Friday, May 09, 2008
Wash Post doesn't like Speed Racer...
...although to be fair, so far none of the reviews I've seen have liked it. Here's the Post's - "'Speed Racer' Is Stuck on A Fast Track To Nowhere," By Ann Hornaday, Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday, May 9, 2008; Page C01.
America's first political cartoon appeared today
According to the Associated Press's Today in History, Ben Franklin's 1754 cartoon of the thirteen colonies as a cut-apart snake appeared with the caption "Join or Die" appeared today in his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette. Why are mention it here? There's an original on display in Baltimore in Geppi's Entertainment Museum. It's tiny, but cool. If you don't live around here, an easy place to see it was in the intro credits to HBO's John Adams miniseries. Special update: Also Richard Thompson redrew it and posted it on his blog.
Speaking of Geppi's, curator Arnold Blumberg and Geppi both appeared in the Free Comic Book Day Jughead issue from Archie. The whole comic is set in the museum.
Speaking of Geppi's, curator Arnold Blumberg and Geppi both appeared in the Free Comic Book Day Jughead issue from Archie. The whole comic is set in the museum.
Cartoonists Join Third Annual "Science Idol"
The following press release was received in the opulent ComicsDC offices at the suggestion of KAL...
May 9, 2008
UCS MEDIA ALERT
CONTACT: Meghan Crosby, 202-331-6943
UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS ANNOUNCES THIRD ANNUAL "SCIENCE IDOL" CARTOON CONTEST
WASHINGTON (May 9, 2008) - Six of America's top cartoonists arejoining the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) to kick off theorganization's third annual "Science Idol" scientific integrity cartoon contest to draw humorous attention to a very serious issue: political interference in science.
The judges for this year's contest include cartoonists featured in someof the nation's leading news publications including "Speed Bump"creator Dave Coverly, Kevin Kallaugher of The Economist, "Non-Sequitur"creator Wiley Miller, Mike Keefe of the Denver Post, Signe Wilkinson of the Philadelphia Daily News, and graphic designer Jesse Springer, winner of last year's contest.
Amateur and professional artists are welcome to submit cartoons that address the abuse of science in general or highlight one or more of the ways in which science has been misused; the consequences of political interference in science; or solutions to restore scientific integrity to federal policy making. The deadline for submissions is June 11. For contest rules and submission guidelines, go to: www.ucsusa.org/scienceidol.
"The absurdity of political interference in science is fertile ground for satire," said Michael Halpern, program manager of the UCS Scientific Integrity Program. "We're sure the creativity of cartoonists can match the wiliness of those politicizing science and help us tell this story."
The judges along with UCS staff will narrow the pool to 12 finalists and post the cartoons on the UCS Web site July 10. Over the following four weeks, the public will be able to vote for the grand prize winner, who will receive $500 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The 12 finalists' cartoons will also appear in a 2009 calendar, with the grand prize winner's cartoon featured on the cover.
For information on political interference in science, go to www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/.
###
The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has offices in Berkeley, California, and Washington, D.C. For more information, go to http://www.ucsusa.org/.
May 9, 2008
UCS MEDIA ALERT
CONTACT: Meghan Crosby, 202-331-6943
UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS ANNOUNCES THIRD ANNUAL "SCIENCE IDOL" CARTOON CONTEST
WASHINGTON (May 9, 2008) - Six of America's top cartoonists arejoining the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) to kick off theorganization's third annual "Science Idol" scientific integrity cartoon contest to draw humorous attention to a very serious issue: political interference in science.
The judges for this year's contest include cartoonists featured in someof the nation's leading news publications including "Speed Bump"creator Dave Coverly, Kevin Kallaugher of The Economist, "Non-Sequitur"creator Wiley Miller, Mike Keefe of the Denver Post, Signe Wilkinson of the Philadelphia Daily News, and graphic designer Jesse Springer, winner of last year's contest.
Amateur and professional artists are welcome to submit cartoons that address the abuse of science in general or highlight one or more of the ways in which science has been misused; the consequences of political interference in science; or solutions to restore scientific integrity to federal policy making. The deadline for submissions is June 11. For contest rules and submission guidelines, go to: www.ucsusa.org/scienceidol.
"The absurdity of political interference in science is fertile ground for satire," said Michael Halpern, program manager of the UCS Scientific Integrity Program. "We're sure the creativity of cartoonists can match the wiliness of those politicizing science and help us tell this story."
The judges along with UCS staff will narrow the pool to 12 finalists and post the cartoons on the UCS Web site July 10. Over the following four weeks, the public will be able to vote for the grand prize winner, who will receive $500 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The 12 finalists' cartoons will also appear in a 2009 calendar, with the grand prize winner's cartoon featured on the cover.
For information on political interference in science, go to www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/.
###
The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has offices in Berkeley, California, and Washington, D.C. For more information, go to http://www.ucsusa.org/.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
KAL at NARA
Kevin "KAL" Kallaugher spoke at the National Archives tonight for an hour and a half. Kal's always a great entertainer. While I've seen him before, I always enjoy watching him. Tonight he began with his singing nun drawing (see below), went through a selection of Baltimore Sun and Economist cartoons, showed an animated video he did for a UK newspaper over twenty years ago and then went on to talk about his new animation work. He does animation by sculpting a politician's caricature, scanning that and then animating it with motion capture technology. He showed us his newest video animation of Obama, Clinton and GW Bush and I'll try to figure out how to embed it here. In the meantime, here's some photos.
KAL reproducing his very first childhood drawing of the singing nun for the audience at the National Archives. Look how fast he draws! His arm's a blur!
Off to sign books for the crowd.
KAL reproducing his very first childhood drawing of the singing nun for the audience at the National Archives. Look how fast he draws! His arm's a blur!
Off to sign books for the crowd.
Blood Type for Manga Creators?
Mike and I were IMing tonight, and I asked him if he knew why manga creators published their blood type. He didn't know and suggested I post to the blog, so here it is.
Just peruse any of the manga creators on animenewsnetwork.com for example (i.e. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=32616 which I just picked at random). This site is full of this type of detail. I mean, I know it's a valuable piece of information to know about oneself (I should find out my own), but why do these creators post this data? It's on some of their personal web pages as well.
Anyone?
Just peruse any of the manga creators on animenewsnetwork.com for example (i.e. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=32616 which I just picked at random). This site is full of this type of detail. I mean, I know it's a valuable piece of information to know about oneself (I should find out my own), but why do these creators post this data? It's on some of their personal web pages as well.
Anyone?
Cul de Sac: The BOOK
Richard, having run his own blog for months now, no longer feeds me tidbits so I have to read about Cul de Sac: The BOOK on the Comics Reporter. I'm not bitter though, no sirree bob. I saw KAL tonight while Our Man Thompson was working. HAH!
And you can preorder it at Amazon. You can't do that for Harvey Pekar: Conversations, but they tell me it will be out in October.
And you can preorder it at Amazon. You can't do that for Harvey Pekar: Conversations, but they tell me it will be out in October.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Quick bits from Express and Examiner
It's probably getting late to track one down, but the Express ran a wire story on the new Batman movie today, and a short excerpt of some of the better questions from the Post.com Quesada chat from yesterday.
Nate Beeler had a nice cartoon in the Examiner - the baby's not keeping him completely away from the drawing board apparently.
Nate Beeler had a nice cartoon in the Examiner - the baby's not keeping him completely away from the drawing board apparently.
Illustrators Club exhibit opens
I've been remiss in not posting about the Illustrators Club which includes cartoonists among its members. A new exhibit from the Club opens tomorrow. Check out their website - lots of neat people are members. I'd especially recommend the tour of the Kelly Collection on May 15th too.
May 8: KAL at National Archives REPOST
I'm going to try to be there... feel free say hello.
Thursday, May 8, at 7 p.m.
William G. McGowan Theater, National Archives, 9th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW
An Evening with Kevin "KAL" Kallaugher: Moving Political Cartoons from Page to Screen
Tonight, Berryman Award–winning editorial cartoonist Kevin "KAL" Kallaugher will present an illustrated lecture tracing the evolution of political cartoons from two-dimensional print to 3D animation. Kallaugher's work for the Baltimore Sun and the Economist has appeared in more than 100 publications worldwide. In 2007 he launched Kaltoons LLC, which pioneered the development of animated, 3D digital caricatures. Kaltoons' first video, Dancin' Dubya, was released on the web in August 2007. A signing of his latest collection of cartoons, KAL Draws Criticism, published in June 2006, will follow the program.
Thursday, May 8, at 7 p.m.
William G. McGowan Theater, National Archives, 9th and Pennsylvania Ave, NW
An Evening with Kevin "KAL" Kallaugher: Moving Political Cartoons from Page to Screen
Tonight, Berryman Award–winning editorial cartoonist Kevin "KAL" Kallaugher will present an illustrated lecture tracing the evolution of political cartoons from two-dimensional print to 3D animation. Kallaugher's work for the Baltimore Sun and the Economist has appeared in more than 100 publications worldwide. In 2007 he launched Kaltoons LLC, which pioneered the development of animated, 3D digital caricatures. Kaltoons' first video, Dancin' Dubya, was released on the web in August 2007. A signing of his latest collection of cartoons, KAL Draws Criticism, published in June 2006, will follow the program.
Pat McGeehan's Crummy Cakes
Pat McGeehan used to work at National Geographic and stopped by there earlier this week, mentioning his comic strip, Crummy Cakes and its website. Another DC cartoonist comes out of the woodwork...
Honorary Washingtonian Von Allan has a show
One of this blog's earliest posts was information from Von Allan about samples of his graphic novel that he planned on having at the Small Press Expo. Here's a press release about a new show of his art in Canada... almost DC if you squint at the little maps in the lower right corner of this blog...
The Art of Von Allan at Ottawa's Ristorante La Dolce Vita
NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 05/06/2008 - Von Allan, an Ottawa-based artist and graphic novelist, will have an art show at La Dolce Vita.
Art, in all of its myriad forms, fires our imagination. By presenting ideas to the viewer in the form of line, tone and colour, the artist can become a dream-maker. These often take the form of stories, either told in a single, breathtaking image or shown sequentially over a number of drawings or paintings. Triptychs are one example of the latter. Another example, long dismissed as either juvenile or pop art, is the graphic novel – comic books that have grown up. Von Allan, an Ottawa-based artist and graphic novelist, will show why this form of art speaks to him with an art show at La Dolce Vita beginning on May 19, 2008.
“Graphic novels, with their ability to express a broad range of thoughts and ideas, are an art form that stimulates the imagination by their very nature,” says Allan. “For me, personally, the combination of words and images is a delight. Seeing a figure materialize on a piece of Bristol board just with a pencil and brush is magic. Seeing a reader then interact with that figure, proving the reality of their twodimensional world, makes that figure something more. It is exactly in that space, that ‘something more,’ where dreams come alive. It is amazing what a little line of ink on a small piece of paper can do.”
The Art of Von Allan will feature a number of illustrations and paintings that Allan has completed over the past few months. In addition, a number of pages from "the road to god knows..," an original graphic novel, will also be featured. The graphic novel tells the story of Marie, a young teenage girl coming to grips with her Mom’s schizophrenia. As a result, she’s struggling to grow up fast; wrestling with poverty, loneliness, and her Mom’s illness every step of the way. Betty, Marie’s Mom, can’t help; she’s living with an illness that’s slowly getting worse and increasingly frightening. With her Mom absorbed in her own problems, Marie is essentially alone while she learns to deal with the chaos in her young life.
"The road to god knows…" is expected to be printed in 2008 and has an ISBN of 978-0-9781237-0-3. It is currently being serialized online at webcomics collective GirlAMatic.com
About Von Allan
Von Allan (vonallan.com) was born red-headed and freckled in Arnprior, Ontario, just in time for "Star Wars: A New Hope." He managed Perfect Books, an independent bookstore in Ottawa, for many years while working on story ideas in his spare time; eventually, he decided to make the leap to a creative life, and "the road to god knows…" was the result. Additional information about the graphic novel can be found online.
About La Dolce Vita
Visit the Mediterranean and you'll quickly become a fan of the great food, great wine and joie de vivre of the people there. La Dolce Vita staff make it their business to bring that joy - that appreciation of fine food and conversation - to the Capital. The restaurant's gourmet pizzas are justly famous, combining decadent ingredients to tempt the palate and the eye.
The Art of Von Allan at Ottawa's Ristorante La Dolce Vita
NewswireToday - /newswire/ - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 05/06/2008 - Von Allan, an Ottawa-based artist and graphic novelist, will have an art show at La Dolce Vita.
Art, in all of its myriad forms, fires our imagination. By presenting ideas to the viewer in the form of line, tone and colour, the artist can become a dream-maker. These often take the form of stories, either told in a single, breathtaking image or shown sequentially over a number of drawings or paintings. Triptychs are one example of the latter. Another example, long dismissed as either juvenile or pop art, is the graphic novel – comic books that have grown up. Von Allan, an Ottawa-based artist and graphic novelist, will show why this form of art speaks to him with an art show at La Dolce Vita beginning on May 19, 2008.
“Graphic novels, with their ability to express a broad range of thoughts and ideas, are an art form that stimulates the imagination by their very nature,” says Allan. “For me, personally, the combination of words and images is a delight. Seeing a figure materialize on a piece of Bristol board just with a pencil and brush is magic. Seeing a reader then interact with that figure, proving the reality of their twodimensional world, makes that figure something more. It is exactly in that space, that ‘something more,’ where dreams come alive. It is amazing what a little line of ink on a small piece of paper can do.”
The Art of Von Allan will feature a number of illustrations and paintings that Allan has completed over the past few months. In addition, a number of pages from "the road to god knows..," an original graphic novel, will also be featured. The graphic novel tells the story of Marie, a young teenage girl coming to grips with her Mom’s schizophrenia. As a result, she’s struggling to grow up fast; wrestling with poverty, loneliness, and her Mom’s illness every step of the way. Betty, Marie’s Mom, can’t help; she’s living with an illness that’s slowly getting worse and increasingly frightening. With her Mom absorbed in her own problems, Marie is essentially alone while she learns to deal with the chaos in her young life.
"The road to god knows…" is expected to be printed in 2008 and has an ISBN of 978-0-9781237-0-3. It is currently being serialized online at webcomics collective GirlAMatic.com
About Von Allan
Von Allan (vonallan.com) was born red-headed and freckled in Arnprior, Ontario, just in time for "Star Wars: A New Hope." He managed Perfect Books, an independent bookstore in Ottawa, for many years while working on story ideas in his spare time; eventually, he decided to make the leap to a creative life, and "the road to god knows…" was the result. Additional information about the graphic novel can be found online.
About La Dolce Vita
Visit the Mediterranean and you'll quickly become a fan of the great food, great wine and joie de vivre of the people there. La Dolce Vita staff make it their business to bring that joy - that appreciation of fine food and conversation - to the Capital. The restaurant's gourmet pizzas are justly famous, combining decadent ingredients to tempt the palate and the eye.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Poe catalogue for Richmond exhibit is out
Tom Inge's got another very interesting museum catalogue out to go with his show on Edgar Allan Poe in the comics which just opened at the Poe Museum in Richmond. Click here and go halfway down the page to order The Incredible Mr. Poe: Comic Book Adaptations of the Works of Edgar Allan Poe 1943-2007.
Rob Ullman interview from a few months ago
Just ran across this interview with Rob by Paul Lukas from February. Presumably things haven't changed much. Savage Love is still less interesting without the illos.
Quesada appearance on Post chat wildly uninteresting
I guess I should have thought of some question, any question, that didn't have to do with Marvel's forthcoming movie slate. This wasn't Joe Quesada's fault - the participant's questions had nothing to do with running (and perhaps resurrecting - one can argue the point) a comic book company, and everything to do with one new hit movie. Here's the chat so you can judge for yourself:
Talking With Joe Quesada, Editor in Chief, Marvel Comics, Tuesday, May 6, 2008; 12:00 PM
Talking With Joe Quesada, Editor in Chief, Marvel Comics, Tuesday, May 6, 2008; 12:00 PM
Obituary for Arlington caricaturist
See "Scott A. Fertig, 41; Arlington Artist," By Yvonne Shinhoster Lamb, Washington Post Staff Writer, Tuesday, May 6, 2008; B08.
Marvel e-giveaway based on LoC's Spider-Man gift
This press release came out from Marvel:
Spider-Man's First Appearance Free On Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited
It's the story of a nerdy teenager bitten by a radioactive spider, gaining the proportionate strength and powers of a spider to become...the Amazing Spider-Man! Now, you can read this history-making story as the first appearance and origin of Spider-Man from Amazing Fantasy #15 is available for free for one week over at Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.
It was reported this week that the original artwork by Steve Ditko from Amazing Fantasy #15, the 1962 comic that introduced Spider-Man to the world, was anonymously donated to the Library of Congress. And now everyone can read this historic and heralded story for free for one week at Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.
For those fans who want to own the entire Stan Lee and Steve Ditko Spider-Man run in one gorgeous hardcover, be sure to pick up the Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus, now available at your local comic retailer
Subscribers to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited can read through the first 100 issues of Amazing Spider-Man as well as other long runs of Marvel's greatest titles including the Uncanny X-Men and Fantastic Four, as well as current favorites including New Avengers and Astonishing X-Men to name just two of the countless titles subscribers can read.
Now offering over 3,500 titles to enjoy, Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited is the greatest collection of Marvel comics ever assembled online and the collection only gets bigger as over 25 new digital comics are added every week from Monday through Friday.
Be sure to head on over to Marvel.com and get into the action at Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.
Spider-Man's First Appearance Free On Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited
It's the story of a nerdy teenager bitten by a radioactive spider, gaining the proportionate strength and powers of a spider to become...the Amazing Spider-Man! Now, you can read this history-making story as the first appearance and origin of Spider-Man from Amazing Fantasy #15 is available for free for one week over at Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.
It was reported this week that the original artwork by Steve Ditko from Amazing Fantasy #15, the 1962 comic that introduced Spider-Man to the world, was anonymously donated to the Library of Congress. And now everyone can read this historic and heralded story for free for one week at Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.
For those fans who want to own the entire Stan Lee and Steve Ditko Spider-Man run in one gorgeous hardcover, be sure to pick up the Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus, now available at your local comic retailer
Subscribers to Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited can read through the first 100 issues of Amazing Spider-Man as well as other long runs of Marvel's greatest titles including the Uncanny X-Men and Fantastic Four, as well as current favorites including New Avengers and Astonishing X-Men to name just two of the countless titles subscribers can read.
Now offering over 3,500 titles to enjoy, Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited is the greatest collection of Marvel comics ever assembled online and the collection only gets bigger as over 25 new digital comics are added every week from Monday through Friday.
Be sure to head on over to Marvel.com and get into the action at Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Washington Times liked Iron Man too
See "Downey shows mettle in 'Man'", By Christian Toto Washington Times May 2, 2008, where they gave it 3 out of 4 stars.
NPG Herblock exhibit website
The extensive site was recommended by the Journalista today. It reproduces the art in the exhibit, but not the content of the computer kiosk. It's a good look at the exhibit for those who can't make it to DC as it's arranged like the exhibit is.
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