Long-Buried Secrets, Scampering Dreams And A Cat That Talks: 'Eartha'
A moment of discovery from Cathy Malkasian's richly melancholic graphic novel Eartha.
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
Comic Riffs wants your Trump drawing
So Trump's a visual learner? You can send your message to him now with #MyDoodle4Donald
Comic Riffs on X-Men artist's secret anti-tolerance messge
Marvel pulls X-Men comic that had a hidden Koranic message. Says the artist: 'My career is over.'
Roz Chast does 2017 Book Festival poster
2017 National Book Festival Poster Depicts Delightful World of Books
2017 National Book Festival poster by cartoonist Roz Chast.
The poster artist is Roz Chast, a cartoonist whose work has been published in The New Yorker, Scientific American, the Harvard Business Review, Redbook, and more. Chast started drawing cartoons as a child growing up in Brooklyn, and went on to graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design. She has won numerous awards for her books and illustrations.
Cindy Moore, a graphic specialist at the Library of Congress, led a team of other graphics specialists at the Library in selecting Chast to design this year's poster. However, the theme Chast came up with was all her own.
"Books have always been a major part of my life from the time I learned to read," explains Chast. "They are a way to escape from the world, but also a way to feel more deeply connected to it. I wanted to make a poster that expressed the excitement, appreciation, and delight I have for the books of my life."
By the looks of this lively whimsical poster, she succeeded wildly!
You can download a copy of the poster from the Library of Congress National Book Festival website.
The 2017 Library of Congress National Book Festival, which is free for everyone, will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday, Sept. 2. The festival is made possible by the generosity of sponsors. You too can support the festival by making a gift now.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
New specialty bookstore in DC seeks funding
Judging from their Artomatic stock, they will be carrying graphic novels.
Veteran Bookseller Plans D.C. Bookstore Around Diverse Staff
Nishith "Nish" Pandya - An Artomatic Interview
by Mike Rhode
Nishith "Nish" Pandya's illustration style, as on display at Artomatic, is somewhat cartoony, but his use of the web-handle "cartoonish" led us to decide to reach out to him. (all images from his websites, as my photos from Artomatic did not come out well).
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
Lately, my drawing style has been combining my characters and my love for nature and hiking.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
I mainly work in pencil, charcoal, or pen-n-ink. I think these mediums tend to enhance the mood I try to create in the drawings.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I was born in 1970 in Baroda, India.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I moved up to DC for a software job and I have been living in Capitol Hill.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
Aside from watching cartoons on tv...none.
Who are your influences?
I think Bugs Bunny did this to me! I would religiously watch Loony Toons on Saturday mornings.
But somewhat-recent animation programs that I love include Invader Zim and Ed, Edd, and Eddy.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
My day job is software and sometimes I wish I had focused more on my art.
What work are you best-known for?
Lately, I think I am known for my nature-inspired drawings.
What work are you most proud of?
I have few personal favorites. One of them is on display at Artomatic. It's an illustration of a girl reading a book by a tree.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I am currently learning oil painting. I have tons of sketches that I would like paint...and finally work with color.
In addition, I keep saying I would like to write and illustrate a children's book.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
I get drawing blocks and many times I'll go on nature walks to get ideas and inspiration.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Awesome Con, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?
I have not attended any cons. I think I need to attend some!
What's your favorite thing about DC?
I think DC is a great walkable city and I definitely do a lot of walking.
What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?
Neither a monument nor a museum, but I like to take visitors to Great Falls if they have never seen it before.
Which side?
Least favorite?
Easy answer...the summers. it gets too hot here.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
It's a chain but I like Matchbox.
Do you have a website or blog?
I am on Instagram. My username is cartoonish2.
I also have a few drawings on www.coroflot.com/cartoonish
Nishith "Nish" Pandya's illustration style, as on display at Artomatic, is somewhat cartoony, but his use of the web-handle "cartoonish" led us to decide to reach out to him. (all images from his websites, as my photos from Artomatic did not come out well).
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
Lately, my drawing style has been combining my characters and my love for nature and hiking.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
I mainly work in pencil, charcoal, or pen-n-ink. I think these mediums tend to enhance the mood I try to create in the drawings.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?I was born in 1970 in Baroda, India.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I moved up to DC for a software job and I have been living in Capitol Hill.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
Aside from watching cartoons on tv...none.
Who are your influences?
I think Bugs Bunny did this to me! I would religiously watch Loony Toons on Saturday mornings.
But somewhat-recent animation programs that I love include Invader Zim and Ed, Edd, and Eddy.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
My day job is software and sometimes I wish I had focused more on my art.
What work are you best-known for?
Lately, I think I am known for my nature-inspired drawings.
What work are you most proud of?
I have few personal favorites. One of them is on display at Artomatic. It's an illustration of a girl reading a book by a tree.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I am currently learning oil painting. I have tons of sketches that I would like paint...and finally work with color.
In addition, I keep saying I would like to write and illustrate a children's book.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
I get drawing blocks and many times I'll go on nature walks to get ideas and inspiration.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Awesome Con, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?
I have not attended any cons. I think I need to attend some!
What's your favorite thing about DC?
I think DC is a great walkable city and I definitely do a lot of walking.
What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?
Neither a monument nor a museum, but I like to take visitors to Great Falls if they have never seen it before.
Which side?
I like both sides.
I prefer the hiking on the MD side for myself.
But if my parents come visit me, I ll take them to the VA side since its easier for them to walk around.
Least favorite?
Easy answer...the summers. it gets too hot here.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
It's a chain but I like Matchbox.
Do you have a website or blog?
I am on Instagram. My username is cartoonish2.
I also have a few drawings on www.coroflot.com/cartoonish
Monday, April 10, 2017
April 15: Bmore Into Comics
Join comics creators from Baltimore and the greater B'more area April 15 for their Bmore Into Comics show, a DIY/minicomics show held at the Windup Space, a local bar. It's free and open to the public.
Comics Worth Reading on 'ReDistricted'
Comics Worth Reading, a comics review blog run by former Richmond, Va. resident Johanna Draper Carlson, gives a shout out to the online comics anthology ReDistricted.
Today: Gene Yang signing at Big Planet Comics DC
National Ambassador of Young
People's Literature and best-selling comic book creator Gene Luen Yang comes to Big Planet Comics on U St. on Monday, April 10, 6-7:30 p.m.
Rockeats Alcoreza - An Artomatic Interview
by Mike RhodeRockeats Alcoreza's exhibit at Artomatic is heavily-influenced by graffiti and popular culture, especially animation. We reached out to him to ask our usual questions, some of which are less relevant to a painter than a cartoonist.
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
I do a mixture of urban street art and realism.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
Acrylic paint, sometimes oil.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I'm from DC.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I live in Arlington, VA's Green Valley.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
No training or education, but I feel if I take classes my talent will develop greatly.
Who are your influences?
Hip hop, anime, people
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
I would've took art more serious back in middle school. I had a conflict with my art teacher at the time. I didn't continue with art. I completely dropped it. I recently picked it up again. I know for a fact if I continued doing since middle school to high school, my art would be amazing beyond amazing because I would've learned so many techniques and been guided to produce better art.
What work are you best-known for?
My backgrounds (the patterns you see in majority of my art is called THE 88's).
What work are you most proud of?
Nothing really I feel like I could do a lot better when I look back at my work.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
Make comic strips, funny crude humor or create a book for kids. That would be the dream.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
I hate when that happens; listening to music sometimes helps.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Awesome Con, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?
Awesome con, but I would like to attend more. I'm not that informed about when these events happen.
What's your favorite thing about DC?
Our go-go music. Our sense of style, the way we talk, and also the fact we are at the nation's capitol.
Least favorite?
Traffic
What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?
Corinto gallery
How about a favorite local restaurant?
El Pollo Rico - it's in Arlington - it's crack.
Do you have a website or blog?
Websites would be https://www.facebook.com/24mobrockeats
https://www.instagram.com/24mobrockeats/
Later I will create my own website.
On sale now: The Lent Comic Art Classification System
Now available:
The Lent Comic Art Classification System
Paperback, 146 Pages
Price: $20.00
Prints in 3-5 business days
A worldwide classification system of comic art, including comic books, comic strips, animation, caricature, political & editorial cartoons, and gag cartoons based on John A. Lent's pioneering bibliographic work. Created in honor of Lent's 80th birthday.
For Lent's 70th birthday, a group of comics scholars got together and did a parody of his International Journal of Comic Art -
Interplanetary Journal of Comic Art: A Festschrift in Honor of John Lent
Friday, April 07, 2017
Off-topic: Buy a print to benefit cartoonists
John Kelly of the Toonseum in Pittsburgh says, "Proceeds are going to the NCS Foundation to help old cartoonists in need: https://www.etsy.com/listing/506735712/underground-cartoonist-legend-jay-lynch
Carol Tyler will be signing them this weekend at PIX as well. I've got my order in.
Ralph Baden - An Artomatic Interview
by Mike Rhode
Ralph Baden's work at Artomatic was quite a surprise as it's often NSFW, or families. The centerpiece of his exhibit is a large painting of a man with an erect penis and a caption that wouldn't make it through many Internet filters. We reached out to him to ask our usual questions, some of which are less relevant to a painter than a cartoonist, and he gamely answered them.
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
Large scale political satire and comical oil paintings.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
Oil painting on canvas.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
1960's Maryland.
What neighborhood or area do you live in?
Baltimore.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
The Corcoran School of Art
Who are your influences?
I'm doing pretty original stuff. Nobody takes oil painting and makes the most vulgar painting -- except maybe the old Dutch masters -- paintings where people got drunk in the streets -- they were funny.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
To do it over I'd have to have a career- but I would have gone twice as loud, twice as big and twice as early.
What work are you best-known for?
Nobody knows of me -- I'm amazed you contacted me.
What work are you most proud of?
In 2016, being expelled from 2 un-juried shows with 2 completely different bodies of work -- also not being allowed to sell at a farmers market under the freeway by the prison in Baltimore because my work wasn't family friendly... and also not being accepted into The Bromo Seltzer building because my work was considered"too unique".
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
Bigger larger scales. I would like to have a room full of people laughing at my work at The Met or The MOMA
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
Stare at a light bulb.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
Trash can, dumpster, landfill.
What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?
The Phillips -- I love to go sit in the Mark Rothko meditation room and wonder why.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Mangialardo's
Do you have a website or blog?
www.ralphbaden.com
Ralph Baden's work at Artomatic was quite a surprise as it's often NSFW, or families. The centerpiece of his exhibit is a large painting of a man with an erect penis and a caption that wouldn't make it through many Internet filters. We reached out to him to ask our usual questions, some of which are less relevant to a painter than a cartoonist, and he gamely answered them.
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
Large scale political satire and comical oil paintings.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
Oil painting on canvas.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
1960's Maryland.
What neighborhood or area do you live in?
Baltimore.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
The Corcoran School of Art
Who are your influences?
I'm doing pretty original stuff. Nobody takes oil painting and makes the most vulgar painting -- except maybe the old Dutch masters -- paintings where people got drunk in the streets -- they were funny.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
To do it over I'd have to have a career- but I would have gone twice as loud, twice as big and twice as early.
What work are you best-known for?
Nobody knows of me -- I'm amazed you contacted me.
What work are you most proud of?
In 2016, being expelled from 2 un-juried shows with 2 completely different bodies of work -- also not being allowed to sell at a farmers market under the freeway by the prison in Baltimore because my work wasn't family friendly... and also not being accepted into The Bromo Seltzer building because my work was considered"too unique".
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
Bigger larger scales. I would like to have a room full of people laughing at my work at The Met or The MOMA
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
Stare at a light bulb.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
Trash can, dumpster, landfill.
What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?
The Phillips -- I love to go sit in the Mark Rothko meditation room and wonder why.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Mangialardo's
Do you have a website or blog?
www.ralphbaden.com
The Post on Your Name anime and Smurfs cartoon
'Smurfs: The Lost Village' is a kitschy, psychedelic trip to nowhere [in print as Color-swirled movie has little to hold interest of anyone but tots].
'Your Name': A romantic, teeny-bopper version of 'Freaky Friday' [in print as Treat for the eyes, but not the ears].
Mitchell MacNaughton - An Artomatic Interview (updated)
by Mike Rhode
Mitchell MacNaughton's caricatures and cartoons recall the 1960s as well as today's issues. He's sharing a room at Artomatic in Crystal City and agreed to answer our usual questions.
Why do you draw and comment on characters and events from the 1960s?
I find mid-century America fascinating because the dynamic of the country completely shifted in a handful of years. President Kennedy came to office on a wave of optimism as the U.S. came to terms with it’s post-war life, then his death is the first in a dark period that saw other assassinations along with riots and strife, and the decade comes to a close with the start of one of our lowest points of the modern century - The Vietnam War. It’s span of years that starts out on a high and bottoms out in a low, and for some reason that intrigues me.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
What do you think will be the future of your field?
Mitchell MacNaughton's caricatures and cartoons recall the 1960s as well as today's issues. He's sharing a room at Artomatic in Crystal City and agreed to answer our usual questions.
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
Many people would label my work as political cartooning, although that’s not quite how I would describe it. Sure, for many pieces I use ink and my subject is political, but I think that there in a certain refinement that would put it closer to the art side rather than the cartooning side.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
If I’m solely creating a black and white piece, my tools include micron pens, black India ink, and either charcoal or a black colored pencil. If I’m creating a piece in color, it could range from gouache to watercolor with certain elements re-colored digitally.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I was born in 1989 on farmlands in Western New York, where I would live for 17 years until I left for Pittsburgh.
Why do you draw and comment on characters and events from the 1960s?
I find mid-century America fascinating because the dynamic of the country completely shifted in a handful of years. President Kennedy came to office on a wave of optimism as the U.S. came to terms with it’s post-war life, then his death is the first in a dark period that saw other assassinations along with riots and strife, and the decade comes to a close with the start of one of our lowest points of the modern century - The Vietnam War. It’s span of years that starts out on a high and bottoms out in a low, and for some reason that intrigues me.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I had always wanted to live in DC, as it’s a natural fit for somebody with my artistic themes, and after years of plotting a planning I finally got my chance when I was offered a job at a political direct mail agency. While here, I have never lived in any neighborhood outside of Alexandria.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
While in studying for my degree in graphic design, I knew that my priority was becoming an illustrator. Thankfully for my perseverance, I had many teachers who insisted that I would fail or that the market was too crowded, so while I was in their classes I would look up artists and and search illustration advice websites out of spite. I took what I was learning in my design courses and let that influence certain facets of my drawing that created my current style.
Who are your influences?
Currently I am obsessed with Kukryniksy - a group of 3 artists who created work out in Russia during World War 2. In fact, I would say that the whole era of political art during World War 2 had a great effect on me. Artists used their astounding talent at a time when the world was witnessing pure evil, and the artwork was unyielding.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
I would work up the confidence to promote myself much earlier. I am the only artist in my family, so I was (and to an extent still am) blindly wandering around trying to figure out what to do, and that creates a sense of never being good enough to compete with those who seem to have it figured out.
What work are you best-known for?
To the extent that I am known, it would probably be for my drawing style and political subject matter.
What work are you most proud of?
I am most proud of creating artwork that highlights certain news stories in the world that may not get as much attention, such as the human rights abuses of Bashar al-Assad or civilian casualties of drone strikes. When you are a political artist, it can be very easy to take the easy attack on a subject, suck as making Trump bright orange, and while that can be fun it should not be at the expense of using your skill to touch on other issues.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
One project that I have had on my mind is an animated story/documentary about my uncle’s time in Vietnam and his life after being exposed to Agent Orange, but that is a hefty project that requires many steps in the build-up. Another interest I have been wanting to purse is taking classic literature and spoofing/rewriting them to mock out current political climate.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
If I’m feeling the rust coming on then I have to get up and step away from my desk, because I know that if I don’t I will just end up on Youtube and destroy my entire night. Usually I can go play video games for an hour or so to refresh myself and get back in a work mode.
That’s so hard to say. The illustration and art field feels like it is and has been going through such a rapid transformation with the shifting a mediums that they depend on, such as print media and the freelancing economy. All I can do is keep making my work and hoping that I can find new ways to keep it from becoming stale.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?
I have only attended Small Print Expo as a visitor, where I spent most of my time at the Fantagraphics’ tables.
What's your favorite thing about DC?
I absolutely love the amount of food choices. Possibly it’s because I’m originally a small-town rube, but I’ve become so much more adventurous in my eating here simply because the options are all present for you to try.
Least favorite?
Transportation as a whole. The Metro system only functions in various stages of broken, making a two station trip take upwards of 30 minutes. That isn’t to say that driving is any better, because the drivers here are absolutely wild. Trying to get out of D.C. on these roads with it’s drivers is like trying to escape from a Supermax prison. Nearly impossible.
What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?
My favorite without hesitation is the Presidential portrait room at the National Portrait Gallery.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Cape Banh Mi in Alexandria. The catfish is one of the best things I have eaten.
Do you have a website or blog?
macnaughtonillos.com for my art and artotunion.com for my blog.
Thursday, April 06, 2017
Fantom Comics named City Paper's Best Comic Book Store (UPDATED)
It's its annual Best of D.C. edition, the Washington City Paper named Fantom Comics the city's best comics book store. Big Planet Comics and Third Eye Comics were runners up.
The issue also had a nice-size photo of Fantom Comics manager Jake Shapiro stocking the shelves.
Perennial WCP staff favorite Exotic Planterium and Card & Comic Collectorama in Alexandria also got a shout-out.
The issue also had a nice-size photo of Fantom Comics manager Jake Shapiro stocking the shelves.
Perennial WCP staff favorite Exotic Planterium and Card & Comic Collectorama in Alexandria also got a shout-out.
Kramer to host workshop at Center for Cartoon Studies
Former D.C. resident Josh Kramer and Em DeMarco, co-creators of the CoJo List newsletter and freelance journalists and cartoonists, will run a five-day workshop on creating nonfiction comics this summer at the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont. The cost is $1,000, but you can email them to see if you're eligible for a discount.
Per email from Josh: "Em and I are teaching our first class this summer at the school I went to, The Center for Cartoon Studies. It's also the first Comics Journalism workshop ever offered by the school. We're pretty excited about it. We've come up with a week that's going to be pretty hands-on, with exercises that work for all levels of interested writers and drawers."
Per email from Josh: "Em and I are teaching our first class this summer at the school I went to, The Center for Cartoon Studies. It's also the first Comics Journalism workshop ever offered by the school. We're pretty excited about it. We've come up with a week that's going to be pretty hands-on, with exercises that work for all levels of interested writers and drawers."
Drawing Comics Episodes by Sean Hill
Our interview with Sean Hill ran earlier today, and while researching it, we ran across his Youtube channel where he's posted these process videos about drawing comic books electronically.
Drawing Comics Episode1: Page Process for Zenescopes Evil Heroes issue 4
Sean Hill
Sean Hill
Dec 12, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3htAgQdPTw
----------
Zenescope Entertainments DeathForce issue 2 cover process
Sean Hill
Apr 11, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuvbgyAF8iA
cover process for the cover of Deathforce issue 2,
-----------
Zenescope Entertainments DeathForce issue 1 cover process
Sean Hill
Apr 8, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_DqeSUWJW4
its rare i get to do covers, but this was a great opportunity. this is the cover to Deathforce issue 1 due out May 18th next month. the tools used for this work are Manga Studio 5EX
----
Zenescope Entertainment Tales of Terror issue 8 The Monkeys Paw process vid
Sean Hill
Apr 9, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5if6lD5RM6k
Process for Page 1 of Zenescope Entertainments Tales of Terror Issue 8, done in Manga Studio 5EX
Drawing Comics Episode1: Page Process for Zenescopes Evil Heroes issue 4
Sean Hill
Sean Hill
Dec 12, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3htAgQdPTw
----------
Zenescope Entertainments DeathForce issue 2 cover process
Sean Hill
Apr 11, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuvbgyAF8iA
cover process for the cover of Deathforce issue 2,
-----------
Zenescope Entertainments DeathForce issue 1 cover process
Sean Hill
Apr 8, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_DqeSUWJW4
its rare i get to do covers, but this was a great opportunity. this is the cover to Deathforce issue 1 due out May 18th next month. the tools used for this work are Manga Studio 5EX
----
Zenescope Entertainment Tales of Terror issue 8 The Monkeys Paw process vid
Sean Hill
Apr 9, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5if6lD5RM6k
Process for Page 1 of Zenescope Entertainments Tales of Terror Issue 8, done in Manga Studio 5EX
Rob Ullman, sometimes of WCP, profiled in Richmond mag
Rob Ullman: A Story in Pictures
McGuiganhttp://northofthejames.com/rob/
Longtime DC residents will remember that Rob illustrated the Washington City Paper's Savage Love column for years, and still sometimes does a cover for them.
NPR ED interviews Boss Baby book creator
The Picture Book Behind The New Movie 'Boss Baby'
Elissa Nadworny
NPR Ed April 6, 2017
http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2017/04/06/522581126/the-picture-book-behind-the-new-movie-boss-baby
All Things Considered on comic book publisher Native Realities
With This Publisher, Native American Superheroes Fly High
http://www.npr.org/2017/04/02/522223987/with-this-publisher-native-american-superheroes-fly-high
https://ondemand.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/atc/2017/04/20170402_atc_with_this_publisher_native_american_superheroes_fly_high.mp3
http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=522223987
Changing Colors In Comics
Changing Colors In Comics
Comics and graphic novels have become a flourishing space for explorations of race and identity. But what are the compromises they have to make to reach and please wide audiences?
Gene and guest host Glen Weldon (our play cousin from Pop Culture Happy Hour) explore how comics are used as spaces for mapping race and identity. Gene visits Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse in Philadelphia and chats with proprietor Ariell Johnson, who is reclaiming the comic book store, which once made her uneasy as a black fan. Meanwhile, C. Spike Trotman, another black woman, has made a name for herself as an online comics publisher of Iron Circus Comics in Chicago. We also talk to artist and designer Ronald Wimberly for his perspective as a black creator who has worked for Marvel and DC, the titans of corporate comics.
World War II animated films at National Archives' website
Private SNAFU has been pretty easy to see, but the Navy's Seaman TARFU is in the Army-Navy Screen Magazine #69.
April 9: Baltimore Comic-Con Spring Fling
April 9 2017,
Sunday at 10 AM - 5 PM
|
1743 W Nursery Rd, Linthicum, Maryland 21090
Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Sean Hill
by Mike RhodeSean Hill is a local comic book artist, born and raised in DC proper, who seems poised for a breakout via his work for Zenescope. He was recently interviewed by another blog and I realized we hadn't submitted our usual questions to him.
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
Well some of the very first jobs I got hired for were horror based short stories, the most recent works for those are for Zenescope Entertainment's Dark Shaman mini series. It was about long dead Native Shaman that returns from the dead to try and exact revenge/justice for the death of his tribe. Not to long afterwords I got a chance to draw Grimm Tales of Terror: The Monkeys Paw, I was really happy for that gig because it was a horror story I already knew of. I have also worked on some action/adventure for Jaycen Wise: Secret of the Rose, Route 3 for Terminus Media, and most recently issues 4 through 6 of Zenescope's E.V.I.L Heroes which was more superhero action.
| Zenescope Entertainments: Dark Shaman trade paper back |
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
It's a combination of traditional and digital, I work out my thumbnails traditionally in my sketchbook. I own an 11x17 moleskine sketchbook that I draw up 2x3 inch rectangles, then I work out all my thumbs in those. After that, I open a story file in Manga Studio 5EX (a story file is a file created by the program that has as many pages as you determine you need to draw), I scan and copy/paste all my thumbnails onto the subsequent pages and work over them.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I was born in Washington DC waaaayyyyy back when in 1981.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I grew up in the Georgia Avenue/Perworth area in DC. That area has gone through so many changes but is the nature of the city, anything can change within 15 years or so. Right now I live in Hybla Valley in Alexandria, VA.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
My grandfather, Otis Hill, used to to show me a lot of stuff when I was 6 years old, after that I was introduced to my mento Kofi Tyus, Kofi has been working as an artist in D.C. His whole life so most of my training comes from him. I also went to and arts high school, Duke Ellington School of the Arts and a short stint at Maryland college of art and design. I mostly had a lot of fine art training most of my life.
Who are your influences?
Too many to name but from a kid I was inspired by Bernie Wrightson, Jim Lee -- that kind of stuff -- also artists like Mshindo Kuumba, Ivan Reis -- the list goes on.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
It's kinda funny, but whenever I get asked for advice by a artist wanting to do comics, I typically advise they first start making there own books, it's more fulfilling working on your own thing and telling your own stories. But when I was trying to break in I thought I needed to start working for a publisher, any publisher. I think if I could do it over I would take my own advice.
What work are you best-known for?
I'm not really sure, I guess it would be between Route 3 or E.V.I.L Heroes right now.
Zenescope Entertainments: Grimm tales of Terror: Monkeys Paw
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I'm honestly really proud of my work on Route 3 and some upcoming work I did on a book called the Guilded Age (issue 3). I put a lot work in trying to make sure that story had the vibe of taking place in its own multi-layered world.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I have two personal projects I would like to have done. One is Nazireth, a fantasy retelling of the Christ story, drawing from the historical social and political issues that influenced the narrative of those events. The other is Yasuke: Lineage a story of a former slave turned Samurai, based on the historical figure Yasuke whom served under Oda Nabunaga.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
I think all visual story-telling is a form of problem solving, so when I'm in a rut, I honestly look at as many artists as I can to open up my mind to the possibilities of solving a story-telling issue.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
Comics is a slow changing river: it flows, the current changes but not to dynamically. I hope the Indy Comics market will grow in the sight of the consumers. Much of the diversity that's being called for in mainstream comics is already available in Indy Comics. In Japan, Manga is marketed towards almost every youngster's walk of life, but here it's dominated by adult male audiences. I'm fine with those male audiences holding the share of consumerism they have, but if the medium were marketed to even wider audiences, it could only grow stronger.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?
Not too many Cons. I'm typically at Awesome Con and I have attended Baltimore and New York Comic Con pretty recently. I hope to expand on that in the near future.
| Terminus Media: Route 3 trade paperback |
What's your favorite thing about DC?
Honestly, it's because we're so small, you could grow up here with you childhood friends and make something of yourself, without loosing contact, because we still have some of the opportunities of a metropolitan city.
Least favorite?
Sometimes DC seems like it's trying to be a mini New York, in how it advertises to business and resources outside the city, while not making as much use of its resources in the city. Not to get too political, but so much of the growth in DC for the last 20 years have been stimulated from outside the city. I sometimes think "Come on, we don't have to be New York, we're D.C. -- we got this" but I digress.
| Zenescope Entertainments E.V.I.L Heroes #5 |
What monument or museum do you like to take visitors to?
Oh man, the National Gallery of Art, The Portrait Gallery is a definite favorite, I love the African American museum, and most definitely the American Indian Museum.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
The Good Stuff Eatery -- no question.
Do you have a website or blog?
Yup, it is www.nazirstudios.blogspot.com
Wednesday, April 05, 2017
April 8-9: Studio Ghibli series at West End Cinema
West End Cinema in D.C. continues its spring Studio Ghibli series with "My Neighbor Totoro" on
April 8 and 9 at 1:00 p.m.
April 8: Paul Zdepski comics-making workshop
Paul Zdepski will host a comics-making workshop this Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, Va., which also has an exhibit by Alex Ross. The workshop is $35 for the general public. Registration is required.
Here's a fun live Facebook interview recorded with Paul to promote the workshop.
Here's a fun live Facebook interview recorded with Paul to promote the workshop.
April 8: Hello Kitty truck in Arlington; thousands expected
Hello Kitty Cafe Truck Is Stopping At Pentagon Row On Saturday
Tuesday, April 04, 2017
School Library Journal recommends March vol. 3
"March" Madness: Congressman Lewis's Graphic Novel Wins SLJ's Battle of the Books
By on March 31, 2017
The acclaimed graphic memoir marches to victory once again, the latest in a long line of accolades. The ultimate win in SLJ's ninth annual virtual book competition goes to the much-lauded final volume in the "March" graphic nonfiction series (Top Shelf) by Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell.
Continued at http://www.slj.com/2017/03/books-media/march-madness-congressman-lewiss-graphic-novel-wins-sljs-battle-of-the-books/
April 26: March vol 1 bookclub meeting at East City Bookshop
Wednesday, April 26 at 6:30pm
Reality Literature Book Club reads MARCH: BOOK ONE by John Lewis, et al.
Reality Literature, East City Bookshop's narrative nonfiction book club, will discuss the first volume in John Lewis's graphic novel memoir of his childhood through his young adulthood in the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
Learn More
East City Bookshop
Reality Literature Book Club reads MARCH: BOOK ONE by John Lewis, et al.
Reality Literature, East City Bookshop's narrative nonfiction book club, will discuss the first volume in John Lewis's graphic novel memoir of his childhood through his young adulthood in the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
Learn More
East City Bookshop
645 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Suite 100
Washington, DC 20003
April 8: Cecil Con in Md.
Cecil Con is a family-friendly, fantasy, gaming, anime and sci-fi convention
hosted by the Geekdom Club at Cecil College in North East, Md. Admissions is $3. Free for Cecil College students, 55 and older, and 5 and under.
According to the Facebook event page, it's the show's 4th year. "Last year we had 600+ attendees and this year we're expecting 800+!"
According to the Facebook event page, it's the show's 4th year. "Last year we had 600+ attendees and this year we're expecting 800+!"
Monday, April 03, 2017
Flashback Comics YouTube channel
Flashback Comics of Woodbridge, Va., has a YourTube channel where it features explanations of comics characters, tidbits on comics collecting, etc.
Sunday, April 02, 2017
Kickstarter for a photo book of cartoonists
I loved Greg Preston's first volume of The Artist Within, and I hope you'll consider backing his second. I am.
Saturday, April 01, 2017
April 10: Gene Yang signing at Big Planet
National Ambassador of Young
People's Literature and best-selling comic book creator Gene Luen Yang comes to Big Planet Comics on U St. on Monday, April 10, 6-7:30 p.m.
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