Friday, July 09, 2010

Bill Caldwell, former Geppi's Comics World manager

Scoop is reporting that Bill Caldwell, former Geppi's Comics World manager, has died. I assume he managed one of the stores in the area.

Cavna on Doonesbury

Behind the Lines: 'DOONESBURY's' Trudeau illuminates today's 'Sgt. Bitch' strip [UPDATED], By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Comic Riffs blog July 9, 2010. He also notes that Newsday censored the strip.

Wondermark's David Malki likes Cul de Sac too

Richard's fan club is growing today, after a Facebook post by Chris "Crogan's Vengeance" Schweizer and now David "Wondermark" Malki's blogging about it. You have to love Malki's opinion "Despite running in newspapers, this is a great comic strip."

Perhaps coincidentally, Richard sat next to both of them at HeroesCon and they may have been infected by his meme.

Also, I read all three of these cartoonists regularly and like their works.

Print vs web? Editorial at NY Times

Here's an editorial on the positive effects for children of having books at home versus using the computer. I don't agree with Brooks arguement about hierarchy, but I personally think there's something to a book. Or comic. Or graphic novel.
 
New York Times July 8, 2010
The Internet culture has yet to incorporate the literary culture of traditional bookish learning.

Jack Black drawing in today's Express


There's a lovely drawing of a girl sitting on the statue of Lincoln's lap, reading, in today's Express. It's by Jack Black, and has a comics feel, although I don't know his work. I'll probably pick up some extras just to tearsheet this page. The man behind the Ephemerist collects art like this.

Another Pekar interview

You have to buy this one to photocopy the article and stick in your copy of Harvey Pekar: Conversations -

Pricco, Evan. 2010. Harvey Pekar [interview]. Juxtapoz (July): 76-87

- but you can read this one with his collaborator online -

Pricco, Evan. 2010. Interview with Pekar Project artist Tara Seibel: Part 1-2.
Juxtapoz (July 7-8): http://www.juxtapoz.com/Features/interview-with-pekar-project-artist-tara-seibel-part-1 and http://www.juxtapoz.com/Features/interview-with-pekar-project-artist-tara-seibel-part-2

Hilary Price chat live now

Hilary Price chat live now.

I've gotten some questions answered that I submitted in advance:

Q.Cartoon contest judging
How did you find the judging? Was it hard or easy? Did you feel mean at times?

Q.Guest cartoonists?
Within memory, you've had Mo Willems do a guest week on your strip. Do you get any response to that switch? I liked it myself and think it's a better idea than reprints.

Ooh, and a couple of new ones:

Q.Cartoon contest = competition?
Did you feel as though you were helping out possible future competition by being a judge?

Q.Deadlines
How far ahead are you? A 'Cul de Sac' week or a 'Pearls Before Swine' 1/2 year?

'Despicable Me' reviews

With lovable villains, 'Despicable Me' another win for fans of animated fun [online title: 'Despicable Me' another win for Pixar fans], By Sally Kline, Washington Examiner July 9, 2010.

Evil was never so heartwarming, By Ann Hornaday, Washington Post Friday, July 9, 2010

Lunar Toons and Cookie Capers, By A. O. SCOTT, New York Times July 9, 2010

Cul de Sac favored by comics historian Craig Yoe

Comics historian Craig Yoe says, "There is some hope [for comic strips], with Patrick McDonnell’s “Mutts” and Richard Thompson’s “Cul de Sac” and a couple of others. We need more strips like that!"

The whole interview with pictures is at Print's new blog -

Craig Yoe Talks ICON, Krazy Kat, and Whether Today’s Cartoonists Ever Get Laid, by Michael Dooley, Imprint blog July 7 2010.

Hilary Price chat at Post at 11 am today

Hilary Price, creator of “Rhymes with Orange”, will be live chatting at 11am ET today.

Superheroes Who Are Super at the Capital Fring Festival beginning tonight

 
 
Save the Day Productions is presenting its live readings of comic books, "Superheroes Who Are Super" at the Capital Fringe Festival beginning tonight
 
Times
Friday, July 9 @ 8pm
Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man and Wonder Woman #1
Saturday, July 10 @ 10pm
Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man and Wonder Woman #1
Wednesday, July 14 @ 9:45pm
Batman Adventures: Mad Love
Friday, July 16 @ 10:15pm
The Uncanny X-Men #127-128
Sunday, July 18 @ 3:30pm
The Uncanny X-Men #127-128
 

Location

The Apothecary
1013 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC
Tickets: $15

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Book reviews up at City Paper

International Ink: War, Werewolves, Steampunk, Kung Fu, and Cap, Posted by Mike Rhode on Jul. 8, 2010. I squeezed five in.

 

Animator is finalist in Post's Real Art D.C. contest

The first is his cartoon, the second is a profile, and the third is biographical information. This is online only.

Real Art D.C. Finalist: Adam Dwight,Washington Post.com Thursday, July 8, 2010.

Takoma Park, Md., artist Adam Dwight makes gouaches featuring figures that might populate gross-out comics, though they're more civilized than that. Think Mr. Smithers from "The Simpsons" as drawn by Dr. Seuss.

Finalist No. 4: Adam Griffiths a.k.a. Adam Dwight,Washington Post.com Thursday, July 8, 2010.

Bio: Adam Griffiths a.k.a. Adam Dwight,Thursday, July 8, 2010.

Dave Mitchell of American's Next Great Cartoonist Contest

Dave Mitchell is featured in this article -
 

By Hannah Coffman

Central Florida Future July 7, 2010

 

 

Truitt on Matt Fraction's Casanova

Matt Fraction hopes second time's the charm for 'Casanova', by Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 6 2010

July 10: Matt Dembicki at Hooray for Kids bookstore

Local graphic artist Matt Dembicki (editor of "Trickster: Native American Tales, A Graphic Collection") is giving a workshop for kids 7 and up on drawing and putting together a comic book. Kids will learn the basics—creating a character, developing a story, and laying out a page using various tricks of the trade. Participants will make their own mini-comics to take home. The workshop is Saturday, July 10, at 3 p.m., and folks should call (703-548-4092) or e-mail (info@hooray4books.com) to make a reservation.

Hooray for Kids
An Independent Children's Bookstore
1555 King St. Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Ph. 703-548-4092 Fax 703-548-4094
Hours M-Sat. 10-6 Sun 11-4

Horn-tooting, posted in the dead of night

Thanks go out to Tom Spurgeon, who while linking to my City Paper's Evan Keeling interview today, said:

I would kill for more specific scene reporting like we get out of a couple of the Portland blogs, from the New York folks and from Mike Rhode in the Greater DC area.


As I've said before, Tom's Comic Reporter is a site I read every day, so I was tickled to see this.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

A little bit of Peanuts history


This ad for "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" is from the July 8th, 1969 Chicago Tribune - or 8 days before Apollo 11 took off and 12 days before it landed on the moon - thus explaining World War 1 ace Snoopy's spacesuit helmet.

Cavna on Nate Pierce and Jeff Kinney

Kidspost: 'Big Nate' creator Lincoln Peirce and 'Wimpy Kid' creator Jeff Kinney
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 7, 2010; C10

Weldon on Blacksad from France

'Blacksad': A Hard-Boiled, Two-Fisted (Well, Two-Pawed) Detective Yarn, by Glen Weldon, July 7, 2010

PR: Wash Post Cartoonist Contest: Vote for the Winner Now


Washington Post's America's Next Great Cartoonist Contest is announcing the second round of its competition!

 Our panelists picked 10 finalists and then thousands of readers voted to determine which five cartoonists would take on a second cartoon challenge: to create a color Sunday-style comic strip and a character sheet.

 See the five finalists' second challenge materials, read our celebrity judges' critiques including one from Stan Lee, and vote for your favorite.

 Evaluate 5 finalists here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/greatcartoonist

 Vote here: http://postfun.washingtonpost.com/post/entry/americas-next-great-cartoonist-vote-ii

 Be sure to come back July 15 to see the contest winner!

  

 

MJ's editorial cartoons get a Washington subscriber

MJ, the mystery cartoonist who donated the logo of the African-American man to ComicsDC, writes in "Finally got a D.C. Bureau to offer my funnies for mobile use. Woo Hoo! They also appear through the online version http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=175421"
 
That's World Net Daily based on Pennsylvania Ave in the District. Congratulations MJ.

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Brooke A. Allen at Big Planet Comics Vienna

I hadn't heard of Brooke A. Allen before her appearance at Big Planet Comics Vienna - which turns out to be no surprise because she's still at student at SCAD, even though she's got her first graphic novel coming out now. I talked to her briefly, asking about her influences and was surprised to hear Walt Kelly, followed by Jeff Smith. After reading the book, I can definitely see Bone's influence. I enjoyed the story and will run a brief review at the City Paper soon, but here's some photos.

100_0463

100_0462
She made a nice drawing in each book - the people in front of me got the bad magician.

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My daughter got Mr. Easter.

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And I got a self-portrait.

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There was a darn big crowd for both Ms. Allen and the 4th of July sale.

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She kept cranking through the drawings for people and I think the store expected to sell out of the book.


BP had these nice posters on sale for $3. I got mine.

DC Conspiracy exhibit at DC's Martin Luther King Library

Andrew Cohen just wrote in to tell us about an upcoming exhibit.

Just wanted to let you know about an event I'm putting together with the DC Conspiracy, called Comic Book Boom, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.

Basically, it's meant to show off some of the comic art that the DCC does in the city, and to put a spotlight on comics more generally. It will consist of an exhibit of comic book art, a comic book reading area, and a couple of how-to workshops for making comics.

There will be more than 20 framed pieces of comic book art that people in the DCC have drawn; spinning racks and shelves filled with books put out by the group and DCC members; and workshops on July 31 and August 21, led by Conspirators.

The facebook page is at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=133445306667199&ref=mf

And the details of the show...

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G Street, NW
2nd Floor, West lobby
July 12 - August 27

Dragonball: Origins 2 videogame review in today's Examiner

A Dragonball: Origins 2 videogame review by Greg Prince is in today's Examiner, but only the hardcopy.  I enjoyed the manga, but haven't watched the anime.

Chat with Evan Keeling up at City Paper

Online now!

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Evan KeelingPosted by Mike Rhode on Jul. 6, 2010

Evan Keeling is one of the Trickster anthology artists, a founding member of the DC Conspiracy comics co-op, and the person who puts together genre anthologies by the group. The next anthology, the fourth, will focus on romance. He also works for the Smithsonian, a quintessentially cool Washington job.

Monday, July 05, 2010

Graphic Content panel in pictures

As far as I know, the DC Library hasn't posted a podcast of last weekend's panel yet, but here's my photos. To remind all, this was -

"Graphic Content: A Conversation with Five DC Area Graphic Storytellers."
Shannon "G.I. Joe" Gallant, Matt "Politico" Wuerker, Andrew "Trickster" Cohen, Evan "DC Conspiracy" Keeling and Ben "Dirtfarm" Classen at Northwest One Neighborhood Library, June 26, 2010, Washington DC.

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Andrew Cohen, Evan Keeling and then Matt Wuerker in far background. The pages Andrew is showing come from the graphic novel he and Matt Dembicki are doing on DC's Huerich mansion, and look lovely.

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Matt Wuerker. Nobody asked him about the hat.

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Ben Claassen and Shannon Gallant.

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Shannon Gallant signing a 'Black Canary' sketch he gave to me.

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Evan Keeling, Ben Claassen and Shannon Gallant comparing pencils.

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Andrew Cohen, Evan Keeling and Ben Claassen.

Richard Thompson interview by Tom Spurgeon online now

Tom Spurgeon interviewed Richard Thompson at Heroes Con last month, and has transcribed the interview - CR Sunday Interview: Richard Thompson (From Heroes Con 2010), July 4, 2010. Tom's a former editor of the Comics Journal and one of the more knowledgeable people who write about comics. I read his Comics Reporter every day and you should too.

Sunday, July 04, 2010

Post and Times on Norman Rockwell exhibit

I'm of two minds about Rockwell, but I think if you approach him as a consummate illustrator, as Solomon does, you can enjoy his work more than if you worry about putting him into an artistic pantheon at the moment.

Norman Rockwell exhibit opens at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, By Blake Gopnik, Washington Post Sunday, July 4, 2010; E01. There are 86 comments now on this one mostly bashing Gopnik.


America, Illustrated, By DEBORAH SOLOMON, New York Times July 4, 2010

Truitt on Batwoman

J.H. Williams breaks boundaries for a modern Batwoman
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 2 2010

Brooke A. Allen at Big Planet Comics Vienna on July 4th


I'm heading out to this in 5 minutes.

From: Big Planet Comics

...you are cordially invited to the Big Planet Comics 24th Anniversary Sale! Come by on Sunday, July 4th (Saturday, too, in College Park!) and save 20% off your entire purchase at any of our four locations!



We'll also be having Home For Mr. Easter Signing with Brooke A. Allen on Sunday! Come by the Vienna store between 12PM-2PM on July 4th to meet the author of A Home For Mr. Easter and get a signed copy of the book that the Comics Journal called "a delightful debut from an artist who has a fine grasp of storytelling"!

Saturday, July 03, 2010

Washington Times reviews Feiffer autobio

BOOK REVIEW: 'Backing into Forward'
By Marion Elizabeth Rodgers
Washington Times July 2, 2010

It's been out for months, so I'm not quite sure why it took so long, but the Post just got to Clowes' Wilson a couple of days ago too...

Friday, July 02, 2010

Beyond Comics July 4th - 5th Sale!

Beyond Comics
Beyond Comics
SALE!
July 4th
& July 5th

(Sunday & Monday)
25% OFF
New Comics
and
Graphic Novels

25% OFF Toys
25% OFF T-Shirts
25% OFF Supplies
25% OFF Posters
25% OFF Trading Cards

Sale Excludes:
June & July New Arrivals
, Subscriptions,
Special Orders, and On Hold Items.

New Books Ship Thursday!
25% OFF Star Wars Merchandise

25% OFF DC Direct
Merchandise
Store Hours:
Sunday
12 noon to 5:00 p.m
Monday
10 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Beyond Comics reserves the right to not discount any items that may have been mistakenly put on sale. We also reserve the right to limit or restrict individuals from any sale items at any time for any reason.

Weldon on digital comics

Begun, The Digital Age of Comics Has
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio’s Monkey See blog (July 1, 2010)

Big Planet 4th of July Sale and "Home For Mr. Easter" Book Signing!

From: Big Planet Comics

...you are cordially invited to the Big Planet Comics 24th Anniversary Sale! Come by on Sunday, July 4th (Saturday, too, in College Park!) and save 20% off your entire purchase at any of our four locations!

 We'll also be having Home For Mr. Easter Signing with Brooke A. Allen on Sunday! Come by the Vienna store between 12PM-2PM on July 4th to meet the author of A Home For Mr. Easter and get a signed copy of the book that the Comics Journal called "a delightful debut from an artist who has a fine grasp of storytelling"!

 

Baltimore's Closed Caption member Noel Freibert profiled

NOEL FREIBERT IS AN EXTREME TROGLODYTE
NICK GAZIN
VICELAND TODAY June 28 2010

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Big Planet Comics' July 4th sale



20% off everything for the 24th anniversary of the chain.

Morgan Bramlet's graphic novel plans

This story identifies Morgan Bramlet as "McLean author Morgan Bramlet, author of Virtual Death: A Cyber Thriller" which is a bit far afield for us, but at the end he says, "I am also working on three different graphic novel projects, which is a great medium to work in because I am able to write the words and direct the illustrations."

More with author Morgan Bramlet
Avis Thomas-Lester
Washington Post's On Success Rapid Reinvention blog June 30, 2010

and the preceeding day's interview had more details on who he is.

Givhan on Wonder Woman's new fashion

Trading in briefs for pants, she's still a wonder [online title: From star-spangled briefs to skintight pants, Wonder Woman is still a wonder]
By Robin Givhan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 1, 2010; C02

The Post's fashion critic weighs in on DC's latest PR stunt.

Post on The Last Airbender and an interview with the director

This is only online, and it's a very good interview with the director over the 'racial controversy' that's sprung up around the movie adaptation of the cartoon -

Talking with director M. Night Shyamalan about 'Last Airbender,' race and more
By Jen Chaney
Washington Post's Celibritology 2.0 blog July 1, 2010

and here's the paper's review -

It's easy to drift away from 'Last Airbender'
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post July 1, 2010: C10

Olivia Walch's paper worries about conflict of interest

A few days ago we linked to an article about America's Next Great Cartoonist contestant Olivia Walch. Now her college paper is worrying about a conflict of interest for doing a story on her -

On conflict of interest
By Mike Crump
College of William and Mary's Flat Hat June 30, 2010

-which seems kind of silly to me since she's become a story in herself.

Dirda on Clowes

Daniel Clowes's new graphic novel "Wilson," reviewed by Michael Dirda
By Michael Dirda
Washington Post July 1, 2010; C03

Weldon on Wonder Woman's fashion do-over

Wonder Woman's Dated New Duds, or: Desperately Seeking Zeus-an

by Glen Weldon

 June 30, 2010

 

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Bruce Guthrie on the Norman Rockwell exhibit @ American Art

Bruce Guthrie has sent in his thoughts on the new exhibit about Norman Rockwell.This is a little off-topic, but probably still of interest to our readers

I did a staff tour of the Norman Rockwell exhibit that opens on Friday (I think). There's a decent video for it, a good variety of preliminary work and final oils, helpful signage, etc.  No photography is allowed in the exhibit of course.

There's a study cart available some times where you'll be able to pose people with props in front of a Saturday Evening Post backdrop.  That takes a while to set up -- they want to teach you about posing "in the Rockwell way" -- but people did some creative group shots.

The exhibit including film takes about 45 minutes to go through.  They have crowd control for lines -- you have to queue through the courtyard and they're expecting lots of visitors.  They're also planning for lines outside the building before the museum opens in the morning.

There's a big opening with Lucas and Spielberg Thursday night for donors at the $5k level.  I wasn't eligible for that, but it would have been fun.  For that event only, they're building four sets in the courtyard -- a little school house, a diner, a barber shop, and ... something else -- to recreate Rockwell's Americana.

The exhibit's there for about 6 months.  See it!

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Donna Lewis

Now up at the City Paper's website - the creator of the Reply All webcomic -
 
Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Donna Lewis
Posted by Mike Rhode on Jun. 30, 2010 at 11:19 am

Laughing Ogre store featured by Mulitiversity Comics

The local Laughing Ogre store is featured by Mulitiversity Comics.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

SPX new animation showcase podcast interview

Fictional Frontiers with Sohaib (Episode 101) - Part II
Posted by Sohaib Awan, Jun 14, 2010 12:51 PM
Runtime: 07:41 |

2. Paul Nadjmabadi, Committee Co-Chair for the SPX Animation Showcase at the 2010 Small Press Expo (www.spxpo.com)

Thanks to Matt Dembicki for the tip

Dustin Harbin interviewed at Daily Cross Hatch

Dustin's the guy who gets Richard Thompson to come to Heroes Con, so we'll give him honorary DC status.

Interview: Dustin Harbin Pt. 1, by Brian Heater, Daily Cross Hatch June 29 2010.

Everyone is somebody's local fave in America's Next Great Cartoonist

Olivia Walch in this case -

Student selected for Washington Post comic competition, By Ben Huber, College of William & Mary's The Flat Hat June 28, 2010.

Cul de Sac picks up Times Leader

Joe Butkiewicz justifies his comics pages changes in Change can be good, and also funny , June 28 2010, but he's ok with us because he's added Cul de Sac.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Comics Comics has O'Malley interview from 2008 SPX

A Conversation With Bryan Lee O’Malley – SPX 2008
by Joe McCulloch
Sunday, June 27, 2010

I just love it when these things are preserved. Think of how interesting it would be to read about what Herriman had to say about the desert or McCay on coloring a Sunday...

Comic Riffs on Big Nate, DC as a comics town, and the top 5 cartoon contest contestants

1. The 'Riffs Interview: Lincoln Peirce's 'BIG NATE' becomes an 'overnight' best-seller, Michael Cavna, Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 27, 2010.

I just missed him at ALA, a disappointment because I enjoy his strip. Check the City Paper Arts Desk blog this week for my ALA report.

2. THE RIFF: Where does D.C. rate as a 'comics town'? - Not as high as this blog wants it to be, by god.

3. 'NEXT GREAT CARTOONIST' finalists offer their reactions to the contest, by Michael Cavna, June 28, 2010.

3a. Oh, and now they have to draw a Sunday strip.

Truitt on Walking Dead

Kirkman's 'Walking Dead' conquers comics. Is TV next?
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY June 28 2010

Modesto Bee test-drives 'Barney and Clyde'

Funny Business: We want your thoughts on old, new comicsBy Kerry McCray
Modesto Bee Jun. 27, 2010

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Comics Riffs interviews Tracy White

Darn, I was at ALA this morning, but missed Ms. White.

The 'Riffs Interview: How the incisive TRACY WHITE made it to 'Eighteen' (A Cartoon Memoirist's Tale)
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 27, 2010

Zadzooks on Toy Story 3 videogame

Zadzooks: Toy Story 3: The Video Game review
Missions with Buzz, Woody, Jessie
By Joseph Szadkowski
Washington Times June 24, 2010

Truitt on Deadpool again

'Deadpool: Pulp': Secret agents, insanity and apple pie
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY June 24 2010

David-Wasting-Paper interviews Kal

Kevin Kallaugher - Cartoonist Survey #136
June 25, 2010

Captain Comics on Trickster

Native American writers, mischievous gods and comics a natural mix in 'Trickster'
By Andrew Smith
Scripps Howard News Service June 24, 2010

Comics on the Rack, Quick Picks for Comics Due 06-30-10



COMICS ON THE RACK
Quick Picks for Comics Due 06-30-10
By John Judy
 
ABE SAPIEN: ABYSSAL PLAIN #1 of 2 by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi and Peter Snejbjerg.  Hellboy's pal finds a haunted commie sub.  Hijinks ensue.  Pretty art.
 
ACTION COMICS #890 by Paul Cornell and Pete Woods.  After an eternity plowing through the adventures of Night-Who-Knows and Flame-Who-Cares we finally have a star of this title whom fans want to read about: Lex-frickin-Luthor!  Turns out Lex really dug being an Orange Lantern and now he wants to recapture that orange juice.  Of course some fools are gonna get in his way.  And that's how you write a comic called ACTION!  Highly recommended.
 
ASTONISHING X-MEN #34 by Warren Ellis and Phil Jimenez. Undead…robot…alien…mutant…Ellisy stuff!  Gotta look.
 
BATMAN BEYOND #1 of 6 by Adam Beechen and Ryan Benjamin.  Future Batman kicks future butt.
 
CAPTAIN AMERICA #607 by Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice.  Baron Zemo wants to kill Bucky America all over again.  The continuing epic that, were it written by anyone but Brubaker, would require the author to be punched in the face.  Recommended.
 
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE 1940S NEWSPAPER STRIP #1 by Karl Kesel and Butch Guice.  Collecting the recently unearthed run of the 1940s daily strip by time-traveling bullpenners Kesel and Guice!  Sadly they were not allowed to kill Hitler.
 
CAPTAIN SWING #2 of 4 by Warren Ellis and Raul Caceres.  If high-tech anarchists are taking it to The Man it's probably written by Warren Ellis.  High voltage graphic entertainment with a cockney 'tude. Recommended.
 
CHIMICHANGA #3 of 3 written and drawn by Eric Powell.  Last issue those carny-trash bastids turned on Chimichanga!  Dare we hope, given his brutish strength and appetites, he might attain a modicum of "git-back?"  Because that would be great...  Recommended.
 
CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD: LAST BATTLE #4 of 6 by Garth Ennis and Oscar Jimenez.  Jay comes out as the returned Christ and the undead Pope Jacko's on the warpath!  How can this not be hideously awesome?  Recommended.  Not for kids.
 
COMPLETE DR AND QUINCH GN by Alan Moore and Alan Davis.  Check out the humor strip Alan Moore blatantly plagiarized from NATIONAL LAMPOON back in 1983!  Seriously, character-types, storylines, even narrative tone ripped whole cloth from the earlier OC AND STIGGS stories written by Tod Carroll and Ted Mann for NATIONAL LAMPOON in 1981-82.  This is why you are allowed to look down your nose at Alan Moore anytime he whines about DC making money from stuff he created.  You're welcome.
 
FLASH #3 by Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul.  From future rogue cops to super murder mysteries, things haven't slowed down since Barry Allen came back from the dead.  Or should we say, "back from the dead for now?"
 
GREEN LANTERN #55 by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke.  Featuring Atrocitus the Red Lantern versus Lobo, so you kind of have to buy this.  Big fight with biker chains and red puke.  Recommended.
 
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN ANNUAL #1 by Matt Fraction, Salvador Larroca and Carmine DiGiandomenico.  Okay, so this should really be called "The Mandarin Annual #1" but it's pretty cool and Iron Man shows up several times.  Recommended.
 
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #46 by James Robinson and Mark Bagley.  It's a JLA/JSA crossover with the teams fighting all kinds of new bad guys created when the original Green Lantern's power source goes nuts.  Ruckus guaranteed!
 
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #40 by Bill Willingham and Jesus Merino.  Future Ratzis get theirs!  Next up: JLA team-up!
 
MEATCAKE GN written and drawn by Dame Darcy.  A collection of bizarre fantasy humor, including a collaboration with Alan Moore that he didn't plagiarize from anyone.  From Fantagraphics.
 
MINDFIELD #1 by J.T. Krul and Alex Konat.  CIA mind-readers fighting Terror!
 
NORTHLANDERS #29 by Brian Wood and Fiona Staples.  A Viking boat gets lost.  Will they ask for directions?  Highly recommended.
 
SAN FRANCISCO PANORAMA: COMICS SECTION TABLOID FORMAT by Art Spiegelman, Dan Clowes, Adrian Tomine and many more.  Like DC's WEDNESDAY COMICS done by awesome indy creators.  Gotta look!
 
SECRET AVENGERS #2 by Ed Brubaker and Mike Deodato.  Hey, if Moon Knight was on your team you'd keep it a secret too!  Bam!  No seriously, it's cool.  It's Brubaker/Deodato and the heroes go to Mars.  Recommended.
 
SHADE THE CHANGING MAN, VOL. 3: SCREAM TIME SC by Peter Milligan and Several Awesome Artists.  Collecting issues #14-19 of the amazing psychedelic 80s horror comic, courtesy of the wayback machine and the American Scream.  Recommended!
 
SIMPSONS SUPER SPECTACULAR #11 by Many Funny Folks.  Springfield's finest superheroes for readers in need of good all-ages fun.
 
THOR #611 by Kieron Gillen and Richard Elson.  Thor goes to Hell to straighten some stuff out.  Hard.
 
TURF #2 by Jonathan Ross and Tommy Lee Edwards.  Bootleg Era gangsters fight vampires with the help of alien invaders from space!  You're darn right you need to have this!
 
VELOCITY #1 of 4 by Ron Marz and Kenneth Rocafort.  The adventures of the fastest woman in the world, Image-style!  Winner of the "Pilot Season" contest!
 
WEREWOLVES OF MONPELIER GN by Jason.  A romantic comedy about the perils of pretending to be something you're not.  Like, a werewolf, say…  An antidote to "Twilight."  Recommended.
 
WONDER WOMAN #600 by Everyone, including Simone, Straczynski, Perez and Jimenez.  A bunch of stories from Diana's past, present and future celebrating 600 comics with the Princess of Paradise Island in the lead!  Recommended!
 
X-CAMPUS #1 of 4 by Lotsa People.  Basically an alternate universe version of the X-gang where everyone's in a seriously cliquey high school.  Like the Ultimate stuff except done by European creators.  "Euro-Ultimate X-Men?"
 


Saturday, June 26, 2010

Comicsgirl's report on the Graphic Content panel

I finally got to meet Comicsgirl who blogs about comics around DC too. She put up a good report on today's Graphic Content panel so I don't have to. Whew. Bobbie of the DC Library recorded the event and will have a podcast of it up at some point. I think it was a good event and I appreciate her setting it up and asking me to help. Being off to one side of downtown, it was somewhat underattended, but I think the online audio will be of interest since we had a nice range of cartoonists. I took a couple of pictures afterwards and I'll try to get them up tomorrow.

Greg Bennet's band, Jet Age, reviewed in Post and appearing in DC

Album review: The Jet Age's 'In "Love" '
by Mark Jenkins
Washington Post Friday, June 25, 2010; WE07

THE JET AGE - "In 'Love' ''

Show: With the Electricutions on Wednesday at the Black Cat. Show starts at 9 p.m. 202-667-4490. http://www.blackcatdc.com.

That darn Luckovich

Cheap shot
Washington Post June 26 2010


I am disappointed in the poor taste that you showed by running the Mike Luckovich cartoon [Drawing Board, June 19] of Gen. David H. Petraeus collapsing last week at a congressional hearing on the war in Afghanistan.

The cartoon took a cheap shot that was far beneath you.

James Lawler, McLean

Happening in one hour - DC Library comics event


I'll be moderating this, and Shannon "G.I. Joe" Gallant, Matt "Politico" Wuerker, Andrew "Trickster" Cohen, Evan "DC Conspiracy" Keeling and Ben "Dirtfarm" Classen will be speaking on creating comics.
Event: Graphic Content: A Conversation with Five DC Area Graphic Storytellers
Start Time: Saturday, June 26 at 1:00pm
End Time: Saturday, June 26 at 2:30pm
Where: Northwest One Neighborhood Library
155 L St, NW @ New Jersey Avenue

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=130811430278136&mid=280312cG40206d0eG1a637daG7

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Weldon on Megan Kelso

'Artichoke Tales': Smart. Nuanced. Deeply Imagined. And Cute As All Get-Out.
by Glen Weldon
June 23, 2010

American Library Association's comics events

Graphic Novel Reporter has a pretty comprehensive list of what's going on at the librarian's annual con this weekend. Courtesy of Top Shelf, I'll be able to stop into the exhibit floor, and will try to have a report on Sunday.

Takoma Park librarian on the great Jules Feiffer

Kids' books keep filling Jules Feiffer's radar screen
By KAREN MACPHERSON, Scripps Howard News Service
06/23/2010

Futurama and Dan Nadel articles in Express

They've both been linked to here, but the AP article on Futurama and the Dan Nadel interview in the Express are both in the hard copy of the paper today.

Ben Claassen III interview up at City Paper

Ben will also be attending the DC Public Library talk at 1 pm on Sat.
 

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

America's Next Great Cartoonist picks next 5 contestants

Or rather, the voters did - POST CONTEST: And the five 'Next Great Cartoonist' finalists are...

John Gallagher interview sort of online

School Library Journal's been bought out and changed its website, so this is a link to the cached version.

Wildsmith, Snow
Interview: Rich Faber and John Gallagher
June 18th, 2010

Politics and Prose featured in NY Times

New York Times June 22, 2010
Politics and Prose, an independent bookstore in Washington, is up for sale, and literary and political figures have indicated an interest in buying it.

Another Dan Nadel interview is on the Express site

 Written by Express contributor Stephen M. Deusner
 June 23 2010
 
This one focuses more on the new book than mine did.

Toy Story 3 reviewed in Gazette free paper

Edwards, Jordan.  2010.
Third time's a charm for Disney / Pixar's 'Toy Story'.
Montgomery County Gazette (June 23): C-7.
 
 

June 26: New, Improved! Graphic Content, now with additional cartoonists

Wires got crossed, and Ben Classen got left off the announcement, but regular readers of the Express (he does spot illos) and the City Paper (he does Dirtfarm and all kinds of stuff) can now ask about Fappy the Seal's true role in humor. And Matt "Trickster" Dembicki has said on Facebook that he'll be attending in the audience.


I'll be moderating this, and Shannon "G.I. Joe" Gallant, Matt "Politico" Wuerker, Andrew "Trickster" Cohen, Evan "DC Conspiracy" Keeling and Ben "Dirtfarm" Classen will be speaking on creating comics.
Event: Graphic Content: A Conversation with Five DC Area Graphic Storytellers
Start Time: Saturday, June 26 at 1:00pm
End Time: Saturday, June 26 at 2:30pm
Where: Northwest One Neighborhood Library
155 L St, NW @ New Jersey Avenue

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=130811430278136&mid=280312cG40206d0eG1a637daG7

Futurama article in today's Examiner

It's online too., although I prefer the paper version.
 
Back to the future with new 'Futurama episodes [online title: It's back to the future with sci-fi toon 'Futurama,' returning fresh on Comedy Central]

By: FRAZIER MOORE / Associated Press

Washington Examiner (June 23 2010): 19

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

OT: Beyond the... Comics

Some papers are experimenting this week with a syndicated animated cartoon - Beyond the... Comics including the Tri-City Herald. I haven't had a chance to watch them yet, but I don't see why this syndication model can't work.

There's not much on the Herald site - just these two sentences -

Comics: Something old, something new
By Ken Robertson, Herald Executive Editor

A tidbit of comics history arrived in this morning’s mail just as the Herald website debuted something that may become a part of comics future — a weeklong series of animated comics.

They’re appearing for one week only on the Herald website and the websites of the San Francisco Chronicle, Miami Herald, Idaho Statesman, Monterey Herald, Houston Chronicle and SeattlePI.com.

Librarian from Takoma Park, MD has another list of comics for kids

Children's Corner: Graphic novels for youngsters that rise above kid stuff
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
By Karen MacPherson, Scripps Howard News Service

Dan Nadel interview up at Wash City Paper


He'll be speaking at Politics and Prose on Sat at 6 pm about Art In Time, his new anthology of forgetten classic comic book art. I'm planning on going. In the meantime, read his thoughts here -

June 26: Graphic Content: A Conversation with Four DC Area Graphic Storytellers repost


I'll be moderating this, and Shannon "G.I. Joe" Gallant, Matt "Politico" Wuerker, Andrew "Trickster" Cohen and Evan "DC Conspiracy" Keeling will be speaking on creating comics.
Event: Graphic Content: A Conversation with Four DC Area Graphic Storytellers
Start Time: Saturday, June 26 at 1:00pm
End Time: Saturday, June 26 at 2:30pm
Where: Northwest One Neighborhood Library
155 L St, NW @ New Jersey Avenue

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=130811430278136&mid=280312cG40206d0eG1a637daG7

Monday, June 21, 2010

Today - Weingartens' chat on 'Barney and Clyde' at noon

Weingartens discuss 'Barney and Clyde'
Gene and Dan Weingarten
Comic strip writers
Monday, June 21, 2010; 12:00 PM

Dan and Gene Weingarten discuss their new comic strip, Barney and Clyde, about the unlikely friendship between a homeless man and a billionaire.

Comic Riffs poll on Barney and Clyde

Defend That 'Toon: Does 'BARNEY & CLYDE' spark a billion laughs -- or bum you out?
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 21, 2010

Since they're still setting up their cast, I don't see why anyone's even considering how good it is yet. I think it needs 6 months before you can really decide.

Beeler X 2

He may have been lacking in the paper last week, but Nate Beeler was certainly the media star.

David-Wasting-Paper caught up with him - Nate Beeler - Cartoonist Survey #135, June 21, 2010

as did Daryl Cagle - Video: Nate Beeler at the 2010 AAEC Convention, By Daryl Cagle, June 20th, 2010

(Cagle tip from Rob Tornoe who has just launched his Laugh magazine - subscribe today! I did)

April 23: Joe Wos at Manassas Library

Wednesday at 3 p.m. cartoonist and storyteller Joe Wos will give a program at the Central Community Library. Wos is the founder of Pittsburgh's Toonseum. Here's the original link.

Weingartens' chat on Barney and Clyde live now

The preloaded post didn't pop up, but you've got 10 minutes left to ask questions at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2010/06/18/DI2010061802447.html

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Luna Brothers interview on The Sword

COMMENTARY TRACK: Ending "The Sword"
by Josh Wigler
Thu, June 17th, 2010

Brian Truitt reviews Spider-Man comic

Spidey's the prey in 'Grim Hunt' saga
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY June 17 2010

Nate Beeler coming up on David-Wasting-Paper blog

I would imagine Nate Beeler's interview will be posted on Monday.

Also, check out this cool feature on The Barker Character, Comic and Cartoon Museum which just went on my list of places to visit soon.

American's Next Great Cartoonist Zachary Snyder profiled by his local paper

'Missed the Boat' cartoonist among cartoon contest finalists
Staten Island Advance June 20, 2010

Post on Apple's cartoon problems and Ted Widmer's cartoon interests

There's nothing much new in this article for those who regularly read about comics, but it's a nice summary -

Apple lightens up on some nudity apps
By Kevin Kelleher
Washington Post June 20, 2010; G03

and this had a throwaway notice that the subject "enjoyed a lifelong love affair with cartoons" in this -

Ted Widmer: A short biography of a former speechwriter
Washington Post June 20, 2010; BW09

The Book World reappeared briefly today, and had a very nice cover by Izhar Cohen of a man blowing up a book at the beach for his kids and another one of a private detective with words blowing over him.

Weingarten Barney & Clyde article in today's Post

This article appeared online days ago, but is in today's Style section.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Zadzooks on Jonah Hex and Spawn

Zadzooks: Comic book reviews, Jonah Hex, Spawn Origins Collection and Devil
The good, the bad and the ugly
By Joseph Szadkowski
Washington Times June 18, 2010

Chinese Disneyland leads to landgrabs, according to Post

Disneyland project in Shanghai spotlights forced evictions in China
By Keith B. Richburg
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, June 19, 2010; A08

Julian Lytle interview by Mark Ruffin

Julian Lytle: Antics of a diversified cartoonist
June 19, 2010
DC Comic Books Examiner
Mark Ruffin

Comics on the Rack, Quick Picks for Comics Due 06-23-10


COMICS ON THE RACK
Quick Picks for Comics Due 06-23-10
By John Judy
 
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #635 by Lotsa People.  Now that they've killed that Spider-Woman nobody ever heard of it's the Kravens versus the Spiders!  It's on!
 
AMERICAN VAMPIRE #4 by Scott Snyder, Stephen King and Rafael Albuquerque.  Fangs will fly as Skinner and Pearl each bring it to their adversaries! No sparkling vampires here!  Guaranteed and recommended!
 
ARCHIE: THE BEST OF DAN DeCARLO, VOL.1  HC by DeCarlo.  Great all-ages material from the ARCHIE veteran and creator of Josie and the Pussycats.  Recommended.
 
ARTICHOKE TALES HC written and drawn by Megan Kelso. A multi-generational fantasy epic about people with artichoke leaves for hair.  Pretty and goes great with melted butter.  From Fantagraphics.
 
AVENGERS #2 by Brian Michael Bendis and John Romita Jr.  Why is Wonder Man being such a jerk to the Avengers?  Is the whole "hippie haircut/being made of Kirby dots thing" finally getting to him?
 
BATMAN ARKHAM ASYLUM: MADNESS HC written and drawn by Sam Keith.  In which we spend 24 hours in Gotham City's notorious nut-hatch with our tour guide Mr. Keith.  Recommended.
 
BATMAN: RETURN OF BRUCE WAYNE #3 of 6 by Grant Morrison and Yanick Paquette.  This issue: Bat-Pirate!  Highly recommended!
 
BEASTS OF BURDEN: ANIMAL RITES HC by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson.  A funny-animal adventure with some blood and cussing.  Funny because it's Dorkin.  Beautiful because it's Thompson.  You want this.  For teens and up.
 
BOOK OF MR. NATURAL HC written and drawn by Robert Crumb.  Featuring the best of Crumb's iconic underground hero.  Another winner from Fantagraphics.
 
DETECTIVE COMICS #866 by Dennis O'Neil and Dustin Ngyuen.  Legendary Bat-scribe O'Neil  takes us on a journey through Dick Grayson's career as Robin and the new Dark Knight!  Gotta look!
 
FANTASTIC FOUR #580 by Jonathan Hickman and Neil Edwards.  Arcade!  Impossible Man!  Swedish nannies!  It's kitchen sink time at the Baxter Building! Nuff said!
 
GARTH ENNIS BATTLEFIELDS #7 of 9 by Ennis and Russ Braun.  Another BATTLEFIELDS character returns. This time it's Lt. Anna Kharkova from the earlier "Night Witches."  The Soviet pilot is looking to get back in action against the Nazis, since the alternative is staying on the ground to face Stalin's secret police.  Highly recommended.
 
GREEN ARROW #1 by J.T. Krul and Diogenes Neves.  Ollie Queen is back in every way, ready to rid the Star City forest of all manner of ne'er do well, no-goodnik and brigand!
 
HULK #23 by Jeph Loeb, Ed McGuinness and Lotsa Other Artists.  Because it takes a team of artists to draw the super-duper secret origin of the Red Hulk!  No milk-sops!
 
INCORRUPTIBLE #7 by Mark Waid and Jean Diaz.  Walking the straight and narrow has never been harder for Max Damage, especially since he keeps slipping on all the blood….  Recommended.
 
JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #4 by Keith Giffen, Judd Winick and Aaron Lopresti.  So far the misfits of the DCU are getting their watches wound by their former benefactor-turned-evil Maxwell Lord.  But the new Blue Beetle's in the picture and things could change.  Very decent super-stuff.
 
KEVIN SMITH'S GREEN HORNET #5 by Smith and Jonathan Lau.  The all-new Green Hornet is on the job!  Unfortunately he's got a ton of stuff to learn and everyone wants to kill him.  Tough gig.
 
LEGION OF SUPERHEROES #2 by Paul Levitz and Yildiray Cinar.  Missing children and Green Lanterns!  The drama don't stop in the 31st century ruckus house we call the LSH! 
 
NAMORA ONE-SHOT by Jeff Parker and Sara Pichelli.  Spoiler: Don't let the cover fool you!  Namora is NOT dying in the BP oil slick!  She's just resting!
 
PREVIEWS by Diamond and Marvel Comics. Your back to school comics shopping begins here!
 
SEA BEAR AND GRIZZLY SHARK #1 by Ryan Ottley and Jason Howard.  Image Comics was founded to publish stuff like this.
 
SUPERMAN #700 by Everyone.  Tons of tales by Super-scribes of recent yore, tying up loose ends and running out fresh line.  See where new Supes author J. Michael Straczynski is looking to take Earth's greatest hero!  Highly recommended.
 
THUNDERBOLTS #145 by Jeff Parker and Kev Walker.  Luke Cage's new Thunderbolts must defeat the girl known as "Troll!"  And the internets will be better for it!
 
ULTIMATE COMICS AVENGERS 2 #4 by Mark Millar and Leinil Francis Yu.  Time for Ultimate Ghost Rider to get his!  And… is that Zombie-Spidey I see?
 
WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #14 by Jason Aaron and Ron Garney.  Claws!  Deathlok's got claws! Big, light saber-lookin' ones too!  Recommended.
 
X-FACTOR #206 by Peter David and Valentine DeLandro.  The whole team's back together to put a big smack on the haters!  Embiggened fight!
 
X-MEN LEGACY#237 by Mike Carey, Adi Granov and Greg Land.  Big time-traveling X-crossover event continues!  Nightcrawler still dead!
 
ZATANNA #2 by Paul Dini and Stephane Roux.  The most powerful magician ever to wear fishnets must duke it out in her dreams with an evil imp!  It's hard out there for an imp!  Gotta look!
 


Friday, June 18, 2010

July 10: Matt Dembicki at Hooray for Kids bookstore

Local graphic artist Matt Dembicki (editor of "Trickster: Native American Tales, A Graphic Collection") is giving a workshop for kids 7 and up on drawing and putting together a comic book. Kids will learn the basics—creating a character, developing a story, and laying out a page using various tricks of the trade. Participants will make their own mini-comics to take home. The workshop is Saturday, July 10, at 3 p.m., and folks should call (703-548-4092) or e-mail (info@hooray4books.com) to make a reservation.

Hooray for Kids
An Independent Children's Bookstore
1555 King St. Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Ph. 703-548-4092 Fax 703-548-4094
Hours M-Sat. 10-6 Sun 11-4

Comic Riffs interviews Toy Story 3 writer

'Riffs Interview: How Michael Arndt went from celebrity assistant to 'TOY STORY 3' screenwriter in two moves

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 17, 2010