Big Planet Comics named one of best shops in U.S.

Big Planet Comics’ U Street store has been named one of best comics shops in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure.

"Housed in a superhero-blue brick building, bedecked with a groovy space-things mural by Juan Pineda, Big Planet Comics’s flagship D.C. location has been a fixture on busy U Street since moving from Georgetown in 2011." Click to read more.

PR: Top Shelf on March's RFK award

MARCH: BOOK ONE wins Robert F. Kennedy Book Award — Special Recognition! Every so often, a graphic novel comes out that is so remarkable and so important, it breaks out of traditional categories, forcing readers and institutions to reconsider their expectations of what the comics medium can do. In 1992, for example, Art Spiegelman's Maus depicted the life of a Holocaust survivor with such innovative power that the Pulitzer Prize committee issued Spiegelman a "Special Award." Now, the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights has honored March: Book One, the first volume of Congressman John Lewis' civil rights memoir co-written with Andrew Aydin and drawn by Nate Powell, with a "Special Recognition" award at the 2014 Robert F. Kennedy Book Awards. Congressman Lewis and Andrew Aydin were present for the ceremony last week in Washington, shown above accepting the award from Ethel Kennedy. Fittingly for an icon of the civil rights movement, this is Congressman Lewis' second honor from the RFK Book Awards; his prose autobiography Walking with the Wind won in 1999. The awards, founded in 1980, celebrate those books which best reflect the late Senator Kennedy's ideals of justice, human rights, and equality of opportunity. In his capacity as attorney general, senator, and presidential candidate, Kennedy played a significant role in the civil rights movement throughout the 60s, and indeed will appear in the forthcoming second and third volumes of March. This honor also places the March team in fine company in another way: the RFK Book Awards' only previous use of the Special Recognition was also for comics, awarded in 1994 to the legendary editorial cartoonist Herblock. Your friend thru comics, Chris Staros Top Shelf Productions PO Box 1282 Marietta GA 30061-1282 USA chris@topshelfcomix.com www.topshelfcomix.com

Kal Performs this weekend with BIG in Baltimore

Friends and colleagues

 If you are in Baltimore this weekend and looking for a laugh check out this fun show on Friday night 8PM.

I will be joining the smart and talented folks at the Baltimore Improv group for a set of improv cartooning with audience participation. It is part of a weekend EDGEFEST sponsored by BIG. There will also be a special guest joining the show... beat boxer Shodekeh.

All the activity takes place in Hamden at 

St. Mary's Community Center

3900 Roland Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21211

Should be great fun.

Spread the word and I hope to see you there! here's a link with more info

http://www.bigimprov.org/show/edgefest-soundscape-and-almost-anyone-can-draw/

Fantastic Forum on tonight

Tonight at 9:00 PM on Prince George's Community Television

In PG County, MD tonight and every Wednesday at 9:00 PM on CTV Comcast 76; Verizon FiOS 42. On location from Victory Comics! RE-IMAGINING GENDER/ETHNICITY, WONDER WOMAN MOVIE, DISNEY/MARVEL VS. WARNER/DC MOVIES. Featuring Patrick Michael Strange's interview with Zombie Artist ARTHUR SUYDAM and our IN MEMORIAM 2013 tribute.

June 4: Edmonson signing at Fantom Comics

Comics writer Nathan Edmonson ( Black Widow and Punisher) visits Fantom Comics on June 4 for a signing from noon to 4 p.m.

Good long interview with Ben Hatke

Words & Curds: Ben Hatke, creator of Zita the Spacegirl

  by evan munday on May 23, 2014
http://www.openbooktoronto.com/evanmunday/blog/words_curds_ben_hatke_creator_zita_spacegirl

Jared Gardner's TCAF report

19th May 2014 

TCAF 2014 report!

http://bigplanetcomics.tumblr.com/post/86210703446/tcaf-2014-report

PR on animation studio moving to DC

May 27, 2014

Mayor Gray Announces Animation Company to Move to District

Pigmental Studios currently working on feature film to debut in 2016

Media Contacts:

• Chanda Washington (DMPED), 202.727.6365
• Leslie Green (MPTD), 202.724.2070
• http://dmped.dc.gov/release/mayor-gray-announces-animation-company-move-district
  

NPR's Monkey See blog on the next Batman / Superman movie

'Batman V Superman': A Legal Thriller (We Hope)

by Linda Holmes

May 21, 2014
http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2014/05/21/314584669/batman-v-superman-a-legal-thriller-we-hope

Cavna on Scott Adams

NCS REUBEN AWARDS: As artists honor each other tonight, a keen memory about one 'outstanding' cartoonist

• By Michael Cavna

• Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 24 2014

• http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/05/24/ncs-reuben-awards-as-artists-honor-each-other-tonight-a-keen-memory-about-one-outstanding-cartoonist/

Dilbert's Scott Adams Satirizes His Way To Success

By NANCY GONDO, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY

 Posted 05/20/2014
http://news.investors.com/management-leaders-in-success/052014-701517-dilbert-scott-adams-drew-his-way-to-office-champ.htm?p=full

Animation studio moving to DC

The Download: City officials recruit digital animation studio to the District

By Steven Overly

Capital Business May 26 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/the-download-city-officials-recruit-digital-animation-studio-to-the-district/2014/05/23/1c4191e2-df87-11e3-810f-764fe508b82d_story.html

Comic Riffs on Harlem Hellfighters and Wiley Miller

Wiley Miller ('Non Sequitur') appreciates honor's esteemed legacy

    By Michael Cavna     

    Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 25  2014

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/05/25/2014-ncs-awards-reuben-winner-wiley-miller-non-suitur-appreciates-awards-esteemed-legacy/

 

MEMORIAL DAY: Bestselling author Max Brooks hopes 'Harlem Hellfighters' brings rightful spotlight to all-black WWI regiment

    By Michael Cavna     

    Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 26 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/05/26/memorial-day-bestselling-author-max-brooks-hopes-harlem-hellfighters-brings-rightful-spotlight-to-all-black-wwi-regiment/

 

 

PR: Huge News: Fantom Comics is Moving

Fantom Comics is Moving! View this email in your browser Fantom fans and friends, we are very excited to announce that Fantom Comics is MOVING! Thanks to all your amazing support over the years, we have grown so big we need a new space to contain all of our AWESOME! We can't tell you how excited we are for this move. Starting July 23rd, 2014, you can find Fantom Comics at 2010 P Street NW, just a block and a half off Dupont Circle. Like She-Hulk, Fantom has outgrown its digs, with events like our super-fun Ladies' Nights and our biggest Free Comic Book Day ever testing the limits of our teeny-tiny space. She-Hulk #1 by Adi Granov And with our new space being three times larger, we plan to do many more events in the future! Fantom Comics is moving on up – up the red line, up to the penthouse (well, the top floor of a 2-story building, anyway) - and we need the space for that to happen. Please help us spread the word over these next two months! And thank you to all of our amazing customers and supporters who have made our move and expansion possible. Fantom Comics is so proud to have such a brilliant family of fans and friends who make up the best of Washington DC's comic book scene! Stay tuned to our Facebook/Twitter/Tumblr for more updates!

Fantom Comics · 50 Massachusetts Ave NE · Union Station - Mezzanine Level · Washington, DC 20002 · USA

Fantom Comics moving to Dupont Circle

Fantom Comics is moving on July 23 to 2010 P Street NW (above the Subway), just a block and a half off Dupont Circle. (It's currently located on the second floor at Union Station.) The owners have been eyeing Dupont for a couple of years, so it’s great to see this has finally worked out. It will also be interesting to see whether a high-pedestrian area like Dupont can support a comics shop. I think it can. 

May 31: Cartoonists Draw Blood

"Cartoonists Draw Blood" Saturday May 31, 2014 -- 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM

In association with American Red Cross and National Cartoonists Society, Washington, DC area cartoonists have clotted together to help keep the local blood banks well-stocked. 

To schedule your appointment, email Troy and Carolyn at: cartoonistsdrawblood@gmail.com

All blood donors receive a complimentary cartoon sketch by a Washington, DC area cartoonist.

Seekers Church
276 Carroll Street, NW
Washington, DC 20012
(across from Takoma Metro)

Walk-ins are also welcome on May 31.

Cartoonists: Steve Artley, Carolyn Belefski, Bill Brown, Eric Gordon, Mal Jones, Teresa Roberts Logan, Jay Payne, Matt Rawson, Joe Sutliff

Facebook Event Page: 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1437807213121707/

Blog:

http://cartoonistsdrawblood.blogspot.com/2014/04/cartoonists-draw-blood-returns-may-31st.html?m=1

That darn Toles!

Letter to the Editor:Too soon for this image

Jim Pembroke, Washington

Washington Post May 24 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/too-soon-for-a-cartoon-image-of-a-hot-air-balloon/2014/05/21/0ed2e786-dd0c-11e3-a837-8835df6c12c4_story.html

TCAF wrap-up with BPC's Jared Smith

Jared Smith of Big Planet Comics goes to the Toronto Comics Arts Festival (known as TCAF) with Joe Mochove and Rusty Rowley, who are D.C.-area comics zinesters and a staple at the Small Press Comics Expo with their video interviews. Here, Jared gives a TCAF wrap-up:

"TCAF was a week ago, but I’m only getting around to writing this now. It was my first time going, and I loved it. It was definitely great to be back at a big show as a publisher with Retrofit Comics, but also a very different experience than being an attendee." Click for more.

More on the X-Men from Comic Riffs

ALL-FEMALE 'X-MEN': Editor cites 'tradition of empowered, beautifully realized, complex female characters' *(You listening, Goyer?)

    By David Betancourt

    Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 23 2014

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/05/23/x-men/

 

 

X-MEN: In Cullen Bunn's new Magneto run, writer goes for the gruesome

    By David Betancourt

    Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 22 2014

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/05/22/x-men-in-cullen-bunns-new-magneto-run-writer-goes-for-the-gruesome/

The Post on the new X-Men movie

'X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST': The Six-Point Fanboy Review of a First-Class Film

• By Michael Cavna

• Washington Post Comic Riffs blog
  

• May 23 2014

• http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/05/23/x-men-days-of-future-past-the-six-point-fanboy-review-of-a-first-class-film/

'X-Men: Days of Future Past' risked disappointing its fans. But it's no letdown. [in print as They're My Heros].

• By Kristen Page-Kirby

• [Washington Post] Express
  

• May 23 2014 

• http://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2014/05/23/x-men-days-of-future-past-risked-disappointing-its-fans-but-its-no-letdown/
  

'X-Men: Days of Future Past' movie review: What summer movies are meant to be

By Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post May 23 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/x-men-days-of-future-past-movie-review-what-summer-movies-are-meant

June 4: Matt Dembicki signing Wild Ocean

ComicsDC co-author Matt Dembicki is signing Wild Ocean, his new anthology.

Wild Ocean - Matt Dembicki Signing

• June 4 at 4:00pm

• Show Map Beyond Comics 5632 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick, Maryland 21704

Matt Dembicki - Artist/writer of the Publisher's Weekly touted graphic novel "Trickster" has a brand new graphic novel - Wild Ocean. Matt will be promoting, signing and sketching at our store!

New X-Men movie destroys RFK stadium before the United even move in

'Days of Future Past' X-Men movie shows RFK Stadium getting destroyed
By Scott Allen
Washington Post's DC Sports blog May 19 2014
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-sports-bog/wp/2014/05/19/days-of-future-past-x-men-movie-shows-rfk-stadium-getting-destroyed/


In Latest X-Men Film, Watch Magneto Destroy RFK Stadium
by Jonathan L. Fischer
May. 21, 2014
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/film/2014/05/21/in-latest-x-men-film-watch-magneto-destroy-rfk-stadium/

The Tamakis covered by ComicsGirl

Eden caught this appearance that I missed by the Tamaki cousins on their new book - check it out at http://www.comicsgirl.com/2014/05/19/jillian-tamaki-and-mariko-tamaki-at-politics-and-prose/

Comic Riffs on March, Snowden and She-Hulk

TONIGHT'S RFK AWARDS: Rep. John Lewis 'happy and thrilled' to receive
special honor for 'March: Book One'
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 22 2014
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/05/22/tonights-rfk-awards-rep-john-lewis-happy-and-thrilled-to-receive-special-honor-for-march-book-one/


EDWARD SNOWDEN: As NSA leaker gets his own comic book today, the
writer 'leaks' her inspiration and motivations
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 21 2014
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/05/21/edward-snowden-as-nsa-leader-gets-his-own-comic-book-today-the-writer-leaks-her-inspiration-and-motivation/


SHE-HULK co-creator Stan Lee weighs in on David Goyer debate: 'Only a
nut would even think of that'
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 21 2014
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/05/21/she-hulk-co-creator-stan-lee-weighs-in-on-david-goyer-debate-only-a-nut-would-even-think-of-that/

Herblock and Chast on YouTube

Courtesy of TCJ.com-


Herblock: A Political Cartoonist - History, Cartoons, Civil Rights,
McCarthyism, Nixon
C-Span2's BookTV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFg8N4HvEus

Roz Chast "Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant"
Politics and Prose· May 20, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLI0L-A1c6c

New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast discusses her new book at Politics &
Prose in Washington, D.C. This event was recorded May 13, 2014.

May 22: Special RFK Book Award for 'March'

The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights has announced that March: Book One, the first volume of Rep. John Lewis' civil rights memoir co-written with Andrew Aydin and drawn by Nate Powell, will receive a "Special Recognition" award at the 2014 Robert F.Kennedy Book Awards, to be presented in a ceremony May 22, in Washington, D.C. All three will be on hand to receive the award.

ComicsDC staff will be at the event, so check back for photos and more!

Photo: RFK Center

Sutliff working on caricatures

Local cartoonist Joe Sutliff was busy on caricatures this Sunday at the Israel Street Festival at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia in Fairfax. Joe says he was cranking a drawing every three to fives minutes for five hours.

Photo courtesy of Joe Sutliff

Signed copies of Cul de Sac book available

For Lovers of Richard Thompson's Cul de Sac...

 

RICHARD THOMPSON, creator of "Cul de Sac," winner of the 2011 Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year and all-around great guy, has graciously offered to sign copies of the Complete Cul de Sac, a beautiful boxed set, when you place your order through OMP. Because cartoonists, like banjo players, are lovable but unpredictable, we can't guarantee a delivery time. We thank you in advance for your support, and your patience. Click here to order or call us at 703-300-9746.

One More Page Books 2200 N. Westmoreland Street, #101
Arlington, VA 22213
703-300-9746    Visit our website
Mon-Sat: 10 am - 8 pm; Sun: noon to 5 pm

The Post reviews French graphic novel ‘Weapons of Mass Diplomacy’

In Abel Lanzac's 'Weapons of Mass Diplomacy,' political satire with a French twist

By Michael Cavna, Washington Post May 21 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/in-abel-lanzacs-weapons-of-mass-diplomacy-a-fine-line-between-satire-reality/2014/05/20/279de9fe-dac4-11e3-b745-87d39690c5c0_story.html

Today: Roberts, Jordan signing at Beyond Comics

Local comic booker Rafer Robert and writer Justin Jordan are signing today at Beyond Comics in Frederick, Md. The "X-O Manowar" #25 from Valiant Comics is a variant cover only available at Beyond Comics.

Photo: Beyond Comics

A tip of the hat to Cul de Sac in Edison Lee

John Hambrock snuck a tribute into Richard Thompson into his Brilliant Mind of Edison Lee comic today.

Ignatz Award submissions due to SPX

This reminder is to let you know that submissions for the SPX 2014 Ignatz Awards need to be in the mail and postmarked by Saturday May 31, 2014 in order to be considered by this years panel of judges.

Please send all submissions to:

SPX Ignatz Awards
c/o Big Planet Comics
4849 Cordell Ave.
Bethesda, Maryland
20814

Ignatz Award categories and guidelines for submission can be found here.

Of course, any questions, - spxignatz@gmail.com.

Rafer Roberts interviewed for Valiant work

Valiant Podcast ep 15

By darrell taylor
Taylor Network podcast May 19, 2014
http://thetaylornetworkofpodcasts.com/2014/05/19/valiant-podcast-ep-15/
http://dafixershideout.hipcast.com/deluge/9aaa8591-8b38-419f-78be-6351e90dbb4f.mp3

May 28: Animezing: 5 Centimeters Per Second

Animezing Series Presented by the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan 5 Centimeters Per Second Wednesday, May 28, 6:30 p.m. Our Location: JICC, Embassy of Japan 1150 18th St, NW Suite 100 Washington, DC 20036 Driving directions © Makoto Shinkai / CoMix Wave Films. All Rights Reserved | Japanese with English subtitles | Not Rated  63 mins | Directed by Makoto Shinkai   Takaki Tono and Akari Shinohara shared a unique bond as elementary school students. They were separated upon graduation, however, and the passage of time continued heedless of their feelings for one another. On one snowy day, Takaki will finally reunite with Akari for the first time in a year... A story told in three parts - "Oukasho," "Cosmonaut," and "5 Centimeters Per Second" - illustrate the budding love between two children, a high school girl in love with Takaki, and the wanderings of these individuals' souls. Weaved into a single work with poetic visuals, 5 Centimeters Per Second is a tale of emotional distance set in the "here and now" of Japan. Register Now! This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please note that seating is limited and registration does not guarantee guests a seat. Registered guests will be seated on a first come, first served basis. Please contact us at jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp in the event of cancellation. Doors open at 6:00 pm. No admission or re-entry after 7:00 pm.

JICC, Embassy of Japan | 1150 18th St., NW | Suite 100 | Washington | DC | 20036

Ladies' Night at Fantom Comics, May 25

Fantom Comics will host it's next Ladies' Night Sunday, May 25, from 6-9 p.m. Poster illustration by local artist Rachel Blier.

May 21: Ben Hatke Takoma Park MD Library

Come meet Ben Hatke illustrator/author (Zita the space girl) as he introduces his latest in this stellar kids series at the Takoma Park Maryland Library, this Wednesday at 7:30PM.  101 Philadelphia Ave, Takoma Park MD 20912. 

Here at your friendly neighborhood library, the last small city-run library in all of Maryland,  we aim to connect comic artists with their reading public and promote comics reading in whatever way we can.    If you know kids who love comics and want to check out a great series; or if you want to engage in casual conversation with a working artist (and street performer/dad/ etc) come hang out and we'll have a great time.

http://www.takomapark.info/library/comics/

The Celebrate Takoma Festival is coming! Enjoy Local food, entertainment & merchandise. | May 18th @ Takoma-Piney Branch Neighborhood Park. | http://takomaparkmd.gov/recreation/celebrate-takoma

That darn Toles! redux

Letter to the Editor: Choking off the heat

Bill Denk, McLean

Washington Post May 17 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/choking-off-the-heat/2014/05/16/b45087f8-d6af-11e3-8f7d-7786660fff7c_story.html

Rafer Roberts interview online

Small Press Sunday: Interview with Rafer Roberts

• Aaron Clutter
• 05/11/2014
• http://www.comicbooked.com/small-press-sunday-interview-rafer-roberts/

Ralph Steadman Spotted at Giant!

Friend of ComicsDC Chris Ingram has provided these snaps of the latest Ralph Steadman-labelled Flying Dog Beer to appear in the area. These are at the Giant supermarket at Penrose Square on Columbia Pike, in Arlington.

'Wild Ocean' signing today at Fantom Comics

Michael Cowgill and Matt Dembicki will be signing the new comics anthology Wild Ocean: Sharks, Whales, Rays and Other Endangered Sea Creatures (Fulcrum Publishing) at Fantom Comics at Union Station in D.C. from 1-3 p.m.