Thursday, March 27, 2014

French cartoon Ernest & Celestine reviewed by City Paper

Ernest & Celestine
By Tricia Olszewski • Washington City Paper March 28, 2014 p. 42

New book on Winsor McCay from local professor

Wide+Awake+in+Slumberland%3Cbr+%2F%3E+Fantasy%2C+Mass+Culture%2C+and+Modernism+in+the+Art+Of+Winsor+McCay

Wide Awake in SlumberlandFantasy, Mass Culture, and Modernism in the Art Of Winsor McCay

By Katherine Roeder

240 PAGES (APPROX.), 8 1/2 X 11 INCHES, 81 B&W AND COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS, BIBLIOGRAPHY, INDEX

9781617039607 PRINTED CASEBINDING $60.00S

THE FIRST STUDY TO PLACE THIS GENIUS OF MODERN COMICS CREATION IN HIS HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Cartoonist Winsor McCay (1869-1934) is rightfully celebrated for the skillful draftmanship and inventive design sense he displayed in the comic strips Little Nemo in Slumberland and Dream of the Rarebit Fiend. McCay crafted narratives of anticipation, abundance, and unfulfilled longing. This book explores McCay's interest in dream imagery in relation to the larger preoccupation with fantasy that dominated the popular culture of early twentieth-century urban America.

McCay's role as a pioneer of early comics has been documented; yet, no existing study approaches him and his work from an art historical perspective, giving close readings of individual artworks while situating his output within the larger visual culture and the rise of modernism. From circus posters and vaudeville skits to department store window displays and amusement park rides, McCay found fantastical inspiration in New York City's burgeoning entertainment and retail districts. Wide Awake in Slumberland connects McCay's work to relevant children's literature, advertising, architecture, and motion pictures in order to demonstrate the artist's sophisticated blending and remixing of multiple forms from mass culture.

Studying this interconnection in McCay's work and, by extension, the work of other early twentieth-century cartoonists, Roeder traces the web of relationships connecting fantasy, leisure, and consumption. Readings of McCay's drawings and the eighty-one black and white and color illustrations reveal a man who was both a ready participant and an incisive critic of the rising culture of fantasy and consumerism.

KATHERINE ROEDER, Fairfax, Virginia, teaches courses at George Mason University. She is a contributor to The Comics of Chris Ware: Drawing Is a Way of Thinking (University Press of Mississippi) and A New Literary History of America. She is also a contributor to the Comics Journal and American Art.

240 PAGES (APPROX.), 8 1/2 X 11 INCHES, 81 B&W AND COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS, BIBLIOGRAPHY, INDEX 

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Diego Quintanilla

Diego Quintanilla was a new face at the first Smudge Expo last month. He’s a college student who is studying animation and just getting into creating minicomics. I bought his mini, and he kindly answered my usual questions via email.

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

I mostly sketch in my book, I draw for personal projects and all that.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

I use pens. Nothing fancy, just rollerball pens that you can get anywhere. Sometimes I'll use Microns though.

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

I was born here in D.C. at some point in the 90s.

Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?

Well, I don't really live in the D.C. area, unless you count Wheaton as part of D.C. I don't know why you would, but if you do, then there you go. As for why, our family was living with this other Latino family in a cramped apartment space back in D.C. and when my mom got pregnant with my sister, that's when my parents decided to find a nice place in the suburbs.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

I'm in school right now, learning all this on the go, trying to learn things in my spare time too of course.

Who are your influences?

I'm very influenced by films.  I like movies. Arthouse films like The Holy Mountain, Brand upon the Brain. Movies like Bad Boy Bubby and Irreversible. Like, I really love visuals, you know? Looking at interesting things and all that, images that provoke, something that makes you think what the symbolism behind it is. I also like animated films too; my favorite is The Triplets of Belleville.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

I've just started this career, having done my first Smudge Expo just recently, so can't really say I'd change anything.

What work are you best-known for?

I got this comic called Tough and Stuff about a boy with two moms. Almost half of my class knows about it (a lot of them skipped class the day I gave out copies) along with whoever bought it at Smudge.

How can people order your comics, or do they have to buy them from you in person?

People can buy them from me in person, there is no other way.

What work are you most proud of?

I've made three comics, two are creation myths that I made up and one a "how a jaguar lost its spots" sort of stories. I also liked the mini comics I made. I've just started so my options are limited here. That isn't to say I don't like my work - I just think I can go no other way then up.

What would you like to do or work on in the future?

In terms of comics, I've already got two ideas in my mind. One's about a horny lizard taking care of a fox and an episodic story about Nollywood. I'm real excited and I hope to put them on print real soon!

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

I'm not sure, I guess my answer would be, "don't worry, it comes when it comes." That's my answer to a lot of things, it doesn't work with everyone, I know.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

Do you mean, what will happen to me in the comic book field, or what will happen to the comic book field? If it's the first, I'm not expecting anything grand. I imagine myself in my sixties still selling my comics. I think I'd be more focused on making animation, but I'm guessing I'm getting off topic.

What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

I'm expecting to go to Small Press Expo, just as a guy looking around and stuff, not an exhibitor.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

The museums! I love The Museum of African Art, The Museum of the American Indian, and The National Gallery of Art are some of my favorites. I remember watching a whole bunch of Jan Svankmajer films which was fantastic.

 Least favorite?

This is just a personal opinion; I'm not city folk, I enjoy the suburbs. I love D.C. but I wouldn't be in the epicenter of all the political and social hubbbub, it would be overwhelming.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

I don't usually eat out, but I do enjoy Los Chorros which is in my hometown, Wheaton. Try the quesdailla or pupusas! Those are what I always get so I can't vouch for what else is on the menu.

Do you have a website or blog?

I have a tumblr, Essential Avant-Garde Noise, where I post sketches, digital drawings, animations etc.  as Scrinkle: http://scrinkle.tumblr.com/

I also have a deviantart page where I post as DickQuint: http://dickquint.deviantart.com/ 

(updated 3/27/2014)

Big Planet Comics of College Park has a new exterior look

Our brand new sign is up at Big Planet Comics of College Park! Thanks again to Paulina Ganucheau for the amazing design!
http://www.paulinaganucheau.com/

(stolen from their Facebook page)

See Shannon Gallant's art in GI Joe #200

Here's an article about a big fan of the character...

MIGHTY Q&A: A G.I. Joe #200 Extravaganza!
CLAY N. FERNO 
13th Dimension blog Mar 25, 2014 

March 26: Graphic Novel Bookgroup at Politics and Prose



Hey we’re meeting tomorrow for NOWHERE MEN Volume 1.

 

Same place, same time: Politics and Prose, downstairs, at 7:30.

 

This is a great intro volume (at only $10), with great design, art and story too!

 

Hope to see you!

 

Adam

 


Comic on grocery bag patent suit

Cartoonist Andy Warner does some awesome historically based comics for The Nib. Here's one that has a D.C. angle: The first American woman to win a patent suit. And it happens that her invention is on display at the Smithsonian.
https://medium.com/the-nib/941e6517a870

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Frank Cho sketches

David Apatoff's brief thoughts on the Thompson exhibit

EXHIBITION OF WATTERSON AND THOMPSON ART

Illustration Art blog March 23, 2014

April 12: Chris Visions signing - Dead Letters at Big Planet Comics

Big Planet Comics is proud to welcome local Virginia artist Chris Visions for a signing of the first issue of his new series, Dead Letters!

Dead Letters is a new crime series written by Chris Sebela published by Boom Studios. Sam wakes up in a sketchy motel room with no memory, but when thugs kick in his door he knows how to react and how to use a gun. Soon two different gangs are after him, trying to use him for a job, even as he tries to figure out who is he and where he is... And the where is the most important part! 

Chris lives in Richmond, VA, and attended VCU.

Chris's website: http://www.chrisvisions.com/

Chris will also be appearing from 4-6 pm at our store in College Park, Maryland. https://www.facebook.com/events/607984869285111/

Captain America: The Winter Soldier toys

...are appearing in Target.

Shannon Gallant covers Skullkickers at Awesome Con

Shannon Gallant covers Skullkickers at Awesome Con and you can get your G.I. Joe sketches from him too!

Kleefeld on Comics on Thompson exhibit

The Art of Richard Thompson book has a sale date

Comic Riffs on Richard Thompson exhibit

Bill Watterson/Richard Thompson’s OSU Show: Creators are ‘honored’ and ‘gobsmacked’ at opening of museum’s exhibit

Auger one-night solo show

Local artist/cartoonist Michael Auger has a one-night solo show April 5 from 8 p.m.-1 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton in Georgetown. His glow-paint work will be featured. Tickets for "Art Soiree: Garden Edition in Glow - Exclusive Exhibit for Michael Auger" are free.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Comic Riffs' contest for Galifianakis' Valentine cartoon

VALENTINE'S DAY READER CAPTION CONTEST: And the winner is...
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 23 2014
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/03/23/valentines-day-reader-caption-contest-and-the-winner-is/

Conservative NewsBusters blog wonders about Post's Prickly City letters

WashPost Gives Trio of Readers Platform to Urge Censorship of Conservative Comic Strip

By Ken Shepherd

NewsBusters March 24, 2014

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/ken-shepherd/2014/03/22/trio-washpost-readers-call-censorship-conservative-cartoon

Richard Thompson exhibit in Columbus, OH

An excellent exhibit of Arlington, VA's Richard Thompson, curated by Caitlin McGurk, opened this past Friday. It's at Ohio State University's Billy Ireland Library and Musum. I was lucky enough to attend the opening, and largely forgot to take pictures!

Richard had a good time though, and other cartoonists and members of his family attended, as well as over 400 people whose names I didn't catch. Oh yeah, there's an also an exhibit by some guy named Watterson in the next room over.

Here's a few I pictures I did take, all of Richard and his friends ...