The Doonesbury strips we didn't see last month

The Washington Post repeated two Doonesbury strips in the print newspaper last month (see above) - skipping the actual strips for December 15th and 16th, which can instead be seen at the Doonesbury archives. The Post didn't mention it, but the Toledo Blade explained why the strips were substituted for certain sensitive newspapers. My neighbor Bill. C came through with the print edition so I was finally able to confirm that the Post hadn't run them.

Jef Thompson originals on Etsy

Big Planet Comics clerk, and children's book artist, and sometimes comic book artist Jeffrey Thompson is selling the original scratchboards to his illustration work on Etsy now.

Mark Burrier on drawing an ad for Big Planet Comics

Process: Drawing a One Page Comic for Big Planet Comics

 By Mark Burrier

January 8, 2012

 http://www.markburrier.com/blog/process-drawing-a-one-page-comic-for-big-planet-comics/

 

I've got an interview with Mark that's been hanging out on my harddrive for months (sorry Mark!) that I'll try to get onto the City Paper site this week.

PR: John Fantucchio at Apocalyptic Adventure

You are cordially invited to the most controversial art exhibit in the metropolitan area!  The theme this month is "Artist Warriors Post Apocalyptic Adventure."  Artists imagine themselves surviving in the landscape of a post Apocalyptic world.  John G. Fantucchio has three paintings which have the art community stirring.  This veteran artist of Arlington will be at the Del Ray Artisans Gallery Sunday, January 22,  from 12 noon to 3 p.m.   The address is 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22301-1124.  John found paintings by his fellow artists thought provoking and of such intense quality that he bought one himself for his personal collection.  If you are a Sci-Fi fan, a mystery lover, a graphic novel enthusiast, and an EC connoisseur, you dare not miss this exhibit.  Each work of art will grab you by the throat, and you'll try to say 'I want to see more!'  John will be there to answer your questions.  Each of his paintings is rendered in a different medium: pastel, thick and juicy acrylic, and marvelous mixed media.  Collectable post cards are also available while they last.  Save them, and after Doomsday they'll be worth a small fortune.  Looking forward to seeing you, and please bring a friend.  

USA Today's comics stories

'Fatale' creeps out with a mix of noir, horror
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 4 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-01-04/fatale-comic-book-series/52369082/1

Brian K. Vaughan returns to comics with 'Saga'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 9 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-01-09/Saga-sci-fi-comic-book-series/52457718/1

Fight club: 'Versus' series ties into 'Avengers vs. X-Men'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 6 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-01-06/Avengers-X-Men-Versus-miniseries/52419466/1

Mowgli gets a makeover in Zenescope's 'Jungle Book'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 6 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-01-06/Jungle-Book-comic-series/52415834/1

'The Annotated Sandman' gives new insight into Gaiman series
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 4 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-01-04/Annotated-Sandman-hardcover-book/52374846/1

Laura Hudson recommends Finder

Spurgeon, Tom.  2012.
CR Holiday Interview #17 -- Laura Hudson.
Comics Reporter (January 6): http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/cr_holiday_interview_10_laura_hudson/

- at the very end...

Comic Riffs on latest Bluewater political comics

MITT ROMNEY GETS OWN COMIC: Bachmann, Paul & Perry also get new bio-books
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 5 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/mitt-romney-gets-own-comic-bachmann-paul-and-perry-also-get-new-bio-books/2012/01/05/gIQAA7w2dP_blog.html

Post's Searle obituary

British illustrator Ronald Searle dies at 91

By Emily Langer, Washington Post January 6 2012

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/british-illustrator-ronald-searle-dies-at-91/2012/01/04/gIQAAzIkdP_story.html

Call for Submissions: 2012 Robert F. Kennedy Book & Journalism Awards

January 6, 2012 Call for Submissions:   2012 Robert F. Kennedy Book & Journalism Awards   Dear Friends, The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights is currently accepting submissions the 2012 RFK Book and Journalism Awards. The deadline for submissions is February 1, 2012. Read more about the Book and Journalism Awards below or online at www.rfkcenter.org. Sincerely, Lynn Delaney Executive Director, RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights THE ROBERT F. KENNEDY BOOK AWARD The Robert F. Kennedy Book Award was founded in 1980 with the proceeds from Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.'s best-selling biography, "Robert Kennedy and His Times." Each year, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights presents an award to the book which "most faithfully and forcefully reflects Robert Kennedy's purposes – his concern for the poor and the powerless, his struggle for honest and even-handed justice, his conviction that a decent society must assure all young people a fair chance, and his faith that a free democracy can act to remedy disparities of power and opportunity." The RFK Book Award has been recognized as one of the most prestigious honors an author can receive. THE ROBERT F. KENNEDY JOURNALISM AWARDS The Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards honor outstanding reporting on issues that reflect Robert Kennedy's concerns, including human rights, social justice, and the power of individual action in the United States and around the world. Winning entries provide insights into the causes, conditions, and remedies of injustice and human rights violations, and critical analyses of relevant policies, programs, individual actions, and private endeavors that foster positive change. The RFK Journalism Awards are among the few in which winners are determined by their peers. Past winners include The Washington Post, National Public Radio, CBS's 60 Minutes, ABC's 20/20, and Home Box Office. Deadline: Entries must be received no later than February 1, 2012. Rules for entry: For the rules for entry please visit www.rfkcenter.org. For more information, please contact RFK Book & Journalism Award Manager Christina Taylor, at ctaylor@rfkcenter.org. Through its annual awards, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights amplifies the work of activists, authors, journalists, and students to a global audience. Follow us on: Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights 1367 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Suite 200 | Washington, DC 20036

Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights

Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights
1367 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036

Examiner on Madagascar ice sculpture creating

THE 3-MINUTE INTERVIEW: Larry Walter
- Ben Giles
Washington Examiner (January 5 2012): 5.
online at http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/people/2012/01/3-minute-interview-larry-walter/2065306

As the assistant show producer at ICE!, the Gaylord National hotel's chilly holiday attraction that runs through Sunday, Walter helped oversee the sculpting of more than 2 million pounds of ice into characters from DreamWorks' Christmas special "Merry Madagascar." ..

Death in an allied field

Winifred Milius Lubell, political graphic artist and book illustrator, dies
By David Brown,
Washington Post January 5 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/winifred-milius-lubell-political-graphic-artist-and-book-illustrator-dies/2012/01/05/gIQAmHSmdP_story.html

Warren Bernard on Ronald Searle

Ronald Searle: 1920-2011

BY Warren Bernard Jan 6, 2012

http://www.tcj.com/ronald-searle-1920-2011/

Big Planet Comics Orbit Newsletter - January 5, 2012

January 5, 2012

Time to hit the polls Not THOSE polls - our Best of 2011 polls! We'll be taking votes on 9 categories for the best of 2011: Best New Series Best Reprint Best Artist Best Miniseries Best for Kids Best Single Issue Best Writer Best Ongoing Series Best Graphic Novel Here's a link to the first poll for Best New Series of 2011: https://www.facebook.com/questions/318716288168786/?qa_ref=qts In each category there will be 10 nominees, so vote for your favorite and we'll see who the winner for each is! (You can do a write-in comment if you think we forgot the real best one.) A new poll will be added to our Facebook page every 2 or 3 days, so check back for the next ones too. We will also be doing a monster, super-long podcast where we hash out our favorites so you can disagree with us! It will be up later this week. Happy New Year everyone! Feel free to forward on our newsletter, and please send us any comments or mailing list requests to vienna@bigplanetcomics.com Thanks!   - the Big Planet Comics kids Fatale #1 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips Another crime thriller from the superb Brubaker/Phillips team takes a new direction as they mix in horror influences. A modern reporter discovers an early unknown book manuscript by his famous godfather, and is soon caught up with a mysterious woman and a strange series of cultish murders, as well as the history of the mob and Nazis back in the purplish 1930s! Plus there may be actual monsters running around. Fear Itself HC by Matt Fraction/Ed Brubaker and Stuart Immonen/Scot Eaton Sin, the daughter of the Red Skull, discovers an ancient secret hidden by the Asgardians that she resurrects - the Serpent, whose power of fear divides the Marvel Universe. And then the Serpent brings down hammers like Thor's, but for the bad guys! Seven characters are turned into avatars of destruction in this huge Marvel crossover event, starring everybody! Billy Fog 1: The Gift of Trouble Sight HC by Guillaume Bianco Billy Fog is a kid who can see ghosts and monsters whenever he takes off his glasses! Including death. This allows Billy to have a huge amount of adventures, which are presented here as comics, poems, bestiaries of monsters, and newspaper articles proving the existence of Santa! Plus Bianco's art is a mix of Courtney Crumrin and Calvin & Hobbes. Amazing! Uncanny X-Force #19.1 by Rick Remender and Jerome Opena The insane culmination of the Dark Angel Saga that led Uncanny X-Force into the Age of Apocalypse universe saw a bunch of familiar characters from that timeline. Now, an entire issue focuses on their world, as a prequel to the upcoming Age of Apocalypse series! Weapon X has replaced Apocalypse as the mutants hunt down the last of humanity. Big Planet Comics Podcast #28 We're back! In this week's podcast Kevin, Nick and Jared review all the new stuff from the last 2 weeks. Download this week's now or subscribe on iTunes! Send us questions to podcast@bigplanetcomics.com Annotated Sandman 1 HC by Neil Gaiman/Leslie Klinger and Keith/Dringenberg/Vess A panel by panel look at the first 20 issues of Sandman! Asterix Omnibus 3 HC by Goscinny and Uderzo Three more adventures including going to Britain and vs. Vikings! (all ages) Avengers Academy 2: Real World SC by Christos Gage and Tom Raney Korvac returns, and the students take revenge on their teacher. Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne SC by Grant Morrison and Chris Sprouse Batman travels through time, from cavemen to the Old West! Black Fire HC by Hernan Rodriguez Two soldiers in Napoleon's army find a cursed village in Russia. Brody's Ghost one-shot by Mark Crilley Brody investigates a serial killer with his ghost friend. Curse of the Wendigo SC by Matthieu Missoffe and Charlie Adlard A horror story in the midst of the World War One trenches. Fearless SC by Mark Sable/David Roth and P.J. Holden A reckless superhero who needs anti-anxiety drugs to function. Ferals #1 by David Lapham and Gabriel Andrade A cop investigates a series of werewolf murders in a small town. Inner Sanctum HC by Ernie Colon Short tales of horror inspired by the old radio show. Keep Our Secrets HC by Jordan Crane Heat-sensitive ink allows you to reveal the hidden secrets! (all ages) The Lone Ranger #1 by Ande Parks and Esteve Polls The Lone Ranger helps victims of frontier injustice. Nowhere Man #1 (of 4) by Marc Guggenheim and Jeevan Kang A man is the only one not tracked by the central computer of the future. Screamland: Death of the Party SC by Harold Sipe/Christopher Sebela and Lee Leslie A group of monsters attends a horror convention. Witchfinder 2: Lost and Gone Forever SC by Mike Mignola/John Arcudi and John Severin British occult investigator Edward Grey journeys to the Old West.

like us on Facebook | follow us on Twitter | subscribe on iTunes | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2012 Big Planet Comics, All rights reserved.   Big Planet Comics  -  426 Maple Ave. East, Vienna, Virginia 22180  -  703.242.9412 Big Planet Comics  -  7315 Baltimore Ave., College Park, Maryland 20740  -  301.699.0498 Big Planet Comics  -  4908 Fairmont Ave., Bethesda, Maryland 20814  -  301.654.6856 Big Planet Comics  -  1520 U St. NW, Washington, DC 20009  -  202.342.1961

Sent to joel@bigplanetcomics.com — why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences Big Planet Comics · 426 Maple Ave. East · Vienna, VA 22180

PR: Meet IMAGE COMICS "27" writer CHARLES SOULE this Saturday 1/7/12

Meet Charles Soule, writer of the IMAGE COMICS hit series "27" - A saga of mad science, rock n roll death cults, and more! First 15 Heads In Line Get a FREE Limited Edition "27" Mix Tape, featuring bands and songs featured in the 27 Graphic Novel. Charles Soule will be signing at Third Eye in Annapolis THIS SATURDAY 1/7/12 from 11AM-2PM   We're kicking off 2012 with a bang, Third Eye Faithful, with a HUGE in-store signing event featuring rising star CHARLES SOULE, writer of last year's IMAGE COMICS surprise hit "27". Charles is definitely a name to watch, as he has some soon-to-be-announced big projects coming down the pipeline in 2012, along with the already major success that was last year's 27 and 27: SECOND SET.   27 was one of the biggest IMAGE debuts of 2011, as it delivered the kind of innovative IMAGE COMICS storytelling that we've grown accustomed to with books like CHEW and MORNING GLORIES. The story focuses on a rising star musician named Will Garland, who after coming down with a neurological disorder that could ruin his career, trades his very soul to keep playing guitar. And, in exchange... he soon learns that he may not live to see 28, as visions of the legendary members of the 27 CLUB, a gathering of musicians who've all died unfortunately at the age of 27 (ranging from Kurt Cobain to Amy Winehouse to Jimi Hendrix and more) begin to haunt him. An implant in his chest gives him 27 chances at redemption, but will he take them?    We'll have plenty of the first graphic novel, 27: FIRST SET, available for the signing this Saturday, and if you're a fan of recent IMAGE hits like MORNING GLORIES, or CHEW, or if you're as big of a music fan as you are a comic fan, we highly recommend it.   Click here for the event info on FACEBOOK.    ALSO, CHECK OUT CHARLES SOULE'S NEW GRAPHIC NOVEL THIS WEEKEND, STRONG MAN, A TALE OF LUCHA LIBRE AWESOMENESS!    Also, on hand, Charles will be debuting his brand new graphic novel, STRONGMAN, at Third Eye! A tale of crazy Lucha Libre madness, STRONGMAN looks incredible!    First 15 People In Line Receive a FREE limited edition "27" CD featuring bands and songs featured in the "27" Graphic Novel   For the first 15 people in line for the signing, we'll be giving out a very special "27" mix tape CD that features bands and songs from the "27" graphic novel. This is a very cool little promo item that is strictly limited to this event, and features a ton of great tracks, that your's truly, had a big hand in picking out. We're talking deep cuts here, Third Eye Faithful.   Charles Soule Talks About Breaking Into the Comic Industry!    For many of you who're working on your own comics, or trying to break into the industry, Charles will also be taking some time during his signing to talk about the steps needed to get into the industry, how he broke in, and some pointers on where to start.   We always love starting the New Year off with a bang, Third Eye Faithful, and we love having you guys out to join us for when we bring creators in from other areas, to spotlight their work. If you haven't yet checked out 27, then definitely snag a copy between now and Saturday, or when you come by on Saturday, 'cause we really think you'll dig it, and lets give Charles a big warm Third Eye reception!

PR: New Book - Grant Morrison: Combining the Worlds of Contemporary Comics

a new book from our local professor...

Grant Morrison
Combining the Worlds of Contemporary Comics
By Marc Singer
University Press of Mississippi
ISBN 978-1-61703-136-6, paperback, $25
ISBN 978-1-6170-135-9, hardback, $65

For Immediate Release

A critical study of a postmodern comics writer who flaunts superhero conventions

One of the most eclectic and distinctive writers currently working in comics, Grant Morrison (b. 1960) brings the auteurist sensibility of alternative comics and graphic novels to the popular genres—superhero, science fiction, and fantasy—that dominate the American and British comics industries. His comics range from best-sellers featuring the most universally recognized superhero franchises (such as All-Star Superman, Seven Soldiers) to more independent, creator-owned work (The Invisibles, The Filth, Animal Man, Vimanarama) that defies any generic classification.

In Grant Morrison: Combining the Worlds of Contemporary Comics (University Press of Mississippi), author Marc Singer examines how Morrison uses this fusion of styles to intervene in major political, aesthetic, and intellectual challenges of our time. His comics blur the boundaries between fantasy and realism, mixing autobiographical representation and cultural critique with heroic adventure. They offer self-reflexive appraisals of their own genres while they experiment with the formal elements of comics. Perhaps most ambitiously, they challenge contemporary themes of language and signification, seeking to develop new modes of representation grounded in comics' capacity for visual narrative and the fantasy genres' ability to make figurative meanings more literal.

This is the first book to focus on Morrison's entire career, offering a survey of all his works from Near Myths to present. Singer's study analyzes the ways in which Morrison's comics are married both to pop convention and to literary experimentation. As such, Grant Morrison: Combining the World of Contemporary Comics establishes him as an exemplar of postmodernism in contemporary comics.

 Grant Morrison: Combining the Worlds of Contemporary Comics is the first scholarly study of Grant Morrison's work. Although the book is aimed primarily at an academic audience it is more than accessible by a general readership. Morrison fans will delight in the 50 illustrations that are also included in this volume.

Marc Singer, Hyattsville, Maryland, is assistant professor of English at Howard University in Washington, D.C. He is the coeditor of Detective Fiction in a Postcolonial and Transnational World.

—30—

Read more about Grant Morrison: Combining the Worlds of Contemporary Comics at http://www.upress.state.ms.us/books/1426

Ruffin on the past year's comic creator losses

He's got a good start here. I'll append a few more tonight:

2011 In Memoriam: Comics creator remembrances

Mark Ruffin, DC Comic Books Examiner

January 2, 2012

http://www.examiner.com/comic-books-in-washington-dc/in-memoriam

UPDATE: Mark's list had nine people that I don't have below!

As I noted in my new edition of the Comics Research Bibliography, deaths in 2011 included editorial cartoonist Bob Artley, Uruguayan cartoonist Eduardo Barretto, Croatian cartoonist Ivica Bednjanec, Italian comic-book publisher Sergio Bonelli, avant-garde animator Robert Breer, Charles Brooks, Archie Comics artist John "Jon" D'agostino, Spanish artist Victor de la Fuente, sports cartoonist Bill Gallo, Belgian cartoonist Andre Geerts, French artist Paul Gillon, Belgian comics writer Francine Graton, Jeffrey Jones, Family Circus creator Bil Keane, British cartoonist David Langdon, German cartoonist Loriot, Spirou editor Thierry Martens, Indian cartoonist Mario Miranda, caricaturist Sam Norkin, Slovenian artist Jelko Peternelj, Serbian inker Branko http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifPlavsic, Jerry Robinson, Albany Times Union editorial cartoonist Hy Rosen, DC Comics http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifwriter Alvin Schwartz, Captain America co-creator Joe Simon, French cartoonist Jean Tabary, Argentinian comics writer Carlos Trillo, Belgian cartoonist Albert Weinberg, Irish editorial cartoonist Terry Willers, and Ziggy creator Tom Wilson.

We both missed advertising animators Don Pegler and Vincent Cafarelli.

Jan 8: John Gallagher's Buzzboy signing in Delaware

John Gallagher writes:

Rich and Jamar and I are getting together this Sunday to sign and prep for shipping the first 2 books, and decided to make an event out of it! In our first appearance of 2012, Jamar, Rich, and John will be on hand at Delaware's Coolest Comics Shop, Captain Bluehen Comics! We'll have all our latest books on hand to sell and sign, and welcome our KICKSTARTER supporters to come on by! For directions head over to the Captain Bluehen site, and maybe we'll see you there!

Spider-Man musical article in today's Post

Kennedy, Mark / Associated Press.  2012.
'Spider-Man' snares record: Stunt-driven show has Broadway's highest-grossing week.
Washington Post (January 4)

You can read it here if you didn't get the paper today.

January 14: Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 videogame tournament

DC Anime Club

Presents

 Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3

 

Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 Tournament will take place January 14, 2012 in room A5

on the A Level of the Library from 2pm-5pm at Martin Luthur King,Jr Memorial Library

901 G St NW

Washington, DC 20001.

For more Information please contact:
president@dcanimeclub.org. (202) 262-2083 (phone)

Please follow us on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/groups/DCAnimeClub/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/DCAnimeClub).

 About DC Anime Club:

 DC Anime Club was established in 2003 to introduce and educate people in the Washington, DCarea about East Asian culture, through viewing and discussion of Japanese animation (also known as anime) and Japanese comics (manga).

We also work to provide a positive, alternative activity to the youth in the area by exposing them to foreign culture, encouraging artistic expression and creativity, and providing opportunities for participation in community activities and leadership.

DC Anime Club is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. Contributions to DC Anime Club are tax deductible to the extent allowable under the law.

DC Anime Club has been featured in many newspapers and publications .

In addition to our bi-weekly meetings, the club holds an Art Show, a Cosplay Party fundraising event, and anime lectures at local schools . Our club works with the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan, Smithsonian Freer Gallery and DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival on their anime screenings. Our Marketing Team has helped promote performances for several Japanese bands such as Puffy Ami Yumi, Pine am, The Slants, The Captains and Ayabie.

DC Anime Club was founded by Chris Wanamaker (President), Jules Chang (former Vice President) and Craig Vaughn (Vice President) on Saturday June 5, 2003. We have a strong membership that continues to grow. 

DC Anime Club's Christopher Wanamaker profiled

The Very Best: TOKYOPOP's Interview With America's Greatest Otaku, Christopher Wanamaker
GeekChicDaily January 4 2012
http://www.geekchicdaily.com/region/tokyopop/the-very-best-tokyopop-interviews-americas-greatest-otaku-christopher-wanamaker-full-interview