USA Today on Xenoholics and Marvel's Alonso

Love of aliens and quirky mystery spawns 'Xenoholics'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 11 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-07-11-Love-of-aliens-quirky-mystery-spawn-new-comic-series-Xenoholics_n.htm

Meet Axel Alonso, the main man at Marvel Comics
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 11 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-07-11-axel-alonso-marvel-comics_n.htm

Comic Riffs interviews Stephen Hess on political cartoons

Fresh off Press Club award, author insists that the American political cartoon still matters
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog July 11 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/fresh-off-press-club-award-author-insists-that-the-american-political-cartoon-still-matters/2011/07/08/gIQAOS0t8H_blog.html

Winnie the Pooh animation in today's Express

The Gang is Back: For its 'Pooh' reboot, Disney sticks with traditional animation.

Angela Dawson / Entertainment News Wire

Express (July 11 2011, p. 25)

Brandon Graham on Carla McNeil

Good long interview here:

 

Emma Peel Sessions 62 – Brandon Graham Interview
Supervillain blog 07/02/2011 by sean witzke
http://supervillain.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/emma-peel-sessions-62-brandon-graham-interview/

and here's the pull quote:

 

Carla Speed McNeil

I feel like her work shows how big comics can be. She does such a great example of what I was talking about earlier with clear enough storytelling over dense complex backgrounds.

Recently I got to do a panel with her at a con and took her calling me babe the way other dudes would take home an Eisner.

PR: Comic Book Diner relaunches Kickstarter campaign

Project Update #18: We've Relaunched the Buzzboy/Roboy/Leon Graphic Novel Collection!

Posted by Comic Book Diner - John, Rich & Jamar

NEW KICKSTARTER PROJECT: Buzzboy/Roboy/Leon Graphic Novel Collection! Hey folks– we've resubmitted and started up a new Kickstarter Project, with some nifty changes to the books, and some very col rewards, like hardcover editions of the Roboy, Buzzboy and Leon Books, original art, and even a chance to have a cameo in the books– if you backed us once we hope you'll do it again! If you missed it last time– here's your chance! Click the link below, or the pic above to get the full scoop! Thanks for your previous support-- hopefully you'll come join the fun again! NEW KICKSTARTER PROJECT: Buzzboy/Roboy/Leon Graphic Novel Collection!

USA Today on Savage Dragons' bin Laden

Osama bin Laden returns in the pages of 'Savage Dragon'
By Brian Truitt
USA Today July 6 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-07-06-Osama-bin-Laden-returns-in-Savage-Dragon-comic-series_n.htm

PR: Small Press Expo announces Pizza Island as guests for SPX 2011, with Kate Beaton, Sarah Glidden, Lisa Hanawalt, Domitille Collardey, Julia Wertz and Meredith Gran

Small Press Expo Announces Pizza Island as guests for SPX 2011, with Kate Beaton, Sarah Glidden, Lisa Hanawalt, Domitille Collardey, Julia Wertz and Meredith Gran

 

For Immediate Release                              Contact: Warren Bernard

                                                                       E-Mail: warren@spxpo.com

Bethesda, Maryland; July 7, 2011 – The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons is pleased to announce that the cartoonist studio Pizza Island—composed of Kate Beaton, Sarah Glidden, Lisa Hanawalt, Domitille Collardey, Julia Wertz, and Meredith Gran—will be guests for SPX 2011, held September 10–11, 2011, at the Marriott North Bethesda Hotel and Conference Center in Bethesda, Maryland, next to the White Flint Metro station. 

These guests are in addition to the previously announced cartoonists Roz Chast, Craig Thompson, Jim Woodring, Chester Brown, Johnny Ryan, Jim Rugg, Jay Stephens, Matthew Thurber, Ann Telnaes, and Diane Noomin.

Kate Beaton's Hark! A Vagrant is one of the most popular web comics, receiving over 500,000 unique hits a month. This fall it will be celebrated in a collection published by Drawn and Quarterly. Visit her site at http://www.harkavagrant.com.

Sarah Glidden is the creator of the well-reviewed How To Understand Israel In 60 Days Or Less, published by Vertigo Books. She is now working as a citizen journalist touring Syria for the Common Language Project to study the Iraqi refugee problem, posting her cartoon commentaries from this trip at http://www.cartoonmovement.com/comic/10. Visit her web site at http://www.smallnoises.com.

Lisa Hanawalt is a cartoonist and illustrator whose work was published in The New York Times, Vice Magazine, McSweeneys, The Believer and Glamour. In 2009, her mini-comic Stay Away From Other People won an Ignatz Award, and she followed that up in 2010 with I Want You #1 winning the Ignatz Award for Outstanding Comic. Her web site is http://lisahanawalt.com.

Julia Wertz has had two volumes of her popular web comic series Fart Party published by Atomic Books. Her latest book is Drinking at the Movies from Three Rivers Press, which details her migration from San Francisco to New York City. Julia's web site is http://www.juliawertz.com.

Meredith Gran is the author of Octopus Pie: There Are No Stars In Brooklyn, which was published by Villard Books, a Random House subsidiary. A compilation of her web comic, you can see new episodes regularly at http://www.octopuspie.com.

Domitille Collardey is a cartoonist and illustrator, having worked for a number of French magazines as well as McSweeneys. She is currently working on another comic book for Editions Delcourt.

For detailed information about all of our announced guests, visit the SPX web site at www.spxpo.com.

SPX culminates with the presentation of the Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning on Saturday night, September 10 at 9PM. The event is open to the public. The Ignatz is the first Festival Prize in the US comic book industry, voted on by SPX attendees. 

SPX is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini comics, and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators, as well as a series of panel discussions and interviews with this year's guests.

As in previous years, profits from the SPX will go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), protecting the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals. For more information on the CBLDF, go to their website at http://www.cbldf.org.

The hours for SPX 2011 are 11am–7pm Saturday, September 10, and 12–6pm Sunday, September 11. Admission is $10 for a single day or $15 for the weekend.

OT: Local artist Rob Liberace profiled

Local fine artist Rob Liberace is briefly profiled here - I know him slightly, and am in awe of his work.

Cars 2 animator from PG County

'CARS 2' animator Bob Moyer embodies Pixar 2.0: The Next Generation [in print as 'Local color was his inspiration', p. C2].

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog (July 6, 2011): http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/cars-2-animator-bob-moyer-embodies-pixar-20-the-next-generation/2011/06/27/gIQAJXve0H_blog.html

Cul de Sac nominated for Harvey Award

Cul de Sac is nominated for a Harvey Award which will be decided on at the Baltimore Comic Con this year.

Photos of recent DC-area comics events

2nd DC Comic Con

Daring to Draw: An Evening with Political Cartoonists from Around the World

Steven Weinberg and Casey Scieszka signing "To Timbuktu"

Abadzis's 'Laika' graphic novel gets new endings for Big Planet Comics

Big Planet Comics says "To help us celebrate our 25th anniversary, Nick Abadzis is going to be posting alternative endings to Big-Planet-favorite graphic novel Laika on our web page!"

Wow, this is totally cool, if ahistorical. Abadzis has a note about why he's doing this, under the first imaginary happy ending for the Russian space dog.

And Big Planet has a podcast? Since June? Who knew?

Californian cartoonist Monte Wolverton a "Beltway cartoonist?"

"I'm told some consider me a `Beltway cartoonist,'" Wolverton said.

 

To see why, read:

 

Cartoonist drawn to sharp views: B.G.'s Wolverton also pursues artistic endeavors
By Mary Ann Albright, Columbian Staff Reporter
Saturday, July 2, 2011
http://www.columbian.com/news/2011/jul/02/cartoonist-drawn-to-sharp-views/

Cul de Sac might be Chris Schweitzer's favorite comic strip

Find out why or why not at this interview (and let me parenthetically note that I love, LOVE, Chris's Crogan adventure stories -

Chris Schweizer - Cartoonist Survey #231
by David Paccia
June 27, 2011
http://david-wasting-paper.blogspot.com/2011/06/chris-schweizer-cartoonist-survey-231.html

Print available from Bill Day, 2010 RFK award winner

Bill Day, who was the 2010 RFK editorial award winner (of which I was a judge, hence this post), is selling a signed print of a cartoon about New York's support of gay rights - for ordering details, see

http://www.smartcitymemphis.com/2011/07/get-signed-limited-edition-of-bill-days-i-love-ny-t-shirt/

Post on Spider-Man musical

In unraveling choreography, Broadway's 'Spider-man' loses superpowers
By Sarah Kaufman
Washington Post July 3 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/in-unraveling-choreography-broadways-spider-man-loses-superpowers/2011/06/27/AG5AY4tH_story.html

PR: Cards Comics and Collectibles Independence Day Sale

Cards Comics and Collectibles 3-Day Independence Day Sale

Press Release For Immediate Release

Cards Comics and Collectibles 3-Day Independence Day Sale   From the Store that Brings You the Baltimore Comic-Con...   CARDS COMICS AND COLLECTIBLES INDEPENDENCE DAY SALE IS JULY 2ND-4TH!    50% OFF: ALL TRADE PAPER BACKS AND HARDCOVERS! 50% OFF:  TOYS, STATUES, AND TOON TUMBLERS!   Our address:  100 A Chartley Dr., Reisterstown, MD  21136 Sale Hours:  Saturday, 11am-7pm; Sunday, 12pm-5pm; Monday, 12pm-6:30pm For more information, call Cards Comics and Collectibles:  410-526-7410   See you there!

July 2: Magic The Gathering Tournament Saturday at Beyond Comics

Beyond Comics Magic The Gathering Tournament At Our Gaithersburg Location  Saturday July 2nd   1:00pm to 6:00pm     MTG Scars Block Sealed Tournament This event will be a Scars of Mirrodin Block Sealed event.   Fee: $25 (+tax)   includes 6 boosters (2 each of Scars of Mirrodin, Mirrodin Besieged, and New Phyrexia).    Additional basic Lands will be available for deck building.   Basic Rules:  Use sealed product to build a deck that contains a minimum of 40 cards.   3 or 4 round tournament (depending upon attendance).   Swiss style (play every round win or lose).   Prizes:  Booster packs for top finishers. WPN Promo cards will also be available  (Exactly how they will be awarded is yet to be determined, and may depend on attendance). Find out more information or RSVP on Facebook...       Pre-register Here   Magic Tournament Pre-Registration    Stay Tuned For More Tournament Dates: Stay Tuned For More Tournament Dates: At Beyond Comics 536 North Frederick Ave. Gaithersburg, MD 20877     (301) 216-0007

Comic Riffs on the closure of United Media syndicate

RIP, UNITED MEDIA: A century-old syndicate closes its historic doors
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog July 1 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/rip-united-media-a-century-old-syndicate-closes-its-historic-doors/2011/07/01/AGThVctH_blog.html

A lesson drawn from Jim Hunt's interview

Big-Time Cartoonist Still Draws from Craigslist Want Ads
By Richard Horgan
Fishbowl LA blog June 29, 2011
http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlla/jim-hunt-fox-sports-craigslist-patriot-ledger_b32498