Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Monday, January 26, 2015

Fantom Comics profiled last fall

We really need to do a series like this....

Local Comic Shop Spotlight: Fantom Comics


Hondros' Hometown of the 50 Foot Woman

Allison Hayes: The actress who got the FDA's attention … too late

A graphic tale of how Allison Hayes, star of the 1950s B-movie "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman," created a legacy with the FDA. Text and graphics by Art Hondros.

Washington Post Magazine (January 25 2015).

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/allison-hayes-the-actress-who-got-the-fdas-attention--too-late/2015/01/14/17324012-9b60-11e4-a7ee-526210d665b4_graphic.html



Comic Riffs talks to Roz Chast

ROZ CHAST: Eldercare graphic-novel author embraces an audience whose appreciation is as profound as she is

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 26 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/01/26/roz-chast-eldercare-graphic-novel-author-embraces-an-audience-whose-appreciation-is-as-profound-as-she-is/

The Hill on caricature

The dangers of caricaturing caricature

By Sharon Marcus, contributor

The Hill's Pundits blog (January 26, 2015)

http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/media/230610-the-dangers-of-caricaturing-caricature

Comic Riffs talks to Justice League writer

JUSTICE LEAGUE: Scripting a villain? Geoff Johns is basking in the joy of Lex

By David Betancourt
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 23
2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/01/23/justice-league-scripting-a-villain-geoff-johns-is-basking-in-the-joy-of-lex/

Comic Riffs explains yesterday's Pearls Before Swine

'Pearls Before Swine': Why Stephan Pastis decided to play 'inside baseball' today with the syndication business

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 25 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/01/25/pearls-before-swine-why-pastis-decided-to-play-inside-baseball-today-with-the-syndication-business/

Saturday, January 24, 2015

March vol. 2 reviewed by Cavna in the Post

A rewritten version of this appears in tomorrow's papers as:

Cavna, Michael.  2015.
A second look at '60s civil rights.
Washington Post (January 25): E13

Q&A: Jared Smith of Big Planet Comics/Retrofit Comics


Jared Smith is one of the owning partners of Big Planet Comics, which almost two years ago dipped its toes into publishing by taking on some of the duties of Retrofit Comics. We thought it'd be interesting to check in with Jared on how that partnership with Philadelphia-based comics creator Box Brown is going.

Big Planet Comics has been publishing and distributing Retrofit Comics since about mid-2013. How have things been going?

Smith: I think really well. Box Brown, the founder of Retrofit Comics, has a great artistic vision, so working with him as editor and with Big Planet covering the rest of the publishing has been a good team.

What has been the biggest challenge so far? How are you tackling that challenge?

Smith: Distribution is tricky. It is very depressing to see the same few stores that are interested in carrying small press comic books (I'd say only about 20 in all of the US.) And some areas of the country are well served, like the major cities, but whole other areas have no stores that are interested. We've been reaching out to stores directly and trying to get more reviews and general awareness. We also distributed our first big graphic novel, FUNGUS: The Unbearable Rot of Being, through Diamond Comic Distributors, which has the best reach into comic stores here and internationally.


Big Planet Comics has several shops and locations, each with a different owner, correct? Was everyone initially on board with starting a publishing/distribution venture?

Smith: There are four stores, and there are four co-owners. We work together on most things though. Everyone was interested and supportive, but it was my idea and passion so I handle most of it, with help from various members of the Big Planet team like Kelly and Kevin and Peter.

How have you been getting the word out about Retrofit Comics?

Smith: We send out a lot of copies to reviewers, and of course the internet is huge for letting people know about your work. But we also go to a lot of conventions to reach people directly. It helps we publish such a wide range of artists of different styles and nationalities. I think it makes us a more appealing package, and when fans of one of our artists are directed to us, we have a lot of other things to appeal to them.

Several other retail shops around the country have also dipped their toes into publishing — such as Bergen Street Comics with Copra and Desert Island with Smoke Signal — though on a smaller scale. Do you think this is the start of trend? What makes publishing appealing to some retailers? 


Smith: Yes, there are about 10 retail stores who are publishing as well, such as Floating World, Locust Moon, Kilgore, and Secret Headquarters. I don't know if it's a trend, but it is just relatively easy for retail stores to support some of their favorite artists in a new way, by publishing their work. Most artists who are just starting out do it for the love of creation, and aren't making much money (if any). Plus many prefer to focus on the artistic side, the business side is a distraction from creating more comics! So if we can handle some of that, it works out well for everyone. Publishing also distinguishes your store and it helps gets better comics out into the world.


Obituary for anti-Saturday morning cartoon crusader in the Post


Peggy Charren, 86: Longtime advocate for better children's TV [online as Peggy Charren, advocate for improving children's TV programming, dies at 86]

 
By Matt Schudel
Washington Post January 24 2015
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/peggy-charren-advocate-for-improving-childrens-tv-programming-dies-at-86/2015/01/23/e5085916-a323-11e4-903f-9f2faf7cd9fe_story.html

"Why can't children's television be more like a good children's library, with lots of diversity," she said in 1983, "and less like the comic-book rack in the local drugstore?"


Comic Riffs on the Eisner hall of fame


EISNER AWARDS: 'Marge' Buell, Bill Woggon inducted into Hall of Fame; voting open for 4 more inductees

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog (January 23):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/01/23/eisner-awards-buell-woggon-inducted-into-hall-of-fame-voting-open-for-4-more-inductees/

Tom Tomorrow's ephemera donated to OSU

Tom Tomorrow's 'accidental' alt-press collection is donated to OSU's Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 24 2014
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2015/01/24/tom-tomorrows-accidental-collection-is-donated-to-osus-billy-ireland-cartoon-library-museum/

Friday, January 23, 2015

'Magic Bullet' No. 10 cover

Here's the cover for the D.C. Conspiracy's Magic Bullet No. 10. The free 48-page comics newspaper is scheduled to hit the streets Jan. 30. Cover by yours truly (Matt Dembicki).


Review of Provocative, Uncensored Art book collection also recommends The Art of Richard Thompson

which I just bought based on this, Dooley recommends Art of RT.

Newsarama interview on March vol. 2

JOHN LEWIS Calls MARCH 'Road Map' to Civil Rights Movement

by Zack Smith, Newsarama : 21 January 2015
http://www.newsarama.com/23289-john-lewis-talks-march-book-two-and-the-civil-rights-movement.html

Post blogger on women, webcomics and booze

How webcomics gave us a fresh take on women and alcohol [Questionable Content; Girls with Slingshots].

By Alyssa Rosenberg

Washington Post Act Four blog January 22 2015

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2015/01/22/how-webcomics-gave-us-a-fresh-take-on-women-and-alcohol/

Art Hondros story in Sunday's Post Magazine

On Facebook, Art reports:

Coming in this Sunday's Washington Post Magazine: my illustrated bio on a little-known B-movie actress and DC native who became the 50 Foot Woman. Check it out!

Coming in this Sunday's Washington Post Magazine: my illustrated bio on a little-known B-movie actress and DC native who became the 50 Foot Woman. Check it out!

Jan 25: Congressman John Lewis at Fantom on Sunday




Rep John Lewis at Fantom

Change of Date for the March Book Two Signing


Change of plans, everyone! 

Fantom Comics is now honored to host CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS & co-author ANDREW AYDIN for a MARCH Book Two signing and discussion on SUNDAY, 1/25/15, 1-3pm!

We cannot believe our good luck in having Representative John Lewis, legendary civil rights leader and inspiring congressman, along with his co-author, Andrew Aydin, here for this amazing event.

We'll also be raffling off free, signed copies of MARCH Books One and Two, as well as 2 free tickets to the movie "Selma."

We hope to see you all there, and we can't wait for this opportunity to delve deep into the life of one of the original Freedom Riders, Big Six leaders, and Selma March organizers!

Let us know you're coming on our Facebook Event page!