See "Disney Taps Into Blu-ray's Interactive Technology," By BROOKS BARNES and ERIC A. TAUB, New York Times July 14, 2008.
There's Barnes on animation again!
Monday, July 14, 2008
More messages in Wall-E
Besides environmental and consumer messages, some are finding second thoughts about music - "WALL E, 'Dolly!' And the Universe Of Musicals," By Jonathan Padget, Washington Post Staff Writer, Sunday, July 13, 2008; M03.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Blitt cartoon of Obama on New Yorker becomes controversial
Politico cartoonist Matt Wuerker sent along this article about Barry Blitt's cover of the New Yorker showing the Obamas as radicals and the controversy it's generating, at least in the hermetic media world - "'Scare tactic' — Obama slams Muslim portrayal," By MIKE ALLEN, 7/13/08.
Personally, I can't believe editor David Remnick had to tell anyone it was satire. Or that anyone had to ask.
Matt was responding to a discussion we had with Warren Bernard about Dutch cartoonist Gregorius Nekschot. See "Why Islam Is Unfunny for a Cartoonist: The arrest of a controversial Dutch cartoonist has set off a wave of protests. The case is raising questions for a changing Europe about free speech, religion and art," By ANDREW HIGGINS, Wall Street Journal July 12, 2008; Page W1.
Personally, I can't believe editor David Remnick had to tell anyone it was satire. Or that anyone had to ask.
Matt was responding to a discussion we had with Warren Bernard about Dutch cartoonist Gregorius Nekschot. See "Why Islam Is Unfunny for a Cartoonist: The arrest of a controversial Dutch cartoonist has set off a wave of protests. The case is raising questions for a changing Europe about free speech, religion and art," By ANDREW HIGGINS, Wall Street Journal July 12, 2008; Page W1.
Post censoring of Opus attracts cartoonist's comments
I put the story up last week, and so did Alan Gardener at his Daily Cartoonist site. The difference between his site and mine is that he gets comments from cartoonists, including Mat Bors, Milt Priggee, Ted Rall, Wiley Miller and Rick Stromoski. They're a tough audience apparently.
Post starts comics blog; also makes Spider-Man shower curtain purses
Michael Cavna, who's done some nice editorial cartoons for the Post, under the guise of illustrating stories, has got a new comics blog, ComicsRiffs. So far the only thing posted there is an intro which reads in part, "...we celebrate, contemplate, eviscerate and pontificate on cartoons -- focusing on daily comics but also addressing other art forms. Each and every day, we'll critique something from that morning's funny pages. We'll also offer regular interviews with cartoonists, conduct reader polls, swap news about the industry and discuss trends and buzz within the comics field." That sounds promising - I'll try to remember to check in with it regularly (and I appreciate the link to this blog under Michael's Fave Sites) .
Also, in the Source section, Courtney Ruff shows how to make that Spider-Man purse you've always wanted!
"Look Out! Here Comes the Spider-Bag," By Kris Coronado, Washington Post Sunday, July 13, 2008; N02.
Also, in the Source section, Courtney Ruff shows how to make that Spider-Man purse you've always wanted!"Look Out! Here Comes the Spider-Bag," By Kris Coronado, Washington Post Sunday, July 13, 2008; N02.
Shoff Promotions Comic Book Show & Non Sports Cards, 7/27/08
This is the "other" regular comic show in the DC area (besides the Capital Associates one in Tyson's Corner). Sez the flyer:
Shoff Promotions Comic Book Show & Non Sports Cards
Sunday July 27 10AM-3:30PM
Tysons Corner VA. Crowne Plaza
Full Selection of Golden, Silver & Modern Age Comics, Supplies, & Nonsports Cards + Separate Sportscards area too
Admission $3; Show tables -$65 /6ft
I-495 to Exit 46A Rt. 123 Vienna/Tysons Corner. Right at second light-iinternational Dr. Left
at first light Greensboro Dr. and left to hotel
shoffpromotions.com 301-990-4929
Next show: Sat. Sept. 6 Tysons Corner Va.
Crown Plaza
(And, of course, the obligatory "$1 off 1 admission with this notice" -- find them at your local comics shop if you want the discount -- I got this one at Phoenix/Laughing Ogre in Fairfax across from GMU)
I haven't actually been to this show since it was at the Doubletree, which was a long time ago now, come to think of it, but you had mostly familiar faces from the Capital Associates show at this one as well, with a little variation.
Shoff Promotions Comic Book Show & Non Sports Cards
Sunday July 27 10AM-3:30PM
Tysons Corner VA. Crowne Plaza
Full Selection of Golden, Silver & Modern Age Comics, Supplies, & Nonsports Cards + Separate Sportscards area too
Admission $3; Show tables -$65 /6ft
I-495 to Exit 46A Rt. 123 Vienna/Tysons Corner. Right at second light-iinternational Dr. Left
at first light Greensboro Dr. and left to hotel
shoffpromotions.com 301-990-4929
Next show: Sat. Sept. 6 Tysons Corner Va.
Crown Plaza
(And, of course, the obligatory "$1 off 1 admission with this notice" -- find them at your local comics shop if you want the discount -- I got this one at Phoenix/Laughing Ogre in Fairfax across from GMU)
I haven't actually been to this show since it was at the Doubletree, which was a long time ago now, come to think of it, but you had mostly familiar faces from the Capital Associates show at this one as well, with a little variation.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Post runs on about the Joker
"The Joker's Onto Us: What Does It All Mean When Batman's Enemy Is More Interesting Than the Dark Knight Himself?" By Hank Stuever, Washington Post Staff Writer, Sunday, July 13, 2008; M01. I think it means the problems in creating fiction that Milton raised in print haven't been solved in four centuries, but that's just me.
Voting Begins For 2008 Science Idol Editorial Cartoon Contest
Voting Begins For 2008 Science Idol Editorial Cartoon Contest
July 10 2008
Artists draw attention to political interference in science
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) today announced the 12 finalists in its third annual Science Idol: Scientific Integrity Editorial Cartoon Contest.
About Science Day 2008 Science Idol Finalists
Now, it's the public's turn to vote.
UCS received hundreds of cartoon entries from artists of all ages across the country who used humor to shed light on a serious issue: the distortion, suppression and manipulation of federal science. A panel of award-winning cartoonists helped UCS narrow down the entries to the 12 that will appear in the 2009 UCS scientific integrity calendar. The celebrity judges were: Dave Coverly, the creator of "Speed Bump;" Wiley Miller, the creator of "Non Sequitur;" Kevin Kallaugher (Kal), editorial cartoonist at the Economist; Mike Keefe, editorial cartoonist at the Denver Post; Signe Wilkinson, the Pulitzer prize-winning editorial cartoonist at the Philadelphia Daily News; and Jesse Springer, winner of last year's Science Idol contest.
People can vote for their favorite cartoon today through August 8 at http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/science_idol/. All participants have the chance to win copies of the 2009 calendar.
Besides having the winning cartoon featured on the cover of the 2009 Scientific Integrity Calendar, the top cartoonist will receive a $500 prize, an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., and a signed copy of Kevin Kallaugher's book, "Kal Draws Criticism."
July 10 2008
Artists draw attention to political interference in science
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) today announced the 12 finalists in its third annual Science Idol: Scientific Integrity Editorial Cartoon Contest.
About Science Day 2008 Science Idol Finalists
Now, it's the public's turn to vote.
UCS received hundreds of cartoon entries from artists of all ages across the country who used humor to shed light on a serious issue: the distortion, suppression and manipulation of federal science. A panel of award-winning cartoonists helped UCS narrow down the entries to the 12 that will appear in the 2009 UCS scientific integrity calendar. The celebrity judges were: Dave Coverly, the creator of "Speed Bump;" Wiley Miller, the creator of "Non Sequitur;" Kevin Kallaugher (Kal), editorial cartoonist at the Economist; Mike Keefe, editorial cartoonist at the Denver Post; Signe Wilkinson, the Pulitzer prize-winning editorial cartoonist at the Philadelphia Daily News; and Jesse Springer, winner of last year's Science Idol contest.
People can vote for their favorite cartoon today through August 8 at http://www.ucsusa.org/scientific_integrity/science_idol/. All participants have the chance to win copies of the 2009 calendar.
Besides having the winning cartoon featured on the cover of the 2009 Scientific Integrity Calendar, the top cartoonist will receive a $500 prize, an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., and a signed copy of Kevin Kallaugher's book, "Kal Draws Criticism."
Beeler's caricatures
I saw Nate Beeler today, and he says that he's doing caricatures for the Examiner chain. Three caricatures a week, one each for the Washington, Baltimore and San Francisco editions, published on the new Sunday paper. You can see the first ones on his blog now - the one I've lifted is DC Mayor Fenty.
Franco Appearance at Laughing Ogre Comics
Laughing Ogre Comics is proud to welcome Franco, writer of Tiny Titans. He will be signing at their Lansdowne, VA location (19340 Promenade Drive, Lansdowne, VA 20176) on Sunday, July 13th from 2pm-5pm.
Laughing Ogre used to be known as Phoenix Comics. They acquired the Laughing Ogre store in Columbus, OH, and recently moved to adopt its name (which I think is attrocious, but apparently, it had to do with getting a trademark on "Phoenix" being a non-starter!).
Franco is also the writer of Patrick the Wolf-Boy, also an amusing read.
Laughing Ogre used to be known as Phoenix Comics. They acquired the Laughing Ogre store in Columbus, OH, and recently moved to adopt its name (which I think is attrocious, but apparently, it had to do with getting a trademark on "Phoenix" being a non-starter!).
Franco is also the writer of Patrick the Wolf-Boy, also an amusing read.
Wall-E continues to draw in editorial writers CORRECTED
The Washington Times goes first because I only saw theirs online - "'WALL-E's critics miss point: Pixar films have traditional values," Scott Galupo, Washington Times Friday, July 11, 2008.
The Post also ran one on Friday - "A Robot Who Offers Renewal" by Michael Gerson. Gerson writes, "'Wall-E' is partly an environmental parable, but its primary point is moral. The movie argues that human beings, aided by technology, can become imprisoned by their consumption. ... The pursuit of our rhinestone desires manages to obscure our view of the stars." A valid point, but one I feel a bit conflicted about, given that I am sitting alone retyping this, but also that I'm reaching a larger audience, some of whom have become my friends. (Thanks to alert reader Aziz Gökdemir who pointed out I had my newspapers mixed up!)
The Post also ran one on Friday - "A Robot Who Offers Renewal" by Michael Gerson. Gerson writes, "'Wall-E' is partly an environmental parable, but its primary point is moral. The movie argues that human beings, aided by technology, can become imprisoned by their consumption. ... The pursuit of our rhinestone desires manages to obscure our view of the stars." A valid point, but one I feel a bit conflicted about, given that I am sitting alone retyping this, but also that I'm reaching a larger audience, some of whom have become my friends. (Thanks to alert reader Aziz Gökdemir who pointed out I had my newspapers mixed up!)
Cartoons at National Gallery of Art
There's some animated shorts at the National Gallery of Art this weekend and next and then in early August:
Artistic Journeys
July 12, 16, 23 at 10:30AM, 11:30AM
July 13 at 11:30AM
East Building Concourse, Large Auditorium
(ages 4 and up) Join us for a screening of creative journeys. See what happens when a sculpture by Alberto Giacometti walks out of the museum in search of its soul mate in Walking Man (Michael Lindbough and Mads Tobias, Denmark, 1999, 4 minutes); watch a group of mice explore the unfamiliar in Seven Blind Mice (Weston Woods Studios, USA, 2007, 8 minutes); meet a dog who collects some wonderful treasures in Aston's Stones (Lotta and Uzi Geffenblad, Sweden, 2007, 9 minutes); and learn about the life and work of artist Mary Cassatt in the animated biography Mary Cassatt (Mike Venezia, USA, 2008, 24 minutes).
Reel Fun
August 2, 6, 13 at 10:30AM, 11:30AM
August 3 at 11:30AM
East Building Concourse, Large Auditorium
(ages 4 and up) This series of animated shorts will put a smile on your face. Films include My Happy End (Milen Vitanov, Germany, 2007, 5 minutes); A Sunny Day (Gil Alkabetz, Germany, 2007, 6 minutes); Giraffes Can't Dance (Weston Woods Studios, USA, 2007, 10 minutes); Puss and the Moon (Suzanne Tuynman, Netherlands, 2005, 5 minutes); Charlie and Lola: Welcome to Lolaland
Artistic Journeys
July 12, 16, 23 at 10:30AM, 11:30AM
July 13 at 11:30AM
East Building Concourse, Large Auditorium
(ages 4 and up) Join us for a screening of creative journeys. See what happens when a sculpture by Alberto Giacometti walks out of the museum in search of its soul mate in Walking Man (Michael Lindbough and Mads Tobias, Denmark, 1999, 4 minutes); watch a group of mice explore the unfamiliar in Seven Blind Mice (Weston Woods Studios, USA, 2007, 8 minutes); meet a dog who collects some wonderful treasures in Aston's Stones (Lotta and Uzi Geffenblad, Sweden, 2007, 9 minutes); and learn about the life and work of artist Mary Cassatt in the animated biography Mary Cassatt (Mike Venezia, USA, 2008, 24 minutes).
Reel Fun
August 2, 6, 13 at 10:30AM, 11:30AM
August 3 at 11:30AM
East Building Concourse, Large Auditorium
(ages 4 and up) This series of animated shorts will put a smile on your face. Films include My Happy End (Milen Vitanov, Germany, 2007, 5 minutes); A Sunny Day (Gil Alkabetz, Germany, 2007, 6 minutes); Giraffes Can't Dance (Weston Woods Studios, USA, 2007, 10 minutes); Puss and the Moon (Suzanne Tuynman, Netherlands, 2005, 5 minutes); Charlie and Lola: Welcome to Lolaland
Self-referentialism in today's Post comic strips
Three comic strips today benefited from some inside knowledge of reading them regularly perhaps.
Today's Pearls Before Swine builds on a week of Pastis referring to deaths in comic strips - after taking a passing swipe at Family Circus, Pastis killed himself in the strip - today he meets his syndicate rep as a giant floating head in heaven who tells him he can't kill the strip because of the ancillary products making money.
Candorville's been doing a tribute to the late comedian George Carlin all week, but today he got into criticizing obituary editorial cartoons which frequently feature a character at heaven's pearly gates. This almost certainly comes off a discussion at the Associations of American Editorial Cartoonists that Dave Astor covered.
Finally, Agnes (pick the July 12th one) is on the fact that Peanuts is still appearing in reruns years after Schulz's death.
Today's Pearls Before Swine builds on a week of Pastis referring to deaths in comic strips - after taking a passing swipe at Family Circus, Pastis killed himself in the strip - today he meets his syndicate rep as a giant floating head in heaven who tells him he can't kill the strip because of the ancillary products making money.
Candorville's been doing a tribute to the late comedian George Carlin all week, but today he got into criticizing obituary editorial cartoons which frequently feature a character at heaven's pearly gates. This almost certainly comes off a discussion at the Associations of American Editorial Cartoonists that Dave Astor covered.
Finally, Agnes (pick the July 12th one) is on the fact that Peanuts is still appearing in reruns years after Schulz's death.
Kung Fu Panda's reception in China
The Post picked up a story idea that's been making the rounds of the newswires and did some more reporting to provide an interesting take on China's feeling that Kung Fu Panda mines their heritage. Off course, Disney already did this for all of Europe (and in fact there's a book and an exhibit on those borrowings), a bit of South America (The Three Caballeros), and North America so they shouldn't feel special. "'Kung Fu Panda' Hits A Sore Spot in China: Why a Quintessentially Chinese Movie Was Made in Hollywood," By Maureen Fan, Washington Post Foreign Service, Saturday, July 12, 2008; C01.
Express poll on comic book movies
Do you think Hollywood is making too many movies based on comic books?
I voted no, and as of 11 am Saturday, the results were:
46% Yes
54% No
Like anything else, the source material shouldn't control the quality of the adaptation, at least in my opinion. If I forget to check on Monday, hopefully someone will post the final results in the comments.
I voted no, and as of 11 am Saturday, the results were:
46% Yes
54% No
Like anything else, the source material shouldn't control the quality of the adaptation, at least in my opinion. If I forget to check on Monday, hopefully someone will post the final results in the comments.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Off to Hellboy2
The neighborhood geeks are rolling at 9:15...
...and the followup review - it was goofy, but I enjoyed it. Large plant elemental, royal elves, sentient ectoplasm and two love stories. What more does a movie need?
...and the followup review - it was goofy, but I enjoyed it. Large plant elemental, royal elves, sentient ectoplasm and two love stories. What more does a movie need?
Times Post Times on Hellboy 2
'Hellboy' chaos: Del Toro's otherworldly beasts, sets no substitute for a story
Christian Toto
Washington Times Friday, July 11, 2008
Monsters Brawl; 'Hellboy II': Things Get a Little Punchy In Guillermo del Toro's Richly Imagined World
By Ann Hornaday
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 11, 2008; C01
Like Bogey, but With a Really Big Fist
By A. O. SCOTT
New York Times July 11, 2008
Christian Toto
Washington Times Friday, July 11, 2008
Monsters Brawl; 'Hellboy II': Things Get a Little Punchy In Guillermo del Toro's Richly Imagined World
By Ann Hornaday
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 11, 2008; C01
Like Bogey, but With a Really Big Fist
By A. O. SCOTT
New York Times July 11, 2008
Zadzooks on Hulk games
The movie spinoffs just keep coming. See "ZADZOOKS: Hulk is game for smashing," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Thursday, July 10, 2008 for a review of some of them.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
New online comic story by Harvey Pekar and Rick Veitch
My book collecting interviews from twenty years of Harvey's career should be out in a couple of months. In the meantime, here's a new story - Exclusive: A New Comic by Harvey Pekar and Rick Veitch. At some point, I heard that Veitch's family was from around here, and there's a Veitch street that intersects Columbia Pike in Arlington.
Washington Post Writers Group has success with Pickles.
Dave Astor's got the story and the quotes at "'Pickles' Comic Strip Signs Its 500th Newspaper," E&P July 10, 208.
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