Tuesday, March 16, 2010

OT: Tom Inge on Harvey Kurtzman

My friend Tom Inge, one of the sharpest writers on comics and humor, has a new essay online - he writes in, "My essay on MAD comics and Harvey Kurtzman appears on the Comics Journal website in two parts, March 15 and 16: http://www.tcj.com/history/m-thomas-inge-harvey-kurtzman-and-modern-american-satire-..."

Check it out - it's well worth it.

Another Harvey Pekar interview

This one's an audiofile so it's going to be kind of hard to cut it out and tuck it in Harvey Pekar: Conversations, but I have faith in your ingenuity.

Phone call with Harvey Pekar
by LADYGUNN . March 15th, 2010 .
http://ladygunn.com/love-life/phone-call-with-harvey-pekar
http://vimeo.com/10181052

Washington Times confirms award-winning editorial cartoon no longer appearing

Regarding Alexander Hunter's The Big Picture, this article refers to it in the past tense - Illustrator for Times wins editorial-cartooning award, WASHINGTON TIMES March 16 2010.

Any hope of a collection?

Politics and Prose graphic novel book club schedule

Good lineup here...

March 24th
West Coast Blues by Jacques Tardi.

April 28th
Logicomix by Apostolos Doxiadis

May 26th
Crossing the Empty Quarter by Carol Swain

June 23th
The Photographer by Emmanuel Guibert

July 28th
Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar

August 25th
Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow by Brian Fies

September 22nd
Burma Chronicles by Guy Delisle

South Park article in Examiner and Express

Today, both free papers ran David Bauder's Associated Press article on South Park's caricaturing of Tiger Woods.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Environmental Film Festival starts tomorrow

Here's the Washington Post's take on the children's portion of the Festival. I think the Environmental Film Festival website is a bit hard to use so I'll give a quick rundown of the schedule of animated films here. Free, unless otherwise noted.

March 16: MLK Library, 1:30 pm
The Goat That Ate Time
Wishful Thinking
Cravings
Smart Machine
Chicken of the Sea

March 17: Palisades Neighborhood Library, 1:30 pm
The Goat That Ate Time
Wishful Thinking
Cravings
Smart Machine
Chicken of the Sea

March 18: Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library, 1:30 pm
The Goat That Ate Time
Wishful Thinking
Cravings
Smart Machine
Chicken of the Sea

March 20: National Gallery of Art, 10:30 am
Delivery
Papiroflexia
Miro: Flower
Once Upon a Tide
Manantial (The Spring)
Varmints

March 20: National Geographic Society, 1:00 pm, $5
Up

March 21: National Gallery of Art, 11:30 am
Delivery
Papiroflexia
Miro: Flower
Once Upon a Tide
Manantial (The Spring)
Varmints

March 22: Anacostia Library, 10:30 am
The Goat That Ate Time
Wishful Thinking
Cravings
Smart Machine
Chicken of the Sea

March 23: Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library, 10:30 am
The Goat That Ate Time
Wishful Thinking
Cravings
Smart Machine
Chicken of the Sea

March 27: Carnegie Institution for Science, 6:00 pm
Clean Coal (4 minute short before three non-animated films)

March 31: Herblock lecture by Warren Bernard

Warren writes in,

This time, I am going to lecture on his editorial independence, and get into a few battles he had with his editors. This will include showing the cartoons that even the Washington Post did not run (though indeed his syndicated papers did run them) when Herblock and the then-editor of the Post, Phil Graham went head to head. This was not the first time Herblock battled his editors; we will also get into a large battle he had prior to his coming to the Post He was an ardent anti-isolationist, much to the chagrin of the isolationist syndicate he worked for.

We will get into all of this, and show cartoons galore!!

Here are the details, hope to see you!!!

Date: Wednesday March 31

Time: Noon (that 12:00PM...)

Place: Madison Building, Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave Washington, DC

Room: Dining Room A, 6th Floor

Metro: Capitol South exit, Blue or Orange Line

Alex Hunter of Washington Times wins award

Editor and Publisher is reporting that Alexander Hunter of the Washington Times has won the Scripps Howard Journalism Award which includes $10,000 and a trophy. Hunter does a full broadsheet multipanel editorial cartoon that I find fascinating. While I don't agree with his politics, I'd buy a book of the cartoons - I had the opportunity to see them recently and he's a facile cartoonist who can quote a lot of styles when making his arguement.

Unfortunately, I wonder if he's still in the paper since they dropped their weekend edition?

Comic Riffs interviews Judge Parker's Mike Manley

The 'Riffs Interview: Artist Mike Manley makes his 'Judge Parker' debut today
By Michael Cavna
March 15, 2010

Animator in Richmond

A bit far to the south perhaps, but we can drive there fairly quickly, so check out "Saxton Moore Gets Richmond Animated," By Andrew Cothern, Richmond.com March 15, 2010.

Andrew Cohen interview by DC Comic Books Examiner Mark Ruffin

Mark Ruffin catches up with one of the DC Conspiracy members - "Andrew Cohen constructs an ol' scratched vinyl note on comics," March 15, 2010, DC Comic Books Examiner on the same day that I do. At least we picked different people.

Weingarten on 'Watch Your Head' comic strip

In "Past imperfect: Is Gene Weingarten old school or just old?" By Gene Weingarten, Washington Post Magazine March 14, 2010; W36, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/05/AR2010030503120.html, he says of the strip:

 
I consider myself an expert on newspaper comics; I can confidently deconstruct how a single panel of a 1939 Krazy Kat episode contained a sly foreshadowing of the anomie that would come to define the beat generation. But my own newspaper is now running a new strip, "Watch Your Head," that is hip and modern and filled with ironic detachment; therefore, I not only cannot understand the jokes, but I cannot tell for sure which characters are male and which are female. Hip people like this strip.

 

A Chat with Matt Dembicki online at City Paper now

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Matt Dembicki

Sunday, March 14, 2010

ACT-I-VATE at Politics and Prose pictures

ACT-I-VATE webcomics people at Politics & Prose, l-r Simon Fraser, Jim Dougan, Joe Infurnari, and Dean Haspiel. Further down, Jim and Joe switch seats...

100_9738 ACT-I-VATE

100_9739 ACT-I-VATE
(that's Jim's wife who read some of the parts in the comics)

100_9741 ACT-I-VATE

100_9740 ACT-I-VATE

100_9743 ACT-I-VATE

100_9742 ACT-I-VATE

100_9744 ACT-I-VATE

Saturday, March 13, 2010

PR: April 16-18: T-MODE gaming and anime convention


T-MODE GETS READY TO ROCK

T-Minus 36 days and counting to the popular D.C.-area convention

ALEXANDRIA, VA. (March 12, 2010) – With just over a month to go, T-MODE 2010 is gearing up for a party like no other. The popular local anime and gaming convention makes its triumphant return April 16-18, 2010, and will be held this year at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town, just steps from the King Street Metro.

T-MODE offers a chance to get up close and personal with some of your favorite guests, including voice actors Wendee Lee ("Cowboy Bebop," "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya"... enough shows that we could be here all day!), Todd Haberkorn ("D.Gray-Man," "Claymore") and Cristina Vee ("Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha," "Anime TV"); author Roland Kelts ("Japanamerica"); musician Random ("Mega Ran") and webcomic artists Jessi and Matt Pascal ("Geeks Next Door") – with more surprises in store as the convention draws closer.

Along with guests and performances, T-MODE 2010 presents video game tournaments, a Cosplay Variety Show and Masquerade Prom, live event sessions, an interactive video room, the Otaku Bazaar with vendors and artists and much, much more. T-MODE also offers several different membership options, including its signature collection of Otaku Passports for fans who prefer closer interaction with the convention guests. For a truly unforgettable weekend, check out the Otaku Passport Premier. Only five of these very special memberships will be sold, but T-MODE guarantees a VIP fan experience like no other. Registration is still open and available online at www.tmode.org.

About T-MODE
T-MODE is where Asian, western and urban pop culture collide into a completely fun and unique convention experience. Held in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, T-MODE is a "fun-sized" event that celebrates the fusion of anime, gaming, music, cosplay, and all things otaku. T-MODE also strives to create a friendly and more personal atmosphere for convention attendees.

For more information about T-MODE and T-MODE 2010, please visit our Web site: www.tmode.org.

Comics on the Rack, Quick Picks for Comics Due 03-17-10


COMICS ON THE RACK
Quick Picks for Comics Due 03-17-10
By John Judy
 
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #625 by Joe Kelly and Max Fiumara.  The new Rhino and the old Rhino butt heads.  Heh-heh…
 
AMERICAN VAMPIRE #1 by Scott Snyder, Stephen King (yes, THE Stephen King) and Rafael Albuquerque.  A Vertigo title throwing King's well-worn hat back into the Vampire ring.  This time it's the story of how vampirism came to the good old US of A and how we made it our own.  No "sparkling" guaranteed.  Recommended.
 
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #32 by J. Michael Straczynski and Jesus Saiz.  Give JMS credit, he comes up with team-ups that would not occur to the average bear.  This month: Aquaman and the Demon Etrigan.  Underwater flame breath sold here!
 
BRONX KILL HC by Peter Milligan and James Romberger.  A writer's wife goes missing and he has to go look for her.  He does.  Doesn't he?  Recommended.
 
CHOKER #2 by Ben McCool and Ben Templesmith. Having inked his deal with the devil, Choker meets his new partner on the Shotgun City force.  You love this comic and need it to be happy.  Highly recommended.  Not for kids.
 
DARK AVENGERS #15 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato.  Ms. Marvel (Moonstone) and Hawkeye (Bullseye) get sick, twisted and deviant.  Also the sun rises in the East.
 
GARTH ENNIS BATTLEFIELDS: THE FIREFLY AND HIS MAJESTY #4 of 9 by Garth and Carlos Ezquerra.  It's a first for an Ennis war book: The return of a character from a previous story.  In this case it's Corporal (now Sergeant) Stiles from THE TANKIES and he's got a new and improved Nazi-killing machine.  Unfortunately the ratzis have some new stuff of their own.  Highly recommended.
 
HULK #21 by Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness.  More big strong monsters fighting.  Reveal of Red Hulk's identity currently scheduled for 2013.
 
INCREDIBLE HULK #608 by Greg Pak and Paul Pelletier.  Bruce Banner leads the Avengers, or at least some people who have been Avengers, against people Bruce Banner doesn't like.  Sweet gig.  Plus, a Red She-Hulk back-up story.
 
IRREDEEMABLE #12 by Mark Waid and Peter Krause.  Modeus, the one guy who might be able to take out the Plutonian, has returned.  And he's pulling the big guy's strings.  Highly recommended but too violent for younger kids.
 
SIEGE #3 of 4 by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel.  A bunch of idiots attack Asgard, unaware perhaps that it's full of Gods!
 
SPIDER-WOMAN #7 by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev.  Can Spider-Woman be an Avenger and an Agent of S.W.O.R.D. at the same time?  It's like she's torn between two lovers, feelin' like a fool.  Lovin' both of them is breakin' all the rules…  And who came up with "S.W.O.R.D.?"  S.H.I.E.L.D. and H.A.M.M.E.R. weren't enough already?  We needed "S.W.O.R.D.?"  Oy…  Alex Maleev is a great artist.
 
SUPERMAN 80-PAGE GIANT #1 by Lotsa People.  An anthology of adventures featuring the Superman Family's most colorful characters.
 
X-MEN LEGACY #234 by Mike Carey and Yanick Paquette.  Rogue can finally, for the first time in her life, make skin contact with a man without knocking him out or killing him.  This could be The Greatest Marvel Comic of All Time.
 


Friday, March 12, 2010

Molly Crabapple in G40: The Summit exhibit in Crystal City

Today's Washington City Paper has an article about some legal problems for a couple of artists in the G40 exhibit, but it also mentions in passing that cartoonist Molly Crabapple is in the show. The article's online here, and mostly talks about 'lowbrow' art.

Here's the Post review - "'G40: The Summit' brings art to empty Crystal City space," by Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post Staff Writer, Friday, March 12, 2010. And details from the Post on the hours:

G40: The Summit Through March 27 at 223 23rd St., Arlington (Metro: Crystal City). From the Metro, follow the trail of "G40" signs stuck to the floor of Crystal City's underground tunnels. Performance schedules and information about public programs can be found at http://www.artwhino.com/g40. All works are for sale, with prices ranging from $20 to the mid four figures. Hours: Open Fridays 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturdays noon to midnight; Sundays noon to 6 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday 5 to 10 p.m. Admission: Free

Here's the NY Times with a better explanation of this type of art.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Washington City Paper best of DC poll

I haven't looked at this yet, but the City Paper (for whom I now freelance) is running their annual Best Of poll. I was a surprised winner of Best Comics Blog in 2008, especially since that wasn't a category.

OT: Nickelodeon looking to hire storyboard cartoonist

Editorial cartoonist MJ, who designed one of our logos (and it's on the current 'Friend of ComicsDC' pin that I'm handing out) wants unemployed fellow cartoonists to know about this storyboard artist job announcement at Nickelodeon.

World Bank online game based on comic, and offers free trip to DC

Not being a gamer, I'm not quite sure what to make of ""The entire game revolves around this graphic novel, this comic book which occur 10 years into the future," [Game producer Bob] Hawkins explained." but perhaps this will interest some of our readers, who oddly enough, come from around the globe: "By the end of the game, the top players will be mentored by business leaders and also win a trip to a conference next year in Washington."

For more details, see World Bank Online Game Invites Youth to Solve Global Problems
Zulima Palacio | Washington
Voice of America 10 March 2010