Saturday, April 20, 2013
Carolyn Belefski's Comic Riffs interview
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog (April 20 2013)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/awesome-con-curls-creator-carolyn-belefski-on-the-creative-mischief-that-has-spawned-her-rich-art-career/2013/04/20/163f9632-a8a0-11e2-b029-8fb7e977ef71_blog.html
Awesome Con day 1 is a success
District Comics panelists - Art Haupt, Rafer Roberts, Mike Cowgill, Andrew Cohen, Jacob Warrenfeltz, Mike Rhode, Carolyn Belefski and Troy-Jeffrey Allen.
The Con sold out of tickets by about 3 pm on Saturday. They had a good mix of people, and it was bustling. Lots of cartoonists tell me they did well. Nick Galifianakis sold out of his book. Dan Nokes made his table money back in an hour. John Gallagher and Steve Conley were always busy. Bill McKay's commission list went into tomorrow. Shannon Gallant seemed to stay busy with commissions too. Troy-Jeffrey Allen and Jay Payne launched Bamn #4. Carolyn Belefski was interviewed by Comic Riffs today too.
The District Comics panel had about 40 people in it, despite being opposite the costume judging contest. I think this has the potential to be similar to Baltimore CC in a few years.
BTW, New Jerseyan Jeff Shultz is selling his Archie pages for $20 each. I bought a nice volleyball page.
Here's some pictures.
Chris "Capes and Babes" Flick.
Dan Nokes has a new compilation book debuting at the show.
Nick Galifianakis on the way to selling out of his book.
Bill McKay.
A good looking Dalek vs Dr. Who. I thought Daleks were upside-down trashcans on wheels?
Starro the Conqueror - I loved this costume.
Big Planet Comics et al.
Steve Conley drawing Bloop in a Tardis.
Jason Axtell.
District Comics review and coincidences
Speaking of District Comics, I think the panel on it went well. Carolyn will have the audio on her podcast, and I'll post a link when she does.
Speaking of Awesome Con - it was a good time. A very good time. There's a nice mix of people, cartoonists and attendees both. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Pictures to follow.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Weldon on Superman for New Republic
BY GLEN WELDON
New Republic.com April 18 2013
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/112941/superman-75th-anniversary-how-man-steel-changed-times
Politico launches Friday editorial cartoon collection
Every week political cartoonists across the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies, and other head slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. To highlight the best of these brave attempts to bottle the zeitgeist, POLITICO is launching a new feature, "Cartoon Carousel", that will appear on Fridays. Here is our first offering, plucked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker
Thank god, Matt is editing, and not curating it.
The Post on tomorrow's Awesome Con
Awesome Con D.C.: Washington's very own comic convention
By Michael O'Sullivan,
Washington Post April 19 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/awesome-con-dc-washingtons-very-own-comic-convention/2013/04/18/48a993ce-a1ee-11e2-be47-b44febada3a8_story.html
Get your geek on at Awesome Con, D.C.'s first comic convention
By Michael O'Sullivan,
Washington Post Going Out Guide blog April 18, 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/going-out-guide/wp/2013/04/18/get-your-geek-on-at-awesome-con-d-c-s-first-comic-convention/
Thursday, April 18, 2013
PR: Free Comic Book Day Extravaganza at Cards, Comics & Collectibles
|
Baltimore Comic-Con | P.O. Box 917 | Reisterstown | MD | 21136 |
Cavna on being an Eisner judge
NPR on Weldon's Superman book
Another review of Weldon's Superman bio
by Glen Weldon
Reviewed by Mark Squirek | Released: April 1, 2013
http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/review/superman-unauthorized-biography
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Cavna draws Hatfield
Sleeper reviewed by Wolk in The Post
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Einstein's brain exhibit mentioned in The Post
| ||
'Maps' of Albert Einstein's brain on display Washington Post EXHIBIT 'Maps' of Einstein's brain on display "What Can We Learn from a Brain?" at the National Museum of Health and Medicine through May 31 In 1955, ... | ||
April 20: District Comics panel
Chronicling the unconventional history of our nation's capital, District Comics has won numerous awards and has received critical acclaim across the U.S. Join the writers and artist who came together to honor our favorite city during this Q and A panel moderated by ComicsDC's Mike Rhode. Panelists include Troy-Jeffrey Allen, Rafer Roberts, Andrew Cohen, Jacob Warrenfeltz, and Carolyn Belefski.
Press Release from ANS Sci-Fi & Comic Con
Big Guests, Big Vendors and A Big Film Make the Second ANS Sci-Fi & Comic Con a BIG DEAL!
Preparations are in full swing for the May 11 benefit event showcasing
Archbishop Neale School in La Plata.
"Our headlining special guest is the unmistakable Frank Cho," says event organizer Tom Boone. "This is Frank's only scheduled convention appearance in the DC area for the rest of the year!" This May, Marvel Comics will be wrapping up a well-received six issue series written and drawn by Mr. Cho called 'Savage Wolverine', based on the
X-Men hero. More than 20 other comic artists and writers will be attending as well as artists from other disciplines including digital media, sculpting, pyrography and photography.
In addition to artists, more than 20 vendors covering over 80 tables will be selling a wide array of comics, cards, sci-fi, pop culture and entertainment collectibles. "We're very proud that nearly all of our vendors from our 2012 show have returned and we've attracted even more this year," says Boone. Among them are Cards, Comics and Collectibles, a retail store in Reisterstown and Third Eye Comics, a retailer with stores in Prince Frederick and Annapolis. "We have vendors coming from as far away as Pennsylvania. We've cast the net wide to try to get as many unique vendors as possible for our attendees." Local retailers such as Comics MD and BookNuts Book Shop will also have a presence at the show.
Another first for the event is the screening of films. New York based filmmaker Brian Stillman will be attending the ANS Sci-Fi & Comic Con to present previously unseen clips from his upcoming film, 'Plastic Galaxy - The Story of Star Wars Toys'. According to Boone, "It's an incredible documentary that toy collectors and Star Wars fans will love." Other works include student films from the DAVE School in Orlando, FL, and rare films that have never been commercially released.
Panels and presentations, a staple of comic conventions, will also be a part of this year's charity event. "How to Make Your Own Comic" will be a panel discussion with artists and creators lead by Chris Rizzo, Creative Director of New York based multimedia group Dark Ink Pictures. The panel will discuss topics such as breaking into comics and writing techniques. "The DIY ethic is strong in comics today. The internet and indie publishing are breaking down barriers and providing young creators with opportunities that were unthinkable as little as ten years ago," says Boone.
Popular at conventions around the world is the 501st Legion, a Star Wars-inspired costuming group whose local unit, the Old Line Garrison, will be returning to the ANS Sci-Fi & Comic Con in greater numbers this year. The stormtroopers will be entertaining fans of all ages with a charity putt-putt game and plenty of photo opportunities throughout the event. Also returning are the Viking Re-enactors from Southern Maryland's own Longship Company, with authentic costumes and equipment.
Another highlight of the ANS Sci-Fi & Comic Con is the Silent Auction. "Every penny from admissions, the vendor's fees and the silent auction goes directly to the operating budget of Archbishop Neale School." To that end, an impressive array of unique and one-of a-kind collectibles have been gathered for the auction from attending artists including Mike O'Shields and Laura Inglis, to major industry names like John Byrne, Doug Chiang and James Arnold Taylor, and authors Troy Denning and Lemony Snicket.
"All this is just the tip of the iceberg," says Boone. "We're screening more films and we'll have more artists and more presentations. We're using more space inside the school than ever. We have more food vendors this year, more prizes, more of everything fans go to conventions for. We encourage all of our attendees to make plans to stay for a while!"
The Second Annual ANS Sci-Fi & Comic Con is happening May 11, 2013, from 10am to 3pm at Archbishop Neale School in La Plata, Maryland. Admission is $5 for adults, kids under ten are free. For more information, visit www.anscomiccon.com
Press inquiries contact Tom Boone at info@anscomiccon.com or 202-297-1461
Please see attachments for the latest Schedule of Events and a list of vendors and artists appearing at the ANS Sci-Fi & Comic Con!
Event Organizer
ANS Sci-Fi & Comic Con
104 Port Tobacco Road
La Plata, Maryland 20646
(202) 297-1461
The ANS Sci-Fi & Comic Con is an ALL AGES fan and collectors event benefiting Archbishop Neale School on Saturday, May 11, 2013, from 10am to 3pm. For more information, visit www.anscomiccon.com
About Archbishop Neale School -
Archbishop Neale School is a Catholic elementary school in La Plata, Maryland that has been in continuous operation since 1927, with a two-track system for grades Pre-K through 8 and a curriculum centered on the Archdiocese of Washington graded course of study. We are fully accredited, and our teachers are certified by the State of Maryland in their specific areas. We serve Catholic students from over seven parishes and many non-Catholics as well. For over 80 years, parents have entrusted their children to ANS because they are assured of an excellent, Archdiocesan standards-based academic curriculum that encompasses Catholic faith and values delivered in a safe, caring environment. For more information, visit www.ArchbishopNealeSchool.org
Julia Langbein to Lecture on Comic Drawings of French Salon Paintings, May 1
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington DC 20540
April 16, 2013
Public contact: Martha Kennedy (202) 707-9115, mkenn@loc.gov
Swann Foundation Fellow Julia Langbein
To Discuss Comic Drawings of French Salon Paintings
Swann Foundation Fellow Julia Langbein, in a lecture at the Library of Congress, will examine comic drawings about French Salon paintings created by the famous photographer Nadar (a.k.a. Félix Tournachon, 1820-1910).
Langbein will present "How to View an Exhibition from a Hot-Air Balloon: Nadar at the Paris Salon," at noon on Wednesday, May 1, in the West Dining Room on the sixth floor of the James Madison Building, 101 Independence Avenue S.E., Washington, D.C. The lecture is free and open to the public. Tickets are not needed.
Langbein will focus specifically on caricatures of Salon paintings, created by Nadar during an unusual phase of his career when he briefly practiced art criticism in the form of caricature. Art historians tend to celebrate Nadar for his achievements in photography and overlook this less-studied phase that also overlapped with his interest in aeronautics (he would soon take the first aerial photographs from a hot-air balloon.)
Like many of his peers in Paris in the 1850s, Nadar tried his hand at Salon caricature, in which caricaturists for illustrated journals comically distorted the paintings displayed at the annual or biennial state-sponsored exhibition of the arts in Paris. Nadar produced caricatures of this type for an illustrated weekly magazine, Le Journal Pour Rire, and in three stand-alone albums.
Langbein will explore the symbolic significance of the hot-air balloon in the graphic imagination of 19th century France. Using materials from the Library's Tissandier Collection and holdings of French satirical prints, she will ask how the experience of viewing art at the Salon prompted Nadar to envision art criticism as an exercise in aerial perspective.
Currently a Ph.D candidate in art history at the University of Chicago, she focuses on graphic satire and its relation to practices of art reception and criticism. In her doctoral dissertation, "Salon Caricature in Paris, 1840-1881," she concentrates on this little-studied genre of caricature that was widely published in the Parisian press during the second half of the 19th century.
In addition to the Swann Fellowship, Langbein received a Franke Institute for the Humanities Dissertation-Year Grant and a Fulbright IIE Fellowship, among other fellowships. She completed a master's degree in art history at the University of Chicago, and a bachelor's in art history at Columbia University.
This presentation, sponsored by the Swann Foundation and Prints & Photographs Division, is part of the Foundation's continuing activities to support the study, interpretation, preservation and appreciation of original works of humorous and satiric art by graphic artists from around the world. The Swann Foundation's advisory board is composed of scholars, collectors, cartoonists and Library of Congress staff members.
The foundation strives to award one fellowship annually to assist scholarly research and writing projects in the field of caricature and cartoon. Applications for the 2014-2015 academic year are due Feb. 15, 2014. More information about the fellowship is available at www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/swannhome or by e-mailing swann@loc.gov.
# # #
PR13-75
4/16/13
ISSN: 0731-3527
Cavna on Katchor in today's Post
Monday, April 15, 2013
April 16: Ben Katchor in town - tomorrow!
Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Time: 7:00 PM
image The first cartoonist to receive a MacArthur Fellowship reveals the ways urban planning and architecture influence and reflect cultural values in his new graphic narrative, Hand-Drying in America.
Here are window-ledge pillows designed expressly for people-watching and a forest of artificial trees for sufferers of hay fever. The Brotherhood of Immaculate Consumption deals with the matter of products that outlive their owners; high-visibility construction vests are marketed to lonely people as a method of getting noticed.
A master at twisting mundane commodities into surreal objects of social significance, Katchor reveals a world similar to our own—lives are defined by possessions, consumerism is a kind of spirituality—but also slightly, fabulously askew. This surrealist handbook for the rebuilding of society in the twenty-first century ensures that you will never look at a building, a bar of soap, or an ATM the same way.
Admission: