At the beginning of 2009, arts editor
Jonathan Fischer asked me if I wanted to write about local comics and cartoons for the
Washington City Paper. I was a bit doubtful, but appreciated the offer and took him up on it. I'd like to thank everyone who's cooperated especially local cartoonists and the staff of the Library of Congress (for the pieces on Fredric Wertham). I haven't been quite as wide-ranging as I was hoping, but this is getting squeezed in around the real world of course. I hope you'll find something of interest that you might have missed in the first place. A list of everything that got posted this year follows.
"In the Esophagus of the Beast: Introducing Comics Blogger Mike Rhode," Jan. 19, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/01/19/in-the-esophagus-of-the-beast-introducing-comics-blogger-mike-rhode/ "What's So Special about Wednesday?" Jan. 20, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/01/20/what%e2%80%99s-so-special-about-wednesday/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with S.L. Gallant," Jan. 25, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/01/25/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-s-l-gallant/ "Darwyn Cooke to Speak at Smithsonian Saturday," Jan. 26, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/01/26/darwin-cooke-to-speak-at-smithsonian-this-saturday/ "The State of the Union for D.C. Newspaper Cartoonists," Jan. 27, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/01/27/the-state-of-the-union-for-d-c-newspaper-cartoonists/ "How to Zip through "Herblock!" in 10 Minutes, Make that Meeting on the Hill," Feb. 1, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/02/01/how-to-zip-through-herblock-in-10-minutes-make-that-meeting-on-the-hill/ "The Quotable Darwyn Cooke: Highlights from the Cartoonist's Talk at American Art," Feb. 3, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/02/03/the-quotable-darwyn-cooke-highlights-from-the-cartoonists-talk-at-american-art/ "Reviewed: Classic Dan Dare: Safari in Space and The Best of Roy of the Rovers: The 1970s Straight from the "boys papers," two recently collected U.K. comic strips," Washington City Paper Feb. 12, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=38461 "For the Wonky, Lovelorn Comics Reader, a Perfect Gift [Veeps]," Feb. 12, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/02/12/for-the-wonky-lovelorn-comics-reader-a-perfect-gift/ "When Captain America Throws His Mighty Shield…," Feb. 18, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/02/18/when-captain-america-throws-his-mighty-shield/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Kevin Rechin," Feb. 22, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/02/22/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-kevin-rechin/ "Shutter Island, Version 2.0: The Graphic Novel by Christian De Metter," Feb. 23, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/02/23/shutter-island-version-2-0-the-graphic-novel-by-christian-de-metter/ "This Saturday: ACT-I-VATE Yourself with Web Comics Creators," Feb. 24, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/02/24/this-saturday-act-i-vate-yourself-with-web-comics-creators/ "Meet a Local Comics Writer: A Chat with Jim Dougan of ACT-I-VATE," Feb. 26, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/02/26/meet-a-local-comics-writer-a-chat-with-jim-dougan-of-act-i-vate/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Nate Beeler," March 1, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/01/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-nate-beeler/ "Thursday: Kyle Baker and Bill Foster on Black-Themed Comic Books," Mar. 3, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/03/thursday-kyle-baker-and-bill-foster-on-black-themed-comic-books/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Politico's Matt Wuerker," Mar. 8, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/08/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-politicos-matt-wuerker/ "Library of Congress' "Molto Animato!" Exhibit Is Hardly Vivace," Mar. 10, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2010/03/10/library-of-congress-molto-animato-exhibit-is-hardly-vivace/ "Jules Feiffer at Politics and Prose Thursday, March 18," March 10, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=38587 "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Matt Dembicki," Mar. 15, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/15/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-matt-dembicki/ "The Quotable Jules Feiffer: Highlights from the Cartoonist's Talk at Politics and Prose," Mar. 19, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/19/the-quotable-jules-feiffer-highlights-from-the-cartoonist%E2%80%99s-talk-at-politics-and-prose/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Chris Flick," March 22, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/22/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-chris-flick/ "Obama Returns to Comic Books, Tasks Veronica with Powering Economy, March 24, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/24/obama-returns-to-comic-books-tasks-veronica-with-powering-economy/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Buzzboy's John Gallagher," March 29, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/29/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-buzzboys-john-gallagher/ "International Ink: Hagar, Nemi, Little Nothings, and Lenore," March 30, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/03/30/international-ink-hagar-nemi-little-nothings-and-lenore/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Illustrator David Hagen," April 5, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/04/05/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-illustrator-david-hagen/ "In D.C. and Industrywide, Will the iPad Save Comics and Kill Print?" Apr. 6, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/04/06/in-d-c-and-industrywide-will-the-ipad-save-comics-and-kill-print/ "International Ink: Feiffer, France, and Fingerman," April 12, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/04/12/international-ink-feiffer-france-and-fingerman/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Bamn Writer Troy Allen," April 14, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/04/14/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-bamn-writer-troy-allen/ "Reviewed: Kick-Ass: Creating the Comic; Making the Movie," April 15, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/04/15/reviewed-kick-ass-creating-the-comic-making-the-movie/ "Anti-War Cartoon Friday," April 16, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/04/16/anti-war-cartoon-friday/ "Free Comic Book Day, and How It Helps You," April 27, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/04/27/free-comic-book-day-and-how-it-helps-you/ "International Ink: Clowes, Kids, Crackers and Hellboy," Apr. 29, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/04/29/international-ink-clowes-kids-crackers-and-hellboy/ "Likable Characters Are for Weak-Minded Narcissists": A Chat with Daniel Clowes," May 3, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/05/03/likeable-characters-are-for-weak-minded-narcissists-a-chat-with-daniel-clowes/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Jeffrey Thompson," May 10, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/05/10/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-jeffrey-thompson/ "This Week: Comic Books' Brad Meltzer on His Real Heroes," May 12, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/05/12/this-week-comic-books-brad-meltzer-on-his-real-heroes/ "Trickster: Matt Dembicki on His Cartoon Anthology of Native American Stories," May 14, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2010/05/14/trickster-matt-dembicki-on-his-cartoon-anthology-of-native-american-stories/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Joe Sutliff," May 17, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/05/17/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-joe-sutliff/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Illustrator Paul Zdepski," May 19, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/05/19/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-illustrator-paul-zdepski/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Trickster Artist Chris Piers," May 24, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/05/24/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-trickster-artist-chris-piers/ "International Ink: Back to the Future," May 25, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/05/25/international-ink-back-to-the-future/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Trickster Writer Joseph Stands With Many," May 27, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/05/27/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-trickster-writer-joseph-stands-with-many/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Trickster Illustrator Michael Auger," May 31, 201,0
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/05/31/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-trickster-illustrator-michael-auger/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Trickster's Jacob Warrenfeltz," June 7, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/06/07/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-tricksters-jacob-warrenfeltz/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Rand Arrington," June 3, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/06/03/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-rand-arrington/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Trickster Cartoonist Mike Short," June 9, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/06/09/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-trickster-cartoonist-mike-short/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Trickster's Andrew Cohen," June 14, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/06/14/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-trickster-cartoonist-andrew-cohen/ "International Ink: Demo, Smile, and Moving Pictures," June 17, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/06/17/international-ink-demo-smile-and-moving-pictures/ "Meet a Formerly Local Cartoon Editor: A Chat with Dan Nadel," June 22, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/06/22/meet-a-formerly-local-cartoon-editor-a-chat-with-dan-nadel/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Washington City Paper's Ben Claassen III," June 23, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/06/23/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-washington-city-papers-ben-claassen-iii/ "This Saturday – 'Graphic Content: A Conversation with Five DC Area Graphic Storytellers,'" June 25, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/06/25/this-saturday-graphic-content-a-conversation-with-five-dc-area-graphic-storytellers/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Donna Lewis," June 30, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/06/30/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-donna-lewis/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Evan Keeling," July 6, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/07/06/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-evan-keeling/ "International Ink: War, Werewolves, Steampunk, Kung Fu, and Cap," July 8, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/07/08/international-ink-war-werewolves-steampunk-kung-fu-and-cap/ "Harvey Pekar and the Death of a Splendid American," July 13, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/07/13/harvey-pekar-and-the-death-of-a-splendid-american/ "Comics and Stamps Have a Longer History than You'd Expect," July 19, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2010/07/19/comics-and-stamps-have-a-longer-history-than-youd-expect/ "International Ink: Brody's Ghost, Wolverine, Usagi Yojimbo," Aug. 3, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/08/03/international-ink-brodys-ghost-book-wolverine-usagi-yojimbo/ "Meet a Visiting Cartoonist: Ryan Claytor, the Man Behind Elephant Eater Comics," Aug. 5, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/08/05/meet-a-visiting-cartoonist-ryan-claytor-the-man-behind-elephant-eater-comics/ "Hate Comic Books? Library of Congress Opens Papers of Comics Opponent Fredric Wertham," Aug. 11, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/08/11/hate-comic-books-library-of-congress-opens-papers-of-comics-opponent-fredric-wertham/ "Meet a (Formerly) Local Cartoonist: Tony Rubino of Daddy's Home," Aug. 16, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/08/16/meet-a-formerly-local-cartoonist-tony-rubino-of-daddys-home/ "New Father Marc Nathan on His Other Baby, the Baltimore Comic-Con," Aug. 23, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/08/23/new-father-marc-nathan-on-his-other-baby-the-baltimore-comic-con/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: Rafer Roberts of Plastic Farm and Magic Bullet," Aug. 30, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/08/30/meet-a-local-cartoonist-rafer-roberts-of-plastic-farm-and-magic-bullet/ "Meet a Local Con Organizer: A Chat with Small Press Expo's Jeff Alexander," September 1, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/09/01/meet-a-local-con-organizer-a-chat-with-small-press-expos-jeff-alexander/ "Meet a Local Con Organizer: A Chat with Onezumi Hartstein of Intervention," September 3, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/09/03/meet-a-local-con-organizer-a-chat-with-onezumi-hartstein-of-intervention/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Carolyn Belefski," September 7, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/09/07/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-carolyn-belefski/ "Meet a Local Sequential Artist: A Chat with R.M. Rhodes," September 8, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/09/08/meet-a-local-sequential-artist-a-chat-with-r-m-rhodes/ "Meet a Local Comics Publisher: A Chat with Joe Procopio," September 9, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/09/09/meet-a-local-comics-publisher-a-chat-with-joe-procopio/ "Meet a Local Comics Writer: A Chat with the GPO's Jim Cameron," September 21, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/09/21/meet-a-local-comics-writer-a-chat-with-the-gpos-jim-cameron/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with the GPO's Nick Crawford," September 22, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/09/22/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-the-gpos-nick-crawford/ "Comics Creators at the 2010 National Book Festival," September 24, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/09/24/comics-creators-at-the-2010-national-book-festival/ "Meet a Visiting Cartoonist: A Chat with Ted Rall," September 27, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/09/27/meet-a-visiting-cartoonist-a-chat-with-ted-rall/ "Meet a Visiting Cartoonist: A Quick Chat with Jeff Smith," September 28, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/09/28/meet-a-visiting-cartoonist-a-quick-chat-with-jeff-smith/ "A Comics Villain Revisited: What Will the Opening of Fredric Wertham's Papers Mean for Comic-Book Scholarship?" September 30, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/09/30/a-comics-villain-revisited-what-will-the-opening-of-fredric-werthams-papers-mean-for-comic-book-scholarship/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Ava Ann Vrooman," October 1, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/10/01/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-ava-ann-vrooman/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Lauren Affe," October 5, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/10/05/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-lauren-affe/ "Meet a Local Comic Book Writer: A Chat with Joe Carabeo," October 22, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/10/22/meet-a-local-comic-book-writer-a-chat-with-joe-carabeo/ "Meet Two Local Cartoonists: A Chat with the Luna Brothers," October 27, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/10/27/meet-two-local-cartoonists-a-chat-with-the-luna-brothers/ "International Ink: Pirates, Ghosts, and Wookies, Oh My!" October 29, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/10/29/international-ink-pirates-ghosts-and-wookies-oh-my/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Jamie Noguchi," November 8, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/11/08/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-jamie-noguchi/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat With Nick Galifianakis," November 9, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/11/09/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-nick-galifianakis/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat With Molly Lawless," November 15, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/11/15/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-molly-lawless/ "Tomorrow: "Party Crashers" and Comic Book Culture at Arlington Art Center," November 18, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2010/11/18/tomorrow-party-crashers-and-comic-book-culture-at-arlington-art-center/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Jennifer Zyren Smith," November 22, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/11/22/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-jennifer-zyren-smith/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat With Kevin Ward," December 2, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/12/02/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-kevin-ward/ "International Ink: Think Holiday Thoughts," December 7, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/12/07/international-ink-think-holiday-thoughts/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat With Steve Artley," December 8, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/12/08/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-steve-artley/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Richard Thompson," December 9, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/12/09/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-richard-thompson/ "Artisphere's Half of "Party Crashers" Exhibit Opens Tomorrow," December 10, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/12/10/artisphere%e2%80%99s-half-of-party-crashers-exhibit-opens-tomorrow/ "Meet a Local Comic Book Writer: A Chat with Rob Anderson," December 13, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/12/13/meet-a-local-comic-book-writer-a-chat-with-rob-anderson/ "Meet a Local Model Maker: A Chat with David Wilson," December 14, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2010/12/14/meet-a-local-model-maker-a-chat-with-david-wilson/ "Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Dan Nokes," December 17, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/12/17/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-dan-nokes/ "Arts in Review: The Year in Cartoons," December 27, 2010,
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/12/27/arts-in-review-the-year-in-cartoons/