GEM Hosts Captain Action Book, Exhibit

From Scoop - Where the Magic of Collecting Comes Alive!:

Geppi’s Entertainment Museum (GEM) in Baltimore’s historic Camden Yards sports complex will host a signing on Saturday, August 15, 2009, from noon to 3:00 PM, to mark the debut of the brand new edition of the critically acclaimed Captain Action: The Original Super-Hero Action Figure by Michael Eury. In addition to the author, Ed Catto and Joe Ahearn, the owners of Captain Action Enterprises, will be in attendance for the signing.

The event will also kick off a special exhibit covering the history of Captain Action, from the first action figures in the 1960s to the latest merchandise (and everything in between). The exhibit will run from August 15 through October 13, 2009.

Published by TwoMorrows Publishing, Captain Action: The Original Super-Hero Action Figure chronicles the history of this quick-changing champion, including photos of virtually every Captain Action product ever released. With spotlights on Captain Action, his allies Action Boy and the Super Queens, and his arch enemy Dr. Evil, an examination of his comic book appearances, and more, nearly every facet of the character’s existence is put under the microscope. From the earliest concept stages to the multiple (and supposedly final) demises of the toy line, and from thriving collectibles market to the modern resurgence, no stone is left unturned. It is due in stores on or about August 10.

“When the first edition of Michael Eury’s superb book Captain Action: The Original Super-Hero Action Figure was released, it was rightly referred to by some as a virtual ‘how to’ guide to doing a character-centric reference book. It reached longtime serious collectors, turned casual Captain Action fans into die-hard enthusiasts, and brought many new fans to the character,” said Melissa Bowersox, the museum’s Executive Vice-President. “This is the sort of project that GEM and our patrons are happy to support, and we’re also extremely happy to have the assistance of such passionate, creative fan-owners as Joe Ahearn and Ed Catto to help us present the history of this unique character.”

“We’re very happy to see Captain Action and Michael’s wonderful book given such a spectacular stage. Like many other collectors, Ed Catto and I really enjoy telling other enthusiasts about our favorite character, and this takes that enjoyment to the proverbial next level,” said Joe Ahearn, Partner of Captain Action Enterprises.

The original superhero action figure first arrived on the scene in 1966 with the ability to change into a fantastic range of other incredible heroes, including Superman, Batman, Captain America, Spider-Man, the Lone Ranger, Buck Rogers, and the Green Hornet. He took on their costumes and personas and fought the forces of evil in their places. Produced by the Ideal Toy Company and developed by Stan Weston, who had been involved in the genesis of Hasbro’s G.I. Joe just two years before, Captain Action enjoyed a fairly brief shelf life. The last of Ideal’s original production runs ended in 1968.

In that short time, though, the 12-inch action figure had also doubled for Aquaman, Flash Gordon, the Phantom, Steve Canyon, Sgt. Fury, and Tonto. He had a sidekick, Action Boy (who became Superboy, Aqualad and Robin the Boy Wonder) and a blue-skinned, bug-eyed alien arch foe named Dr. Evil (obviously years before Austin Powers fought another Dr. Evil). There were playsets, vehicles, a headquarters, flicker rings, playing cards, a Ben Cooper Halloween costume, and a fondly remembered five-issue series from DC Comics that included contributions from such legends as Wally Wood, Jim Shooter, and Gil Kane.

As the years followed, Captain Action became the purview of the collecting community. A thriving secondary market developed and kept interest in the character alive within its ranks. In 1998, thirty years after the original production run ended, Playing Mantis brought Captain Action back to the world of new toys. Although their tenure with the toy line would also end after two years, it greatly fanned the flames of interest in the character and the original collectibles, and led eventually to the formation of Captain Action Enterprises, the present day owners of the intellectual property.

The exhibit will conclude just after the Diamond Comic Distributors – Alliance Game Distributors Retailer Summit, which will be held at the BaltimoreConvention Center, immediately across the street from GEM, October 11-13, 2009.

Barks' paintings for sale at Geppi's Museum beginning tonight

An exhibit of Barks paintings is on at Geppi's Entertainment Museum now - I'm uncleard if this article means that you can buy some works that are in the show - Sale Details of Barks Paintings Unveiled, Scoop August 7 2009. The sale starts tonight, at midnight August 7th though if you've got an extra $100K hanging around. As Scoop notes, "Limited edition lithographs, mini-lithos and other pieces will be included, so there will be something for just about every price range up to mid-six figures."

Comic Riffs' Zits interview

After teasing it since Sunday night, he's put it up -

The Interview: 'Zits' Co-Creator Jerry Scott
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog August 6, 2009

Comic collector Mark Zaid in his role as lawyer at large

Local comic book collector Mark Zaid is in today's Post in his secret identity - "Police Chief Tells Driver Ticket for Flashing Lights Was Wrong," By Rick Rojas, Washington Post Staff Writer, August 7, 2009. Mark was ticketed for flashing his lights at the site of a speed trap - which I certainly have done - and fought the ticket.

Superheros and Alter Egos talk at Renwick Gallery

Friday, August 7
Noon

Superheros and Alter Egos

Mark Newport, one of the artists whose work is featured in Staged Stories: Renwick Craft Invitational 2009, shares his approach to knitting oversized superhero costumes that mix adolescent male subject matter with craft techniques usually associated with women.

Program held at the museum's Renwick Gallery on Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW

Post on Obama as Joker latest tempest in teapot

The August doldrums have struck, so a poster of President Obama overlayed with The Dark Knight's Joker's makeup has become 'news. If you're interested, see "Obama as The Joker: Racial Fear's Ugly Face; 'Political' Poster Turns On Violent Symbolism," By Philip Kennicott, Washington Post Staff Writer, Thursday, August 6, 2009 and the online discussion at "Impact of 'Socialist Joker'," Philip Kennicott, Washington Post Cultural Critic, Thursday, August 6, 2009.

Onion on terra-cotta mousketeers find

Today's Onion has an article about a new archeological discovery -
Legion of Terra-cotta Mouseketeers Found Beneath Disney World, Onion (August 6 2009): 1, 6.

National Geographic is opening an exhibit of the Chinese warriors in the fall - perhaps some of the Mouseketeers will sneak in.

Eternal Smile reviewed in Kids Post page

See Mary Quattlebaum's "Colorful Tales for a Hot August," Washington Post Wednesday, August 5, 2009  for a review of THE ETERNAL SMILE By Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim.

 

Bamn at Baltimore Comic Con

Troy Allen reports

It's official! The Bamn Crew will be walking into the Baltimore Comic Con on October 10th thru October 11th of 2009! (Okay, okay...we'll be walking out October 10th and walking back in October 11th). The Baltimore Comic Con is THE biggest comic convention on the East Coast, and we will be joining the wave of independent comic artist peddling their books in "Artist Alley."
Here is more from the Baltimore Comic Con website:

 Contact us at BamnCan@hotmail.com 

Comic Riffs reports Iranian cartoon boycott

It's a bit off Michael's usual beat, but here's the story - "Iranian Cartoonists Plan to Boycott Famed Biennial," By Michael Cavna, Washington Post Comic Riffs blog August 4, 2009.

Ben Templesmith Signing

Laughing Ogre Comics will be hosting a signing with Ben Templesmith on August 08, 2009 from 12:00pm - 4:00pm at their Lansdowne, VA store. The Laughing Ogre webpage says 12-8, but Ben Templesmith's sas 12-4, so I'm guessing he's right (plus that's an awful long time for a signing!!!).

Laughing Ogre Comics
Lansdowne Shopping Center
19340 Promenade Drive
Lansdowne,VA 20176

[here's Templesmith's blogpost on it - Mike]

Weldon on the success, or failure, of graphic novels

Weldon, Glen.  2009.
Tension Deficit Disorder: Why Some Comics Work - And Some Don't.
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (August 5)

Early comic art toy licensee dies

Mrs. Raymond licensed Disney, Superman, Mighty Mouse (according to the NY Times obit), Little Orphan Annie and probably other comic characters for her toy company. See two obituaries for her -

Lynn Pressman Raymond, 97, Executive A Pioneer Of Toy Ads, Packaging
By Lauren Wiseman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Grimes, William.  2009.

Lynn Pressman Raymond, Toy Executive, Dies at 97.

New York Times (August 2).

Online at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/business/02pressman.html

Carla Speed McNeil wins Eisner award

I don't really pay attention to the awards coming out from the San Diego Comic-Con so I missed this piece that local artist Carla Speed McNeil won an Eisner for her formerly-print comic Finder. Here's the award citation:

Best Digital Comic

Finder, by Carla Speed McNeil

 Thanks to Jeff at Big Planet Comics for the tip!

Shawn Martinbrough on Luke Cage

Shawn Martinbrough talks about his Luke Cage artwork at Black Superhero Luke Cage Ignites Marvel Comics, by Lynette Holloway, Black Voices Jul 31st 2009. The article says he lives in Washington and NY - I thought he'd left the area, but I guess not completely.

Ponyo swag at Japanese Information and Culture Center

At the recent Lupin III screening at the Japanese Information and Culture Center, the JICC gave out Ponyo hangers and sticker books. Darn, what a missed opportunity! Jim C did give me his copy of the sticker book though which is now safely filed under Miyazaki as I await Ponyo's release.

Catching up with Kevin Rechin

I was lucky enough to stop in to the studios of portrait painter Seth Haverkamp* and cartoonist Kevin Rechin tonight. Kevin shared quite a few of his current projects with me - he's been busy. He's doing the search-a-picture for Highlights Magazine, a book for Klutz on exploding household objects that comes out in October, Orkin ties (doing bugs for them like the great Jack Davis), Country magazine cartoons illustrating the 'good' old days, and truly odd towel animal illustrations for Currents magazine, the official magazine for Carnival Cruise. Kevin's work is both funny and lovely - he's a dab hand with watercolor. He had some absolutely beautiful sketches of Ireland from a recent trip there too - you could practically smell the sheep. Check out his website, and enjoy.

*Seth's work is lovely too, but he's not a cartoonist.

Feiffer exhibit closes this weekend

If you haven't seen it, the Feiffer exhibit at American University closes this weekend. Here's our earlier post with the information. I'm not going to make the show, but if there's a brochure, I'd appreciate getting one.

Richard Thompson caricatured in Lio

Here's Richard's blog post about being in Sunday's Lio.

Animator Dina Babbitt's obituary in Post

It's in today's Metro section. However, it's a LA Times wire story that's not online, so here's the New York Times version - the animator had become well-known in the past year for attempting to reclaim paintings she did in a death camp. See Dina Babbitt, Artist at Auschwitz, Is Dead at 86 By BRUCE WEBER, August 2, 2009.