PR: Beyond Comics - More News - New Hours!

Reduced again, as well as a sale. Effective Immediately!

Important Updates The regional warehouse we use for games in Pennsylvania is closed which will limit our quick access for games. Although we do not anticipate any loss of product availability, delays in shipping may occur. New York is under a shut down policy that is not currently expected to slow down our Comic Book shipments. However, we highly recommend you consider getting by the stores sooner rather than later to stock up on your shelter in-place entertainment! Curb-Side Pickup is Available! Please call ahead - Frederick (301) 668-8202 Gaithersburg (301) 216-0007 Quarantine Sale! Pandemic * Dead of Winter * Zombicide 14% OFF! Board Games 10% OFF! Starting Saturday, March 21 Graphic Novels 25% OFF! We are reducing our hours of operation again. New Store Hours! Effective Immediately! Mondays & Tuesdays Closed/Appointment Only (We will more than likely be at the store working on paperwork, sorting or pricing so you are welcome to call ahead and see if we are available for you to order curb-side or browse.) Wednesday 10am to 8pm Thursday to Saturday 10am to 7pm Sunday 12noon to 5pm All in-store gaming cancelled until further notice. BEYOND COMICS IS OFFERING CURB-SIDE PICK-UP We are offering curb-side pick-up during this difficult period. If you call ahead, we will pull your comics and merchandise, run your payment over the phone, and have them ready to pick-up. Just park and call us when you are at the shop and we will bring them out to you. If you receive our weekly New Comics Newsletter you can prepare your list from that. Some merchandise is not available at both stores, and some prices on variant covers are on a To-Be-Determined basis. Let's all work together to stop the spread of this virus while maintaining our everyday lives as much as possible. Frederick- 301-668-8202 Gaithersburg- 301-216-0007 Store Customer Limits We will be limiting how many customers we will allow in our shops to create a reasonable space buffer for shoppers. Please realize that these limits are below all but our absolute busiest times. Customer limits: Gaithersburg - 5         Frederick – 10 If you feel we may be at capacity feel free to wait a few minutes or call us, we are more than happy to let you know if it is okay to come in. Our busiest times tend to be between 10am to noon on Wednesday and around 2pm to 5pm on Saturday s. Other than those times we rarely will exceed our customer limits. Make Good Health Choices If you are feeling under the weather or like you may have a cold or the flu it would be greatly appreciated if you delayed your visit to us or utilized our temporary curb-side service. Keeping It Clean We are cleaning nearly every surface in the store with bleach or ant-bacterial cleaners either several times a day or after each use. ‌ ‌ ‌

Beyond Comics | 18749 B North Frederick Avenue, 5632 Buckeystown Pike Frederick, MD, Gaithersburg, MD 20879

Big Planet Bethesda & College Park still open (UPDATED)

I just stopped by and picked up my comics in Bethesda, very quickly.

College Park is open as well.

The Vienna and DC stores are closed but doing mail order.

Here's the information from their website.

Important Update

Mar 17, 2020

Some Big Planet Comics locations will be closed for the foreseeable future. We are still sorting it out, but for the time being keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter accounts for more information. Sorry for the inconvenience, but your safety and ours is more important right now. Everyone take care of yourselves and be safe.

Bethesda store
Sunday 12-5
Closed Mondays
Closed Tuesdays
Wednesday 11-7
Thursday 11-5
Friday 11-5
Saturday 11-5
Curbside pickup available
Mail order available (free shipping!)
To set up mail order delivery or arrange a curbside order pickup:
Call 301-654-6856
Or email bethesda@bigplanetcomics.com

College Park store
Sunday noon-5pm
Monday noon-5pm
Tuesday noon-6pm
Wednesday 11-7pm
Thursday noon-6pm
Friday noon-6pm
Saturday noon-6pm
Curbside pickup available
Mail order available (free shipping!)
To set up mail order delivery or arrange a curbside order pickup:
Call 301-699-0498
Or email collegepark@bigplanetcomics.com

U Street store
Closed for the foreseeable future
Mail order available (free shipping!)
To set up mail order delivery:
Call 202-342-1961 on Tuesdays (11am-3pm) or Wednesdays (11am-3pm)
Or email dc@bigplanetcomics.com

Vienna store
Closed for the foreseeable future
Mail order available (free shipping!)
To set up mail order delivery:
Call 703-242-9412 on Tuesdays (11am-3pm) or Wednesdays (11am-3pm)
Or email vienna@bigplanetcomics.com

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Blue No Matter What"

From DC's anarchist cartoonist Mike Flugennock:

"Blue No Matter What"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=2951

So, it seems that the Democratic Party has insisted on holding primaries in Ohio and Illinois — even going to court — despite the fact that THERE'S A GODDAMN PANDEMIC GOING ON. Man, those bastards must really be in a hurry to shove Gropin' Joe down our throats, huh?

Perhaps the Democrats' strategy involves ramrodding Gropin' Joe through the primaries based on the idea that most of the people who'd vote for Sanders are younger, and taking advice to self-quarantine, choosing not to risk their lives to go to the polls — while the people most likely to turn out for Gropin' Joe are of a generation with one foot in the grave already. Instead of "Blue No Matter Who", maybe the new slogan of mouth-frothing Centrist partisans should be "Blue No 
Matter WHAT".

11x12 inch medium-res color .jpg image, 722kb

---------

"The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Made Voting In Illinois Today A Full Mess", BuzzFeed News 03.17.2020
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/mollyhensleyclancy/coronavirus-illinois-primary-voting-election

"Coronavirus: Ohio Democratic primary postponed to prevent spread of
Covid-19 pandemic", UK Independent 03.17.2020
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/coronavirus-ohio-democratic-primary-postponed-covid-19-election-mike-dewine-a9405691.html

"States delaying primaries past 9 June may face delegate penalty, warns DNC memo" UK Guardian 03.17.2020
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/17/dnc-memo-primary-delays-could-result-delegate-reduction

The original Steve Trevor has died

Lyle Waggoner, rugged straight man on 'The Carol Burnett Show,' dies at 84 [in print as Rugged actor gained fame as star of 'Carol Burnett Show,' 'Wonder Woman'.

By Lynn Elber  — Associated Press

Washington Post March 19, 2020. p. B6.

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/lyle-waggoner-rugged-straight-man-on-the-carol-burnett-show-dies-at-84/2020/03/17/34776328-6892-11ea-abef-020f086a3fab_story.html

Diamond Postpones Free Comic Book Day 2020

ess Contact Ashton Greenwood Diamond Comic Distributors 443-318-8209 gashton@diamondcomics.com     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Diamond Postpones Free Comic Book Day 2020   (BALTIMORE, MD) — (March 19, 2020) — As the impact and spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, Diamond Comic Distributors is aware that Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) will be impacted to varying degrees throughout the world. With that in mind, Diamond Comic Distributors has made the difficult decision to postpone the event to a date later in the Summer. "The severity and timing of the impact of the COVID-19 virus can't be predicted with any certainty, but the safety of our retailer partners and comic book fans is too important to risk. As always, we appreciate your enthusiasm for and support of the comic industry's best event and look forward to celebrating with you later in the Summer," said Diamond Founder and CEO, Steve Geppi. Free Comic Book Day 2020 offers a selection of 47 titles available absolutely free at participating local comic shops across the United States and around the world. The 47 titles represent a broad range of taste, from superheroes, to sci-fi, to action-adventure, slice-of-life, manga, and so much more! The Free Comic Book Day selection is designed to appeal to every type of reader out there. Diamond will announce additional information soon regarding FCBD non-comic merchandise. As further updates become available, we will continue to share via the Official Free Comic Book Day website, as well as the Free Comic Book Day social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.    ***   ABOUT DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS (DCD) — Diamond is at the nexus of comics and pop culture. Based in Hunt Valley, MD, DCD is the world's largest distributor of English-language comic books, graphic novels, and related pop-culture merchandise, serving thousands of retailers worldwide. For more information, visit Diamond on the web at www.diamondcomics.com.   © 2020 Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. All rights reserved. Diamond, the Diamond logo, Diamond Books logo, and PREVIEWS are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Diamond Comic Distributors in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective copyright owners.

Barney & Clyde reprints due to blown deadline

On the venerable rec.arts.comics.strips, Horace LaBadie said, 

"The March 17, 2020 strip is a rerun of the June 27, 2013 strip, for those who obsess over such things. There might possibly be a few more.

It is apparently a problem with someone missing some deadlines. (Can I vague that up a little more, or what?)"

Today's is a repeat too. I'm not sure if Horace is co-writer Gene Weingarten or artist David Clark. I probably knew once. Coronavirus' fault I'm sure.

Cavna on international coronavirus cartoons

How the world's political artists are depicting the covid-19 pandemic

Michael Cavna 

March 18, 2020

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/03/18/coronavirus-political-cartoons/

PR: Small Press Expo Addresses Impact of Coronavirus on SPX 2020

Small Press Expo Provides Coronavirus Guidance on SPX 2020

For Immediate Release Contact: Warren Bernard Email: warren@smallpressexpo.com Small Press Expo Addresses Impact of Coronavirus on SPX 2020 Bethesda, Maryland – March 17, 2020 Media Release - SPX 2020 is scheduled to be held this coming September 12 - 13, with both Exhibitor Registration and Ignatz Submissions beginning this month. We are extremely concerned about the short- and long-term impacts of the coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis on the SPX community. While developing this course of action, our goal was to prioritize the physical and financial well-being of the community. The following is how SPX will be handling the coronavirus issue going forward: SPX will review the status of our 2020 event in late May/early June Exhibitor invitations and the lottery will proceed the weekend of March 22 Table payments will be deferred until more clarity about the show emerges late May/early June Ignatz Award submissions will temporarily shift to a digital format, details will be released the weekend of March 29, after which we will then accept submissions SPX will provide online resources to help the comics community cope with financial and other impacts of the outbreak. In response, SPX will take several immediate steps out of a desire to, as best we are able, protect our exhibitors and our volunteer staff. The SPX planning committee will continue to monitor the national and international impact of the spread of the coronavirus/COVID-19 and act accordingly. General Status of SPX 2020 SPX does not expect to make a determination about proceeding with, postponing, or, in the worst case, canceling this September's SPX 2020 until late May/early June. In the interim, SPX will proceed with our regular schedule for exhibitor registration, including the annual exhibitor lottery. SPX 2020 invitation and lottery information will be released the weekend of March 22. Deferred Exhibitor Payments While exhibitor registration will take place as normal in the coming weeks, SPX will defer table and badge payment until at least the late May/early June timeframe. We understand that the many event and freelance job cancellations currently taking place have placed a substantial and unexpected burden on creators and publishers.  By shifting our payment schedule by several months, SPX hopes to help alleviate, where we can, the short-term burden of this crisis upon the indie comics community by not tying up crucial funds at this sensitive time and not requesting any payment until the status of the 2020 Expo is confirmed. Digital Submissions for the Ignatz Awards Full details on the Ignatz submission process will be made available the weekend of March 29. Prior to this information being made available, please do not send any Ignatz submissions to SPX. Given the recently reported likelihood that coronavirus/COVID-19 can remain active on cardboard and other surfaces for several days at a time and in order to protect our volunteer staff, who in a typical year process hundreds of submissions from all over the world, SPX will be moving temporarily to a digital submission process. In previous years, potential Ignatz nominees were asked to submit six physical copies of their works to be distributed to the Ignatz Jurors, with one copy being preserved in the SPX permanent collection at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. For the 2020 Ignatz awards, SPX will request digital copies of all submissions, along with an optional single physical copy earmarked for the Library of Congress.  Along with curtailing the potential spread of infection, the shift to digital submission will, we hope, also reduce the financial burden during this uncertain time on individual creators who wish to submit their works for consideration. Online Resources for the SPX Community Part of the Small Press Expo's mission is to help, as best we can, the SPX Community in uncertain times such as these. To that end, SPX has identified some online resources that contain information about various grants, relief funds and other mechanisms to hopefully aid the SPX Community in weathering the current circumstances: Creative Capital Resources COVID19 Freelance Artist Resources Artist Trust COVID Resources I Care If You Listen Financial and Other Resources The Social Distancing Festival Small Press Expo (SPX) is the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons. SPX is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit that brings together more than 650 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers, and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini comics, and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. The expo includes a series of panel discussions and interviews with this year's guests. The Ignatz Award is a festival prize held every year at SPX recognizing outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning, with the winners chosen by attendees at the show. Small Press Expo P.O. Box 5704 Bethesda, Maryland 20824 www.smallpressexpo.com Email: press@smallpressexpo.com STAY CONNECTED ‌ ‌ ‌

Small Press Expo | P.O. Box 5704, Bethesda, MD 20824

ICv2 talks to 3rd Eye Comics

BUSINESS 3X3: STEVE ANDERSON AT THIRD EYE COMICS AND GAMES STORES

One Lesson, Opening a Game Store

 by Jim McLauchlin on March 16, 2020

https://icv2.com/articles/columns/view/45431/business-3x3-steve-anderson-third-eye-comics-games-stores

April 25: Rafer Roberts at Fantom Comics

April 25 2020

Pop Culture Uncovered Live with Rafer Roberts!

· Hosted by Fantom Comics

• Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 4 PM – 5:30 PM

• Fantom Comics 2010 P St NW, 3rd Floor, Washington D.C. 20036

PCU is back with a spotlight interview with Rafer Roberts, co-creator of Grumble, Modern Fantasy, and writer of many other comics!

You can check out more great pop culture content check out PCU on their various social media platforms and on their website for articles you can enjoy!

Rescheduled from Saturday, March 28, 2020 

Washingtonian on Mo Willems' doodle project

Mo Willems Is Hosting a Livestream Doodle Every Week, Starting Today

Yes! Said every parent of littles everywhere.

WRITTEN BY NORA MCGREEVY 

MARCH 16, 2020

https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/03/16/mo-willems-is-hosting-a-livestream-doodle-starting-today/?

Chicago's Flyboy and Lil Mama in the Post

In Chicago, muralist Hebru Brantley's outdoor art moves inside [in print as Chicago muralist creates a lair for his street-art superheroes].

By Kate Silver 

Washington Post March 15, 2020 , p. F1, 5

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/in-chicago-muralist-hebru-brantleys-outdoor-art-moves-inside/2020/03/12/f307f918-5e49-11ea-b014-4fafa866bb81_story.html

Editorial Cartoon by Steve Artley

Catching up with editorial cartoonist Al Goodwyn

by Mike Rhode

You're one of the few rare conservative political cartoonists...

And getting rarer, along with political cartoonists in general.  It's tough to see great cartoonists being let go by their home newspapers.  But it's happening more and more frequently. 

We last did an interview in 2011. The field has been shrinking for everyone, but you've been keeping busy since then.

At that time I wasn't doing much in the way of political cartoons, mostly gag cartoons.  I blame it on my day job for keeping me so busy.  Commuting into and out of DC every day was also cutting into my available time.  As I got near retirement age, I decided to give the political cartooning a new push to see if it would keep me occupied in retirement.  That happened to work out better than I thought, so I hit the virtual retirement button last June. 

You started a political newsletter/blog Confederacy of Drones in 2017, retired from your full-time job in 2019, been hired as an editorial cartoonist by SC's Aiken Standard, provided an illustration for an anti-Trump book, and now you've done the illustrations for the polemical children's book "Help! Mom! The Swamp is in my School".

The blog was something I always wanted to do but just kept putting off.  As they say, starting's the hardest part.  Over a couple of beers, a friend of mine provided encouragement for a collaborative effort and Confederacy of Drones was born.  Beer is amazing. The blog let me exercise my editorial satire, political cartooning and general snarkiness.  On a whim, I approached the Washington Examiner.  They were very open to discussing my political cartoons and ended up using a few and even gave me an opportunity to do several covers for the magazine.  From there I did work for The Hill, local Virginia newspapers, the Aiken Standard, online political sites and the books.  I even managed getting cartoons recently in the Washington Post and Politico. 

So how's retirement treating you? 

My worry prior to retirement was that I wouldn't have enough activities to occupy my time.  I don't know how it's possible but I feel busier now than when I was working full time and cartooning.  

How did you get the "Help! Mom! The Swamp is in my School" book job with Katharine DeBrecht? It appears the three previous books in the series are illustrated by Jim Hummel.

Katharine had seen some of my work and reached out to gauge my interest.  Her book would involve around 20 illustrations, plus be needed in a condensed time frame.  This schedule didn't work out for Hummel so she reached out to me.  Katharine had already written the book and knew what she wanted in the illustrations, so it was clear from the start what was needed.  

Is this book a work-for-hire job, or something closer to a partnership?

Strictly work-for-hire but I still considered it a partnership.  We spoke by phone or email almost daily as I put together roughs, offered suggestions for each illustration's layout and got feedback from her.   She was phenomenal to work with and it turned into a great collaboration.   

How did you do the art? Did the author provide any guidance, or leave it up to you? Are you digital at all yet?

She provided the illustration's message, identified the setting, and who she wanted in it.  I'd generally sketch something out really rough if I wanted her to consider changes and what those might look like, otherwise, I'd provide a more final product for her review.  I drew them on Bristol board by hand, scanned them and then did all color and clean up digitally.  That's typical of how I do all cartoons. 

Does the book match with your personal politics? We don't often get into politics on this blog, but I'm curious. Do you support the current turn the Republican Party has taken?

I wouldn't do an illustration that I couldn't get behind, so yes the book was a good match.  The author of the anti-Trump book I supported a couple of years ago had asked me to do many of the cartoons but I knew those wouldn't have hit the mark he wanted.  The one cartoon I provided was on Trump's rash of firings at the time.  As far as the Republican Party, I support many of their efforts as a conservative but they've failed when it comes to fiscal responsibility.  I do like that Trump's helped them find a collective spine.  Unfortunately, his spine-development efforts also come at a price that includes dumb tweets, name-calling, and a new standard for narcissism.  

What other conservative cartoonists do you follow regularly?  

Michael Ramirez, Lisa Benson, Gary Varvel,  Rick McKee, Steve Kelley, David Hitch, plus others.
 
Are there any liberal cartoonists you keep up with? 

Quite a few actually.  Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Signe Wilkinson, Jimmy Margulies, Rob Rogers, Joe Heller, and more.  There are several sites that provide a great cross-section of cartoonists such as Arcamax.com.  You can find my cartoons there as well. 

How about other types of cartooning? We most recently saw each other at a Pixar movie talk. Anything or any one you'd like to recommend?

I really appreciate anyone who pours out their creativity via cartooning and animation.  There's something about the drive to create that keeps people engaged regardless of the obstacles they face.  My recommendation is to support all of those creative types, buy their books, see their movies and recognize the creative passion that goes into their work.

Here's a recent Virginia Press Association interview with Al.