.1955
CHS OTAKU FEST ANNOUNCES FOUR MUSICAL GUESTS!
The Protomen, Entertainment System, Lesser.core and DJ Sheephead!
Ellicott City, MD April 9th, 2010 – CHS Otaku Fest is proud to announce four new musical guests: The Protomen, Entertainment System, Lesser.Core and DJ Sheephead. All four bands will be performing at the convention on April 24th, 2010 at Centennial High in Ellicott City, MD.
The Protomen are more than just a band. They are messengers, riding atop an Iron Stallion on their way to deliver the most vicious rock 'n' roll fable that the world has ever known. With several planned albums, and a live show that could crumble mountains, there's no denying The Protomen have created a work unique to its medium
The first record, 'Act I', includes elements of Ennio Morricone, Queen and Black Sabbath, which culminate in a listening experience unlike anything you've ever heard. If you're afraid of sky cracking distortion and epic chaos, you won't survive this album.
'Act II' is a departure from the signature distorted sound of the first record. It focuses on a time before the world had fallen under darkness. It is a brighter and more optimistic look at the world The Protomen has created. The album is split into two separate eras (and sounds), and gives the feeling of two distinct albums in one. 'Act II' was produced by Alan Shacklock (Meatloaf, The Alarm, Bonnie Tyler, Babe Ruth, Roger Daltry) and The Protomen. Mastering was provided by Richard Dodd (Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Traveling Wilburys).
Since 2004, Entertainment System has been playing hard hitting arrangements of classic video game songs. A love of performing and a total lack of concern for their own safety brings an infectious energy to their shows, which have been described as "totally epic and somewhat dangerous." After 3 full length albums, 1 collaborative EP, and many, many melted faces, they have only just begun. They're new full length album, "Rock n' Roll Cereal", comprised entirely of Mario and Zelda songs, debuts this summer at their annual concert, Bit Gen Gamerfest. Become a fan of Entertainment System on Facebook for constant and typically self-indulgent updates on their status, concert dates, embarrassing videos, as well as songs from their previous albums.
Lesser.Core is a Newly formed Visual Kei/J rock band. The band is heavily influenced by J rock and American bands such as: X japan, Versailles, Dir en Grey, Lynch, Pierrot, Nightmare, Avenged Sevenfold, Attack Attack, and A day to remember. The band was formed in February 2010 in MD/DC, area with original members Ryuu [Guitar], Ton [Bass], and Ginny [Vocals]. Daniel [Drummer] joined the band a week before their first show. Upon its formation, each member of the band also took on pseudonyms which were already nicknames of theirs from their old bands. The band started to receive recognition, performing with bands such as Project Echo and Price of Gas. Currently, Lesser.Core is composing "New Material".
DJ Sheephead is a producer and a DJ. While working hard on his music projects, The Megadrives and Hypnotic Buddha, he always returns to his DJing roots, bringing you the hard sounds of underground electronic dance music. He is a man on a mission to put you on your feet and make you move to the groove.
In addition to these musical performances, events at CHS Otaku Fest includes Super Art Fight, Otaku Quest, a Cosplay Contest, an AMV contest, Artist Alley, Discussion Panels, Dealers Room, Manga Library, Anime Screenings, Gaming Tournament and more! Registration is still open! Pre-register now at chs-otakufest.com and save $5!
About the Centennial High Anime Club and CHS Otaku Fest: This organization is an entirely high school based club with about 30 active members. The club has been an establishment in the school since 2005 and is gaining membership annually. It is a place for otaku to gather and meet while relaxing and discussing anime and the community at large. Last year the club hosted our first successful convention, CHS Otaku Fest, a one day public event dedicated to all things anime and awesome. This year, the club is looking forward to making Otaku Fest even better.
CHS Otaku Fest information
Date: Saturday April 24th, 2010
Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Location: Centennial High School
4300 Centennial Lane
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Registration fee: $10 before January 31st and $15 after. There is a $3 discount to groups of 10 or more ($7 per person before 1/31/10 and $12 after 1/31/10). At-the-door registration is $20.
For additional information visit: www.chs-otakufest.com
E-mail: president.chsanime@gmail.com
###
April 16: Craig Yoe at Politics and Prose
Craig Yoe - The Great Anti-War Cartoons
Start: April 16, 2010 - 7:00pm
End: April 16, 2010 - 8:00pm
Yoe, a historian of cartoons, has assembled a vast array of anti-war comics that span the globe and date back to the 1600s. These comics run the gamut of emotions, from Bill Mauldin’s humor to Francisque Poulbot’s sorrow. Yoe’s presentation will include source material from Warren Bernard’s private collection.
[The Great Anti-War Cartoons]
The Great Anti-War Cartoons (Paperback)
By Craig Yoe, Sara W. Duke, Muhammad Yunus
$24.99
ISBN-13: 9781606991503
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Fantagraphics Books, 12/01/2009
Location:
Politics and Prose
5015 Connecticut Ave. NWWashington, D.C. 20008
Jen Sorenson wins Social Justice Journalism award
April 18: Capicon Comic convention
Capicons Comic Book and Pop Culture Con
Dunn Loring Vol. Fire Dept, Dunn Loring, Virginia
Special Guests:
Martin Grams, Jr, Author of The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television
http://www.martingrams.com
Dan Nokes, Artist/Publisher--21 Sandshark Studios
http://21sandshark.com/
Also featuring
Artist Tom Arvis, Sureshot Comics
http://www.arvtoon.com
FREE admission! Door prize drawings!
Open to the public from 10 am - 3 pm. Buy, sell & trade: Gold, Silver, Bronze Age comics; Indie & Modern comics, Publishers & Creators, TV & Movie Collectibles. Non-sport cards; Videos & DVDs; Anime; Manga; Horror/Sci-Fi; figures, toys; Star Wars & Star Trek memorabilia; original artwork, posters and other comic-related collectibles.
See you there!
Laura, Jeff & Ed,
Brian Truitt's Kick-Ass interview
USA Weekend April 9th, 2010
Brian Truitt
I think the hard copy of this should be in tomorrow's Examiner.
Paul Fitzgerald's book on Will Eisner and PS mag nominated for Eisner award
Botetourt man gets nominated for Eisner comic industry award
Roanoke Times April 10 2010
Comics on the Rack, Quick Picks for Comics Due 04-14-10
Turkish illustrator Selcuk Demirel's return to Post
Friday, April 09, 2010
OT: Dave Astor award news
The link is below, with my awards listed in the second part of the "W-8" category.
http://www.njpa.org/njpa/better_newspaper_contest/2009/2009%20Editorial%20Results%20-%20Weekly.pdf
Post doesn't like Addams Family musical
By Peter Marks
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 9, 2010; C02
and neither does the Times -
April 9, 2010
Theater Review | 'The Addams Family'
Buh-Da-Da-Dum (Snap Snap)
By Ben Brantley
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Steve Geppi's unsold home auctioned by bank
Auction today for Geppi mansion
Green Spring Valley estate has outstanding mortgage debt of $3.25 million
By Lorraine Mirabella
Baltimore Sun April 8, 2010
May 15 - Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection Signing
Start Time: Saturday, May 15 at 2:00pm
End Time: Saturday, May 15 at 4:00pm
Where: Big Planet Comics Vienna
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=111988172162490&mid=228478fG40206d0eG17ff164G7&n_m=mrhode%40gmail.com
Weldon on comics and literacy (in the big picture)
It Pays To Enrich Your Nerd Power: What Kids Learn From Comics
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog April 7 2010
Maryland's Villarrubia works on PBS film
Jose Villarrubia was digital artist for 'I.M. Pei: Building China Modern'
Posted 04.06.10 by mica communications
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Comic Riffs pushes Cul de Sac to sell out
The comments quickly turned surly due to the Post's iffy record of running the Sunday strip haphazardly, as well as not updating the e-version. Our Man Thompson also chimed in with his opinion, for what that is worth.
PR: 'Trickster' is now available
'Trickster' is now available at Amazon.com and hits other major and indie bookstores very soon (maybe even this week). It features 20 trickster tales as told by Native American storytellers and illustrated by some wonderfully talented indie comic artists. (It'll be getting a starred review in an upcoming edition of 'Booklist.')
OT: Redniss in NY Times recently
Op-Art | Lauren Redniss
Camouflaged in Plain Sight
April 5, 2010
... I really like her work.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
That darn Toles, continued even more
Propagandist cartoon draws on the District's gun laws
Washington Post Tuesday, April 6, 2010; A12
The April 1 editorial cartoon by Tom Toles seemed to imply that the 2008 Supreme Court ruling that forced the District to revamp its gun laws led to last week's shootings that left four people dead in Southeast Washington.
The only problem with Mr. Toles's blatant propaganda is that the still-restrictive gun laws make it impossible for law-abiding citizens to protect themselves. Does anyone think the suspects in the shootings owned guns legally?
Tom McAnear, Arlington
The return of Comic Postcards
Here's a Walt Munson. Munson was mentioned last time I did this, but with a bit of poking around I discover he was a successful sports cartoonist after he did postcards with collections of originals at Syracuse and Wichita. Also at Wichita are some Clifford Berryman originals as well as other cartoonists.
Dave Breger did a cartoon while in the Army during World War II, just like Bill Mauldin, but his Pvt. Breger was never as popular as Willie and Joe. After the war, his cartoon Dave Breger got out of the service too. Personally I'd like to see a collection of these strips.
When I read this card, I thought it was quite possibly the raunchiest comic postcard ever seen.
I've no idea who Faber was. Asking around, I got several opinions - women say they don't get it. Men say they can't believe this postcard went through the mail. The mild interpretation - the man is basically complaining about seeing something like a repeat on television. The raunchy - he's saying he had nestled in between a pair of those legs last night and left his seed. Oddly enough, both women asked where the upper bodies of the chorus line were.
Poster Coaster postcard #010 by WEG (William Ellis Green) the Australian sports cartoonist who died in 2008. I found 7 of the series of ten, and you can see the rest on my Flckr site.
Poster Coaster postcard #008. The card is a type of blotting paper.
OT: Terry Witek's poetry on Slate, OR, Shilling for my friends
Finally, I address iPad comics
Said editor, Jon Fischer, drastically cleaned up this article too and made it much more readable.
Small Press Expo tables are going, going, gone
Monday, April 05, 2010
Richard Thompson youtube interviews direct links
Richard Thompson and before Cul de Sac audio interview part 1
March 31 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q39HC7EtRAA
Richard Thompson & Cul de Sac audio interview Part 2
April 1 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJxH-_a3o7w
jeditrue — April 01, 2010 — Part two explores the early years of Cul de sac, web comics and his editor.
Richard Thompson chats about Bill Watterson and deadlines part 3
jeditrue — April 02, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_GOTmhlc18
Richard Thompson chats about Bill Watterson writing the foreword to his first Cul de Sac collection and him dealing with deadlines and how easy ideas come to him.
Richard Thompson discusses Alice and Petey audio interview part 4
— April 03, 2010 —
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-4y2xhYU9k
Richard goes into detail about the origins of Alice and Petey from Cul de Sac!
Richard Thompson discussing the Cul de Sac family and friends audio interview part 5
April 3 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtHSrFRafS4
Richard Thompson discussing more of the Cul de Sac gang part 6
April 4 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWKbtWHifEo
Richard Thompson on having Parkinsons disease and the future of Cul deSac ...part 7
From: jeditrue | April 04, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=903XlJk3yPA
In the last part of this long but entertaining interview Richard is talking about
Parkinsons and his plans for Cul de Sac. I hope you have enjoyed the interview. There will be more art drawing videos and a shorter interview this summer.
Cul de Sac to conquer world soon
No wonder he won't answer my phone calls...
April 6: "Meet the Anime film $9.99 Director Tatia Rosenthal"
|
Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Illustrator David Hagen
Online now at the City Paper -
Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Illustrator David Hagen
Library of Congress prints and photos website has a new look
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Ann Telnaes interview, but not by me
Ann Telnaes - Cartoonist Survey #95
March 12, 2010
Bennett's Best? Tardi and Ditko
By Greg Bennett, Special to Zadzooks
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Today in the New York Comics Times
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's Counsel has died -
Burton Joseph, Lawyer in First Amendment Cases, Is Dead at 79.
New York Times (April 2 2020).
Comics great Dick Giordano's obituary appeared in print.
And comics designer Chip Kidd working on revisiting a preppy book.
Comics on the Rack, Quick Picks for Comics Due 04-07-10
Saturday, April 03, 2010
Cavna's Kells interview
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 2, 2010
Up pastiche wins Washington Post Peeps contest
For their winning diorama based on the Pixar flick "Up," Michael Chirlin and Veronica Ettle of Arlington constructed a miniature Victorian house from plywood and Popsicle sticks, and placed it atop salvaged mattress springs to give it an airborne quality."
April 6: '$9.99' animation filmmaker in town
Friday, April 02, 2010
Former DC area comics writer Meltzer slagged by peers
Brian 'Pickles' Crane visiting DC in April
No word about what his plans are beyond this.
Secret of Kell's opens in DC, Hornaday doesn't like it
By Ann Hornaday
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, April 2, 2010; WE24
It's at Landmark's E Street Cinema downtown.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
That darn Toles, continued
Editorial cartoon draws ire, gratitude
Washington Post April 1, 2010; A14
Regarding Tom Toles's March 29 editorial cartoon:
Tom Toles is blogging
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Washington Post's TR Reid on manga
But that's not the subject of this blog. Reid has 2 paragraphs on his favorite manga, coming after a discussion of Japan's view of America as crime-ridden:
While in Japan, I became a huge fan of mahnga, the ubiquitous comic-book magazines that sell tens of millions of copies every week. It seems to be conventional wisdom in the United States that Japan's "adult comic books" are routinely "adult" in the sense of being filthy, but this is not accurate. There are some filthy mahnga - so bad that stores won't carry them, and you have to buy them at vending machines. But the vast majority of Japanese comics are family fare. Some are funny, and some are serious novels - serial novels, really, like the one-chapter-per-month novels that Dickens and Thackeray used to write for Victorian magazines. I was particularly taken with the enormously popular weekly comic Section Chief Shima, about a junior executive named Shima Kosaku, who works for a giant electronics firm and fights a never-ending battle for truth, profits and the Japanese way.
In one extended episode, Section Chief Shima is dispatched to America to oversee his company's acquisition of a giant Hollywood movie studio (just like the acquisitions Sony and Matsushita had made in real life). One thing that deeply concerns the young executive is the possibility of a U.S. backlash if an Asian company buys a famous American firm (just like the reaction to the Sony and Matsushita purchases in real life). But an American-based executive tells Shima he need not worry: "The government won't be a problem, because we've already put a half-dozen ex-congressmen on the payroll, and they are lobbying for us." This exchange didn't bother me excessively, because it's probably what big companies actually do when they plan an acquisition. But it was disturbing to see what happened to Section Chief Shima personally during his stay in Los Angeles. When he sets out to see the beach, his rented Ford breaks down. When he tries to negotiate his business deal, an employee of the U.S. branch of his company sells corporate secrets to a competitor. When he walks outside his hotel, he's mugged on the sidewalk. Just your typical American business trip.
Our family grew increasingly angry at this depiction of a dirty, dangerous, dishonest America, partly because we found it hard to avoid, anywhere in Asia. (p. 208-209)
So 11 years later, I have no idea if this remains a common occurrence in manga, or views of Japanese, or even if Shima was ever translated. Reid is a good writer and a keen observer though, so I'm sorry the Post lost him as a foreign correspondent. He heads their Rocky Mountain Bureau now.
Weldon on Scott Pilgrim movie
Tom Toles, beyond the cartoon
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Anime Festival at Freer and Sackler Galleries, Saturday, April 3
|
PR: Capicons Show Sun, Apr. 18th
Dunn Loring Vol. Fire Dept.
2148 Gallows Road,
Dunn Loring, VA
10 am - 3 pm
Special Guests:
Martin Grams, Jr, Author of The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television
http://www.martingrams.com
Dan Nokes, Artist/Publisher--21 Sandshark Studios
http://21sandshark.com/
Also featuring
Artist Tom Arvis, Sureshot Comics
http://sureshotcomics.com
FREE admission! Door prize drawings!
Open to the public from 10 am - 3 pm. Buy, sell & trade: Gold, Silver, Bronze Age comics; Indie & Modern comics, Publishers & Creators, TV & Movie Collectibles. Non-sport cards; Videos & DVDs; Anime; Manga; Horror/Sci-Fi; figures, toys; Star Wars & Star Trek memorabilia; original artwork, posters and other comic-related collectibles.
For more info, visit www.capicons.com
Become a fan on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dunn-Loring-VA/Capicons-Comic-Book-Pop-Culture-Con/221236176794
Book reviews on Washington City Paper blog
International Ink: Hagar, Nemi, Little Nothings, and Lenore
Posted by Mike Rhode
Washington City Paper Arts Desk blog Mar. 30, 2010
PR: Submissions for The First Annual Small Press Expo Animation Showcase
Requesting Submissions for The First Annual Small Press Expo Animation Showcase For Immediate Release Contact: Warren Bernard Phone: 301-537-4615 E-Mail: warren@spxpo.com Bethesda, Maryland; March 30, 2010 - The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, announces a call for submissions to the First Annual SPX Animation Showcase. This showcase will be presented at this years Small Press Expo, to be held September 11 and 12 at the North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center, in Bethesda, Maryland. With the proliferation of animation by both traditional animators and comics creators, SPX is providing a venue for SPX attendees to see a wide variety of examples of this craft. There will be a series of set showings of cartoons throughout the two day SPX festival, which will reflect the myriad of different animation styles now dispersed across the Internet. All submissions will be screened and final selections made by a volunteer committee led by Angie Ottinger and Paul Nadjmabadi. The committee is comprised of the following members of the film and television community,:
CATHERINE TABER, Actress Cat has lent her talents to numerous films, television shows, and video games including Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Padme), Final Fantasy 12 (Penelo), and the upcoming Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (Cecile). CHAD STRADERMAN, Animator / Graphic Designer Chad has worked on a variety of television shows as well as his own independent animation. His short, Pass It On, was shown theatrically at Spike & Mike's Sick & Twisted Festival of Animation. MONZUKI, Art Blog Curator Monzuki is a successful art blog whose mission is to "introduce Art and Design to stimulate your mind and awareness by presenting a platform for creative artists to publicize their talented artwork". (http://blog.monzuki.com) DANIEL STRANGE, Director Daniel is the director of the viral video "The Ballad of G.I. Joe" and episodes of the web series "Between Two Ferns With Zach Galifianakis." He currently has an animated show in development with Fox. ANGIE OTTINGER, Writer / Producer Angie currently works in short-form and promo for television. Her short film, "The Donut King" screened at a variety of festivals, including the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. PAUL NADJMABADI, Editor Paul has worked in post-production for a variety of television shows and promos. He has also worked on numerous projects as a director and cinematographer. For entering submissions to the First Annual SPX Animation Showcase, just follow a few easy rules: 1. Fill out a submission for at http://www.spxpo.com/spx-animation-showcase-2010. 2. Please limit submission entries to no more than 10 minutes run time. 3. Submissions are due by June 30, 2010. 4. Selections for the showcase will be announced by August 11, 2010, 1 month prior to SPX. 5. If you are interested in attending SPX or have questions about the SPX Animation Showcase, please send inquiries to spxanimation@spxpo.com. SPX brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini-comix, political cartoon books and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. As in previous years, profits from the SPX will go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), protecting the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, go to their website at http://www.cbldf.org/. SPX will be held The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland, next to the White Flint Metro stop. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days. |
ICAF postponed until 2011
Announcement from The International Comic Arts Forum (ICAF)
The International Comic Arts Forum (ICAF), the foremost gathering for international comics studies and scholarship, has decided to postpone its annual conference for 2010 until 2011.
The 2011 conference will observe the 15th Anniversary of ICAF, and the Executive Committee has concluded that postponing for the 2010 calendar year will allow the organization to plan for a large and special 2011 event.
Please stay tuned for more details soon. For interested students and scholars, the CFP will be released later this year, as will more details on the 15th Anniversary Themes, Guests, and Special Events.
Please bookmark our website:
ICAF website: http://internationalcomicartsforum.org
Any inquiries may be directed to Professor Cecile Danehy, Executive Committee Co-Chair, at cdanehy@wheatonma.edu
Tomorrow: Warren Bernard lecture on Herblock at LoC
Monday, March 29, 2010
Comics Riffs on Dick Giordano's death
RIP, Dick Giordano: Remembering a comics legend
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 29, 2010
Buzzboy’s John Gallagher interview up at City Paper site
Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Buzzboy's John Gallagher
Posted by Mike Rhode on Mar. 29, 2010http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/29/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-buzzboys-john-gallagher/
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Comics on the Rack, Quick Picks for Comics Due 03-31-10
This week's Zadzooks and Bennett's Best reviews
Joseph Szadkowski
Washington Times March 27, 2010
Bennett's Best: Simpsons/Futurama and The Guild
By Greg Bennett, Special to Zadzooks
Washington Times Zadzooks blog March 27, 2010
Bennett's Best: Bronx Kill and American Vampire
By Greg Bennett
Washington Times Zadzooks blog March 21, 2010
Comic Riffs interview for Dragon Trainers in print too
Cavna, Michael. 2010.
'Dragon' directors are flying in the face of fearsome 3-D technology
Washington Post (March 28): E5.