Comic Riffs catchup on Comic-Con, RFK award, and LOC Book Festival

SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON 2013: Futurist/author Rob Salkowitz sizes up the Con's pop-culture pull
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog July 17 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/san-diego-comic-con-2013-futuristauthor-rob-salkowitz-sizes-up-the-cons-pop-culture-pull/2013/07/17/b32e289a-ee88-11e2-a1f9-ea873b7e0424_blog.html#pagebreak

RFK JOURNALISM AWARD: Alt-cartoonist Jen Sorensen thrilled with 'profoundly meaningful' honor — and a certain phone call
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog July 17 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/rfk-journalism-award-cartoonist-jen-sorensen-thrilled-with-profoundly-meaningful-honor/2013/07/17/17e33d7a-ee93-11e2-a1f9-ea873b7e0424_blog.html#pagebreak

2013 NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL: Graphic novelists Barry, Chao added to stellar lineup
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog July 17 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/2013-national-book-festival-graphic-novelists-barry-chao-added-to-stellar-lineup/2013/07/17/0b53428a-eede-11e2-bed3-b9b6fe264871_blog.html#pagebreak

The Post reviews Turbo cartoon and Failure comic strip

Tale of undersnail's quest is derivative but has its charms [online title - 'Turbo' is derivative but also clever, entertaining].

By Jen Chaney,

Washington Post July 17 2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/turbo-is-derivative-but-also-clever-entertaining/2013/07/16/7b3dc6ba-ed99-11e2-a1f9-ea873b7e0424_story.html

 

Portrait of the modern artists, finely drawn and infused with wit and a touch of absurdity. [online title - Book World: 'Failure,' by Karl Stevens]

 By Douglas Wolk,

Washington Post July 17, 2013

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/book-world-failure-by-karl-stevens/2013/07/16/db2ae158-e8a7-11e2-a301-ea5a8116d211_story.html

Jen Sorenson wins RFK Journalism award

Jen Sorenson won the 2013 RFK Journalism award for cartooning. More details here.

 

(I was one of the judges, but had to wait for the official announcement like everyone else).

New Comics and Gaming store in Fairfax City

I was driving through Fairfax City today and saw a sign for a grand opening of Comics and Gaming. I stopped in, and they are mostly selling games to not butt heads with The Laughing Ogre. However, they do have collectible comics for sale. I'd recommend the first 1970s issue of DC's Shadow if you stop in. The store is at 10385 Main St, Fairfax, VA 22030; 503-865-8110 and is a spin-off from the Gainesville store of the same name. They're open M-S 11-8 and Sun 12-6.

Bus stop ads continued - The Wolverine

Matt caught one of The Wolverine movie ad posters in a Fairfax bus stop a few days ago. Here's some more.

Weldon discusses Superman on the Kojo Nnamdi show

I've just about finished Glen Weldon's new book Superman: An Unauthorized Biography, and can recommend it. You can listen to him on NPR last week -

Bellantoni, Christina.  2013.
How Superman Explains America.
National Public Radio and WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi Show (July 9).
online at
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2013-07-09/how-superman-explains-america
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/audio-player?nid=23650
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2013-07-09/how-superman-explains-america/transcript

and the pictures are from his talk at Politics and Prose yesterday, which was fun. When the bookstore posts the video they shot, I'll add link to it.

District Comics nominated for Harvey Award.

District Comics edited by Matt Dembicki is up for a Harvey Award! Also, several D.C. Conspiracy members are in several anthologies nominated for the Harvey Awards, including Team Cul de Sac edited by Chris Sparks and Once Upon a Time Machine edited by Jason Rodriguez.

July 16: Star Trek's Robert Picardo at Fantom Comics

Fantom Comics and the NoVa Starfleet Chapter are proud to present an

Evening with Robert Picardo

Tuesday, July 16^th, 6:30pm

Best known for his roles as The Doctor in  the Star Trek universe  and Richard Woolsey in the Stargate universe, Robert Picardo is currently playing the part of Willie Clark in “The Sunshine Boys,” July 9^th-21^st at the Totem Pole Playhouse.

He will be appearing at Fantom Comics in Union Station to talk with fans, sign autographs, and take pictures. Please join us for this meet and greet with one of the most talented and beloved actors in the industry.

Fantom Comics, in honor of Mr. Picardo, is offering a 10% OFF SALE on all graphic novels and trade paperbacks during the event!

(Signed photographs will cost $30; photographs with Mr. Picardo: $10.)

Union Station | Mezzanine Level

50 Massachusetts Ave NE | Washington, DC 20002

info@fantomcomics.com|202-241-6498

Today: Weldon on Superman at Politics and Prose

Glen Weldon - Superman: The Unauthorized Biography

Start: Jul 14 2013 5:00 pm

End: Jul 14 2013 6:00 pm

As Superman turns 75, what better time to look back over his life? Weldon, NPR blogger, critic, and comics expert, considers not only the Man of Steel's adventures and achievements, but also his place in the culture as the first, and still most popular, superhero.

Superman: The Unauthorized Biography (Hardcover)

By Glen Weldon

$25.95

ISBN-13: 9781118341841
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: John Wiley & Sons, 4/2013

Other Editions of this Title

---

Street:

5015 Connecticut Ave NW

City:

Washington

,

Province:

District Of Columbia

Postal Code:

20008

Country:

United States

The Post reviews Ungerer movie bio

Two worlds drawn together [Far Out Isn't Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story' movie review]
By Michael O'Sullivan,
Washington Post July 12 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/far-out-isnt-far-enough-the-tomi-ungerer-story-movie-review/2013/07/10/4a38971e-e800-11e2-8f22-de4bd2a2bd39_story.html

Bus stop ads

A couple new comics-related ads at D.C. bus stops. One is for the upcoming Wolverine movie and the other for the Axe Cop cartoon on Fox.

Making Comics panel from ANS Sci Fi and Comic Con

ANS: Making Comics Panel
The Carolyn and Joe Show July 9, 2013.
http://carolynandjoeshow.wordpress.com/2013/07/09/ans-making-comics-panel/
http://curls-studio.com/radio/CJS234.mp3

Carolyn Belefski and Joe Carabeo recorded a panel they were on with Liz & Jimmy Reed, Leanne & Rod Hannah, Sarah Hoppes, and Chris Rizzo.

I've got an interview with the Reeds waiting to be edited, and put online (and I apologize for the delay).

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: Pipeline Peace Walk Begins!

Pipeline Peace Walk Begins!
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1316

This is the art I created for the cover of the Pipeline Peace Walk Guide, published as an aid to the activists walking the length of the Keystone XL Pipeline, from the Canadian border to Mexico in a pilgrammage to defend the environment from the ravages of oil drilling and pipeline construction. The Walk began this week and will continue through the summer.

From the Pipeline Peace Walk donations page:
"This summer, Love Bomb Seed Bomb, the People's Garden, the Harvest Collective, Permatecture Design, the Compassionate Earth Walk, Occupy the Keystone XL Pipeline and Pipeline Peace Walk will walk the length of the Keystone XL Pipeline, from the Canadian border in Montana, down to the Gulf of Mexico, in a pilgrimage to defend nature from the Oil Machine. We walk for our children, for nature, the plants and animals, and for the next seven generations of humanity...

...We will walk thousands of miles to shift our reality, and to build a better future, by demanding we depart from the old paradigm, and enter into the new. As we walk we will be visiting communities along the pipeline, lending support to their current struggles, and telling their stories.

Along the way we will be in service to communities who are resisting the Keystone XL Pipeline. We will meet up with Moccasins on the Ground in South Dakota, Farmers Unions in Kansas, Bold Nebraska in Nebraska, Great Plains Tar Sands Resistance in Oklahoma, and Tar Sands Blockade in Texas. Throughout the summer we will be traveling to be in service to these causes, and to help create links between the communities along the Keystone XL Pipeline path. At current, we are also coordinating with #Fearless Summer to create collective movement..."

Find out more about the Pipeline Peace Walk on Farcebook here:
http://www.facebook.com/pipelinepeacewalk

Donate to the Pipeline Peace Walk here:
http://www.wepay.com/donations/pipeline-peace-walk


--

.

"Though I could not caution all, I yet may warn a few:
 Don't lend your hand to raise no flag atop no ship of fools!"

                                               --grateful dead.
________________________________________________________________
Mike Flugennock, flugennock at sinkers dot org
Mike's Political Cartoons: dubya dubya dubya dot sinkers dot org

PR: Critics agree: MARCH is outstanding! Now get a signed copy at Comic-Con!

A book in which 2 out of 3 of the authors are Washingtonians.

Critics agree: MARCH is outstanding! Now get a signed copy at Comic-Con! Critics agree: MARCH is outstanding! Now that we're a month away from the official release date, major reviews are starting to come in. As you may or may not know, all the top book-industry review journals issue "starred reviews" for titles they consider outstanding in their field. One starred review is lovely… more than one, and you've got something really special on your hands. So, how does MARCH stack up? See for yourself: "Dazzling... a grand work." — Booklist (starred review) "A powerful tale of courage and principle igniting sweeping social change, told by a strong-minded, uniquely qualified eyewitness... the heroism of those who sat and marched... comes through with vivid, inspiring clarity." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Lewis's remarkable life has been skillfully translated into graphics... Segregation's insult to personhood comes across here with a visual, visceral punch. This version of Lewis's life story belongs in libraries to teach readers about the heroes of America." — Library Journal (starred review) That's right, we're three for three so far! But now it's time for the verdict from those who really matter -- YOU, the readers. Which leads to our next item… MARCH comes to Comic-Con! Comic-Con International in San Diego is the biggest show in America -- so when Congressman Lewis said he wanted to come, we moved heaven & earth to get the book ready in time. As a result, we're very pleased to confirm the special debut of MARCH: BOOK ONE at Comic-Con next week, along with all three creators: Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell. Come by the Top Shelf booth (#1721), meet a true American icon, and be the first to scoop up a signed copy of this piece of history! What's more, we'll also have copies of a limited HARDCOVER edition, as well as a limited SIGNED & NUMBERED HARDCOVER edition of MARCH: BOOK ONE, available exclusively from Top Shelf. PLUS: don't miss the MARCH team's feature presentation, Saturday morning at 10AM in room 23, as they share the story of MARCH and how it came to be! America's libraries go wild for MARCH! Finally, we have to share some memories of the MARCH team's triumphant visit to the American Library Association's annual conference. It was as huge a success as the BookExpo, with librarians scooping up our March Teacher's Guide, packing the auditorium for a feature presentation by Congressman Lewis and the boys, and standing in long lines for a chance to meet the authors and get a signed preview booklet. Andrew spoke about the history of comics in the civil rights movement, Nate walked audiences through his creative process, and they all signed until their hands just about fell off! The result? A lot of empty boxes! We can't wait to share this magnificent graphic novel with you, and bring Congressman Lewis' incredible story to life for a new generation. March (Book One), a deluxe softcover graphic novel with french flaps and black & white interiors, 6.5" x 9.5", 128 pages, ISBN 978-1-60309-300-2, $14.95 US. Released worldwide: August 13, 2013. Special debut with Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell at Comic-Con. For more information and a 14-page preview, visit http://www.topshelfcomix.com/march. See y'all at Comic-Con! Your friend thru comics, Chris Staros Top Shelf Productions PO Box 1282 Marietta GA 30061-1282 USA chris@topshelfcomix.com www.topshelfcomix.com

New book features chapter by Phillip Troutman

"Indisciplinary" Teaching: Comics Studies and Research Writing Pedagogy by Phillip Troutman, an assistant professor of writing at George Washington University is a chapter in this new book. Click on the link to order it, or see the whole table of contents.

Graphic Novels and Comics in the Classroom

Essays on the Educational Power of Sequential Art

Edited by Carrye Kay Syma and Robert G. Weiner

Foreword by Robert V. Smith; Afterword by Mel Gibson

Print ISBN: 978-0-7864-5913-1

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-4766-0197-7

49 photos, notes, bibliographies, index

296pp. softcover (7 x 10) 2013

About the Book

Sequential art combines the visual and the narrative in a way that readers have to interpret the images with the writing. Comics make a good fit with education because students are using a format that provides active engagement. This collection of essays is a wide-ranging look at current practices using comics and graphic novels in educational settings, from elementary schools through college. The contributors cover history, gender, the use of specific graphic novels, practical application and educational theory.

Gordon Harris' The Dust Elves are coming!

 

July 12, 2013 The Dust Elves are coming soon! An all-new mini comic is coming from the creator of PEDESTRIAN. The first in a series of four mini-comics called, THE SECRET ORIGIN OF THE DUST ELVES will premiere this fall. An all-new 36-page, original, color mini-comic for everyone ages 8 and up, written and illustrated by Gordon Harris. Now's the time to let Gordon know if there's a different email address you'd rather receive this valuable information at. Updates will be posted on the Dust Elves Facebook page as well. (NEXT WEEK: Vote for your favorite cover)   Copyright © 2013 Gordon Harris, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: gordon@dustelves.com

Retrofit Comics arrives at Big Planet Comics stores

From Big Planet Comics' Facebook page:

 

Our first co-published comic with the esteemed Retrofit Comics has arrived in Vienna today! We will have copies at all our stores by next week. Beach Girls is by Box Brown with a back up story by James Kochalka!

Truitt on comics (continued)

Sunday Geekersation: Monkeybrain duo on digital comics; One year in, Chris Roberson and Allison Baker have found a fan base, award nominations and a new way to do business.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 7, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/07/sunday-conversation-monkeybrain-comics-founders/2496187/

 

Doomsday prepping goes wrong in 'Sheltered' series; The kids are not alright in a survivalist community in new Image Comics book.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 9, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/09/sheltered-comic-book-series/2503345/

 

Pandora's myth grows in new 'Trinity of Sin' series; Book will explore her 10,000-year history and tie into upcoming "Trinity War" crossover in "Justice League" titles.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY  July 1, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/01/trinity-of-sin-pandora-comic-book-series/2478503/

 

'Trinity War' finds Justice League fractured and at odds; New issue kicks off six-chapter story line full of secret agendas, betrayal and supervillains.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY  July 8, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/08/justice-league-comic-book-series/2497741/

 

'Ghosted' features a haunted heist for Joshua Williamson; A criminal mastermind is busted out of prison to steal a spectre in new Image Comics series.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY  July 10, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/10/ghosted-comic-book-series/2504629/

 

Einstein, heady subjects at heart of Seagle's 'Genius'; Graphic novelist pens a story of a brilliant man in search of a life-changing big idea.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 9, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/09/steven-t-seagle-genius-graphic-novel/2501111/

 

Two-Face lawyers up in 'Legends of the Dark Knight'; The scarred supervillain has a long history with Batman and his alter ego.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 3, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/07/03/two-face-legends-of-the-dark-knight-digital-comic/2487725/

 

'Beneath' comic showcases the movie's Black Lake monster; Tie-in delves into the mysteries of director Larry Fessenden's underwater creature.

Brian Truitt, USA TODAY July 7, 2013

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/07/07/beneath-horror-movie-comic-book/2496163/

 

 

July 16 - Sept 1: cARToons show opens at Politics and Prose

Theresa Roberts Logan writes about the upcoming cARToons show:

 

Opening reception at POLITICS & PROSE on Saturday, July 20th, 7-9 pm. We have comics artists, animators, illustrators, syndicated cartoonists, Pulitzer Prize winners (at least one), Reuben nominees, and all sorts of comic goodness going on.  Our beautiful cARToons show!! Opening reception at POLITICS & PROSE on Saturday, July 20th, 7-9 pm. We have comics artists, animators, illustrators, syndicated cartoonists, Pulitzer Prize winners (at least one), Reuben nominees, and all sorts of comic goodness going on. So proud of these cartoonists! Thanks, Michael Auger for the beautiful postcard design! Thanks also to DC Conspiracy and the DC Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society. Artwork in the show is by Michael Auger, Matt Wuerker, Rafer Roberts, Michael Brace, Essa Neima, Daniel Venne, Steven G. Artley, Bud Grace, David Hagen, Juana Medicina, Joe Sutliff, Barbara Dale, Matt Dembicki, Donna Lewis, Theresa Roberts Logan, John Kovaleski, Michael Cavna and Carolyn Belefski.

The Post on Parker and Stone's Book of Mormon

It's the South Park guys...

'Book of Mormon' creators discuss the musical
By Nelson Pressley,
Washington Post July 5 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/book-of-mormon-creators-discuss-the-musical/2013/07/03/8bb84d6c-e259-11e2-8657-fdff0c195a79_story.html