Sevara novel contest from Damian Wampler

Free copies of Sevara: Dawn of Hope Posted by Damian Wampler For those of you who live in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, here's a chance to win a copy of Sevara: Dawn of Hope, the young adult adventure that reveal's Sevara's origin. This is the real paperback with a wraparound cover. Just click the 'image below, or go to Goodreads.com. Ends August 30.   Get the paperback free!

One D.C. writer's view of the history of comic books

The Evolution of Comics From Batman to Burkas by Jabeen Akhtar

Los Angeles Review of Books July 29th, 2015
https://lareviewofbooks.org/essay/the-evolution-of-comics-from-batman-to-burkas

Jabeen Akhtar is the author of the novel Welcome to Americastan. She lives in Washington, DC, where she is working on a graphic novel about a short terrorist.

That darn Doonesbury

Letters to the Editor

A cheap shot in the comics [in print as A cheap retread in the comics].

Joseph Parisi, Annandale

Washington Post August 1 2015
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/a-cheap-shot-in-the-comics/2015/07/31/40057ef0-354d-11e5-b835-61ddaa99c73e_story.html

PR: Small Press Expo Announces C. Spike Trotman, Jennifer Hayden and Stuart Immonen as Guests

For Immediate Release Contact: Warren Bernard Email: warren@spxpo.com Small Press Expo Announces C. Spike Trotman, Jennifer Hayden and Stuart Immonen to Celebrate SPX's 21st Birthday Bethesda, Maryland; July 31, 2015 Media Release ­— SPX is pleased to announce 21st Century creators C. Spike Trotman, Jennifer Hayden and Stuart Immonen as guests at SPX 2016. This is in addition to the previously announced creators of the current century Kate Beaton, Luke Pearson, Noelle Stevenson, Michael DeForge, Gemma Correll, Noah Van Sciver, Matt Bors, Lilli Carré and Theo Ellsworth. SPX 2016 takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, and will have over 650 creators, 280 exhibitor tables and 22 programming slots to entertain, enlighten and introduce attendees to the amazing world of independent and small press comics. Virtually and in actuality a juggernaut, C. Spike Trotman creates comics as effortlessly as if it is her first language. From writing and drawing the  webcomic-turned-print comic, Templar, AZ. to writing Poorcraft (on living well on less money, co-created with Diana Nock) to editing the smash hit anthology, Smut Peddler, Trotman is the epitome of pulling up one's own bootstraps while making some fine comics. Trotman made a splash in the publishing world recently with horror anthology, The Sleep of Reason, now coming out through her own line of comics Iron Circus Comics. Can't wait to for SPX? Dig into Trotman's exuberant new podcast Dirty Old Ladies, co-hosted by Kel McDonald. Hailing from the world of fiction and children's book illustration, Jennifer Hayden makes no bones about creating work directly influenced by her life. With her newest autobiographical comic, The Story of My Tits  from Top Shelf,  Hayden delves into the world of breast cancer with the acerbic tongue of a sharp-eyed survivor. Her past graphic novel, Underwire, collected her webcomics from ACT-I-VATE on life, full of piss and vinegar and laughing gas. Hayden's comics are a delight and yet another not-to-miss purchase at SPX. Schuster-Award winning artist, Stuart Immonen remains to this day one of the most dependable and thoughtful mainstream pencillers in the comics world while still being publishing his own creator-owned comics. Most recently, his austere and beautiful Russian Olive To Red King was released by AdHouse Books, written by Kathryn Immonen. While working for both DC and Marvel, Immonen penciled titles from Superman to Thor as well as The Incredible Hulk and a long run on All-New X-Men with writer Brian Michael Bendis. And this flexible artist still finds time to make a webcomic (co-authored by Kathryn Immonen) It's Never As Bad As You Think as well as the 2010 Top Shelf title, Moving Pictures. Meet this powerhouse of a cartoonist at SPX this September on the hallowed grounds of the Marriott. Small Press Expo (SPX) is the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons. SPX is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit that brings together more than 650 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 expo includes a series of panel discussions and interviews with this year's guests. The Ignatz Award is a festival prize held every year at SPX recognizing outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning, 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. For more information on the Small Press Expo, please visit http://www.spxpo.com.

Aug 1: Rico Renzi at Fantom Comics

Color artist Rico Renzi (Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Spider-Gwen, Howard the Duck) appears at Fantom Comics on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 7:00 PM!

RSVP on Facebook!

Fantom Comics
2010 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036
202-241-6498

Thanks to Conventionscene.

A Mystery Machine parks in Silver Spring

The unexpected benefits of driving Scooby-Doo's Mystery Machine

By John Kelly
July 30 2015

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/the-unexpected-benefits-of-driving-scooby-doos-mystery-machine/2015/07/29/8117108c-3617-11e5-9d0f-7865a67390ee_story.html

PR: SPX 2015 Announces Special Guests Matt Bors, Lilli Carré and Theo Ellsworth

For Immediate Release Contact: Warren Bernard Email: warren@spxpo.com Small Press Expo Announces Matt Bors, Lilli Carré and Theo Ellsworth to Celebrate SPX's 21st Birthday Bethesda, Maryland; July 29, 2015 Media Release ­— SPX is pleased to announce 21st Century creators Matt Bors, Lilli Carré and Theo Ellsworth as guests at SPX 2016. This is in addition to the previously announced creators of the current century Kate Beaton, Luke Pearson, Noelle Stevenson, Michael DeForge, Gemma Correll and Noah Van Sciver. SPX 2016 takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, and will have over 650 creators, 280 exhibitor tables and 22 programming slots to entertain, enlighten and introduce attendees to the amazing world of independent and small press comics. Matt Bors irreverent take on politics and society garnished him the prestigious Herblock Award in 2012, as well as being a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Cartooning. His cartoons appear in such alt-weekly newspapers as the Sacramento Bee and the Pittsburgh City Paper as well as online. He is the editor of the widely read and critically acclaimed web site The Nib, which since its inception in 2013, has published over 2000 social and politically oriented cartoons and comics. For SPX 2015, there is a Kickstarter campaign underway to publish the first print collection of works from The Nib's wealth of graphic social commentary, with cartoons and comics by Matt Bors, Gemma Correll, Erica Moen, Emily Flake, Matt Lubchansky, Ted Rall, Keith Knight, Liza Donnelly and Ann telnaes, amongst other contributors. Illustrator, animator and cartoonist Lilli Carré is the co-founder of the Eyeworks Festival of Experimental Animation in Chicago, which will occur November 5-7, 2015. Her animated cartoons have been shown across the world at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival and the International Festival Rotterdam, amongst other venues. Her artwork has been displayed at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago and her illustration work has appeared in the New York Times, and The New Yorker. Her most recent compilation of comics, Heads or Tails published by Fantagraphics, went into its second printing this year. SPX 2015 will see the debut of Theo Ellsworth's final installment of his dense, surreal, exquisitely drawn comics series trilogy, Understanding Monsters -  Book Three, from Secret Acres. Understanding Monsters -  Book One was selected for The Best American Comics 2014 and was named an Lynd Ward Prize Honor Book. Understanding Monsters -  Book Two was recently selected to be represented in the Society of Illustrators Cartoon Annual in New York. Ellsworth was a contributed to the Eisner Award winning book, Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream, as well as to the political anthology Occupy Comics. He also displays his two and three dimensional works in art galleries around the United States. Small Press Expo (SPX) is the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons. SPX is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit that brings together more than 650 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 expo includes a series of panel discussions and interviews with this year's guests. The Ignatz Award is a festival prize held every year at SPX recognizing outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning, 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. For more information on the Small Press Expo, please visit http://www.spxpo.com. Copyright © 2015 Small Press Expo, All rights reserved. You are receiving this e-mail as a result of your being on our long standing press release list. Our mailing address is: Small Press Expo P.O. Box 5704 Bethesda, MD 20824

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Map Of Kurdistan, Revised"

Map Of Kurdistan, Revised"

http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1750

Al Jazeera reports that Turkey, ostensibly attacking ISIS, has been stomping the living crap out of the Kurds. Turkey, of course, swears up and down that they aren't targeting the Kurds. For clarity, here's a map of the region for our US readers.

"That's our story, and we're sticking to it." -Erdogan
(http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/07/turkey-kurds-syria-150727091258869.html)

Comic Riffs on The Nib's second act

Kickstarter of the Day: After Medium, The Nib charts a new course for excellence

By Michael Cavna July 28 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/07/28/kickstarter-of-the-day-after-medium-the-nib-charts-a-new-course-for-excellence/

Wizard World con in Richmond this weekend

Wizard World casts enticing spell at 2015 Richmond Comic Con, July 31- Aug. 2

July 27, 2015, by Web Staff, Updated at 12:28pm, July 28, 2015
http://wtvr.com/2015/07/27/wizard-world-casts-enticing-spell-at-2015-richmond-comic-con-july-31-aug-2/

Washington Times obituary for Bill Garner

Bill Garner, longtime Washington Times cartoonist, dies at 79

Artist made incisive political drawings

Editorial cartoonist Bill Garner joined The Washington Times in 1983, not long after the newspaper was founded. His drawings found new ways to deal with the biggest stories of the day. (Maya Alleruzzo/The Washington Times) more >

By Valerie Richardson - The Washington Times - Sunday, July 26, 2015
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jul/26/bill-garner-longtime-washington-times-cartoonist-d/?

Garfield the Musical interviews online now

How Garfield Became a Brand New Musical at Adventure Theatre

 by Mike Rhode on July 27, 2015
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/theater/2015/07/27/how-garfield-became-a-brand-new-musical-at-adventure-theatre/

Adventure Theatre, the children's theater based in Maryland's Glen Echo National Park, recently  launched an original adaptation of Jim Davis' long-running Garfield comic strip. The path to creating a new work for younger kids can be bumpy and winding. Arts Desk interviewed some of the principals to find out how the show came about.

8/5: Justin Jordan at Third Eye Comics

WEDNESDAY 8/5/15: JOHN FLOOD #1 Signing event with JUSTIN JORDAN (Luther Strode, Spread)

  

Click here for the event info on FACEBOOK

We're HUGE fans of writer Justin Jordan and his work on series like DEEP STATE, STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE, DARK GODS, and of course, the Image series, SPREAD, so when we had the opportunity to bring Justin in to launch his new series, JOHN FLOOD, we didn't just jump at it - we dove at it!

JOHN FLOOD is a must-read for fans of John Constantine Hellblazer, and series like the DRESDEN FILES and BLACKLIST, featuring a very cool take on the classic detective story with a very metaphysical twist.

Ryan Holmberg's latest alternative manga column online

Back to the Avant-Garde: Sasaki Maki's Nonsense

BY Ryan Holmberg Jul 27, 2015
http://www.tcj.com/back-to-the-avant-garde-sasaki-makis-nonsense/

Comic Riffs on Pekar Park

New Harvey Pekar Park embraces people as uncommonly common as he was

By Michael Cavna July 27 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/07/27/new-harvey-pekar-park-celebrates-people-as-uncommonly-common-as-he-was/

The Post censors Pearls Before Swine today

Today's actual strip uses the phrase "Me gonna punch little turd" and can be seen here.

The Post ran one from 7/27/2010 about William Wordsworth.

Oddly enough, the Post's Express newspaper ran the turd strip.

Rep. John Lewis' civil rights story comes to life in comics

Jan Crawford

CBS News July 24, 2015

online at http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/rep-john-lewis-civil-rights-story-comes-to-life-in-comics/

Congressman Lewis is writing a series of comic books called "March," showing historic moments in the struggle for civil rights. Though Lewis was beaten and arrested many times as a young man during the civil rights movement, he still believes change can come through peaceful protests. That's the message he's hoping the comic books will get across to children. Jan Crawford reports.

New Big Planet Comics t-shirt (UPDATED)

Big Planet Comics Bethesda has a new retro t-shirt, designed by Joel Pollack after an old DC Comics logo. Joel says, "I'm guessing Ira Schnapp did this logo originally. Martin Pasco put this together for me. We initially printed 72, and we're going to print another 72 next week. I've been wanting to do this design for years.

Bill Garner, Washington Star and Times editorial cartoonist, has passed away

William Simpson Garner  Obituary

 

The Capital Gazette on July 26, 2015

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/CapitalGazette/obituary.aspx?n=William-Simpson-Garner&pid=175363234

Kickstarter: 'Sagas of the Northmen'

Former D.C. resident and DC Conspiracy member Sean Fahey is publishing another comics anthology, this one on Vikings, through his imprint Black Jack Press. He has started a very modest Kickstarter campaign (a $2,500 goal) to raise money for printing Sagas of the Northmen, which is all done and just needs to be printed. Check out the video and art samples on Kickstarter to see the high-quality work on this book.

Archie cartoonist obituary in today's Post

Tom Moore, cartoonist who brought Archie to life, dies at 86 [in print as Cartoonist drew Archie and friends for decades]

Mr. Moore, the "Archie" cartoonist, poses for a photo in 2014. (El Paso Times via AP)

By Associated Press
Washington Post July 24 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/comics/tom-moore-cartoonist-who-brought-archie-to-life-dies-at-86/2015/07/23/8f37cfc6-30c7-11e5-8353-1215475949f4_story.html

July 25: Creator meet & greet at Comic Logic

Comic Logic in Ashburn, Va., on July 25 hosts a mix-and-mingle event from noon to 5 p.m. with some local creators, including Joe Sutliff and Jason Axtell. 

July 25: DC Zinefest

The fifth annual DC Zinefest July 25 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) at St. Stephens Church in D.C. will include numerous local comics creators.

July 23-26: Shrek the Musical at Encore in Arlington

Encore Stage & Studio will present "Shrek the Musical" with performances running July 17-26 at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre, 125 South Old Glebe Road.

Performances are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., with another performance on Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children, students, seniors and military.

For information, call (703) 548-1154 or see the Web site at www.encorestage.org.

The show is reviewed at

'Shrek' Loses its Movie Magic in Theatrical Adaptation.

by Matt Reville

Northern Virginia Sun Gazette (July 23, 2015): 12

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Gotham) continues his Batman film streak

Leahy's 'Batman' cameo seemingly makes the cut

by Helena Andrews and Emily Heil

Washington Post July 20 2015

online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/sen-leahys-batman-v-superman-cameo-seemingly-makes-the-cut/2015/07/19/a90b1b8a-2e4a-11e5-8f36-18d1d501920d_story.html

Express on 'Rick and Morty' animation

'Rick and Morty' creators Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland say the animated show is dark for a reason [in print as That sci-fi sadness: 'Rick and Morty' isn't afraid of the dark]

By Rudi Greenberg
Express July 22 2015, p. 19
http://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2015/07/22/rick-and-morty-creators-dan-harmon-and-justin-roiland-say-the-animated-show-is-dark-for-a-reason/
 

That's the last time Rick, left, lets Morty borrow the spaceship. (Cartoon Network)

World War II medical animation featured on Library blog

An essay I wrote a few years ago on a WWII animation series for the National Library of Medicine has just been republished on their blog.

The Five Commandments

Posted by Circulating Now on July 21, 2015

http://circulatingnow.nlm.nih.gov/2015/07/21/the-five-commandments/

By Michael Rhode, with Michael Sappol

Essay originally published in Hidden Treasure: The National Library of Medicine, 2013. Watch the films now on NLM's Medical Movies on the Web.

Sept 5: Stephan Pastis at National Book Festival

• Saturday, September 5 2015 at 9:00pm Show Map Washington Convention Center 801 Mt Vernon Pl NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20001

Come see me get grilled by Washington Post columnist Michael Cavna (e.g. Why are you so pun-obsessed? Why would Bill Watterson collaborate with YOU? Are you really sleeping in a basket?), all as part of the renowned National Book Festival. Grill me yourself (keep it clean, people). And as if all that's not enough, I shall also be signing copies of my latest book, Pearls Gets Sacrificed (and draw a character in each), provided that at least someone brings me gin. (PLEASE NOTE: For this event, the signing is actually before the talk. The signing is from 6 to 8 pm.)

Teresa Logan's coloring book available for pre-order

Posh Adult Coloring Book: Paisley Designs for Fun & Relaxation

by Teresa Roberts Logan

Overview

Posh Adult Coloring Book: Paisley Designs for Fun & Relaxation inspires you to get your groove on, relax, and have fun with more than 100 gorgeous paisley designs to color. 

Ever popular, paisley patterns are a joy to color.  Their intricacies present you with a rewarding and satisfying coloring experience that results in a rich, opulent picture and a well rested mind.

Artist Teresa Roberts Logan specializes in paisley patterns of all types, flora and fauna, mandalas, sugar skulls, international themes, mythical and heavenly creatures, holiday seasons, fine art, sea life, and more!

Barnes and Noble or Amazon.

July 29: Argentine cartoonist exhibit opening

07/20/2015

Miguel Repiso 'REP' will exhibit "Bellas Artes" (cartoons) and will unveil a mural at the Embassy

The Ambassador of Argentina, Cecilia Nahón has the pleasure to invite you to the mural unveiling ceremony, and the opening reception of the exhibit "Bellas Artes" by Pagina 12 cartoonist Miguel Repiso (REP).
 
Miguel Repiso (Rep) is an Argentine artist and cartoonist. He is the author of more than thirty books, among them Bellas Artes, Buenos Aires Dibujada, Postales, Contratapas and 200 años de Peronismo. Rep has created nearly sixty popular characters and series. He has been publishing in the newspaper Página/12 from its very first issue and has also written for magazines and newspapers in various other countries. He has exhibited in Argentina, Uruguay, Portugal, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, and the United States. His work has been recognized with awards in Argentina, Spain, Japan, the United States, and Cuba.

 
When
Wednesday, July 29, 2015 - 6-8 pm
Opening reception and unveiling ceremony
R.S.V.P. eventos@embassyofargentina.us
 
Exhibition open to the public through August 5, 2015
Monday-Friday 3-5 pm
 
Where
Embassy of Argentina
1600 New Hampshire Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20009
(M) Dupont Circle
 
About the artist
miguelrep.blogspot.com
facebook.com/miguel.rep

http://www.embassyofargentina.us/en/-miguel-repiso-rep-will-exhibit-bellas-artes-cartoons-and-will-unveil-a-mural-at-the-embassy.html

The Post on Charlie Hebdo's new Muhammad cartoon policy

Charlie Hebdo editor says the paper is done with prophet Muhammad cartoons [in print July 18 as No more Muhammad cartoons, editor says].

By Ishaan Tharoor
WorldViews blog July 17 2015

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/07/17/charlie-hebdo-editor-says-the-paper-is-done-with-prophet-muhammad-cartoons/

That darn Lio

Letters to the Editor

In deadly waters

Louis J. Cantolupo, Washington

Washington Post July 18 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/in-deadly-waters/2015/07/17/d6673870-2a49-11e5-960f-22c4ba982ed4_story.html