On the 12th Day of Interviews...

...ComicsDC gave to me -- a sense of a job finally completed, and better knowledge of a lot of local webcartoonists and animators.  Please check out any you might have missed.

            "Meet a Local Cartoonist: Michael Webster," ComicsDC blog (May 2, 2012): http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2012/05/meet-local-cartoonist-michael-webster.html

            "Meet a Local Cartoonist: Jason Axtell," ComicsDC blog (May 1, 2012):

http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2012/05/meet-local-cartoonist-jason-axtell.html

            "Meet a Local Animator: Neil Dittbenner," ComicsDC blog (April 30, 2012): http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2012/04/meet-local-animator-neil-dittbenner.html

            "Meet a Local Animator: Todd Churn," ComicsDC blog (April 29, 2012): http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2012/04/meet-local-animator-todd-churn.html

            "Meet a Local Cartoonist: Chris Mararac," ComicsDC blog (April 28, 2012):

http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2012/04/meet-local-cartoonist-chris-mararac.html

            "Meet a Local Cartoonist: Monica H. or "MonMon"," ComicsDC blog (April 27, 2012): http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2012/04/meet-local-cartoonist-monica-h-or.html

            "Meet a Local Cartoonist: Gregory Uchrin," ComicsDC blog (April 26, 2012):

http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2012/04/meet-local-cartoonist-gregory-uchrin.html

            "Cartoonist Guy Delisle on His Year in Israel and Creating Jerusalem: Chronicles From the Holy City," Apr. 25, 2012, http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2012/04/25/meet-a-visiting-cartoonist-a-chat-with-guy-delisle/

            "Meet a Local Cartoonist: Garth Graham," ComicsDC blog (April 25, 2012): http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2012/04/meet-local-cartoonist-garth-graham.html

            "Meet Two Local Cartoonists: Mike Isenberg and Oliver Mertz, writers of "First Law Of Mad Science"," (April 24, 2012): http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2012/04/meet-two-local-cartoonists-mike.html

            "Meet a Semi-Local Cartoonist: Chris Otto," ComicsDC blog (April 23, 2012):

http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2012/04/meet-semi-local-cartoonist-chris-otto.html

            "Meet a Formerly Local Cartoonist: T Campbell," ComicsDC blog (April 22, 2012): http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2012/04/meet-formerly-local-cartoonist-t.html

            "Joel Pollack on moving Big Planet Comics' Bethesda store," ComicsDC blog (April 22, 2012): http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2012/04/joel-pollack-on-moving-big-planet.html

            "Meet a Local Children's Book Creator: K. Michael Crawford," ComicsDC blog (April 21, 2012): http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2012/04/meet-local-childrens-book-creator-k.html

            "Meet a Local Cartoonist: Michael Munshaw," ComicsDC blog (April 20, 2012): http://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2012/04/meet-local-cartoonist-michael-munshaw.html

May 4: Alison Bechdel at Politics and Prose

Alison Bechdel - Are You My Mother?: A Comic Drama

May 4 2012 7:00 pm

In her acclaimed graphic memoir, Fun Home, Bechdel focused on her father, his secret life, and his death. Now she turns to her talented, emotionally repressed mother, exploring the family psychology and the tentative mother-daughter truce the two achieved via D.W. Winnicott , Dr. Seuss, and Bechdel’s own vivid memories.

5015 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, District Of Columbia
 
I'm planning on being there - Fun Home was a great book.

“The Life & Times of Tim” article in today's Express

Life's Too Short
By Rudi Greenberg
Express May 2, 2012, p. 15  
http://www.expressnightout.com/2012/05/lifes-too-short/

District Comics promo postcard

Matt Dembicki notes on his Facebook page that he got these promo postcards for District Comics.

I wrote the one w/ the Civil War soldier (2nd from the right) and Kevin Rechin did a great job bringing the story to life.

Meet a Local Cartoonist: Michael Webster

 Michael Webster makes old-school comic books under the banner of 'New Future Comics.' While they'd be categorized as minicomics due to his distribution method, he does full-size comics and then self-distributes them to local newstands. Which is how Robert Crumb got started after all. I don't think he'd mind if I quoted from the e-mail he sent introducing himself after I bought a comic and tried to track him down - "I am the artist whose comic book, Hero Patrol,  you purchased at the One Stop News stand at 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.  You can check out more of my work at News World located on K Street by the Farragut North subway entrance.  The books you will find there are Kasper the Prince of Power, The Undercover Unit and of course Hero Patrol.  I also have two novels out, Lime Life and The Story of a Man Called Adam which are also located at News World." Webster answered my usual questions a month ago.

Mike Rhode: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

Michael Webster: I basically do action comics that are based around the DC area. 

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

I do traditional pen and ink but sometimes I use the computer to tweek my work  or add color.

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

Born in the 60's and I am a proud Washingtonian

Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

I live in Maryland and work in the District of Columbia.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

I am a self-taught artist but influenced by many of the comic book illustrators.

Who are your influences?

One of my biggest influences was John Byrne.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

I would have been more aggressive and focused in pursuing my goal.

What work are you best-known for?

My artwork and my novel Lime Life.

What work are you most proud of?

All.

What would you like to do  or work on in the future?

One of my biggest dreams is to write a screenplay or see one of my comics come to life on the big screen.

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

I just stop for a moment, get something to eat or exercise until an idea comes.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

It is an expanding field and will always be around.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

The opportunities you can gain as a struggling artist or writer and it's my hometown.

Least favorite?

Nothing.  There are problems everywhere.

What monument or museum do you take most out-of-town guests to?

Smithsonian.

Favorite restaurant for same?

Georgia Brown's.

Do you have a website or blog?

Not as of yet, I am working on it.  But I do have a Facebook page.

PR: Carla Speed McNeil Wins LA Book Prize!

CARLA SPEED MCNEIL WINS LA BOOK PRIZE!

MAY 1, MILWAUKIE, OR—Finder: Voice continues to be one of the most talked about books of 2011, and word of its story and artwork has spread far and wide. So far, in fact, that Carla Speed McNeil has been awarded the prestigious Los Angeles Times Book Prize in the Graphic Novel category for Finder: Voice!

Praise for Carla Speed McNeil's Finder:

"I love Carla Speed McNeil's Finder, and I imagine the reason I love it is the same reason it doesn't get more attention in the comics press: it's simultaneously straightforward and labyrinthine, genre-based and uncategorizable . . . For me, and for other readers who have gotten pulled into McNeil's weird and woolly far-future world, Finder is one of those comics."—The Comics Journal

"It's been entirely too long since we were able to experience Carla Speed McNeil's unique brand of sociological science fiction with its emphasis on character, class and culture. Once again McNeil immerses you in her meticulously detailed world and you're immediately caught up in a beautifully drawn and deftly written story."—ICv2

"You'll keep turning the pages in Voice to put the pieces of the puzzle together and to see what Grosvenor does next. It is an intricate tale, and Carla Speed McNeil is a master storyteller—with her words and art."—ScienceFiction.com

"McNeil conveys more emotion and depth through the slick line of a raised eyebrow than most can with an entire book, played out in a world that is unquestionably familiar and unshakably alien."—Bleeding Cool

"McNeil excels at tying her many character and story elements together and anchoring them in the same increasingly familiar universe, making her fictional world, its inhabitants and their issues and experiences all the more real to the invested, gratified reader."—No Flying No Tights

Awards and nominations:

Unshelved Book Club's Book of the Month, February 2012—Unshelved

#1 on Comics Worth Reading's Best Graphic Novels of 2011—Comics Worth Reading

#2 on Comics Bulletin's Top 10 Best Graphic Novels of 2011—Comics Bulletin

#4 on Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 2011, Comics—Publishers Weekly

#4 on ComicsAlliance's 11 Best Comics of 2011—ComicsAlliance

#29 on Comic Book Resources' Top 100 Comics of 2011—Comic Book Resources]

________________


Aub Driver_______
Publicity Coordinator
Dark Horse Comics

About Dark Horse

Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton's Tragic Toys for Girls and Boys, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world's leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

June 8: Ocean cartooning with Jim Toomey, at Natural History Museum

World Ocean Day 

When - Friday, June 8, 2012, 1 – 5pm 

Categories - Celebrations, Demonstrations, Kids & Families, Lectures & Discussions, Workshops

Co-sponsor - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Coastal America 

Venue - Natural History Museum, Smithsonian Institution 

Location - Throughout the museum  

Cost -Free  

Related Exhibition - The Sant Ocean Hall  

Join us for an afternoon of activities in celebration of World Ocean Day:    

1:00-5:00 PM: Experts discuss our ocean planet and ocean careers 

(Ocean Hall, 1st floor)    

2:00-2:30 PM: Ocean cartooning with Jim Toomey, creator of Sherman's Lagoon 

(Ocean Explorer Theater, Ocean Hall, 1st floor)    

2:30-3:30 PM: Create a mural with cartoonist Jim Toomey (Ground-Floor Gallery)    

2:30-3:30 PM: 2012 Coastal America Student Ocean Art Contest: 

view the winning artwork and meet the artists (Ground-Floor Gallery)    

3:30-4:00 PM: Watch a series of short films on Marine Protected Areas

 and meet the producers (Baird Auditorium)    

4:00-5:00 PM: Panel discussion with renowned oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle

 and Youth Ocean Leaders (Baird Auditorium, Ground Floor)    

 

(Info courtesy of David Hagen)

Today: Comics in GW service learning course

From: Phillip Troutman

Mike, this is totally last minute, and I apologize! But my students are presenting their final comic books--the ones they created for the service learning project with Safe Shores DC at the GW Marvin Center, in two sessions:

12:25-12:50 (Room 301, 307, 308, 311): Poster Session (all 3 comics will be laid out for viewing)

1:00-1:45 (room 307), two students will reflect on the process.

The initial story is at http://gwtoday.gwu.edu/learningresearch/aserioususeforcomicbooks

Meet a Local Cartoonist: Jason Axtell

 I met Jason Axtell at the Big Planet Comics launch party for Magic Bullet #4. Axtell had just finished coloring Matt Dembicki's Mr. Big story for its reissue this summer, and Matt made a point of introducing us. I'm glad he did as Jason's put quite a bit of thought into answering my usual questions. I personally look forward to catching him at a con so I can buy a set of his comics, as seen on the right...

Mike Rhode: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

Jason Axtell: I'm generally all over the place. It's whatever I am feeling at the moment. I wouldn't call myself a traditional comic artist by any means, and by traditional I mean the kind of thing you would see in DC/Marvel or anything mainstream. I'm trained as an illustrator and heavily influenced by a number of styles and forms of art and try to incorporate my wide range of influences into my work.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

I do enjoy the pen and ink, or more appropriately, brush and ink. I've always leaned towards anything that resembles painting.

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

1978. Jersey, originally.

Why are you in the Washington sphere now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

I moved here after spending nine years in the south, primarily Savannah, Georgia. After a failed relationship, a layoff and my general distaste for the southern "hospitality" I decided I had enough and needed to get out of there. When the Art Institute of Washington (in Arlington and Sterling) hired me on as a full-time instructor three years ago, that was all I needed to hightail it out of the south. Though I still like to visit some friends down there, I don't regret leaving it. The DC area is more to my liking. I live in the Vienna/Oakton area.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

I earned a BFA in Illustration from VCU and an MFA in Sequential Art from SCAD. Neither really focused on 'cartooning.' VCU trained me in traditional as well as digital media, and mainly as an illustrator. But since I started out trying to be a cartoonist and comic artist, a carry-over from my high school days, much of my early work yielded a mix of both cartoony and painterly aspects. SCAD trained me as a visual story-teller, allowing me the chance to hone my illustration techniques while also applying them to a comic format.

Who are your influences?

Too many. Primarily my Uncle Dick (not a joke) and my good friend Ben Phillips. I've known both since about the age of 6 or 7. For years I didn't know much about my Uncle except that he was a teacher and a painter. He taught at University of Memphis for 30+ years. When I was young he gave my parents a few of his paintings, which my parents proudly framed and hung in our dining room. Every night I would look at them and try to decipher them. He was an abstract artist that experimented with line, color and shape, frequently going through different phases and evolutions in his art. My favorites as a kid dealt with his attempt at capturing the effect of light and color in water. It wasn't until I was older and in the midst of earning my MFA that I began to delve a little deeper into what he was all about. Other people in my family have demonstrated terrific artistic and creative talents but for some reason I'm the one that pursued it to the similar lengths that he did. It wasn't until the last few years of his life that I really tried to figure out where he was coming from as an artist. It took a few visits and recommendations (Kandinsky, Rothko, Matisse and Guston) before I became aware of how he saw the world and what he was trying to do with his art. It was a profound discovery and a tremendous influence that I would not have made had it not been for him.

Ben Phillips lived across the street from me when we were kids. From the start he had this way about him, this means to influence his beliefs and ideas on me that at times could be frustrating but also illuminating. We shared many of the same likes and dislikes, primarily in music and movies. If it hadn't been for him I might never have really picked up a comic in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I was always curious. Superman, the 1978 film, was and still is one of my all time favorites but every time I picked up a Superman comic it would lose me. Ben introduced me to what comics were really all about and through him I was able to appreciate just what it took to make them. In high school we were part of a comic collective in which we would have meetings, share feedback and drink lots of Dr. Perky (Food Lion's answer to Dr. Pepper). It was there that I learned that I had no idea what I was doing and what I wanted to do...not just with art, but with my life. I met all these interesting and very influential people but didn't know what I wanted. I followed my instincts and joined Ben for art school at VCU and SCAD, probably because I didn't know what else I was going to do. I succeeding greatly at both schools and with my education under my belt I finally felt like I had direction. That being said, with art, I'm always discovering that I don't know enough. It's enough to keep me looking and searching for anything new or interesting. For me, art is a never ending progression of discovery and experiment. I wouldn't have found that without Ben or my Uncle.

For a more simple answer to my influences:

Edgar Degas 

Frank Frazetta

Egon Schiele

Maxfield Parrish

Phil Hale

Jules Feiffer

Norman Rockwell

David Lapham

Juan Jose Guarnido

Sam Keith

Alan Moore

and likely many many more.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

Expand my boundaries a bit outside of the 2D art. It appears that 3D art, software and graphics are the thing which pits me with the Neanderthals of the art world.

What work are you best-known for?

Not sure. I worked on the Family Guy comic but you wouldn't know me from the billion other artists that worked on that book. My first publication, "The Strange Fungus in Mr. Winslow" always catches people's eyes at cons (almost literally - the cover was billed by my late friend Jeremy Mullins, "The best cover EVER!"). "Reasons I Should Not Be On A Talk Show" is another con favorite. My last real publication (before this summer's colorized version of Matt Dembicki's "Mr. Big") is a comic strip called "Strays 'N Gates."

What work are you most proud of?

A portrait of my Uncle Dick I completed after his death. You can see it on my web site in the "Illustration" section.

Also, every comic I've produced has always taken me a step forward. "Strange Fungus..." was my first book, fully painted and written by myself and that took me 2 years to complete. "Strays 'N Gates" was the first time I had to really hunker down and bust out one strip per week. The fact I did that for eleven months without missing one was a huge feat. "Mr. Big" was my first graphic novel, and it had a deadline to top, and I made that deadline beautifully. 

What would you like to do or work on in the future?

Every so often I think about how much fun it would be to create my own interpretation of Ghostbusters and MegaMan. There's so many crappy manga versions of MM out there that I feel it, like much of the comics universe, needs a facelift. And while I have a few of my own stories on the backburner I, for some reason, have a really clear image of TC Boyle's Drop City in my mind. Done in the right style and format, I think that would be a great book!

 What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

Get out of the house. Get some fresh air. Watch a movie. Get some sleep. Bejeweled. Or just draw something else.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

Hard to tell. It's already changed so much since I went to school that I feel obsolete in so many ways. I'd like to think the digital revolution that we are still experiencing won't kill off the old fashioned book, that people will still paint and draw with pencils and brushes. That there will still be room for doing something that doesn't involve a computer. But then again, I've spent the last week almost completely glued to my computer for various purposes, so my hopes are dwindling.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

The museums and extensive list of restaurants and places to visit. I didn't get that in Savannah. Here, it seems that there's always somewhere we've never heard of that peaks my interest.

Least favorite?

The f*ck*ng traffic. What else?

What monument or museum do you take most out-of-town guests to?

As much as I love the National Gallery of Art and National Portrait Gallery, I always seem to take friends and family to the Natural History Museum instead. I don't mind. It is quite fun there.

Favorite restaurant?

Do you really want another list? It's probably start with Tara Thai or The Melting Pot.

Do you have a website or blog?

jasoneaxtell.com -I update it with a lot of my experimental figure work but occasionally you'll see some comic or illustration work as well.

Matt Wuerker's Pulitzer party

Matt's wife Sara hosted a party for him this past weekend, and Joe Sutliff made Matt a crown fit for a Pulitzer-prize winner... that's a golden inkpen on top.

Meet a Local Animator: Neil Dittbenner

Neil Dittbenner was one of the local animators* at Gigacon at the Art Institute of Washington (which is actually in a lovely facility in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington) this past January who kindly answered my usual questions.

Mike Rhode: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

Neil Dittbenner: I am a Flash animator at Latman Interactive. I also do freelance work for animation studios in the D.C Metro area.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

I enjoy experimenting with different mediums but, my tool of choice is Flash.

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

I was born in Kansas City on May 31, 1986

Why are you in the Washington sphere now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

I moved to the area as a teenager and then attended The Art Institute of Washington. After school I stayed in the area working  as a subcontractor and freelance artist.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

Lots of television as a child and BFA from The Art Institute of Washington in Media Arts and Animation.

Who are your influences?

I'm a huge fan of Jim Smith and John K. They had a pretty big influence on my style and taste in humor.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

I'm happy with where my life is heading right now. The path I choose may have been bumpy but it lead me to the right place in the end so, I don't think I would do-over or change anything.

What work are you best-known for?

I did some freelance work for PBS Kids through a local studio called Karptoons. It was a great project and the end results were really creative and fun.

What work are you most proud of?

I have a side project about carnivals, magic, and love that I'm working on that I'm pretty excited about. My personal projects give me a great sense of accomplishment.

What would you like to do  or work on in the future?

I'm really happy with the jobs I'm working currently but, I'm hoping to work on children's books or web comics in the future.

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

I find that just taking a break from art for a couple minutes lets your brain relax. Once I'm relaxed ideas seem to come more easily because I'm not forcing creativity.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

The Internet is becoming the center of entertainment for a lot of people. It's cheaper and easier to watch things on Netflix and Youtube than it is on cable and with a lot of newer televisions becoming Internet capable online content is growing more important. I think short online animations are a good bet for the future.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

I think my favorite thing about DC has to be the National Zoo. It is a great place to sketch and people watch. Plus it's totally free which is a major plus.

Least favorite?

High cost of living and traffic are really awful here. I could easily live without either of those.

What monument or museum do you take most out-of-town guests to?

The Natural History Museum is always a big hit with out-of-town guests. The dinosaurs and animals never get old.

Favorite restaurant?

The Burger Joint chain is fantastic.

Do you have a website or blog?

www.dittbenner.com and these are some other goodies to check out www.latman.com, and www.Karptoons.com

 *Since he's an animator, you should definitely check out his website to view his cartoon work.

Guy Delisle pictures from Politics and Prose

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42072348@N00/tags/guydelisle/

Post on animator Peter Lord and the dangers of Family Circus

Animator Peter Lord brings to life 'The Pirates' in his latest movie
By John DeFore
Washington Post April 29 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/animator-peter-lord-brings-to-life-the-pirates-in-his-latest-movie/2012/04/26/gIQABgzNjT_story.html

Letter to the Editor: Don't use a comic strip for seat-belt advice
Lisa Marie Daniel, Bethesda
Washington Post April 28 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dont-use-a-comic-strip-for-seat-belt-advice/2012/04/27/gIQAhNzAmT_story.html

Truitt on Ramiel

Javier Grillo-Marxuach creates a heavenly hero for 'Ramiel'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY April 26 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-04-26/Ramiel-angel-comic-book-series/54562724/1

Big Planet Comics Orbit Newsletter - April 27, 2012

April 27, 2012

Free Comic Book Day Approacheth! Next Saturday, May 5, is the annual Free Comic Book Day! As always, all of our stores are participating, so stop by and get some free comics! It's also a great time to bring your friends or children in too! We have been receiving our free comic books over the last few weeks, and there are a LOT this year. Avengers, DC New 52, Simpsons, Mega Man, a HARDCOVER from Archaia, Serenity, Star Wars, Yo Gabba Gabba, Adventure Time, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Spider-Man, and more! You can see the full list of free comics at freecomicbookday.com We are also having signings at two of our stores in conjunction with Free Comic Book Day. Jeremy Whitley and Jorge Aguirre, who both write great all ages comics (Princeless and Giants Beware!) will be at our Vienna store from 11-1 and our College Park store from 3-5. They will be signing copies of their comics, and happy to talk to young fans and readers too! More information is below. We might also have a few special guests (like the Ghostbusters!) Feel free to forward on our newsletter, and please send us any comments or mailing list requests to vienna@bigplanetcomics.com Thanks!   - the Big Planet Comics kids UPCOMING May 5 - Free Comic Book Day & Jeremy Whitley & Jorge Aguirre Signing Free Comic Book Day is just a few weeks away! Bring your friends, we have a lot of great comics to give away this year! To see the complete list, go to freecomicbookday.com! In addition, we are proud to present 2 great comic book writers, who have just published some great all-ages fantasy adventure comics! Jeremy Whitley writes Princeless, and Jorge Aguirre writes Giants Beware! They will be appearing at our Vienna and College Park stores. 11 am-1 pm Big Planet Comics of Vienna 426 Maple Ave. East Vienna, VA 22180 703-242-9412 vienna@bigplanetcomics.com 3 pm-5 pm Big Planet Comics of College Park 7315 Baltimore Ave. College Park, MD 20740 301-699-0498 bigplanetcollegepark@yahoo.com ___________________ Jerusalem: Chronicles from the Holy City HC by Guy Delisle Guy's wife is sent to work in Jerusalem for a year, so he becomes a stay-at-home-dad while sketching and exploring Israel and Palestine. He has done other books on other countries, from Burma to North Korea, but this is his longest work yet, and shows an interesting other take on modern life in the area, as opposed to just visiting. Play Ball HC by Nunzio Defilippis, Christina Weir and Jackie Lewis A divorced mom and her two teenage daughters move to a new school, where one wants to try out for the boys-only baseball team! High school drama, baseball championships, and family tensions combine into a compelling story. Black Orchid Deluxe Edition HC by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean A classic reprinted, as Susan Linden is reborn as the half-plant Black Orchid! Folly: The Consequences of Indiscretion SC by Hans Rickheit An utterly bizarre, Lynchian journey of bearmen and young girls. Popeye #1 by Roger Langridge and Bruce Ozella A new adventure of Popeye that somehow seems like a classic original one! When rumors of a new Jeep arrive, a scheme is hatched to find it, requiring a sea voyage and crossing paths with both Bluto and the Sea Witch! And of course Wimpy hitches a ride. Great cartooning, funny writing, and a great adventure. AVX: VS #1 (of 6) by Jason Aaron, Adam Kubert, Kathryn Immonen, and Stuart Immonen You want more fights? You got more fights! A companion series to Avengers vs. X-Men, each of these issues will have 2 fights expanded from the original. In this we have Iron Man vs. Magneto and The Thing vs. Namor! Plus each fight will have a definite winner. The New Deadwardians #2 by Dan Abnett and I.N.J. Culbard Inspector Suttle continues his investigation into how the vampire was killed. The Pterodactyl Hunters in the Gilded City SC by Brendan Leach In 1905, brothers come in conflict over their jobs as pterodactyl hunters! Stormwatch 1 HC by Warren Ellis and Tom Raney Ellis' relaunch of Stormwatch in a dark direction, leading to The Authority! Big Planet Comics Podcast #42 Kevin, Nick and Jared review some great comics! Download now or subscribe on iTunes!   PODCAST REVIEWS: AVX: VS #1 (of 6) by Jason Aaron, Adam Kubert, Kathryn Immonen, and Stuart Immonen Battle Scars #6 (of 6) by Chris Yost and Scot Eaton Captain America & Hawkeye #629 by Cullen Bunn and Alessandro Vitti Folly: The Consequences of Indiscretion SC by Hans Rickheit Jerusalem: Chronicles From the Holy City HC by Guy Delisle Merciless: The Rise of Ming #1 by Scott Beatty and Ron Adrian The New Deadwardians #2 by Dan Abnett and I.N.J. Culbard Play Ball HC by Nunzio Defilippis, Christina Weir and Jackie Lewis Popeye #1 (of 4) by Roger Langridge and Bruce Ozella The Pterodactyl Hunters in the Gilded City SC by Brendan Leach Supercrooks #2 by Mark Millar and Leinil Yu Wolverine #305 by Cullen Bunn and Paul Pelletier Send us questions to podcast@bigplanetcomics.com or call us at 1-703-539-CAST! 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PR: Gorilla w/Baseball Bat Battles Zombies comic book by Rob Anderson

From Rob Anderson:

Rex, Zombie Killer will be hitting the stands next week, on 5/2!

It's been getting some good buzz -- including a review in the current issue of Fangoria magazine on stands right now.

This web post has some more details: http://www.rexzombiekiller.com/2012/04/rex-zombie-killer-1-hits-comic-shops-on.html

Finally, just to give you the particulars -- it's 56 pages, full color, only $3.50, published by Big Dog Ink, and tells the story of a hyper-intelligent Golden Retriever and a small pack of animals -- including a gorilla with a baseball bat -- trying to cross the country after a zombie apocalypse.