Monday, October 24, 2016

Steve Canyon in the Falls Church Echo in 1950

Tom Corbett, Space Cadet in DC

Rocket Expert Advises Artist, Keeps 'Space Cadet' Plausible.
Washington Star November 1951

Sunday, October 23, 2016

That darn Candorville and Lio

Letters to the Editor

This broke him up [in print as Braking Bad]

Alan Peterson, Springfield

Washington Post (October 22 2016).

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/this-broke-him-up/2016/10/21/cf733df2-9573-11e6-9cae-2a3574e296a6_story.html

Hey, Mr. Nobel man, play a song for me

Maryanne Kendall, Reston

Washington Post (October 22 2016).

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/hey-mr-nobel-man-play-a-song-for-me/2016/10/21/cc4c8b1a-9573-11e6-9cae-2a3574e296a6_story.html

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Nov 5: German-language animated films at Landmark's E Street Cinema

Only the animation descriptions are included in this repost...

New Short Films from Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Saturday, November 5, 2 pm

With an introduction by Joe Bilancio, Director of Programming for DC Shorts

Who Will Pay the Bill? (Wer trägt die Kosten?)
Germany, 2015, animation, color, 4 min., German with English subtitles, Director/Screenplay: Daniel Nocke, World Rights: Studio FILM BILDER GmbH
In this talk show satire moderated by a hyena, two lions, a vulture and a lonely zebra debate about justice in a society of eating and being eaten.

Short Tiger Award 2016
FBW-rating: "exceptionally valuable"

Daniel Nocke (b. 1968 in Hamburg, Germany) studied at the Film Academy Baden-Württemberg from 1994 to 1999. He lives in Hamburg, where he works as an author and animation artist.

Domino
Austria, 2014, animation, color, 2 min., without dialogue, Director/Screenplay: Anna Vasof, World Sales Rights: Not for sale, all rights are reserved by Anna Vasof
A video camera continuously follows and films a progression of dominoes falling, creating the illusion of the movement in an imaginary space. Domino is a video which combines the mechanism of a progression of dominoes falling with stop-motion animation technique and introduces a new animation technique, the "Non-stop stop motion".

Best Austrian Animation (ASIFA AUSTRIA 2014)

Anna Vasof (b. 1985) is an architect and media artist. She studied architecture at the University of Thessaly in Greece and Transmedia Art at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna. Since 2004, her videos and short films have been presented in several festivals and have won some prizes.

Uncanny Valley
Austria, 2015, animation, color, 13 min., without dialogue, Director/Screenplay: Paul Wenninger, World Sales Rights: Sixpack Films
In Uncanny Valley, we are immediately bombarded by the psychological and physical intensity of a battle fought between desperate soldiers during the First World War. Within the scope of a physiological apparatus looking in the direction of war, Uncanny Valley develops a dramaturgy of interrupted images - stuttering pictures that interrupt the narrative structure of a sequence of scenes.

Public Award and Best Austrian Animation (ASIFA AUSTRIA 2015)

Paul Wenninger (b. 1966 in Vienna, Austria) is father of three daughters, a filmmaker with a focus on pixilation and animation, a freelance dancer and the author of choreographical works. He was part of international productions, having worked and lived from 1994-1998 in France.

Flirt
Switzerland, 2015, animation, color, 6min., without dialogue, Director/Screenplay: Rahel Gerber, World Sales: Interfilm Berlin Management GmbH
Dreams woven from airy fabrics make wishes tangible. Walter is a loner. Hanging up his laundry the resident sees how easily his shirt contacts his neighbor's dress. Might he be closer than ever to his own happiness?

Berner Filmpreis 2015 Category Animation

Rahel Gerber (b. 1977 in Switzerland) received her master's degree in illustration and animation from Lucerne School of Art and Design. Flirt is her thesis project.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

SPX 2016 panels catch-up

SPX 2016 Panel - March with Andrew Aydin & Nate Powell

Oct 12, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrREdkxIc-I

The March trilogy relates the story of the African American struggle for dignity and equality in the U.S. during the 1950's and 60's through the perspective of civil rights icon, Congressman John Lewis. Co-author Andrew Aydin and artist Nate Powell discuss their years-long journey of working with Rep. Lewis to tell the powerful and moving story of his life and experiences during those turbulent times which marked a watershed moment in American history. Moderated by comics critic Julian Lytle.

SPX 2016 Panel - Spotlight on Gilbert & Jaime Hernandez

Oct 10, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkNPUidcsbw

The comics careers of creators Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez are explored and discussed. The primary focus being Love and Rockets as well as its pivotal relationship to the development and growth of Fantagraphics (which has been publishing Gilbert's and Jaime's work for 34 of the 40 years it has been in business) and how the relationship ultimately led to a transformation of American comics. Moderated by long-time Hernandez Bros. historian Bill Boichel.

SPX 2016 Panel - Spotlight on Charles Burns & Daniel Clowes

Oct 7, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60dSEN1RIbE

Comics legends Charles Burns and Daniel Clowes together on stage, talking about their respective careers and current projects! The lively discussion is facilitated by Eric Reynolds, Associate Publisher and Editor of Fantagraphic Books.

SPX 2016 Panel - Comics Journalism with Joe Sacco & Sarah Glidden

Oct 6, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYC91HUh-wQ

Comics journalism is a form of journalism crafted by Joe Sacco in his award-winning graphic novels (Palestine, Safe Area Goražde, Fixer, Footnotes in Gaza, The Great War) and explored in depth by Sarah Glidden in her new release, Rolling Blackouts. These two amazing comics creators discuss the intersection of storytelling and fact, and how they report on humanity's history and current events through the medium of comics. Moderated by Matt Bors of The Nib.

SPX 2016 Panel - Spanish Fever: Stories by the New Spanish Cartoonists

Oct 9, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BylaOmj3f8

Cómics, tebeos, and novelas gráficas have been making waves on the European comics scene for decades. SPX, in partnership with the Spanish Cultural Center, proudly presents some of the most exciting Spanish talent in the comics scene! Bienvenido a David Rubín, Javier Olivares, Ana Galvañ, José Domingo, and Santiago García. Moderated by cartoonist and teacher Matt Madden.

The Spanish Fever panel is supported by the generous time and effort of Spain arts & culture.

SPX 2016 Panel - The Art of Printing Comics

Oct 9, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N51p5qAKEb8

There is an art to printing comics and 'zines. Comics creators Natalie Andrewson and Kris Mukai, along with Patrick Crotty and Elliot Alfredius of Peow! Studio explain how they craft their own risograph comics and 'zines to beautiful imperfection every time! Robyn Chapman of The Tiny Reporter moderates.

SPX 2016 Panel - Indie Publishing: Make the Comics You Want to See

Oct 7, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLiYn8sKo5Q

What does it take to become an indie publisher? Grit, luck, talent, or all three? These diverse and innovative publishers saw a need for certain types of comics, so they went out and made them happen. C. Spike Trotman of Iron Circus Comics, Raighne Hogan of 2dcloud, Kevin Czap of Czap Books and Annie Koyama of Koyama Press are making the comics that they want to see and that indie/alt fans want to read. Moderated by Rob Clough of High-Low.

SPX 2016 Panel - Spotlight on Lisa Hanawalt

Oct 11, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_qe4RW64ME

From her days as a member of Pizza Island to her latest graphic novel, Hot Dog Taste Test, Lisa has always brought a uniquely comedic turn to her beautifully rendered illustrations and comics. The outrageously funny Lisa Hanawalt talks with NPR contributor Glen Weldon about her career as a comics creator, illustrator, and the production designer and producer of Bojack Horseman.

SPX 2016 Panel - To Tell the Truth: Comics Storytelling

October 12 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_yYBag59-U

Sophia Foster-Dimino, Gina Wynbrandt, Kris Mukai, and Anna Sellheim all create comics that take their everyday life experiences and transmute them into stories that tell you the truth. Whether it's an autobio comic, a journal comic, or even a fantastical work of fiction, each story encompasses its creator's version of narrative truth. Moderated by Rob Clough of High-Low.

SPX 2016 Panel - All Ages Graphic Noveling

Oct 14, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnjPIU-dbXc

These graphic novelists are writing and illustrating comics that appeal to kids, teens, and adults alike. Rebecca Mock (Compass South), Jeffrey Brown (Star Wars Jedi Academy), and Faith Erin Hicks (The Nameless City) tell us the secret to engaging readers of all ages! Moderated by Heidi MacDonald of The Beat.

SPX 2016 Panel - Comics Carousel

Oct 18, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6zjTXSCnkA

R. Sikoryak brings the Comics Carousel (a wild ride of live performances and readings from comics greats) to amaze and excite everyone's senses! This long-running performance series brings together a once in a lifetime, all star lineup of Sophie Goldstein, Pascal Girard, Jeffrey Brown, Roger Langridge, and Andrea Tsurumi to make comics magic happen on stage and in person!

SPX 2016 Panel - 40 Years of Fantagraphics

Oct 13, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWG3VBB5Kuk

2016 marks 40 years since a group of renegade comics fans came up with the idea that comics could be "art" and planted the seeds of what was to become Fantagraphics Books. This SPX Panel looks back at four decades of groundbreaking work by Fantagraphics and talks to some of the people who were there as it helped transform an artistic medium and change the way comics are viewed by the general public. The panel has Fantagraphics Founder/Publisher Gary Groth and Associate Publisher Eric Reynolds, along with long-time Fanta creators Daniel Clowes, Joe Sacco, Jaime & Gilbert Hernandez, Carol Tyler, Jim Woodring, Drew Friedman and Trina Robbins. The moderator for this once-in-a-lifetime panel is John Kelly, long-time contributor to The Comics Journal and Vice President of the Toonseum.

SPX 2016 Panel - Fantagraphics Next Wave

Oct 19, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzxjYShp8Sk

As 40 amazing years of work by Fantagraphics artists is celebrated it's also a time to examine who its new voices are. This panel, with a line up of some of the hardest working cartoonists in the world—Anya Davidson, Benjamin Marra, Noah Van Sciver, Simon Hanselmann, Julia Gfrorer—looks at where Fantagraphics is today and where it's going tomorrow. Moderated by Bill Boichel.

SPX 2016 Panel - You Can't Not Make Comics

Oct 20, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf6LAEhhyDU

What is it about comics that makes us fall in love with them? Whatever elusive quality it is, these artists have made room in their incredibly creative and diverse lives for making comics that make us feel things. Aimee de Jongh, Cathy G. Johnson and Eleanor Davis speak to building lives and careers while answering the call of comics creation. Moderated by Ron Wimberly.

SPX 2016 Panel - American Magical Girls

Oct 20, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIDuuaS2nts

Magical girls are some of the most enduring and beloved characters from Japanese Manga. For everyone who knows they're secretly Magic, creators Wendy Xu, Veronica Agarwal, Shauna Grant, and Carey Pietsch talk about the new American magical girls they've created in their comics. Wands and tiaras optional! Moderated by Jade F. Lee.

SPX 2016 Panel - Spotlight on Trina Robbins

Oct 15, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCa7cdjkuQQ

One of the very few female artists involved in the early days of Underground Comics, Trina Robbins has been a key member of the small press and alternative comics worlds for generations. A writer, artist, editor and historian, Trina's latest work is The Complete Wimmen's Comix, a two-volume collection of her groundbreaking anthology of the same name. She is joined by The Beat's Heidi MacDonald for this in-depth discussion of her long career.

SPX 2016 Panel - Music & Comics

Oct 16, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZH98KBhwkA

The worlds of Punk and Hip-Hop, the music that cartoonists Jaime Hernandez (Punk) and Ed Piskor (Hip Hop) grew up listening to as kids, has arguably made as big an impact on the aesthetics of their work as did the comics they grew up reading. The artists discuss how their love for the (at times) marginalized musical cultures helped inform their art. Moderated by The ToonSeum's John Kelly.

20th Annual IGNATZ AWARDS Ceremony at SPX 2016

Oct 5, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20v7Uq0y0RA

Festival prize of the Small Press Expo the Ignatz Awards recognize outstanding achievements in comics and cartooning by small press creators or creator owned projects published by larger publishers and named in honor of George Herriman and his cartoon strip Krazy Kat which featured Ignatz the mouse.

SPX 2016 Panel - The Funny Pages: Evoking Laughter Through Comics

Oct 7, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLKjjZtdSvo

The words "comics" and "comedy" both trace their roots back to the same Ancient Greek term for "humorous," and "funny stuff" has been a major part of comics since its earliest days. In this panel discussion, three internationally-based creators of the comedic comics form—Glen Baxter, Roger Langridge and Tom Gauld—talk about what makes things "funny." The panel is moderated by Michael Cavna, the comics journalist and critic behind the Washington Post's popular web site, Comic Riffs.

"End is Near," says David Hagen

David Hagen, a longtime local cartoonist and painter, is pulling up stakes to move to Massachusetts, sometime in November.

David's been a quietly supportive member of the local arts scene for years, especially Artisphere, and did ComicsDC's logo out of the blue for us. Although retired from Georgetown University, David plans to set up a studio and continue painting while living off his wife's salary.

Kilgore Books publishing is now based in DC

Jared Smith of Big Planet Comics (which also publishes comics) put a picture on Facebook which led me to this link about Dan Stafford who is publishing comics in DC now. Their new comic is apparently Blammo #9.

Danger. Chris Danger

Today's Express has two illustrations by Chris Danger. Intrigued by his cartoon style, I went to his website and see that he's worked as an animator and now teaches in DC.

I'll be looking for his work in the future.

SPX 2016 Panel - Richard Thompson: A Celebration of His Life and Art

Oct 16, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9KvGvp0E2c

Richard Thompson (1957-2016)—one of his generation's greatest cartoonists and caricaturists—was beloved by readers and fellow artists alike. Pat Oliphant called him "Michelangelo with a sense of humor," and Bill Watterson, who had not said anything publicly in almost 20 years, sent out a note crediting Thompson with "giving me a reason to read the comics again." A short documentary celebrating Thompson's art and generous spirit is followed by a conversation among Thompson's long-time intimates—his close friend and fellow cartoonist Nick Galifianakis, Shena Wolf, who is the Uclick acquisitions editor and was Richard's editor on Cul De Sac, as well as friend and art historian David Apatoff—concluding with questions and reflections from the audience. Moderated by publisher (Lost Art Books) and editor of the forthcoming Richard Thompson Library series, Joseph Procopio.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Comic Riffs talks to Babs Tar and The Simpsons

She turned Batgirl into a hipster. Now she wants to create more comics about rebellious women.

By David Betancourt
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 18 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/10/18/she-turned-batgirl-into-a-hipster-now-she-wants-to-create-more-comics-about-rebellious-women/

When will 'The Simpsons' end? One producer says, 'Never.'

By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog October 18 2016
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/10/18/when-will-the-simpsons-end-one-producer-says-never/

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Nov 7: Black creators and characters in comic books at Library of Congress

Hillary vs Trump Cartoon Debate

November 4, 2016 Friday 8:00 PM $20 Buy
The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown
Washington, DC
3100 South Street NW

ART SOIREE PRESENTS: ANNUAL POLITICAL CARTOON EXHIBIT "HILLARY VS TRUMP CARTOON DEBATE"

Get the latest overview of the presidential candidates and insight into the hottest debate topics through the artistic commentary by most renowned editorial cartoonists at the Annual Political Cartoons Show curated by Art Soiree and benefiting Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI).

TICKETS: $20 online only – https://cartoonexhibit.eventbrite.com

Explore the cartoons on display, meet some of the artists behind the artwork and get a chance to purchase a signed print* during this one night exhibit!

Editorial cartoons are unlike any other form of commentary. For over 500 years the art of political cartoons has been used to convey social and political messages through the use of images familiar to all of the people in a society.

*For the third year in a row this event will benefit CARTOONISTS RIGHTS NETWORK INTERNATIONAL (CRNI). 100% of all sold prints will go directly to CRNI a 501(c)3 non-profit. CRNI defends the creative freedom and human rights of political cartoonists under threat throughout the world. cartoonistsrights.org

ATTIRE: Cocktail or Business Casual

As for any other event tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled.

Art Soiree has no political affiliation, endorses no political party, accepts no funds from governments or any political party. It's not about political ideologies, nor party lines. This exhibit is not left, It's not right. It's a creative take on the issues of the time and essense.