Small Press Expo Announces Peter Kuper, Kevin Huizenga, Kate Beaton, and Al Columbia as Guests

Small Press Expo Announces Peter Kuper, Kevin Huizenga, Kate Beaton, and Al Columbia  as Guests for SPX 2009

Bethesda, Maryland; September 17, 2009 - The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce Peter Kuper, Kevin Huizenga, Kate Beaton and Al Columbia as guests for SPX 2009. This completes the guest list for one of the best SPX's ever, adding these great creators to our previously announced guests Gahan Wilson, Paul Karasik, Carol Tyler, Josh Neufeld, John Porcellino, Willy Linthout Jerry Moriarity, R. Sikoryak and Joshua Cotter .

Peter Kuper is a contributor to Time, Newsweek, The New York Times and many other publications as an illustrator. He is the co-founder of the long running World War 3 Illustrated  as well as being the main artist on Mad's long running series Spy vs. Spy. Peter's latest creation is Diario de Oaxaca: A Sketchbook Journal of Two Years In Mexico published by PM Press. Diario is a combination of comics, sketches, photography and a journal of the time he and his family lived in Oaxaca, Mexico during a time of political turmoil there. This work comes on the heels of his critically acclaimed semi-autobiographical Stop Forgetting To Remember-The Autobiography of Walter Kurtz released in 2007 by Crown Publishers. Peter will only be at SPX on Saturday, September 26 in the afternoon.

Kevin Huizenga has just released the latest stories of the philosophical sage Glen Ganges, with #3 published recently by Fantagraphics. Kevin twice made Time Magazines Top Ten Comics and is a weekly contributor to the irreverent and always humorous Amazing Facts and Beyond with Leon Beyond. Visit Kevin at his blog The Balloonist at http://kevinh.blogspot.com/.

Kate Beaton  is the winner of the 2009 Doug Wright Award for Best Emerging Talent. Her History Comics  takes an irreverent and comical view of history and historical figures, this leading to coverage in Wired Magazine, Bitch and Macleans. Kate is responsible for the all of the banners on the SPX site, for which SPX has received rave reviews. Kate's work can be viewed at her web site http://harkavagrant.com/.

Al Columbia is the creator behind the just released PIm & Francie: The Golden Bear Days from Fantagraphics, which is a collection of excavations, comic strips, animation stills, storybook covers, and other output over the years. Al started as an assistant to Bill Sienkiewicz, then moved on to create the Biologic Show.  

SPX will be held Saturday, September 26 from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday, September 27, noon-6PM at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.

For further information on the Ignatz Awards, the nominees or to request an interview, please contact Warren Bernard at warren@spxpo.com.

For more information on the Small Press Expo and the Ignatz Awards, please visit http://www.spxpo.com.

Lethem and Chabon in town this fall

Comics-friendly authors Jonathan Lethem and Michael Chabon will be in town, reading from new books this fall.

Oct. 9; Chabon is at Lisner Auditorium, at 7:00, free.

Nov. 2: Lethem is at Folger Elizabethan Theatre, at 7:30, $15.

Former Baltimore Sun Cartoonist Retires from Syndication

From Rob Tornoe:
Former Baltimore Sun cartoonist Mike Lane has announced that he will stop drawing editorial cartoons for syndication. Lane took a buyout from The Sun back in 2004.

From Daryl Cagle, cartoonist for MSNBC.com and owner of the Cagle Cartoons syndicate:

"I'm saddened to write that one of the great editorial cartoonists has decided to retire. Mike Lane, who drew for the Baltimore Sun for decades and was one of the very first cartoonists to form our little syndicate, is calling it quits."

http://blog.cagle.com/daryl/2009/09/17/mike-lane-retires/

Mike stopped drawing early last month when he was slated for open heart surgery

http://blog.cagle.com/daryl/2009/08/26/best-wishes-for-mike-lanes-recovery/


--
Rob Tornoe
Cartoonist/Illustrator
Cagle Cartoons, Inc.
302.222.4647
robtornoe@gmail.com
http://blog.cagle.com/news
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/RobTornoe
AIM: RobTornoe

October 20: Chinese cartoonist and caricaturist Ding Cong at Library of Congress

 

Chinese cartoonist and caricaturist Ding Cong   To comprehend a tumultuous history like that of twentieth century China, we can benefit greatly from the acute observations of a creative artist active during the period. Ding Cong (1916-2009), until recently China’s most famous living cartoonist and artist, offers that perspective. The Library of Congress and George Mason University are sponsoring a one day symposium and exhibition showing Ding Cong’s life and work. The morning conference at the Library of Congress will include speakers intimately familiar with Ding’s life and work. In the afternoon, the Mason Gallery at GMU will display 50 cartoons and artwork and include more commentary. These events will celebrate the life and works of this artist whose cogent insights illuminate China’s volatile century. October 20, 2009 Conference: 8: 30 a.m. - Noon Whittall Pavilion, Thomas Jefferson Bldg. Library of Congress, Washington, DC Exhibition: 1:45 p.m. – 4: 30 p.m. Mason Art Gallery, School of Visual and Performing Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Marcia Ristaino

Researcher
Kluge Center for Scholars
Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20540

Email: mris@loc.gov

http://www.h-net.org/announce/show.cgi?ID=170618

Weldon on comic book cheesecake

Weldon, Glen.  2009.

Sirens Vs. Divas: Who Will Win The Great Comic Book Cheesecake-Off?

National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (September 16):

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2009/09/sirens_vs_divas_who_will_win_t_1.html?sc=nl&cc=msb-20090916

 

I actually am buying Divas due to this article - because of the breast cancer mention. I'm writing a lecture on comics and cancer.

Politics and Prose graphic novel reading club - The next 6 books

Adam Waterreus says of Politics and Proses' graphic novel reading group:

So here are the books which ranked highest and the month we will read them:

October:
Too Cool to be Forgotten by Alex Robinson

November:
Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth by Chris Ware

December:
Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli

January:
Pitch Black by Youme Landowne and Anthony Horton

February:
Stitches by David Small

March:
Cages by Dave McKean

Hope everyone is enjoying Exit Wounds, and I'll see you all on the 23rd of September.

Sept 27: Animania Press Release.

CONTACT: Chris Wanamaker, 202 262 2083 president@dcaimeclub.org

FYE and DC Anime Club Present: Animania

FYE in Collaboration with DC Anime Club present Animania on Sunday September 27,2009 11am-4pm at FYE in Ballston Mall 4238 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22203.Activities such as Anime Trivia, Cosplay (Japanese term meaning costume play) contest and  anime screenings will take place during Animania.

Animainia is not only held at the ballston mall fye location but in FYE Stores all over the

US. This event is free and open to the public. Age range 13 and up.

For more information please contact FYE at (703) 528-6940 or dc anime club at

 202 262 2083. www.dcanimeclub.org.


About DC Anime Club: DCAC 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). DCAC is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, contributions to DC Anime Club are tax 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 (Vice President) and Craig Vaughn (Sgt in Arms) on Saturday June 5, 2003. We have a strong membership that continues to grow -- most of which are teenagers.

"Herblock!" Opens Oct. 13

Library of Congress
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington DC   20540

September 17, 2009

Public contact: Sara Duke (202) 707-3630, sduk@loc.gov
                          Martha Kennedy (202) 707-9115, mkenn@loc.gov

"Herblock!"
New Exhibition at Library of Congress Opens Oct. 13

He was a fearless crusader who condemned corruption and exposed injustice, inequality and immorality.  Artfully and effectively wielding his pen, he influenced public opinion and jarred the lives of many elected officials.  He was Herblock, the master of editorial cartooning.

The Library of Congress will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Herbert L. Block, widely known as Herblock, with an exhibition that looks at his entire 72-year career, which began in 1929 under President Herbert Hoover and concluded in 2001 during the presidency of George W. Bush.

"Herblock!" opens on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the birthday of the four-time Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, and runs through Saturday, May 1, 2010.  The exhibition is free and open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day), in the second-floor South Gallery of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., Washington, D.C.

A companion book, "HERBLOCK: The Life and Works of the Great Political Cartoonist" has been published by the Library of Congress and the Herb Block Foundation, in association with W.W. Norton & Co.  Written by Haynes Johnson and Harry L. Katz, the 304-page hardcover book features a DVD that contains more than 18,000 cartoons.  (The authors will discuss the book from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, in the Library's James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C.)  Arranged chronologically, the book illustrates the influence of history on Block's work as well as his influence on historical events as they unfolded.

The exhibition is organized similarly, with a chronological layout.  The sections include: Herblock's early years, under the title "The Approaching Perils"; the rise of fascism and World War II, "Psychopathic Ward"; the Cold War, "White is Black, Black is White, Night is Day—"; McCarthyism, "Naughty, Naughty"; the 1960s, "Everything's [Not] Okay"; Richard Nixon, "Here He Comes Now"; the 70s and terrorism, "It Gets Into Everything"; Ronald Reagan, "Joy to the World"; Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, "Closing Years, Contrasting Styles of Leadership"; and some special pieces, "Classic Cartoons by a Master."

The 82 original drawings in this exhibition are new to the walls of the Library—they have never been previously displayed.  The cartoons have been selected from the Library's Herb Block Collection, with a few iconic drawings loaned from the Washington Post collection.  In 2002, the foundation donated Block's archive to the Library, and the collection includes more than 14,000 finished cartoons, in addition to preliminary sketches, files and manuscripts.  The Library mounted displays of Herblock's work in 2000, 2003 and 2006.

Born in Chicago on Oct. 13, 1909, Block began his career as a professional cartoonist in 1929, working for the Chicago Daily News and the Newspaper Enterprise Association Service.  In 1946, he joined the Washington Post, where he remained for 55 years until his death in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 7, 2001.  Block won Pulitzer Prizes in 1942, 1954 and 1979.  He shared a fourth Pulitzer with Washington Post colleagues for coverage of the Watergate scandal in 1973.

To view the Herblock collection on the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Online Catalog, visit http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pp/hlbhtml/hlbabt.html.

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution.  The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions.  Many of the Library's rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov and via interactive exhibitions on a personalized website at myLOC.gov.

# # #

PR09-169
9/17/09
ISSN: 0731-3527
 

PR: Crystal Clear Coming Soon

 Troy Allen of Bamn comics writes in:

Her is some new promo art for "Crystal Clear."
The new series (the number of issues is yet to be determined) is about the title character, a promiscuous superheroine who has become a public relations nightmare. Looking to improve her image, her agent calls on a struggling comic book scribe to re-imagine her into a wholesome crusader for truth and justice. They have their work cut out for them.
It's a romantic-comedy with capes, 3 genres that Jay knows and loves (pun intended).
Jay is pulling a grand-slam for this one! He is inking, drawing, and writing this bad bear.
Crystal Clear will make its' debut at The Small Press Expo '09.
Click Here for more on SPX!
Click here for more Crystal Clear art by Jay Payne

Fantom Comics launches at Pentagon City!

Matthew Klokel has written in with some exciting news about Fantom Comics. Arlington will have a comic book store again.

He writes,

Fantom Comics was approached late August by the Pentagon City Mall about taking on a lease in their shopping center (their rep saw our Union Station shop and liked it).

·We’d had no immediate plans to open up another store, as Union Station is making record profits and we were taking the time to implement our new comixology.com online ordering system, but a shot at Pentagon City was too cool to pass up.

·After several weeks of running the numbers and negotiating the lease, I signed the lease today.

·We’re scheduled to open on the 3rd floor of the Pentagon City Mall (next to the entrance to Nordstrom) on October 1st.

I've been going to Big Planet for 23 years and they treat me well, so I'm afraid I'm not going to switch stores, but I'll make a point of stopping in. Fantom definitely has a good store and good stock and I'm glad to see them sticking around. I find something to buy every time I go in.

I used to shop at Collector's Comic Shop in Paramus, NJ at a store in the Bergen Mall there since they opened in 1978. The whole family would go to the Mall on Friday nights, deposit Dad's check, have some dinner, walk around. Another mall, the Garden State Plaza, is now a megamall, but at the time they had a local bookstore that handled fanzines, and books like the Shadow (covered by Jim Steranko) and comics. Malls have gotten too homogeneous and need comics stores, I declare.

PR: Herblock's Work is Subject of New Retrospective Volume

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington, DC   20540
Phone:  (202) 707-2905

Sept. 16, 2009 

Works by Political Cartoonist Herblock Featured in New Retrospective Volume

Book and Exhibition Mark Herblock Centennial

To mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of political cartoonist Herbert Block (Herblock), the Library of Congress and the Herb Block Foundation, in association with W. W. Norton & Company, have published "HERBLOCK: The Life and Works of the Great Political Cartoonist." Written by Haynes Johnson and Harry L. Katz, this richly illustrated volume will delight Herblock fans as well as a new generation of cartoon enthusiasts.

"No American cartoonist has influenced so many in their profession, their government, their nation as Herblock," said Librarian of Congress James H. Billington. "It is my great pleasure, as his friend and admirer, to present this magnificent retrospective volume, covering 70 years of world history and revealing the astonishing breadth of his distinguished career."

Born in Chicago on Oct. 13, 1909, Herbert Lawrence Block was a groundbreaking, four-time Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist whose career spanned nearly three quarters of a century and 13 American presidencies. Block began his career as a professional cartoonist in 1929, working for the Chicago Daily News and the Newspaper Enterprise Association Service.  In 1946, he joined The Washington Post, where he remained for 55 years, until his death in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 7, 2001. Syndicated throughout the country, his spare, folksy cartoons focused on important events of the time— from the stock-market crash in 1929 through the new millennium beginning in the year 2000—making complex issues seem simple and moral choices clear.

Arranged chronologically, the book illustrates the influence of history on Herblock's work as well as his influence on historical events as they unfolded.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, best-selling author and television commentator Haynes Johnson provides an insightful biography of Herblock along with commentary on his work. In a series of essays, Harry Katz, curator of the Herb Block Foundation Collection and author of "Cartoon America: Comic Art at the Library of Congress," places Herblock and his work in context. As a bonus, the book is packaged with a DVD that contains more than 18,000 cartoons—the bulk of Herblock's professional works.

The authors will discuss the book from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, in Dining Room C, located on the sixth floor of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C.

The book accompanies a Library of Congress exhibition titled "Herblock!" featuring 82 original Herblock drawings that have never before been displayed. These works were selected from the Herb Block Foundation's 2002 gift of the cartoonist's entire personal and professional archives comprising more than 14,000 finished cartoons, in addition to preliminary sketches, files and manuscripts. The exhibit also includes three seminal cartoons on loan from The Washington Post collection.

The exhibition is free and open to the public, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, Oct. 13, 2009, through May 1, 2010, in the second-floor South Gallery of the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building at 10 First Street S.E., Washington, D.C. The exhibition may also be viewed online at www.loc.gov/exhibits/.

"HERBLOCK: The Life and Works of the Great Political Cartoonist," a 304-page hardcover book with more than 250 classic cartoons, is available with the DVD for $35 in bookstores nationwide and the Library of Congress shop, Washington, DC 20540-4985. Credit card orders are taken at (888) 682-3557. Online orders can be placed at www.loc.gov/shop/.

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library's rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov and via interactive exhibitions on a new, personalized website at myLOC.gov.

# # #

PR 09-170
09/16/09
ISSN 0731-3527

Oct 15: Authors to Discuss New Book on Cartoonist Herblock

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington, DC   20540
Phone:  (202) 707-2905
Fax:  (202) 707-9199

Authors Haynes Johnson and Harry Katz to Discuss New Illustrated Volume
Honoring Political Cartoonist Herblock on Oct. 15

To mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of political cartoonist Herbert Block (Herblock), the Library of Congress and the Herb Block Foundation, in association with W. W. Norton & Company, have published "HERBLOCK: The Life and Works of the Great Political Cartoonist." Authors Haynes Johnson and Harry L. Katz will discuss this retrospective volume work at noon on Thursday, Oct. 15, in Dining Room C, located on the sixth floor of the Library's James Madison Building at 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, D.C.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored jointly by the Library's Prints and Photographs Division, the Publishing Office and the Center for the Book. 

Arranged chronologically, the book illustrates the influence of history on Herblock's work as well as his influence on historical events as they unfolded. As a bonus, the book is packaged with a DVD that contains more than 18,000 cartoons.

Born in Chicago on Oct. 13, 1909, Herbert Lawrence Block was a groundbreaking, four-time Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist whose career spanned nearly three quarters of a century and 13 American presidencies. Block began his is career as a professional cartoonist in 1929, working for the Chicago Daily News and the Newspaper Enterprise Association Service.  In 1946, he joined The Washington Post, where he remained for 55 years, until his death in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 7, 2001. Syndicated throughout the country, his cartoons focused on important events of the time—from the stock-market crash in 1929 through the new millennium beginning in 2000—making complex issues seem simple and moral choices clear.

Haynes Johnson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, a best-selling author and a television commentator. He has reported on virtually every major national and international news event in the past four decades, including the activities of every President from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Barack Obama. In 1966, Johnson won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished national reporting of the civil-rights struggle in Selma, Ala. Until recently, Johnson was associated with The Washington Post, which he joined in 1969 and where he served as a national reporter, assistant managing editor and a national affairs columnist. He appears regularly on the PBS-TV programs "Washington Week in Review" and "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer."

Harry Katz is the curator of the Herb Block Foundation Collection in Washington, D.C., and former head curator within the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress. Katz is the editor of "Cartoon America: Comic Art at the Library of Congress" and has produced books and exhibitions featuring political cartoonists Jules Feiffer, Pat Oliphant, Ann Telnaes and others.

The book accompanies a Library of Congress exhibition titled "Herblock!" featuring 82 original Herblock drawings that have never before been displayed. These works were selected from the Herb Block Foundation's 2002 gift of the cartoonist's entire personal and professional archives comprising more than 14,000 finished cartoons and three seminal cartoons on loan from The Washington Post collection. The exhibition is free and open to the public, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, Oct. 13, 2009, through May 1, 2010, in the second-floor South Gallery of the Library's Thomas Jefferson Building at 10 First Street S.E., Washington, D.C. The exhibition may also be viewed online at www.loc.gov/exhibits/.

"HERBLOCK: The Life and Works of the Great Political Cartoonist," a 304-page hardcover book with more than 250 classic cartoons, is available with the DVD for $35 in bookstores nationwide and the Library of Congress shop, Washington, DC 20540-4985. Credit card orders are taken at (888) 682-3557. Online orders can be placed at www.loc.gov/shop/.

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution. The Library seeks to spark imagination and creativity and to further human understanding and wisdom by providing access to knowledge through its magnificent collections, programs and exhibitions. Many of the Library's rich resources can be accessed through its website at www.loc.gov and via interactive exhibitions on a personalized website at myLOC.gov.

# # #

PR 09-176
09/16/09
ISSN 0731-3527

PR: Baltimore Comic-Con 2009 Welcomes Neal Adams!

Baltimore Comic-Con 2009 Welcomes Neal Adams!

Baltimore, Maryland - September 9, 2009 - The Baltimore Comic-Con is proud to announce the inaugural appearance of legendary creator Neal Adams as a guest at our 10th Anniversary show on Saturday, October 10th and Sunday, October 11th, 2009.

Neal Adams is hailed as one of the modern masters of comics, defining the look for many DC Comics characters, including Batman, Deadman, Green Lantern, and Green Arrow. His work on Strange Adventures' Deadman feature at DC caught his readers' eyes, and he soon found himself as a regular featured cover artist. At Marvel Comics, his art graced the pages of the epic Kree-Skrull War saga in The Avengers and his acclaimed run on X-Men was responsible for revitalizing the title and saving the book from cancellation. In addition to working for many of the up-and-coming companies during the 1980s publishing boom, he later went on to found Continuity Comics.

Besides having received numerous industry awards, including induction into the Harvey Awards' Jack Kirby Hall of Fame, Neal is renowned for his social work within the artistic industry. His lobbying for creators' rights, including royalties and the return of artwork, resulted in the modern system of art being returned to the artists who created it, along with better benefits, including sales royalties. His most recent efforts found him collaborating with Joe Kubert and Stan Lee in an effort to force the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Poland to return Holocaust survivor Dina Babbitt's wartime artwork created during her Nazi captivity. Neal created a 6-page comic book, which he pencilled and inked, highlighting the injustice suffered by Dina. In recognition of his efforts on Dina's behalf, Neal will be receiving the Hero Award at the Harvey Awards ceremony Saturday night at the Baltimore Comic-Con.

"We are elated to have such a great member of the comics community attending the show and Harveys banquet," said Baltimore Comic-Con promoter Marc Nathan. "Of all the people in comics that we look to bring to the show, I think he is the single-most requested individual."

Other Guests
In addition to Neal Adams, the Baltimore Comic-Con is pleased to announce the following guests: Josh Alves (Arachnid Kid), Harold Buchholz (Apathy Kat), Jamie Cosley (Tony Pony), Tom Feister (GI Joe: Origins), Jenni Gregory (Ka-Blam), Allan Gross (Cryptozoo Crew), Rebekah Isaacs, sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics (DV8), Michael McElroy (Ka-Blam), Scott Neely (Scooby Doo), Jamar Nicholas (Leon, Protector of the Playground), Bobby and Peter Timony (Zuda Comics), Ted Tucker (Captain Happy), and Todd Webb (Nick Magazine).

Already announced guests, new and returning, include: Jason Aaron (Wolverine), Mike and Laura Allred (Madman), Dick Ayers (Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos), Paul Azaceta (Amazing Spider-Man), Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers), Ryan Bodenheim (Red Mass for Mars), Doug Braithwaite (Wolverine: Origins), Pat Broderick (Vincent Price Presents), Buzz (Atomika), Jim Calafiore (Batgirl), Eric Canete (Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin), Nick Cardy (Aquaman), Jerry Carr (Cryptozoo Crew), Tommy Castillo (Kong: King of Skull Island), Mike Cavallaro (ACT-I-VATE), Bernard Chang (Wonder Woman), Jo Chen (New Avengers: The Reunion), Sean Chen (Dark Reign: Fantastic Four), Jimmy Cheung (New Avengers: Illuminati), Cliff Chiang (Green Arrow & Black Canary), Frank Cho (Ultimates 4), Chris Claremont (X-Men Forever), Steve Conley (Star Trek: Year Four), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), J.M. DeMatteis (Metal Men), Todd Dezago (Marvel Adventures: Spider-Man), Michael Dolce (Descendant), Evan Dorkin (Beasts of Burden), Jim Dougan (ACT-I-VATE), Jan Duursema (Star Wars: Legacy), Sarah Dyer (Superman Adventures), Steve Englehart (Avengers), Rich Faber (Roboy Red), Jay Faerber (Noble Causes), Michel Fiffe (ACT-I-VATE), David Finch (Ultimatum), Bob Fingerman (Recess Pieces), Matt Fraction (Uncanny X-Men), Franco (Tiny Titans), Simon Fraser (ACT-I-VATE), John Gallagher (Buzzboy), Ron Garney (Wolverine: Weapon X), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Michael Golden (Spider-Man 1602), Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules), Sanford Greene (Marvel Adventures Spider-Man), Tim Hamilton (ACT-I-VATE), Cully Hamner (Detective Comics), Tony Harris (Ex Machina), Dean Haspiel (ACT-I-VATE), Jennifer Hayden (ACT-I-VATE), Mark Hempel (Absolute Sandman), Greg Horn (Cover Stories: The Art of Greg Horn), Adam Hughes (Power Girl), Jamal Igle (Supergirl), Kathryn Immonen (Runaways), Stuart Immonen (New Avengers), Joe Infurnari (ACT-I-VATE), Chris Ivy (Beast Boy), Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Van Jensen (Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer), J.G. Jones (Final Crisis), Joe Jusko (Kolchak: Tales of the Night Stalker), Karl Kesel (Marvel Apes), Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man), Scott Koblish (Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds), Joe Kubert (Wednesday Comics), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Michael Lark (Daredevil), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Greg LaRocque (Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man), Jerry "The King" Lawler(Headlocked), Norman Lee (GeNext), Steve Lieber (Underground), Luna Brothers (The Sword), Andy MacDonald (NYC Mech), David Mack (Kabuki), Tom Mandrake (The Outsiders), Mike Manley (Batman: Brave and the Bold), Larry Marder (Beanworld), Laura Martin (Thor), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Sean McKeever (Teen Titans), Mark McKenna (BananaTail), Mike McKone (Amazing Spider-Man), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Pop Mhan (World of Warcraft), Mark Morales (Secret Invasion), Doug Murray (Jungle Girl Season 2), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Phil Noto (Batgirl), Kevin Nowlan (The Spirit), Mike Oeming (Mice Templar), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex), Jeff Parker (Agents of ATLAS), Dan Parsons (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Guest of Honor George Perez (Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Comics Armor Wars), Khoi Pham (Mighty Avengers), Whilce Portacio (Spawn), Buddy Prince (Night), Brian Pulido (Lady Death), Jack Purcell (Gotham Underground), Mike Raicht (Army of Darkness), Tom Raney (Dark Reign: Hawkeye), Brian Reber (Captain Britain and MI13), Kat Roberts (ACT-I-VATE), Alex Robinson (Too Cool to be Forgotten), James Robinson (Superman), Budd Root (Cavewoman), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Iron Man & The Armor Wars), Stephane Roux (Amazing Spider-Man), Andy Runton (Owly), Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), Tim Sale (Heroes), Ian Sattler (Final Crisis: Aftermath), Scott Christian Sava (Dreamland Chronicles), Alex Saviuk (The Phantom Generations), Marc Silvestri (Witchblade), Walt Simonson (Thor), Andy Smith (Dean Koontz's Nevermore), John K. Snyder III (Doctor Mid-Nite), Allison Sohn (Star Wars trading card artist), Taki Soma (Rapture), Richard Starkings (Elephentmen), Jim Starlin (Strange Adventures), Brian Stelfreeze (Final Crisis Aftermath: Ink), Paul Storrie (Worlds of Dungeons & Dragons), Karl Story (Batman: Streets of Gotham), Mark Texeira (Punisher), Robert Tinnell (EZ Street), Peter Tomasi (Blackest Night: Batman), Herb Trimpe (Hulk), Billy Tucci (Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion), Jim Valentino (Shadowline Comics), Rob Venditti (The Surrogates), Dexter Vines (Wolverine), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest), Doug Wagner (The Ride), Matt Wagner (Grendel), Mark Waid (The Incredibles), Len Wein (Justice League of America), Mark Whealey (Lone Justice), Renee Witterstaetter (Tex: The Art of Mark Texeira -- The Artist's Great Escape), Brian Wood (sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics, Northlanders), Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing), Kelly Yates (Amber Atoms), and Thom Zahler (Love & Capes).

Tickets
Please buy your ticket in advance via http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets.htm to avoid the ticket line the day of the show.

Hotels
Our previously-announced deadline for discounted hotel rooms has been extended by the participating hotels! A good number of rooms have been sold already, but there are some still available through this offer, so please take a look at http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/hotels.htm for details on room availability at hotels around the Baltimore Convention Center.

Harvey Awards Ticket Sales
Ticket sales for the 2009 Harvey Awards and Banquet will be made available within the next week. Please keep an eye on our websites and press releases for further details as information becomes available.

We will continue to providing details on guestss, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming leading up to the show. The latest developments can always be found at our website, Facebook, Twitter, 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.

As we continue to get ready for this year's show, we would like to remind you to mark your calendar for next year's Baltimore Comic-Con dates: August 28-29, 2010.

PR: Sign up for Nate Beelers political cartoons

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Syndicated Simpsons moved to late night, reports DCist

WTTG-FOX 5 is moving them from 7 pm to 11:30 says the DCist blog.

Iraq prison abuse photos likened to Danish Islam cartoons by Justice Dept. says NY Times

The claim is made in

Obama About-Face Goes to High Court
By ADAM LIPTAK
Published: September 15, 2009
First the Justice Department decided it would not ask the Supreme Court to block the release of photographs showing the abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan. Then it changed its mind.

The relevant paragraph reads:

In a book about the controversy surrounding the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, the publisher [Yale Press] decided not to publish the actual cartoons. The government’s brief, in fact, cited the reaction to the publication of the cartoons in a Danish newspaper as a reason to block disclosure of the images of detainee abuse.

I'd encourage everyone to read the original article and perhaps someone could look into the government's argument as well.

Meanwhile, one of the Post's (conservative) columnists editorialized against Yale's decision - "Chipping Away At Free Speech," By Anne Applebaum, Washington Post September 15, 2009.

PR: Small Press Expo Announces Programming Slate for SPX 200

Looks like a good year - Mike

Small Press Expo Announces Programming Slate for SPX 2009

 

For Immediate Release                              

Contact: Warren Bernard

E-Mail: warren@spxpo.com

Bethesda, Maryland; September 9, 2009 - The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce its slate of programming for SPX 2009. SPX is presenting a program of some of the most insightful, thought provoking interviews and panel discussions in comics today, assembled by comics curator, teacher and author Bill Kartalopoulos.

Spotlight one on ones will be held with Gahan Wilson, Josh Neufeld, Carol Tyler and others, with a rare interview with Jerry Moriarity, in conjunction with the release of the The Complete Jack Survives. The Center for Cartoon Studies will again hold a comics workshop and panels discussions will focus on everything from The Future of the Comic Book to The Aesthetics of Mini-Comics.

Below is a complete description of all of the Spotlights, Panels and Workshops. The up to date schedule may be seen at the SPX web site at http://www.spxpo.com.

SPX will be held Saturday, September 26 from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday, September 27, noon-6PM at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.

To request an interview, please contact Warren Bernard at warren@spxpo.com.

SPOTLIGHTS

R. Sikoryak's Masterpiece Comics

For twenty years, stylistic chameleon R. Sikoryak has been producing literary adaptations in comics form that marry the plots of Western literary classics with the stylistic tics and tropes of classic comics. Originally appearing in RAW and numerous other anthologies, Sikoyrak's parodistic adaptations have been collected in a book titled Masterpiece Comics, published by Drawn and Quarterly. He will discuss his work and working methods in a special slideshow presentation.

Paul Karasik and the Fletcher Hanks Experience

Cartoonist, editor and educator Paul Karasik has spent the last several years tracking down the idiosyncratic, visionary work of comic book artist Fletcher Hanks, now collected in its entirety in two volumes published by Fantagraphics. Karasik will speak about discovering the work of Fletcher Hanks, and will present "The Fletcher Hanks Experience," an illustrated tour over the brutally surreal Hanks mindscape narrated by the late Fletcher Hanks, Jr.

Jerry Moriarty: Jack Survives

Jerry Moriarty is a painter, illustrator and cartoonist who has been teaching at the School of Visual Arts since 1963. Several episodes of his "Jack Survives" series of comics pages appeared in issues of RAW Magazine. This year, Buenaventura Press has published a definitive hardcover collection of Jack Survives, including never before published work. Publisher Alvin Buenaventura will discuss Jerry's life and work with him in a rare spotlight session.

Spotlight on Peter Kuper

Peter Kuper is the co-founder of World War 3 Illustrated, the artist behind Mad Magazine's Spy Vs. Spy, and the author of comics collections and graphic novels including The System, Speechless, and an adaptation of Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis. In this presentation introduced and moderated by comics scholar Marc Singer, Peter will discuss his career to date and his new book Diario de Oaxaca, a visual journal of two years in Mexico that coincided with a violently repressed teachers' protest.

John Porcellino Q & A

John Porcellino has been self-publishing his ongoing mini-comics series King-Cat Comics since 1989. His spare but elegant style, insightful self-reflection, and DIY ethic have been an inspiration to countless cartoonists. His comics have been collected in several books, and in 2008 Hyperion published Thoreau at Walden, a graphic novel for young readers. This year, Drawn and Quarterly has published Map of My Heart, a new collection of work from his King-Cat series. John will discuss his work with friend, cartoonist and publisher Zak Sally.

Gahan Wilson in the Spotlight

The unmistakably macabre and hilarious Gahan Wilson was born in Evanston, Illinois in 1930. His work first appeared in Amazing Stories in 1954. Since then, his cartoons, illustrations and comic strips have appeared in Collier's, Punch, National Lampoon, and, principally, Playboy and The New Yorker. This year, Fantagraphics publishes Gahan Wilson: Fifty Years of Playboy Cartoons, a three-volume slipcased set collecting his contributions to that magazine. He will be joined onstage by publisher and editor Gary Groth to discuss his life and work.

Josh Neufeld After the Deluge

Josh Neufeld has published several non-fiction comic books and series, including his 2004 Xeric Award–winning graphic novel A Few Perfect Hours. In 2005 he volunteered with the American Red Cross in Biloxi, Missouri following the Hurricane Katrina disaster. From 2007 to 2008 he serialized via the web A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge, a non-fiction story relating the experiences of Katrina survivors. This year Pantheon Books has published A.D. in a print edition. In this presentation moderated by Gina Gagliano, Josh will discuss his work and the process of producing this comics document of recent events.

Carol Tyler Q & A

Born in 1951, Carol Tyler trained as a painter, earning an MFA from Syracuse University. In 1987 she published her first comics story in Weirdo. Since then her work has appeared in anthologies including Twisted Sisters, Drawn and Quarterly, Zero Zero, and Kramers Ergot. Her work has previously been collected in the books The Job Thing and Late Bloomer. This year Fantagraphics published her book You'll Never Know: A Good and Decent Man, the first in a series of books recounting her father's World War II experiences and their resonant effect on his – and her – life today. Carol will discuss her work with comics critic Douglas Wolk.

Jeffrey Brown Q & A

Jeffrey Brown entered the School of the Art Institute's Masters program to study painting; by the time he earned his MFA, he had begun drawing sensitive autobiographical comics about life and lost love. Since then he has published several autobiographical books Clumsy, Unlikely, AEIOU, Little Things, and Funny Misshappen Body. His range of work also includes short fiction, humorously observant cat comics, superhero parody, and fantasy. He was recently the subject of an award-winning short documentary film. Heidi MacDonald will join Jeffrey onstage to discuss his diverse and evolving body of work.

WORKSHOP

Center for Cartoon Studies Comics Workshop

Faculty member Robyn Chapman and other students join us from the Center for Cartoon Studies, a two-year educational institution for budding cartoonists in White River Junction, Vermont.  Robyn will talk about this unique school and will lead a hands-on cartooning workshop focusing on the basics of putting together a comics page, from thumbnail to final draft.  No matter how little experience you have, you will leave this panel having drawn a comics page!

PANELS

Now Make It Funny

Now that comics are finally being taken seriously, a new generation of cartoonists are bringing back the funny. Tucker Stone will talk to Emily Flake (Lulu Eightball), Matt Furie (Boys Club), Sam Gaskin (Fatal Faux-Pas) and Lisa Hanawalt (I Want You) about comics' historical and ongoing aptitude for humorous effect, the deeper meanings of humor, and the struggles of producing comedy on a deadline.

Comic Strips: Online and In Print

The history of comics parallels and participates in the greater history of mass communication. As traditional print media struggles, the online medium has proved to be a hospitable site for the durable, traditionally formatted comic strip. But online cartoonists have increasingly found both material and creative rewards in republishing their work in print editions. Kate Beaton, Erika Moen, R. Stevens, and Julia Wertz will talk about the challenges and opportunities of working both online and in print with moderator Marc Singer.

Debut Cartoonists

Comics critic Rob Clough will lead a discussion with cartoonists who are debuting new books at SPX this year. These artists will talk about their new releases, what they represent to them, and how they fit into their work so far. Join us for a revealing conversation with Ken Dahl (Monsters), Eleanor Davis (The Secret Science Alliance), Hans Rickheit (The Squirrel Machine), and Zak Sally (Like A Dog).

Critics' Roundtable

A murderers' row of comics critics will address general issues facing comics criticism today and will candidly discuss several new and recent works in a lively, no-holds-barred, roundtable conversation. Rob Clough, Sean Collins, Gary Groth, Chris Mautner, Joe McCulloch, Tucker Stone and Douglas Wolk will share their acute critical insights with moderator Bill Kartalopoulos.

The New Action

For decades, independent cartoonists have labored to distinguish their work from the corporately-controlled material popularly associated with the form. In the process, artist-driven comics have frequently avoided genres such as adventure, fantasy, and science fiction. Recent years, however, have seen a wave of cartoonists who embrace genre and have explored new ways to activate comics' ability to depict movement, action, and spectacle. Sean Collins will discuss these topics and more with Shawn Cheng, Benjamin Marra, Brian Ralph, Frank Santoro and Kazimir Strzepek.

Time-Constrained Comics

Since Scott McCloud formulated the 24-hour comic in 1990, countless cartoonists have tried their hands at this form of endurance-based cartooning. As this practice has grown into an annual worldwide event, other cartoonists have experimented with other forms of time-constrained cartooning, from the hourly to the minute-by-minute. Cartoonist and educator Marek Bennett will discuss the various permutations and productive pleasures of time-constrained comics with John Campbell, James McShane, Chris Piers, Maxime de Radigues and Robert Ullman.

The Future of the Comic Book

The economics and distribution of the comics specialty market have made the traditional comic book format an endangered species, even as book stores and libraries have become increasingly hospitable to long-form work. Moderator Bill Kartalopoulos will discuss the future of the comic book format with publisher Alvin Buenaventura, cartoonists Kevin Huizenga and Matthew Thurber, who have recently self-published their own serial comic book series, and Hellen Jo and Noah Van Sciver, two emerging artist who have recently launched titles in the embattled format.

Comics and Community

Dylan Williams (Sparkplug Books) leads an open and audience-inclusive discussion about the role independent comic creators, publishers, and distributors play in the comics community and how they can work together using principles of community organizing and resistance. Sally Bloodbath, Robyn Chapman, Benn Ray and Frank Santoro will talk about the internet, drawing nights, DIY networks, stores, distributors, publishers, friends, fans, clients, media outlets, tours, pooled resources, conventions and convention. Audience members are encouraged to bring their ideas.

The Aesthetics of Mini-Comics

Modestly-produced and hand-made comics have been the major point of entry for young cartoonists since the advent of cheap xerography. As comics have gravitated more towards bookstore-ready formats, some artists continue to find in hand-made comics a valuable, and even preferred, method of production. Moderator Bill Kartalopoulos will discuss the unique qualities of hand-produced formats with Dina Kelbermann, Jason Miles, John Porcellino and Dan Zettwoch.

Source-Based Comics

Works that draw on external sources – whether historical, literary, or otherwise – present artists with the twin burdens of faithfulness and creativity. Kate Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant), Paul Karasik (City of Glass), Ed Piskor (Wizzywig), and R. Sikoryak (Masterpiece Comics) will discuss what it means to make creative works of adaptation, parody, and historical fiction in this wide-ranging panel discussion with moderator Bill Kartalopoulos.

Big Planet Comics interview

Greg Bennett, one of the owners of the Big Planet Comics chain, agreed to answer some questions for us in the wake of Big Monkey's closing.

Big Monkey Comics, in their closing announcement said, "It wasn't Galactus, Lex Luthor, or Dr. Doom that defeated us, but simple dollars and cents. The economy has adversely affected so many people, and we are the latest casualty." Has the economy affected the Big Planet chain?

Of course. We've had to adjust our business model with the times. Mostly we're not selling as many big-ticket items as we did before last September. But overall, we're doing just fine. Recession isn't really a bad time to be in the escapism business, if you think about it.

There are 4 Big Planet stores - 2 in suburban Maryland (Bethesda and College Park), 1 in DC (Georgetown) and 1 in Virginia (Vienna). Do you see a different clientele for the stores?

As you would imagine, spanning from suburban Northern Virginia to the university town of College Park, our clienteles are a bit varied, and there are some different seasonal fluctuations as well. But all four stores carry the same core product--good comics for people who like to read good comics--ranging from super-hero to indy.

Are comics about to top out their price again, with Marvel's raise to $3.99 per comic?

You know as much as I do. DC is at least making sure that all of their $3.99 comics have extra content that justifies the price. I think Marvel is testing the market to see if it will bear $3.99 for a standard 32-page comic.

What's selling the best now? The worst?

The best--Batman and Robin by Morrison and Quitely, Blackest Night by Geoff Johns, et al. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill. Anything by Bendis, Brubaker, or Jason Aaron at Marvel. Robert Kirkman's Walking Dead and Invincible at Image. The Darwyn Cooke Parker: The Hunter GN and Asterios Polyp by David Mazzuchelli were also really big for us.

The worst--mostly extraneous mini-series by no-name creators from Marvel, and DC to a lesser extent. People are definitely not looking for more side titles to buy during the recession.

Any comments on the Disney purchase of Marvel? Any guess as to effects on comics?

Let's just say that I don't think Disney will do anything to adversely affect the value of Marvel, since they're over-paying by close to a billion dollars. And if you look at what they've done with Pixar, I think that's turned out quite well for both companies.

Any comments on DC's conversion to DC Entertainment and Paul Levitz's departure? Any guess as to effects on comics?

I don't really have a lot of information on that. My guess is that the trains will keep running more-or-less on time, and that there may be some more synergies utilized between the comics, movies, animation, and video games--probably a good thing in the long run. Paul's done a lot of great things at DC, and it sounds like he's going to continue to work with the comics there, just not as much on the administrative side. After 25+ years, he deserves a break.

Anything you're excited about coming out now?

Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, and Monster, and Pluto--his take on Tezuka's Astro Boy. I'm not a big manga guy, but Urasawa is truly amazing. DC's weekly Wednesday Comics, Strange Tales from Marvel, Asterios Polyp, Sweet Tooth by Jeff Lemire, Little Lulu reprints in color from Dark Horse My guiltiest pleasure is the soap opera that is the current Superman family of titles, being written by James Robinson, Greg Rucka, and Sterling Gates--great fun, and a new chapter almost every week.

Anyone you're looking forward to seeing at SPX?

Gahan Wilson, 1980s RAW legend Jerry Moriarity, John Porcellino, Matt Kindt, whose new book 3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man from Dark Horse should be out. Hans Rickheit, with his new book, The Squirrel Machine, and Josh Neufeld with his New Orleans A.D. GN. I was sad to hear that Jeff Lemire couldn't make it, but I think he has a new baby. And I'm hoping that Mark Burrier will bring some more skateboards.

Sept 14: Batman Begins 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


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

Another interview with Shawn Martinbrough

The former (current?) area resident is interviewed at "Talking Comics with Tim: Shawn Martinbrough," September 12, 2009 by Tim O'Shea