Publisher's Weekly Xoc review

Matt Dembicki's new book is reviewed here  -

 

Comics Reviews May 2012

By PW Staff

May 07, 2012

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/book-news/comics/article/51870-comics-reviews-may-2012.html

Comic Riffs interviews RFK awardee Stephanie McMillan

STEPHANIE McMILLAN wins RFK Journalism Award for social-justice cartoons
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 8 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/stephanie-mcmillan-wins-rfk-journalism-award-for-social-justice-cartoons/2012/05/08/gIQAXxTvBU_blog.html

PRESS RELEASE: RFK Center Announces 2012 Book & Journalism Awards Winners

Stephanie McMillan has won this Washington-based award (for which I was one of the judges).

Robert F. Kennedy Center Announces 2012 Book & Journalism Award Winners  May 8, 2012
Author Kathryn Sikkink receives 2012 Book Award for analysis of international justice's impact on world politics Washington, DC -- The RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights announced the winners of its annual book and journalism award winners.    Kathryn Sikkink will receive the 2012 Robert F. Kennedy Book Award for The Justice Cascade: How Human Rights Prosecutions Are Changing World Politics. In the book, University of Minnesota Political Science Professor Sikkink makes a case for the systemic and long-term impacts of holding world leaders accountable for human rights abuses. She offers readers a history of human rights prosecution through three decades of steady acceleration, and presents a new understanding of the way these cases build upon one another to create a "cascade" effect with far-reaching influence on future human rights outcomes.   This year's Book Award attracted more than 90 nominations. The judges selected Sikkink's work, Ariel Dorfman's autobiography, Feeding on Dreams, and Richard Thompson Ford's Rights Gone Wrong as the top three finalists.   "Kathryn Sikkink, in The Justice Cascade, has provided readers with compelling evidence that the cause of human rights finally is taking hold in the international community. She documents a trend clearly demonstrating that tyrannical dictators who, in the past, murdered, brutalized, and imprisoned citizen-dissidents and political opponents with impunity, now more frequently face criminal prosecutions and punishment. The result: Justice, once routinely vagrant and still often delayed now finds both traction and viability," said John Seigenthaler, Chair of the 2012 Judges Panel. "The judges of the RFK Book Award unanimously found Sikkink's work is highly deserving of the award that bears the name of Robert F. Kennedy."   The 32nd annual RFK Book Award will be presented by Ethel Kennedy at a ceremony at The United States Institute of Peace, in Washington, DC, on Thursday, May 24, 2012, at 6:00 PM.   The ceremony will also feature the presentation of the 2012 Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards, which include prizes in student and professional categories. All honorees will receive a bust of Robert F. Kennedy and a cash stipend in recognition of their award. Over 250 entries were submitted and judged by over 50 media professionals.   This year's winning journalists, in eight professional and three student categories, are: Domestic TV Winner: Crime After Crime by Yoav Potash from the OWN, The Oprah Winfrey Network International TV Winner: Bahrain: Shouting in the Dark by May Welsh, Hassan Mahfood & Jon Blair, Al Jazeera English Radio Winner: Native Foster Care: Lost Children, Shattered Families by Laura Sullivan and Amy Walters, NPR International Photography: Broken Promise: Gold Mining in Peru's High Andes, The Los Angeles Times Magazine by Michael Robinson Chavez Domestic Photography: A Lasting Toll by Katie Falkenberg, The Los Angeles Times International Print Winner: China: Living Under the Yoke, by Tom Lasseter, McClatchy Newspapers Domestic Print Winner: Imminent Danger by Meg Kissinger, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Cartoon Winner: The Beginning of the American Fall and Code Green, by Stephanie McMillan, South Florida Sun-Sentinel College Print/Broadcast:  Arizona State University, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication, Stateless in the Dominican Republic, by the Cronkite Borderlands Initiative  High School Broadcast:  Cody High School, Jared Iler and Anna Reed High School Print:  Davis Senior High School, A Light on Latinos, by Anna Sturla and Daniel Tutt The distinguished panel of judges for the Book Award included chair John Seigenthaler, acclaimed journalist, editor, publisher, and former aide to Robert Kennedy, as well as Michele Norris, radio journalist, NPR host of All Things Considered, author Amanda Smith, Stetson Law School Professor, Robert D. Bickel and author, Senior Correspondent for ABC News and 2005 RFK book award winner, Jim Wooten.   A panel of 60 judges, all prominent media professionals, selected the winning Journalism Award entries.  The Grand Prize winner will be chosen from among the winners in each category by the RFK Journalism Committee, chaired by Margaret Engel, director of the Alicia Patterson Journalism Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports investigative journalists and photojournalists worldwide.   About The Robert F. Kennedy Book Award The RFK Center presents an annual award to the book that, in the words of Award Founder Arthur Schlesinger, "faithfully and forcefully reflects Robert Kennedy, his concern for the poor and 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." Past winners of the RFK Book Award include Vice President Al Gore, Congressman John Lewis, Taylor Branch, Toni Morrison, Jonathon Kozol, and Michael Lewis.   About The Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards The RFK Journalism Awards recognize outstanding reporting on issues that reflect Robert Kennedy's dedication to human rights and social justice, and his belief in the power of individual action. Winning entries provide insights into the causes, conditions, and remedies of human rights violations and injustice, and critical analyses of the movements that foster positive global change. Don't forget! The RFK Center's Annual Spring Online Auction runs through May 17! Proceeds benefit our human rights work.

---

Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights 1300 19th Street NW Suite 750 Washington, District of Columbia 20036 US

OT: Brian Biggs on Maurice Sendak

My friend, the cartoonist and children's book author Brian Biggs has a lovely piece on his blog about what Maurice Sendak has meant to him. Sendak passed away today at age 83.

Comics bits in today's Post

Page A5 sees a full page ad, "It's Time to Quit the Catholic Church," illustrated with a cartoon by Don Addis. The same ad is on the back page of today's Express.

 

 

Using comic books (like 'The Avengers') to get kids to read, by Valerie Strauss is in print in today's paper as "Can comic books get kids to read?"

Cartoon Picayune Spring 2012 Issue

Each copy is only $4 plus shipping. Buy one today or subscribe for a year. Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. The Spring Issue Is Here!  Welcome readers, to the newly combined Josh Kramer and Cartoon Picayune Emails. The reason I've gathered you here today is that I have a new issue of The Cartoon Picayune. It is forty pages of excellent non-fiction comic stories. I can brag like that mostly because I've really approached this issue as Editor more than main artist — I'm only in it for two pages. However, these guys are great. Andy Warner is the featured artist this issue, with his 16-page story The Man Who Built Beirut. It's an incredible look into the story of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. This issue like the others, is only $4 (plus another dollar for shipping) and available for sale on the site. Thanks, -JPK Subs! Subscribe today starting with the new issue or the next one (to be released in September). Subscriptions are only $10 for two issues or $20 for four issues. Don't worry about missing a new issue as it is released, and enjoy the satisfaction that your subscription gives me the capital up front to be able to do this. Plus there are cool freebies that I send to you along with your issues.  Letters! I would love, no seriously, I would love it to no end, if you were to send me a letter. Here's the thing though, this is a handwritten zine, and I don't want your tweets, emails, etc. Write or draw me something using this template, and I'll print it or post it on the site! sshhhh... So I'm not gonna be sharing this much around the usual social networks, but I had to tell somewhere: I'm starting a new tumblr. As often as I can bear, I'm gonna adapt articles and other works of non-fiction into short little comics like this. It's called Sequential News, and it's a way to force myself to draw more. We'll see how it goes. It doesn't explicitily relate to The CP, but who knows how it might in the future, especially for subscribers (wink, wink). "A growing number of artists and writers are creating reported, researched, factual work these days, and a doing brilliant, memorable job of it. They're also finding an audience, and that audience wants more! So Josh Kramer has tapped into something significant by making The Cartoon Picayune a new home for this vibrant subgenre, and he keeps proving it with each issue."   -Rob Walker, The New York Times Magazine, Design Observer The CP On Tour TCAF, Toronto, May 5th and 6th ISSUE 3 DEBUT CAKE, Chicago, June 16th and 17th D.C. Zine Fest, Washington, D.C., July 28th SPX, Bethesda, September 15th and 16th Stores that sell The CP Quimby's Bookstore - Chicago, IL Chicago Comics - Chicago, IL Jim Hanley's Universe - New York, NY Forbidden Planet - New York, NY Fat Jack's Comics Crypt - Philadelphia, PA Atomic Books - Baltimore, MD Politics & Prose - Washington, D.C. SMASH! - Washington, D.C.   Copyright © 2012 The Cartoon Picayune, All rights reserved. You're getting this because you signed up at the website to get the latest about us in your inbox. Our mailing address is: The Cartoon Picayune 2032 Belmont Road NW Unit 632 Washington, DC 20009

Cosplay Parade Participants Sought

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Chris Wanamaker, (202) 262 2083 president@dcanimeclub.org

 

DC Anime Club Presents

2012 Cosplay Parade

 

     We DC Anime Club are looking for Cosplay volunteers to participate in our 2012 Cosplay Parade, which will be a part of Fiesta Asia Parade. Volunteers are  welcome to Cosplay any character they wish as long as it is family friendly. We will march in the Fiesta Asia Parade Saturday May 19,2012 Pennsylvania Avenuebetween Third and Sixth Streets NW, Washington, DC Nearest Subway Station: Archives Navy Memorial Green line.

All cosplay volunteers are to arrive at Archives Navy Memorial Subway Station at 10am  and we will proceed to the parade route.  

THE PARADE ITSELF STARTS AT 2PM. THIS GIVES PARTICIPANTS ENOUGH TIME TO ENJOY FIESTA ASIA UNTIL IT  IS TIME FOR US TO LINE UP FOR THE PARADE.

 In order to rsvp you must click on the following link:  https://www.facebook.com/events/199955826736431/

For more Information please contact: president@dcanimeclub.org or call 202 262 2083.

This event is free and open to the public.

Ages 13 and up.

For more information please visit the DC Anime Club website at http://dcanimeclub.org .

About DC Anime Club:

DCAC was established in 2003 to introduce and educate people in the Washington,DCarea about East Asian culture, through viewing and discussion ofJapanese animation (also known as anime) and Japanese comics (manga). DCAC is a 501(c) (3) not for profit organization, contributions to DC Anime Club are taxed deductible to the extent allowable under the law. The club also works 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.

In addition to our bi-weekly meetings, the club holds an Annual Art Show, an Annual Costume fundraising event, and visits local schools to do presentations on anime. The club also works with the Smithsonian Freer Gallery and DC Asian Pacific American Film Festival on their anime screenings, and has helped locally promote performances for Japanese bands such as Puffy Ami Yumi and Pine am. 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 -- most of which are teenagers.

Post reviews Soglow

"Cartoon Monarch: Otto Soglow & The Little King"
By Michael Taube,
Washington Post May 6 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/cartoon-monarch-otto-soglow-and-the-little-king/2012/05/03/gIQAKN5S1T_story.html

-- I'm not sure why they needed a Canadian reviewer though.

This blog post is printed in today's paper as well --

'AVENGERS': 7 Reasons it will be a hit
By David Betancourt and Michael Cavna
Washington Post May 6 2012

Toronto comics fest interviews DC creator Dechanique

This is a completely new-to-me local creator -

Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2012 Questionnaire: Deanna Echanique
Mark Medley  May 5, 2012
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2012/05/05/toronto-comic-arts-festival-2012-questionnaire-deanna-echanique/

Q: Who are you?

A: I'm Dechanique (Deanna Echanique), an American comic artist residing in Washington, D.C.  I draw an LGBTIQ Neo-Victorian webcomic, La Macchina Bellica and am illustrating a new comic project with writer Jason Nerad, Kindling — a post-apocalyptic tale of survival, which will begin regular postings in June (the prologue is already online). I've been drawing comics since 2000.

Also, friend of ComicsDC and former City Paper illustrator Rob Ullman is there too -

Toronto Comic Arts Festival 2012 Questionnaire: Robert Ullman

Mark Medley  May 5, 2012

http://arts.nationalpost.com/2012/05/05/toronto-comic-arts-festival-2012-questionnaire-robert-ullman/

Truitt and USA Today on comic books

Geoff Johns gives out good vibes for Free Comic Book Day
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY May 4 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-05-05/DC-Comics-Free-Comic-Book-Day-issue/54730640/1

'Earth 2' builds a new world, one alternate hero at a time
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY April 30 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-04-30/Earth-2-comic-book-series/54642260/1

Iron Man leads the core four of 'The Avengers'
By Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY May 4 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/story/2012-05-04/marvel-the-avengers-robert-downey-jr-mark-ruffalo-chris-evans-chris-hemsworth/54738726/1

'Avengers' cast shoots for superhero spectacle
By Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY 4/24/2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/story/2012-04-23/on-set-behind-the-scenes-with-the-avengers/54494532/1

On 'Avengers' set, laughter is a powerful weapon

By Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY 4/23/2012

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/story/2012-04-23/laughs-abound-on-the-avengers-set/54494566/1

'Marvel's The Avengers' is marvelous fun
By Claudia Puig, USA TODAY May 3 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/story/2012-05-03/marvel-the-avengers/54705328/1

Smithsonian mag blog on comic book movies

Why Hollywood Loves Comic Books
Daniel Eagan
Smithsonian Magazine's Reel Culture blog May 4, 2012
http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/movies/2012/05/why-hollywood-loves-comic-books/

Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman

From: Joel Pollack

Marc Nobleman is a friend of Big Planet Comics and an archeologist of comic book history. He has authored a new book on the secret intelligence behind the creation of much of the Batman mythos. In July (exact date TBA), Marc will be signing his latest creation, Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman. As a longtime Batman fan, and charter subscriber to Biljo White's Batmania, I know that I am very excited to learn the secrets that Marc has unearthed.

Here's a note from Marc:

The Avengers is not the only superhero movie opening today. I am excited to unveil the trailer for Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Sf6_lyahRk

If you are able to take a moment to watch it, please stay till the end (through the credits)...

And if you like, please spread the word!

--
Marc Tyler Nobleman
http://noblemania.blogspot.com - The stories behind the stories I write

Yesterday's live Avengers chat with Marvel editors

Whoops. Well, you can still read it here:

The Avengers: Chat with Marvel editors
Axel Alonso and Tom Brevoort
May 4, 2012
http://live.washingtonpost.com/the-avengers-050412.html

Big Planet Comics FCBD - Jeremy Whitley interview

If this interview appeals to you, Whitley is still signing his comic for 2 hours (as of now) at Big Planet College Park.

Five Questions with Jeremy Whitley
Eden Miller
Comicsgirl blog Apr 30, 2012
http://www.comicsgirl.com/2012/04/30/five-questions-with-jeremy-whitley/

Free Comic Book Day today

From Big Planet Comics:

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!)

- 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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Beyond Comics:

This year’s Free Comic Book Day will be Saturday, May 5th.


We will be giving away tons of comic books and other freebies. Meet comic book artists including Dean Haspiel, Mark Whealty, Carla Speed McNeil, Rafer Roberts, Terry Flippo, Megan Steckler and Nathan Richardson.

Also meet an abundance of costumed heroes! Fun for kids of all ages!

Gaithersburg Artists:  Dean Haspiel, Carla Speed McNeil, Casey Jones and Nathan Richardson from 11am to 4pm.

Frederick Artists:  Mark Wheatley, Rafer Roberts, Megan Steckler, and Terry Flippo.

Gaithersburg Store

18794 B North Frederick Rd
Gaithersburg, MD
(301) 216-0007
Hours: M,Tu 11-8; W-Sat 10-9; Sun 12-6

Frederick Store
5632 Route 85
Frederick, MD
(301) 668-8202

Hours: M,Tu 10-8; W-Sat 10-9; Sun 12-6
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Game On! Comics

Saturday, May 5th from 11am to 6pm

Come out to Game On! Comics for Free Comic Book Day! Once per year, comic shops around the country give out comics for free.

We will have a great selection of comic books for you and your friends, for FREE. LOTS of children's comics!

Over 40 titles! One Free Thor Heroclix! Widest variety of comics available in our area!

Super-Hero appearances throughout the day!! Starting around 12 noon till 3ish

Batgirl
Sabretooth
A G.I. Joe
Flash
Phoenix

Artist Appearance: 11am to 6pm

Tim Dzon!
Tim has worked on many comics over the years including these:
Avengers West Coast
Avengers Spotlight
What If..
Marvel Comics Presents
Fantastic Four Unplugged
Spiderman Unlimited
Hawkeye Mini-Series
Northstar Mini-Series
WarMachine
Ironman

Tim will be here to sign autographs and even draw commisioned pieces just for you, for an extra cost.

Louis the Magician

11:30am to 12:30pm
Louis the Magician will be performing close up magic in the lobby for the kids!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

BAMN Comics - free downloadable comic from local creators Jay Payne, Troy Jeffrey Allen and David Dean on May 5th at http://www.bamncan.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Third Eye Comics in Annapolis:
THIS SATURDAY IS ALSO FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2012 and THIRD EYE'S 4th ANNIVERSARY!


Yes, it's our favorite day of the year, in fact, this is why we chose it as the day of our big grand opening celebration. FREE COMIC BOOK DAY. Every year, we work hard to bring you guys the best Free Comic Book Day on the East Coast, and this year, we've pulled out all the stops. A huge sale, loads of special guest creators, Stormtroopers!, and so much more!

Click here to get the full rundown of what we have shaking at BOTH Third Eye locations this Saturday for FCBD 2012!

Today: Cinco de Sandra tonight

CINCO DE SANDRA: A CELEBRATION OF COMIX, STORYTELLING, AND MUSIC

On Saturday, May 5, 2012, @8pm sharp, an all-star lineup of DC and NYC storytellers will come together to blow your mind with live performances of poetry, comix, and stories at the Hillyer Art Space in Dupont Circle. Venues represented include Trip City, Act-i-vate, and Barrelhouse. And after that? We'll get the music spinning.

CINCO DE SANDRA's lineup of performers includes:

Sandra Beasley (author of DON'T KILL THE BIRTHDAY GIRL, I WAS THE JUKEBOX)

Dean Haspiel (Emmy winner for BORED TO DEATH title sequence, artist of THE ALCOHOLIC w/Jonathan Ames and THE QUITTER w/Harvey Pekar, creator of BILLY DOGMA)

Molly Lawless (cartoonist of HIT BY PITCH, FROG & OWL)

Jim Dougan (comics writer, SAM & LILAH, CRAZY PAPERS, others at ACTIVATEcomix)

Jennifer Tress (DC-based storyteller, author of YOU'RE NOT PRETTY ENOUGH)

Natalie E. Illum (Spoken word poet, mothertongue organizer)

Tony Mancus (BARRELHOUSE contributor and co-editor of Flying Guillotine Press)

Plus, the whole shebang will be hosted by man-about-town Brandon Wetherbee (YOU, ME, THEM, EVERYBODY) and featuring the sweet sounds of DJ P-Vo (Hometown Sounds DC). We will have a merch table. We will have beer and non-beer. We will have a helluva lotta hijinks. And, in case you were wondering, we will have a birthday girl on hand: Sandra Beasley.

Be there, or be…

...Just be there.

Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/255811644513842/

TRIP CITY Blog: http://welcometotripcity.com/2012/05/cinco-de-sandra/

'Persepolis' conviction in Tunisia and local 'Avengers' reviews

Tunisian who showed 'Persepolis' on TV fined in free speech case [in print: TV mogul convicted in Airing of movie, May 4th]
By Marc Fisher, Published: May 3 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/tunisian-who-showed-persepolis-on-tv-fined-in-free-speech-case/2012/05/03/gIQA0GpzyT_story.html

 

Crime fighting pays in 'Marvel's The Avengers'
May 03, 2012
 Kelly Jane Torrance
http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/movies/2012/05/crime-fighting-pays-marvels-avengers/568821

 

Superheroes with team spirit
By Ann Hornaday
Washington Post May 4, 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/marvels-the-avengers,1059548/critic-review.html

 

Marvel's hero-worshiping spectacular isn't exactly a religious experience.
By Tricia Olszewski • May 4, 2012
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/42610/marvels-the-avengers-reviewed-marvels-hero-worshiping-spectacular-isnt-exactly/

 

All-Out ‘Avengers’
By Kristen Page-Kirby
Express May 04, 2012, p. 24
http://www.expressnightout.com/2012/05/all-out-avengers/

Art Rhode's 70th birthday

My Dad turns 70 today. Coincidentally, the Avengers movie opens today. Both events are rather personally surprising.  I still think of Dad as somewhere around 45 (and I'm older than that now) and never expected to see a live-action Avengers movie because of expense, special effects and rights issues.

Back in the 1970s, I started reading comics as a kid - my parents bought DC's Superman, Mad magazine and Archie regularly. The Avengers were my favorite though, because, thanks to a cousin, I had some of the early issues and got hooked on Marvel. Mom never went over to the Marvel side, but Dad and I would both read them. When I got old enough, I'd bike up to 7-11 and buy whatever I could find on the spinner rack.

By the time I was in high school, Dad and I were delivering the Sunday NY Times for extra pocket change. On Fridays (new comic book day back then), we'd go to the Bergen Mall in Paramus and I'd buy comics at Collectors Comic Shop while he and Mom went to the bank to deposit his paycheck. After I finished the comics late on Friday night, usually in my bed after 11, I'd pass them along to Dad to read before stacking them up in the corner. I kept this up into college, until the stacks coming home would be 3 or 4 feet high and too much for anyone to get through. At one point, I was trying to have a complete collection of Avengers, but gave up for various reasons (especially Heroes Reborn), so Dad's got a good familiarity with that particular comic book.

There were also tons of books around the house because we're all great readers. Dad and I still swap books whenever see each other.

We're not that big on family celebrations, so I just mailed him a card and gave him a call. However today's one of those big number ones divisible by 10 and I've got my own bully pulpit here, so I'll say

Happy Birthday, Dad, and thanks for everything.

May 5: Free Comic Book Day in the DC-area

From Big Planet Comics:

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!)

- 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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Beyond Comics:

This year’s Free Comic Book Day will be Saturday, May 5th.


We will be giving away tons of comic books and other freebies. Meet comic book artists including Dean Haspiel, Mark Whealty, Carla Speed McNeil, Rafer Roberts, Terry Flippo, Megan Steckler and Nathan Richardson.

Also meet an abundance of costumed heroes! Fun for kids of all ages!

Gaithersburg Artists:  Dean Haspiel, Carla Speed McNeil, Casey Jones and Nathan Richardson from 11am to 4pm.

Frederick Artists:  Mark Wheatley, Rafer Roberts, Megan Steckler, and Terry Flippo.

Gaithersburg Store

18794 B North Frederick Rd
Gaithersburg, MD
(301) 216-0007
Hours: M,Tu 11-8; W-Sat 10-9; Sun 12-6

Frederick Store
5632 Route 85
Frederick, MD
(301) 668-8202

Hours: M,Tu 10-8; W-Sat 10-9; Sun 12-6
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Game On! Comics

Saturday, May 5th from 11am to 6pm

Come out to Game On! Comics for Free Comic Book Day! Once per year, comic shops around the country give out comics for free.

We will have a great selection of comic books for you and your friends, for FREE. LOTS of children's comics!

Over 40 titles! One Free Thor Heroclix! Widest variety of comics available in our area!

Super-Hero appearances throughout the day!! Starting around 12 noon till 3ish

Batgirl
Sabretooth
A G.I. Joe
Flash
Phoenix

Artist Appearance: 11am to 6pm

Tim Dzon!
Tim has worked on many comics over the years including these:
Avengers West Coast
Avengers Spotlight
What If..
Marvel Comics Presents
Fantastic Four Unplugged
Spiderman Unlimited
Hawkeye Mini-Series
Northstar Mini-Series
WarMachine
Ironman

Tim will be here to sign autographs and even draw commisioned pieces just for you, for an extra cost.

Louis the Magician

11:30am to 12:30pm
Louis the Magician will be performing close up magic in the lobby for the kids!
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BAMN Comics - free downloadable comic from local creators Jay Payne, Troy Jeffrey Allen and David Dean on May 5th at http://www.bamncan.com/

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From Third Eye Comics in Annapolis:
THIS SATURDAY IS ALSO FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2012 and THIRD EYE'S 4th ANNIVERSARY!


Yes, it's our favorite day of the year, in fact, this is why we chose it as the day of our big grand opening celebration. FREE COMIC BOOK DAY. Every year, we work hard to bring you guys the best Free Comic Book Day on the East Coast, and this year, we've pulled out all the stops. A huge sale, loads of special guest creators, Stormtroopers!, and so much more!

Click here to get the full rundown of what we have shaking at BOTH Third Eye locations this Saturday for FCBD 2012!

May 4: Bechdel at Politics and Prose

Friday, May 4, 7 p.m.

Alison Bechdel - Are You My Mother?: A Comic Drama (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $22)
In her acclaimed graphic memoir, Fun Home, Bechdel focused on her father, his secret life, and his death. Now she turns to her talented, emotionally repressed mother, exploring the family psychology and the tentative mother-daughter truce the two achieved via D.W. Winnicott , Dr. Seuss, and Bechdel's own vivid memories.

This event is co-sponsored by Small Press Expo, an annual festival that provides a forum for artists, writers and publishers of comic art in its various forms to present to the public comic art not normally accessible through normal commercial channels. SPX 2012 is September 15 and 16 at the Marriot Bethesda North Hotel and Conference Center and will feature such special guests as Chris Ware, Daniel Clowes, and the Hernandez Brothers. More information at www.spxpo.com.

Buy a copy of Are You My Mother? from P&P, get it signed by Alison, and receive a free single-day pass to SPX 2012!