Honorary ComicsDCist Von Allan interviewed

Headline's a bit harsh though - 'You suck. Stop drawing' By Bruce Deachman, The Ottawa Citizen March 7, 2010.

R.C. Harvey on the Reuben, syndication, and by extension, Cul de Sac

Bob Harvey talks about what it takes to win the National Cartoonist Society's Rueben Award, which Our Man Thompson is up for this year. Harvey gets his opinion of the strip in too - "Thompson’s quirky stylistic mannerism is a good part of his strip’s charm, which is considerable. I like his work, both art and comedy, a great deal; some say his strip is the new Calvin and Hobbes, and while it embodies an active imagination as a vital part of childhood, I wouldn’t go so far as to say Thompson is the new Watterson. Thompson’s comedy is different; ditto his take on childhood."

Bert Hansen's book on medicine and comics wins award.

My friend Bert's excellent book, Picturing Medical Progress from Pasteur to Polio (Rutgers University Press), is winning an award at the Popular Culture Association meeting - see Baruch Historian Bert Hansen Honored for Book on Medicine and Popular Culture.

We're not journalists, but we agree with this PSA

Shooting ones' self in the foot? Or, 'Go to our website for comics'

A few months ago, we took the Express to task for dropping 2/3 of its comics page. One of the editors responded with the rationale that you could read them on their website. Here's an ad from the March 4th edition, conveying the same thing, but before I clipped it, it originally was sandwiched between two paid ads -- which they ain't getting on their website, or if they are, they won't make the same amount of money. And the rationale of going to their site is still weak, since you can go directly to the syndicates or some larger papers and read dozens of strips.

Is Second Life animation?

Obviously, it's an animation of a sort, just like motion capture movies like Avatar. But is it suitable to be considered comic art and covered here? I'm not sure - I've decided that Avatar and Alice in Wonderland are not the type of animation I want to cover here.

Read this and then feel free to give me your opinion -

Second Life's virtual money can become real-life cash
By Michael S. Rosenwald
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 8, 2010; A01

USA Today's Truitt on First Wave

Doc Savage is back! Brian Truitt on "'First Wave' reintroduces pulp heroes to new readers," USA Today (March 3 2010)

March 13: A true comic opera

This weekend is The Metropolitan Opera's staging of Shostakovich's The Nose. And why should we care? Because it's being directed by South African fine art animator William Kentridge and carried on WETA 90.9FM at 1 pm on March 13. The NY Times reviewed it today.

Comic Riffs' Michael Cavna interviewed at Tall Tales Radio

Episode 77 – Michael Cavna, "Comic Riffs"

By Tom Racine on March 8th, 2010
http://talltalefeatures.com/2010/03/08/episode-77-michael-cavna-comic-riffs/

Thanks to Our Man Thompson for the tip - he's been on the show too.

Matt Wuerker interview up at City Paper

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Politico's Matt Wuerker

Posted by Mike Rhode on Mar. 8, 2010

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/08/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-politicos-matt-wuerker/

PR: Sal Buscema book out

Sal Buscema was a Marvel mainstay for many years. I've got hundreds of comics he drew. He lives in Northern Virginia now, although I haven't had the luck to meet him.

 

If you enjoyed our previous books on Gene Colan and John Romita, Sr., don't miss SAL BUSCEMA: COMICS' FAST & FURIOUS ARTIST, which ships this week from TwoMorrows! And when you order directly from us, you get 15% off the retail price! (NOTE: Discount does not apply to the Ultra-Limited Hardcover sketch edition.)

In 1968, Sal Buscema joined the ranks of Marvel Comics and quickly became one of their most recognizable and dependable artists. Following in the footsteps of his big brother John Buscema, Sal quickly came into his own, and penciled some of Marvel's most memorable storylines, such as the original Avengers/Defenders war, as well as "The Secret Empire Saga" and the Nomad arc in the pages of Captain America. He also had a ten-year run on the Hulk and drew 100 consecutive issues of Spectacular Spider-Man, making him one of the few definitive artists of the Bronze Age. Sal Buscema: Comics' Fast & Furious Artist, by Alter Ego's Jim Amash with Modern Masters' Eric Nolen-Weathington, explores the life and career of this true legend of the comics industry, through an exhaustive interview with the artist, complete with extensive examples of his art, including a deluxe color section, and a
gallery of work from Sal's personal files. Fans love the fast and furious style of Sal Buscema, and this first-ever career-spanning book is guaranteed to please!  (NOTE: The deluxe hardcover contains a dust jacket, printed endpapers, and 16 extra full-color pages, not found in the softcover edition!)

The $26.95 SOFTCOVER can be ordered HERE at 15% off:
http://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=793

The standard $46.95 HARDCOVER can be ordered HERE at 15% off:
http://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=794

The $100 ULTRA-LIMITED HARDCOVER (which includes an individually numbered PENCIL SKETCH of one of Sal's favorite characters) can be ordered HERE:
http://twomorrows.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=106&products_id=838


Or just go to www.twomorrows.com where you'll find them listed on the home page for ordering. And as always, thanks for supporting TwoMorrows!

Best regards,
John Morrow, publisher
TwoMorrows
10407 Bedfordtown Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27614
919-449-0344
fax 919-449-0327
www.twomorrows.com

Cavna on animation Oscars race

Animation station: A race to the finish for these features
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, March 7, 2010; E06

March 27: Steranko at Geppi's Entertainment Museum

Colin Solan sends in "GEM hosts Steranko for a retrospective exhibit." Geppi's Museum site is here. As hard as it is to believe, it seems the exhibit is only up for 3 days.

Comics on the Rack, Quick Picks for Comics Due 03-10-10

COMICS ON THE RACK

Quick Picks for Comics Due 03-10-10

By John Judy

 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #624 by Mark Waid and Paul Azaceta.  Holy moley, did the new Vulture really barf acid all over J. Jonah's face?!  And will it be an improvement?  Thrilling suspense from the mind of Mark Waid!

 

BATMAN AND ROBIN #10 by Grant Morrison and Andy Clarke.  Will Robin chop Batman's head off with a sword or won't he?  Decisions, decisions…

 

BATMAN: WIDENING GYRE #5 of 6 by Kevin Smith and Walter Flanagan.  "The women in (Batman's) life force him into an awkward position."  Kevin, Kevin, Kevin…

 

THE BOYS, VOL. 6: SELF-PRESERVATION SOCIETY SC by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson.  The supes go after the Boys.  Not smart, supes.  Not smart at all.  Massive violence and perversion ensue.  Recommended.  Not for kids.

 

BPRD: KING OF FEAR #3 of 5 by Mike Mignola, John Arcudi and Guy Davis.  Abe Sapien and Liz versus Tibetan frog monsters and the big, bad King of Fear!  Pulpy!

 

BREAKING INTO COMICS THE MARVEL WAY #1 of 2 by C.B. Cebulski and Others Who Have Done It.  No, this isn't about how Jack Kirby got his original art back, nor is it about being Kevin Smith.  It's a guide for the aspiring dweller in the House of Ideas and you could certainly do worse than to give it a read.  After all, if Rob Liefeld did it, why can't you?

 

CRIMINAL: SINNERS #5 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Caught between the gangsters he works for and the military that wants him back Tracy Lawless is all out of options.  The big finish of this mini-series and possibly of its hard-luck star. Highly recommended.  Not for kids.

 

DARK X-MEN #5 of 5 by Paul Cornell and Leonard Kirk.  A battle for control inside Norman Osborn's mind could best be described as taking place on treacherous ground.  And isn't that always fun to watch?

 

DAYTRIPPER #4 of 10 by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba.  Bras has a son and then no doubt dies again.  Still a really good, beautiful read.  Highly recommended.

 

DOOM PATROL #8 by Keith Giffen and Matthew Clark.  More trouble comes to Oolong Island.  Why the gang doesn't pick up sticks and move is beyond me.  I mean, how good can an island be?

 

EX MACHINA #48 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris.  Long-ago prophecies come true as Mitchell Hundred comes one step closer to the end of his term.  Only two issues remain til the conclusion of this series which remains highly recommended.

 

GHOST PROJEKT #1 of 5 by Joe Harris and Steve Rolston.  A little something from Oni Press about a US weapons inspector and his Russian counterpart who have to track down a missing weapon that really shouldn't be.

 

GHOST RIDERS: HEAVEN'S ON FIRE SC by Jason Aaron and Roland Boschi.  Big, crazy, grindhouse biker brawl between heaven and hell with a bunch of Ghost Riders and the Son of Satan in the middle!  Great with Everclear and nachos!

 

GHOUL #3 Steve Niles and Bernie Wrightson.  A gorgeously illustrated monster noir mystery set in Hollywood.  This one really needs to be a movie.  From IDW.  Recommended.

 

HELLBOY, VOL. 9: THE WILD HUNT SC by Mike Mignola and Duncan Fegredo.  HB dukes it out with the Queen of Blood!  Because how can he not?

 

JUSTICE LEAGUE: RISE AND FALL SPECIAL #1 by James Robinson, J.T. Krul and Mike Mayhew.  Now that Green Arrow's back to greasing bad guys the JLA may need to re-examine their mission statement.

 

LOCKJAW AND THE PET AVENGERS UNLEASHED #1 of 4 by People Who Gotta Make Rent.  Six thousand years ago a naked lady ate an apple she wasn't supposed to and that's why this comic exists.

 

POWERS #3 Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming.  Walker's in trouble.  Lotsa swears.

 

PUNISHERMAX #5 by Jason Aaron and Steve Dillon.  After getting sledge-hammered and trampled by horses last issue Frank's gotta figure out how to take out the Mennonite, the Kingpin and everyone else who's looking to finish the job.  Highly recommended. Not for kids.

 

SECRET SIX #19 by Gail Simone and Jim Califiore.  Chesire the lady assassin/psycho-tramp has some news she wants to share with Catman.  Things kinda go south from there.

 

SOLOMON KANE: DEATH'S BLACK RIDERS #3 of 4 by Scott Allie and Mario Guevara.  Deep in the Black Forest things are smokin' at the Cleft Skull Tavern!  Indeed they are demon-slicing hot!  If you're a fan of the great Charles Vess you want to check out the art Mario Guevara's doing on this book.  Recommended.

 

SUPERMAN: LAST STAND ON NEW KRYPTON #1 of 3 by James Robinson, Sterling Gates and Pete Woods.  Rumble with Brainiac starts now!

 

THE MYSTIC HANDS OF DOCTOR STRANGE #1 by Lotsa People.  In the spirit of DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG-FU and BIG GREEN HANDS OF THE HULK and all those other black and white Marvel mags of the seventies that did so well, it's Doctor Strange's turn.  And are mystic hands anything like magic fingers?

 

THE TWELVE: SPEARHEAD #1 written and drawn by Chris Weston.  Captain America leads the heroes of The Twelve on a Nazi-fighting mission in 1945, which oddly enough was the last time we saw an issue of THE TWELVE.  Kidding!  It was November of 2008 which is much better.  Straczynski says issue #9 will come out "later this year."  Honest.  Anyway, Chris Weston is always amazing so this is Highly Recommended.

 

UNWRITTEN #11 by Mike Carey and Peter Gross.  In a city full of ghost Nazis Tommy Taylor tries to help.  But who can help him?  Recommended.

 

WOLVERINE: MR. X ONE-SHOT by Frank Tieri and Francesco Mattina.  Big fight!

 

www.johnjudy.net

Rob Ullman on Inkpanthers podcast

Mike Dawson and Alex Robinson have Rob Ullman on their March 3rd Inkpanthers podcast - Wrapping up our Olympic coverage, and coming to the conclusion that we should really be a sports show rather than a comedy one. We’re joined in the Lair by cartoonist and illustrator Robert Ullman, who schools us on Hockey, Curling, Jarts, and Fantasy Football Leagues. Comments Welcome!

Palin's 'Family Guy' quibble is the gift that keeps giving

Not so much a 'Patriot,' actor rejects praise from O'Reilly, By Lisa de Moraes, Washington Post March 5, 2010; C04.

April 17: Jules Feiffer at American Art

Saturday April 17, 2010

 American Pictures 

4:30 PM

McEvoy Auditorium, Lower Level
American Art Museum, National Portrait Gallery

The American Pictures series offers a highly original approach to art and portraiture, pairing great works of art with leading figures of contemporary American culture. Each American Pictures event features an eminent writer, thinker, historian, or artist who speaks about a single, powerful image and explores its meaning. The series director is historian and essayist Adam
Goodheart, who is director of the C. V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience at Washington College.

Lectures begin at 4:30 p.m.
Free tickets available in the G Street lobby one hour prior.


Saturday, April 17, 4:30 p.m.
Cartoonist Jules Feiffer on Bob Landry's Fred Astaire in "Puttin' on the Ritz"

May 4: Richard Kelly speaks at American Art

I've seen his collection - it's great. It's not exactly cartoonists, but there are people who went both ways in it like AB Frost.

 

Collectors Roundtable
7:00 PM

McEvoy Auditorium, Lower Level
American Art Museum

This annual series provides insight and invaluable advice on collecting art from museum directors, curators, collectors, and art dealers and consultants. Free and open to the public; no advance registration required. All lectures begin at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Collecting for the Long Haul
Tuesday, May 4, 7:00 p.m.
Richard Kelly, The Kelly Collection of American Illustration

Bennett's Best with two good recs

Bennett's Best: First Wave and Strange Tales By Greg Bennett, Special to Zadzooks Thursday, March 4, 2010.

Can't go wrong with either Doc Savage or people satirizing Marvel, even if Marvel is paying them to do it. Well, actually, you can - I had forgotten about What The?!

(Image courtesy of the Grand Comics Database)

Zadzooks on Aliens vs Predators vs You vs the Kid down the block vs...

The idea for Aliens vs Predator actually originated in the Dark Horse comics, presumably because the movie would have cost a fortune. Anyway - "Zadzooks: Aliens vs. Predator review," Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times March 4, 2010.

There seem to be a lot of us writing about comics in DC all of a sudden, eh? Zadzooks been doing it for at least 10 years though.