Monday, December 14, 2015
Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Gil Rivera
by Mike Rhode
Gil Rivera was selling prints of his comic book art concepts this past weekend at a holiday bazaar in Arlington. I took the opportunity to ask him to fill out our usual questionnaire.
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?I do sequential art (i.e. storyboards, comic books, and character designs).
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
Traditional pencil and ink, then scanned into the computer and then colored with Adobe Photoshop.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I'm a late 70's kid, born in Laredo, TX, but raised in San Antonio.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
My wife is active duty Air Force, so she plucked me out of Hollywood once we got married and now we reside in Alexandria, VA.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
Most of my training is self taught, however, now I'm enrolled at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for Graphic Design. I graduate in 12 weeks.
Who are your influences?
So many, but to name a few: Will Eisner, Walt Simonson, Joe Mad, Bernard Chang, Ken Lashley, Todd McFarlane and so many others.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
Start earlier, right out of high school. Ignored the haters.
What work are you best-known for?
Storyboards for the "Theory of a Deadman" band's music video.
What work are you most proud of?My current comic book "Nite Stalker."
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
A live-action Nite Stalker Trilogy.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
Talk to my writing partner Christopher Paul Campbell, CEO of Dead Light Films, a long-time friend and colleague, and bounce ideas around. Youtube all my favorite artists for inspiration.
What do you think will be the future of your field?I think we are the future now. Comics are really starting to explode with all the new movies. The next step is to get the young kids back to reading the books or maybe creating their own comics.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?Since we are new in town, we just starting looking at all the upcoming conventions and shows. I would like to attend all of them if I can.
What's your favorite thing about DC?
All the history, museums, monuments, and the Metro.
Least favorite?
The cold.
What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?
The Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Faccia Luna in Old Town Alexandria.
Do you have a website or blog?
Under Construction as we speak.
Gil Rivera was selling prints of his comic book art concepts this past weekend at a holiday bazaar in Arlington. I took the opportunity to ask him to fill out our usual questionnaire.
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?I do sequential art (i.e. storyboards, comic books, and character designs).
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
Traditional pencil and ink, then scanned into the computer and then colored with Adobe Photoshop.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
I'm a late 70's kid, born in Laredo, TX, but raised in San Antonio.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
My wife is active duty Air Force, so she plucked me out of Hollywood once we got married and now we reside in Alexandria, VA.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
Most of my training is self taught, however, now I'm enrolled at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh for Graphic Design. I graduate in 12 weeks.
Who are your influences?
So many, but to name a few: Will Eisner, Walt Simonson, Joe Mad, Bernard Chang, Ken Lashley, Todd McFarlane and so many others.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
Start earlier, right out of high school. Ignored the haters.
What work are you best-known for?
Storyboards for the "Theory of a Deadman" band's music video.
What work are you most proud of?My current comic book "Nite Stalker."
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
A live-action Nite Stalker Trilogy.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
Talk to my writing partner Christopher Paul Campbell, CEO of Dead Light Films, a long-time friend and colleague, and bounce ideas around. Youtube all my favorite artists for inspiration.
What do you think will be the future of your field?I think we are the future now. Comics are really starting to explode with all the new movies. The next step is to get the young kids back to reading the books or maybe creating their own comics.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?Since we are new in town, we just starting looking at all the upcoming conventions and shows. I would like to attend all of them if I can.
What's your favorite thing about DC?
All the history, museums, monuments, and the Metro.
Least favorite?
The cold.
What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?
The Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Faccia Luna in Old Town Alexandria.
Do you have a website or blog?
Under Construction as we speak.
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Visiting the Guadalajara International Book Fair
By Matt Dembicki
I visited Mexico Nov. 30 through Dec. 4 thanks to the U.S. State Department, which invited me as a guest of the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL), the largest book fest in Latin American and second largest in the world, bringing some 750,000 visitors over its two weeks. Usually the first thing I do at book fairs is walk around the expo floor to get a feel for the show and gauge the interest in comics. Not surprisingly, Star Wars, Marvel Comics and manga dominated the comics presence. But I was pleasantly surprised to see some fairly high exposure for indie comics, including Peter Kuper's new graphic novel Ruins. There were several local comics shops and distributors at the show, as well as larger publishers and distributors featuring comics. Below are a few photos of those booths.
I visited Mexico Nov. 30 through Dec. 4 thanks to the U.S. State Department, which invited me as a guest of the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL), the largest book fest in Latin American and second largest in the world, bringing some 750,000 visitors over its two weeks. Usually the first thing I do at book fairs is walk around the expo floor to get a feel for the show and gauge the interest in comics. Not surprisingly, Star Wars, Marvel Comics and manga dominated the comics presence. But I was pleasantly surprised to see some fairly high exposure for indie comics, including Peter Kuper's new graphic novel Ruins. There were several local comics shops and distributors at the show, as well as larger publishers and distributors featuring comics. Below are a few photos of those booths.
The American Library Association, which includes a comics artists alley at its annual show as well a good number of panel talks on comics, also had a booth at FIL. Part of its promotion included posters of Superman and Wonder Woman.
Much of my time in Guadalajara and later in the week Mexico City was spent doing presentations on using comics for certain topics/causes, from the environment and medical/health, to history and even food. I focused mainly on how I use comics to raise awareness about environmental issues. I also did several comics-making workshops, for young kids, college students and professional illustrators. Below are a few photos from those sessions, beginning with events at the kids section of FIL, and later going to local schools and even to the University of Guadalajara, which was also holding an annual cartoonist festival that week.
Photos by me, U.S. State Department and the University of Guadalajara
Friday, December 11, 2015
Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Speakeasies, Then And Now"
"Speakeasies, Then And Now"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1818
From the latest post at DCMJ.org:
"Even though Initiative 71 legalized cannabis, it cannot be consumed anywhere in DC other than in a private home. This is because, the week after Initiative 71 took effect, the DC Council passed emergency legislation (Act 21-149) that banned marijuana consumption at any bar, nightclub, bingo hall, or private venue in Washington, DC. Without any pressing reason, the Mayor and the DC Council severely restricted our rights as cannabis consuming adults..."
Yeah, that's right, fellow Washingtonians. You can legally drink at an alcohol bar, you can legally smoke cigars at a cigar bar, but if you want to smoke weed communally in a similar setting, you'll have to open a speakeasy -- unless the DC City Council stops doing Congress' dirty work, and Act 21-149 is allowed to expire on January 15 next year.
Library of Congress' Swann Foundation is accepting fellowship applications
The Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon, administered by the Library of Congress is accepting applications for its graduate fellowship, one of the few in the field, for the 2016-2017 academic year. Deadline for applications is February 15, 2016. For criteria, guidelines, and application forms, please see:
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/swann-fellow.html
Please email swann@loc.gov or call (202) 707-9115 if you have questions.
D.C. Conspiracy meeting/'Magic Bullet' deadlines
The local comics collective the D.C. Conspiracy gets together this Sunday, Dec. 13, at Madhatter in Dupont Circle from 5:30 to about 8 p.m. All are welcome.
Also, the submissions and advertising deadline for the group's semi-annual comics newspaper, Magic Bullet, is Jan. 4.
Also, the submissions and advertising deadline for the group's semi-annual comics newspaper, Magic Bullet, is Jan. 4.
Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Freedom Finger" [local politics this time]
"Freedom Finger"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1812
As you may recall from this past spring, my longtime comrade and BBF (Best Bud Forever) Adam Eidinger, activist extraordinaire, was jailed for basically being disrespectful to a politician at a Congressional DC Oversight Committee hearing chaired by the pompous and pasty Jason Chaffetz.
Adam's recent trial on this bogus charge ended in a mistrial last week, and a retrial has been scheduled for May 2nd.
As you may recall from this past spring, my longtime comrade and BBF (Best Bud Forever) Adam Eidinger, activist extraordinaire, was jailed for basically being disrespectful to a politician at a Congressional DC Oversight Committee hearing chaired by the pompous and pasty Jason Chaffetz.
Adam's recent trial on this bogus charge ended in a mistrial last week, and a retrial has been scheduled for May 2nd.
Rawlings on Trump, Captain America and Jesus
Local cartoonist Dale Rawlings has spoofed a famous Captain America cover, replacing Adolf Hitler with presidential GOP candidate Donald Trump. Also, if you haven't been doing so, check out Rawlings' ongoing webcomic Jesus 2016, where Jesus Christ returns to run for U.S. president.
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Compleating Cul de Sac reviewed
Compleating Cul de Sac, the book of Richard Thompson's miscellany related to the comic strip that raises money for Team Cul de Sac, has been reviewed at Jason Marcy Looks at Print on Demand Comics, Part 1.
You can buy the book here.The other December 6th Doonesbury comic strip
Only one newspaper ran a different one - the New York Times. This ad ran on page 3 of the Arts section.
Jan 9: Inside Media: Charlie Hebdo: One Year Later
http://www.newseum.org/event/inside-media-charlie-hebdo-one-year-later/
Inside Media: Charlie Hebdo: One Year Later
When:
January 9, 2016 @ 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Where:
Knight TV Studio
555 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
USA
555 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
USA
Cost:
Free with Newseum admission. Seating is on a space-available basis.
Pulitzer Prizing-winning editorial cartoonists Ann Telnaes of The Washington Post and Signe Wilkinson of the Philadelphia Daily News will talk about the role of political cartoonists and will reflect on the one-year anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo massacre and the terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015.
On Jan, 7, 2015, Charlie Hebdo's headquarters in Paris were attacked by terrorists who had targeted the satirical magazine because of how it had depicted Islam's Prophet Muhammad in past cartoons. The attack killed 12 people, including five cartoonists at the magazine.
Telnaes and Wilkinson will also display some of their award-winning work.
Wednesday, December 09, 2015
Feb 5: Walking Dead tv show talk at Smithsonian Associates
Good News! Due to the overwhelming demand for this event, it has been moved to a larger venue to accommodate more patrons!
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The wildly popular AMC series The Walking Dead follows a small group of survivors as they struggle to stay alive after a zombie apocalypse. The show abounds in bloody good thrills and chills—and plenty of artistry and creativity that goes into putting a believable zombie-infested world on the small screen.
Join us as Scott M. Gimple, executive producer, showrunner, and writer; Greg Nicotero, executive producer, director, and special effects makeup supervisor; Eulyn Womble, costume designer; and Andrew Lincoln, who stars as Rick Grimes, share insights on how they develop and bring The Walking Dead to life.
Learn what goes on behind the scenes—from conjuring up edge-of-your-seat plotlines and complex characters to frighteningly convincing zombies.
Behind the Scenes of The Walking Dead
Evening Program
Fri., Feb. 5 at 7 PM
Member*: $30 l Non-Member: $45
*Not a member? Become a Smithsonian Associates supporter today and start taking advantage of member rates immediately! Learn more>>
Tuesday, December 08, 2015
Third Eye Comics' gift guide
Third Eye 2015 Holiday Gift Guide
December 4, 2015http://www.thirdeyecomics.com/third-eye-2015-holiday-gift-guide/
Fantom Comics' pole-dancing featured online
I just report these things.
And Finally… A Wicked + A Divine Pole Dance Show In A Comic Store
December 7, 2015 by by Rich Johnston
Monday, December 07, 2015
Feb 4: Gareth Hinds at Takoma Park
Looking into 2016, here's one to add to the calendar.
Gareth Hinds - Samurai Rising: The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune — at Takoma Park Library (MD)
Thursday, February 4, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Takoma Park Library (MD)
101 Philadelphia Ave
Takoma Park MD 20912
By Pamela S. Turner, Gareth Hinds (Illustrator)
New Christiann MacAuley interview online
Questions with Christiann MacAuley December 7 2015
https://ello.co/yourdailybread/post/-LHdvsPbQgpGrpLyCDAOyQ
Dec. 12: B’more Into Comics
B'more Into Comics #8, a running series of comics-creators-in-bars event in Baltimore, is Dec. 12 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Windup Space. There will be comics, a comics
library, panels and more. The event is free.
Poster
by Melody Often
Local authors drive holiday sales at indie bookstores
From a Publishers Weekly article on holiday
sales at indie bookstores in the U.S.:
“Perhaps
it’s only to be expected that local bookstores would do best with local books
and books that the store has made their own. Although President Obama’s book
list got a lot of attention when he stopped by the one-year-old Upshur Street
Books in Washington, D.C., for Small Business Saturday, the store’s
bestsellers, according to manager Anna Thorn, are both local: S Street Rising and
District Comics.”
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