Monday, October 18, 2010

Smithsonian magazine interviews Jules Feiffer

Q and A: Jules Feiffer
The cartoonist, illustrator, author and playwright reflects on happy memories and the positive side of failure
By Jesse Rhodes
Smithsonian magazine, September 2010
 
This online version is an expansion of the print one.

Weldon on Jaffee

In A New Book, See The Writer Side Of ... MAD Magazine's Al Jaffee
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (October 14, 2010)
http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2010/10/13/130536664/the-writer-side-of-mad-magazine-s-al-jaffee

Brodner cartoon of Obama as Superman

Yesterday's print edition of the Washington Post had a lovely Brodner
cartoon of Obama as Superman for this article -

In this recovery, Washington has less power over the economy than you think
By Allan Sloan, Tory Newmyer and Doris Burke/ Fortune
Sunday, October 17, 2010

Nick Galifianakis' new blog and book announcement

Nick Galifianakis just wrote in to say:
 

Nick's book and website can be found at:

www.NickandZuzu.com

and his official blog can be found at:

www.nickandzuzu.blogspot.com/

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Peanuts surprise in Post

In the print Washington Post's Style section for Oct 14 2010, there's an article about the lawyer Dick Cheney shot while the two were hunting. There's a picture of him with what appears to be an original signed Peanuts strip on his wall.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Curls Studio at Crafty Bastard fair pics online

And now in lighter news, Carolyn's got pictures of this year's Crafty Bastards fair, which I missed, on her blog.

Cartoon characters are imaginary, even in porn. Really, they are.

Every year, there's a new case of someone being arrested in America for having images of cartoon characters having sex. Here's the latest.

Beyond a trademark violation, I still don't see how this can actually be illegal.

Former teacher pleads guilty to downloading 'Simpsons' porn
By KBOI Web Staff
Oct 13, 2010


BOISE, Idaho - A former middle school teacher in Meridian has pleaded guilty to
possession of visual representations of child sex abuse.

The U.S. Attorney's office said [he] had downloaded more than 70 animated cartoon pornographic images on his computer. Many of them depicted child characters from The Simpsons.


These are imaginary characters. They're not real. They're never going to be real or be hurt or ever feel anything.

How can this be a crime, with in this case, "a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000"? And the federal government is spending tax dollars prosecuting this? There's no other crime in Idaho to worry more about?

For the record, this type of comic art doesn't interest me at all. I also don't care about furries (but if you do, more power to you). I do care about free speech and justice though, and this is wrong.

I'm a member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and I urge all my readers to join as well.

Japanese anime music band played in DC last night

Well, I missed the Boom Boom Satellites at the 9:30 Club. How about you?

Boom goes the dynamite
By May Wildman
University of Maryland Diamondback October 12, 2010

So Richard and Mike go to Columbus...

...for the 2010 Ohio State University's Festival of Cartoon ...


...and darned if DC doesn't follow them there. Here's the warnings we just got about Sunday's travel being interrupted by events...
 

The first event is the Columbus Marathon, which is taking place from 7:30 am until 3:00 pm.  The route includes the portion of High Street between the Hyatt and OSU's campus.    Here is a link to the map showing the route: http://www.columbusmarathon.com/race-information/course-map.

 

The second event is a recently-scheduled Moving America Forward rally on the OSU Oval featuring President Barack Obama.  Doors open at 5:15 pm, but people may begin arriving even earlier.   It is possible that the President's visit will cause some flight and traffic delays. 


...I thought we were leaving these problems in DC!

Monday, October 11, 2010

CBS Overtime rerunning 1999 Charles Schulz interview

We don't normally pay much attention to things beyond our Washington, DC scope, but in honor of the Peanuts 60th anniversary and Mrs. Schulz's recent donation to the National Gallery, here's a link to 60 Minutes Overtime site -

Charlie Brown Turns 60: A look back at "Peanuts" creator Charles Schulz

Comic Riffs on Joe Simon

Joe Simon was one of the important early creators of superheroes, including Captain America -

'Superheroes': Turning 97 today, JOE SIMON reflects on his legacy with JACK KIRBY (*As do STAN LEE and NEIL GAIMAN)
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 11, 2010

Hoxwinder Hall from Post contest launches as webcomic

'NEXT GREAT CARTOONIST': Finalist launches 'Hoxwinder Hall' webcomic
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 10, 2010

Politics and Prose's Carla F. Cohen 1936-2010

This is one of my all-time favorite bookstores, and they've had a lot of cartoonists come through in recent years. Ms. Cohen was one of the two owners. Politics and Prose's release follows.

logo

 

Carla F. Cohen
1936-2010

 

Carla Cohen

Carla F. Cohen
1936-2010

With deep sorrow, I am writing to inform our friends and neighbors that my beloved store co-owner Carla Cohen died this morning. For all of us here at Politics & Prose, it is difficult to believe that someone larger than life is gone, and I will deeply miss my friend and partner. In lieu of flowers, her family has requested that contributions may be made to Jews United for Justice, the Washington Literacy Council or Community Hospice

A funeral will be held at Tifereth Israel, 7701 16th Street, N.W.
 at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 13th.
 
The store will be closed from 12- 4 p.m. on that day.
We will have a memorial service in the store at a date to follow in November.
Apart from this closing, all other events will proceed as scheduled.) 

Please read the obituary from the Washington Post here.
We welcome and encourage your condolences, tributes, and memories here.

 

 

Politics & Prose
Bookstore and Coffeehouse
www.politics-prose.com
5015 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 364-1919 or
(800) 722-0790
Fax: (202) 966-7532



Oct 30: Frank Cho Appearing at Big Planet College Park


Frank Cho will be appearing at Big Planet Comics in College Park on October 30th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.  Frank will have some updates about some new Liberty Meadows projects he is working on.  So stop by and check it out.

Also new comics will be on time this week,  no delay for Columbus Day.  And this week looks like a really good week for superhero comics.

Finally, Big Planet College Park has a new sale table, we just set up, with T-shirts and hard cover books at 50% off.



Peter Casazza

Big Planet Comics College Park
7315 Baltimore Ave
College Park, MD 20740
301.699.0498




Comics scholarship issue of the French web journal Transatlantica online now

Transatlantica 1 | 2010
American Shakespeare / Comic Books


There's an article I wrote a couple of years ago on the state of comics bibliography, but there's other good stuff in this French journal's look at American culture.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Brainstorm Comics moves within Frederick, MD

Frederick comic store moves, doubles space
Associated Press
10/10/10

Truitt on Dapper Men and X-Force

'Dapper Men' descend upon New York Comic-Con
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY October 8 2010

'Uncanny X-Force' swings into action against mutant terrorism
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY October 6 2010

Right wing blogosphere notices Ted Rall interview

A few weeks ago I interviewed Ted Rall about his new manifesto prior to his local appearance.

The interview's being negatively noticed by the right now, although honestly, I think Rall's so far to the left that he's curving around to meet the right on this issue. I like Ted personally, but we're agreeing to disagree on this book.

Radical Cartoonist Ted Rall, Off the Deep End: New Book Calls for Violent Overthrow of the Government
By Tim Graham
Newsbusters.org's Tim Graham blog 10/09/2010

This next one misses the point that Rall's just calling for revolution of any sort, although he would prefer a Marxist one.

Is America Ready for a Marxist Dictator?
by Donald May
LubbockOnline.com's Mr. Conservative blog 2010-10-10

And I am ashamed to admit that Graham found a local interview that I missed -

Man Of Action: Ted Rall, 'The Anti-American Manifesto,' Buboys (sic) and Poets
Written by Express contributor Roxana Hadadi
Express September 27, 2010

Post ombudsman on censoring Non Sequitur

The ombudsman has issues with the Post not running the Non Sequitur comic strip last weekend.

Where was the 'Where's Muhammad?' cartoon?
By Andrew Alexander
Ombudsman
Washington Post October 10, 2010; A17

Why are some of the Post's Sunday comics colored pink?

It's a Breast Cancer awareness campaign thought up by Dan Piraro and done by King Features Syndicate. All of the strips can be seen at Cartoonists Care: The Sunday Funnies Pink Project. There's a link to donate to cancer charities from the main page.

Jef Mallett's kind words for Cul de Sac

"Today, my absolute favorite strip is called 'Cul de Sac.' I think it's only about three years old. It's by a guy named Richard Thompson and he's an absolute genius. He's in the Washington, D.C. area, but he's actually got roots in Michigan. He's absolutely brilliant and his strip is a thing of beauty."

The rest of the long interview is at -

Frazz is moving in: Comic strip with Michigan roots finds a new home in the Enquirer
Andy Fitzpatrick • The Enquirer • October 10, 2010

Friday, October 08, 2010

Matt Dembicki interviewed by Mark Ruffin

Here's another Capicons con interview by Mark Ruffin, DC Comic Books Examiner - DC Conspiracy's Matt Dembicki discusses graphic novel of Native American stories leads to the video Matt Dembicki re: Trickster, October 7th, 2010.

Library of Congress Swann Foundation Fellowships Available


Library of Congress
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington DC   20540

October 8, 2010


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

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

The Caroline and Erwin Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon, administered by the Library of Congress, is accepting applications for its graduate fellowship for the 2011-2012 academic year.  Applications are due by close of business on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011, and notification will occur in the spring. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

# # #

PR10-229
10/8/10
ISSN: 0731-3527

 

NPR's Monkey See blog's podcast on Superman

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Superman, Tim Gunn, And Other Everyday Heroes
by Linda Holmes
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog's Pop Culture Happy Hour (October 8 2010)

With Glen Weldon of course. And I'm now guessing that Linda Holmes must be in the area too?

Canadian profile of Jeff Kinney, former UMD cartoonist

The man behind the Wimpy Kid; Author Jeff Kinney struggles with the question of whether the children should grow up
By Katherine Monk, Postmedia News October 8, 2010

Former area comics reporter Scott Rosenberg on NY Comic con

Ahh, I miss the days when the Examiner had 3 pages of comics and Rosenberg and Truitt cranking out comic book stories...

New York Comic Con: Four Tips to Survive the Extravaganza
By Scott A. Rosenberg
AM NY October 7 2010

Ed Stein's Fresh Squeezed strip added to Fredericksburg paper

'Squeeze' more fun out of Sundays; New comic is 'Freshly Squeezed'
BY EDIE GROSS
Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star 10/8/2010

I think this should be a good strip. I really liked his previous one, Denver Square.

Comic Riffs on Davies lawsuit and Neufeld diplomatic trip

Political cartoonist MATT DAVIES named in candidate's multimillion-dollar lawsuit
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 8, 2010.

Davies won the Herblock award a few years ago.

State Dept. sends Katrina cartoonist JOSH NEUFELD to Mideast to 'showcase cultural freedoms'
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 8, 2010

Cul de Sac starts Batman homage UPDATED

Richard Thompson in Cul de Sac starts a Batman homage or parody or swipe today.

If you're not familiar enough with the superhero to see the whatchamacallit, click here.

Ok, apparently I wasn't the first to notice that. Richard mentioned it on his blog yesterday. BTW, it's his birthday.

Thursday, October 07, 2010

Xavier Xerexes reviews Bone's Tall Tales

Arlingtonian Xavier Xerexes reviewed Bone: Tall Tales yesterday.

Also, we met for coffee this week.

Oct 17: Beyond Comics says Zombies Needed: Appear in our new commercial!










Beyond Comics
Is Looking For Zombies
Zombies Needed
Beyond Comics will be filming our new commercial on Sunday October 17th in and around Frederick.

If you or someone you know wants to be a zombie for the commercial please let us know. Our goal is to have as many zombies as we can.

If you have your own zombie costume you can bring it. Otherwise plan to wear old clothes and we will zombiefy you.

We will be announcing shoot times by this weekend but it could be an all day event. We will specifically note times we need the most help.

Contact Jon at the Frederick store if you are interested.
jon@beyondcomics.com
301-668-8212

The new commercial will air during the Walking Dead television program on AMC.

Thanks,
Jon
Beyond Comics

Beyond Comics

Frederick Location

5632 Buckeywstown Pike
Frederick, MD 21704
(301) 668-8202

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Sam and Lilah and Jim and Hyeondo at NY Comic Con

Jim Douganwrites in

Subject: SAM & LILAH at the New York Comic-Con! Original Art for Sale!
Hey everybody! This weekend (Friday, October 8 - Sunday October 10) is the New York Comic Con at the Jacob K. Javits Center (http://www.facebook.com/l/58a521vGz5W3-52FKfg64q47waw;www.newyorkcomiccon.com/), and in addition to many, many comic and pop culture luminaries, your humble SAM & LILAH creators, Hyeondo Park (http://www.facebook.com/l/58a52okiq5XHoNusjBp3YQqI3kg;www.hanaroda.net) and Jim Dougan, will be in attendance! Hyeondo is sharing Table Q3 in Artists' Alley with his friend Jack Forbes (http://www.facebook.com/l/58a526P9BazG9c89zax5TM1fgBg;thehebrewgod.com/), and selling all kinds of neat stuff, including his work on the manga adaptations of JULIUS CAESAR and HUCKLEBERRY FINN, and hopefully some copies of the ACT-I-VATE PRIMER and NO FORMULA.

But most important of all: for the first time, Hyeondo will be selling SAM & LILAH original art!!! All pages are for sale from $40 to $50, so come on down and take a look! You know you want to, but just in case, here's a taste of what's available (in this case, Chapter 3, page 1):

http://www.facebook.com/l/58a52tBsgD2pSTi667O2WKvdE5w;i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/chatterbox_dc/hp_sl_i_03_01copy.gif

The map below tells you where to go! See you in New York!

http://www.facebook.com/l/58a52WgeAhckWeYtO33vdcn5qjg;i5.photobucket.com/albums/y196/chatterbox_dc/NYCC2010floorplan-revx.jpg

Mark Ruffin with 3 more Capicon interviews

Mark Ruffin, the DC Comic Books Examiner, started working the crowd of cartoonists at Capicons as I was leaving. He got his money's worth with some video interviews.

A short blurb Of werewolf and comics store: North Virginian speaks on webcomic at Capicon leads to Interview with Chris Flick at Capicon October 5th, 2010.

The Booga Fish artist and writer interviews from Capicon leads to Carolyn Belefski at Capicon October 6th, 2010.

DC Conspiracy member Rafer Roberts talks on anthology Magic Bullet leads to Rafer Roberts and the Magic Bullet October 6th, 2010.

I suspect there are more to come.

Tuesday, October 05, 2010

Capicon con covered by DC Comics ExaminerMark Ruffin

Mark Ruffin's got a short article and video up now -

Capicon revitalized as local keepsake event
Mark Ruffin
DC Comic Books Examiner October 4th, 2010

The video, at almost 10 minutes long, is interesting. At around the 2 minutes mark, the owners talk about setting up a local small press show.

And co-owner Laura Daugherty says that they're going to have more local cartoonists at the next show - "We're hosting Hero Initiative with John K. Snyder, III on December 5, along with John Gallagher, Steve Conley and Andre Campbell from Heritage Comics HSQ."

Washington Times, lacking comic strips, still finds them newsworthy culture

Culture Briefs, WASHINGTON TIMES October 4, 2010, includes bits on Cathy and Peanuts.

Friend of ComicsDC Dustin Harbin featured on Comic Book Resources

Talking Comics with Tim - Dustin Harbin
by Tim O'Shea
October 4, 2010

Comic Riffs explains this weekend's pink comics

HILARY PRICE on why her 'Rhymes With Orange' will turn pink this Sunday
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post October 5, 2010.

Nice idea, and a good amount of participation. BTW, men can get breast cancer too.

Academic review of Looking for Calvin and Hobbes online now

Perna, Laura.
"Review of Looking for Calvin and Hobbes." .
ImageTexT: Interdisciplinary Comics Studies. 5.3 (2010). Dept of English, University of Florida.

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Colorist Lauren Affe

A SCAD graduate starting on her career answers my standard questions -

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Lauren Affe
Posted by Mike Rhode on Oct. 5, 2010 at 10:11 am
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/10/05/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-lauren-affe/

Monday, October 04, 2010

Oct 27: Politics and Prose book group discusses Tintin

The Politics and Prose book group will meet October 27th at 7:30pm, reading Tintin in Tibet.

Following that, the titles planned are:

Black Hole by Charles Burns

City of Glass by Auster and Karasik

Market Day by James Sturm

From Hell by Moore and Campbell

The Fixer by Joe Sacco

Jef "Frazz" Mallett's kind words for Weingarten

Meet new faces on the comics pages: Frazz and Dustin
By The Times-Union October 3, 2010

In this interview, Mallett says, "The funny thing is I spent most of my adult life trying to draw like George Booth and write like Gene Weingarten. I’m not there yet …"

Washington Post runs scared, censors Non Sequitur

The Post joined the group of newpapers afraid to publish a Non Sequitur strip that dared mention Muhammed - see the bigger story here  - 
 by Alan Gardner
October 4, 2010


The Post also issued a 'No Comment' to its own blog -
'Muhammad' does -- and does not -- appear in today's 'NON SEQUITUR' comic By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 3, 2010.

The Post's strong tradition of censoring on its comics page what it would never consider in the news pages continues - click on censorship in the tags to see other examples.

Sunday, October 03, 2010

Original Spider-Man art visits Cumberland, MD

...or more accurately, it appears a reasonable facsimile of it did.

Area residents get small taste of what Library of Congress holds
Kristin Harty Barkley
Cumberland Times-News October 1, 2010

No 'Cathy' retirement bump for 'Cul de Sac'?

I've been reading a lot of articles about papers replacing Cathy, and what they're choosing and haven't seen anyone add Cul de Sac yet. Does anyone know of a paper that's added it?

Stone Soup seems to have picked up a few. Rhymes with Orange, Red and Rover, Tundra, Arlo and Janis, nothing, and the new Dogs of C-Kennel are some replacements I've seen.

Saturday Peanuts report

Matt Dembicki was at Saturday's Peanuts event at the National Portrait Gallery and has a brief report on his blog.

Capicon show today w/ DC Conspiracy and Curls

I just got back from this - it's a good show and has a lot of discounted 1/2 price collectons and $1 comics. Also, these folks are there -

Please note the DC-area talent we have scheduled to join us, including 2010 Lulu Nominee Carolyn Belefski and members of DC Conspiracy Matt Dembicki, Andrew Cohen, Rafer Roberts and Evan Keeling.
......
Capicons Comic Book & Pop Culture Con
Sun, Oct. 3, 2010
10 am - 3 pm

Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire Hall, 2148 Gallows Rd, Dunn Loring, Virginia

Admission $3 - Kids FREE!
FREE Admission for those in Costume (Costume Contest at 1 PM)

Open to the public from 10 am - 3 pm. Buy, sell & trade: Gold, Silver, Bronze Age comics; Indie & Modern comics, Publishers & Creators, TV & Movie Collectibles. Non-sport cards; Videos & DVDs; Horror/Sci-Fi; figures, toys; Star Wars & Star Trek memorabilia; original artwork, posters and other comic-related collectibles.

FEATURING:
2010 Lulu Nominee Carolyn Belefski, Curls Studio
Matt Dembicki, Artist/Publisher and Editor of Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection
D.C. Conspiracy--a collective of DC comic creators, writers, publishers & artists

Directions to DLVFRD: Take I-495 (DC/Capital Beltway) to Exit 47A (Rt. 7 West). Go 1/2 Mile, Left on Gallows Rd. 1 mile to 2148 Gallows Rd.

--
Laura Daugherty
Capicons
PO Box 2488
Merrifield, VA 22116
http://capicons.com

David Hagen featured in today's Examiner


The 3-minute interview: David Hagen
Washington Examiner October 3, 2010

David's the man who did our Capitol-capped logo.

Saturday, October 02, 2010

Schulz photo at National Portrait Gallery

Bruce Guthrie photo of Snoopy, Mrs Karsh and Mrs Schulz

Bruce Guthrie has his photos of the ceremony in which a Karsh portrait of Charles Schulz was donated to the National Portrait Gallery.

Schulz's hometown paper covered the event - Portrait Gallery presents 'Peanuts' creator Schulz, by CHRIS SMITH, THE PRESS DEMOCRAT October 1, 2010

as did the Associated Press - Smithsonian Portrait Gallery presents ‘Peanuts’ creator, By Associated Press Saturday, October 2, 2010

Today in The New York (Comics) Times

Animated series via India from Tom Hanks - Tom Hanks Uses Web to Plot the Future, By DAVE ITZKOFF, October 2, 2010

People will still be talking about going to San Diego - Comic-Con to Stay in San Diego Through 2015, By DAVE ITZKOFF, October 2 2010

and Al Jaffee, the great Mad cartoonist is profiled - New Sketch of a Madcap’s Mad Life, By ALISON LEIGH COWAN, October 2, 2010

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Ava Ann Vrooman

My next 'Meet a Local Cartoonist' with Ava Ann Vrooman snuck onto the City Paper's website yesterday.

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/10/01/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-ava-ann-vrooman/

Friday, October 01, 2010

Friend of ComicsDC Dustin Harbin featured on Inkstuds

Dustin Harbin.
Inkstuds September 29 2010
http://inkstuds.com/?p=3174

Gazette features local Maryland stores

Big Planet College Park and Comic Classics are the two stores in
Comic stores struggle to adapt in the digital age
College Park, Laurel stores rely on "guilty pleasure" of books

by Lindsey Robbins
Gazette September 29 2010

Regarding retaining or attracting customers - I realize this is just a blog, but one would think someone at one of the stores would have sent me a note about the article. Also, I've never even heard of Comic Classics*, let alone gotten a note asking to feature a link to them. Sour grapes? or poor business practices?

*they don't appear to have a website either.

Groening curates American Visionary Museum of Art exhibit in Baltimore

Making them smile: With 'Simpsons' creator Matt Groening, the American Visionary Museum of Art enlists some star power for its latest exhibit
By Michael Sragow, The Baltimore Sun October 1, 2010

Frank Cho at Mid-Ohio Con

Scoop has the details on Cho's November 6-7 appearance.

Cavna on Peanuts at Portrait Gallery


'PEANUTS' TURNS 60: Smithsonian pays tribute this weekend with portrait unveiling & Family Day
By Michael Cavna 
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 1, 2010



The end of 'Cathy' comes Sunday

Cathy Guisewite is ending her strip 'Cathy' on Sunday and there's been some newspaper articles wondering how it'll end. Here's how I think it will NOT end:

With Cathy having shed 20 pounds and gotten a full-body wax for a flourishing career as a swimsuit model;

With Cathy and Irving putting their son in a rocket and sending him from their doomed planet;

With Cathy and Irving waving goodbye to their children as the train leaves for Hogwarts;

With Cathy having died to save the universe from the Anti-Monitor;

With Cathy and Irving riding a sled through the woods;

With Cathy gunned down on a city street after seeing a Zorro movie while her young son watches in horror;

With Cathy frozen in a block of carbonite;

With Cathy elected as the first female President of the US;

With Cathy drowning while saving a young child from a swollen stream;

With Cathy and Irving walking off, saying "This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship";

With protests throughout the Muslim world.

Warren Bernard's new book solicited in new Previews

Previews is the catalogue that comic book stores use to stock their shelves. Friend of ComicsDC Warren Bernard's new book Drawing Power, on advertiesments by cartoonists, is solicited in new Previews. Since Previews' website sucks, here's a link to Drawing Power by Rick Marschall and Bernard at Fantagraphics Books' site.

Ben Claassen III's Crafty Bastardly Paper in City Paper

Ben Claassen's done artwork for the guide to this weekend's Crafty Bastards fair that's in the Oct 1 City Paper.

Oct 9: Crumb appears in Maryland


A tip from Warren Bernard -

Chestertown Book Festival

Good to the Last Crumb
Saturday, October 9
1:00-3:00PM
Prince Theatre, 210 High Street, Chestertown, Maryland 21620

R. Crumb, founder of the underground comix movement, will be in conversation with Idiots' Books illustrator Robbi Behr. Crumb and Behr will discuss his life's work, the importance of the public library in a community, and field audience questions. Book sale and signing to follow.

-and Michael Dirda, the Post's excellent book critic will be there too.

Jack Black illustration for Express



There's another lovely Jack Black illustration in today's Express - an alien family watching television.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Wimpy Kid joins Macy's Thanksgiving parade

Wimpy Kid Balloon Joins Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
By Sally Lodge
Sep 30, 2010

...as a reminder, Kinney was a University of Maryland cartoonist prior to hitting it big with his Wimpy Kid.

Waking Sleeping Beauty reviewed in City Paper

Fincher's hyper, fictionalized Facebook flick; Disney's dysfunctional family
By Tricia Olszewski
Washington City Paper October 1, 2010

I guess the Disney documentary is playing here somewhere, but it's not on the City Paper's movie site yet.

Oct 2: Peanuts at National Portrait Gallery

On October 2, the National Portrait Gallery will host a family-and-friends day with events for all ages: cartooning workshops; a screening of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown; and guest appearances from Snoopy and Schulz friend Lee Mendelson, executive producer of all the classic PEANUTS specials.

Wertham article in print City Paper; longer version online

The online version has many more quotes from people about WHAT IT ALL MEANS.

A Comics Villain Revisited: What Will the Opening of Fredric Wertham's
Papers Mean for Comic-Book Scholarship?
Posted by Mike Rhode on Sep. 30, 2010
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/09/30/a-comics-villain-revisited-what-will-the-opening-of-fredric-werthams-papers-mean-for-comic-book-scholarship/

Thru Oct 17: Peanuts play in town


Tickets are $25 from No Rules Theater at the H Street Playhouse -

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Book, Music & Lyrics by Clark Gesner
Additional Dialogue by Micael Mayer
Additional Music & Lyrics by Andrew Lippa

Directed by Matt Cowart
Choreographed by Pauline Grossman
Musically Directed by Taylor Williams

Cast
Lucy - Carolyn Cole
Snoopy - Chris French
Sally - Kristen Garaffo
Schroeder - Sean Maurice Lynch
Linus - Joshua Morgan
Charlie Brown - Augie Praley

WASHINGTON DC TICKETS
H Street Playhouse - Washington, DC
Theatre Mania Box Office: 866-811-4111
9/30 - 8pm | 10/1 - 8pm | 10/2 - 2pm & 8pm | 10/3 - 2pm
10/7 - 8pm | 10/8 - 8pm | 10/9 - 2pm & 8pm | 10/10 - 2pm
10/14 - 8pm | 10/15 - 8pm | 10/16 - 2pm & 8pm | 10/17 - 2pm

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Truitt on Stephen King's comic writing

Stephen King learns in and outs of comics with 'American Vampire'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY September 29 2010

A couple of SPX interviews from Comixtalk

Interviews with Sara Turner and Jerzy Drozd
Submitted by Xaviar Xerexes on September 14, 2010

XX's website Comixtalk is another local one that I've been shamefully behind in realizing was local as it largely focuses on webcomics.

Post interviews Guisewite on body issues

I mentioned a Post blog post on the Cathy comic strip with accompanying body image poll a couple of days ago.

Tomorrow they go right to the source and interview cartoonist Cathy Guisewite -

Cathy Guisewite, creator of 'Cathy' comic, on weight
Jennifer LaRue Huget
Washington Post September 30, 2010; GZ12

Hey, people who aren't me are reviewing comics at the City Paper?!

That Martell guy who did the book on Calvin and Hobbes is poaching in my territory!

Reviewed: Krazy & Ignatz in Tiger Tea by George Herriman
by Nevin Martell on Sep. 28, 2010

He's lucky I like him. Otherwise...

Oct 2: Crafty Bastards arts fair downtown

The City Paper's Crafty Bastards fair is coming up this Saturday. Here's some information pulled from their website:

Now in its 7th year, Crafty Bastards Arts & Crafts Fair is an exhibition and sale of handmade alternative arts and crafts from independent artists presented by the Washington City Paper. The fair is all-day, outdoors, free to attend, and will offer goods for sale, food, entertainment, prizes, and more! Crafty Bastards will take place Saturday, October 2, 2010 in Washington, DC.

Saturday, October 2, 2010, 10am-5pm at the Marie Reed Learning Center at 18th & Wyoming in the hip Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC.


Of local cartoonists, so far Carolyn Belefski's Curls Studio will be there at Tent 80.

Minor bits by Arlingtonians in new books



Richard Thompson has a 1-page cartoon introduction to the new Barney Google book from Craig Yoe.

Meanwhile I'm thanked in Daniel Clowes: Conversations (Conversations With Comics Artists Series) by Ken Parille (Editor) and Isaac Cates (Editor), for suggesting to Isaac that he do a Conversations book. The book was already finished when I interviewed Clowes, so print out “Likable Characters Are for Weak-Minded Narcissists”: A Chat with Daniel Clowes" and glue it in the back of the book. In the book trade, they call that 'tipping-in' and I'll autograph it for you to increase the value.

The return of W.E.L.D.O.N.

In which Glen examines the Iron Man villain who probably won't ever be in one of the big movies -
 
In Praise of M.O.D.O.K: Why Gleefully Goofy Beats Broodingly Brutal

by Glen Weldon

September 29, 2010

 
 

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Truitt on Stephen King's comics

Stephen King bites back with 'American Vampire' comic book

By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-09-29-stephenking29_ST_N.htm

'Cathy' body image poll at Post

Aack! Has comic-strip 'Cathy' shaped your body image?
By Jennifer LaRue Huget 
Washington Post's The Checkup blog September 28, 2010
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2010/09/aack_has_comic-strip_cathy_sha.html

As of this writing, sadly, "yes" is winning.


It's Banned Books Week...

... and this cartoon is working its way through the comics blogosphere. It's from the Library of Congress

* Title: Books are weapons in the war of ideas / S. Broder.
* Date Created/Published: [Washington, D.C.] : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1942.
* Medium: 1 print (poster) : color.
* Summary: Poster showing Nazis burning books, with quotation by Franklin D. Roosevelt, "Books cannot be killed by fire ...."
* Reproduction Number: LC-USZC4-4267 (color film copy transparency) LC-USZ62-121473 (b&w film copy neg.)
* Call Number: POS - US .B761, no. 1 (C size) [P&P] [P&P] [P&P]
* Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
* Notes:
o GPO no. 1942-O-487131.
o OWI no. 7.
o Promotional goal: U.S. J49. 1942.
* Subjects:
o Book Burning--Germany--1940-1950.
o World War, 1939-1945--Communications--United States.
* Format:
o Posters--American--1940-1950.
o Prints--Color--1940-1950.
* Collections:
o Posters: Artist Posters
* Bookmark This Record:
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/96502725/

Beeler appears in paper of record

For the record, on this past Sunday (9/26), Nate Beeler's cartoon The GOP Evolution appeared in the NY Times op-ed section.

Meet a Visiting Cartoonist: A Quick Chat with Jeff Smith

Now at the City Paper -
 
Meet a Visiting Cartoonist: A Quick Chat with Jeff Smith
by Mike Rhode on Sep. 28, 2010
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/09/28/meet-a-visiting-cartoonist-a-quick-chat-with-jeff-smith/

Monday, September 27, 2010

America's Next Great Cartoonist and Comic Riffs blogger on Tall Tale Radio

Episode 100 – Olivia Walch and Michael Cavna
By Tom Racine
Tall Tale Radio September 27th, 2010
http://talltalefeatures.com/2010/09/27/episode-100-olivia-walch-and-michael-cavna/


Ted Rall in town and interview up at City Paper blog

Ted's going to be at Busboys and Poets on 14th and V, NW at 6:30 tonight. I'm planning on being there. Here's an interview about his new prose book:

Beeler sneaks into Examiner

Nate Beeler doesn't usually do a cartoon for Monday's Examiner, which instead relies on the Cagle Syndicate, but he's got one on page 23 today. It's an homage to Gulliver's Travels that illustrates an editorial.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Jeff Smith at Library of Congress National Book Festival

100_0590 LOC NBF Jeff Smith

I got to talk to Jeff Smith for a few minutes at the National Book Festival of the Library of Congress. The interview should appear at the Washington City Paper site this week, but here's my Book Festival pictures.

Friend of ComicsDC Dustin Harbin featured in paper

Dustin's a friend of mine and Richard Thompson -- he's the guy who invited Richard down to HeroesCon, opening a whole new world to us.

Fine-tooning his passion: Local cartoonist Dustin Harbin has turned talent, luck and hard work into burgeoning career success.
By April Denee Baker
Charlotte Observer Sep. 26, 2010

Saturday, September 25, 2010

That darn Toles! (continued)

Witches are your neighbors and acquaintances

Washington Post Saturday, September 25, 2010; A11

What is a witch? The Tea Party's Senate candidate in Delaware, Christine O'Donnell, said that she dabbled in witchcraft. Post columnist Richard Cohen ["Republicans, bewitched," op-ed, Sept. 21] and cartoonist Tom Toles [Sept. 21] commented on it. I wonder if either knows what a witch is? Is it the Hollywood version from "Snow White" or "The Wizard of Oz?" If not, then what?

A witch could be standing in line behind you at the checkout counter or sitting next to you on the Metro. And he or she probably does not cackle or have a wart on her nose or carry a broom. There are several thousand of them in America. They are hard to tell from Episcopalians or anyone else.

If The Post is going to write about them, perhaps you should invite one or two to talk to your staff to provide some background and answer questions.

John B. Holway, Springfield

Audio online for Graphic Content: A Conversation with Five DC Area Graphic Storytellers

I'm afraid I gave up on waiting for the DC Public Library to post the audio for this and have put it up on the Internet Archive.

Graphic Content: A Conversation with Five DC Area Graphic Storytellers

A panel discussion with local talent on creating comics, cartoons and graphic novels in the D.C. area. The panelists are Ben Claassen (DIRTFARM), Andrew Cohen (DC Conspiracy/Trickster), SL Gallant (DC/Marvel/IDW), Evan Keeling (DC Conspiracy/Trickster), and Matt Wuerker (Politico). The talk will be moderated by Washington City Paper's Mike Rhode. Sponsored by the DC Public Library, Northwest One Neighborhood Library, 155 L St, NW @ New Jersey Avenue, Washington, DC.

2nd local editorial on Molly Norris and Draw Mohammad Day

The Satanic toonist? Molly Norris is in hiding. Why?
Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star 9/24/2010

Friday, September 24, 2010

Comic Riffs on Draw Mohammad Day and Muslims

MOLLY NORRIS UPDATE: American Muslim petition defends 'Draw Muhammad Day' cartoonist
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog September 24, 2010

Lynn Brudon's World War 2 malaria posters

Here's all 12 of Lynn Brudon's World War 2 anti-malaria posters that I was able to find in the National Museum of Health and Medicine's photo collections.

Reeve 88456-1

Malaria prevention. Charts. "Why bother to send out invitation. Sloppy Joe cordially invites you. Unhappy mess call. Hiroskito in person. Honorable down beat. Most unworthy bunion. Prevent malaria shorten the war! Lynn Brudon [artist], 1945." [Posters. Illustration. Cartoon, Mosquitoes. Insect pests, Control. Sanitation. Preventive medicine, Propaganda.] Reeve 88456-1

reeve088546-2

Malaria prevention. Charts. "Presenting tonight and every night. 'The 4 Freedoms From Malaria.' Featuring the Soldiers Chorus. Better than Faust. Prevent Malaria! Shorten the war! All star cast. Repellent, atabrine, malaria, d.d.t.[Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane?], bed net. Lynn Brudon [artist], 1945." [Posters. Illustration. Insect pests, Control. Mosquitoes. Sanitation. Preventive medicine.][Propaganda.] REEVE 088546-2

reeve088546-3

Malaria prevention. Charts. "Don't be a damn fool. You wouldn't bed down with a boa or slug it out with a sling shot. Why hang out your old caboose for bayonet practice? Hiroskito. Prevent malaria! Shorten the war! Lynn Brudon [artist], 1945." [Posters. Illustration. Insect pests, Control. Mosquitoes. Sanitation. Preventive medicine.] [Propaganda.] REEVE 088546-3

Reeve088546-4

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. Cartoon by Lynn Brudon.] REEVE 088546-4

reeve088546-5

Malaria prevention. Charts. "Sloppy Joe 'You can't fool him - he's too ignorant.' Don't bathe outdoors after dark. Hiroskito. Honorable blood bank. Prevent malaria! Shorten the war! Lynn Brudon [artist], 1945." [Posters. Illustration. Insect pests, Control. Mosquitoes. Sanitation. Preventive medicine.][Propaganda.] REEVE 088546-5

reeve088546-6

Malaria prevention. Charts. "Hiroskito speaking. Japan expects every saboteur to do his duty. Are you listnin [listening]? Brave American soldier are not care damn for chills and fever. Never mind do strong Japanese. Let honorable buddy do all the work. Take your atabrine. Keep on your feet! A man on his back can't fight. Prevent malaria! Shorten the war! Lynn Brudon [artist], 1945." [Posters. Illustration. Insect pests, Control. Mosquitoes. Sanitation. Preventive medicine.][Propaganda.] REEVE 088546-6

reeve088546-7

Malaria prevention. Charts. "When the Japs stole the world's supply of quinine they were sure of a successful jungle war with malaria fighting on their side. But you can help the Mikado bite his nails! Take a tablet of atabrine every day... It's the ace in the hole the Japs forgot. Prevent malaria! Shorten the war! Lynn Brudon [artist], 1945." [Posters. Illustration. Insect pests, Control. Mosquitoes. Sanitation. Preventive medicine.] [Propaganda.] REEVE 088546-7

reeve088546-8

Malaria prevention. Charts. "Some things are hard to understand. For instance, the Japanese train of thought and their big idea of world domination, all those cabinets they keep forming that fall apart, and the G.I who scoffs at necessary precautions to prevent malaria! Shorten the war! Lynn Brudon [artist], 1945." [Posters. Illustration. Insect pests, Control. Mosquitoes. Sanitation. Preventive medicine.] REEVE 088546-8

reeve088546-9

Malaria prevention. Charts. "Atabrine. Commando of the blood stream. He can only do his duty if you do yours. Ignorant rumors about atabrine are as groundless as Jap propaganda. Don't leave a gap in the line by refusing to cooperate! Prevent malaria! Shorten the war! Lynn Brudon [artist], 1945." [Posters. Illustration. Insect pests, Control. Mosquitoes. Sanitation. Preventive medicine.][Propaganda.] REEVE 088546-9

reeve088546-10

Malaria prevention. Charts. "Sure it makes a difference. Prevent malaria! Shorten the war! Lynn Brudon [artist], 1945." [Posters. Illustration. Mosquitoes. Insect pests, Control. Sanitation. Preventive medicine.][Propaganda.] REEVE 088546-10

reeve088546-11

Malaria prevention. Charts. "The champ. Keep fit! Take atabrine daily... malaria is no match for this heavyweight! Prevent malaria! Shorten the war! Lynn Brudon [artist]." [Posters. Illustration. Insect pests, Control. Mosquitoes. Sanitation. Preventive medicine.][Propaganda.] REEVE 088546-11

reeve088546-12

Malaria prevention. Charts. "Sloppy Joe. One man army in his own mind. Now retired. Prevent malaria! Shorten the war! Lynn Brudon [artist], 1945." [Posters. Illustration. Insect pests, Control. Mosquitoes. Sanitation. Preventive medicine.][Propaganda.] REEVE 088546-12

Coming Monday - a big Ted Rall interview

I interviewed Ted Rall last night for the Washington City Paper, about his new book, An Anti-American Manifesto. The interview should run at the City Paper on Monday morning and you can read Ted's statements like, "I would say that I'm an idealist, and anyone who's not an idealist is a bad citizen."
 
Then you can go to Busboys and Poets on 14th and V St, NW at 6:30 pm (September 27th) and debate him. Fun for all!

Oct 3 Capicons Comics Show

 Please note the DC-area talent we have scheduled to join us, including 2010 Lulu Nominee Carolyn Belefski, Matt Dembicki and members of DC Conspiracy.

......
Capicons Comic Book & Pop Culture Con
Sun, Oct. 3, 2010
10 am - 3 pm

Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire Hall, 2148 Gallows Rd, Dunn Loring, Virginia

Admission $3 - Kids FREE!
FREE Admission for those in Costume (Costume Contest at 1 PM)

Open to the public from 10 am - 3 pm. Buy, sell & trade: Gold, Silver, Bronze Age comics; Indie & Modern comics, Publishers & Creators, TV & Movie Collectibles. Non-sport cards; Videos & DVDs; Horror/Sci-Fi; figures, toys; Star Wars & Star Trek memorabilia; original artwork, posters and other comic-related collectibles.

FEATURING:
2010 Lulu Nominee Carolyn Belefski, Curls Studio
Matt Dembicki, Artist/Publisher and Editor of Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection
D.C. Conspiracy--a collective of DC comic creators, writers, publishers & artists

Directions to DLVFRD: Take I-495 (DC/Capital Beltway) to Exit 47A (Rt. 7 West). Go 1/2 Mile, Left on Gallows Rd. 1 mile to 2148 Gallows Rd.

--
Laura Daugherty
Capicons
PO Box 2488
Merrifield, VA 22116
http://capicons.com

Lauren Affe, comic book colorist in DC


My co-blogger Randy T just sent me a link to the blog of Lauren Affe, a comic book colorist in DC. The redhead is a GI Joe cover (lifted from her blog) that's she's colored. She's also worked on the book A Friendly Game, out now from SLG.

Comics Creators at the 2010 National Book Festival

This is tomorrow, so make your plans now.

Comics Creators at the 2010 National Book Festival

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Comic Riffs on DC's partial LA move

PUTTING THE 'L.A.' in 'JLA': How might DC superheroes fare in their new California digs?
By Michael Cavna 
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog September 23, 2010
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2010/09/putting_the_la_in_jla_how_migh.html

Noted animated historian Charles Solomon likes Cul de Sac

Book review: 'Cul de Sac Golden Treasury'
Richard Thompson manages to preserve a little kid's sense of wonder and fear and mischief in his delightfully quirky comic strip.
By Charles Solomon Special to the Los Angeles Times September 26, 2010
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-cul-de-sac-20100926,0,5377445.story

3 pages of Ben Classen in today's Express

Ben Classen has got 3 full page illustrations for the Virgin Mobile FreeFest in today's Express, the free paper in the yellow box.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Comic Riffs on Signe's support for freedom of speech

Signe Wilkinson is interviewed in IN SUPPORT OF MOLLY NORRIS: Pulitzer winner draws line against fatwa
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog September 22, 2010

Comic Riffs interviews Sikoryak

I'm sending my wife out to buy my first ever issue of GQ tomorrow. This looks great.

Midterm elections spoofed in GQ 'Funny Pages'
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 22, 2010; C05

Sept 27: Ted Rall at Busboys and Poets

This PR just arrived -
 
Renowned political cartoonist and graphic novelist TED RALL will will be appearing at Busboys & Poets on 14th St, NW at 6:30PM on September 27.
 
A little about Ted:
Twice the winner of the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award and a Pulitzer Prize finalist, TED RALL is a political cartoonist, opinion columnist, graphic novelist and occasional war correspondent whose work has appeared in hundreds of publications, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Village Voice, and Los Angeles Times. Due out is his new book, The Anti-American Manifesto, in October. The book is a new manifesto for an America heading toward economic and political collapse. While others mourn the damage to the postmodern American capitalist system created by the recent global economic collapse, Rall sees an opportunity. As millions of people lose their jobs and their homes, they and millions more are opening their minds to the possibility of creating a radically different form of government and economic infrastructure.
 
- I'm a big fan of Ted's work, and glad that my Kickstarter donation to send him back to Afghanistan didn't get him killed, so I'll probably be attending this.

NIck Crawford, GPO cartoonist interview

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with the GPO's Nick Crawford
 by Mike Rhode on Sep. 22, 2010