Baltimore Comic-Con Announces 2008 Exclusives!
Baltimore, Maryland - September 20, 2008 - As we get closer to the show, we are proud to announce this years set of Baltimore Comic-Con show exclusives! Our selection has grown from previous years, and we are sure everybody can find something to love!
The Baltimore Comic-Con, held at the Baltimore Convention Center on September 27-28, 2008, is offering 7 show exclusives this year from Aspen, Marvel, PopFun, Top Cow, and 3 Finger Prints.
"This is beautiful stuff," said show promoter Marc Nathan. "We've just finalized details on a few of these items, and we're really proud to be able to offer them to attendees this year. The Jim Lee Batman Toon Tumbler looks gorgeous, and the exclusive covers are all spectacular."
Show exclusives will be sold at a dedicated booth this year. Items are available while supplies last, and overall quantities and availability will vary by provider.
The details on the exclusives this year are as follows:
* Aspen - Michael Turner variant cover for Fathom #2.
* Marvel
o Frank Cho Secret Invasion #6 variant cover
o Mike Wieringo HERO Initiative: Marvel Apes cover
o John Romita, Jr. U.S. Exclusive Amazing Spider-Man #568 variant cover
* PopFun - Exclusive Batman Toon Tumbler
* Top Cow - David Finch Dragon Prince #1 Baltimore Comic-Con variant cover
* 3 Finger Prints - The 3 Geeks: Can Anyone Stop the Slab Madness?! variant cover
For details on show exclusives, please visit http://www.comicon.com/baltimore/exclusives.htm. Further information on the show, guests, exhibitors, retailers, Artist's Alley, and more can be found on our website or our MySpace page.
Date Correction for 2009!
We had an error in our previously-announced show date for 2009. Next year's 10th anniversary show will be held on October 10-11, 2009. (Re-)Mark your calendars!
Monday, September 22, 2008
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 09-24-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 09-24-08
By John Judy
ABSOLUTE RONIN HC written and illustrated by pre-psychotic Frank Miller. It’s awesome! The savage six-issue story of a psychokinetic, cyborg samurai, first published in 1983 back when Miller was only 26. What happened? Oh yeah….
ALL-STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN #10-B by Frank Miller and Jim Lee. Well it took ‘em two weeks but they finally got enough soap to wash out Frank Miller’s mouth. What a (redacted)!
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #17 by Dan Slott, Christos Gage and Stefano Caselli. The Skrulls get their big green heinies handed to them by the good ol’ U.S. Avengers!
BACK TO BROOKLYN #1 of 5 by Garth Ennis and Jimmy Palmiotti. How would you kill every crime crew in Brooklyn if you absolutely had to? This is a PUNISHER story so gruesome Marvel wouldn’t publish it. Recommended but not for kids or before meals.
BLACK PANTHER #41 by Jason Aaron and Jefte Palo. The Skrulls have T’Challa right where he wants them. Time to serve it up Wakanda-style!
CAPTAIN AMERICA #42 by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting. The Red Skull just can’t get good help these days. It’s an on-going problem when the only people who will work for you are drug-addled white supremacists and Scientists who are, technically, well y’know “Mad.” Anyway, the adventures of Bucky America continue to entertain. Recommended.
DAREDEVIL #111 by Ed Brubaker and Clay Mann. In which we meet Lady Bullseye and it’s a lot less horrible than that sounds. Also Matt does something so wrong it’s right. Good stuff.
FANTASTIC FOUR #560 by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. Some time-travel business supposedly tied into the “death” of the Invisible Woman. Who even knew she was sick?!
HELLBOY: THE CROOKED MAN #3 of 3 by Mike Mignola and Richard Corben. In which we learn that hillbilly country is about the last place in the world where people are still dumb enough to sell their souls to the Devil. Do they not get “Twilight Zone” reruns up there?
HULK #6 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness. Red Hulk! Green Hulk! Smash! Man, this thing writes itself!
IMMORTAL IRON FIST: ORSON RANDALL AND THE DEATH QUEEN OF CALIFORNIA #1 by Duane Swiercynski and Guiseppe Camuncoli. Yeah, I dated her… Recommended.
NEW AVENGERS #45 by Brian Michael Bendis and Jim Cheung. In which we learn what happened to the Secret Invasion Skrulls during the House of M. And possibly Heroes Reborn, Operation Galactic Storm and Atlantis Attacks. But not Countdown. IT NEVER HAPPENED!
NORTHLANDERS #10 by Brian Wood and Dean Ormston. A young boy gets to live his dream of watching Vikings destroy his hated hometown. A must for everyone who was ever The Last One Picked for Kickball. No, seriously, this series is a gem and you should give it a read. Highly recommended.
PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics. Find what you want for the holidays here!
RUNAWAYS #2 by Terry Moore and Humberto Ramos. Karolina Dean like, gets totally blamed for like, eradicating a whole planet of aliens which she like, totally did not do! Duh, angry space people! I am totally flaming you on MySpace about this!
SOLOMON KANE #1 of 5 by Scott Allie and Mario Guevara. A really well-drawn revival of Robert E. Howard’s other famous pulp creation, a tough as nails 17th century Puritan who mows through evil like a pinch-faced terminator. Definitely worth a look.
SUPERMAN #680 by James Robinson and Renato Guedes. Krypto vs. Atlas! Arf!
THUNDERBOLTS #124 by Christos Gage and Fernando Blanco. The T-Bolts fight the Skrulls for control of Washington D.C. But where do they stand on flag-burning?! Ya remember flag-burning?! Ah the good old days…
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #126 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen. Ultimate Spidey-Venom fights the Ultimates and tries to eat them. Big, hungry fight.
ULTIMATES 3 #5 of 5 by Jeph Loeb and Joe Madureira. In which we finally learn who killed the Scarlet Witch. Featuring robot duplicates and revolting plot points involving Quicksilver and SW engaging in the West Virginia State Sport. Yuck.
WOLVERINE: ROAR #1 by Duane Swiercynski and Mike Deodato. A stand-alone story about Wolverine and a vicious animal. But I repeat myself…
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #28 by Daniel Way and Mike Deodato. A story which firmly establishes Wolverine as a mass murderer of innocents and Professor X as a guy who looks the other way. Gee, now if only the X-Men can be ret-conned into Satanist pedophiles Mr. Way’s work will be complete.
X-MEN LEGACY #216 by Mike Carey and Phil Briones. Emma Frost psychically violates Professor X’s mind because she’s a twisted, sadistic witch. Pardon me. “Because it’s for his own good.” Pots and kettles all around! Hoo-ha!
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
ABSOLUTE RONIN HC written and illustrated by pre-psychotic Frank Miller. It’s awesome! The savage six-issue story of a psychokinetic, cyborg samurai, first published in 1983 back when Miller was only 26. What happened? Oh yeah….
ALL-STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN #10-B by Frank Miller and Jim Lee. Well it took ‘em two weeks but they finally got enough soap to wash out Frank Miller’s mouth. What a (redacted)!
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #17 by Dan Slott, Christos Gage and Stefano Caselli. The Skrulls get their big green heinies handed to them by the good ol’ U.S. Avengers!
BACK TO BROOKLYN #1 of 5 by Garth Ennis and Jimmy Palmiotti. How would you kill every crime crew in Brooklyn if you absolutely had to? This is a PUNISHER story so gruesome Marvel wouldn’t publish it. Recommended but not for kids or before meals.
BLACK PANTHER #41 by Jason Aaron and Jefte Palo. The Skrulls have T’Challa right where he wants them. Time to serve it up Wakanda-style!
CAPTAIN AMERICA #42 by Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting. The Red Skull just can’t get good help these days. It’s an on-going problem when the only people who will work for you are drug-addled white supremacists and Scientists who are, technically, well y’know “Mad.” Anyway, the adventures of Bucky America continue to entertain. Recommended.
DAREDEVIL #111 by Ed Brubaker and Clay Mann. In which we meet Lady Bullseye and it’s a lot less horrible than that sounds. Also Matt does something so wrong it’s right. Good stuff.
FANTASTIC FOUR #560 by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. Some time-travel business supposedly tied into the “death” of the Invisible Woman. Who even knew she was sick?!
HELLBOY: THE CROOKED MAN #3 of 3 by Mike Mignola and Richard Corben. In which we learn that hillbilly country is about the last place in the world where people are still dumb enough to sell their souls to the Devil. Do they not get “Twilight Zone” reruns up there?
HULK #6 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness. Red Hulk! Green Hulk! Smash! Man, this thing writes itself!
IMMORTAL IRON FIST: ORSON RANDALL AND THE DEATH QUEEN OF CALIFORNIA #1 by Duane Swiercynski and Guiseppe Camuncoli. Yeah, I dated her… Recommended.
NEW AVENGERS #45 by Brian Michael Bendis and Jim Cheung. In which we learn what happened to the Secret Invasion Skrulls during the House of M. And possibly Heroes Reborn, Operation Galactic Storm and Atlantis Attacks. But not Countdown. IT NEVER HAPPENED!
NORTHLANDERS #10 by Brian Wood and Dean Ormston. A young boy gets to live his dream of watching Vikings destroy his hated hometown. A must for everyone who was ever The Last One Picked for Kickball. No, seriously, this series is a gem and you should give it a read. Highly recommended.
PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics. Find what you want for the holidays here!
RUNAWAYS #2 by Terry Moore and Humberto Ramos. Karolina Dean like, gets totally blamed for like, eradicating a whole planet of aliens which she like, totally did not do! Duh, angry space people! I am totally flaming you on MySpace about this!
SOLOMON KANE #1 of 5 by Scott Allie and Mario Guevara. A really well-drawn revival of Robert E. Howard’s other famous pulp creation, a tough as nails 17th century Puritan who mows through evil like a pinch-faced terminator. Definitely worth a look.
SUPERMAN #680 by James Robinson and Renato Guedes. Krypto vs. Atlas! Arf!
THUNDERBOLTS #124 by Christos Gage and Fernando Blanco. The T-Bolts fight the Skrulls for control of Washington D.C. But where do they stand on flag-burning?! Ya remember flag-burning?! Ah the good old days…
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #126 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen. Ultimate Spidey-Venom fights the Ultimates and tries to eat them. Big, hungry fight.
ULTIMATES 3 #5 of 5 by Jeph Loeb and Joe Madureira. In which we finally learn who killed the Scarlet Witch. Featuring robot duplicates and revolting plot points involving Quicksilver and SW engaging in the West Virginia State Sport. Yuck.
WOLVERINE: ROAR #1 by Duane Swiercynski and Mike Deodato. A stand-alone story about Wolverine and a vicious animal. But I repeat myself…
WOLVERINE ORIGINS #28 by Daniel Way and Mike Deodato. A story which firmly establishes Wolverine as a mass murderer of innocents and Professor X as a guy who looks the other way. Gee, now if only the X-Men can be ret-conned into Satanist pedophiles Mr. Way’s work will be complete.
X-MEN LEGACY #216 by Mike Carey and Phil Briones. Emma Frost psychically violates Professor X’s mind because she’s a twisted, sadistic witch. Pardon me. “Because it’s for his own good.” Pots and kettles all around! Hoo-ha!
www.johnjudy.net
Brad Melzer Chat at 3pm Today!
From our friends at The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/09/08/DI2008090801900.html
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Comic bits in the NY Times
There are two good pieces in today's NY Times. Superhero fan Lethem returns from media purgatory in Maine and maps The Dark Knight onto American Politics in - "Art of Darkness," By JONATHAN LETHEM, New York Times September 21, 2008.
In a story that ties in locally, the Muppets are featured in the paper (much as they are in the Smithsonian for another month) in
"Fuzzy Renaissance," By BROOKS BARNES, New York Times September 21, 2008. I'm sure Barnes' story about Disney attempting to rejuvenate the characters is tied into the traveling exhibit - many of the video clips on the Times' website are the same ones running in the Smithsonian exhibit - and we're talking fifty year old commercials.
In a story that ties in locally, the Muppets are featured in the paper (much as they are in the Smithsonian for another month) in
"Fuzzy Renaissance," By BROOKS BARNES, New York Times September 21, 2008. I'm sure Barnes' story about Disney attempting to rejuvenate the characters is tied into the traveling exhibit - many of the video clips on the Times' website are the same ones running in the Smithsonian exhibit - and we're talking fifty year old commercials.
Mr. Trail comes to Washington
Following hot on the heels of the Family Circus, Mark Trail is visiting Washington to see the Smithsonian and meet with Christian Samper, the head of the Natural History Museum. Meanwhile, in Doonesbury, NPR host Mark Slackemeyer has a Library of Congress archivist on his show to talk about a new document she's acquired. Unfortunately last week the Post laid off reporter Rick Redfern... well, they offered him a buyout. Perhaps he can work for them on contract!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
That darn Toles, continued
Political Bias Seen, One Way or Another
Washington Post Saturday, September 20, 2008; Page A17
Ideally, a newspaper's cartoonist would show some degree of nonpartisanship and address topics with an even hand. Not so in the case of Tom Toles. He wears his Democratic Party hat almost every time he picks up his pen.
Once in a while it would be nice to see him sling a little mud in the other direction, let's say, maybe one out of five cartoons, or would that result in his being drummed out of the party?
-- Jack McIntyre
Ashburn
Washington Post Saturday, September 20, 2008; Page A17
Ideally, a newspaper's cartoonist would show some degree of nonpartisanship and address topics with an even hand. Not so in the case of Tom Toles. He wears his Democratic Party hat almost every time he picks up his pen.
Once in a while it would be nice to see him sling a little mud in the other direction, let's say, maybe one out of five cartoons, or would that result in his being drummed out of the party?
-- Jack McIntyre
Ashburn
NY Times on Watchmen movie rights confusion again
I'm slow in getting the papers read this morning, but here's one article - "Battle Over ‘Watchmen’ Surrounds a Producer," By MICHAEL CIEPLY, New York Times September 20, 2008.
I must say I have no real interest in this movie, especially since the comic has apparently been used to make something close to a one-to-one adaptation. When I was younger, strict adaptations were appealing (and my young daughter has issues with the liberties taken with the Harry Potter movies), but the older I get, the more I feel that one should do something different.
I must say I have no real interest in this movie, especially since the comic has apparently been used to make something close to a one-to-one adaptation. When I was younger, strict adaptations were appealing (and my young daughter has issues with the liberties taken with the Harry Potter movies), but the older I get, the more I feel that one should do something different.
GEM curator continues to discuss comics course
Arnold Blumberg, the curator at Geppi's Entertainment Museum, has another column online talking about designing his University of Maryland comics course. I mentioned the first and linked to it in this post.
Zadzooks on Star Wars video game
Zadzooks seems to be bouncing all over the Times lately so I keep missing it. Here's the latest which is videogame animation and the adaption into a comic book - "ZADZOOKS: Star Wars, The Force Unleashed review," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Monday, September 15, 2008.
Online is "Bennett's Best for the week of September 14," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks blog September 18 2008 in which the Big Planet owner recommends two comics, one of which I've never heard of and the other is a cheap attempt to cash in on current events that DC should be commended for. Like Dell in the 1960s - give the people what they want, even if it is Gunsmoke adaptations!
Online is "Bennett's Best for the week of September 14," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks blog September 18 2008 in which the Big Planet owner recommends two comics, one of which I've never heard of and the other is a cheap attempt to cash in on current events that DC should be commended for. Like Dell in the 1960s - give the people what they want, even if it is Gunsmoke adaptations!
Comic Riffs quotes Trudeau
Comic Riffs quotes Trudeau in "The Morning Line: "Doonesbury" Sings the Newspaper Blues," By Michael Cavna, September 16, 2008.
I read this earlier in the week, but the quotes didn't click until Brian Steinberg blogged about it in his Comics Examiner.
I read this earlier in the week, but the quotes didn't click until Brian Steinberg blogged about it in his Comics Examiner.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Derf's got a new book out and will be at SPX
One of the things I miss the most (besides Rob Ullman) from Creative (HAH!) Loafing's takeover of the City Paper is Derf's strip, The City. Here's an article about his new book - "DERF HOPES FOR A HIT WITH PUNK ROCK & TRAILER PARKS," Jennifer M. Contino, Comicon's The Pulse 09-18-2008.
Comic Riffs interviews animator
The Interview: HBO Animator Steve Dildarian, By Michael Cavna , Washington Post Comic Riffs blog September 19, 2008.
This was also published in September 21st's paper.
This was also published in September 21st's paper.
An embarrassingly positive Pekar review...
...sure Mike Everleth's in the book, but you can trust his opinion. He's only got five pages and the book's more than 200!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Favorite comic of the summer
I just read Guy Delisle's Burma Chronicles and enjoyed it immensely. This is the Canadian animator's third travelogue, and is his most polished yet. It's from Drawn and Quarterly.
Marc Singer on All-Star Superman #12
All-Star Batman's getting all the media attention this week due to last week's dirty words, but Marc Singer's got a lovely appreciation of Morrison and Quitely's All-Star Superman 12.
I'm glad to see that he's as puzzled about the final page as I am.
My only complaint about this series is that DC released half of it as a collection. I hate collections of halves of series. I bought it, but I hate halves.
I'm glad to see that he's as puzzled about the final page as I am.
My only complaint about this series is that DC released half of it as a collection. I hate collections of halves of series. I bought it, but I hate halves.
OT: Dave Astor online on Friday
Dave Astor of Editor and Publisher, who I've swapped a few tips with, and who kindly points people here, will be interviewed online at 8:15 am on Friday at Ray Hanania's site.
Ted Rall's political animation
Ted Rall, whose hard-hitting and vicious cartoons are sadly missing from the City Paper, sent in this press release today. Rall will be at SPX next month, as he usually is, and I've bought his books from him regularly there. I'm not all that keen on political animation for some reason, but I understand the need to keep current.
TED RALL GETS ANIMATED
September 18, 2008 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Outrageous political cartoonist Ted Rall has released his first animated editorial cartoon. "President Obama's First Day," which depicts the Democratic hopeful taking the oath of office, dumping billions of dollars out of an airplane, and shooting rays of sweet, sweet love at the Taliban, is available at YouTube and at Rall's website, tedrall.com.
Rall wrote, drew and designed the characters for "President Obama's First Day," a tongue-firmly-in-cheek look at liberal Democrats' fantasies of how an Obama Administration would instantly change things for the better. The video can be seen at the following YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fimEJAklKso
The animation was done by David Essman (see biography below).
"There are some great Flash-based edittoons out there, but they take a different approach than I do. I see each animated cartoon as a skit, as a mini TV show," Rall said. "I hope people enjoy watching 'Obama's First Day' as much as David and I enjoyed making it."
Rall and Essman plan to continue releasing Web-based animated cartoons.
BIOS:
Ted Rall, 45, is President of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. A nationally-syndicated editorial cartoonist for Universal Press Syndicate, Rall's cartoons have appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Village Voice, Los Angeles Times, Time, Newsweek and more than 200 other publications. He was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1996, and twice won first place in the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards.
David Essman is a 22 year old animator, currently studying at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His films have been screened across the country at film festivals including San Francisco Shorts, Animation Block Party, and the St. Louis International Film Festival.
Contact: Ted Rall, ted@rall.com
TED RALL GETS ANIMATED
September 18, 2008 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Outrageous political cartoonist Ted Rall has released his first animated editorial cartoon. "President Obama's First Day," which depicts the Democratic hopeful taking the oath of office, dumping billions of dollars out of an airplane, and shooting rays of sweet, sweet love at the Taliban, is available at YouTube and at Rall's website, tedrall.com.
Rall wrote, drew and designed the characters for "President Obama's First Day," a tongue-firmly-in-cheek look at liberal Democrats' fantasies of how an Obama Administration would instantly change things for the better. The video can be seen at the following YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fimEJAklKso
The animation was done by David Essman (see biography below).
"There are some great Flash-based edittoons out there, but they take a different approach than I do. I see each animated cartoon as a skit, as a mini TV show," Rall said. "I hope people enjoy watching 'Obama's First Day' as much as David and I enjoyed making it."
Rall and Essman plan to continue releasing Web-based animated cartoons.
BIOS:
Ted Rall, 45, is President of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. A nationally-syndicated editorial cartoonist for Universal Press Syndicate, Rall's cartoons have appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Village Voice, Los Angeles Times, Time, Newsweek and more than 200 other publications. He was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1996, and twice won first place in the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards.
David Essman is a 22 year old animator, currently studying at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His films have been screened across the country at film festivals including San Francisco Shorts, Animation Block Party, and the St. Louis International Film Festival.
Contact: Ted Rall, ted@rall.com
Oliphant and the Pentecostals continued
In a post with a lot of comments, Alan Gardner quoted my earlier post on this and linked to a letter to the Post from a Pentecostal minister: Pastor Bernard's Response to Washington Post Cartoon, Tuesday, September 16th, 2008.
Small Press Expo Announces its Slate of Discussion Panels for SPX 2008
Bill Kartalopoulos has set up a rich set of programs for SPX. These all look good, darn it.
I appear to be interviewing Our Man Thompson, probably on Sunday I'm told. I've started the pre-interview and can confidently report that his favorite desserts are "either a canoli or Amy's cherry pie." Look for detailed discussions about our children still to come. If one has any questions one wants answered, let me know.
Small Press Expo Announces its Slate of Discussion Panels for SPX 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Warren Bernard
Phone: 301-537-4615
E-Mail:webernard@spxpo.com
Bethesda, Maryland; September 18, 2008 – Small Press Expo (SPX) 2008 announces its slate of panels, creator Q&As and Spotlight sessions for SPX 2008. This year we feature Joost Swarte, Ben Katchor and Richard Thompson in one on one interview’s along with a diverse series of panels on all aspects of comics.
SPX will be held on Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5 at the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, across form the White Flint Metro stop. Admission is $8 per day and $15 for both days.
For more information on SPX and the Ignatz Awards, please visit our web site at www.spxpo.com.
Below are the discussion panels for SPX 2008. See our web site above for times and locations of the panels.
Q+A and Spotlights
Joost Swarte Q+A
Joost Swarte has produced comics, illustrations, graphics and architectural designs that have made him a legend in his native Netherlands. His clear line-influenced avant-garde comics were introduced to American audiences in RAW and his illustrations have graced the covers and pages of The New Yorker. Cartoonist, teacher and editor Paul Karasik will moderate a special spotlight session with the artist.
Ben Katchor Spotlight
Ben Katchor has long chronicled the pleasures of urban decay and small-scale ambition in comic strips including Julius Knipl: Real Estate Photographer, Hotel and Farm, and The Cardboard Valise. He is also the author of the graphic novel The Jew of New York and has collaborated on theatrical productions with musicians Bang on a Can and Mark Mulcahy. Today he will present full-color strips from his monthly series in Metropolis Magazine and answer questions moderated by comics scholar Mike Wenthe.
Bryan Lee O’Malley Q+A
Bryan Lee O’Malley has gained an enormous audience as the author of the multi-volume “Scott Pilgrim” series, combining manga-influenced artwork with contemporary pop culture motifs to spin a bubblegum saga of youth’s modern pursuit of romance and rock. Comics critic Joe “Jog” McCulloch will lead the discussion.
James Kochalka in Conversation
Alt-comics perennial James Kochalka will reflect on his career to date in a wide-ranging conversation with Heidi MacDonald, covering his whimsically semi-autobiographical Magic Boy character, his online autobiographical comic strip American Elf, children’s comics, and, of course, Super F*ckers.
Richard Thompson Spotlight
Richard Thompson is an illustrator whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and The Atlantic Monthly and a cartoonist whose weekly strip Richard’s Poor Almanac appears in the Washington Post and whose daily strip Cul de Sac is syndicated nationally. In this special spotlight presentation Richard will discuss his work and career with comics scholar Mike Rhode.
PANELS/PRESENTATIONS
CCS Workshop
Join faculty members Robyn Chapman and Alec Longstreth join CCS graduate Joseph Lambert for a presentation on The Center for Cartoon Studies' unique curriculum and a hands-on cartoon workshop. Robyn will present some of CCS's most successful classroom exercises, including a comic book revision of the classic fable, Tortoise and the Hare. Audience members will be invited to join in a cartooning exercise and make their own page of comics. No matter how much or little experience you have, you will leave this workshop having drawn a comics page!
Critics’ Roundtable
A panel of comics critics will consider crucial topics facing the art form and industry in a special roundtable session. Panelists will include Rob Clough, Gary Groth, Tim Hodler and Joe “Jog” McCulloch in a session moderated by Bill Kartalopoulos.
Cartooning in Collaboration/Collaboration in Cartooning
Co-moderators and mini-comics collaborators Isaac Cates and Mike Wenthe will lead this unique panel discussion on the challenges, problems, and pleasures of collaborative comics making. Panelists Becky Cloonan, Mike Dawson, Jim Ottaviani, Frank Santoro and Dash Shaw will discuss their varying experiences with the collaborative process.
The Page as Canvas
Alongside the word balloon, the formal device most closely associated with comics is the panel grid itself, the framework that provides structure and sequence to most comics pages. What happens when artists break the grid and use the page more broadly as a narrative canvas? What problems and opportunities does this approach present? Moderator Austin English will explore this topic with panelists Molly O’Connell, Juliacks, Jillian Tamaki, and Lauren Weinstein.
Background, Setting and Subject
Sometimes considered a separate element – and even a separate craft – in commercial comics, the rendering of background or setting is often itself a major subject in auteurial comics. Moderator Rob Clough will delve into this topic with panelists Kevin Huizenga, Jason Lutes and Ben Katchor.
Hergé and the Clear Line
In 1977 Joost Swarte coined the term “clear line” to describe the style employed by Tintin creator Hergé. Since then Swarte has been one of several artists to employ elements of that style to vastly different ends. Moderator Bill Kartalopoulos will narrate a slideshow presentation about the clear line style, followed by commentary and discussion by Jason Lutes, Swarte, and Kim Thompson.
The Kramers Ergot 7 Panel
One of the most hotly anticipated (and occasionally controversial) comics projects in recent years is Kramers Ergot 7, the forthcoming installment of the landmark contemporary comics anthology series, which offers contributing cartoonists the opportunity to produce new work at Little Nemo-scale in a deluxe full-color hardcover format. Moderator Bill Kartalopoulos will discuss the project with publisher Alvin Buenaventura and contributing artists including CF, Kevin Huizenga, Ben Katchor and Matthew Thurber.
Kim Thompson: Vingt Sur 20
Fantagraphics co-publisher Kim Thomspon presents "Vingt sur 20: French Comics from Goscinny to Satrapi," a slideshow lecture on the twenty men and women who, over a generation, redrew la bande dessinée française from a children's medium into le neuvième art.
Children’s and YA Comic Books
Comics were long considered a children’s medium before ambitious cartoonists began making comics for an adult audience. More recently, good work for children had nearly become an endangered species before a contemporary resurgence in comics for younger audiences. Panelists Frank Cammuso, Hope Larson, Dave Roman and Raina Telgemeier will discuss issues related to making comics for children and young adults.
Small Press Publishers’ Roundtable
A group of small press comics publishers discuss the opportunities and challenges of publishing comics and reaching audiences today. Moderator Rob Clough will lead a discussion with publishers including Leon Avalino (Secret Acres), Alvin Buenaventura (Buenaventura Press), Randy Cheng (Bodega), and Dylan Williams (Sparkplug).
I appear to be interviewing Our Man Thompson, probably on Sunday I'm told. I've started the pre-interview and can confidently report that his favorite desserts are "either a canoli or Amy's cherry pie." Look for detailed discussions about our children still to come. If one has any questions one wants answered, let me know.
Small Press Expo Announces its Slate of Discussion Panels for SPX 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Warren Bernard
Phone: 301-537-4615
E-Mail:webernard@spxpo.com
Bethesda, Maryland; September 18, 2008 – Small Press Expo (SPX) 2008 announces its slate of panels, creator Q&As and Spotlight sessions for SPX 2008. This year we feature Joost Swarte, Ben Katchor and Richard Thompson in one on one interview’s along with a diverse series of panels on all aspects of comics.
SPX will be held on Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5 at the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, across form the White Flint Metro stop. Admission is $8 per day and $15 for both days.
For more information on SPX and the Ignatz Awards, please visit our web site at www.spxpo.com.
Below are the discussion panels for SPX 2008. See our web site above for times and locations of the panels.
Q+A and Spotlights
Joost Swarte Q+A
Joost Swarte has produced comics, illustrations, graphics and architectural designs that have made him a legend in his native Netherlands. His clear line-influenced avant-garde comics were introduced to American audiences in RAW and his illustrations have graced the covers and pages of The New Yorker. Cartoonist, teacher and editor Paul Karasik will moderate a special spotlight session with the artist.
Ben Katchor Spotlight
Ben Katchor has long chronicled the pleasures of urban decay and small-scale ambition in comic strips including Julius Knipl: Real Estate Photographer, Hotel and Farm, and The Cardboard Valise. He is also the author of the graphic novel The Jew of New York and has collaborated on theatrical productions with musicians Bang on a Can and Mark Mulcahy. Today he will present full-color strips from his monthly series in Metropolis Magazine and answer questions moderated by comics scholar Mike Wenthe.
Bryan Lee O’Malley Q+A
Bryan Lee O’Malley has gained an enormous audience as the author of the multi-volume “Scott Pilgrim” series, combining manga-influenced artwork with contemporary pop culture motifs to spin a bubblegum saga of youth’s modern pursuit of romance and rock. Comics critic Joe “Jog” McCulloch will lead the discussion.
James Kochalka in Conversation
Alt-comics perennial James Kochalka will reflect on his career to date in a wide-ranging conversation with Heidi MacDonald, covering his whimsically semi-autobiographical Magic Boy character, his online autobiographical comic strip American Elf, children’s comics, and, of course, Super F*ckers.
Richard Thompson Spotlight
Richard Thompson is an illustrator whose work has appeared in The New Yorker and The Atlantic Monthly and a cartoonist whose weekly strip Richard’s Poor Almanac appears in the Washington Post and whose daily strip Cul de Sac is syndicated nationally. In this special spotlight presentation Richard will discuss his work and career with comics scholar Mike Rhode.
PANELS/PRESENTATIONS
CCS Workshop
Join faculty members Robyn Chapman and Alec Longstreth join CCS graduate Joseph Lambert for a presentation on The Center for Cartoon Studies' unique curriculum and a hands-on cartoon workshop. Robyn will present some of CCS's most successful classroom exercises, including a comic book revision of the classic fable, Tortoise and the Hare. Audience members will be invited to join in a cartooning exercise and make their own page of comics. No matter how much or little experience you have, you will leave this workshop having drawn a comics page!
Critics’ Roundtable
A panel of comics critics will consider crucial topics facing the art form and industry in a special roundtable session. Panelists will include Rob Clough, Gary Groth, Tim Hodler and Joe “Jog” McCulloch in a session moderated by Bill Kartalopoulos.
Cartooning in Collaboration/Collaboration in Cartooning
Co-moderators and mini-comics collaborators Isaac Cates and Mike Wenthe will lead this unique panel discussion on the challenges, problems, and pleasures of collaborative comics making. Panelists Becky Cloonan, Mike Dawson, Jim Ottaviani, Frank Santoro and Dash Shaw will discuss their varying experiences with the collaborative process.
The Page as Canvas
Alongside the word balloon, the formal device most closely associated with comics is the panel grid itself, the framework that provides structure and sequence to most comics pages. What happens when artists break the grid and use the page more broadly as a narrative canvas? What problems and opportunities does this approach present? Moderator Austin English will explore this topic with panelists Molly O’Connell, Juliacks, Jillian Tamaki, and Lauren Weinstein.
Background, Setting and Subject
Sometimes considered a separate element – and even a separate craft – in commercial comics, the rendering of background or setting is often itself a major subject in auteurial comics. Moderator Rob Clough will delve into this topic with panelists Kevin Huizenga, Jason Lutes and Ben Katchor.
Hergé and the Clear Line
In 1977 Joost Swarte coined the term “clear line” to describe the style employed by Tintin creator Hergé. Since then Swarte has been one of several artists to employ elements of that style to vastly different ends. Moderator Bill Kartalopoulos will narrate a slideshow presentation about the clear line style, followed by commentary and discussion by Jason Lutes, Swarte, and Kim Thompson.
The Kramers Ergot 7 Panel
One of the most hotly anticipated (and occasionally controversial) comics projects in recent years is Kramers Ergot 7, the forthcoming installment of the landmark contemporary comics anthology series, which offers contributing cartoonists the opportunity to produce new work at Little Nemo-scale in a deluxe full-color hardcover format. Moderator Bill Kartalopoulos will discuss the project with publisher Alvin Buenaventura and contributing artists including CF, Kevin Huizenga, Ben Katchor and Matthew Thurber.
Kim Thompson: Vingt Sur 20
Fantagraphics co-publisher Kim Thomspon presents "Vingt sur 20: French Comics from Goscinny to Satrapi," a slideshow lecture on the twenty men and women who, over a generation, redrew la bande dessinée française from a children's medium into le neuvième art.
Children’s and YA Comic Books
Comics were long considered a children’s medium before ambitious cartoonists began making comics for an adult audience. More recently, good work for children had nearly become an endangered species before a contemporary resurgence in comics for younger audiences. Panelists Frank Cammuso, Hope Larson, Dave Roman and Raina Telgemeier will discuss issues related to making comics for children and young adults.
Small Press Publishers’ Roundtable
A group of small press comics publishers discuss the opportunities and challenges of publishing comics and reaching audiences today. Moderator Rob Clough will lead a discussion with publishers including Leon Avalino (Secret Acres), Alvin Buenaventura (Buenaventura Press), Randy Cheng (Bodega), and Dylan Williams (Sparkplug).
Harvey Pekar: Conversations Errata #1
Hopefully not in a series, but probably. Print this out and put it in the book.
On page xv, in the Chronology, under 1989 - "American Splendor: Bedtime Stories comic book published by Dark Horse." This actually occurred in 2000.
I regret the error.
On page xv, in the Chronology, under 1989 - "American Splendor: Bedtime Stories comic book published by Dark Horse." This actually occurred in 2000.
I regret the error.
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