WTOP: 'The Simpsons' celebrate 500th episode

A little late but...

'The Simpsons' celebrate 500th episode
Matt Roush, entertainment editor, TV Guide
WTOP Feb 19th, 2012
http://www.wtop.com/?nid=774&sid=2754143

Feb 23: Nate Powell at the Takoma Park Library, Thursday night. Tomorrow!

Hello comics readers!

Just forwarding a note to all who may be interested.  This coming Thursday noted graphic novel author/illustrator Nate Powell will be giving a solo presentation and discussion here at the Takoma Park Maryland Library (101 Philadelphia Ave, Takoma Park MD 20912) at 7:30 PM

(Actually somehow it has been advertised at both 7PM and 7:30 so he'll likely be there a little early, setting up and stalling for time a bit).

Nate's most recent book is The Silence of our Friends -- apropos of Black History month this memoir examines tensions and tentative friendships formed between two families in small town Texas during the struggle for Civil Rights.  (See the attached press release).

Nate will talk about this book and his earlier works (Swallow Me Whole, et al) as well as his process in translating a story into a visual format.  Should be interesting.   Our patron and colleague Adam Waterreus from the Politics and Prose graphic novel discussion group will also attend and you should be able to buy books on-site.

If you think you'll come and want to register, it lets us know how many people we might expect, it isn't strictly necessary,  but it helps:

http://engagedpatrons.org/Events.cfm?SiteID=3728

Hope to see you there!

------
Dave Burbank,
Library Assistant, Youth Services
Graphic Novels curator, media specialist
Takoma Park MD Library

Feb 22: Politics and Prose bookgroup on The Silence of Our Friends

From Adam of P&P:

Just wanted to send out a reminder that we'll be meeting tomorrow night at 7:30pm to discuss THE SILENCE OF OUR FRIENDS, by Mark Long, Jim Demonakos and Nate Powell.

Also, Mark Long will be at the Takoma Park Library Thursday at 7pm. He'll be discussing the book there.

Also, Mark Long, Jim Demonakos and Nate Powell CANCELLED their visit to Politics and Prose on Saturday at 1pm.

PR: Small Press Expo announces Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez as guests for SPX 2012

Small Press Expo announces Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez as guests for SPX 2012

For Immediate Release                     Contact: Warren Bernard
                                                  
                                                          E-Mail: warren@spxpo.com

Bethesda, Maryland; February 21, 2012 – The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels, and alternative political cartoons, welcomes acclaimed independent cartoonists Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez as guests for SPX  2012.  2012 marks the 30th anniversary of the first issue of Love and Rockets, and SPX is proud to be the only East Coast comic festival to have Jaime and Gilbert as guests for this years celebration.

In addition to celebrating the anniversary of their works, this will mark the first time in the 21st century that previously announced guests Chris Ware and Dan Clowes will be at an event with Jaime and Gilbert Hernandez.

There are four new books tentatively scheduled to be released by Fantagraphics Books by Jaime and Gilbert in 2012 prior to SPX, including Love and Rockets New Stories #5. Other books include two collections and a companion volume:

The Adventures of Venus by Gilbert Hernandez
God and Science by Jaime Hernandez
The Love and Rockets Companion by Marc Sobel & Kristy Valenti

Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez ushered in the 1980s as bold and vibrant new voices in the comics medium at a time when the comics publishing industry had all but given up on independent artists. After sending their self-published Love and Rockets #1 – an intoxicating blend of punk rock, sci-fi, B-movies, and seemingly the entire history of cartooning – to The Comics Journal, the series opened the gateway for a new generation of cartooning talent.

Although Love and Rockets has been relaunched and reformatted several times throughout its history, Los Bros have continued with the series non-stop since that first self-published issue, through the evolution of their individual artistic styles and concerns. Gilbert in particular has published prolifically with a variety of publishers, but the long-form stories of Gilbert's town of Palomar and Jaime's Locas remain among the most respected and loved independent comics. Their compelling characters have grown older with their devoted long-term readers, even as they have continued to attract new readers.

Details of events featuring Los Bros Hernandez will be released as planning is finalized. Pre-Expo interview opportunities may be available. Please contact the SPX press office at the number above.

About SPX

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 the SPX Graphic Novel Gift Program, which gifts graphic novels to public and academic libraries, as well as the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), which protects 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.

SPX also preserves the works of the creators in the indie comics community through the Small Press Expo Collection at the Library of Congress, a first of its kind relationship between a festival and a major collecting institution in the United States. 

SPX 2012 will be held Saturday, September 15  and Sunday, September 16.  For more information on the Small Press Expo, please visit http://www.spxpo.com.

Carla Speed McNeil interview up at City Paper

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat With Carla Speed McNeil
 by Mike Rhode on Feb. 21, 2012
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2012/02/21/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-carla-speed-mcneil/

and it's worth noting that she's a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.

Astro Boy play, Katsucon and Kickstarter success

Natsu Onoda Power's 'Astro Boy' takes imaginative flight
By Peter Marks,
Washington Post February 21 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/natsu-onoda-powers-astro-boy-takes-imaginative-flight/2012/02/20/gIQA84K9PR_story.html

Katsucon 18 - All Your Geek Are Belong To Us
by DCist contributor Leigh Bailey
February 21 2012
http://dcist.com/2012/02/katsucon_18_-_all_your_geek_are_be.php#photo-1

NEW KICKSTARTER RECORD: 'Order of the Stick' webcomic creator Rich Burlew cites 'huge geeky safety net' in $1.2M donation campaign
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 21 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/new-kickstarter-record-order-of-the-stick-webcomic-creator-rich-burlew-cites-huge-geeky-safety-net-in-12m-donation-campaign/2012/02/21/gIQAbMJSRR_blog.html#pagebreak

Richard Thompson and other cartoonists' videos from National Book Festival

Richard Thompson: 2011 National Book Festival
Library Of Congress on Feb 21, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFzDepA7gF0
http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=5405
http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/transcripts/2011/2011nbf/rthompson.txt

Jon J Muth: 2011 National Book Festival
Library Of Congress on Jan 24, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtk-1CW5nmI
http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=5360
http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/transcripts/2011/2011nbf/jjmuth.txt

Harry Bliss: 2011 National Book Festival
Library Of Congress on Jan 24, 2012
http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=5363
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzq_HQiL5rA
http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/transcripts/2011/2011nbf/hbliss.txt

Mark Pett & Gary Rubinstein: 2011 National Book Festival
Library Of Congress on Jan 26, 2012
http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=5372
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG5dJqG88iU
http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/transcripts/2011/2011nbf/mpettgrubenstein.txt

William Joyce: 2011 National Book Festival
Library Of Congress on Jan 25, 2012
http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=5365
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY0YcoQBbl
http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/transcripts/2011/2011nbf/wjoyce.txt

Post on Walking Dead, Truitt on Danger Girl

'Walking Dead': Five questions about 'Triggerfinger'

By Jen Chaney
Washington Post Celebritology blog February 19 2011

A weekly recap of (almost) every gory detail in the latest episode of "Walking Dead." - Apparently I've missed a lot of these. Mea culpa.

'Revolver' reloads the 'Danger Girl' adventure franchise
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY February 20 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-02-20/Danger-Girl-comic-book-series/53175802/1

City Paper interviews Adam WarRock on his comics-influenced music

Comic-Book Rapper Adam WarRock on Living the GUG Life
 by David Dunlap Jr.
Washington City Paper's Arts Desk blog Feb. 20, 2012
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/music/2012/02/20/comic-book-rapper-adam-warrock-on-living-the-gug-life/

CRNI Courage Award Press Release

Cartoonists Rights Network International

Press Release

February 20, 2012

Mr. Joel Pett the President of Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI) and staff cartoonist for the Lexington Herald-Leader, announced today that nominations are still being accepted until midnight EST February 29, 2012, for 2012 CRNI Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning. Nominations can be made by any individual.

The Courage Award is given every year to a cartoonist who is in grave danger because of the power and impact of his or her work, or, to a cartoonist who has shown extraordinary courage in the exercise of free speech rights.

Nominations should be sent to director@cartoonistsrights.org with the nominee's name and a short paragraph explaining the reasons why this particular cartoonist is being nominated. All nominations will be reviewed by the Board of Directors of Cartoonists Rights Network International. The Board of Directors will choose the Courage Award recipient from the nominated cartoonists.

The Cartoonists Rights Network International is a free speech and human rights organization protecting editorial cartoonists who find themselves in danger because of the power and impact of their work.

For more information, visit the Courage Award website page of the Cartoonists Rights Network International at http://www.cartoonistsrights.org/dinner.php.

Cul de Sac guest strips start today

Cul de Sac guest artist strips start today, as Richard Thompson continues his physical therapy regime (the Charles Atlas School, I believe). First up is Michael Jantze, who animated some of the strips for Ring Tales.

Chabon and Gaiman get awards from George Mason U this fall

MICHAEL CHABON AND NEIL GAIMAN HEADLINE 2012 FALL FOR THE BOOK
http://fallforthebook.org/?p=2530

Michael Chabon and Neil Gaiman will receive two of Fall for the Book's major festival awards at the 14th annual festival—taking place September 26-30 at George Mason University and in venues throughout Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland.

Feb 23: Nick Galifianakis hosts Commedia dell Media

Nick Galifianakis hosts the Commedia dell Media fundraiser on February 23rd.

801 E St, NW, tickets $20 (in advance) to $30), doors open 7 pm.

Comic Riffs on Reuben Award nominees

REUBEN AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED: Crane, Pastis and Richmond up for NCS 'Cartoonist of the Year'
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 17 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/reuben-award-finalists-announced-crane-pastis-and-richmond-up-for-ncs-cartoonist-of-the-year/2012/02/17/gIQADkLbKR_blog.html

Comic Riffs on the Simpsons big 500

'THE SIMPSONS' HITS 500th EPISODE: The Top-15 Episodes Ever (*And Top-5 Moments)
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 17 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-simpsons-hits-500th-episode-the-top-15-episodes-ever-and-top-5-moments/2012/02/17/gIQAyzAnJR_blog.html

Big Planet Comics Orbit Newsletter - February 16, 2012

February 16, 2012

Nate Powell next week Howdy, folks! Don't forget Nate Powell will be at our Vienna store next Friday, February 24th from 6-730 pm to sign and discuss the new amazing book he illustrated, The Silence of Our Friends. In addition to appearing at our Vienna store, he will also be appearing at the Shaw Neighborhood Library (1630 7th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001) from 7-830 pm on Wednesday, February 22nd. So if you live in DC or Maryland or can't make it out to his appearance in Vienna, check it out at the library! Co-authors Mark Long and Jim Demonakos will also be appearing. We will have copies of The Silence of Our Friends for sale after the talk at the library. 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 UPCOMING February 18 - Warhammer 40,000 Apocalypse Battle Big Planet Comics in College Park will have a massive Apocalypse size battle for the Warhammer 40K game, Saturday, February 18, starting at noon. For more information please contact Peter at our College Park store. Noon-? Big Planet Comics of College Park 7315 Baltimore Ave. College Park, MD 20740 301-699-0498 bigplanetcollegepark@yahoo.com UPCOMING February 24 - Nate Powell Signing Nate Powell, Eisner Award and Ignatz Award winning creator of Swallow Me Whole and Any Empire, will be at our Vienna store February 24, from 6:00 to 7:30. His new book is The Silence of Our Friends, a really powerful book about the civil rights movement in Texas in the 1960s and two families, one black and one white, who become friends and get caught up in the middle of everything. The co-author's based the story on the true events that took place, and one of the main characters is the father of one of the authors.  6-730 pm Big Planet Comics of Vienna 426 Maple Ave. East Vienna, VA 22180 703-242-9412 vienna@bigplanetcomics.com A Devil and Her Love Song 1 SC by Miyoshi Tomori A girl has just been transferred to a new high school after being kicked out of her private Catholic school for fighting with a teacher. She is incredibly blunt and perceptive about people's real intentions, but is unable to filter that to maintain a friendship. Several boys show interest in her, but many of the girls in her class begin to gang up on her. A very interesting character and compelling story about the drama of high school! Athos in America HC by Jason Jason is back with a new collection of short stories, including a return of Athos from his amazing The Last Muskateer! This collection includes a wide variety that shows Jason's range, including a crime story about a criminal who escapes from prison and his old boss who is on a murder spree, and a strange tale about a man named Jason who has a terrible and violent breakup with his girlfriend! Whispers in the Walls SC by David Munoz and Tirso After her parents are killed, a young girl is taken to a strange facility where scientists claim to be researching a terrible disease she has contracted. But she remembers a terrible vampiric monster as the cause of her parents' death, and when she meets the other children there, they begin to realize that there is a secret war going on, a war of fantastic monsters throughout the ages. Pigs 1: Hello, Cruel World SC by Nate Crosby, Ben McCool and Breno Tamura A truly great spy/thriller! A group of KGB spies undercover in Cuba since the Missile Crisis of the '60s are finally activated and their now grown children are sent on their first mission - to invade the United States! But in this day and age, who knows how to activate Soviet sleeper agents? And what is their true mission? Hint: it involves the President of the United States! Glory #23 by Joe Keatinge and Ross Campbell Another relaunch of a defunct superhero from the Extreme line of the '90s, this is another major overhaul, basically starting a new series. Glory was part of the superheroes fighting the Nazis in World War II, and is similar to Wonder Woman in many ways. But now she has been missing for many years and a young woman who is dreaming about her continues her quest to find out where she is. With amazing art by Ross Campbell! Peter Panzerfaust #1 by Kurtis Wiebe and Tyler Jenkins Speaking of World War II, this is a playful and yet dark-tinged adventure of a young American boy named Peter who teams up with a group of French boys during the battle between German and Allied forces during the invasion of France. Yet Peter seems to have strange powers that pay homage to the Peter Pan story. A very interesting start! Big Planet Comics Podcast #33 In this week's podcast Kevin, Nick and Jared discuss the best question ever, comic book product placement, and review all the new stuff. Download this week's now or subscribe on iTunes! Send us questions to podcast@bigplanetcomics.com   2/18 - Warhammer 40K Apocalypse Battle Noon 7315 Baltimore Ave. College Park, MD 20740 301-699-0498 bigplanetcollegepark@yahoo.com 2/24 - Nate Powell Signing The Silence of Our Friends 6-730pm 7315 Baltimore Ave. College Park, MD 20740 301-699-0498 bigplanetcollegepark@yahoo.com 3/3 - Magic Bullet Release Party & BBQ Noon-3pm 426 Maple Ave. East Vienna, VA 22180 703-242-9412 vienna@bigplanetcomics.com 3/11 - Dan Piraro Signing Bizarro 6-7pm 1520 U St NW Washington, DC 20009 202-342-1961 greg@bigplanetcomics.com   4/14 - Justin Jordan & Tradd Moore Signing The Strange Talent of Luther Strode 11am-1pm 426 Maple Ave. East Vienna, VA 22180 703-242-9412 vienna@bigplanetcomics.com Signing The Strange Talent of Luther Strode 3pm-5pm 7315 Baltimore Ave. College Park, MD 20740 301-699-0498 bigplanetcollegepark@yahoo.com   5/5 - Free Comic Book Day All stores! freecomicbookday.com   5/5 - Jeremy Whitley Signing Princeless 11am-1pm 426 Maple Ave. East Vienna, VA 22180 703-242-9412 vienna@bigplanetcomics.com   Signing Princeless 3pm-5pm 7315 Baltimore Ave. College Park, MD 20740 301-699-0498 bigplanetcollegepark@yahoo.com 5/5 - Jorge Aguirre Signing Giants Beware! 11am-1pm 426 Maple Ave. East Vienna, VA 22180 703-242-9412 vienna@bigplanetcomics.com   Signing Giants Beware! 3pm-5pm 7315 Baltimore Ave. College Park, MD 20740 301-699-0498 bigplanetcollegepark@yahoo.com 7/4 - 20% off Sale All stores! 7/28 - Matt Dembicki Signing Xoc 11am-1pm 7315 Baltimore Ave. College Park, MD 20740 301-699-0498 bigplanetcollegepark@yahoo.com Signing Xoc 3pm-5pm 426 Maple Ave. East Vienna, VA 22180 703-242-9412 vienna@bigplanetcomics.com   Army of Darkness #1 by Elliot R. Serrano and Marat Mychaels Ash from a different dimension tries to fight the Deadite menace in… ancient Egypt? Astonishing X-Men: Ultimate Collection 1 SC by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday The first of two huge books collecting all of Whedon and Cassaday's amazing run of X-Men comics! Daredevil #9 by Mark Waid and Paolo Rivera When someone starts stealing bodies, Daredevil must venture into the realm of the Mole Man! DC Super-Pets SC by various and Art Baltazar TWELVE new adventures of the Super-Pets came out this week. TWELVE! (all ages) Madwoman of the Sacred Heart SC by Alejandro Jodorowsky and Moebius A strange and surreal adventure by two powerhouses of European comics! Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm #1 The first appearance of The Force and the Jedi! Ultimate Comics Spider-Man 1 HC by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli The first story arc of Milo Morales as the new Spider-Man! Uncanny X-Force 2: Deathlok Nation SC by Rick Remender, Rafael Albuquerque and Esad Ribic The events begin to build towards the epic story of the Dark Angel Saga!

like us on Facebook | follow us on Twitter | subscribe on iTunes | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2012 Big Planet Comics, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up for our mailing list either online or at one of our stores. 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

PR: This Saturday: Meet the creators of STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE

Meet the creators of  Strange Talent of Luther Strode  Saturday 2/18/12 Hello Third Eye Faithful! I'm literally about to spontaneous combust with excitement as I write this. Seriously, if Kirby dots were real, you'd see them crackling around my hands as I'm typing. That's how pumped I am about our signing with two of the most promising comics to debut in the last few years.  This Saturday, we're stoked, and we're honored, to have rising star IMAGE COMICS newcomers, JUSTIN JORDAN and TRADD MOORE, to Third Eye Comics in Annapolis, MD to sign copies of their hit new IMAGE series, The Strange Talent of Luther Strode.  The Strange Talent of Luther Strode debuted this past Fall, and took the comic industry by storm. Selling out it's initial first printings, and going to 2nd and 3rd prints, this hot new IMAGE series took the idea and energy of Mark Millar's KICK-ASS and... and made it even more kick-ass!  JUSTIN JORDAN AND TRADD MOORE WILL BE SIGNING AT THIRD EYE COMICS IN ANNAPOLIS THIS SAT. 2/18 FROM 11AM-2PM!  Be One of the First 15 In Line for A Special Free Gift! Click here for the event info on FACEBOOK! What's the Strange Talent of Luther Strode about? The story focuses on a young teenage comics fan (and, c'mon, how can you not love a comic where the protagonist has ALL STAR SUPERMAN and 100 BULLETS posters on his wall), and his desire to bulk up. He sends away for one of those Charles Atlas ads in the back of a comic, and ends up getting totally jacked up and super-powered. So, of course, he decides to fight crime, and then somewhere along the way: he realizes he's being built into a lean, mean fighting machine so that he fulfills an age-old prophecy of mass-murder, and genocide. Totally awesome, and a must for any fan of KICK-ASS, IRREDEEMABLE, or THE BOYS, this book is INCREDIBLE, and we're stoked to have the creators in store this Saturday in support of it. We'll have plenty of copies of STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE #1-5 in stock today, tomorrow, and of course, SATURDAY, for the signing, so that you can catch up on this incredible new series.  Make sure you pop by, and meet these guys though, 'cause considering this book has been such a huge hit, we can only imagine how big they're going to be in 1 year from now with future projects on the way.  BE ONE OF THE FIRST 15 THIRD EYE FAITHFUL IN LINE SATURDAY MORNING, AND RECEIVE A SPECIAL FREE GIFT COURTESY OF THE STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE If you're one of the first 15 in line, you'll receive a very special free gift courtesy of the STRANGE TALENT OF LUTHER STRODE, that will be limited to this event only. :) We can't say what it is, but we can say this: it's awesome. So, get here early, and get your chance to score some rad swag!

Third Eye Comics | 45 Old Solomons Island Rd | Suite 102 | Annapolis | MD | 21401

Newspaper says Batman movie fans demand Heath Ledger

Moviegoers Not Interested In Hearing What Is, Isn't Possible, Demand Heath Ledger 'Dark Knight Rises' Appearance
Onion February 16, 2012
online at http://www.theonion.com/articles/moviegoers-not-interested-in-hearing-what-is-isnt,27388/

Cartoonists Rights Network says "Nominate a cartoonist for the Courage Award"

We are accepting nominations up until February 29th for the 2012 CRNI Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning.  The link just below the news article on the front page of our website will take you to the Courage Award page which explains what the award is as well as how one can nominate a deserving cartoonist.    

Cartoonists Rights Network International

Protecting your Free Speech, one cartoonist at a time.

Website: http://www.cartoonistsrights.org/

Post likes "The Secret World of Arrietty" of course

A review of the new Studio Ghibli movie -
A tiny movie with outsize charms
By Amy Joyce
Washington Post Feb. 17, 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/the-secret-world-of-arrietty-kari-gurashi-no-arietti,1210669/critic-review.html