Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Library of Congress on a Charles Dana Gibson' editorial crtoon
World War 1: Bad Romance — Gibson's Chilling Personification of War
by Katherine Blood
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "Broken Windows"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=20
posted 08.16.16
A couple of nights ago, yet another black youth was killed by police in America -- this time in Milwaukee, touching off a night of rioting which featured the burning of a gas station and the smashing of windows on businesses and cop cars. And as usual, White America and the mainstream media were getting their panties in a twist more about broken windows than human lives.
For those of you who've been living in caves since the 1990s, "Broken Windows" has been a policing institution gifted to us by the likes of Rudolph Giuliani in New York City. Basically a pretext for the establishment of paramilitary police occupations of the poorest -- and blackest -- areas, it was such a hit that "Broken Windows" opened up franchises in pretty much every city in the US, spreading its brand of harassment, profiling, intimidation and brutality.
After observing this form of right-wing "folk wisdom" in action for over twenty years, I can't help but ask: whose windows are really being broken here?
RICHARD THOMPSON MEMORIAL SERVICE
RICHARD THOMPSON MEMORIAL SERVICE
A service for Richard will be held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, this Saturday, August 27th at 1pm.
IT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC from 1pm until 2:30 pm, after which there will be a private reception for friends and family.
Again, the family asks that in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, either directly or through Team Cul De Sac (https://www.michaeljfox.org/get-involved/teamfox.php).
Monday, August 22, 2016
Fredericksburg's Clay Jones talks to a Costa Rica paper that has hired him
Political Cartoons: An Endangered Journalism Practice
By Jaime Lopez –
Costa Rica Star August 21, 2016
http://news.co.cr/political-cartoons-endangered-journalism-practice/50059/
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Interview with Greg Pak (Incredible Hulk, Kingsway West, Eternal Warrior)
My neighbor (and Editor-In-Chief) Mike Rhode is taking his daughter off to college for the first time, so I'm taking a second away from my duties at ComicsOnline.com to interview writer Greg Pak for ComicsDC.
If you're not familiar with Greg Pak's work,chances are you probably just haven't been reading the credits that tightly. I've mostly recently read his stuff for the relaunch of Eternal Warrior through Valiant Comics, but he's the man responsible for the awesomely out there World War Hulk storyline. I didn't know this until I read his Wiki, but he also created Amadeus Cho. Not too shabby.
Thanks for taking the time to chat. Here's a few questions to start with:
What was the genesis for Kingsway West? Obviously there's been different pieces of fiction relating to the Chinese people in a Western setting, but the fantasy elements are way more pronounced than anything I've read before.
I first started thinking about about telling a story with a Chinese gunslinger in the Old West over twenty years ago. I grew up in Texas and loved Westerns, and when I learned about the real history of Chinese immigrants in the Old West, I just couldn't stop thinking about it. So this was my dream project when I started film school in the '90s. And after I started writing comics, I worked on different comic book versions of the story, doing a couple of short stories for the OUTLAW TERRITORY anthology with artists Ian Kim and Sean Chen. But I always wanted to do a longer version of the story, and eventually started talking with editor Jim Gibbons at Dark Horse. Jim loved the characters and story I pitched, but asked if there was something more I could bring to the story to push it over the top. And I thought about it for a while, and found myself thinking about fantasy and magic. I'd loved Lord of the Rings and Dungeons and Dragons when I was growing up for some of the same reasons I'd loved Westerns -- that kind of big, epic, outdoor adventure is part of both genres. And the more I worked on it, the more it made sense to merge those genres in a story about a Chinese gunslinger searching for his wife in an Old West overrun with magic.
How did you get together with Mirko Colak?
Mirko and I worked together on Marvel's RED SKULL INCARNATE and Dynamite's TUROK, both books that involved realistic, historically based material. I knew he'd absolutely kill on a Western. He's been tremendous. And I should add that colorist Wil Quintana and letterer Simon Bowland are doing amazing work on the book as well. I'm so lucky and happy!
How did you end up publishing at Dark Horse?
If I'm remembering correctly, I think Mirko had met Jim somehow and made the introduction. As soon as I started talking with Jim, I knew I wanted to do the book there. Jim asked all the right questions to push me to make the book better. Jim since left the company to work for Stela, but Spencer Cushing has taken over as editor and Spencer's been fantastic -- just a tremendous sounding board and advocate and hustler to keep the book on time and make it as good as it can be.
How much of the arc do you have planned out?
I've written all four issues of the miniseries. I've got my fingers mightily crossed -- if the numbers are good enough, we may be able to do a second volume. So if anyone reading is interested, please do ask your local comics shop to order the books for you, or go to KingswayWest.com and pre-order there!
I loved the relaunch of Eternal Warrior, and was impressed with your take on it. Were you a fan of original Valiant comics? How did you get involved?
Did you have to coordinate with the other titles launching for Valiant, or did Warren provide a lot of the parameters?
I definitely read the other issues that had referenced Gilad before I started. And Warren definitely kept it on track continuity-wise. He had a great eye on the big picture all the time -- he's just done a tremendous job herding all those books.
As a Filipino, I've always been drawn to the names of the Asian creators (like Whilce Portacio or Frank Cho) that have been on the credits of the comics I read growing up. It seems like seeing realistic Asian characters portrayed on the page(such as the Amadeus Cho Hulk) is the natural next step. Do you feel that this is just a reflection of society today, or did that require a concerted effort on the part of comic companies/creators?
I've been writing comics for over twelve years now, and from the beginning, my editors have always supported my working diverse characters into the casts of my books. My very first published comic was the WARLOCK mini in 2004, which starred an Asian American woman named Janie Chin. And artist Takeshi Miyazawa and I created Amadeus Cho eleven years ago, and I was able to write him as a supporting character in the Hulk books and eventually as the co-star of the INCREDIBLE HERCULES series, co-written with Fred Van Lente, for over four years. And over the years I also created S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Jake Oh and used Suzie Endo in the SILVER SURFER book and created a half-Japanese alternative-world Namor in X-TREME X-MEN and used Sharon (played by Grace Park in the television series) as the central character in the second half of my BATTLESTAR GALACTICA series and wrote a bunch of book starring other people of color. So in my experience, working with the awesome editors I've had over the years, the door has always been open -- I just had to walk through it.
But I also think we're living at a time when more and more people are aware that audiences want more diverse casts and more and more creators of different backgrounds are breaking in and blowing up in all kinds of great ways, which is great. Fifteen years ago, when I was speaking at film festivals with my films, I used to say that in fifteen years the changing demographics of the country would make it a no-brainer to make media with diverse casts. We're in the middle of businesses waking up to that right now, and it's very exciting.
Less related, but also curious: How are you involved with Fresh Off The Boat? I saw something on your Wiki, but I had no clue that you had a hand in the show.
Oh, I love the show, but I'm not at all involved in its creation or production. I was a lucky participant on a panel discussion about it when it premiered. I'm thrilled it's done so well -- it's time, huh?
The Express on Kubo
Dolby Cinema is the way to see 'Kubo and the Two Strings'
By Kristen Page-Kirby
Express August 19 2016
A new ocean video by Jim Toomey
Two Minutes on Oceans with Jim Toomey: Green Fins for a Blue Planet
Published on Aug 14, 2016https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzThAIkmitQ
Dive tourism is increasing at a rate of nearly one million new divers every year. Great news for the dive industry, but what about potential impacts on coral reefs and marine ecosystems? Watch this video to learn how divers and snorkelers can enhance environmental and economic sustainability through the Green Fins certification program.
The "Two Minutes on Oceans with Jim Toomey" video series uses animation and humor to explain complex scientific issues in simple terms to the general public. The series was produced as a partnership between nationally syndicated cartoonist, Jim Toomey, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Additional videos from the series can be viewed at: www.rona.unep.org/toomey
Friday, August 19, 2016
Cuddles & Rage in the Washington Post
Where this artist couple finds fun in the suburbs [in print as On the prowl for music, movies and comics]
Washington Post August 19 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/where-this-artist-couple-goes-to-find-fun-in-the-suburbs/2016/08/19/208ae002-5a5d-11e6-9767-f6c947fd0cb8_story.html
Cuddles & Rage on NPR's Facebook Live
Thursday, August 18, 2016
The Post on 'Sausage Party,' Night Thrasher, Geoff Johns and 'Kubo'
The working conditions for some 'Sausage Party' animators were pretty terrible [in print as Strained animators speak out about how 'Sausage got made]
By Stephanie Merry
Washington Post August 18 2016, C1-2
The one superhero who can fix DC Comics's movies [Geoff Johns].
By David Betancourt
Washington Post Comic Riffs August 17 2016
The black superhero that Baltimore needs right now [Night Thrasher].
By David Betancourt
Washington Post Comic Riffs August 16 2016
'Kubo and the Two Strings' weaves a magical tale that feels both ancient and fresh
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post.com August 18 2016: https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/kubo-and-the-two-strings-weaves-a-magical-tale-that-feels-both-ancient-and-fresh/2016/08/18/a8f33754-60a3-11e6-9d2f-b1a3564181a1_story.html
Small Press Expo Announces the 2016 Ignatz Award Nominees
2016 Ignatz Award NOminees For Immediate Release The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce the 2016 nominees for the annual presentation of the Ignatz Awards, a celebration of outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning. Additional information on the nominees can be found at www.smallpressexpo.com/spx- The 2016 Ignatz Award Nominees
Outstanding Graphic Novel
Outstanding Story
Promising New Talent
Outstanding Series
Outstanding Comic
Outstanding Minicomic
Outstanding Online Comic
SPX will be held Saturday, September 17 from 11AM to 7PM and Sunday, September 18, noon-6PM at The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Admission is $15 for Saturday, $10 for Sunday and $20 for both days. For further information on the Ignatz Awards, the nominees or to request an interview, please contact Ignatz Awards coordinator, Eden Miller, at spxignatz@gmail.com or SPX executive director, Warren Bernard at warren@spxpo.com. For more information on the Small Press Expo, please visit http://www.spxpo.com. Once again we want to thank our our friends at comiXology for sponsoring the Ignatz Awards. Information on comiXology and their self-publishing portal Submit can be found at https://submit.comixology.com. |
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Jasmine Pinales
Jasmine Pinales exhibited at the DC Zinefest and agreed to answer our usual questions afterward. She will be at SPX this fall if you'd like to meet her, and her comics are for sale now on her website. (All images are taken from her website).
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
I write and draw fiction and autobio comics.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
My work is all traditional. I pencil, ink and letter on paper. I've used ink, markers and watercolor for my final pages depending on what best fits a project. I have produced some digital art but it never feels as strong as my traditional art, I don't think it's the best representation of my art. I lay out my comics on computer and do corrections and clean up.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
1988.
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
I live outside of DC in Fairfax County. We moved here when I was 3 and I've been here most of my life. I went to Norfolk for college then returned.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
Most of my comics work is self taught. I spent my childhood reading the WashPo comics section, collected Garfield, Calvin & Hobbes and other strips. In late elementary school I got interested in anime and manga and started copying that while still be interested in American cartoons and the eventual rise of webcomics on the internet. I've never taken a comics class, I've learned by example and reading all of the backmatter in comics about how pages are made. I've got Eisner's books on comics, and McCloud's which gave me more concrete ideas on how to make better comics. I have a BFA in Studio Art where I focused on comics for my Senior Show, so I have art training.
Who are your influences?
Everything. I really got into Will Eisner's work between The Spirit and his more personal projects after he was done with that. Piet Mondrian is one of my favorite painters, I love Dali and Caravaggio. Yuko Ota and Meredith Gran have some of the best comic timing and gorgeously clean art. Takako Shimura has comics fill of emotional characters and art that has a nice weight to it. So many cartoons, I loved The Weekenders and Recess as a kid. I've pulled visual cues I like from Jen Wang, I really like the was she draws eyes. Craig Thompson's work is gorgeous and made me want to try harder with brushes/brush pens. Internet discussions have made me more confident and inspired to try a broader variety in body types and more diversity, even though plenty of my early characters had variety.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
All of my past experiences have brought me to where I am now and things would be different if I changed anything. That said, it'd be interesting to see how things could be different if I had gone into college focusing on comics and art and not transferring to comics after a few years in science.
What work are you best-known for?
I don't think I'm known for anything at this moment.
What work are you most proud of?
"How to Make Friends and Captivate People", it's my longest comic to date at 28 pages or so, the printed book has 40 because of an extra story. It was a struggle to produce as I had never tried such a long narrative and I misjudged how long it would take.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I'd like to continue working on my various stories and characters. I have a female knight and prince story; a group of theater nerd kids; a depressed robot and a myriad of others that I'm sketching out and thinking over slowly. I have a lot of ideas and just need the money and time to focus on them.
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
I'll step away from a project and create differently. Changing media or tools helps to reinvigorate me to focus on the main projects I'm working toward. This year I got into Hamilton and drew a mess of art, sketches and comics and in the past few weeks I've been listening to the audiobook of Jurassic Park and have had a wealth of ideas for mini comics about the first book that have relatively little to do with the movie. Sometimes indulging and receiving media is necessary to get a new spark, you'll see the right turn of phrase and everything starts turning again and you can keep creating. Another thing I've done, in 2013 after college I stopped drawing just to take a break and I felt awful not drawing anything after a few months so I forced myself to do a little sketch before bed.
Those sketches turned into a sketchbook I have a shows for sale as I worked through being burnt out and getting back into the groove of production. In 2014 I did a daily sketchbook where I tried different ideas in the small spaces I had. These were for me but sharing them was a great experience too as I became more comfortable with what I could do in the space provided and looked up new topics.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
More independent creators and creator owned work becoming popular and bigger powerhouses in comics shops. Image does an amazing job putting creators first and Fantom Comics in Dupont Circle works so hard to promote creator own material even as they stock DC and Marvel. They're still big in supporting local DMV creators.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?
I've attended SPX since 2012 and this is my first year tabling it, I'm excited. It's a lovely show to attend, a large crowd but there's so much positivity and love for comics in everyone attending and tabling it's great. I'll have at least one new book there that weekend that I'm working on. I'm at L7.
BMore Into Comics in Baltimore is a fun little day show. It's tiny -- in a bar -- but as an attendee you would have plenty of time to talk to the local artists who are tabling. An upside to small shows over big shows and some great local creators go there.
The DC Zinefest - I've shown there since 2015, the audience is very enthusiastic. It's great seeing how many female creators there are.
The Richmond Zinefest, I've tabled there two times now, and it's been in different venues both years, but has been going on for a while in its previous venue. The way it was set up in the library felt confusing as a tabler, maybe it was better for someone who knows that library better, but I heard from many people as they stumbled to the room I was in they were surprised there was another room.
Locus Moon in Philly, I showed there in 2015, it was a ton of fun. Great creators and audience. Everyone there was super enthusiastic. I've heard they're focusing more on publishing and I'd like to go to the show again, not sure if it's happening anymore.
Comics Arts Brooklyn - a small show in a church in Brooklyn, NY. Like smaller shows you get a great change to meet and talk to a creator for a while. Attendance has been enthusiastic and it's at a pretty good time of year in November, chilly but not too cold.
What's your favorite thing about DC?
The variety of people and things to do.
Least favorite?
Metro. Also driving around here is a hassle, not always a direct way someplace. I can drive from where I am to Maryland in 30 minutes or to the middle of the city in 45.
What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?
I don't have many visitors, I'd want to show them the [National Gallery of Art's] East and West Galleries though; I'm a big fan of art history.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
Daikaya in Chinatown. Both the upstairs Izakaya and the downstairs ramen bar.
Do you have a website or blog?
jasmine-pinales.com also meisterjdraws.tumblr.com
Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Michael Brace
Michael Brace is a member of the DC Conspiracy comics co-op. He was at DC Zinefest this summer, and finally agreed to answer our standard questions. He will be at SPX next month if you'd like to meet him.
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?
I just finished my second black-and-white comic book its in a realistic style. I also contribute one-page stories to a local newspaper comic Magic Bullet and those tend to be a little more cartoony.
How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?
Mostly traditional pen and ink. I used a computer for lettering and occasionally for adding color.
When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?
1950s
Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?
Long-time Foggy Bottom resident. I came here to pursue an illustration career.
What is your training and/or education in cartooning?
Took a one-year commercial art vocational training class back in 1973.
Who are your influences?
Too many to name. I'm a big fan of turn-of-the-century book illustration (I should say turn-of-last-century book illustration) and woodblock prints.
If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?
Would have focused more on writing skills.
What work are you best-known for?
Pages in Magic Bullet and artwork for District Comics.
What work are you most proud of?
Managing to finish two comic books.
What would you like to do or work on in the future?
I would like to expand on my last comic "Never Rescue an Octopus from a Tree".
What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?
I try to have a couple of projects going so I can switch off to keep things fresh.
What do you think will be the future of your field?
I think independent comics will continue to expand on both the web and in print. Flexibility is key.
What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?
Zine Fest and Small Press Expo this year. Great to have an alternative to superhero cons.
What's your favorite thing about DC?
Don't need a car to get around.
Least favorite?
The local neighborhoods are being gobbled up.
What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?
Air and Space Museum and National Cathedral.
How about a favorite local restaurant?
No longer around "Dove and Rainbow." Made their pizzas with Greek cheeses, they were great.
Do you have a website or blog?
Not at this time.
Nell Minow interviews Kubo director
Interview: Travis Knight on "Kubo and the Two Strings"
by Nell Minow
August 2016
http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/moviemom/2016/08/interview-travis-knight-kubo-two-strings.html
Michael Cavna on his scrubbed comic strip Nickipedia
What I learned about comic writing from Larry Wilmore
Washington Post Comic Riffs August 17 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/08/17/what-i-learned-about-comic-writing-from-larry-wilmore/
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
PR: SPX 2016 Announces Spanish Fever
|
Anne Morse-Hambrock remembers Richard Thompson
For Richard
Anne & God webcomic (08/16/2016)
http://overbookedandunderpaid.typepad.com/anne_and_god/2016/08/for-richard.html