Matt Wuerker wins award

Matt Wuerker, cartoonist and illustrator for the Politico has won a 3rd place National Headliner Award for the Newspapers/Magazines: Illustrative Graphics catagory. I'm not quite sure what category that is, but Matt's drawn maps and who knows what else for the paper - just like the cartoonists in the early 20th century used to do. Congratulations!

Self-righteous but Forgettable - letter on Staake

This letter published in the Post refers to the Bob Staake cartoon reproduced above. If anyone can tell me what's blasphemous, I'd be glad to hear a semi-cogent argument. Spare me any righteous angst though please. I really don't understand why the cartoon is worse than the contest.

Sacrilegious but Forgivable
Washington Post Saturday, March 8, 2008; Page A13

I was not happy to see a drawing of Jesus in an Elvis Presley-style jumpsuit in the March 1 Style Invitational. As a Christian, I find that blasphemous, and it made me angry with the cartoonist and the people who would publish such a cartoon.

For a second, I empathized with the people who were angry with Danish newspapers that published a cartoon of the prophet Muhammad. Then I remembered that Jesus loves the cartoonist whose work appeared in The Post anyway and expects me to do the same.

Jesus's teachings called for us to love others. What a difference it would make if everyone did that.

-- Shannon Howell

Videogame animation art called terror threat

See "Terror-Themed Game Suspended: Iraqi-Born Artist Asserts Censorship After Exhibit Is Shut Down," By Robin Shulman, Washington Post Staff Writer, Saturday, March 8, 2008; A03.

Post reviewed Katchor play

Missed this yesterday, but the play's in New York anyway - "'Slug Bearers,' a Musical That Breaks the Mold" By Peter Marks, Washington Post Staff Writer, Thursday, March 6, 2008; C01.

Comics in Smithsonian's American Art journal

The next issue from the Smithsonian American Art Museum (or whatever they're calling themselves this week) has several articles on comics, including one by the Library of Congress's Martha Kennedy (who recently passed a copy in a plain brown wrapper to me). See http://americanart.si.edu/education/art_journal.cfm and follow the links for ordering info, but since the issues not live yet, here are the citations from the Comics Research Bibliography's holding slush pile:

Roeder, Katherine. 2008.
Looking High and Low at Comic Art.
American Art 22 (1; Spring): 2-9

Kennedy, Martha H. 2008.
Drawing (Cartoons) from Artistic Traditions.
American Art 22 (1; Spring): 10-14

Coyle, Heather Campbell. 2008.
Caricature and Criticism in Art Academies.
American Art 22 (1; Spring): 15-17

Goerlitz, Amelia A. 2008.
An Interview with Cartoonist Jessica Abel.
American Art 22 (1; Spring): 18-22

Nel, Philip. 2008.
The Fall and Rise of Children's Literature.
American Art 22 (1; Spring): 23-27

Wang, ShiPu. 2008.
Japan against Japan: U.S. Propaganda and Yasuo Kuniyoshi's Identity Crisis [World War 2 caricature].
American Art 22 (1; Spring): 28-51

new comic Jane Quiet by my friend Kate

Go to Kate Laity's website to buy the new comic that she and Elena Steier have done. Minor DC connection - Kate's been a houseguest and Elena comes to the Cartoons and Cocktails auction.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 03-12-08

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 03-12-08
By John Judy

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #553 by Bob Gale and Phil Jimenez. One of the best illustrated Spidey stories in a while. Jimenez knows his stuff and “Back to the Future” screenwriter Gale is quickly learning the ropes of comics scripting. Worth a look, even if the whole Spidey-verse feels out of whack since the Deus Ex Mephisto business.

ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #5 by Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard. The further adventures of the most conflicted lycanthrope hero on the stands today. Good stuff, appropriate for older kids.

AVENGERS INITIATIVE #10 by Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli. Mayhem abounds now that evil MVP clone KIA has an ultimate weapon in his hands. It’s the sort of government-run super-hero program you’d expect during the Bush years. “Heckuva job, Slottie!” Recommended.

BOOSTER GOLD #7 by Geoff Johns and Dan Jurgens. Blue Beetle’s back! But so is Maxwell Lord. And those stupid OMACs. Seriously, enough with them already…

COUNTDOWN TO MYSTERY #6 of 8 by Steve Gerber and Others. Now sadly among the last works of the great Steve Gerber who passed away recently from a smoking-related illness.

DMZ#29 by Brian Wood and Riccardo Burchielli. A new story-arc begins as the US and Free States begin peace talks and a Che Guevara type player emerges. Also out this week is DMZ VOL. 4: FRIENDLY FIRE SC by Wood and Burchielli. A good jumping-on point for this exciting series.

FANTASTIC FOUR #555 by Mark Millar and Brian Hitch. A swell adventure story with all the bells and whistles you'd expect from the original ULTIMATES creative team. Recommended.

HARVEY COMICS CLASSICS VOL. 3: HOT STUFF SC by Various Creators. Collecting over 100 tales of comics’ original Little Devil, the Demon in a Diaper: HOT STUFF! A perfect gateway for all age groups into hardcore Satanism! Highly recommended!

LAST DEFENDERS #1 of 6 by Joe Casey, Keith Giffen, and Jim Muniz. Answering the musical question "How Often Do You Need to Publish a Title to Retain an Active Trademark?" Doo-wop, doo-wop...

MIGHTY AVENGERS #10 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley. Okay, it’s a time-travel story. Just know that going in. There’s fights too.

PUNISHER #55 by Garth Ennis and Goran Parlov. Ennis’s final PUNISHER story begins here. Gotta have it.

SERENITY: BETTER DAYS #1 of 3 by Joss Whedon, Brett Matthews, and Will Conrad. A story from the pre-Big Screen days of Captain Mal Reynolds and his crew. Y’know, back when everyone was still alive. A nice preview is available at Dark Horse’s website. Recommended.

SHOWCASE PRESENTS: PHANTOM STRANGER, VOL. 2 SC by Various Creators. Bronze and Silver Age fun from folks like Bob Haney, Jim Aparo, Marv Wolfman, Mike Grell, and others. Good for all ages.

THUNDERBOLTS #119 by Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato. Swordsman and Venom fight. It's awesome. Not for younger kids.

WALKING DEAD #47 by Robert Kirkman and Charles Adlard. After last issue’s shocking cast member death will Kirkman up the ante? The cover suggests he will. Devastating stuff. Recommended but NOT for kids.

WOLVERINE #63 by Jason Aaron and Ron Garney. It's official: There is a WOLVERINE comic on the stands that DOES NOT SUCK!!! Thank-you, Jason Aaron! Highly recommended.

WONDER WOMAN #18 by Gail Simone and Bernard Chang. Wonder Woman fights the Khunds. They’re an alien race. Honest. Oh stop it already…

X-FACTOR #29 by Peter David and Valentine DeLandro. A nicely illustrated first chapter blissfully apart from the various cross-overs and Events currently ricocheting around the Marvel Yoo. Also contains the most deeply buried credits page I've ever seen.

www.johnjudy.net

Michael Chabon, formerly of Columbia, MD, on superhero costumes

Secret Skin: An essay in unitard theory, by Michael Chabon, The New Yorker, March 10, 2008. He talks about growing up in Columbia toward the end of the essay.

Craig Fischer on his last time in Washington and Pat Oliphant

Craig's got a post on his Thought Balloonist blog about being in DC last fall for ICAF and seeing Pat Oliphant. Charles Hatfield, who was also there, responds, but fails to mention anything about DC at all.

Seriously, my buddies have a good blog going and it's well worth reading regularly.

Geppi branches out into movie theaters in Baltimore

See "Geppi to reopen cineplex at Westview," By Chris Kaltenbach | Baltimore Sun reporter, March 6, 2008.

Tomine article in Express

Scott Rosenberg's back - or at least writing locally. "On the heritage trail: Adrian Tomine knows his 'Shortcomings' - and he knows yours [Online title - Heritage Trail: Adrian Tomine]." Washington Post] Express (March 5): 22.

I'll be at the signing tonight.

3/29 - Peter David & Colleen Doran in Charlottesville, VA at Virginia Festival of The Book

The overall event takes place March 26-30, 2008 in Charlottesville, VA, just a hop, skip, and a jump from the DC Metro area, but Peter and Colleen's specific panel, Graphics at Gravity: Comics and Novels, takes place at noon on the 29th at the Gravity Lounge (103 S. First Street). And I quote:

"Two accomplished comics creators, writer Peter David (Writing for Comics with Peter David) and writer/illustrator Colleen Doran (Girl to Grrrl Manga: How to Draw the Hottest Shoujo Manga), discuss their graphic novels and comic books. Box lunches are available. $8. For choices and to order, see www.gravity-lounge.com."

And the obligatory bios:

"Featuring:
Peter David is a writer who has had over 70 novels and over 1,000 comics and graphic novels published, including numerous appearances on the New York Times Bestsellers List. His works include Mascot to the Rescue, Tigerheart, Sir Apropos of Nothing, Knight Life, Howling Mad, and the Psi-Man adventure series.

Colleen Doran is an illustrator and author of numerous graphic novels and comic books. She has been an artist-in-residence at the Smithsonian Institution. She is working on five new projects for Marvel, DC, HarperCollins, Archie and Image."

There are certainly a good number of other individuals attending this event as well, but the only ones that rang a bell for me were TV news/History Channel personality Roger Mudd and headliner Mike Farrell of M*A*S*H fame.

March 5 - Miss Columbia and Mr. Tomine

Remember - Whatever happened to Miss Columbia lecture at noon at the Library of Congress and then Adrian Tomine at 7 pm at Politics and Prose up Nebraska. I'm thinking both of these should be good, although I'm betting Miss Columbia got subsumed into the Statue of Liberty, aka Lady Liberty. Just look at some 9-11 cartoons of her and Uncle Sam hanging together.

The City Paper's blurb on Tomine's online now too.

Cameroon expat cartoonist raises funds for polio victim

Issa Nayaphaga sent a note to me today about his exhibit in New York City. He's living part of the time in Mount Ranier outside DC and his work's been exhibited there too.

Issa wrote, "In October 2007, I initiated an action to support Ibrahim 17 years old, who is a victim of Polio, in Cameroon.

I'm selling my work in order to buy him a custom designed 3 wheeled bicycle to enable him to get around and lead his life in a productive way.

If some of you can't make it to the reception, please save this postcard and consider sending your check to Joe's Movement.

Thank you for writing "Hope for Ibrahim" on the back of your check.
I'll keep you informed.

All the best

Issa"
www.nyaphaga.com

Sounds like a good cause, doesn't it? Issa's an expat by the way because his editorial cartoons weren't looked upon with favor by the government.

His New York exhibit's open through the end of the week, he says, "If you didn't have a chance to go yet, you have until this Friday evening March 7th-- I'm taking the show down Saturday morning. Invite your friends!
The show is open 24 Hours, located at:
Hotel Roger Smith, 501 Lexington Avenue - NYC
(cross street 47th East - 2 blocks North from Grand Central)."

Express online article about Family Guy

See "Dear Seth MacFarlane: Please Fix 'Family Guy'," Posted by Greg Barber at 3:25 PM on March 3, 2008.

March 27 - One Piece Movie anime screening

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Chris Wanamaker, (202) 262 2083
president@dcanimeclub.org

One Piece Movie to be screened at the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan.

The Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan in collaboration with the DC Anime Club Present the Washington, DC Premier of One Piece the Movie: Episode of Alabaster on Thursday

March 27,2008 6:30 pm as part of inaugural showing for a new film series based on both Anime (Japanese Animation) and Manga ( Japanese Comics).

About One Piece The Movie: Six pirates, may be all that stand between salvation and total destruction!

The Straw Hat Pirates are on a quest to save the desert kingdom of Alabasta. A civil war brews there among the sands, one started and stirred by the hand of none other than Crocodile and his corrupted Baroque Works gang. The stakes run ever higher as Princess Vivi’s homeland threatens to tear itself apart. More than lives are on the line…

Based upon the hit Manga One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
In Japanese with English Subtitles 90 minutes.

This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required.
RSVP to jiccrsvpwinter08@embjapan.org

Seating is limited and granted on a first come, first served basis.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information please visit the Japanese Information and Culture Center website at http://www.us.embjapan.go.jp/jicc/ or visit the DC Anime Club website at http://dcanimeclub.org.


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 taxed 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.

About Japan Information and Culture Center:
The Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) is the cultural and public affairs section of the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. Our primary role is to promote better understanding of Japan and Japanese culture by providing a wide range of
information,educational services and programs to the public. The JICC is located on the lower level of the glass-enclosed Galleria at Lafayette Centre III in downtown Washington, D.C. Its facilities include a research library, a 152-seat
auditorium, and a 1,500-square-foot exhibition gallery where a wide variety of events
sponsored by the JICC are hosted throughout the year.

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

Mark Wheatley interview

See "WHEATLEY & TINNELL COMICS ON EZ STREET" by Jennifer M. Contino, Comicon's The Pulse 02-28-2008.

Mark Tatulli of Lio chat on WashPost.com

See "Meet the Comics Pages: Mark Tatulli, Cartoonist -- Lio", Friday, February 29, 2008; 1:00 PM. Note our man Thompson get schooled by Tobin towards the end for daring to ask about Beetle Bailey.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 03-05-08

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 03-05-08
By John Judy

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #552 by Bob Gale and Phil Jimenez. The writer of “Back to the Future” takes on Spidey. “Great Scott!” No wait, that’s X-Men….

BOYS #16 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Involving an undead “hero” and a gerbil. Ennis pushes the envelope and then sticks it screaming into the shredder. Not for kids.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #12 by Drew Goddard and Georges Jeanty. A new story-arc “Wolves at the Gate” from the writer of “Alias”, “Lost”, and “Cloverfield.” Set in Tokyo.

CABLE #1 by Duane Swierczynski and Ariel Olivetti. Cable's in 2043 New Jersey which is even worse than 2008 New Jersey if such a thing is possible. And he's got the mutant killer Jesus baby from “Messiah Complex.” At least there's violence.

CLANDESTINE #2 of 5 written and drawn by Alan Davis. An immortal family dramedy reminiscent of a good "Buffy" but with a lot of back-story. And it's got Davis art so of course it looks great.

FABLES: 1001 NIGHTS OF SNOWFALL SC by Bill Willingham and Every Artist You Love, including Vess, Bolland, Kaluta, and many more! Something for everyone! Recommended!

GREEN LANTERN #28 by Geoff Johns and Mike McKone. More fun with the Alpha Lanterns, the Lost Lanterns, and the Pistachio Rocky-Road Lanterns!

JUSTICE LEAGUE: NEW FRONTIER SPECIAL written and drawn by Darwyn Cooke. Lotsa never before seen goodies celebrating the release of the popular DVD.

KIRBY: KING OF COMICS HC by Mark Evanier. Years in the making, this is Evanier’s tribute to his former boss and long-time friend, Jack Kirby, the guy who co-created the foundations of the Marvel Universe and a lot more. Already going back to press, this book is a must for all subjects of The King. Highly Recommended.

LOGAN #1 of 3 by Brian K. Vaughan and Eduardo Risso. Given the creative team this book shall surely take its place in the small but elite club of “Wolverine Comics That Don’t Suck.”

NORTHLANDERS #4 by Brian Wood and Davide Gianfelice. Sven the Uber-Viking faces repercussions from his latest naughtiness. Great stuff from the author of DMZ.

OMEGA THE UNKNOWN #6 of 10 by Jonathan Lethem and Faryl Dalrymple. This issue has a nice but spare memorial page to the late Steve Gerber, creator of Omega the Unknown and Howard the Duck, who passed away recently from a smoking-related illness. Beyond that you're either into this series already or you're not.

SCALPED #15 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. Introducing Mr. Brass and his little black bag of pain. Okay, all of you have to start reading this now. Except for the kids. Highly recommended.

STREETS OF GLORY #4 of 6 by Garth Ennis and Mike Wolfer. The battle rages on against renegade Indians, blown shipping deadlines, and Avatar’s crummy website.

TERRY MOORE’S ECHO #1 written and drawn by Terry Moore. The creator of STRANGERS IN PARADISE wonders what it would be like to be the host of a symbiotic nuclear weapon and a dead woman who lives in your heart. Well, who hasn’t?!

THE TWELVE #3 of 12 J. Michael Straczynski and Chris Weston. A really strong issue focusing on how the twelve time-tossed heroes of the 40s are adjusting to the 21st century. Gorgeous art by Weston. Thus far the strongest of the three "golden-age revival" books on the stands this month. Highly recommended.

UNCANNY X-MEN #496 by Ed Brubaker and Mike Choi. Global Mutant Action in San Francisco and Russia! A good issue but one you shouldn't read until the current ASTONISHING X-MEN story wraps up. Major Spoiler Alert! Otherwise recommended.

YOUNG LIARS #1 written and drawn by David Lapham. The creator of STRAY BULLETS begins his first full-color monthly book featuring the adventures of a brain-damaged rich girl, a pathological liar, and their entourage of losers. Not for the young or faint of heart. Recommended.

www.johnjudy.net

Mr. Big wins Day Prize

Matt Dembicki writes in to say, "-Mr. Big was named the 2007 Day Prize winner (Dave Sim called me to tell me). Carol and I will be exhibiting at the Small Press and Alternative Comics Expo in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend, where we'll receive the award. Should be an all-around fun weekend!"

Congratulations Matt and Carol! Mr. Big is an all-ages story of a turtle for those who haven't seen it yet.

For more information, see http://www.backporchcomics.com/day_prize_announcement.htm