Saturday, February 23, 2008
Zadzooks interviews Jim Salicrup
See "Jim Salicrup still draws inspiration from comics," By Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times February 23, 2008.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Feb 23: Ron Marz signing
Randy T sends in:
Marz Attacks (or at least Signs Witchblade)
Ron Marz, the acclaimed writer of Samurai: Heaven and Earth, is making to signing stops on his mini-tour of the Baltimore, Maryland - Washington, DC area for his work on Top Cow Productions' Witchblade.
After appear on Baltimore's Fox 45 on Friday morning, Marz will sign copies of the new specially priced Witchblade - Volume 1 on Saturday, February 23, 2008 from 11 AM to 2 PM at Cards, Comics & Collectibles in Reisterstown, Maryland, and from 4 PM to 7 PM at Phoenix Comics and Toys' Lansdowne location. The new trade retails for $4.99.
Marz first received widespread attention for his work on Silver Surfer and Green Lantern in the 1990s. Since then he has written Star Wars, taken part in the Marvel vs DC event, and many other top comic properties.
“The Baltimore Comic-Con is one of my favorite shows of the year, so I jumped at the chance to meet more of the fans from the Baltimore/DC area," he said. "Plus I don’t have to work to hard to convince fans to pick up a five dollar trade!”
For more information, contact the respective stores:
Cards, Comics, and Collectibles
100 Chartley Drive
Reisterstown, MD 21136
(410) 526-7410
Phoenix Comics and Toys
Lansdowne Shopping Center
19340 Promenade Drive
Lansdowne, VA 20176
(703) 437-9530
Marz Attacks (or at least Signs Witchblade)
Ron Marz, the acclaimed writer of Samurai: Heaven and Earth, is making to signing stops on his mini-tour of the Baltimore, Maryland - Washington, DC area for his work on Top Cow Productions' Witchblade.
After appear on Baltimore's Fox 45 on Friday morning, Marz will sign copies of the new specially priced Witchblade - Volume 1 on Saturday, February 23, 2008 from 11 AM to 2 PM at Cards, Comics & Collectibles in Reisterstown, Maryland, and from 4 PM to 7 PM at Phoenix Comics and Toys' Lansdowne location. The new trade retails for $4.99.
Marz first received widespread attention for his work on Silver Surfer and Green Lantern in the 1990s. Since then he has written Star Wars, taken part in the Marvel vs DC event, and many other top comic properties.
“The Baltimore Comic-Con is one of my favorite shows of the year, so I jumped at the chance to meet more of the fans from the Baltimore/DC area," he said. "Plus I don’t have to work to hard to convince fans to pick up a five dollar trade!”
For more information, contact the respective stores:
Cards, Comics, and Collectibles
100 Chartley Drive
Reisterstown, MD 21136
(410) 526-7410
Phoenix Comics and Toys
Lansdowne Shopping Center
19340 Promenade Drive
Lansdowne, VA 20176
(703) 437-9530
New Frontier DTV animation reviewed in Post
See "'New Frontier' Does These Heroes Justice," by David Betancourt, Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, February 22, 2008; Page WE35.
Friday, February 22, 2008; Page WE35.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Herblock prize winner John Sherffius interview
See "John Sherffius Discusses the Herblock Prize and the Cartoons That Helped Him Win it," By Dave Astor, Editor and Publisher Online February 21, 2008. The Foundation's announcement can be seen here.
There's a new Herblock exhibit opening at the National Portrait Gallery in May too.
There's a new Herblock exhibit opening at the National Portrait Gallery in May too.
Robin Givhan on superhero-inspired fashions
The Post's fashion correspondent Robin Givhan blogs about superhero-inspired fashions today at "Super Heroes and Super Surprises." The International Herald Tribune has a lot more pictures though.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Mexican editorial cartoonist on one of those Post blogs you've never heard of
Amar C. Bakshi on February 19th interviewed Francisco "Paco" Calderon for "Mexico Wages Cartoon Wars Over U.S." There's video on the site as well.
Comics with stories beyond the 4th wall in today's Post
Dilbert refers back to a worker who was fired for posting a Dilbert strip on a bulletin board at work. Dave Astor's got more details than I can bother with.
Baldo's creators tip a hat to Gus Arriola, the cartoonist for Gordo who died earlier this month. R.C. Harvey's book on Arriola and Gordo is still in print and is probably the easiest to find if you want to know more.
Baldo's creators tip a hat to Gus Arriola, the cartoonist for Gordo who died earlier this month. R.C. Harvey's book on Arriola and Gordo is still in print and is probably the easiest to find if you want to know more.
Online article on animation, stereotypes and censorship
See "'Toon 'Types: Animated Stereotypes," by Express contributor Paul Stelter, February 20, 2008.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
3 bits quickly
According to Dave Astor at E&P Online, Mark Tatulli of Lio will be on the Washington Post chat at 1 pm on Friday, February 29th.
Italians have discovered Cul de Sac even though it doesn't appear to be available in Italian. BTW, Italians have a very rich comics tradition, but almost none of it has been reprinted in the US - just Diabolik and a Tex Willer book by Joe Kubert, I think. Oh, and a lot of Disney stories.
Today's Post chat was on "TV Week: The Return of George of the Jungle: Back In the Swing" with Tiffany Ward, Executive Producer (and Jay Ward's daughter), Tuesday, February 19, 2008.
Italians have discovered Cul de Sac even though it doesn't appear to be available in Italian. BTW, Italians have a very rich comics tradition, but almost none of it has been reprinted in the US - just Diabolik and a Tex Willer book by Joe Kubert, I think. Oh, and a lot of Disney stories.
Today's Post chat was on "TV Week: The Return of George of the Jungle: Back In the Swing" with Tiffany Ward, Executive Producer (and Jay Ward's daughter), Tuesday, February 19, 2008.
Monday, February 18, 2008
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 02-20-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 02-20-08
By John Judy
ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL #4 by Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch, and Franco Urru. Believe it or not, there is yet another shock ending to come. T’would be so awesome to see on TV…
BOYS, VOL. 2: GET SOME SC by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Collecting issues #7-14 featuring the Tek-Knight and the Boys’ trip to Russia. NOT for kids, no way-no how, but still recommended.
BRAVE AND BOLD #10 by Mark Waid and George Perez. Untold tales from the Book of Destiny! Supes! Titans! Silver-Age fun galore! Recommended!
EX MACHINA #34 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. Sure, Y THE LAST MAN is over, but we can still get our B.K. Vaughan fix here! This issue we see how an urban vigilante would be received by a real big city police department.
HULK #2 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness. Still no clue who the Red Hulk is but we do learn why Rick Jones can’t keep his shirt together.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST: ORSON RANDALL AND THE GREEN MIST OF DEATH 1-SHOT by Matt Fraction and Various Artists. Lots of great art and some very important context for what’s happening over in the regular title. Not absolutely essential to understanding the regular series but a huge help in getting past the more puzzling details.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #18 by Dwayne McDuffie and Ed Benes. JLA vs. Suicide Squad! So when you’re fighting a team called “Suicide Squad” is it appropriate to stand back and say “Okay, go ahead.”?
MAAKIES WITH WRINKLED KNEES HC by Tony Millionaire. Collecting two years worth of the cartoon adventures of Drinky Crow and Uncle Gabby, the hapless ape. Look, ya either get it or ya don’t.
MIGHTY AVENGERS #9 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. What happens when you invade a country that actually has WMDs? Doctor Doom elaborates on this subject.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: ANT-MAN/GIANT-MAN VOL. 2 HC by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Carl Burgos, Don Heck, Steve Ditko, and Others. Collecting TALES TO ASTONISH #53-69 from the days before Hank Pym was a spouse-beating, depressive with multiple personality disorder. A must-have for all Human Top completists!
RUNAWAYS #29 by Joss Whedon and Michael Ryan. My admiration of the creative team notwithstanding this book was last seen in October of 2007 so it’s kind of hard to recall who’s doing what to whom. Fun stuff if you like “Back to the Future Meets Gangs of New York Meets X-Men.” And I kinda do…. Still, I’d like my own time machine so I could travel four months into the future to see how this all wraps up.
SPIRIT #14 by Sergio Aragones, Mark Evanier, and Mike Ploog. A new creative team on Eisner’s most famous creation! If anyone can follow Darwyn Cooke it’s these guys! Recommended.
ULTIMATE HUMAN #2 of 4 by Warren Ellis and Cary Nord. Ultimate Hulk fights Ultimate Iron Man. Yeah, that’s about it.
ULTIMATES 3 #3 of 5 by Jeph Loeb and Joe Madureira. The mystery of who killed Ultimate Scarlet Witch is overshadowed by the assertion that she and her brother were doing something that is illegal in most states. (Except maybe the Scarlet ones…) Even in the Spears Sisters Era we live in I would say this series is NOT for kids.
ZORRO #1 by Matt Wagner and Francesco Francavilla. The latest revival of the 1919 pulp character begins here! If you liked the Dynamite Entertainment take on the Lone Ranger you need to check this out. From the award-winning creator of GRENDEL.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL #4 by Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch, and Franco Urru. Believe it or not, there is yet another shock ending to come. T’would be so awesome to see on TV…
BOYS, VOL. 2: GET SOME SC by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Collecting issues #7-14 featuring the Tek-Knight and the Boys’ trip to Russia. NOT for kids, no way-no how, but still recommended.
BRAVE AND BOLD #10 by Mark Waid and George Perez. Untold tales from the Book of Destiny! Supes! Titans! Silver-Age fun galore! Recommended!
EX MACHINA #34 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. Sure, Y THE LAST MAN is over, but we can still get our B.K. Vaughan fix here! This issue we see how an urban vigilante would be received by a real big city police department.
HULK #2 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness. Still no clue who the Red Hulk is but we do learn why Rick Jones can’t keep his shirt together.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST: ORSON RANDALL AND THE GREEN MIST OF DEATH 1-SHOT by Matt Fraction and Various Artists. Lots of great art and some very important context for what’s happening over in the regular title. Not absolutely essential to understanding the regular series but a huge help in getting past the more puzzling details.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #18 by Dwayne McDuffie and Ed Benes. JLA vs. Suicide Squad! So when you’re fighting a team called “Suicide Squad” is it appropriate to stand back and say “Okay, go ahead.”?
MAAKIES WITH WRINKLED KNEES HC by Tony Millionaire. Collecting two years worth of the cartoon adventures of Drinky Crow and Uncle Gabby, the hapless ape. Look, ya either get it or ya don’t.
MIGHTY AVENGERS #9 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. What happens when you invade a country that actually has WMDs? Doctor Doom elaborates on this subject.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: ANT-MAN/GIANT-MAN VOL. 2 HC by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Carl Burgos, Don Heck, Steve Ditko, and Others. Collecting TALES TO ASTONISH #53-69 from the days before Hank Pym was a spouse-beating, depressive with multiple personality disorder. A must-have for all Human Top completists!
RUNAWAYS #29 by Joss Whedon and Michael Ryan. My admiration of the creative team notwithstanding this book was last seen in October of 2007 so it’s kind of hard to recall who’s doing what to whom. Fun stuff if you like “Back to the Future Meets Gangs of New York Meets X-Men.” And I kinda do…. Still, I’d like my own time machine so I could travel four months into the future to see how this all wraps up.
SPIRIT #14 by Sergio Aragones, Mark Evanier, and Mike Ploog. A new creative team on Eisner’s most famous creation! If anyone can follow Darwyn Cooke it’s these guys! Recommended.
ULTIMATE HUMAN #2 of 4 by Warren Ellis and Cary Nord. Ultimate Hulk fights Ultimate Iron Man. Yeah, that’s about it.
ULTIMATES 3 #3 of 5 by Jeph Loeb and Joe Madureira. The mystery of who killed Ultimate Scarlet Witch is overshadowed by the assertion that she and her brother were doing something that is illegal in most states. (Except maybe the Scarlet ones…) Even in the Spears Sisters Era we live in I would say this series is NOT for kids.
ZORRO #1 by Matt Wagner and Francesco Francavilla. The latest revival of the 1919 pulp character begins here! If you liked the Dynamite Entertainment take on the Lone Ranger you need to check this out. From the award-winning creator of GRENDEL.
www.johnjudy.net
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Silver Spring's Adventure House publishes comic strip biography
I ran into the publisher Adventure House at a con last weekend and talked to him for a while. In addition to the stunning Alex Raymond book pictured here, I've been buying his reprints of the Shadow regularly. Both the Shadow and Doc Savage have new material written by pulp historians Anthony Tollin and Will Murray. 
Adventure House also has a couple of pulp reprints relating to comic strips - pulp version of Tailspin Tommy #2 from January 1937 and Don Winslow of the Navy #2 from May 1937. I'm a big fan of comics novelizations, even though they're frequently so-so, and was quite please to be able to buy these. I bought this too - Uncovered: The Hidden Art of the Girlie Pulps - on sale for half-price!
Elk's Run interview
Elk's Run was edited by Arlington's Jason Rodriguez - here's a discussion of the book and an interview with the author from Comicon's The Pulse 02-14-2008 "FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: Elk’s Run," by CHRIS BECKETT.
Zadzooks on Spider-Man's silly retcon
"Awesome art can't save Spider-Man from story," By Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times, February 16, 2008. For those who don't read Spider-Man - the devil offered to save Aunt May's life in exchange for Spidey and Mary Jane's marriage - and they took the deal. Hah!
Drew Friedman artwork in Sunday's Post
The Style & Arts section, apparently flush with money after being merged, hired cartoonist and caricaturist Drew Friedman to do a color page for their Oscars coverage. Friedman's appeared in Heavy Metal, Entertainment Weekly and has two books on Jewish Comedians out from Fantagraphics now.
The Incredible Mr. Poe exhibit - new opening date
The Incredible Mr. Poe: Edgar Allan Poe in the Comics
An Exhibition
In 1941, Russian immigrant Albert Lewis Kanter tried to introduce young people in the United States to fine literature by incorporating the classics into something they were already reading—comic books. In 1944, “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” appeared in Kanter’s Classic Comics series, and ever since adaptations of both Poe and his works have been regular features in comic books and graphic novels, many of which will be on display April 24 to October 31 at the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond (www.poemuseum.org). Poe has even appeared as a comics hero himself alongside Batman and Scooby Doo.
M. Thomas Inge, Blackwell Professor of Humanities at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, and Poe Foundation trustee, has studied comic art for over forty years and published several books on the subject. His collection of comic books from childhood will form the core of the upcoming exhibition which is curated by Richmond artist Chris Semtner.
Also featured will be original artwork by such comic artists and illustrators as Rick Geary, Richard Corben, Gahan Wilson, Gris Grimly, Bill Griffith, and Patrick McDonnell, as well as proof sheets and original pages for some of the Classics Illustrated and other comic book versions loaned by collector Jim Vacca of Boulder, Colorado. An illustrated book and catalog will be available for purchase from the Museum Gift Shop with proceeds going to the Museum.
This will be the first exhibition ever devoted to the comic books and graphic narratives that have helped keep Poe’s name and works in the public eye for over sixty years. An opening reception will be held Thursday evening April 24, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., with an Unhappy Hour, food, and music, free and open to the public. The Edgar Allan Poe Museum is located at 1914 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223, phone 804 648-5523. For more information contact Rebecca Jones at becca@poemuseum.org or call toll free 888 21EAPOE.
An Exhibition
In 1941, Russian immigrant Albert Lewis Kanter tried to introduce young people in the United States to fine literature by incorporating the classics into something they were already reading—comic books. In 1944, “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” appeared in Kanter’s Classic Comics series, and ever since adaptations of both Poe and his works have been regular features in comic books and graphic novels, many of which will be on display April 24 to October 31 at the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond (www.poemuseum.org). Poe has even appeared as a comics hero himself alongside Batman and Scooby Doo.
M. Thomas Inge, Blackwell Professor of Humanities at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, and Poe Foundation trustee, has studied comic art for over forty years and published several books on the subject. His collection of comic books from childhood will form the core of the upcoming exhibition which is curated by Richmond artist Chris Semtner.
Also featured will be original artwork by such comic artists and illustrators as Rick Geary, Richard Corben, Gahan Wilson, Gris Grimly, Bill Griffith, and Patrick McDonnell, as well as proof sheets and original pages for some of the Classics Illustrated and other comic book versions loaned by collector Jim Vacca of Boulder, Colorado. An illustrated book and catalog will be available for purchase from the Museum Gift Shop with proceeds going to the Museum.
This will be the first exhibition ever devoted to the comic books and graphic narratives that have helped keep Poe’s name and works in the public eye for over sixty years. An opening reception will be held Thursday evening April 24, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., with an Unhappy Hour, food, and music, free and open to the public. The Edgar Allan Poe Museum is located at 1914 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223, phone 804 648-5523. For more information contact Rebecca Jones at becca@poemuseum.org or call toll free 888 21EAPOE.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
George of the Jungle in the Post on Sunday and Tuesday
The new animated George of the Jungle is the topic of "Back in The Swing: George's Jungle Hijinks Evolve for a New Generation," by Kathy Blumenstock, Washington Post Staff Writer, Sunday, February 17, 2008 in the TV week section.
Jay Ward's daughter Tiffany is interviewed about the new show and her father and will be answering questions Tuesday, Feb 19 at 1 pm on www.washingtonpost.com
Jay Ward's daughter Tiffany is interviewed about the new show and her father and will be answering questions Tuesday, Feb 19 at 1 pm on www.washingtonpost.com
Friday, February 15, 2008
Carl Barks exhibit at Geppi's Entertainment Museum
The Scoop newsletter's article Carl Barks in the Spotlight at GEM: "Scrooged!" has more detail on the new exhibit in Baltimore.
Feb 15-17 Anime in town
According to "All Fired Up for Anime," by Ellen McCarthy, Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday, February 15, 2008; Page WE33, there's a lot of anime in town this weekend. Once can go to:
ANIME AT THE KENNEDY CENTER Genius Party premieres, Friday and Saturday at 7:30. $25. Three-movie marathon, Sunday, with films at 11, 1:15 and 3:30. $15 each. 2700 F St. NW. 202-467-4600. http://www.kennedy-center.org
KATSUCON Friday-Sunday. Omni Shoreham, 2500 Calvert St. NW. Friday $25, Saturday $35, Sunday $20, three-day pass $50. No advance registration required. For a full schedule, visit http://www.katsucon.com.
More details on the Kennedy Center events can be found in yesterday's Express - "Welcome To Japan: 'Culture + Hyperculture'" by Christopher Correa, Express, February 14, 2008.
ANIME AT THE KENNEDY CENTER Genius Party premieres, Friday and Saturday at 7:30. $25. Three-movie marathon, Sunday, with films at 11, 1:15 and 3:30. $15 each. 2700 F St. NW. 202-467-4600. http://www.kennedy-center.org
KATSUCON Friday-Sunday. Omni Shoreham, 2500 Calvert St. NW. Friday $25, Saturday $35, Sunday $20, three-day pass $50. No advance registration required. For a full schedule, visit http://www.katsucon.com.
More details on the Kennedy Center events can be found in yesterday's Express - "Welcome To Japan: 'Culture + Hyperculture'" by Christopher Correa, Express, February 14, 2008.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
OT: Michael Barson on Love Comics
Recently my editor at the University Press of Mississippi tracked down Mike Barson so I could ask permission to use his 1984 interview with Harvey Pekar from Heavy Metal. I called Mr. Barson yesterday and had an enjoyable conversation with him about interviewing Harvey and his other work for Heavy Metal. He's been doing books on ephemera - most are available on Amazon - and today I saw this article on EW.com - "Boy loves girl, girl loves boy and other fables from the Golden Age of Love Comics," by Michael Barson. Check it out.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Comics articles in local media
"Undercover Brother: 'Incognegro'" by Darona Williams on February 13, 2008 is online at the Express website, but isn't in the paper.
Meanwhile the Capitol Hill paper has Mike Canning on Persepolis - "A most animated tale, but no cartoon," Hillrag (February 2008): 78.
Meanwhile the Capitol Hill paper has Mike Canning on Persepolis - "A most animated tale, but no cartoon," Hillrag (February 2008): 78.
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