Sept 30: Scott Campbell at Politics and Prose

Scott Campbell - Hug Machine

Sep 30 2014 10:30 am

Watch out! The hug machine is coming! And no one, no matter how grumpy or mean, can resist his hugs. This whimsical, sweet, and charming book from Scott Campbell will conquer the world. One hug at a time. Ages 4 – 6 (Atheneum)

Hug Machine (Hardcover)

By Scott Campbell, Scott Campbell, Jr.

$16.99

ISBN-13: 9781442459359
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 8/2014

5015 Connecticut Ave NW

Washington

District Of Columbia

Oct 1: Ars Electronica Animation Film Festival

October 1, 2014 | Film Screening | Ars Electronica - Animation Film Festival FIlm Screening | Ars Electronica | October 1, 2014, 7:30 p.m. Ars Electronica Animation Film Festival October 1, 2014 | Film Screening | Austrian Cultural Forum If you're interested in outstanding computer animated films as well as innovative media art, make sure you join us for this one of a kind event on October first. The Austrian Cultural Forum will show some of the award winning contributions to 2013's Ars Electronica Animation Festival.  The Ars Electronica Animation Festival is a compilation selected from all entries to the 2013 Prix Ars Electronica's Computer Animation/Film/VFX category. It offers an overview of the positions and points of view of artists worldwide, and impressively documents not only the genre's explosive growth of late but also its marvelous substantive and stylistic diversity. 775 films from 73 countries were submitted for prize consideration in 2013. Even a quick perusal of the selected films reveals the broad spectrum of what's being produced now. Digital animation—sometimes recognizable as such, sometimes unidentifiably as a realistic simulation—increasingly pervades our everyday life. These computer-generated motion pictures appear in a diverse array of often hybrid forms in a very wide-ranging and interdisciplinary field at the nexus of art, industry, science and R&D. For further information please visit www.acfdc.org When: Wednesday, October 1, 2014 | 7:30 p.m. Where: Austrian Cultural Forum | 3524 International Court NW | Washington, DC, 20008 Tickets: FREE | Please register at  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ars-electronica-animation-festival-tickets-13033632947

Dreams Really Did Come True at Disney's ToonFest

by Steve Artley

I was honored to be a part of the annual ToonFest event in Walt Disney's hometown of Marceline, Missouri last week. The two-day celebration honors the memory of Walt Disney and the cartooning profession through activities including programs that feature guest cartoonists. Among the other headliners brought in to give presentations were Hilary Price, Bill Hinds, Eddie Pittman and the dynamic Guy Gilchrist.
    On Friday, the team spoke to over 400 high school and college students, who were bused in from surrounding communities. Event organizers reported that this year's attendance was a record high.
    One of the highlights, is a street parade complete with strolling performers and several bands. Guest artists are each featured as "Grand Marshal" and ride the parade route down the original Main Street USA (inspiration for the Disney parks' street of the same name) in the back of classic pickups. Following the parade, the team reprises their talks at the Marceline Community Center. Later, we were taken to Walt Disney's boyhood farm for a ceremony at the "Dreaming Tree," where youngsters Walt and his sister, Ruth reportedly spent many childhood hours gazing up through the branches, to wish upon their star. With much pomp and flair, each artist was re-introduced, brought before the assemblage and inducted into the "Order of Plantears" (each are crowned with a hardhat featuring Mickey ears). Young Mouseketeers led each of us to our respective spots to plant our own "dreaming tree." A grand BBQ picnic at the farmstead brought the event to a festive conclusion.
    Throughout our entire visit, we artists were met with an abundance of genuine welcoming warmth and charity by the good folks of Marceline. Shortly after landing at the Washington airport, I walked through the crowded corridors of fast-paced indifference. I was shoved aside without apology from one of the self-absorbed pushing his way to the VIP lounge. It took every effort to restrain myself from boarding a return flight to Marceline with intent to seek asylum.

Friday night was a banquet and tour of the Disney Museum.

Hilary Price and Bill Hinds

A horse-drawn wagon full of cartoonists and friends

The door to Walt Disney's boyhood bedroom

ToonFest Parade: Awesome. Vehicle carrying Hilary Price along the parade route: Priceless. 

During the last leg of the parade route, the classic pickup carrying Hilary Price overheated and came to an abrupt Disneyesque halt, complete with gurgling sound FX and billowing steam. Disney animators and Foley artists couldn't have done it better. Not to be left knuckle biting and helpless at the roadside, the ever resourceful Hilary got out and pushed with assistance by a couple of onlookers.

From my vantage point of the tailgate of the vehicle ahead of Hilary, I gleefully iPhone photographed the following sequence.

 

The Post reviews Cece Bell's book

Cece Bell's story of a deaf child's struggles reflects her own [Review: 'El Deafo' by Cece Bell

By Sharon Pajka

Washington Post September 24 2014, p. C4.

Online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/review-el-deafo-by-cece-bell/2014/09/23/947aab00-402e-11e4-b0ea-8141703bbf6f_story.html

Comic Riffs on banned books

BANNED BOOKS WEEK: No 'Bone' or 'Neverwhere'? Here's why we can't afford to shelve the debate

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog September 24 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/09/24/banned-books-week-how-school-challenges-to-bone-and-neverwhere-stoke-a-time-for-honest-conversation/

Oct 8: James O'Barr at Beyond Comics

Meet JAMES O'BARR!

Creator of

The Crow 

Wednesday October 8th
12:00noon to 4:00pm

Frederick

Also Meet 

Award Winning Russian Artist

Konstantin Komardin 

And Comics Writer, Editor and Historian

Renee Witterstaetter

 Facebook Information!

Frederick Store
5632 Route 85
Frederick, MD
(301) 668-8202
Hours: M,Tu 10-8;
W-Sat 10-9; Sun 12-6

Another satisfied Cul de Sac reader recommends it

Ten reasons why you need "The Complete Cul de Sac"

By Andy Mansell

09/17/2014

http://culturemass.com/2014/09/17/ten-reasons-need-complete-cul-de-sac/

Comic Riffs talks to Cece Bell

Bell will be visiting local bookstores tomorrow.

'EL DEAFO': With her first (and so funny) graphic novel, deaf Va. artist CECE BELL hopes her tale will help others
By Michael Cavna Washington Post Comic Riffs blog September 23 2014
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/09/23/el-deafo-cece-bell/

Oct. 21: Spiegelman's 'WORDLESS!'

Art Spiegelman brings his WORDLESS! show—a mix of comics, lecture and music—

to the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University on Oct. 21. Tickets are $35, $40 and $45. Click on the image below to see a teaser of the show.

Sept 24: Cece Bell at One More Page

Wed, Sept 24 at 4 pm: In El Deafo, her funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator CECE BELL chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful--and very awkward--hearing aid.  The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear--sometimes things she shouldn't--but also isolates her from her classmates. 

"Worthy of a superhero."  --Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"...belongs right next to Raina Telgemeier's" Smile "(2011) and Liz Prince's "Tomboy."" --Booklist


One More Page Books 2200 N. Westmoreland Street, #101
Arlington, VA 22213
703-300-9746    Visit our website
Mon-Sat: 10 am - 8 pm; Sun: noon to 5 pm

TCJ on SPX

SPX 2014: An Indie Comics Microcosm

BY WHIT TAYLOR SEP 22, 2014

HTTP://WWW.TCJ.COM/SPX-2014-AN-INDIE-COMICS-MICROCOSM/

THURS 9/25: George Perez Signing at Third Eye Comics

• THURS 9/25: George Perez Signing feat. SIRENS #1 Launch Party Thursday at 11:00am - 1:00pm

• Show Map THIRD EYE COMICS 2027-A West St, Annapolis, Maryland 21401

THURSDAY 9/25/14
*******************************************************************
SIRENS #1 Launch Party with comics legend GEORGE PEREZ!
*******************************************************************
Co-Creator of DEATHSTROKE, STARFIRE, CYBORG, RAVEN and more!
*******************************************************************
SIGNING FROM 11AM-1PM!
*******************************************************************
FIRST 20 IN LINE RECEIVE A FREE GIFT!

Visiting Peru to talk comics

by Matt Dembicki

Last week, I spent a week in Lima and Cusco, Peru, teaching comics to high school and college students who are learning English, as well as teachers who teach English. The sessions, which were organized by the U.S. State Department, were held at what are called Binational Centers (BNCs), which are partially English language schools.

Upon arriving in Lima, I first served as a co-judge for an annual national comics contest for youths, who submitted two-page comics focused on an environmental issue, ranging from recycling to deforestation and water pollution. What was especially cool was the number of girls/women who participated. In fact, two of the top three winning strips were written/drawn by women.

Following the announcement of the winners live via webcast to the BNCs, I rolled up my sleeves and got going on the comics-making workshops with ESL teachers. Since the focus was on how to use comics to raise awareness of environmental issues, the teachers did one-page comics on an environmental topic.

Over the next few days, I held similar workshops for BNC students and the general public. It was especially interesting to see the wide range of ages of folks who attended the workshops. I also had an opportunity to talk about my personal work at a few events and through media interviews.

At all these events, it was especially gratifying to see a passion for comics. Brazil and Argentina tend to grab international attention when discussing South American comics, but Peru has a wonderful array of comics creators. It’s encouraging to see an indie/self-publish scene in Peru, and to witness an acceptance of comics among the general public as a medium to entertain and educate. And it’s especially wonderful to feel a connection globally through comics. I’ve made some great friends in Peru. I think you’ll see fruits of those friendships in the years to come.

A nice write-up in the A section in El Comercio, Peru's largest daily.

A quick photo with an El Camercio photographer and editor Adolfo Bazan Coquis

Comics creator and educator Fabrizio Rivas

The BNC library staff at one of the center's in Lima

With some English-language teachers following a workshop

Some of the books I used as examples of comics with environmental/conservation themes. I donated these books to the BMC programs.

I was amazed at some of the graphic novel displays at a couple bookstores in Lima. 

A few wonderful comics I traded for in Lima. Cartoonist Renso Gonzalez and his brother put together some amazing books.

Couldn't resist getting this T-shirt for my son.

A copy of Trickster at the BNC library in Cusco

The Post on ‘Gotham’ sans Batman, ‘The Flash’, and ‘Constantine’

Fall TV 2014

Every new show, the schedule for every returning show, and what's worth watching.

By Hank Stuever, Washington Post Sept. 21, 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/entertainment/2014-fall-tv-shows/

That darn Hagar

Letters to the Editor

Rape jokes do not belong in the comics [in print as 'Hagar' gets even more horrible]

Susan J. Popkin, Vienna

Washington Post September 20 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/rape-jokes-do-not-belong-in-the-comics/2014/09/19/ca5596c2-3c2d-11e4-a430-b82a3e67b762_story.html

Three good SPX reports

The first is NSFW due to an image of Japanese gay porn:

SPX '14 – Ten Comics, Eight Hours, Three Panels, One Day

BY Joe McCulloch Sep 19, 2014
http://www.tcj.com/spx-14-ten-comics-eight-hours-three-panels-one-day/

And I'm particularly taken with Rob Clough's analysis here:

September 17, 2014

Some Ramblings on SPX 2014

http://highlowcomics.blogspot.com/2014/09/some-ramblings-on-spx-2014.html

I haven't listened to this one yet, but he interviewed my friends Matt Dembicki and Joe Procopio:

Robots From Tomorrow Episode 120: Small Press Expo 2014 [Podcast]

September 18, 2014  by Greg Matiasevich

http://multiversitycomics.com/podcasts/robots-from-tomorrow-episode-120-small-press-expo-2014-podcast/

Sept 24: Cece Bell at Politics and Prose

Cece Bell - El Deafo

Sep 24 2014 10:30 am

Bell's graphic memoir recounts her childhood experience of hearing loss, which included struggling with an unwieldy aid that ironically allowed her to hear some things she shouldn't have. But her disability also let her find her quasi-superhero persona, and as "El Deafo, Hearer for All," Bell made friends and found respect. Ages 8 – 12 (Amulet)

El Deafo (Paperback)

By Cece Bell, David Lasky

$10.95

ISBN-13: 9781419712173
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Amulet Books, 9/2014

Other Editions of this Title

5015 Connecticut Ave NW

Washington

District Of Columbia

Comic Riffs on Black Comics

'BLACK COMICS': Fresh off milestone Eisner Award, (Howard alumna) scholar goes deep beneath black-and-white of comics page at Fall for the Book [Q&A]

By Michael Cavna Washington Post Comic Riffs September 18 2014

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/09/18/black-comics-fresh-off-milestone-eisner-award-howard-alumna-scholar-goes-deep-beneath-black-and-white-of-comics-page-at-fall-for-the-book-qa/

Weingarten and Shansby on Kojo Nnamdi show NOW

Gene Weingarten & Eric Shansby on Comedy and Collaboration

THURSDAY, SEP 18, 2014 AT 12:20 P.M. 

in ARTS & CULTURE, AUTHORS, BOOKS

http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2014-09-18/gene-weingarten-eric-shansby-comedy-and-collaboration

Gene Weingarten and Eric Shansby collaborated on the new children's book "Me and Dog," which was released Sept. 16.

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Each week, Washington Post columnist Gene Weingarten and illustrator Eric Shansby team up to create the often hilarious "Below the Beltway" column that runs in newspapers across the country. Now the duo unleashes their humor and wisdom on young readers with a children's book, "Me & Dog." We talk with the pair about the dynamics of their collaboration, the questions of faith they raise in the book and the importance of knowing your audience.

Guests

Gene Weingarten

author, 'Me & Dog'; columnist, 'Below the Beltway; staff writer, The Washington Post; cartoonist, "Barney & Clyde";

Eric Shansby

cartoonist and illustrator, 'Below the Beltway' 'Me & Dog'

Sept 19: Daniel Boyd, Author CARBON at Beyond Comics

• Daniel Boyd, 

  Author 

  CARBON

  

  
  FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th
  3:00pm to 6:00pm
  

  
  

  Beyond Comics 5632 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick, Maryland 21704

Daniel Boyd author of new controversial eco-horror graphic novel CARBON will be at signing copies of Carbon. Carbon received it's big national roll out last week from publisher Caliber Comics. Holly wood is showing interest in several Caliber titles, including Carbon to hit the big screen. Boyd a native to West Virginia and is a West Virginia State University Professor when he's not making indy films and writing graphic novels.