PR: Small Press Expo Announces Congressman John Lewis as a Special Guest at SPX 2013

Bethesda Maryland; June 12, 2013 – Small Press Expo is pleased to announce civil rights icon and first-time graphic novelist Congressman John Lewis, as a special guest at SPX 2013, to be held Saturday September 14 and Sunday September 15.  Congressman Lewis will be in addition to previously announced guests Seth, Lisa Hanawalt, Gary Panter, Frank Santoro and Gene Yang. SPX is honored that a sitting member of Congress will be attending the show. Congressman Lewis will be promoting his first graphic novel, March (Book One), published by Top Shelf Productions. The book was co-written with Andrew Aydin and drawn by the award-winning graphic novelist Nate Powell. For more information on the book (the first in a planned trilogy), visit http://www.topshelfcomix.com/march.    JOHN LEWIS is the U.S. Representative for Georgia's fifth congressional district and an American icon widely known for his role in the civil rights movement. He first joined the movement as a seminary student in Nashville, organizing sit-ins and participating in the first Freedom Rides, which challenged illegal segregation at bus stations across the South. He soon became the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and one of the "Big Six" national leaders of the movement, alongside such figures as Martin Luther King, Jr. and A. Philip Randolph. As SNCC chairman, Lewis was an architect of, and the youngest featured speaker, at the historic 1963 March on Washington, and was a key figure in the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer. Together with Hosea Williams, he led the landmark 1965 Selma–Montgomery March (known as "Bloody Sunday"), where police brutality spurred national outrage and hastened passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Despite physical attacks, serious injuries, and more than 40 arrests, John Lewis has remained a devoted advocate of the philosophy of non-violence. His subsequent career has included voter registration activism, service on the Atlanta City Council, and over 25 years in Congress. Lewis was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2011, and was the first recipient of the John F. Kennedy "Profile in Courage" Lifetime Achievement Award. His 1998 book Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement, called "the definitive account of the civil rights movement" (The Washington Post), won numerous honors, including the Robert F. Kennedy, Lillian Smith, and Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards. His most recent book, Across that Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change, received the NAACP Image Award. About SPX Small Press Expo (SPX) is the pre-eminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons. SPX is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that brings together more than 400 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers, and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini comics, and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. The festival will also feature a series of panel discussions and interviews with this year's guests. The Ignatz Award is a festival prize held every year at SPX, with the winners chosen by attendees at the show. As in previous years, profits from the SPX will go to support the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program, which funds graphic novel purchases for public and academic libraries, as well as the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), which protects the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, visit their website at http://www.cbldf.org. SPX also supports the Small Press Expo Collection at the Library of Congress, which preserves the history of both the artistic output of the creators who come to SPX, as well as the art that SPX itself generates as part of its yearly festival. It the first program of its type by a major institution in the United States to preserve the works of the indie comics community. For more information on the Small Press Expo, please visit http://www.spxpo.com.

PR: Father's day at ArtInsight's 'Marvel vs DC' show

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                            Media Contact: Leslie Combemale
June 13, 2013                                                                                                                     703-478-0778; artinsights@mac.com
 

Celebrate Father's Day and 75^th Anniversary of Superman with
"Dad of Steel" Contest and "MARVEL VS. DC" Open House
at ArtInsights in Reston Town Center
Superman's biological and adoptive fathers are both super dads – what about yours?
 

Reston, VA - ArtInsights Animation and Film Art Gallery will commemorate Superman's 75th anniversary and Father's Day with an open house at their new Marvel vs. DC art show and a Dad of Steel contest on Saturday, June 15. From 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., everyone is invited to come in to ArtInsights and write about what makes their dad "super", and the best response will win a piece of superhero art. Contestants will fill out a form and the winner will be contacted by the end of the day. Every dad who visits ArtInsights during the Dad of Steel event will receive a small gift for building a new generation of super-kids. This event is part of the Marvel vs. DC gallery exhibit, which includes originals and limited editions by the leading creators of official fine art images for Marvel and DC comics: Alex Ross, Jim Lee, Gabriele Dell Otto, and Simone Bianchi. This special art exhibit and sale runs until July 7 at ArtInsights Animation and Film Art Gallery, 11921 Freedom Drive, Reston, VA, at Reston Town Center. For more information, call 703-478-0778.

"I love the timing of the anniversary of Superman's adoption coinciding with Father's Day because both of Superman's fathers are so important – and how perfect that Man of Steel is coming to theaters right in time, too," says ArtInsights owner Leslie Combemale. The opening party of Marvel vs. DC on Friday, June 7, was attended by hundreds of fans and collectors who appreciated the many exclusive hand-signed limited editions, some of which also included Stan Lee's signature. "The passion of these comic art fans is like that of no other group," says ArtInsights co-owner Michael Barry. "They know every character and every story, and they appreciate the art more than anyone else we ever see here in the gallery." ArtInsights also carries Disney, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and other film images, exhibiting from animation cels to giclee prints to original artwork. This is the first exhibit on this scale curated at the gallery.

ArtInsights Animation and Film Art Gallery, established in 1994, is a privately owned gallery located just outside of DC at Reston Town Center, in Virginia. The gallery presents the most important works of art from the 20^th and 21st century film art genre, including original art from the masters of film and moving entertainment. From film campaign artists to matte painters, from concept and layout artists to animators, ArtInsights represents the giants of film art history. With over 30 years experience, the owners work with their worldwide collector base to build and insure the integrity of their collections. They sell rare images used in production as well as original commissions which are often used to create official limited editions.  ArtInsights exclusively represents the original art of John Alvin, Ciara McAvoy, Casey Robin, James Goodridge, and Ben Curtis Jones, and also exhibits Tim Rogerson, Jim Salvati, Mike Kungl, Chuck Jones, Christian Waggoner, Steve Chorney, Mary Grandpre and and many other artists made famous by their work for the major Hollywood studios. Featured studios include Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount, and 20th Century Fox, in a display of images from the best classic movies and animated features of the last 100 years as well as newer classics like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Star Trek. ArtInsights Animation and Film Art Gallery, 11921 Freedom Drive, Reston, VA, at Reston Town Center. For more information, call 703-478-0778, and visit http://www.artinsights.com  http://www.artinsightsmagazine.com.

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Rachel Scheer

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Rachel Scheer
by Mike Rhode on Jun. 12, 2013
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2013/06/12/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-rachel-scheer/

Ms. Scheer's at One More Page at 7 pm on June 13th.

Young D.C.'s editorial cartoon auction ends tomorrow

Unfortunately, today was the first I'd heard of it.

Less than 24 hours left to bid in "YDC Drawn to the Screen" – our first online auction of editorial cartoons

The Young D.C. Auction closes on June 13, 2013 at 3:00 PM EDT. If your heart is set on a special item, you have less than 24 hours to win. Check Out These Great Buys... You can still bid on any of the special items in our auction right up to the final seconds of this exciting event. Every tick of the clock brings us closer to the deadline, 3 p.m. Thursday. This may be your last chance to win unique artwork, perhaps at a truly affordable price. As long as you don't miss out on your heart's desire or a great bargain, our teens won't miss out on fully funded summer and fall programs. We all appreciate your support so much, so BID NOW! Spread the word and we'll thank you even more Remind your friends the end is almost here! Just Refer your Friends so they have the chance to offer their support and get some great last-minute deals. Don't Forget: Every bid supports the work Young D.C. does with diverse groups of teens from the metro D.C. area. View All Auction Items Your Bids Help Channel Youthful Energy into Lasting Civic Engagement Whether you're looking for something unique for yourself, searching for a gift for a special someone, or looking to add an adventurous icebreaker to your office wall, you're sure to find something in our auction. Every bid helps support First Amendment education for teens who publish their own newspaper. YDC activities contribute to our vision that metro area teens will grow into media savvy adults who embrace the freedom and responsibilities of citizenship, enjoy journalism and reject demagoguery. After 22 years, Young D.C. knows bringing together teens from every quadrant of the city and the surrounding counties to create their own newspaper really does enhance lives–in teen years as well as the years that follow. Make Your Bid to Support Young D.C. It exists to create opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds to work together to develop a responsible, independent media voice. Your bids ensure that we will continue to meet this mission and realize our vision.  We wish you could glimpse into our newsroom: Young D.C. was a beehive Monday. A rising senior at a small private school, taught HTML for updating www.youngdc.org to three teens from campuses east of the Anacostia River and near RFK Stadium. These four teens would otherwise never work together. Today they know working together productively overrides any differences that might interest demographers, but shouldn't inhibit cooperation. In decades to come they may share a work environment or a voting precinct with the same fine results we witnessed. Last January, two other teens who hadn't previously met worked on stories about Supreme Court decisions that broadened, then curbed freedom of speech for teens. They met Mary Beth Tinker of Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) and a lawyer who worked on Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988). As this week progresses, three teens are writing in the newsroom about HIV education, access to Plan B and the quality of high school fitness programs. A dozen more are working on elements of Young D.C.'s summer issue and relating their progress via email and social media. Bid on Collectible Gems that Resonate with Today's Headlines View All 20 Items Bill Whitehead "I want your calling records for the last six months!" This ink on 11" x 8.5" paper original shows a figure from the NSA addressing a kid with a can-and-string telephone. The figure says, "Hey, kid! I want your calling records for the last six months." Published in the Kansas City Business Journal in... Value $100.00 Current Bid $38.00 Deb Milbrath POTUS GOP Compromise Signs of the times: President Obama offers "compromise," GOP elephant offers "pro 'me.'" Original ink on paper cartoon by Deb Milbrath. Dimensions: image is 11.5" x 8.5" (with matting 16" x 13") Published June 29, 2011 by EditorialCartoonists.com... Value $100.00 Current Bid Bid Now! Dick Locher on North Korean Nuclear Threat This color print of a 2010 editorial cartoon by Dick Locher (born June 4, 1929), reminds us the more things change, the more they remain the same. Dick Locher won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning. It's a missile log roll featuring... Value $150.00 Current Bid Bid Now! Peters (yes, Mike Peters!) Helms Freezes Over Great example of how action stops in the U.S. Senate. What we saw in 1997 can be just as true today, although the characters have changed. Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC) blocked Pres. Clinton's nomination of Gov. William Weld (R-Mass.) to be ambassador ... Value Priceless Current Bid Bid Now! View All 20 Items

Young D.C. 1904 18th Street NW Unit B Washington, DC 20009 Ph: 202-232-5300

Comic Riffs continues Superman interviews

SCOTT SNYDER on creating 'SUPERMAN UNCHAINED': 'It's a huge honor and it's really scary'
By David Betancourt
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 11 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/scott-snyder-on-creating-superman-unchained-its-a-huge-honor-and-its-really-scary/2013/06/11/09395b82-d161-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_blog.html#pagebreak

Carl Barks and National Geographic

Does Donald Duck Read National Geographic? Donald Duck's official birthday is June 9, 1934, according to his Disney bio—and his friends at National Geographic want to wish him a happy 79th.
By Maggie Turqman
  Newswatch blog June 12, 2013
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/06/12/does-donald-duck-read-national-geographic/

New bookmarks for Read With Friends Project

D.C.-area DIY entrepreneur Tina Seamonster has published new bookmarks for her Read With Friends Project, which is giving away 30,000 bookmarks to schools and public libraries this year. New to the series includes artwork by Tamara Shea, Edie Hernandez, Matt Dembicki, Douglas Fahrman and Sam Henderson (see his bookmark design, below).

Collector's World re-opens under new ownership

The comics-and-sports cards store Collector's World in Annandale, Va., re-opened this weekend with former Washington Bullets player Gheorghe Muresan (7’ 7”) making a special appearance. Previous owner Ron Savino (who owned the shop for 21 years) sold the store last month to Damon Hudson, Stephen Weber and Doug Steele.

Photo courtesy of the blog Annandale VA/Ellie Ashford

Kickstarter campaign for Awesome Con D.C. 2014

Double news about Awesome Con D.C. 2014 (April 19-20): First, organizers are running a Kickstarter funding campaign to help grow the show. Second, legendary comics writer/artist George Perez is a confirmed guest!

George Perez

Rep. John Lewis at SPX 2013

Major guest announcement for Small Press Expo 2013: Civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) will be there promoting his new autobiographic graphic novel March: Book One (Top Shelf Productions), which he co-wrote with Andrew Aydin. Art by Eisner-Award winner Nate Powell.

Barney & Clyde picked up in place of Doonesbury

The news that Gene Weingarten's Barney & Clyde has picked up another paper for the summer is at the end of this article -

Editorial cartoon aimed at specific cases explained
By Andy Howell
Standard-Examiner  06/07/2013
http://www.standard.net/stories/2013/06/07/editorial-cartoon-aimed-specific-cases-explained

PR: Congressman John Lewis wows BookExpo crowds with MARCH: BOOK ONE!

	Congressman John Lewis wows BookExpo crowds with MARCH: BOOK ONE!

BookExpo America, held a week ago in New York, is the American book industry's biggest  trade show -- and also happened to be the first event in our long promotional tour with Congressman John Lewis for his graphic novel with Andrew Aydin & Nate Powell,   March: Book One! And judging from the reaction, we're off to a fantastic start. Rep. Lewis and Andrew Aydin first turned heads with an "early bird" booth appearance on Friday, welcoming a continuous line of fans to get their free 24-page MARCH excerpt booklets signed, before rushing off to the Huffington Post studio for a live interview on HuffPost Live! This feature, hosted by rising star Alicia Menendez, featured insightful questions from both Menendez and viewers at home, as Lewis and Aydin expressed their hope that MARCH could pass on the lessons and tools of the 1960s to young activists fighting for equality today.  Watch it now! Then came the big day: Saturday! It began with perhaps BEA's flagship event, the Author Breakfast, featuring host Chris Matthews together with Helen Fielding (Bridget Jones), Congressman Lewis, and Diana Gabaldon (Outlander).  Rep. Lewis kept the crowd of 1,000  industry pros spellbound, alternating between stories of his rural childhood, memories of the  civil rights movement, and passionate calls to action. After another short video interview, we were off to another stage for the "Road to a Bestseller" panel featuring Rep. Lewis and acclaimed debut novelist Jason Mott (The Returned) -- two generations of African-American authors with huge books this year. At last, we came to the official signing -- this one with a line stretching "down the block"! (P.S. Did we mention a camera crew from Bill Moyers & Company had been following us since breakfast?) After two straight hours (and a few drained markers), it was time to call it a day. Andrew and Rep. Lewis said goodbye to BEA, exhausted but energized... Just in time to see the starred review in Booklist, the official review journal of the American Library Association, calling March "a grand work," and see it featured in the Washington Post's "Summer Reading  List: Eight Books to Make You Smarter"! Thanks to everyone who came out to see us, to the BEA staff for making it happen, and to the March co-authors for their generosity and stamina... See you next time (ALA in Chicago June 29, Comic-Con in San Diego July 20-21, and beyond)! March (Book One), a deluxe softcover graphic novel with french flaps and black & white interiors, 6.5" x 9.5", 128 pages -- ISBN 978-1-60309-300-2 -- $14.95 US -- Release Date: August 13, 2013. For more information and a 14-page preview, visit http://www.topshelfcomix.com/march.

	Your friend thru comics, Chris Staros Top Shelf Productions PO Box 1282 Marietta GA 30061-1282 USA

Cleveland pretends to be DC for Captain America, even though Superman would be more accurate

Why is there a bit of Washington in Cleveland?
By John Kelly,
Washington Post June 8 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/why-is-there-a-bit-of-washington-in-cleveland/2013/06/08/6608a480-ce05-11e2-8845-d970ccb04497_story.html

(Superman was created of course by Cleveland's Siegel and Shuster)

More on Fort Knox in the Post

This notice ran in the paper -

'Fort Knox' fills in for 'Doonesbury' in Post
Washington Post June 9 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/fort-knox-fills-in-for-doonesbury-in-post/2013/06/09/43b6d74a-cd55-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_story.html

- but what's not noted is that the paper is running the intro strips from 2009. This used to be more common, but these days most papers just jump in with the current storyline.

Catching up with Comic Riffs - Kirkman, Superman and Fort Knox

In his Reuben Award win,'Baby Blues' creator RICK KIRKMAN sees key links to Johnny Hart
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 7 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/in-his-reuben-award-winbaby-blues-creator-rick-kirkman-sees-key-links-to-johnny-hart/2013/06/07/0b1de70c-cf26-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_blog.html#pagebreak

'SUPES' OF THE DAY: Upon 75th anniversary, we ask creators: Why does Superman endure?
By Michael Cavna and David Betancourt
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 10 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/supes-of-the-day-upon-75th-anniversary-we-ask-creators-why-does-superman-endure/2013/06/10/a44afc80-d16f-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_blog.html#pagebreak

POST PICKS UP 'FORT KNOX': Military strip will replace 'Doonesbury Flashbacks' for the summer
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 9 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/post-picks-up-fort-knox-military-strip-will-replace-doonesbury-flashbacks-for-the-summer/2013/06/09/9b1cdcc6-d167-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_blog.html#pagebreak

Fort Knox coming to Washington Post

Paul Boscacci notes, on Facebook, "After almost four years in syndication, Fort Knox will appear in THE Washington Post. Happy days."

June 12: Martha Kennedy on Charles Dana Gibson

On June 12, Martha Kennedy of the Library of Congress' Prints and Photos division and  Margaret Wagner (of LoC Publishing Office) giving a gallery talk on Charles Dana Gibson and WWI at noon in the Graphic Arts Gallery in the Jefferson Building. Martha is the curator of the neat Gibson exhibit on view now.

Another March interview (Rep. Lewis' graphic novel, not the month)

 The Long Road To Change: An Interview With The Creators Of March
By Mark Banaszak
Diamond BookShelf e-Newsletter June 2013
http://www.diamondbookshelf.com/Home/1/1/20/835?articleID=134908

Another Glen Weldon interview on Superman

Glen Weldon knows what makes Superman soar
by Michael May | June 6, 2013
http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/06/glen-weldon-knows-what-makes-superman-soar/

Marvel vs. DC: The Art of Superheroes

Marvel Vs. DC: The Art of the Superheroes--"The show will feature animation cels as well as artwork by Jim Lee, Bruce Timm, Randy Martinez, Glen Orbik, and more. Some pieces are signed by Stan Lee, and that is pretty neat. Also, we have never-before-seen works from Alex Ross--including an exclusive pre-release Batman painting."

Runs June 7-July 7 at Artinsights Animation & Film Art Gallery in Reston, Va.

 

 

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Funny Moms And Funny Pages

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Funny Moms And Funny Pages

by Linda Holmes

June 7, 2013

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/06/07/189511883/pop-culture-happy-hour-funny-moms-and-funny-pages

 

"We then turn to the part of comics we've focused on less over the show's history: comic strips. We talk about Peanuts, The Far Side, Calvin & Hobbes, Doonesbury, Foxtrot, Cathy, Zippy, Ziggy, Boondocks ... well, the list really does go on and on. We talk about this one, and this one, and Stephen mentions a stunner from the days after September 11, 2001, which you can see here."

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund notes Post's Barney & Clyde inaction

The Washington Post Forbids Fake F-word in Funnies

 June 4, 2013

By Maren Williams

http://cbldf.org/2013/06/washington-post-forbids-fake-f-word-in-funnies/

Nail gun safety comic

Friend of ComicsDC Nick Thorkelson has done the art for a government safety comic. Here's Nick:

Friends & colleagues:

My nail gun safety comic just went online. You can take a look by downloading a PDF from either of the links below or, if you wait a while, by ordering the print version from CDC/NIOSH. Many thanks to Jim Albers of NIOSH who put this together, and who was very patient with me in the course of a long and complex development process. 

English
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-149

Spanish
http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/docs/2013-149_sp/

Nick Thorkelson

Graphic Design & Cartoons

15 Channel Center Street, #218

Boston, MA 02210

nthork@nickthorkelson.com

www.nickthorkelson.com

RM Rhodes on Brussels for the Hooded Utilitarian

Comics Tourism: Destination Brussels
by RM Rhodes
June 4, 2013
http://hoodedutilitarian.com/2013/06/comics-tourism-destination-brussels/

Comic Riffs has a Green Lantern interview

The Ring Cycle: GEOFF JOHNS on ending his high-powered partnership with the Green Lantern after a decade
By David Betancourt
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 5 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-ring-cycle-geoff-johns-on-ending-his-high-powered-partnership-with-the-green-lantern-after-a-decade/2013/06/05/a8521dec-ccc7-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_blog.html#pagebreak

Comic Riffs on this year's editorial cartoon convention

AAEC Convention 2013: As deadlines near, the public, too, can appreciate many of these offerings

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 5 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/aaec-convention-2013-as-deadlines-near-the-public-too-can-appreciate-many-of-these-offerings/2013/06/05/532751dc-ce4a-11e2-9f1a-1a7cdee20287_blog.html

 

Bazooka Joe book noted in The Post

Bazooka Joe turns 60
By Ron Charles,
Washington Post Style blog June 5, 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2013/06/05/bazooka-joe-turns-60/

Meet a Local Comics Writer: Shawn Padraic Murphy

I met Shawn Padraic Murphy at Awesome Con this spring. He writes comic book scripts and hires artists to illustrate them. As a college student also did a webcomic, Wesleyan World. He's currently writing a series of blog posts How Not To Make Money In Comic Books. He promptly answered my usual questions (and as usual I'm much less prompt in posting them).

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

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I am a writer, and work with artists to make my comic books.

Mike Rhode: How do you do it?  How did you find an artist for your books? What kind of script do you provide?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: When I first started, it was a chance meeting with a grad school friend who was already working on a comic book for a friend and was interested in doing another one, and we worked together on a script I had already written.  But to start working on more comics, I was sort of at a lose (espcially since I graduated and had just moved to the Baltimore/DC area 1 year prior).  I met someone who told me about DigitalWebbing.Com and how they had a forum just for writers that were trying to hire artists.  I sumbitted a description of 3 different titles I needed work on, and placed the ad up for 3 days (what was recommended).  Then, after 3 days, I closed the forum and looked over the 120 submissions I had.  That took a while sifting through them all to find a style that matched the story I wanted to tell.  Since then, however, I've hired my artists throug the con scene by hoarding business cards and entering their name and website into a database so I can look for artists that match the type of storying I'm trying to tell quickly when I have a new project.

I've always used a script that breaks down the panels and describes in detail what's happening in each scene and panel.  In only one comic (Strength) have I ever just summed up what was happening on the page without panels and left the panel layout and number of panels to the artist, but I think that kind of format is rare.

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

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I was raised in Scott Depot, WV in 1982.

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

Shawn Padraic Murphy: After I obtained my MFA in Creative Writing, I needed to move from Southampton, NY, as there was nothing there you could do in terms of jobs unless you were a contruction worker, retail, or had money to buy mansions.  Luckily, I happen to have a friend in Baltimore that needed a roommate soon, and Baltimore and DC were close enough that it seemed it would be easier to find a job with 2 different cities close by (this was 2007, by the way; less than a year before the recession, and before MFA's now meant basically nothing).

Mike Rhode: What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I had an undergrad degree in English & Psychology at West Virginia Weslyan College at Buckhannon, WV, then went to Southampton College (now closed) in Southampton, NY and got an MFA in Creative Writing, which I thought would help get me writing or editing jobs for magazines or corporations.  Unfortunately, the recession hit less than a year after I graduated and business started not to care about writing as a whole and I couldn't find anything, despite having an MFA.  Luckily, I did find a job eventually (not writing related), so I could actually have funds to pay artists to draw for my comics.

Mike Rhode: What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I've attended many conventions now, such as Small Press Expo, Baltimore Comic Con, SPACE, HeroesCon, and AwesomeCon.  I'll be attending Intervention for the first time this year (and hopefully Otakon; I'm going to be attending more Anime conventions next year).  I find that anime and indi comic places are good to sell comics and meet with other artists and writers, but found that the big superhero cons like Baltimore Comic Con usually only contain people who want to meet celebrities or buy fan art, so I don't try to go to those often.

Mike Rhode: Who are your influences?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I got into comics with The Death of Superman, but stayed around because of the Spider-Man Clone Saga.  I really liked serialized storytelling then.  As I grew up, though, I found out about a lot more mature and serious works and realized you could do more than just superheroes.  I really enjoyed the indi comics I discovered in the early 2000s that covered virtually every subject they wanted (you couldn't find those in WV when I was growing up; there was no internet info about them, and all the comic stores closed in 1996, leaving mail-order the only way to read comics).  When I write my comics, I try to ask myself for each project if this is different than something else I've read or seen, because I want to create something new and exciting for people to experience the way I enjoyed discovering different types of stories as a kid.

What work are you best-known for?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: At conventions, the comic book I am most known for is "The End" a series that focuses on how regular people deal with the coming end of the world in 7 days.  Each issue has 2, stand-alone, stories.  People enjoy the series for the variety of the stories.  Plus, each issue has a different theme, so people can start with a theme they like on any issue, rather than starting from the begining like in most other comics.

Mike Rhode: What work are you most proud of?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I'm actually proud of them all, because I like the fact that I can write such completely different stories and be able to show that I can write anything (I hope that's not just my ego talking).  I have a slice-of-life anthology (The End), a mature superhero story that addresses our societies double-standard concering nudity and shaming (Strength), an experimental diary comic (Displacement), and an all-age fantasy (Mechanaflux). 

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

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I already have the next 3 comics planned that I want to work on.  I'm working on a superhero/romance comic right now with an artist.  I've written another all-ages comic and a completely different fantasy comic, but those last two are only finished at the script stage as I'm trying to finish up the comics I am already currently working on.

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

Shawn Padraic Murphy: I'm not sure.  I know that local printers and easy access to technology have made it easier to make my comics in print.  I'm hoping digital comics makes it easier to get your comics out to the public since everyone is connected throug the pad and phones now.

Mike Rhode: Do you have a website or blog?

Shawn Padraic Murphy: My website is http://www.shawnpmurphy.com/.  My "Comics" tab contains links to descriptions of my comics and preview art, as well as links to purchase my comics. I also have some video reviews, comedy skits, video game reviews, and recently I posted a short novella about playing a video game as if I was that character; I pretty much like to write and create anything.

June 11: Visualizing Peace: Graphic Art & Social Change

Visualizing Peace: Graphic Art & Social Change Tuesday, June 11th from 9:30am to 11:30am Kenney Auditorium Johns Hopkins University SAIS 1740 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington D.C. 20036

Visually captivating, accessible to a wide audience, and inexpensive to produce and distribute, graphic art holds its own in the age of digital media and social networking. The event will bring together artists, activists and conflict resolution practitioners to explore the creativity with which graphic art and comic books have been used for social change around the world, and to generate ideas for expanding the potential of bridging the two fields. Join the event to: Discover a unique peacebuilding resource Preview new comic books and graphic novels related to social change Meet artists and panelists before and after the event Take home samples of new and classic works of graphic art relevant to social change JOIN US! Register to attend the CPRF on Tuesday, June 11th from 9:30 to 11:30am.

Andrew Aydin: co-author with Congressman John Lewis of March, a graphic novel trilogy depicting Lewis’ lifelong struggle for civil and human rights in America Nate Powell: Illustrator of March and creator of the acclaimed graphic novel Any Empire, a vivid examination of war and violence, and their trickle-down effects on Middle America Dalia Ziada (via Skype): Activist, blogger, and award-winning women’s rights advocate; translator of The Montgomery Story, the 1956 comic book about Martin Luther King Jr. and nonviolent protest Moderator: Jeanné Isler, Director of USA Programs, Search for Common Ground

In addition to support from CPRF principals, this event is made possible by a generous contribution from Fantom Comics and Comic Book Artists on Demand.

Some recent stories by Brian Truitt

Apparently USA Today has decided that Brian Truitt should do a LOT of comic book stories...  here's some recent ones.

Kiehl's, Marvel team for exclusive Captain America comic: The historic New York City store is the backdrop for a free one-shot for customers.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY   June 3, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/06/03/kiehls-marvel-comics-captain-america/2383475/

Robots, monsters 'all awesome' for 'Pacific Rim' writer: Travis Beacham's new prequel graphic novel sets up Guillermo del Toro's summer monster mash.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY June 4, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/06/04/pacific-rim-movie-graphic-novel-prequel/2388785/

'Forever Evil' spotlights epitome of supervillainy: DC Comics universe-wide event series brings bad guys to the fore in September 'villains month.'
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY June 3, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/06/03/forever-evil-dc-comics-series/2381849/

Mark Waid brings old Daredevil villain back in a new way: An old enemy of the blind superhero returns from the supposedly dead in Mark Waid's series.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY  May 22, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/05/22/daredevil-comic-book-villain-return/2349827/

Animated Avengers 'Assemble' on Disney XD this weekend: New superhero series debuts with a one-hour special on Sunday morning.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY  May 23, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/05/23/marvels-avengers-assemble-exclusive-clip/2355389/

Busiek takes fans on another trip through 'Astro City': This Wednesday brings the first new issue in three years of the series featuring a town full of superpowered people and ordinary folks.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY June 3, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/06/03/kurt-busiek-astro-city-comic-book-series/2383501/

Superman gets a new DC Comics logo for 75th anniversary: The Man of Steel is the man of the hour for a whole year of celebratory projects and initiatives.
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY May 30, 2013
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/05/30/superman-75th-anniversary-logo/2371473/

June 8: Carl Yonder at Beyond Comics in Gaithersburg

In Store Signing!

Carl Yonder

Saturday, June 8th 

 2pm to 7pm

will be signing in the Gaithersburg store in support of the new

  

PIRATE EYE: A PIRATE'S LIFE IS NOT FOR ME ONE-SHOT
 

More Information!  

Politics and Prose's Growing Up with Graphics panel

 The Growing Up With Graphics Graphic Novel panel took place at Politics & Prose on Thursday, April 25, 2013.
http://www.politics-prose.com/video/growing-graphics-graphic-novel-panel


Prominent and award-winning graphic artists, authors, and editors Eleanor Davis, Nathan Hale, Andrés Vera Martínez, and Mark Siegel, will be here to discuss the significance of the genre for readers of all ages. Moderated by Michael Cavna, author of "Comic Riffs," a blog of The Washington Post.

Rep. Lewis' The March graphic novel noted in Examiner

The Examiner has gone web-only, but yesterday they noted Rep. Lewis' The March graphic novel talk in New York City.

Staake does Gorey

The current Washington Post Style Invitational contest has Bob Staake drawing in Edward Gorey's style.

The Post on Iranian cartoons

Striking back, even from half a world away
By Tara Bahrampour,
Washington Post June 2 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/striking-back-even-from-half-a-world-away/2013/06/01/5d3dc182-ca27-11e2-8da7-d274bc611a47_story.html

Political Cartoons book review mentions local cartoonists

'The Art of Controversy,' by Victor S. Navasky is reviewed in today's Times and mentions Matt Wuerker and Herblock.

Political Cartoons
By DEBORAH SOLOMON
New York Times Book Review June 2, 2013, on page BR22 
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/02/books/review/the-art-of-controversy-by-victor-s-navasky.html

June 1: Brandon Peterson at Cards, Comics and Collectibles NOW

David Hagen's latest idea

I was at the Civitan flea market in Arlington today, and David Hagen had a booth... but the booth didn't have David. A co-worker was selling his prints and something new - flea market paintings where David has painted in his stylized monsters and flying saucers.