Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 2/13/2024


Madame Web review: Dakota Johnson can't spin much out of this Spidey-adjacent project
With flashbacks to Peru and flashfowards to crime fighting, Sony's latest foray into the Spiderverse is a mess
Manuel Betancourt
AV Club February 13 2024
https://www.avclub.com/madame-web-review-dakota-johnson-in-a-spidey-project-1851250769

'Madame Web' Review: Dakota Johnson Leads a Depressingly Inert Spider-Man Spinoff
The actress stars alongside Sydney Sweeney, Adam Scott, Isabela Merced and Celeste O'Connor in this Marvel offering about a clairvoyant paramedic.
Lovia Gyarkye
February 13, 2024
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/madame-web-review-dakota-johnson-1235823007/

*My Favorite Thing Is Monsters, Book Two
Emil Ferris. Fantagraphics, $39.99 (412p) ISBN 978-1-68396-927-3
https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-68396-927-3


ICV2 INTERVIEW: VIZ MEDIA'S KEVIN HAMRIC ON MANGA SALES TRENDS, DIFFERENCES BY CHANNEL, ANIME, AND DIGITAL
And a Look Ahead to Fall 2024
  Milton Griepp on February 13, 2024
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56223/icv2-interview-viz-medias-kevin-hamric-manga-sales-trends-differences-channel-anime-digital

DC/MARVEL CROSSOVERS COLLECTED IN TWO OMNIBI
For Release this Summer
Milton Griepp on February 13, 2024
https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/56227/dc-marvel-crossovers-collected-two-omnibi

 

 

Declan Shalvey talks Thundercats, X-Men challenges and Daredevil!

ComicPop Returns

Feb 9, 2024 Elseworlds Exchange - A weekly comics podcast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMiVkRv3ekg

 

Interview w/ Declan Shalvey | COMIC BOOK UNIVERSITY

Professor Bill

Comic Book University

 Feb 7, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyBZLh8jaMo

 

EPISODE 217 - DECLAN SHALVEY

Tradecraft Podcast Feb 6, 2024

J Alex Morrissey

https://jalexmorrissey.substack.com/p/episode-217-declan-shalvey

 

Declan Shalvey Talks Thundercats, Ninja Turtles Outsells Manga, Valentino Claps Back at Larsen!

Pros And Cons'  The Weekly Spinner Rack

Feb 5, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX98asL_f2A

 

New Peacock comedy 'In the Know' parodies NPR

A Martinez

Morning Edition Jan 25 2024

https://wamu.org/story/24/01/25/new-peacock-comedy-in-the-know-parodies-npr/

 

Zach Woods on making NPR into an animated comedy

Michelle Harven

NPR's 1A Feb 8, 2024

https://the1a.org/segments/zach-woods-on-making-npr-into-an-animated-comedy-for-in-the-know/

 

PBS KIDS Launches Civics Content Initiative

By Mercedes Milligan

February 12, 2024

https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/02/pbs-kids-launches-civics-content-initiative/

 

Bagpuss Celebrates 50 Years of Magical Memories with New Collectibles & Events

By Mercedes Milligan

February 12, 2024

https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/02/bagpuss-celebrates-50-years-of-magical-memories-with-new-collectibles-events/

 

China's Hit Animation Franchise 'Boonie Bears' Delivers $61 Million Opening

By Jamie Lang | 02/12/2024

https://www.cartoonbrew.com/box-office-report/chinas-hit-animation-franchise-boonie-bears-delivers-61-million-opening-237942.html

 

Valiant Comics are back with Valiantine's Day – and more

Now it can be told, "The Many Loves of Ninjak" and more from the return of Valiant Comics

Heidi MacDonald 02/13/2024 

https://www.comicsbeat.com/valiant-comics-returns-very-valiantines-special/

 

Interview: Ngozi Ukazu & Mad Rupert on BUNT!'s grand slam

Avery Kaplan

02/13/2024

https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-ngozi-ukazu-mad-rupert-on-bunts-grand-slam/

 

Ram V and Dan Watters prowl the mean streets of Neo Novena in THE ONE HAND and THE SIX FINGERS!

Andrew Sumner

Forbidden Planet TV

 Feb 9, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mf6mbqPm3k

 

TAPE DEC 05 | Rory McConville

Declan Shalvey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du1_dFC2qL4

Feb 5, 2024 TAPE DEC

 

Comic Culture with Robb Epps [coloring]

terence dollard

 Feb 7, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQa1Ok2SLSg

 

Dave Baker Shares 'Mary Tyler MooreHawk': A Comic Book Breakthrough

Barney Smith

StoryComic

 Feb 13, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrwxEEZwg44

 

"Shakespeare Monkeys" by Jack Reilly Caption Contest Commentary

Bob Mankoff, Joel Mishon, Lawrence Wood and Trevor Hoey are joined by the artist Jack Reilly

CartoonStock, a Cartoon Collections Co.

 Feb 9, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q82U1Aw_XPw

 

"Shakespeare Monkeys" Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood

February 12, 2024 by Lawrence Wood

https://www.cartoonstock.com/blog/shakespeare-monkeys-caption-contest-commentary-with-lawrence-wood/ 

 

Anatomy of a Cartoon: The Desert Island Cliché

February 13, 2024 by Phil Witte and Rex Hesner

https://www.cartoonstock.com/blog/anatomy-of-a-cartoon-the-desert-island-cliche/

 

Spotlight: Cartoons From 25 Years Ago

February 13, 2024 by Trevor Hoey

https://www.cartoonstock.com/blog/spotlight-cartoons-from-25-years-ago-2/

 

Amy Chu Returns

Word balloon  Feb 9, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S9BU2JGiNM

 

Words, Images, & Worlds with Mike Kaye

Jason DeHart

 Feb 10, 2024

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

 

Words, Images, & Worlds with Leroy Brown

Jason DeHart

Feb 13, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epn9lihh4T0

 

Words, Images, & Worlds with Paul Pelletier

Jason DeHart

 Feb 12, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63BtPMYsdSk

 

Words, Images, & Worlds with Henry Barajas

Jason DeHart

Feb 12, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjxu9iaUt1A

 

Words, Images, & Worlds with Jorge Coelho

Jason DeHart

Feb 11, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKdvxuSX2Sw

 

Words, Images, & Worlds with John Burgin

Jason DeHart

 Feb 10, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJc9GLN8hGQ

 

DC Round-Up: RED HOOD: THE HILL #1 expands on Gotham's most diverse neighborhood

The new RED HOOD: THE HILL miniseries gets off to a strong start.

Joe Grunenwald

02/13/2024

https://www.comicsbeat.com/dc-round-up-red-hood-the-hill-1-review/

 

Creator of the Month: Felipe Cunha

AWA February 2 2024

https://awastudios.com/creator-of-the-month-felipe-cunha/

 

Creator of the Month: Mike Choi

AWA January 13 2024

https://awastudios.com/creator-of-the-month-felipe-cunha/

 

Comics trove found in closet fetches $3.5 million

Feb. 22, 2012, 4:31 PM EST / Source: The Associated Press

By JAMIE STENGLE

https://www.today.com/popculture/comics-trove-found-closet-fetches-3-5-million-266216

 

Inside the World's Largest Comics and Cartoons Collection

The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum at Ohio State University is an ultra-accessible shrine to the genre.

 Nora Hickey February 12, 2024

https://hyperallergic.com/871001/inside-billy-ireland-cartoon-library-museum-ohio-state-university/

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

RFK Jr. Trump's Useful Idiot by Daniel Boris



*This cartoon appeared originally on Politics Code Blue and was created in collaboration with PCB. 

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "My Heart Will Go On"

From DC's anarchist cartoonist...

"My Heart Will Go On"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=3807
http://flugennock.blogspot.com/2024/02/my-heart-will-go-on.html

I hate to break it to the kiddies at the Dyin' In Darkness Daily, but 
misidentifying the President of Egypt as the President of Mexico is 
NOT a "false caricature that could jell" — and neither is being 
nicknamed "Genocide Joe" and helping to instigate racist violence in 
his own country, for that matter.

All together, boys'n'girls...
"🎵 Nearer my God to thee... 🎵"

----

"Dearborn residents denounce Wall Street Journal slander of city as 
'jihad capital'", Kathleen Martin at the World Socialist Site, 
02.09.2024 https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2024/02/09/hhmv-f09.html

"Abandon Biden" protesters part of national Palestinian solidarity 
mobilization, Washington DC 01.13.2024, foto by Mike Flugennock
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=361936359788603&set=pb.100079167253678.-2207520000&type=3


_____________________________
Mike Flugennock, Political Cartoons: http://www.sinkers.org/stage
Mike's press kit: http://sinkers.org/stage/?page_id=2

Shawn Martinbrough's Red Hood: The Hill favorably reviewed

DC Round-Up: RED HOOD: THE HILL #1 expands on Gotham's most diverse neighborhood

The new RED HOOD: THE HILL miniseries gets off to a strong start.

Zach Woods on making NPR into an animated comedy

New Peacock comedy 'In the Know' parodies NPR

A Martinez
Morning Edition 

NPR's A Martinez talks to actor Zach Woods, who has skewered cubicle life in The Office and tech start-ups in Silicon Valley. Now his target is public radio.


Zach Woods on making NPR into an animated comedy

Pictured: (l-r) Zach Woods as Voice of Lauren Caspian, Jonathan Van Ness (Credit: Peacock)

A new show is poking fun at, well, us. 

The first season of "In the Know" is out now on Peacock. It's set in a public radio station, with nervous producers on the mic for pledge drives, and NPR's third most popular host, Lauren Caspian, torturing guests and co-workers alike with his self-important grandstanding.  

The host is played by Zach Woods, who is best known for his roles in "Silicon Valley" and "The Office." He's now making his directorial debut with "In the Know." It's a stop animation show that includes live-action, unscripted interviews with celebrities like Roxanne Gay, Jonathan Van Ness, and Mike Tyson.  

We sit down with creator and star Zach Woods to talk all about it.

Guests

Zach Woods

Creator, Executive Producer, Actor of "In the Know"

Counterpoint to begin running Herblock cartoons

Not new ones, I'm afraid, but that's good because it would mean that AI was drawing them.  Here's the pitch:

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Counterpoint is pleased to add a new weekly offering starting on Friday, Feb. 23: Today in Herblock History. With the kind assistance of The Herb Block Foundation*, CP will bring you a Herblock blast from the past each and every Friday.



You will have to be a paying subscriber to see this special feature, so we hope you'll take advantage of our limited-time offer: 40% off for one year!**

*Counterpoint is grateful to The Herb Block Foundation for allowing us to bring you this tremendous body of editorial cartoon work. The foundation is committed to defending the basic freedoms guaranteed all Americans, combating discrimination and prejudice, and providing educational opportunity through post-secondary education scholarships, as well as to promoting editorial cartooning through continued research.

**Hurry! This offer expires on March 9, 2024.

Tonight Feb 13: Shawn Martinbrough at Fantom Comics




CREATOR SIGNING W/ SHAWN MARTINBROUGH
>> TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13th @ 6pm

Fantom Comics will be hosting a signing for local creator SHAWN MARTINBROUGH to celebrate the release of the first issue of RED HOOD THE HILL!
Get copies of RED HOOD THE HILL #0 next week!

Welcome to the Hill--formerly one of Gotham's most dangerous suburbs--a place that required its residents to band together to keep themselves safe when the police, and sometimes even Batman, wouldn't. Now, as the Hill finds itself gentrifying, old habits die hard as the vigilante known only as Strike works with her team to keep the town safe--but she's not alone. Jason Todd, one of the Hill's newest residents, is more than happy to don the visage of Red Hood to help Strike keep his new home safe. But a new villain is emerging from the shadows. Will Red Hood, Strike and the Hill's small militia of vigilantes be able to keep their home safe? Check out Red Hood's return to find out!

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 2/12/2024

Emily Nagoski, PhD, and Erika Moen Live at Powell's Books

February 10 2024

https://www.patreon.com/posts/podcast-emily-at-98202444

 

PODCAST - Ep. 111: Heavenly Delusion vol 1 by Masakazu Ishiguro

You've watched the anime, now enjoy the manga!

David Brothers et al.

MSX: Mangasplaining Extra

Feb 12, 2024

https://mangasplaining.substack.com/p/podcast-ep-111-heavenly-delusion

 

IDEAS DON'T BLEED episode seventy-four | Alex Segura, part two

Feb 12, 2024

https://ashcanpress.substack.com/p/now-come-on-5db

 

Annie-Nominated DreamWorks Animator Prashanth Cavale Shares His Globetrotting Creative Journey

By Ramin Zahed

February 9, 2024

https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/02/annie-nominated-dreamworks-animator-prashanth-cavale-shares-his-globetrotting-creative-journey/

 

Former Batman Writer Chuck Dixon Creates Horseman With Joe Bennett

At Florida comic convention Megacon earlier this month, Eric D July announced Horseman, a new comic book from Chuck Dixon and Joe Bennett.

 11 Feb 2024 

by Rich Johnston

 https://bleedingcool.com/comics/former-batman-writer-chuck-dixon-creates-horseman-with-joe-bennett/

 

Get Graphic: The Power of Words With Letterer Deron Bennett

Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Feb 05, 2024

https://previewsworld.com/Article/272364-Get-Graphic-The-Power-of-Words-With-Letterer-Deron-Bennett

 

"I Will Always Choose Reality": Dave McKean, Retrospective

Jake Zawlacki | February 12, 2024

https://www.tcj.com/i-will-always-choose-reality-dave-mckean-retrospective/

Monday, February 12, 2024

Troy-Jeffrey Allen interviews letterer Deron Bennett

Get Graphic: The Power of Words With Letterer Deron Bennett

Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen

Comics Research Bibliography citations update, 2/10-11/2024

These books were challenged at Ottawa's libraries last year; Ottawa Public Library kept all challenged materials in its collection following complaints [censorship; Tintin].

Arthur White-Crummey · CBC News Feb 10, 2024

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/ottawa-public-library-book-challenges-tintin-stegosaure-1.7109676

 

Sierra Barnes was at Arlington County Central Library today

ComicsDC blog February 10, 2024

https://comicsdc.blogspot.com/2024/02/sierra-barnes-was-at-arlington-county.html

 

Brian Bolland Seeking His Original Art To Killing Joke And More

Graphitti and DC Comics are to publish an Artists Edition-style volume based on Batman: The Killing Joke by Brian Bolland and Alan Moore. 

by Rich Johnston 09 Feb 2024 

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/brian-bolland-seeking-his-original-art-to-killing-joke-and-more/

 

Comic Creators React To… The Vladimir Putin/Tucker Carlson Interview

Tucker Carlson travelled to Russia to interview Vladimir Putin. An opportunity denied many other journalists, foreign and especially Russian.

 by Rich Johnston  09 Feb 2024

https://bleedingcool.com/comics/comic-creators-react-to-the-vladimir-putin-tucker-carlson-interview/

 

Ai Weiwei's 'Zodiac' Is a Mystical Memory Tour

Like a cosmological comic, the artist's new 'graphic memoir' entwines recalled experience with legend and imagination.

By Jonathan Landreth

A version of this article appears in print on Feb. 10, 2024, Section C, Page 1 of the New York edition with the headline: Stories Shaped By Time And Loss

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/07/arts/ai-weiwei-zodiac-memoir.html

 

Diary of an Abomination

In an illustrated depiction of a young girl's self-discovery, monstrosity is only skin-deep.

By Emil Ferris

February 10, 2024

https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/diary-of-an-abomination

 

A Rhode Island-based comic strip got canned from the Providence Journal. Then the letters came.

Fans of Will Henry's "Wallace the Brave" stood up to corporate consolidation — and won.

By Peter Chianca         

February 9, 2024

https://www.boston.com/culture/arts/2024/02/09/a-rhode-island-based-comic-strip-got-canned-from-the-providence-journal-then-the-letters-came/

 

Strip Search Episode 46, The Return of Will Henry

Peter Chianca

Feb 8, 2024

https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/forcedn/stripsearch/SS_willhenry_0224_AUDIO.mp3

 

'Depicting Mexico And Modernism: Gordo By Gus Arriola' On Display At Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum

 

February 7, 2024

Raghav Raj

https://www.thelantern.com/2024/02/depicting-mexico-and-modernism-gordo-by-gus-arriola-on-display-at-billy-ireland-cartoon-library-museum/

 

Meet the unofficial cartoonists of the Edmonton Oilers [sports, hockey]

Preston Hodgkinson

Jan 30 2024

https://dailyhive.com/edmonton/unofficial-cartoonists-oilers

 

Explore 2024 with your local newspaper [Sunday comics]

Levi Hill

Hobbs News-Sun January 23, 2024

https://www.hobbsnews.com/2024/01/23/column-explore-2024-with-your-local-newspaper/

 

The prickly pair's barbs are too pointed? [comic strips letter]

Melissa Yorks

Washington Post February 10 2024: A11.

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/02/09/tim-scott-bigotry-biden-uaw-alphaville/

 

Lost the battle, lost the war [aka Just call them comics]

by Glen Weldon

NPR Books Newsletter February 10, 2024

https://view.nl.npr.org/?qs=ae08a3308a7119de5d109f10fc875cd9b18b347cda4cb19f48b4bf160c0b35416adbd3dd15cdca24654a0fabb48445f817257fc9128a2790ca9f00c74e56fb17550ff749b4d51047efdf3a2f18d010f27323a87e227fd5eb

 

Nadel, Dan. 2023.

All hail the King of Fantasy Art [Frank Frazetta].

Taschen Magazine (2023/24): 98-107

 

Funimation App Shuts Down on April 2 as Its Accounts Merge With Crunchyroll

Crunchyroll will not support Funimation digital copies

posted on 2024-02-07   by Rafael Antonio Pineda

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-02-07/funimation-app-shuts-down-on-april-2-as-its-accounts-merge-with-crunchyroll/.207344

 

Sham Schulz Original Peanuts Art Auction

D. D. Degg      

https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2024/02/11/sham-schulz-original-peanuts-art-auction/

 

Alfredo Castelli – RIP

D. D. Degg      

https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2024/02/10/alfredo-castelli-rip/

 

 

Alfredo Castelli

https://www.cartoonclubrimini.com/en/ospite/alfredo-castelli-2/

 

In Memoriam: Italian comic creator Alfredo Castelli, creator of Martin Mystére

By John Freeman on February 7, 2024

https://downthetubes.net/in-memoriam-italian-comic-creator-alfredo-castelli-creator-of-martin-mystere/

 

In Memoriam: Comic artist and Crypto comic pioneer, José Delbo

By John Freeman on February 8, 2024

https://downthetubes.net/in-memoriam-comic-artist-and-crypto-comic-pioneer-jose-delbo/

 

'The Magic of Raina Is Real'

How the cartoonist Raina Telgemeier, the author of Smile, Sisters, and Guts, turned the anxious kid into a hero for the 21st century

By Jordan Kisner

February 6, 2024

Atlantic March 2024)

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/03/raina-telgemeier-cartoonist-smile-guts-books/677180/

 

For Better or For Worse comic artist Lynn Johnston ventures into kids books

Famed North Vancouver cartoonist Lynn Johnston's new series of kids books follow the adventures of 9-year-old Timothy Bot

Mina Kerr-Lazenby, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

North Shore News Feb 6, 2024

https://www.nsnews.com/local-news/lynn-johnston-alottabotz-8213914

 

The Final Days of 'Coyote vs. Acme': Offers, Rejections and a Roadrunner Race Against Time | Exclusive

Warner was seeking $75 – $80 million but rejected offers from Netflix, Amazon and Paramount, insiders tell TheWrap

Drew Taylor

February 9, 2024

https://www.thewrap.com/coyote-vs-acme-update-offers-warner-bros/

 

Over Two Weeks Ago, Our Store Had to Shut Down

Nothing like a surprise flood to really kick things off hot for 2024.

Brandon Schatz

Feb 11, 2024

https://theindirectmarket.substack.com/p/over-two-weeks-ago-our-store-had

 

A Graphic Novel Finds a Relatable Hero in a Modern African Woman

The "Aya" series explores the pains and pleasures of everyday life in a working-class neighborhood in West Africa.

By Elian Peltier

Feb. 10, 2024

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/10/books/aya-of-yop-city-comic-book.html

 

Melissa Flores on the impact of Spider-Gwen, new villains, and writing 'Giant-Size Spider-Gwen'

David Brooke

February 5, 2024

https://aiptcomics.com/2024/02/05/spider-gwen-giant-size-qa-melissa-flores/

 

Visual Chameleon: Talking Art and Empress with Stuart Immonen

Read our extended chat with the art giant about his new book with Mark Millar

By David Harper

May 3, 2016

https://sktchd.com/art-feature/visual-chameleon-talking-art-and-empress-with-stuart-immonen/


Cirocco Dunlap's 'The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy' Scrubs in with Alien Humor and Humanoid Feeling
Karen Idelson
By Karen Idelson
February 6, 2024
https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/02/cirocco-dunlaps-the-second-best-hospital-in-the-galaxy-scrubs-in-with-alien-humor-and-humanoid-feeling/
March '24 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 338).

Sunday, February 11, 2024

April 7: Liz Montague for “The Equinox Test” at People's Book

Liz Montague for "The Equinox Test"

April 7 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm


Free

ABOUT THE BOOK: It's time to put their magic to the test! Welcome to the Brooklyn School of Magic, where seeds of enchantment are planted and magic sprouts in every corner. And where each fall, fifth years must pass the Equinox Test if they want to move up to Middle Magic. Rose is worried. She's never been the best student. And if she doesn't pass with flying colors, Principal Ivy says she may have to transfer to a boring, non-magical school. Amethyst knows she's got the skills to ace the test. But to really impress her mom, she's got her eye on the school's top prize. Lavender just wants to fit in. Even after a few years in the States, he still feels homesick. All. The. Time. Passing the test might just be his ticket back to the island. But with best friend battles, a cheating scandal, and trouble brewing in the magical community, the Equinox Test may not even be the biggest challenge these Magic Bearers will face this year…

 

LIZ MONTAGUE began as a cartoonist for The New Yorker in 2019. She is the author-illustrator of the graphic novel Maybe an Artist, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award, the picture book Jackie Ormes Draws the Future, and middle grade series Magic for Beginners. Liz is passionate about nature and emotional literacy. She lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with her husband Pat.

This is an in-person event. Seated capacity at People's Book is 50 patrons. Standing room is an option. All events are first come first serve seating. Accessible seating is always available.

Choose. Carefully. by Daniel Boris


President Biden and TFG inside the American Election 2024 claw machine, waiting to be selected...

The NATO Snitch by Daniel Biris





Local cartoonists at Artomatic 25

Opening day is March 9 at 2100 M St NW, Washington, DC.



So far I've heard from:

Michael Auger
Room 222 

Art Hondros
Room 205
Graphic Recorder • Illustrator
Draws and Plays Well with Others

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Putin's Peeps by Daniel Boris




Absolutely Not by Daniel Boris



Weldon on comics for NPR Books

Those darn comic strips

The prickly pair's barbs are too pointed? [comic strips letter]

Melissa Yorks, Gaithersburg

Washington Post February 10 2024: A11.

The Jan. 27 Free for All letter "It's unfunny regardless" was the second letter in as many months complaining that a certain comic strip wasn't funny. Though they are called "comic strips," not all comics are actually funny. Many are stories or political instead. The Post, in addition to "Doonesbury," has "Prince Valiant," "Judge Parker," "Flash Gordon" and "Prickly City." None of these is funny or meant to be. (I think "Popeye" is meant to be funny, but it isn't.) "Mark Trail" is a story strip during the week and an educational strip on Sundays.

This is not something new. When I was the same age as the writer's son, my comics pages included several "story" strips, including "Rex Morgan, MD," "Mary Worth," "Brenda Starr, Reporter," "Steve Canyon," "Terry and the Pirates," "Dick Tracy" and "Little Orphan Annie." "Pogo" was sometimes funny and sometimes sharp political commentary, just as "Doonesbury" is today. Interestingly enough, I can recall only three humorous comics from my childhood, two of which are still printed today: "Blondie" and "Dennis the Menace." The third one was "Pogo."


Sierra Barnes was at Arlington County Central Library today

As part of Arlington libraries maker space open house, Sierra spoke about how to create a graphic novel using Procreate. The software, which works on Apple's iPads, and not anywhere else, seems to be really strong for making comics.

The audience was the usual mix of extremely young children with parents looking to occupy them, and teens who want to make webcomics and perhaps do it for a living, and then crotchety old people like me.  I found it fascinating to watch Sierra work even with TMNT knockoff suggestions from the kids. Her graphic novel, Hans Vogel is Dead, is adapted from her ongoing webcomic and is much darker... It's about a dead WWII German flyer navigating an underworld that seems to be based on traditional Grimm fairy tales.

Sierra also has a booth at the Torpedo Factory where she is in residence from Thursday through Sunday.