Truitt on Nightwing

Nightwing is an inspiring hero in his relaunched series
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 16 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-01-16/Nightwing-comic-book-series/52592040/1

Joshua Luna's Whispers preview online

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=11078

Richard Thompson taking time off for physical therapy

He's got the story of his break from Cul de Sac here.

Cavna on Tintin books; Toles on Mitt and money

Two new books about Tintin and his creator
By Michael Cavna,
Washington Post January 15 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/two-new-books-about-tintin-and-his-creator/2012/01/11/gIQAzui0wP_story.html

And soon we'll find out
By Tom Toles
January 12 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tom-toles/post/and-soon-well-find-out/2012/01/11/gIQAogq1qP_blog.html

Truitt on Supreme's return, the Activity and cartoons

Image Comics' Erik Larsen takes on a 'Supreme' new role
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 13 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-01-13/Supreme-comic-book-series/52539116/1

'The Activity' aims for realism with its government intrigue
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 11 2011

DVD sets highlight obscure 'G.I. Joe,' 'Transformers' 'toons
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 10 2012

Short Frank Cho interview online

Interview with Frank Cho at Albuquerque Comic Con, possible Zombie King movie?
Jared Earickson, Albuquerque Comic Books Examiner
January 14, 2012
http://www.examiner.com/comic-books-in-albuquerque/interview-with-frank-cho-at-albuquerque-comic-con-possible-zombie-king-movie

Local guy comments on internet animation

Around minute 22 I have a talking head moment - but the whole program is well done and worth watching. I had a second commentary where I recommended Ann Telnaes' animation on the Washington Post's website, but that didn't make it in - Mike

Nick Muirhead
"Online animators with a political punch,"
Al Jazeera's Listening Post (January 14, 2012): http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/listeningpost/2012/01/201211481528732918.html

Linda Holmes on Beauty and the Beast's return

'Beauty And The Beast' Returns And Enchants, Even In Unneeded 3-D
by Linda Holmes
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (January 14, 2012):
http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2012/01/14/145189123/beauty-and-the-beast-returns-and-enchants-even-in-unneeded-3-d

Post's Stuever on new animation

'Napoleon Dynamite,' 'Unsupervised' and 'Archer': Cartoons that feel unanimated
By Hank Stuever,
Washington Post January 15 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/television/napoleon-dynamite-again-gosh/2012/01/08/gIQAlwbhwP_story.html

Guest reporter post : Fox 5 News DC Just ran a promo for an upcoming story on comic books

Ray Bottorff Jr reports:

WTTC Fox 5 of Washington DC, ran a promo during the NFC Divisional Playoffs Saturday evening January 14 on an upcoming special report that appears to be a Wertham-style attack on comic books.

Scheduled to air on Wednesday January 18th, on their 11:00 pm newscast, the promo presents to the audience the suggestion that comics are full of sex and violence, using the quote "Playboy meets comics."

With what sensationalized call to arms, the ad purported to show in the news story how parents can "KO" these comics for their kids.

Certainly a 30-second plug for a late night news story will not cover everything that will be mentioned during the story when it airs. But the promo certainly gave the impression that it will malign the industry and deliver the usual stereotypes on how comics are only for kids (never mind that the comics shown are not for kids), and that smut is being peddled by comic book stores to children (which they are not).

What kind of vigilance should comic book fans do to this modern day Wertham-style attack? Swamp Fox 5 with phone calls? Protest at the Fox 5 studios? Something else?

Here's the post-broadcast update.

Wisconsin reader wants Cul de Sac

Seth Kleinschmidt: Maybe it's time to retire `Family Circus'
Wisconsin State Journal January 14, 2012
 http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/opinion/mailbag/seth-kleinschmidt-maybe-it-s-time-to-retire-family-circus/article_d9bce17c-3e1c-11e1-9bb6-001871e3ce6c.html

Yardley on Pogo in tomorrow's Post

"Pogo Through the Wild Blue Wonder: The Complete Syndicated Comic Strips, Volume 1" by Walt Kelly
By Jonathan Yardley,
Washington Post January 15 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/2012/01/03/gIQA5QU0wP_story.html

John Fantucchio's 1967 Rocket Blast 7 fanzine cover

Check it out here:

Parente,William.  1967.
The End of an Era [EC Comics].
Rocket's Blast Special (7): 1-8.
Scans online at  http://randomactsofgeekery.blogspot.com/2012/01/fandom-library-rbcc-special-7-screen.html

John's got artwork on exhibit in Alexandria now.

Comic Riffs on cartoon journalists in Haiti

'HAITI'S SCAPEGOATS': Cartoon Movement's compelling video tells of LGBT abuse
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs (January 13 2012)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/haitis-scapegoats-cartoon-movements-compelling-video-tells-of-lgbt-abuse/2012/01/13/gIQALTwXwP_blog.html

Matt Bors is interviewed.

Beauty and the Beast 3-D opens in area

The Post has put its 1991 reviews of Disney's Beauty and the Beast online.

Napoleon Dynamite cartoon review in today's Express

A new Napoleon Dynamite cartoon is reviewed in today's Express on page 25. It's credited to Hank Steuver and the Post where it will probably appear on Sunday.

Comic strips pushing the envelope

Hey, they're not just for kids anymore! Two that appeared in today's Post are a trifle risque.

 

Doonesbury (1/13/12) gets the word 'douche' in while referring to a person and not a feminine hygiene product, or a cold bath in the 19th century.

 

Sherman's Lagoon (1/13/12) has a circumcision / fellatio gag.

Jan 14-15: Gigacon at Art Institute of Washington

Gigacon is at the Art Institute of Washington this weekend. The guests include cartoonists and animators, and local comic creator Matt Dembicki will be there.

Their Facebook page has a post with the schedule which is:

Jan 14th
10 Panel discussion with all the guests
11 Panel discussion with all the guests
... 12 Lunch
1 Portfolio reviews and Demonstrations
2 Portfolio reviews and Demonstrations
3 One on one with the invited guests

Jan 15th
10 Portfolio reviews and Demonstrations
11 Portfolio reviews and Demonstrations
12 Lunch
1 One on one with the invited guests
2 One on one with the invited guests
3 Alumni panel discussion

Wash Times blogger wants more girl superheroes

Where are all the girl superheros?
by Rebekah Kuschmider
Washington Times' So Here's the Thing blog January 11, 2012
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/so-heres-thing/2012/jan/11/where-are-all-girl-superheros/

Truitt on Spider-Man clones, DC Comics launches, and Blade anime

A study in 'Scarlet': Spider-Man clone stars in new series
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 11 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-01-11/Scarlet-Spider-comic-series/52496322/1

DC Comics explores new worlds, old favorites with six titles
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 12 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-01-12/dc-comics-unveils-six-new-series/52504982/1

Seven things to know about DC Comics' new wave of books
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 12 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-01-12/Seven-facts-about-six-new-DC-Comics-series/52510592/1

Harold Perrineau bites into G4's 'Blade' anime series
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 12 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-01-12/Harold-Perrineau-stars-in-Blade-anime-series/52519544/1