Friday, February 07, 2014

Sneak Peek at SPX guests

The Small Press Expo has an ad in the new issue of the D.C. Conspiracy's semi-annual comics newspaper Magic Bullet (#8), which hits the streets today. SPX notes a few of the special guests for its Sept. 13-14 show, including Jules Feiffer, Michael DeForge, Renee French, Tom Tomorrow, James Sturm, Lynda Barry and Box Brown (who did the art for the ad).

UPCOMING EXHIBIT: CALVIN & HOBBES AND RICHARD THOMPSON

UPCOMING EXHIBIT: CALVIN & HOBBES AND RICHARD THOMPSON

The Ohio State University logo

Contact: Caitlin McGurk
The Ohio State University
Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum
1813 N. High Street
Columbus OH 43210-1343
614-292-0538
cartoons@osu.edu

For Immediate Release: February 7, 2014

Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum Announces Two New Exhibitions:

Exploring Calvin and Hobbes

&

The Irresistible Force Meets the Immovable Object: A Richard Thompson Retrospective

March 22 – August 3, 2014

 

Two new exhibitions of original art by cartoonists Bill Watterson and Richard Thompson will delight fans of Calvin and Hobbes and Cul De Sac. The exhibitions open March 22 at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum (BICLM) and will be on display through August 3, 2014.  An opening reception on Friday, March 21 from 6 – 8 p.m. is free and open to the public.  The companion shows provide a unique opportunity to see the original art of these two gifted cartoonists, who are friends and admirers of each other’s work.

Calvin&Hobbes

Exploring Calvin and Hobbes revisits the beloved comic strip created by Watterson from 1985 to 1995. The exhibition will feature original Calvin and Hobbes dailies and Sundays as well as specialty pieces by Watterson from his collection of more than 3,000 originals housed at the BICLM. This is only the second exhibition devoted toCalvin and Hobbes, which appeared in 2,400 newspapers worldwide at the height of its popularity.  Watterson won the National Cartoonists Society’s prestigious Reuben Award for “Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year” in both 1986 and 1988.

Six-year-old Calvin, named after the 16th-century theologian John Calvin, has a vivid imagination; an aversion to homework, chores, and girls; and a penchant for discussing the meaning of life.  Hobbes, named for the 17th-century British philosopher Thomas Hobbes, appears to most of the strips’ characters as a stuffed animal, but from Calvin’s perspective, he is a living, breathing—sometimes even dangerous—tiger.  He’s also a best friend, a playmate, a co-conspirator, and occasionally the voice of reason.  The strip follows the two as they navigate the bumpy ride of life, surrounded by a supporting cast that includes Calvin’s parents, his neighbor Susie, his babysitter Rosalyn, the school bully Moe, and his teacher, Mrs. Wormwood.

The exhibition, curated by BICLM curator Jenny E. Robb, explores Watterson’s mastery of the comic strip art form through engaging characters, thoughtful writing, and creative layouts.  It will also include original art by cartoonists who influenced Watterson, chosen by the artist from the BICLM’s collection, such as Charles Schulz, George Herriman, Jim Borgman, Berkeley Breathed, Garry Trudeau, and Ralph Steadman.

CulDeSac1

The 2011 winner of the Reuben Award for “Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year,” will be featured in the second exhibition, The Irresistible Force Meets the Immovable Object: A Richard Thompson Retrospective. This exhibit, curated by Caitlin McGurk, will not only include gorgeously hand-watercolored Sunday originals and black-and-white dailies from Thompson’s popular comic strip Cul de Sac, but will celebrate his lesser-known abilities as a master of caricature, gags, and editorial cartoons— both as cartoonist and painter.

The six-year run of Cul de Sac serves as an insightful, humorous, and at times sentimental illustration of suburban family life on the outskirts of the city, and therefore a meditation on the tiny and sacred universe we form with our family outside of the rest of the world.  The strip orbits around the activities of sibling child characters Alice and Petey Otterloop.  In an interview with Mike Rhode in 2008, Thompson explained, “Let’s have a comic strip with kids, because comic strips are only this big now, so if you can fit somebody into it, it better be a kid. I thought the kids should be the opposite—a small child who’s the unstoppable force and the brother who’s the immovable object and the way they collide would make some humor.”

This sentiment has grown to have a double meaning, as Thompson had to discontinue the strip in September 2012 due to the advancement of his Parkinson’s disease. Thompson’s work continues to be celebrated in the upcoming release of The Complete Cul de Sac and The Art of Richard Thompson (both to be published by Andrews McMeel), the $100,000 that has been raised and donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation in Richard’s name, and this exhibition, the most extensive display of his work to date.

 

About the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum:  The BICLM is one of The Ohio State University Libraries’ special collections. Its primary mission is to develop a comprehensive research collection of materials documenting American printed cartoon art (editorial cartoons, comic strips, comic books, graphic novels, sports cartoons, and magazine cartoons) and to provide access to the collections.  The BICLM recently moved into its newly-renovated 30,000 sq. ft. facility that includes a museum with three exhibition galleries, a reading room for researchers and a state-of-the-art collections storage space.   The library reading room is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 – 5 p.m. The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 1 – 5 p.m.  See http://cartoons.osu.edu/ for further information.

Feb 9: Yumi Sakugawa at Big Planet Comics DC

February 9 – Yumi Sakugawa signing

ITHINKIAMBig Planet Comics is proud to welcome Yumi Sakugawa for a signing and reading from her brand new graphic novel, I Think I Am in Friend-Love With You!


Yumi Sakugawa is a comic book artist and illustrator based in Southern California and a regular contributor to The Rumpus and Wonderhowto.


“Look around. You won’t find anything sweeter than this lonely little book anywhere in your immediate vicinity. Unless for some reason there’s, like, a bunny knitting a scarf for a puppy. That might be sweeter. Aside from that, this book is definitely your best bet.” –Avery Monsen, coauthor of K is for Knifeball and All My Friends Are Dead


“This is one of my favorite comics ever, a sweet ode to platonic love that will echo through the ages.” –MariNaomi, author of Kiss & Tell


“Funny and beautifully drawn, I Think I Am In Friend-Love With You is the bittersweet tale of friendships in the age of social media in which many can relate.” –Esther Pearl Watson, author of Unlovable


“The warmth of Yumi’s soft brushstrokes and vulnerability of her words make me feel less alone in this weird world. I think I am in book-love.” –Lisa Hanawalt, author of My Dirty Dumb Eyes


Yumi Sakugawa’s website: http://www.yumisakugawa.com


3pm-5pm
Big Planet Comics of Washington DC
1520 U St. NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-342-1961
dc@bigplanetcomics.com

Dust Elves Update


February 7, 2014

SMUDGE COMIC ARTS EXPO

Next month, Gordon will be at the Smudge Comic Arts Expo with other local artists, writers, comic book and graphic novel creators.

Make plans to come by the Artisphere Gallery in Arlington, Virginia on Saturday, March 8th from noon to 6 PM. Discover some of the crazy things that go into creating a mini-comic. And Gordon has a few copies of THE SECRET ORIGIN OF THE DUST ELVES left. But if you can’t wait until SMUDGE to get your own copy, you can buy it right now, right here. Facebook logo




Express on The Lego Movie

‘The Lego Movie’ Hit Me Like a Ton of Bricks
BY KRISTEN PAGE-KIRBY
[Washington Post] Express February 7 2014 p. 15

The Post reviews The Lego Movie

‘The Lego Movie’ review: Toy-themed ad­ven­ture celebrates creativity


Courtesy of Warner Bros. Picture - The plastic gang’s all here to save the day: from left, Unikitty (voiced by Alison Brie), Benny (Charlie Day), Emmet (Chris Pratt), Batman (Will Arnett), Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman) and Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks).

Thursday, February 06, 2014

Comic Riffs reviews new Justice League cartoon

‘Justice League War’: 5 ways the new animated DVD helps sate the wait for the big-screen film

By David Betancourt

Air & Space Museum blogger on comic books

Animator Arthur Rankin's obituary in today's Post

Arthur Rankin Jr., filmmaker famous for stop-motion animation TV specials, dies at 89 [in print as Arthur Rankin Jr., 89; Pioneer in stop-motion TV shows such as 'Rudolph'.]

Colonial Comics has a blog

Brian Biggs illo in today's Express

Former graphic novelist, turned children's book artist, Brian Biggs has a lovely piece in today's Express newspaper. Brian's a friend of mine, so you should all run out pick up a copy of the paper, and then buy his books.

Damian Wampler on the economics of Kickstarter comic books

In response to a comment left on my interview with him, Damian Wampler has left a long explanation of his view of Kickstarting comic books. Click on the link and scroll down:

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2014/02/04/meet-a-local-comics-writer-a-chat-with-damian-wampler/

Wednesday, February 05, 2014

Comic Riffs on the Green Arrow tv show

CW’s ‘ARROW’: Star Stephen Amell on why fans love the hit show: ‘They can tell that we care’

By David Betancourt

Feb 6: Comics scholar Aaron Kashtan speaks at GWU

Aaron Kashtan says,

"I'm going to be giving a lecture at George Washington University in Washington DC on Thursday, tentatively entitled "The Graphic Novel: A Gentle Introduction." This talk is primarily intended for students from the creative writing program, but I believe anyone else in the area can also attend. Honors Townhouse, 714 21st Street, N.W. at 7:30 pm, Feb 6, 2014."

Comic Riffs on Waid and Haspiel's Fox comic

Teeming with talent, Mark Waid and Dean Haspiel are sly like the Fox with deft Red Circle miniseries

By David Betancourt 
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 4 2014

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

'Dear Mr. Watterson' at Artisphere on March 8

Artisphere is Rosslyn, Va., will show "Dear Mr. Watterson: An Exploration of Calvin & Hobbes" on March 8 at 7:30 p.m. ($8 tickets), plus a live music introduction by We Were Pirates (the D.C.-based musicians who composed/performed the film’s original score) and post-screening Q&A with Mike Boggs and Nevin Martell.

March 8 also is the day the inaugural Smudge Indie Comic Expo is being held at the Artisphere from noon to 6. So make it a special full day of comics!



Comic Riffs articles on Ms. Marvel

MS. MARVEL: Marvel Comics’ new focus on women ‘characters and creators’ aims to defy the ‘scantily clad’ cliche

By Sabaa Tahir
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 4 2014
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/ms-marvel-marvel-comics-new-focus-on-women-characters-and-creators-aims-to-defy-the-scantily-clad-cliche/2014/02/04/bde11f7a-8dbd-11e3-95dd-36ff657a4dae_blog.html#pagebreak

MS. MARVEL: Why does Marvel’s new reboot succeed? Because its Muslim teen superhero is ‘sweet, conflicted and immensely relatable’

By Sabaa Tahir

Rafer Roberts art coming to X-O Man-O-War

Looks like I'll have to buy an issue for the first time in 20 years...

X-O MANOWAR Gets 'Star-Studded' 25th Anniversary Issue

Comics writer Damian Wampler interview at City Paper

Baltimore Comic-Con Announces First Appearances for 2014 Guests!


Baltimore Comic-Con 2012 logo

Baltimore Comic-Con Announces First Appearances for 2014 Guests!

Gibbons, Hembeck, Kuder, Maleev, and Totleben Come to Baltimore!

  

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - February 4, 2014 - Happy 2014 from the Baltimore Comic-Con!  Our show this year will be the 15th annual Baltimore Comic-Con, our premiere 3-day show, and our biggest event ever, which will be held the weekend of September 5-7, 2014!

  

Gibbons Watchmen 1

In December, we officially announced our expansion to 3 days as well as our huge initial set of guests, and the response was fantastic.  Not content to settle for that initial wave of excitement, we've kept busy through the 2013 holiday season and into January of 2014 expanding our guest list!

 

Hopping the pond from England, writer/artist/letterer Dave Gibbons brings a vast resume of truly ground-breaking work.  From his early 

2000AD work to the best-selling Watchmen with writer Alan Moore to The Secret Service with writer Mark Millar and many, many other noteworthy titles, Dave has left his indelible mark on the comics industry.  He has contributed to major and minor publishers, titles, and comic universes on both sides of the Atlantic, and his lettering style in Watchmen was the basis for the "Comic Sans" font. 

 

Fred Hembeck's unique style has graced numerous publications, but he is probably noted most for his parodies at Marvel Comics, especially in the pages of Marvel Age, Fantastic Four Roast, Fred Hembeck Destroys the Marvel Universe, and Fred Hembeck Sells the Marvel Universe.  He also maintained an unhealthy focus for years on the Marvel Universe B-lister, Brother Voodoo!  In recent years, he contributed to Mars Attacks: The Human Condition from IDW and has provided covers for Garfield from BOOM! Studios.

 

A relative newcomer, Aaron Kuder found opportunities in doing fill-in issues during DC Comics' The New 52 event.  A member of Ten Ton Studios, he has handled art duties on titles such as Batman, Superman, and The Avenging Spider-Man, and took over art duties in November of 2013 for Action Comics.

 

Originally from Bulgaria, Alex Maleev has achieved great success providing art on comics with prolific comics writer, Brian Michael Bendis.  Together, they have collaborated on noteworthy runs on titles such as Image's Sam and Twitch, and Marvel's New Avengers, Daredevil, Halo: Uprising, Moon Knight, Spider-Woman, and, through Marvel's creator-owned Icon imprint, Scarlet.

 

John Totleben initially established a name for himself inking and painting covers for DC Comics' Swamp Thing during its noteworthy Alan Moore/Stephen R. Bissette run of the title.  He later went on to collaborate with Moore again multiple times, pencilling and inking Eclipse Comics' Miracleman, earning the position exclusively after receiving accolades for his work on the title, and on inks for Image Comics' 1963.  He has received numerous industry nominations and awards, including a 2004 Inkpot Award.

  

"What an amazing group of talent to have all under one roof," commented Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con.  "We are so excited to be welcoming Dave Gibbons, Fred Hembeck, Aaron Kuder, Alex Maleev, and John Totleben to our not-so-little-anymore family!"

 

This year's previously confirmed guests for the show include: Marty Baumann (Pixar artist); Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl); Dave Bullock (Batman Black and White); Greg Capullo (Batman); Bernard Chang (Green Lantern Corps); Sean Chen (Amazing Spider-Man); Jimmy Cheung (Infinity); Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman); Frank Cho (X-Men:  Battle of the Atom); Richard Clark (House of Gold & Bones); Steve Conley (Bloop); Alan Davis (Wolverine); Tommy Lee Edwards (Suicide Risk); Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys); David Finch (Forever Evil); Bryan JL Glass (Mice Templar); Michael Golden (The Ravagers); Cully Hamner (Animal Man); Dean Haspiel (The Fox); Adam Hughes (Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan); JG Jones (Green Lantern Corps, Batman Black and White); Justin Jordan (Luther Strode, Green Lantern: New Guardians); Barry Kitson (Empire); David Mack (Shadowman); Kevin Maguire (Guardians of the Galaxy); Ron Marz (Witchblade); Bob McLeod (X-Men: Gold); Tradd Moore (Deadpool Annual); Mark Morales (New Avengers); Dan Parent (Archie, Veronica, Kevin Keller); David Peterson (Mouse Guard); Eric Powell (The Goon); Joe Prado (Justice League); Brian Pulido (Lady Death); Ivan Reis (Aquaman and The Others); Budd Root (Cavewoman); Alex Saviuk (Web of Spider-Man); Andy Smith (Superman #23.1: Bizarro); John K. Snyder III (Zorro Rides Again); Allison Sohn (sketch card artist); Charles Soule (Thunderbolts); Ben Templesmith (The Memory Collectors); Peter Tomasi (Batman and Two-Face); Herb Trimpe (GI Joe: A Real American Hero); Billy Tucci (Shi); Rick Veitch (Saga of the Swamp Thing); Matt Wagner (Grendel); Mark Waid (Daredevil); Bill Willingham (Fables); Renee Witterstaetter (Joe Jusko: Maelstrom); and Thom Zahler (My Little Pony).   

  

In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

 

  

Contact Information

Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:

press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution

promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications

registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations

harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet

general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries

  

About The Baltimore Comic-Con

The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 14th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 9 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.

  

Fred Hembeck!  I'm definitely going!

Chris Flick on Jason Loves Life


Jason Loves Life


Chris Flick – Episode 22

Posted: 03 Feb 2014 05:26 AM PST

Chris FlickThis weeks guest is Chris Flick

Chris is a Graphic Designer, Web Designer, an illustrator, and a wecbomic creator.

In this episode we chat about changes in how websites are created, how Chris creates his webcomic, finding time for side projects, conventions, and more.

Things mentioned in this episode:

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now


Captain America movie's DC scenes

New trailer for ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’

A retailer’s tips on selling minicomics

Jared Smith of D.C.-area comics retailer Big Planet Comics (which co-publishes the minicomics line Retrofit Comics) offers tips on how self-publishers can get their minicomics in comics shops.

"As a store, we love selling minicomics! They are far more diverse than comics put out by big publishers and showcase an amazing array of talent. But, as a comics retailer, we’ve also noticed a lot of things that make it hard for minicomic creators to sell us comics, and for us to sell minicomics to customers. Here are some of our tips!" (Read the rest on the Big Planet Comics blog)

Photo courtesy of Big Planet Comics

Monday, February 03, 2014

'Colonial Comics' out in September

Local comics writer Jason Rodriguez is editing a new comics anthology for Fulcrum Publishing titled Colonial Comics: New England: 1620-1750, scheduled for release this coming fall. Cover art is by local artist Scott White. Here's the blurb from the press release:

"Colonial Comics is a graphic novel collection of 25 stories focusing on the period from 1620 through 1750 in New England. A collaboration of historians and graphic artists tell the stories about Puritans and free thinkers, Pequots and Jewish settlers, female business owners and dedicated school teachers, whales and livestock, slavery and frontiers, and many other aspects of colonial life. Coming September 2014!"

Greg Pak at Fantom Comics on Feb. 7

Comics writer Greg Pak (Action Comics, Batman/Superman, Eternal Warrior and Turok Dinosaur Huntvisits Fantom Comics Friday from 6-7 p.m.


Image courtesy of Greg Pak

Nevin Martell on comics and food

Food Comics Turn 'ZAP' And 'POW' Into 'Sizzle' And 'Bubble'

by Nevin Martell

NPR's The Salt blog February 03, 2014
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/02/03/270985954/food-comics-turn-zap-and-pow-into-sizzle-and-bubble

Flying Dog doghouse

Courtesy of Chris Ingram, who notes "The art [by Ralph Steadman] is just a mishmash of the art on the beer bottles, nothing new that I could see.  Saw it yesterday at our local Giant on Columbia Pike."








Sunday, February 02, 2014

Greg McElhatton stepping away from reviewing comics

Linda Holmes on the next Superman movie's Lex Luthor

Holmes, Linda.  2014.

Yes, Jesse Eisenberg Should Absolutely Play Lex Luthor.


Steve Brodner's Olympic cartoon in today's Post

Ready for Sochi? A Speculative Olympic Preview
by Steve Brodner
Washington Post February 2 2014
online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ready-for-sochi/2014/01/31/cf4ab272-8ab0-11e3-833c-33098f9e5267_gallery.html#photo=1

Zunar's appearance at Busboys and Poets



Malaysian cartoonist Zunar, whose books are regularly censored in his home country, appeared at Busboys and Poets in Washington, DC. With his permission, I've uploaded photographs and a recording of his talk, which was sponsored by Cartoonists Rights Network International. He speaks about his book being banned, and being arrested for sedition, as well his countersuits against the government. He's a brave man.

Local cartoonist's Sevara comic book Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/damianwampler/sevara-issue-0/widget/video.html



A 22 page full color comic book. A shape-shifting goddess finds that the memories of her mortal life corrupted humanity.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/damianwampler/sevara-issue-0

Feb 5: Sevara Meet'n'Greet with the Creator


Game ON logo
You're invited to:
Game On! Comics backed a local artist on kickstarter and he hit his goal! So now he is coming to our store!
 Come stop by and show your support for local comic book writers!

Here is a link to his kickstarter:
When
Wednesday
February 5th, 2014
From 5pm to 6pm
Where
Game On! Comics
310 Dominion RD NE
Vienna, Va 22180

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Friday, January 31, 2014

Sara Duke's biographical sketches of cartoonists book available now (updated)

Biographical Sketches of Cartoonists & Illustrators in the Swann Collection of the Library of Congress

Paperback, 340 Pages 
Price: $17.00
Ships in 3-5 business days
Inside this book are short biographical sketches about the many artists represented in the Library of Congress' Swann Collection compiled by Erwin Swann (1906-1973). In the early 1960s, Swann, a New York advertising executive started collecting original cartoon drawings of artistic and humorous interest. Included in the collection are political prints and drawings, satires, caricatures, cartoon strips and panels, and periodical illustrations by more than 500 artists, most of whom are American. The 2,085 items range from 1780-1977, with the bulk falling between 1890-1970. The Collection includes 1,922 drawings, 124 prints, 14 paintings, 13 animation cels, 9 collages, 1 album, 1 photographic print, and 1 scrapbook.

Express on Oscar-nominated animated shorts

‘Room on the Broom’ leads the pack of Oscar-nominated shorts at E Street Cinema [in print as Bewitching Hour].

BY KRISTEN PAGE-KIRBY

The Oscar-nominated “Room on the Broom” is quite a ride. (Magic Light Pictures)

The Oscar-nominated “Room on the Broom” is quite a ride. (Magic Light Pictures)

Comic Riffs on Morrie Turner

RIP, MORRIE TURNER: Cartoonists say farewell to a friend, a hero, a ‘Wee Pals’ pioneer

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 31 2014

The Post on Oscar short animation

Review of Oscar-nominated short films 2014 (animated, live-action and documentary)

Zeilt Productions - The animated short film “Mr. Hublot” uses computer animation and stop-motion to tell the story of a man and his robot dog.





Feb 8: Marc Tyler Nobleman on Batman and Superman creators

Marc Tyler Nobleman appears at Tifereth Israel Congregation on
Saturday, February 8, 2014 from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM, $15
http://www.conventionscene.com/2014/01/30/dc-secret-creators-behind-superman-batman/