Sunday, April 29, 2018

Another view of Apu from the Simpsons in The Post

To many Indian Americans, Apu is offensive. To me, he's my dad. [in print as On TV, Apu is a stereotype. In reality, he's a lot like my dad.]

I know there's more to the story of an immigrant working at the gas station than what "The Simpsons" shows.


That darn Doonesbury - letter to the editor

'Classic Doonesbury' is out of date and out of touch [in print as Not 'classic,' just dated].

Dennis A. Coyle, Arlington

Washington Post April 28 2018, p. A15

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/classic-doonesbury-is-out-of-date-and-out-of-touch/2018/04/27/edc8015a-482f-11e8-8082-105a446d19b8_story.html


The Post's history of the MCU

Everything that's happened leading up to 'Avengers: Infinity War'[edited version in print as A Marvel-ous recap, April 29, 2018, p. E6-7]

Don't have time to rewatch all 18 previous movies? No problem.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/entertainment/avengers-infinity-war-mcu-timeline

Orion Zangara library tour in NoVa in May


Orion Zangara has a library tour for his new graphic novel, Sanctuary: The Stone Man Mysteries, Book Two. It is written by the New York Times best selling author Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple and published by The Lerner Publishing Group. We'll be doing another interview with him soon.

Orion Zangara
Illustrator and Comic Book Artist
E-mail:     orionzangara@gmail.com
Website:  
http://www.orionzangara.com
Facebook "Like" Page: Link
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deviantArt: Link
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Youtube: Link


Friday, April 27, 2018

Glen Weldon reviews Avengers

Avengers: Infinity War.

Holmes, Linda et al. 2018.
Avengers: Infinity War.
NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour (439; April 27):

Last 12 hours for Big Planet Comic's publication Kickstarter.

From Jared Smith:

ok! We only have 12 hours left... this will end at midnight EST... so if any of you have any extra money you found in your couch, we could really use it! Again, I'd like to point out that we are doing 50% off the cover price if you get all 12 books this year, so if you've pledged to get only 1 or 2 it isn't much more money to get a whole bunch of graphic novels. I know money is tight for a lot of people (myself included!) but I'm really excited about all these graphic novels, and really believe in these artists' visions.


https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/retrofitcomics/retrofit-comics-2018-12-new-graphic-novels

May 11: Animezing!: Ocean Waves



Come to the JICC to enjoy a FREE animated Japanese film!
Come to the JICC to enjoy a FREE animated Japanese film!
JICC Logo
Animezing!: Ocean Waves
Animezing!: Ocean Waves
Taku and his best friend Yutaka are headed back to school for what looks like another uneventful year. But they soon find their friendship tested by the arrival of Rikako, a beautiful new transfer student from Tokyo whose attitude vacillates wildly from flirty and flippant to melancholic. When Taku joins Rikako on a trip to Tokyo, the school erupts with rumors, and the three friends are forced to come to terms with their changing relationships.
Ocean Waves was the first Studio Ghibli film directed by someone other than studio founders Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, as director Tomomi Mochizuki led a talented staff of younger employees in an adaptation of Saeko Himuro's best-selling novel. Full of shots bathed in a palette of pleasingly soft pastel colors and rich in the unexpected visual details typical of Studio Ghibli's most revered works, Ocean Waves is an accomplished teenage drama and a true discovery.
In Japanese with English subtitles | Rated PG-13 | 72 min | 1993 | Directed by Tomomi Mochizuki
Registration required
You are invited to
Friday, May 11th, 2018
from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM (EDT)
Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Event venue map
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
In the event of a cancellation, please contact us at jicc@ws.mofa.go.jp.

Program begins at 6:30PM.
Doors open 30 minutes before the program. No admittance after 7:00PM or once seating is full.

Registered guests will be seated on a first come, first served basis. Please note that seating is limited and registration does not guarantee a seat.

The JICC reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by JICC without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video.
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© 1981-2018 Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan






May 17: Emily Flake at AFI

DON'T BREAK DOWN: A FILM ABOUT JAWBREAKER

https://silver.afi.com/Browsing/Movies/Details/m-0100001922

Post-screening panel discussion with co-producer Dan Didier, Washington Post pop music critic Chris Richards, New Yorker cartoonist Emily Flake and Jawbox frontman J. Robbins, moderated by John Davis, UMD Performing Arts Metadata Archivist

In 2007, 11 years after one of the most influential American punk bands, Jawbreaker, called it quits, the three members, Blake Schwarzenbach, Chris Bauermeister and Adam Pfahler, reconnected in a San Francisco recording studio to listen back to their albums, reminisce and even perform together. This documentary follows the band as they retell their rags-to-riches-to-rags story and writhe with inner band turmoil, health issues and the aftermath of signing to a major label. Featuring interviews with Billie Joe Armstrong, Steve Albini, Jessica Hopper, Graham Elliot, Chris Shiflett, Josh Caterer and more. (Note courtesy of Rocket Fuel Films.) DIR/SCR Tim Irwin; DIR/PROD Keith Schieron. U.S., 2017, color, 77 min. NOT RATED

AFI Member passes accepted.

77 Minutes
Documentary - music
Thursday, May 17, 2018 7:30 pm

The Post on Avengers: Infinity War

This is only a partial list... this search will give you 126 hits.

Character counts: How 'Avengers: Infinity War' succeeds [in print as United we stand: Our loved ones go off to 'War']


Express April 27 2018, p. 28.
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2018/04/27/character-counts-how-avengers-infinity-war-succeeds/


'Infinity War' caps a decade of success for Marvel Studios [in print as Marvel's 'grand experiment']


Express April 27 2018, p. 29
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/infinity-war-caps-a-decade-of-success-for-marvel-studios/2018/04/24/b4b9b2c4-47e8-11e8-8082-105a446d19b8_story.html

'Avengers: Infinity War' is stunningly dark. But it's still wildly entertaining. [in print as This Universe is built on dark matters].


Washington Post April 27 2018, p. Weekend 14-15
online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/avengers-infinity-war-is-stunningly-dark-but-its-still-wildly-entertaining/2018/04/24/6de7aefc-4291-11e8-ad8f-27a8c409298b_story.html


Marvel's movies are more like TV shows. 'Avengers: Infinity War' is its first season finale.


Washington Post
Act Four blog April 26 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2018/04/26/marvels-movies-are-more-like-tv-shows-avengers-infinity-war-is-its-first-season-final/


Are movies like 'Avengers: Infinity War' worth taking seriously?


Washington Post Act Four blog April 25 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/act-four/wp/2018/04/25/are-movies-like-avengers-infinity-war-worth-taking-seriously/

A look at how Marvel Studios built a box-office juggernaut

 
April 24 2018
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/a-look-at-how-marvel-studios-built-a-box-office-juggernaut/2018/04/24/8a5a635e-47e6-11e8-8082-105a446d19b8_story.html

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Schoolhouse Rocker Bob Dorough's obituary

Bob Dorough, who set numbers and grammar to music in 'Schoolhouse Rock!,' dies at 94 [in print as Bob Dorough, 94; Composed magic numbers for kids]



Washington Post April 25 2018

April 28: Independent Book Store Day at Politics and Prose

Saturday, April 28, 2018 - 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Independent Bookstore Day 2018

Independent Bookstore Day is back, and you're all invited! Join P&P on Connecticut Avenue for a national day of indie celebration, and be part of the growing movement to shop local. Author events are taking place throughout the day, including Rebecca Kauffman and Mira T. Lee at 1 p.m., Joseph Rosenbloom in conversation with Corby Kummer at 3:30 p.m., and Jen Sincero at 6 p.m. Head down to our coffeehouse, The Den, for delicious baked treats. One day only, get five free digital audiobooks through our partners at Libro.fm. Visit our audiobook storefront to find out more. Below, book lovers can see some of the the exclusive, collectible IBD merchandise only available from April 28. While supplies last, purchase any IBD item to get a special edition of Rainbow Rowell's Kindred Spirits free. Between us, why not say our store tagline to a bookseller, "So Many Books, So Little Time." You never know, you might even get a present…


Redlands, Vol. 1 Signed Special Edition with Exclusive Cover, $9.99

A feminist comic by female creators! A mysterious and bloodthirsty matriarchal force runs the town of Redlands, Florida, and in order to stay on top, sacrifices must be made. Inspire by the strange complexitites of real-world politics and crime, the characters of Redlands play victim and villain, attempting to understand themseves and others through murder, magic, and mayhem. This special edition will have an exclusive cover and be signed by both the author, Jordie Bellaire, and the illustrator, Venesa R. Del Rey.


Be Prepared: SignedReading Survival Print, $10

In her forthcoming graphic novel Be Prepared, Vera Brosgol tells a witty, heartfelt story of (barely) surviving Russian summer camp. In her exclusive, original print, she illustrates how reading and books can get you through a long, hot summer full of threats and turmoil (watch out for those paper cuts).


City Paper doesn't like Avengers movie

Avengers Assemble In the Dreary Infinity War

The overstuffed film is a disservice to its characters.

Apr 25, 2018
https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/film-tv/blog/21002401/avengers-assemble-in-the-dreary-infinity-war

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Satire to be Served Neat and Straight Up at Artley's Cartoon Talk May 9



Co-sponsored by SPJ-DC, ASJA and our hosts, the Institute on Political Journalism. Light refreshments will be served.

About this Event

"I am a seasoned professional political cartoonist obstinately entrenched in the traditional school of single-panel, cross-hatching renderers who use symbols, hyperbole and metaphor along with a high dose of satire to issue a succinct political statement — a heavily biased, one-sided, grossly unfair, flagrantly distorted, myopic statement on current affairs."
The pen is mightier than the sword, especially in the hands of a skillful political cartoonist, such as Steve Artley. Based in Alexandria, VA, he skewers the foibles of the world with his bold and powerful strokes.
Join Artley as he gives you a glimpse behind the artist’s pen, presents a primer on creative inspiration, artistic development and technical production of an editorial cartoon. See how historical events were lampooned over the years through this most uniquely specialized lens of political commentary. You’ll see the components that make an editorial cartoon successful along with the pitfalls. Also covered are how the changes in news media has affected editorial cartooning and what the future holds for this distinctive journalistic medium.
Artley’s editorial work has appeared in nearly every major newspaper and magazine throughout the United States and Canada including The Washington Post, the New York Times, TIME Magazine, and Newsweek — with his syndicated distribution worldwide. Twice earning the “Best Editorial Cartoonist of the Year” award from the Minnesota Newspaper Association, Artley received First Place six times in the annual Virginia Press Association News Contests. He is a member of both the National Cartoonists Society and the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, where he served on the Board in 2016.
A highlight for the evening will be a drawing for an original cartoon, donated by the artist.
This program is co-sponsored by the D.C. chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, the American Society of Journalists and Authors and our host, the Institute on Political Journalism. Light refreshments will be provided.
DATE and TIME:
Wed, May 9, 2018
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM EDT

LOCATION:
The Fund for American Studies
1706 New Hampshire Ave., NW
(Dupont Circle Metro station)
Washington, DC 20009

TCJ interviews Jared Smith of Big Planet Comics without ever actually naming him...

For the record, Jared is the... third person to buy into the chain founded by Joel Pollack in 1986, and iirc, bought into the stores in Vienna, VA and Georgetown with Greg Bennett. The Georgetown store moved to U Street, Greg went in with Joel on the Bethesda store, and doesn't own parts of the other two any more, and Jared and Peter Casazza own the College Park store. (Peter promised me an interview about his career when we saw each other last month prior to Awesome Con).

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Monday, April 23, 2018

Baltimore Sun on collapse of next weekend's Fancon and replacement pop-up con

Universal FanCon abruptly postponed, a week before planned debut in Baltimore, organizers say

Talia Richman Baltimore Sun April 21 2018

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bs-md-ci-fancon-postponed-20180421-story.html

After Universal FanCon abruptly postponed, community members rally to host Baltimore pop-up convention

Brittany Britto
Baltimore Sun
April 23 2018
http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/baltimore-insider-blog/bs-fe-wicomicon-event-hosted-in-place-of-postponed-universal-fan-con-20180423-story.html

Cavna wins award from Society of Professional Journalists

Audio Slide Show

For Art's Sake: The Newspaper My Father Gave Me
Michael Cavna and Tom Racine, The Washington Post

Sigma Delta Chi Awards - Society of Professional Journalists -

https://www.spj.org/sdxa17.asp


April 29: Baltimore Comic-Con Spring Fling

Baltimore Comic-Con Spring Fling

The Baltimore Comic-Con would like to thank all of our fans and attendees for making the first annual Baltimore Comic-Con Spring Fling a huge success. We had a great turnout, our vendors and guests had a great day!


What is a Spring Fling? If you were with us for our first show back in 2000, you'll have a pretty good idea of what to expect. This will be a good old fashioned comic book show: rows and rows of comic book dealers from 6-8 states around the country with comics and collectibles from the ancient to the very modern…and we're bringing in a few guests as well!

Save the date for the next Baltimore Comic-Con Spring Fling!

When: Sunday April 29, 2018. 10am-5pm
Where: BWI Airport Marriott, 1743 West Nursery Road, Linthicum, MD 20190
How much: FREE!

Guests announced so far:

  • Marty Baumann, Frank Cho,Steve Conley, John Gallagher, Tom King, Mark Morales