PR: SPX 2018 Exhibitor lottery opens today

Hello Everyone!  It's that time of year again! Planning for SPX 2018 is already underway and we're excited for all of you to see what we have in store. We want to make sure you have all the right information you need. If you are interested in exhibiting at SPX this year, here's what you need to know for 2018.   An SPX Exhibitor Registration Primer   As you may know by now, SPX has a two phase registration system that combines invited exhibitors with a lottery that in past years has led to a roughly 50/50 split. The two phases are staggered, which allows us to maximize the number of tables available for the lottery. We feel that having a first time creator with a printed zine tabling next to an established creator with a decades long career is part of what makes SPX so special, and the lottery is a key part of making that possible. If you don't have any questions and just want to get to the good stuff, you can find the 2018 Lottery here! Key Dates For Invitations: February 5th - Invited exhibitors will begin receiving notices. March 1st - Last day for invited exhibitors to confirm their table space. For the Lottery: February 12th - The SPX table lottery opens. February 26th - The SPX table lottery closes. SPX Table Lottery winners will be notified shortly after the close of the lottery. Depending on the number of submissions it may take us a few weeks to review the entrants for duplicates or other issues before actually pulling the winning names. We expect this to take roughly about two weeks, so you should hear from us by mid March. More Questions, You Have Them   We know many of you will likely have further questions, so here's a few quick notes on the way ahead and our process for 2018 exhibitor registration: Invitees How will I know if I have been invited?   Invited exhibitors began receiving notices from SPX on February 5. Invitees will have until March 1st to confirm their table space, with a few reminders sent in between. Any invitee tables not claimed by March 1st will roll over to the lottery pool.   How does SPX decide who gets a reserved table?   The SPX executive committee will collectively review the invitation list each year to make this determination.    If I was invited last year does that mean I am guaranteed an invitation this year?   No, not necessarily. It is possible you will receive an invitation again, but we have limited space and want to make sure we're always keeping the list dynamic. Doing so will allow us to ensure that we can invite people that we think will be a great fit for the show.   If I wasn't invited this year does that mean I'll never be invited again?   Not at all. The invitation list will change annually. There will not be a formal rotation or cooling off process but our goal is ensure that the process is equitable. Not being invited one year does not mean you won't be invited the next.    If I am not on this year's invitee list, can I enter the table lottery?   Absolutely.    Lottery Entrants   When will the lottery take place?   The 2018 table lottery registration period will open up starting today, February 12. You'll have two weeks, until February 26, to enter your information. SPX will post lottery information widely on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr as well as our website. You won't be able to miss it.   How do I apply for the lottery?   When lottery registration opens we'll post an online form that collects some basic information. This year we are doing away with the randomized number generation to cut down on confusion; you will receive one confirmation email, and then an email at the end of the lottery. This registration website link will be shared widely on social media later this week. Please note that we will not be picking the randomized lottery winners until after all applciations have been received; this means there is no benefit to applying early or late (except maybe peace of mind). You can only apply for the lottery once, and multiple entries will result in being removed from the lottery pool (unless you email us and tell us you accidentally clicked twice or something, we do have a heart!). You will not be responsible for any payments until after the lottery is complete.   How will I find out if I won a lottery table (or half table)?   We will notify the winners via email in early March. Winners will then have until March 31 to confirm and pay for their table. Any unused tables will be carried over to the wait list. If you are selected, half tables will cost $185 while full tables will cost $375.   Do I really have a shot at a table from the lottery?   Heck yes. We earmark a minimum of 110 tables (out of our total of 270) for the lottery. When you look at this in terms of exhibitors behind those tables over the last three years we've been filling about half of SPX via the lottery.   Will there be a wait list?   Absolutely. We store the next 75 names after filling our lottery tables and folks get pulled in every year from this wait list. Other Questions    I HATE this system. SPX, why are you so dumb? In order for us to pull this show off each year, we need to balance limited table space against a bunch of ravenous groups that eagerly take all the tables! Big publishers, small publishers, self-publishers, local favorites, international guests, old faces, new hotness — all worthy and all welcome! Our registration process helps us manage overwhelming interest in the show in a manner consistent with our core values. Most comic arts festivals are by invitation only. We knew that wasn't for us.  But a pure lottery wouldn't work either. Community is what makes SPX. We had to find a balance that honored both — and helps us manage massive demand to exhibit at the show.   Why not just more add more space?  There is quite simply no larger facility anywhere in the Washington, DC area with the crucial combination of hotel and convention space — but the more important issue is that the indie comics industry is growing even faster than SPX, drawing more and more passionate, talented creators to the medium. It would be impossible for us to expand enough to meet demand without raising prices significantly for both exhibitors and attendees alike. Even if we could locate a venue with a similar set-up and more space — and one that wouldn't totally blow our budget — consider that over two days SPX runs only about 14 hours. With 650 to 700 creators exhibiting, assuming an attendee stays on the show floor every single minute and wasted only seconds moving from table to table, that leaves a barely one minute per creator. We want folks who exhibit at SPX to have the best chance possible to make money at our show. For the time being — and we're at the Marriott through 2020 — it simply does not make sense to seek a larger exhibition hall space.  Still have questions?  Hit us up on Tumblr, Twitter or Facebook for a quick reply. We're also happy to chat if you email us at exhibitor-inquiries@smallpressexpo.com We appreciate your care and investment in SPX and we'll never take it for granted. Thanks so much, Jamie, Mike, Sam, Warren and the rest of the SPX Executive Committee Copyright © 2018 Small Press Expo, All rights reserved.  You are getting this email because we know you might want a table to SPX 2018!!  Our mailing address is:  Small Press Expo P.O. Box 5704 Bethesda, Maryland 20824

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That darn Beetle Bailey

Violence isn't funny, even in comics [Letters to the Editor, in print as Made irrelevant by time].

Bob Boxwell, Lusby

Washington Post February 10 2018

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/violence-isnt-funny-even-in-comics/2018/02/09/8e022fbe-0bb4-11e8-998c-96deb18cca19_story.html

Troy-Jeffrey Allen interviews for Black History Month

BHM Spotlight: An Interview With Creator Bryan Edward Hill

by Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Feb 05, 2018

https://previewsworld.com/Article/207096-BHM-Spotlight-An-Interview-With-Creator-Bryan-Edward-Hill

BHM Spotlight: An Interview With Writer Sheldon Allen

by Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Feb 09, 2018

https://previewsworld.com/Article/207246-BHM-Spotlight-An-Interview-With-Writer-Sheldon-Allen

BHM Spotlight: An Interview With YouNeek's Roye Okupe

by Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Feb 07, 2018

https://previewsworld.com/Article/207197-BHM-Spotlight-An-Interview-With-YouNeeks-Roye-Okupe

Adrian Tomine and NPR's Linda Holmes at Politics and Prose bookstore at the Wharf

Live right now.

Comic Riffs talks to Tomine

How parenthood opened a profound creative door for cartoonist Adrian Tomine

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 10 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/02/10/how-parenthood-opened-a-profound-creative-door-for-cartoonist-adrian-tomine/

Tomine will appear today, Feb 2, at 6 pm; Washington's Politics & Prose at the Wharf, 70 District Square SW; moderator: Linda Holmes of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour.

Review: Adrian Tomine's Killing and Dying

by Mike Rhode

If I had to come up with a quick descriptive word for Adrien Tomine's work (and I just did), I think I'd pick "astringent." Tomine's a master of a cool thin line with a flat color palette, and his stories are often about people you'd prefer to avoid IRL. Tomine will be in town at Politics and Prose talking with Linda Holmes about Killing and Dying, his 2015 collection of his Optic Nerve comic book now available in paperback.

I'm reviewing the book now, even thought I bought it at 2015 at the Small Press Expo, because Drawn & Quarterly sent me a comp copy, and I don't want them to think it was unappreciated. Also, because in spite of my description above, I like his work. There are six stories in the book, all obviously by Tomine, but all different from each other as well.

Tomine is one of the group of formerly alternative 1980's cartoonists such as Daniel Clowes and Chris Ware who've hit the big time, and whose work is now instantly recognizable, as they're doing regular covers for the New Yorker and publishing graphic novel collections on a regular basis. This is a far cry from when they all were part of the small press scene being published in 'floppies' by Fantagaphics Books. Amazingly, those who've stayed in the field have largely remained true to the aesthetic they developed in their early works.

Tomine's first story, "...Horticusculpture" is purposely constrained to appear to be a weekly comic strip telling the story of a man growing old while attempting to convince the world that his new plant/sculpture hybrid is art. Six "strips" in black & white mimic a daily, while the full page Sunday is in color. Someone more academically-minded could theorize about the appeal of old-fashioned comic strips for alternative comic book cartoonists; among others, Daniel Clowes did a whole book using this motif, as did Bob Sikoryak who cast his net of influences a bit wider in his book on Apple. In the end, Tomine's story is about a man who's largely a failure personally and professionally, but is redeemed in the very last panel by his family's love.

"Amber Sweet" is a story of a modern-day mistaken identity in that a college student is a doppleganger for a porn actress. This coincidence ruins her life until the two of them finally meet. "Go Owls" is a cautionary tale which of a woman letting a man assume control over her life under the guise of protecting her. "Translated, from the Japanese" could easily have appeared in the New Yorker. No people are shown in the story, just scenes from traveling on plane, but again it's another story about human loneliness and failure in relationships.

Local cartoonist Dana Maier told me yesterday that "Killing and Dying" is her favorite story in the book, but I had to dash off before we discussed it. We may have that conversation here, if I can convince her to. A part of another dysfunctional family, a teenage girl wants to try standup comedy, and her mother agrees while her father thinks it's a mistake. Tomine has put several twists in the story, so that's all I'll reveal. Finally, "Intruders" is from the point of view of a failed veteran who breaks into the apartment he used to live in during the day, attempting to recapture his happier past, while providing no trace of himself in the present.

Tomine's cool, cerebral stories won't be to everyone's taste, but they're definitely worth sampling and this is a good collection to start with. He's grown to be an assured artist and writer, and will continue to be part of the graphic novel 'canon' for years to come.

---

Adrian Tomine - Killing and Dying — in conversation with Linda Holmes — at Politics and Prose at The Wharf

Saturday, February 10, 2018 - 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Now available in paperback, this collection of six graphic stories shows the impressive range of Tomine’s narratives and his expressive use of line, color, and half-tones. Especially adept at capturing the nuances of character and emotion, Tomine, author/artist of Shortcomings and Scenes from an Impending Marriage, is one of the most literary of graphic storytellers. Many of the pieces here chart the turbulent arcs of relationships in which the partners are angry, disoriented, or both. In one variation on these themes, the title story focuses on a fourteen-year-old aspiring stand-up comic. As her mother praises her and her father criticizes her, the three work to deny the greater tragedy that is about to befall the family. Tomine will be in conversation with Linda Holmes, writer and editor for  NPR’s entertainment and pop-culture blog, Monkey See.

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.

Politics and Prose at The Wharf   70 District Square SW   Washington   DC    20024

Comics Riffs on Annie animation awards and the new Trump cartoon

Annie Awards go to 'Coco' and Kobe Bryant's 'Dear Basketball,' making them Oscar favorites

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 5 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/02/05/annie-awards-go-to-coco-and-kobe-bryants-dear-basketball-making-them-oscar-favorites/

On Stephen Colbert's new Trump cartoon series, the president has shades of Homer Simpson

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 9 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2018/02/09/stephen-colberts-our-cartoon-president-offers-warm-trump-satire-to-really-tell-a-story/

Townson professor interviews Dan Raeburn

"Therapy Is an Imitation of Writing": An Interview with Daniel Raeburn

Jeannie Vanasco interviews Daniel Raeburn

FEBRUARY 8, 2018

https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/therapy-is-an-imitation-of-writing-an-interview-with-daniel-raeburn/#!

Tim Kreider at Politics and Prose

The former Baltimore City Paper cartoonist is reading from his new non-cartoon book at Politics and Prose.

Feb. 13: Opening reception for "Black Power: Comic Art by Sean Damian Hill"

The opening reception for "Black Power: The Art of Sean Damian Hill" is February 13, 6:30-8 pm, University of the District of Columbia: Gallery 42. Building 42, Room A-12. The show is in celebration of Black History Month and features images of African-Americans in Comics. 

Julian Lytle interviews Whit Taylor

Ignorant Bliss 66: Talking shop with Whit Taylor

February 2, 2018 by Julian Lytle

http://ignorant-bliss.com/2018/02/02/ig66/

http://thejulianlytle.com/podcast/IGxWhit.mp3

PR: JK Snyder III's Fashion In Action - preorder through Diamond

The softcover edition of Fashion In Action is available for pre-order through local comic shop!

Diamond Page You are receiving this email because you opted in at my website bedsidepress.com / hopenicholson.com Our mailing address is: Bedside Press 248 Princess Street Winnipeg, MB R3B 1M2 Canada

Laurie Halse Anderson and Emily Carroll

Are at Politics and Prose original bookstore right now for the launch of the Speak graphic novel and fundraising for RAINN.

Clay Jones animates his cartoons on a new YouTube channel

You can read his blog post at

Introducing Clay TV - https://claytoonz.com/2018/02/05/introducing-clay-tv/

The site is at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtT8v7WwqDqOpWInTVpPHig

Magic Bullet 16 hits the streets on Friday

From editor Andrew Cohen -

We're excited to present the first look at the cover for MAGIC BULLET 16, with artwork from Hannah Dean! Look for this issue to be hitting the streets starting Friday, February 9, and continuing through the rest of the month. This issue features over thirty artists, and we're proud to present them as they appear in the table of contents: 

Art Hondos

Bizhan Khodabandeh

Carlos Torres

Troy-Jeffrey Allen and Matt Rawson

Bozo

G.R. Lear

Maria Sweeney

Mike Brace

Bruce Fasick

John Kinhart

Lillie J. Harris

Evan Keeling and Matt Rhodes

Hobbes Holluck and Mike Cowgill

Matt Dembicki 

Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo

Jonathan Burrello

Jason Axtell

Paul Zdespski

Mark Lindblom

Chad Lambert and Jeff McComsey

Chris Mararac

Jake Warrenfeltz

Rafer Roberts

Eric Gordon and Jeremy Rosenstein

David Ross and Seyoung Park

Digo Salazar

Hannah Dean 

Teresa Logan

Jeff McClelland and Ian Chase Nichols

Rob Ciesielski

Jon Poliszuk 

Stephanie Butto and Evan Keeling

Chris Artiga-Oliver

Richard Jones

Andrew Cohen

Carl Yonder

Gareth Bentall

John Watkins-Chow

Feiffer papers at Library of Congress used for article

The Playboy Funnies: Hefner Editing Feiffer

By Paul Morton

FEBRUARY 1, 2018

https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/the-playboy-funnies-hefner-editing-feiffer/#

Jim Keefe on Annapolis' Bud Grace retiring

Bud Grace Retiring – Piranha Club Comes to an End

February 5, 2018 by Jim Keefe
http://www.jimkeefe.com/archives/9748

Feb 6: Emily Carroll at Politics and Prose

Tuesday, February 6 at 7 p.m.

The novel, Speak, a National Book Award finalist, is now available in graphic form, illustrated by Emily Carroll. It is the story of a girl, Melinda, who becomes an outcast at Merryweather High after a traumatic summer experience. Though friendless and withdrawn into isolation, Melinda finds solace in art class. Through art, she is able to come to terms with what happened to her – and is able to find her voice. Compelling illustrations breathe new life into this resonant classic and its powerful message. This is part of the Can We Talk About This event series. (Ages 15+)

This event is in partnership with RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. Information about RAINN will be available and customers may choose to donate a portion of their purchases to RAINN the evening of the event.

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

In the Children & Teens Department at
Politics and Prose Bookstore
5015 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington DC 20008

 

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "The Distrust, It BUUURRRNNNSS"

From Mike Flugennock, DC's anarchist cartoonist:

"The Distrust, It BUUURRRNNNSS"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=2381

For something that's supposed to be a such a big ol' hot, sloppy bucket of nothing, the infamous Nunes Memo sure has the Democrats screeching about how it's sowing "distrust" of institutions like the FBI. Yep, Liberals love them some FBI now, just like ol' Phil Ochs said -- 10 degrees to the left of center when things are good, 10 degrees to the right when it affects them personally.

Now, as someone who's been involved in Left activism and activist media for nearly 40 years and knows the FBI's history of disrupting and suppressing popular movements, I can tell you for free that I don't need some babbling memo from a GOP Congresscritter to make me fervently distrust the goddamn FBI. Really, folks, let's get serious, here. They have a history.

Between this drooling love for the State and feverishly trying to rehabilitate George W. Bush, I'd say the Democrats are pretty well cracked.

Trump's ABC on Book TV

https://www.c-span.org/video/?440199-2/trumps-abc

JANUARY 24, 2018

Trump's ABC

 

Washington Post editorial cartoonist, Ann Telnaes, talked about and showed drawings from her book, Trump's ABC

Megan Halsband talks about the Library of Congress' comic book collection

Episode 3: The Bureaucracy Episode!

Jer Thorp

Artist in the Archive podcast January 30, 2018
https://artistinthearchive.podbean.com/e/episode-3-the-bureaucracy-episode/
https://artistinthearchive.podbean.com/mf/download/bjcjts/loc-pod-ep3c.mp3

In this episode Jer dives into what makes the Library of Congress tick. He'll take you along on a tour of the acquisitions process, and he'll speak to 45 year LOC veteran Beacher Wiggins about how the library and it's operations have changed over a half century. Jer also talks to the Library's comic book curator to get some insight into how that collection is growing and evolving, and to the Veteran's History Project about their efforts to document the experiences of veterans past and present.

The Post on Blade vs Black Panther

As we prepare to celebrate 'Black Panther,' let's not forget 'Blade'

By Sonny Bunch Washington Post Act Four blog January 31 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2018/01/31/as-we-prepare-to-celebrate-black-panther-lets-not-forget-blade/