Comic Riffs talks to Angelo Lopez

'This doesn't seem real': Angelo Lopez of Philippines Today wins 2016 RFK Award for Cartoons

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 12 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/05/12/this-doesnt-seem-real-angelo-lopez-of-philippines-today-wins-2016-rfk-award-for-cartoons/
 

Latest'n'Greatest: "The DEA's Schedule is Nixon's Schedule"

From DC's anarchist cartoonist Mike Flugennock:

"The DEA'S Schedule is Nixon's Schedule"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=1942

The DEA schedule of narcotics -- in which cannabis is classifed alongside heroin -- was a product of the Nixon era, when the modern War On Drugs started cranking up. Tricky Dick himself, on a leaked White House tape, was said to have called marijuana "...the drug of choice of Mexicans, hippies and n#gg*rs."

Here's former White House Domestic Affairs Advisor, the notorious John Ehrlichman, with a slightly more nuanced framing of this policy in a 1994 interview:

"The Nixon campaign in 1968, and the Nixon White House after that, had two enemies: the antiwar left and black people. You understand what I'm saying? We knew we couldn't make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities. We could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did."
--John Ehrlichman, Nixon Domestic Affairs Advisor, 1994

The DEA schedule is Nixon's schedule, part of a policy born out of deception and racism. It's time to DEschedule cannabis.

We'll be at the White House on May 20, how about yourself?

Another local cartoonist: Orion Zangara of Sterling

"Orion Zangara is an illustrator and comic-book artist who lives in Sterling, Virginia. He is a graduate of The Kubert School, an art trade school with a concentration in sequential art, founded by his grandfather, Joe Kubert. Currently he is illustrating a trilogy graphic novel called The Stone Man Mysteries written by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple for the Lerner Publishing Group."

http://orionzangara.com/

Meet a local cartoonist: Jane Dough, dollar bill artist

by Mike Rhode

This past weekend was Free Comic Book Day, and I swung by Victory Comics in Falls Church, VA. They've had cartoonists set up for the past few years, and I got to meet a few new people and ask them our standard questions.  The pseudonymous Jane Dough is doing an atypical  type cartooning... drawing characters on dollar bills.


What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
I draw cartoon, video game, and comic book characters on dollar bills. 

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination? 
I use pencil, pen, and gel pens. 

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
 I was born in Wayne, IL in 1987. I have lived in Maryland since I was 7.

Why are you in Washington now?  What neighborhood or area do you live in?
 I'm actually just south of Baltimore in Halethorpe MD. 

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
 I don't have any formal training in cartooning. I've been drawing since I was little and have a degree in Graphic Design from UMBC. 

Who are your influences?
Honestly my biggest influences are my artistic friends. From musicians, to writers, to artists, they all provide inspiration and motivation for me :)

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change? 
I'm actually incredibly happy with my current job and wouldn't change a thing for my career. But for my personal art, I wish I had explored more when I was younger. I'm still trying to find "my style"

What work are you best-known for?
 My dollar bill art

What work are you most proud of?
 Probably my dollar bill art (outside of my day job where I manage a UI/UX team)

What would you like to do  or work on in the future?
 I'm starting to work on some short comic strips. I'd love to hone my illustration style.

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

I usually just take a break from art. I let my brain rest until inspiration comes. If I'm on a deadline, then I'll look at other artists online and do research until something sparks.

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

As a dollar bill artist? I think that's unknown territory! I think it's a very niche concept and is great for gifts, so I'd imagine it's pretty stable.

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

I really enjoy MagFest, MagClassic, Otakon (Baltimore but soon to be DC), and Creator Con! They're all fantastic Cons and so much fun. Creator Con is newish and definitely has some kinks to work through, but the goal, educating kids about careers in creativity, is fantastic. 

What's your favorite thing about DC? 
Tons of diverse things to do!

Least favorite? 
The chaos and poor parking.

Do you have a website or blog?

I do! jjdough.com

The Post on gays in animated children's movies

An animated case to redraw the lines: Disney may not give Elsa a girlfriend, but social norms ease into kids' movies

[online as Are we ready for a gay Disney princess? We may be closer than you think.]

By Jessica Contrera
Washington Post May 12 2016, p. A1, 14
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/are-we-ready-for-a-gay-disney-princess-we-may-be-closer-than-you-think/2016/05/11/69d3302e-12e2-11e6-81b4-581a5c4c42df_story.html

Dozi the Alligator PLUSH! Kickstarter

From: Daniel Boris

I also wanted to spread the word about the Dozi the Alligator PLUSH that I am currently hoping to fund on Kick Starter.

The plush stands over 8" tall, is made of an ultra-soft minky fabric, features beautifully embroidered details and is stuffed just right … perfect for hugging!

For more info, please search "Dozi" on KickStarter.com or follow this link directly to my campaign on the KickStarter site:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1107487436/dozi-the-alligator-plush?ref=nav_search

 

New World War I exhibit at Library of Congress features cartoons

The Art of War: Library of Congress Exhibition Features World War I Artists

by Katherine Blood

May 12, 2016
http://blogs.loc.gov/picturethis/2016/05/the-art-of-war-library-of-congress-exhibition-features-world-war-i-artists/

More To Come 199: WonderCon 2016 Interviews including Tom King

PW Comics World: More To Come

More To Come 199: WonderCon 2016 Interviews

Heidi "The Beat" Macdonald

on 04/01/2016
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?channel=2&podcast=560

This week on More to Come, Heidi "The Beat" Macdonald interviews two comics creators that will be a part of Rebirth, DC's new publishing initiative: Hope Larson, co-creator of 'Goldie Vance', is the new writer for Batgirl, and Tom King, co-creator of 'Sheriff of Babylon', will now write Batman; Heidi also interviews Beau Smith creator of IDW's 'Wynnona Earp', a comic about a paranormal bounty hunter who is the great-granddaughter of Wyatt Earp, now made into a SyFy network TV show.

PW Comics World: More To Come

More To Come 196: Glen Weldon on The Caped Crusade

Produced by Kate Fitzsimons

on 03/11/2016
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/podcasts/index.html?channel=2&podcast=552

This week on More to Come, Kate Fitzsimons interviews Glen Weldon, author of 'The Caped Crusade: Batman and the Rise of Nerd Culture', about the reasons people connect so personally with the Batman character. Weldon talks about the history of the character, homoerotic subtext in Batman, as well as his own personal history with the comics and the 60's Batman show. Weldon reviews comics for NPR and is co-host of the NPR podcast Pop Culture Happy Hour.

Comic Riffs on Captain America versus the Imperial Presidency

The bizarre story of when Captain America battled Nixon

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 11 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/05/11/the-bizarre-story-of-when-captain-america-battled-nixon/

Angelo Lopez wins cartooning award in the Annual Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards

Selections from the press release:

Cartoon Winner
"Editorial Cartoons," Angelo Lopez, Philippines Today

"Throughout his life, my father held a deep commitment to freedom of expression and freedom of the press." Observed Kerry Kennedy, President, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights "He would invite reporters and news crews to join him in the most impoverished city neighborhoods, to Indian reservations and communities in Appalachia, California's Central Valley or rural Indiana—places that often lacked electricity and plumbing—and he would ask the press corps why it wasn't covering those issues and these places. The Journalists who followed his '68 campaign created the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards in his name, to honor those who covered the issues most important to him."

This year's Book and Journalism Award winners were chosen from out of more than 300 submissions. Historian Michael Beschloss chaired the judges' panel for the 2016 Robert F. Kennedy Book Award.

The book award, now in its 36^th year, will be presented by Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy at a ceremony featuring remarks by Kerry Kennedy and Michael Beschloss on Wednesday, May 25, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.

The ceremony will also feature the presentation of the 2016 Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards, celebrating their 48^th year. All honorees will receive a bust of Robert F. Kennedy in recognition of their award.

(as in the past few years, ComicsDC editor Mike Rhode was one of the judges)

SPX: Don't Forget to Submit to the Ignatz Awards!

Don't FORGET TO Submit to the Ignatz Awards! Time it running out to submit your comics for consideration in Small Press Expo's festival prize, the Ignatz Award!   The nominees are selected by a jury of creators and voted on by attendees and exhibitors of Small Press Expo. Previous winners include Kate Beaton, Cathy G. Johnson, Michael DeForge, Lisa Hanawalt, Jaime Hernandez, Jason Shiga, Jillian Tamaki, Sam Alden and Sophie Goldstein (who created that awesome banner for us!).   Categories are: Outstanding Artist Outstanding Anthology or Collection Outstanding Graphic Novel Outstanding Story Promising New Talent Outstanding Series Outstanding Comic Outstanding Minicomic Outstanding Online Comic All work will be eligible in all applicable categories. We need six copies of work published between June 1, 2015 and May 31, 2016 sent to:  SPX Ignatz Awards c/o Big Planet Comics 4849 Cordell Ave. Bethesda, MD 20814 When submitting, please fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1z4VCyINaniNobHOFCDkkfZtnjeyJokWK1kmwHxdXkqo/viewform     Links to online comics should be emailed to spxignatz@gmail.com All submissions must be received by June 7, 2016.   Full guidelines are available at: http://www.spxpo.com/ignatz-guidelines. All questions should be sent to Ignatz Award coordinator, Eden Miller, at spxignatz@gmail.com.   The 2016 Ignatz Awards is once again sponsored by Comixology Submit!

Meet a local comics writer: A chat with Jaron Johnson

by Mike Rhode

This past weekend was Free Comic Book Day, and I swung by Victory Comics in Falls Church, VA. They've had cartoonists set up for the past few years, and I got to meet a few new people and ask them our standard questions. Jaron Johnson, a comic book writer, was giving out copies of his Centerpiece "an illustrated anthology of poems written between the ages of 17 and 19. Through these pieces of prose and imagery, Centerpiece tells the story of Nomad a young man just trying to find his way in the world."

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

I am a comic author and filmmaker, so my creation spreads across a few spectrums. The comics I've written span several art styles, but our current project employs a fun and unique blend of hand-drawn elements superimposed over still photography.

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

My illustrator, the incredibly talented Clark Campbell, draws with pencil, pen, and paper. He scans this at a high resolution to maintain the texture of the medium, then uses digital image editing software to combine our characters with still photography.

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

I was born in Cambridge, Ohio, in January of 1994.
 

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

I moved to the NoVA area a year and a half ago to grow and learn and improve my life. I was feeling a bit trapped and enclosed within the three towns I grew up in. Life afforded me a window of opportunity, and I leapt through it.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning? 

I cannot draw to save my life. All of the art education, writing and filmmaking, has been learned in the field.

Who are your influences?
 

This current project, Centerpiece, is heavily inspired, visually, by Don Hertzfeldt's animations. He is a brilliant animator and independent filmmaker. My writing influences are largely Kevin Smith, Woody Allen, and Zach Braff.

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

I am honestly quite satisfied with the direction my art is heading. There have certainly been bumps along the road, but these are most often opportunities to learn. We should seize and embrace these failures, and define ourselves not by the failures themselves, but by what we learn from them.

What work are you best-known for? 

I am best known for my writing as a whole, i suppose, but mostly my film work with Clark. I have also made awful music, and I've begun publishing my alternative forms of art.

What work are you most proud of? 

I am absolutely most proud of Centerpiece. But this remains to be the case, that I am always most proud of my recent works, because I view them as improvements on prior work.

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

I have several larger budget films that I would love to do. I also have two ongoing comic scripts which I would love to see illustrated and distributed.

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

Forcing a muse is nigh impossible, but if I've gone a long period of time and remained uninspired throughout, I will often exercise an internal rebel nature. I'll act recklessly for a while to remind myself of the power we all have, yet choose not to exercise each day. This is empowering and uplifting to me.

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

Tom DeLonge, who is an inspiration of mine, has been bridging several mediums of art together. He has spoken at length about how, with advances in technology, one can use the same computer to construct an award-winning album, edit together an action film, write a novel, and build a comic from the ground up. To illustrate that, he has since started creating multimedia projects. One fictional universe told through novels, comics, music - every form of art he has access to, he utilizes to tell a single story. I firmly believe this is the future of our artistic endeavors.

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

I have actually never attended a con in my life. Not to sound cliche, but I have struggled greatly with anxiety since high school, and the prospect of being any level of spotlighted makes me uneasy to say the least. I am not opposed to the idea, of course. I imagine it is something I will have to learn to overcome in time.

What's your favorite thing about DC? 

I really love the wonderful blends of cultures here. Where I'm from, we mostly have farm culture and small-town culture. I have learned a vast amount about outside cultures since moving to the DC area, and every time I learn something new I just get giddy in my garter.

Least favorite?
 

Admittedly, the social atmosphere here is colder than I'm used to. I come from an area with a population beneath 2,000, so I am used to warm smiles and waving to each other, wishing one another a good morning or evening. Everybody here, before you really get to know them, has a tendency to kind of give you a cold stare and an absence of words. It makes me feel an awful lot like an outsider.

What monument or museum do like to take visitors to? 

The National Building Museum and The Lincoln Memorial are my two favorites, so that's usually where I take folks who come to see me.

How about a favorite local restaurant? 

Charbroil Grill in Woodbridge is a fantastic place, and I eat there frequently. However, my favorite place is 29 Diner in Fairfax. This hole-in-the-wall has the nicest staff you could ever meet, and they're open 24-7, which is convenient for me because I work the night shift. The owner is incredibly involved in the local community, and so it reminds me a bit of home. Its a slice of small-town living orbital to one of the busiest places in the nation.

Do you have a website or blog? 

Certainly! You can find more about all of the creative work I and my colleagues do at www.DeathByTypewriter.com
 

We are also on Facebook, of course, at Facebook.com/DeathByTypewriteDeathByTypewriter. My personal Facebook page, where I talk about personal elements of my creative process, can be found at Facebook.com/JaronRMJohnson

June 11: New exhibit by Michael Webster

In 2012, we talked to Michael Webster about his New Future Comics.

Michael's having an art exhibit, and "would like to invite you to my Art Show that I am having on Saturday, June 11, 2016 where you can view my newest collection of works." You can see the details on the picutre.

May 21: Cartoonists at Gaithersburg Book Festival

Saturday May 21, 2016 10am - 6pm

Gaithersburg City Hall Grounds

Cece Bell and Aaron Reynolds

Location: Willa Cather Pavilion

Children's

Start Time: 11:15 am

Author(s):

Cece Bell

Aaron Reynolds

Cece Bell

Cece Bell is the author-illustrator of the Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Book, "Rabbit and Robot: The Sleepover." She is also the creator of the Newbery Honor–winning graphic novel, "El Deafo," and "The Sock Monkey" picture books, among other works for children. Cece Bell lives in an old church in Virginia and works in a new-ish barn right next door.  She has worked as a freelance illustrator for all kinds of nutty projects, but is now a full-time author and illustrator. Cece enjoys moments of hilarity with her husband, Tom, along with three three lady dogs and two youngsters. Twitter: @CeceBellBooks 

Graphic Arts Panel

Location: Willa Cather Pavilion

Children's

Start Time: 1:15 pm

Author(s):

Dave Roman

John Patrick Green

Alexis Frederick-Frost

Dave Roman

Dave Roman is the author/illustrator of the "Astronaut Academy" series (winner of Maryland's Black-Eyed Susan Book Award) and writer of the graphic novels "Teen Boat! Race for Boatlantis" and "Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery." He has contributed stories to "Comics Squad: Recess!," "Explorer: The Mystery Boxes," "Nursery Rhyme Comics" and "Goosebumps Graphix: Slappy's Tales of Horror." Roman is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts, has worked as an editor at Nickelodeon Magazine and lives in Astoria, NY. His latest project is the all-ages webcomic, "Starbunny, Inc." Facebook Twitter: @yaytime

John Patrick Green

John Patrick Green grew up on Long Island and has worked in New York City since graduating from the School of Visual Arts with a degree in graphic design. His latest project is "Hippopotamister," his first graphic novel as writer and artist. John is the artist and co-creator of the series Jax Epoch, and the comics "Quicken Forbidden" and "Teen Boat!," both with writer Dave Roman. He was the comics consultant for Disney Adventures magazine and has also worked on comics for DC Comics, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks and Scholastic Graphix. He lives in Brooklyn with zero cats and way too many LEGOs. Facebook Twitter: @JohnGreenArt

Alexis Frederick-Frost

Alexis Frederick-Frost is co-author and illustrator of the critically acclaimed Adventures in Cartooning series of graphic novels and picture books. A combination how-to book and an exciting adventure story, "Adventures in Cartooning" was one of Booklist's Top Ten Graphic Novels of 2010 and has received many awards. Alexis also wrote and illustrated the monthly comic Kit and Clay published in The Phoenix Magazine in the United Kingdom. His illustrations have appeared online and in a variety of publications including Nickelodeon Magazine, The Adventure Time comic and others. A graduate from the inaugural class of the Center for Cartoon Studies, Alexis currently lives with his wife in Maryland. Twitter: @afrederickfrost 

Kevin Kallaugher: Daggers Drawn

Location: Rachel Carson Pavilion

Non-Fiction

Start Time: 3:15 pm

Author(s):

Kevin Kallaugher (KAL)

Kevin Kallaugher (KAL)

Kevin Kallaugher (KAL) is the international award-winning editorial cartoonist for The Economist and The Baltimore Sun. In a distinguished career than spans 38 years, KAL has created over 8000 cartoons and 140 magazine covers. His resumé includes six collections of his published work, exhibitions in a dozen countries, awards and honors in seven. In 2015, KAL was awarded Cartoon of the Year in Europe, The Herblock Prize and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. The World Encyclopedia of Cartoons said of Kevin "Commanding a masterful style, Kallaugher stands among the premier caricaturists of the (twentieth) century."

Gareth Hinds: Samurai Rising

Location: Ogden Nash Pavilion

Young Adult

Start Time: 4:15 pm

Author(s):

Gareth Hinds

Gareth Hinds

Gareth Hinds is the creator of critically-acclaimed graphic novel adaptations of literary classics, including "Beowulf," "King Lear," "The Merchant of Venice," "The Odyssey," "Romeo & Juliet" and "Macbeth." His latest illustration project is the action-packed nonfiction book "Samurai Rising," written by Pamela Turner, which has received four starred reviews. Gareth is a recipient of the Boston Public Library's "Literary Lights for Children" award. His books are used in English classrooms across the country, and his illustrations have appeared in the Society of Illustrators, the New York Historical Society, and over a dozen published video games. Gareth lives in Takoma Park, MD. Blog: Hindsight Twitter: @garethhinds Facebook: Gareth Hinds Tumblr: Gareth's Tumbler Pinterest Gareth Hinds

Great Comics for Kids

• Workshop Info
• Presenter Info

Time: 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Location: Children's Village Workshops Tent

Class Size: 20

Audience: Elementary-Middle School

Description

Can't stop reading graphic novels? Good! Come check out some outstanding recently published graphic novels. Learn about our state's graphic novel book award. Explore the different elements found on a page of a comic. Create a one page comic of your own with help from special guest Dave Roman!

Warren Bernard interview online now

Interview: War Cartoon Collector Warren Bernard

4/28/2016 

http://www.historynet.com/interview-war-cartoon-collector-warren-bernard.htm

Comic Riffs on the new New Yorker cover

The New Yorker's art director sheds light on the magazine's new augmented-reality cover

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 10 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/05/10/the-new-yorkers-art-director-sheds-light-on-the-magazines-new-augmented-reality-cover/

Interviews with KAL and Maris Wicks

A Q&A with Noted Cartoonist KAL

April 21, 2016

by Megan Wessell, A Bookish Affair

http://www.gaithersburgbookfestival.org/qa-noted-cartoonist-kal/

Free Comic Book Day: 'Science Comics' creator leads an inviting dive into deep marine wonders

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog May 7 2016

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/05/07/free-comic-book-day-science-comics-creator-leads-an-inviting-dive-into-deep-marine-wonders/

Frank Cho interview online

Talking To Frank Cho, Man Of Outrage, About Attracting Women

Posted May 3, 2016 by Rich Johnston

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2016/05/03/talking-to-frank-cho-man-of-outrage-about-attracting-women-comics-entertainment-wonder-woman/

Gareth Hinds book reviewed in NY Times

'Samurai Rising,' by Pamela S. Turner

By SARAH MILLER

A version of this review appears in print on May 8, 2016, on page BR32 of the Sunday Book Review with the headline: Slash and Burn.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/08/books/review/samurai-rising-by-pamela-s-turner.html

From "Samurai Rising."

SAMURAI RISING
The Epic Life of Minamoto Yoshitsune
By Pamela S. Turner
Illustrated by Gareth Hinds
236 pp. Charlesbridge. $16.95. (Middle grade; ages 10 and up)