Book Review: Awaiting the Collapse by Paul Kirchner

by Mike Rhode

Awaiting the Collapse: Selected Works 1974-2014 by Paul Kirchner is one of the best archival reprint projects of 2017. Unfortunately, due to it's content, both sexual and drug-related, it will not find the large American audience that Kirchner deserves.

Let's look first at the publisher's description of the book. 

After the bus and the bus 2, this third collaboration between French publishing house Tanibis and comic book artist Paul Kirchner is a collection of the artist’s works, most of them initially published in counter-culture magazines in the 1970s and the 1980s and some dating from his return to comics in the 2010s. 

Roughly a third of the stories star Dope Rider, the pot-smoking skeleton whose psychedelic adventures take him through colorful vistas equally reminiscent of Sergio Leone’s spaghetti western films and of the surrealistic paintings of René Magritte and Salvador Dalí. These stories were originally drawn for the marijuana-themed magazine High Times but were also for Kirchner an excuse to create his very own brand of visual poetry.

An other third of the book is a miscellaneous collection of comics whose stories range from the loony (the sextraterrestrial invasion of Earth in “They Came from Uranus”) to the satirical (“Critical mass of cool”) and the outright subversive (if you ever wondered what games toys play at night, read “Dolls at Midnight”).

This book also features a broad selection of the covers Kirchner made for the pornographic tabloid Screw in the 1970s.

Awaiting the Collapse finally contains a previously unpublished essay by Paul Kirchner about his career and his influences, which helps put in perspective the works published in this book.

The description which is admirably clear about the nature of Kirchner's work explains why you won't see this on anyone's best of the year list besides mine. The first reprints Dope Rider stories from the 1970s which focus on a walking skeleton attempting to acquire the best marijuana (and initially heroin). The stories are wildly surrealistic and make little sense, although Kirchner apparently did not participate in the drug culture. He also did sexualized covers for the notorious Screw newspaper, but again says in the excellent afterword that he also wasn't interested in the hedonistic adult industry world. "I too might seem an unlikely fit for Screw, having no interest in hard-core pornography... Although I drew cartoons involving leather fetishism and bondage, to me those were just subject matter, offering visual possibilities. They struck me as more humorous than erotic. So how did a sober, strait-laced fellow like me find himself drawing Screw covers and Dope Rider? I have a naughty streak that demands express, and I indulge it in my art." (p. 140)

Also Kirchner, like most of his mentors, followed the money. Kirchner says he grew up admiring Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, two of the more surreal mainstream comics artists, and then as part of a group of young Turks in New York City in the early 1970s hung around Neal Adams's Continuity Associates and worked for Wally Wood. Wood's influences are clear in the work reprinted here (apparently selected by Kirchner, and occasionally reconstructed). Kirchner also sought Steranko's advice, and one can easily see some pages influenced by that most theatrical of comic book artists. (See the panel of the Dope Rider drawing a gun on page 22 for example). The reprint quality of the artwork is stunning also, with much of it being reconstructed by his editor or recolored by Kirchner.

 

While I greatly admire Kirchner's craft, the best part of the book is the autobiographical essay at the end. Kirchner recounts his working career, including working in an early comic book store, ghosting Little Orphan Annie, drawing the graphic novel Murder by Remote Control for the Dutch mystery writer Janwillem van de Wetering, working for the New York Times, and collecting and firing guns with Wally Wood and the African-American cartoonist Wayne Howard. Kirchner admits to being a slow artist, and eventually had to go to work in advertising to support his family, but recently he's returned to comics although he's now in his 60s. The book includes some of his newer material as does the bus 2, and although Kirchner says his skills were rusty, his recent work compares well to his earlier art. He's doing a new comic strip, and closes his essay on a high note, writing, "When you do commercial work, as I  did for 30 years, it pays well but means nothing.  ... Instead of anxiously waiting for the next assignment, I am how happily working on the next idea. To do creative work is good for the soul. As long as you have an enthusiasm, you have happiness." (p. 151)

While this book obviously isn't for everyone, serious comics readers, especially those interested in the underground, should acquire and read it
.

AWAITING THE COLLAPSE: Selected works 1974-2014

by Paul Kirchner
Tanibis Editions
ISBN: 9782848410449
Format : 9,4 x 12,2"
152 pages in full color

Tanabis kindly provided me with a review copy of the physical book.

That darn Dustin

Letters to the Editor

Opinion

The comic strip 'Dustin' delivers sexism instead of laughs [in print as Put 'Dustin' in the dustbin]

Sally Brucker, Takoma Park

Washington Post December 16 2017

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-comic-strip-dustin-delivers-sexism-instead-of-laughs/2017/12/14/1c096614-df83-11e7-b2e9-8c636f076c76_story.html

Meet a Local Illustrator: A Chat with John Greenwood

by Mike Rhode

John Greenwood was selling a selection of interesting posters at a recent evening at the soon-to-be-closed superhero-themed brewery, Heroic Aleworks. I asked him about his 'fan art,' and bought a few posters too. He's answered our usual questions, but also talks about his job staging themed escape rooms.

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

Until recently, none actually. Ive been an artist/graphic artist for about 15 years and most of my most of my professional career has been spent creating for businesses, musicians, and other standard free lance work. Once I started helping other Fan Artist sell their work I realized I could do the same! So this year I began creating for myself and designing comic posters that I'd enjoy having in my own home. Honestly, I've never had more fun creating over the past 15 years as I do now. :)

How about your full time job hosting events such as Escape rooms?

Since I was a child slinging lemonades, homemade candy bars and anything else I could find cheap and sell, I've always had creative entrepreneur spirit. In July of 2016 I decided to finally break free completely on my own and started Hometown Go. Initially the goal was to just create fun experiences in our hometown, but it's quickly grown to be half events and the other half promoting local artists at various Conventions and Fairs.

Tell us a bit about your full-time work creating Escape Rooms? How did you get into this? How do you try to make them entertaining for people?

Our first escape room experience was called The Wizarding World of Woodbridge, with a Harry Potter theme but 100% our own story. We drew inspiration from the alchemical practices that J.K. Rowling followed to create Harry Potter and created our own story about The Elixir Arcanum and the three Wizards who came to early America in the 1600's. Prior to creating this escape room we had just finished our Historic Ghost Tours in one of the oldest homes in Virginia and fell in love with local history, specifically Occoquan, VA history. Within our alchemical story of Wizards, potions, and magic, we also integrated local history, to help build a familiar connection for our customers. Our goal wasn't to create a single room and lock you in it until you escape. We wanted to create something more, a full immersive experience. From the second you entered our 3,000 sf location, you became immersed within our Wizarding World. Train station entrance, grand hall with fan art, selfie booth station, local video game developers demoing their wizard dueling game and free cups of Hot Butter Beer. I didn't even put a sign out front. All you could see was a single brick door and as you opened it, you were immediately immersed within our train station entrance. There were no signs saying don't touch this or remove that etc. Touch, move, do whatever you want as long as you were respectful. Remember, the goal of an escape room at its core is to have FUN. Additionally our escape room was 3 rooms that you journeyed through and every scroll inside was individually hand waxed sealed to help create a unique immersive experience. What really set our escape room apart from others was the continuance of story through Chapters. After completing Chapter 1: The Rogue Sorcerer, you could return and complete Chapter 2: The Curse of the High Priestess. This helped our customers to become more involved in the story, kinda like a real life RPG. When you finish chapter one, you then became part of the story. Because of this continued experience of wizarding fun, 90% of our customers came back to complete the second chapter of our story.

 

Once completing The Wizarding World of Woodbridge, we wanted to create a new escape room experience with our own super hero. We took lots of time working on the origin, background, villains, etc and came up with CATS FROM SPACE, now running. Our super heroes are Cat X, Tammy Purrkins (a teenage girl from 1987) an our villains are Captain Buttermuffin and the Space Cat Pirates. Due to the successful retention we had for Chapter 1 and 2 in the past, we decided to do the same for Cats From Space. Right now you can come to Occoquan VA, where our shop is, and complete Chapter 1 of Cats From Space: The Truth About Tammy Purrkins. The amount of detail we put into our rooms is nothing short of extraordinary. Every inch is decorated and in this escape room, every item is unique to the 80s. We scoured ebay, thrift stores, yard sales and attics to create this silly and interactive experience. On our Youtube Channel or Facebook Page, you can watch two videos where Ronald Reagan addresses the Cats From Space situation and a recent transmission from Capt. Buttermuffin, threatening to destroy us all. My goal after Chapter one is to continue the story through cartoon or some sort of illustration. When our new villain emerges, we will ask everyone to come back and save the world again in Chapter Two.


Currently we are busy planning our next Wizarding Experience for 2018. Right now I'm torn between continuing our story to Part 2 (chapters 3 & 4), or a new escape room concept that I've been working on called, The Grand Wizards Cup: A Gauntlet of Champions. Either way, it's going to be fun, silly, and a perfectly affordable escape from the regular muggle world we live in. :)


How does Hometown Go find artists for its poster work?

Our main source for finding new artists has been at various Conventions and word of mouth.

How do you do your graphic work? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

Combination of both. Sometimes I form ideas with pen or ink and scan them into the computer to continue from there. Lately I've mainly just been creating through draw pad into Photoshop/Illustrator.

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

I was born on Sept. 1st 1984 in Clovis New Mexico. Raised in a Military family, I moved around the world 15 times by the time I turned 17 years old.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

Ive been drawing/cartooning since I was a kid and used to create my own Farside comics. Through Highschool I was in AP Studio Art and went to George Mason University for my Bachelors in Graphic Design with a minor in Video Production.

Who are your influences?

Whoever work inspires me at the moment. I draw from lots of influences and have definitely learned a lot by working with one of our main featured artists, Angela McKendrick.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

I'm a firm believer in looking forward and not worrying about the past. I'd most likely keep everything the same because I've been very happy with my decision to leave the corporate world and start my own path.

What work are you best-known for?

Since I'm a newer Fan Artist, I guess my best sellers have been my Retro Flash art, Neon Gotham City, and Minimalist Justice League Set.

What work are you most proud of?

I think I'm most proud of the Minimalist Set of Justice League. I enjoy going into the details on pieces but taking a set back and creating as little as possible has been a real challenge that has resulted with a nice clean finished look.

What would you like to do or work on in the future?

Right now I'd like to just continue creating and see where things go from there.

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

I love to create, not just with art but also through Music and Video Production. If I ever hit a wall, I usually just shift gears and work on something else.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

Hopefully expanding my team to offer more local artists the opportunity to be seen and sell their work.

Do you have a website or blog?

HometownGo.com

What's your favorite thing about the DC area?

I love the city but wouldn't want to live there. There's so many fun things to do that I don't know where to begin. I will say that whenever I am in DC, I usually find my way to a little Chinese take-out place between DC9 and 9:30 club because they have delicious Steak and Cheese Egg Rolls :)

Least favorite?

Least favorite thing about the city would be city life in general. I enjoy it more when know that I can head home to my quiet neighbor hood, should the city get a little too busy or slammed with traffic.

What monument or museum do you like?

Always love strolling through the various art galleries in the Smithsonian area. Tons of beautiful museums to enjoy.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

Favorite local restaurant in the DC area would probably be The Peking Gourmet. Show me a fresh Duck Taco with plum sauce and I'm in heaven.

Superman, Winsor McCay and Dumbo added to National Film Registry

See the details here - https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-17-178/

You can see some original cels from the Lusitania cartoon at Geppi's Museum in Baltimore!

The Post on the book behind the Ferdinand cartoon

Hitler banned it; Gandhi loved it: 'The Story of Ferdinand,' the book and, now, film [The masterful book behind the film 'Ferdinand' still resonates].

By Karen MacPherson

Washington Post December 13 2017,

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/hitler-banned-it-gandhi-loved-it-the-story-of-ferdinand-the-book-and-now-film/2017/12/11/43a03e8c-de7f-11e7-bbd0-9dfb2e37492a_story.html

PR: DC in D.C. on MLK Weekend

DC in D.C. on MLK Weekend

By Official Press Release Thursday, December 14th, 2017
http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2017/12/14/dc-in-dc-on-mlk-weekend

WARNER BROS. TELEVISION GROUP & DC ENTERTAINMENT BRING THE WORLDS OF THEIR TV SERIES AND COMIC BOOKS TO WASHINGTON, D.C. FOR A LANDMARK POP CULTURE EVENT JANUARY 12–13, 2018

World Premiere of the Upcoming DCTV Series Black Lightning for The CW

Public Panel Discussions and Appearances by Stars and Producers from Arrow, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Gotham, Supergirl and Freedom Fighters: The Ray, Comic Book Authors and Artists from DC, and Invited Guests from Publishing, Politics, Government Service, Academia and More Plus Premiere Screening of DC Universe Animated Movie Batman: Gotham By Gaslight

Visit www.DCinDC2018.com for Future Updates

Get ready for "DC in D.C." During the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend, Warner Bros. Television Group, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will team up for "DC in D.C.," a landmark pop culture event that brings together the worlds of entertainment and public service to illuminate the story of America and current issues through the lens of comics and Super Heroes. Events will take place Friday, January 12, and Saturday, January 13, 2018, at the Newseum, and will culminate with the world premiere screening of the upcoming DC series Black Lightning — based on the first African-American DC Super Hero to have his own stand-alone comic title — in the Warner Bros. Theater at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, with a party to follow at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

"DC in D.C." brings together stars and producers from Warner Bros. Television's DCTV series, as well as comic book writers and artists from DC Entertainment, who will join invited guests from politics, government service, entertainment, business, academia and more. The event will explore the intersection of comic books, culture, entertainment and enlightenment through a series of panel discussions open to the public. Additionally, "DC in D.C." will present the premiere screening of the DC Universe animated movie Batman: Gotham By Gaslight (for ages 18+) at the Newseum.

Scheduled participants include:

• The stars of Black Lightning — Cress Williams, China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, Marvin "Krondon" Jones III, Damon Gupton and James Remar — along with executive producers Salim Akil & Mara Brock Akil

• Executive producers Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter (Arrow, Black Lightning, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Supergirl, upcoming Titans) plus television series stars Caity Lotz (DC's Legends of Tomorrow), Candice Patton (The Flash), Danielle Panabaker (The Flash), J.W. Cortes (Gotham), Russell Tovey (Freedom Fighters: The Ray) and others to be announced.

• DC comic book writers and artists such as DC Entertainment's Jim Lee, Julie Benson, Shawna Benson, Shea Fontana, Agnes Garbowska, Tom King, Steve Orlando, Alice Randall, Oscar®-winning screenwriter John Ridley, Mark Russell, Mariko Tamaki and DC Entertainment's Geoff Johns, the best-selling author of Rebirth and Doomsday Clock.

• Luminaries from media, politics and government service

• And more to be announced…

Highlights of the "DC in D.C." event schedule include:

• Stars and producers from WBTV's DC series Arrow, Black Lightning, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Gotham, Supergirl and Freedom Fighters: The Ray join comic book authors and artists from DC Entertainment for panel discussions and appearances that are open to the general public. Additional information about tickets for the five public panels will be released at www.DCinDC2018.com.

• Private, invitation-only world premiere of upcoming DCTV drama series Black Lightning, which debuts Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 9/8c on The CW.

• Public sneak peek screening of Black Lightning, as well as the premiere screening of DC Universe animated movie Batman: Gotham By Gaslight, coming to Digital on January 23, 2018, and Blu-ray™/DVD on February 6, 2018, from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

• For additional info on "DC in D.C.," please visit www.DCinDC2018.com, and follow us on Twitter at @warnerbrostv and @DCComics, hashtag: #DCinDC

"DC IN D.C." EVENTS SCHEDULE -- PLEASE NOTE: Participants are subject to change

FRIDAY, JANUARY 12 — NEWSEUM

BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT PREMIERE SCREENING (18+)

6:30–9:15 p.m. Batman: Gotham By Gaslight Premiere Screening (For Mature Audiences 18+ Years of Age) — Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment provide a new take on Batman as a steampunk Dark Knight hunts Jack the Ripper through the shadows of turn of the century Gotham City in this all-new animated feature available from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment January 23, 2018, on Digital and February 6, 2018, on Blu-ray and DVD. The premiere event is for mature audiences 18 years of age or older, will kick off with a cocktail reception and will be followed with a Q&A session with the film's voice cast and producers.  Newseum Theatre

Inspired by the landmark one-shot Elseworlds tale by Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola, Batman: Gotham By Gaslight takes place at the turn of the century as America's continued industrial revolution is to be showcased at a World's Fair hosted by Gotham City. But while the world prepares to witness the glittery glory of Gotham's technological advances, there is a killer loose in the city's darkest shadows. Preying on the city's women, this killer is as precise as he is cruel. As Police Commissioner James Gordon (Scott Patterson – Gilmore Girls) tries to calm the fears of Gotham's citizens regarding the butcher called Jack the Ripper, the masked vigilante Batman (Bruce Greenwood – American Crime Story) indulges in his own detective work — with the help of confident, capable Selina Kyle (Jennifer Carpenter – Dexter) — to stop the Ripper's murderous spree. Witness a world in flames as the notorious serial killer's controlled savagery meets the calculated stealth of the Dark Knight. Sam Register, Bruce Timm (Batman: The Killing Joke), Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan are executive producers.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13 — NEWSEUM

10:00–10:45 a.m. The Art of the Matter: From Sketch to Screen — Just how do our favorite DC Super Heroes fly from the page to the screen? This behind-the-scenes look at the creative process provides an "origin story" of how some of DC's greatest Super Heroes on the page have evolved into some of TV's hottest Super Heroes on screens all over the world. Join executive producers Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter (Arrow, Black Lightning, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Supergirl, upcoming Titans), DC Entertainment's Geoff Johns (Arrow, The Flash, Titans) and others as they trace the explosion of DC's heroes — from ink panels to television and film screens worldwide. Additional panelists to be announced.  Newseum

11:00–11:45 a.m. The Many Shades of Heroism: DC Heroes Through the African-American Lens — 2018 will not only bring Black Lightning, a new African-American DC Super Hero to television screens (40 years after the electrifying hero was created), but also a new DC comic book from Oscar®-winning screenwriter John Ridley (12 Years a Slave) and more exciting storytelling featuring African-American characters. In this panel, Black Lightning star Cress Williams and executive producers Salim Akil & Mara Brock Akil will join the acclaimed John Ridley, author and comic book writer Alice Randall (The Wind Done Gone, Earth M), and Black Girl Nerds Editor-in-Chief Jamie Broadnax as they look beyond the super suit to the African-American men and women who are heroes to their community. Black Lightning premieres Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 9/8c on The CW. Follow Black Lightning on Twitter at @blacklightning. Additional panelists to be announced.  Newseum

12:00 p.m.–12:45 p.m. Wonder Women — DC and Warner Bros. Pictures' Wonder Woman took charge of screens in an unprecedented way last summer, toppling the cinematic patriarchy and paving the way for even more super women. DC has been flexing its power with female heroes on television screens for years, including kickass characters on Supergirl, The Flash, Arrow, Gotham and DC's Legends of Tomorrow. Join DC's Legends of Tomorrow star Caity Lotz, The Flash stars Candice Patton and Danielle Panabaker, Berlanti Productions President Sarah Schechter (Arrow, Black Lightning, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Supergirl, upcoming Titans) plus DC writers and artists Julie Benson (Batgirl and the Birds of Prey), Shawna Benson (Batgirl and the Birds of Prey), Shea Fontana (Wonder Woman, DC Super Heroes), Agnes Garbowska (DC Super Hero Girls) and Mariko Tamaki (Supergirl: Being Super) for this super-powered panel. Supergirl and DC's Legends of Tomorrow will rotate through The CW's Monday 8/7c time period in 2018, offering fans 23 consecutive weeks of original episodes. Supergirl returns January 15 for four original episodes, after which DC's Legends of Tomorrow runs from February 12–April 9. Supergirl then resumes April 16–June 18. Additional panelists to be announced.  Newseum

2:00–2:45 p.m. The Pride of DC: The Art of LGBTQ Inclusion — On December 8, history was made with the debut of Freedom Fighters: The Ray, a new animated series on CW Seed, the digital channel of The CW Network, that features the first gay Super Hero to lead a show. The series is produced by Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Animation and Blue Ribbon Content, the digital studio of the Warner Bros. Television Group. Join The Ray executive producer Greg Berlanti and voice star Russell Tovey for a wide-ranging discussion with DC writers Marguerite Bennett (Batwoman), Steve Orlando (Midnighter and Apollo) and Mark Russell (Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles) about inclusion for LGBTQ characters. Watch Freedom Fighters: The Ray here: www.cwseed.com/freedom-fighters-the-ray. Additional panelists to be announced.  Newseum

3:00–3:45 p.m. The Aftermath: Battle & Trauma in Comics — DC's Batman author and former CIA counter-terrorism operations officer Tom King takes on Jack Kirby's Mister Miracle in a new monthly comic book which focuses on a Super Hero who grapples with post-traumatic stress disorder, an issue not often seen in comics and tragically overlooked in the real world. King will be joined by Gotham recurring guest star J.W. Cortes (a 13-year Marine combat veteran and a police officer with New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority), additional comic book writer/artists and thought leaders for a candid conversation about the lasting effects of battlefield trauma. Additional panelists to be announced.  Newseum

6:30–8:15 p.m. Black Lightning Sneak Peek Screening — Cress Williams (Hart of Dixie, Friday Night Lights) stars as the title character in Black Lightning, a new television series based on the first African-American DC Super Hero to have his own stand-alone comic title. The series debuts Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 9/8c on The CW, but fans can get a sneak peek during this public screening at the Newseum, preceded by a reception. In addition to Williams, China Anne McClain (House of Payne), Nafessa Williams (Twin Peaks), Christine Adams (Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Marvin "Krondon" Jones III (Harry's Law), Damon Gupton (Bates Motel, Criminal Minds) and James Remar (Gotham, Sex and the City) star. Based on the characters from DC, Black Lightning is from Berlanti Productions and Akil Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Greg Berlanti (Arrow, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Supergirl), Salim & Mara Brock Akil (Being Mary Jane, The Game, Girlfriends), and Sarah Schechter (Arrow, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Supergirl). The Black Lightning character was created by Tony Isabella with Trevor Von Eeden.  Newseum

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13

BLACK LIGHTNING WORLD PREMIERE — BY INVITATION ONLY

SMITHSONIAN'S NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY, AND NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE

Black Lightning Red Carpet Arrivals, Cocktail Reception, World Premiere Screening and Q&A — Smithsonian's National Museum of American History – Warner Bros. Theater

Black Lightning Premiere Party — Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture

Directly following the screening, series stars Cress Williams (Hart of Dixie, Friday Night Lights), China Anne McClain (House of Payne), Nafessa Williams (Twin Peaks), Christine Adams (Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Marvin "Krondon" Jones III (Harry's Law), Damon Gupton (Bates Motel, Criminal Minds) and James Remar (Gotham, Sex and the City) will join executive producers Salim Akil & Mara Brock Akil (Being Mary Jane, The Game, Girlfriends) for an electrifying Q&A session about the series and its upcoming first season.

Immediately following the Q&A, guests are invited to Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture for the Black Lightning premiere party.

Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) is a man wrestling with a secret. As the father of two daughters and principal of a charter high school that also serves as a safe haven for young people in a neighborhood overrun by gang violence, he is a hero to his community. Nine years ago, Pierce was a hero of a different sort. Gifted with the superhuman power to harness and control electricity, he used those powers to keep his hometown streets safe as the masked vigilante Black Lightning. However, after too many nights with his life on the line, and seeing the effects of the damage and loss that his alter ego was inflicting on his family, he left his Super Hero days behind and settled into being a principal and a dad. Choosing to help his city without using his superpowers, he watched his daughters Anissa (Nafessa Williams) and Jennifer (China Anne McClain) grow into strong young women, even though his marriage to their mother, Lynn (Christine Adams), suffered. Almost a decade later, Pierce's crime-fighting days are long behind him…or so he thought. But with crime and corruption spreading like wildfire, and those he cares about in the crosshairs of the menacing local gang The One Hundred, Black Lightning returns — to save not only his family, but also the soul of his community.

Based on the characters from DC, Black Lightning is from Berlanti Productions and Akil Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Greg Berlanti (Arrow, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Supergirl), Salim & Mara Brock Akil, and Sarah Schechter (Arrow, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Supergirl). The Black Lightning character was created by Tony Isabella with Trevor Von Eeden. Black Lightning premieres Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 9/8c on The CWBecome a fan of Black Lighting on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CWBlackLightning, and follow the show on Twitter @BlackLightning.

About the Newseum

The Newseum promotes, explains and defends free expression and the five freedoms of the First Amendment: religion, speech, press, assembly and petition. Headquartered on historic Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., the Newseum's compelling, dynamic and engaging exhibits, programs and education initiatives help ensure that these fundamental freedoms remain strong and protected both today and for future generations. The Newseum Institute promotes the study, exploration and education of the challenges confronting freedom through its First Amendment Center and the Religious Freedom Center. The Newseum is a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by generous individuals, corporations and foundations, including the Freedom Forum. For more information, visit newseum.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

AnimeUSA coverage in Scoop

Convention Recap: Anime USA 2017
http://scoop.previewsworld.com/Home/4/1/73/1018?ArticleID=203718

Anime USA in Photos, Part I
http://scoop.previewsworld.com/Home/4/1/73/1018?ArticleID=203720

The Post on Disney's purchase of Fox

In addition to the X-Men movies, this includes the Simpsons.

Disney buys much of Fox in megamerger that will shake world of entertainment and media [in print as Disney gobbling up Fox to fight tech competition].

By Steven Zeitchik

Washington Post December 15 2017, p. A1, 18

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/12/14/disney-buys-much-of-fox-in-mega-merger-that-will-shake-world-of-entertainment-and-media/

 

What the huge Disney-Fox deal means for geeks, from the 'X-Men' to 'The Avengers'

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog December 14 2017

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/12/14/what-the-huge-disney-fox-deal-means-for-geeks-from-the-x-men-to-the-avengers/

The Post reviews Ferdinand

'Ferdinand': The conscientious-objector bull of a children's book gets a wider pasture in the movie [in print as He's bigger and modern, but still sweet].

By Jane Horwitz

Washington Post December 15, 2017, p. Weekend 25

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/ferdinand-the-conscientious-objector-bull-of-a-childrens-book-gets-a-wider-pasture-in-the-movie/2017/12/13/41821fb2-dac9-11e7-a841-2066faf731ef_story.html

A pacifist bull (voice of John Cena) tries to avoid fighting in the bullring in "Ferdinand." (Credit: Blue Sky Studios/Twentieth Century Fox)

Local cartoonists on School Library Journal's best of 2017 list

The list is here.

Juana Medina is on twice.

Gareth Hinds is on for his Samurai illustrations.

March vol. 3 by John Lewis, Andrew Ayden and Nate Powell is on the list.

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "The Most Busted Name In News"

From Washington's anarchist cartoonist Mike Flugennock:

"The Most Busted Name In News"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=2356

It sure has been a real shitburner of a month for U.S. corporate media, hasn't it? Aside from other notable debacles last week, the top honors went to CNN for their spectacular self-own involving the wrong date on an email in a Wikileaks trove in its "bombshell" Russiagate report which cited multiple sources -- unnamed, of course. Once the correct date on the email was revealed, CNN's "bombshell" -- like pretty much all U.S. media Russiagate "bombshells" -- turned out to be a big, empty dry fart.

But wait, there's more! After that whole hot mess collapsed, David Frum, senior editor of The Atlantic, added to the hilarity by going on CNN, looking the whole country straight in the eye, and telling us that "The mistakes are precisely the reason people should trust the media." Ohhhh, yeah. Keep fucking that chicken, Dave.

10x14 inch medium-res color .jpg image, 853k

Pictures of Cullen Murphy at Politics and Prose

Here are my photos - https://www.flickr.com/photos/42072348@N00/albums/72157663522945988

I would imagine they should have the video of the talk online soon.

Beyond Comics Shepherdstown store closing sale

SHEPHERDSTOWN

Sadly we are closing our Shepherdstown location. Our other stores are doing well and will continue to operate normally.

Starting December 5th 60% OFF Entire Store*

Some items may have a maximum discount. Visit the store for details.

Graphic Novels 60% OFF!

Comic Books 60% OFF!

Games 60% OFF!

Comic Books 60% OFF!

Toys & Action Figures 60% OFF!

Statues 40% OFF!

Magic Singles Black Commons $1 for up to 100

Magic Singles Other Commons 5 for $1

Visit our website

*Excludes certain items including but not limited to Pokemon Boosters, Pokemon Elite Trainers, MTG Ixalan, MTG Amonkhet, MTG Binder Singles, New product November 1st forward, Games from the last month, Dice, Special Orders, Sideshow Products, Hot Toys Products, S.H.Arts Figures.

Fixtures, Showcases, Bookcases...it all must go.

That darn Dana Summers

Letters to the Editor

Christopher Columbus was not a Pilgrim [in print as The wrong place at the wrong time].

Howard Kaplan, Chevy Chase

December 9 2017

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/christopher-columbus-was-not-a-pilgrim/2017/12/07/1ed14e4c-d9fd-11e7-a241-0848315642d0_story.html

The Post reviews Tom of Finland movie

'Tom of Finland' tells a story of the power of art to create community [in print as biopic is a beautiful specimen in itself].

By Kristen Page-Kirby

Washington Post December 8, 2017

online at  https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/tom-of-finland-tells-a-story-of-the-power-of-art-to-create-community/2017/12/04/21f2ab16-d548-11e7-a986-d0a9770d9a3e_story.html

Michael Cavna's eulogy on the death of his father

Cartoonist and Comics Riffs journalist Michael Cavna lost his father recently. Being an artist, he made a moving cartoon tribute at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBe2mKJWv1U&feature=youtu.be

Fredericksburg cartoonist Clay Jones on I66 tolls

Click through to see his cartoon and read his commentary: https://claytoonz.com/2017/12/07/nova-tolls/

Tonight: Lecture on French comics in Alexandria

Lecture: "An Introduction to French Comics" for 12/7/2017

https://apps.alexandriava.gov/Calendar/Detail.aspx?si=17108

https://shop.alexandriava.gov/EventPurchase.aspx

A high-level introduction into how a closely neighboring culture views the humble comic book in a completely different way.About the Speaker: RM Rhodes has a day job and lives in Arlington, but he would prefer to be known as a comics creator and historian. He has written articles and reviews for sites like Forces of Geek, Need Coffee, The Hooded Utilitarian, and Comics Workbook. He is learning French so he can read his French comics and enjoys talking about himself in the third person. $5, Doors at 6:30 p.m., lecture at 7 p.m., followed by a wine and dessert reception.


VENUE: The Lyceum CAPACITY: 120 PRICE: $5.00 DATE: 12/7/2017 EVENTID: 6000278

The Post interviews Ferdinand voice actor

Five Minutes With: John Cena

By Helena Andrews-Dyer

Washington Post December 7 2017, p. C2

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2017/12/06/five-minutes-with-john-cena/

Comic books on TV in the Express

Comic-book heroes flock to TV, but why are they so popular? [in print as It's a bird! It's a plane! It's another comic on TV!]

By Frazier Moore | AP December 5

Express December 7 2017, p. 46

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/comic-book-heroes-flock-to-tv-but-why-are-they-so-popular/2017/12/05/1d6eecca-d9db-11e7-a241-0848315642d0_story.html

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "In Solidarity with Imprisoned Cartoonists"

From DC's anarchist cartoonist Mike Flugennock:

"In Solidarity With Imprisoned Cartoonists"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=2349

In solidarity with cartoonists imprisoned, or currently threatened with imprisonment in India, Malaysia, Turkey, Equatorial Guinea and Australia.

Bala, India: https://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadu-news/cartoonist-bala-arrested-in-chennai-for-criticising-chief-minister-officials-1771430

Zunar, Malaysia: https://www.zunar.my/about-me/

Musa Kart, Turkey: http://www.cartooningforpeace.org/en/soutiens/musa-kart-turquie/

Nse Ramon, Equatorial Guinea: http://freenseramon.egjustice.org/

Eaten Fish, Iran: https://eatenfish.com/

The Cumhuriyet 17, Turkey: https://muftah.org/turkey-trial-cumhuriyet17/

Dec 9: GRUMP returns to Crystal City

GRUMP 2017

GRUMP Crystal City is taking place on December 9, 2017, noon to 5pm at Crystal City Underground. Shop from 50 local makers and meet our Yeti (or two!). Vendors for GRUMP are chosen via jury in October each year. We get over 100 applications for less than 50 spaces. Follow GRUMP on Facebook to learn about upcoming shows. GRUMP 2017 shows are full.

GRUMP is ALSO coming to Zoolights at the National Zoo, December 15-17, 2017, from 5pm-9pm.

Cartoonists or illustrators I recognize are Spaghetti Kiss, Steve "Spotch Monsters" Loya, Annie & Linda Lunford aka Laughing Moon Artworks, and Santiago Casares.

Exhibit on Graphic Medicine opens at National Library of Medicine in January

New Ideas at the NLM: Graphic Medicine

by Circulating Now

By Patricia Tuohy and Erika Mills

https://circulatingnow.nlm.nih.gov/2017/12/06/new-ideas-at-the-nlm-graphic-medicine/

Here's the exhibit details:

Design for the upcoming special display, Graphic Medicine: Ill-Conceived and Well-Drawn!

To make more widely known this new collection, the National Library of Medicine will launch a project on January 30, 2018 titled Graphic Medicine: Ill-conceived and Well Drawn! Ellen Forney, comic artist and author, guest curated this project, which includes a special display in the History of Medicine Division reading room, a traveling banner exhibition, and a new online exhibition. More information will be available on the National Library of Medicine homepage starting January 18, 2018.

Pictures from Cullen Murphy's talk at Politics and Prose

Bruce Guthrie has the photos up on his website.

Cullen Murphy - Cartoon County: My Father and His Friends in the Golden Age of Make-Believe
Murphy, editor at large at Vanity Fair and the author of books including God's Jury, grew up in the middle of a thriving community of illustrators and cartoonists in southwestern Connecticut. His father, John Cullen Murphy (1919-2004), who had been a student of Norman Rockwell's, drew the popular comic strips Prince Valiant and Big Ben Bolt. Their neighbors were the artists responsible for classic comics ranging from Beetle Bailey to Hi and Lois to Family Circus. Murphy's memoir pays tribute to these many creative individuals and warmly evokes the spirit of a bygone era.

The Post talks to Gene Yang about Secret Coders

Authors help build interest beyond the Hour of Code

"Secret Coders" and "Girls Who Code" are among the offerings to inspire future programmers. [in print as New books for young readers illustrate the basics of coding].

By Abby McGanney Nolan

Washington Post December 5 2017, p. C8

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/authors-help-build-interest-beyond-the-hour-of-code/2017/12/04/4c50db36-d5ec-11e7-95bf-df7c19270879_story.html

A panel from "Secret Coders: Robots & Repeats" by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes. (Macmillan)

Cullen Murphy at Politics and Prose bookstore

Murphy is talking about his father cartoonist John Cullen Murphy, including his role as a model for Norman Rockwell. 

Cullen Murphy at Politics and Prose bookstore

Murphy is talking about his father cartoonist John Cullen Murphy.