Wednesday, April 24, 2013

WTOP coverage of Awesome Con

Hoai-Tran Bui. 2013.
Awesome Con D.C.
 
 
D.C. welcomed its first Awesome Con April 20-21 at the Washington Convention Center. The weekend-long celebration of pop culture attracted people of all ages, dressed head-to-toe in costumes. The convention featured collections of comic books, toys, games, art, discussion panels, contests and a range of activities.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Awesome Con - a couple or three Sunday pictures

101_5545 Phil LaMarr Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo

Phil LaMarr, Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo.

101_5543 Cuddles and Rage aka Liz and Jimmy Reed

Cuddles and Rage webcomickers, aka Liz and Jimmy Reed.

101_5544 Phil LaMarr talking to Carolyn Belefski

Animation voice actor Phil LaMarr talking to Carolyn Belefski.

OT: Cartoonists Demand Action

Only off-topic in that no DC-area cartoonists are in it.

Cartoonists Demand Action
Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition  Apr 22, 2013
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UKq9ZKZljlA

Some of the nation's best loved cartoonists are calling on Congress to not back down and take action to enact common sense gun laws that will prevent violence and save lives.

Comic Riffs talks to Garry Trudeau

I'm so jealous.

'ALPHA HOUSE' Q&A: Creator Garry Trudeau on Beltway satire, Amazon Studios' bold launch — and why Bill Murray is called 'the unicorn'
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 22 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/alpha-house-qanda-creator-garry-trudeau-on-beltway-satire-amazon-studios-bold-launch--and-why-bill-murray-is-called-the-unicorn/2013/04/22/96417c10-aafd-11e2-a198-99893f10d6dd_blog.html#pagebreak

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Michael O'Connell talks to Matt Dembicki, Joe Carabeo and Carolyn Belefski

I'm going to listen to this while cataloging photographs at work tomorrow, but it looks good...

Time to Do-It-Yourself: Publishing, podcasting and comics
 by Michael O'Connell
 Its All Journalism April 20, 2013
http://itsalljournalism.com/time-to-do-it-yourself-publishing-podcasting-and-comics/
http://media.blubrry.com/itsalljournalism/p/content.blubrry.com/itsalljournalism/IAJ-2013-04-20-039.mp3
and http://itsalljournalism.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/carolynjoematt-transcript.pdf

The Post on Awesome Con and also Jay and Silent Bob

Catching up after another busy day...

Comic lovers gather at first Awesome Con D.C. [in print as Convention draws region's mightiest heroes]
By Theresa Vargas,
Washington Post April 21 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/comic-lovers-gather-at-first-awesome-con-dc/2013/04/20/518240e8-a9d9-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_story.html

and in animation news -

Kevin Smith's 'Super Groovy' movie helps co-star Jason Mewes on his road to recovery [in print as 'Silent Bob, sober Jay'].
By Michael Cavna,
Washington Post April 20 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/kevin-smiths-super-groovy-movie-helps-co-star-jason-mewes-on-his-road-to-recovery/2013/04/19/1fa75290-a92d-11e2-a8e2-5b98cb59187f_story.html

Mike Favila's columns

As mentioned recently, Mike Favila lives in my neighborhood in Arlington, and reviews comics and anime for Comics Online. Check them out.

PR: Bamn #4

It's been a long wait, but the battle for Hyatts high school continues in Bamn #4! 
Officially debuting at Awesome Con in Washington, DC, here is the complete summary and cover image for the latest chapter in the nerds vs. jocks power struggle:Coming Soon to Online Stores!

Bamn, a fallen pro wrestling superstar, has lived the life of a drifter for years without anyone paying him any mind. A fateful meeting with a group of teenage wrestling fans changes all that, putting the former superstar in a different kind of spotlight, that of a mentor. 

When Bamn discovers that this crew of awkward high schoolers are being bullied, he takes matters into his own hands, convincing the kids that they don't have to sit there and take it. 

Reinvigorated by the fact that they have a (former) W3 champion in their corner, the kids go on the offense.

Join us! Root on indie comics' favorite nerds! 
Grab a copy of issue #4 at the Bamn/PaperLabs Studio table (103)
@ Awesome Con (4/21-4/22).
And be sure to check out the the follow-up webcomic at www.BAMNCAN.com

--
F@ck TV. Read A Comic.

Troy




Saturday, April 20, 2013

Carolyn Belefski's Comic Riffs interview

AWESOME CON: 'Curls' creator Carolyn Belefski on the creative 'mischief' that has spawned her rich art career
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

101_5541 District Comics panelist
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.

101_5538 Chris Flick
Chris "Capes and Babes" Flick.


101_5537 Dan Nokes
Dan Nokes has a new compilation book debuting at the show.

101_5536 Nick Galifianakis
Nick Galifianakis on the way to selling out of his book.

101_5535 Bill McKay
Bill McKay.

101_5534 Dalek vs Dr Who
A good looking Dalek vs Dr. Who. I thought Daleks were upside-down trashcans on wheels?

101_5532 Starro the Conqueror
Starro the Conqueror - I loved this costume.

101_5531 Big Planet Comics
Big Planet Comics et al.

101_5530 Steve Conley
Steve Conley drawing Bloop in a Tardis.

101_5529 Jason Axtell
Jason Axtell.

District Comics review and coincidences

My neighbor Mike Favila introduced himself to me in person at Awesome Con today. Actually I was standing next to him when he asked Carolyn Belefski if she knew me. He's been writing for ComicsOnline and reviewed District Comics a few months ago.

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

 A Superman for All Seasons The Man of Steel is 75. His biography is our history.
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

Their website says:

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

For the record, this is by no means the first. About five years ago, there was one around Metro Center that Mike Kaluta and Frank Brunner attended.

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

2 DC area cartoonists, and a Kubert!








Press Release For Immediate Release
Free Comic Book Day Extravaganza at Cards, Comics & Collectibles

 

Adam Kubert, Frank Cho, and Steve Conley 

 

 

From the Store that Brings You the Baltimore Comic-Con...

 

  

REISTERSTOWN, MD - April 18, 2013 - Free Comic Book Day 2013 is just around the corner and Cards, Comics & Collectibles - Baltimore's Premiere Comic Book Store and the Official News Source of the Baltimore Comic-Con - is pulling out all of the stops for this year's event!  Everyone has been wondering what we were going to do and we're finally ready to announce it!  This is the one you've been waiting for!

 

The full-day event kicks off with an awesome line-up of creators appearing at the store! Adam Kubert, Frank Cho, and Steve Conley will be all signing and sketching at the store throughout the day.

 

Superman FCBD by KubertLegendary Marvel and DC Comics artist Adam Kubert, whose most recent work includes Marvel's Avengers vs. X-Men event and the recently launched Avengers series, will be signing and sketching from 12:00pm - 2:30pm, and again from 3:30pm - 6:00pm. He is the featured artist in DC's Free Comic Book Day 2013 issue, Superman: The Last Son of Krypton #1.

 

The son of comics legend, Joe Kubert, Adam started his illustrious career in comics in 1993 drawing Wolverine for Marvel Comics. He was a mainstay at Marvel, working on such titles as X-Men, Ultimate X-Men, and Ultimate Fantastic Four, until 2005 when he signed an exclusive contract with DC Comics. While there, he served as artist on Action Comics, DC Universe: Last Will and Testament, and Batman and The Outsiders Special. In 2009, he returned to Marvel where he remains today.

Savage Wolverine #1

 

Frank Cho's body of work at Marvel includes such titles as New Avengers, Mighty Avengers, Shanna the She-Devil, New Ultimates, X-Men: Schism, and Avengers vs. X-Men. He is also well-known for his creator-owned series, Liberty Meadows, and his work on Jungle Girl for Dynamite Entertainment. Cho, who is currently writing and drawing Savage Wolverine, will be signing and sketching from 4:00pm - 6:00pm.

 

Bloop by ConleyAward-winning designer, illustrator, and cartoonist Steve Conley has worked on such notable comics as Star Trek: Year Four (IDW), Michael Chabon's Amazing Adventures of the Escapist (Dark Horse Comics), and JLA-Z (DC Comics). Conley, who is also the creator of Astounding Space Thrills and the all-ages series Bloop (www.bloopstree.com), will be signing and sketching all day.

 

In addition to the creator line-up, Baltimore's Z104.3 will be setting up and broadcasting live at the store. Fans can sign up to win a pair of tickets to the Z104.3 screening of Iron Man 3 at the Rotunda Movie Theatre which will be drawn every 15 minutes!  Carnival games and an all-ages obstacle course will also be set up for fans to win CDs, movie passes, and items from the movie!

 

Get your picture taken with Cosplay Girls courtesy of Comic Con Cuties and, as special treat for our fans, Bill Bateman's Bistro will be set up and offering discounts to fans who come to the store!

 

"Free Comic Book Day has grown to become such an important event - not just for retailers, creators, and fans - but for the comics industry as a whole," said Marc Nathan, owner of Cards, Comics & Collectibles. "We are delighted to have Adam, Frank, and Steve signing here, and are so excited for the events we'll be hosting for the fans! With Z104.3, Bill Bateman's, and the girls of Comic Con Cuties, this year is going to be our biggest yet!"

 

Join us on Saturday, May 4, 2013 as events kick off at 11:00am with store signings, $1 Modern back issues, photo ops with the Cosplay Girls of Comic Con Cuties, and, of course, FREE COMICS!

 

Cards, Comics & Collectibles is located at 100A Chartley Drive, Reisterstown, MD. For more information, please visit cardscomicscollectibles.com, our Facebook page, or call 410-526-7410.

   
Baltimore Comic-Con | P.O. Box 917 | Reisterstown | MD | 21136

Cavna on being an Eisner judge

2013 COMIC-CON EISNERS AWARDS: One judge's diary notes on the wild, the innocent and the Harbor Drive tussle
Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 18 2013

NPR on Weldon's Superman book

With Mullet Or With Monkey, Everyone Knows Superman
by Elizabeth Graham
NPR.org (April 18, 2013):

Another review of Weldon's Superman bio

Superman: The Unauthorized Biography
by Glen Weldon
Reviewed by Mark Squirek | Released: April 1, 2013
http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/review/superman-unauthorized-biography

Wednesday, April 17, 2013