Meet a formerly local collector

Charlie Roberts got his start in Alexandria, VA.

ORIGIN ISSUE: Charlie Roberts
November 23 2011
http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=260&ai=115427

Weldon's Thanksgiving comic picks

I'm not feeling a lot of love for this list - Pogo's great, but I would have picked Carl Barks' Duck stories over that.

Still More Tryptophan-tastic Tomes To See You Through Your Turkey Coma
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (November 23, 2011): http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/11/23/142682349/still-more-tryptophan-tastic-tomes-to-see-you-through-your-turkey-coma

New Buzzboy PR

Can Buzzboy Conquer the "Dynamic Trio" of iTunes, the Internet, and Print Publishing?

Cartoonist John Gallagher announced the release of his graphic novel, Buzzboy: Sidekicks Rule, through three publishers in three different formats. The humorous story of a tween super-sidekick, Buzzboy is being released as a new webcomic at Keenspot.com, in print through through Red Giant Entertainment, and as a digital comic in Gallagher's own "Comics Jukebox " iTunes app.

 

Buzzboy,  a kid-friendly tale of a milkshake loving, diner dwelling sidekick, who must save the world when all the adult heroes disappear,  was created as an answer to the dark, gritty comics that seem to dominate the comics marketplace. "I've always focused on creating comics that everyone can enjoy," said Gallagher, "and this lets me reach out to people other than the average comic book fan—essentially, the 200 million people who aren't going into comics shops." Comic books are an integral part of pop culture, but have had trouble at times attracting new fans, especially young readers.

 

"As the father of three kids," says Gallagher, "I found that my children were just as likely to read on an iPad as play a game or watch a show. That's why an app is part of the plan." Comics Jukebox, created with fellow cartoonist and friend Steve Conley, offers free and affordable kid-friendly comics on the iPad, including Buzzboy and other all-ages comics. "Jukebox" has already been downloaded thousands of times, and a version for the Android market is in the works, and they are currently prepping for the e-book market.

 

Although some say print sales could be hurt by the web and digital releases, Gallagher sees it as all part of a new, organic relationship across all media. "I read Calvin and Hobbes every day in the newspaper when it was originally ran, but that didn't stop me from purchasing collections of the comics in the bookstore," said Gallagher. "I don't think today's audience cares where the story is told, be it on the web, in a book, or on the side of a building—as long as it is where they want to read it."

 

Buzzboy: Sidekicks Rule is is available to read on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays at http://buzzboy.keenspot.com, on iTunes through Comics Jukebox, and is headed to all comics shops, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com in early December.

John Gallagher

703.989.3068

john@sky-dog.com

www.sky-dog.com

www.skydogcomics.com

Two, no, three, new cartoonist sites this evening

I ran across Rebecca Moretti (nee Simms) and Chris Mararac at the DC Conspiracy table at Anime USA this past weekend. Simms-Moretti was selling two collections of her webcomic, and Mararac had large prints of his cartoon artwork.

Simms does the webcomic Girl Ninja, and is a former local. Mararac's site is www.uppercut-justice.com

I also saw the people behind the Intervention con, and here's a link to Onezumi Hartstein's webcomic Stupid & Insane Defenders Against Chaos.

Pekar statue to be funded

Fundraising hits goal for library sculpture honoring late comic book writer Harvey Pekar
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS November 22, 2011
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/87a543fe49574a55bdbbf46c97ccd280/OH--Harvey-Pekar-Monument/

Yay!

Lauren Orsini writes about being Amime USA PR

Local journalist Lauren Orsini writes on her blog about being Amime USA's PR person. Lauren got me into the show, my first anime con, and I think I'll have a better idea about the whole shebang next year. I must say, I'm not used to being that clueless about the costumes.

And note Lauren's blog Otaku Journalist. I've added it to the linklist on the lower right as well.

Comic Riffs' Bil Keane followup

CARTOON OF THE DAY: 'Lio's' artful Bil Keane tribute

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog November 21 2011

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/cartoon-of-the-day-lios-artful-bil-keane-tribute/2011/11/21/gIQAwATojN_blog.html

This includes reminiscences by Mel Lazarus.

Nick Galifianakis' Team Cul de Sac contribution finally comes in

Sure, he's late, but it's pretty. Here's what Nick says about the drawing -
http://teamculdesac.blogspot.com/2011/11/nick-galifianakis-says-and-draws.html

Linda Holmes on Brave

Thanks, Pixar, From All The Girls With Band-Aids On Their Knees
by Linda Holmes
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog November 21, 2011
http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/11/21/142591230/thanks-pixar-from-all-the-girls-with-band-aids-on-their-knees

PR: Cards Comics and Collectibles 23rd Annual Thanksgiving Sale

Cards Comics and Collectibles Annual Thanksgiving Sale

Press Release For Immediate Release

Cards Comics and Collectibles 23rd Annual Thanksgiving Sale From the Store that Brings You the Baltimore Comic-Con... For 23 years, we have brought you the largest, most complete comic book and collectibles Thanksgiving sale in the greater Baltimore area.  On Friday November 25th, Saturday November 26th, and Sunday November 27th, following Thanksgiving, those discounts return, with even larger discounts on Sunday. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY   70% OFF: BRONZE AND MODERN BACK ISSUES, CARD SINGLES! 50% OFF: PAPERBACKS, HARDCOVERS, MANGA, TOYS, STATUES, AND TOON TUMBLERS! 30% OFF: GOLDEN AND SILVER AGE COMICS! 20% OFF: CARD PACKS, CARD BOXES, NEW COMICS, "NEW THIS WEEK" COMICS, PAPERBACKS, AND HARDCOVERS! SUNDAY ONLY 80% OFF: Modern Back Issue Bins 60% OFF: Paperbacks & Hardcovers For over two decades now, folks travel hundreds of miles take advantage of our Thanksgiving deals. Be sure to ask us about next year's Baltimore Comic-Con too! Our address:  100 A Chartley Dr., Reisterstown, MD  21136 Our Hours:  Friday, 11am-7:30pm; Saturday, 11am-7pm; Sunday, 12am-5:00pm For more information, call Cards Comics and Collectibles @ 410-526-7410

Anime USA moving into DC next year...

...reports Arlington Now, which also has photos of cosplayers.

Truitt on Pilot Season and King City

'Pilot Season' Week 7: 'Seraph' wields biblical power
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY November 15 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2011-11-15/Pilot-Season-Week-7-Seraph-book-wields-biblical-power/51221172/1

A cool cat and master return in new 'King City' collection
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY November 15 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2011-11-15/King-City-collection-releases-in-February/51216618/1

Voice actor article in today's Post

Hank Azaria is very vocal about his line of work [animation voice actor].

Bentley, Rick / Fresno Bee.  2011

Washington Post (November 20): EZ14

Anime USA continues today in Crystal City

I stopped by Anime USA for a couple of hours yesterday, had a good time and in spite of not being as familiar with Japanese cartoons as I am with American ones. A few locals have tables - Chris Flick, DC Conspiracy and the Intervention Con. There's a lot of great costumes - it feels kind of like a Halloween carryover - and people are glad to have photos taken. The dealers room has a lot of material imported from Japan (and a lot of leather corsets and pink wigs) and I probably spent the most time in there, marveling at pop culture.

Orsini on webcomic

Adventures in Depression not so fun for Hyperbole and a Half
Lauren Rae Orsini
October 2011
http://www.dailydot.com/culture/hyperbole-and-half-depression-allie-brosch/

Comic Riffs on Pekar statue campaign

HARVEY PEKAR MEMORIAL: Oy! What does it take to honor comics' Everyman already
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog November 18 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/harvey-pekar-memorial-oy-what-does-it-take-to-honor-comics-everyman-already/2011/11/18/gIQAVXIIYN_blog.html

Anime USA continues today in Crystal City

Reminder! So Much Anime This Weekend

Posted by Mike Rhode on Nov. 18, 2011 at 2:00 pm

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2011/11/18/reminder-so-much-anime-this-weekend/

Post on Happy Feet 2

Dancing penguin and his missteps
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post Nov 18, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/happy-feet-two,1210234/critic-review.html

The Examiner ran an AP review and the Express ran a stripped down version of the above.

Truitt on Max Allan Collins and Lance Biggs

Max Allan Collins makes one more 'Return to Perdition'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY November 16 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2011-11-16/Max-Allan-Collins-Return-to-Perdition-graphic-novel/51241222/1

Football star Lance Briggs tackles the comics industry
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY November 17 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2011-11-17/Lance-Briggs-Top-Cow-comic-book/51267876/1

Takoma Park librarian on Wimpy Kid

'Cabin Fever' shows Jeff Kinney's hot streak not wimping out
 By KAREN MACPHERSON, Scripps Howard News Service November 16 2011
http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/65469