Deaths in the comic arts field in 2019

(updates marked  with a *)

Deaths in 2019 (with thanks to DD Degg of the Daily Cartoonist) included Gerry Alanguilan, *animation voice actor Patricia Alice Albrecht, CrossGen founder Mark Alessi, Syrian political cartoonist Wahib al-Husseini, comics scholar Donald Ault, animation voice actor Robert Axelrod, Ken Bald, French cartoonist Alex Barbier, comics lawyer and editor Mitch Berger, stop-motion animator Bruce Bickford, co-owner of Dragon's Comics & Fantasy - San Antonio Cliff Bland, William F. Brown, Scottish cartoonist Russell Campbell, Ernie Colón, Journal-Advocate political cartoonist Robert Cope, Howard Cruse, Sudhir Dar, Rockford Register Star editorial cartoonist Coila Davis, editorial cartoonist Marian Del Vecchio, letterer Ellie DeVille, religious cartoonist Doug Dillard, tv animation writer Larry Ditillio, Steve DuQuette, Texas A&M's student newspaper cartoonist Jim Earle, comics gag writer Harold Emery, gag cartoonist James Estes, gag cartoonist Dana Fradon,  TV cartoonist 'Sailor Bob' Griggs, Canadian cancer cartoonist Teva Harrison, Pluggers contributor Reed Hoover, Larry Hubbell (aka Harry Lyrico), James Hudnall, animation voice Arte Johnson, Daniel Johnston, Nurit Karlin, Kazuhiko Katō (aka Monkey Punch), Ottawa Citizen editorial cartoonist Rusins Kaufmanis, Korean cartoonist Kim Sung-whan, Everett Raymond Kinstler, animator/gag cartoonist Stuart J. Knickerbocker, *Indonesian cartoonist Dwi Koendoro, Kazuo Koike, The Realist publisher Paul Krassner, 34 of Kyoto Animation's employees; including anime director Yasuhiro Takemoto, animation director Futoshi Nishiya, animator Yoshiji Kigami, Junichi Uda, Yuki Omura, Yuka Kasama, Ami Kuriki, Sachie Tsuda, Keisuke Yokota, and Mikiko Watanabe; editorial cartoonist Mike Lane, gag cartoonist Joe Lanier, Batton Lash, Canadian political cartoonist John Latham, animation voice actor Michael Lindsay, comic strip syndicator Lew Little, Spanish illustrator Jordi Longarón, animation background artist Art Lozzi, comic book artist Tom Lyle, Golden Age African-American comic book artist Cal Massey, Massimo Mattioli, Scottish cartoonist Malky McCormick, Daytona Beach News-Journal cartoonist Steve McLachlin, gag cartoonist Thomas F. McLaughlin, science fiction movie design illustrator Syd Mead, Peanuts animator Lee Mendelson, Disney CEO Ron Miller, Laurie Mitchell, 'father of Indian animation' Ram Mohan, Guillermo Mordillo, animator and Pogo artist Don Morgan, Skip Morrow, Belgian comics journalist Rik Pareit, fine artist Joyce Pensato, Topo Gigio's creator Maria Perego, comic book artist Robb Phipps, animator Suzan Pitt, colorist Justin Ponsor, political cartoonist Dwane Powell, animator Chris Reccardi, colorist James Rochelle, Donald Rooum, comics scholar Derek Royal, Joe Ruisi, TK Ryan, caricaturist Charles Santore, Lee Salem, comic book historian Bill Schelly, San Diego's Comickaze Comics store owner Robert Scott, gag cartoonist Skip Sedore, *Schoolhouse Rock animation singer Jack Sheldon, Mad writer Larry Siegel, Walt Disney archivist Dave Smith, "Judge Dredd" artist Ron Smith, Tom Spurgeon, Ted Stearn, female underground cartoonist Leslie Sternbergh, Patrick Tandiang, Greg Theakston, Percy Crosby's daughter and defender Joan Tibbetts, Lucca Comics Festival manager Rinaldo Traini, Tomi Ungerer, Saint Just Le Martel editorial cartooning festival founder Gérard Vandenbroucke, Washington, DC area fan Ellen Vartanoff, short-time Saturday Evening Post cartoonist Peter Vatsures, British animator Richard Williams, collector Malcolm Willits, Gahan Wilson, Kevin Wolf, Mary Zins …

Collection of Frank Cho's Jungle Girl coming

INTO THE WILDS WITH 'JUNGLE GIRL: THE COMPLETE OMNIBUS' TPB

Collects All Three Seasons of Frank Cho's 'Jungle Girl' Comics

by Jeffrey Dohm-Sanchez on December 30, 2019

https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/44828/into-wilds-jungle-girl-the-complete-omnibus-tpb

When did comic books start having seasons?

Flugennock's Latest'n'Greatest: "The Other 'Thin Line' Flag"

From DC's anarchist cartoonist Mike Flugennock.

"The Other 'Thin Line' Flag"
http://sinkers.org/stage/?p=2901

820 Americans were shot and killed by police in 2019. Happy New Year.

Al Goodwyn's 2019 in review

2019 in Cartoons

December 31, 2019

Welcome to this twice-monthly newsletter of Goodwyn cartoons. This issue features a stroll back through 2019 in cartoons.

Michael Cavna's Warped comic

I'm not very good about remembering to read webcomics, but today The Daily Cartoonist linked to Michael Cavna's Warped comic at https://www.gocomics.com/warped, which probably hasn't been mentioned here in quite some time. So go check it out.

International Journal of Comic Art half-price back issue package sale

Beginning January 1, 2020, the International Journal of Comic Art will offer at half-price back issues, when bought as a package. Of the 42 issues published through Vol. 21, No. 1, Spring/Summer 2019, 36 are available for purchase. Out of stock are: Vol. 1, No. 1; 1:2; 4:2; 5:1, 6:2; 7:1. A reprint of 1:1 can be purchased from lulu.com. Tables of contents can be seen at http://www.ijoca.net/

            Normally, 36 issues would sell at a total US $ 1,800 for U.S. institutions; U.S. $810 for individuals in the U.S.; U.S. $2,160 for outside of U.S. institutions; U.S. $1,080 for foreign individuals.

            With a 50 percent discount, the prices for 36 issues are:

U.S. Institutions:       US $900 + postage

U.S. Individuals:       US $405 + postage

Foreign Institutions:  US $1,080 + postage

Foreign Individuals:  US $540 + postage

            There are limited numbers available of some very early issues; they will be offered on a first-come basis.

Orders should be sent to:     John A. Lent

                                                IJOCA

                                                669 Ferne Blvd.

                                                Drexel Hill, PA 19026 USA

                                                jlent@temple.edu

Payments can be made by checks on a U.S. bank, PayPal, or bank transfer; transfer fees on the latter must be paid by the purchaser.

Big Planet Comics Bethesda's New Years Day SALE!

Copyright © 2019 Big Planet Comics, All rights reserved. You requested this service Our mailing address is: Big Planet Comics 4849 Cordell Ave. Bethesda, Md 20814

A decade of Nate Beeler cartoons on Cagle's syndicate site

Our formerly local Washington Examiner cartoonists work is at Nate Beeler Decade!

Original comic strips in Smithsonian's American History

Bruce Guthrie sent along this link to scans of original comic strips in the National Museum of American History -- and Warren Bernard pointed out they all came from 1966.

Thus, they must be from the Calvacade of American Comics exhibit that we've previously written about here.

The Post's obituary for Peanuts animator Lee Mendelson

Lee Mendelson, producer of TV's 'A Charlie Brown Christmas,' dies at 86

Matt Schudel 

Washington Post Dec. 28, 2019

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/lee-mendelson-producer-of-tvs-a-charlie-brown-christmas-dies-at-86/2019/12/28/da51d5f2-2987-11ea-b2ca-2e72667c1741_story.html

Percy Crosby's daughter, and defender, Joan Tibbetts has died

Today's Washington Post has a very minor obituary for Joan Tibbetts, a local woman who fiercely defended the reputation of her father Percy Crosby, and his strip Skippy.

Joan Tibbetts,  estate administrator

Washington Post December 28 2019

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/2019/12/27/b09d0a7a-2904-11ea-9c21-2c2a4d2c2166_story.html

I think everyone who wrote about comics in the DC area was probably contacted at one time or another by Mrs. Tibbetts. I certainly was. Her father's creation is probably best recalled now as an inspiration for Peanuts, but it was very popular in the 1920s and he was a millionaire from it. The Post obituary links to a 1979 article on the trip and her father.

Cartoonist's Daughter Hopes Dad's 'Skippy' Will Be Born Again

By Bob Levey

Washington Post March 15, 1979

online at https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1979/03/15/cartoonists-daughter-hopes-dads-skippy-will-be-born-again/c2272360-075f-4058-9436-07dd71ddf9ec/

In spite of, or because of Mrs. Tibbetts (it's hard to say which), Skippy never returned to public view except in a series of 4 books that were only part of a projected larger reprint project.

Liz Montague's favorite New Yorker cartoons.

New Yorker Cartoonists Pick Their Favorite Cartoons

Selections from Edward Koren, Liza Donnelly, Zachary Kanin, and more.

By The New Yorker

December 23, 2019

Published in the print edition of the December 30, 2019, issue, with the headline "Cartoonists Pick Their Favorite Cartoons."

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/12/30/new-yorker-cartoonists-pick-their-favorite-cartoons

Bloom makes The Advocate's best of list for 2019

The Best LGBTQ Graphic Novels of 2019

By Jacob Anderson-Minshall

December 23 2019

https://www.advocate.com/books/2019/12/23/best-lgbtq-graphic-novels-2019

Latest Liz at Large comic in City Paper

Liz At Large: "Great"

Here's some positivity to get you through the holidays.

Liz Montague

Dec 23, 2019

https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/article/21107621/liz-at-large-great

LoC blog focuses on Gasoline Alley in Comic Art exhibit.

"Comic Art" Exhibition: Exploring the History of a Beloved Format

Library of Congress Picture This blog December 27, 2019

by Melissa Lindberg

https://blogs.loc.gov/picturethis/2019/12/comic-art-exhibition-exploring-the-history-of-a-beloved-format/

Jan 30: Robin Ha, ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL at East City Bookshop

Robin Ha, ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL

East City Bookshop  Thursday, January 30, 2020 - 6:30pm

https://www.eastcitybookshop.com/event/robin-ha-almost-american-girl

This event is free and open to the public. RSVPs are requested but not required. Reserve your copy of the book today!

East City Bookshop welcomes Robin Ha with her graphic novel memoir Almost American Girl, a heartfelt coming-of-age tale and poignant depiction of immigration.

About Almost American Girl:

A powerful and moving teen graphic novel memoir about immigration, belonging, and how arts can save a life—perfect for fans of American Born Chinese and Hey, Kiddo.

For as long as she can remember, it's been Robin and her mom against the world. Growing up as the only child of a single mother in Seoul, Korea, wasn't always easy, but it has bonded them fiercely together.

So when a vacation to visit friends in Huntsville, Alabama, unexpectedly becomes a permanent relocation—following her mother's announcement that she's getting married—Robin is devastated.

Overnight, her life changes. She is dropped into a new school where she doesn't understand the language and struggles to keep up. She is completely cut off from her friends in Seoul and has no access to her beloved comics. At home, she doesn't fit in with her new stepfamily, and worst of all, she is furious with the one person she is closest to—her mother.

Then one day Robin's mother enrolls her in a local comic drawing class, which opens the window to a future Robin could never have imagined.  

Robin Ha grew up reading and drawing comics. At fourteen she moved to the United States from Seoul, Korea. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in illustration, she moved to New York City and started a career in the fashion industry. Her work has been published in independent comics anthologies including Secret Identities and The Strumpet, as well as in the pages of Marvel Comics and Heavy Metal Magazine. She is also the author of the bestselling comic recipe book Cook Korean! Visit Robin online at banchancomic.tumblr.com.

Ebony Flowers in the New Yorker

I recently found out that Ebony Flowers grew up in suburban Maryland and Baltimore.

Lines

By Ebony Flowers

December 23, 2019

Published in the print edition of the December 30, 2019, issue.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/12/30/lines

Wuerker's year at Politico

Wuerker Cartoons Year in Review

We look back on a year full of political drama, brouhahas, kerfuffles and malarkey with the best of Matt Wuerker's 2019 cartoons.

By MATT WUERKER

12/23/2019

https://www.politico.com/cartoons/2019/12/23/wuerker-cartoons-year-in-review-000132?slide=0

Happy Holidays!

Corporations vs Collectors: The Excesses of Hallmark Christmas ornaments (UPDATED)

An editorial by Mike Rhode
(updates in italics 12/26/2019)

I used to collect Hallmark's Christmas ornaments. I slowed down last year and completely stopped this year. (Hypocrisy update: Well, I had stopped until I went to a Hallmark store looking for Scooby-Doo ornaments and cartoon cards. Then I slipped off the wagon again. A habit since 1993 is hard to break it turns out, at least at half-price.)

Here's roughly what's on offer for 2019:

(not pictured - Spider-Man, Lego Robin)

In 1993 Hallmark started producing superhero ornaments for their Keepsake line, but only one a year: 1993 - Superman; 1994 - Batman; 1995 - Batmobile; 1995 - Superman.  In 1996, Marvel was included and Wonder Woman and Spider-Man appeared. 1997 was Marvel's Hulk with no DC one. The situation reversed in 1998 with DC's Superman miniature and no Marvel one.  1999 saw three DC ones - The Flash, Batman and Robin miniature, and a Celebrate the Century postage stamp of Superman. 2000 was back to two from DC - a Catwoman miniature and a Super Friends lunchbox.

By 2006, 13 years after Hallmark started licensing them, they had four ornaments - two from DC (Superman The Man of Steel and Batman The Bat-Signal) and two from Marvel (Spider-Man and New Breed of Superheroes).

Christopher Reeve as Superman is this year's Superman, and a bit strange, since there's no anniversary associated with the 1978 movie and 2019.

This year, they have 13. Or 14 if you count the two "mystery" versions of Captain Marvel. The second version shows her uniform in the Kree colors.

 

Or 15, if you count the non-Keepsake series Flash.

For some reason, the 1960s Batman tv show continues to be popular, with two ornaments this year. The second of which is a Bat-guitar, for some odd reason.

 

As does the Lego Batman movie, with a Robin figure this year.

Wonder Woman in her invisible jet is at least a classic icon from the comic books.

Batman's pose is taken from the classic Frank Miller story, The Dark Knight Returns, which has seen several sequels in recent years.

And the Iron Man ornament wears his classic armor from the 1960s and 1970s, drawn most often then by Gene Colan.

Spider-Man in a Santa hat is a perennial.

(photo from Hallmark's website)

For a few years, they've done these mini-ornaments.

One wonders who wants to hang Thanos, a genocidal space alien villain on the tree though. That's two ornaments by the way - the Infinity Gauntlet has broken from it's hanger above.

Let alone a villain from The Walking Dead...

But the main reason I stopped collecting these is cost.

 

Aquaman	$8.99
Green Lantern	$8.99
Here Comes Spidey Claus	$15.99 $16.99
Lego Robin Captain Marvel	$17.99
Marvel Studios Avengers: Endgame Thanos	$18.99
Infinity Gauntlet	$19.99
Christopher Reeve as Superman	$19.99
Batman Rocks!	$19.99
Batman	$22.99
Wonder Woman Invisible Jet	$24.99
Iron Man	$29.99
Batboat	$29.99

At an average cost of $20, the whole superhero collection (not counting Walking Dead or the non-Keepsake Flash at $8.99) will cost you $256 before tax. And there's so many of them, that within a couple of years, the only ornaments on a tree would be superheroes. I've already got at couple of storage tubs full, because I foolishly never expected these to be produced for so many years when I started collecting them at the beginning. It's in the nature of corporations to maximize their intellectual property, and I shouldn't be surprised about this. I also know that nobody is forcing me to buy all of these, or any of these, and that superheroes are big business now. I'm just bemoaning the ever-increasing tendency of  fandom to be run into the ground by the ever larger companies that control the IP behind it. A very similar blog post could have been written about Hallmark's Star Wars or Star Trek ornaments. And this isn't even looking at animation characters from Disney or Warner Bros... At some point, the golden goose is going to die from overuse, I think. But I might be wrong about that too.

Should you be interested in any of these, you can get most of them through Hallmark's website.  There's even more there that I didn't see at my local Hallmark shop, and it's also hard to tell what's new for this year and what they still have in stock from last year. And Hyperallergic just ran an article on the Henry Ford Museum collection of them.