Sunday, June 07, 2009

Bennett's best is Melvin Monster and manga

See "Bennett's Best for the week of May 24," By Greg Bennett, on May 31, 2009 Zadzooks blog

Washington Times reviews Demanding Respect book

See "BOOKS: 'Demanding Respect' - History of a four-color world," By Ron Capshaw , Washington Times Sunday, June 7, 2009

for their review of-

DEMANDING RESPECT: THE EVOLUTION OF THE AMERICAN COMIC BOOK
By Paul Lopes
Temple University Press. $24.95, 256 pages

which in a conservative paper leads to interesting paragraphs like this one-

Mr. Lopes suffers, too, from a desire to be politically correct. Assigning comic book censorship in the 1950s to Cold War hysteria, he completely overlooks the fact that the chief proponent of this drive, Dr. Frederic Wertham, was a former communist party member and whose characterizations of superheroes as Nazis was trumpeted in the party press for decades.

Ariel Schrag in the Onion?

This should be in the new Decider feature section towards the back of the paper - "Interview: Ariel Schrag. The L Word(s): love, literature, and lesbianism in Likewise" by Shauna Miller May 29, 2009.

June 7: Capital Associates comic book convention

Free admission at the Dunn Loring fire dept. on June 7th from 10 am-3 pm. See www.capicons.com for details.

Saturday, June 06, 2009

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 06-10-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 06-10-09
By John Judy


ACTION COMICS #878 by Greg Rucka and Fernando Dagnino. Meet Krypton’s own Bonnie and Clyde! Awe! Some! Recommended.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #597 by Joe Kelly and Marco Checchetto. Babies and weddings! It’s what you buy super-hero books for, right?!

ANGEL: BLOOD AND TRENCHES #4 written and drawn by John Byrne. Your favorite vampire with a soul continues his World War One adventures. This issue he meets Snoopy! (If only….)

BATMAN #687 by Judd Winick and Ed Benes. Winick and Benes have some tough competition from Morrison and Quitely over at BATMAN AND ROBIN. Still, let’s give each team their shot. Nothing wrong with having more than one good Bat-book on the stands each month.

BETA RAY BILL: GODHUNTER #1 of 3 by Kieron Gillen and Kano. He’s got the power of Thor and the face of a horse! He’s like Ann Coulter with muscles! He’s Beta Ray Bill and he’s back to fight Galactus! And that’s why it’s a mini-series.

BUCK ROGERS #1 by Scott Beatty and Carlos Rafael. The original Man Out of Time is relaunched for the latest generation. Featuring covers by Alex Ross and John Cassaday and nary a dwarf robot in sight. Lotsa jetpacks and blasters though! Gotta look!

FANTASTIC FOUR #567 by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. The Marquis of Death is back to slap around his old Padwan Learner, Victor Von Doom. Yeah, that’ll work out well for all…

FLASH: REBIRTH #3 of 6 by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver. Barry Allen vs. Superman in a race to the finish. Oh yeah, it’s on. Must-Have!

JSA VS KOBRA: ENGINES OF FAITH #1 of 6 by Eric Trautmann and Don Kramer. The JSA takes on Kobra! Because GI Joe just ain’t hackin’ it, kids!

MISS AMERICA COMICS #1 70th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL by Jen Van Meter and Andy MacDonald. Featuring a golden-age reprint and a new story of Timely Comics’ biggest female super-star! Okay, she was no Wonder Woman but these 70th Anniversary issues are turning out to be a lot of fun, especially if you already have a soft spot for the old-timers. Recommended.

PUNISHER: FRANK CASTLE MAX #71 by Victor Gischler and Goran Parlov. The Punisher’s in Louisiana with something bad in his trunk. Do you really need any more info to know this one’s gonna rock? Not for kids. Recommended.

RED ROBIN #1 by Christopher Yost and Ramon Bachs. Someone’s wearing that old costume from KINGDOM COME and looking for Bruce Wayne’s carcass! But who?

UNCANNY X-MEN #511 by Matt Fraction and Greg Land. Well, well, well, look who’s back. She always comes back, doesn’t she? Gotta look!

UNWRITTEN #2 by Mike Carey and Peter Gross. This one’s heating up fast, kids. It’s the story of a guy who may or may not have been written into the real world and all that implies about other pop fiction characters. This is not your father’s Earth-Prime! Recommended.

WALKING DEAD #62 by Robert Kirkman and Charles Adlard. Okay, who were those creeps in the bushes? Not for kids. Recommended.

WOLVERINE #74 by Jason Aaron and Adam Kubert & Daniel Way and Tommy Lee Edwards. Two stories! Two creative teams! One left standing! Half-Highly Recommended!

X-FACTOR #44 by Peter David and Valentine DeLandro. A little number titled “Dirty Sexy Monet.” Oh, Peter David…..!

X-MEN FOREVER #1 by Chris Claremont and Tom Grummett. Ever wonder what would have happened if X-scribe Chris Claremont hadn’t been unceremoniously axed from the X-Men book he launched with Jim Lee back in the nineties? Me neither, but now he’s getting his chance to tell the story he always wanted, separate continuity and all. Hey, the guy built the foundations of a billion-dollar multimedia empire 30 years ago then got treated like a dog. I’m checking it out. Recommended.

www.johnjudy.net

Friday, June 05, 2009

Comic Riffs interviewed Tinsley on Mallard Fillmore

Not one of my favorite strips as I find it rather one note, but see "The Interview: 'Mallard Fillmore' Creator Bruce Tinsley," By Michael Cavna, June 5, 2009. For some odd reason I do wonder if he's related to Theodore Tinsley who wrote some of the later Shadow pulps.

Thursday, June 04, 2009

OT: Norwegian cartoonist Nemi at MoCCA this weeekend

This PR came in from my press contact at Titan. I've been picking up her books.
GOTHIC CHIC
Norway’s Nemi at MoCCA Fest


Join artist and writer Lise Myhre, creator of the wonderfully funny series about the cool, romantic, strong-willed, cynical, sexy and all-too-honest Nemi Montoya, for a signing event at the Norwegian booth (#101-108) at MoCCA Art Festival 2009, June 6-7, 2009, The Lexington Avenue Armory (between 25th & 26th Streets), New York City.

Myhre will sign her latest two books Nemi Vol. 1 and Nemi Vol. 2, [Titan Books] Saturday, June 6, at 2 pm & Sunday, June 7, at 1 pm

Created when Myhre “set out to find an imaginary friend” and named after Italy’s ancient (and supposedly enchanted) Lake Nemi and fictional hero Inigo Montoya of The Princess Bride (one of Myhre’s favorite films), Lise Myhre’s Nemi Montoya is a goth-tinged heroine for the modern twenty-something, tapping into all the fun, fervor and frustrations of the 21st Century woman. Already a national star in her native Norway, she and her look-alike creation, Nemi, are renowned throughout Europe and have now launched in the USA. Nemi’s first volume has reprinted multiple times, and the strip continues to appear daily across Europe.

“In my opinion, Nemi is a mix of how we are, how we wish we were, and how we're glad we're not.” – Lise Myhre

Praise from other creators:

“On a train or in an airport or when forced to be polite, secretly we repeat word for word what Nemi would say but usually only quietly behind perfectly glossed lips.” – Tori Amos

“Lise Myhre is a big shot in Norway, and deserves to be one here as well"
– Roman Dirge (Lenore)

"Funny, honest, and strangely compelling." - Jeff Smith (Bone)
Coming Soon:
Nemi (Vol. 3) by Lise Myhre
September 25, 2009 • Hardback • $14.95 /CAN $18.95 • 144pp • ISBN: 9781845766153

Now Available:
Nemi (Vol. 2) by Lise Myhre
October 24, 2008 • Hardback • $14.95 /CAN $16.95 • 144pp • ISBN: 9781845766146
Nemi (Vol. 1) by Lise Myhre
October 2007 • Hardback • $14.95 /CAN $19.95 • 144pp • ISBN: 9781845765866

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

DC Comic Book Examiner on documentaries

DC has a Comic Book Examiner?

Apparently - "Behind the print: comic books meet documentary film," Mark Ruffin, June 1, 2009.

I've got a stack of these documentaries that I've been planning on doing a review essay for, but I think I'll have to review them individually...

Spider-Man at the Library of Congress now online video

Sara Duke says, "Last year I was filmed for history.com about the Library's acquisition of the original drawings for Amazing Fantasy #15 - the film clip is here: http://www.history.com/content/hiddentreasures/a-legend-is-born. (Burning through my 15 minutes of fame, one sound bite at a time.)

And yes, you may make an appointment with me to see the original drawings for Amazing Fantasy, or other cartoon art in our collection ... I'm generally available Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm for appointments. (You can't see all 128,000 works of cartoon art on paper from your computer, but visit http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/catalog.html to see a selection.)"

Weldon on the original Captain Marvel

"So Why Isn't This Once-Mighty Super-Guy More Famous?" by Glen Weldon, National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (June 2 2009). My educated guess would be that 1.) DC Comics sued him into oblivion and then 2.) Marvel Comics trademarked his name. But that's just a guess.

Monday, June 01, 2009

July 11: Bugs Bunny On Broadway - Baltimore Symphony Orchestra


This will probably be a fun event - Bugs Bunny On Broadway - Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Merriweather Post Pavilion
Columbia, MD
Sat, Jul 11, 2009 08:30 PM

OT: Jim Ottaviani's T-Minus printing oddity


ComicsDC friend Jim Ottaviani recently wrote to a graphic novel librarian's list about the hardcover edition of his new book on the space race, T-Minus: The Race to the Moon.

His website says, "Glossary: If you have the nifty (but limited!) hardcover edition,
you'll want to grab the glossary here. Heck, you might want it even if you have the softcover edition, since it'll save you flipping back and forth."


In response to a question about that on the list, Jim noted, "Printing constraints led Aladdin to decide not to include the glossary on the hardcover. The softcover has it on the inside front and back covers.

I wish it were in both. It's a nice extra to have, so that's why I reformatted it to tuck neatly into the hardcover and made it available for download via www.gt-labs.com/tminus.html .


Hopefully that's a useful bit of news for someone. I'll be buying the book from Jim at Heroescon in a couple of weeks.

Trudeau's Sunday cartoon was anti-semitic? Eh?

I'm only mentioning this because it's on a blog called Capital J: Inside the Beltway - I didn't remotely read this cartoon as anything to do with religion, but rather with banking. However in "Gary Trudeau? That’s the rabbi knocking," By Ron Kampeas, June 1, 2009, he notes "It's quite another [matter] when Rabbi David Sapertsein, the veteran civil rights fighter, the director of the Reform movement's Religious Action Center, the guy who delivered the invocation when Barack Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination, takes time out to write a letter." Eh. Maybe. I'll bet plenty of other religious figures have complained to Trudeau over the past 40 years.

June 1: The Incredible Hulk at Crystal City

Crystal Screen - Superheroes

Join the Crystal City BID for 21 weeks of Superheros! On Monday nights from May 4, 2009-September 21, 2009, Crystal City will be protected by Batman, Spiderman, Superman, and many others. Each night will also have special giveaways, sponsors, and other activities.

Date(s):
May 4, 2009 - September 21, 2009

Location:
18th and Bell Street - Courtyard Across from Crystal City Metro Station & Marriott Hotel

Event Fee:
Free

Hours:
Movies begin at sundown

Description:
Join the Crystal City BID for 21 weeks of Superheros! On Monday nights from May 4, 2009-September 21, 2009, Crystal City will be protected by Batman, Spiderman, Superman, and many others. Each night will also have special giveaways, sponsors, and other activities. Check back here for more information.

CRYSTAL KID BONUS: Since it gets dark later in the summer and movies often start past bedtime, the BID has partnered with Crystal City Sports Pub to rebroadcast each movie at 3:30 PM on the 3rd Floor of CCSP on the Wednesday following the outdoor showing, starting May 6. Bring your kids and a blanket and enjoy the fabulous surround network of TVs.

Festival Rules: Patrons can bring their own picnics as long as they abide by city and festival rules. Low-backed chairs and blankets are allowed, but grills, umbrellas, and pets are prohibited.


Schedule

June 1, 2009 - Hulk 2: The Incredible Hulk
June 3, 2009 - Hulk 2: The Incredible Hulk - at CCSP
June 8, 2009 - Superman: The Superman Movie
June 10, 2009 - Superman: The Superman Movie - at CCSP
June 15, 2009 - Superman 2
June 17, 2009 - Superman 2 - at CCSP
June 22, 2009 - Superman 3: Superman vs. Superman
June 24, 2009 - Superman 3: Superman vs. Superman - at CCSP
June 29, 2009 - Superman 4: The Quest for Peace
June 31, 2009 - Superman 4: The Quest for Peace - at CCSP
July 6, 2009 - Superman 5: Superman Returns
July 8, 2009 - Superman 5: Superman Returns - at CCSP
July 13, 2009 - X-Men
July 15, 2009 - X-Men - at CCSP
July 20, 2009 - X2
July 22, 2009 - X2 - at CCSP
July 27, 2009 - X-Men: The Last Stand
July 29, 2009 - X-Men: The Last Stand - at CCSP
August 3, 2009 - Fantastic Four
August 5, 2009 - Fantastic Four - at CCSP
August 10, 2009 - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
August 12, 2009 - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - at CCSP
August 17, 2009 - Batman
August 19, 2009 - Batman - at CCSP
August 24, 2009 - Batman Returns
August 26, 2009 - Batman Returns - at CCSP
August 31, 2009 - Batman Forever
September 2, 2009 - Batman Forever - at CCSP
September 7, 2009 - Batman & Robin
September 9, 2009 - Batman & Robin - at CCSP
September 14, 2009 - Batman Begins
September 16, 2009 - Batman Begins - at CCSP
September 21, 2009 - Batman: The Dark Knight
September 23, 2009 - Batman: The Dark Knight - at CCSP

Sunday, May 31, 2009

John Dimes in new anthology

PR from John Dimes

Pre-Order The Versus Anthology Now! Ships June 1


The Versus Anthology
edited by Josh Woods
6 x 9, 192 p. paperback
ISBN: 978-0-9824416-1-9
$16.00

Let’s pick a fight. And not just any fight; let’s pick a fight between our most iconic characters and forces, or even between extraordinary, original characters, or with people from our very real pasts. Anything goes. Some of today’s most innovative writers and artists did just that in this book: each picked a conflict, made it come to life, and now present the aftermath to you here in the first anthology to take up this challenge, Versus.

Featuring graphic stories by Pinckney Benedict, John Dimes, and Kyle Minor, plus the first story ever published by El Pollo Diablo, Dead Pirate of the Netherworld! Other authors include Alexander Lumans, John McNally, Susan Woodring, Brad Vice, Michael Garriga, Margaret McMullan, John Flaherty, Matt Guenette, Michael Theune, Danielle Girard Kraus, Curtis Smith, Andrew Scott, Michael Kimball, Okla Elliott, Stacey Richter, Laura Benedict, Becky Hagenston, K.H. Solomon, and Josh Woods.
http://www.press53.com/

June 7: Capital Associates comic book convention

Free admission at the Dunn Loring fire dept. on June 7th from 10 am-3 pm. See www.capicons.com for details.

Onion's Up director interview and review

Up B+, by Tasha Robinson, Onion May 28, 2009 for the movie review, and for the interview which is much expanded from the paper version, "Pete Docter," by Tasha Robinson, Onion May 28, 2009.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE WEDNESDAY 06-03-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE WEDNESDAY 06-03-09
By John Judy


32 STORIES: THE COMPLETE OPTIC NERVE DEFINITIVE EDITION HC written and drawn by Adrian Tomine. A sweet collection for fans of Tomine and his comics, mini- and other. A handsome addition to any bookshelf. Recommended.

AGENTS OF ATLAS #6 by Jeff Parker and Gabriel Hardman. At last, it’s family reunion time for Namora and her cousin, the Sub-Mariner. Aquatic awkwardness galore! Recommended!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #596 by Joe Kelly and Paulo Siqueira. Spidey breaks and enters, mostly the former. Big Fight!

ASTRO CITY THE DARK AGE BOOK THREE #2 of 4 by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson. The saga of the Williams brothers and their search for their parents’ killer gets wilder as only a game of super-cops and robbers can. Recommended.

BATMAN AND ROBIN #1 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. Don’t worry, it’s not the perennially late-shipping ALL-STAR version by Jim Lee and the guy who killed The Spirit for a generation. This is the dream-team that gave us ALL-STAR SUPERMAN among other things. It’s the new Dynamic Duo and their flying batmobile! Gotta look!

BLACK PANTHER #5 by Reginald Hudlin and Ken Lashley. Morlun the Devourer of Totems just chowed down on the Man-Ape (don’t ask) and now he’s ready for dessert. Time for the new BP to teach him when to say “when!”

THE BOYS #31 by Garth Ennis and Carlos Ezquerra. The supes finally decide to go after the Boys instead of waiting for the knock on their door. First up: The Female. Not for kids.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: TALES OF THE VAMPIRES ONE-SHOT by Becky Cloonan and Vasilis Lolos. A story of a small-town boy looking for a way out on the Fang Express.

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 ANNUAL #1 by Paul Cornell and Michael Collins. The long-lost Meggan is looking to get out of Hell. I suggest hiring a baby-sitter.

DARK AVENGERS #5 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato. Norman Osborne’s got trouble as the public is reminded of his past as the murderous Green Goblin. Stupid public! Don’t they know we’re looking forward, not back?!

FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: RUN #2 of 6 by Matthew Sturges and Freddie E. Williams II. Okay, so far the FCA titles have been an extremely mixed bag in terms of quality. This one about a jerk who helped kill the Martian Manhunter trying to get out of Dodge is among the best. A great ride for those of us who like dark humor and well conceived anti-heroes. Recommended.

MIGHTY AVENGERS #25 by Dan Slott and Khoi Pham. Hank Pym decides to break into the Baxter Building. Because he’s Hank Pym! Recommended.

PUNISHER MAX: NAKED KILL #1 by Jonathan Mayberry and Laurence Campbell. Frank Castle has to take down a snuff film ring armed only with office and cleaning supplies. This could be the most awesome thing ever associated with Staples! Recommended!

SCALPED #29 by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera. C’mon people, this is one of the best comics being published today. It must not be outsold by SEAGUY. Let’s all stop waiting for the trades and do our part. This is the conclusion to “High Lonesome” where cracked out undercover G-man Dash Bad Horse has to rob the casino. This is the one to buy for you and both your pals.

SECRET SIX #10 by Gail Simone and Nicola Scott. “The most brutal Secret Six story yet!” Well, after the whole Rag Doll family saga that’s a pretty high bar to clear. Gotta look! Recommended.

SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #4 of 12 by James Robinson, Greg Rucka and Pete Woods. New K gets a visit from the Green Lantern Corps in the form of Hal Jordan, John Stewart and Sodam (swear to god) Yat. Hijinks ensue.

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #133 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen. The final issue? Well, it’s been a respectable run by a writer who reintroduced Marvel to the idea of making deadlines. Kudos to Mr. Bendis and the whole sick crew!

ULTIMATUM #4 of 5 by Jeph Loeb and David Finch. Almost over…. Just a few more characters to “kill….”

WOLVERINE REVOLVER ONE-SHOT by Victor Gischler and Das Pastoras. In which Logan is apparently fighting DC’s Man-Bat with claws that are now as long as his arms.

YOU’LL NEVER KNOW VOL. 1: A GOOD AND DECENT MAN HC written and illustrated by C. Tyler. The first graphic novel by artist and short story author Tyler concerning her quest to understand her World War Two veteran father. This one is getting high praise from creators like R. Crumb and Jim Woodring. Recommended.

www.johnjudy.net

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Hagen at Artomatic

David Hagen reports that he's sold 3 paintings before the 2nd day of the show even ends. I've got mine. Better buy yours now!


Supes, David Hagen, 2009

Amusingly, I was wearing my ComicsDC t-shirt (buy yours now) last week at Vienna's Viva Vienna street fair and a lady at a booth called out to me, "Hey, are you David Hagen?" Sadly, I wasn't but she does anime voiceovers and her husband is working on a comic so they'll appear here at some point hopefully.

'The Photographer' reviewed in Sunday's Post by Wolk

See "Memories of a Long War," By Douglas Wolk, Washington Post, Sunday, May 31, 2009 for his review of THE PHOTOGRAPHER, By Emmanuel Guibert, Didier Lefèvre and Frédéric Lemercier, translated from the French by Alexis Siegel, First Second, 267 pp. $29.95.

I've got the book, but haven't read it yet. It's been getting very good reviews.