'Dear Mr. Watterson' at Artisphere on March 8

Artisphere is Rosslyn, Va., will show "Dear Mr. Watterson: An Exploration of Calvin & Hobbes" on March 8 at 7:30 p.m. ($8 tickets), plus a live music introduction by We Were Pirates (the D.C.-based musicians who composed/performed the film’s original score) and post-screening Q&A with Mike Boggs and Nevin Martell.

March 8 also is the day the inaugural Smudge Indie Comic Expo is being held at the Artisphere from noon to 6. So make it a special full day of comics!

Comic Riffs articles on Ms. Marvel

MS. MARVEL: Marvel Comics’ new focus on women ‘characters and creators’ aims to defy the ‘scantily clad’ cliche

By Sabaa Tahir
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 4 2014
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/ms-marvel-marvel-comics-new-focus-on-women-characters-and-creators-aims-to-defy-the-scantily-clad-cliche/2014/02/04/bde11f7a-8dbd-11e3-95dd-36ff657a4dae_blog.html#pagebreak

MS. MARVEL: Why does Marvel’s new reboot succeed? Because its Muslim teen superhero is ‘sweet, conflicted and immensely relatable’

By Sabaa Tahir

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 4 2014
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/ms-marvel-why-does-marvels-new-reboot-succeed-because-its-muslim-teen-superhero-is-sweet-conflicted-and-utterly-relatable/2014/02/04/42908ac8-8dc6-11e3-95dd-36ff657a4dae_blog.html#pagebreak

Rafer Roberts art coming to X-O Man-O-War

Looks like I'll have to buy an issue for the first time in 20 years...

X-O MANOWAR Gets 'Star-Studded' 25th Anniversary Issue

by Lucas Siegel, Site Editor

04 February 2014

http://www.newsarama.com/20228-x-o-manowar-gets-star-studded-25th-anniversary-issue.html

Comics writer Damian Wampler interview at City Paper

Meet a Local Comics Writer: A Chat With Damian Wampler

Posted by Mike Rhode on Feb. 4, 2014 

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2014/02/04/meet-a-local-comics-writer-a-chat-with-damian-wampler/

Baltimore Comic-Con Announces First Appearances for 2014 Guests!

Baltimore Comic-Con Announces First Appearances for 2014 Guests! Gibbons, Hembeck, Kuder, Maleev, and Totleben Come to Baltimore!    BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - February 4, 2014 - Happy 2014 from the Baltimore Comic-Con!  Our show this year will be the 15th annual Baltimore Comic-Con, our premiere 3-day show, and our biggest event ever, which will be held the weekend of September 5-7, 2014!    In December, we officially announced our expansion to 3 days as well as our huge initial set of guests, and the response was fantastic.  Not content to settle for that initial wave of excitement, we've kept busy through the 2013 holiday season and into January of 2014 expanding our guest list!   Hopping the pond from England, writer/artist/letterer Dave Gibbons brings a vast resume of truly ground-breaking work.  From his early  2000AD work to the best-selling Watchmen with writer Alan Moore to The Secret Service with writer Mark Millar and many, many other noteworthy titles, Dave has left his indelible mark on the comics industry.  He has contributed to major and minor publishers, titles, and comic universes on both sides of the Atlantic, and his lettering style in Watchmen was the basis for the "Comic Sans" font.    Fred Hembeck's unique style has graced numerous publications, but he is probably noted most for his parodies at Marvel Comics, especially in the pages of Marvel Age, Fantastic Four Roast, Fred Hembeck Destroys the Marvel Universe, and Fred Hembeck Sells the Marvel Universe.  He also maintained an unhealthy focus for years on the Marvel Universe B-lister, Brother Voodoo!  In recent years, he contributed to Mars Attacks: The Human Condition from IDW and has provided covers for Garfield from BOOM! Studios.   A relative newcomer, Aaron Kuder found opportunities in doing fill-in issues during DC Comics' The New 52 event.  A member of Ten Ton Studios, he has handled art duties on titles such as Batman, Superman, and The Avenging Spider-Man, and took over art duties in November of 2013 for Action Comics.   Originally from Bulgaria, Alex Maleev has achieved great success providing art on comics with prolific comics writer, Brian Michael Bendis.  Together, they have collaborated on noteworthy runs on titles such as Image's Sam and Twitch, and Marvel's New Avengers, Daredevil, Halo: Uprising, Moon Knight, Spider-Woman, and, through Marvel's creator-owned Icon imprint, Scarlet.   John Totleben initially established a name for himself inking and painting covers for DC Comics' Swamp Thing during its noteworthy Alan Moore/Stephen R. Bissette run of the title.  He later went on to collaborate with Moore again multiple times, pencilling and inking Eclipse Comics' Miracleman, earning the position exclusively after receiving accolades for his work on the title, and on inks for Image Comics' 1963.  He has received numerous industry nominations and awards, including a 2004 Inkpot Award.    "What an amazing group of talent to have all under one roof," commented Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con.  "We are so excited to be welcoming Dave Gibbons, Fred Hembeck, Aaron Kuder, Alex Maleev, and John Totleben to our not-so-little-anymore family!"   This year's previously confirmed guests for the show include: Marty Baumann (Pixar artist); Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl); Dave Bullock (Batman Black and White); Greg Capullo (Batman); Bernard Chang (Green Lantern Corps); Sean Chen (Amazing Spider-Man); Jimmy Cheung (Infinity); Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman); Frank Cho (X-Men:  Battle of the Atom); Richard Clark (House of Gold & Bones); Steve Conley (Bloop); Alan Davis (Wolverine); Tommy Lee Edwards (Suicide Risk); Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys); David Finch (Forever Evil); Bryan JL Glass (Mice Templar); Michael Golden (The Ravagers); Cully Hamner (Animal Man); Dean Haspiel (The Fox); Adam Hughes (Before Watchmen: Dr. Manhattan); JG Jones (Green Lantern Corps, Batman Black and White); Justin Jordan (Luther Strode, Green Lantern: New Guardians); Barry Kitson (Empire); David Mack (Shadowman); Kevin Maguire (Guardians of the Galaxy); Ron Marz (Witchblade); Bob McLeod (X-Men: Gold); Tradd Moore (Deadpool Annual); Mark Morales (New Avengers); Dan Parent (Archie, Veronica, Kevin Keller); David Peterson (Mouse Guard); Eric Powell (The Goon); Joe Prado (Justice League); Brian Pulido (Lady Death); Ivan Reis (Aquaman and The Others); Budd Root (Cavewoman); Alex Saviuk (Web of Spider-Man); Andy Smith (Superman #23.1: Bizarro); John K. Snyder III (Zorro Rides Again); Allison Sohn (sketch card artist); Charles Soule (Thunderbolts); Ben Templesmith (The Memory Collectors); Peter Tomasi (Batman and Two-Face); Herb Trimpe (GI Joe: A Real American Hero); Billy Tucci (Shi); Rick Veitch (Saga of the Swamp Thing); Matt Wagner (Grendel); Mark Waid (Daredevil); Bill Willingham (Fables); Renee Witterstaetter (Joe Jusko: Maelstrom); and Thom Zahler (My Little Pony).       In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.      Contact Information Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con: press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries    About The Baltimore Comic-Con The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 14th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com. About The Harvey Awards The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 9 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.

Fred Hembeck!  I'm definitely going!

Chris Flick on Jason Loves Life

Jason Loves Life

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Chris Flick – Episode 22 Posted: 03 Feb 2014 05:26 AM PST This weeks guest is Chris Flick csfgraphics.com capesnbabes.com webcomicalliance.com Chris is a Graphic Designer, Web Designer, an illustrator, and a wecbomic creator. In this episode we chat about changes in how websites are created, how Chris creates his webcomic, finding time for side projects, conventions, and more. Things mentioned in this episode: jasonlenox.com Chris’ friend and fellow illustrator. Patrick Strange’s YouTube Channel Does interviews with comic creators and puts on promotions for Comic Book Shops. Adobe Fireworks Smashing Magazine article The article Chris mentions in the show when talking about Adobe Fireworks. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Captain America movie's DC scenes

New trailer for ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’

• BY MARK BERMAN

• February 3 2014

• http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/local/wp/2014/02/03/new-trailer-for-captain-america-the-winter-soldier/
  

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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)