Oct 2: Lolita Picnic Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CONTACT: Chris Wanamaker, (202) 262 2083 president@dcanimeclub.org

 

DC Anime Club

  Presents Lolita Picnic

 

DC Anime Club on October 2, 2010 at DC Freer Gallery Garden from 12:30pm-5:00pm will have a Lolita Picnic. For those who are unfamiliar, Lolita is a fashion subculture in Japan that is primarily influenced by Victorian children clothing, as well as costumes from the Rococo period. Lolita has made this into a unique fashion by adding gothic and original design elements to the look. From this, Lolita fashion has evolved into several different sub ...styles and has created a devoted subculture in Japan. The Lolita look consists primarily of a knee-length skirt or dress, headdress, blouse, petticoat, knee-high socks or stockings, and rocking horse or high heel/platform shoes.

Attendees are encouraged to bring food, since there will be a potluck with the photo shoot.

We will meet up at Smithsonian Subway Station (Blue/Orange Line) at 12pm, then proceed to the Mall. Come in your best Lolita outfits.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Contact:
president@dcanimeclub.org (connected to Blackberry)

 

 

This event is free and open to the public for Ages 13 and up.

 

For more information please call (202) 262 2083, email DC Anime Club president@dcanimeclub.org visit the DC Anime Club website at http://dcanimeclub.org.

 

 

About DC Anime Club:

 

DC Anime Club was established in 2003 to introduce and educate people in the Washington, DC area about East Asian culture, through viewing and discussion of Japanese animation (also known as anime) and Japanese comics (manga).

We also work to provide a positive, alternative activity to the youth in the area by exposing them to foreign culture, encouraging artistic expression and creativity, and providing opportunities for participation in community activities and leadership.

DC Anime Club is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. Contributions to DC Anime Club are tax deductible to the extent allowable under the law.

DC Anime Club has been featured in many newspapers and publications .

In addition to our bi-meetings, the club holds an Art Show, a Cosplay Party fundraising event, and anime lectures at local schools . Our club works with the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan, Smithsonian Freer Gallery and DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival on their anime screenings. Our Marketing Team has helped promote performances for several Japanese bands such as Puffy Ami Yumi, Pine am, The Slants, The Captains and Ayabie.

DC Anime Club was founded by Chris Wanamaker (President), Jules Chang (former Vice President) and Craig Vaughn (Vice President) on Saturday June 5, 2003. We have a strong membership that continues to grow. 

 

 

Another Lynn Brudon cartoon found

A few months ago, I posted on a Lynn Brudon anti-malaria World War 2 cartoon in the National Museum of Health and Medicine. See the comments of that post for more on Brudon. Meanwhile here's one I found today.


REEVE 088546-4

Malaria prevention. Charts. "G.I bedtime story. Control malaria. Shorten the war. Bug heaven, here comes Hiroskito. Damn that d.d.t. [Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane]. Lynn Brudon [artist], 1945."

[Posters. Illustration. Insect pests, Control. Mosquitoes. Sanitation. Preventive medicine.] [Propaganda.]

Meet a Local Comics Writer: A Chat with the GPO’s Jim Cameron

Meet a Local Comics Writer: A Chat with the GPO's Jim Cameron
by Mike Rhode on Sep. 21, 2010
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/09/21/meet-a-local-comics-writer-a-chat-with-the-gpos-jim-cameron/

Sigh. Comic Riffs interviewed them too.

THE MOUSE THAT SCORED: GPO publishes its own comic book (*starring Gutenberg!)
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs September 21, 2010

Washington Examiner editorial on Molly Norris and Islam cartoons

I rarely agree with the Examiner's editorial line, as much as I like Nate Beeler, their editorial cartoonist (look at his lovely Dracula). However, I think they're pretty much spot on here:

Government and journalists cower at threats to cartoonist
Washington Examiner Editorial
September 20, 2010

Signe Wilkinson had a nice cartoon on this recently too.

Matt Wuerker on Paul Conrad

Among others, Matt's recollections of the great cartoonist are here - Conrad the mentor: An editorial is 90 percent idea and 10 percent drawing
By Kevin Cody
Easy Reader September 20th, 2010.

There's a tiny thumbnail of Matt's obituary cartoon - I don't know if it appeared in Politico or not.

Kal's fall schedule

He's keeping busy - the Russia one sounds a bit different, for him.
Remember, he's regularly in the Economist (twice each week, if I'm
getting the uncredited color cartoon correct).

From: kevin Kallaugher

Friends and Colleagues

I wanted to share with you some fun and exciting events that will be coming up in the weeks ahead.

On September 28, I will be in St Petersburg, Russia opening an exhibition of my work at the State Russian Museum of Political History. I will be in the country for 8 days addressing groups of journalists, artists, students and academics on issues of cartoons, commentary and freedom of expression. I will be posting pictures of events upon my return at my Sketchblog...
http://www.kaltoons.com/wordpress.

October 7, I have been invited to be the featured speaker at the at the 21st annual GBTC TechNite on Oct. 7 at Rams Head Live! in Baltimore. With over 800 attendees TechNite is the Greater Baltimore Region's premiere night out to celebrate the business and technology community. For more information:
https://www.gbtechcouncil.org/Programs/TechNite-2010.aspx

On Election night, November 2, I will be teaming up with the Baltimore Improv Group for an evening of Political nonsense, improvisational humor and Stand Up Cartooning. The event will take place at Baltimore's famous Creative Alliance Theater. More information will be available at http://www.Creativealliance.org

Speaking of the Creative Alliance... On Monday November 8, I will be headlining a fundraising party for this amazing Arts institution. It is called "Art to Dine For". These are always great fun...

Alpha and Omega review in Post

Alpha and Omega: This tale just chases its tail
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post September 17, 2010
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/alpha-and-omega,1163473/critic-review.html

Zadzooks and Bennett's Best

Comic book review: 'Fractured Fables'
by Joseph Szadkowski
Monday, August 16, 2010 - Zadzooks - Comics and Video Games

Bennett's Best: 'Cuba: My Revolution' and 'I Am Legion'
By Greg Bennett, Special to Zadzooks
Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Bennett's Best: 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' 'Thor,' 'Wolverine' and 'Batman: Cacophony'
By Greg Bennett, Special to Zadzooks Wednesday, September 8, 2010


Bennett's Best: 'New Orleans After the Deluge,' 'Superman/Batman' and 'Guarding the Globe'
By Greg Bennett, Special to Zadzooks
Sunday, August 29, 2010

Bennett's Best: 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' 'The Doom Patrol,' 'Little Lulu's Pal Tubby'
By Greg Bennett, Special to Zadzooks Thursday, August 26, 2010

Bennett's Best: 'Bone,' 'Strange Science Fantasy,' 'Avengers' and 'Unwritten'
By Greg Bennett, Special to Zadzooks Friday, August 20, 2010

Truitt on Wolverine's son, clone daughter

... or something like that. I don't bother reading X-Men titles any more.

Daken steps out of dad Wolverine's shadow
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY September 14 2010
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-09-14-dakendarkwolverine-ST_N.htm

Marjorie Liu brings humanity to the tortured teen of 'X-23'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY September 15 2010
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-09-15-x23-ST_N.htm

and here's one that sounds more interesting - I'm going to put it on my pull list now (of course I've written a paper on this topic).

Marvel Comics gives a superhero cancer in 'One Month to Live'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY
9/1/2010
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-09-01-onemonth-marvel01-ST_N.htm

Belefski of Curls nominated for Lulu Award

Matt Dembicki's let me know that Carolyn Belefski of Curls is nominated for a Lulu Award - Carolyn has the story on her site. It looks like anyone who wants to can vote.

She also has her report on SPX up where she notes that she's publishing Elizabeth Watasin's return to comics. (whoo-hoo! I loved Charm School). She also discusses her new anthology which has a lot of local creators in it.

I interviewed Carolyn a few weeks ago for the City Paper - coming up soon, her writing partner Joe Carabeo.

Joe Sutliff's Ark design

Local cartoonist Joe Sutliff has also been a furniture designer, and
is now designing an Ark for his family's Temple. We chatted at SPX and Joe sent me his design, noting, "Here's what it's gonna be - based on Exodus - a Burning Bush stained glass in the face of a Torah table, with a Moses and staff image made out of cut steel, that has added copper and brass elements (guess who gets to do that part?). I will also probably have to do the Hebrew lettering over the doors. Growing up Spanish Catholic, that urge to do something for a church is pretty strong. I'm planning on doing a limited edition woodblock print of the door art as a fundraiser for the temple."

Pretty cool, huh? Joe, let us know when the woodblock is out.

Lost Art Books promo video online now

Lost Art Books promo video here. I bought all the books at SPX and am glad to have them (although they remain in a giant pile with everything else I bought there).;

Sept 18: Audrey Niffenegger at Politics and Prose

Anyone going to this? I'm going to try to make it.

Audrey Niffenegger - The Night Bookmobile

Start: September 18, 2010 - 3:30pm
End: September 18, 2010 - 4:30pm

Readers know Niffenegger from The Time Traveler’s Wife, but her involvement with books is visual as well as literary. A professor at the Columbia College Chicago Center for Book and Paper Arts, she has produced two “novels-in-pictures,” and now a graphic novel. First serialized in The Guardian, this is the story of Alexandra, a reader who becomes a librarian in order to find the elusive night bookmobile containing everything she has ever read.

A bit more on SPX

I still haven't pulled the pictures off my camera, but here's a nice video that features some of our local creators in the DC Conspiracy, including RM Rhodes in the purple -

Small Press Expo - Canon 7D
by Steven Greenstreet
September 13 2010

The video was recommended by David Malki, whose webcomic Wondermark is excellent. Here's his account.

Comics Riffs sourced for NY Times article

Cartoonist in Hiding After Death Threats
By BRIAN STELTER
New York Times September 17, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/17/us/17cartoon.html

 

PR: 2010 Festival of Cartoon Art

Off-topic, but I'm going with local cartoonist Richard "CdS" Thompson.

The 2010 Festival of Cartoon Art

October 14-17, 2010

Spaces are still available for the tenth triennial Festival of Cartoon Art, which will take place at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH from October 14-17, 2010.    The Festival will feature presentations by acclaimed cartoonists Steve Breen, Roz Chast, Tony Cochran, Jan Eliot, Matt Groening and Tom Gammill, Dave Kellett, Paul Levitz, Dan Piraro, Jen Sorensen, Art Spiegelman, James Sturm, and Gene Luen Yang.   The Festival will also include an academic conference, a tribute to Jay Kennedy, cartoon exhibitions, special receptions, and much more!   For a complete list of speakers and events see http://cartoons.osu.edu/fca2010/schedule.html.

The Festival is limited to 275 participants.  Registration is available online through October 12 or until it sells out.  The registration fee is $125 ($100 for members of the National Cartoonists Society and the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists).  The registration fee for students and senior citizens aged 65 and over is $25 (ID will be required).  

The conference hotel is the Hyatt Regency Columbus.  Reservations can be made at the conference rate through September 24.  Transportation from the Hyatt Regency to campus for the Festival will be provided.

For further information about the Festival, see http://cartoons.osu.edu/fca2010 or contact us at cartoons@osu.edu or 614-292-0538.

###

 

 

 

USA Today's Dark Horse

USA Today bills itself as the nation's newspaper so I rarely think about them actually being in the DC area - are they still in Rosslyn? Anyway, here's an interesting article on a partnership between the paper and Dark Horse Comics -

Defining Dark Horse's Partnership With USA TODAY-TOSHIBA
By Chris Arrant
posted: 15 September 2010

Truitt inteviews comics fan actor Nathan Fillion

With Nathan Fillion, there's no mystery to actor's success
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY

More SPX from local folks

Matt Dembicki has a few pictures up.

Comicsgirl was there, but we've avoided another potentially hazardous blogger meeting again. Although I did meet Xavier Xerses at Intervention, and apparently the universe still exists. And "Comic Riffs" Cavna and I talked. Maybe it'll only be a problem if 3 of us meet at one time...

Weldon on Moto Hagio's manga

'A Drunken Dream': What it Feels Like For a Girl. (And a Boy. And an Iguana.)

 by Glen Weldon

September 15, 2010

 

Mark Zaid's comic book lawyer exhibit profiled in Times

Read the article here -
Superheroes in Court at Yale Show
By JOHN SCHWARTZ
September 15, 2010
-and watch for an upcoming interview with Mark.

Jim Dougan's "SAM & LILAH" webcomic updated

I spoke to Jim at SPX who says they're almost 1/2 through and the Act-I-Vate Primer story occurs next.

Jim DouganSeptember 13, 2010 says Subject: SAM & LILAH Updated Today! Here's two more pages from Chapter 3.... http://www.facebook.com/l/adc8dt9FirAKXzmKRlQjR4zxIpA;www.activatecomix.com/42-3-30.comic Need to catch up first? Start here: Chapter 1: http://www.facebook.com/l/adc8djPCMjtglXSTjtJyq47zz_Q;www.activatecomix.com/42-1-1.comic Chapter 2: http://www.facebook.com/l/adc8dOQeSuy9acPZEKIjol3c8pQ;www.activatecomix.com/42-2-1.comic Chapter 3: http://www.facebook.com/l/adc8dakwf9P-RyZ4ZGKfbA7MCOg;www.activatecomix.com/42-3-1.comic We'll be back with more in just two weeks! See you September 27! In the meantime, here's where to go for all the OTHER great comix at ACT-I-VATE: http://www.facebook.com/l/adc8d3iPOFJhzVyAOgzpxvXQSpA;www.activatecomix.com If you haven't already, why not pick up a copy of the ACT-I-VATE PRIMER? We didn't win the Harvey Award, but being nominated still counts! Right? http://www.facebook.com/l/adc8dT8S47vip4V4r5qHy3tWhzA;www.amazon.com/gp/product/1600105289

Sept 15: Beyond Comics signing - Sean Anderson (Skyscraper)

Just Announced! Gaithersburg Artist Signing! Sean Anderson (Skyscraper) Wednesday Sept 15th 4pm to 7pm Meet Local Artist Sean Anderson with the debut of his brand new comic book series Skyscraper Don't Miss: SEPTEMBER SPECIALS OF THE MONTH Graphic Novel: SEE COUPON 40% OFF Comic: Transformers Movie Comics $1.00 Each See stores for details. No coupon required. Please Note, some items are not available at all store locations. For more information please speak with any store representative. Some items may also be allocated by the manufacturer and may not be available. Beyond Comics does not guarantee items being in stock; however we will do our best to keep them available. Email: Gaithersburg John Shine Mgr or Frederick Mike Imboden Mgr Gaithersburg Store 536 North Frederick Ave Gaithersburg, MD (301) 216-0007 Hours: M,Tu 11-8; W-Sat 10-9; Sun 12-6 Frederick Store 5632 Route 85 Frederick, MD (301) 668-8202 Hours: M,Tu 10-8; W-Sat 10-9; Sun 12-6 536 North Frederick Ave Gaithersburg, MD 20877 (301) 216-0007 5632 Buckeystown Pike Frederick, MD 21704 (301) 668-8202 40% OFF Graphic Novel Clearance SALE! Frederick Sep. 15 - 21 See Stores For Details! Excludes New Arrivals. Does not apply to special orders or held merchandise. May not be combined with other discounts, specials or sale items. One Coupon per household. Offer Expires: September 21, 2010

Bruce Guthrie's Small Press Expo photos

Bruce has two pages of pictures up - one from panels and one from the floor. When you go to one of his pages, the little pencil icon under the picture lets you create a caption for the image. Some caption fairies would be helpful, because Bruce doesn't do that - he's too busy taking more pictures.

That's is the great New Zealand expat Roger Langridge being interviewed.

And this is Kate Beaton and Julia Wertz on Dustin Harbin's panel blowing attendance for my counter-programmed one out of the water.



But we looked gooood.


Me, Richard Thompson, Marguerite Dabaie and Keith Knight.

Oooh, and Spurgeon linked to a video of Dean Haspiel's shirtless SPX moment.

And Dirk Deppey pointed out Brian Heater's con report. I love the Daily Cross Hatch and have never managed to run into Brian at the show.

Thompson and Rhode outed by Devlin

Canadian publisher Drawn and Quarterly's Tom Devlin's posted his SPX memories here, and outed Richard and I. It's true - we do love comics.

Seriously, James Sturm's talk was really interesting and I was glad to pick up his new book Market Day. Dinner with James, Tom and Kevin Huizenga as well as a local poetess was a lot of fun too. Thanks to Thad at Politics and Prose for the restaurant recommendation. And thanks to D&Q for putting out such a great line of books - I already had most everything they had on their table, but bought Kevin's new book as well as Vanessa Davis'.

Truitt on Spider-Man video game

'Spider-Man' scribe talks 'Shattered Dimensions'
By Brian Truitt
USA Today's Game Hunters blog Sep 14, 2010

It's an interview of Dan Slott.

Amazing Fantasy 15 original art going on the road

Here's a press release with the relevant part highlighted. Long-time readers may recall that ComicsDC broke the story of the donation in 2008:

September 13, 2010

Library of Congress Takes to the Road, Bringing Rolling Exhibition to the Heartland

         The Library of Congress will launch a new traveling exhibition late in September that will bring facsimiles of many of its top treasures and information about the millions of resources in its unparalleled collections to the heartland of America. "Gateway to Knowledge," an exhibition that will travel in a specially fitted-out 18-wheel truck, will launch from the site of the National Book Festival on the National Mall late in September, and will initially travel to sites in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

         Ultimately, "Gateway to Knowledge" is expected to visit up to 60 sites in states across the Midwest and South over the next year.

         The exhibition was the idea of philanthropists Abby and Emily Rapoport, the granddaughters of Audre and Bernie Rapoport, founding members of the Library's private-sector support organization, The James Madison Council.  The young Rapoports have donated $1 million to the Library to make the "Gateway to Knowledge" exhibition possible and bring the Library's riches to areas of the nation – particularly rural areas – that may not be aware of their access to the wealth of information in this publicly funded institution.

         "As both a storehouse of world knowledge and primary resource for the U.S. Congress, the Library is energized by the prospects of the Abby and Emily Rapoport Traveling Exhibition playing an important role in sharing the national collection with the people to whom it belongs," said Librarian of Congress James H. Billington.

         The exhibit will include programming especially for teachers and students and provide relevant and engaging learning experiences for lifelong learners.  The truck, which will be staffed and driven by two docents well-versed in the Library and its collections, will be parked at various schools, libraries, community centers and other public venues.

         The trailer expands to twice its road width, and visitors will enter from a central staircase to find several areas of museum-style exhibits including a welcoming multimedia display, computer terminals displaying Library of Congress websites including the main site, www.loc.gov and other library websites including the Center for the Book/ Literacy Programs site www.read.gov and sites pertaining to U.S. collections, exhibitions and a special site for use by teachers.

         The exhibition will also outline the history of the Library, including Thomas Jefferson's role in allowing its re-establishment following the burning of the U.S. Capitol in 1814 by providing his personal book collection to the nation.  Jefferson's organization of his books by "Memory, Reason and Imagination" will inform the organization of the exhibition, which will feature facsimiles of such treasures as the 1507 Waldseemüller Map (the first document to use the word "America"); the 1455 Gutenberg Bible; the rough draft of the Declaration of Independence, in Thomas Jefferson's hand with edits by Benjamin Franklin and John Adams; the original 1962 drawings for the comic book that introduced Spiderman to the world; the handwritten manuscript to jazz pioneer Jelly Roll Morton's "Frog-i-More Rag"; and Walt Whitman's poem "Leaves of Grass."

         Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution.  The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions.

Tour Stops for the Library of Congress "Gateway to Knowledge"
Traveling Exhibition


•       Sept. 25, 2010, Library of Congress National Book Festival, National Mall, Washington, D.C.

•       Sept. 27-28, Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester, Va.

•       Sept. 30, Canal Place, Cumberland, Md.

Brave New Comic Strips panel at SPX audio is online

I had a good time doing this, and I think everyone was happy with it, so here's my recording for those who couldn't make it.

Brave New Comic Strips (September 12, 2010)


Small Press Expo panel from September 12, 2010.

The newspaper industry, long the home of American comics first popular dedicated format, faces an existential crisis presented by the emergence and proliferation of digital media. Against all odds, artists interested in the daily strip format continue to produce work with an eye for print. Mike Rhode will discuss the present and the future of the newspaper comic strip with Marguerite Dabaie, Keith Knight, and Richard Thompson.

Patriot-News comics poll considers adding Cul de Sac

Vote on the comic strip that will replace 'Cathy' in The Patriot-News
CHRIS MAUTNER, The Patriot-News September 12, 2010.

No ballot stuffing now. My friend Chris is undoubtedly technically savvy enough to detect that, and the fact that he undoubtedly spent time in Richard's vicinity at SPX this weekend doesn't mean anything.

A couple of SPX links and a Politics and Prose set

Greg McElhatton took some nice photos and has them online now.

Bruce Guthrie thinks his will be online tomorrow, but in the meantime has 2 sets (set 1, set 2) of pictures from Richard Thompson and Keith Knight's appearances at Politics and Prose bookstore.


Animator Marc Crisafulli, Politics & Prose's Adam Waterreus, SPX's Warren Bernard, Keith Knight, Politics & Prose's Mike G, Richard Thompson and Mike Rhode.

And here's my friend, and crack cartoonist, Ben Towle on his experiences. I talked to him on Saturday night, around the time that last picture was being taken and followed up on his recs on Sunday.

New comics publisher starts in DC

Oddly enough, it's the Government Printing Office:

GPO PUBLISHES ITS FIRST COMIC BOOK

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) builds on its storied history by publishing the agency’s first comic book. GPO employees created the comic book Squeaks Discovers Type! as a teaching tool for children of all ages. As the agency celebrates its 150-year anniversary, the comic book takes a unique approach to educate readers on the important role printing has played from the beginnings of civilization to today’s digital world. The comic book’s concept, story and illustrations were created at GPO. Jim Cameron wrote the story and Creative Services’ Graphic Designer Nick Crawford provided the illustrations. Squeaks Discovers Type! is available at GPO’s newly designed and renovated bookstore in Washington, DC or available online at:
http://bookstore.gpo.gov/collections/squeaks-discovers-type.jsp



“GPO serves the communication needs of the federal government, and a comic book is a great way to communicate with young people,” said Public Printer Bob Tapella. “Through the talents of Jim Cameron and Nick Crawford, GPO is able to create a publication that conveys the message that printing is an important component to the history of the world and to our nation.”

The GPO is the federal government’s primary centralized resource for gathering, cataloging, producing, providing, authenticating, and preserving published U.S. government information in all its forms. GPO is responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the federal government. In addition to publication sales, GPO makes government information available at no cost to the public through GPO’s Federal Digital System (www.fdsys.gov) and through partnerships with approximately 1,220 libraries nationwide participating in the Federal Depository Library Program. For more information, please visit www.gpo.gov. Follow GPO on Twitter http://twitter.com/USGPO and on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/gpoprinter.

Cavna on Peanuts and with Ted Rall

Cavna's Comic Riffs blog post turned into an article over the weekend -


'Peanuts' comics strip will leave syndicate in February for Universal Uclick
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, September 11, 2010; C02

and then he ran an interview with Ted Rall today -

The 'Riffs Interview: TED RALL returns from Afghanistan, ready to draw upon his up-close encounters
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog September 13, 2010

ComicsDC (ie me) helped fund Ted's trip through Kickstarter, so I'm glad it worked out well. I don't need any guilt about prematurely dead cartoonists.

PR and OT: Top Shelf comics sale

I like Top Shelf's products a lot and just bought more from them at SPX. To move this slightly on-topic, 'Regards from Serbia' is a journalistic/autobiographical comic about the wars in the Balkans and I helped compile it.

 

THE 2010 TOP SHELF MASSIVE $3 SALE
*******************************************************

For the next ten days -- thru Friday September 24th -- Top Shelf is having a giant $3 graphic novel web sale. When you visit the site, you'll find over 100 graphic novels and comics on sale -- with over 70 titles marked down to just $3 & $1!

To go directly to the list of items on sale at the Top Shelf website, just click here:

http://www.topshelfcomix.com/specialdeals
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/specialdeals

But here are a few sample sale items:

-- Slashed Prices: Lost Girls, Alec: The Years Have Pants!
-- Slashed Prices: Essex County, Moving Pictures, BB Wolf!
-- Slashed Prices: Owly Hardcovers and Plushy, Undeleted Scenes!
-- Slashed Prices: Dodgem Logic, The Surrogates Owner's Manual!
-- Slashed Prices: The 120 Days of Simon, Far Arden, and more!

-- $3 Titles: Voice of the Fire, The Surrogates (Vols 1 & 2)!
-- $3 Titles: Sulk (Vols 1, 2, & 3), I Am Going To Be Small!
-- $3 Titles: SuperF*ckers #1-#4, Lower Regions, Please Release!
-- $3 Titles: Regards from Serbia, Delayed Replays, and more!

-- $1 Titles: The Surrogates #1-#5, Black Ghost Apple Factory!
-- $1 Titles: The Man Who Loved Breasts, Comic Diorama, 24x2!
-- $1 Titles: Jack's Luck Runs Out, Tales/Great Unspoken, & more!

Please note that Top Shelf accepts PayPal (as well as Visa, MasterCard, Amex, and Discover -- all secure), and that this
sale is good for retailers as well (and comic book shops will get their wholesale discount on top of these sale prices).

http://www.topshelfcomix.com/specialdeals
http://www.topshelfcomix.com/specialdeals

Your friend thru comics,

Chris Staros
Top Shelf Productions
PO Box 1282
Marietta GA 30061-1282
USA

Another Gallant sketch

Another sketch from Shannon, for another con goer -

"St Trinian's girl..."

 
- and he didn't even have a table. This is a Searle tribute, of course.

Another reason to buy sketches from Shannon (SL) Gallant at cons

My 3rd original Shadow drawing is this sweet piece. I now have a collection. Coming soon - Roger Langridge's SPX drawing.

Jerzy Drozd's arrival at SPX on his Comics Are Great podcast

This is a new podcast, and since I'm too tired to post any of my SPX bits yet - here's one to try out.

http://comicsaregreat.com/?p=790

Off to SPX and Intervention

I'll be hanging around SPX until around 4 today, and then moving over to Intervention. Tomorrow I'll be at SPX and running a panel with Richard Thompson, Keith Knight and Marguerite Dabaie.

Kleefeld visits Big Planet

Big Planet Comics, Bethesda
Wednesday, September 08, 2010

"The inside of the store was almost surprisingly clean." Who needs a better recommendation than that?

Niffenegger and Feiffer also at Politics and Prose

Audrey Niffenegger will be signing her new comic book, The Night Bookmobile on Sept 18th at 3:30 pm.

 

Jules Feiffer and Norton Juster will be signing The Odious Ogre at 11 am on Sept 26th.

 

Not a comics writer, but science fiction author William Gibson will be there later the same day at 1 pm.

 

Here's an NPR piece with Feiffer:

 

 

Hansen, Liane.  2010.

'Phantom Tollbooth' Creators Reunited By An 'Ogre'.

National Public Radio's Weekend Edition Sunday (September 5).

online at  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129608795

http://public.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/wesun/2010/09/20100905_wesun_08.mp3

and http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=129608795

Sturm at Politics and Prose tonight

Note that it's an hour later than usual.

James Sturm - Market Day
8 p.m. Co-founder of the Center for Cartoon Studies, Sturm has set this beautifully crafted historical fiction in the Eastern European countryside of the 1900s. His day in the life of Mendleman, a carpet peddler, uses spare narrative and finely-honed images to achieve a powerful emotional resonance.

Geppi Museum curator Arnold Blumberg featured in Post

Exploring the undead: University of Baltimore to offer English class on zombies

By Daniel de Vise
Washington Post September 10, 2010; B01

Weldon on Cruse's Stuck Rubber Baby

A book I liked a lot although I haven't read it since it originally came out.

Back in Print: In 'Stuck Rubber Baby,' Civil Rights In Black & White & Gray
by Glen Weldon
September 8, 2010

Comic Riffs on Peanuts syndication move

These are strange times...

Good grief: 'PEANUTS' will leave syndicate in February for Universal [UPDATED]
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog September 9, 2010

Tonight! Keith Knight and Richard Thompson duet

They're at Politics and Prose bookstore on Conn Ave, NW in the District -

Thursday September 9
Richard Thompson & Keith Knight
7 p.m. In conjunction with the Small Press Expo (September 11-12 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center), we're delighted to host two artists who excel at contemplating the minutiae of everyday life and making it hilarious. Thompson's strip is focused on a loveable family in a suburban development, while Knight's is told through the eyes of a city dweller.

and the following evening-

Friday September 10
James Sturm - Market Day
8 p.m. Co-founder of the Center for Cartoon Studies, Sturm has set this beautifully crafted historical fiction in the Eastern European countryside of the 1900s. His day in the life of Mendleman, a carpet peddler, uses spare narrative and finely-honed images to achieve a powerful emotional resonance.

New local comics publisher Lost Art Books launches at SPX

Meet a Local Comics Publisher: A Chat with Joe Procopio

Posted by Mike Rhode on Sep. 9, 2010 at 11:06 am

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/09/09/meet-a-local-comics-publisher-a-chat-with-joe-procopio/

 

Joe's reprinting some of the lesser known, but still interesting, artists of the late 19th and early 20th century.

3 - count 'em - 3 links to local writers' stories

Baltimore's great cartoonist Tim Kreider smacks around Cathy-

Requiem for an Overweight
by Tim Kreider on September 7th, 2010

Caro looks glancingly at the great Radebaugh -

Too Much is Never Enough: Morris Lapidus’ Postmodern Curves
by Caroline Small on September 8th, 2010

and Weldon sneaks in a Kevin Huizenga review -

A Funny, Fractured Field Guide To A 'Wild Kingdom'
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Books We Like September 4, 2010

PR: Bamn at SPX This Weekend

Troy Allen says,

Don't tell the other cons this...but the Small Press Expo is my favorite.

Created with the purpose of showcasing the brightest in indie comics (and letting them pimp thier books to you), SPX takes place every year in my home state of Maryland. But that's not why she's my prize stallion. Nope, the reason is that SPX is where Bamn, Jay, and I introduced ourselves to the comic industry. It's the moment of realization that we weren't the fans anymore, we were the professionals. For that reason, --- for the nostalgic electricy in the air at SPX --- she's my favorite.

Like previous years, SPX will be held at the Marriott in North Bethesda and, once again, she seems primed to disrupt the quiet "city" of Rockville for 2 nights.

You should be there this weekend. Buy some stuff and discover some new art. I'm certain it will be as memorable for you.

The Official SPX Website  

We Are At Table W6b!  

The DC Conspiracy Will Be There With Fresh Copies Of The Magic Bullet! 

Greg McElhatton's Read About Comics website

One local blogger who's been at it longer than most of us (except perhaps Zadzooks?) is Greg McElhatton. I never link to Greg's Read About Comics! site because he runs reviews of comics, and I tend to mostly note news and happenings here. That is a stupid reason, but it has the advantage of being the truth. It's still lame. So here's Greg's description of his site, just as he puts a notice up that he's taking a break for SPX:

Welcome to Read About Comics! Read About Comics’s goal is to help keep you informed and updated on comics of all shapes, styles, sizes, and genres. Hopefully there will be a little something for everyone here, no matter what sort of comics you enjoy reading. Read About Comics is written and produced by Greg McElhatton.

Greg McElhatton was a founding contributing writer to Wizard: The Guide to Comics, providing interviews and articles on a regular basis between issues #1 and 58. He has served on the Small Press Expo Steering Committee since 1997, and was Executive Director for the 2002 and 2003 shows. Between 1999 and 2006 he wrote 1000 reviews for iComics.com. He has served as a judge for the Eisner Awards, wrote the monthly “Things to Come” column for just over two years at Ninth Art, and contributed an essay to St. Martin’s Press’ The Year’s Best Graphic Novels, Comics & Manga in 2005. Outside of comics his fiction has been published by Penguin Putnam and Barnes & Noble. In his spare time he runs marathons.


Since he's taking a break, that gives you all a chance to go through and read everything he's posted so far.

I've also added some links to local sites, including Greg's to the far right list.

October 17: "Max and Moritz: A Cartoon Opera in Seven Pranks" at National Gallery of Art

New York Opera Society at the National Gallery of Art
"Max and Moritz: A Cartoon Opera in Seven Pranks" by Gisle Kverndokk

October 17 at 6:30PM

East Building Concourse, Auditorium

World premiere performance
Presented in honor of Edvard Munch: Master Prints and in conjunction with Norway Comes to Washington

PR: Fanfare Ponent Mon at SPX 2010!

	FANFARE/PONENT MON AT SPX 2010 THIS WEEKEND Indie UK Publisher honored with two Ignatz Award noms North America's premiere independent cartooning and comics arts festival, SPX, is underway this weekend—Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11–12, at the Bethesda North Marriot Hotel in Bethesda, Maryland—and Fanfare/Ponent Mon is pleased to announce its participation in this venerable event. This will be the independent UK publisher's second year as an exhibitor and to celebrate, the company is offering attendees the chance to win four Fanfare/ Ponent Mon titles. There is no purchase necessary and you do not have to be present when the winning entry is drawn. Just stop by booth F7 and fill out a form. Saying "Hi" doesn't hurt either! Double-Dose of Ignatz Fanfare/Ponent Mon is also proud to announce that it has received three nominations for the prestigious Ignatz Awards, SPX's yearly distinction for the best in graphic literature and cartooning. Jiro Taniguchi's mountain-climbing epic, The Summit of the Gods, Vol. 1, was honored with a pair in the categories of Outstanding Series and Outstanding Graphic Novel, while Willy Linthout's wrenching examination of his son's suicide, Years of the Elephant, received one, also in the latter category. Receiving a single nod is an incredible honor, never mind three, and Fanfare/Ponent Mon would like to thank everyone involved in the selection process. East Coast Premiere SPX 2010 will also feature the East Coast debut of Korea as Viewed by 12 Creators, the long-anticipated follow-up to the company's 2007 Eisner Award nominated Japan as Viewed by 17 Creators. The anthology features work by such graphic art luminaries as Choi Kyu-sok, Mathieu Sapin and Lee Doo-hoo. A limited number of the book will be available for purchase at a special show price. Hope to see you there! A limited number of the book will be available at the show for only $16, a savings of four dollars off the retail price.

PR: ICAF 2011 at the Center for Cartoon Studies

ICAF started in DC and stayed here for a decade. I've got a soft spot in my heart for it. Not soft enough to travel to Vermont though.

The International Comic Arts Forum to hold 15th Anniversary Academic Conference at The Center for Cartoon Studies in 2011

The International Comic Arts Forum (ICAF) is very pleased to announce that The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) will host the forum's next academic conference from September 29 - October 1, 2011 in White River Junction, Vermont. A call for conference papers and panels will be forthcoming this fall.

Since 1995, ICAF has been dedicated to promoting the scholarly study and appreciation of comic art, including comic strips, comic books, comics albums and graphic novels, magazine and newspaper cartooning, caricature, and comics in electronic media. This new partnership with the Center for Cartoon Studies - one of the nation's most highly-respected institutions dedicated to the training of cartoonists, writers, and designers - promises to further the mission of both units in providing a supportive, collegial environment to showcase innovative comics scholarship and comic art for critics, historians, teachers, and comics professionals from around the world. Previous forums have been held at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Georgetown University, and the Small Press Expo in Maryland.

For more information on ICAF's previous programs, scholarships, and our new Executive Committee members (Casey Brienza, Bill Kartalopoulos, Toph Marshall, Mark Heimermann and Qiana Whitted) visit: http://www.internationalcomicartsforum.org/. Additional information about The Center for Cartoon Studies can be found by visiting: http://www.cartoonstudies.org/.

A Pre-SPX Chat with R.M. Rhodes up at City Paper

Meet a Local Sequential Artist: A Chat with R.M. Rhodes

Posted by Mike Rhode on Sep. 8, 2010

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/09/08/meet-a-local-sequential-artist-a-chat-with-r-m-rhodes/

No new comic books today

Due to Labor Day on Monday, new comics day is on Thursday this week.

A few SPX items from Matt Dembicki

 Matt Dembicki would like us to know:

-The D.C. Conspiracy (www.dcconspiracy.com) will have tables W3-W9
-We'll have FREE copies of our latest project, the 'Magic Bullet' comics newspaper
-Native American storyteller and 'Trickster' contributing writer Joseph Stands With Many will be a guest at my table at W9 on Sat., from 3-5
p.m.

A Chat with Carolyn Belefski online at City Paper

SPX is coming up and here's an interview with a cartoonist who'll be selling her books there -

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Carolyn Belefski

Posted by Mike Rhode on Sep. 7, 2010

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/09/07/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-carolyn-belefski/

Another Intervention convention interview

Giving the Internet An INTERVENTION: A Q&A With Onezumi
Posted on Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
http://charmcitycurrent.com/bmorenerdy/2010/08/17/giving-the-internet-an-intervention-a-qa-with-onezumi/

Sept 9: One Night Only! Richard Thompson + Keith Knight LIVE

They're at Politics and Prose bookstore on Conn Ave, NW in the District -

Thursday September 9
Richard Thompson & Keith Knight
7 p.m. In conjunction with the Small Press Expo (September 11-12 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center), we're delighted to host two artists who excel at contemplating the minutiae of everyday life and making it hilarious. Thompson's strip is focused on a loveable family in a suburban development, while Knight's is told through the eyes of a city dweller.

and the following evening-

Friday September 10
James Sturm - Market Day
8 p.m. Co-founder of the Center for Cartoon Studies, Sturm has set this beautifully crafted historical fiction in the Eastern European countryside of the 1900s. His day in the life of Mendleman, a carpet peddler, uses spare narrative and finely-honed images to achieve a powerful emotional resonance.

Small Press Expo This Weekend with Jaime Hernandez, James Sturm, Dean Haspiel, Raina Telgemeier, Richard Thompson and A Cast of Thousands

Small Press Expo This Weekend with Jaime Hernandez, James Sturm, Dean Haspiel, Raina Telgemeier, Richard Thompson and A Cast of Thousands

Bethesda, Maryland, September 7, 2010 - The Small Press Expo will be held this weekend, Saturday September 11 and Sunday September 12. This year we are featuring the First Annual SPX Animation Showcase along with showings of Nina Paley's full length movie Sita Sings The Blues. This is in addition to the Ignatz Awards presentation Saturday night, September 11 at 9PM, which is open to all SPX attendees.There will be a programming slate running both days that includes one on one interviews with James Sturm and Jaime Hernandez, as well as a dialogue on cartooning between Julia Wertz and Kate Beaton. There will be the ever present exhibitors hall with over 350 exhibitors selling the best in graphic novels, as well as self published comics and mini-comics.

The hours for SPX 2010 are 11AM-7PM Saturday, September 11, and noon-6PM Sunday, September 12. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.

More information is available on our web site at 

http://www.spxpo.com.

Here is the complete list of special guests:

Richard Thompson writes and draws the successful syndicated comic strip Cul de Sac and drew the weekly Washington Post cartoon Richard's Poor Almanac, best known for the George W. Bush parody "Make the Pie Higher." Thompson was nominated for the National Cartoonist Society's Reuben award in 2009, and his illustrations have appeared in The New Yorker and the Atlantic Monthly.

 Jaime Hernandez is the Harvey Award winning and critically acclaimed creator behind the long running LOCA series from Love and Rockets. He has also done work for The New Yorker, as well as album covers for such bands as Los Lobos and Michelle Shocked. He drew the cover for Strange Tales Vol.2 #2 from Marvel, due in November and there will be a new installment of Loca in Love and Rockets: New Stories #3, to be released in September from Fantagraphics. 

James Sturm is an Eisner and Xeric Award winner as well as being a co-founder of The Center for Cartoon Studies. His latest graphic novel, Market Day, published by Drawn and Quarterly, drew critical acclaim from such media outlets as The New York Times and NPR. James is the creator of the equally well received The Golem's Mighty Swing,  as well as co-authoring Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow. He just completed a long stint off the Internet and e-mail, which was documented in a series he did on the subject for Slate. 

Kate Beaton  is the winner of the 2009 Doug Wright Award for Best Emerging Talent. She recently had her first cartoon published in The New Yorker, and drew a poster for Janus Films. She will be part of the next issue of Marvel Strange Tales, due out in October. Her History Comics  takes an irreverent and comical view of history and historical figures, this leading to coverage in Wired Magazine, Bitch and Macleans. Kate is responsible for a number of the banners on the SPX site, for which SPX has received rave reviews. Kate's work can be viewed at her web site http://harkavagrant.com/.

Dean Haspiel  won the Emmy Award for Best Title design for his work on the show Bored to Death for which he also did a comic available on the shows web site. He is the one of the founders of the renown web comic cooperative ACT-I-VATE , as well as a having collaborated with the late, great, Harvey Pekar on The Quitter and American Splendor. He has worked for such outlets as New York Times, Marvel, DC/Vertigo as well as Dark Horse, where he illustrated Michael Chabon's The Escapist. See Dean's work on the ACT-I-VATE web site at http://act-i-vate.com/.

Nate Powell is a novelist, publisher and musician who owns the DIY record label Harlan records. He received the 2009 Eisner Award for Outstanding Graphic Novel for his work Swallow Me Whole and also received the 2009 Ignatz Award for Best Artist. Visit his web site at http://www.seemybrotherdance.org.

R. Sikoryak has been producing comics adaptations of literary classics, turning familiar cartoon imagery and tropes into quirky and insightful parodies, starting with his early appearances in the groundbreaking series RAW. He has published drawings in The New Yorker and Esquire among others, including The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He currently teaches illustration at Parsons in New York City

Vanessa Davis is known for her work for such magazines/web sites as BItch, Vice, Tablet and Bust. Her latest book, Make Me A Woman from Drawn and Quarterly, is premiering at SPX.  Make Me A Woman is a collection of her diary series that spans her life from her Bat Mitzvah to the current day. Check out her website at http://www.spanielrage.com/.

Keith Knight is the creator of the hit newspaper strip The Knight Life and will be on hand at SPX to sign the first compilation of that series, entitled The Knight Life: Chivalry Ain't Dead from Grand Central Publishing. Keith is a multiple Glyph Award winner and has drawn for such publications as Mad and ESPN Magazine. His (TH)ink and K Chronicles series have been critically acclaimed and may be found on his web site at http://www.kchronicles.com/.

Raina Telgemeier's latest work, Smile (A Dental Drama) published by Scholastic Press, led to excellent reviews by both Publishers Weekly and the New York Times. She drew four graphic novels for Scholastic based on the best seller series by Ann M. Martin, The Baby-sitters Club. Raina has won the Eisner, Ignatz and Kimberly Yale Awards and is the artist for this years SPX poster. Raina's website is http://goraina.com/.

Jim Rugg is an illustrator and cartoonist from Pittsburgh. His graphic novels and comic collections include Afrodisiac (Adhouse Books), Street Angel (SLG Publishing), The PLAIN Janes and Janes in Love (DC Comics), One Model Nation (Image Comics) and The Guild (Dark Horse Comics). He has also produced short comics for VH1, New York Magazine, True Porn, Meathaus, Cinema Sewer and Project Superior.

SPX is a registered 501(c)3 which brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini comics 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/.  

Paul Conrad's obit in Washington Post

Pulitzer-winning political cartoonist Paul Conrad dies at 86
By Matt Schudel
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, September 6, 2010; B04

Grand Comics Database expanding

For many years, a dedicated group of people have been attempting to index comic books worldwide into the Grand Comics Database. Back before I had projects like this blog, I used to contribute data and I still love the idea of the project. Recently a spin-off project for comic strips was begun and you can get in at the ground floor here.

Cavna on Paul Conrad

IN MEMORIAM: RIP Paul Conrad, Pulitzer-winning giant of political cartooning
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog September 5, 2010;
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2010/09/in_memoriam_paul_conrad.html

Today in The New York (Comics) Times

Pekar, Paul Conrad and Rutu Modan -

The Unfinished Tale of an Unlikely Hero
By DAVE ITZKOFF
Harvey Pekar, the obsessive chronicler of everyday lives, was collaborating at the end of his life on a Web project whose fate in print remains uncertain.

Paul Conrad, Cartoonist, Dies at 86
By ROBERT D. McFADDEN
Mr. Conrad’s editorial cartoons in The Los Angeles Times and other papers slashed presidents, skewered pomposity and exposed what he saw as injustice for six decades.

And Rutu Modan illustrated the review of Skippy Dies in the Book Review.

Comics in today's Washington Examiner

There's a review of Seymour Chwast's version of Dante's Inferno and a wire story about PBS' Cat in the Hat cartoon.  Links may follow.

"Superheroes in Court: Lawyers, Law and Comic Books" exhibit done by local collector/lawyer

Local lawyer and big-time comic book collector Mark Zaid has got an exhibit of legal-related comic book covers up in a Yale law library. That's a neat idea for a theme. Here's 3 links about the show that Mark sent me:
 

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/03/graphic-books-best-sellers-throwing-the-book-at-them/

http://advocatesstudio.com/2010/09/03/art-imitating-law-comic-style/

http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/holy_smokes_batman_law_in_comics_featured_in_new_exhibit/?from=widget

Penny Arcade interview at Post

The 'Riffs Interview: 'PENNY ARCADE' artist Mike Krahulik talks success, charity & today's PAX
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog September 3, 2010

That darn Cho!

Another Saturday, another letter to the editor...

You should have named Le Pont des Arts in Paris
Washington Post September 4, 2010
Judith Judson, Arlington

...at least they reran Cho's picture.

Post runs book review by graphic novelist

The most interesting piece for this blog is "Gabaldon's latest novel, "The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel," will be published later this month."

Review of Anne Fortier's novel "Juliet," a riff on "Romeo and Juliet"
By Diana Gabaldon
Washington Post September 4, 2010; C03

John K Snyder III and Matt Wagner visit Library of Congress

John K Snyder III and Matt Wagner visited the Library of Congress to see the original Spider-Man pages last week, before attending the Baltimore Comic-Con. Scoop has the story. You can see friend of ComicsDC, librarian Sara Duke, in the 2nd picture behind Matt.

Truitt on Wolverine

Wolverine goes to hell in his new comic
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY September 2 2010

Mark Ruffin's take on Baltimore Comic Con

We were loooking for each other, but missed again.  As a group, DC's comics bloggers are great individualists.

Hundreds of talents, patrons and vendors commenced valuable identity for Baltimore Comic Con Thursday, September 2, 2010 As a specialty reference comic-con may be an accustomed jargon nation-wide, driven by online frequency, over the last three years to be institutionally known as a variable of descriptors in the capacity of a household term. Infuse comic-con into any... Read more » DC Comic Books Examiner, Mark Ruffin Mark Ruffin, a freelance writer and story editor, recalls a first read of Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man #8 and a collection of comic books from that point. Following honorable service in the military, he has contributed and edited articles on subjects political, sports car related, and of murder mystery dinner games. Grouped with his enthusiasm for culinary arts and sports, he enjoys discussions on the various perspectives of the comics medium. Contact Mark here.