Another local writer about comics

In addition to electronically meeting Lauren Orsini tonight, she pointed out that Ed Sizemore who writes for Comics Worth Reading also lives in the DC area.

I've also met about 10 webcomics creators at Intervention that will need to be added to the blogroll and should have interviews featured at the City Paper after this coming Library of Congress Book Festival weekend.

Webcomics creators at SPX

I enjoyed Lauren Orsini's SPX article on webcomics - a good take on things that I hadn't considered before. It's amazing how one con can be so many things to so many people.

PR: Graphic Memoir course at Politics and Prose

Graphic Memoir course at Politics and Prose

The Graphic Memoir

The Graphic Memoir
Janice Shapiro
Monday, October 3, 7 - 9:30 p.m.

The graphic memoir is an exciting development in modern literature, filling the niche between prose and film. As exemplified by Art Spiegelman's Maus, Harvey Pekar's American Splendor, and Alison Bechdel's Fun Home, the combination of images and words strengthens, magnifies, and illuminates in unique ways the large and small truths of life. In this class we will look at examples of graphic memoirs and analyze and discuss the visual and storytelling techniques. Then everyone will have the opportunity to draft a one-page graphic memoir about a significant moment in his or her life. The moment does not have to be momentous: It can be funny, tragic, embarrassing, heroic or just about a surprising, cool observation, as long as the moment has resonance. This class is open to everyone and I mean, everyone! No background (or particular talent!) in art or writing is required. Just come with a desire to express yourself in a fresh, fun and exciting way.

Please bring paper and pencils; the instructor will provide additional supplies.

Janice Shapiro is a writer, graphic memoirist and screenwriter. She is the author of Bummer and Other Stories (Soft Skull Press, $14.95). Her stories and comics have been published in The North American Review, The Santa Monica Review, Fifty-Two Stories, Storyville, Devil's Lake, The Seattle Review, and Mixer Publications.

Suggested book: An Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons, and True Stories, edited by Ivan Brunetti (Yale Univ., $28)

Other recommended books:
One! Hundred! Demons!, by Lynda Barry (Sasquatch, $17.95)
Paying for It, by Chester Brown (Drawn & Quarterly, $24.95)
Stitches, by David Small (W.W.Norton, $15.95)

These four books will be discounted 20% for class participants.

*This class will meet in a private room at Jake's American Grille, 5018 Connecticut Avenue NW, across the street from Politics & Prose. Participants may gather in the fiction room at P&P at 6:45 and then walk to Jake's with the instructor. Light appetizers will be provided, other food and beverages are available for purchase, including beer and wine.

Price: $40 ($35 members)

Sept 25: Busiek at Beyond Comics

from their revamped e-newsletter

Kurt Busiek In Store Signing

Saturday Sept. 25th

1:00pm to 4:00pm

Kurt is making a visit o our store in Gaithersburg. Don't miss this awesome opportunity to talk to one of the most knowledgeable writers in comics today.

Seriously, think you can stump him with a question about Marvel or DC, go for it. Oh, by the way, he will be signing stuff for free.

Comics by Kurt Busiek: Astro City, Marvels, Conan (Dark Horse), Shock Rockets, Arrowsmith, Superman Camelot Falls, Supergirl Beyond Good & Evil, Trinity, , Wednesday Comics, JLA/Avengers, Avengers, Avengers Forever, Marvels Eye of the Camera, and tons more (check his bibliography)

and perhaps of interest...

Beyond Comics is Hiring

We are looking for some help in our Frederick location. The position is entry level only and may lead to more responsibilities. We may bring in as many as 2 new people. Hours will be limited. Number of hires depends upon fulfilling our coverage needs. Hours may increase to include occasional weekday closing shifts. If you had applied before, please do so again. Form of pay may be available in trade as well.

Position 1: Weekdays (Wed/Fri)

Hours: 3-6

Pay: $7.25-$10.00 (Commensurate with experience)

Duties: Helping customers, running cash register, sorting comics, cleaning, various duties as specified

Minimum Requirements: At least 18 years of age, able to lift at least 50lbs, good customer service skills, basic arithmetic, knowledge of comic books and pop culture a plus.

Position 2: Weekends

Hours: 3-6

Pay: $7.25-$10.00 (Commensurate with experience)

Duties: Helping customers, running cash register, sorting comics, cleaning, possible opening or closing. various duties as specified

Minimum Requirements: At least 18 years of age, able to lift at least 50lbs, good customer service skills, basic arithmetic, knowledge of comic books and pop culture a plus.

PR: DC Artist Cliff Chiang In-Store Appearance at Cards Comics & Collectibles

Cliff Chiang In-Store Appearance at Cards, Comics and Collectibles      Cliff Chiang In-Store Apperance    From the Store that Brings You the Baltimore Comic-Con...     Cards Comics and Collectibles welcomes Cliff Chiang on Wednesday, September 28th from 3pm-7pm.   Cliff is the artist of the new DC 52 Wonder Woman series, the critically-acclaimed graphic novel "Neil Young's Greendale," as well as Swamp Thing, Human Target, and others.   Wonder Woman # 1 ships on 9/21 with that week's new DC #1's!  The new DC 52 are a hit and CC&C have them! Other stores have sold out but we still have first printings @ cover price! We also offer each week's issues in special packs, bagged, boarded and 25% off cover price!     We will be featuring 50% off trade paperbacks & hardcovers (excluding new items this week) all day!     Check us out for updates on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cards-Comics-and-Collectibles/105966149473844   We bring the best comic show and best guests to Baltimore!  Make sure to mark your calendars for next year's Baltimore Comic-Con, September 8-9, 2012 -- stay tuned to www.baltimorecomiccon.com for more info!     !  "Like" us on Facebook!

Anti-Google comic strip ads in today's Post

3 Anti-Google comic strip ads, "Adventures in Searchville" ran in today's Post's Outlook section. These follow on one in last week's paper.  The website is http://fairsearch.org and the comic strips are here - http://www.fairsearch.org/searchville/

I have no opinion on this beyond noting it exists.

That darn Beetle Bailey

In the letters to the editor "Reflections on 9/11 coverage" in the Washington Post September 17, 2011, Melvin Dubee wrote, "...I was appalled by the wording of the 10th-anniversary tribute in 'Beetle Bailey.'  The letter doesn't appear to be online.

Bob Staake contest in Washington Post

Style Invitational Week 937: Staake it to Bob in a picture book caption contest

By Pat Myers
Washington Post September 18 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/style-invitational-week-937-staake-it-to-bob-in-a-picture-book-caption-contest/2011/09/11/gIQA5AQVWK_story.html

In this week's contest, Style Invitational illustrator Bob Staake was going to tweak the work of some famous New Yorker cartoonists, much as he did for us back in 1998. But now that Bob is now a New Yorker cover boy himself, not to mention a disturbingly successful, Cape Cod waterfront-residing children's-book author and illustrator, we decided instead to make fun of Bob's own oeuvre. This week: Write a caption for any of the five pages or details pictured above from some of Bob's more than 50 picture books. (His name's pronounced "stack," by the way.)

Winner gets the Inker, the official Style Invitational trophy. Second place gets a prize custom-made for the Invite: a dress sewn from two classic Loser T-shirts by Loser Barbara Turner. It even has pockets. But you have to be fairly petite — it's about a size 8. Before lunch. Modeled at a Loser brunch by "Loser groupie" Denise Sudell.

Frank Cho's new dinosaur book profiled

Frank Cho Mixes "Guns & Dinos"
by TJ Dietsch, Comic Book Resources September 15th, 2011
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=34256

Truitt on DC's new 52 and Lemire's Frankenstein

Grading the first half of DC Comics' 'New 52' relaunch
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY September 15 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2011-09-15/Grading-the-first-half-of-DC-Comics-New-52-relaunch/50415740/1

It's alive! Frankenstein electrifies DC Comics' 'New 52'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY September 12 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2011-09-12/Frankenstein-series-electrifies-DC-Comics-New-52/50365414/1

Library of Congress book festival schedules

Graphic Novel pavilion schedule (only on Sunday) is here - http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/graphic-novels-pavilion/2011/09/07/gIQAzCdSVK_story.html

SUNDAY, SEPT. 25

1 P.M. RICHARD THOMPSON

The most recent Reuben Award, cartooning's equivalent of the Oscar, went to Richard Thompson, creator of "Cul de Sac," a strip born in The Washington Post seven years ago. Thompson also draws the "Richard's Poor Almanac" cartoon. His new book is "Shapes & Colors: A Cul de Sac Collection." Signing at 2:30 p.m.

1:55 P.M. KAZU KIBUISHI

Kazu Kibuishi is the founder and editor of the "Flight Anthologies," a critically acclaimed comics series, as well as the creator of "Daisy Kutter: The Last Train," a winner of the YALSA Best Books for Young Adults Award. Kibuishi's new book is "Amulet #4: The Last Council." Signing at 4 p.m.

2:50 P.M. ALLEN SAY

In 1972, Say illustrated his first children's book, and until 1987 was a part-time illustrator. That year, while illustrating "The Boy of the Three-Year Nap," which won a Caldecott Honor in 1989, he decided to work full-time on what he most liked to do: writing and illustrating children's books. His newest is "Drawing from Memory." Signing at 4 p.m.

3:45 P.M. RACHEL RENEE RUSSELL

Rachel Renee Russell is an attorney who prefers writing tween books to legal briefs. She is the author of the "Dork Diaries" series, and her latest book is "Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star." Signing at 2 p.m.

4:40 P.M. ERIC WIGHT

Eric Wight's first book, "My Dead Girlfriend," was nominated for the 2008 Best Graphic Novel of the Year Award by the Young Adult Library Services Association. Wight's most recent book is "Frankie Pickle and the Mathematical Genius." Signing at 3 p.m.

Children's books with Jon Muth and Harry Bliss - http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/childrens-pavilion/2011/09/07/gIQA9tVNVK_story.html

Saturday, September 24th

3:45 P.M. HARRY BLISS

Cartoonist Harry Bliss has illustrated covers for the New Yorker as well as children's books. His comic, "Bliss," is syndicated in more than 50 newspapers. His new book is "Bailey." Signing at 2:30 p.m.

4:40 P.M. WILLIAM JOYCE

William Joyce's picture books include "George Shrinks," "Dinosaur Bob" and "Santa Calls." He has developed character concepts for the animated features "Toy Story" and "A Bug's Life," and made films, including "Robots" and "Meet the Robinsons." He is currently co-directing "Rise of the Guardians," a film inspired by his new series, "The Guardians of Childhood." The first picture book in the series is "The Man in the Moon," above. Signing at 1:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 25

1:00 P.M. JON J MUTH

Artist Jon J Muth is the creator of this year's National Book Festival poster. The first in his "Zen" series of illustrated books, "Zen Shorts," won a Caldecott honor. The latest in the series is "Zen Ghosts." Signing Saturday at 12 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

George O'Connor will be a the New York section signing his Olympian graphic novels on Saturday.

Sept 23: Kate & Jules Feiffer at Politics and Prose

10:30 am, signing My Side of the Car.

David Hagen's Cartoons & Cocktails donation

The annual charity event is coming up, and David Hagenwrites in:

I wanted to alert you that I just got my invitation to donate a cartoon to Cartoons & Cocktails for this year. Very tight deadline for some reason, Sept. 20th for the event on Oct. 20th.  This year will be exciting because it'll be at the Newseum instead of the National Press Club. Here's my submission...
http://hagenillustration.blogspot.com/

So check out David's cartoon, and if you wanted to donate a cartoon, you've got 2 days left.

September 30: Welcome to the Space Show anime at JICC

The Japanese Information and Culture Center, with the DC Anime Club, is showing the Welcome to the Space Show anime on September 30th at 6:30 pm. Details here.

Barney & Clyde picked up by Salt Lake Tribune

And the article includes an interview with Gene Weingarten -

New comic strip is a father-son collaboration
By Scott D. Pierce
The Salt Lake Tribune Sep 16 2011
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/entertainment/52567960-81/comics-strip-weingarten-sunday.html.csp

Interview Intervention Con

The interview -

Intervention Con Returns for a Second Year
by Mike Rhode on Sep. 16, 2011
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2011/09/16/intervention-con-returns-for-a-second-year/

The Oatmeal video chat on Post's website earlier today

The Oatmeal Shows The Post How To Draw (video)
Washington Post.com (September 16 2011)
http://live.washingtonpost.com/the-oatmeal.html

Matthew Inman, creator of The Oatmeal web comic, answers reader questions while drawing reader suggestions.

Voice actor Hank Azaria in The Onion

This article is in the print edition on page 14, but the online version is longer.

Random Roles: Hank Azaria
by Will Harris
Onion September 15, 2011
http://www.avclub.com/articles/hank-azaria,61696/

Comic Book Resources on SPX

2011: A Banner Year for SPX
by Chris Mautner,
Comic Book Resources September 15th, 2011
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=34390

Comicsgirl at SPX

Eden's got 2 stories up - a good one on women cartoonists is here and she and I overlapped on buying about half of these books. I'm sorry I missed Baehr's travelogue. Note that local cartoonist Molly Lawless has a new book out, if not a new baby. 

A general overview is here - Nick Abadzis was there? I missed him again, dammit.