America's Next Great Cartoonist local paper feature

Zachary Snyder is featured here -

Willowbrook cartoonist needs your vote
Staten Island Advance July 13, 2010

Harvey Pekar on Australian radio

I actually got a phone call from Australia last night - and I'm old enough to find that technologically marvelous and cool - for quotes for this story:

American Splendour's Harvey Pekar dies
Thea Dikeos reported this story on Wednesday, July 14, 2010
ABC News' PM
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2010/s2953704.htm
http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/pm/201007/20100714-pm11-splendour.mp3

I'm going to keep mulling over that spontaneous Steinbeck comparison as I think there's something to it. When I mentioned Hemingway and Steinbeck, I initially meant Pekar was a quintessentially American writer, but I think he might have some real thematic links to Steinbeck.

Bob Greenberger on his Baltimore Shore Leave con experience

Bob Greenberger writes about his Baltimore Shore Leave con experience.

Weldon on Pekar

Harvey Pekar Was A Person In Your Neighborhood
by Glen Weldon
July 12, 2010

Washington Post on Harvey Pekar

The official obituary -

Harvey Pekar dead: American Splendor comic writer was 70
By Terence McArdle
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 13, 2010; B05

Comments from other cartoonists -

A PEKAR TRIBUTE: Collaborators & colleagues remember 'sweet, curmudgeonly' Harvey
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog July 13, 2010.

And the NY Times -

Harvey Pekar, ‘American Splendor’ Creator, Dies at 70
By WILLIAM GRIMES
July 13, 2010

Finally, Tom Spurgeon's putting together a compilation page of Internet links.

Cul de Sac and Act-I-Vate up for Harvey Awards

The Harvey Awards have 2 local candidates - Cul de Sac by Richard Thompson for best syndicated strip and Act-I-Vate featuring local writer Jim Dougan for best anthology.

More on Harvey Pekar

It sounds like Harvey just wore out last night.

I'm sure tributes and obituaries will be popping up all over this week. I know the Washington Post print edition should have one tomorrow. Today Comic Riffs did two posts on Harvey -

Remembering Harvey Pekar, legendary bard of the 'underground' comic book
By Michael Cavna, July 12, 2010

Michael got my first impressions for this article, almost immediately after I heard the news while on vacation -

Harvey Pekar book editor recalls a 'kind and diffident' man
By Michael Cavna, July 12, 2010.

A longer piece, quoting liberally from a 2005 interview I did with Harvey, should appear on the City Paper's website tomorrow.

Harvey Pekar's passing

I've just heard that Harvey Pekar passed away during the night. Some years ago I was asked to fill in and interview Harvey at SPX. I reluctantly agreed, and went home and brushed up on his career. Day 1 went well, so I did the second session the next day with Harvey and his collaborators Josh Neufeld, Ed Piskor and Dean Haspiel. These two interviews became the genesis of my edited book of interviews, Harvey Pekar: Conversations. Harvey gave me his permission to use anything he had done, but he didn't have a file of interviews to make my life much easier. I got the occasional thrill of picking up the phone and hearing him saying, "Hey Mike, it's Harvey Pekar" as though his gruff voice wasn't immediately recognizable. The book came out about a year later, and Harvey and I stayed loosely in touch. I always found him to be kind and approachable, not a curmudgeon, and will miss our infrequent talks and any new stories from him. Through the force of his intellect and willpower, Harvey made himself a part of the American experience and we've lost something with his death.

Batwoman: Elegy reviewed in Examiner

Today's Examiner had a brief review of Batwoman: Elegy which isn't online. The main takeaway: "The obvious attraction is Williams and colorist Dave Stewart's artwork, whose mutable style and wildly inventive layouts get across the story's twisted chronology and psychological subtleties all by themselves."

Bennett's Best on Zadzooks

A couple of week's of catchup here.

Bennett's Best: Justice League of America and Wonder Woman
By Greg Bennett, Special to Zadzooks Sunday, July 4, 2010.

Bennett's Best: Batman: The Odyssey, Scarlet and more
By Greg Bennett, Special to Zadzooks Friday, July 9, 2010

Truitt on Daredevil

Daredevil embraces his darker side in 'Shadowland'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 8 2010

Trickster interview at Graphic Novel Reporter

Trickster Tales: An Interview with Matt Dembicki and Michael Thompson
-- Danica Davidson
Graphic Novel Reporter July 2010

Shore Leave 32 con includes comics writers

Mike Barr, Peter David and Keith DeCandido will be appearing in Baltimore at the Shore Leave 32 con this weekend, July 9 -11

Comics on the Rack, Quick Picks for Comics Due 07-14-10

COMICS ON THE RACK

Quick Picks for Comics Due 07-14-10

By John Judy

 

ABSOLUTE PLANETARY, VOL. 2 HC by Warren Ellis and John Cassaday.  Collecting issues #13-27 in this coffee-table size book, thus completing this trippy tribute to every pop fantasy adventure ever printed on cheap paper.  Recommended.

 

ADVENTURE COMICS #516 by Many People.  A Legion of Super-Heroes story with a back-up feature starring The Atom!  Because sooner or later that stuff's gonna sell!

 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #637 by Lotsa People.  Kraven!  Dead and loving it! Too bad about that other guy, though…

 

ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN/WOLVERINE #2 of 6 by Jason Aaron and Adam Kubert.  It's Aaron's first "summer movie" comic and it's pretty raucous!  Web-slinging, claw-popping fun!

 

ASTRO CITY: THE SILVER AGENT #1 of 2 by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson.  At last!  The low-down on Astro City's most famous and tragic citizen!  A long time coming and highly recommended.

 

BATMAN #701 by Grant Morrison and Tony Daniel.  An untold story of the Batman by Grant Morrison to help you understand what's happening in all those other stories of the Batman by Grant Morrison!

 

BLACKEST NIGHT: BLACK LANTERN CORPS VOL. 1 and 2 HC by Everyone.  Your favorite dead heroes return as heart-ripping ghouls! (Hey, Marvel wasn't doing much with that story anymore…)

 

BRAVE AND THE BOLD #35 by J. Michael Straczynski and Jesus Saiz.  The Legion of Substitute Heroes and the Inferior Five.  This is why I still read comics.  Highly recommended.

 

BRODY'S GHOST, BOOK 1 of 6 SC written and drawn by Mark Crilley.  When a cute ghost tells you to begin samurai training to unlock your hidden powers you better begin samurai training to unlock your hidden powers, buster!  Recommended.

 

CHEW #12 by John Layman and Rob Guillory.  Poyo, the Killer Cock returns!  Excelsior!

 

COMIC BOOK GUY: THE COMIC BOOK #1 of 5 by Boothby, Delaney and Davis.  Our hero, our role model, our avatar.  "Best.  Comic.  EVER!"  Recommended.

 

DAREDEVIL #508 by Andy Diggle, Antony Johnston and Roberto DeLaTorre.  If your friends are trying to stop you from killing Bullseye are they really your friends?

 

DAYTRIPPER #8 of 10 by Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon.  The latest chapter in the ongoing lives and deaths of Bras.  Highly recommended.

 

DOCTOR SOLAR MAN OF THE ATOM #1 by Jim Shooter and Denis Calero.  Living Comics Institution Jim Shooter brings back this silver-age powerhouse for yet another shot at The Show.

 

FRACTURED FABLES HC by Many People, including but not limited to Jill Thompson, Bryan Talbot, Peter David, Ben Templesmith, Terry Moore, Ted McKeever, Bill Morrison, Larry Marder, Jim Valentino, Shannon Wheeler.  Fairy tales for all ages and sensibilities.

 

GIRL COMICS #3 of 3 by Many talented Female Creators.  Wrapping up this combination history of women in comics/anthology of under-utilized characters.  Fun stuff and a lot of information I didn't know before.  Kudos to Marvel for making this happen.  Recommended.

 

GORILLA MAN #1 of 3 by Jeff Parker and Giancarlo Caracuzzo.  A peek into the backstory of Ken Hale, the immortal talking gorilla from the Agents of Atlas!

 

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #28 by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca. Armor-plated action and hi-tech hijinks abound as Tony and Rhodey start tearing up the town! Recommended.

 

JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST #5 by Keith Giffen, Judd Winick and Joe Bennett.  Maxwell Lord has reassembled his old, cut-rate Justice League (more or less).  But why???

 

OFFICER DOWNE ONE-SHOT by Joe Casey and Chris Burnham. The adventures of the baddest cop in this world.  And the next…

 

REVOLVER HC written and drawn by Matt Kindt.  Given a choice between soul-crushing order and post-apocalyptic chaos, which would you choose?  Or would you?  In this original graphic novel one guy has a chance to find out.  Recommended.

 

RICHARD STARK'S PARKER: THE MAN WITH THE GETAWAY FACE adapted and drawn by Darwyn Cooke.  Following his triumphant adaptation of PARKER THE HUNTER Cooke now primes the pump for this October's release of THE OUTFIT with this short 24-page lead in story.  This is a guaranteed Awesome Read and everyone should reserve their copies immediately.  Highly recommended.  Not for kids.

 

SCOTT PILGRIM, VOL. 6: FINEST HOUR GN written and drawn by Bryan Lee O'Malley.  At last!  The final Evil Ex-Boyfriend arrives!  It's clobberin' time!  (Sorry.  Wrong book.  Sorry…)

 

SIXTH GUN #1 and 2 by Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt.  Dark magic and gun-slingin' in the old west.  Could it be someone decided to do the "Jonah Hex" movie right…?

 

STRANGE SCIENCE FANTASY #1 written and drawn by Scott Morse. A little retro madness from the creator of SOULWIND.

 

SUPERMAN #701 by J. Michael Straczynski and Eddy Barrows.  The new creative team brings Superman back to Earth in "Grounded, Part One."  Gotta look!

 

UNCANNY X-MEN: HEROIC AGE #1 by Matt Fraction and Three Artistes.  Three tales of X-action in the Marvel Yoo!

 

UNWRITTEN #15 by Mike Carey and Peter Gross.  Tommy's getting closer to finding his dad while poor Lizzie's having a Dickens of a time…  Recommended.

 

VIKING PRINCE BY JOE KUBERT HC written by Robert Kanigher and Bob Haney, drawn by Kubert.  Collecting the Silver-Age adventures of a great Viking warrior, pre-NORTHLANDERS.  Recommended.

 

X-FILES/30 DAYS OF NIGHT #1 of 6 by Steve Niles, Adam Jones and Tom Mandrake.  Mulder and Scully fight the vamps!  Gotta look!

 

X-MEN: SECOND COMING #2 by Many People.  Who lives?  Who dies?  Who comes back? Hint: Red hair, people.  Red.  Hair.

 

www.johnjudy.net

 

America's Next Great Cartoonist contestant Walch featured in college newsblog

A vote for Walch is a vote for America's Next Great Cartoonist
William and Mary News & Events July 9, 2010

July 10: Matt Dembicki at Hooray for Kids bookstore REPOST

Local graphic artist Matt Dembicki (editor of "Trickster: Native American Tales, A Graphic Collection") is giving a workshop for kids 7 and up on drawing and putting together a comic book. Kids will learn the basics—creating a character, developing a story, and laying out a page using various tricks of the trade. Participants will make their own mini-comics to take home. The workshop is Saturday, July 10, at 3 p.m., and folks should call (703-548-4092) or e-mail (info@hooray4books.com) to make a reservation.

Hooray for Kids
An Independent Children's Bookstore
1555 King St. Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Ph. 703-548-4092 Fax 703-548-4094
Hours M-Sat. 10-6 Sun 11-4

Troy Allen interview at Superpunch

Super Punch Interview: Troy Allen. by John Struan, July 5, 2010

PR: Tickets On Sale, Hotel Discounts Available for the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con!

Tickets On Sale, Hotel Discounts Available for the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con! Baltimore, Maryland - July 8, 2010 - Tickets for the Baltimore Comic-Con, to be held on August 28 and August 29, 2010 at the Baltimore Convention Center, are now on sale!  Many have been asking, and we're pleased to now be able to offer the opportunity to purchase your tickets!  To do so on-line, please follow http://www.ticketmaster.com/Baltimore-Convention-Center-tickets-Baltimore/venue/172201 to purchase your Two-Day, Saturday, or Sunday passes.  Tickets can also be purchased in person at Cards, Comics & Collectibles of Reisterstown, MD (100A Chartley Drive, Reisterstown, MD  21136), or at any show or convention at which Cards, Comics & Collectibles is exhibiting.  As with years past, we encourage you to purchase tickets ahead of the show so as not to have to wait in the ticket line.   "We've been getting a lot of questions about when tickets would be on sale this year," said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con.  "Everyone can now solidify their travel plans, and be sure to take advantage of the discounts that the hotels around the Baltimore Convention Center are offering -- just follow the About > Hotels link off of our main webpage for details!" We are also proud to announce that Archaia Comics and Adhouse Books will be exhibiting at the 2010 convention in addition to the already-announced Boom! Studios, Dark Horse Comics, IDW, Image Comics, Top Cow Productions, and Top Shelf Comix.   Joining our already spectacular list of comic book professional guests, we are happy to announce the following additions:  Dave Aikins (SpongeBob Squarepants), Van Jensen (Pinocchio:  Vampire Slayer), Norman Lee (New Mutants), Joe Linsner (Dawn:  Not To Touch The Earth), Clay Mann (X-Men Legacy), Pop Mhan (Ender's Game: Mazer In Prison), Sean Murphy (Joe the Barbarian), Paul D. Storrie (Twilight Crusade:  Gabriel), Timothy Truman (Conan the Cimmerian), and Kelly Yates (Doctor Who: 2010 Annual).   Guests previously announced include: Mike and Laura Allred (Madman), Sergio Aragones (Groo), Ivan Brandon (Nemesis:  The Imposters), Tom Brevoort (Executive Editor, Marvel Comics), Jim Calafiore (Secret Six), Eric Canete (New Avengers:  Luke Cage), Bernard Chang (Prince of Persia), Howard Chaykin (Black Kiss), Sean Chen (Nova), Cliff Chiang (Greendale), Mark Chiarello (Editor, DC Comics), Frank Cho (Ultimate Comics New Ultimates), Mike Choi (X-Force), Steve Conley (Star Trek Omnibus: The Original Series), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Shane Davis (Superman:  Earth One), Dan DiDio - Sunday only (The Outsiders, Co-Publisher, DC Comics), Al Feldstein (MAD Magazine), Francesco Francavilla (The Green Hornet:  Year One), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Wednesday Comics), Ron Garney (Wolverine:  Weapon X), Sterling Gates (Supergirl), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Michael Golden (Marvel 1602:  Spider-Man), Cully Hamner (Detective Comics), Dean Haspiel (ACT-I-VATE), Jonathan Hickman (Fantastic Four), Greg Horn (Green Lantern), Adam Hughes (Wonder Woman), Jamal Igle (Supergirl), Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Geoff Johns - Sunday only (Blackest Night, Chief Creative Officer, DC Comics), J.G. Jones (DC Universe Legacies), Denis Kitchen (Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen), Barry Kitson (Iron Man 2 Prequel), Rich Koslowski (BB Wolf and the 3 LPs), Greg LaRocque (The Exiled), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Steve Lieber (Underground), Luna Brothers (The Sword), David Mack (Kabuki), Laura Martin (Girl Comics), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Todd McFarlane - Saturday only (Spawn), Mark McKenna (Banana Tail), Mike McKone (Avengers Academy), Bob McLeod (New Mutants Forever), Terry Moore (Echo, SiP), Mark Morales (Siege), Chris Moreno (Toy Story), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Phil Noto (Avengers:  The Origin), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex), Jeff Parker (Thunderbolts), Lauren Perry (Blank-ees), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Extinction), Chris Pitzer (Publisher, Adhouse Books), Paul Pope (Wednesday Comics), Eric Powell (The Goon), Jack Purcell (Gotham City Sirens), Mike Raicht (The Stuff of Legend), Tom Raney (Black Widow:  Deadly Origin), Chris Roberson (I, Zombi), James Robinson (Justice League of America), Budd Root (Cavewoman), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Marvel Her-Oes), Stephane Roux (Zatanna), Jim Rugg (Afrodisiac), Tim Sale courtesy of Hero Initiative (Captain America White), Ian Sattler (Editor, DC Comics), Stuart Sayger (Bram Stoker's Death Ship), Bob Schreck (Jurassic Park), Jim Shooter (Magnus, Robot Fighter), Louise Simonson (X-Factor Forever), Walter Simonson (Thor), Andy Smith (WildC.A.T.S.), John K. Snyder III (The A-Team:  Shotgun Wedding), Allison Sohn (Star Wars sketchcard artist), Jim Starlin (Dreadstar), Brian Stelfreeze (The Authority:  The Lost Year), Karl Story (Zatanna), Billy Tan (Shadowland), Ben Templesmith sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics (Choker), Mark Texeira (X-Men:  Origins), Herb Trimpe (Incredible Hulk), Billy Tucci (Shi), Dexter Vines (Ultimate Avengers), Neil Vokes (Superman Adventures), Doug Wagner (World of Warcraft:  Horde), Matt Wagner (The Green Hornet:  Year One), Mark Waid (Irredeemable, Editor-in-Chief, Boom! Studios), Marv Wolfman (New Teen Titans), John Workman (Heavy Metal), Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing), and Chrissie Zullo (Cinderella:  From Fabletown With Love).   In coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found at our website (http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/baltimorecomics), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/baltimorecomiccon), MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/baltimorecomics), and ComicSpace (http://www.comicspace.com/baltimorecomicon) pages. This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, August 28th.   Contact Information Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:   press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for communications regarding the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries   About The Baltimore Comic-Con The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 11th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area.  With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010.  For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com. About The Harvey Awards The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards.  With a history of over 20 years, the last 5 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories.  They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.  For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.

July 10: CC Colbert speaks on "Booth" at Ford's Theatre?

Robin McConnell has an interview with CC Colbert, Inkstuds (July 8 2010): http://inkstuds.com/?p=2988 and says she'll be signing her graphic novel Booth at Ford's Theatre on July 10th. I can't find anything on the Ford's site.

Bill Caldwell, former Geppi's Comics World manager

Scoop is reporting that Bill Caldwell, former Geppi's Comics World manager, has died. I assume he managed one of the stores in the area.