Aaarghh! Within blocks of me and I'll be at the History of Medicine meetings in Cleveland. I'll have to send the kid.
Workshop: Creating Graphic Novels
Sat Apr 25, 2009 1pm
Columbia Pike Branch Library, 816 S. Walter Reed Dr., Arlington, Va.
Learn the basic and finer points of creating graphic novels from Josh Elder, a graphic novelist and author of "Mail Order Ninja." Appropriate for students ages 10 and up. Contact mmiller@arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-5261 for more details.
And I'm missing the Library sale.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Matt Wuerker wants you to remember the Exxon Valdez oil spill 20 years later...
...and that seems reasonable to me. He says, "take two minutes to remember with John Nielsen's WWF piece, posted here on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbjC9SMKClE - and pass it on...
KAL illustrations for Frontline tonight?
Today's NY Times has a KAL cartoon that they say is from the Frontline documentary "Ten Trillion and Counting" on tv tonight.
March 25: Library of Congress Swann talk on Nast
Coming up tomorrow!
Thomas Nast and French Art
The Topic of Swann Grantee’s Talk on March 25
Swann Foundation grantee Marie-Stéphanie Delamaire will present a lecture entitled, "The Artist as Translator: Thomas Nast and French Art,” Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at 12 noon, in the West Dining Room on the sixth floor of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, DC.
In her illustrated talk, Delamaire will examine American cartoonist Thomas Nast’s appropriation of the visual language used in prints and photographs of grand manner and history paintings in his political cartoons of the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. The analysis of Nast’s cartoons suggests that they functioned much like visual, cultural, and political translations of the era’s leading issues and articulated the cartoonist’s artistic identity.
Thomas Nast (1840-1902) began his career as a newspaper illustrator in the antebellum era for the growing illustrated press of the 1850s in New York. During the Civil War years, Nast developed a new style of large-scale cartoons that made extensive use of the visual vocabulary of old masters and contemporary French academic painters, particularly those whose works were reproduced in prints then being disseminated by the American branch of Goupil & Cie in New York. Nast referenced or alluded to specific French paintings as a means of capturing and engaging his viewers’ interest in major political developments of the day as seen in such cartoons as “Democracy” or “The Tammany Tiger Loose” (published respectively in Harper’s Weekly on November 11, 1865 and November 11, 1871). In so doing, Nast not only translated “facts into black and white,” as suggested by Clarence Cook (Putnam Magazine, July 1869), but also transformed history painting into a mass medium and appropriated the significance of foreign images into the American national or local political sphere.
Delamaire contends that looking closely at Nast’s cartoons demonstrates that the artist deliberately emphasized the discontinuity between the original painting and his final image in order to construct the cartoon’s underlying meaning. Nast’s translations of history paintings into cartoons can thus be seen to question the authority and priority commonly associated with the grand tradition of European history painting. Delamaire suggests that Nast’s appropriations reveal a shift from his role as a newspaper illustrator to that of a translator of fine art’s visual language mediating the political significance of foreign works of art widely
disseminated in print form to his American audience.
Delamaire is a Ph.D. candidate in Art History at Columbia University. Her dissertation project entitled, “Art in Translation: Franco-American exchanges in the Civil War and Reconstruction Era,” has been awarded a Terra Foundation Pre-doctoral Fellowship at the Smithsonian Institution and a Swann Foundation grant. Her research interests focus on transnational exchanges in relation to the development of reproductive technology in nineteenth century visual culture, the international art market and the emerging apparatus of international exhibitions. She completed a Master’s Degree in Egyptian Archaeology. She has published several essays on the American perception of ancient Egypt, the 1867 Paris Exposition Universelle, and the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial International Exhibition.
This presentation is part of the Swann Foundation’s continuing activities to support the study, interpretation, preservation and appreciation of original works of humorous and satiric art by graphic artists from around the world. The Swann Foundation’s advisory board is composed of scholars, collectors, cartoonists and Library of Congress staff members. The foundation strives to award one fellowship annually (with a stipend of up to $15,000) to assist scholarly research and writing projects in the field of caricature and cartoon. Applications for the academic year 2009-2010 are due Feb. 15, 2010. More information about the fellowship is available through the Swann Foundation’s Web site: www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/swannhome or by emailing swann@loc.gov.
Thomas Nast and French Art
The Topic of Swann Grantee’s Talk on March 25
Swann Foundation grantee Marie-Stéphanie Delamaire will present a lecture entitled, "The Artist as Translator: Thomas Nast and French Art,” Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at 12 noon, in the West Dining Room on the sixth floor of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, DC.
In her illustrated talk, Delamaire will examine American cartoonist Thomas Nast’s appropriation of the visual language used in prints and photographs of grand manner and history paintings in his political cartoons of the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. The analysis of Nast’s cartoons suggests that they functioned much like visual, cultural, and political translations of the era’s leading issues and articulated the cartoonist’s artistic identity.
Thomas Nast (1840-1902) began his career as a newspaper illustrator in the antebellum era for the growing illustrated press of the 1850s in New York. During the Civil War years, Nast developed a new style of large-scale cartoons that made extensive use of the visual vocabulary of old masters and contemporary French academic painters, particularly those whose works were reproduced in prints then being disseminated by the American branch of Goupil & Cie in New York. Nast referenced or alluded to specific French paintings as a means of capturing and engaging his viewers’ interest in major political developments of the day as seen in such cartoons as “Democracy” or “The Tammany Tiger Loose” (published respectively in Harper’s Weekly on November 11, 1865 and November 11, 1871). In so doing, Nast not only translated “facts into black and white,” as suggested by Clarence Cook (Putnam Magazine, July 1869), but also transformed history painting into a mass medium and appropriated the significance of foreign images into the American national or local political sphere.
Delamaire contends that looking closely at Nast’s cartoons demonstrates that the artist deliberately emphasized the discontinuity between the original painting and his final image in order to construct the cartoon’s underlying meaning. Nast’s translations of history paintings into cartoons can thus be seen to question the authority and priority commonly associated with the grand tradition of European history painting. Delamaire suggests that Nast’s appropriations reveal a shift from his role as a newspaper illustrator to that of a translator of fine art’s visual language mediating the political significance of foreign works of art widely
disseminated in print form to his American audience.
Delamaire is a Ph.D. candidate in Art History at Columbia University. Her dissertation project entitled, “Art in Translation: Franco-American exchanges in the Civil War and Reconstruction Era,” has been awarded a Terra Foundation Pre-doctoral Fellowship at the Smithsonian Institution and a Swann Foundation grant. Her research interests focus on transnational exchanges in relation to the development of reproductive technology in nineteenth century visual culture, the international art market and the emerging apparatus of international exhibitions. She completed a Master’s Degree in Egyptian Archaeology. She has published several essays on the American perception of ancient Egypt, the 1867 Paris Exposition Universelle, and the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial International Exhibition.
This presentation is part of the Swann Foundation’s continuing activities to support the study, interpretation, preservation and appreciation of original works of humorous and satiric art by graphic artists from around the world. The Swann Foundation’s advisory board is composed of scholars, collectors, cartoonists and Library of Congress staff members. The foundation strives to award one fellowship annually (with a stipend of up to $15,000) to assist scholarly research and writing projects in the field of caricature and cartoon. Applications for the academic year 2009-2010 are due Feb. 15, 2010. More information about the fellowship is available through the Swann Foundation’s Web site: www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/swannhome or by emailing swann@loc.gov.
Weingarten on his comic strip, and the Post's
Gene W from the March 23rd chat:
Silver Spring, Md.: Re: Doonesbury CPOW - that's one thing that has always impressed me about that strip - he always seems to have a character already in place for any news event or trend or whatever that comes up. He can pick up a character and put he or she in the event without any problem or stretch. He has Joannie working on the hill, BD was set for any "hostilities", Bernie was perfectly positioned to be a high-tech mogul, Boopsie ended up in the movie industry. I loved it when Mike's youngish techie-wife turned out to be the Vietnamese orphan who had been adopted into the US years before.
Gene Weingarten: Obviously, this is not coincidence. Garry has more active characters than any strip ever, probably by a factor of five.
The strip my son and I are working on -- look for it soon, I hope -- is going to start with about 16. Absurdly high for a new strip, nowhere near Dbury.
_______________________
New strip: When your new strip debuts, can it replace Peanuts?
If you were able to, say, accidentally slip the email address of the comics editor, perhaps it may result that he or she is bombarded with enough requests to get rid of Peanuts repeats that his or her loins will be girded sufficiently to withstand the few complaint letters that will be mailed (from people who I don't think would folow through on their threat to cancel their subscriptions).
Gene Weingarten: I am beginning to think that no one will ever have the courage to replace Peanuts.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: AAAAAHHHHH! According to the notice on today's Style section, they're schwacking both "Pooche Cafe" and "Brevity" from the comics section. What's wrong with these people? They'll keep stale stuff like "Blondie," "Peanuts," "Mark Trail," "Family Circus," and "Dennis the Menace" but kill two of the comics that are actually, you know, funny? Isn't there anything we can do to stop this? AAAAAHHHHHH!!!
Gene Weingarten: They are also keeping Hagar the Horrible.
_______________________
Alex., VA: Do readers actually write in and support Peanuts?
Gene Weingarten: I don't know, but I doubt it. I think that newspaper comics deciders are loath to get rid of any strip so old that old loyal readers would miss it.
Very, very bad decisionmaking.
Silver Spring, Md.: Re: Doonesbury CPOW - that's one thing that has always impressed me about that strip - he always seems to have a character already in place for any news event or trend or whatever that comes up. He can pick up a character and put he or she in the event without any problem or stretch. He has Joannie working on the hill, BD was set for any "hostilities", Bernie was perfectly positioned to be a high-tech mogul, Boopsie ended up in the movie industry. I loved it when Mike's youngish techie-wife turned out to be the Vietnamese orphan who had been adopted into the US years before.
Gene Weingarten: Obviously, this is not coincidence. Garry has more active characters than any strip ever, probably by a factor of five.
The strip my son and I are working on -- look for it soon, I hope -- is going to start with about 16. Absurdly high for a new strip, nowhere near Dbury.
_______________________
New strip: When your new strip debuts, can it replace Peanuts?
If you were able to, say, accidentally slip the email address of the comics editor, perhaps it may result that he or she is bombarded with enough requests to get rid of Peanuts repeats that his or her loins will be girded sufficiently to withstand the few complaint letters that will be mailed (from people who I don't think would folow through on their threat to cancel their subscriptions).
Gene Weingarten: I am beginning to think that no one will ever have the courage to replace Peanuts.
_______________________
Washington, D.C.: AAAAAHHHHH! According to the notice on today's Style section, they're schwacking both "Pooche Cafe" and "Brevity" from the comics section. What's wrong with these people? They'll keep stale stuff like "Blondie," "Peanuts," "Mark Trail," "Family Circus," and "Dennis the Menace" but kill two of the comics that are actually, you know, funny? Isn't there anything we can do to stop this? AAAAAHHHHHH!!!
Gene Weingarten: They are also keeping Hagar the Horrible.
_______________________
Alex., VA: Do readers actually write in and support Peanuts?
Gene Weingarten: I don't know, but I doubt it. I think that newspaper comics deciders are loath to get rid of any strip so old that old loyal readers would miss it.
Very, very bad decisionmaking.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Cavna animator interview on Post website, so you don't have to buy the paper
"The Interview: Animator Bryan Brinkman," Michael Cavna, March 23, 2009.
Post dropping 6 comics, not 5
Today the Post reported that it's dropping 6 comics - adding "Brevity" to the list of "Judge Parker," "Little Dog Lost," "Piranha Club," "Pooch Cafe" and "Zippy the Pinhead" - and shrinking the comics pages to 2 instead of 3. Dilbert is moving back to the comics section as the Business section goes down the tubes.
Comments are invited at comics@washpost.com
I'm sure they'll be announcing a price increase any day too. You know - this pisses me off - I actually subscribe to the paper and pay to get it and its ads, and they keep taking out stuff I read, but still offering it free on the web. Nice business model. Perhaps Madoff gave lessons on running newspapers too.
And for god's sake, drop Peanuts rather than a living strip. I loved it, I buy the Fantagraphics collections, and I don't need it in place of a current strip.
[I just made the last two paragraphs the core of my letter to the Post]
Comments are invited at comics@washpost.com
I'm sure they'll be announcing a price increase any day too. You know - this pisses me off - I actually subscribe to the paper and pay to get it and its ads, and they keep taking out stuff I read, but still offering it free on the web. Nice business model. Perhaps Madoff gave lessons on running newspapers too.
And for god's sake, drop Peanuts rather than a living strip. I loved it, I buy the Fantagraphics collections, and I don't need it in place of a current strip.
[I just made the last two paragraphs the core of my letter to the Post]
Sunday, March 22, 2009
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 03-25-09
QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 03-25-09
By John Judy
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #589 by Fred Van Lente and Paulo Siqueira. Spidey’s old foe The Spot is breaking into the murder-for-hire biz. Don’t judge. It’s a bad economy and we’ve all gotta go where the work is.
AMERICAN JESUS, VOL. 1: CHOSEN SC by Mark Millar and Peter Gross. From the Department of Things That Can (and probably will) Go Horribly Wrong, it’s the story of a twelve year-old boy who discovers he’s the returned Jesus Christ with all the perks and liabilities. Did I mention it’s written by the guy who wrote ULTIMATES and KICK-ASS? Gotta look! (Especially if you’re from a right-wing fundie censorship organization!)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #48 by Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice. Bucky America, the Sub-Mariner and the Black Widow continue their unauthorized covert aggression against the Chinese super-scientist who done ‘em wrong. Guest-starring the original dead Human Torch.
DAREDEVIL #117 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. Daredevil returns to his own comic book and the Kingpin returns to the Big Apple! DD’s and KP’s latest gal-pals just got all messed up so there’s bound to be some tension. Recommended.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #24 by Duane Swierczynski and Kano. Bad as all get-out kung-fu mayhem as only an artist with one name can draw it!
MIGHTY AVENGERS #23 by Dan Slott and Khoi Pham. A new Avengers line-up is revealed in the traditional manner: Big Fight!
NEW AVENGERS #51 by Brian Michael Bendis and Billy Tan. As Sorcerer Supreme it appears ol’ Doc Strange just hasn’t been cutting the mustard as of late so it’s time for a big old magical Ruckus Royale to find a new one. Look for lots of gobbledy-gook, magic-looking letter fonts. Don’t strain your eyes, just assume it rhymes and sounds cool if Ian McKellen’s reading it.
THUNDERBOLTS #130 by Andy Diggle and Bong Dazo. Screw the comic book, don’t you wish your name was “Bong Dazo?”
TOP TEN SPECIAL #1 by Xander Cannon and Da Xiong. It’s a little courtroom drama in the City of Super-Heroes. Recommended even without Alan Moore scripting.
WOLVERINE SAGA #1 by No Credits. It’s the story of the fast-healing mutant Canucklehead James Howlett/Logan/Wolverine/Patch or whatever he’s calling himself today and get this: It’s Free. No charge. On the House of Ideas. You’d almost think there was a big-budget action movie someone was trying to promote…
WOLVERINE: FIRST CLASS #13 by Peter David and Ronan Cliquet. Okay, so “Ronan Cliquet” is no “Bong Dazo” but it’s up there. Are these the Sarah Palin kids nobody talks about?
www.johnjudy.net
By John Judy
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #589 by Fred Van Lente and Paulo Siqueira. Spidey’s old foe The Spot is breaking into the murder-for-hire biz. Don’t judge. It’s a bad economy and we’ve all gotta go where the work is.
AMERICAN JESUS, VOL. 1: CHOSEN SC by Mark Millar and Peter Gross. From the Department of Things That Can (and probably will) Go Horribly Wrong, it’s the story of a twelve year-old boy who discovers he’s the returned Jesus Christ with all the perks and liabilities. Did I mention it’s written by the guy who wrote ULTIMATES and KICK-ASS? Gotta look! (Especially if you’re from a right-wing fundie censorship organization!)
CAPTAIN AMERICA #48 by Ed Brubaker and Butch Guice. Bucky America, the Sub-Mariner and the Black Widow continue their unauthorized covert aggression against the Chinese super-scientist who done ‘em wrong. Guest-starring the original dead Human Torch.
DAREDEVIL #117 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark. Daredevil returns to his own comic book and the Kingpin returns to the Big Apple! DD’s and KP’s latest gal-pals just got all messed up so there’s bound to be some tension. Recommended.
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #24 by Duane Swierczynski and Kano. Bad as all get-out kung-fu mayhem as only an artist with one name can draw it!
MIGHTY AVENGERS #23 by Dan Slott and Khoi Pham. A new Avengers line-up is revealed in the traditional manner: Big Fight!
NEW AVENGERS #51 by Brian Michael Bendis and Billy Tan. As Sorcerer Supreme it appears ol’ Doc Strange just hasn’t been cutting the mustard as of late so it’s time for a big old magical Ruckus Royale to find a new one. Look for lots of gobbledy-gook, magic-looking letter fonts. Don’t strain your eyes, just assume it rhymes and sounds cool if Ian McKellen’s reading it.
THUNDERBOLTS #130 by Andy Diggle and Bong Dazo. Screw the comic book, don’t you wish your name was “Bong Dazo?”
TOP TEN SPECIAL #1 by Xander Cannon and Da Xiong. It’s a little courtroom drama in the City of Super-Heroes. Recommended even without Alan Moore scripting.
WOLVERINE SAGA #1 by No Credits. It’s the story of the fast-healing mutant Canucklehead James Howlett/Logan/Wolverine/Patch or whatever he’s calling himself today and get this: It’s Free. No charge. On the House of Ideas. You’d almost think there was a big-budget action movie someone was trying to promote…
WOLVERINE: FIRST CLASS #13 by Peter David and Ronan Cliquet. Okay, so “Ronan Cliquet” is no “Bong Dazo” but it’s up there. Are these the Sarah Palin kids nobody talks about?
www.johnjudy.net
Another Batcave Companion interview
See "Batman in the '60s & '70s: 'The Batcave Companion'," By Zack Smith, Newsarama 20 March 2009.
Zadzooks and Bennett's Best
Zadzooks is on toys again - "Zadzooks: Predator: The Cleaner and Darth Vader's T.I.E. Fighter," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times Wednesday, March 18, 2009.
And Greg recommends some old DC, a new Vertigo title and Humbug -
"Bennett's Best for the week of March 15," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks Blog March 20 2009.
"Bennett's Best for the week of March 8," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks Blog March 19 2009.
And Greg recommends some old DC, a new Vertigo title and Humbug -
"Bennett's Best for the week of March 15," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks Blog March 20 2009.
"Bennett's Best for the week of March 8," By Greg Bennett, Zadzooks Blog March 19 2009.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Frederick's Mike Imboden interviewed
See:
Episode 89: Jimmy Gownley - Mike Imboden
Comixology's It Came Out On Wednesday blog March 11, 2009
In the sixth New York Comic Con 2009 special podcast, we're joined by Amelia Rules creator Jimmy Gownley and by Mike Imboden, creator of Fist of Justice from Digital Webbing.
Episode 89: Jimmy Gownley - Mike Imboden
Comixology's It Came Out On Wednesday blog March 11, 2009
In the sixth New York Comic Con 2009 special podcast, we're joined by Amelia Rules creator Jimmy Gownley and by Mike Imboden, creator of Fist of Justice from Digital Webbing.
Wuerker to speak in Lebanon Valley
According to their website:
Cartoonist to Examine the Funny Side of Terror at LVC's Colloquium
Political cartoonist Matt Wuerker will look at The Funny Side of the Age of Terror as part of Lebanon Valley College’s Age of Terror Colloquium. He will speak on Friday, April 3 at 7 p.m. in LVC’s Zimmerman Recital Hall in the Suzanne H. Arnold Gallery. His talk is free and open to the public.
Wuerker will ask: “Do we have to be terrorized? Given all the troubles and tensions of the world perhaps humor is a better response.” Wuerker, a cartoonist for politico.com, will make his case that the war on terror might best be waged with satire. “Besides helping us not lose our own minds and own civil liberties, perhaps humor is the best response to those that would make us into monsters,” he believes. “Laughter can be disarming, and in many ways it is the most civilized way to attack those people that despise our civilization. Besides, if we turn them into jokes it will drive them crazy.”
Cartoonist to Examine the Funny Side of Terror at LVC's Colloquium
Political cartoonist Matt Wuerker will look at The Funny Side of the Age of Terror as part of Lebanon Valley College’s Age of Terror Colloquium. He will speak on Friday, April 3 at 7 p.m. in LVC’s Zimmerman Recital Hall in the Suzanne H. Arnold Gallery. His talk is free and open to the public.
Wuerker will ask: “Do we have to be terrorized? Given all the troubles and tensions of the world perhaps humor is a better response.” Wuerker, a cartoonist for politico.com, will make his case that the war on terror might best be waged with satire. “Besides helping us not lose our own minds and own civil liberties, perhaps humor is the best response to those that would make us into monsters,” he believes. “Laughter can be disarming, and in many ways it is the most civilized way to attack those people that despise our civilization. Besides, if we turn them into jokes it will drive them crazy.”
April 1: Barry Kitson Signing at Cards, Comics & Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD
Barry Kitson Signing at Cards, Comics & Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD
REISTERSTOWN, MD - MARCH 18, 2009 - Barry Kitson, artist of Marvel Comics' Amazing Spider-Man, will appear at Cards, Comics & Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD on Wednesday April 1, 2009. No joke!
Barry, whose work on Amazing Spider-Man includes the first story in the best-selling "Obama issue" #583, has had his work published in many titles, including runs on Marvel's The Order and Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four and DC's Legion of Super-Heroes, The Titans, and Empire.
The signing will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 from 3pm to 7:30pm. Our address is 100 A Chartley Dr., Reisterstown, MD 21136. For more information, call Cards, Comics & Collectibles at 410-526-7410.
May 1st starts our 25th year!
REISTERSTOWN, MD - MARCH 18, 2009 - Barry Kitson, artist of Marvel Comics' Amazing Spider-Man, will appear at Cards, Comics & Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD on Wednesday April 1, 2009. No joke!
Barry, whose work on Amazing Spider-Man includes the first story in the best-selling "Obama issue" #583, has had his work published in many titles, including runs on Marvel's The Order and Secret Invasion: Fantastic Four and DC's Legion of Super-Heroes, The Titans, and Empire.
The signing will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 from 3pm to 7:30pm. Our address is 100 A Chartley Dr., Reisterstown, MD 21136. For more information, call Cards, Comics & Collectibles at 410-526-7410.
May 1st starts our 25th year!
March 23: Chabon at GWU
From GWU's English Dept blog (!)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
For Your Calendar: Chabon and Jones (March 23)
The author of The Yiddish Policemen's Union, Wonder Boys, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, Summerland, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh -- and MORE -- will read from his work and then be interviewed live by Professor Faye Moskowitz.
Michael Chabon will be introduced by Edward P. Jones, GW's first Wang Professor of Contemporary Literature.
The event begins at 7 PM on Monday March 23 in the Jack Morton Auditorium, and is followed by a book signing for both Chabon and Jones. Free and open to all who wish to attend, but seating is on a first-available basis.
The auditorium is in the School of Media and Public Affairs, 805 21st Street, NW Washington, DC 20052
Thursday, February 26, 2009
For Your Calendar: Chabon and Jones (March 23)
The author of The Yiddish Policemen's Union, Wonder Boys, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, Summerland, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh -- and MORE -- will read from his work and then be interviewed live by Professor Faye Moskowitz.
Michael Chabon will be introduced by Edward P. Jones, GW's first Wang Professor of Contemporary Literature.
The event begins at 7 PM on Monday March 23 in the Jack Morton Auditorium, and is followed by a book signing for both Chabon and Jones. Free and open to all who wish to attend, but seating is on a first-available basis.
The auditorium is in the School of Media and Public Affairs, 805 21st Street, NW Washington, DC 20052
OT: David Lozell Martin's book signing on Sunday that I'm going to
My friend the novelist David Lozell Martin will be reading from his new autobiography. I'll be going to Shirlington tomorrow if anyone wants to meet up.
Busboys @ Shirlington
4251 South Campbell Ave
Arlington, VA 22206
(703) 379-9757
Author Event: David Lozell Martin
When Sunday, March 22, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where Shirlington Library/Busboys and Poets
Description Author David Lozell Martin will discuss and sign his most recent work, "Losing Everything: A Memoir". "Losing Everything" is less about getting lost and more about finding your way home again. In his pursuit of stability, Martin uncovered lessons that might help others who have encountered loss: take pleasure in something as small as an ampersand, keep a list of people you know who have died, meet your own death like a warrior, and be glad you don't own a monkey. Deeply personal yet surprisingly universal, Martin's story is for anyone who has wandered astray. If not a road map, his journey is a guide, providing hard-earned wisdom to illuminate the path home. Discussion will take place at Shirlington Library, followed by a book signing at Busboys and Poets.
This event is free and open to the public.
Busboys @ Shirlington
4251 South Campbell Ave
Arlington, VA 22206
(703) 379-9757
Author Event: David Lozell Martin
When Sunday, March 22, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where Shirlington Library/Busboys and Poets
Description Author David Lozell Martin will discuss and sign his most recent work, "Losing Everything: A Memoir". "Losing Everything" is less about getting lost and more about finding your way home again. In his pursuit of stability, Martin uncovered lessons that might help others who have encountered loss: take pleasure in something as small as an ampersand, keep a list of people you know who have died, meet your own death like a warrior, and be glad you don't own a monkey. Deeply personal yet surprisingly universal, Martin's story is for anyone who has wandered astray. If not a road map, his journey is a guide, providing hard-earned wisdom to illuminate the path home. Discussion will take place at Shirlington Library, followed by a book signing at Busboys and Poets.
This event is free and open to the public.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
My thoughts on Watchmen
So I finally saw the Watchmen movie last night. For years, I've been saying that 1.) this is not a comic book to recommend to a beginning reader of comics and 2.) I don't know who'd they'd expect to see this movie because you really have to care about superheroes.
I stand by those statements.
I also enjoyed the movie, but I've been reading comic books for over thirty years.
I liked it fine for what it was - a lavish, yet slavish, adaptation of a comic book of limited interest to a broader public.
Snyder's second comic book adaptation followed the path of 300, his first - he used the comic book as a storyboard and made a visually-stunning movie. Watchmen is lush and lovely and just ooozes thoughtful caring. And I appreciated that. And about 1/3 of the readers of this blog probably will as well.
But if you didn't grow up on superhero comic books (movies don't count), this probably isn't the movie for you.
I stand by those statements.
I also enjoyed the movie, but I've been reading comic books for over thirty years.
I liked it fine for what it was - a lavish, yet slavish, adaptation of a comic book of limited interest to a broader public.
Snyder's second comic book adaptation followed the path of 300, his first - he used the comic book as a storyboard and made a visually-stunning movie. Watchmen is lush and lovely and just ooozes thoughtful caring. And I appreciated that. And about 1/3 of the readers of this blog probably will as well.
But if you didn't grow up on superhero comic books (movies don't count), this probably isn't the movie for you.
Richmond's Adhouse Books has another sweeet one coming out
See "Pixar & Comics - Ronnie del Carmen on 'And There Your Are'," By Chris Arrant, Newsarama 18 March 2009. Publisher Pitzer is usually at SPX with a pile of lovelies.
Geppi's Museum baseball game discount
I've said it before, but I love this museum.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date of Release: March 19, 2009
Geppi’s Entertainment Museum announces dollar-day admission during Orioles’ and Ravens’ 2009 home games
BALTIMORE – With families more challenged than ever to find economical forms of entertainment, Geppi’s Entertainment Museum at Camden Yards (“GEM”) has stepped up to the plate with a budget-pleasing offer. On any day that the Os or Ravens have home games scheduled this year, admission to the museum – located adjacent to Oriole Park – will be only $1.
“This special offer is an unbeatable value,” said GEM’s Executive Director, Melissa Bowersox, “Our hours of operation will be extended on home game days to allow individuals and families to experience America’s most exciting pop culture museum at a very affordable price. Whether you’re attending a game or just in the area, the admission will be only a dollar.”
A tour guide is required for all groups availing themselves of the Game Day Special. An additional $1 per person tour-guide fee will be added to admission, for a total of $2 per person. Groups at this rate must adhere to guided-tour times of 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30pm. This rate is valid on HOME Game Days only for the Baltimore Orioles 2009 season and Baltimore Ravens 2009 season, and is valid for one group per tour time.
Other discounts available at GEM include; half-price Tuesdays and Thursdays. Last year, GEM introduced half-price Tuesdays, and it proved so popular, a second half-price day – Thursday – was added.
GEM also offers $2 off admission to those who “go green” with transportation and show a public transportation ticket when entering GEM (not valid with any other offers or discounts).
Geppi’s Entertainment Museum at Camden Yards is located on the second floor at 301 W. Camden St., Baltimore, MD 21201. For additional information call 410-625-7060, email info@geppismuseum.com or log on to www.geppismuseum.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date of Release: March 19, 2009
Geppi’s Entertainment Museum announces dollar-day admission during Orioles’ and Ravens’ 2009 home games
BALTIMORE – With families more challenged than ever to find economical forms of entertainment, Geppi’s Entertainment Museum at Camden Yards (“GEM”) has stepped up to the plate with a budget-pleasing offer. On any day that the Os or Ravens have home games scheduled this year, admission to the museum – located adjacent to Oriole Park – will be only $1.
“This special offer is an unbeatable value,” said GEM’s Executive Director, Melissa Bowersox, “Our hours of operation will be extended on home game days to allow individuals and families to experience America’s most exciting pop culture museum at a very affordable price. Whether you’re attending a game or just in the area, the admission will be only a dollar.”
A tour guide is required for all groups availing themselves of the Game Day Special. An additional $1 per person tour-guide fee will be added to admission, for a total of $2 per person. Groups at this rate must adhere to guided-tour times of 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30pm. This rate is valid on HOME Game Days only for the Baltimore Orioles 2009 season and Baltimore Ravens 2009 season, and is valid for one group per tour time.
Other discounts available at GEM include; half-price Tuesdays and Thursdays. Last year, GEM introduced half-price Tuesdays, and it proved so popular, a second half-price day – Thursday – was added.
GEM also offers $2 off admission to those who “go green” with transportation and show a public transportation ticket when entering GEM (not valid with any other offers or discounts).
Geppi’s Entertainment Museum at Camden Yards is located on the second floor at 301 W. Camden St., Baltimore, MD 21201. For additional information call 410-625-7060, email info@geppismuseum.com or log on to www.geppismuseum.com.
Editorial cartoonist Bill Day let go, interviewed at Comic Riffs
See "The Exit Interview: Pink-Slipped Memphis Cartoonist Bill Day," By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 19, 2009. I believe it's becoming apparent that firing your cartoonist is becoming a fad at newspapers, and publishers are doing it now because everyone else is.
Horrors of War story preview available
Troy Allen writes in:
Switching it up this week. I figured I'd treat you kids to a preview page of "Disposable Heroes," A short story by the Bamn crew. It is slated to be featured in the "The Horrors of War" anthology book, presented by Dr. Dremo's Taphouse (R.I.P.) and the fine people of the DC Conspiracy.
The premise for the short is based on a true life account...but, yes, that is a Star Wars homage that you are seeing below. The story revolves around SPC Sergio Estavia's experience on Christmas during the Iraqi general election. A seeminlgy quiet evening for his convoy gives way to a fiery act of revenge.
Jay did the layouts, David did the final art, and I (me) did the typos. The book is due for an April release and will be available in comic shops around the D.C., Maryland, Virginia.
You can find out more here: http://dcconspiracy.com/
Switching it up this week. I figured I'd treat you kids to a preview page of "Disposable Heroes," A short story by the Bamn crew. It is slated to be featured in the "The Horrors of War" anthology book, presented by Dr. Dremo's Taphouse (R.I.P.) and the fine people of the DC Conspiracy.
The premise for the short is based on a true life account...but, yes, that is a Star Wars homage that you are seeing below. The story revolves around SPC Sergio Estavia's experience on Christmas during the Iraqi general election. A seeminlgy quiet evening for his convoy gives way to a fiery act of revenge.
Jay did the layouts, David did the final art, and I (me) did the typos. The book is due for an April release and will be available in comic shops around the D.C., Maryland, Virginia.
You can find out more here: http://dcconspiracy.com/
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