Chuck Jones sculpture at National Portrait Gallery

A guest post by Bruce Guthrie

 

The National Portrait Gallery had recently updated its exhibits in the Bravo! and Champions sections.  These are the galleries that are kind of on the third-and-a-half floor.  It had been awhile since I went up there but had some time Monday sooo...

I was happy to see that one of the pieces they had rotated into the Bravo! gallery was a sculpture of Chuck Jones done by Paul Moore in 1994.  It shows a bust of the then-82-year-old Chuck being constructed by many of the Warner Brothers cartoon characters to which he was associated.  Chuck even signed the piece.

I love the museum (Donald Reynolds Center = NPG and the Smithsonian American Art Museum) anyway and encourage all to visit.  They also just put up an "In Memoriam" photo of Mohammad Ali.

The Chuck Jones piece is hard to photograph because of the case it's in but the following pictures give you the idea. 








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Bruce Guthrie
Photo obsessive
http://www.bguthriephotos.com

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Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Surge!"

From Mike Flugennock, DC's anarchist cartoonist -

"Surge!"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1974

This week begins WMATA's SafeTrack "surge" of massive, long-overdue repairs and rebuilding on the Metro subway, plagued over the past year or so with a rash of fires, derailings, and other accidents.

This parody is a "truth in labeling" version of the current WMATA subway map poster seen in rail stations and train cars.

Washington's Commercial Comics

Stuart McIntyre suggested that we link to information about Commercial Comics, which had been based at 1507 M St NW, Washington DC. (That building appears to be gone).

So, here's an interesting story about comics in DC:

Malcolm Ater and the Commercial Comics Company

by Tom Christopher

New book from Juana Medina

1 Big Salad: A Delicious Counting Book Hardcover – June 7, 2016

by Juana Medina

June 15: World War I: American Artists View the Great War talk

Gallery Talk
World War I: American Artists View the Great War

Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at Noon

Co-Curators Katherine Blood and Sara W. Duke,
Prints and Photographs Division,
Present Selected Highlights in the Exhibition

Graphic Arts Galleries, Ground Level
Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First Street, S.E., Library of Congress

Sponsored by the Interpretive Programs Office, Stacie Moats, 202-707-0185
ADA ACCESSIBILITY: Request ADA accommodations
5 business days in advance 202-707-6362 or ada@loc.gov

June 8: Brad Meltzer at Tysons

His new book is a novel, not a comic book, but he's glad to sign the ones he's written.

http://bradmeltzer.com/appearances/
MCLEAN, VA
Wednesday, June 8th – 7:00 pm
BARNES & NOBLE
Tysons Corner
7851 Tysons Corner Center

Michael Cavna's Awesome Con impressions

The throngs of Awesome Con DC, from the Joker to Harley Quinn

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 6 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/06/06/cosplayers-of-awesome-con-dc-from-the-joker-to-harley-quinn/

Robin Ha's new book reviewed in the NY Times

Cooking: Gwyneth Paltrow's 'It's All Easy,' and More

By JENNY ROSENSTRACH 

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/05/books/review/cooking-gwyneth-paltrows-its-all-easy-and-more.html

A version of this review appears in print on June 5, 2016, on page BR30 of the Sunday Book Review with the headline: Cooking.


COOK KOREAN! A Comic Book With Recipes (Ten Speed, paper, $19.99; available in early July), by Robin Ha,

Ben Hatke's upcoming book tour

Note he's at Takoma Park Library, but  he's also at Politics and Prose.

Art and Adventure

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Goblin Summer Mini-Tour Posted: 06 Jun 2016 11:22 AM PDT Here is where you can find me this summer!

OT: Peter Kuper exhibit in NYC

Friend of ComicsDC (and Herblock judge) Peter Kuper has an exhibit opening soon.

"Outside the Box" A career retrospective opens on Thursday, June 16th, with an artist reception from 6-9 PM.

The exhibition continues through August 17th.

http://www.scottedergallery.com/PeterKuper.pdf

Scott Eder gallery is located at:

18 Bridge St., 2nd Floor

Brooklyn, NY 11201 (Dumbo)

Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 1-6

718-797-1100

Ann Telnaes profiles Pat Oliphant

Mooning the Pulitzer board

By Ann Telnaes

Columbia Journalism Review Spring 2016 1454 words
http://www.cjr.org/the_feature/mooning_the_pulitzer_board.php

David Lamb has passed away

Mr. Lamb was not involved in the world of cartooning, except for escorting his wife, editorial cartoon scholar Sandy Northrup, at local events. It was always a pleasure to speak with him. I've been on several juries with Sandy, and ComicsDC extends our condolences to her.

More information is at

David Lamb, longtime L.A. Times correspondent who covered Vietnam War, dies at 76

Josh Kramer covers D&d in the Post

An illustrated guide to why grown-ups are playing Dungeons & Dragons again

The role-playing game is having a new adventure.

By Josh Kramer June 1 2016 [in print as Why grown-ups are playing D&D, June 5, 2016, p. B2, with 25% edited out]

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/06/01/why-dungeons-dragons-is-popular-again-in-one-comic/

That darn Mark Trail (continued)

Letters to the Editor

Some people don't appreciate 'Mark Trail.' Making it is a childhood dream come true. [in print as Drawing 'Mark Trail' is a childhood dream come true].

James Allen, Gainesville, Ga.

Washington Post (June 4 2016), p. A11

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/some-people-dont-appreciate-mark-trail-making-it-is-a-childhood-dream-come-true/2016/06/03/1625a07e-2755-11e6-8329-6104954928d2_story.html

Library of Congress' Edward Gorey collection

The D.C. Conspiracy today had a private viewing of an Edward Gorey collection donated by collector Glen Emil (who runs Goreyography.com) to the Library of Congress. Emil visited the LOC to talk about his collection. Below are some photos from today:

X-Men on NPR's Monkey See blog

Monkey See

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'X-Men' And Supervillains

This week's show takes us back to a franchise we've neglected and into the heart of villainy. And as always, we tell you what's making us happy this week.

Read this story

The Post reviews Kirkman's Outcast tv show

Hardly heaven, West Virginia: Demons lurk in 'Outcast [online as In 'Outcast,' the creator of 'Walking Dead' finds demons in downtrodden America]

By Hank Stuever TV critic
Washington Post June 3 2016, p. C3
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/in-outcast-the-creator-of-walking-dead-finds-demons-in-downtrodden-america/2016/06/02/a1aaf998-2839-11e6-b989-4e5479715b54_story.html

The Post reviews TMNT

'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' franchise finds a sense of fun again

By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post.com (June 2 2016):
https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-franchise-finds-a-sense-of-fun-again/2016/06/02/9c5678e6-28de-11e6-b989-4e5479715b54_story.html

Leonardo, Michelangelo and Donatello are back, along with Raphael and some fun new villains, in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows." (Lula Carvalho/Paramount Pictures)

Feeling the Bern: Grassroots Artists Capture Bernie Sanders

By Matt Wuerker and Brianna Gurciullo

06/02/16

http://www.politico.com/magazine/gallery/2016/06/feeling-the-bern-grassroots-artists-capture-bernie-sanders-000639?slide=0

Cul de Sac play premieres tonight in Arlington

Cul de Sac

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

Four-year-old Alice Otterloop and her older brother, Petey, learn about friendship and the importance of being yourself in this world premiere 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

About the comic strip and artist: "He never wanted to be anything other than a cartoonist," says playwright Amy Thompson in describing her husband Richard Thompson. Richard, a long-time Arlington resident, had created thousands of illustrations and cartoons for dozens of magazines and newspapers before Cul de Sac debuted in The Washington Post Magazine in 2007. Thompson drew on incidents from his own childhood ("there's a lot of him in Petey, the withdrawn artist" says Amy), and the lives of his family, including two daughters, Emma and Charlotte. Everything from Charlotte's unbounded exuberance, to Emma's discovery that a manhole cover made a great stage, to the reluctant introduction of a guinea pig in their home was fodder for Thompson's re-imagined suburban Washington. Thompson's Cul de Sac drew the attention of comic fans worldwide including some very famous fans.

"[The comic strip] is one of those rare visions that shows how surprising the ordinary world really is. Richard Thompson's wonderfully peculiar Otterloop family is closely observed with deep sympathy and rings absolutely true, I'm a huge fan." – Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson stated Watterson

"If Cul de Sac isn't French for 'wonderfully loopily sincerely life-affirmingly stupendously hilarious' then there is something wrong with the French language." -Children's book author Mo Willems (Knuffle Bunny, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Elephant & Piggie series)

"Cul de Sac is the funniest strip to appear in decades. Inside Out. It's full of great characters, well-observed truths that most of us have forgotten about, and is so beautifully and funnily drawn that it is an absolute joy to look at even if you can't read. (Of course, if you can't read, then you'd better stop right now.)" -Pixar director and Oscar-winner Pete Docter (Films include Inside Out, Monsters, Inc. and Up.)
Click here for full press release.

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

Fwd: Awesome Con - Awesome Con Starts Today! Important Info & Ticketed Event Info!

Awesome Con Starts Today! Important Info & Ticketed Event Info! View this email in your browser Awesome Con Starts Today! Important Info & Ticketed Event Info! Ahoy, Awesome Con starts today, and as we're just hours away from opening the doors, we wanted to share some important information, additional info, and further details on VIP tickets and special ticketed events. Give it all a read to make the most of the con. WEBSITE, MOBILE APP, AND FACEBOOK Awesome Con is more popular than ever, and due to heavy traffic, our website is experiencing short periods of downtime. If you're having trouble loading awesomecon.com, don't worry, as you can still get all the important info. Download our Mobile App to put all of Awesome Con's programming in the palm of your hand. Follow us on Facebook to get all our updates live through the show. Here's a direct link to our ticket portal if you still need to grab tickets, and click here to buy photo ops. GENDER NEUTRAL BATHROOMS New this year at Awesome Con, we're sporting a pair of Gender Neutral Bathrooms. If nature calls, you can use either of our Gender Neutral Bathrooms located in the rear of our exhibit hall near photo ops. VIP PICK UP Did you order a VIP Ticket to Awesome Con? It comes with a T-Shirt, exclusive comic, and (depending on the VIP) photo and autograph tickets. To get all this, head to Hall E and visit the VIP DESK to claim your perks. Bring your original confirmation email (with the QR Code) and hand it to the staff member at the desk. You'll receive all your goodies! LIMITED SPECIAL EVENT TICKETS LEFT Kevin Smith, Eugene Mirman, and StarTalk all have special ticketed events at Awesome Con this year. Our StarTalk tickets & Bill Nye autograph combo packs are sold out, with all other tickets (including general StarTalk tickets) available in limited numbers. Have a Special Event ticket or thinking of buying one? Here's all the info you need! SPECIAL EVENT TICKET PICK UP When you arrive at Awesome Con, please head to Hall E and visit the VIP DESK to claim your Special Event tickets. Bring your original confirmation email (with the QR Code) and hand it to the staff member at the desk. You will then receive your ticket and any perks attached to it. Kevin Smith Preferred Seats + Autograph ticket holders will receive a ticket to pick up his pre-signed autograph later in the day; Eugene Mirman's Preferred Seats + Autograph ticket holders will receive his record set and an autograph ticket; all StarTalk ticket holders will receive a StarTalk poster; and StarTalk tickets + Autograph ticket holders will receive an autograph ticket and copy of Bill Nye's latest book. SPECIAL EVENT TICKET LINES Hall E is also home for the queue to get into "An Evening with Kevin Smith" and StarTalk Live. Please be in the room a half hour before each event (6:30 PM on Friday / 11:30 AM on Sunday). Eugene Mirman will be in Room 152. (Please be there by 7:30 PM on Saturday.) SPECIAL EVENT AUTOGRAPHS Kevin Smith will be pre-signing autographs. Follow the instructions on his autograph ticket to pick up your autograph right before or after his show. Both Eugene Mirman and Bill Nye will be doing live signings onsite for select fans. Eugene Mirman will be signing his record set at 6 PM on Saturday in the autograph area at the back of our exhibit hall. Eugene will only be signing his record set (not other items), and you must bring both your record set and autograph ticket you receive at registration to take part. Please be at his signing at 6 PM. Bill will be signing his book at 2:30 PM in the autograph area at the back of our exhibit hall. Bill will only be signing his book, and you must bring both your book and autograph ticket you receive at registration to take part. Bill will not be personalizing books and will not pose for pictures. Please be at his signing at 2:30 PM. AWESOME CON TICKET REQUIRED Our special ticketed events are for Awesome Con attendees and an Awesome Con badge is required to attend each. HERE WE GO! Awesome Con kicks off in just a few hours, and we're looking forward to throwing DC's biggest comic con yet! We'll see you soon, and if you have any questions, ask us at our INFO and VIP DESKS. FOLLOW US! Facebook Twitter Tumblr Instagram YouTube Website Email Share Tweet +1 Share Forward Copyright © 2016 Awesome Con, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you wanted more information about Awesome Con. Our mailing address is: Awesome Con 50 Day Street Norwalk, CT 06854 Add us to your address book

Comic Riffs talks to Tom King

How one man went from the CIA to writing Batman's adventures

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog June 2 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/06/02/how-one-man-went-from-the-cia-to-writing-batmans-adventures/

June 9: Ben Hatke at Politics and Prose and Takoma Park

Ben Hatke - Nobody Likes a Goblin

Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 10:30 a.m.

Goblin lives a quiet but happy life in a dungeon. He has everything he needs: boots to eat for breakfast, rats to care for as pets, and Skeleton to have as his Very Best Friend. Together, the two buddies do what they love best: namely, counting the bats hanging from the ceiling and telling stories. One day, however, disaster strikes: a band of adventurers storms the dungeon and, as Goblin hides, they steal absolutely everything—including Skeleton. Goblin immediately leaves his comfortable home and embarks upon a rescue mission. But how can he succeed when everyone he meets keeps running away from him? Ages 4 – 8

Online pre-orders for school events may be placed up until 48 hours before the event takes place

5015 Connecticut Ave NW

Washington DC 20008

Ben Hatke - Nobody Likes a Goblin — at Takoma Park Library (MD)

Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 7 p.m.

Takoma Park Library (MD)

101 Philadelphia Ave

Takoma Park MD 20912

Mark Fiore's Herblock Award speech is online now

Mark Fiore's speech is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki1nh9vV1Mg

Mark Shield's talk is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW-HiglTl2I

June 3: Eric Gordon display at Kefa Cafe

Friday kicks off a retrospective of recent comic projects by Eric Gordon (aka DC Creepers) featuring many of his tabloid-size comics pages from the DC-based comics newspaper, Magic Bullet. The reception on June 3 at Kefa Cafe in Silver Spring, Md., runs from 7:10 p.m. to 9 p.m. The display is up through June 30.

In addition to selling prints of his work on Friday, Eric will be "sketching like a madman the whole time (which should not surprise anyone who knows him) and might even sketch you as a character into the third chapter of a mini comic he is working on," according to the Facebook event page.

 Courtesy of Eric Gordon