Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Second Story Books window display
The used book store Second Story Books (Dupont Circle) has some neat original pulp magazines (and a few Robert Crumb comics) with fantastic covers in their storefront window. (I couldn't get a photo without a glare from the plastic display bags.)
Carolyn Belefski's cartooning for the White House
Wow. Click through to see them.
Remind You of Someone? You Should Share These:
As more Americans gain coverage and we near the February 15th HealthCare.gov enrollment deadline, one artist highlights what these diverse Americans have in common in a series of shareable graphics.
Congressman John Lewis and Andrew Aydin's remarks on March vol. 2 at Fantom Comics
This past Sunday, Fantom Comics on Dupont Circle had Congressman John Lewis and Andrew Aydin's in to sign their book on civil rights, March vol. 2. This recording is of their introductory remarks.
Prickly City draws the Prophet in today's Washington Post
I was surprised to see Scott Stantis' strip Prickly City drawing the Prophet in today's Post. You can see it yourself here.
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 CavnaWashington 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-caricatureComic Riffs talks to Justice League writer
JUSTICE LEAGUE: Scripting a villain? Geoff Johns is basking in the joy of Lex
By David BetancourtWashington 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 CavnaWashington 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/
Sunday, January 25, 2015
The Post opinion section on Charlie Hebdo
Let's not overreact to these terrorist attacks [online as Europe has survived terrorist attacks before]
By Anne Applebaum
Washington Post January 25 2015
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on the U.S., Syria and the Islamic State
By Lally Weymouth
Washington Post January 25 2015
Saturday, January 24, 2015
March vol. 2 reviewed by Cavna in the Post
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]
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 CavnaWashington 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 CavnaWashington 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).
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