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Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Fantom Comics newsletter
Magic Bullet #5 Kickstarter Campaign
From: andrew cohen
I just wanted to let you know that the DC Conspiracy is planning it's fifth issue of MAGIC BULLET, and is running a Kickstarter campaign to help raise funds for it. As you know, MAGIC BULLET is the group's free comic newspaper, featuring a wide array of artists and comic bookers. This issue has a special "end of times" theme, for the end of 2012, to be interpreted however the artists wish. The campaign features rewards of comics, t-shirts, original art and commission sketches, and it wraps up on June 21. It can be accessed at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2104849681/magic-bullet-5
5/23 Politics and Prose bookgroup meeting
From: Adam Waterreus
Just wanted to send out a reminder that we will be meeting tomorrow evening, 5/23, at 7:30, to discuss ARE YOU MY MOTHER?, by Alison Bechdel.
Oh, and here's an older interview, 2007, about Fun Home and her strip, Dykes to Watch Out For. Thought it might be interesting:
http://www.tcj.com/the-alison-bechdel-interview/
See you tomorrow!
Adam
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Meet a Local Cartoonist: Dechanique
Deanna Echanique, who cartoons as Dechanique, embarrassingly enough came to my attention through this Canadian interview done for the Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) of all places. Her webcomic La Macchina Bellica is the gay-friendly story of elves versus humans in a world where magic and technology are both used in war,. Chapters 1-5 have been collected in a trade paperback and #6 is available as a comic book. She has recently started illustrating a new webcomic Kindling. She was kind enough to answer my usual questions.Mike Rhode: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
Dechanique: I draw primarily long-form graphic novels. I work all steps of the process myself (thumbnailing, penciling, inking, and occasionally coloring). While I am primarily a comic artist, I also have illustrated children’s books and enjoy oil painting, book-binding, and sculpting.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
It depends on the project. For La Macchina Bellica, I pencil the pages print-sized on printer paper, scan them, and ink/tone them digitally in Manga Studio. I transfer the image to Photoshop for text placement and coloring (for the first half of Ch 7). Kindling is done mostly traditionally. Pages are penciled and inked on 11 x 17 Blue Line Pro comic boards. I used watercolors and a combination of Copic and Prismacolor markers to color the pages. The upcoming chapters will be in black and white, penciled and inked in the same method, and toned digitally in Manga Studio.For inking, I generally use a Pentel pocket brush pen, the Tachikawa school g nib fountain pen, and Microns of varying sizes!
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
April 3, 1984 in Wilmington, North Carolina. TEXTBOOK ARIES
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I moved to DC after graduating from college in July 2009. I lived in by Navy Yard for a while, but relocated to Columbia Heights October 2010.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
I graduated from Salisbury University with a BFA in Drawing. I never took any specific sequential art or cartooning courses- in that aspect I am self-taught. I did, however, take a plethora of traditional drawing and painting classes, focusing on the figure. The best training in creating comics I got was “on the job” - drawing lots and lots and lots of comic pages. Trial, error, practice, working outside your comfort zone!
Who are your influences?
My biggest influence has been growing up exposed to anime/manga. When I first started drawing comics, I was 11 and my classmate Chloe would loan me the French editions of Sailor Moon (Naoko Takeuchi) and Ranma ½ (Rumiko Takahashi). At the same time, anime started playing in the US more widely- Sailor Moon and G-Force (Gatchaman), Speed Racer, Tekkaman Blade. I was totally hooked! My art was pretty “generic” manga in my teenage years, but in my early 20’s began changing as I started taking traditional art classes in college (I’ve become enamored with drawing lips and noses!) and exposed to a wider range of classical art. Art Nouveau (and the Victorian era dressings/ Steampunk aesthetic became coming into my work.
My painting instructor at Salisbury University, Mr. Jin Chul Kim, has also been influential in my career. He was more or less my mentor during my years there.
More recently, my exposure to social media and broader range of indie and webcomics, and manga like Blade of the Immortal (Hiroaki Samura) and One Piece(Eiichiro Oda), all of which I feel has lead to my evolution in page layout and story-telling, and in creating a broader range of characters. Particularly Eiichiro Oda. I admire him greatly for his story-telling ability and character development, and he has no doubt influenced what I do today.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
I would say my biggest “what if” scenario is how my career would have turned out if I had put together a portfolio and applied to art schools straight out of high school. I desperately wanted to go to SVA or SCAD, but when I graduated from high school, I had a full ride at a local university, so I opted to go there because I hadn’t prepared a decent portfolio, and was daunted by the cost. I got a BA in Psychology at Florida International University.
I ended up going back to a state school for art later but due to the fact I already had a degree, I didn’t qualify for any scholarships or grants (most specify it has to be your first degree). I racked up a crapton of student loans going back to school. Going to art school straight out of high school I would have spent about the same amount, and maybe would have been in a different place (technically/skill wise) now.
With all that said, however, I wouldn’t actually change what has happened to me and my decisions given the opportunity. I did learn a great deal from being mostly self-taught as far as sequentials are concerned, I made many friends while in college, and while I might be further along in my career had I started younger, I don’t think I would be drawing the same stories or made the professional connections I have. I think I would be a different person than I am now.
What work are you best-known for?My webcomic, La Macchina Bellica. :3
What work are you most proud of?
The work I’m producing for Kindling. Technically, it’s the best work I’ve put out and I’m definitely very proud of it! Having a talented writer turning my creative gears and pushing my boundaries has been super helpful. I have high hopes for this series after designing the characters and thumbnailing the first book. It’s got me really excited!
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I desperately want to learn to animate! It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but wasn’t able to find a teacher (or figure out how to do it on my own). I dabbled with animated GIFs for a while, but I just can’t make the transitions nice enough.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
Whenever I get stuck, I bust out some erotica! That usually helps break my art-block, though to be honest, I don’t find I get art blocks often. More likely, I’m just burnt out from deadlines and want to play video games and be lazy for a couple hours.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
Hahah, I’m not really sure! But my outlook is positive!
What's your favorite thing about DC?
Ease of getting around without a car. DC is super walkable/bike-friendly. I rarely ever use my car (except to go out of town or to conventions).
Least favorite?
The lack of parking. It’s a never-ending battle. There aren’t enough parallel spaces, we have to move our cars constantly for street cleaning, and I get ticketed for stupid things like, a $50 ticket because my registration sticker wasn’t properly affixed to my windshield (the glue is shoddy, it was hanging by one corner). I wish I didn’t need a car.
What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?
The Smithsonian Natural History Museum! It’s my favorite. I could wander around in there all day, staring at dinosaurs and stuffed creatures. Pandas – smaller than advertised. Lions – HOLY CRAP HUGE.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Chix, on 13th and U St NW! Their food is fantastic – and they have a $10 wine bottle happy hour that is just faboo.
Do you have a website or blog?
La Macchina Bellica –http://www.macchinacomic.com
Kindling – http://www.kindlingcomic.com
Aug 3: Rafer Roberts' exhibit in Rockville
| Exhibition date | Friday, August 3rd to Saturday, September 8th, 2012 |
| Exhibition Cost | Free |
| Location | Common Ground Gallery |
| Opening Reception | Friday, August 3rd - 7:00 to 9:00 PM |
Presenting Rafer Roberts' comic book art, mostly drawn with india ink on bristol, with homages to early comic pioneers and an emphasis on the creepy and unsettling.
Comic Riffs on gay cartoon characters
MARVEL ANNOUNCES 'X-MEN's' GAY WEDDING: Does this mean mainstream comics are 'evolving'?
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 22 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/marvel-announces-x-mens-gay-wedding-does-this-mean-mainstream-comics-are-evolving/2012/05/22/gIQAjePNiU_blog.html#pagebreak
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 22 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/marvel-announces-x-mens-gay-wedding-does-this-mean-mainstream-comics-are-evolving/2012/05/22/gIQAjePNiU_blog.html#pagebreak
Big Planet Comics Orbit Newsletter - May 18, 2012
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We've just gotten in a batch of 
Jerry Gaylord, artist on the new Boom comic Fanboys vs. Zombies (written by Sam Humphries), will be appearing at our College Park store from 1 pm to 3 pm to sign copies of the first 2 issues. In Fanboys vs. Zombies, a group of former friends at San Diego Comicon run into each other again just as a zombie outbreak occurs! Can they put aside their differences to use their fan knowledge to survive?
KAL interview on Romanian TV
The interview is in English.
Interviu cu Kal Kallaugher, caricaturist The Economist
May 16, 2012 by hotnewsromania
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l99ZpYR5ZGM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPsLiYhQb3M
Interviu cu Kal Kallaugher, caricaturist The Economist
May 16, 2012 by hotnewsromania
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l99ZpYR5ZGM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPsLiYhQb3M
Kal Cartoon news from Romania
From: Kevin Kallaugher
Friends and colleagues
I wanted to share with you some recent news I hope you might find of interest.
I have just returned from a very interesting "Cartoon Diplomacy" tour of Romania. It included an exhibition of my work at the National Museum of Contemporary arts as well as lectures to High School and university students, journalists and citizens. We had a great deal of media coverage including a nice piece in Agence France Presse which has had international pick-up. I include it below.
There is also a video of my opening remarks at the exhibition here:
Also, an exhibition of my cartoons which originally shown in St Petersburg, Russia is now on tour. It will be opening soon in Kaliningrad, Russia.
Closer to home, here in Baltimore I enjoyed an interesting discovery. A former mayor of Baltimore disclosed recently that a cartoon I penned 20 years ago was responsible for a change in a city policy. You can read the story here:
March 2013 marks my 35th year with The Economist. To celebrate I am preparing major retrospective book which will be available within the year.
I will keep you posted.
Best
Kal
Kevin KallaugherMonday, May 21, 2012
Truitt on Lemire's Justice League
Oddballs abound in Jeff Lemire's 'Justice League Dark'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY May 21 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-05-21/Jeff-Lemire-Justice-League-Dark-comic-book-series/55112792/1
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY May 21 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-05-21/Jeff-Lemire-Justice-League-Dark-comic-book-series/55112792/1
Pakistan worries about Draw Mohammad day, even if nobody else does
Pakistan blocks, then restores, Twitter access
By Richard Leiby, Washington Post May 21 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pakistan-blocks-then-restores-twitter-access/2012/05/20/gIQAPqBPdU_story.html
The only things I've seen about this are 2 stories about Pakistan worrying about it.
By Richard Leiby, Washington Post May 21 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/pakistan-blocks-then-restores-twitter-access/2012/05/20/gIQAPqBPdU_story.html
The only things I've seen about this are 2 stories about Pakistan worrying about it.
Comic Riffs editorializes on Kirby
AN IMMODEST PROPOSAL: From 'Avengers' riches, Disney should smartly gift Kirby heirs with a cool million
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 21 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/an-immodest-proposal-from-avengers-riches-disney-should-smartly-gift-kirby-heirs-with-a-cool-million/2012/05/21/gIQANA6gfU_blog.html#pagebreak
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 21 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/an-immodest-proposal-from-avengers-riches-disney-should-smartly-gift-kirby-heirs-with-a-cool-million/2012/05/21/gIQANA6gfU_blog.html#pagebreak
Sunday, May 20, 2012
George Washington University's superhero faculty
School Turns Engineering Faculty into Superheroes
By Anna Kuchment
Scientific American's Budding Scientist blog May 18, 2012
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/budding-scientist/2012/05/18/school-turns-engineering-faculty-into-superheroes/
and The Adventures of RobotronMan can be seen here. It's the first in the series of webcomics about the faculty.
By Anna Kuchment
Scientific American's Budding Scientist blog May 18, 2012
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/budding-scientist/2012/05/18/school-turns-engineering-faculty-into-superheroes/
and The Adventures of RobotronMan can be seen here. It's the first in the series of webcomics about the faculty.
Nate Beeler featured in new Columbus job
Summarizing life one drawing at a time
by Richard Ades
The Other Paper May 17, 2012
http://www.theotherpaper.com/news/article_bb3ac408-a041-11e1-8c73-0019bb2963f4.html
by Richard Ades
The Other Paper May 17, 2012
http://www.theotherpaper.com/news/article_bb3ac408-a041-11e1-8c73-0019bb2963f4.html
June 1: John Fantucchio in Art On The Edge
From: Mary Fantucchio:
John G. Fantucchio will have three paintings on display in Alexandria at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery. We'd like to invite you to the opening reception - food and drinks will be served. Come and meet John on Friday, June 1, 7 - 10. The title of the show is 'Art On the Edge.' It's an all experimental art exhibit. His stuff may look like something you'd find hanging in the lounge on the Starship Enterprise - but sorry, no comic book artwork. The address is 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301-1124. Their phone number is 703-838-4827.
For those joining us late, John is a comics fanzine artist of the 1960s who turned to fine art and teaching.
John G. Fantucchio will have three paintings on display in Alexandria at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery. We'd like to invite you to the opening reception - food and drinks will be served. Come and meet John on Friday, June 1, 7 - 10. The title of the show is 'Art On the Edge.' It's an all experimental art exhibit. His stuff may look like something you'd find hanging in the lounge on the Starship Enterprise - but sorry, no comic book artwork. The address is 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301-1124. Their phone number is 703-838-4827.
For those joining us late, John is a comics fanzine artist of the 1960s who turned to fine art and teaching.
Roger Langride on creators' rights at Comic Riffs
CREATORS' RIGHTS: How the Jack Kirby case caused acclaimed ROGER LANGRIDGE to quit DC and Marvel
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 19 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/creators-rights-how-the-jack-kirby-case-caused-acclaimed-roger-langridge-to-quit-dc-and-marvel/2012/05/19/gIQAvKA0ZU_blog.html#pagebreak
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 19 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/creators-rights-how-the-jack-kirby-case-caused-acclaimed-roger-langridge-to-quit-dc-and-marvel/2012/05/19/gIQAvKA0ZU_blog.html#pagebreak
Comic Riffs on The Hulk and Doonesbury
ASSEMBLING A SUPREME HULK: 'Avengers' artists reveal how they fleshed out Ruffalo's character
By Winyan Soo Hoo
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 17 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/assembling-a-supreme-hulk-avengers-artists-reveal-how-they-fleshed-out-ruffalos-character/2012/05/17/gIQA1D0NXU_blog.html#pagebreak
ROMNEY IN 'DOONESBURY': Reader Preview: Next week's strips based on Post article
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 17 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/romney-in-doonesbury-reader-preview-next-weeks-strips-based-on-post-article/2012/05/17/gIQAxPkQXU_blog.html#pagebreak
By Winyan Soo Hoo
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 17 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/assembling-a-supreme-hulk-avengers-artists-reveal-how-they-fleshed-out-ruffalos-character/2012/05/17/gIQA1D0NXU_blog.html#pagebreak
ROMNEY IN 'DOONESBURY': Reader Preview: Next week's strips based on Post article
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 17 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/romney-in-doonesbury-reader-preview-next-weeks-strips-based-on-post-article/2012/05/17/gIQAxPkQXU_blog.html#pagebreak
Saturday, May 19, 2012
June 2: Russ Kick signing at Big Planet Comics Bethesda
BIG PLANET COMICS
4849 Cordell Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
4849 Cordell Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
Silver Spring firm estimates cost of Avengers damage; go watch Miyazaki instead
The Silver Spring-based KINETIC ANALYSIS CORPORATION has provided a "Chitauri Invasion of New York City: Post Event Damage Estimate" for the Avengers movie. It's not pretty. Everyone's insurance rates are going up!*
Judging from their address, KAC must be right across the street from NOAH, so you can get your hurricane prediction and insurance loss estimate in one easy visit, and still probably have time to catch a Studio Ghibli movie during the AFI festival which runs another month.
*The Hollywood Reporter spotted this first.
Judging from their address, KAC must be right across the street from NOAH, so you can get your hurricane prediction and insurance loss estimate in one easy visit, and still probably have time to catch a Studio Ghibli movie during the AFI festival which runs another month.
*The Hollywood Reporter spotted this first.
Friday, May 18, 2012
From KAL: "When cartoons matter"
From: Kevin Kallaugher :
http://www.kaltoons.com/wordpress/2012/05/when-cartoons-matter/
I wanted to share with you this interesting story of a political cartoon that actually changed public policy in Baltimore...
Best
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Truitt on Mike Allred
Artist Mike Allred bounces from 'Madman' to 'Daredevil'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY May 16 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-05-16/Daredevil-Mike-Allred-comic-book-series/54999824/1
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY May 16 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-05-16/Daredevil-Mike-Allred-comic-book-series/54999824/1
David Hagen on Artomatic's 8th Floor!
From: David Hagen:
I'll have 22 whimsical paintings on display at this year's Artomatic.
I'm nestled on the 8th Floor (8 is gr8) in space #256 (not that there are numbers up or anything). The best way to find it once you step off the elevator is to make a left at the water fountain and then it's the first room on the right. Look for the Invisible Man!
"Meet the Artist" Night(also known as "Buy the Artist Beer" Night) is Saturday, June 2, 7-9pm.
Kitty corner to the Crystal City subway stop. Follow the flow of hipsters.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Fantastic Fanzine featuring locals Groth and Fantucchio
Gary Groth's 1969 Fantastic Fanzine #10 is featured here. #15 is here. Groth lived in the DC area at the time and John Fantucchio is in both issues and mentioned in the column too. John's also featured here as well.
Boing Boing on Bors' Herblock award
Alt Cartoonist Receives High Praise from Establishment
By Glenn Fleishman
May 16 2012
http://boingboing.net/2012/05/16/alt-cartoonist-receives-high-p.html
June 9: Manga Day at Library of Congress
Manga in Japanese will be on display in the Library of Congress's Asian Division (LJ-150, Jefferson Bldg) on Sat. June 9, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Visitors can come and go during the time frame. Mari Nakahara, who co-curated the Sakura exhibition in the Graphic Arts Galleries, is organizing this event.
OT: Bono at Artomatic
From: Bono Mitchell (a Team Cul de Sac contributor):
Artomatic starts this Friday! It's the DC area's biggest arts festival. Artomatic runs from May 18-June23 at 1851 S. Bell Street, Arlington, VA, and features 10 floors of art by more than 1,000 artists: visual art, music, performance, film, fashion, and more—a whole month's worth!
Bono Mitchell
Artomatic 2012
11th floor
Artomatic starts this Friday! It's the DC area's biggest arts festival. Artomatic runs from May 18-June23 at 1851 S. Bell Street, Arlington, VA, and features 10 floors of art by more than 1,000 artists: visual art, music, performance, film, fashion, and more—a whole month's worth!
Bono Mitchell
Artomatic 2012
11th floor
Space 115, Room 1161
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