Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Press Release: Artomatic 2017 Registration Opens

You don't want to miss this.

For Immediate Release: February 28, 2017

Contact:

Artomatic: Veronica Szalus, veronica.szalus@artomatic.org, 703-371-8475

Crystal City BID: Angela Fox, afox@crystalcity.org, 703-412- 9430

Artomatic Artist Registration Now Open

CRYSTAL CITY, VA — Registration is now open for artists and performers to display work at Artomatic 2017, the DC area's biggest free arts event, being held from March 24th through May 6th in Crystal City at Vornado/Charles E. Smith's 1800 South Bell Street building, Arlington, VA. Artists, performers, filmmakers, and creatives of all types may now register to participate in Artomatic at www.artomatic.org.

Anyone can participate in Artomatic - Artomatic events are unjuried and inclusive, allowing exhibition, presentation and publication opportunities for local artists, poets, writers and performers to display and perform their work.

There are no criteria to register, and space is allocated on a first-come, first serve basis. On the heels of the successful Artomatic Park Potomac 2016 in Potomac, MD last Fall, Artomatic Crystal City expects to attract thousands of visitors to see work by hundreds of artists and performers.

Artomatic is well known for hosting signature events in temporary spaces that enable the arts community, its supporters and community stakeholders to connect – all free to visit.

Every night of the event, thousands of people visit Artomatic to discover new art, listen to music, go on dates, grab a drink, and mingle with the creative community. Artomatic features dozens of daytime art workshops for kids and adults. No matter what kind of creative events you enjoy, you'll find something to like at Artomatic.

"Were very excited about this years show but more excited for the artists and performers who will have the opportunity to display their art," says Jennifer Williamson, Artomatic's President. "The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) once again will provide a setting to up-and-coming and veteran artists to present their artistic vision to the community. We are eager to welcome visitors through the doors on March 24."

Visitors will enjoy easy access to Artomatic, just one block from the Crystal City METRO Station on Yellow and Blue lines, with plenty of parking and bus lines nearby, great food and drinks at the event, and many wonderful restaurants throughout the neighborhood.

Artomatic 2017 is also connected, via the interior concourse of Crystal City, to Art Underground, a vibrant arts and cultural destination.

For the latest information about the event, how to participate, and when to visit, subscribe to Artomatic by signing up for our mailing list, Facebook, or Twitter, and check the Artomatic website for updates.

What: Artomatic 2017, an arts spectacular in the heart of Crystal City

When: Register NOW for the event Friday, March 24 – Saturday, May 6, 2017

Where: 1800 S. Bell Street

Arlington, VA 22202

METRO: Blue and Yellow lines to Crystal City

Crystal Drive between 18th and 20th Streets.

Who: Artists and everyone. This event is free to visit.

Website: Artomatic.org

Social Media: Facebook: Facebook.com/Artomatic

Twitter: @ARTOMATIC

Artist Questions: For information about exhibiting art at Artomatic, visit:

http://www.artomatic.org/2017info/

Media Questions: Members of the media who have questions should contact Veronica Szalus of Artomatic at veronica.szalus@artomatic.org; 703.371.8475

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Auction of first part of John Fantucchio's collection closes tonight

John is survived by his wife Mary, of Arlington who is consigning these.

Closing Today: A Truly Amazing Spider-Man Run!

Among the Featured Auction lots that start closing this evening at 8pm Eastern/5pm Pacific is one of the best groupings of Spider-Man comic books to ever surface within in a single auction. The selection is led by an rare Near Mint range example of Amazing Fantasy #15 (1st Spider-Man) CBCS 9.0, a strong CGC 7.5 of the same important issue, and examples from a recently coined Silver Age pedigree collection featuring Amazing Spider-Man #1 (CGC 9.0) to #52 as well as Annual #1 (and don't forget the rare Strange Tales Annual #2 in CGC 9.4 closing on a subsequent evening).

The headliner is the exceptional Amazing Fantasy #15 example you see to your left. Certified by CBCS at the VFNM 9.0 tier – it's got an unusually fresh look from front to back, even for a 9.0!

This auction offers our bidders first shot at Amazing Spider-Man #1-#52 (plus ASM Annual #1 and Strange Tales Annual #2) from the newly coined John G. Fantucchio Collection--a CGC recognized "pedigree" collection stretching back to the early Silver Age. When these were removed from the estate late last year, it was the first time, figuratively speaking, that they had seen the light of day since they were acquired off of the newsstand 50+ years ago! These high-grade books have striking visual appeal, newsstand-fresh colors and nearly all of them still have white interior page preservation. View Collection Lots

Dana Maier on a year of drawing for Go Comics

What I Learned Drawing a Bi-Weekly Comic for a Little Over a Year

by Dana Jeri Maier
February 27, 2017
http://www.danajerimaier.com/writing/what-i-learned-drawing-a-bi-weekly-comic-for-a-little-over-a-year

Jonathan Luna has a new series coming out

Jonathan Luna has a new series coming out, again with artist Sarah Vaughn. Details on Eternal Empire are here - http://smashpages.net/2017/02/16/luna-vaughn-build-an-eternal-empire-at-image/

April 1-2: Shrek on Ice show in Laurel, MD

Shrek on Ice!

April 1 – April 2

Apr 1 at 12 PM to Apr 2 at 3 PM

The Gardens Ice House

13800 Old Gunpowder Rd, West Laurel, Maryland 20707

Details

Shrek On Ice! Presented by the Gardens Figure Skating Club of Laurel, MD on April 1 and 2, show times at 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. both days. Please see flyer in the commnets for ticket information.

Monday, February 27, 2017

Nice John Fantucchio piece

Online here - http://thebristolboard.tumblr.com/post/157498797313/original-cover-illustration-by-john-fantucchio

Thomas Nast cartooned on Georgetown's elections

From yesterday's Washington Post -

When the District led the way on voting rights

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/when-the-district-broke-a-ballot-barrier/2017/02/24/4561bd2e-f887-11e6-be05-1a3817ac21a5_story.html

Michigan State University Libraries Remote Storage Facility

[There's a "Mike Rhode" collection of comics material in there somewhere...]

Michigan State University Libraries Remote Storage Facility.

Ryan Claytor

Feb 16, 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjkLI-5n1MI

A tour of the Michigan State University Libraries Remote Storage Facility Special Collections comics shelves. MSU Special Collections Comics Bibliographer guides the tour and Ryan Claytor films and narrates. Video taken on Feb 16th, 2017

Ruben Bolling's blogs on winning the Herblock Award

HERBLOCK PRIZE

by Ruben Bolling

Tom the Dancing Bug blog February 26, 2017

http://gocomics.typepad.com/tomthedancingbugblog/2017/02/herblock-prize.html

Friday, February 24, 2017

Darrin Bell returns to DC

Darrin Bell accepts the Berryman Award for Editorial Cartoons

His reflections on visiting DC - http://darrinbell.com/2017/02/23/darrin-bell-accepts-berryman-award-editorial-cartoons/

A video of his remarks -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4NHisvYdRA

Ann Telnaes also cartoons for The Nib

See them here - https://thenib.com/ann-telnaes

The Post reviews Rock Dog

Animated 'Rock Dog' obeys every last command of a movie-by-committee [in print as Obeys every command of a formulaic kids' tale]

By Jane Horwitz
Washington Post February 24 2017, p. Weekend 30.

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/animated-rock-dog-obeys-every-last-command-of-a-movie-by-committee/2017/02/23/0a8a5504-f84a-11e6-be05-1a3817ac21a5_story.html

Katsucon in Photos

Katsucon in Photos
by Gemstone's Assistant Editor Carrie Wood.

Scoop February 24 2017
http://scoop.previewsworld.com/Home/4/1/73/1018?ArticleID=190721

Katsucon returned once again to the picturesque Gaylord National Harbor Resort in Oxon Hill, Maryland, for another weekend of anime, manga, video games, and of course cosplay. Anime fans from around the country packed the resort hotel and convention center from February 17-19, 2017, with many cosplayers bringing out their best work for the event.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

How one school created its annual Graphic Novelists Workshop

by Matt Dembicki

Powhatan School in Boyce, Va., will host its 4th Graphic Novelists Workshop on Friday, March 3, from 12:30 to 4:30 pm. The workshop costs $25 per participant and is open to all students in grades 3rd through high school are invited to attend. Participating students will attend sessions with each of the presenting graphic novelists and have the opportunity to use what they have learned to create their own graphic novelette. Registration for the workshop is online at www.PowhatanLibraryOnline.com

Presenting graphic novelists include Hobbes Holluck, Carolyn Belefski and Art Hondros.

Below, we chatted with Tracie Chloel Lane, library media specialist at Powhatan, who has spearheaded the annual workshop.

How did the idea for these comics workshops originate?

Several years ago, one of my students came across Trickster, and bought a copy for our library. The donation was quickly followed with a “Ms. Lane, you should get this guy to come visit our school.” Engaging my investigative skills, I logged into Facebook, and typed Matt Dembicki into the search feature, thus beginning my side job stalking graphic novelists and authors so I could lure them to our school. The resulting author visit ignited our students. Our graphic novel collection was born. And an idea formed. The following year, we invited Matt back and asked him to bring a couple friends. It was our first Graphic Novelist Workshop @ Powhatan School.

Tracie Chloel Lane

The workshop format is really great for the participants. Author visits are wonderful. They give students the opportunity to meet and learn about the authors of the books they read and love. A workshop takes that visit to a deeper level. It gives young people the opportunity to learn from people who are writing the stories that feed their brains and fires up their imaginations. The workshop gives them the opportunity to see themselves as the writer, the illustrator, the creator of books. It demystifies the experience of having a byline on the cover of a book. It gives our children and teens the opportunity to see themselves in that role.

Our Graphic Novelist Workshops spawned our writing workshops that take place in the fall.

What’s been the reaction among the students, teachers, parents?

This is the fourth year we have hosted the Graphic Novelist workshop at Powhatan School. Every year, we have more students and alumni coming than the year before. Several of our students have produced their own graphic novels. One of our young novelists has gone on to sell his work and another is heading off to Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall to study Communication Arts. Our parents and teachers love anything that gets kids reading more, writing more, and enthusiastic about the process.

You always look for ways to add a new spin to the program. Can you briefly outline what you’ve done in the past and your ideas for the upcoming program in March?

Art by Carolyn Belefski

Our base group of participants come every year. A new spin on the workshop is essential. Our participants want to build on the skills and knowledge they’ve gained. We host different novelists each year. The novelists are active participants in determining what skill will be shared and how it will be taught. We coordinate this through a private Facebook group that gives current and previous presenting novelists and editors the opportunity to communicate ideas and experiences with each other. That helps mix things up a bit.

This year, I want to take it a step farther. I want to publish a collection of the works of the children and teens that participate in the workshop. To facilitate this goal, we’ve invited a former editor of the Magic Bullet to participate this year.

If other teachers and librarians might be interested in adapted a similar program at their school or library, what advice would you give them on how to get started?

First, they need a Matt. Matt helps me find the up-and-coming (and already there) graphic novelists and editors that I invite to our workshop each year. Visit another graphic novelist workshop. Our program is open to our students and the community at large. Visiting teachers and librarians are welcome at our Workshop (though I may put them to work).

What has been the most challenging part of the program?

Art by Hobbes Hillock

Funding. For the first three years we offered the workshop free or with a small fee for expenses. This year, funding has made it necessary to charge a $25 registration fee to cover the costs.

Dick Bruna's obituary in The Post

Dick Bruna, illustrator who delighted young readers with Miffy the white rabbit, dies at 89 [in print as Dick Bruna, 89; tales of Miffy the bunny sold millions of copies].

By Emily Langer
Washington Post February 23 2017, p. B6.

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/dick-bruna-illustrator-who-delighted-young-readers-with-miffy-the-white-rabbit-dies-at-89/2017/02/21/bbf35c8a-f84c-11e6-9845-576c69081518_story.html

New interview with Jason Rodriguez on Colonial Comics

History, Comics, and Representation: An Interview with Jason Rodriguez

Sami Yuhas

Comics in the Classroom blog February 23 2017

https://www.comicsintheclassroom.org/2017/02/23/colonial-comics-interview-jason-rodriguez/

Orsini on Cosmunity

Cosmunity Wants To Be Your Full-Time Digital Comic Con

Lauren Orsini

Forbes.com Feb 21, 2017

http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurenorsini/2017/02/21/cosmunity-wants-to-be-your-full-time-digital-comic-con/#29cce8914c4d

Herblock prize awarded to Ruben Bolling

'Tom the Dancing Bug' creator wins 2017 Herblock Prize for his original spoofs of Donald Trump

By Michael Cavna

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog February 23 2017

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/02/23/tom-the-dancing-bug-creator-wins-2017-herblock-prize-for-his-original-spoofs-of-donald-trump/

Local writer Ted White needs financial help

Local writer Ted White of Falls Church, VA needs financial help. He's got a GoFundMe campaign up to pay his taxes on his house at https://www.gofundme.com/44r62-save-my-house

Regarding comics, he edited Heavy Metal and wrote a Captain America novel.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

International Journal of Comic Art 18-2 Fall / Winter 2016 is out

See http://www.ijoca.com for ordering details. On a personal note, I have a remembrance of my friend Richard Thompson in it.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMIC ART

Vol. 18, No. 2 Fall/Winter 2016

Pioneers in Comic Art Scholarship

My Drifting Manga Life

Frederik L. Schodt

Pioneers in Comic Art Scholarship

I Am Just a Comic Book Reader Who Became Curious ...

Waldomiro Vergueiro

Heroism Reversed: Graphic Novels About the Great War

Sylvain Rheault

A Collaborative Journey: Malcolm Whyte, Troubador Press, and the Cartoon Art Museum, San Francisco

Kim Munson

How the French Kickstarted the Acceptance of Comics as an Art Form in the US: the Books and Exhibitions of Maurice Horn

Kim Munson

Ill

A Brief History of the Translation of American Comic Strips in Pre-World War II Japan and the Origins of Contemporary Narrative Manga

Eike Exner

156

Gene Luen Yang's Graphic Bi-Bye to China/town

Sheng-Mei Ma

175

From Phylacteries to Balloons: Consequences of Epistemological Evolution in Pictorial Representation of Discourse Support

Fabio Mourilhe

196

Food in Post-Soviet Russian Comics

Jose Alaniz

216

The Influence of Cartoon and Animation for the Elaboration of Visual Art in the Electronic Dance Music Genre

Citlaly Aguilar Campos

234

Hippies, Rogues, and Urban Losers: Subjects of the Indian Graphic Novel

Preeti Singh

258

Graphic Adaptations of Pride and Prejudice: Pastiche, Parody, and Intertextuality

Kirsten Mollegaard

280

Comics Journalism: An Interview with Josh Neufeld

Dominic Davies

299

Poetics of Sound and Death: The Function of Nature and Effects in Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service

Kay K. Clopton

318

I Will Not Bow: Analysis of the Feminine Refusal of Hegel's Master-Slave Dialectic in Jnuyasha

Robyn Johnson

337

An Interview with English Comic Book Artist Arthur Ranson

Jeffery KJaehn

354

Remembering Her 50 Years in Japanese Girls' and Ladies' Comics: An Interview with Chikae Ide

Kinko Ito

367

The Neurotic Gaze: Jules Feiffer Seen Through a Feminist Lens

Amadeo Gandolfo

384

Violence Representation in Horror Comic Books

Edilaine Correa

403

Remembering Richard Thompson (1957-2016)

Mike Rhode

417

How Realism is Shaping Korean Webtoons

Alyssa Kim

421

"YES SIR!" 50 Years of Nationalism and the lndo-Pak War in Narayan Debnath's Bnatul the Great

Sourav Chatterjee

434

Fiction, Transmedia Storytelling, and Cartoons: The Life and Death of Re Bordosa

Luiza Lusvarghi

453

How a Shojo (a Japanese Girl) Transcends National Borders Through an Incestuous Body: Shojo Manga from the 1970s to the 2000s

Fusami Ogi

463

An Interview with Comic Book Artist Paul Gulacy