Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Nick Galifianakis on Post chat

Earlier today, the Post had "Tell Me About It: The Art; Nick Galifianakis, Illustrator." Wednesday, October 3, 2007 which consisted of

Nick Galifianakis, who illustrates Carolyn Hax's Tell Me About It advice column, will be online Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 1 p.m. ET to field questions and comments about his work and the column's new daily appearance in The Post.

The article also linked to this 2001 chat, with Nick and his ex-wife. with whom he's still working, discussing their divorce.

"Tell Me About It" Hosted by Carolyn Hax, Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday, Nov. 9, 2001

Monday, October 01, 2007

Profile of Silent Devil Comics, Fairfax VA publishers

Tom Spurgeon caught this one - "Comic Books: A Family Affair: Fairfax family’s comic book business starting to take off," by Lauren Glendenning, Fairfax Connection September 26, 2007.

For Better or For Worse inspiration to speak in DC

Dave Astor's got the story in "Inspiration for Comic Character to Speak in D.C.," E&P Staff Online, October 01, 2007.

The article begins, The U.S. Department of State's Office of Civil Rights has asked Stephanie H. -- the inspiration for Shannon Lake in "For Better or For Worse"...

Sunday, September 30, 2007

cIndy Center interview - Senior Editor David Astor at Editor and Publisher

Chris Shields interviewed "Senior Editor David Astor at Editor and Publisher" for his cIndy Center podcast and posted it on September 25th, 2007. Hopefully a transcription of this will eventually appear in the International Journal of Comic Art as part of our pioneers of comics scholarship series.

Chris writes:

The 100th episode of the cIndyCenter.com podcast! Huge milestone! Our friend David Astor talks with us about the field of contemporary cartoonists. His work at "Editor and Publisher", both the online version and the monthly magazine, keeps him very busy. He shares his insights into the Syndicated Comic industry. This is an amazing interview and one that I am sure you will enjoy. Listen to the interview with David Astor.

Dec 8: DC Anime Club's Rumiko Takahashi Marathon

This one's way out timewise, but Chris sent it to me today, so up it goes. I haven't watched any of Takahashi's anime, but I love her manga.

DC Anime Club's Rumiko Takahashi Marathon
A tribute to the Princess of Manga


The DC Anime Club, an organization whose purpose is to educate the Washington, DC community about East Asian culture through the art form known as Anime (Japanese animation) will host a Marathon of Anime Films based upon the works by Rumiko Takahashi on Dec 8, 2007 from 12pm-5pm at the Martin Luthur King, Jr Memorial Library 901 G St NW Washington, DC 20001 in Room A9. During the Marathon such anime as Maison Ikkoku, Lum, Ranma ½, Rumik Theatre and or course Inuyasha will be shown. Prizes will be given away during the Marathon and much more.

About Rumiko Takahashi: Rumiko Takahashi is a manga-ka (Japanese Comic Book artist) and is known to anime(Japanese Animation) fans for such Manga (Japanese Comics) as Inu Yasha,Ranma 1/2, Urusei Yatsura(Lum). Over Takahashi's 20+ year career she has been considered the first major female to do work on boys comics, and has earned the title "The Princess of Manga".

About DC Anime Club: DCAC was established in 2003 to introduce and educate people in the Washington, DC area about East Asian culture, through viewing and discussion of Japanese animation (also known as anime) and Japanese comics (manga). DCAC is a
501(c)(3) not for profit organization, contributions to DC Anime Club are tax deductible to the extent allowable under the law.

The club also works to provide a positive, alternative activity to the youth in the area by exposing them to foreign culture, encouraging artistic expression and creativity, and providing opportunities for participation in community activities and leadership.

In addition to our weekly meetings, the club holds an Annual Art Show, an Annual Costume fundraising event, and visits local schools to do presentations on anime. The club also works with the Smithsonian Freer Gallery and DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival on their anime screenings, and has helped locally promote performances for Japanese bands such as Puffy Ami Yumi and Pine am.

DC Anime Club was founded by Chris Wanamaker (President), Jules Chang (Vice President) and Craig Vaughn (Sgt in Arms) on Saturday June 5, 2003. We have a strong membership that continues to grow -- most of which are teenagers.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information please visit the DC Anime Club website at http://www.dcanimeclub.org or call DC Anime Club at 202 262 2083.

# # #

-
Christopher Wanamaker
DC Anime Club President
http://www.dcanimeclub.org
202 262 2083

Bill Sienkiewicz interview part 2, in Times

Zadzooks ran part 2 of his Bill Sienkiewicz interview yesterday - "For illustrator, brush is mightier than word," Washington Times September 29, 2007, by Joseph Szadkowski .

Big Monkey Comics women-only reading group

The story's in today's Post - "Girl Power at Big Monkey Comics" by Jen Girdish, Washington Post Sunday, September 30, 2007; Page N04. Big Monkey Comics is on 14th St, NW, close to U St.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-03-07

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-03-07
By John Judy


ACTION COMICS #856 by Geoff Johns, Richard Donner, and Eric Powell. “Good-bye, it am Bizarro story, NOT by director of “Superman The Movie” and creator of “The Goon!” It am very serious by talentless creators! It am must-skip! Lowly recommended!”

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #7 by Brian K. Vaughan and Georges Jeanty. Faith’s gonna whack someone! “Five by five!” Recommended.

COUNTDOWN PRESENTS: THE SEARCH FOR RAY PALMER: CRIME SOCIETY #1 by Sean McKeever and Jamal Igle. Oh, where does one even begin….? Recommended for Kurt Busiek, Mark Waid, and anyone else with an encyclopediac knowledge of DC continuity.

ESSENTIAL MOON KNIGHT VOL.2 SC by Various Folks. An oxymoron collecting issues 11-30 of the original canceled series. Okay, some of it looks great. The stuff by Miller and Sienkiewicz: “Woo!”

HARVEY CLASSICS RICHIE RICH VOL.2 SC by Various Creators. Hot on the heels of the “Friendliest Ghost You Know” comes your favorite “Poor Little Rich Boy!” No, not George Bush! Savor the early adventures of the kid with the best super-power ever: Money! Lots of it! Highly recommended!

HOWARD THE DUCK #1 of 4 by Ty Templeton and Juan Bobillo. It’s “American Splendor” if Harvey Pekar was a duck. Also starring MODOK. Everyone loves MODOK now. He’s coming back strong, you watch.

JLA/HITMAN #2 of 2 by Garth Ennis and John McCrea. Part two of the story that reminds us of how much we miss the only “Bloodlines” character who didn’t suck. Tommy, we hardly knew ye. Recommended.

METAMORPHO YEAR ONE #1 of 6 by Dan Jurgens and Jesse Delperdang. A deluxe re-imagining of the DC’s hippest freak, the guy who can be anything except normal, Metamorpho, the Element Man! Gotta look!

MS. MARVEL #20 by Brian Reed and Aaron Lopresti. Our Heroine pimp-slaps that pimpy little pimp, The Puppet Master. Also featuring inner turmoil and ominous sub-plots. Fun stuff. Not for pimps.

OMEGA THE UNKNOWN #1 of 10 by Jonathan Lethem, Karl Rusnak, Farel Dalrymple, and Paul Hornschemeier. Okay, there’s a lot of cooks in this kitchen even without mentioning Omega creators Steve Gerber and Mary Skrenes. It’s also not the prettiest book out there. That said, it is just too darn compelling not to read. Recommended for
fans who like material that’s off the beaten path.

QUESTION: ZEN AND VIOLENCE VOL.1 SC by Dennis O’Neil and Denys Cowan. Before he died of cancer and got replaced by a woman, Vic Sage had himself some times. Collecting the first six issues of this 80s kung-fu noir series. Very much worth a read.

SUPER-VILLIAN TEAM-UP: MODOK’S 11 #4 of 5 by Fred Van Lente and Francis Portela. The penultimate chapter in this caper story featuring actual capes! Okay, nobody has a cape, but they do have tights and it was a good line. Also a good comic. Recommended.

TALES OF THE SINESTRO CORPS PRESENTS: CYBORG SUPERMAN #1 by Alan Burnett and Patrick Blaine. DC’s doing an awful lot of “presenting” lately, don’t you think? In this case it’s the story of Superman’s most resilient and hard to draw foe: The Cyborg.

UNCANNY X-MEN #491 by Ed Brubaker and Salvador Larroca. People who live in a mansion versus people who live in a sewer. Guess who wins. Also, the Beast meets Doctor Strange and they discover how badly the Scarlet Witch has screwed up Steve Ditko’s art.

WOLVERINE ANNUAL: DEATHSONG #1 by Gregg Hurwitz and Marcelo Frusin. It takes real guts to try mixing a T.S. Eliot poem with a Wolverine story. This issue is blissfully set apart from all the disagreeable things currently being done with Logan and can best be enjoyed if you first have a look at “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.” Google it, kids. It’s all over the net for free. And it’ll put hair on ya. “Til human voices wake us, and we drown.” Recommended.


www.johnjudy.net

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Friday, September 28, 2007

Seeing Redd - John Daniels's guest book review

The landmark sequel to the Looking Glass Wars will have the reader Seeing Redd.
By John L. Daniels Jr.


Seeing Redd
Writer: Frank Beddor
Publisher: Dial Penguin books
Artwork: Vance Kovacs (Front, Back cover, part 1 art)
Artwork: Steven Martiniere (Part 2 & 3 art)
Map design: Cold Open and Nate Barlow

While growing up, one may have a family member whom you may not get along with, or is not as sociable with the family. What if the family member was someone you trusted? The family member may be very close to your mother, so close as to be your mother’s sister, your Aunt.

Your Aunt is supposed to be the one who can take care of you in a time of need. Your Aunt is someone who can nurture you, guide you and even lend a helping hand in teaching. How disturbing would it be if she is the very one that wants you annihilated?

In this sequel to the Looking Glass Wars, Seeing Redd, now a New York Times best seller, is the must-read of the season. Read how a family member can be vengeful and compelling against her own niece.

In the first book the Looking Glass Wars, Alyss escaped from Wonderland with her bodyguard Hatter Madigan. Alyss returned to Wonderland to defeat her Aunt and banished her along with her assassin, The Cat, into the Heart Crystal.

In this sequel, the Aunt escapes the prison of the crystal maze within the Heart Crystal. Aunt Redd has the ultimate plan to recapture the throne of Wonderland. She has already killed Alyss’s loving parents and only Alyss remains of royal heirs to the throne besides Redd. If Aunt Redd can find Alyss, she'll carry out her sinister plan to kill Alyss and rule Wonderland once more as the last heir to the throne. Can Alyss keep control of her queendom along with her new bodyguard Homburg Molly? In addition, where is Hatter Madigan? He has not been seen anywhere in the surrounding lands of Wonderland.

Astonishing reading awaits with strong characterization, thrilling adventure, and mystery in this extraordinary tale of the battle of Wonderland.

This incredible book is written by Frank Beddor after the success of his first novel The Looking Glass Wars , also a best-selling book on the NY-Times bestseller list. Mr. Beddor also has written an award-winning comic book based on the novel: Hatter M by Desperado publishing and Image comics. What can this successful Hollywood producer possibly accomplish next?

I had an opportunity to interview Mr. Beddor at the launch of the comic Hatter M and The Looking Glass Wars. Check in soon for a new interview with a modern day genius about his new novel Seeing Redd.

The Battle for Wonderland, the assault of the Redd and the defending the power of White continues.

Oct 11: Douglas Wolk at Olsson's


Richard Spooralmanack passed this along - I think it's probably up here already, just not singled out. I've got the book, but haven't started it yet.

Douglas Wolk - Reading Comics: How Graphic Novels Work and What They Mean
Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 07:00 PM at Olsson's Books & Records-Dupont
Circle, 1307 19th St. NW, (202) 785-1133

Suddenly, comics are everywhere: a newly matured art form, filling bookshelves with brilliant, innovative work and shaping the ideas and images of the rest of contemporary culture. Douglas Wolk illuminates the most dazzling creators of modern comics-from Alan Moore to Alison Bechdel to Dave Sim to Chris Ware-and introduces a critical theory that explains where each fits into the pantheon of art. Reading Comics is the first book for people who want to know not just what comics are worth reading, but also the ways to think and talk and argue about them. Douglas Wolk writes about comics and music for publications including the New York Times, Rolling Stone, the Washington Post, Salon, and The Believer.

Oct 11: Matt Wagner at Big Planet - THE FLYER


Exciting, isn't it?

Thomas Fleming, Washington caricaturist

I picked up a damaged copy of Around the Capital with Uncle Hank by Thomas Fleming, New York: Nutshell Publishing Co, 1902 yesterday.

Actually, the web says he studied worked at the New York Sun, New York World, and Commercial Advertiser, and the most famous of his cartoons was "Senator Tillman's Allegorical Cow" whatever that might have been.

In this book, every other page is a cartoon, usually a caricature of a large-headed politician, like the ones that follow, but he also did line illustrations that look influenced by Phil May. An example can be seen here in the Corcoran Gallery cartoon where the old maid is admiring the Venus de Milo's breasts; for those wondering, back in the Museum's early days it had lots of displays of casts of classical sculptures for study. Actually, I would like to see that come back as you get a tactical sense that photography and books can't convey. And the tyranny of the art world for the original object can get tiresome.

I have nothing to say about the sheep-hugger though.









Sept 29: Baltimore Book Festival - Comics Conversation

5:30 at Mount Vernon Place, at the Washington Monumenbt, near the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore.

Paul Karasik, I Will Destroy All The Civilized Planets
Phil Yeh, Dinosaurs Across America
Jeff Kinney, Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Steven Parke and Jonathan Scott Fuqua, In the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe

Also, there's a 'zine or "Mini-curated micro-books" section.

World War II anti-malaria cartoon


We ran across this one in the collections of the National Museum of Health and Medicine yesterday.

Whither Clarabelle Cow?: 6 Semi-Forgotten Disney Characters

The Onion out today has an interesting article, "Whither Clarabelle Cow?: 6 Semi-Forgotten Disney Characters" by Noel Murray, Keith Phipps, Onion September 27, 2007. The expanded version online has eleven characters.

I believe Disney signed away Oswald the Rabbit, but that the company recently got him back by trading an ABC sportscaster. True fact!

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Richard Thompson: The Blog

You probably all missed the following buried in the comments; god knows I wouldn't read them if they weren't highlighted on the master control panel. Richard said yesterday:

Everybody please visit my blog and leave a comment. I'll be adding podcasts, interactive games, polls & unwanted popups for finding lost classmates.

http://richardspooralmanac.blogspot.com/


Now, my feeling is he's trying to get us to write his life in surburbia comic strip for him. So if you post any particularly funny stories, make sure to include a Paypal link so he can take care of you. I'm not sure why he's changed his name to Richard Spooralmanack, but it does have a ring to it.