Sunday, June 21, 2009

Art Spiegelman in today's Post

See "The St. Louis Refugee Ship Blues: Art Spiegelman recounts a sad story 70 years later" for Spiegelman's full-page look at editorial cartoons on the St. Louis, a ship full of Jewish refugees from the Nazis that wasn't allowed to dock in the US. It's an excellent piece of cartoon journalism with a hat-tip to Herblock included. A piece like this shows what newspapers could still be for people.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

That darn Luckovich!

A Cartoonist in Reverse
Washington Post Saturday, June 20, 2009

I have been a Post convert ever since moving to the area in 2001. While dissenting viewpoints are to be expected, Mike Luckovich's June 13 cartoon provoked me.

He depicted four frustrated burqa-clad Muslim women discussing their envy of first lady Michelle Obama, with a turbaned man in the foreground cursing President Obama.

I cannot fathom how this cartoon could have passed muster for inclusion. Surely America has come out of the Stone Ages.

Wasn't it just this month in Cairo that President Obama provided us with several reminders that we need to adjust our own lens to better understand the Muslim world? Speaking explicitly to perceptions of Muslim women, he stated "I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal" and that "it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit -- for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear."

I thought that this was finally the spirit of our discourse, but your cartoon diminished some of the strides we're making, reinforced old and tired stereotypes and took us decades back.

-- Vijitha M. Eyango

Silver Spring

That darn Beetle Bailey!

No Salute for Beetle Bailey
Washington Post June 20 2009

Mort Walker and The Post owe an apology to the men and women of the U.S. military for the June 18 "Beetle Bailey" cartoon insinuating that our armed services have a mission only to "blow things up" around the world. As a veteran and the parent of two servicemen, I believe an apology is also owed to the families whose loved ones died protecting our freedoms, including the right to publish offensive cartoons.

-- Jack Koehler

Annapolis

June 20, 21: Lucky Luke at NGA

National Gallery of Art
Family Programs

Go West! A Lucky Luke Adventure
June 13 and 20, 10:30 a.m.
June 14 and 21, 11:30 a.m.
ages 7 and up
In French with English subtitles

Based on the popular Franco-Belgian comic book series, Go West! A Lucky Luke Adventure (Tous a l'Ouest: Une aventure de Lucky Luke) is the first feature film about the renowned wandering cowboy who rides Jolly Jumper, fights crime and injustice, and is known to "shoot faster than his shadow." This adventure has Luke leading a group of settlers from New York to California—a trip they have to make in eighty days in order to claim their land from the evil Crook—while also battling the bumbling Dalton Brothers, a gang of robbers who have hidden their loot in a covered wagon but can't remember which one. Filled with sight gags, action sequences, and witty narrative, this comedy entertains both children and adults. (Olivier Jean Marie, France, 2007, 90 minutes)

All film programs are shown in the East Building Auditorium, and admission is free. No registration is required. Seating is offered on a first-come, first-seated basis. Groups are welcome.

Friday, June 19, 2009

"A friend to cartoonists gets fired"

The following came in through the e-transom today:

There's sad news out of the Post.  They just let Dan Froomkin go-- he wrote their most excellent blog White House Watch, I think it was their first blog even. 

He was also a great supporter of cartoonists with a daily feature called "Cartoon Watch" in which he'd point people to the better cartoons offered up that day.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/white-house-watch/

It wouldn't hurt if people took the opportunity to write in on his behalf.... and maybe also mention how great the Cartoon Watch feature was.


Major Lazer interviewed on DCist

See:

DCist Interview: Major Lazer [music-related cartoon character].

By Andrew Wiseman in Arts and Events on June 19, 2009

http://dcist.com/2009/06/dcist_interview_major_lazer.php

(Tip from Matt Dembicki)

Kyle's Bed and Breakfast strip still in Blade

Kyle's Bed and Breakfast strip is still in the Washington Blade - it's on page 55 of the June 19th issue.

Mike Ritter's editorial cartoon appears again, credited to the Southern Voice / Blade, leading me to wonder if he's permanently replacing Paul Berge (who appeared through syndication).

Thursday, June 18, 2009

June 20: James Warhola at National Portrait Gallery

Science fiction, children's book and occasional Mad comic book artist James Warhola will be at the National Portrait Gallery on June 20th at 12:15 for their Warholapalooza! event. He'll be reading from and signing his children's book about his uncle Andy Warhol, but I imagine he'll be open to questions or signing other material.

OT: AAEC president Rall has a letter in the NYTimes

I'm not sure how widely this will be picked up, and since I'm home with a sick kid, and saw it in the paper, here you go - "And Now a Word From the Artists: Pay for Our Work," Published: June 18, 2009.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Thompson unveils new Cul de Sac cover

Richard's got the cover of his second Cul de Sac book online now.

And we won't be at Heroes Con this year, due to Our Man Thompson's workload. Sorry!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

No more comic strips in Blade?

The Washington Blade may have dropped the last comic strip it was carrying - Kyle's Bed & Breakfast by Greg Fox. It hasn't been in the last two issues. The syndicated political cartoon is still there, although last week's was not by Paul Berge who had been the main editorial cartoonist lately.

Wuerker's new Operation game


Pulitzer-prize nominee Matt Wuerker's got a new game up on the Politico website - Operation. Matt's also added a couple of other animations since the last time I checked in.

Library of Congress Swann Fellowships Announced


Library of Congress
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington DC   20540

June 16, 2009

Swann Foundation Announces Awards for 2009-2010

The Caroline and Erwin Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon, administered by the Library of Congress, announces fellowship awards to three applicants for the academic year 2009-2010: Yasemin Gencer, Amanda Lahikainen and Jason E. Hill.

Because of an unusually large number of strong applications, the foundation’s advisory board did not award a single fellowship this year but instead decided to support three applicants’ projects with smaller awards.

Gencer, a doctoral candidate in the history of art at Indiana University, will receive a fellowship to support research for her dissertation titled “Pushing Out Islam: Cartoons of the Reform Period in Turkey (1918-1928).”  She will contend that political cartoons produced during this decade―a decade that is critical to the history of modern Turkey―display and define a secular Turkish culture.  This effect is achieved by contrasting symbols of Islam and Arabic culture with those of Turkish modernism.  In many of these cartoons, Gencer says, textual and visual elements reinforce one another to advance a new Turkish Republic that is seeking to disengage itself from its Islamic past, stressing its secular and thus non-Islamic political and social structure, and thereby, aligning itself with modern Europe.

Lahikainen, a doctoral candidate in the history of art at Brown University, was awarded support for her investigation into ways in which British political satires used the French Revolution to represent and comment upon English domestic politics from 1789 to 1804 (from the fall of the Bastille to Napoleon’s coronation as Emperor.)  In her dissertation titled “Anglicizing the French Revolution: The Politics of Humor in Late Eighteenth-Century English Political Graphic Satire,” she will focus on a number of works by Isaac Cruikshank, James Gillray, Richard Newton, Thomas Rowlandson and James Sayers, analyzing how such graphic satirists capitalized on the fear of religious dissent, violence and radicalism at home, maintenance of political hegemony over Ireland, and continual threat of a French invasion. Central to her study of such imagery is the way in which humorous satires addressing serious events invited shifting responses of laughter, horror, and fear within a single frame.

Hill will receive an award to help complete his dissertation titled “The Artist as Reporter: Picturing the News at PM Daily, 1940-1948.”  A doctoral candidate in the history of art at the University of Southern California, Hill will examine the place of cartooning within the visual repertoire of PM Daily, a newspaper whose editorial independence and sophisticated visual program attracted the participation of many of the era’s most celebrated artists, including cartoonists Charles E. Martin, Ad Reinhardt, Arthur Szyk and Theodore Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss).  

During the coming academic year, the three recipients of awards from the Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon will conduct research in not only the Prints and Photographs Division's rich holdings of graphic art, but also use relevant periodical holdings in such other divisions as the African and Middle East Division and Serial and Government Publications Division.

New York advertising executive Erwin Swann (1906 1973) established the Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon in 1967.  An avid collector, Swann assembled a large group of original drawings by over 500 artists, spanning two centuries, which his estate bequeathed to the Library of Congress in the 1970s. Swann's original purpose was to build a collection of original drawings by significant creators of humorous and satiric art and to encourage the study of original cartoon and caricature drawings as works of art.  The foundation=s support of research and academic publication is carried out in part through a program of fellowships.

# # #

PR09-122
6/16/09
ISSN: 0731-3527

 



Monday, June 15, 2009

June 15: Superman 2 in 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 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

June 26: Sky Crawlers Anime Press Release.

Sky Crawlers to be screened at the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan.

DC Anime Club in collaboration with Japan Information and Culture
Center, Embassy of Japan Present screen Sky Crawlers June 26, 2009 6:30 pm as part of a film series based on both Anime (Japanese Animation) and Manga ( Japanese Comics).

Directed by Mamoru Oshii, which was released across Japanese theatres by Warner Bros. Japan on August 2, 2008. Animated by Production I.G, the film was written by Chihiro Itō, features character designs by Tetsuya Nishio and music by Kenji Kawai.The 3D CG animation for the series was produced by the Polygon Pictures studio, who also produced the 3D CG for Oshii's previous film Innocence: Ghost in the Shell.

The series' creator Mori had stated that he felt The Sky Crawlers was the "most difficult" of his works to adapt, and had given his consent to the making of the film after learning of Oshii's involvement as director.

This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required.

RSVP to jiccrsvpsummer09@embjapan.org.

Seating is limited and granted on a first come, first served basis.

For more information please visit the Japanese Information and Culture Center website at

http://www.us.embjapan.go.jp/jicc/  or visit the DC Anime Club website at http://dcanimeclub.org.


About DC Anime Club:

DC Anime Club was established in 2003 to introduce and educate people in the Washington, DC area about East Asian culture, through viewing and discussion of Japanese animation (also known as anime) and Japanese comics (manga). DC Anime club is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, contributions to DC Anime Club are taxed deductible to the extent allowable under the law.

The club also works to provide a positive, alternative activity to the youth in the area by exposing them to foreign culture, encouraging artistic expression and creativity, and providing opportunities for participation in community activities and leadership.

In addition to our weekly meetings, the club holds an Annual Art Show, an Annual Costume fundraising event, and visits local schools to do presentations on anime. The club also works with the Smithsonian Freer Gallery and DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival on their anime screenings, and has helped locally promote performances for Japanese bands such as Puffy Ami Yumi and Pine am. DC Anime Club was founded by Chris Wanamaker (President), Jules Chang (Former Vice President) and Craig Vaughn (Vice President) on Saturday June 5,
2003. We have a strong membership that continues to grow -- most of which are teenagers.

About Japan Information and Culture Center:
The Japan Information and Culture Center (JICC) is the cultural and public affairs section of the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. Our primary role is to promote better understanding of Japan and Japanese culture by providing a wide range of information, educational services and programs to the public. The JICC is located on the lower level of the glass-enclosed Galleria at Lafayette Centre III in downtown Washington, D.C.  Its facilities include a research library, a 152-seat auditorium, and a 1,500-square-foot exhibition gallery where a wide variety of events sponsored by the JICC are hosted throughout the year.

 --
 Christopher Wanamaker
DC Anime Club President
http://www.dcanimeclub.org
202 262 2083


Sunday, June 14, 2009

NYC June 20: Release Party for WORKING and THE BEATS graphic adaptations

It's not in DC, but it's about Harvey Pekar and has my friend Nick Thorkelson appearing...

Come share a drink and a chat with the editor and some of the illustrators and writers of WORKING: A GRAPHIC ADAPTATION and THE BEATS: A GRAPHIC HISTORY, the two new comix collaborations between  HARVEY PEKAR and PAUL BUHLE.

Saturday, June 20, 2009
7:00pm - 9:00pm

KGB Bar
85 East 4th Street / 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-505-3360

On hand at this event will be:

Editor, PAUL BUHLE
(A People's History of American Empire: a Graphic Adaptation; From the Lower East Side to Hollywood: Jews in American Popular Culture)

Illustrators/writers including:

DANNY FINGEROTH
(The Rough Guide to Graphic Novels; Disguised as Clark Kent: Jews, Comics, and the Creation of the Superhero)

SUMMER MCCLINTON
(http://www.summermcclinton.com)

EMILY NEMENS
(http://www.nemens.com)

JOAN REILLY
(http://www.joanreilly.com)

NICK THORKELSON
(http://www.nickthorkelson.com)

Possible appearance by ED SANDERS
(http://www.furious.com/perfect/sanders.html)

Possible appearance by TULI KUPFERBERG'S SON
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuli_Kupferberg)



Bennett's best

Zadzooks' column was on videogames again, but Batman & Robin and Coraline are recommended in "Bennett's Best for the week of May 31," By Greg Bennett, June 14, 2009 Zadzooks blog.

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 06-17-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 06-17-09
By John Judy

ACTION COMICS ANNUAL #12 by Greg Rucka and Pere Perez. Wow. Who knew ACTION COMICS was only 12 years old? Isn’t 1950 awesome? Anyway, this is the great Greg Rucka delving into the backstory on Nightwing and Flamebird. Guaranteed Rucka magic. Gotta look!

BATMAN: STREETS OF GOTHAM #1 by Many People. The new Batman is making his mark in Gotham and on the increasingly crowded comic book shelves of America. This will be interesting if only to see if all the different creative teams can keep their stories straight until Bruce Wayne returns. Also featuring a MANHUNTER back-up story by Andreyko and Jeanty.

BOYS: HEROGASM #2 by Garth Ennis and Peter Gross. Yes, I know we’re supposed to be rooting for the Boys against the Supes, but be honest, most of us would go to Herogasm if we were invited. Not for kids.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #600 by Ed Brubaker, Luke Ross and Many Others of Note. This one’s gonna make what’s left of The Papers. Plus, it’s awesome! Reserve your copy now!

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13 #14 by Paul Kirk and Leonard Cornell. Vampires, Dracula! Doctor Doom and warm beer! It’s on!

EX MACHINA #43 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris. Man, this comic looks great! It appears Mayor Hundred’s old enemy Pherson is back commanding New York City’s rats to kill everyone. It’s a zombie flick without the easy out. Way creepy and recommended.

INCOGNITO #4 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Our anti-hero’s antics have been noticed by all the wrong people on both sides of the law. Consequences ensue. Highly recommended.

MIGHTY AVENGERS #26 by Dan Slott and Stephen Segovia. “Doctor Richards? It’s on, b****.” This is officially the Best Comic Ever and Dan Slott should be President. Highly recommended.

ULTIMATUM SPIDER-MAN REQUIEM #1 of 2 by Brian Michael Bendis, Stuart Immonen and Mark Bagley. Ultimate J. Jonah Jameson writes Spidey’s obituary. Sometimes dreams really do come true.

YOUNG ALLIES COMICS #1: 70th ANNIVERSARY EDITION by Roger Stern, Marcos Martin and Others. It’s Our Gang fighting the ratzis on the homefront in an original adventure starring Bucky, Toro and the gang, presented along with a golden-age reprint. Good on Marvel for doing this stuff. Heritage ought not to be forgot. Check it out.

www.johnjudy.net

Wolk reviews comics in Post Book World

See "Picture Pages: A Graphic Novel Roundup," By Douglas Wolk, Washington Post Book World Sunday, June 14, 2009 for reviews of:

THE HUNTER Richard Stark's Parker By Darwyn Cooke IDW. 140 pp. $24.99
BRITTEN AND BRÜLIGHTLY By Hannah Berry Metropolitan. Unpaginated. Paperback, $20
DEAD, SHE SAID By Steve Niles and Bernie Wrightson IDW. 104 pp. $19.99

Saturday, June 13, 2009

June 13, 14, 20, 21: Lucky Luke at NGA

National Gallery of Art
Family Programs

Go West! A Lucky Luke Adventure
June 13 and 20, 10:30 a.m.
June 14 and 21, 11:30 a.m.
ages 7 and up
In French with English subtitles

Based on the popular Franco-Belgian comic book series, Go West! A Lucky Luke Adventure (Tous a l'Ouest: Une aventure de Lucky Luke) is the first feature film about the renowned wandering cowboy who rides Jolly Jumper, fights crime and injustice, and is known to "shoot faster than his shadow." This adventure has Luke leading a group of settlers from New York to California—a trip they have to make in eighty days in order to claim their land from the evil Crook—while also battling the bumbling Dalton Brothers, a gang of robbers who have hidden their loot in a covered wagon but can't remember which one. Filled with sight gags, action sequences, and witty narrative, this comedy entertains both children and adults. (Olivier Jean Marie, France, 2007, 90 minutes)

All film programs are shown in the East Building Auditorium, and admission is free. No registration is required. Seating is offered on a first-come, first-seated basis. Groups are welcome.