Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Cartoons and Taboos: Dancing in a Visual Minefield

Cartoons and Taboos: Dancing in a Visual Minefield

 Feb 26, 2016
https://www.nyu.edu/global/global-academic-centers/washington-dc/nyu-washington--dc-events/iconoclash/cartoons-and-taboos--dancing-in-a-visual-minefield.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P5AtjLaCFo

In January, 2015 terrorism attacked freedom of expression with the assault on the satire magazine Charlie Hebdo. The slogan "Je suis Charlie" became ubiquitous. All of Europe showed its solidarity with France. The European media reproduced caricatures as a show of solidarity.

European cultural organizations hold on to the belief in the freedom of expression, and refuse to avoid difficult topics. Four caricaturists gathered on February 11, 2016, at NYU's Washington, DC campus to discuss these questions: Steven Degryse (LECTTRR) from Belgium, Ann Telnaes (The Washington Post), Kevin Kallaugher (The Economist), Matt Wuerker (Politico).

This event was held in cooperation with the Embassy of Belgium and the House of Flanders, New York. The program was also supported by the Delegation of the European Union to the United States, the British Council, the Embassy of Slovenia, the Austrian Cultural Forum, the Goethe-Institut, EUNIC and New York University.

Sticky Comics begins on GoComics this week

sticky comics - now on go comics

Hi guys! My comics will be appearing daily on GoComics starting today! This will be a mix of stuff from my archives and some new stuff. I'm really excited about meeting new readers through GoComics and showing off my years-old comics archives as well. You can check out my GoComics page here!

March 20: DC Conspiracy get-together


The DC Conspiracy is meeting at the Mad Hatter at Dupont Circle this coming Sunday, March 20, 5:30ish to 8:30ish. All creative types are welcome!

June 3-12: Cul de Sac play premieres in Arlington

Cul de Sac

Play by Amy Thompson
Adapted from the Comic Strip, Cul de Sac by Richard Thompson

http://www.encorestageva.org/2015/05/19/cul-de-sac/

Four-year-old Alice Otterloop and her older brother, Petey, learn about friendship and the importance of being yourself in this world premier play adaptation of Richard Thompson's nationally syndicated Cul De Sac comic strip. When Alice decides to help Petey become more exciting she risks sending Petey further into his shell. With the help other their parents, teachers, and new and old friends the Otterloop children just might be able to learn something from each other. We recommend this production for ages 4 and older.


Performance Dates and Times:
Friday, June 3, 2016 at 7:30pm
Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 11am and 3pm
Sunday, June 5, 2016 at 3pm
Friday, June 10, 2016 at 7:30pm
Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 11am and 3pm
Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 3pm

All performances are held at Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre (125 S. Old Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22204)

Tickets: $15 Adults; $10 Children, Students, Military and Seniors with valid ID. Includes all box office fees. Click here to purchase your tickets online, or call our box office (703)548-1154.


This production is sponsored by Michael Rogers, DDS.


Today: Roberts at X-Ray Comics


Rafer Roberts today kicks off his signing tour as the writer for Valiant’s A&A: The Adventures of Archer & Armstrong. He’ll be at X-Ray Comics in Hagerstown, Md., from 11-6 today.

Photo courtesy of Rafer Roberts

Rafer Roberts and Batman v Superman variants at Beyond Comics



A&A #1
Written By Rafer Roberts

Superman #50
Beyond Comics Variant Cover
Meet Writer
Rafer Roberts
Cover Artist
Ed Benes
Friday, March 25th 11am-2pm
Shepherdstown
Friday, March 25th 2pm - 6pm
Wednesday, March 30th 11 - 1
Beyond Comics Exclusive

Connecting Variant Covers

$20 / Set of 2
In Store

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Major Edward Gorey collection open at Library of Congress

A Gorey Story

by

"Dogear Wryde Postcards: Neglected Murderesses Series," 1980. Set 208 of 250, numbered and signed by Edward Gorey. Rare Books and Special Collections Division. Photo by Shawn Miller.

"Dogear Wryde Postcards: Neglected Murderesses Series," 1980. Set 208 of 250, numbered and signed by Edward Gorey. Rare Book and Special Collections Division. Photo by Shawn Miller.

Monday, March 14, 2016

April 30: Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddle coloring book available one day only


A coloring book by Gaiman and British cartoonist Chris Riddle will only be sold for one day at local independent bookstores including
See more information at

'The Neil Gaiman Coloring Book' Helps Support Independent Bookstores

Kristian Wilson

March 11 2016

http://www.bustle.com/articles/147357-the-neil-gaiman-coloring-book-helps-support-independent-bookstores

Ann Telnaes on political cartooning

Ann is one of five cartoonists on this panel -

Cartoonists Roundtable: One Year After "Charlie Hebdo"

March 9th, 2016

https://lareviewofbooks.org/essay/cartoonists-roundtable-one-year-after-charlie-hebdo


Ben Katchor: Hand-Drying in America and Other Stories​

March 11, 2016

Ben Katchor: Hand-Drying in America and Other Stories​

http://krieger.jhu.edu/visualarts/2016/03/11/ben-katchor/

Katchor April 4

Award-winning cartoonist and graphic novelist Ben Katchor will present an illustrated lecture on his work Monday April 4 at Johns Hopkins University.

Katchor's talk, "Hand-Drying in America and Other Stories," starts at 5:30 p.m. in Room 101 of the F. Ross Jones Building, Mattin Center, on the Homewood campus at 3400 N. Charles St. in Baltimore. A book-signing will follow. Admission is free and open to the public.

Subtitled "Picture-recitations from 18 years of comic-strips about architecture and urban design from Metropolis magazine," Katchor's talk bears the same title as his most recent anthology, published by Pantheon Books in 2013. Hand-Drying in America and Other Stories was included in Time Magazine and NPR's Best Books of the Year lists and was named one of The Daily Beast's Top Coffee-Table Books of 2013.

Tom Chalkley, a cartooning instructor at the university's Center for Visual Arts, describes Katchor as "the rare cartoonist who raises the picture-story to the level of literature – his stories are mysterious, allusive, at once banal and surreal, examining the random forces of history and culture in the America of his imagination."

"Katchor is an urban visionary, building his stories brick by brick from the detritus of the metropolis: the derelict buildings, the unremembered districts, the flotsam and jetsam of the streets," writes Los Angeles Timesbook critic David L. Ulin. "His is an aesthetic of ephemera, but an ephemera that transcends itself, in which loss leads to wonder and then, inevitably, back to loss."

Katchor's other books include Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer, Hotel & Farm, The Jew of New York, The Cardboard Valise, and Shoehorn Technique. In addition to Metropolis, his work has appeared in The New YorkerThe Jewish Daily Forward and numerous weekly newspapers. He has collaborated with composer Mark Mulcahy on six music-theater shows, most recently The Imaginary War Crimes Tribunal.

In 2000, Katchor became the first cartoonist to receive a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship. He has also received a Guggenheim Fellowship and is a fellow of the American Academy in Berlin. He is an associate professor at Parsons School of Design/The New School in New York City, where he directs the Illustration program.

 

Katchor's appearance, his first at Johns Hopkins since 1999, is co-sponsored by the Center for Visual Arts and Homewood Arts Programs. ​

March 19: Batman v Superman day at Barnes & Noble

Batman v Superman Day - Saturday, March 19th: Join us at this special one-day event featuring trivia, giveaways, prizes, and more. Come dressed in costume and mingle with fellow superheroes. The sweepstakes are sponsored by Barnes & Noble. FIND THIS EVENT IN YOUR AREA

Batman v Superman Day

Special Event, Teen Event (Film/TV/Radio/Video)
Saturday March 19, 2016 9:00 AM Join us for Batman v Superman Day to celebrate the upcoming theatrical release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice on March 25. Enter for a chance to win prizes and giveaways. Fun for the entire family.

Potomac

Potomac Yard
3651 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Alexandria, VA 22305
703-299-9124


Batman v Superman Day

Special Event, Teen Event (Film/TV/Radio/Video)
Saturday March 19, 2016 2:00 PM Join us for Batman v Superman Day to celebrate the upcoming theatrical release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice on March 19. Trivia event sponsored by DC Entertainment™ for teens and adults at 2:00PM. Enter for a chance to win prizes and giveaways. Fun for the entire family.

Clarendon Market Common

2800 Clarendon Blvd. Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22201
703-248-8244


Batman v Superman Day

Special Event, Teen Event (Film/TV/Radio/Video)
Saturday March 19, 2016 11:00 AM Join us for Batman v Superman Day to celebrate the upcoming theatrical release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice on March 25. Trivia event sponsored by DC Entertainment™ for teens and adults at 7:00PM. Enter for a chance to win prizes and giveaways. Fun for the entire family.

Francis Scott Key Mall

5500 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD 21703
301-698-0121

Batman v Superman Day

Special Event, Teen Event (Film/TV/Radio/Video)
Saturday March 19, 2016 12:00 PM Join us for Batman v Superman Day to celebrate the upcoming theatrical release of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice on March 25. At 12:00PM, we will have a DC Comics Superhero Storytime followed by Batman activities.

Tysons Corner Mall

Tysons Corner Center
7851 L. Tysons Corner Center
McLean, VA 22102
703-506-2937
Distance: 7.7 miles

Batman v Superman Storytime

Special Event, Storytime, Children's Event (Childrens)
Saturday March 19, 2016 1:00 PM Before you see the movie, stop by the Children's Department for a fun-filled Storytime featuring two of the world's favorite superheroes, Batman and Superman!

Gaithersburg

Washingtonian Center
21 Grand Corner Ave.
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301-721-0860
Distance: 18.76 miles

Saturday, March 12, 2016

April 8: April and the Extraordinary World opens in DC

A new cartoon based on Jacques Tardi's work open at Landmark E Street. See http://www.meetapril.com/ for more information

Annie in The Post and on stage

The surprising insight about us from the man who wrote 'Tomorrow' [online as Depressed by the news? 'Annie's' creator explains why one song still resonates.]


Fantastic Forum Interview with Dr. Arnold T. Blumberg

Fantastic Forum Interview with Dr. Arnold T. Blumberg

Ulysses E. Campbell

 Mar 8, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha0ph9ufBVE

Taped on location at the Annapolis Comic Con! Producer/host Ulysses E. Campbell talks with publisher, author, educator and lecturer Dr. Arnold T. Blumberg about MEDIA MARVELS the University of Baltimore's course on the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Dr. Blumberg uses the comic book based movie to teach students about critical thinking using analysis of the messages conveyed in cinema.

Wednesday, March 09, 2016

Cartoon contest at Alliance Francaise going on now


The Alliance Française de Washington is launching its first "Bubble Factory" festival – "La Fabrique à Bulles" – dedicated to graphic arts. The festival will encourage and promote the emergence of new talents in this contest for graphic artists.

The idea of a "Factory" emphasizes the power of the mind and creativity of the young artists while "Bubbles" refers to, as in English,  "Speech Bubbles."

When? The contest will  start on Monday, February 8,  2016 and will end on Friday, April 22, 2016.

The awards ceremony will take place in Washington on May. We will announce the location soon.

What? The theme for this first year's contest is:"Résister!" "Resist!" (in English).

How? There will be two parts to the contest:
– One for teenagers: From 12 years old to 16 years old.
– One for Adults: More than 16 years old.

Contestants will be required to submit 1 "ledger size" panel (11 x 17) by April 22, 2016 (must be postmarked by 04.22.16).

April 27: Chester Brown at Politics and Prose

From his publisher...

"Chester Brown's Mary Wept Over the Feet of Jesus, a collection of biblical adaptations that continue[s] the master cartoonist's thoughts on sex work as the follow-up to his double-New York Times-reviewed memoir of being a john, Paying For It. Hitting stores in mid-April, Mary Wept is already receiving rave reviews - Guillermo del Toro recently tweeted that Mary Wept is his favorite thing Chester's ever done.

He'll be speaking at Politics & Prose on Wednesday April 27th..."

Part 2 of Joe Procopio's bio of Kremos is online

Monday, March 07, 2016

PSA: Batman v Superman Charity Auction for Bats

This has nothing to do with comics in the Washington area, and everything to do with keeping mosquitoes down and flowers blooming. - Mike





For Immediate Release

Danielle Todd, Director of Communications

Organization for Bat Conservation

dtodd@batconservation.org

 

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Set

To Be Auctioned for Charity

 

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI, March 7—The Organization for Bat Conservation announced today that it will auctioning and selling bat houses made from the set of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice beginning March 21 on eBay. The bat houses range in size and design, with 23 of the bat houses signed by either Ben Affleck, Zack Snyder or both. The eBay site is available at: http://stores.ebay.com/auctioncause/bat-house or www.batconservation.org. The auction will be open until April 4.

 

The film's cast and crew built the 110 bat houses out of the movie's set as a way to support the nonprofit and its work to save bats. While engaged in the project, cast and crew also made a short PSA documenting the project and the need to protect the animals, available here. All proceeds from the auction and sale of the bat houses will go toward the care and feeding of the 200+ animals that form the core of the organization's education efforts.

 

According to Rob Mies, Executive Director of the Organization for Bat Conservation, the generosity shown by Zack and the cast and crew was enormous. "Zack contacted us after hearing about the devastation that is happening to bat populations across North America and wanted to do something. They took time out of their busy schedules to bring real attention to an animal that is in desperate need of support. With their help, we are able to reach millions of people about the need for bat conservation."

 

Bats play a key role in maintaining the health of ecosystems around the world by consuming insects, pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. In North America, most bats are insect-eaters, saving farmers billions of dollars in pesticides and backyard gardens from pests. Bats are currently under threat from a number of sources, most notably White-nose Syndrome, an invasive fungus that is rapidly spreading across North America, decimating bat populations. To date, there is no treatment for White-nose Syndrome; however, scientists are actively testing possible options.

 

Bat houses provide healthy, safe homes for bats to raise their pups. Bat houses also provide alternatives to living in human buildings. While not a direct treatment for White-nose Syndrome, bat houses are a critical element of a beneficial habitat for bats. Bat houses as part of this auction and sale can be used either as functional bat houses or as collector items.

 

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION FOR BAT CONSERVATION

The Organization for Bat Conservation (OBC) is an environmental education nonprofit dedicated to educating and inspiring people to actively save bats. Founded in 1997, OBC is committed to inspiring people to become active in the conservation movement. Each year, the organization reaches hundreds of thousands of people through its national Save the Bats campaign, traveling live animal programs, exhibits, festivals and Bat Zone tours. At its home base at the Bat Zone at Cranbrook Institute of Science in Michigan, OBC cares for more than 200 bats from around the world. To learn more, visit www.batconservation.org.

# # #


More on "March" from the Post

The story behind the art for Rep. John Lewis's latest graphic memoir


March 10: New Faces of French Animation in Washington, DC


SCREENING: New Faces of French Animation in Washington, DC


THURSDAY, MARCH 10 AT 7PM

at La Maison Française - Embassy of France

4101 Reservoir Road, NW - Washington, DC

FREE ADMISSION


Parking available on Reservoir Road and across the street at Georgetown University Hospital's pay lot

New security rules: A reservation on Eventbrite is mandatory, attendees must have a Government issued photo ID in order to enter the Embassy.

NO ONE WILL BE ADMITTED WITHOUT RESERVATION OR PROPER ID

Due to strict security measures, please arrive on time, doors will be closed at 7pm sharp


New faces of French Animation in Washington, DC


SYNOPSIS

As part of the Washington, DC Francophonie Cultural Festival that occurs from March 1st to March 22nd, the Cultural Services of the French Embassy present the screening of eight animated short films that were selected by the Annecy International Animated Film in 2015.

Reflecting the diversity and excellence of French animation, this program is offering French productions shorts that were selected by Marcel Jean, artistic director of the Annecy International Animated Film Festival.

 

ALISON by Jules Rigolle, Leïla Courtillon, Nathan Otaño, Martin Hurmane, Adrien Calle (1 min 21)

Music only

This short is one of the intros created by a Gobelins - L'École de L'Image animation student, and pays tribute to Alison de Vere, the first woman animated filmmaker in Britain. 

 

YUL AND THE SNAKE by Gabriel Harel (13 min)

In French with English subtitles

Yùl, 13, goes with his big brother Dino to make a deal with Mike, a thug escorted by his Argentine Mastiff. When things go wrong, a mysterious snake appears.

 

TIGERS TIED UP IN ONE ROPE by Benoit Chieux (8 min)

In French with English subtitles

An extremely lazy boy is scolded by his mother, who can no longer bear to watch him do nothing but eat and sleep all day long. He finally decides to get a job and reveals unanticipated amounts of imagination, creativity and perseverance.

 

SUNDAY LUNCH BY Céline Devaux (13 min47)

In French with English subtitles, with voiceover by Vincent Macaigne

While eating during a Sunday lunch, Jean observes his family members. They ask him questions but don't listen to his answers; they give him advice that they don't follow; they kindly stroke him and slap him. It's all normal – it's Sunday lunch.

 

A SLICE OF THE COUNTRY by Hanna Letaïf (7:00)

In French with English subtitles

The sun is shining in the countryside. A family of animals finds a nice spot for a picnic. Nearby, another animal is peacefully grazing. But the tranquil atmosphere of this luncheon on the grass rapidly degenerates.

 

RHIZOME by Boris Labbé (11min 55)

Music only

From the infinitely small to the infinitely big, everything in the universe is closely linked and made up of a combination of movements in perpetual metamorphosis.

 

MY HOME by Phuong Mai (11min 54)

In French with English subtitles

The day after Hugo's mother comes home, he wakes up to find black feathers scattered all over the house.

 

IN DEEP WATERS by Sarah Van Den Boom (12min 01)

In French with English subtitles

Three characters share a secret and intimate experience that makes an indelible mark on their lives.

 

 

The total time is 78 min.

 

Online reservations are mandatory to this free admission event at the Embassy of France.

 

More information about the Washington, DC Francophonie Cultural Festival : http://www.francophonie-dc.org/

When
Thursday, March 10, 2016 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM (EST) - Add to Calendar
Where
4101 Reservoir Rd NW - 4101 Reservoir Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20007

Awesome Steve Brodner caricture of Trump in today's Post

The Post on March vol. 3

Sunday, March 06, 2016

"Gary Lucas' Fleischerei" pictures by Bruce Guthrie

Local photographer Bruce Guthrie caught the animation-based concert last night  in Silver Spring. His pictures can be seen at http://www.bguthriephotos.com/graphlib.nsf/keys/2016_03_05D1_Fleischerei

As regular readers may recall, we interviewed Gary Lucas a few days ago.

http://www.bguthriephotos.com/Graphlib/GraphData33.nsf/Images/2016_03_05D1_0640/$File/FLEIS1_160305_050.JPG

http://www.bguthriephotos.com/Graphlib/GraphData33.nsf/Images/2016_03_05D1_0640/$File/FLEIS2_160305_312.JPG

http://www.bguthriephotos.com/Graphlib/GraphData33.nsf/Images/2016_03_05D1_0640/$File/FLEIS2_160305_175.JPG

Saturday, March 05, 2016

JK Snyder III's Fashion in Action Kickstarter

 A reprint of the lost 1980s comic series Fashion In Action by John K Snyder III!

Local cartoonist John K. Snyder III has a Kickstarter campaign to reprint his 1980s comic book Fashion in Action. I've just backed it and encourage our readers to do so as well. John can regularly be met at Baltimore Comic-Con.

This project is a restoration and reprinting of the 1980s series FASHION IN ACTION created by John K Snyder III. This comic starred a high-priced, and stylishly dressed, all-female protection agency and was set in the far future. It was an intriguing breath of fresh air that was a prime example of the best in 1980s independent comic storytelling!

 It's the year 2086, and the 2080s haven't changed much from the 1980s - except of course for the jetpacks, Mars colonizations, and rocket-fueled cars. Frances Knight and her squad are "the world's highest priced and best dressed celebrity protection agency." They guard the world's rich and beautiful and make their base in the refurbished Statue of Liberty.

Fashion In Action square off against the diabolical team of the coldly manipulative Dr. Cruel, and his accomplices, Boss One - a henchman just happy to be involved - and the violently unpredictable Roxanne, Frances Knights' most psychotically devoted fan. Dr. Cruel plots to use the robot clone of a late night talk show host to turn the world's elite into gorillas during a snuff star's celebrity-filled wedding! Will they succeed? Will Frances defeat Roxanne? And will they look absolutely amazing doing so? Fund this project and find out!




Back in 1985, I set out to create an entertaining series that would reflect the times we were then living in by projecting it onto a futuristic society where the cult of celebrity and personality would become the status quo. It only seemed natural at the time to cast a group of strong-willed women as a symbol of reason and security in the middle of an ego-driven world full of social and political unrest. It was a creatively rewarding experience that was born out of the height of the creator-owned alternative market of the early/mid-80’s, but was a short-lived series that I have always hoped for the opportunity to re-introduce and return to and continue.

It is a pleasure to invite you to join Hope and I in bringing the Women and World of FASHION IN ACTION back to the twenty-first century, where they have always belonged.

The Post quotes Matt Groening on Conan O'Brien

The constant in late night's chaos [Simpson, Matt Groening; in print as Surprise! Conan O'Brien is doing very well].

by Emily Yahr

Washington Post (March 6 2016), p. E1, 12-13

online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/style/2016/03/03/conan-obrien/

That darn Blondie

No joke for chronic fatigue sufferers [in print as Chronic fatigue syndrome is not a laughing matter].

Greg DesRoches, Columbia