A retailer’s tips on selling minicomics

Jared Smith of D.C.-area comics retailer Big Planet Comics (which co-publishes the minicomics line Retrofit Comics) offers tips on how self-publishers can get their minicomics in comics shops.

"As a store, we love selling minicomics! They are far more diverse than comics put out by big publishers and showcase an amazing array of talent. But, as a comics retailer, we’ve also noticed a lot of things that make it hard for minicomic creators to sell us comics, and for us to sell minicomics to customers. Here are some of our tips!" (Read the rest on the Big Planet Comics blog)

Photo courtesy of Big Planet Comics

'Colonial Comics' out in September

Local comics writer Jason Rodriguez is editing a new comics anthology for Fulcrum Publishing titled Colonial Comics: New England: 1620-1750, scheduled for release this coming fall. Cover art is by local artist Scott White. Here's the blurb from the press release:

"Colonial Comics is a graphic novel collection of 25 stories focusing on the period from 1620 through 1750 in New England. A collaboration of historians and graphic artists tell the stories about Puritans and free thinkers, Pequots and Jewish settlers, female business owners and dedicated school teachers, whales and livestock, slavery and frontiers, and many other aspects of colonial life. Coming September 2014!"

Greg Pak at Fantom Comics on Feb. 7

Comics writer Greg Pak (Action Comics, Batman/Superman, Eternal Warrior and Turok Dinosaur Hunt) visits Fantom Comics Friday from 6-7 p.m.

Image courtesy of Greg Pak

Nevin Martell on comics and food

Food Comics Turn 'ZAP' And 'POW' Into 'Sizzle' And 'Bubble'

by Nevin Martell

NPR's The Salt blog February 03, 2014
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/02/03/270985954/food-comics-turn-zap-and-pow-into-sizzle-and-bubble

Flying Dog doghouse

Courtesy of Chris Ingram, who notes "The art [by Ralph Steadman] is just a mishmash of the art on the beer bottles, nothing new that I could see.  Saw it yesterday at our local Giant on Columbia Pike."

Greg McElhatton stepping away from reviewing comics

Long-time reviewer Greg McElhatton is stepping away from reviewing comics, having started writing them online in 1999.

Linda Holmes on the next Superman movie's Lex Luthor

Holmes, Linda.  2014.

Yes, Jesse Eisenberg Should Absolutely Play Lex Luthor.

National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (January 31): http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2014/01/31/269505081/yes-jesse-eisenberg-should-absolutely-play-lex-luthor

Steve Brodner's Olympic cartoon in today's Post

Ready for Sochi? A Speculative Olympic Preview

by Steve Brodner

Washington Post February 2 2014
online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ready-for-sochi/2014/01/31/cf4ab272-8ab0-11e3-833c-33098f9e5267_gallery.html#photo=1

Zunar's appearance at Busboys and Poets

Malaysian cartoonist Zunar, whose books are regularly censored in his home country, appeared at Busboys and Poets in Washington, DC. With his permission, I've uploaded photographs and a recording of his talk, which was sponsored by Cartoonists Rights Network International. He speaks about his book being banned, and being arrested for sedition, as well his countersuits against the government. He's a brave man.

Local cartoonist's Sevara comic book Kickstarter

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/damianwampler/sevara-issue-0/widget/video.html

A 22 page full color comic book. A shape-shifting goddess finds that the memories of her mortal life corrupted humanity.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/damianwampler/sevara-issue-0

Feb 5: Sevara Meet'n'Greet with the Creator

You're invited to: Game On! Comics backed a local artist on kickstarter and he hit his goal! So now he is coming to our store!  Come stop by and show your support for local comic book writers! Here is a link to his kickstarter: Sevara When Wednesday February 5th, 2014 From 5pm to 6pm Where Game On! Comics 310 Dominion RD NE Vienna, Va 22180 STAY CONNECTED

Sara Duke's biographical sketches of cartoonists book available now (updated)

Biographical Sketches of Cartoonists & Illustrators in the Swann Collection of the Library of Congress

By Sara Duke

Paperback, 340 Pages 

http://www.lulu.com/shop/sara-duke/biographical-sketches-of-cartoonists-illustrators-in-the-swann-collection-of-the-library-of-congress/paperback/product-21425716.html
E-book versions are free at https://archive.org/details/DukeBioSketchesOfCartoonistsInSwannCollAtLOC

Preview

Price: $17.00

Ships in 3-5 business days

Inside this book are short biographical sketches about the many artists represented in the Library of Congress' Swann Collection compiled by Erwin Swann (1906-1973). In the early 1960s, Swann, a New York advertising executive started collecting original cartoon drawings of artistic and humorous interest. Included in the collection are political prints and drawings, satires, caricatures, cartoon strips and panels, and periodical illustrations by more than 500 artists, most of whom are American. The 2,085 items range from 1780-1977, with the bulk falling between 1890-1970. The Collection includes 1,922 drawings, 124 prints, 14 paintings, 13 animation cels, 9 collages, 1 album, 1 photographic print, and 1 scrapbook.

Express on Oscar-nominated animated shorts

‘Room on the Broom’ leads the pack of Oscar-nominated shorts at E Street Cinema [in print as Bewitching Hour].

BY KRISTEN PAGE-KIRBY

• Express January 31 2014 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2014/01/31/room-on-the-broom-leads-the-pack-of-oscar-nominated-shorts-at-e-street-cinema/

The Oscar-nominated “Room on the Broom” is quite a ride. (Magic Light Pictures)

Comic Riffs on Morrie Turner

RIP, MORRIE TURNER: Cartoonists say farewell to a friend, a hero, a ‘Wee Pals’ pioneer

By Michael Cavna 

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 31 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/rip-morrie-turner-cartoonists-say-farewell-to-a-friend-a-hero-a-wee-pals-pioneer/2014/01/31/9201b0ac-8a9f-11e3-916e-e01534b1e132_blog.html

The Post on Oscar short animation

Review of Oscar-nominated short films 2014 (animated, live-action and documentary)

Zeilt Productions - The animated short film “Mr. Hublot” uses computer animation and stop-motion to tell the story of a man and his robot dog.

• 
  
  
• 
  
  

By Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post January 31, 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/review-of-oscar-nominated-short-films-2014-animated-live-action-and-documentary/2014/01/29/d5e5602e-878f-11e3-a5bd-844629433ba3_story.html

Feb 8: Marc Tyler Nobleman on Batman and Superman creators

Marc Tyler Nobleman appears at Tifereth Israel Congregation on
Saturday, February 8, 2014 from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM, $15
http://www.conventionscene.com/2014/01/30/dc-secret-creators-behind-superman-batman/

Sara Duke's biographical sketches of cartoonists book available now

Years ago, Sara Duke wrote biographical notes for the artists in the Library's original cartoon collection. With her consent, I took her public domain file, edited it, and have turned it into a handy reference tool. This sells at printing cost, and neither of us makes any money on it. Libraries in particular should buy it.   - Mike Rhode

Biographical Sketches of Cartoonists & Illustrators in the Swann Collection of the Library of Congress

By Sara Duke

Paperback, 340 Pages 

http://www.lulu.com/shop/sara-duke/biographical-sketches-of-cartoonists-illustrators-in-the-swann-collection-of-the-library-of-congress/paperback/product-21425716.html

Preview

Price: $17.00

Ships in 3-5 business days

Inside this book are short biographical sketches about the many artists represented in the Library of Congress' Swann Collection compiled by Erwin Swann (1906-1973). In the early 1960s, Swann, a New York advertising executive started collecting original cartoon drawings of artistic and humorous interest. Included in the collection are political prints and drawings, satires, caricatures, cartoon strips and panels, and periodical illustrations by more than 500 artists, most of whom are American. The 2,085 items range from 1780-1977, with the bulk falling between 1890-1970. The Collection includes 1,922 drawings, 124 prints, 14 paintings, 13 animation cels, 9 collages, 1 album, 1 photographic print, and 1 scrapbook.

Magic Bullet #8 news

Magic Bullet #8 Cover and Contributor List

I am delighted to present to you Steve Loya's cover for Magic Bullet #8. Magic Bullet is Washington, D.C.’s free comics newspaper published by D.C. Conspiracy, a comics creators’ collective in the capital region. 

Thanks to El Jefe Design for the design of our masthead, which we started using in Magic Bullet #6. This issue is open-themed and has been sent to print with a run of 5,000. It will be hitting the streets in early February. Be sure to look for it around town and pick up this free publication.

Here are the contributors who made the cut for print publication in Magic Bullet #8:

Jeff McClelland
Rachel Scheer
Matt Dembicki
Sean Hill
R.M. Rhodes, Evan Keeling
Terry Flippo
Dale Rawlings
Zarmina Sulaiman, Jacob Warrenfeltz
Rafer Roberts
Troy-Jeffrey Allen, Matt Rawson
Art Hondros
Mark Lindblom
Michael Neno
Steve Loya
Kevin Panetta, Brooke A. Allen
JTW
Eric Gordon
Paul Zdepski
Bizhan Khodabandeh
Aaron DeLaRosa, Mark McMurray
T.R. Logan
Andrew Cohen
S.G. Artley
Daniel Rosa
Jason E. Axtell
Michael Cowgill
Jerry Carr
C. Michael Hall
Santiago Casares
Adam McGovern, Ellen C. Stedfeld
Joe Sutliff
Joe Carabeo, Carolyn Belefski

Thank you to all who submitted and we urge you to submit your comics to be considered in future editions.

I plan to bring several hot-off-the-press bundles to the D.C. Conspiracy Meet-Up next Sunday, February 9, 2014 at Buffalo Billiards (1330 19th Street, NW, Washington, DC) starting at 5:30 PM. We will also be distributing Magic Bullet to local establishments in DC, MD, and VA (places like book stores, restaurants, theaters, tattoo parlors, record shops, etc.).

We also plan to have Magic Bullet #8 at the cARToons exhibit opening reception on Thursday, February 13, 2014 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at University of the District of Columbia Campus (4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008 in Gallery 42, Building 42, Room A-12).

Magic Bullet contributors will be distributing the newspaper for free at many of their convention appearances in 2014. 

Stay 'tooned for more information about where to find Magic Bullet #8 as well as details about advertising and comic submission for the next issue, which will be announced shortly.

Your Pal,
Carolyn Belefski

Comic Riffs on March's ALA award

JOHN LEWIS’s ‘MARCH’: Graphic novel receives Coretta Scott King Book honor; recipients ‘humbled’

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 28 2014
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/john-lewiss-march-graphic-novel-receives-coretta-scott-king-book-honor-recipients-humbled/2014/01/28/404daaf8-87d5-11e3-833c-33098f9e5267_blog.html#pagebreak

Batgirl in the National Archives

Batman, ca. 1973

US National Archives Jan 28, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LviAKGZxPs

Find out more about this film, featured in "Media Matters," the National Archives blog of the Special Media Archives Services Division: http://blogs.archives.gov/mediamatter...

Creator(s): Department of Labor. Employment Standards Administration. Wage and Hour Division. (04/28/1971 - ) (Most Recent)

Series : Moving Images Relating to Employment Standards, compiled ca. 1960 - 1992
Record Group 448: General Records of the Employment Standards Administration, 1977 - 1994

Production Date: ca. 1973

Scope & Content: This motion picture film public service announcement (PSA) informed viewers of their rights under the equal pay law.

Access Restriction(s): Unrestricted
Use Restriction(s): Restricted - Possibly
Note: Some or all of this material may be restricted by copyright or other intellectual property right restrictions.

Contact(s): National Archives at College Park - Motion Pictures (RD-DC-M), National Archives at College Park, 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3540, Fax: 301-837-3620, Email: mopix@nara.gov

National Archives Identifier: 563630
Local Identifier: 448-121