Saturday, May 30, 2009
Where's Richard's Poor Alamanack?
Friday, May 29, 2009
Geppi's Museum launching major Carl Barks exhibit
Zadzooks on Wolverine videogame
Pixar's Up - two reviews and two interviews
http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/movies/29up.html
New York Times May 29, 2009
MOVIE REVIEW | 'UP'
The House That Soared
By MANOHLA DARGIS
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/28/AR2009052803803.html?hpid=topnews
Pixar Perfect: 'Up' Provides Quite a Lift
By Ann Hornaday
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 29, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/28/AR2009052801064.html?hpid=topnews
'Up' Director Finds Escape in Reality
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 29, 2009
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2009/05/the_interview_up_animator_bob.html
The Interview: 'UP' Animator Bob Peterson of Pixar
By Michael Cavna
Comic Riffs blog May 29, 2009
Washington City Paper reviews Pixar's Up
By Tricia Olszewski
Washington City Paper May 29, 2009
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=37272
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Aspiring Comics Artists Alive and Well in the DC Metro
The man that took the seat next to him stared the whole time he drew (so now I know what I look like at comic shows). It was pretty amusing. I was hoping that the starer would leave the train, vacating the seat and giving me an opportunity to chat before the artist and obvious comic fan left, but the artist got off at Ballston and I took his seat next to the starer instead. :-P
Still, it's heartening to have seen someone obviously interested in comics on the train putting pencil to paper! If you're a reader, Mr. Artist, drop us a comment!
RFK Journalism Awards and Ohman's cartoon win
Jack Ohman of the Oregonian won the cartoon award. The letter we submitted to the RFK Center read:
We are pleased to award the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for cartoons to Jack Ohman of the Oregonian.
Two major themes emerged from this year’s cartoon entries – racism and the status of African-Americans in the wake of Barak Obama’s presidential campaign, and the plight of the 'average American' as a result of the devastating economic downturn.
Other frequent themes included torture and a lack of both human and legal rights for detainees in American custody, hunger, the rights of women, gay marriage, gun and urban violence, Cuban freedom and immigration reform.
Ohman's entries focused on several of these topics, but three cartoons in his submission were particularly noteworthy. Ohman left his drawing board to visit the Oregon Employment Department, the Portland Rescue Mission, and Loaves and Fishes, an institution that provides meals for senior citizens. He sat with those most vulnerable among us and then commented on their plight in perceptive cartoons that reflected not only the problems of his community, but his own compassionate sensibilities as well.
Ohman, by actually venturing out and practicing graphic journalism on behalf of the downtrodden, showed his sensitivity in dealing with issues of poverty. With this, he differentiated himself from his talented peers and the excellent work they submitted this year.
Jack Ohman's work exemplifies the goals of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. It is an honor to offer him this award.
These are typical cartoons of his for the year, very similar to many others submitted by other candidates - technically excellent, with solid clever ideas and good cartooning:
These are the three cartoons that made Ohman's work stand out and won him the award:
Also in attendance at the awards were cartoonists Joel Pett and Matt Wuerker. It was a pleasure to meet Joel and Jack and talk about cartooning.
June 12: David Macaulay at National Museum of Health and Medicine
When: Friday, June 12, 2009 (1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
Saturday, June 13, 2009 (10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) & (1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
Where: National Museum of Health and Medicine
What: Join David Macaulay for a discussion about his new book, "The Way We Work," as he illuminates the most important machine of all -- the human body. Your body is made up of various complex systems, and Macaulay is a master at making the complex understandable. He shows how the parts of the body work together, from the mechanics of a hand, to the process by which the heart pumps blood, to the chemical exchanges necessary to sustain life. A book signing will follow the discussion.
This event is being held in conjunction with NMHM's temporary exhibition, "David Macaulay Presents: The Way We Work, Getting to Know the Amazing Human Body," which features the famous author's original artwork for the book.
Bring your kids along! This event, as well as the exhibit, is great for teaching children about the human body.
Cost: FREE!
Parking is available. Photo ID required.
Information: nmhminfo@afip.osd.mil or (202) 782-2200
David Macaulay bio:
Born on December 2, 1946, Macaulay was eleven when his family moved from England to the United States. An early fascination with simple technology and a love of model-making and drawing ultimately led him to study architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design. He received his degree in 1969 after spending his fifth year with RISD's European Honors Program in Rome. Macaulay is probably best known for a very thick book called "The Way Things Work" (1988), an exhaustively researched compendium of the intricate workings involved in almost anything that functions. It was followed by "Black and White," winner of the 1991 Caldecott Medal. Over the next decade, Macaulay published eight additional books, and in 2003 he began a volume about the workings of the human body—the results of which comprise this exhibition. In 2006, Macaulay was named a MacArthur fellow.
Mike Judge interview in Comic Riffs part 2 appeared today
'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' videogame reviewed in Express
By Micah Pearson
Comic Art Indigene going, Artomatic coming
Up director interviewed in Express
Up, Up and Away: Director Peter Docter
Written by Express' Nathan MartinMay 28 2009
http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/05/up_up_and_away_director_peter_docter.php
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Fantom Comics' message about closing Tenleytown store
As many of you know, the Fantom Comics Tenleytown location is closing its doors for good this coming Sunday, May 31st. (Please note that this week’s new comics will arrive at Tenleytown tomorrow per usual.
Tenleytown isn’t closing for bad reasons, but for good ones. As anyone who has been in the store during rainy days knows, the ceiling leaks like a sieve, and the space is awkward and somewhat off the beaten track. The Fantom crew has grown quite fond of our odd little first store and will always remember it fondly, but we’re growing up and our goal is to lease a larger, better space.
Unfortunately, negotiations are dragging on for said space and rather than compromise with a less than ideal location management has decided to wait it out until the perfect spot comes along. As valued customrs and friends we are offering you a couple of options:
Option 1: Union Station. Transfer your subscriptions to our Union Station store. We’ll have you up and running over there by next Wednesday.
Option 2: Home Delivery. Fantom Comics has wanted to experiment with home delivery for quite some time, but we’ve never gotten around to it. Until now! This struck us as the perfect time to introduce our comic book store at your front door program. Here’s how it works:
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Call the Fantom Comics phone number (unchanged at 202-362-5051), or email us at subscriptions@fantomcomics.com at any point in the week and give us your name and address and we’ll send someone there right away (assuming it’s during delivery hours) or at a future open slot of your choosing.
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Deliveries will take place every Wednesday (11am-7pm) and Saturday (noon-6pm).
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We will deliver to any home or office within the following zip codes: 20007, 20008, 20015, 20016, 20815 and 20816.
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Subscribers have no minimum purchase requirements. For non-subscribers the minimum is $15.
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We will still accept credit cards.
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There is no service charge and our people will not be allowed to accept gratuity. Comic book store at your front door will cost you nothing extra!
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We will bring along your subscribed books, already sorted, as well as the entire stock of new books for the week, which you can browse and purchase to your heart’s content. We can also do special requests on older material, but we need a week’s heads-up on that.
If you are a current subscriber, please confirm with us by Sunday, May 31st at subscriptions@fantomcomics.com as to how you’d like us to deal with your subscription. If you're not a subscriber, here's a good chance to try it out!
And of course, if neither of these options appeals to you, please keep up with our website and/or email list so you’ll find out where the next Fantom Comics NW DC is setting up shop as soon as we do.
Thanks for 4 great years, Tenleytown. There’ll be many more locations, but you’ll always be our first!
Yours,
Management
Post and others on Goode Family and Mike Judge
There is an interview with Mike Judge - "'King of the Hill' Segues To the ABC of Animation," By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Staff Writer, Wednesday, May 27, 2009.
The NY Times put their review online - "TV Review | 'The Goode Family' - A Clan So Virtuous Even Its Dog Is Vegan," By GINIA BELLAFANTE, May 27, 2009 as did Salon (of course) - "Mike Judge's pain-in-the-ass cartoon liberals: New animated series "The Goode Family" charts the pitfalls of the p.c., eco-friendly lifestyle," By Heather Havrilesky, Salon May 27, 2009 as is "'The Goode Family': Mike Judge's Disappointing New Comedy," by Linda Holmes, National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (May 27 2009).
June 29: Richard Thompson rocks Arlington's Central Library
Mon Jun 29, 7pm
Arlington Central Library Auditorium
Hear from the man behind the syndicated daily comic strip "Cul de Sac," and who's unique style and humor have graced the various parts of the Washington Post ("Richard's Poor Almanack"), National Geographic, The Atlantic and the New Yorker--Arlington's own Richard Thompson. No, not the musician by the same name. The cartoonist Richard Thompson.
OT: DC Comics internship contest
2009 Design Scholarship Challenge Announced
Aspiring graphic designs students compete for $25,000 tuition scholarship and a chance to work on a DC Comics marketing campaign
Aspiring graphic designers have until June 8 to submit entries to the “2009 Design Scholarship Challenge” to compete for the national prize, an opportunity to work with DC Comics on an upcoming marketing campaign for “Absolute Justice” and a $25,000 tuition scholarship to one of the sponsoring design schools. Hopefuls should submit entries to one of the schools which are: the 11 International Academy of Design & Technology (Academy) campuses, located in Chicago, Detroit, Las Vegas, Online Campus, Orlando, Sacramento, San Antonio, Schaumburg (IL), Seattle, Nashville, and Tampa; as well as Brooks Institute, Brown College, Collins College, and Harrington College of Design.
The first round of judging will be conducted by a panel of faculty and employees at each local campus and winners will be selected by June 19, 2009. The final round will be conducted by a national panel including representatives from DC Comics. The National Winner will be announced in July at San Diego Comic-Con 2009.
“A local winner will be selected from each campus and all 15 will receive a $5,000 tuition scholarship to the sponsoring school of their choice plus a three-day, two-night expense-paid trip to San Diego to attend Comic-Con 2009 where the national winner will be named and will receive an additional $20,000 tuition scholarship to the sponsoring school of their choice,” said Tom McNamara, senior vice president, Art & Design group of Career Education Corporation. “This is an opportunity to experience the real world of graphic design with all of its challenges. The entry requirements are demanding, but the rewards will jump start the education and future careers of several talented students.”
The contest is open to legal residents of the United States who will graduate from high school or receive a GED between January 1, 2006 and July 31, 2010. The contest application, along with detailed instructions is available at www.visualdiner.com. See rules for full eligibility requirements. Void where prohibited.
Participants must submit original designs for a print and an online advertisement for the “Absolute Justice” graphic novel, full of some of the most popular DC Comic characters, along with a completed detail sheet which includes a short inspiration statement. Local winners will receive a second creative brief and specifications for an as yet-to-be released DC Comics publication and must present a second set of a print and an online advertisement to a panel of judges at Comic-Con 2009. In addition to the finished print and online advertisements, local winners must also submit a binder on their design process including a written summary of people contacted for information about the project and the advice they provided, sketches, illustrations, photographs or digital images of the project as it evolved from concept to completion, a summary of influences on your entry and a written summary of your overall concept.
“This is more than a scholarship competition,” McNamara said. “It’s an opportunity to gain experience and exposure in the world of graphic design and to test your hand in a rewarding and exciting line of work.
Goode Family gets brief review in Express
Comic Riffs interviews 'Goode Family' Creator Mike Judge (Pt. 1)
The Interview: 'Goode Family' Creator Mike Judge (Pt. 1)
by Michael Cavna, May 27 2009http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2009/05/tuesday_post_2.html
MIKE JUDGE, co-creator of the Fox series "King of the Hill," poses in front of an illustration of the animated character he voices, Hank Hill, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ric Francis)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Baltimore Comic-Con PR
2010 Dates Announced!
BALTIMORE, MD (May. 26, 2009) -- The Baltimore Comic-Con is proud to announce that top creators of today's Marvel Universe will find themselves in Baltimore this October 10th and 11th as guests of the Baltimore Comic-Con. Jason Aaron (Wolverine), Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers), Frank Cho (Ultimates 4), David Finch (Ultimatum), Matt Fraction (Uncanny X-Men), and Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man) will all convene to help celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Baltimore Comic-Con.
"This modern day Marvel bullpen, the writers and artists of today's Marvel Comics, will really help to make this year a great show. This will be the first time that Jason Aaron and Matt Fraction have joined us, and a great second year for Brian Michael Bendis. Brian made a special effort to speak with all of his fans last year, and was a guest that many of our fans requested come back," said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "We missed David Finch in 2008 due to the birth of his lovely daughter, and it is great to have him back. And of course, we are thrilled to welcome perennial fan favorites Frank Cho and Barry Kitson back to the halls of the Baltimore Convention Center."
As we continue to get ready for the show on October 10-11, 2009, we would also like to announce the Baltimore Comic-Con's 2010 dates: August 27-28, 2010. "We have spent 10 years putting on great comic book-centric shows, and I am proud to start on a second great decade. The fans come to our shows to meet and greet with their favorite artists and writers, and we plan to continue that tradition well into the future," remarked Nathan. "While it may be early for some, we want our partners, guests, exhibitors, and fans to know our plans so that they join us in 2010."
In coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found at our website, Facebook, MySpace, and ComicSpace pages.
This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held October 10-11, 2009. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, October 10th.
About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 10th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held Oct 10-11, 2009. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.
About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 4 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org
New Comics arriving on Thurs
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Memorial Day holiday, new comics arrive on Thursday, this week.
New comics arriving this THURSDAY, MAY 28TH
DC COMICS
BATMAN IN BARCELONA: DRAGONS KNIGHT
BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #5
FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: INK #1
FRINGE #5
GOTHAM GAZETTE: BATMAN ALIVE
GREEN LANTERN #41
INCOGNEGRO SC
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #33
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #27
LAST DAYS OF ANIMAL MAN #1
LITERALS #2
MADAME XANADU #11
NORTHLANDERS #17
RESISTANCE #6
ROBIN: TEEN WONDER TP
SPIRIT #28
STATIC SHOCK: REBIRTH OF THE COOL TP
SUPERMAN #688
TEEN TITANS #71
TRINITY #52
UNKNOWN SOLDIER #8
WILDCATS #11
WONDER WOMAN #32
MARVEL COMICS
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #595
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #24
AVENGERS/INVADERS #11
DARK REIGN: ELEKTRA #3
DARK REIGN: HOOD #1
ENDERS SHADOW: BATTLE SCHOOL #5
ESSENTIAL X-MEN VOL. 9 TP
GHOST RIDER #35
GHOST RIDER: DANNY KETCH TP
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #14
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #26
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #129
INCREDIBLE HERCULES: LOVE AND WAR TP
MARVEL ADVENTURES: FANTASTIC FOUR #48
MARVEL APES: GRUNT LINE SPECIAL
MOON KNIGHT #30
MS MARVEL #39
NEW AVENGERS #53
NOVA #25
RUNAWAYS 3 #10
SPIDER-MAN: SHORT HALLOWEEN
SQUADRON SUPREME 2 #11
STAND: AMERICAN NIGHTMARES #3
ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS HULK #6
WAR MACHINE #6
WOLVERINE #72
WOLVERINE: FIRST CLASS #15
WOLVERINE: ORIGINS #36
X-FORCE #15
X-MEN: LEGACY #224
SIGNIFICANT OTHERS
ALIENS #1
ARCHIE #597
ASTOUNDING WOLFMAN #16
BACK TO BROOKLYN #5
BART SIMPSON, SON OF HOMER TP
BAYOU VOL. 1 TP
BERSERK VOL. 29 TP
COMICS JOURNAL #297
CONAN VOL. 7 TP
CROSSED #5
DARKNESS #77
DEATH-DEFYING DEVIL TP
ETERNAL SMILE GN
FUTURAMA COMICS #43
GARTH ENNIS' BATTLEFIELDS: TANKIES #2
GARTH ENNIS' BATTLEFIELDS VOL. 2 TP
GLAMOURPUSS #7
GODLAND #28
IGNITION CITY #3
JOHN STANLEY LIBRARY: MELVIN MONSTER HC
LIKEWISE TP
MOUSE GUARD WINTER 1152 #6
MUPPET ROBIN HOOD #1
MY INNER BIMBO TP
OISHINBO VOL. 3 GN
PLUTO VOL. 3 GN
PREVIEWS #249
RAPTURE #1
SPECIAL FORCES TP
STAR WARS: CLONE WARS VOL. 3 TP
STAR WARS: LEGACY #36
STAR WARS: VECTOR VOL. 2 TP
SWORD #17
TALES FROM RIVERDALE DIGEST #33
USAGI YOJIMBO #120
WIZARD #213
PLANET PICKS
BACK TO BROOKLYN #5
BATMAN IN BARCELONA: DRAGONS KNIGHT
DARK REIGN: HOOD #1
GARTH ENNIS' BATTLEFIELDS: TANKIES #2
GOTHAM GAZETTE: BATMAN ALIVE
GREEN LANTERN #41
LITERALS #2
MADAME XANADU #11
MOUSE GUARD WINTER 1152 #6
MY INNER BIMBO TP
NEW AVENGERS #53
NORTHLANDERS #17
SPECIAL FORCES TP
SUPERMAN #688
SWORD #17
ULTIMATE WOLVERINE VS HULK #6
WOLVERINE #72