June 1 is still new comics day (repost)

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.

UK paper profiles former UMD cartoonist Jeff Kinney

Jeff Kinney: Diarist of a Wimpy Kid; Forget Harry Potter – Kinney's books have sold more than 50 million copies and spawned a major film franchise. James Mottram meets him
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/jeff-kinney-diarist-of-a-wimpy-kid-2291050.html

PR: WashPost: Tom Toles's Cartoon Caption Contest Returns

As I received it:

The Washington Post's Tom Toles Cartoon Caption Contest returns today. To enter, check out what Tom Toles sketched and post your suggested caption in the comments section by 11:59 pm ET June 6. Toles will read through all the entries and will plan to announce the winner the next evening. The prize is a print of that cartoon, signed by Toles and including the caption suggested by the winner.

 

For the cartoon and official rules: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tom-toles/post/tom-toless-cartoon-caption-contest-returns/2011/05/27/AG7a9zCH_blog.html  

 

Rafer Roberts on his Kirby Challenge comic

Rafer Roberts Over the last 7 days, a whole bunch of kick-ass comic creators cranked out some comics for the Small Press Commandos' KIRBY CHALLENGE. Mine went online today. So please visit the Small Press Commando site to read it, and make sure to keep checking back to read all the different comics too! KIRBY CHALLENGE: TEAM ZULU « Small Press Commandos smallpresscommandos.com Our very first Commando Challenge was a Smashing success. Our hand picked teams executed their mission in keeping with the highest traditions of our medium. We will be featuring a story a day for the entire week. First up is TEAM ZULU. RAFER "RAMBO" ROBERTS was a one man army on this mission...

4th Sequential Tart on Finder

Read this or die: Finder
By Sheena McNeil
Sequential Tart May 30, 2011
http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=1989   

Truitt on American Vampire and Fear Itself's Hulk

'American Vampire' spawns a new World War II miniseries
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY May 26 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-05-26-American-Vampire-comic-series-spawns-spinoff_n.htm

The Hulk is incredibly 'Worthy' in event series
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY May 23 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-05-23-The-Hulk-is-incredibly-Worthy-in-comics-event-series_n.htm

PR: Beyond Comics Memorial Day Sale!

Beyond Comics Memorial Day Sale! Monday May 30th 11am to 8pm  50% Off New Comics* 25% Off Graphic Novels 20% Off T-Shirts 25% Off Posters  Action Figures 30% Off Green Lantern A/F 30% Off Thor Movie A/F 25% Off DC Heroes (Mattell) 50% Off DC Direct Statues 20% Off Select Bowen Statues 10% Off Select Sideshow Statues 25% Off Posters *All sales subject to availability. Sales do not apply to recent arrivals except where noted. Sale prices not applicable to special orders, on hold items or subscriptions. Discounts may not be combined with any other sales or promotions. Certain exclusions apply, see individual stores for details.  Please visit our stores any time. Gaithersburg                                       Frederick Gaithersburg Square                       Route 85 536 North Frederick Ave                  5632 Buckeystown Pike Gaithersburg, MD 20877                  Frederick, MD 21704 301-668-8202                               (301) 6668-8202

Richard Thompson wins cartooning's 'Oscar' award

Richard Thompson won the National Cartoonist Society's Reuben Award, named after legendary cartoonist Rube Goldberg, in Boston last night. Comic Riffs has the story and also points out that Gary Varvel who won the RFK Journalism Award for editorial cartooning here in DC, also won the NCS editorial cartooning division award.

And here's Richard's blogpost on winning. And here are Chris Sparks' pictures from the ceremony.

June 23: Gaiman's coming!

From: Randy T:

http://www.conventionscene.com/2011/05/23/dc-american-gods-lecture/

Colin Solan's  Convention Scene site has the details about the National Press Club event.

 

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