PR: Carla Speed McNeil Wins LA Book Prize!

CARLA SPEED MCNEIL WINS LA BOOK PRIZE!

MAY 1, MILWAUKIE, OR—Finder: Voice continues to be one of the most talked about books of 2011, and word of its story and artwork has spread far and wide. So far, in fact, that Carla Speed McNeil has been awarded the prestigious Los Angeles Times Book Prize in the Graphic Novel category for Finder: Voice!

Praise for Carla Speed McNeil's Finder:

"I love Carla Speed McNeil's Finder, and I imagine the reason I love it is the same reason it doesn't get more attention in the comics press: it's simultaneously straightforward and labyrinthine, genre-based and uncategorizable . . . For me, and for other readers who have gotten pulled into McNeil's weird and woolly far-future world, Finder is one of those comics."—The Comics Journal

"It's been entirely too long since we were able to experience Carla Speed McNeil's unique brand of sociological science fiction with its emphasis on character, class and culture. Once again McNeil immerses you in her meticulously detailed world and you're immediately caught up in a beautifully drawn and deftly written story."—ICv2

"You'll keep turning the pages in Voice to put the pieces of the puzzle together and to see what Grosvenor does next. It is an intricate tale, and Carla Speed McNeil is a master storyteller—with her words and art."—ScienceFiction.com

"McNeil conveys more emotion and depth through the slick line of a raised eyebrow than most can with an entire book, played out in a world that is unquestionably familiar and unshakably alien."—Bleeding Cool

"McNeil excels at tying her many character and story elements together and anchoring them in the same increasingly familiar universe, making her fictional world, its inhabitants and their issues and experiences all the more real to the invested, gratified reader."—No Flying No Tights

Awards and nominations:

Unshelved Book Club's Book of the Month, February 2012—Unshelved

#1 on Comics Worth Reading's Best Graphic Novels of 2011—Comics Worth Reading

#2 on Comics Bulletin's Top 10 Best Graphic Novels of 2011—Comics Bulletin

#4 on Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 2011, Comics—Publishers Weekly

#4 on ComicsAlliance's 11 Best Comics of 2011—ComicsAlliance

#29 on Comic Book Resources' Top 100 Comics of 2011—Comic Book Resources]

________________


Aub Driver_______
Publicity Coordinator
Dark Horse Comics

About Dark Horse

Founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent such as Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Brian Wood, Gerard Way, Felicia Day, Guillermo del Toro, and comics legends such as Will Eisner, Neal Adams, and Jim Steranko, Dark Horse has developed its own successful properties such as The Mask, Ghost, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Its successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Mass Effect, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton's Tragic Toys for Girls and Boys, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world's leading publishers of both creator-owned content and licensed comics material.

June 8: Ocean cartooning with Jim Toomey, at Natural History Museum

World Ocean Day 

When - Friday, June 8, 2012, 1 – 5pm 

Categories - Celebrations, Demonstrations, Kids & Families, Lectures & Discussions, Workshops

Co-sponsor - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Coastal America 

Venue - Natural History Museum, Smithsonian Institution 

Location - Throughout the museum  

Cost -Free  

Related Exhibition - The Sant Ocean Hall  

Join us for an afternoon of activities in celebration of World Ocean Day:    

1:00-5:00 PM: Experts discuss our ocean planet and ocean careers 

(Ocean Hall, 1st floor)    

2:00-2:30 PM: Ocean cartooning with Jim Toomey, creator of Sherman's Lagoon 

(Ocean Explorer Theater, Ocean Hall, 1st floor)    

2:30-3:30 PM: Create a mural with cartoonist Jim Toomey (Ground-Floor Gallery)    

2:30-3:30 PM: 2012 Coastal America Student Ocean Art Contest: 

view the winning artwork and meet the artists (Ground-Floor Gallery)    

3:30-4:00 PM: Watch a series of short films on Marine Protected Areas

 and meet the producers (Baird Auditorium)    

4:00-5:00 PM: Panel discussion with renowned oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle

 and Youth Ocean Leaders (Baird Auditorium, Ground Floor)    

 

(Info courtesy of David Hagen)

Today: Comics in GW service learning course

From: Phillip Troutman

Mike, this is totally last minute, and I apologize! But my students are presenting their final comic books--the ones they created for the service learning project with Safe Shores DC at the GW Marvin Center, in two sessions:

12:25-12:50 (Room 301, 307, 308, 311): Poster Session (all 3 comics will be laid out for viewing)

1:00-1:45 (room 307), two students will reflect on the process.

The initial story is at http://gwtoday.gwu.edu/learningresearch/aserioususeforcomicbooks

Meet a Local Cartoonist: Jason Axtell

 I met Jason Axtell at the Big Planet Comics launch party for Magic Bullet #4. Axtell had just finished coloring Matt Dembicki's Mr. Big story for its reissue this summer, and Matt made a point of introducing us. I'm glad he did as Jason's put quite a bit of thought into answering my usual questions. I personally look forward to catching him at a con so I can buy a set of his comics, as seen on the right...

Mike Rhode: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

Jason Axtell: I'm generally all over the place. It's whatever I am feeling at the moment. I wouldn't call myself a traditional comic artist by any means, and by traditional I mean the kind of thing you would see in DC/Marvel or anything mainstream. I'm trained as an illustrator and heavily influenced by a number of styles and forms of art and try to incorporate my wide range of influences into my work.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

I do enjoy the pen and ink, or more appropriately, brush and ink. I've always leaned towards anything that resembles painting.

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

1978. Jersey, originally.

Why are you in the Washington sphere now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

I moved here after spending nine years in the south, primarily Savannah, Georgia. After a failed relationship, a layoff and my general distaste for the southern "hospitality" I decided I had enough and needed to get out of there. When the Art Institute of Washington (in Arlington and Sterling) hired me on as a full-time instructor three years ago, that was all I needed to hightail it out of the south. Though I still like to visit some friends down there, I don't regret leaving it. The DC area is more to my liking. I live in the Vienna/Oakton area.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

I earned a BFA in Illustration from VCU and an MFA in Sequential Art from SCAD. Neither really focused on 'cartooning.' VCU trained me in traditional as well as digital media, and mainly as an illustrator. But since I started out trying to be a cartoonist and comic artist, a carry-over from my high school days, much of my early work yielded a mix of both cartoony and painterly aspects. SCAD trained me as a visual story-teller, allowing me the chance to hone my illustration techniques while also applying them to a comic format.

Who are your influences?

Too many. Primarily my Uncle Dick (not a joke) and my good friend Ben Phillips. I've known both since about the age of 6 or 7. For years I didn't know much about my Uncle except that he was a teacher and a painter. He taught at University of Memphis for 30+ years. When I was young he gave my parents a few of his paintings, which my parents proudly framed and hung in our dining room. Every night I would look at them and try to decipher them. He was an abstract artist that experimented with line, color and shape, frequently going through different phases and evolutions in his art. My favorites as a kid dealt with his attempt at capturing the effect of light and color in water. It wasn't until I was older and in the midst of earning my MFA that I began to delve a little deeper into what he was all about. Other people in my family have demonstrated terrific artistic and creative talents but for some reason I'm the one that pursued it to the similar lengths that he did. It wasn't until the last few years of his life that I really tried to figure out where he was coming from as an artist. It took a few visits and recommendations (Kandinsky, Rothko, Matisse and Guston) before I became aware of how he saw the world and what he was trying to do with his art. It was a profound discovery and a tremendous influence that I would not have made had it not been for him.

Ben Phillips lived across the street from me when we were kids. From the start he had this way about him, this means to influence his beliefs and ideas on me that at times could be frustrating but also illuminating. We shared many of the same likes and dislikes, primarily in music and movies. If it hadn't been for him I might never have really picked up a comic in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I was always curious. Superman, the 1978 film, was and still is one of my all time favorites but every time I picked up a Superman comic it would lose me. Ben introduced me to what comics were really all about and through him I was able to appreciate just what it took to make them. In high school we were part of a comic collective in which we would have meetings, share feedback and drink lots of Dr. Perky (Food Lion's answer to Dr. Pepper). It was there that I learned that I had no idea what I was doing and what I wanted to do...not just with art, but with my life. I met all these interesting and very influential people but didn't know what I wanted. I followed my instincts and joined Ben for art school at VCU and SCAD, probably because I didn't know what else I was going to do. I succeeding greatly at both schools and with my education under my belt I finally felt like I had direction. That being said, with art, I'm always discovering that I don't know enough. It's enough to keep me looking and searching for anything new or interesting. For me, art is a never ending progression of discovery and experiment. I wouldn't have found that without Ben or my Uncle.

For a more simple answer to my influences:

Edgar Degas 

Frank Frazetta

Egon Schiele

Maxfield Parrish

Phil Hale

Jules Feiffer

Norman Rockwell

David Lapham

Juan Jose Guarnido

Sam Keith

Alan Moore

and likely many many more.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

Expand my boundaries a bit outside of the 2D art. It appears that 3D art, software and graphics are the thing which pits me with the Neanderthals of the art world.

What work are you best-known for?

Not sure. I worked on the Family Guy comic but you wouldn't know me from the billion other artists that worked on that book. My first publication, "The Strange Fungus in Mr. Winslow" always catches people's eyes at cons (almost literally - the cover was billed by my late friend Jeremy Mullins, "The best cover EVER!"). "Reasons I Should Not Be On A Talk Show" is another con favorite. My last real publication (before this summer's colorized version of Matt Dembicki's "Mr. Big") is a comic strip called "Strays 'N Gates."

What work are you most proud of?

A portrait of my Uncle Dick I completed after his death. You can see it on my web site in the "Illustration" section.

Also, every comic I've produced has always taken me a step forward. "Strange Fungus..." was my first book, fully painted and written by myself and that took me 2 years to complete. "Strays 'N Gates" was the first time I had to really hunker down and bust out one strip per week. The fact I did that for eleven months without missing one was a huge feat. "Mr. Big" was my first graphic novel, and it had a deadline to top, and I made that deadline beautifully. 

What would you like to do or work on in the future?

Every so often I think about how much fun it would be to create my own interpretation of Ghostbusters and MegaMan. There's so many crappy manga versions of MM out there that I feel it, like much of the comics universe, needs a facelift. And while I have a few of my own stories on the backburner I, for some reason, have a really clear image of TC Boyle's Drop City in my mind. Done in the right style and format, I think that would be a great book!

 What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

Get out of the house. Get some fresh air. Watch a movie. Get some sleep. Bejeweled. Or just draw something else.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

Hard to tell. It's already changed so much since I went to school that I feel obsolete in so many ways. I'd like to think the digital revolution that we are still experiencing won't kill off the old fashioned book, that people will still paint and draw with pencils and brushes. That there will still be room for doing something that doesn't involve a computer. But then again, I've spent the last week almost completely glued to my computer for various purposes, so my hopes are dwindling.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

The museums and extensive list of restaurants and places to visit. I didn't get that in Savannah. Here, it seems that there's always somewhere we've never heard of that peaks my interest.

Least favorite?

The f*ck*ng traffic. What else?

What monument or museum do you take most out-of-town guests to?

As much as I love the National Gallery of Art and National Portrait Gallery, I always seem to take friends and family to the Natural History Museum instead. I don't mind. It is quite fun there.

Favorite restaurant?

Do you really want another list? It's probably start with Tara Thai or The Melting Pot.

Do you have a website or blog?

jasoneaxtell.com -I update it with a lot of my experimental figure work but occasionally you'll see some comic or illustration work as well.

Matt Wuerker's Pulitzer party

Matt's wife Sara hosted a party for him this past weekend, and Joe Sutliff made Matt a crown fit for a Pulitzer-prize winner... that's a golden inkpen on top.

Meet a Local Animator: Neil Dittbenner

Neil Dittbenner was one of the local animators* at Gigacon at the Art Institute of Washington (which is actually in a lovely facility in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington) this past January who kindly answered my usual questions.

Mike Rhode: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

Neil Dittbenner: I am a Flash animator at Latman Interactive. I also do freelance work for animation studios in the D.C Metro area.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

I enjoy experimenting with different mediums but, my tool of choice is Flash.

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

I was born in Kansas City on May 31, 1986

Why are you in the Washington sphere now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

I moved to the area as a teenager and then attended The Art Institute of Washington. After school I stayed in the area working  as a subcontractor and freelance artist.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

Lots of television as a child and BFA from The Art Institute of Washington in Media Arts and Animation.

Who are your influences?

I'm a huge fan of Jim Smith and John K. They had a pretty big influence on my style and taste in humor.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

I'm happy with where my life is heading right now. The path I choose may have been bumpy but it lead me to the right place in the end so, I don't think I would do-over or change anything.

What work are you best-known for?

I did some freelance work for PBS Kids through a local studio called Karptoons. It was a great project and the end results were really creative and fun.

What work are you most proud of?

I have a side project about carnivals, magic, and love that I'm working on that I'm pretty excited about. My personal projects give me a great sense of accomplishment.

What would you like to do  or work on in the future?

I'm really happy with the jobs I'm working currently but, I'm hoping to work on children's books or web comics in the future.

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

I find that just taking a break from art for a couple minutes lets your brain relax. Once I'm relaxed ideas seem to come more easily because I'm not forcing creativity.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

The Internet is becoming the center of entertainment for a lot of people. It's cheaper and easier to watch things on Netflix and Youtube than it is on cable and with a lot of newer televisions becoming Internet capable online content is growing more important. I think short online animations are a good bet for the future.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

I think my favorite thing about DC has to be the National Zoo. It is a great place to sketch and people watch. Plus it's totally free which is a major plus.

Least favorite?

High cost of living and traffic are really awful here. I could easily live without either of those.

What monument or museum do you take most out-of-town guests to?

The Natural History Museum is always a big hit with out-of-town guests. The dinosaurs and animals never get old.

Favorite restaurant?

The Burger Joint chain is fantastic.

Do you have a website or blog?

www.dittbenner.com and these are some other goodies to check out www.latman.com, and www.Karptoons.com

 *Since he's an animator, you should definitely check out his website to view his cartoon work.

Guy Delisle pictures from Politics and Prose

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42072348@N00/tags/guydelisle/

Post on animator Peter Lord and the dangers of Family Circus

Animator Peter Lord brings to life 'The Pirates' in his latest movie
By John DeFore
Washington Post April 29 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/animator-peter-lord-brings-to-life-the-pirates-in-his-latest-movie/2012/04/26/gIQABgzNjT_story.html

Letter to the Editor: Don't use a comic strip for seat-belt advice
Lisa Marie Daniel, Bethesda
Washington Post April 28 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dont-use-a-comic-strip-for-seat-belt-advice/2012/04/27/gIQAhNzAmT_story.html

Truitt on Ramiel

Javier Grillo-Marxuach creates a heavenly hero for 'Ramiel'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY April 26 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-04-26/Ramiel-angel-comic-book-series/54562724/1

Big Planet Comics Orbit Newsletter - April 27, 2012

April 27, 2012

Free Comic Book Day Approacheth! Next Saturday, May 5, is the annual Free Comic Book Day! As always, all of our stores are participating, so stop by and get some free comics! It's also a great time to bring your friends or children in too! We have been receiving our free comic books over the last few weeks, and there are a LOT this year. Avengers, DC New 52, Simpsons, Mega Man, a HARDCOVER from Archaia, Serenity, Star Wars, Yo Gabba Gabba, Adventure Time, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Spider-Man, and more! You can see the full list of free comics at freecomicbookday.com We are also having signings at two of our stores in conjunction with Free Comic Book Day. Jeremy Whitley and Jorge Aguirre, who both write great all ages comics (Princeless and Giants Beware!) will be at our Vienna store from 11-1 and our College Park store from 3-5. They will be signing copies of their comics, and happy to talk to young fans and readers too! More information is below. We might also have a few special guests (like the Ghostbusters!) 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 May 5 - Free Comic Book Day & Jeremy Whitley & Jorge Aguirre Signing Free Comic Book Day is just a few weeks away! Bring your friends, we have a lot of great comics to give away this year! To see the complete list, go to freecomicbookday.com! In addition, we are proud to present 2 great comic book writers, who have just published some great all-ages fantasy adventure comics! Jeremy Whitley writes Princeless, and Jorge Aguirre writes Giants Beware! They will be appearing at our Vienna and College Park stores. 11 am-1 pm Big Planet Comics of Vienna 426 Maple Ave. East Vienna, VA 22180 703-242-9412 vienna@bigplanetcomics.com 3 pm-5 pm Big Planet Comics of College Park 7315 Baltimore Ave. College Park, MD 20740 301-699-0498 bigplanetcollegepark@yahoo.com ___________________ Jerusalem: Chronicles from the Holy City HC by Guy Delisle Guy's wife is sent to work in Jerusalem for a year, so he becomes a stay-at-home-dad while sketching and exploring Israel and Palestine. He has done other books on other countries, from Burma to North Korea, but this is his longest work yet, and shows an interesting other take on modern life in the area, as opposed to just visiting. Play Ball HC by Nunzio Defilippis, Christina Weir and Jackie Lewis A divorced mom and her two teenage daughters move to a new school, where one wants to try out for the boys-only baseball team! High school drama, baseball championships, and family tensions combine into a compelling story. Black Orchid Deluxe Edition HC by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean A classic reprinted, as Susan Linden is reborn as the half-plant Black Orchid! Folly: The Consequences of Indiscretion SC by Hans Rickheit An utterly bizarre, Lynchian journey of bearmen and young girls. Popeye #1 by Roger Langridge and Bruce Ozella A new adventure of Popeye that somehow seems like a classic original one! When rumors of a new Jeep arrive, a scheme is hatched to find it, requiring a sea voyage and crossing paths with both Bluto and the Sea Witch! And of course Wimpy hitches a ride. Great cartooning, funny writing, and a great adventure. AVX: VS #1 (of 6) by Jason Aaron, Adam Kubert, Kathryn Immonen, and Stuart Immonen You want more fights? You got more fights! A companion series to Avengers vs. X-Men, each of these issues will have 2 fights expanded from the original. In this we have Iron Man vs. Magneto and The Thing vs. Namor! Plus each fight will have a definite winner. The New Deadwardians #2 by Dan Abnett and I.N.J. Culbard Inspector Suttle continues his investigation into how the vampire was killed. The Pterodactyl Hunters in the Gilded City SC by Brendan Leach In 1905, brothers come in conflict over their jobs as pterodactyl hunters! Stormwatch 1 HC by Warren Ellis and Tom Raney Ellis' relaunch of Stormwatch in a dark direction, leading to The Authority! Big Planet Comics Podcast #42 Kevin, Nick and Jared review some great comics! Download now or subscribe on iTunes!   PODCAST REVIEWS: AVX: VS #1 (of 6) by Jason Aaron, Adam Kubert, Kathryn Immonen, and Stuart Immonen Battle Scars #6 (of 6) by Chris Yost and Scot Eaton Captain America & Hawkeye #629 by Cullen Bunn and Alessandro Vitti Folly: The Consequences of Indiscretion SC by Hans Rickheit Jerusalem: Chronicles From the Holy City HC by Guy Delisle Merciless: The Rise of Ming #1 by Scott Beatty and Ron Adrian The New Deadwardians #2 by Dan Abnett and I.N.J. Culbard Play Ball HC by Nunzio Defilippis, Christina Weir and Jackie Lewis Popeye #1 (of 4) by Roger Langridge and Bruce Ozella The Pterodactyl Hunters in the Gilded City SC by Brendan Leach Supercrooks #2 by Mark Millar and Leinil Yu Wolverine #305 by Cullen Bunn and Paul Pelletier Send us questions to podcast@bigplanetcomics.com or call us at 1-703-539-CAST! (1-703-539-2278)   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 5/26 - Jerry Gaylord Signing Fanboys vs. Zombies 7315 Baltimore Ave. College Park, MD 20740 301-699-0498 bigplanetcollegepark@yahoo.com 6/2 - Russ Kick Signing The Graphic Canon 4849 Cordell Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814 301-654-6856 joel@bigplanetcomics.com 6/9 - Nick Abadzis Signing Hugo Tate 4849 Cordell Avenue Bethesda, MD 20814 301-654-6856 joel@bigplanetcomics.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 New Next Week 5/2 (Let us know if you want any of these!)   Action Comics #9 Age Of Apocalypse #3 Amazing Spider-Man #685 Ends Of The Earth Amazing Spider-Man Secret Origins SC American Vampire Vol 2 SC Animal Man #9 Animal Man Vol 1 The Hunt SC Avengers Academy #29 AVX Avengers Art Of Avengers HC Slipcase Avengers Assemble Vol 3 SC Avengers Black Widow Strikes #1 (Of 3) Avengers: The Kree-Skrull War HC Avengers vs. X-Men #3 (Of 12) B & V Friends Double Digest #224 Bart Simpson's Pal Milhouse #1 Batman And Robin Vol 3 Batman Robin Must Die SC Batwing #9 (Night Of The Owls) Blue Estate #11 Boys #66 Bulletproof Coffin Disinterred #4 (Of 6) Connie: Unseen Avenger SC Danger Club #1 2nd Ptg Daredevil #12 Defenders #6 Detective Comics #9 (Night Of The Owls) Dial H #1 Doctor Who Classics Series IV #3 Dogs Of Mars SC Dorothy And Wizard In Oz #6 (Of 8) Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten Realms SC Earth 2 #1 Epic Kill #1 Exiled #1 Fallen Words GN Fanboys vs. Zombies #2 Freedom #1 Fury MAX #1 Garfield #1 GI Combat #1 GI Joe 2: Retaliation Movie Prequel SC GI Joe A Real American Hero #178 Green Arrow #9 Hack Slash #15 Heavy Metal May 2012 Hulk Smash Avengers #1 (Of 5) Incorruptible Vol 6 SC The Influencing Machine SC Invincible Iron Man #516 Justice League Vol 1 Origin HC Justice League International #9 Kiki De Montparnasse GN Kirby Genesis Silver Star #5 Life With Archie #19 Locke & Key Vol 4 Keys To The Kingdom SC The Lone Ranger #5 Lou! Vol 2: Summertime Blues SC Marvel Super Heroes Vs Villains Pop Up Book Blad Marvels Avengers Avengers Initiative Marvels Avengers Prelude SC Mind The Gap #1 Negima Vol 34 SC One Vol 1 SC Pigs #7 Planet Of The Apes Vol 2 SC Red Lanterns #9 Red Sonja #66 Red Sonja Witchblade #3 Rex Zombie Killer One Shot Rich Johnstons The Avengefuls #1 Robert Wells Trilogy Vol 01 Sacrifice GN Sandman Vol 9 The Kindly Ones SC New Edition Skeleton Key Color Special One Shot Smallville Season 11 #1 Roger Langridge's Snarked Vol 1 SC Sonic The Hedgehog #236 Spawn #219 The Spider #1 Spirit World HC Star Trek #8 Stormwatch #9 Summer Camp Science Mysteries 2: Nightmare Cab SC Summer Camp Science Mysteries 3: Hunt For Hidden SC Superman #1 3rd Ptg Supreme #64 Supurbia #3 (Of 4) Swamp Thing #9 Sweet Tooth #33 Tanpopo Collection Vol 1 HC Teen Boat HC Teen Titans Annual #1 (The Culling) Three Stooges Vol 1 Bed Bugged SC Toy Story #3 (Of 4) Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #10 Venom #17 Vescell #7 Voltron Year One #2 Wolverine And X-Men Alpha And Omega #5 (Of 5) Worlds Finest #1 X-Factor #235 X-Men #28 X-O Manowar #1

like us on Facebook | follow us on Twitter | subscribe on iTunes | forward to a friend  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: Gorilla w/Baseball Bat Battles Zombies comic book by Rob Anderson

From Rob Anderson:

Rex, Zombie Killer will be hitting the stands next week, on 5/2!

It's been getting some good buzz -- including a review in the current issue of Fangoria magazine on stands right now.

This web post has some more details: http://www.rexzombiekiller.com/2012/04/rex-zombie-killer-1-hits-comic-shops-on.html

Finally, just to give you the particulars -- it's 56 pages, full color, only $3.50, published by Big Dog Ink, and tells the story of a hyper-intelligent Golden Retriever and a small pack of animals -- including a gorilla with a baseball bat -- trying to cross the country after a zombie apocalypse.

Meet a Local Animator: Todd Churn

Todd Churn was one of the local animators* at Gigacon at the Art Institute of Washington (which is actually in a lovely facility in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington) this past January who kindly answered my usual questions

Mike Rhode: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

Todd Churn: I am an animator that makes cartoons move.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

On my free time... a little bit of both depending what mood I'm in.

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

I was born as a mid-late 80's baby in Richmond VA.

Why are you in the Washington sphere now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

Currently I live in Arlington but my current job is a commute over in Maryland. I am the lead animator for Latman Interactive, a mobile gaming company.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

The Art Institute of Washington.

Who are your influences?

I really enjoy a lot of the work Chuck Jones produced from Looney Tunes to The Dot and the Line. He could make some of the funniest facial expressions on a cartoon character.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

If I could, I would jump back in time to tell my younger self in kindergarten to start on art... right away.

What work are you best-known for?

I have been given the great privilege to animate a duck for my current job at Latman Interactive. Basically, in our past games the duck runs into massive conflictions with a meddling goose.

What work are you most proud of?

Not too long ago I did a really fun gig through a sub contractor, Karptoons. We made these awesome music videos for PBS Kids and it was really cool to see it broadcasted on tv when we finished.

What would you like to do  or work on in the future?

I know a great group of animators around the area and I hope that one day, we can start create fun short films for people to see.

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

If I feel like I've been burnt out on my daily schedule, I try to watch real low budget films on Netflix. They may not have the awesome effects, but they manage to be incredibly imaginative with some of their stuff. Whether it's believable or not is another case, but it seems to free up my art block pretty well.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

Well drawn 2D animation is something I believe will stick around until the end of time, no matter what other new dimension people manage to bring into the market.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

If I ever want some reference or information about something I want to illustrate, I just hop onto the metro rail to the National Mall and I'm set.

Least favorite?

Traffic.

Favorite restaurant?

Dunkin' Donuts.

Do you have a website or blog?

You can see the work I post on my blog at: http://dotanimations.blogspot.com/

*Since he's an animator, you should definitely check out his website to view his cartoon work.

Meet a Local Cartoonist: Chris Mararac

Chris Mararac is the subject of the last of our local webcomics creator interviews...

Mike Rhode: What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

Chris Mararac: In terms of cartooning, I occasionally work on a webcomic called Work Time Friends but it was on a bit of a hiatus as I just bought a house and then I got a promoted to a new position at work. I play on restarting it next year. But Work Time Friends kinda deals with some humorous situations working at an office job. It's supposed to be a kind of goofy slice of life piece. As for Small Press Expo, I usually do some short comics that is heavily influenced by Japanese comics/manga.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

I work mostly in digital, using a wacom tablet and photoshop for illustrations. For actually comics, I started using a program called Manga Studio. It's a great program because it streamlines word bubbles and makes using screentones a snap. I sometimes still do the rough sketches for preliminary work though.

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

5/27/1980.

Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

I'm actually in the Silver Spring, MD.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

I have a bachelor in Fine Arts from the University of Maryland.

Who are your influences?

In terms of Cartooning and Comics, I would have to say that Becky Cloonan (She was the artist on Demo written by Brian Wood and also illustrated American Virgin released by DC Vertigo)  actually talked me into switching my major from Comp Sci to Art. At the time I felt I wasn't good enough but she countered with that that was why I'm in school. I also have a whole slew of heroes from Rumiko Takashi who did Ranma 1/2, Brian Lee O'Malley who did Scott Pilgrim, and many others. Though, sometimes when I look up to them, I feel a bit overwhelmed, because they're so far ahead.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

Currently, art seems to have taken a backseat for me. I'm still trying to get a graphic design position anywhere but I'm currently working for Navy Federal Credit Union as a loan servicing account specialist. I think if I was to do it all over again, I'd probably would have liked to taken more risks in my younger years, because the older you get, the harder it is, when you're tied down with a mortgage.

What work are you best-known for?

I honestly don't know what I'm known for. LOL

What work are you most proud of?

I strangely get really proud of whenever I finish a new project and I try to showcase it to all my friends. Drawing makes me feel like such a kid, in a good way.

What would you like to do  or work on in the future?

I'm trying to finish a short graphic novel for SPX 2013. I usually just do short zines, but would like to work on a bit more developed story.

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

Whenever I'm stuck, I try to relax and find inspiration to start up my motivation again from other things, whether it's a movie or an interesting comic. I sometimes try to remind myself what inspired me in the first place. I have a small list of things that always seem to inspire me and I'll go back to that. But overall, I try not to force myself too much when I'm overly exhausted. Rest is just as important.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

For now, comics will probably just remain as a hobby but it's  something I still want to continue to do as long as it's fun.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

One thing is that DC is seriously underrated, which is kinda a hipster thing to say. I mean, when people think DC, they mostly think it's just politics but there is a pretty decent art scene here. It does have its own culture but most people fail to realize that. A lot of people who visit just think of seeing the monuments, but fail to realize that Maryland and Virginia is pretty close by with lots to do, etc.

Also, DC, MD, VA, is pretty culturally versed, there is a pretty big Asian community, as well as other ethnicities... so that's another plus.

Least favorite?

I don't like how they call the DC, Maryland, Virginia area, DMV... because I start to think of the  department of Motor Vehicles, and nothing good comes from that association.

What monument or museum do you take most out-of-town guests to?

 I think the most interesting museum is the Spy Museum but whenever I have family or a guest over, they always seem to have to do the whole tourist thing, see the monuments, etc. Can't really avoid that. But I think I usually focus on the Smithsonian Museums, because we're in a recession and free stuff is awesome.

Favorite restaurant for same?

Hmmm... Off in Rockville, there is Jo's Noodle House which is an awesome hole in the wall Chinese place. Usually after the Small Press Expo, we'll go there. For DC Proper, I would suggest the food trucks.

Not the new hipster ones, but the ones that sell hot dogs all across DC Area. I personally think they're better than NY hotdogs.

Do you have a website or blog?

I do have a personal website, http://www.uppercut-justice.com/, where I post (on hiatus) Work Time Friends, as well as a artblog I run with some people called Digital Sketchbook.

Comic Riffs talks to Satrapi

THE COMIC RIFFS INTERVIEW: 'Persepolis's MARJANE SATRAPI comes not to bury American culture but to (mostly) praise it [*even if modern Hollywood is incapable of 'Casablanca']
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 27 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-comic-riffs-interview-persepoliss-marjane-satrapi-on/2012/04/27/gIQAaeRhlT_blog.html#pagebreak

Marjane Satrapi at George Washington's Lisner tonight

Fri. Apr 27, 8:00PM
GW Lisner Auditorium presents Marjane Satrapi Author of Persepolis & Chicken With Plums
Interviewed by Azar Nafisi, author of Reading Lolita in Tehran

World-renowned for her award-winning graphic memoir (and film) Persepolis, a global best-seller, Marjane Satrapi will make a rare US appearance. Satrapi grew up during the Iranian revolution and witnessed firsthand the brutal and historic overthrow of the Shah. The subsequent Islamic repression and Marjane's own journey away from Iran are intricately linked to all of her books, films, and artwork.

She will be interviewed by Azar Nafisi, whose acclaimed Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books electrified readers with a compassionate and often harrowing portrait of the Islamic revolution in Iran and how it affected one university professor and her students.

$25, $30, $40. GW Students and Alumni: $10, $20 at Lisner Box Office

Tickets available from the Lisner Box Office, 800-745-3000, and ticketmaster.com