Crafty Bastards fest this weekend

The Washington City Paper’s annual Craft Bastard festival is Saturday, Oct 3, 10-5 in Adams Morgan. There’s usually cartoonists there. Rob Ullman will definitely be there, and I’m sure the City Paper’s Ben Classen will also.

Disney film opens at E Street Cinema

According to today’s Express, the documentary Walt and El Grupo opens tomorrow at the E Street Cinema at 555 11^th St. This film looks at Walt Disney’s good will tour of South  America, which resulted in The Three Caballeros and some characters we rarely see that are popular in the rest of the world.

 

Comic Riffs poll on Cul de Sac

I'm falling a bit behind but Michael Cavna asked for reactions to Our Man Thompson's Cul de Sac earlier this week.

Book review: Looking for Calvin and Hobbes

Martell, Nevin. Looking for Calvin and Hobbes: The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and His Revolutionary Comic Strip. New York: Continuum, 2009.  $24.95.

ISBN-10: 082642984X, ISBN-13: 978-0826429841

 

Nevin Martell has written a curious book, although one would probably best consider it a biography. Bill Watterson so consistently shunned the media that one is put in mind of the Shakespeare biography industry in which a few facts are churned in an attempt to generate a larger picture of a life. Readers of a certain age may end up recalling Leonard Nimoy's syndicated television show, In Search Of, in which apparently mythical beasts such as the Loch Ness Monster or the yeti were diligently pursued for an hour. A better analogy might be In Search of Lost Time, as, like Proust, Martell seeks both Watterson's youth, and by extension, his own.

 

To his credit, while lacking Watterson's cooperation, Martell avoided writing a book that just looks at his favorite Calvin and Hobbes strips. The book covers Watterson's school life and his earlier attempts at comic strips and editorial cartooning. Martell goes into some detail looking at the influences that Watterson claimed – Charles Schulz, Walt Kelly and George Herriman, relying largely on Watterson's writings in published collections. He covers the main characters, storylines and tropes of Calvin and Hobbes, as well as the history of the strip and Watterson's relationships with the media and his syndicate. Both of these relationships were prickly, as were his relationships with other cartoonists as he rarely participated in social activities nor accepted the awards they voted him.

 

Martell demonstrates how Watterson's eventual pursuit of a Platonic image of a comic strip, in which licensing and commercialism never played a factor, led to his quitting the field. This unrealistic view is gainsaid by the actual history of comics which were merchandised as often as possible from their 19^th century beginnings in both the US and the Great Britain. Universal Press Syndicate and Andrews McMeel representatives are circumspect in their quotes, but one is clearly left with their negative opinion about the staggering amount of money Watterson "left on the table" by refusing to merchandise his strip.

 

Since Watterson would not talk to Martell, the author tried to talk to his family and eventually did speak with the cartoonist's mother. He also met with Watterson's friends such as comics historian Rich West and others from Watterson's childhood. Martell also talked to many other cartoonists about Watterson's influence, whether or not they actually know him, and the book takes on a somewhat scattered voice. Martell ends the book with his trip to Chagrin Falls, OH where he speaks with his mother.

 

In the end, one is left uncertain as to how to consider Watterson. He was at the top of his career, a career the book amply shows how hard he had tried to achieve, and he left it. As a result, he avoided the downturn in quality that many strips have at periods in their lifespans. The reader is then left with the question of whether this is actually a good idea – the comic strip survives as a decade-long achievement – but what is then left unachieved is of course unknown and unknowable. In spite of Watterson's refusal to speak for himself, Martell has written an engaging and informative book while avoiding most of the traps that catch fan writers. The book includes a bibliography and an index. (This reviewer is thanked in the acknowledgements for helping with research).

 

Michael Rhode

Virginia Commonwealth University picks comic book as item 2 million

See "Spider-Man comic VCU Libraries' 2 millionth volume" By the Associated Press, September 28, 2009. It's the Obama Spider-Man appearance, but still this is an odd story. Thanks to Tom Inge and another big donor they've got a decent comic book collection, but it's not something they're really known for.

Mautner and Collins on SPX

Tom Spurgeon's got one of his big linkfests up so I'm not going to post too many more links, but here's two more.

Sean Collins has audio of two panels he was on - Comics Time: Two Panels from SPX 2009

and Chris Mautner of the old Comix@ list has his impressions at Comic Book Resources' Robot6.

Finally, I stuck my pictures from 2007-2009 into Flickr's SPX group. They've all been here in the past, but in case you want to see them again...

DC Comic Books Examiner: Small Press Expo discernibly contributes to festive Washington DC weekend

Small Press Expo discernibly contributes to festive Washington DC weekend Tuesday, September 29, 2009 The last Sept. weekend had less room for a lack of activities across the Greater DC Metro. Outside of sports, namely both National games and Washington's Sunday loss against the Lions, and the political events like the CBCF Legislative Conference,... 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.

Post's Shales on Cleveland Show

He doesn't like it.

'Cleveland's' a Chip Off the Old Crock

By Tom Shales
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 29, 2009

More SPX photos

This set's new additions has local DC cartoonists and my friends for the most part. Many of the shots are by my daughter, and these are from Day 2- Sunday, 9/27/09.


Chris Schweizer. I love his Crogan's Revenge pirate story.


Crack ex-DC journalist Scott Rosenberg.


Steve Conley. Steve was selling original strips from Socks and Barney for an insanely low price so I bought 2. (that's one of Rob Ullman's girls behind him)


Rob Ullman, the sadly-missed Washington City Paper's Savage Love columnist.


Carla Speed McNeil of Finder


Andy Runton of Owly. Box Brown in the background. Pic by Claire.


Jennifer Hachigian who does Lore. Pic by Claire.


Jim Ottaviani of GT Labs. Pic by Claire.


Doug "Pop Culture Shock Therapy" Bratton and John "Bo-nanas" Kovaleski. I wasn't familiar with Bratton's work but bought a complete set. I think I've got a full set of John's except for minis.


John Kovaleski


Raina Telgemeier. Pic by Claire.


Ed Piskor. Pic by Claire.

Ben Towle on SPX

To my chagrin, I only saw Ben briefly when he was grilling Paul Karasik on the copyright status of Fletcher Hanks' comics, but you can read his impressions here.

Dilbert made somebody's job easier

Not his pointy-haired boss, but this lady who just passed away - She "Combined Corporate Ethics, 'Dilbert'", Washington Post Monday, September 28, 2009. The obituary by Joe Holley begins, "Carol Marshall, 56, an attorney and corporate ethics consultant who relied on the comic strip "Dilbert" to teach ethics awareness to Lockheed Martin employees in the 1990s..."

Cavna and Thompson address new feature and turfing of CdS

Michael Cavna mentions "Our Town," his new feature of cartoon reporting on Comic Riffs today and also pulls in Our Man Thompson in the comments for answers to the B&W issues of today.

Post magazine editors want you to embrace change

Here's the relevant sections from their chat. Cul de Sac was dismissed with "we had a note to tell you where to find it":

chi-town: Sad that "Editor's Query" has disappeared. Loved those.

What exactly is the point of "Our Town?" I like Michael Cavna and his work with Comic Riffs, but I didn't really understand the point of the Our Town illustration. Was he actually there, drawing the sights? Is this what it will be every week? Because 1) I imagine it will get old after a few weeks, and 2) I think it would be better in photograph form. Cavna's artistic abilities would be better suited for some other feature...maybe a "Six Chix" type of arrangement with rotating artists but more comic-strippish.

washingtonpost.com: Our Town (Post Magazine, Sept. 27, 2009)

Debra Leithauser and Janet Michaud: The point of Our Town is to capture a slice of life in the metro area, as told via artwork rather than a traditional story. And, yes, Cavna certainly was there.

Quick Reviews for Comics Due 09-30-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 09-30-09

By John Judy

 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #607 by Joe Kelly and Mike McKone.  Dear Spidey, It's actually pretty great if a Black Cat crosses your path.  Just don't marry her…

 

ASTRO CITY: ASTRA SPECIAL #1 of 2 by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson.  Little hopscotch playing Astra of the First Family graduates college!  Now it's time for a road trip as only super-heroes can do it!

 

BATMAN: WIDENING GYRE #2 of 6 by Kevin Smith and Walter Flanagan.  An issue of a Kevin Smith mini-series appears to have shipped on time.  In related news, Satan needs a pair of ice skates.

 

BOOK OF GENESIS ILLUSTRATED HC by Robert Crumb.  Yes, you will go to Hell if you read this.  Me first!  Highly recommended.

 

BOYS: HEROGASM #5 of 6 by Garth Ennis and John McCrea.  It's the best awards show ever: The Supies, celebrating the outstanding achievements of your favorite corporate-controlled heroes!  And isn't Neil Patrick Harris doing a fabulous job at the mic?  Not for kids.

 

GREEN LANTERN #46 by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke.  Mongul and Sinestro battle for control of the Yellow Lantern gang, which is sort "deck chairs on the Titanic" when you've got the Black Lanterns gunning to kill everyone in the universe.  Recommended.

 

HULK #15 by Jeph Loeb and Ian Churchill.  The Red Hulk hijinks continue as different characters try to figure out who he is and long-time fans try to figure out WHY he is.

 

ICON: A HERO'S WELCOME SC by Dwayne McDuffie and M.D. Bright.  Collecting the first eight issues of ICON, Milestone Comics' original black Superman from 1992!  Highly recommended.

 

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA 80-PAGE GIANT #1 by Many, Many People.  The JLA fights all kinds of people all across the timestream.  That's it really.

 

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #31 by Bill Willingham, Matthew Sturges and Jesus Merino.  Magog and Wildcat duke it out while a dirty traitor in the ranks stands revealed!

 

MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN #5 by Fred Van Lente and Wellinton Alves.  Meet the Zombie Avengers.  Hopefully this is now out of everyone's system.  "Or is it..?"

 

PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics.  Featuring lots of your favorite characters sitting in sleighs with Santa suits over their spandex!

 

THOR #603 by J. Michael Straczynski and Marko Djurdjevic.  Dear Loki, God(dess) of Mischief, Manipulating and generally screwing with Thor, Balder and your fellow Asgardians is, let's face it, pretty easy.  Not a lot of brains under the stylish headgear.  Doctor Doom, however….

 

THUNDERBOLTS #136 by Rick Remender and Mahmud A. Asrar.  Norman Osborn has somehow co-opted Luke Cage and Iron Fist, Heroes for Hire, into his employ.  Because he is clever, that one.

 

TROTSKY HC written and drawn by Rick Geary.  A graphic biography of Stalin's arch-nemesis, and it ain't Hitler.  Two pick-axes up!  Recommended!

 

WOLVERINE WEAPON X #5 by Jason Aaron and Ron Garney.  Wolvie and the Adamantium Men, the final round! Guess whose name isn't on the cover, kids?  Recommended.

 

WONDER WOMAN #36 by Gail Simone and Aaron Lopresti.  The Olympian gods send Achilles to take Wonder Woman's place!  Let's hope WW finally breaks a heel.

 

X-FACTOR #49 by Peter David and Valentine DeLandro.  Cortex, Madrox's evil cyborg twin from the future….  Oh nevermind.  I'm pretty sure Peter David lost a bet.

 

www.johnjudy.net

Zadzooks on comics, this week

Zadzooks: Reviews of Star Wars Adventures, Archibald Aardvark and more, By Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times September 24 2009

Oct 25: Bechdel day at Katzen Arts Center

* 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
* Visiting Writing Series presents Department of Literature Annual Colloquium, featuring Alison Bechdel
* Battelle-Tompkins Atrium

Alison Bechdel, Fun Home

Welcome! Each year, the American University students, faculty, staff, alumni and other members of the greater community come together for one day to explore a great book. Subjects of previous colloquia include Milan Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being and Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita.

We invite you to participate in the seventh annual Department of Literature Colloquium, featuring Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel.


About the Author and the Book

Named by Time magazine in 2006 as one of the “10 Best Booksof the Year,” Bechdel’s Fun Home was a finalist for a 2006 National Book Critics Circle Award and the winner of the 2007 Eisner Award for Best Reality-Based Work. Of Bechdel’s memoir, Amy Bloom has written: “If David Sedaris could draw, and if Bleak House had been a little funnier, you’d have Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home.” Bechdel is also known for her acclaimed, long-running comic strip, Dykes to Watch Out For. A graduate of Oberlin College, she lives near Burlington, Vermont, where she is now completing a second graphic memoir, Love Life: A Case Study. Alison Bechdel’s appearance is sponsored by the Visiting Writers Series and the Bishop McCabe Lecture Series.
Schedule: Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

Register Online (by Oct. 21)

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Colloquium in
Battelle-Tompkins Atrium
(Presentations to be announced!)
See Campus Directions/Maps

3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Lecture with Alison Bechdel,
Katzen Arts Center,
Abramson Family Recital Hall

Questions?

Literature
202-885-2971
lit@american.edu
Battelle Tompkins, Room 237

Thanks to Rick Banning for the tip.

Cul de Sac to appear in B&W in Sunday's Post

Today's newly-redesigned Washington Post Magazine says Cul de Sac, the strip it began and nurtured before syndication is being turfed from the magazine and will run in the Style section, presumably always sans color. Bad decision. You can tell the editors that too, in their upcoming chat on Monday at 11 am.

Gahan Wilson in the Spotlight at SPX

Gary Groth was running late so Gahan Wilson began speaking without an introduction. I missed the very beginning where he said he thought he'd like to live an academic life, but you can listen to the rest of his talk...


...or you can download it here.

Post debuts new cartoon journalism feature

Michael Cavna and another cartoonist are illustrating "Our Town" in the Post's Magazine, starting tomorrow. I love comics journalism and I have high hopes for this feature.

Wash Times on Disney purchase of Marvel

Out of characters: Disney should go indie, By Sonny Bunch, Washington Times September 25 2009.