Aug 28: Animezing: Grave of the Fireflies

| © 1988 Akiyuki Nosaka / Shinchosha, All Rights Reserved | 1988 | 89 min | | Not Rated | Directed by Isao Takahata | In Japanese with English subtitles | Hello!   Interested in more great Japan-related events in the Washington DC area? Check out our upcoming area events page, updated three times a week, for a list of the latest events in the region. Follow us at:   Grave of the Fireflies is a deeply personal and emotionally powerful animated film about the devastating effects of war. Told in a flashback through the memory of a young soldier, the film accounts the desperate attempts he and his little sister make to survive the final months of World War II. This achingly somber anti-war movie is one of Studio Ghibli's most profoundly beautiful and haunting works. Written and directed by Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata, Grave of the Fireflies is considered a masterpiece and a landmark in animation. Roger Ebert called it "an emotional experience so powerful that it forces a rethinking of animation. It belongs on any list of the greatest war films ever made."   Winner of Animation Jury & Rights of the Child Award (Chicago International Children's Festival 1994), Special Award (Blue Ribbon Awards 1989). Please note that this film contains some thematic elements. Recommended ages: 12 and up. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Registered guests will be seated on a first come, first served basis. Please note that seating is limited and registration does not guarantee guests a seat. In the event of a cancellation, please contact us at jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp . The Japan Information and Culture Center 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 100 Washington DC, 20036

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

Aug 29: Kevin Panetta & Paulina Ganucheau signing - Zodiac Starforce

• Kevin Panetta & Paulina Ganucheau signing - Zodiac Starforce

  Saturday, August 29 at 1:00pm - 3:00pm

• Show Map Big Planet Comics of Vienna 426 Maple Ave E, Vienna, Virginia 22180

Big Planet Comics is proud to welcome our hometown heroes, Kevin Panetta and Paulina Ganucheau, for 2 signings for their new Dark Horse Comics series, Zodiac Starforce!

We will have an EXCLUSIVE Big Planet Comics variant of issue #1 for sale, as well as a limited edition print of the cover!

Zodiac Starforce is an elite group of teenage girls with magical powers have sworn to protect our planet against dark creatures... as long as they can get out of class!

These high-school girls aren't just combating math tests. They're also battling monsters! But when an evil force infects leader Emma, she must work with her team to save herself—and the world—from the evil Diana and her mean-girl minions!

You can see a preview of Zodiac Starforce for free at Dark Horse's website:
https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/Previews/28-942?page=0

Kevin's twitter: https://twitter.com/kevinpanetta
Paulina's twitter: https://twitter.com/PlinaGanucheau

Zodiac Starforce's website: http://zodiacstarforce.com/

We will also be having a second signing at 4 pm at our Big Planet Comics of College Park store! https://www.facebook.com/events/723632117782468/

Cartoons! Closing Reception tonight

https://www.facebook.com/events/954661744601670/ for details but it's in the cafe below Politics and Prose.

Cartoonists Rights Network presents 2015 award to Iranian cartoonist

Jailed Iranian Artist Atena Farghadani Recipient of CRNI's 2015 Courage in Cartooning Award

http://cartoonistsrights.org/jailed-iranian-artist-atena-farghadani-recipient-of-crnis-2015-courage-in-cartooning-award/

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "#BernBabyBern"

"#BernBabyBern"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1763

What the hell kind of rank-ass politician goes on and on about "revolution" while voting to continue funding Israeli barbarity in Palestine? And what kind of politician talks big talk about "revolution" while knocking himself out to get a base in his home state for a fighter jet whose development ran into trillions of dollars, and already has a reputation for being one of the biggest pain-in-the-ass fighters the Air Force ever had? And what kind of politician can't shut up about a "revolution" while running as a Democrat, for Christ's sake?

"Feel The Bern", my ass.

Comic Riffs talks to Teresa Roberts Logan

One year after Robin Williams's death: A D.C. humorist illuminates mental illness

By Michael Cavna August 11 2015
 http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/08/11/one-year-after-robin-williamss-death-a-d-c-humorist-illuminates-mental-illness/

Aug 14-16: Intervention con in Rockville

http://interventioncon.com/aboutcontact/about/

August 14-16, 2015
Hilton Washington DC/Rockville
1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville, Maryland 20852

From Friday 12pm to Sunday 4pm

There's cartoonists attending.

PR: SPX 2015 Announces Special Guests Derf, Jessica Abel and Ted Rall

For Immediate Release Contact: Warren Bernard     Email: warren@spxpo.com   Small Press Expo Announces Guests Derf, Jessica Abel (Sat. Only) and Ted Rall to Celebrate SPX's 21st Birthday   Bethesda, Maryland; August 11, 2015   Media Release ­— SPX is pleased to announce Derf, Jessica Abel (Saturday only) and Ted Rall as guests at SPX 2015. This is in addition to the previously announced guests Kate Beaton, Luke Pearson, Noelle Stevenson, Michael DeForge, Gemma Correll, Noah Van Sciver, Matt Bors, Lilli Carré, Theo Ellsworth, C. Spike Trotman, Jennifer Hayden, Stuart Immonen, Scott McCloud, Bill Griffith and Kathryn Immonen.   SPX 2015 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.   Making its debut at SPX will be the latest autobiographical graphic novel by Derf, Trashed from Abrams Books. Derf's squiggly, wonderfully exaggerated cartoon style is used to tell the story of what it was like to be a twenty-something garbage man, replete with all the losers and idiosyncratic townsfolk he had to deal with while collecting the trash. His previous graphic novel My Friend Dahmer won the Prix Révélation at Angoulême in 2014, and was listed as one of Time Magazine's Top 5 Non-Fiction books of 2012. Derf's long running alt-weekly strip, The City, which he ended in 2014 after 25 years, led him to win the prestigious Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award.   Merging the worlds of comics and verbal podcasts/radio, Jessica Abel interviewed the creators of such shows as This American Life, Radiolab and Snap Judgement, for her latest book, Out on the Wire: The Storytelling Secrets of the New Masters of Radio from Broadway Books. The book uses the visual world of comics to uncover the narrative techniques now being used by the best journalists and storytellers in the world of podcasts and radio. Ms. Abel is a long time teacher of comics, having written two well-known and often used books on the subject, Mastering Comics and Drawing Words & Pictures. Her graphic novel, La Perdida, won two Harvey Awards and was Comic of the Year at Time Magazine. Ms. Abel will only be at SPX on Saturday, September 19th.   An enfant terrible of the political cartoon world, Ted Rall's latest work is appropriately about the enfant terrible of the surveillance world, Eric Snowden, who was interviewed extensively for this book. In his latest graphic novel, Snowden from Seven Stories Press, he talks about how Snowden and other whistleblowers revealed the full extent and impact of the surveillance being performed by the NSA and other government agencies. Mr. Rall is a long time political cartoonist, comic's journalist and writer, having won the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award and the James Aronson Award for Social Justice, as well as being a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Cartooning.   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.

Sept 18: Dylan Horrocks of New Zealand at Politics & Prose

Dylan Horrocks - Sam Zabel and the Magic Pen

Friday, September 18, 2015 at 7 p.m.

Politics & Prose Bookstore
5015 Connecticut Ave NW

Washington DC 20008

8/15: Ed PIskor at Third Eye Comics

THIS SATURDAY 8/15/15: HIP HOP FAMILY TREE #1 Signing with creator ED PISKOR

 Click here for event info!

We've been long-time fans of Ed Piskor's incredible HIP HOP FAMILY TREE series, which has appeared both on the website BoingBoing and in graphic novel format courtesy of Fantagraphics, so when we heard the series would be getting a monthly release schedule - we knew we had to do something special to celebrate!

On Saturday 8/15/15, we'll be hosting a very special in-store signing with the one and only Ed Piskor, the creator behind HIP HOP FAMILY TREE (as well as other great graphic novels like WIZZYWIG), and we're so pumped about it, that we'll have a special Third Eye exclusive cover of HIP HOP FAMILY TREE #1 by Ed Piskor that pays homage to the early '90s era of hip hop, and features a ton of our own favorite performers from that period!

Sept 18: Pre-SPX Hangout with Brandon Graham & Hang Dai

• Pre-SPX Hangout with Brandon Graham & Hang Dai

  Friday, September 18 at 6:00pm

• Fantom Comics 2010 P St NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20036

We know everyone can't wait for SPX 2015 - The Small Press Expo, so we're throwing a big pre-SPX party/signing/hangout at our shop the evening before, and everyone's invited!

Our featured guests will be BRANDON GRAHAM (Island, 8house, Prophet) and the NYC art collective HANG DAI EDITIONS, featuring Dean Haspiel, Christa Cassano, Gregory Benton, and Josh Neufeld. Stay tuned for more featured guest updates!

There'll be booze, snacks, and a generally good time. If you're visiting from out of town for SPX and you're in Bethesda, we're a quick hop and a skip into DC on the Red Line--Fantom is walking distance from the Dupont Circle station. It's gonna be a whale of a party...

The Post on Al Hirschfeld

The Hirschfeld Century' review: the best work of the iconic caricaturist [in print as The gentle joy of Al Hirschfeld].

By Meryle Secrest
Washington Post (August 9 2015): E13
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/the-hirschfeld-century-captures-the-best-work-of-the-iconic-caricaturist/2015/08/05/66c3ed06-2ef4-11e5-8353-1215475949f4_story.html

Mary Martin as Peter Pan, 1954 illustration by Al Hirschfeld. ( The Hirschfeld Foundation)

Pr: Kirby exhibition hype!

(Off topic, but posted for a good friend of mine.)

Hello, this is Charles Hatfield, the author of Hand of Fire: The Comics Art of Jack Kirby. I've got news! I'm curating an exhibition, Comic Book Apocalypse: The Graphic World of Jack Kirby, at my school, California State University, Northridge (here in Los Angeles). This exhibition opens in two weeks, on August 24, and will be up through October 10.

Putting together this show has been the thrill of a lifetime! Comic Book Apocalypse will consist of about 100 pieces of original art by Kirby, alongside dozens of his published comics. I believe this will be the largest gallery exhibition of Kirby art ever held in the US, and it will certainly be the first held at a university and integrated with the work of students and teachers. (All of my classes will be coming to the show and doing work based on it.)

The show focuses on Kirby's art from 1965 on but also includes examples of earlier work from the 1940s and 50s. Featured will be Kirby covers, spreads, panel pages, unpublished drawings, and several of his trademark collages. Two complete stories will be exhibited, as well as examples from many, many others.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a deluxe catalog published by IDW and incorporating twenty essays by artists, storytellers, and scholars. From The Fantastic Four to The New Gods to Kamandi, from the Marvel Universe to Kirby's Fourth World and beyond, this exhibition and catalog will capture Kirby at the peak of his invention and daring.

You are invited to our grand opening reception on Saturday, August 29, from 4 to 7pm! Also, we are holding a gallery talk on Monday, August 31, at 10am, and a panel discussion on Saturday, September 26, at 1pm. All these events are free and open to the public, and will take place in the Gallery, in the midst of all that Kirby! Please feel free to attend any and all of them.

You can read about the show at the CSUN Art Galleries website:

http://www.csun.edu/mike-curb-arts-media-communication/art-galleries [.]

Or at my Kirby blog: https://handoffire.wordpress.com/2015/07/09/kirbyexhibition2015/ [.]

I believe this is going to a major event for comics culture in Los Angeles, and I'm eager to spread the word however I can!

Charles Hatfield
California State University

Politico's week in editorial cartooning

Matt Wuerker does this every week, but today he tweeted about it.

The nation's cartoonists on the week in politics

http://www.politico.com/gallery/2015/08/the-nations-cartoonists-on-the-week-in-politics/002306-033183.html?slide=0

Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.

8/8: Black Mask Studios at Third Eye Comics

Saturday 8/8/15: Black Mask Showcase Signing Feat. We Can Never Go Home writer MATTHEW ROSENBERG & YOUNG TERRORISTS / GODKILLER writer MATT PIZZOLO

 

at THIRD EYE ANNAPOLIS 

Click  here for event info on FACEBOOK.

The Post reviews of Shaun the Sheep Movie and Fantastic Four

Review: Feast your eyes on the visual delights of 'Shaun the Sheep Movie'

By Jen Chaney August 7 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/review-feast-your-eyes-on-shaun-the-sheep/2015/08/04/c0e1dd8c-3ac2-11e5-9c2d-ed991d848c48_story.html

'Shaun the Sheep' says it best when it says nothing at all [in print as Clay it, don't say it: 'Shaun' has a way without words]

By Kristen Page-Kirby
Express August 7 2015, p. 18

online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2015/08/07/shaun-the-sheep-says-it-best-when-it-says-nothing-at-all/

Review: 'Fantastic Four' reboot sets franchise back, in more ways than one

By Michael O'Sullivan August 7 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/review-fantastic-four-reboot-sets-franchise-back-in-more-ways-than-one/2015/08/06/210501ca-3bf0-11e5-9c2d-ed991d848c48_story.html

Review: The origin-obsessed 'Fantastic Four' reboot leaves its talented young cast stranded [in print as Doomed from the start]

By Kristen Page-Kirby
Express August 7 2015, p. 17

online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2015/08/07/review-the-origin-obsessed-fantastic-four-reboot-leaves-its-talented-young-cast-stranded/

Twentieth Century Fox/Express Illustration

and the NY Times for the completest:

Review: 'Fantastic Four,' the Reboot (Wanted or Not)

By A. O. SCOTT

A version of this review appears in print on August 7, 2015, on page C5 of the New York edition with the headline: Wanted or Not, a Superheroic Rebooting

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/07/movies/review-fantastic-four-the-reboot-wanted-or-not.html

Robert Osborn-illustrated booklet online

The Navy's BUMED's Office of Medical History has put its 4000th item online at the Medical Heritage Library. It's Vertigo Sense, illustrated by cartoonist Robert Osborn.

Read it at https://archive.org/details/VertigoSense

Robert Osborne's Navy career in Washington

Just ran across this 20-year old article and found it fascinating.

Jumpin' Jehoshaphat! 50 Years of Gramps
By Capt. Rosario Rausa, USNR (Ret)
NAVAL AVIATION NEWS January-February 1993, 2-5
http://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/Naval%20Aviation%20News/grampaw-pettibone-collection/features/pdf/Gramps%2050th.pdf

PR: SPX and Nickelodeon Announce a Call for Submissions at SPX 2015

When I got the notice on this today, I wasn't sure it was supposed to go to the whole world, but the Beat published about it so...

SPX and Nickelodeon Announce a Call For Submissions at SPX 2015 Dear Creative Creators, We here at SPX Galactic HQ are psyched to finally let you know about an extremely cool addition to this year's show that we've been ever so quietly working on since last year.  We're extraordinarily pleased to announce that the one and only Nickelodeon will be coming to SPX 2015 -- and they're bringing a fantastic opportunity with them. A Call For Submissions  At this years show, Nickelodeon will be holding a Call For Submissions, where you will be able to pitch your ideas and one person will be selected that will see their idea made into a short animated cartoon. You would get a chance to work with the Nickelodeon staff, where you would learn all about animated film production and be intimately involved during the entire process, a great learning experience!!! This is especially exciting to us because a number of SPXers have gone from selling mini-comics at the show to working in the cartoon world, and this partnership with Nickelodeon will give many of you the exposure to possibly do just that. Eligibility The Nickelodeon Call For Submissions is open to SPX exhibitors from the last 4 years, all lottery entrants (whether you won the lottery or not!! OH BOY!!) and of course, all exhibitors who will grace us with their presence at SPX 2015. Please read the enclosed note from Kevin Lee, our most excellent friend at Nickelodeon, for details about how to participate this amazing opportunity. There is a web link below that will have answers to many of your questions. For sure, pitch away and we hope you are the one who is selected!!! Best Of Luck, Warren, Mike, Sam, Eden and the rest of the SPX Executive Committee   Hello from Nickelodeon Animation Development!!! Nickelodeon is always looking for talented artists, writers, and creators from a broad spectrum of backgrounds.  We love and appreciate the great wealth of talent that SPX features and wanted to reach out in a big way to the SPX creator community!  That is why we're so excited to announce that we will be taking pitches in-person at SPX 2015 for 2-3 minute shorts and will select one to produce.  We'll work directly with the creator/s to realize their characters, story, and world.  This is the fourth year of our shorts program and it's been a great way for us to try out new ideas and work with creators from all over the world.     What should you expect if your pitch is selected?  As the creator, your job is to creatively oversee every aspect of your short – from design, writing, and storyboards, to casting, animation, editing, music and sound – to make sure your cartoon comes out the way you envisioned.  Our job is to provide all the necessary resources to execute your vision and help guide you through the process.  Your short will be posted on nick.com, as well as on our free nick app – many are viewable right now.  Shorts are also considered for potential development for series.  In fact, several have gone into development and we have two series in production that were born from shorts.  But before any of this can happen, you need to pitch us an idea!  All pitches need to be submitted via the website and in person at SPX.  Please review the guidelines and requirements on the site.  http://spx.nickshortspitches.com More details and information to come.  Meanwhile, please take a look and feel free to get started.  If you have any questions please email Kevin at: kevin.lee@nick.com We look forward to seeing your ideas and meeting as many of you as we can while we're at SPX!  Thank you for your consideration and thanks especially to SPX for allowing us to reach out to all of you! Kevin Sukho Lee Creative Director Nickelodeon Animation Development Copyright © 2015 Small Press Expo, All rights reserved. You are on the Combined Master Exhibitor List for Small Press Expo to whom this e-mail is directed. Our mailing address is: Small Press Expo P.O. Box 5704 Bethesda, Maryland 20824

Comic Riffs talks to cartoonists about Jon Stewart

'Jon Stewart smoked us': How 'The Daily Show' raised the bar for other satirists

By Michael Cavna August 4 2015

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/08/04/jon-stewart-smoked-us-how-his-daily-show-raised-the-bar-for-other-satirists/

PR: SPX 2015 Announces Special Guests Scott McCloud, Bill Griffith and Kathryn Immonen

Contact: Warren Bernard   Email: warren@spxpo.com   Small Press Expo Announces Guests Scott McCloud, Bill Griffith and Kathryn Immonen to Celebrate SPX's 21st Birthday   Bethesda, Maryland; August 4, 2015   Media Release ­— SPX is pleased to announce Scott McCloud, Bill Griffith and Kathryn Immonen as guests at SPX 2016. This is in addition to the previously announced guests Kate Beaton, Luke Pearson, Noelle Stevenson, Michael DeForge, Gemma Correll, Noah Van Sciver, Matt Bors, Lilli Carré, Theo Ellsworth, C. Spike Trotman, Jennifer Hayden and Stuart Immonen.   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.   The indefatigable Scott McCloud joyously joins the ranks of special guests on the heels of his tour for The Sculptor from First Second, a graphic novel following the harrowed life of a cursed (or blessed) sculptor given extreme creative powers that come with the ultimate price tag. McCloud's resume recently included a guest editorship on The Best American Comics (2014), and is the reigning American king of comics scholarship in comics form with his series, How to Understand Comics, Making Comics and Reinventing Comics. If you have ever labored long into the night on a 24 hour comic, you can thank the multiple award-winning (Eisner, Harvey, Kirby and Manning) McCloud for that challenge in person.   SPX 2016 will see the debut of the very first graphic novel by Bill Griffith. Titled Invisible Ink and published by Fantagraphics, it is the story of his mother's extramarital affairs with a cartoonist that took place in suburban Levittown and the culture center of Manhattan in the 50's and 60's. Griffith's continues his pithy, pointed and surreal social commentary through his long running strip Zippy the Pinhead.  Zippy is available online and is syndicated to newspapers around the United States such as the Washington Post and Houston Chronicle.   Kathryn Immonen is a Canadian comics writer who has written for both DC and Marvel Comics, notably on such titles as Patsy Walker: Hellcat, Runaways, Heralds, and Journey Into Mystery. Earlier this year she and her husband/collaborator Stuart released the critically well-received Russian Olive to Red King from Adhouse Books. Russian Olive to Red King is the newest graphic novel collaboration between Kathryn and Stuart, their previous efforts being Never As Bad As You Think from Boom! Entertainment and  Moving Pictures from Top Shelf, which was nominated for both Stumptown and Doug Wright Awards.   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 on the Combined Master Exhibitor List for Small Press Expo to whom this e-mail is directed. Our mailing address is: Small Press Expo P.O. Box 5704 Bethesda, Maryland 20824

International Ink: Books Received in July

Book publishing has to be competitive with many other forms of entertainment these days, and one way to do that is to send out review copies. These tend to pile up and make me feel guilty so I'm going to try to at least list the new books that we've received and may revisit some with longer reviews. Comments in quotation marks are from the publisher; otherwise the note is mine.



The Princess and the Pony
by Kate Beaton
Scholastic

Beaton is best known for her history-influenced adult webcomic Hark, A Vagrant!, but this is a short children's book. It's a quick entertaining read for an adult, but is definitely aimed at preschool girls. "Princess Pinecone knows exactly what she wants for her birthday this year. A BIG horse. A STRONG horse. A horse fit for a WARRIOR PRINCESS! But when the day arrives, she doesn't quite get the horse of her dreams... From the artist behind the comic phenomenon Hark! A Vagrant, The Princess and the Pony a laugh-out-loud story of brave warriors, big surprises, and falling in love with one unforgettable little pony."


Keep Calm and Do the Snoopy Dance
by Charles M. Schulz
Andrews McMeel

This little book is reminiscent of the Hallmark collections of the 1960s such as Happiness is a Warm Puppy. It includes strips and short quotations about dancing. I enjoyed it, but it's definitely a gift book. "Oh, happy day! Make every day a happy one with this cheerful gift book combining Snoopy's happy dance with joyful quotes on dancing and life. Snoopy is the quintessential cartoon dog smile-bringer. From his bantering with Woodstock to his fantasy life, it's no wonder that he's the most popular Peanuts cartoon character! And he's never more endearing than when he's expressing his ultimate joy of life by doing his happy dance (much to Lucy's dismay!). In the Keep Calm and Carry On tradition of keeping a stiff upper lip, Keep Calm and Do the Snoopy Dance urges you to maintain peace by celebrating the happiness of dance and being grateful for all the joys that there are in life. More than 100 quotes and sayings are included in this charming gift book, highlighted with cartoons showing Snoopy in all his dancing splendor."


WuMo: Something Is Wrong
by Mikael Wulff, Anders Morgenthaler
Andrews McMeel

The first American collection of the Danish comic strip that appears in the Washington Post. I personally find the strip hit or miss, but it definitely suffers in the Post from the small size. These are larger and in color.



Steve McQueen: Full-Throttle Cool
by Dwight Zimmerman
Motorbooks

"Steve McQueen: Full-Throttle Cool presents McQueen's life story in an artistic, graphic-novel format. It covers his entire life, from his earliest years growing up in a suburb of Indianapolis to his death from mesothelioma. Learn all about his stunning movie career, in which he defined the antihero archetype. The cool panache he brought to the screen was perhaps only matched by his adrenaline-pumping racing exploits."


The Truth About Stacey (The Baby-Sitters Club Graphix Series #2)
by Raina Telgemeier
Scholastic

Before becoming a break-out Young Adult graphic novelist, Raina adapted 4 of the popular Baby-Sitters Club stories into graphic novels. Scholastic is reissuing them for a new audience. While I haven't read this yet, Raina's work is always enjoyable.


Sunny Side Up
by Jennifer L. Holm, Matthew Holm
Scholastic

"From the groundbreaking and award-winning sister-brother team behind Babymouse comes a middle-grade, semi-autobiographical graphic novel. Following the lives of kids whose older brother's delinquent behavior has thrown their family into chaos, Sunny Side Up is at once a compelling "problem" story and a love letter to the comic books that help the protagonist make sense of her world. By sister-bother team Jennifer and Matthew Holm. A 200-page, full-color graphic novel in the vein of Raina Telgemeier's Smile." I'm looking forward to reading this; I found their Babymouse series


Slappy's Tales of Horror (Goosebumps Graphix)
by R.L. Stine
Scholastic

"Four Goosebumps Graphix tales by master of horror R. L. Stine are adapted into full-color comics and feature a brand-new Slappy story by bestselling author, Dave Roman. The talented Dave Roman creates the horrifying drawings for "The Night of the Living Dummy," the origin story about that most evil of all ventriloquist dummies, Slappy! In "A Shocker on Shock Street," Jamie Tolagson captures the chilling tale of a brother and sister doing their dream job: testing rides in a movie studio theme park, where the special effects are REALLY special. With his shadowy illustrations, Gabriel Hernandez creates the perfect atmosphere in "The Werewolf of Fever Swamp," a spooky story about a boy and his dog who go sniffing around in a lonely swamp . . . and wish they hadn't. Ted Naifeh is at his creepy best in "Ghost Beach," a scary ghost story about a brother and sister who investigate a local legend and discover a terrible secret about their family." I regularly read anything by Roman and Naifeh.


Space Dumplins
by Craig Thompson
Scholastic

After his adult Orientalist graphic novel Habibi was a big success, I am somewhat surprised to see Thompson turning towards children's comics. I look forward to actually reading this. "For Violet Marlocke, family is the most important thing in the whole galaxy. So when her father goes missing while on a hazardous job, she can't just sit around and do nothing. To get him back, Violet throws caution to the stars and sets out with a group of misfit friends on a quest to find him. But space is vast and dangerous, and she soon discovers that her dad is in big, BIG trouble. With her father's life on the line, nothing is going to stop Violet from trying to rescue him and keep her family together. Visionary graphic novel creator Craig Thompson brings all of his wit, warmth, and humor to create a brilliantly drawn story for all ages. Set in a distant yet familiar future, Space Dumplins weaves themes of family, friendship, and loyalty into a grand space adventure filled with quirky aliens, awesome spaceships, and sharp commentary on our environmentally challenged world."


Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators: Mastering the Art of Drawing from Memory
by David H. Ross
Watson-Guptill

"For today's in-demand comic creators, animators, video game artists, concept designers, and more, being able to quickly draw the human figure in a variety of action-packed poses is a requirement. But what do you do if you don't have models or photographic reference readily available? In Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators, artist and instructor David H. Ross provides an alternative solution, showing you how to master freehand figure drawing without visual reference by using a modern twist on the classic technique of blocking out the human figure in mannequin form. Step-by-step lessons guide illustrators from basic poses (standing, running, jumping) to extreme motions (throwing punches, high kicking). For on-the-go artists, Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators allows you complete freedom to bring your figures to life at any time."


The Art of Comic Book Writing: The Definitive Guide to Outlining, Scripting, and Pitching Your Sequential Art Stories (SCAD Creative Essentials)
by Mark Kneece
Watson-Guptill

"With this latest book in the SCAD Creative Essentials series from the esteemed Savannah College of Art and Design, comics writer and instructor Mark Kneece gives aspiring comic book writers the essential tools they need to write scripts for sequential art with confidence and success. He provides a practical set of guidelines favored by many comic book publishers and uses a unique trial and error approach to show would-be scribes the potential pitfalls they might encounter when seeking a career in comics writing. Supported by examples of scripting from SCAD's students, faculty, and alumni,The Art of Comic Book Writing strips away the mysteries of this popular artform and provides real-world advice and easy-to-follow examples for those looking to write for the comics medium."