Reviewed: Kick-Ass: Creating the Comic; Making the Movie

Reviewed: Kick-Ass: Creating the Comic; Making the Movie

Posted by Mike Rhode on Apr. 15, 2010 at 10:51 am

Truitt on GI Joe

Larry Hama relaunches his '80s 'G.I. Joe 'series
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY April 14 2010

Bamn writer Troy Allen interview up at City Paper

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Bamn Writer Troy Allen

Posted by Mike Rhode on Apr. 14, 2010 at 12:37 pm

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/04/14/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-bamn-writer-troy-allen/

Marc Singer on teaching Love & Rockets

Week 10: Gilbert Hernandez, Human Diastrophism
April 12, 2010

My classes' reactions to "Human Diastrophism" have changed over the years, and mostly for the better. Seven or eight years ago a few of my students were awfully interested in branding the women of Palomar as "sluts." - click thru the link to see what Marc's current students got out of it.

Beyond Comics Kick Ass Movie Contest

KICK-ASS CONTEST Beyond Comics Customers Only! Enter to win a Kick-Ass T-Shirt or the Making of the Movie Book Bring your in you ticket stub from Kick-Ass to enter! Next Week Shipping OPENS April 16th INFO Now on Facebook Website eBay Store New Items Added 1/5/10 Amazon Store Follow us on Twitter Newsletter Signup Please Note, some items are not available at all store locations. For more information please speak with any store representative. Some items may also be allocated by the manufacturer and may not be available. Beyond Comics does not guarantee items being in stock; however we will do our best to keep them available. Email: Gaithersburg John Shine Mgr or Frederick Mike Imboden Mgr Gaithersburg Store 536 North Frederick Ave Gaithersburg, MD (301) 216-0007 Hours: M,Tu 11-8; W-Sat 10-9; Sun 12-6 Frederick Store 5632 Route 85 Frederick, MD (301) 668-8202 Hours: M,Tu 10-8; W-Sat 10-9; Sun 12-6 No purchase necessary While They Last... FREE bumper sticker FREE Kick-Ass One Sheet Poster

Comic Riffs interviews Pulitzer winner Mark Fiore

The 'Riffs Interview: New Pulitzer winner MARK FIORE drafts a path less traveled
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 13, 2010

Cartoonist Jeff Koterba featured in Post's Tourette's Syndrome article

 

Living with Tourette's [online title: 'American Idol' segment helps push Tourette's syndrome into cultural mainstream]

By Anne Miller
Special to The Washington Post
Tuesday, April 13, 2010; HE01

Matt Wuerker once again a nominee, not a winner of Pulitzer

2nd year in a row that Matt's come close...

The 2010 Pulitzer Prize WinnersEditorial Cartooning
Current tab: citation

For a distinguished cartoon or portfolio of cartoons characterized by originality, editorial effectiveness, quality of drawing and pictorial effect, in print or online or both, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

Awarded to Mark Fiore, self syndicated, for his animated cartoons appearing on SFGate.com, the San Francisco Chronicle Web site, where his biting wit, extensive research and ability to distill complex issues set a high standard for an emerging form of commentary.

Finalists
Also nominated as finalists in this category were: Tony Auth of The Philadelphia Inquirer for his masterful simplicity in expressing consistently fearless positions on national and local issues; and Matt Wuerker of Politico for his broad portfolio that encompasses the nation’s historic political year, using rich artistry, wry humor and sometimes animation to drive home his deft satire.

my latest book reviews

International Ink: Feiffer, France, and Fingerman

Posted by Mike Rhode on Apr. 12, 2010

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/04/12/international-ink-feiffer-france-and-fingerman/#more-21955

 

Opinions always welcome.

Fantom's First Monthly Happy Hour This Tuesday

JOIN FANTOM COMICS FOR ITS 1ST MONTHLY HAPPY HOUR! Fantom Comics would like to invite you to its first Comic Book Happy Hour, to be held from 6-8pm at The Laughing Man Tavern (just off Metro Center) on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. (Those under 21 are allowed! They have a system for keeping you away from the booze). April 13th will be our first event, featuring a panel of three policy wonks and a Marvel Comics editor (see their bios below) discussing "Politics in Comics". They'll answer questions like who was right in Marvel's Civil War, and just how good of a president was Lex Luthor? After a 20-30 minute panel and Q&A session (so have your questions ready), be set to mingle in typical happy hour fashion and meet fellow comic book geeks from across the DC metro area. Spencer Ackerman, Washington Independent Spencer Ackerman learned to read with the aid of an issue of the Incredible Hulk circa 1982, the touchstone of a life spent with Marvel Comics. Since then, he's reported on national security as a staff correspondent for The New Republic, Talking Points Memo and currently The Washington Independent. He's reported from Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay and can explain to you all the ways in which the Air Force tried to use 'Iron Man' to protect beloved defense projects from budget cuts. He maintains a blog called Attackerman on the Firedoglake constellation of blogs and may or may not lurk on Millar World and Brian Michael Bendis' message board. Tom McClusky, FRCAction As Senior Vice President of FRCAction, Tom McClusky represents the organization before Congress on a variety of family oriented issues. His work has gotten him recognized by The Hill newspaper as one of the leading grassroots lobbyist in Washington, D.C. And last year MSNBC commentator Kieth Olbermann declared Mr. McClusky as one of the "Worst People in the World." Mr. McClusky has a long history of both local and national campaign experience. His first job in Washington, D.C. was with the Republican National Committee as a political analyst. Following the 1992 elections, Mr. McClusky worked as a legislative/legal analyst for the multi-billion dollar Coastal Corporation in its Washington, D.C. office. In 1998 Mr. McClusky became Senior Policy Analyst for National Taxpayers Union and National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTU/NTUF). Mr. McClusky has been reading comics since he was eleven years old, and actually financed his move to Washington, D.C. by selling off his collection of X-Men comics from the late 1970's to the mid 1980's. Mike O'Sullivan, Marvel Comics Mike O'Sullivan served as Senior Editor for Devil's Due Publishing for five years, editing titles such as G.I. Joe, Family Guy, the Dungeons & Dragons titles, Voltron, Hack/Slash and more. During that time, he wrote numerous stories for G.I. Joe, and wrote most of the character entries in the G.I. Joe Data Desk encyclopedia series. Currently, Mike writes for Marvel's Special Projects department, specifically for the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe series, and also serve as a book management editor for Marvel's trade paperback and collection department. Mike also teaches classes in animation, drawing, cartooning and scriptwriting at both the Art Institute of Washington and the Art League in Alexandria, as well as owns and operates a custom cartooning and caricature company. He holds his Masters in sequential art from the Savannah College of Art & Design. Julian Sanchez, Cato Institute Julian Sanchez is a research fellow at the Cato Institute, a contributing editor for Reason magazine, and a writer for entirely too many blogs. Though he primarily writes about technology, privacy, and government surveillance, he occasionally finds an excuse to wed one or more of these with his love of comics, as in his 2007 American Prospect cover story "The Revolt of the Comics." Julian once shaved his head just to dress as Spider Jerusalem for Halloween. Pentagon City Mall - 1100 South Hayes Street | Arlington, VA 22202 | 703-415-2094 Union Station - 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE | Washington, DC 20002 | 202-216-9478 www.fantomcomics.com

Rose Herman, 1914-2010

My grandmother, Rose Herman, died yesterday a few weeks shy of her 96th birthday. Coming out of a poor family in Browndale, PA, and then being a young adult in the Depression, Gram didn't have much time for the foolishness of buying comic books for her grandchildren. However, she let me store 15,000 or so in her attic while I was out of space at home, or living at college or in rented apartments. She was quite amused when I'd show up every 3 months or so with another longbox to 'insulate her attic' (not a recommended way to store your comics, of course, but needs must). We used to visit her every Saturday when I was young too, and I used to sit on her back porch and page through the Overstreet Price Guide (pre-Internet), amazed at the number of comics I still had to even see, let alone collect.

Over the past few years, she'd been fading away, getting confused and aggressive, so she was in a nursing home in Texas near her son when she passed away, having outlived almost everyone she knew.

CHS Otaku Fest Press Release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For information, contact:
Sophie Song
Convention Chair of CHS Otaku Fest
Former President of Centennial High School Anime Club
president.chsanime@gmail.com
609.220.1955

CHS OTAKU FEST ANNOUNCES FOUR MUSICAL GUESTS!
The Protomen, Entertainment System, Lesser.core and DJ Sheephead!

Ellicott City, MD April 9th, 2010 – CHS Otaku Fest is proud to announce four new musical guests: The Protomen, Entertainment System, Lesser.Core and DJ Sheephead.  All four bands will be performing at the convention on April 24th, 2010 at Centennial High in Ellicott City, MD.

The Protomen are more than just a band. They are messengers, riding atop an Iron Stallion on their way to deliver the most vicious rock 'n' roll fable that the world has ever known. With several planned albums, and a live show that could crumble mountains, there's no denying The Protomen have created a work unique to its medium
The first record, 'Act I', includes elements of Ennio Morricone, Queen and Black Sabbath, which culminate in a listening experience unlike anything you've ever heard. If you're afraid of sky cracking distortion and epic chaos, you won't survive this album.
'Act II' is a departure from the signature distorted sound of the first record. It focuses on a time before the world had fallen under darkness. It is a brighter and more optimistic look at the world The Protomen has created. The album is split into two separate eras (and sounds), and gives the feeling of two distinct albums in one. 'Act II' was produced by Alan Shacklock (Meatloaf, The Alarm, Bonnie Tyler, Babe Ruth, Roger Daltry) and The Protomen. Mastering was provided by Richard Dodd (Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Traveling Wilburys).

Since 2004, Entertainment System has been playing hard hitting arrangements of classic video game songs. A love of performing and a total lack of concern for their own safety brings an infectious energy to their shows, which have been described as "totally epic and somewhat dangerous." After 3 full length albums, 1 collaborative EP, and many, many melted faces, they have only just begun. They're new full length album, "Rock n' Roll Cereal", comprised entirely of Mario and Zelda songs, debuts this summer at their annual concert, Bit Gen Gamerfest. Become a fan of Entertainment System on Facebook for constant and typically self-indulgent updates on their status, concert dates, embarrassing videos, as well as songs from their previous albums.

Lesser.Core is a Newly formed Visual Kei/J rock band. The band is heavily influenced by J rock and American bands such as: X japan, Versailles, Dir en Grey, Lynch, Pierrot, Nightmare, Avenged Sevenfold, Attack Attack, and A day to remember.  The band was formed in February 2010 in MD/DC, area with original members Ryuu [Guitar], Ton [Bass], and Ginny [Vocals]. Daniel [Drummer] joined the band a week before their first show. Upon its formation, each member of the band also took on pseudonyms which were already nicknames of theirs from their old bands. The band started to receive recognition, performing with bands such as Project Echo and Price of Gas. Currently, Lesser.Core is composing "New Material".

DJ Sheephead is a producer and a DJ. While working hard on his music projects, The Megadrives and Hypnotic Buddha, he always returns to his DJing roots, bringing you the hard sounds of underground electronic dance music. He is a man on a mission to put you on your feet and make you move to the groove.

In addition to these musical performances, events at CHS Otaku Fest includes Super Art Fight, Otaku Quest, a Cosplay Contest, an AMV contest, Artist Alley, Discussion Panels, Dealers Room, Manga Library, Anime Screenings, Gaming Tournament  and more! Registration is still open! Pre-register now at chs-otakufest.com and save $5!

About the Centennial High Anime Club and CHS Otaku Fest:  This organization is an entirely high school based club with about 30 active members. The club has been an establishment in the school since 2005 and is gaining membership annually. It is a place for otaku to gather and meet while relaxing and discussing anime and the community at large. Last year the club hosted our first successful convention, CHS Otaku Fest, a one day public event dedicated to all things anime and awesome. This year, the club is looking forward to making Otaku Fest even better.

CHS Otaku Fest information
Date: Saturday April 24th, 2010
Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Location: Centennial High School
4300 Centennial Lane
Ellicott City, MD 21042
Registration fee: $10 before January 31st and $15 after. There is a $3 discount to groups of 10 or more ($7 per person before 1/31/10 and $12 after 1/31/10). At-the-door registration is $20.
For additional information visit: www.chs-otakufest.com
E-mail: president.chsanime@gmail.com
###

April 16: Craig Yoe at Politics and Prose

Note our buddy Warren is featured as well.

Craig Yoe - The Great Anti-War Cartoons
Start: April 16, 2010 - 7:00pm
End: April 16, 2010 - 8:00pm

Yoe, a historian of cartoons, has assembled a vast array of anti-war comics that span the globe and date back to the 1600s. These comics run the gamut of emotions, from Bill Mauldin’s humor to Francisque Poulbot’s sorrow. Yoe’s presentation will include source material from Warren Bernard’s private collection.

[The Great Anti-War Cartoons]
The Great Anti-War Cartoons (Paperback)
By Craig Yoe, Sara W. Duke, Muhammad Yunus
$24.99
ISBN-13: 9781606991503
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Fantagraphics Books, 12/01/2009

Location:
Politics and Prose
5015 Connecticut Ave. NWWashington, D.C. 20008

Ocean City, MD cartoonist Jennifer Jurden launches green cartoon jcampaign

Cartoonist with Green Cartoon Side-Kick "Jurdy" Launches "GET GRINNING GET GREENING" Environmental Program at Schools for Earth Day.
OCEAN CITY, MD, April 10, 2010 /24-7PressRelease.

Jen Sorenson wins Social Justice Journalism award

She may have moved away from the East Coast, but perhaps we'll still see her at SPX. Meanwhile, here's the story of her award - Jen Sorensen, Cartoonist With Conscience, April 7, 2010 by Audrey Bilger.

April 18: Capicon Comic convention

Sunday, April 18th, 2010
Capicons Comic Book and Pop Culture Con

Dunn Loring Vol. Fire Dept, Dunn Loring, Virginia

Special Guests:
Martin Grams, Jr, Author of The Green Hornet: A History of Radio, Motion Pictures, Comics and Television
http://www.martingrams.com

Dan Nokes, Artist/Publisher--21 Sandshark Studios
http://21sandshark.com/

Also featuring
Artist Tom Arvis, Sureshot Comics
http://www.arvtoon.com

FREE admission! Door prize drawings!

Open to the public from 10 am - 3 pm. Buy, sell & trade: Gold, Silver, Bronze Age comics; Indie & Modern comics, Publishers & Creators, TV & Movie Collectibles. Non-sport cards; Videos & DVDs; Anime; Manga; Horror/Sci-Fi; figures, toys; Star Wars & Star Trek memorabilia; original artwork, posters and other comic-related collectibles.

See you there!
Laura, Jeff & Ed,

Brian Truitt's Kick-Ass interview

Meet Chloe Moretz, the precocious teen star of ‘Kick-Ass’
USA Weekend April 9th, 2010
Brian Truitt

I think the hard copy of this should be in tomorrow's Examiner.

Paul Fitzgerald's book on Will Eisner and PS mag nominated for Eisner award

Paul Fitzgerald's excellent book, Will Eisner & PS Magazine is up for an Eisner. One day I plan on writing a review of this - I got about 1/2 through it when the Christmas holidays intervened, but it's well worth getting. For more details see

Botetourt man gets nominated for Eisner comic industry award
Roanoke Times April 10 2010

Comics on the Rack, Quick Picks for Comics Due 04-14-10

COMICS ON THE RACK

Quick Picks for Comics Due 04-14-10

By John Judy

 

ACTION COMICS #888 by Greg Rucka, Eric Trautmann and Pere Perez.  Okay, so the whole Nightwing/Flamebird thing has been the most contrived, least interesting part of the "New Krypton" arc that got buried by BLACKEST NIGHT.  That said, it's wrapping up with a big fight against a Kryptonian god with Wonder Woman and the JSA helping out.  This also has a Captain Atom back-up feature you are not obliged to care about at all.  Enjoy!

 

BODYWORLD HC written and drawn by Dash Shaw.  A psychedelic sci-fi story about a plant that gives you telepathy when you smoke it.  Contains awkwardness.

 

BOOTH GN by CC Colbert and Tanitoc.  A graphic bio of our 16^th President's murderer.  Too soon?

 

BRIGHTEST DAY #0 by Geoff Johns, Peter Tomasi and Fernando Pasarin.  To be sub-titled "Look Who's Back from the Dead and What They Are Doing About It."  Cool.  Gotta look.

 

CHEW #10 by John Layman and Rob Guillory.  Wrapping up the exotic mayhem of "International Flavor!"  Highly recommended.

 

DAREDEVIL #506 by Andy Diggle, Antony Johnston and Marco Checchetto.  DD begins to suspect somebody in the assassins guild he now leads may be untrustworthy. DD = Brains.

 

DAYTRIPPER #5 of 10 by Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba.  This time out it looks like Bras is going to die a child.  Highly recommended.

 

DOC SAVAGE #1 by Paul Malmont and Howard Porter.  The Man of Bronze is back in fine pulp-action form!  Also features a JUSTICE, INC. back-up starring The Avenger!

 

EXCALIBUR VISIONARIES: WARREN ELLIS, VOL. 1 SC by Ellis and Various Artists.  The first time that nice Mr. Ellis got his hands on mutant superheroes the results were… well… this.  Reprinting issues #83-90 of that X-book nobody ever read.

 

FLASH # 1 by Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul.  Barry Allen's first job back as the Flash is protecting the lives of his arch-enemies, the Rogues!  No rush.  Recommended.

 

FLASH PROMO RINGS from DC.  Squirty, super-compacted speedster costume not included!  Ask your comic shop clerk for yours today!

 

IRON MAN: LEGACY #1 by Fred Van Lente and Steve Kurth.  Tony Stark hates it when you use his Iron Man tech for bad stuff like war and genocide.  Consequences ensue.

 

IRREDEEMABLE SPECIAL #1 by Mark Waid, Emma Rios, Paul Azaceta and Howard Chaykin.  A special issue focusing on better days with the Plutonian and his old pals the Paradigm.  New insights into how Tony went bad, plus a guest appearance by the pre-heroic Max Damage.  Highly Recommended.

 

KILL SHAKESPEARE #1 by Connor McCreery, Anthony Del Col and Andy Belanger.  What if Shakespeare's greatest heroes and villains all wanted to kill him?  And why wouldn't they?  Gotta look!

 

OTHER LIVES HC written and drawn by Peter Bagge.  An original graphic novel about self-loathing geeks with secrets, from the creator of HATE.  Highly recommended.

 

PUNISHERMAX #6 by Jason Aaron and Steve Dillon.  Two words: "Bullseye.  Max."  Recommended. Not for kids.

 

SECRET SIX #20 by Gail Simone and Jim Calafiore.  With his son missing Catman's got a whole lotta killing to do and no time to be nice about it.  Cool.

 

SIEGE: CAPTAIN AMERICA #1 by Christos Gage and Federico Dallocchio.  Cap and Bucky fight some dudes.

 

ULTIMATE COMICS ENEMY #3 of 4 by Brian Michael Bendis and Rafa Sandoval.  There really is an Ultimate Enemy.  Bendis tells us so.

 

UNWRITTEN #12 by Mike Carey and Various Artists.  A stand-alone issue with a distinct Wonderland vibe to it.  Recommended.

 

WOLFSKIN HUNDREDTH DREAM #1 of 6 by Warren Ellis, Mike Wolfer and Gianluca Pagliarini.  Wolfskin will attempt to leave the blood-soaked savagery of his past behind him and live a peaceful life of helping people.  Not for kids.

 

WOLVERINE WEAPON X, VOL. 1: THE ADAMANTIUM MEN SC by Jason Aaron and Ron Garney.  What if Blackwater mercenaries were given all the powers of Wolverine?  And what if Wolvie felt morally compelled to chop every one of those freaks into cat food?  From the thin collection of Wolverine Stories That Don't Suck.  Recommended.

 

WORLD WAR HULKS: HULKED OUT HEROES #1 by Jeff Parker and Humberto Ramos.  If you've been waiting your whole life to read the adventures of a hulked-out Deadpool then this is the one thing you can't miss!  Unlike kissing a girl…

 

www.johnjudy.net

 

Turkish illustrator Selcuk Demirel's return to Post

Back in the good old days of the '90s, Selcuk Demirel's cartoon illustrations appeared regularly in the Post's Book World. He's got a lovely cartoon in today's Real Estate section. It's not online of course.