OT: Cancer comics

I'm working up a paper on the recent spate of comics about cancer, most of which follow in Harvey Pekar's footsteps of Our Cancer Year. Here's a webcomic - PHD from 4/20/09 - that's a nice short look at the problem.

OT: Rather offensive Marvel PR

In "Captain America: Where Were You? We conclude Captain America Week by asking Marvel creators and editors to recall where they were the day Steve Rogers died," (Posted: 2009-04-24 Updated: 2009-04-27), Kevin Mahadeo opens with:

It was a day that will live in infamy.

Television news stations, talk show hosts and comic shops across the nation broke the shocking and unimaginable news: Captain America—the symbol of hope and freedom, the embodiment of the American dream—was dead.

No, actually it was a comic book, as opposed to the opening of a World War... December 7th 1941 may not live in infamy forever, as Franklin Roosevelt would have it, but real men died that day as opposed to a comic book character.

Catching up with Comic Riffs - Earth Day, Breen interview, and Deflocked interview

I didn't have much internet access last week while traveling on business, so here's some interesting stuff from Michael Cavna's Comic Riffs blog -

"The Interview: Jeff Corriveau, "Deflocked" Creator & TV Comedy Writer," By Michael Cavna, April 23, 2009.

"Steve Breen Dedicates Pulitzer to Out-of-Work Colleagues," Michael Cavna, April 22, 2009.

"Do My Comics Look, Well, Green?," By Michael Cavna, April 22, 2009.

April 30: Dan Didio on intellectual property and economic recovery

Reposting for freshness...

This sounds pretty interesting - if one wants to go, just RSVP. I'm still mulling it over.

YOU'RE INVITED
•••••••••••••••••••••

Institute for Policy Innovation


It's a Bird! It's a Plane!
It's...

Dan DiDio
Senior Vice-President, Executive Editor - DC Comics


Dan DiDio of DC Comics joins the line-up for IPI’s Fourth Annual World Intellectual Property Day Forum,
“The Role of Intellectual Property in the Global Recovery”

•••••••••••••••••••••

Previously Confirmed Speakers:
Michael Gallagher
President, Entertainment Software Association

Dr. Mark Esper
Executive Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Intellectual Property Center


Program Discussion Panels:
The Role of IP in a Struggling Economy
Does Growing Protectionism Limit Access to Innovation?
Insider Forum: IP and the Future of Innovation


Make Plans Now To Attend:
Thursday, April 30, 2009
9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Reserve Officers Association (ROA) Headquarters Minuteman Memorial Building
Minuteman Ballroom, 5th Floor
One Constitution Ave NE
Washington DC 20002

*Complimentary lunch will be served.

RSVP: Erin Humiston at (972) 874-5139 or erin@ipi.org

DC-Area Free Comic Book Day Signings!

This weekend (May 2, 2009) is Free Comic Book Day, and DC-area stores have a bunch of creator signings. I'm going to err on the broad side here, so you'll see locations up through the Baltimore area too -- gas up those cars! Please note, this information is all up on the FCBD web pages with the exception of the Virginia information below, and I just happen to have stumbled upon it via their webpages. If you have further information, please contact us and we will update this posting!

DC:
Fantom Comics
4500 Wisconsin Ave.
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 362-5053
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Arvid Nelson (Rex Mundi, Kull) 12 Noon - 2 PM; 4 PM - 6 PM
Jim Dougan (Crazy Papers, How I Lost My S*@t at the Apple Store, Sam & Lilah) 12 Noon - 6 PM
Molly Lawless (Infandum!... Ad Infinitum) 12 Noon - 6 PM

Prize Wheel for prizes every hour on the hour.

Krispy Kreme donuts. A whole table's worth. Be sure to bring pants with a stretchy waistband.

Maryland:
Beyond Comics
Lakeforest Mall, 701 Russell Ave.
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
(301) 216-0007
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Gene Ha (Alan Moore's Top Ten)

Beyond Comics
5632 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD 21704
(301) 668-8202
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Mike Imboden (Creator/writer: Fist of Justice)

Big Planet Comics
7315 Baltimore Ave.
College Park, MD 20740
(301) 699-0498
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Lamar Abrams

Cards, Comics & Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD
100 A Chartley Dr.
Reisterstown, MD 21136
410-526-7410
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Frank Cho (Hulk, Mighty Avengers) from 1pm-4pm
Steve Conley (Star Trek) from 11am-7pm

Collectors Corner Inc.
8108 A Harford Rd.
Baltimore/Parkville, MD 21234
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
All artists and characters will appear from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM on May 2nd

Writers and artists:

Jo Chen (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Runaways)
Pat Carlucci (Hotinks Studios)
H.C. Noel (Mr. Scootles)
Michael S. Bracco (Birth & Novo)
Nathan Getz (No One)
Tony Calandra (No One)
GW Fisher (Image Comics' Shadowhawk)
Frank Zeigler (Waki & Rusty)
Patrick Kelly (Local Artist)
Carlos Taylor (Local Artist)
Chris Hewitt (The Living Corpse)
Tom Arvis (Sureshot Comics)
Ver Curtis (Moonstone Comics)
Kata Dales (Lost in the Woods)

Character Appearances : (Spider-Man, Captain America, Black Cat, Elektra, Supergirl, Rorschach, Venom, Iron Man, Wolverine, Hawkeye, Ozymandias, The Comedian, Batman, War Machine, Hulk, Deadpool, Superman, White Queen, Daredevil, Green Lantern, Thor)

SALE all DAY - 20% Off Everything in the store on Free Comic Book Day!
25 Cents Back Issues (5 for $1.00) - 1000's to chose from!

Charm City Roller Girls (Baltimore's Own Pro Roller Derby Girls)
Vu Skateshop : Gary Smith - Professional Skateboarder

Plus, Live Music and Free Pizza & Refreshments All Day!

Game demonstrations, MTG, D&D, HeroCLix and BOARD GAMES too!

BAND list and schedule:

Playing in front of the Gaming Clubhouse in the back parking lot behind the store

12:00 – 12:40 – The Alameda
1:00- 1:40 – Bene Gesserit Witch
2:00 – 2:40 - Davey G and the Keyboard
3:00 – 3:40 - Muscle Twin
4:00 – 4:40 - Person Parcel (Gary B)
5:00 – 5:40 - Mandroids

Super Villains Comic Book Shop
4361 Ebenezer Road
Nottingham, MD 21236
(410) 870-1253
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Greg LaRocque (Spiderman, Flash, Iron Man, the Avengers & many more - http://www.greglarocque.com/)
Keith Chow & Jeff Yang ("Secret Identities")
Adam Russo ("The Dreaming")
Car Import Super Model Jasmine Mai (http://www.myspace.comultimatejasminemai/, signing her convention exclusive comic book!
more guests TBA

$1.00 back issues with over 150 long boxes to choice from!

Character Appearances
Spiderman, black & classic red
The Joker
Rorschach from the Watchmen.

Free Pizza!!
Chances to win tickets to the Baltimore sneak peek showing of 'Star Trek Countdown'

Washington Street Books
131 N. Washington Street
Havre de Grace, MD 21078
(410) 939-6215
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Greg Cox (Author: Novelization of the DC Comics' "INFINITE CRISIS", "52" and "COUNTDOWN" along with various Star Trek Novels)
Jim Clatterbaugh (Monsters from the Vault Magazine)
Garth Gerhart (Bitterman and Beelzebum Comics)
Chelsea Carr (Baltimore Betty & Political Cartoonist)

Virginia:

Laughing Ogre Comics
Lansdowne Shopping Center
19340 Promenade Drive
Lansdowne, VA 20176
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Chris Giarrusso (writer/artist of Mini Marvels and G-Man) from 11 am- 3 pm

Laughing Ogre Comics
University Mall
10647 Braddock Road
Fairfax, VA 22032
Scheduled Creator & Character Appearances
Fillbach Bros (writer/artists of Star Wars Clone Wars Adventures) from 11 am- 3 pm

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-29-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 04-29-09
By John Judy

ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #15 by Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard. Wolfie goes nuts in prison. How can this not be great? Also Vol. 2 SC is out, collecting issues 8-12 and his crossover with INVINCIBLE.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THEATRE OF WAR: BROTHERS IN ARMS #1 by Paul Jenkins and John McCrea. If you miss the real Cap, here’s him back in WWII, fighting Nazis and taking one of them captive behind enemy lines. Tough gig.

DARK AVENGERS #4 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato. Crazy Norman Osborn makes some adjustments to the roster. Ouch.

FINAL CRISIS: LEGION OF THREE WORLDS #4 of 5 by Geoff Johns and George Perez. Yes, I know FINAL CRISIS ended months ago and this title’s kind of taking its sweet time coming out. But the villian’s the Time-Trapper so you have to expect this sort of thing. Recommended anyway.

GARTH ENNIS: BATTLEFIELDS: TANKIES #1 of 3 by Ennis and Carlos Ezquerra. In WWII Normandy a lone British tank crew struggles to rejoin their mates while keeping one step ahead of the ratzis. Ennis war comics remain top of the line, but not for younger kids.

GREEN LANTERN #40 by Geoff Johns and Philip Tan. Hal Jordan must battle the leader of the Orange Lantern Corps, “the most disgusting, filthiest, vilest being in the universe!” It’s Green Lantern vs. Ann Coulter! To the death!

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #26 by Geoff Johns and Dale Eaglesham. Stargirl’s having a birthday. Party-crashers beware!

LITERALS #1 of 3 by Bill Willingham, Matthew Sturges and Mark Buckingham. A tough one to jump into if you’re not already up to speed on the whole FABLES universe. Put another way, this first issue is chapter 3 of 9 of “The Great Fables Crossover.” But if it’s what you like…!

MODERN MASTERS, VOL. 20: KYLE BAKER SC by Eric Nolen-Weathington. Certain artists in this series from Two Morrows Publishing arguably may not quite warrant the term “Modern Master.” And then you have Kyle Baker for whom the term is an understatement. Any collection of his work must rate a Highly Recommended.

PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics. Comics and stuff in your future! It ain’t all on-line yet, kids!

RASL #4 written and drawn by Jeff Smith. Our interdimensional alkie art-thief has hard choices to make or else the lizard-faced killer will make them for him. From the award-winning creator of BONE and SHAZAM: MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL. Recommended.

SECOND THOUGHTS GN written and drawn by Niklas Asker. A story about a brief encounter between a novelist and a photographer and the repercussions in both their lives. Not exactly a Big Fight, but nothing’s perfect. Recommended.

SHERLOCK HOLMES #1 by Leah Moore, John Reppion and Aaron Campbell. Alan Moore’s daughter and her husband present their take on Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous creation. From the folks who brought you ALBION and WILD GIRL.

SUPERMAN #687 by James Robinson and Renato Guedes. Mon-El learns how hard it is to fill the Man of Steel’s big red boots.

THUNDERBOLTS #131 by Andy Diggle and Bong Dazo. Deadpool and the T-Bolts have a Big Fight! Bong Dazo!

ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS. HULK #5 of 6 by Damon Lindelof and Leinil Francis Yu. Ultimate Betty She-Hulk is in the mix! Could get awkward! Can’t believe this thing is actually coming out! Monthly too! Excelsior!

UNCANNY X-MEN #509 by Matt Fraction and Greg Land. It’s a mutant soap-opera on ‘roids and it’s working! Yes, this book is rapidly becoming the most consistently entertaining X-book on the stands. Who’da thunk it? Recommended.

WONDER WOMAN #31 by Gail Simone and Aaron Lopresti. Between Achilles and the creature called Genocide, our heroine has used up all her time-outs. Action-packed!

www.johnjudy.net

Yoe on Shuster on radio and in DC

Craig writes, I'm on NPR's Fresh Air program today interviewed by Terry Gross about "Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-Creator Joe Shuster". Plus the book's in "Time" magazine this week and Washington Post, and I'll be at Politics and Prose and Big Planet bookstores in Washington D.C. this weekend. For more info on the book see http://secret-identity.net

May 1: Jules & Kate Feiffer

Trish Brown writes in:

We’d be thrilled if you would mention that Jules & Kate Feiffer will be appearing at Hooray For Books! 1555 King St., Alexandria, VA on Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m. We’ll have copies of “The Explainers” and “Great Comic Book Heroes” on hand.

Kate Beaton, Robbi Behr, Emmanuel Guibert et al @ O’Neill Literary House MD 4/26

April 26, 2009 Pictures + Words: The New Literature of Graphic Narrative
With Kate Beaton, Robbi Behr, Emmanuel Guibert, Chad Parmenter, and Matthew Swanson

Don’t miss this special afternoon on Maryland’s Eastern Shore for a perspective on a compelling literary form. Featuring Emmanuel Guibert from France, Kate Beaton from Canada, and Robbi Behr, Chad Parmenter, and Matthew Swanson from the United States.

When: Saturday, April 26, 2009: 2–7 p.m.
Where: The Rose O’Neill Literary House: 407 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD

http://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/3285/prmID/1831

OT: The Book of Marvels: An Explorer's Miscellany

A good friend of mine, Mark C. Jenkins, the unofficial historian of National Geographic, has a book coming out on April 28. It is a wonderful compendium of the best of travel writing through the centuries, and the accompanying illustrations are gorgeous.

Here is the link to Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1426204094/ref=s9_sims_gw_s1_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0MMKCWA76E1352SH73N4&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Searching inside the book isn't available yet, but the chapter titles are as follows:
1. Wild and Unfathomable Always--The Sea
2. The Mournful Kingdom of Sand--The Desert
3. One Boundless Pasture--The Grasslands
4. Arborious Wonders--The Forest
5. The Sublime Harp--Peaks and Chasms
6. The Mystic Circles--The Poles

Many thanks for taking the time to check it out! Cathy

Cul de Sac gets animated, again

Cartoonist Michael Jantze, who created them, would like you to know that Cul de Sac animations are online again. I didn't post about it earlier, because if you're reading this, I assume you're also reading Richard's blog.

Dental cartoons from National Museum of Health & Medicine

Switching hats, one of the other archivists at the Medical Museum posted a set of 1960s dental cartoons to Flickr last week. I didn't even remember these existed, although judging from their numbers, I would have catalogued them. I think the scans are probably of 35mm slides, although the original artwork would have been done by the Museum's Scientific Illustration Division and is probably long-gone.

Steve Artley's cartoons added to Alexandria Times

Countering the general trend towards firing political cartoonists, the Alexandria (VA) Times has hired Alexandria cartoonist Steve Artley to provide local cartoons twice a week. See "Toons for the Times," Alexandria Times April 19 2009. Excellent news - we haven't had anyone in neighboring Arlington since the Sun-Gazette let Mikula go.

The cartoonists who visited troops in Washington

An article mentioned here recently noted that Jef Mallet was on a USO tour that visited troops in Washington hospitals - the rest are named in "Oh, and as for that list of generous cartoonists ..." Posted by Neal Rubin (The Detroit News) on Neal Rubin's Blog Sun, Apr 19, 2009.

Beni may be Mexican, says Cul de Sac cartoonist

Actually Richard said, "I think he’s Mexican. I’m not real sure." in this interview with his latest paper - "‘Cul de Sac’ comic strip starts today in The Star," By JAMES A. FUSSELL, The Kansas City Star April 19 2009.

Matt Wuerker was a Pulitzer Prize finalist

Alan Gardener has the story that Politico's Matt Wuerker was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for "his engaging mix of art and ideas, resulting in cleverly conceived cartoons that persuade rather than rant and that sometimes use animation to widen their impact." Congratulations, Matt, and best of luck getting it next year.

Oh yeah, Steve Breen won, and Mike Thompson was another finalist.

Serious Comics presentations at GWU, April 23-24

Phil Troutman writes in saying, several first-year students in my "Serious Comics" course will be presenting research at The George Washington University's annual Writing and Research Symposium, this Thursday/Friday, April 23-24 (free & open to the public). The program is at http://www.gwu.edu/~capstone/symposium/program.htm

Gelman Library events are accessed via Foggy Bottom Metro.
For GW's Mount Vernon campus (Foxhall Rd. & W St. NW), there is on-street parking on nearby 46th Street (do not park on W St.). And campus maps might be helpful: download PDFs at http://gwired.gwu.edu/adm/visit/directions/GWCampusMaps/

Here are the relevant panels:

Th. 2:30-3:45
SESSION MV 09
Location: Academic 122, Mt Vernon campus
PANEL: Wonder Women
includes: "Wonder Woman and Popular Culture," Deborah Kye

Th. 4:00-5:15
SESSION MV12
Location: Eckles Auditorium, Mount Vernon campus
PANEL: Political Pop
includes:
"Watchmen's Utopia: Utopias and Dystopias in Comic Books as Compared to SF," Lindsay Life
"Miller Misunderstood: Rethinking the Politics of the Dark Knight," Jessica M. Kowalik

Fri. 1:00-2:15
SESSION MV 20
Location: Eckles Auditorium, Mount Vernon campus
PANEL: Choices and Problems in Media Production
includes:
"Moving Pictures: The Technique of Adapting Comics to Film," John Bramley

Fri. 2:30-3:45
SESSION G20
Location: Gelman Library 301, Foggy Bottom
Roundtable: Cold War Comics: Exploring Thematic Changes in American Ideologies
PRESENTERS: A roundtable discussion with Brad Canales, Medha Gupta, Lindsay Life, Travis Reynolds, Graham Robinson, and Christina Williams

Neil Gaiman Appearance in MD

This is a little off the beaten track, but still arguably pertinent geographically (and I've never gotten to see Neil, even though he's been through here 4-5 times now):

http://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/3190/prmID/1831


April 27 Neil Gaiman in Conversation with Joshua Wolf Shenk

With Neil Gaiman and Joshua Wolf Shenk

Nowhere do the combinations of words and images make for more fantastical creations than in the work of Neil Gaiman. Author of the Sandman series, The Books of Magic, and many others, Gaiman will discuss his inspiration with Joshua Wolf Shenk, the director of Washington College’s Rose O’Neill Literary House.

SEATS STILL AVAILABLE!
Please note that this event has moved to a new venue.*

When: Monday, April 27, 2009: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Cain Gymnasium: 300 Washington Avenue, Washington College, Chestertown, MD.

Free and open to the public. No reservations required.

Cosponsored by Washington College

Minor Washington links to cartoonists

In "Lansing cartoonist's talks with troops rewarding," Detroit News Thursday, April 16, 2009, Neal Rubin wrote, "Lifelong Michiganian Jef Mallett, the creator of "Frazz," just came home from a USO tour of military hospitals in Washington, D.C., and Germany."

In "Former KU student wins cartoonist award," By Jennifer Torline, University Daily Kansan on Thu., April 9th, 2009, she notes "Grant Snider and his wife, Kayla, will travel on April 24 to the National Press Club in Washington D.C. to attend a banquet where Snider will receive the award."

Post on Disney's latest Princess ... who's black

Fortunately, we know that it had to be in production long before the Obamas entered the White House so it's not as opportunistic as it might appear. For information on The Princess and the Frog, see "A Fairy Tale Beginning: Snow White, She's Not. Among Disney's Royal Ladies, Tiana Is a Notable First," By Neely Tucker, Washington Post Staff Writer, Sunday, April 19, 2009.