Truitt on Captain America

'I Am Captain America' covers depict real heroes
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY May 26 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-05-26-Marvel-Comics-covers-depict-real-heroes_n.htm

BBC on Jeff Kinney

Jeff Kinney: 'Wimpy Kid was for grown-ups'
By Tim Masters Entertainment and arts correspondent, BBC News May 27 2011
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13540941

June 1 is still new comics day

In spite of May 30th being a holiday, which usually means comic books ship a day late, Wednesday June 1 is still new comics day. However, the books will be arriving in stores that day, so plan your weekly pickup for later in the day.

PR: Baltimore Comic-Con Announces Stan "The Man" Lee as Guest of Honor!

I'm falling behind on BCC's PR, but here's an announcement that should excite people

Baltimore Comic-Con Announces Stan "The Man" Lee as Guest of Honor!   BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - May 26, 2011 - The Baltimore Comic-Con is proud to officially announce that Stan "The Man" Lee will be the Guest of Honor at this year's convention. The show will be taking place at the Baltimore Convention Center the weekend of August 20-21, 2011.   Known the world over as the architect of the Marvel Universe, Lee -- along with Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko -- co-created some of the most iconic characters of the Silver Age, including the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, the Avengers, X-Men, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Daredevil, Iron Man, and Doctor Strange.   Lee began his career in comics in 1939 at the age of 16, working for Martin Goodman at Timely Comics. He made his writing debut in 1941 with a text filler story in Captain America Comics #3 and wrote his first back-up story for that title two issues later. Lee continued to write for the publisher and, at the age of 19, was installed as interim editor. With a head for business and an eye for comics, Lee graduated to become editor-in-chief and art director of the comics division.   Throughout his illustrious career, which has spanned more than 70 years, Lee has been a writer, editor, publisher, President, and Chairman at Marvel Comics. He's made cameo appearances in 14 films based on his creations and had a supporting role in Kevin Smith's 1995 film, Mallrats.   In 2010, Lee teamed up with Boom! Studios to create three original superheroes titles -- Soldier Zero, Starborn, and The Traveler -- for the publisher, and in January of 2011, he worked with the National Hockey League (NHL) on the Guardian Project, creating a "Guardian" character based on the team mascot for each of the 30 cities with NHL franchises.   "There is no bigger star in all of comics. This will thrill all comics fans on the East Coast," said Marc Nathan, show promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "Personally, I am so excited, I can't wait!"   Lee will be appearing at the Baltimore Comic-Con on both Saturday and Sunday, as well as attending the banquet for the Harvey Awards on Saturday evening. Details regarding ticket pricing for signings and VIP packages will be released over the next few weeks. To receive the latest information about Stan Lee and all of the Baltimore Comic-Con news, sign up for our mailing list at baltimorecomiccom.com!   In addition to Guest of Honor Stan Lee, other confirmed guests for the show include: Jason Aaron (Scalped, PunisherMAX); Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead); Nick Cardy (Aquaman, Teen Titans); Cliff Chiang (Greendale); Frank Cho (50 Girl 50, X-Men: Schism, New Ultimates); Todd Dezago (Super Hero Squad, The Perhapanauts); David Finch (Brightest Day, Batman: The Dark Knight); Ron Frenz (Spider-Girl); Jose-Luis Garcia-Lopez (Wednesday Comics, Batman Confidential); Michael Golden (creator of Bucky O'Hare); Mike Grell (Action Comics, The Pilgrim); Brad Guigar (Evil, Inc., Courting Disaster); Steve Hamaker (Bone); Cully Hamner (Red, Red: Eyes Only); Dean Haspiel (The Alcoholic, Act-i-Vate); Jamal Igle (Supergirl, Zatanna); J.G. Jones (Doc Savage, DC Universe Legacies); Barry Kitson (Secret Invasion, Amazing Spider-Man); Laura Martin (New Avengers, Thor); Mark Morales (Fear Itself cover artist); Kevin Nowlan (Wednesday Comics); David Petersen (Mouse Guard); Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Vision, Strange); Craig Rousseau (Marvel Her-Oes); Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo); Walter Simonson (Thor); Jeff Smith (Bone, RASL); Nick Spencer (Morning Glories, Iron Man 2.0); Brian Stelfreeze (Wednesday Comics); Karl Story (DC Universe Legacies); Tim Truman (Conan the Cimmerian); Neil Vokes (Flesh & Blood, Eagle: The Original Adventures); and Thom Zahler (Love and Capes).     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, Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace pages.   This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 20-21, 2011. 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 21st.   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 12th 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 20-21, 2011. 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 6 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.

Truitt on Witch Doctor

'Witch Doctor' melds horror and medicine
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY May 26 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-05-26-witch-doctor-sneak-peek_n.htm

Post reviews Kung Fu Panda 2

Kung Fu Panda 2 packs less kapow.
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post May 26, 2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/kung-fu-panda-2,1158871.html

Flintstones article in today's Express

Yabba Dabba Do!: Flintstones Getting Modern Reboot
 by Marc Silver
Express May 26 2011 p. 29
http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2011/05/flintstones-reboot-fox-seth-macfarlane.php

 

Examiner runs AP review of Kung Fu Panda 2

Lemire, Christy / Associated Press.  2011.

'Panda 2' is lovely but lacks fresh kick.

Washington Examiner (May 26): 32

 

...if you're interested.

'Trickster' featured at American Library Association conference

Authors, illustrators discuss "Trickster" graphic novel and honoring cultures
Mon, 05/23/2011
http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/ala/authors-illustrators-discuss-trickster-graphic-novel-and-honoring-cultures

- the press release says that Matt Dembicki will be on hand to talk about the anthology.

Kevin Rechin on his cartoonist father Bill

RIP, Bill Rechin: Artist son memorializes 'Crock' cartoonist
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog (May 25 2011)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/rip-bill-rechin-artist-son-memorializes-crock-cartoonist/2011/05/24/AGZZQGBH_blog.html

Bill Blackbeard recalls his career

Comic strip savior & historian Bill Blackbeard died earlier this year. An article by him about his career is now available online for the first time -

 

The Four Color Paper Trail: A Look Back

Bill Blackbeard

Reprinted from the International Journal of Comic Art, 5:2 (Fall 2003).

http://ijoca.blogspot.com/2011/05/bill-blackbeard-reminisces-2003.html

Flugennock latest cartoon: "Obama's AIPAC Speech, Condensed

Click through to see his thoughts on the cartoon -

http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=856

Obama AIPAC Speech, Condensed

Wash Examiner blog whacks at Ted Rall

What Ted Rall tells us

Christopher Taylor

Washington Examiner 05/23/11 : http://washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/opinion-zone/2011/05/what-ted-rall-tells-us

Bill Rechin obituary wirestory runs in Post

Cartoonist Bill Rechin, co-creator of 'Crock' comic strip, dies at 80
Washington Post May 24 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/cartoonist-bill-rechin-co-creator-of-crock-comic-strip-dies-at-80/2011/05/23/AFSmt89G_story.html

NPR's Monkey See returns to Sandman

Book Club: Neil Gaiman's 'The Sandman: Dream Country,' Part Four

by Linda Holmes and Glen Weldon

National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (May  24, 2011)

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/05/24/136611702/book-club-neil-gaimans-the-sandman-dream-country-part-four

Hogan's Alley likes Richard Thompson's chances at the Reuben awards

The National Cartoonist Society's Reuben Awards ceremony is next weekend and Tom Heintjes at Hogan's Alley likes Richard Thompson's chances in the two categories he's nominated in.

3rd Finder article at Sequential Tart

Self-Discovery/ies in Finder: Voice
By Rebecca Buchanan
May 23, 2011    
http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=1985

Washington Post Magazine article on Richard Thompson reprinted in Express

Michael Cavna's long profile from yesterday is now a 8-paragraph Reader's Digest-type versionon page 25 of today's free Express.

Richard Thompson and Michael Cavna on NPR

Coping With Disease While Capturing Childhood
National Public Radio's Tell Me More May 23, 2011
http://www.npr.org/2011/05/23/136579290/-coping-with-disease-while-capturing-childhood
http://pd.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/tmm/2011/05/20110523_tmm_03.mp3?dl=1

Artist Richard Thompson's "Cul de Sac" is a daily watercolor comic strip in 140 newspapers. It centers on a young girl's experiences with her friends on a cul-de-sac. The Washington Post's Michael Cavna has written a profile on Thompson's career and struggles with Parkinson's disease. Host Michel Martin speaks with Cavna and Thompson about this latest article in the Washington Post Magazine.

Annapolis paper looks at comic book deaths

The end is just the beginning
Comics fans discuss the demise - and resurrection - of superheroes
By THERESA WINSLOW
 The Capital 05/22/11
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/lif/2011/05/22-12/The-end-is-just-the-beginning.html