Manga Shakespeare photos

I've got notes about the presentation that I'll try to write up soon, but here's some pictures at least. It was very interesting.

Writer Adam Sexton and artist Yali Lin, adaptors of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: The Manga Edition. Booksigning after lecture at Folger Shakespeare Library.

Georgetown University professor op-ed on Danish Islam cartoon controversy

See "The Controversy Over the Cartoons," by Noureddine Jebnoun, Middle East Online pril 2, 2008. Jebnoun is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies.

April 7: David Hajdu at Politics and Prose

Monday, April 7th at 7 pm: David Hajdu turns from the folk pop era of the ’60s (Positively Fourth Street) to the comic book era of the ‘30s and ‘40s with THE TEN-CENT PLAGUE at Politics and Prose in DC.

I'm going; anyone else?

April 12: Howard Zinn and Mike Konopacki

Saturday, April 12, 1 p.m at Politics and Prose - HOWARD ZINN & MIKE KONOPACKI's A PEOPLE’S HISTORY OF AMERICAN EMPIRE: A GRAPHIC ADAPTATION (Metropolitan, $17).

The people’s historian has teamed up with labor cartoonist Mike Konopacki for a graphic presentation of American imperialism. Zinn’s primary-source accounts are illuminated by the artist’s pen, making for a dramatic and bracing retelling of the darker side of our national story.

Singer on Morrison on Superman

Go read Marc on All-Star Superman #10, and briefly return with us to the thrilling days of yesteryear when titans like Eliot S! Maggin wrote about a godlike superhero.

National Cartoonist Society nominations online

And our own Richard Thompson's name can be seen on the site. The very last name, it's true...

For the main Reuben, it's an odd group - two single panel cartoonists even though no single panels where nominated for an award, and a grand old man of MAD Magazine, Al Jaffee, who should win. There's a good article on Jaffee in "A Veteran MAD Man Remains in the Fold,"By NEIL GENZLINGER, New York Times March 30, 2008.

April 4: Stephen King at Folger

April 4, 2008 8 P.M. PEN/Faulkner winds up its 2007-08 season with a reading by "The Three Kings": bestselling novelist Stephen King, his wife, Tabitha King, and their son Owen King at the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE. A reception and book signing follow. Tickets are $30; RSVP at 202-544-7077 or http://www.folger.edu/pen.

April 1: Marjane Satrapi in Baltimore; April 2 in McClean

She's well worth going to hear.

April 1, 20087 P.M. Iranian-born writer and artist Marjane Satrapi, author of Persepolis (her memoir of Iran's Islamic Revolution told in graphic novel form and the basis for an Oscar-nominated animated film), delivers the 2008 Baldwin Lecture in Humanities at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, 4701 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Md. A book signing follows. For details, call 410-532-5516 or visit http://www.ndm.edu.

She will also speak on Wednesday, April 2, at 7 p.m. at the McLean Community Center, Alden Theatre, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, Va. Admission to this event, sponsored by the Fairfax County Public Library (part of its "Perspectives" series), is free. Tickets will be distributed (limit four per person) beginning at 7 p.m.; call 703-324-8428 for details.

OT: New Marvel book by buddy

Rob Weiner who I've corresponded with off and on for years has a specialized book for librarians coming out that may also appeal to the hardcore Marvel fan. Here's the details.

Marvel Graphic Novels and Related Publications
An Annotated Guide to Comics, Prose Novels, Children's Books,
Articles, Criticism and Reference Works, 1965–2005
Robert G. Weiner
Foreword by John Rhett Thomas

ISBN 978-0-7864-2500-6
appendices, bibliography, indexes
399pp. hardcover (7 x 10) 2008

$49.95
Available for immediate shipment

Description
This work provides an extensive guide for students, fans, and
collectors of Marvel Comics. Focusing on Marvel's mainstream comics,
the author provides a detailed description of each comic along with a
bibliographic citation listing the publication's title,
writers/artists, publisher, ISBN (if available), and a plot synopsis.
One appendix provides a comprehensive alphabetical index of Marvel and
Marvel–related publications to 2005, while two other appendices
provide selected lists of Marvel–related game books and unpublished
Marvel titles.

About the Author
Robert G. Weiner is a reference librarian at the Mahon Library in
Lubbock, Texas. His works have been published in the following
journals: Journal of Popular Culture, Public Library Quarterly,
Journal of American Culture and Popular Music and Society. He lives in
Lubbock.


Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix
Foreword by John Rhett Thomas 1
Preface 3

Section I. Background Highlights
1. Graphic Novels and Literature, Then and Now 5
2. Marvel Comics, Then and Now 11

Section II. Marvel's Superheroes
3. Major Characters, Teams, and Team-Ups
Avengers, Black Panther/Black Widow, Hawkeye, Hercules, Thunderbolts,
and Ultimates 19
Captain America, Fury, Human Torch, Namor, and Golden-Age Characters
27
Conan/Kull 34
Cosmic Heroes and Supernaturals/Blade, Captain Marvel, Dr. Strange,
Dracula, Ghost Rider, Silver Surfer, Thanos, et al. 37
Daredevil and Elektra 44
Fantastic Four/Dr. Doom and Inhumans 50
Hulk and She-Hulk 55
Iron Man and War Machine 60
Punisher, Shadowmasters, and The 'Nam 62
Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Spider-Girl, Venom, and Carnage 67
Thor 86
Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Death's Head 90
Wolverine, Deadpool, Sabretooth, and Weapon X 96
X-Men/Mutants and Related 104
4. Minor Characters and Minor Character Combos
Minor Characters 131
Minor Character Combos 143

Section III. Special Volumes and Series
5. Special Hardbacks and Marvel Masterworks
Special Hardbacks 151
Marvel Masterworks 168
6. Marvel's Essential Series
Avengers, Ant-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor 180
Daredevil 184
Fantastic Four, Dr. Doom, Human Torch, and Inhumans 185
Hulk 187
Spider-Man 187
Wolverine 189
X-Men 191
Essential Monsters 193
Other Essentials 194
7. Epic Comics Graphic Novels 197
8. Marvel and Marvel-Related Paperbacks 215

Section IV. Selected Marvel Publications
9. Marvel/DC Crossovers 227
10. Children's Books 232
11. Movies and Television 245
12. Classical, Esoteric, Historical, Music-Related, and Religious
Works 252

Section V. Selected Marvel-Related Publications
13. Prose Novels
Avengers 257
Blade 257
Captain America 258
Daredevil and Elektra 258
Fantastic Four 259
Hulk 260
Iron Man 262
Spider-Man 262
X-Men/Wolverine and Related 268
Team-Ups 276
Other Characters and Novels 279
14. Articles, Books, Guides, and Indexes
Articles and Books 282
Guides and Indexes 298
15. Children's Books 305
16. Scholarly Publications 311

Appendix 1. Marvel and Marvel-Related Publications, 2005 325
Appendix 2. Selected Marvel-Related Game Books 332
Appendix 3. Unpublished Books 335
Title Index 337
Artist and Author Index 354
Subject Index 364

Zadzooks on Justice League

See "Justice series is packed with star-filled action," By Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times March 29, 2008

In Saturday's Post ... Toles criticism, Superhero Movie, Candorville

Ok, I can't find it online just like last week as the Free For All section doesn't appear in searches or on the opinion webpage, but there's a letter to the editor criticizing Tom Toles for this cartoon. Surprise, surprise.

Also, Superhero Movie got a lousy review in "Spoofs Like 'Superhero' Make Anyone Climb the Walls," By John Anderson, Washington Post Saturday, March 29, 2008; C01.

Finally, Darrin Bell in Candorville is definitely criticizing the Post in Friday and Saturday's strips for not running his strips about Obama's security.

Mark Chiarello interview

I saw the Mark Chiarello "Heroes of the Negro Leagues" exhibit today at ArtInSights Gallery and enjoyed it, as well as meeting the artist. I'll post a review of the exhibit (and the whole store actually) here soon as IJOCA's deadline isn't remotely close, but you can read an interview done by the gallery owner starting here and continuing here.

There's a book that the artwork came from too so I picked up a copy of it as well.

Here's a picture of the gallery owner co-owner Leslie Combemale (red hair) and Chiarello (center with beard).

More on Wertham by Beaty and Jeet Heer

My friend Bart's got a response to Jeet Heer's review of Hajdu's new book on Wertham and 50s comics censorship and Jeet responds to Bart as well. See "SYMPOSIUM: CULTURE WARS: Comic books were criticized not because they possessed the 'unruly spirit of youth' but because they were emblematic of the worst aspects of a widely disparaged mass culture," Bart Beaty writes," by BART BEATY AND JEET HEER, Globe and Mail March 29, 2008. I'm of two minds about Bart's argument, but I will accept that Wertham was acting as a concerned psychiatrist. Unfortunately the most-well meaning people can do the most damage.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-02-08

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-02-08
By John Judy

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #555 by Zeb Wells and Chris Bachalo. Gorgeous art, ninjas, Wolverine, and an official Marvel No-Prize challenge for all you kids who think you're smarter than a Marvel Editor. Start slamming your head into a brick wall to make it fair...

AMERICAN SPLENDOR SEASON TWO #1 of 4 by Harvey Pekar and Assorted Talents. The J. Alfred Prufrock of comics returns with his autobiographical shorts illustrated by Chris Weston, David Lapham, and other gifted collaborators. Recommended for teens and up.

ANGEL: AFTER THE FALL #6 by Joss Whedon, Brian Lynch, and a bunch of artists. A two-parter finally giving with the scoop about what exactly happened after the final scene of the TV series. Way cool. Recommended.

ANNA MERCURY #1 of 5 by Warren Ellis and Facundo Percio. Warren’s new superwoman who makes Jet Li and the Shadow look like Laurel and Hardy! Recommended!

BOYS #17 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Wee Hughie starts to live again. Sadly so does his old foe, The Blarney Cock! Vicious, soul-to-hell-condemning fun from Belfast’s Favorite Son. Not for kids.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #13 by Drew Goddard and Georges Jeanty. Buffy and the Scoobs fight uber-vamps in Tokyo. From the writer of “Cloverfield.”

CABLE #2 by Duane Swierczynski and Ariel Olivetti. Mutant cyborg time-travelin' action with a baby. This is what Sweeps Week looks like in Hell.

ESSENTIAL IRON MAN VOL.3. SC by Archie Goodwin, Gene Colan, and Many Others. Collecting issues #12-38 and DAREDEVIL #73. Time to get psyched for next month’s movie and bargain-priced reprints are the best place to start. Enjoy!

HOLMES GN written and illustrated by Omaha Perez. Author Perez explains it best: “What if Sherlock Holmes is constantly out of his head and Watson’s not much better off, the Dr. Gonzo to Holmes’s Raoul Duke?” This week’s “Gotta-look!”

KICK ASS #2 by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. Okay, the first issue saw our hero essentially beaten to death, sans mutant healing factor, which is good enough for me to want to read issue two! Definitely too rough for younger kids. Twisted fun for all others.

LOGAN #2 of 3 by Brian K. Vaughan and Eduardo Risso. Wolverine’s back in Japan which is always good for few sword and barbed arrowhead induced laughs. Beautiful art by Risso and a comforting fix of Vaughan for those of us who still miss Y THE LAST MAN. Recommended.

PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #2 of 6 by Alex Ross, Jim Krueger, and Carlos Paul. The most interesting thing about this series is the fact that its cast of heroes is in play due to copyright expiration. At least one of them (Dynamic Man) is also appearing in THE TWELVE over at Marvel. And it’s tough to overcome the fact that one of the main protagonists in this “serious” adventure story is repeatedly addressed as “Yank.” Just sayin’…

SCALPED #16 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. Dash and Red Crow butt heads with a Nebraska sheriff. This is the title Garth Ennis calls “like a comic book written just for me!” The hardest of hard stuff for fans of westerns and noir. Highly recommended. Not for kids.

SECRET INVASION #1 of 8 by Brian Bendis and Leinil Francis Yu. SKRULLS!!!! Shapeshifting, concentric circle-eyed, ridgey-chinned !@$^@#$!!!! Time to start collecting on those bets you made with your friends. Geeky fun!

SHAZAM: GREATEST STORIES EVER TLD SC by Bill Parker, C.C. Beck, Dennis O’Neil, Gil Kane, Jack Kirby and many more. The best of the past 60+ years of the Big Red Cheese! Highly recommended for all ages!

THE TWELVE #4 of 12 by J. Michael Straczynski and Chris Weston. More murders and back-biting among our time-lost Golden Age heroes! Plus, the origin of Rockman! Appointment reading, highly recommended!

WALKING DEAD #48 by Robert Kirkman and Charles Adlard. The bloody aftermath of the Governor’s raid. As Kirkman has proven: “No one is safe.” Not for kids. Recommended for older teens on up.

YOUNG AVENGERS PRESENTS #3 of 6 by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Alina Urusov. Wiccan and Speed search for their lost mama, the Scarlet Witch!

YOUNG X-MEN #1 by Marc Guggenheim and Yanick Paquette. Cyclops is gettin' the band back together. If you liked "Young Justice", "Young All-Stars", "Youngblood", "Young Guns", "Young and the Restless", and Young MC.... well, you have OCD and you're not going to feel right if you don't buy this comic. PS - The kitchen floor is covered with germs.

ZORRO #2 by Matt Wagner and Francesco Francavilla. “The Fox” versus the brutal Gonzales in the new adventures of the original Man in Black!

www.johnjudy.net

Another Plastic Farm article

"Jefferson man pens full-length graphic novel," by Connor Adams Sheets, Gazette newspapers Thursday, March 27, 2008

Manga Shakespeare at Folger covered by Times

See "Manga revamp for the Bard," By Jenny Mayo, Washington Times March 28, 2008.

I'll be there - anybody else?

Ullman back in City Paper

Rob's illustrated the Eats food column for 3/28/08 - no cute girl though!

Hellblazer writer Denise Mina at Borders

Actually she was there to talk about her new mystery book. I happened to notice this article by Arion Berger, "Plaid, the New Black: Crime fiction writer Denise Mina on the gritty side of Glasgow," Express (March 27): E10 and had a vague idea that it would be interesting so I drove on over. I was the only comics fan in the audience so I didn't ask too many questions especially since I hadn't read her Hellblazer run. DC came to her to write it, and she said that she was surprised because Ian Rankin, Scotland's most famous crimewriter said to her, "How the f-ck did you get that? I want to write comics." Comics are still apparently declasse in Glasgow, and she said, "I also write comics and usually when I say that, one person in the audience kind of goes like that (lifts chin knowingly) because that's what they're interested in. If I was trying to be fancy I'd say graphic novels or something like that, but it's comics I write. I think we should just be out and proud - I write comics."

She was thrilled to be asked she says. She's a Grant Morrison fan and also recommended Sebastian O (that's going back a few years). She gets a comp box from DC and is now reading Love & Rockets as well. Meanwhile Rankin's writing a stand-alone Constantine story (which should be good).

She was very nice and very funny and is doing a new graphic novel for DC on ... high real estate prices. I think we'll have to wait and check it out before seeing how much we can relate to it around here.

Now a pet peeve - these chain stores never get any of the writer's comic book collections nor publicize to the comics community. Borders had one of her two collections and somebody had to hunt for it for me. As I said, I was the only comics fan in the audience (which wasn't large unfortunately0. They had plenty of signed copies of Jodi Picoult's new book for sale from last month, but none of her new Wonder Woman collection at all on the shelves, let alone signed. Is there any wonder that Borders is in financial trouble? But it's not just them - Gene Yang's two earlier books are still available from Slave Labor - why not slap golden stickers on like First Second did and market them as "National Book nominee Gene Yang's..."

4 new interviews on cIndy Center UPDATED

Local podcaster Chris Shields has 4 interviews up this spring at cIndy Center - DC Comics writer Mike Carey, Mike Gallagher talks about his co-created comic "Ruin" at Alterna Comics, Chad Lambert talks about his upcoming projects at Ape Entertainment and Digital Webbing, and Hardway Studio's Chris Carpenter.

Here's an email Chris sent in last night:

We have had several comic interviews lately including, they listed below. Upcoming guests include Xeric winning artist Sonny Liew (My Faith in Frankie & SLG/Disney's Wonderland), legendary artist Joe Staton and writer Christopher Mills. They work together on Ape Entertainment's Femme Noir http://www.thrillingdetective.com/eyes/femme_noir.html.

The interview with Mike Carey is available in two parts:
http://www.cindycenter.com/MikeCareyFinalP1.mp3
http://www.cindycenter.com/MikeCareyFinalP2.mp3

Interview with writer of kill the revisionist, CHAD LAMBERT. More information available at: http://www.killtherevisionist.com/
http://www.cindycenter.com/ChadFinal.mp3

Mike Gallagher talks about his co-created comic "Ruin" at Alterna Comics. Check-out Alterna's website for more information about "Ruin".
For more information about Mike, please visit http://www.alternacomics.com/ruin.htm. Listen to the interview with Mike @ http://www.cindycenter.com/MikeGalFinal.mp3

New Keith Knight book out

Keith, who's been to DC many times for the Small Press Expo, has an excellent new book out - "I Left My Arse in San Francisco". I started it the day I got it and finished it at one go. He's got some of his hardest hitting political work in here too - just what one needs when one gets the Washington Post delivered. You can only buy this on his website; probably to avoid competing with the Omnibus that's coming from Dark Horse via Diamond this summer. I'm going to buy that too, of course.