Comic Riffs checks in with Stephan Pastis

Is ‘Pearls Before Swine’ creator getting divorced?? Well, if you believe everything you read in the (funny) papers...

By Michael Cavna 

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 19 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/is-pearls-before-swine-creator-getting-divorced-well-if-you-believe-everything-you-read-in-the-funny-papers/2014/02/19/b20c8cda-99e7-11e3-b88d-f36c07223d88_blog.html

Smudge 2014 Programming Schedule (lifted from their blog)

Smudge 2014 Programming Schedule

 

http://www.smudgexpo.com/2014/02/18/smudge-2014-programming-schedule/
BY SMUDGEFEBRUARY 18, 2014BLOG, EVENT INFO

Get inspired by local comics creators at Smudge!

The Smudge! Expo is taking place on Saturday, March 8, 2014, from noon to 6 p.m. at Artisphere in Arlington, Va. Talks will take place in the Black Box Theater at Artisphere and hands-on workshops will take place in the classroom space.

Ben Hatke joins us as our Featured Guest and will be speaking at 3 pm.

AT A GLANCE

Black Box Theater
1-1:50 – Essa Neima – Moving Pictures: So, You Want to Animate?
2-2:50 – Steve Artley – Editorial Cartooning (And Other Hazards)
3-3:50 – Ben Hatke – Three Keys to Comics
4-4:50 – Teresa Roberts Logan – PAINT YOUR HEAD (ART JOURNALING)

Classroom
1-1:50 – Steve Loya – Splotch Monsters
2-2:50 – Matt Dembicki – Roll Up Your Sleeves and Make Comics
3-3:50 – TBA
4-4:50 – Joe Sutliff – Creating Comics for the Web: A quick, fun, interactive “How To”

Black Box – 1:00 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
Essa Neima – Moving Pictures: So, You Want to Animate?
Animator/educator Essa Neima shares his experiences in animation, from working with companies to understanding what it takes to make a good cartoon. He’ll share examples of his own work, as well as provide some simple exercises that you can do at home to make your own animation using a spinning disc and flip books.

Comic Riffs on Jackie Estrada's Kickstarter photo book

KICKSTARTER OF THE WEEK: From Kirby to Clowes --the magical history tour of Jackie Estrada’s candid ‘Comic Book People’

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 19 2014
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/kickstarter-of-the-week-from-kirby-to-clowes---the-magical-history-tour-of-jackie-estradas-candid-comic-book-people/2014/02/19/c35089be-991b-11e3-b88d-f36c07223d88_blog.html#pagebreak

Jimmy Gownley at Hooray for Books

Jimmy Gownley gave a fun talk tonight at Hooray for Books! in Alexandria, VA. He talked about getting into comics, self-publishing, doing Amelia Rules! comic book, and his new book autobiographic graphic novel The Dumbest Idea Ever! The bookstore has a couple of signed copies left, if you contact them soon. Tomorrow, Gownley will be in Fredrick, Md at Beyond Comics.  More pictures are here. Note that the last one is actually Outcault's Yellow Kid!

SPACE Prizes to Matt Dembicki and local cartoonists

Matt Dembicki's shark story Xoc got first place in the SPACE Prize in the graphic novel category, second place was District Comics, which he edited and I participated in, as did many local cartoonists. 

Matt tells me, "It's an especially great feeling because the SPACE exhibitors vote on the finalists and you cannot vote for yourself."

More details are here.  I'd also like to note that Friend of ComicsDC Ryan Claytor won for his minicomic about his wedding.

Tomorrow, Feb 19: Jimmy Gownley at Hooray for Books in Alexandria

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
Author and acclaimed comics creator Jimmy Gownley will be presenting and signing his new graphic novel, The Dumbest Idea Ever!

http://www.hooray4books.com/events.htm

Diverse talks to Rep. Lewis on March

John Lewis Takes Readers on a ‘March’ through Civil Rights

by Reginald Stuart

Diverse February 13, 2014  http://diverseeducation.com/article/60748/

Sevara issue #0 Kickstarter campaign still running

	Project Update #13: Artwork for Page 14 done! Posted by Damian Wampler  I just want to show you the beautiful artwork that Andre Siregar is doing as we speak. The Sevara campaign has only 9 days to go. Please tweet and Facebook share this link http://kck.st/19VqpXX so we can have a strong finish!  Page 14, top half. Andre just uploaded page 14 and is moving on to page 15. I'll send you more and more art as it comes off the press! Page 14, bottom half.  Thanks again for your pledges, and thanks for your support. Please continue to tweet and Facebook share this link until the end of the campaign: http://kck.st/19VqpXX

Jimmy Gownley at Beyond Comics! This Week

Meet Amelia Rules Creator JIMMY GOWNLEY! Thursday, February 20th - 7:00pm to 8:30pm  Gaithersburg Friday, February 21st - 7:00pm to 8:30pm  FREDERICK Autographs are FREE!                  We are proud to host a national book release of the brand new book from Scholastic Books - The Dumbest Idea Ever! by the acclaimed creator of the best selling Ameila Rules series of books. Jimmy Gownley will be making special appearances at each of the Beyond Comics locations. Copies of his book will be available at these events one week before it is available nationally. You can also order copies from us ahead of time. Learn More Autographs are FREE!              In 2008, Gownley was nominated for four Eisner Awards, the comic book industry's highest honor, which tied him for most nominations by an individual that year. The nominations were for "Best kid's comic", "Best Single Issue" (#18), Best Lettering, Best Coloring. Gownley has also been nominated for five Harvey Awards in the categories of Best Artist, Best Graphic album reprint, and Best Humor Publication.  Amelia Rules!: Superheroes won the Cybil Award for Best Graphic Novel for ages 12 and under. In 2008, Gownley was a winner of the Pennsylvania Library Associations One Book Award.   Beyond Comics 18749 North Frederick Rd. Gaithersburg, MD 20879 (301) 216-0007 Beyond Comics 5632 Buckeystown Pike Frederick, MD 21704 301-668-8202 Let all your friends know! STAY CONNECTED

Now online - Smudge JR Interview #2: Michael Auger

Henry, Tina.
Smudge JR Interview #2: Michael Auger
February 18, 2014
http://www.smudgexpo.com/2014/02/18/smudge-jr-interview-2-michael-auger/

Meet a Local Comics Writer and Filmmaker: A Chat With Joe Carabeo

 by Mike Rhode on Feb. 17, 2014
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2014/02/17/meet-a-local-comics-writer-and-filmmaker-a-chat-with-joe-carabeo/

Gregory Benton at Big Planet Comics Bethesda

Greg Benton was signing his new book, B+F (Adhouse Books)  at Big Plant Comics in Bethesda. As you can see from the photo, he's doing a full-color two-page drawing in each book you buy. More pictures here.

Comic Riffs and Galifianakis' Valentine Day caption contest

VALENTINE’S DAY CAPTION CONTEST: Enter now by writing this Nick Galifianakis cartoon (*and win the signed art)

By Michael Cavna Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 14 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/valentines-day-caption-contest-enter-now-by-writing-this-nick-galifianakis-cartoon-and-win-the-signed-art/2014/02/14/4af70efa-953a-11e3-84e1-27626c5ef5fb_blog.html

Feb 19: Jimmy Gownley at Hooray for Books in Alexandria

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH 7:00 PM-8:30 PM
Author and acclaimed comics creator Jimmy Gownley will be presenting and signing his new graphic novel, The Dumbest Idea Ever!

http://www.hooray4books.com/events.htm

Feb 15 (Tomorrow!): Gregory Benton at Big Planet Comics in Bethesda

• Big Planet Comics Bethesda
  
• Saturday, February 15, 2014
• 
  
  4:00pm until 6:00pm

It's with excitement and pleasure that we announce the B+F Tour to promote Gregory Benton's latest creative endeavor. "B+F," Gregory Benton's MoCCA Award of Excellence-winning fable, explores an otherworldly forest with a woman and a dog as they encounter its denizens, both benevolent and malicious. A wordless meditation on   goodwill, hostility, and isolation

Fantom's Ladies Night in Washington Times

Fantom Comics has a write up in the Washington Times for it’s Ladies Night program.

It’s Ladies Night for comics: Fans of superpower break down walls

By Emily Hoosier/Washington Times

It’s Ladies Night in Washington, D.C. — but it’s not being held at a bar or at a concert club. It’s at a comic book store in Union Station, and the women in attendance on a recent weekend night indulge in a shared enthusiasm for one of the last markets that typically excludes them. (Read the article)

Collecting Retrofit Comics co-published with Big Planet Comics

I picked up these three recently. Two more come out in a few weeks.

Shen, Zejian.  2013.

Keep Fresh.

Philadelphia: Retrofit Comics / Washington: Big Planet Comics                                   

Muradov, Roman.  2013.

Picnic Ruined.

Philadelphia: Retrofit Comics / Washington: Big Planet Comics

 

Brown, Box.  2013.

Beach Girls [Inc. Dweeb by James Kochalka].

Philadelphia: Retrofit Comics / Washington: Big Planet Comics           

Yumi Sakugawa at Big Planet Comics DC

Yumi Sakugawa read from her new book, I Think I Am In Friend-Love With You, at Big Planet Comics DC.

Mr. Peabody and Sherman animation movie posters in DC

These are at the bus stops at 16th and U Sts., NW, and 19th and K, NW. It's nice to see that Jay Ward still has cultural traction.

ArtShow 05: The Pizza Factory

The D.C. arts collective Hole in the Sky is preparing for its fifth art show in ongoing series. The theme for the Feb. 22 show: Pizza! The group says its will “cook a 6ft pizza and surround it with pizza-themed artworks of the visual, installation and performance persuasion.” There’s a slew of local artists participating, include Mike O’Brien, Anthony Dihle and Kelly Towles. Check out O'Brien's nifty video (below) of him making the promotional poster.