Monday, March 24, 2014

Box Brown interviewed on BPC podcast

The Big Planet Comics podcast interviews comic booker Box Brown about wrestling and his upcoming graphic novel about Andre the Giant. (BPC co-publishes Brown's Retrofit Comics line of monthly floppies.)

Image: Box Brown

That darn Prickly City

Letter to the Editor: Too much politics in ‘Prickly City’ for the comics page
Washington Post March 22 2014

Film projects from local cartoonists John Dorsey and G.E. Gallas


G.E. Gallas is looking to fund her film:

A short film about Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde) in San Francisco and on Mount Saint Helena.


John Dorsey, author of the minicomic 2080:Rad City, writes in about his finished film:

I'm the writer & director for "Beard Guy" a short comedy shot entirely in the DMV region using local talent & companies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5Xp2c42dk4

Beard guy is a screwball comedy about office stereotypes. Inspired by a Reddit it was filmed during the winter when Film Sets are typically shut down, leaving industry professionals out of work. We filmed Beard Guy, using a Red Epic camera (same camera they used House of Cards)

Bottom-line - we're pretty proud of how this short film turned out,

Sunday, March 23, 2014

'Aquabats' in Silver Spring on May 10

The surf-rock-band-turned-TV-show-stars Aquabats are coming to the Filmore in Silver Spring, Md., on May 10 as part of their 20th anniversary tour.  (I figure, they are based on comics and cartoons—and I love their show—so I oughtta mention it.)

Comic Riffs on Hellboy

Mike Mignola: As Hellboy turns 20, creator celebrates having been at ‘exact right place at the exact right time’

Awesome Con spreads its cloak

Guinness record in sights for D.C. comic book convention

Broadcast/Web Reporter- Washington Business Journal March 19, 2014
http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2014/03/19/guinness-record-in-sights-for-d-c-comic-book.html

'Panels in Frames' opening

Some photos from Friday's opening of the 'Panels in Frames' comics art exhibit at 505 North in Frederick, Md., courtesy of Steve Loya and Rafer Roberts, just two of the comics creators whose work was on display. Others include local cartoonists Matt Rawson, Andrew Cohen, Jason Axtell, Teresa Roberts Logan, Danielle Corsetto, Martin Graff, Laura McClure and Monica Gallagher. The exhibit runs until April 11.



Saturday, March 22, 2014

'Omega' on street patrol


“Omega” is the superhero persona of a D.C.-area comics creator who recently moved to Seattle. He’s been working on a comics-related project with Seattle superhero Phoenix Jones, but it looks like he’s now joined Jones’ group, which calls itself the Rain City Superhero Crime Fighting Movement. The group patrols the streets of Seattle--mainly the bar areas after they close--and have drawn the ire of local police, who warn that the group's actions can have consequences, both physical and legal. Check out Omega’s Facebook page for photos, videos and other updates.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

'Lumberjanes' signing at BPC on April 26

Big Planet Comics in Vienna welcomes Brooke Allen (who lives in D.C. now) and Grace Ellis on April 26 from noon to 2 p.m. for a signing of the first issue of their new series Lumberjanes (Boom! Studios), where five friends go to camp together for the summer, only to find there are lots of monster there. "Rad teenager girls kicking some monster butt!" say BPC.

Art by Brooke Allen

French graphic novel "Polina" reviewed by Economist blogger in DC

Pictures of delight: Graphic novels and ballet

 by B.D. | WASHINGTON, DC

Prospero blog Mar 20th 2014,

http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2014/03/graphic-novels-and-ballet

Comic Riffs on Eleanor Davis' Google Doodle


SPRING EQUINOX: Artist Eleanor Davis on the joy (and learning curve) of creating today’s ‘blob lady’ Google Doodle
BY MICHAEL CAVNA
March 20 2014

Rat Queen prints at Big Planet Comics College Park

We just got in a set of prints for the Rat Queens signing in College Park, Sunday April 6! This will be a signed set by Kurtis and Roc. Get one of your favorite character: Hannah, Violet, Dee, or Betty, or collect all 4!



We just got in a set of prints for the signing! This will be a signed set by Kurtis and 

Betty - Hippy Hobbit Thief    From the Kurtis J. Wiebe & Roc Upchurch series, "Rat Queens", published by Image Comics.

Hannah - Rockabilly Elven Mage    From the Kurtis J. Wiebe & Roc Upchurch series, "Rat Queens", published by Image Comics.
Violet - Hipster Dwarven Fighter    From the Kurtis J. Wiebe & Roc Upchurch series, "Rat Queens", published by Image Comics.

Bill Watterson and Richard Thompson exhibit opens in Columbus, OH tomorrow


Caitlin McGurk of the Billy Ireland Library at Ohio State University says:


Here is the new and exclusive interview with Richard Thompson and Bill Watterson, taking the internet by storm on our blog:

http://library.osu.edu/blogs/cartoons/2014/03/20/new-interview-calvin-hobbes-creator-bill-watterson-and-cul-de-sac-creator-richard-thompson-talk-libraries-comics-and-the-creative-process-with-ohio-state/

 

The two images are from a clever brochure for advertising artists that Bono Mitchell recently gave me. Can you figure out which section of the cover Richard did?


New interviews with Watterson and Thompson

The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum at Ohio State University releases a new interview with Calvin & Hobbes creator Bill Watterson and Cul de Sac creator Richard Thompson two days before it opens expositions featuring work by both cartoonists.

New Captain America movie poster

New Jim Steranko-inspired promotional poster for the upcoming Captain America movie, which is largely set in D.C.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

March featured in Lansing

Graphic history:‘One Book, One Community’ chooses graphic novel memoir of civil rights activist for 2014

by Bill Castanier

Lansing City Pulse March 19,2014

http://www.lansingcitypulse.com/lansing/article-10002-graphic-history.html

March 26: Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries at Warner Theatre

Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries

Warner Theatre, 6 pm.

Scooby-Doo Live! Musical MysteriesScooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. gang have been called upon to help solve an epic mystery. It appears a trouble-making ghost is haunting a local theatre and Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, Velma and Scooby-Doo are off in the Mystery Machine to solve it!

Filled with wacky new characters and hilarious antics, SCOOBY-DOO LIVE! Musical Mysteries has young audiences on the edge of their seats the moment the lights go down.

Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse in new National Archives exhibit

The National Archives has a new exhibit opening on Friday called "Making Their Mark: Stories Through Signatures."  It's an interesting collection of artifacts that feature signatures.  Included in the exhibit are things like Hitler's marriage certificate, Michael Jackson's patent for moonwalking shoes (who'd have guessed), John Wilkes Booth's calling card for Andrew Johnson, Julius and Ethel Rosenberg's kid's note to Truman asking him to spare their parents, letters from Johnny Cash and Katherine Hepburn, FDR's request for more money to help deport Japanese during World War II, etc.  Also included is a patent infringement claim from Walt Disney against Van Beuren Corporation for ripping off his Mickey and Minnie Mouse characters.  As the sign says:

Mickey and Minnie vs Milton and Mary:
Few cartoon characters are more recognizable around the world than Mickey Mouse and his girlfriend Minnie Mouse.  This early copyright infringement case came just a few years after Mickey and Minnie Mouse had been copyrighted and trademarked.  Walt Disney won his case against the creators of Mickey and Minnie look-a-likes Milton and Mary.  The defendants, the Pathe Exchange and Van Beuren Corporation, were barred from ever using Milton or Mary in another animated film.



--
Bruce Guthrie
Photo obsessive
http://www.bguthriephotos.com

__.

Post's Comic Riffs blog causes criticism of Zunar in Malaysia (and he criticizes back)

zunar

CARTOON OF THE DAY: Malaysian artist on the lost jet — and his government’s ‘weak’ response to it
BY MICHAEL CAVNA
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 18 2014 

Malaysian cartoonist Zunar slammed over Washington Post comic strip
BY SIRA HABIBU 
MALAYSIAN STAR MARCH 19, 2014 

Statement in English: I defend my cartoon in Washington Post
Zunar
2014-03-19