Well, sort of. See "Savage Outcry," by editor Andrew Beaujon, posted on Jan. 16, 2008 for his take on the whole "laying off illustrators" then followed unfortunately by "laying off staff." I really am not sure what the new owners are doing, but I feel sorry for Mr. Beaujon who was very nice on the phone when confirming that I actually did write a letter, and who has been stuck doing a really crummy job at someone else's behest. Read the blog post for his side of the story - a man who says, "The cause was taken up by ComicsDC" as though that means something. I'm just glad I didn't pull out Rob's new baby as a tearjerker guilt-trip (whoops, just did). But note Rob's response to the editor's post slightly further down the page too.
And then there's one last letter in this past week's paper -
Illo Talk
I am writing to express my sadness over the recent dismissal of Robert Ullman from your Savage Love illustrating lineup. I have been a fan of Robert’s illustrations for years, and it is apparent that he can bring wit, life, and interest to just about any topic. In many cases, his illustrations are what draw me to look at and read the columns.
I had seen Robert’s illustrations before he found work at the City Paper and knew that he was headed for great things with his talent. Likewise, when I moved to the D.C. area and found out his talent was being utilized by the City Paper, I was thrilled! I have seen many illustrators’ work and can tell you that it would be plain foolish to let him get away because you won’t find another quite like him. Please reconsider this decision and get Robert back.
Erin Antognoli
Germantown, Md.
Editor’s note: Thanks to all the fans of Robert Ullman’s illustrations who’ve written in. Our budget cuts don’t allow us to continue commisioning weekly illustrations for Savage Love, but we were able to hire Ullman to do a permanent illustration for the column; it debuted last week. We’re going to keep hiring him when possible; he illustrated last week’s Young & Hungry column, for example.
Shawn Belschwender and his News of the Weird illos didn't get as much attention here - probably because Rob draws prettier girls and is still localish (Richmond), but Shawn was doing a strip for the George Washington U's Hatchet in the mid-80s when I was in school there.
I really miss the comic strips too, especially Derf. Sigh. I just picked up the Baltimore CP (different owners fortunately) and they've got Lulu Eightball still AND When Will The Pain Stop by Tim Kreider. AND Perry Bible Fellowship!
And the 'no bluegrass' thing sucks too.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Manga and comics at Barnes and Noble
I've been taking a few shots of comics and manga displays lately, since they've changed and expanded so much. Here's some shots from the Barnes & Noble on Route 50 in Northern Virginia. Larger versions of the pictures can be seen and downloaded on my flickr site.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Geppi's Entertainment Museum photos from 'Scrooged' exhibit and more
I, along with some friends, got a tour of the new exhibit at Geppi's Entertainment Museum which opens at the end of January. Curator Arnold and Registrar Andy kindly took us through the whole museum. I'll post more thoughts later, but here's the pictures. As I've said before, it's a cool museum, and there's a lot of Barks originals here that none of us would see any place else. And for fun, a Happy Hooligan toy where the cops beat on him as it rolls and an ad by Winsor McCay in a section not open to the public. The Museum's closed on Monday's during the winter, so watch out for that, but it's well worth seeing. Steve Geppi's got a collection to envy.
Larger versions of the pictures can be seen and downloaded on my flickr site.
A couple of duck oil paintings.
Part of the complete North to the Yukon story that's on display.
The atypical section with non-Disney Duck watercolors, and some other oddities including a landscape.
A Faberge egg offered by Another Rainbow.
Pirate's Gold oil painting.
Duck family statue from Another Rainbow. That's an oil of Donald lying next to it.
Ah, McCay... This was opposite an original Krazy Kat, but this is all I had eyes for.
Happy Hooligan gets bopped by the cops when you roll this toy.
Look at that lovely Winsor McCay ad.
Larger versions of the pictures can be seen and downloaded on my flickr site.
A couple of duck oil paintings.Part of the complete North to the Yukon story that's on display.The atypical section with non-Disney Duck watercolors, and some other oddities including a landscape.A Faberge egg offered by Another Rainbow.Pirate's Gold oil painting.Duck family statue from Another Rainbow. That's an oil of Donald lying next to it.Ah, McCay... This was opposite an original Krazy Kat, but this is all I had eyes for.Happy Hooligan gets bopped by the cops when you roll this toy.Look at that lovely Winsor McCay ad.
DC area cartoonist does web strip for USA Weekend
Casey Shaw sent me an email with the press release below - let's wish him luck with his new webcomic. Casey, feel free to send in some reminders off and on. I assume the bear's named in honor of James Thurber?FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2008
MCLEAN, VA -- USA WEEKEND Magazine's website is carrying its first online comic strip. In recent years, the print magazine published panel cartoons which were also archived on usaweekend.com, but this will be the first cartoons, and first comic strip, to be created specifically for USA WEEKEND's website independent of the print magazine. The strip, Thurbear, is created by USA WEEKEND's Creative Manager, Casey Shaw, and will update weekly.
"While I've contributed more than 200 individual panel cartoons to the print version of the magazine in the past," says Shaw, "I'm really excited about this opportunity. I really love the comic strip format and having a continuing feature will allow me to play much more with developing a recurring cast of characters."
To view the comic strip, which will also include blog-style postings by Shaw with links to other web comics in addition to the Thurbear cartoon, go to usaweekend.com and click on "Cartoon."
#######################
About USA WEEKEND:
USA WEEKEND Magazine is a national weekly magazine distributed through more than 600 newspapers in the United States. Awarded for its journalism and design, USA WEEKEND focuses on social issues, entertainment, health, food and travel. The magazine provides Newspaper in Education classroom guides to partner newspapers. usaweekend.com provides enhanced content and interactive magazine features. USA WEEKEND is a Gannett Co., Inc. publication.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 01-23-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 01-23-08
By John Judy
(Support Striking Writers for Having More Stones Than the Directors!)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #548 by Dan Slott and Steve McNiven. Love it or hate it, it’s coming out three times a month! That’s almost as much as a GOP Congressman! The aftermath of the most controversial Marvel decision since the “death” of Captain America continues here!
ASTONISHING X-MEN #24 by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday. This is it! Will “Breakworld” finally live up to its name and break already? Rumors abound that someone won’t be coming back from this one. Hopefully they’re a Skrull.
COMPLETE TERRY AND THE PIRATES VOL. 2 HC written and illustrated by Milton Caniff. Volume two of IDW’s six-volume reprinting of the entire run of Caniff’s iconic strip. Dailies and Sunday color strips. Recommended.
CRIME BIBLE: FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOD #4 of 5 by Greg Rucka and Diego Olmos. “Deceit?” Check. “Lust?” Check. “Greed?” Check. “Murder…?” The latest of the lessons gets taught in Hub City. Recommended. (Thank-you, Professor Rucka.)
DAN DARE #3 of 7 by Garth Ennis and Gary Erskine. Space opera, zap-gun fights, a war comic in sci-fi clothing. All done up Ennis style. Dive in.
HELLBLAZER #240 by Andy Diggle and Leonardo Manco. Okay, if last issue didn’t get you anxious about Constantine’s latest foe, try this one. “The Laughing Magician” versus an African War Mage in the middle of London! NOT for kids.
HULK VISIONARIES: PETER DAVID VOL. 5 by PAD and Friends. Collecting INCREDIBLE #364-372 and ANNUAL #16 of a truly legendary run. Hopefully Marvel will end up collecting and publishing the whole magilla.
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #4 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips. The Zombie Civil War continues with Colonel America back from the un-dead and a cover that could kill the Iron Man movie. Not for kids but great fun for the rest of us freaks.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN-AGE DARING MYSTERY, VOL.1 HC by Nobody Seems to Know. A collection of adventures from this forties anthology title featuring every Marvel/Timely character you’ve never heard of, at least until Straczynski revived them for THE TWELVE. This week’s “Gotta Have It” based on sheer weirdness alone.
PUNISHER #54 by Garth Ennis and Goran Parlov. Every issue of Punisher vs. Barracuda gets bloodier and more gut-wrenching than the last. Supposedly “This Is It!” but Ennis seems to really love The Cuda. Can he bring himself to finally pull the pin? Absolutely 100% not for kids under any circumstance, but highly recommended anyway.
SHE HULK #25 by Peter David and Shawn Moll. Double-sized anniversary ish in which we learn why Shulk left the lawyering biz, plus two back-up stories and an alien fight.
SHOWCASE PRESENTS AQUAMAN VOL. 2 SC by Jack Miller, Bob Haney, Ramona Fradon, Nick Cardy and Friends. Sixties Aqua-Fun, appropriate for all ages!
STUDENTS FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY GN by Harvey Pekar, Gary Dumm, and historian Paul Buhle. A non-fiction account of the rise and fall of one of the most ambitious and controversial activist groups of the 1960s. This week. Honest. Recommended.
ULTIMATE FF, IRON MAN II, VISION SC, and ULTIMATES 3 #2 by Lotsa People. It’s a big week for ULTIMATE titles, is all I’m saying. There’s fights. Big ones.
WONDER WOMAN #16 by Gail Simone and Terry & Rachel Dodson. This title is back to looking and reading great! Give it a whirl! Recommended.
X-MEN #207 by Mike Carey and Chris Bachalo. “Messiah Complex: the 13th and Final Chapter for the love of merciful, muppety Odin!” They promise! No mas! It’s done! At least until the phone-book sized Premiere hardcover with the lasers…
YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS #1 of 6 by Ed Brubaker and Paco Medina. Okay, watch this title carefully because every issue is going to have a new “top” creative team. This issue is Brubaker/Medina doing a Patriot/Winter Bucky team-up so we kind of need to look. Next issue….?
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
(Support Striking Writers for Having More Stones Than the Directors!)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #548 by Dan Slott and Steve McNiven. Love it or hate it, it’s coming out three times a month! That’s almost as much as a GOP Congressman! The aftermath of the most controversial Marvel decision since the “death” of Captain America continues here!
ASTONISHING X-MEN #24 by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday. This is it! Will “Breakworld” finally live up to its name and break already? Rumors abound that someone won’t be coming back from this one. Hopefully they’re a Skrull.
COMPLETE TERRY AND THE PIRATES VOL. 2 HC written and illustrated by Milton Caniff. Volume two of IDW’s six-volume reprinting of the entire run of Caniff’s iconic strip. Dailies and Sunday color strips. Recommended.
CRIME BIBLE: FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOD #4 of 5 by Greg Rucka and Diego Olmos. “Deceit?” Check. “Lust?” Check. “Greed?” Check. “Murder…?” The latest of the lessons gets taught in Hub City. Recommended. (Thank-you, Professor Rucka.)
DAN DARE #3 of 7 by Garth Ennis and Gary Erskine. Space opera, zap-gun fights, a war comic in sci-fi clothing. All done up Ennis style. Dive in.
HELLBLAZER #240 by Andy Diggle and Leonardo Manco. Okay, if last issue didn’t get you anxious about Constantine’s latest foe, try this one. “The Laughing Magician” versus an African War Mage in the middle of London! NOT for kids.
HULK VISIONARIES: PETER DAVID VOL. 5 by PAD and Friends. Collecting INCREDIBLE #364-372 and ANNUAL #16 of a truly legendary run. Hopefully Marvel will end up collecting and publishing the whole magilla.
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #4 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips. The Zombie Civil War continues with Colonel America back from the un-dead and a cover that could kill the Iron Man movie. Not for kids but great fun for the rest of us freaks.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: GOLDEN-AGE DARING MYSTERY, VOL.1 HC by Nobody Seems to Know. A collection of adventures from this forties anthology title featuring every Marvel/Timely character you’ve never heard of, at least until Straczynski revived them for THE TWELVE. This week’s “Gotta Have It” based on sheer weirdness alone.
PUNISHER #54 by Garth Ennis and Goran Parlov. Every issue of Punisher vs. Barracuda gets bloodier and more gut-wrenching than the last. Supposedly “This Is It!” but Ennis seems to really love The Cuda. Can he bring himself to finally pull the pin? Absolutely 100% not for kids under any circumstance, but highly recommended anyway.
SHE HULK #25 by Peter David and Shawn Moll. Double-sized anniversary ish in which we learn why Shulk left the lawyering biz, plus two back-up stories and an alien fight.
SHOWCASE PRESENTS AQUAMAN VOL. 2 SC by Jack Miller, Bob Haney, Ramona Fradon, Nick Cardy and Friends. Sixties Aqua-Fun, appropriate for all ages!
STUDENTS FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY GN by Harvey Pekar, Gary Dumm, and historian Paul Buhle. A non-fiction account of the rise and fall of one of the most ambitious and controversial activist groups of the 1960s. This week. Honest. Recommended.
ULTIMATE FF, IRON MAN II, VISION SC, and ULTIMATES 3 #2 by Lotsa People. It’s a big week for ULTIMATE titles, is all I’m saying. There’s fights. Big ones.
WONDER WOMAN #16 by Gail Simone and Terry & Rachel Dodson. This title is back to looking and reading great! Give it a whirl! Recommended.
X-MEN #207 by Mike Carey and Chris Bachalo. “Messiah Complex: the 13th and Final Chapter for the love of merciful, muppety Odin!” They promise! No mas! It’s done! At least until the phone-book sized Premiere hardcover with the lasers…
YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS #1 of 6 by Ed Brubaker and Paco Medina. Okay, watch this title carefully because every issue is going to have a new “top” creative team. This issue is Brubaker/Medina doing a Patriot/Winter Bucky team-up so we kind of need to look. Next issue….?
www.johnjudy.net
Our man Thompson interviewed at Comics Reporter
This is going to be good. Tom Spurgeon's one of the best writers and interviewers about comics, talents honed as the editor of the Comics Journal.
Persepolis opens in DC
Apparently it opens on Friday, January 25th at the Landmark in Georgetown. Anyone want to go see it on Saturday or Sunday?
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Quick bits from weekend's Post UPDATED
In Saturday's paper, our man Thompson's got a Romney finger puppet (but not at this link!), this week's Style Invitational contest (note the Bob Staake Opus) is in response to Berkeley Breathed using old ones in Opus, and there's a letter complaining about inaccuracies in Flashbacks.
Sunday's paper recommends Trondheim's Little Nothings in the Source section which is not online. In the comics, Lio shows what really happened to Calvin and Hobbes, and there's a major Satrapi and Persepolis article in Style. Finally, there's a wire service obit for the founder of the East Village Other Newspaper which provided jobs for many early underground cartoonists which is not online, so here's a link to the LA Times article.
Sunday's paper recommends Trondheim's Little Nothings in the Source section which is not online. In the comics, Lio shows what really happened to Calvin and Hobbes, and there's a major Satrapi and Persepolis article in Style. Finally, there's a wire service obit for the founder of the East Village Other Newspaper which provided jobs for many early underground cartoonists which is not online, so here's a link to the LA Times article.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Jan 19: DC Conspiracy at Dr. Dremo's CORRECTED
DC Conspiracy members will be present at Dr. Dremo's tomorrow at the Counter Culture Festival with comics for sale beginning at 4 pm. I'm going to try to make this one.
Risko covers Post's Weekend
Noted caricaturist Robert Risko did the cover caricature of Woody Allen for Friday's Weekend section. Risko's usually seen more often in the New Yorker -- perhaps his illustrations is where the whole year's budge for Tom the Dancing Bug went. Apparently they didn't pay him for web rights though.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Bits from today's papers UPDATED
For a bit on the Danish Islam cartoons and fallout in Canada, see Meghan Cox Gurdon on "Chilling climate for journalists in our neighbor to the north," Washington Examiner (January 17, 2008): 15. Editorial cartoonist Nate Beeler's in their most days too and remains the chief reason to pick up the paper.
And then not online is a story about an upcoming event with the DC Anime Club at the Japanese Information and Culture Center - Dixon, Glenn. 2008. Playing and dress-up: Cosplayes act the parts from manga to anime to video games. [Washington Post] Express (January 17). Apparently there will be a cosplay get-together there tomorrow night.
The Express is still running 5 strips or panels, including Bizarro.
The Post has a big strip by Mark Zingarelli on the front of the Home section - my copy will go to Michigan State U's comic art collection.
The Onion has an article about Original Sin cider's ad campaign by cartoonist R. Black. Can't find it online yet, but it's page 32 of the DC edition.
And then not online is a story about an upcoming event with the DC Anime Club at the Japanese Information and Culture Center - Dixon, Glenn. 2008. Playing and dress-up: Cosplayes act the parts from manga to anime to video games. [Washington Post] Express (January 17). Apparently there will be a cosplay get-together there tomorrow night.
The Express is still running 5 strips or panels, including Bizarro.
The Post has a big strip by Mark Zingarelli on the front of the Home section - my copy will go to Michigan State U's comic art collection.
The Onion has an article about Original Sin cider's ad campaign by cartoonist R. Black. Can't find it online yet, but it's page 32 of the DC edition.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Telnaes animation continues on Post website
The Democratic Love-In starring the leading lights of the party.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Film & TV Adaptations book continues to be available
In spite of election mania driving paper prices sky high, Film & TV Adaptations of Comics - 2007 edition by Rhode and Vogel is available for order.149 pages long, it's a listing of the thousands of adaptations to film and television of hundreds of comic strips and books. Worldwide, it includes the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, the Netherlands, Senegal, India, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia among others. Cross-referenced by cartoonist and translated titles, it includes a bibliography and index.
You can buy it via Lulu.com for $12.99 (plus shipping) or $3.00 for a pdf download at http://www.lulu.com/content/1677433.
This is not a book that you can sit and read - it's a reference book, and one that might spark a bit of curiosity. Lulu will let you see a preview, and here's a sample section of late additions from the Errata page:
Titles of strips samples:
Suramu Danku [Slam Dunk] (Takehiko Inoue)
Suramu Danku (Japan: Toei Animation, 1993-1996; 101-episode anime tv series)
4 DTV anime movies (Japan: Toei Animation, 1994-1995)
Oldboy (Nobuaki Minegishi)
Oldboy (South Korea 2003)
Scary Godmother (Jill Thompson)
The Scary Godmother, Vol. 2: The Revenge of Jimmy (USA 2005; animated DTV movie)
Wulffmorgenthaler (Mikael Wulff and Anders Morgenthaler)
Wulffmorgenthaler? (Denmark 200?; tv series)
Cartoonists cross-reference sample:
Eliot, Jan (Stone Soup cartoonist)
Oregon Art Beat Episode# 915 - Illustrator Jan Eliot (Oregon Public Broadcasting, 2008; segment on January 10, 2008 tv show)
Bibliography samples:
• Ehrenreich, Ben. 2007. “Comic Genius? Before there was even a comic book to adapt, 'Cowboys and Aliens' had a movie deal [Platinum Comics],” New York Times Magazine (November 11).
• Kohanik, Eric / CanWest News Service. 2008. “Painkiller Jane comic-book heroine,” Saskatoon Star-Phoenix (January 5).
• Takahashi, Rumiko and Stephen Ayres (trans.). 2005. The Art of InuYasha (2nd Edition), San Francisco: Viz Media.
• Unknown. 2008. “New cartoon series in ‘Wiener Zeitung’: Danish duo ‘Wulffmorgenthaler’ to feature daily on the new English page,” Wiener Zeitung (January 4).
Feb 15: Swann Fellowship in Caricature and Cartoon
Applications for the Swann Fellowship in Caricature and Cartoon are due next month, Feb. 15, 2008. Guidelines and application for this annual award of $15,000 can be accessed at:
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/swann-fellow.html
Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited M.A. or Ph.D program in a university in the U.S., Canada or Mexico. Contact Martha Kennedy with questions at 202/707-9115 or email swann@loc.gov
Martha H. Kennedy
Assistant Curator, Popular and Applied Graphic Art
Prints and Photographs Division
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20540-4730
tel.: 202/707-9115; fax: 202/707-6647
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/swann-fellow.html
Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited M.A. or Ph.D program in a university in the U.S., Canada or Mexico. Contact Martha Kennedy with questions at 202/707-9115 or email swann@loc.gov
Martha H. Kennedy
Assistant Curator, Popular and Applied Graphic Art
Prints and Photographs Division
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20540-4730
tel.: 202/707-9115; fax: 202/707-6647
Our man Thompson interviewed in four-way faceoff
Richard's got a short interview, including dissing a local diner, in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Cul de Sac is competing against 3 other strips for a permanent place in the paper.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 01-16-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 01-16-08
By John Judy
(Support Striking WGA Writers! Buy their comic books!)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #547 by Dan Slott and Steve McNiven. Nevermind the plot, I just want to see if they can really get this thing out three weeks a month. Betting pool? BTW, Dan Slott rocks and it looks like Spidey’s fighting ninjas or Yakuza or possibly those poor, metal-faced Persians from “300.”
ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL #3 by Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch, and Franco Urru. Illyria’s back. Hijinks ensue. Recommended.
BONE COLOR EDITION VOL.7: GHOST CIRCLES HC & SC written and illustrated by Jeff Smith. The Bone Epic continues and (despite the name) is appropriate for all ages. Your bookshelf awaits.
BOOSTER GOLD #6 by Geoff Johns and Dan Jurgens. The one we’ve been waiting for. Can Booster save Blue Beetle? Fingers crossed.
DISNEY’S DUCKTAILS BY MARV WOLFMAN: SCROOGE’S QUEST SC by MW and Various Artists. Gemstone Publishing has brought this back into print for the first time since 1990. It’s Scrooge McDuck by the guy who re-invented the Teen Titans, among other things. Gotta look.
DMZ #27 by Brian Wood and Nathan Fox. So what do people do for night-time fun in post-apocalypse New York? Pretty much what they do now except with even more gunplay, if such a thing is possible. Not for kids, recommended.
DOOM PATROL VOL. 6: PLANET LOVE SC by Grant Morrison, Richard Case, and Friends. The final volume of Morrison’s legendary run on the junkyard dogs of DC’s super-teams. Collecting DP #58-63 and DOOM FORCE SPECIAL #1. Recommended.
EC ARCHIVES: CRIME SUSPENSTORIES, VOL. 1 HC by Feldstein, Wood, Craig, Ingels, Kurtzman, Kamen, David, and Roussos. The EC Gods of 1950-51 have willed us these 24 twisted masterpieces. The first six issues of this series are all here. You must have this book.
FELL #9 by Warren Ellis and Ben Templesmith. “Detective Richard Fell: Hostage Negotiator.” Do you really need to know more? Highly recommended.
GRENDEL: BEHOLD THE DEVIL #3 of 8 written and illustrated by Matt Wagner. The story is good but the art is A Gift from On High. The world is better for the presence of Matt Wagner and his drafting table. Recommended.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #12 by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and David Aja. Okay, it’s taken a year but now some of the intrigue is starting to clear up and it looks like a great fight is in the works. Putting the “Capital!” back in “Seven Capital Cities of Heaven!” Recommended.
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #113 by Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, and Khoi Pham. While the Red Hulk is off doing his thing, Herc’s keeping this series going with a little help from the Smart Asian Kid who IS NOT a surrogate for any comic writer we know of so put that idea right out of your mind, Mister-Man! This issue touches upon some of Herc’s classical Greek back-story so that’s kind of cool. Also, a family reunion with Ares occurs.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #17 by Several People. Two stories, no waiting! Big fight up front, mystery in the back. Something for everyone!
THUNDERBOLTS VOL. 1: FAITH IN MONSTERS SC by Warren Ellis, Mike Deodato, and Others. Collecting T-Bolts #110-115 and a couple of miscellaneous
Stories showing how Ellis transformed this team into The Dirty Dozen on crack. Recommended, but too violent for younger kids.
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #21 by Daniel Way and Steve Dillon. Deadpool guest-stars as this title explores what may be its proper place in the universe: As an “Itchy and Scratchy” cartoon.
ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS VS AMAZONS #2 of 3 by Chris Ryall and Ashley Wood. Exactly what it says, kids. Not for kids.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
(Support Striking WGA Writers! Buy their comic books!)
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #547 by Dan Slott and Steve McNiven. Nevermind the plot, I just want to see if they can really get this thing out three weeks a month. Betting pool? BTW, Dan Slott rocks and it looks like Spidey’s fighting ninjas or Yakuza or possibly those poor, metal-faced Persians from “300.”
ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL #3 by Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch, and Franco Urru. Illyria’s back. Hijinks ensue. Recommended.
BONE COLOR EDITION VOL.7: GHOST CIRCLES HC & SC written and illustrated by Jeff Smith. The Bone Epic continues and (despite the name) is appropriate for all ages. Your bookshelf awaits.
BOOSTER GOLD #6 by Geoff Johns and Dan Jurgens. The one we’ve been waiting for. Can Booster save Blue Beetle? Fingers crossed.
DISNEY’S DUCKTAILS BY MARV WOLFMAN: SCROOGE’S QUEST SC by MW and Various Artists. Gemstone Publishing has brought this back into print for the first time since 1990. It’s Scrooge McDuck by the guy who re-invented the Teen Titans, among other things. Gotta look.
DMZ #27 by Brian Wood and Nathan Fox. So what do people do for night-time fun in post-apocalypse New York? Pretty much what they do now except with even more gunplay, if such a thing is possible. Not for kids, recommended.
DOOM PATROL VOL. 6: PLANET LOVE SC by Grant Morrison, Richard Case, and Friends. The final volume of Morrison’s legendary run on the junkyard dogs of DC’s super-teams. Collecting DP #58-63 and DOOM FORCE SPECIAL #1. Recommended.
EC ARCHIVES: CRIME SUSPENSTORIES, VOL. 1 HC by Feldstein, Wood, Craig, Ingels, Kurtzman, Kamen, David, and Roussos. The EC Gods of 1950-51 have willed us these 24 twisted masterpieces. The first six issues of this series are all here. You must have this book.
FELL #9 by Warren Ellis and Ben Templesmith. “Detective Richard Fell: Hostage Negotiator.” Do you really need to know more? Highly recommended.
GRENDEL: BEHOLD THE DEVIL #3 of 8 written and illustrated by Matt Wagner. The story is good but the art is A Gift from On High. The world is better for the presence of Matt Wagner and his drafting table. Recommended.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #12 by Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and David Aja. Okay, it’s taken a year but now some of the intrigue is starting to clear up and it looks like a great fight is in the works. Putting the “Capital!” back in “Seven Capital Cities of Heaven!” Recommended.
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #113 by Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, and Khoi Pham. While the Red Hulk is off doing his thing, Herc’s keeping this series going with a little help from the Smart Asian Kid who IS NOT a surrogate for any comic writer we know of so put that idea right out of your mind, Mister-Man! This issue touches upon some of Herc’s classical Greek back-story so that’s kind of cool. Also, a family reunion with Ares occurs.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #17 by Several People. Two stories, no waiting! Big fight up front, mystery in the back. Something for everyone!
THUNDERBOLTS VOL. 1: FAITH IN MONSTERS SC by Warren Ellis, Mike Deodato, and Others. Collecting T-Bolts #110-115 and a couple of miscellaneous
Stories showing how Ellis transformed this team into The Dirty Dozen on crack. Recommended, but too violent for younger kids.
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #21 by Daniel Way and Steve Dillon. Deadpool guest-stars as this title explores what may be its proper place in the universe: As an “Itchy and Scratchy” cartoon.
ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS VS AMAZONS #2 of 3 by Chris Ryall and Ashley Wood. Exactly what it says, kids. Not for kids.
www.johnjudy.net
Dirda schooled on Mad love
See "SINS OF OMISSION," Washington Post Book World Sunday, January 13, 2008; Page BW14 to read a letter from a girl (!) who liked (!) Mad!
Zadzooks on George Perez and Swamp Thing dvds
Joseph Szadkowski reviews both a Perez documentary and the tv version of the Swamp Thing in in "'Creator' disc disappoints; Swamp Thing's star turn," Washington Times January 12, 2008.
Feb 7-17: Anime and manga at Kennedy Center
From their website:
Manga & Anime
Manga is a sequential narrative Japanese comic. Anime is a unique animation style developed in Japan. Both are now internationally recognized forms of literary and visual art. Manga is one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. books—and anime films have gained a rapidly expanding fan base across the nation.
Manga Café and Reading Lounge
Enjoy a bite to eat while reading VIZ Media mangas, watching anime trailers, and viewing vintage robot toys. Manga author Robin Nishi will capture festival happenings in a daily drawing and conduct a free workshop.
* Feb 7 - 17, 2008
* South Gallery
Genius Party Premieres
Don't miss this unprecedented series of original films by Japan's top anime talents, who were each selected by Director and Genius Party Executive Producer Eiko Tanaka to create their dream projects.
* Feb 15 - 16, 2008
* Family Theater
* $25.00
Marathon of Anime Premieres
Don't miss this screening marathon featuring three new anime features: 5 Centimeters Per Second, The Piano Forest, and Appleseed: Ex Machina.
* Feb 17, 2008
* Family Theater
* $15.00
Manga & Anime
Manga is a sequential narrative Japanese comic. Anime is a unique animation style developed in Japan. Both are now internationally recognized forms of literary and visual art. Manga is one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. books—and anime films have gained a rapidly expanding fan base across the nation.
Manga Café and Reading Lounge
Enjoy a bite to eat while reading VIZ Media mangas, watching anime trailers, and viewing vintage robot toys. Manga author Robin Nishi will capture festival happenings in a daily drawing and conduct a free workshop.
* Feb 7 - 17, 2008
* South Gallery
Genius Party Premieres
Don't miss this unprecedented series of original films by Japan's top anime talents, who were each selected by Director and Genius Party Executive Producer Eiko Tanaka to create their dream projects.
* Feb 15 - 16, 2008
* Family Theater
* $25.00
Marathon of Anime Premieres
Don't miss this screening marathon featuring three new anime features: 5 Centimeters Per Second, The Piano Forest, and Appleseed: Ex Machina.
* Feb 17, 2008
* Family Theater
* $15.00
OT: new poetry book by Terri Witek
My friend Terri Witek has a new poetry book out, The Shipwreck Dress, from her publisher in Alexandria. Her previous book Fools and Crows is still available too. Here's the blurbs from the publisher's website (you can order from there, via mail):
FOOLS AND CROWS
TERRI WITEK
$14.95, 79 pages
ISBN 0-914061-94-1
Terri Witek's Fools and Crows takes the ancient discipline of ekphrasis—a poet's description of a work of art-to a new level of intensity. In her explorations of Renaissance paintings, of Roman Catholic holy cards, of the Vision of Our Lady of Fatima, the poet locates the matter and spirit of the human condition, our desires to connect, to worship, to elude death. These lyric unveilings and expositions recall the beautiful exactitudes of Marianne Moore's poetry. They are the elucidations of a luminous intelligence, shadowed by grief and joy. —Mark Jarman
THE SHIPWRECK DRESS
TERRI WITEK
paperback, $14.95, 96 pages
ISBN 1-932535-17-4
About Terri Witek’s third volume of poetry Molly Peacock said, “With the brilliant certainty of her intuition, Terri Witek spins the silken sculptures of her new collection, The Shipwreck Dress. I never thought of the soul as needing something to wear, but Witek has created a kind of soul-clothing in these miraculous poems. Internal, instinctive, and yet knowingly crafted, every poem renews another aspect of her idea that the outer wrappings we know as clothing are really inner structures. As Witek sensuously explores the most ancient connections between text and textile, she turns her poems into stunning, subtle word-kimonos. Vivid with color, deeply sensuous, and sharply intelligent, The Shipwreck Dress shows Terri Witek at the height of her powers.” The cover features art by Cyriaco Lopes.
The book's also available from Amazon.
FOOLS AND CROWS
TERRI WITEK
$14.95, 79 pages
ISBN 0-914061-94-1
Terri Witek's Fools and Crows takes the ancient discipline of ekphrasis—a poet's description of a work of art-to a new level of intensity. In her explorations of Renaissance paintings, of Roman Catholic holy cards, of the Vision of Our Lady of Fatima, the poet locates the matter and spirit of the human condition, our desires to connect, to worship, to elude death. These lyric unveilings and expositions recall the beautiful exactitudes of Marianne Moore's poetry. They are the elucidations of a luminous intelligence, shadowed by grief and joy. —Mark Jarman
THE SHIPWRECK DRESS
TERRI WITEK
paperback, $14.95, 96 pages
ISBN 1-932535-17-4
About Terri Witek’s third volume of poetry Molly Peacock said, “With the brilliant certainty of her intuition, Terri Witek spins the silken sculptures of her new collection, The Shipwreck Dress. I never thought of the soul as needing something to wear, but Witek has created a kind of soul-clothing in these miraculous poems. Internal, instinctive, and yet knowingly crafted, every poem renews another aspect of her idea that the outer wrappings we know as clothing are really inner structures. As Witek sensuously explores the most ancient connections between text and textile, she turns her poems into stunning, subtle word-kimonos. Vivid with color, deeply sensuous, and sharply intelligent, The Shipwreck Dress shows Terri Witek at the height of her powers.” The cover features art by Cyriaco Lopes.
The book's also available from Amazon.
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