Written by Glenn Dixon
Posted By Express at 12:01 AM on October 2, 2008
http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2008/10/the_uncertain_future_tom_tomoroow.php
This is one of 4 articles in the Express today - two other interviews are linked in separated posts, there was a wire service story on Spider-Man and Stephen Colbert and finally an online interview with Ian Rankin is also linked in another post.
» Politics & Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave. NW; Fri., Oct. 3, with Lynda Barry, 7 p.m.; Tomorrow, 9 p.m., free; 202-364-1919. (Van Ness-UDC)
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Comic Riffs' Cul de Sac contest
Michael Cavna has a contest beginning this morning - "Comic Riffs will launch its "Cul de Sac" Writing Contest -- the blog's readers will be invited to submit very short verse (haiku, ode or limerick) that celebrates Richard's strip. Richard himself will judge the contest."
Since I can't see my own blog at work, I'm pre-posting this the night before and taking it on faith.
Since I can't see my own blog at work, I'm pre-posting this the night before and taking it on faith.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Rob Clough's SPX suggestions
Click here for Rob Clough's SPX suggestions. I haven't met Clough, but he'll be moderating a panel too.
Veitch quotes Manet
The new issue of Rick Veitch's Army @Love: The Art of War 3 lovingly quotes Manet's The Luncheon on the Grass. I've been told that Veitch's family is from Arlington - there's a Veitch street down the block from me.
Baltimore Comic-Con photos
Here's a few - more of same (literally) on my Flickr site set. These are all from Saturday.
The hour-long line to get in.
Richard Thompson examining his free can of Monster drink during the hour-long wait to get in.
Star Wars costumes.
Andy Runton signing Owly. Photo by Claire.
Kids and comics - a natural.
Jeff Kinney signing Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Photo by Claire.
Danielle Corsetto.
Nathan Fox.
Steve Conley getting a book signed by Richard Thompson.
Don Rosa drawing Uncle Scrooge.
The hour-long line to get in.
Richard Thompson examining his free can of Monster drink during the hour-long wait to get in.
Star Wars costumes.
Andy Runton signing Owly. Photo by Claire.
Kids and comics - a natural.
Jeff Kinney signing Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Photo by Claire.
Danielle Corsetto.
Nathan Fox.
Steve Conley getting a book signed by Richard Thompson.
Don Rosa drawing Uncle Scrooge.
Matt Wuerker posts Palin game on Politico site
I just got 211 points in Matt Wuerker's new online game Sarah Palin: Guardian of the Northern Frontier. I would have done better, but apparently you're not supposed to shoot the pigs or moose.
More of Matt's animation is online too. I only got 182 in Gaffe Gunner Joe.
Oct 25: Campaign Cartoons with KAL (Kevin Kallaugher)
Another missive from Bruce Guthrie:
Campaign Cartoons with KAL (Kevin Kallaugher)
Saturday, Oct. 25 at 2:30 p.m., Knight Studio, Level 3
Award-winning editorial cartoonist Kevin Kallaugher brings his drawing and animation skills to the Newseum for a high-tech, humorous look at the presidential campaign and the candidates. Kallaugher will present additional sessions, including "Talk and Draw," an interactive group activity in which the artist works with the audience to create cartoons with a message, and "Learn to Draw with KAL," a hands-on activity for the whole family.
Campaign Cartoons with KAL (Kevin Kallaugher)
Saturday, Oct. 25 at 2:30 p.m., Knight Studio, Level 3
Award-winning editorial cartoonist Kevin Kallaugher brings his drawing and animation skills to the Newseum for a high-tech, humorous look at the presidential campaign and the candidates. Kallaugher will present additional sessions, including "Talk and Draw," an interactive group activity in which the artist works with the audience to create cartoons with a message, and "Learn to Draw with KAL," a hands-on activity for the whole family.
SPX political cartoonists PR
Note that two of DC's political cartoonists, Matt and Nate, will be making rare appearances.
Outside Looking In: Alternative Political Cartooning in 2008 To Be Held This Weekend Oct 4-Oct 5
Bethesda, Maryland; September 29, 2008 - Outside Looking In: Alternative Political Cartooning in 2008 will be held this weekend, Saturday, October 4 from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday, October 5 noon-6PM at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Admission is $8 for a single day and $15 for both days and is good for both Outside Looking In and the Small Press Expo the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comic books, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons,
In celebration of this most historical election, Outside Looking In has gathered the best alternative political cartoonist from across the United States for a special two days of panel discussions, interviews and autograph sessions.
Information on the panels, interviews, directions and exhibitors can be found at http://www.spxpo.com.
Here is a partial list of the political cartoon guests at this special event:
Tom Tomorrow is making a very rare comic convention appearance in conjunction with Outside Looking In and SPX is the award winning cartoonist, Tom Tomorrow, one of the pioneers in the alternative political cartooning field. The creator of the strip "This Modern World " and its protagonist, Sparky The Wonder Penguin, will promote his newly released book, "The Future Is So Bright I Can’t Bare To Look!". Visit Mr. Tomorrow’s web site at http://www.thismodernworld.com.
Lloyd Dangle, who is attending SPX as a guest for the first time in many years, is the creator of the long running social and political cartoon series "Troubletown". Mr. Dangle also has a new book out, "Troubletown, I Told You So!". See his cartoons at http://www.troubletown.com. Be sure to catch Lloyd interviewing Tom Tomorrow on Saturday afternoon.
Ted Rall is the President of the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists (A.A.E.C.) and has traveled extensively to Central Asia. Author, ATTITUDE editor, cartoonist, columnist and sometime TV personality, Ted’s most recent book is “Silk Road to Ruin: Is Central Asia the New Middle East?” and his latest cartoon collection is, “America Gone Wild”. For more information on Ted Rall, visit his website at http://www.tedrall.com.
Ruben Bolling is the creator of the multi-faceted, multi-paneled social and political
weekly strip, Tom The Dancing Bug. His most recent book is “Thrilling Tom The Dancing Bug Stories”. SPX is grateful that Ruben is making his first appearance at SPX in a number of years. Visit his web site at http://www.gocomics.com/tomthedancingbug/.
Matt Wuerker is the cartoonist and illustrator at Politico.Com and the weekly Politico newspaper. His cartoons and illustrations have been published by Smithsonian Magazine, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and The Nation. You can see his cartoons at http://www.politico.com.
Jen Sorensen is the creator of the political/social commentary strip "Slowpoke" and is now the political cartoonist for The Village Voice. She is also syndicated nationally and is (unfortunately) one of the few women political cartoonists. She will be at SPX to sign her latest book, "One Nation, Oh My God". Visit her website at http://www.slowpokecomics.com.
Keith Knight is the creator of the syndicated daily and Sunday strip "The Knight Life", as well as his long running strips "The K Chronicles" and "(th)ink". His latest books are "The Complete K Chronicles" from Dark Horse books and his self published "I Left My Arse In San Francisco". He draws regularly for Mad Magazine and ESPN the Magazine. Visit his web site at http://www.kchronicles.com/
Nate Beeler is the syndicated political cartoonist from The Washington Examiner. He won the John Locher Memorial Award as The Best College Political Cartoonist and will be making his first appearance at SPX.Visit his web site at http://www.dcexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/NateBeelerToons.
For further information on the artists or to request an interview, please contact Warren Bernard at mailto:webernard@spxpo.com.
SPX, a non-profit organization, brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, political cartoon books and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. A series of panel discussions will also be held of interest to readers, academicians and creators of graphic novels and political cartoons.
SPX culminates with the presentation of the 12th Annual Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning that will occur Saturday night, October 4. The Ignatz is the first Festival Prize in the US comic book industry, with winners chosen by balloting during the SPX.
As in previous years, all profits from the SPX will go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), protecting the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, go to their website at http://www.cbldf.org/.
Founded in 1994, SPX is North America's premier alternative comic-book and graphic novel festival. This annual event brings together comic creators, publishers and fans together to celebrate the art of visual storytelling.
Outside Looking In: Alternative Political Cartooning in 2008 To Be Held This Weekend Oct 4-Oct 5
Bethesda, Maryland; September 29, 2008 - Outside Looking In: Alternative Political Cartooning in 2008 will be held this weekend, Saturday, October 4 from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday, October 5 noon-6PM at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Admission is $8 for a single day and $15 for both days and is good for both Outside Looking In and the Small Press Expo the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comic books, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons,
In celebration of this most historical election, Outside Looking In has gathered the best alternative political cartoonist from across the United States for a special two days of panel discussions, interviews and autograph sessions.
Information on the panels, interviews, directions and exhibitors can be found at http://www.spxpo.com.
Here is a partial list of the political cartoon guests at this special event:
Tom Tomorrow is making a very rare comic convention appearance in conjunction with Outside Looking In and SPX is the award winning cartoonist, Tom Tomorrow, one of the pioneers in the alternative political cartooning field. The creator of the strip "This Modern World " and its protagonist, Sparky The Wonder Penguin, will promote his newly released book, "The Future Is So Bright I Can’t Bare To Look!". Visit Mr. Tomorrow’s web site at http://www.thismodernworld.com.
Lloyd Dangle, who is attending SPX as a guest for the first time in many years, is the creator of the long running social and political cartoon series "Troubletown". Mr. Dangle also has a new book out, "Troubletown, I Told You So!". See his cartoons at http://www.troubletown.com. Be sure to catch Lloyd interviewing Tom Tomorrow on Saturday afternoon.
Ted Rall is the President of the American Association of Editorial Cartoonists (A.A.E.C.) and has traveled extensively to Central Asia. Author, ATTITUDE editor, cartoonist, columnist and sometime TV personality, Ted’s most recent book is “Silk Road to Ruin: Is Central Asia the New Middle East?” and his latest cartoon collection is, “America Gone Wild”. For more information on Ted Rall, visit his website at http://www.tedrall.com.
Ruben Bolling is the creator of the multi-faceted, multi-paneled social and political
weekly strip, Tom The Dancing Bug. His most recent book is “Thrilling Tom The Dancing Bug Stories”. SPX is grateful that Ruben is making his first appearance at SPX in a number of years. Visit his web site at http://www.gocomics.com/tomthedancingbug/.
Matt Wuerker is the cartoonist and illustrator at Politico.Com and the weekly Politico newspaper. His cartoons and illustrations have been published by Smithsonian Magazine, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and The Nation. You can see his cartoons at http://www.politico.com.
Jen Sorensen is the creator of the political/social commentary strip "Slowpoke" and is now the political cartoonist for The Village Voice. She is also syndicated nationally and is (unfortunately) one of the few women political cartoonists. She will be at SPX to sign her latest book, "One Nation, Oh My God". Visit her website at http://www.slowpokecomics.com.
Keith Knight is the creator of the syndicated daily and Sunday strip "The Knight Life", as well as his long running strips "The K Chronicles" and "(th)ink". His latest books are "The Complete K Chronicles" from Dark Horse books and his self published "I Left My Arse In San Francisco". He draws regularly for Mad Magazine and ESPN the Magazine. Visit his web site at http://www.kchronicles.com/
Nate Beeler is the syndicated political cartoonist from The Washington Examiner. He won the John Locher Memorial Award as The Best College Political Cartoonist and will be making his first appearance at SPX.Visit his web site at http://www.dcexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/NateBeelerToons.
For further information on the artists or to request an interview, please contact Warren Bernard at mailto:webernard@spxpo.com.
SPX, a non-profit organization, brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, political cartoon books and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. A series of panel discussions will also be held of interest to readers, academicians and creators of graphic novels and political cartoons.
SPX culminates with the presentation of the 12th Annual Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning that will occur Saturday night, October 4. The Ignatz is the first Festival Prize in the US comic book industry, with winners chosen by balloting during the SPX.
As in previous years, all profits from the SPX will go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), protecting the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, go to their website at http://www.cbldf.org/.
Founded in 1994, SPX is North America's premier alternative comic-book and graphic novel festival. This annual event brings together comic creators, publishers and fans together to celebrate the art of visual storytelling.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
SPX travel plans by cartoonists
Here's a cute bit by Mei K at the Daily Cross Hatch, Brian Heater's excellent blog.
And here's more cartoons on the topic by Liz Baillie and Josh Eiserike. Note that Josh is the DC area creator of Assholes I'll be buying a copy from him if I don't complete space out. If I do, Josh, tackle me and wrestle one into my hand.
And here's more cartoons on the topic by Liz Baillie and Josh Eiserike. Note that Josh is the DC area creator of Assholes I'll be buying a copy from him if I don't complete space out. If I do, Josh, tackle me and wrestle one into my hand.
Geppi's Entertainment Museum rent?
Tom Spurgeon found this article - "Geppi, state ensnarled in museum rent dispute," LIZ FARMER, Maryland Daily Record Business Writer, September 29, 2008. If you haven't seen the museum yet, check it out. It's amazing.
Steve Conley update
I talked to Steve and his wife (? sorry!) at the Baltimore Comic-Con. Steve's wrapped up Star Trek Year 4 and there's a trade of it now. While he was buying a book from Our Man Thompson, I talked with Mrs. Conley who said he's working on a 10th anniversary Astounding Space Thrills special - yeah! I loved the clean lines and goofy humor of the strip. Zot! is an obvious antecedent and if you liked that, try AST which is still online. She also mentioned his Socks and Barney political strip. I suggested he do a mini for SPX of this - he's still got a few days so pop onto the site and second it!
UMd newspaper covers Baltimore Comic-Con
See "Baltimore Comic Convention draws a huge crowd," By Gaby Arevalo, University of Maryland, Baltimore County's Retriever Weekly September 30 2008. I personally waited in line an hour to buy a ticket. Bah. Good con though.
Oh, and here's Heidi on it - didn't see her there...
"Baltimore Showcases Comics First," By Heidi MacDonald, PW Comics Week September 30, 2008.
Oh, and here's Heidi on it - didn't see her there...
"Baltimore Showcases Comics First," By Heidi MacDonald, PW Comics Week September 30, 2008.
VCU student cartoonist featured in campus newspaper
See "Cartoonist proves artistic passion," by VERONICA GARABELLI - Associate Spectrum Editor, Commonwealth Times 9/29/08 for a story on communication arts major Allison Smith. Virgnia Commonwealth University in Richmond has been pumping up its comics collection lately - they've got the collection of my friend Tom Inge. Speaking of Richmond and Tom, his exhibit on Poe in the comics is still on view.
Bad News in DC #2
This was a good local chain that hosted comics events - Mike Carey was one of the most recent ones I went to.
Olsson's is Closed
Thanks to you and all our loyal customers who supported us for the last 36 years in the Washington area.
September 30, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
Olsson Enterprises, Inc., trading as Olsson's Books & Records closes stores and petitions court for Chapter 7 conversion.
Olsson Enterprises, Inc., trading as Olsson's Books & Records, Record & Tape Ltd., and Olsson's Books announced today that it has closed all of its locations and petitioned the U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Maryland for conversion of its current Chapter 11 protection to Chapter 7.
The reasons given for the petitioning were stagnant sales, low cash reserves, and an inability to renegotiate current leases, along with a continuing weak retail economy and plummeting music sales.
Olsson's was granted Chapter 11 protection on July 11 this year in order to work on an aggressive reorganization plan involving selected store closings and large cuts in overhead costs. At the same time the Lansburgh/ Penn Quarter location on 7th Street, N.W. was shuttered to make way for a new London-based restaurant.
Olsson's was established in 1972 and grew to as many as nine retail stores in the Washington, D.C. metro area with sales over $16 million a year and as many as 200 employees. Currently there are five retail stores: Reagan National Airport, Old Town Alexandria, Arlington Courthouse, Crystal City, and one in Northwest Washington at Dupont Circle. Olsson's earned its reputation as a locally-owned community-oriented retailer with a knowledgeable staff selling a wide selection of books, music, video and gifts.
Stephen Wallace-Haines, Olsson's general manager stated: "In the end, all the roads towards reorganization led to this dead end: we did not have the money required to pay for product in advance, to collect reserves to buy for Christmas, and satisfy the demands of rent and operational costs. We were losing money just by staying open."
John Olsson, principal owner, Washington native and graduate of Catholic University had this to say, "Although it is certainly a sad day for us, I can rejoice in all the great memories of my life in retail in Washington. I began at Discount Record Shop on Connecticut Avenue in the fall of 1958, and worked there until 1972 when I left to open my own record store at 1900 L Street. Along the way books were added, more locations, a couple thousand employees, and many thousands of customers. It was exhilarating. Through it all, our best and brightest served Washington's best and brightest with love and distinction. I'm very proud of what we accomplished. My love and gratitude to all my employees, and special thanks to all those thousands of loyal customers."
Olsson's is Closed
Thanks to you and all our loyal customers who supported us for the last 36 years in the Washington area.
September 30, 2008
PRESS RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
Olsson Enterprises, Inc., trading as Olsson's Books & Records closes stores and petitions court for Chapter 7 conversion.
Olsson Enterprises, Inc., trading as Olsson's Books & Records, Record & Tape Ltd., and Olsson's Books announced today that it has closed all of its locations and petitioned the U.S. Bankruptcy Court District of Maryland for conversion of its current Chapter 11 protection to Chapter 7.
The reasons given for the petitioning were stagnant sales, low cash reserves, and an inability to renegotiate current leases, along with a continuing weak retail economy and plummeting music sales.
Olsson's was granted Chapter 11 protection on July 11 this year in order to work on an aggressive reorganization plan involving selected store closings and large cuts in overhead costs. At the same time the Lansburgh/ Penn Quarter location on 7th Street, N.W. was shuttered to make way for a new London-based restaurant.
Olsson's was established in 1972 and grew to as many as nine retail stores in the Washington, D.C. metro area with sales over $16 million a year and as many as 200 employees. Currently there are five retail stores: Reagan National Airport, Old Town Alexandria, Arlington Courthouse, Crystal City, and one in Northwest Washington at Dupont Circle. Olsson's earned its reputation as a locally-owned community-oriented retailer with a knowledgeable staff selling a wide selection of books, music, video and gifts.
Stephen Wallace-Haines, Olsson's general manager stated: "In the end, all the roads towards reorganization led to this dead end: we did not have the money required to pay for product in advance, to collect reserves to buy for Christmas, and satisfy the demands of rent and operational costs. We were losing money just by staying open."
John Olsson, principal owner, Washington native and graduate of Catholic University had this to say, "Although it is certainly a sad day for us, I can rejoice in all the great memories of my life in retail in Washington. I began at Discount Record Shop on Connecticut Avenue in the fall of 1958, and worked there until 1972 when I left to open my own record store at 1900 L Street. Along the way books were added, more locations, a couple thousand employees, and many thousands of customers. It was exhilarating. Through it all, our best and brightest served Washington's best and brightest with love and distinction. I'm very proud of what we accomplished. My love and gratitude to all my employees, and special thanks to all those thousands of loyal customers."
Bad News in DC #1
Read "City Paper's parent files for bankruptcy," By Bill Myers, Examiner Staff Writer 9/30/08. This would be Creative Loafing, the Florida chain that took over the City Paper last year and immediately slashed budgets, forcing the laying off of freelance cartoonists Rob Ullman and Shawn Belschwender. All of the strips in the paper were also dropped including Derf's The City, Cannon's Red Meat and Lynda Barry's Marilys.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Cartoonists visit troops at Walter Reed
I didn't witness this except to see them drive off in a minivan, but I'm told that Stephan Pastis, Jef Keane, Rick Kirkman, Tom Richmond and other cartoonists visited wounded troops at Walter Reed hospital today.
Brief account of Gaiman at LOC bookfest in Post
There's photographs online as well - "Storied Lives: Writers' Inspiration, Readers' Dedication Are on Display at Book Festival," By Bob Thompson, Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, September 29, 2008; C01.
Oct 1: Terry Pratchett on Post book chat
From the North American Discworld Convention Update Sept 27th:
The Washington Post's Book World will host a live chat with Terry on Wednesday, Oct 1st at 11 am ET, 8 am PT on their website. You can submit questions or comments now for the chat. Details can be found at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/09/25/DI2008092502168.html . Note that registration may be required for access via the main Book World page at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artsandliving/books/index.html .
Strictly speaking, he's not a comic book writer, although I love his books. However, they have been adapted into comics.
The Washington Post's Book World will host a live chat with Terry on Wednesday, Oct 1st at 11 am ET, 8 am PT on their website. You can submit questions or comments now for the chat. Details can be found at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/09/25/DI2008092502168.html . Note that registration may be required for access via the main Book World page at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artsandliving/books/index.html .
Strictly speaking, he's not a comic book writer, although I love his books. However, they have been adapted into comics.
Oct 3: Lynda Barry at Politics and Prose
Here's D&Q's PR:
LYNDA BARRY FALL 2008 WHAT IT IS TOUR DATES!
Slide Show and Signing unless otherwise noted!
These are the last dates until 2009! Do not miss the most enthralling and exhilarating author tour of 2009!
An exuberant, no-nonsense cheerleader for life’s outcasts, [Barry] led her smallish room’s capacity crowd in a sermon-like call to creativity without fear of failure, to engage in what she called deep play or suffer going slowly insane. Of all the convention’s professional badge wearers, she was the coolest. She finished her panel by singing, You Are My Sunshine without moving her lips and got a standing ovation.-MSNBC on COMICON 2008
BOSTON Thursday, October 2nd, 7 PM, Brookline Booksmith, brooklinebooksmith.com
WASHINGTON DC Friday, October 3rd, 7PM Politics & Prose, http://www.politics-prose.com
NYC, Saturday, October 4th, 4 PM, New Yorker Festival, festival.newyorker.com *In conversation with Matt Groening!
NYC, Sunday, October 5th, 3 PM, New Yorker Festival, festival.newyorker.com *Signing only
MADISON, Saturday, October 18th, 2PM, Wisconsin Book Festival, www.wisconsinbookfestival.org *Multi-Author Panel
TORONTO, Saturday, October 25th, 3PM, IFOA, www.readings.org
TORONTO, Sunday, October 26th, 1PM, IFOA, www.readings.org *With Chip Kidd
PORTLAND, Sunday, November 9th, 5PM, Wordstock, www.wordstockfestival.com
LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, November 18th, 7PM, Hammer Museum, www.hammer.ucla.edu *In conversation with Matt Groening!
LYNDA BARRY’S WRITING THE UNTHINKABLE TOUR DATES!
Toronto! Portland! Los Angeles! San Francisco!
http://www.myspace.com/writingtheunthinkable
PRAISE FOR WHAT IT IS:
The collages in legendary cartoonist Lynda Barry’s What It Is are a bathysphere-like odyssey through the depths of her funky subconscious.–Vanity Fair
Using ink brush, pen and pencil drawings as well as collages and luminous watercolors, many of them on lined yellow legal paper,
[What It Is] explores deep philosophical questions...–Carol Kino, The New York Times
Deliciously drawn...insightful and bubbling with delight. A –Salon
Part free-spirited workbook, part instruction in how to write... What It Is is unparalleled in originality.–Entertainment Weekly
ABOUT WHAT IT IS:
What It Is demonstrates a tried-and-true creative method that is playful, powerful, and accessible to anyone with an inquisitive wish to write or remember. Bursting with full-color drawings, comics, and collages, autobiographical sections and gentle creative guidance, each page is an invigorating example of exactly what it is: The ordinary is extraordinary. Lynda Barry explores the depths of the inner and outer realms of creation and imagination, where play can be serious, monsters have purpose, and not knowing is an answer unto itself. How do objects summon memories? What do real images feel like? These types of questions permeate the pages of What It Is, with words attracting pictures and conjuring places through a pen that first and foremost keeps on moving. Her insight and sincerity will tackle the most persistent of inhibitions, calling back every kid who quit drawing to again feel alive at the experiential level. Comprised of completely new material, this is her first Drawn & Quarterly book.
ABOUT LYNDA BARRY:
Lynda Barry has worked as a painter, cartoonist, writer, illustrator, playwright, editor, commentator and teacher and found they are very much alike. She is the inimitable creator behind the syndicated strip Ernie Pook\'s Comeek featuring the incomparable Marlys and Freddy, as well as the books One! Hundred! Demons!, The! Greatest! of! Marlys!, Cruddy: An Illustrated Novel, Naked Ladies! Naked Ladies! Naked Ladies!, and her first book for Drawn & Quarterly, 2008’s What It Is. D Q plans to publish a multivolume hardcover collection of Ernie Pook’s Comeek starting in 2009, as well as a collection of the Nearsighted Monkey.
Peggy Burns
Drawn & Quarterly
Director, Marketing & Publicity
400 Ave Atlantic #800
Montreal, QC H2V 1A5
t: 514/279-0691
peggy@drawnandquarterly.com
http://drawnandquarterly.com/blog/
LYNDA BARRY FALL 2008 WHAT IT IS TOUR DATES!
Slide Show and Signing unless otherwise noted!
These are the last dates until 2009! Do not miss the most enthralling and exhilarating author tour of 2009!
An exuberant, no-nonsense cheerleader for life’s outcasts, [Barry] led her smallish room’s capacity crowd in a sermon-like call to creativity without fear of failure, to engage in what she called deep play or suffer going slowly insane. Of all the convention’s professional badge wearers, she was the coolest. She finished her panel by singing, You Are My Sunshine without moving her lips and got a standing ovation.-MSNBC on COMICON 2008
BOSTON Thursday, October 2nd, 7 PM, Brookline Booksmith, brooklinebooksmith.com
WASHINGTON DC Friday, October 3rd, 7PM Politics & Prose, http://www.politics-prose.com
NYC, Saturday, October 4th, 4 PM, New Yorker Festival, festival.newyorker.com *In conversation with Matt Groening!
NYC, Sunday, October 5th, 3 PM, New Yorker Festival, festival.newyorker.com *Signing only
MADISON, Saturday, October 18th, 2PM, Wisconsin Book Festival, www.wisconsinbookfestival.org *Multi-Author Panel
TORONTO, Saturday, October 25th, 3PM, IFOA, www.readings.org
TORONTO, Sunday, October 26th, 1PM, IFOA, www.readings.org *With Chip Kidd
PORTLAND, Sunday, November 9th, 5PM, Wordstock, www.wordstockfestival.com
LOS ANGELES, Tuesday, November 18th, 7PM, Hammer Museum, www.hammer.ucla.edu *In conversation with Matt Groening!
LYNDA BARRY’S WRITING THE UNTHINKABLE TOUR DATES!
Toronto! Portland! Los Angeles! San Francisco!
http://www.myspace.com/writingtheunthinkable
PRAISE FOR WHAT IT IS:
The collages in legendary cartoonist Lynda Barry’s What It Is are a bathysphere-like odyssey through the depths of her funky subconscious.–Vanity Fair
Using ink brush, pen and pencil drawings as well as collages and luminous watercolors, many of them on lined yellow legal paper,
[What It Is] explores deep philosophical questions...–Carol Kino, The New York Times
Deliciously drawn...insightful and bubbling with delight. A –Salon
Part free-spirited workbook, part instruction in how to write... What It Is is unparalleled in originality.–Entertainment Weekly
ABOUT WHAT IT IS:
What It Is demonstrates a tried-and-true creative method that is playful, powerful, and accessible to anyone with an inquisitive wish to write or remember. Bursting with full-color drawings, comics, and collages, autobiographical sections and gentle creative guidance, each page is an invigorating example of exactly what it is: The ordinary is extraordinary. Lynda Barry explores the depths of the inner and outer realms of creation and imagination, where play can be serious, monsters have purpose, and not knowing is an answer unto itself. How do objects summon memories? What do real images feel like? These types of questions permeate the pages of What It Is, with words attracting pictures and conjuring places through a pen that first and foremost keeps on moving. Her insight and sincerity will tackle the most persistent of inhibitions, calling back every kid who quit drawing to again feel alive at the experiential level. Comprised of completely new material, this is her first Drawn & Quarterly book.
ABOUT LYNDA BARRY:
Lynda Barry has worked as a painter, cartoonist, writer, illustrator, playwright, editor, commentator and teacher and found they are very much alike. She is the inimitable creator behind the syndicated strip Ernie Pook\'s Comeek featuring the incomparable Marlys and Freddy, as well as the books One! Hundred! Demons!, The! Greatest! of! Marlys!, Cruddy: An Illustrated Novel, Naked Ladies! Naked Ladies! Naked Ladies!, and her first book for Drawn & Quarterly, 2008’s What It Is. D Q plans to publish a multivolume hardcover collection of Ernie Pook’s Comeek starting in 2009, as well as a collection of the Nearsighted Monkey.
Peggy Burns
Drawn & Quarterly
Director, Marketing & Publicity
400 Ave Atlantic #800
Montreal, QC H2V 1A5
t: 514/279-0691
peggy@drawnandquarterly.com
http://drawnandquarterly.com/blog/
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-01-08
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-01-08
By John Judy
THE ALCOHOLIC HC by Jonathan Ames and Dean Haspiel. A graphic novel about a writer who enjoys the occasional tipple if you can imagine such a beastly thing.
BATMAN #680 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel. In which Bats faces down the Joker and the Club of Villains. Do they not realize he’s the !@#$% Batman?!
BEST AMERICAN COMICS 2008 HC by Lotsa People including Chris Ware, Seth, Alison Bechdel and some guy named Matt Groening. Edited by Lynda Barry, Jessica Abel and Matt Madden. What it says, people. Gotta look.
THE BOYS #23 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Beginning a new storyline so big they needed multiple covers just to…. Um…. Just to…. Take more money from gullible fans? Come on guys it’s a good series. You don’t need to do this. Plus the third BOYS trade paperback is out too, collecting issues #15-18.
DC UNIVERSE DECISIONS #2 of 4 by Judd Winick, Bill Willingham and Rick Leonardi. So we’ve learned that Lois Lane believes in small government, low taxes and a strong military. In other words there is no party in America she can vote for. I now believe this is a woman who was fooled by a pair of glasses all those years. Oh, and Green Arrow is a “librul.” Who knew? Good for DC for at least attempting to broach the subject of who a real hero would vote for.
DOKTOR SLEEPLESS #9 by Warren Ellis and Ivan Rodriguez. Doktor Sleepless: Hero, Villain, or Complete Nutjob? My money’s on “Yes.”
HARVEY COMICS CLASSICS, VOL. 4: BABY HUEY SC by Various Creators. It’s about a huge creature in a diaper who just wants someone to play with him. And it’s NOT Republican Senator David Vitter of Louisiana! It’s NOT, do you hear?!
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #25 by Dwayne McDuffie and Ed Benes. The African spider-god Anansi begins screwing with the histories of the JLA members. Is Anansi gunning for a job with DC Editorial?
MARVEL APES #3 of 4 by Karl Kesel and Ramon Bachs. They ain’t just super-hero apes, pal! They are VAMPIRE super-hero apes! Might as well just ship Kesel and Bachs their Eisners now. In your face, WATCHMEN!
NO HERO #1 of 7 by Warren Ellis and Juan Jose Ryp. That nice Mr. Ellis suggests that super-heroing might occasionally present certain unpleasantries.
SUB-MARINER: DEPTHS #2 of 5 by Peter Milligan and Esad Ribic. In this sorta out of continuity, sorta Mature Readers version Prince Namor is a scary legend of the sea who terrorizes and kills anyone dumb enough to screw with him. Milligan seems to get what Bill Everett figured out in Subby’s first appearance. The Sub-Mariner isn’t terrifying because he can breathe water. He’s terrifying because you can’t.
TOP TEN: SEASON TWO #1 of 4 by Xander Cannon and Gene Ha. The hard-working super-cops of Neoplolis are back without the guiding hand of creator Alan Moore. Still looks amazing. For fans of cop dramas and classic spandex. Recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
THE ALCOHOLIC HC by Jonathan Ames and Dean Haspiel. A graphic novel about a writer who enjoys the occasional tipple if you can imagine such a beastly thing.
BATMAN #680 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel. In which Bats faces down the Joker and the Club of Villains. Do they not realize he’s the !@#$% Batman?!
BEST AMERICAN COMICS 2008 HC by Lotsa People including Chris Ware, Seth, Alison Bechdel and some guy named Matt Groening. Edited by Lynda Barry, Jessica Abel and Matt Madden. What it says, people. Gotta look.
THE BOYS #23 by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. Beginning a new storyline so big they needed multiple covers just to…. Um…. Just to…. Take more money from gullible fans? Come on guys it’s a good series. You don’t need to do this. Plus the third BOYS trade paperback is out too, collecting issues #15-18.
DC UNIVERSE DECISIONS #2 of 4 by Judd Winick, Bill Willingham and Rick Leonardi. So we’ve learned that Lois Lane believes in small government, low taxes and a strong military. In other words there is no party in America she can vote for. I now believe this is a woman who was fooled by a pair of glasses all those years. Oh, and Green Arrow is a “librul.” Who knew? Good for DC for at least attempting to broach the subject of who a real hero would vote for.
DOKTOR SLEEPLESS #9 by Warren Ellis and Ivan Rodriguez. Doktor Sleepless: Hero, Villain, or Complete Nutjob? My money’s on “Yes.”
HARVEY COMICS CLASSICS, VOL. 4: BABY HUEY SC by Various Creators. It’s about a huge creature in a diaper who just wants someone to play with him. And it’s NOT Republican Senator David Vitter of Louisiana! It’s NOT, do you hear?!
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #25 by Dwayne McDuffie and Ed Benes. The African spider-god Anansi begins screwing with the histories of the JLA members. Is Anansi gunning for a job with DC Editorial?
MARVEL APES #3 of 4 by Karl Kesel and Ramon Bachs. They ain’t just super-hero apes, pal! They are VAMPIRE super-hero apes! Might as well just ship Kesel and Bachs their Eisners now. In your face, WATCHMEN!
NO HERO #1 of 7 by Warren Ellis and Juan Jose Ryp. That nice Mr. Ellis suggests that super-heroing might occasionally present certain unpleasantries.
SUB-MARINER: DEPTHS #2 of 5 by Peter Milligan and Esad Ribic. In this sorta out of continuity, sorta Mature Readers version Prince Namor is a scary legend of the sea who terrorizes and kills anyone dumb enough to screw with him. Milligan seems to get what Bill Everett figured out in Subby’s first appearance. The Sub-Mariner isn’t terrifying because he can breathe water. He’s terrifying because you can’t.
TOP TEN: SEASON TWO #1 of 4 by Xander Cannon and Gene Ha. The hard-working super-cops of Neoplolis are back without the guiding hand of creator Alan Moore. Still looks amazing. For fans of cop dramas and classic spandex. Recommended.
www.johnjudy.net
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