Tezuka book out by Georgetown U author

I picked up my copy a couple of weeks ago, and this looks good. Big Planet Bethesda has another copy on the racks as of yesterday.

http://www.upress.state.ms.us/books/1160

God of Comics
Osamu Tezuka and the Creation of Post-World War II Manga

By Natsu Onoda Power

208 pages (approx.), 6 x 9 inches, 53 b&w illustrations, filmography, bibliography, index

978-1-60473-220-7 Unjacketed cloth $50.00S

978-1-60473-221-4 Paper $25.00T

Unjacketed cloth, $50.00

Paper, $25.00

Looking for Calvin and Hobbes - Sample Chapter

Local author Nevin Martell has written a new book, an appreciation of Bill Watterson's comic strip, entitled "Looking for Calvin and Hobbes." I've read the first chapter, about Nevin's motivations, and enjoyed it. The book will be out soon, and Nevin has an offer for you:

Just thought I'd send you a potential news item for your blog, which I've become a dedicated follower of since stumbling across it over a year ago. 

To drum up interest in Looking for Calvin and Hobbes: The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and his Revolutionary Comic Strip, I am offering interested readers a sample chapter from the book, which comes out on October 1 via Continuum Press. Send an email to lookingforcalvinandhobbes@gmail.com to request your very own free copy. Give me their email address (I promise I won't sell it or spam it incessantly) and I'll give you some quality summertime beach reading.

Here's a brief overview of the book:

For ten years, between 1985 and 1995, Calvin and Hobbes was one the world's most beloved comic strips. And then, on the last day of 1995, the strip ended. Its mercurial and reclusive creator, Bill Watterson, not only finished the strip but withdrew entirely from public life. There is no merchandising associated with Calvin and Hobbes: no movie franchise; no plush toys; no coffee mugs; no t-shirts (except a handful of illegal ones). There is only the strip itself, and the books in which it has been compiled - including The Complete Calvin and Hobbes: the heaviest book ever to hit the New York Times bestseller list.

In Looking for Calvin and Hobbes: The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and His Revolutionary Comic Strip, writer Nevin Martell traces the life and career of the extraordinary, influential, and intensely private man behind Calvin and Hobbes. With input from a wide range of artists and writers (including Dave Barry, Harvey Pekar, Jonathan Lethem, and Brad Bird) as well as some of Watterson's closest friends and professional colleagues, this is as close as we're ever likely to get to one of America's most ingenious and intriguing figures - and a fascinating detective story, at the same time.

Only 3,160 Calvin and Hobbes strips were ever produced, but Watterson has left behind an impressive legacy. Calvin and Hobbes references litter the pop culture landscape and his fans are as varied as they are numerable. Looking for Calvin and Hobbes is an affectionate and revealing book about uncovering the story behind this most uncommon trio – a man, a boy, and his tiger.

I interviewed almost 50 cartoonists for the project, including Berke Breathed (Bloom County/Opus/Outland), Jim Davis (Garfield), Lynn Johnston (For Better or For Worse), Nicholas Gurewitch (The Perry Bible Fellowship), Keith Knight (The Knight Life/K Chronicles), Bill Amend (Foxtrot), Mort Walker (Beetle Bailey), Stephan Pastis (Pearls Before Swine), Michael Jantze (The Norm), Mark Parisi (Off The Mark), Hilary Price (Rhymes With Orange), Dave Coverly (Speed Bump), Jan Eliot (Stone Soup), Jeff Smith (Bone), Brad Anderson (Marmaduke), Jef Mallett (Frazz), Mike Peters (Mother Goose & Grimm), Steve Troop (Mayberry Melonpool), Craig Thompson (Blankets), Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist Patrick Oliphant, Jim Borgman (Zits), Mark Tatulli (Lio) and Jim Meddick (Monty).  

The book can be pre-ordered at Amazon.com by following this link:
http://www.amazon.com/Looking-Calvin-Hobbes-Unconventional-Revolutionary/dp/082642984X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246553902&sr=1-1

Readers can also follow me on Twitter at:
http://www.twitter.com/looking4calvin

Express on Charlie Brown play

Very Good Grief: 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown'
Written by Express contributor Adaora Otiji
[Washington Post] Express July 2 2009 E6
http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/07/very_good_grief_youre_a_good_man_charlie.php

Ice Age 3 interview and review at Post

The Interview: 'Ice Age' Director Carlos Saldanha
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog July 1, 2009

and

3rd 'Ice Age' Isn't Worth Discovering
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Here's the paper of record too -

Notes From the Prehistoric Underground
By A. O. SCOTT
Published: July 1, 2009

Glen Weldon covers another comic book controversy for NPR

Weldon, Glen.  2009.

Let There Be Bike Shorts: A Profile In Comics-Geek Courage [Supergirl].

National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (July 1): http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2009/07/let_there_be_bike_shorts_a_gee_1.html?sc=nl&cc=msb-20090701

Big Planet 4th of July Sale

This Saturday is our annual July 4 th sale at all Big Planet stores. 20% of everything in the store is a great deal, and we only do it twice a year.  We are open 12pm- 5pm.  Its a great time to get those trade books you've been putting off. Hope to see you on Saturday. Also please note that new comics will not be delayed this week or next week because of the holiday.

--

BIG PLANET COMICS
4908 Fairmont Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-654-6856

Also affiliated with:

BIG PLANET COMICS
3145 Dumbarton St. NW
Washington, DC 20007
202-342-1961

BIG PLANET COMICS
426 Maple Ave. East
Vienna, VA 22180
703-242-9412

BIG PLANET COMICS
7315 Baltimore Ave.
College Park, MD 20740
301-699-0498

2009 Harvey Award Nominees Announced!

The Harvey Awards & The Baltimore Comic-Con  Press Release 2009 Harvey Awards Nominees Announced! Visit www.harveyawards.org for Ballots &  Submission Details!     BALTIMORE, MD (June 29, 2009) -- The 2009 Harvey Awards Nominees have been announced with the release of the final ballot, presented by the Executive Committees of the Harvey Awards and the Baltimore Comic-Con.  Named in honor of the late Harvey Kurtzman, one of the industry's most innovative talents, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding work in comics and sequential art. They will be presented October 10, 2009 in Baltimore, MD, in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con.   Nominations for the Harvey Awards are selected exclusively by creators - those who write, draw, ink, letter, color, design, edit or are otherwise involved in a creative capacity in the comics field.  They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.  Professionals who participate will be joining nearly 2,000 other comics professionals in honoring the outstanding comics achievements of 2008.  Thank you to all that have already participated by submitting a nomination ballot. Final ballots are due to the Harvey Awards by Friday, August 28, 2009.  Full details for submission of completed ballots can be found on the final ballot.  Voting is open to anyone professionally involved in a creative capacity within the comics field.  Final ballots are available for download at www.harveyawards.org.  Those without Internet access may request that paper ballots be sent to them via mail or fax by calling the Baltimore Comic-Con (410-526-7410) or e-mailing baltimorecomicccon@yahoo.com. This will be the fourth year for the Harvey Awards in Baltimore, MD.  Our Master of Ceremonies this year will be Scott Kurtz (www.pvponline.com).  Look for more details soon on how you can attend the Harvey Awards dinner. This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held October 10-11, 2009.  The ceremony and banquet for the 2008 Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, October 10.   Without further delay, the 2008 Harvey Award Nominees:             BEST WRITER   Kyle Baker, NAT TURNER, Abrams books   Ed Brubaker, CAPTAIN AMERICA, Marvel Comics   John Gallagher, BUZZBOY, Sky Dog Comics   Jeff Kinney, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Amulet Books   Grant Morrison, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, DC Comics BEST ARTIST   Gabriel Ba, UMBRELLA ACADEMY, Dark Horse Comics   Kyle Baker, NAT TURNER, Abrams Books   Jimmy Gownley, AMELIA RULES, Renaissance Press   Jason Kruse, WORLD OF QUEST, Yen Press   Frank Quitely, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, DC Comics BEST CARTOONIST   Lar deSouza, LEAST I COULD DO, www.leasticoulddo.com   John Gallagher, BUZZBOY, Sky Dog Comics   Al Jaffee, TALL TALES, Abrams Books   Jeff Kinney, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Amulet Books   Thom Zahler, LOVE & CAPES, Maerkle Press BEST LETTERER   Jimmy Gownley, AMELIA RULES, Renaissance Press   Rob Leigh, THE SPIRIT, DC Comics   Doug Sherwood, LOCAL, Oni Press   John Workman, MARVEL 1985, Marvel Comics   Thom Zahler, BUZZBOY, Sky Dog Comics BEST  INKER   Rich Faber, BUZZBOY, Sky Dog Comics   Jamie Grant, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, DC Comics   Jeff Kinney, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Amulet Books   Mark Morales, THOR, Marvel Comics   Ryan Winn, THE DARKNESS, Image Comics BEST COLORIST   Frank Cammuso, OTTO'S ORANGE DAY, Raw Junior, LLC   Jamie Grant, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, DC Comics   Laura Martin, THOR, Marvel Comics   Wil Quintana, THE MICE TEMPLAR, Image Comics   Dave Stewart, UMBRELLA ACADEMY, Dark Horse Comics BEST COVER ARTIST   Frank Cho, BUZZBOY: SIDEKICKS RULE!#3, Sky Dog Press   James Jean, FABLES, Vertigo Comics   Jay Lynch, MINDSHAFT #23, Mindshaft Publishing   Ken Rocafort, PILOT SEASON: CORE #1, Top Cow   Alex Ross, JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA, DC Comics BEST NEW SERIES   THE DREAMER, IDW   ECHO, Abstract Studios   HIGH MOON, www.zudacomics.com   NIGHT OWLS, www.zudacomics.com   SUPERTRON, www.zudacomics.com BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES   ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, DC Comics   CAPTAIN AMERICA, Marvel Comics   DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Amulet Books   MICE TEMPLAR, Image Comics   UMBRELLA ACADEMY, Dark Horse Comics BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL OR JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION   DRAW!, edited by Mike Manley, Twomorrows Publishing   HOW TO MAKE WEBCOMICS, Brad Guigar, Dave Kellett,             Scott Kurtz, and Kris Straub, Image Comics   KIRBY: KING OF COMICS, Mark Evanier, Abrams Books   SCORCHY SMITH AND THE ART OF NOEL SICKLES,             edited by Dean Mullaney, IDW   WORDLESS BOOKS: THE ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVELS,             edited by David A. Berona, Abrams Books BEST SYNDICATED STRIP OR PANEL   BREWSTER ROCKIT: SPACE GUY!, Tim Rickard, Tribune Media Services   GET FUZZY, Darby Conley, United Features Syndicate   MUTTS, Patrick McDonnell, King Features Syndicate   THE NORM, Michael Jantze, Uclick Gocomics   PEARLS BEFORE SWINE, Stephan Pastis, United Features Syndicate BEST ANTHOLOGY   COMIC BOOK TATTOO, edited by Rantz Hoseley, Image Comics   FLIGHT VOLUME 5, edited by Kazu Kibuishi, Villard   MOME VOLUME 10, edited by Eric Reynolds, Fantagraphics Books   PIXU #1, edited by Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon, Self-Published   POPGUN VOLUME 2, edited by Joe Keatinge and Mark Andrew Smith,              Image Comics BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM - ORIGINAL    BOTTOMLESS BELLY BUTTON, Fantagraphics Books   DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES, Amulet Books   ESSEX COUNTY: THE COUNTRY NURSE, Top Shelf   SKIM, Groundwood Books   TOO COOL TO BE FORGOTTEN, Top Shelf   WORLD OF QUEST: VOL. 2, Yen Press BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM - PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED   AMELIA RULES!: FUNNY STORIES, Renaissance Press   M, Abrams Books   NAT TURNER, Abrams Books   THE MICE TEMPLAR: VOL. 1, Image Comics   QUEEN AND COUNTRY: VOLUME 3, Oni Press   SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST (HARDCOVER), Adhouse Books BEST SINGLE ISSUE OR STORY   ACME NOVELTY LIBRARY #19, Self-Published   FIRST BORN: AFTERMATH #1, Top Cow   LOVE AND ROCKETS, VOL. 3 #1, Fantagraphics Books   M, Abrams Books   NASCAR HEROES #5, NASCAR Comics   NAT TURNER, Abrams Books   THE AMAZING REMARKABLE MONSIEUR LEOTARD, First Second   Y: THE LAST MAN #60, Vertigo Comics BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT   ASTOUNDING SPACE THRILLS, IDW   COMPLETE PEANUTS, Fantagraphics Books   COMPLETE TERRY AND THE PIRATES, IDW   SCORCHY SMITH AND THE ART OF NOEL SICKLES, IDW   WACKY PACKAGES, Abrams Books BEST AMERICAN EDITION OF FOREIGN MATERIAL     GUS AND HIS GANG, First Second   POCKET FULL OF RAIN, Fantagraphics Books   RED COLORED ELEGY, Drawn and Quarterly   SOLANIN, Viz   WITCHBLADE TAKERU MANGA #'s 11 & 12, Top Cow BEST ON-LINE COMICS WORK   BLACK CHERRY BOMBSHELLS, Tony Trovarello and                 John Zito, www.zudacomics.com   HIGH MOON, Scott O. Brown, www.zudacomics.com   LEAST I COULD DO, Lar deSouza and Ryan Sohmer, www.leasticoulddo.com   NIGHT OWLS, Bobby & Peter Timony, www.zudacomics.com   PVP, Scott Kurtz, www.pvponline.com SPECIAL AWARD FOR HUMOR IN COMICS   Lar deSouza, LEAST I COULD DO, www.leasticoulddo.com   John Gallagher, BUZZBOY, Sky Dog Comics   Al Jaffee, TALL TALES, Abrams Books   Jeff Kinney, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Amulet Books   David Malki, WONDERMARK, www.wondermark.com SPECIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION   COMPLETE LOCAL: HARDCOVER EDITION, Ryan Kelly and              Brian Wood, Oni Press   KIRBY: KING OF COMICS, Mark Evanier, Abrams Books   QUEEN AND COUNTRY: VOLUME 3, Greg Rucka, Mike Norton,              Steve Rolston, and Chris Samnee, Oni Press   TALL TALES, Al Jaffee, Abrams Books   WONDERMARK, VOL. 1: BEARDS OF OUR FOREFATHERS,               David Malki, Dark Horse Comics BEST NEW TALENT   Matt Cassan, NASCAR: HEROES, nascar comics   Bryan J.L. Glass, THE MICE TEMPLAR, image books   Laura Innes, THE DREAMER, Idw   Tim Sievert, THAT SALTY AIR, top shelf   Bobby Timony, NIGHT OWLS, www.zudacomics.com   Congratulations to all the nominees!  If you know a nominee, please pass on the good news!               The Harvey committee and the Baltimore Comic-Con will make every effort to contact all nominees.  If you are a nominee and do not hear from us by the end of June, please contact us at baltimorecomiccon@yahoo.com.  We would love to discuss your involvement in the ceremony and the Baltimore Comic-Con.   For additional information about the Harvey Kurtzman and the Harvey Awards, visit www.harveyawards.org. For additional information about the Baltimore Comic-Con, visit www.comicon.com/baltimore.   For additional information about the Harvey Awards Master of Ceremonies Scott Kurtz, visit www.pvponline.com.

Jaffe likes Beeler on Jackson

Nate Beeler's been tugging the heartstrings lately. Sarah Jaffee of Newsarama picked his Michael Jackson cartoon as her favorite. Last week, Michael Cavna picked Nate's Metro accident cartoon as his favorite.

Barney & Clyde will be Weingarten's new strip

In his lastly weekly chat (monthly is the new schedule), the only comics news was -

Gene Weingarten: The comic strip is Barney & Clyde. We hope it will debut before the first of the year.

June 29: Superman 4: The Quest for Peace 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 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

Tonight! Richard Thompson at Arlington's Central Library

Author Event: Cartoonist Richard Thompson
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.

Welsh animators at Smithsonian Folklife Festival

I was completely surprised to find a tent labeled 'Animation' at the Smithsonian's annual Folklife Festival down on the Mall.



The animators will be there from Wednesday until Sunday of this upcoming week.

The two animators (only one of whom was there when I walked by) both appear to work in stop-motion. Annoyingly, I can't find any information about them on the Folklife website - if anyone runs across it, post it in the comments and I'll update this.

Gerald Conn's workspace, where he appears to have been doing stop-motion animation with paper cutouts.

The other animator explains his work to a young boy.



An animation camera and people viewing a finished work.

A couple, or four, of Bennett's Best

Bennett's Best for the week of June 14
June 24, 2009 Zadzooks blog

Bennett's Best for the week of June 21, 2009
June 25, 2009 Zadzooks blog

Both by Greg Bennett of course.

Luna Brothers interview

See "5 Quick Questions With the Luna Brothers," by Brian Isaacs, Pendragon Post blog Thursday, June 25, 2009.

Politics and Prose featured in Post

See "Bookish Doyennes Nurture D.C. Landmark," By Thomas Heath, Washington Post Staff Writer, Sunday, June 28, 2009.

Did anyone attend the first Graphic Novel bookclub meeting and want to tell us about it? What's the book for the next one?

Feiffer exhibit at American University

Here's the description from their website:


My Fellow Americans: 40 Years of Political Cartoons by Jules Feiffer

June 27–August 16

Pulitzer Prize–winning New York cartoonist, author, playwright, and artist, Jules Feiffer's political cartoons are sharp in their wit and piercing in their criticism. His cartoons ran for more than forty years in the Village Voice, and were syndicated nationally, and are a testament to his unique insight into the social and political upheavals around him. Their messages maintain their relevancy in contemporary society. In form, his cartoons are distinguished in their simplicity. His often text-heavy panels are balanced by simple, but whimsically drawn figures. While his punch lines are often caustic, he still frequently manages to imbue political figures with humanity.

Feiffer has received critical acclaim for his work in various media. He won an Academy Award in 1961 for his animated short Monroe and the Pulitzer Prize in 1986 for editorial cartooning. He has also received Lifetime Achievement awards from both the Writer's Guild of America East and the National Cartoonist Society, as well as the Harold Washington Literary Award (2004) for his creative uses of the written word to address issues of contemporary life.

Visiting

Hours (Admission is free):
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tue–Sun
And 1 hour before Katzen Events
Closed July 3–4

Location/Parking: See Katzen Visiting
Contact Us

Ph: 202-885-1300
Fax: 202-885-1140
E-mail: museum@american.edu

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 07-01-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 07-01-09
By John Judy

AGENTS OF ATLAS #7 by Jeff Parker, Gabriel Hardman and Carlo Pagulayan. Namor and Namora bring a bit of West Virginia to Atlantis. Eeewww!!! Recommended anyway.

ASTRO CITY: THE DARK AGE BOOK THREE #3 of 4 by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson. Oh, it’s getting busy in the Astro. Lots of stuff coming to a boil. Not to be missed.

BATMAN AND ROBIN #2 by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. The Dynamic Duo faces off against the Circus of Strange. Old school. Highly recommended.

THE BOYS #32 by Garth Ennis and Carlos Ezquerra. The Female is down and the rest of the Boys have to choose fight or flight in the face of suddenly aggressive supes. Hey, they’re the Boys… Not for kids.

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #26 by Jane Espenson and Georges Jeanty. “Jane. Espenson.” If these words don’t make you buy this comic there’s really no hope for you. Just sayin’. Highly recommended.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: REBORN #1 of 5 by Ed Brubaker and Bryan Hitch. Is Steve Rogers finally coming back? In the hands of anyone but Brubaker this would be pedestrian super-hero stuff. But Bru makes that pedestrian run! Gotta look!

DESTROYER #4 of 5 by Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker. The final adventures of a dying violent super-guy. It’s great. Recommended.

FANTASTIC FOUR #568 by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. The new Doctor Doom a.k.a. The Marquis of Death brings it to Reed Richards. “Doctor Richards? It’s on !@#$” He gets that a lot now….

FINAL CRISIS AFTERMATH: RUN #3 of 6 by Mathew Sturges and Freddie E. Williams II. The hateful Human Flame gets himself a new girl. No doubt she’s a real catch. Fun stuff.

THE GOON, VOL. 8: THOSE THAT IS DAMNED SC written and drawn by Eric Powell. The Goon versus Labrazio on the edge of Horse-Eater’s Woods. Must Have.

GREEK STREET #1 by Peter Milligan and Davide Gianfelice. The lads re-imagine the tragedies of ancient Greece set in the streets of modern London. Outrageous and no doubt deeply disturbing and absolutely highly recommended.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE #1 of 7 by James Robinson and Mauro Cascioli. Hal Jordan’s splinter JLA group gets medieval on the bad guys. Awesome wish fulfillment, but will there be consequences? One can certainly hope.

MARVEL DIVAS #1 of 4 by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Tonci Zonjic. Hellcat, Black Cat, Firestar and Photon go all “Sex and the City.” And just like that show, you have to look even though you hate it.

SECRET SIX #11 by Gail Simone and Nicola Scott. The Six are in way over their heads and it’s time to swim for it. Count on waves. Recommended.

UNCANNY X-MEN #513 by Matt Fraction and Terry & Rachel Dodson. The X-Men become the O-Men as Norman Osborn takes over. That guy’s got his fingers in everybody’s pie! And it tastes good! Recommended.

USA COMICS 70th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1 by John Arcudi and Steve Ellis. The meanest hero of WWII cuts his way through Nazis, saboteurs and assorted no-goodniks with no pause for niceties. Yes. Also featuring a golden-age reprint from Back in The Day. Recommended.

WAS SUPERMAN A SPY AND OTHER LEGENDS REVEALED SC by Brian Cronin. A fine bit of sleuthing around the rumors and legends that have cropped up among Fandom in the last 70 years. A great gift for the geek who has everything!

www.johnjudy.net

Shore Leave 31: July 10-12, 2009 at the Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn, Baltimore, MD

Sub-titled "A Fan Run Science Fiction Convention", Shore Leave in Baltimore largely features guests from TV and movies, such as the Star Trek and Star Wars franchises, Stargate, Xena, and this year, Dollhouse, among others. They also feature authors, some of whom happen to work in the comics field, including the following:

Mike W. Barr
Greg Cox
Peter A David
Keith DeCandido
Michael Jan Friedman
Robert Greenberger
Glen Haumann
David Mack (the less-famous one who has worked at Image)

...and perhaps some of the other authors whose names didn't ring a bell right off the bat for me. Check out the bios and homepage links from the Guests section of the show's website.

The show is July 10th-July 12th at the Marriot's Hunt Valley Inn.

You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown is educational, too

See "Theater Uses 'Charlie Brown' to Spur Reading," By Bennett Sumner, Special to The Washington Post, Friday, June 26, 2009.

Israeli-Austrialian claymation $9.99 opens in DC; City Paper underwhelmed

See "Reviewed: $9.99; In claymation, the meaning of life doesn't come cheap," By Tricia Olszewski, Washington City Paper June 25, 2009 or pick up the print edition.