Thursday, October 20, 2016

SPX 2016 panels catch-up

SPX 2016 Panel - March with Andrew Aydin & Nate Powell

Oct 12, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrREdkxIc-I

The March trilogy relates the story of the African American struggle for dignity and equality in the U.S. during the 1950's and 60's through the perspective of civil rights icon, Congressman John Lewis. Co-author Andrew Aydin and artist Nate Powell discuss their years-long journey of working with Rep. Lewis to tell the powerful and moving story of his life and experiences during those turbulent times which marked a watershed moment in American history. Moderated by comics critic Julian Lytle.

SPX 2016 Panel - Spotlight on Gilbert & Jaime Hernandez

Oct 10, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkNPUidcsbw

The comics careers of creators Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez are explored and discussed. The primary focus being Love and Rockets as well as its pivotal relationship to the development and growth of Fantagraphics (which has been publishing Gilbert's and Jaime's work for 34 of the 40 years it has been in business) and how the relationship ultimately led to a transformation of American comics. Moderated by long-time Hernandez Bros. historian Bill Boichel.

SPX 2016 Panel - Spotlight on Charles Burns & Daniel Clowes

Oct 7, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60dSEN1RIbE

Comics legends Charles Burns and Daniel Clowes together on stage, talking about their respective careers and current projects! The lively discussion is facilitated by Eric Reynolds, Associate Publisher and Editor of Fantagraphic Books.

SPX 2016 Panel - Comics Journalism with Joe Sacco & Sarah Glidden

Oct 6, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYC91HUh-wQ

Comics journalism is a form of journalism crafted by Joe Sacco in his award-winning graphic novels (Palestine, Safe Area Goražde, Fixer, Footnotes in Gaza, The Great War) and explored in depth by Sarah Glidden in her new release, Rolling Blackouts. These two amazing comics creators discuss the intersection of storytelling and fact, and how they report on humanity's history and current events through the medium of comics. Moderated by Matt Bors of The Nib.

SPX 2016 Panel - Spanish Fever: Stories by the New Spanish Cartoonists

Oct 9, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BylaOmj3f8

Cómics, tebeos, and novelas gráficas have been making waves on the European comics scene for decades. SPX, in partnership with the Spanish Cultural Center, proudly presents some of the most exciting Spanish talent in the comics scene! Bienvenido a David Rubín, Javier Olivares, Ana Galvañ, José Domingo, and Santiago García. Moderated by cartoonist and teacher Matt Madden.

The Spanish Fever panel is supported by the generous time and effort of Spain arts & culture.

SPX 2016 Panel - The Art of Printing Comics

Oct 9, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N51p5qAKEb8

There is an art to printing comics and 'zines. Comics creators Natalie Andrewson and Kris Mukai, along with Patrick Crotty and Elliot Alfredius of Peow! Studio explain how they craft their own risograph comics and 'zines to beautiful imperfection every time! Robyn Chapman of The Tiny Reporter moderates.

SPX 2016 Panel - Indie Publishing: Make the Comics You Want to See

Oct 7, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLiYn8sKo5Q

What does it take to become an indie publisher? Grit, luck, talent, or all three? These diverse and innovative publishers saw a need for certain types of comics, so they went out and made them happen. C. Spike Trotman of Iron Circus Comics, Raighne Hogan of 2dcloud, Kevin Czap of Czap Books and Annie Koyama of Koyama Press are making the comics that they want to see and that indie/alt fans want to read. Moderated by Rob Clough of High-Low.

SPX 2016 Panel - Spotlight on Lisa Hanawalt

Oct 11, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_qe4RW64ME

From her days as a member of Pizza Island to her latest graphic novel, Hot Dog Taste Test, Lisa has always brought a uniquely comedic turn to her beautifully rendered illustrations and comics. The outrageously funny Lisa Hanawalt talks with NPR contributor Glen Weldon about her career as a comics creator, illustrator, and the production designer and producer of Bojack Horseman.

SPX 2016 Panel - To Tell the Truth: Comics Storytelling

October 12 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_yYBag59-U

Sophia Foster-Dimino, Gina Wynbrandt, Kris Mukai, and Anna Sellheim all create comics that take their everyday life experiences and transmute them into stories that tell you the truth. Whether it's an autobio comic, a journal comic, or even a fantastical work of fiction, each story encompasses its creator's version of narrative truth. Moderated by Rob Clough of High-Low.

SPX 2016 Panel - All Ages Graphic Noveling

Oct 14, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnjPIU-dbXc

These graphic novelists are writing and illustrating comics that appeal to kids, teens, and adults alike. Rebecca Mock (Compass South), Jeffrey Brown (Star Wars Jedi Academy), and Faith Erin Hicks (The Nameless City) tell us the secret to engaging readers of all ages! Moderated by Heidi MacDonald of The Beat.

SPX 2016 Panel - Comics Carousel

Oct 18, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6zjTXSCnkA

R. Sikoryak brings the Comics Carousel (a wild ride of live performances and readings from comics greats) to amaze and excite everyone's senses! This long-running performance series brings together a once in a lifetime, all star lineup of Sophie Goldstein, Pascal Girard, Jeffrey Brown, Roger Langridge, and Andrea Tsurumi to make comics magic happen on stage and in person!

SPX 2016 Panel - 40 Years of Fantagraphics

Oct 13, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWG3VBB5Kuk

2016 marks 40 years since a group of renegade comics fans came up with the idea that comics could be "art" and planted the seeds of what was to become Fantagraphics Books. This SPX Panel looks back at four decades of groundbreaking work by Fantagraphics and talks to some of the people who were there as it helped transform an artistic medium and change the way comics are viewed by the general public. The panel has Fantagraphics Founder/Publisher Gary Groth and Associate Publisher Eric Reynolds, along with long-time Fanta creators Daniel Clowes, Joe Sacco, Jaime & Gilbert Hernandez, Carol Tyler, Jim Woodring, Drew Friedman and Trina Robbins. The moderator for this once-in-a-lifetime panel is John Kelly, long-time contributor to The Comics Journal and Vice President of the Toonseum.

SPX 2016 Panel - Fantagraphics Next Wave

Oct 19, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzxjYShp8Sk

As 40 amazing years of work by Fantagraphics artists is celebrated it's also a time to examine who its new voices are. This panel, with a line up of some of the hardest working cartoonists in the world—Anya Davidson, Benjamin Marra, Noah Van Sciver, Simon Hanselmann, Julia Gfrorer—looks at where Fantagraphics is today and where it's going tomorrow. Moderated by Bill Boichel.

SPX 2016 Panel - You Can't Not Make Comics

Oct 20, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf6LAEhhyDU

What is it about comics that makes us fall in love with them? Whatever elusive quality it is, these artists have made room in their incredibly creative and diverse lives for making comics that make us feel things. Aimee de Jongh, Cathy G. Johnson and Eleanor Davis speak to building lives and careers while answering the call of comics creation. Moderated by Ron Wimberly.

SPX 2016 Panel - American Magical Girls

Oct 20, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIDuuaS2nts

Magical girls are some of the most enduring and beloved characters from Japanese Manga. For everyone who knows they're secretly Magic, creators Wendy Xu, Veronica Agarwal, Shauna Grant, and Carey Pietsch talk about the new American magical girls they've created in their comics. Wands and tiaras optional! Moderated by Jade F. Lee.

SPX 2016 Panel - Spotlight on Trina Robbins

Oct 15, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCa7cdjkuQQ

One of the very few female artists involved in the early days of Underground Comics, Trina Robbins has been a key member of the small press and alternative comics worlds for generations. A writer, artist, editor and historian, Trina's latest work is The Complete Wimmen's Comix, a two-volume collection of her groundbreaking anthology of the same name. She is joined by The Beat's Heidi MacDonald for this in-depth discussion of her long career.

SPX 2016 Panel - Music & Comics

Oct 16, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZH98KBhwkA

The worlds of Punk and Hip-Hop, the music that cartoonists Jaime Hernandez (Punk) and Ed Piskor (Hip Hop) grew up listening to as kids, has arguably made as big an impact on the aesthetics of their work as did the comics they grew up reading. The artists discuss how their love for the (at times) marginalized musical cultures helped inform their art. Moderated by The ToonSeum's John Kelly.

20th Annual IGNATZ AWARDS Ceremony at SPX 2016

Oct 5, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20v7Uq0y0RA

Festival prize of the Small Press Expo the Ignatz Awards recognize outstanding achievements in comics and cartooning by small press creators or creator owned projects published by larger publishers and named in honor of George Herriman and his cartoon strip Krazy Kat which featured Ignatz the mouse.

SPX 2016 Panel - The Funny Pages: Evoking Laughter Through Comics

Oct 7, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLKjjZtdSvo

The words "comics" and "comedy" both trace their roots back to the same Ancient Greek term for "humorous," and "funny stuff" has been a major part of comics since its earliest days. In this panel discussion, three internationally-based creators of the comedic comics form—Glen Baxter, Roger Langridge and Tom Gauld—talk about what makes things "funny." The panel is moderated by Michael Cavna, the comics journalist and critic behind the Washington Post's popular web site, Comic Riffs.

"End is Near," says David Hagen

David Hagen, a longtime local cartoonist and painter, is pulling up stakes to move to Massachusetts, sometime in November.

David's been a quietly supportive member of the local arts scene for years, especially Artisphere, and did ComicsDC's logo out of the blue for us. Although retired from Georgetown University, David plans to set up a studio and continue painting while living off his wife's salary.

Kilgore Books publishing is now based in DC

Jared Smith of Big Planet Comics (which also publishes comics) put a picture on Facebook which led me to this link about Dan Stafford who is publishing comics in DC now. Their new comic is apparently Blammo #9.

Danger. Chris Danger

Today's Express has two illustrations by Chris Danger. Intrigued by his cartoon style, I went to his website and see that he's worked as an animator and now teaches in DC.

I'll be looking for his work in the future.

SPX 2016 Panel - Richard Thompson: A Celebration of His Life and Art

Oct 16, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9KvGvp0E2c

Richard Thompson (1957-2016)—one of his generation's greatest cartoonists and caricaturists—was beloved by readers and fellow artists alike. Pat Oliphant called him "Michelangelo with a sense of humor," and Bill Watterson, who had not said anything publicly in almost 20 years, sent out a note crediting Thompson with "giving me a reason to read the comics again." A short documentary celebrating Thompson's art and generous spirit is followed by a conversation among Thompson's long-time intimates—his close friend and fellow cartoonist Nick Galifianakis, Shena Wolf, who is the Uclick acquisitions editor and was Richard's editor on Cul De Sac, as well as friend and art historian David Apatoff—concluding with questions and reflections from the audience. Moderated by publisher (Lost Art Books) and editor of the forthcoming Richard Thompson Library series, Joseph Procopio.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Comic Riffs talks to Babs Tar and The Simpsons

She turned Batgirl into a hipster. Now she wants to create more comics about rebellious women.

By David Betancourt
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 18 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/10/18/she-turned-batgirl-into-a-hipster-now-she-wants-to-create-more-comics-about-rebellious-women/

When will 'The Simpsons' end? One producer says, 'Never.'

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 18 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/10/18/when-will-the-simpsons-end-one-producer-says-never/

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Nov 7: Black creators and characters in comic books at Library of Congress

Hillary vs Trump Cartoon Debate

November 4, 2016 Friday 8:00 PM $20 Buy
The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown
Washington, DC
3100 South Street NW

ART SOIREE PRESENTS: ANNUAL POLITICAL CARTOON EXHIBIT "HILLARY VS TRUMP CARTOON DEBATE"

Get the latest overview of the presidential candidates and insight into the hottest debate topics through the artistic commentary by most renowned editorial cartoonists at the Annual Political Cartoons Show curated by Art Soiree and benefiting Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI).

TICKETS: $20 online only – https://cartoonexhibit.eventbrite.com

Explore the cartoons on display, meet some of the artists behind the artwork and get a chance to purchase a signed print* during this one night exhibit!

Editorial cartoons are unlike any other form of commentary. For over 500 years the art of political cartoons has been used to convey social and political messages through the use of images familiar to all of the people in a society.

*For the third year in a row this event will benefit CARTOONISTS RIGHTS NETWORK INTERNATIONAL (CRNI). 100% of all sold prints will go directly to CRNI a 501(c)3 non-profit. CRNI defends the creative freedom and human rights of political cartoonists under threat throughout the world. cartoonistsrights.org

ATTIRE: Cocktail or Business Casual

As for any other event tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled.

Art Soiree has no political affiliation, endorses no political party, accepts no funds from governments or any political party. It's not about political ideologies, nor party lines. This exhibit is not left, It's not right. It's a creative take on the issues of the time and essense.

Monday, October 17, 2016

NPR talks to Dan Clowes at SPX

Daniel Clowes

LA Johnson

NPR Illustration blog October 12 2016

http://nprillustration.tumblr.com/post/151699945504/daniel-clowes

Oct. 18: DC Zinefest fundraiser at the Black Cat

The organizers of the D.C. Zinefest are holding a fundraiser tomorrow night for their annual show. Here's the info: "Join us at the Black Cat for an intimate night of terror! Local storytellers and writers will unleash frightening tales that will shake you to your very core. There might also be some deadly puns.

There's a PRIZE for best story--a prize that isn’t cursed in the slightest.

Have a story you're just dying to share? Contact us (dczinefest@gmail.com), and we'll add your name to our black book. (But hurry! Space is limited.)

$8 - ticket sales benefit the 7th annual DC Zinefest, coming summer 2017.

Sunday, October 16, 2016

That darn Doonesbury

This 'Doonesbury' strip isn't a laugh anymore [Letters to the Editor; online as These comics are no longer funny for many of us]

Jay Kalner, Arlington

Washington Post October 15, 2016, A13

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/these-comics-are-no-longer-funny-for-many-of-us/2016/10/14/33a78748-8bfa-11e6-8cdc-4fbb1973b506_story.html

Jan. 2: 'Magic Bullet' 14 deadline

The deadline for "Magic Bullet" #14 is January 2. This issue has a theme, "Stars and Stripes" (which is open to interpretation). It will be distributed in D.C. a few days prior to the presidential inauguration. Click here for guidelines, specs, advertising, etc.

Kevin Czap wins CXC award

Former D.C.-area cartoonist/publisher Kevin Czapiewski (Czap Books) this weekend received the inaugural Cartoon Crossroads Columbus - CXC Emerging Talent award, which came with a $7,500 prize (no strings attached). Watch the video of the presentation.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

The Post reviews Long Way North

'Long Way North': French animated feature travels to the North Pole [in print as Outlandish, yet picture-perfect]

By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post October 14 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/long-way-north-french-animated-feature-travels-to-the-north-pole/2016/10/13/365fe6de-8bf4-11e6-bff0-d53f592f176e_story.html

Friday, October 14, 2016

ReDistricted: 'Suffragist City'

There's a new installment of the serial online anthology ReDistricted featuring "Suffragist City" by local creators Tabitha Whissemore and Art Hondros.

http://www.redistrictedcomics.com/suffragist-city

Art by Art Hondros

Stan Lee favors RESPECT

Stan Lee has a new plan to unite police and Black Lives Matter

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 6 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/10/06/stan-lee-has-a-new-plan-to-unite-police-and-black-lives-matter/

Agriculture Dept. represents in Mark Trail

How a USDA worker became an action-adventure comic character

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 5 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/10/05/how-a-usda-worker-became-an-action-adventure-comic-character/

Comic Riffs talks to Mark Millar

A new comic-book series asks: Where do we go when we die?

By David Betancourt
Washington Post Comic Riffs blogOctober 11 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/10/11/a-new-comic-book-series-asks-where-do-we-go-when-we-die/

Comic Riffs on Columbus' ongoing comics festival

'Bone' cartoonist aims to help create the South by Southwest of comics

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 14 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/10/14/how-bone-cartoonist-aims-to-help-create-the-south-by-southwest-of-comics-this-weekend/

Oct 30: Tom Toles and KAL at Politics and Prose

Michael E. Mann and Tom Toles - The Madhouse Effect: How Climate Change Denial Is Threatening Our Planet, Destroying Our Politics, and Driving Us Crazy & Kevin Kallaugher - Daggers Drawn: 35 Years of Kal Cartoons in The Economist

Sunday, October 30, 2016 at 5 p.m.

In this inspired partnership, Mann, Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science at Penn State and one of the nation's leading experts on climate change, and Toles, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post editorial cartoonist, expose the true folly of arguments against global warming. With dynamic, compelling graphics that illuminate the science, the book shows both the irrefutable evidence of human-generated environmental damage and the pretzel logic that skeptics and vested interests use to try to counter the inconvenient facts.

The award-winning and internationally syndicated columnist known as KAL, Kallaugher was hired by The Economist in the late seventies to do caricatures, which he soon elevated to the witty, insightful art of a master editorial cartoonist—skills he later carried over to The Baltimore Sun. This collection, drawn from over thirty years of his Economist work, focuses in turn on the United States, Europe, Economist covers, business and economics, and international topics, showing not just KAL's range, but providing a capsule history of recent decades as well as serving as a primer to political cartooning.

This event will be moderated by Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post's White House bureau chief.

This event is free to attend with no reservation required. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Click here for more information.

5015 Connecticut Ave NW Washington DC 20008

The Madhouse Effect: How Climate Change Denial Is Threatening Our Planet, Destroying Our Politics, and Driving Us Crazy Cover Image

The Madhouse Effect: How Climate Change Denial Is Threatening Our Planet, Destroying Our Politics, and Driving Us Crazy (Hardcover)

By Michael E. Mann, Tom Toles

$24.95

9780231177863

In Stock—Click for Available Locations

Daggers Drawn: 35 Years of Kal Cartoons in The Economist by Kevin Kallaugher (Paperback)

$35

9781467568180

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Nov 1: Jeff Kinney at Avalon Theater (not free)

Event

Politics & Prose Presents JEFF KINNEY

DOUBLE DOWN: DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #11

at The Avalon Theatre

Tuesday, November 1, 6:30 P.M.

Attend the North American launch of the newest book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series!

In Greg Heffley's latest adventure, he is fighting the good fight against his mom's mission to get him to stop playing video games and explore his creative side. That may be the biggest scare of Greg's Halloween season, but the traditional creepy elements of the holiday also abound and create a constant threat of more frights. A tastier side of Halloween-- a bag of gummy worms---may just provide the inspiration to solve all Greg's problems. Would making a movie show his mom that he can be creative and a dedicated gamer at the same time?

Jeff Kinney will speak and sign books afterwards.

All books and tickets will be available at will call starting at 5:45 pm the evening of the event.

Additional copies of DOUBLE DOWN will be sold at the event.

One Book and One Ticket $19.75 ($21.43 w/service fee) 1 copy of DOUBLE DOWN and 1 ticket One Book and 2 Tickets $24.75 ($26.61 w/service fee) 1 copy of DOUBLE DOWN and 2 tickets One Book and 3 Tickets $29.75 ($31.78 w/service fee)

1 copy of DOUBLE DOWN and 3 tickets

1 copy of DOUBLE DOWN and 3 tickets

November: Graphic Novel intro course at Politics and Prose

The Graphic Novel (16113)

Five Wednesdays: November 2, 9, 16, 30, December 7, 2:15 to 4:15 p.m.

Price:

$105 (10% off for members)

The graphic novel—or memoir or history—has a bigger readership today than ever before. Eclectic and often surprising, writers use this form in innovative ways to tackle sometimes difficult subjects, such as Art Spiegelman's classic graphic novel of the holocaust, or Congressman John Lewis's powerful three-volume depiction of his struggle for civil and human rights. This course will provide an introductory menu for those who are new to reading graphic texts.

Best American Comics 2015, ed. Jonathan Lethem
March, John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate Powell
Maus, Art Spiegelman

About the Instructor(s):

Alicia Oltuski is the author of Precious Objects, a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection. Her work has appeared on NPR's Berlin Stories, in W magazine, and other publications. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University, where she received a David Berg Foundation Fellowship, and a BA and MA from the University of Pennsylvania.

REFUND POLICY: Please note that we can issue class refunds up until seven (7) days before the first class session.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Oct 29: Sign up to donate blood during Cartoonists Draw Blood

Carolyn Belefski

Sign up to donate blood during Cartoonists Draw Blood - American Red Cross Blood Drive in DC on SAT OCT 29 -- Email for appointment in advance: CartoonistsDrawBlood@gmail.com (art by Mal Jones)

Alex Hallatt on Richard Thompson

Alex Hallatt was interviewed last month and had some kind things to say about Cul de Sac and Richard Thompson.

Alex Hallatt interview

by chh01

September 12, 2016
https://webcomicsinterviews.com/2016/09/12/alex-hallatt-interview/

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Oct. 12: Janet Harvey at Big Planet in Vienna

Big Planet Comics welcomes Janet Harvey on October 12 from 3-6 p.m. for a signing of Angel City #1 out from Oni Press.

Introducing ANGEL CITY, a hard-boiled 1930s noir starring Dolores Dare, previous Hollywood hopeful and current enforcer for the Volante mob. When her best friend turns up dead in a dumpster behind the Chinese Theater, Dolores starts her own investigation of the "April Fool's Killer." As she gets closer to the truth, the studios, the corrupt homicide division, and even her own gangland contacts work to cover up the scandal. Has she bitten off more than she can chew?

Janet Harvey is an award-winning writer of comic books, movies and games. She has written for Image Comics, IDW, Tokyopop and DC Comics, including the first full length adventure of Cassandra Cain in the "No Man's Land" storyline. Her short films have played at festivals around the world, sold at Cannes, and won awards, including honors from Colin Vaines at the Weinstein Company. She recently wrote and directed her first feature length film, Scene Queen (www.scenequeenmovie.com). She moved to Austin, Texas in 2009 to work on the DC Universe Online MMORPG, where she now lives with her husband Dave and two delightful dogs.

Follow Janet @janetharvey on twitter and https://www.facebook.com/janetharvey

Tomorrow: East Coast Tour of "Einstein" by French Cartoonist Anne Simon

Quoting from an email from the Alliance:

Tomorrow evening, October 12^th, the Alliance Française de Washington will be hosting French cartoonist Anne Simon on her "Einstein East Coast Tour" promoting "Einstein" the latest installation of her series of graphic novels on the lives of some of the most influential individuals of the 20^th Century – a collaboration with Swiss author Corinne Maier. More details about the tour and the novel can be found here: http://nobrow.net/the-einstein-east-coast-tour-with-anne-simon/

Michael Cavna, of The Washington Post "Comic Riffs", will moderate the event; the presentation will be in both French and English. Copies of "Einstein" will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

The book talk will begin at 7:00P and tickets are $15 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rendez-vous-with-anne-simon-tickets-27263442691

Alliance Française de Washington
2142 Wyoming Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008

Today: The Fantastic Fantom Signing

Today at 6:30 PM - 9 PM

Fantom Comics

2010 P Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20036

Details

Start buying your books and lining up your ducks because we've got the signing of the century happening at Fantom Comics in October!

MARGUERITE BENNETT (Insexts, DC Comics Bombshells, Fresh Romance, Josie & the Pussycats)

SAM MAGGS (Wonder Women, Fangirl's Guide to the Galaxy)

RYAN NORTH (Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, Adventure Time)

JASON REYNOLDS (Spider-man: Miles Morales YA Novel)

MARGARET STOHL (Forever Red & Red Vengeance: Black Widow YA Novels)

will all be signing at Fantom Comics on October 11th, 6pm!

Monday, October 10, 2016

Rafer Roberts interview online

Unlock Your Potential With Valiant's Harbinger Renegades #1

Oct 05, 2016

http://www.previewsworld.com/Article/184584-Unlock-Your-Potential-With-Valiants-Harbinger-Renegades-1

Friday, October 07, 2016

PR - Alex Ross is Bringing his Gallery Walk Through Booth to NYCC!

Why do we care? Because Reston's ArtInsights is working on this, and also has a Ross show in their gallery.

Alex Ross Art is returning to NYCC! ArtInsights is partnering with Alex Ross Art as their official representative with NYCC EXCLUSIVE Marvel/D C lithographs and worldwide premieres of canvas prints that collectors have been requesting for years!

Just like in San Diego, the booth (2328) will be a gallery walk through, a first for NYCC. There will also be two new pieces being premiered especially for NYCC, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY and CRISIS!

During the NYCC, Alex Ross Art will be giving away The Beatles Yellow Submarine Deluxe Boxed Set ($2000) to one lucky fan and one additional fan The Beatles Yellow Submarine Portfolio ($200). Fans will need to have your badge scanned at the booth for a chance to win.

Here is a list of just some of the items that will be made available for fans at the NYCC:

Guardians of the Galaxy Limited Edition Giclee on Canvas: World premiere! The new Alex Ross signed limited edition fine art giclee of the 75th Anniversary variant cover, signed & numbered by Ross. Size: 20 x 30. Edition size: 75. $850. This will be released on October 6th at 11am eastern.

Crisis Limited Edition Giclee on Canvas: The new, highly in-demand colossus from Alex Ross that features the entire cast of Crisis on Infinite Earths in one gorgeous limited edition! Alex himself wanted this to be exactly the same size as the original, hence its size of 57 1/2 by 26 3/4! , Each piece is signed & numbered by Ross, edition size of

"Batman: Miracle on Crime Alley" New York Comic-Con Exclusive Lithograph: Alex's cover image from #679 Batman R.I.P. comic in a limited edition collectible art piece. Limited edition matted lithograph: edition of 175 size 10 x 15 1/2 unsigned: $50.00 Limited edition SIGNED lithograph: edition of 25 size 14 1/2 x 22, signed: $195.00

"Captain America Triumphant" New York Comic-Con Exclusive Lithograph: Alex's image from Captain America Volume 5 #34 in a limited edition collectible art piece. Limited edition matted lithograph: edition of 175 size 10 x 15 1/2 unsigned: $50.00 Limited edition SIGNED lithograph: edition of 25 size 14 1/2 x 22, signed: $195.00

"Doctor Strange" New York Comic-Con Exclusive Lithograph: Alex's image from Doctor Strange, Volume 4, #2 color variant cover in a limited edition collectible art piece. Limited edition matted lithograph: edition of 75 size approximately 10 x 15 1/2, unsigned: $50.00 Limited edition SIGNED lithograph: edition of 25 size 14 1/2 x 22, signed: $195.00

#1 Edition Numbers of Alex Ross Limited Editions: Highly sought-after #1s of the newest Alex Ross Art editions including Superior Iron Man, New Gods, Spider-Man, & JLA Secret Origins and more!

Video promos for 'ReDistricted'

With the launch of ReDistricted, a serialized online comics anthology that looks at unusual historical stories about Washington, D.C., I've started doing small promotional (and rather unpolished) videos for each story, either at a location related to that week's featured story, with the creative team, etc. Below is the first one regarding Robin Ha's story "Freedman's Savings Banks." That's me (Matt Dembicki), that's the U.S. Treasury Annex on Pennsylvania Avenue behind me, and you should watch it!

Here's the plaque on the annex that commemorates the Freedman's bank.

Thursday, October 06, 2016

PR: March 3 finalist for National Book Award

MARCH: BOOK THREE is a National Book Award Finalist!

NEW YORK — This morning the National Book Foundation announced the finalists for the 67th Annual National Book Awards — including, for the first time since 1957, a sitting member of Congress.

Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell are now National Book Award finalists in the Young People's Literature category, for the concluding volume of their bestselling graphic novel trilogy March. The autobiographical series, which depicts Lewis's firsthand account of the Civil Rights Movement, has previously won such honors as the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award, the Eisner Award, two Harvey Awards, and a Coretta Scott King Author Honor. It is rapidly being adopted by universities and public school systems from New York to San Francisco, and recently spent six continuous weeks holding the top 3 spots on the New York Times Bestseller List.

"This is amazing to me," said Congressman Lewis. "I'm overwhelmed and deeply moved that March: Book Three is a finalist for the National Book Award. It is my hope that this honor inspires many more young people, and people not so young, to read March and to learn the transformative lessons of our ongoing struggle to create the beloved community."

Co-writer Andrew Aydin had this to say: "When I found out, I cried. I couldn't help it. This is such an unbelievable honor. It's been an incredibly long and difficult journey to get to this point, and I am deeply, deeply grateful to the judges and supporters who have gotten us here."

Artist Nate Powell added, "We're all blown away by how deeply this trilogy has been embraced. It's never been more urgent to understand and apply the Movement's history and perspectives — this work is for the unwritten future. We're grateful to be able to help those voices be heard."

Few graphic novels have previously reached NBA Finalist status, including such acclaimed works as American Born Chinese and Boxers & Saints by Gene Luen Yang, Stitches by David Small, and Nimona by Noelle Stevenson. Other notable finalists include The Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Profiles in Courage by Senator John F. Kennedy, who is himself a character in March.

The March team will travel to New York City to join this year's other finalists for two days of festivities November 15th and 16th. For more details, visit http://www.nationalbook.org.

Zine library opens in Richmond

Richmond's largest independent zine Library opens at Gallery 5

Words by Sarah Schuster Photos by Jake Cunningham, Courage & Co. Photography

Oct 03, 2016

http://rvamag.com/articles/full/26581/richmond's-largest-independent-zine-library-opens

Iron Man's 1976 battle in DC could have gone nuclear

There are a lot of comic books that take place in Washington, so I don't usually take much notice of them. Recently though, I picked up Iron Man #96 from March 1976, which finished a story that I had started reading when it originally came out.

There's two points to note about this comic.

As the comic opens, Iron Man is on his knees in damaged armor while Ultimo stalks towards the White House. The book is massively overwritten by Bill Mantlo as was the style of the time.

Iron Man lures Ultimo into following him. Given a few minutes to recover in a jet that happens to be piloted by a former ally, Iron Man bails out to return to the attack. He smashes Ultimo in front of the Lincoln Memorial - this should have knocked the android into the reflecting pool.

The first interesting point occurs as they battle around the Lincoln Memorial. Artist George Tuska either had visited DC or done some research because he actually depicts Ultimo stumbling into the side of the of the Memorial Bridge, right by where Rock Creek Parkway runs under the Bridge. Tuska also drew the base of one of the Italian statues that flank the ends of the Bridge.

And then as they continue to battle comes the second point we should note. Iron Man begins digging a tunnel and luring Ultimo down into it.... as an alternative to "mobiliz[ing] a tactical nuclear strike..." Calling in a nuclear strike on DC, on the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial and roughly two miles from the White House and right across the river from the Pentagon doesn't seem like a very well thought-out plan.

Fortunately Iron Man is able to dig deeply enough to engulf Ultimo in magma, somehow avoiding setting off a volcano in Washington, and the Ultimo story ends. Until the next time he shows up. And no, I don't know why an android needs a loin cloth.

Remembering Richard Thompson, by two of his friends

Between the Stacks - Remembering Richard Thompson, cartoonist and illustrator

By Susan Frohnsdorff and Gregory Frohnsdorff
Moultrie News October 5, 2016

http://www.moultrienews.com/20161005/161009896/between-the-stacks---remembering-richard-thompson-cartoonist-and-illustrator

Note that the presentation mentioned has been postponed to October 22 due to the hurricane.

Kristen Morgin work at Renwick Gallery

Sculptor Kristen Morgin has a few comics/cartoon-inspired works currently on exhibit at the Renwick Gallery. She has a decaying-look rendering to her clay sculptures that are quite remarkable. The free exhibit closes on Jan. 8.

"Mighty Mouse" (2006)

unfired clay, wood, wires, paint

"Snow White and Woodland Creatures" (2012)

unfired clay, wire, push pins, paint, ink, graphite

"Greetings from the Queen Mary" (2006)

unfired clay, paint, ink

"Popeye vs. Popeye" (2008)

unfired clay, paint, ink, cast-iron bank