Tuesday, September 22, 2009

DC Comic Books Examiner: Atomic Books throws SPX-plosion 2


Ushering in the Sept. 26 and 27 Small Press Expo, Baltimore's Atomic Books hosts a second annual books release party. The event is punctuated by a core of cartoonists scheduled to make an appearance. The party boasts expectant and brief presentations... Read more »


DC Comic Books Examiner, Mark Ruffin


Mark Ruffin, a reader of comics for over twenty years, is a freelance writer who tirelessly generates awareness for the Non-Fraternity Conversation and Write-up on Comic Books. Contact Mark here.


 


Sept 23: Peter Kuper at GMU

Tip courtesy of Ignatz-nominee Matt Dembicki -

2009 Fall for the Book festival in Fairfax

Graphic Novelist Peter Kuper
Wed, September 23, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Center for the Arts, Grand Tier III, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030

Graphic novelist Kuper explores the history of comics as political art — from Thomas Nast to Diego Rivera to the artists of World War 3 Illustrated — and offers a visual tour of the art he produced while living in Oaxaca, Mexico, when striking teachers and federal troops clashed.

Xoc #2 at SPX


 Matt Dembicki says 
I'll be premiering the second issue of Xoc, which is up for an Ignatz Award in the mini-comic category, at SPX this weekend. This issue is chockfull of underwater goodness!

-Sweet cover, isn't it? (I hope that shows up on this email posting method)

Riffs interviews Fall Out Boy

The Riffs Interview: Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz Dives Headlong Into Being a Comic-Book Creator
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs September 22, 2009
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2009/09/the_riffs_interview_fall_out_b.html#more


Sept 23: Graphic novel book group at Politics and Prose

GRAPHIC NOVEL (4th Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, September 23

Exit Wounds
by Mutu Rodan
2008/12 - TP
Drawn & Quarterly
9781897299838


Publisher Comments

Set in modern-day Tel Aviv, a young man, Koby Franco, receives an urgent phone call from a female soldier. Learning that his estranged father may have been a victim of a suicide bombing in Hadera, Koby reluctantly joins the soldier in searching for clues. His death would certainly explain his empty apartment and disconnected phone line. As Koby tries to unravel the mystery of his father's death, he finds himself piecing together not only the last few months of his father's life but his entire identity. With thin, precise lines and luscious watercolors, Rutu Modan creates a portrait of modern Israel, a place where sudden death mingles with the slow dissolution of family ties.

"Exit Wounds "is the North American graphic-novel debut from one of Israel's best-known cartoonists. Modan has received several awards in Israel and abroad, including the Best Illustrated Children's Book Award from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem four times and Young Artist of the Year by the Israel Ministry of Culture. She is a chosen artist of the Israel Cultural Excellence Foundation.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Sept 22 Comic-Book Fan Adam Besenyodi at GMU

Tip courtesy of Ignatz-nominee Matt Dembicki -

2009 Fall for the Book festivalin Fairfax

Comic-Book Fan Adam Besenyodi
When: Tue, September 22, 3pm – 4pm
Where: Grand Tier III, Center for the Arts, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Besenyodi discusses his new book, Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic-Book Fan, praised by Wired as a “a great study in emotional psychology and the things in life that really get our brains ticking and our hearts pumping.”

Graphic Novelist Peter Kuper
Wed, September 23, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Center for the Arts, Grand Tier III, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030

Graphic novelist Kuper explores the history of comics as political art — from Thomas Nast to Diego Rivera to the artists of World War 3 Illustrated — and offers a visual tour of the art he produced while living in Oaxaca, Mexico, when striking teachers and federal troops clashed.

Sept 21: Batman: The Dark Knight 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 21, 2009 - Batman: The Dark Knight
September 23, 2009 - Batman: The Dark Knight - at CCSP

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Quick Reviews for Comics Due 09-23-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 09-23-09
By John Judy
 
BLACKEST NIGHT: SUPERMAN #2 of 3 by James Robinson and Eddy Barrows.  If you've ever wanted to see Superman fight a zombie version of himself with wistful, poetic dialogue by James Robinson THIS is the one for you!  Plus, other zombies with rings.  Fun stuff.
 
DARK REIGN: THE LIST: X-MEN ONE-SHOT by Matt Fraction and Alan Davis.  Fraction!  Davis!  Osborn!  X-Men!!!!  (Contains some verbs.)
 
DETECTIVE COMICS #857 by Greg Rucka, JH Williams III and Cully Hamner.  Batman had the Mad Hatter.  Batwoman has "Alice" which should be a lot hotter than it sounds.  At least there's poison gas involved.  Also, the Question takes on a human trafficking ring.  Note:  Human traffickers are this year's drug dealers.
 
FANTASTIC FOUR #571 by Jonathan Hickman and Dale Eaglesham.  Ben and Johnny get ready to road trip while Reed gets ready to fix everything.  "Socialism!"
 
FLASH CHRONICLES VOL. 1 SC by Various Silver Age Legends.  Collecting the earliest adventures of Barry Allen, the fastest man alive, in affordable paperback.  Great gift idea for the young and old.  Recommended.
 
GOON VOL. 9: CALAMITY OF CONSCIENCE SC written and drawn by Eric Powell.  "Now that's a beatin'.  You know you been beat proper when your arm is stickin' out at an angle like that."  Collecting issues 28-31, this twisted humor-adventure title will tug at your heart strings then get really angry and rip them out entirely.  And make you like it!  Recommended.
 
HELLBLAZER #259 by Peter Milligan and Simon Bisley.  The Biz is back for two issues of covers and interiors!  First up, Constantine tries to escape his troubles by skipping town.  Because that always works when you're John Constantine…
 
IMMORTAL WEAPONS #3 of 5 by Rick Spears, Duane Swierczynski and Timothy Green II.  If you're a down on your luck orphan during China's first opium war, have no fear for Living Weapon Dog Brother #1 is on your side!  And you have opium!
 
INCREDIBLE HULK #602 by Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, Ariel Olivetti and Michael Ryan.  Hulk and Son take on the Juggernaut!  There's also this back-up story about the appalling new She-Hulk but don't let that ruin it for you.
 
MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN #4 by Seth Grahame-Smith and Richard Elson.  One of the authors of "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" takes a swing at a Zombies versus Hulk story.  On the moon!  Gotta look!
 
ODD AND THE FROST GIANTS HC by Neil Gaiman and Brett Helquist.  A hardback edition of the story Neil wrote for the UK's World Book Day about a boy in Viking times who must save Asgard from the Frost Giants and restore springtime to the world.  Illustrated by Brent Helquist (of Lemony Snicket fame), 128 pages and appropriate for young readers.  Recommended.
 
NEW AVENGERS #57 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen.  The Avengers are powerless and now so are the Dark Avengers and they're all facing seriously hacked off rogue criminals who are not powerless.  Boy, I sure hope they all get their powers back in time for a BIG FIGHT!
 
SPIDER-WOMAN #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev.  Congratulations to Bendis for finally getting his dream job and his old DAREDEVIL partner to draw it.  Let's hope this doesn't distract him from the other 20-some weekly titles he's writing!  "Thwip!"
 
SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #1 of 6 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank.  It's the new Official Canon of Superman's Life and Times.  Put your Byrne-autographed MAN OF STEEL back on the shelf, kids.  It is now an antique.  Recommended.
 
UNCANNY X-MEN #515 by Matt Fraction and Greg Land.  One of the original X-Men makes his exit!  But who is it?
 
UNDERGROUND #1 of 4 by Steve Lieber and Jeff Parker.  "Thriller set in a cave" doesn't really do justice to this tense, good-looking comic by the artist of WHITEOUT and the author of AGENTS OF ATLAS.  Highly recommended.
 
WEDNESDAY COMICS #12 of 12 by Various Courageous Risk-Takers.  Final issue!  Some hits, some misses, a few head-scratchers, but overall a noble and successful experiment that gave us some great artwork and appreciation for just how beautiful the Sunday newspaper comics used to be.  Highly recommended.
 
WOLVERINE GIANT-SIZE OLD MAN LOGAN #1 by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven.  Grampa Wolverine chops up a bunch of green people.  The final chapter.  Not for younger kids because it's got a guy with claws killing people fer cryin' out loud!
 


Cavna article on Hader's voice acting

Bill Hader Stars as King Midas and Mr. Unassuming
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, September 20, 2009

Weingarten on Archie's marriage

Her Archie-Enemy
(Or Gina's Betty noir)

By Gene Weingarten
Washington Post Magazine September 20, 2009

Friday, September 18, 2009

Post on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs includes interview

Cavna, Michael.  2009.

The 'Riffs Interview: 'SNL's' Bill Hader Embraces His Inner Nerd for 'Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs' Washington Post Comic Riffs (September 18): http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2009/09/thursdays_riffs_5.html#more

'Cloudy With a Chance' of Hilarity; Children's Book Is Basis of Wacky, Inventive Comedy

By Dan Kois
Special to The Washington Post Friday, September 18, 2009
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/17/AR2009091704446.html

Ohio State Names Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum in Honor of $7 Million Gift

Here's a PR from OSU, and the Schulz Challenge to match funds is still going strong.

Ohio State Names Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum in Honor of $7 Million Gift

The Ohio State University Board of Trustees today approved the naming of the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum in recognition of a $7 million gift from the Elizabeth Ireland Graves Foundation to support the renovation of Sullivant Hall, an historic building located at a main gateway to the university’s campus.
The project is estimated to cost $20.6 million and will be completed in 2013, at which time Sullivant Hall will house both the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum and The Ohio State University Department of Dance.

“The Graves Foundation has made a critical investment to enhance the learning environment for students, faculty, and visitors from around the world,” said President E. Gordon Gee. “The revitalized Sullivant Hall will be a fitting home to two university treasures – the top-ranked Department of Dance and the world-renowned Cartoon Library and Museum. Naming the latter in Billy Ireland’s honor is a fitting tribute to a remarkable Ohioan.”

The Elizabeth Ireland Graves Foundation is managed by Billy Ireland's granddaughter, Sayre Graves, and is based out of Bremo Bluff, Va..

The Columbus Dispatch hired Ireland, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, shortly after his high school graduation in 1898. A self-taught cartoonist, he worked for the Dispatch until his death in 1935 and was known both for his editorial cartoons and for his Sunday feature The Passing Show.

An exhibition of Ireland’s work will be held at Ohio State in the fall 2010.

“Billy Ireland was a Columbus celebrity during his lifetime,” according to Lucy Shelton Caswell, the cartoon library and museum's founding curator. “He enjoyed a national reputation and his work is still delightful to read. This is a fitting honor for a great cartoonist. We look forward to sharing his work with a new generation of readers.”

Established in 1977 with a founding gift of the Milton Caniff Collection, the Cartoon Library and Museum was housed in two converted classrooms in the Ohio State's Journalism Building. Since then, Caswell has built it into a widely renowned collection that is a destination for both cartoon researchers and fans from around the world.

Thousands of donors have contributed to the collection, with gifts ranging from one item to tens of thousands. With the recent addition of the IMCA’s extensive permanent collection, the Cartoon Library and Museum now houses more than 400,000 works of original cartoon art, 35,000 books, 51,000 serial titles, 2,800 linear feet of manuscript materials, and 2.5 million comic strip clippings and newspaper pages.
Now the world's largest collection of cartoon art and comics, the Cartoon Library and Museum is currently located in the basement of the Wexner Center for the Arts http://cartoons.osu.edu/. Its new, permanent home in Sullivant Hall will expand its space from its current 6,808 square feet to more than 40,000 gross square feet of space storage and exhibit space allowing more of the collection to be displayed and accessible to the public.

Sullivant Hall also will provide greatly enhanced facilities for Ohio State’s top-ranked dance program, including state-of-the-art dance facilities, upgraded administrative offices, and an upgrade of the existing auditorium.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

NPR's Weldon on Stitches

Weldon, Glen. 2009.
'Stitches' Draws On An Artist's Painful Childhood.
National Public Radio's Books We Like (September 15)

I read this over the weekend for part of my cancer research. It's a strong, moving work. It's not my favorite of either autobiographical comics, or cancer comics, but it's well worth reading.

Sept 23: Graphic novel book group at Politics and Prose

GRAPHIC NOVEL (4th Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, September 23

Exit Wounds
by Mutu Rodan
2008/12 - TP
Drawn & Quarterly
9781897299838


Publisher Comments

Set in modern-day Tel Aviv, a young man, Koby Franco, receives an urgent phone call from a female soldier. Learning that his estranged father may have been a victim of a suicide bombing in Hadera, Koby reluctantly joins the soldier in searching for clues. His death would certainly explain his empty apartment and disconnected phone line. As Koby tries to unravel the mystery of his father's death, he finds himself piecing together not only the last few months of his father's life but his entire identity. With thin, precise lines and luscious watercolors, Rutu Modan creates a portrait of modern Israel, a place where sudden death mingles with the slow dissolution of family ties.

"Exit Wounds "is the North American graphic-novel debut from one of Israel's best-known cartoonists. Modan has received several awards in Israel and abroad, including the Best Illustrated Children's Book Award from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem four times and Young Artist of the Year by the Israel Ministry of Culture. She is a chosen artist of the Israel Cultural Excellence Foundation.

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 MagazineBitch 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):

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