Martha Kennedy reminds us:
For those of you in the Washington, D.C. area who might be interested, we invite you to Swann Fellow Dr. Ellen Berg’s public talk titled "Where Have You Gone, Miss Columbia? American Identity and Uncle Sam’s Forgotten Partner,” at noon on Wednesday, March 5, 2008, in Dining Room A, 6th floor Madison Building, Library of Congress at 101 Independence S.E., Washington, DC. In her lecture, she will draw on the Library’s collections of cartoon prints, posters, drawings, and related items which contain many portrayals of Miss Columbia in order to examine how changing depictions of Columbia reflect parallel changes in ideas about American identity and feminine nationalism.
We hope very much that some of you can join us!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
March 18: CARTOONS BY MODERNIST PAINTER AD REINHARDT
CARTOONS BY MODERNIST PAINTER AD REINHARDT DISCUSSED AT LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ON MARCH 18
During World War II, American abstract expressionist painter Ad Reinhardt made a series of little-known but striking cartoon collages of Adolf Hitler. Reinhardt’s overlooked cartoon work will be discussed by Swann Foundation Fellow Prudence Peiffer in a lecture at the Library of Congress on March 18.
Peiffer’s presentation, “How to Look at Ad Reinhardt’s World War II Cartoons in America,” will begin at noon on Tuesday, March 18, in Dining Room A on the sixth floor of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. The event is free and open to the public; no reservations are required.
The illustrated talk is based on research conducted by Peiffer at the Library of Congress during her fellowship, which was awarded last year by the Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon. The lecture is sponsored by the foundation, which is managed by the Library, and the Library’s Prints and Photographs Division.
The cartoon collages by Reinhardt (1913-1967) were published during World War II in The New Masses journal and PM newspaper. By 1946, he had honed his collage technique in his “How to Look at Modern Art” cartoons.
In her talk, Peiffer will explore how Reinhardt mined the history of political cartoons to create his own unique strategy of radical aesthetics, and she will argue for a connection between his best-known abstract paintings from the 1950s and 1960s and his earlier cartoon work. She will draw upon examples of Reinhardt’s published cartoon creations and drawings by such cartoonists as Miguel Covarrubias (1904-1957), whose work influenced the younger artist.
In addition to being a Swann fellow at the Library of Congress, Peiffer is a pre-doctoral fellow at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. She is a doctoral candidate in 20th-century art history at Harvard University and is writing her dissertation titled “Routine Extremism: Ad Reinhardt and Modern Art.” Peiffer completed a master’s degree in the history of art and architecture at Harvard and a bachelor’s in art history at Yale University. Her particular interest is in the intersections between abstraction and figuration in 20th-century art.
Peiffer’s presentation is part of the Swann Foundation’s continuing activities to support the study, interpretation, preservation and appreciation of original works of humorous and satiric art by graphic artists from around the world. The foundation’s advisory board is made up of scholars, collectors, cartoonists and Library of Congress staff members.
The Swann Foundation customarily awards one fellowship annually (with a stipend of $15,000) to assist scholarly research and writing projects in the field of caricature and cartoon. More information about the fellowship is available through the Swann Foundation’s Web site: www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/ or by e-mailing swann@loc.gov.
# # #
PR08-42
2/28/08
ISSN: 0731-3527
During World War II, American abstract expressionist painter Ad Reinhardt made a series of little-known but striking cartoon collages of Adolf Hitler. Reinhardt’s overlooked cartoon work will be discussed by Swann Foundation Fellow Prudence Peiffer in a lecture at the Library of Congress on March 18.
Peiffer’s presentation, “How to Look at Ad Reinhardt’s World War II Cartoons in America,” will begin at noon on Tuesday, March 18, in Dining Room A on the sixth floor of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C. The event is free and open to the public; no reservations are required.
The illustrated talk is based on research conducted by Peiffer at the Library of Congress during her fellowship, which was awarded last year by the Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon. The lecture is sponsored by the foundation, which is managed by the Library, and the Library’s Prints and Photographs Division.
The cartoon collages by Reinhardt (1913-1967) were published during World War II in The New Masses journal and PM newspaper. By 1946, he had honed his collage technique in his “How to Look at Modern Art” cartoons.
In her talk, Peiffer will explore how Reinhardt mined the history of political cartoons to create his own unique strategy of radical aesthetics, and she will argue for a connection between his best-known abstract paintings from the 1950s and 1960s and his earlier cartoon work. She will draw upon examples of Reinhardt’s published cartoon creations and drawings by such cartoonists as Miguel Covarrubias (1904-1957), whose work influenced the younger artist.
In addition to being a Swann fellow at the Library of Congress, Peiffer is a pre-doctoral fellow at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. She is a doctoral candidate in 20th-century art history at Harvard University and is writing her dissertation titled “Routine Extremism: Ad Reinhardt and Modern Art.” Peiffer completed a master’s degree in the history of art and architecture at Harvard and a bachelor’s in art history at Yale University. Her particular interest is in the intersections between abstraction and figuration in 20th-century art.
Peiffer’s presentation is part of the Swann Foundation’s continuing activities to support the study, interpretation, preservation and appreciation of original works of humorous and satiric art by graphic artists from around the world. The foundation’s advisory board is made up of scholars, collectors, cartoonists and Library of Congress staff members.
The Swann Foundation customarily awards one fellowship annually (with a stipend of $15,000) to assist scholarly research and writing projects in the field of caricature and cartoon. More information about the fellowship is available through the Swann Foundation’s Web site: www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/ or by e-mailing swann@loc.gov.
# # #
PR08-42
2/28/08
ISSN: 0731-3527
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Disney helps Walter Reed says the Post
"Trying Some Disney Attitude to Help Cure Walter Reed," By Steve Vogel, Washington Post Staff Writer, Monday, February 25, 2008; B01.
Monday, February 25, 2008
March 5: Adrian Tomine at Polilitics and Prose
Just got an email from Drawn and Quarterly with his Shortcomings book tour schedule and it's WASHINGTON DC Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 7:00 PM Politics & Prose. See www.politics-prose.com
Not your typical Dagwood
The image on the left is by Eric Shansby, who illustrates Gene Weingarten's column in the Washington Post Magazine. This is from the February 24th issue in which someone pitches the idea of a no-work holiday on leap day. I always enjoy seeing comics characters drawn by a different artist.
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 02-27-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 02-27-08
By John Judy
ALL-STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN #9 by Frank Miller and Jim Lee. Brace yourselves….
BATMAN #674 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel. Torture! Isolation! Bat-Mite! Three great tastes that go great together!
BLACK PANTHER ANNUAL #1 by Reginald Hudlin, Larry Stroman, and Ken Lashley. A peek into the future with magic frogs. Good stuff.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #35 by Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice. In which we learn not to trust a Nazi analyst with a beard longer than all of Z.Z. Top put together.
CRIME BIBLE: THE FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOOD #5 of 5 by Greg Rucka, Manuuel Garcia, and Jimmy Palmiotti. Final issue with an awesome cover by John Van Fleet.
CRIMINAL 2 #1 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Just the best damn comic on the stands. Honest. Not for kids. Lots of extras and a great jumping-on point for all. Highly Recommended.
DAN DARE #4 by Garth Ennis and Gary Erskine. It’s space-opera, Ennis-style!
DAREDEVIL #105 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. The big showdown with Mister Fear a.ka. “Larry.” It’s a great pay-off and a classic Brubaker twist of the knife. Recommended.
GRAVEL #1 by Warren Ellis, Mike Wolfer, and Raulo Caceres. Ellis’s “Combat Magician” is back! Brutal hi-jinks ensue! NOT for kids.
HELLBLAZER #241 by Andy Diggle and Leonardo Manco. An evil war-mage is after Constantine and none of his friends want to help. In other words, it’s Wednesday.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #13 by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross, and Dale Eaglesham. Featuring a classic floating-heads cover by Alex Ross! With a story inside!
KICK ASS #1 by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. It would appear to contain fisticuffs.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: ATLAS ERA HEROES, VOL. 2 HC by John Romita Sr., Bill Everett, and Other Underpaid Folks. If you like seeing Captain America, the Human Torch, and the Sub-Mariner fighting commies, this is the book for you!
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #5 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips. Some will live! Some will die! Some will die again! Or will they….?
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #1 of 6 by Alex Ross, Jim Krueger, and Carlos Paul. The “golden-age heroes in the modern world” story NOT being written by Straczynski! Thank-you, expired copyrights!
RASL #1 written and drawn by Jeff Smith. In Smith’s own words: “”It’s pronounced ‘Razzle.’ It’s Blade Runner meets Jason Bourne. He’s an art thief who jumps dimensions. It’s a serialized graphic novel that’ll take about two years to finish.” In other words, this one’s the Event of the Week!
SHE-HULK #26 by Peter David and Shawn Moll. Bounty-huntin’, badoon smackin’, raise the dead action from the PAD-guy!
SHOWCASE PRESENTS SUPERMAN FAMILY VOL. 2 SC by Otto Binder, Curt Swan, Wayne Boring, and Others! Classic tales of Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane! Good for the whole family!
SPIDER-MAN: WITH GREAT POWER #2 of 5 by David Lapham and Tony Harris. Tales from after the bite but before Uncle Ben got killed by Generic Thug or Sandman or whoever.
THOR #6 by J. Michael Straczynski and Olivier Copiel. Tales of Asgard by way of Oklahoma. Also a tough decision is reached.
WORLD WAR HULK AFTERSMASH: DAMAGE CONTROL #2 of 3 by Dwayne McDuffie and Salva Espin. If Halliburton existed in the Marvel Universe (and wasn’t completely evil) it would be Damage Control.
YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS: HULKLING #2 of 6 by Brian Reed and Harvey Tolibao. A father-son reunion for Hulkling and Captain Mar-Vell. Nice stuff.
Plus PREVIEWS from Diamond and Marvel Comics.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
ALL-STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN #9 by Frank Miller and Jim Lee. Brace yourselves….
BATMAN #674 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel. Torture! Isolation! Bat-Mite! Three great tastes that go great together!
BLACK PANTHER ANNUAL #1 by Reginald Hudlin, Larry Stroman, and Ken Lashley. A peek into the future with magic frogs. Good stuff.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #35 by Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice. In which we learn not to trust a Nazi analyst with a beard longer than all of Z.Z. Top put together.
CRIME BIBLE: THE FIVE LESSONS OF BLOOOD #5 of 5 by Greg Rucka, Manuuel Garcia, and Jimmy Palmiotti. Final issue with an awesome cover by John Van Fleet.
CRIMINAL 2 #1 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Just the best damn comic on the stands. Honest. Not for kids. Lots of extras and a great jumping-on point for all. Highly Recommended.
DAN DARE #4 by Garth Ennis and Gary Erskine. It’s space-opera, Ennis-style!
DAREDEVIL #105 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. The big showdown with Mister Fear a.ka. “Larry.” It’s a great pay-off and a classic Brubaker twist of the knife. Recommended.
GRAVEL #1 by Warren Ellis, Mike Wolfer, and Raulo Caceres. Ellis’s “Combat Magician” is back! Brutal hi-jinks ensue! NOT for kids.
HELLBLAZER #241 by Andy Diggle and Leonardo Manco. An evil war-mage is after Constantine and none of his friends want to help. In other words, it’s Wednesday.
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #13 by Geoff Johns, Alex Ross, and Dale Eaglesham. Featuring a classic floating-heads cover by Alex Ross! With a story inside!
KICK ASS #1 by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. It would appear to contain fisticuffs.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: ATLAS ERA HEROES, VOL. 2 HC by John Romita Sr., Bill Everett, and Other Underpaid Folks. If you like seeing Captain America, the Human Torch, and the Sub-Mariner fighting commies, this is the book for you!
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #5 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips. Some will live! Some will die! Some will die again! Or will they….?
PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #1 of 6 by Alex Ross, Jim Krueger, and Carlos Paul. The “golden-age heroes in the modern world” story NOT being written by Straczynski! Thank-you, expired copyrights!
RASL #1 written and drawn by Jeff Smith. In Smith’s own words: “”It’s pronounced ‘Razzle.’ It’s Blade Runner meets Jason Bourne. He’s an art thief who jumps dimensions. It’s a serialized graphic novel that’ll take about two years to finish.” In other words, this one’s the Event of the Week!
SHE-HULK #26 by Peter David and Shawn Moll. Bounty-huntin’, badoon smackin’, raise the dead action from the PAD-guy!
SHOWCASE PRESENTS SUPERMAN FAMILY VOL. 2 SC by Otto Binder, Curt Swan, Wayne Boring, and Others! Classic tales of Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane! Good for the whole family!
SPIDER-MAN: WITH GREAT POWER #2 of 5 by David Lapham and Tony Harris. Tales from after the bite but before Uncle Ben got killed by Generic Thug or Sandman or whoever.
THOR #6 by J. Michael Straczynski and Olivier Copiel. Tales of Asgard by way of Oklahoma. Also a tough decision is reached.
WORLD WAR HULK AFTERSMASH: DAMAGE CONTROL #2 of 3 by Dwayne McDuffie and Salva Espin. If Halliburton existed in the Marvel Universe (and wasn’t completely evil) it would be Damage Control.
YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS: HULKLING #2 of 6 by Brian Reed and Harvey Tolibao. A father-son reunion for Hulkling and Captain Mar-Vell. Nice stuff.
Plus PREVIEWS from Diamond and Marvel Comics.
www.johnjudy.net
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Watch Your Head tips towards Big Planet Comics
Pointed out by Robert and Brenda, last Monday's strip seems to be placed at Big Planet Comics, which would be one of Corey Thomas' local comics stores. There used to be an Another World/Universe chain in the area too, until they imploded.
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!
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