Feb 26: Nick Bertozzi and Jason Little at Big Planet Comics Bethesda

Two excellent alternative cartoonists at one time! Big Planet Comics Bethesda at 4-6 pm on February 26th. I'm there!

Here's an interview with Bertozzi about his new book -

Bertozzi Brings "Lewis & Clark" to Comics
by Alex Dueben,
Comic Book Resources February 17 2011
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=30885

Artomatic Takes Flight!, says David Hagen

David Hagen writes in with a couple of pieces of news -

My Carrot Ride painting is participating in an art show at Reagan Airport this spring. No plane ticket required! Article in Examiner.com: http://www.examiner.com/art-scene-in-washington-dc/artomatic-takes-flight-show-runs-from-march-3-to-june-25-2011

Also, David's posted his Team Cul de Sac artwork's completed version.

Carla Speed Mcneil interviewed online at Newsarama

McNeil's FINDER: VOICE Finds New Home at Dark Horse
By Chris Arrant, Newsarama 16 February 2011
http://www.newsarama.com/comics/finder-voice-dark-horse-interview-110216.html

February 25: MEGILLAT ESTHER: The Book of Esther exhibit opens

From Politics and Prose's newsletter:

Friday, February 25, 1 p.m. (Exhibit opens)

Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
600 I Street, NW
Metro: Gallery Place/Chinatown
JT WALDMAN
MEGILLAT ESTHER: The Book of Esther (Jewish Publication Society of America, $22)
JT Waldman turns The Book of Esther, with its twisting plot, into an illustrative masterpiece. The graphic novel is brought to life in an exhibit with interactive elements and an invitation for visitors to take part in the creative process. Waldman is a comic book illustrator and interaction designer. He is currently working on his next graphic novel, which he designed with the late Harvey Pekar. This exhibit will be on view from Monday through Friday, February 25 - April 29 during open tour hours from 1-2 p.m. Waldman will be speaking at 6th in the City Shabbat on March 11. Click here for information about attending this service. Click here for more information about the exhibit. Click here for a Google Preview of the book and its art.

Ben Hatke had been at Politics and Prose this morning

For the record...  and I assume they still have signed copies.

Thursday, February 17

Ben Hatke - Zita the Space Girl
10:30 a.m. In Hatke's exciting graphic novel, Zita hits a red button and launches her friend Joseph into space. She hits the button a second time and sends herself out to find Joseph. As she crosses the universe, Zita encounters monsters, alien friends, and strange situations. Zita is resourceful, funny, and determined to rescue Joseph and bring them both home. Ages 7-10

Matt Dembicki's Xoc picked up by Oni Press

A few weeks ago, we mentioned that Matt Dembicki's shark tale Xoc was close to finding a publisher. Matt's now mentioning on Facebook that Oni Press has picked up the comic.

City Paper's Best of DC poll opens

I haven't looked at it yet, but if there's not something comics-related in the City Paper's Best of DC poll, I'm sure you can force it into a category.

Weldon on comics, Mondello on Spider-Man musical

The Week In Comics: Palicki Is Prince, Spidey Gets Nubbly, Comics Are Doomed

by Glen Weldon

National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (February 17, 2011)

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/02/17/133834049/the-week-in-comics-palicki-is-prince-spidey-gets-nubbly-comics-are-doomed

 

Mondello, Bob.  2011.

'Spider-Man': Don't Be So Quick To Write Off The Dark.

National Public Radio's All Things Considered (February 14).

Online at http://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133653490/spider-man-dont-be-so-quick-to-write-off-the-dark and

http://pd.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/atc/2011/02/20110214_atc_11.mp3 and http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=133653490

 

'Spider-Man' Shrugs Off Critics' Venom

by Bob Mondello

National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (February 16, 2011)

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/02/16/133814532/spider-man-shrugs-off-critics-venom

 

'No Ordinary Family' superhero tv show article in Examiner

For the record:

 

Neff, Lauri / Associated Press.  2011.

Chiklis: Expect more 'No Ordinary Family' thrills.

Washington Examiner (February 17): 24

Comic Riffs talks to Stan Lee... because they CAN

STAN LEE reacts to big-screen Spider-Man's new look
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 16 2011
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2011/02/stan_lee_reacts_to_big-screen.html

Washington-based NGO claims to have sent MLK comic book reprint to Egypt

The group is the American Islamic Congress. Read more at:

MLK comic book lands in Egypt's Tahrir Square
By Shelia M. Poole
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution February 15 2011
http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/mlk-comic-book-lands-839857.html

2 books by local cartoonists debut today

Carla Speed McNeil's Finder series moves to Dark Horse with the graphic novel Finder: Voices. See her thoughts on moving from self-publishing at her blog.

Baltimore's Tim Kreider gave up his Baltimore City Paper cartoon gig, but Twilight of the Assholes a collection of his last cartoons is out from Fantagraphics. I love Kreider's work.

Post's Petri on the appeal of bookstores

The worst part about the Borders bankruptcy

By Alexandra Petri

February 15 2011

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/compost/2011/02/the_worst_part_about_the_borde.html

Kung Fu Panda II, for the record UPDATED

In today's Express, on page 2, there's a picture of Jack Black and children in panda costumes, naming the Atlanta Zoo's new panda "Po" after Black's animated character in the Kung Fu Panda movies. I don't know why the Zoo is doing that.

Here's a press release about it, but it still doesn't explain what the Romans phrased as "who profits?"

Truitt on Last Mortal

First look: 'Last Mortal' springs from two friends to the end
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY February 15 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-02-15-LastMortal_N.htm

PR: Tom Toles's Cartoon Caption Contest returns

The Tom Toles Cartoon Contest from The Washington Post returns! Here's how it works:

 

Editorial Cartoonist Toles has sketched a cartoon without a caption. To enter the contest, please post your suggestion caption(s) in the comment segment of the blog post below. You have until 11:59 p.m. ET on February 21.

 

Toles will read through all the entries and plans to announce a winner on Feb. 22. The prize is a print of that cartoon, signed by Tom Toles and including the caption suggested by the winner.

 

For the cartoon and official rules, go here: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/tomtoles/2011/02/tom_toless_cartoon_caption_con.html

 

Spongebob interviewed in Post, True Blood reviewed in Express

Interview with SpongeBob on education

Valerie Strauss, Washington Post February 15, 2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/14/AR2011021407085.html

 

Prepare to be Bitten: 'True Blood' now a Comic Book

Katie Aberbach, Express February 15, 2011

http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2011/02/prepare-to-be-bitten-true-blood-comics.php

 

These are both in print as well.

Mike Flugennock says, "I'm on Al Jazeera!"

From: mike flugennock

 

Scroll down the page a bit at http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/02/15/live-blog-eye-algeria

(it's the February 15th blog page or this cartoon, if you're reading this months later)

Galifianakis cartoon contest at Comic Riffs

Click here to write a Valentine's caption.

Kill Shakespeare writers interviewed prior to Tuesday's Folger Library talk

A Chat With Kill Shakespeare Writers Anthony Del Col and Conor McCreery
by Mike Rhode on Feb. 14, 2011
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2011/02/14/a-chat-with-kill-shakespeare-writers-anthony-del-col-and-conor-mccreery/