Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Sept 9: One Night Only! Richard Thompson + Keith Knight LIVE

They're at Politics and Prose bookstore on Conn Ave, NW in the District -

Thursday September 9
Richard Thompson & Keith Knight
7 p.m. In conjunction with the Small Press Expo (September 11-12 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center), we're delighted to host two artists who excel at contemplating the minutiae of everyday life and making it hilarious. Thompson's strip is focused on a loveable family in a suburban development, while Knight's is told through the eyes of a city dweller.

and the following evening-

Friday September 10
James Sturm - Market Day
8 p.m. Co-founder of the Center for Cartoon Studies, Sturm has set this beautifully crafted historical fiction in the Eastern European countryside of the 1900s. His day in the life of Mendleman, a carpet peddler, uses spare narrative and finely-honed images to achieve a powerful emotional resonance.

Small Press Expo This Weekend with Jaime Hernandez, James Sturm, Dean Haspiel, Raina Telgemeier, Richard Thompson and A Cast of Thousands

Small Press Expo This Weekend with Jaime Hernandez, James Sturm, Dean Haspiel, Raina Telgemeier, Richard Thompson and A Cast of Thousands

Bethesda, Maryland, September 7, 2010 - The Small Press Expo will be held this weekend, Saturday September 11 and Sunday September 12. This year we are featuring the First Annual SPX Animation Showcase along with showings of Nina Paley's full length movie Sita Sings The Blues. This is in addition to the Ignatz Awards presentation Saturday night, September 11 at 9PM, which is open to all SPX attendees.There will be a programming slate running both days that includes one on one interviews with James Sturm and Jaime Hernandez, as well as a dialogue on cartooning between Julia Wertz and Kate Beaton. There will be the ever present exhibitors hall with over 350 exhibitors selling the best in graphic novels, as well as self published comics and mini-comics.

The hours for SPX 2010 are 11AM-7PM Saturday, September 11, and noon-6PM Sunday, September 12. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.

More information is available on our web site at 
http://www.spxpo.com.

Here is the complete list of special guests:

Richard Thompson writes and draws the successful syndicated comic strip Cul de Sac and drew the weekly Washington Post cartoon Richard's Poor Almanac, best known for the George W. Bush parody "Make the Pie Higher." Thompson was nominated for the National Cartoonist Society's Reuben award in 2009, and his illustrations have appeared in The New Yorker and the Atlantic Monthly.

 Jaime Hernandez is the Harvey Award winning and critically acclaimed creator behind the long running LOCA series from Love and Rockets. He has also done work for The New Yorker, as well as album covers for such bands as Los Lobos and Michelle Shocked. He drew the cover for Strange Tales Vol.2 #2 from Marvel, due in November and there will be a new installment of Loca in Love and Rockets: New Stories #3, to be released in September from Fantagraphics. 

James Sturm is an Eisner and Xeric Award winner as well as being a co-founder of The Center for Cartoon Studies. His latest graphic novel, Market Day, published by Drawn and Quarterly, drew critical acclaim from such media outlets as The New York Times and NPR. James is the creator of the equally well received The Golem's Mighty Swing,  as well as co-authoring Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow. He just completed a long stint off the Internet and e-mail, which was documented in a series he did on the subject for Slate. 

Kate Beaton  is the winner of the 2009 Doug Wright Award for Best Emerging Talent. She recently had her first cartoon published in The New Yorker, and drew a poster for Janus Films. She will be part of the next issue of Marvel Strange Tales, due out in October. Her History Comics  takes an irreverent and comical view of history and historical figures, this leading to coverage in Wired MagazineBitch and Macleans. Kate is responsible for a number of the banners on the SPX site, for which SPX has received rave reviews. Kate's work can be viewed at her web site http://harkavagrant.com/.

Dean Haspiel  won the Emmy Award for Best Title design for his work on the show Bored to Death for which he also did a comic available on the shows web site. He is the one of the founders of the renown web comic cooperative ACT-I-VATE , as well as a having collaborated with the late, great, Harvey Pekar on The Quitter and American Splendor. He has worked for such outlets as New York Times, Marvel, DC/Vertigo as well as Dark Horse, where he illustrated Michael Chabon's The Escapist. See Dean's work on the ACT-I-VATE web site at http://act-i-vate.com/.

Nate Powell is a novelist, publisher and musician who owns the DIY record label Harlan records. He received the 2009 Eisner Award for Outstanding Graphic Novel for his work Swallow Me Whole and also received the 2009 Ignatz Award for Best Artist. Visit his web site at http://www.seemybrotherdance.org.

R. Sikoryak has been producing comics adaptations of literary classics, turning familiar cartoon imagery and tropes into quirky and insightful parodies, starting with his early appearances in the groundbreaking series RAW. He has published drawings in The New Yorker and Esquire among others, including The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He currently teaches illustration at Parsons in New York City

Vanessa Davis is known for her work for such magazines/web sites as BItch, Vice, Tablet and Bust. Her latest book, Make Me A Woman from Drawn and Quarterly, is premiering at SPX.  Make Me A Woman is a collection of her diary series that spans her life from her Bat Mitzvah to the current day. Check out her website at http://www.spanielrage.com/.

Keith Knight is the creator of the hit newspaper strip The Knight Life and will be on hand at SPX to sign the first compilation of that series, entitled The Knight Life: Chivalry Ain't Dead from Grand Central Publishing. Keith is a multiple Glyph Award winner and has drawn for such publications as Mad and ESPN Magazine. His (TH)ink and K Chronicles series have been critically acclaimed and may be found on his web site at http://www.kchronicles.com/.

Raina Telgemeier's latest work, Smile (A Dental Drama) published by Scholastic Press, led to excellent reviews by both Publishers Weekly and the New York Times. She drew four graphic novels for Scholastic based on the best seller series by Ann M. Martin, The Baby-sitters Club. Raina has won the Eisner, Ignatz and Kimberly Yale Awards and is the artist for this years SPX poster. Raina's website is http://goraina.com/.

Jim Rugg is an illustrator and cartoonist from Pittsburgh. His graphic novels and comic collections include Afrodisiac (Adhouse Books), Street Angel (SLG Publishing), The PLAIN Janes and Janes in Love (DC Comics), One Model Nation (Image Comics) and The Guild (Dark Horse Comics). He has also produced short comics for VH1, New York Magazine, True Porn, Meathaus, Cinema Sewer and Project Superior.

SPX is a registered 501(c)3 which brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini comics and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. 

As in previous years, profits from the SPX will go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), protecting the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals.  For more information on the CBLDF, go to their website at http://www.cbldf.org/.  


Monday, September 06, 2010

Paul Conrad's obit in Washington Post

Pulitzer-winning political cartoonist Paul Conrad dies at 86
By Matt Schudel
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, September 6, 2010; B04

Grand Comics Database expanding

For many years, a dedicated group of people have been attempting to index comic books worldwide into the Grand Comics Database. Back before I had projects like this blog, I used to contribute data and I still love the idea of the project. Recently a spin-off project for comic strips was begun and you can get in at the ground floor here.

Sunday, September 05, 2010

Cavna on Paul Conrad

IN MEMORIAM: RIP Paul Conrad, Pulitzer-winning giant of political cartooning
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog September 5, 2010;
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2010/09/in_memoriam_paul_conrad.html

Today in The New York (Comics) Times

Pekar, Paul Conrad and Rutu Modan -

The Unfinished Tale of an Unlikely Hero
By DAVE ITZKOFF
Harvey Pekar, the obsessive chronicler of everyday lives, was collaborating at the end of his life on a Web project whose fate in print remains uncertain.

Paul Conrad, Cartoonist, Dies at 86
By ROBERT D. McFADDEN
Mr. Conrad’s editorial cartoons in The Los Angeles Times and other papers slashed presidents, skewered pomposity and exposed what he saw as injustice for six decades.

And Rutu Modan illustrated the review of Skippy Dies in the Book Review.

Comics in today's Washington Examiner

There's a review of Seymour Chwast's version of Dante's Inferno and a wire story about PBS' Cat in the Hat cartoon.  Links may follow.

Saturday, September 04, 2010

"Superheroes in Court: Lawyers, Law and Comic Books" exhibit done by local collector/lawyer


Local lawyer and big-time comic book collector Mark Zaid has got an exhibit of legal-related comic book covers up in a Yale law library. That's a neat idea for a theme. Here's 3 links about the show that Mark sent me:
 

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/03/graphic-books-best-sellers-throwing-the-book-at-them/

http://advocatesstudio.com/2010/09/03/art-imitating-law-comic-style/

http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/holy_smokes_batman_law_in_comics_featured_in_new_exhibit/?from=widget

Penny Arcade interview at Post

The 'Riffs Interview: 'PENNY ARCADE' artist Mike Krahulik talks success, charity & today's PAX
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog September 3, 2010

That darn Cho!

Another Saturday, another letter to the editor...

You should have named Le Pont des Arts in Paris
Washington Post September 4, 2010
Judith Judson, Arlington

...at least they reran Cho's picture.

Post runs book review by graphic novelist

The most interesting piece for this blog is "Gabaldon's latest novel, "The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel," will be published later this month."

Review of Anne Fortier's novel "Juliet," a riff on "Romeo and Juliet"
By Diana Gabaldon
Washington Post September 4, 2010; C03

Friday, September 03, 2010

John K Snyder III and Matt Wagner visit Library of Congress

John K Snyder III and Matt Wagner visited the Library of Congress to see the original Spider-Man pages last week, before attending the Baltimore Comic-Con. Scoop has the story. You can see friend of ComicsDC, librarian Sara Duke, in the 2nd picture behind Matt.

Truitt on Wolverine

Wolverine goes to hell in his new comic
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY September 2 2010

Mark Ruffin's take on Baltimore Comic Con

We were loooking for each other, but missed again.  As a group, DC's comics bloggers are great individualists.


As a specialty reference comic-con may be an accustomed jargon nation-wide, driven by online frequency, over the last three years to be institutionally known as a variable of descriptors in the capacity of a household term. Infuse comic-con into any... Read more »


DC Comic Books Examiner, Mark Ruffin

Mark Ruffin, a freelance writer and story editor, recalls a first read of Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man #8 and a collection of comic books from that point. Following honorable service in the military, he has contributed and edited articles on subjects political, sports car related, and of murder mystery dinner games. Grouped with his enthusiasm for culinary arts and sports, he enjoys discussions on the various perspectives of the comics medium. Contact Mark here.


 




PR: Fifth Annual Washington DC Comics Conspiracy Counter Culture Festival


The Washington DC Comics Conspiracy is proud to announce that the Fifth Annual Counter Culture Festival will be held on October 24th, from 12-8pm. The event will be held at RFD's, with an entrance on 8th street NW, between H and I streets - just one block from the Gallery Place-Chinatown metro station. Admission is free.

The event will feature vending by local comics creators and artists, as well as music and entertainment. For more information, including how to reserve a vending space, please visit:

http://www.dcconspiracy.com/blog/2010/09/counter-culture-festival-5.html

Please contact RM Rhodes at rhodes@oletheros.com with any questions.

Class of '63 Oceanus Procellarum Book Two the new webcomic
by R. M. Rhodes
http://www.webcomicsnation.com/oletheros/op

A Chat with Onezumi Hartstein of Intervention at the City Paper

Meet a Local Con Organizer: A Chat with Onezumi Hartstein of Intervention
Posted by Mike Rhode on Sep. 3, 2010 at 9:57 am
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/09/03/meet-a-local-con-organizer-a-chat-with-onezumi-hartstein-of-intervention/

Thursday, September 02, 2010

Former cartoonist Shayne Stratyner exhibits in Frederick, MD

Life’s a journey not a traffic jam
By Lauren LaRocca
Frederick News-Post September 02, 2010

PR: SPX Announces A Fort Thunder/Monster Debut Event with Brian Ralph and Paul Lyons

Bethesda, Maryland, September 2, 2010 - From 1995 to 2001, the Fort Thunder artists' space and performance venue in Providence, Rhode Island was a fertile creative center. Work produced by artists living at the Fort – both at the time and individually in the years since the space was shut down – has been enormously influential in the worlds of fine art, music, and comics. In addition to a wealth of posters, prints, artists' books and individual comics, two publications served as the venue's de facto comics anthologies: the mini-comics series Monster and the comics newspaper Paper Rodeo. Nine years after the
Fort's closing, a new issue of Monster will debut at this year's SPX.

The oversized (10" x 14") book, featuring offset-printed interiors and a silkscreened cover, will include new and previously unpublished work by Fort Thunder alumni including Mat Brinkman, Brian Chippendale, Jim Drain, Paul Lyons and Brian Ralph, as well as work by friends and colleagues including Keith Jones, Michael DeForge, and Chuck Forsman.

To mark the occasion, SPX Programming coordinator and Parsons faculty member Bill Kartalopoulos will moderate a special panel event titled "Return of the Monster: The Fort Thunder Legacy" on Saturday, September 11 at 5:30 as part of the festival's larger schedule of
programming events. The panel will feature artists and former Fort Thunder residents Brian Ralph and Paul Lyons. The discussion will also include Tom Devlin, who has published work by Fort Thunder artists both through his own former publishing company Highwater Books and now as creative director of Drawn and Quarterly, and PictureBox publisher Dan Nadel, who has extensively interviewed Fort Thunder artists and currently publishes work by Fort co-founders Brinkman and Chippendale.
Please join us for this special consideration of a landmark contribution to recent comics history.

SPX is a registered 501(c)3 which brings together more than 300
artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini comics and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators.

As in previous years, profits from the SPX will go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), protecting the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals.  For more information on the CBLDF, go to their website at http://www.cbldf.org/.

The hours for SPX 2010 are 11AM-7PM Saturday, September 11, and noon-6PM Sunday, September 12. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Smithsonian inspires lad to be comic book writer

Writer's Workshop #3: ERIC TRAUTMANN
By David Pepose, Newsarama 27 August 2010

Caro on Lilli Carré’s minicomic “The Thing about Madeline”

Caroline "Caro" Small writes on Lilli Carré’s minicomic “The Thing about Madeline” and also her film Head Garden which will be shown at SPX.

Nevin Martell's expanded Calvin and Hobbes book featured

The paperback edition is generating new reviews for Nevin's book:

Expanded Book Chronicles Search for Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes Creator
D.X. Ferris
Cleveland Scene Aug 31, 2010

Searching for Watterson: The confounding creator of Calvin & Hobbes
By Raymond Cummings
San Antonio Current September 1 2010

Here's my take on the original edition from a year ago.

Baltimore City Paper reviews graphic novels.

Drawing Fire: Strong artwork saves two otherwise flawed graphic novels about war
By Andrea Appleton
Baltimore City Paper September 1, 2010

Reviews War is Boring, By David Axe and Matt Bors (NAL) and Greendale, By Joshua Dysart, Cliff Chiang, Dave Stewart, and Todd Klein (Vertigo).

Meet a Local Con Organizer: A Chat with Small Press Expo’s Jeff Alexander

Meet a Local Con Organizer: A Chat with Small Press Expo's Jeff Alexander

Posted by Mike Rhode on Sep. 1, 2010 at 9:27 am 

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/09/01/meet-a-local-con-organizer-a-chat-with-small-press-expos-jeff-alexander/

Weldon's suggested comics links

Weldon, Glen.  2010.

An End-of-Summer Comics Linkdump. Um, 'Roundup.' Meant to Say Roundup.

National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (September 1): http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2010/08/31/129563688/an-end-of-summer-comics-linkdump-um-roundup-meant-to-say-roundup

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Jim Dougan's Sam & Lilah webcomic updated

In spite of being at the Baltimore Comic-Con and bringing all the cosplay G.I. Joes over to Shannon Gallant's table, Jim's got new pages of his excellent webcomic up now:


SAM & LILAH Updated Today!

We're back! Here's two more pages from Chapter 3....


http://www.activatecomix.com/42-3-28.comic

Need to catch up first? Start here:

Chapter 1: http://www.activatecomix.com/42-1-1.comic

Chapter 2: http://www.activatecomix.com/42-2-1.comic

Chapter 3: http://www.activatecomix.com/42-3-1.comic

We'll be back with more in just two weeks! See you September 13!

Frank Cho's Zatanna painting featured on Comic Riffs

100_0335 Frank Cho

FRANK CHO UPDATE: Oil painting sells at Comic-Con auction for $10K
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs August 31, 2010

Monday, August 30, 2010

Zadzooks interviews George Romero

Zadzooks: George Romero Interview
A visit with zombie-film king Romero
By Joseph Szadkowski
The Washington Times August 26, 2010

Bruce Guthrie's Baltimore Comic-Con photos

Richard Thompson and 'Cul de Sac' website manager Chris Sparks.

Bruce Guthrie has put his Baltimore Comic-Con photos online, in spite of an illegal towing of his car. Bruce is a long-time friend of Richard Thompson, and a maniac photographer who puts his material online through essentially a Creative Commons, attribution, non-commercial use license. Be sure to check out this crazy Little Nemo commission that Jeremy Bastian did.

MD -- Baltimore Comic-Con (2010) -- Day 2 (of 2) -- Miscellaneous (Partially reviewed)

MD -- Baltimore Comic-Con (2010) -- Day 2 (of 2) -- Artists
Artists in sequence: Marv Wolfman, Jim Shooter, Jim Calafiore, Barry Kitson, Jerry Robinson, Paul Pope, Howard Chaykin, Tom Raney, Jim Starlin, Ron Marz. Brian Pulido, Bob McLeod, Antonio Clark, Brad Samuelson, ???, Jose Garcia-Lopez, Matt Wagner, John K. Snyder III, Walter Simonson, Louise Simonson,... (Partially reviewed)

MD -- Baltimore Comic-Con (2010) -- Day 2 (of 2) -- Greg LaRocque and friends (Partially reviewed)

MD -- Baltimore Comic-Con (2010) -- Day 2 (of 2) -- Richard Thompson and friends (Partially reviewed)

MD -- Baltimore Comic-Con (2010) -- Day 1 (of 2) -- Miscellaneous (Partially reviewed)

MD -- Baltimore Comic-Con (2010) -- Day 1 (of 2) -- Artists
Artists in sequence: Dennis O'Neil, Jerry Robinson, Matt Wagner, John Snyder III, Marv Wolfman, Jim Shooter, Michael Golden, Joe Jusko, Mark Wheatley, Denis Kitchen, Steve Conley, Tim Truman, Todd McFarlane, Timothy Lantz, Bryan Brown, Terry Moore, Bill Tucci, Walt Simonson, Paul Pope, Don Rosa, Sergio... (Partially reviewed)


MD -- Baltimore Comic-Con (2010) -- Day 1 (of 2) -- Greg LaRocque and friends
Artists here: Greg LaRocque, Julie (Ms Marvel), and Cesar Castillo Jr. (Partially reviewed)

MD -- Baltimore Comic-Con (2010) -- Day 1 (of 2) -- Richard Thompson and friends
Artists: Richard Thompson and Shannon Gallant. (Partially reviewed)

Mark Waid says copyright is too long at Harvey Awards speech

Apparently there's something in the air lately. Here's The Beat's report on Mark Waid's speech about copyright. Here's me on the topic a few days ago. In the comments on The Beat, I agree with Stuart Moore's reasoned take. Note Dean Haspiel's remark about building his brand as well.

Rina Piccolo interview at Comic Riffs

'RHYMES WITH ORANGE': Rina Piccolo fills us in on her Hilary Price fill-in
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog August 30, 2010

Wertham papers at LoC article

I'm working on an article for the City Paper, but here's another person's take on the story:

Papers of anti-comic book crusader now open to scholars
By Matthew Lasar
August 30 2010

Oh, and he's got a link to an internal LoC article -

Papers of Comic-Book ‘Villain’ Open at Library
August 27th, 2010 by Matt Raymond
My colleague Erin Allen wrote the following for the Library’s in-house letter, The Gazette, and I thought it worth sharing with a wider audience:

Ask Stan Lee a question, on CNN

This one was sent to me by one of my Arlington neighbors, so it's ComicsDC turf by default - thanks, Mike McM!

Ask Stan Lee

Got a question about "The Hulk," "X-Men" or "Spider-Man" that's eating at you? Want to pick the brains of one of the Marvel revolution's key masterminds?

Iconic comic book creator and writer Stan Lee will be stopping by CNN HQ on Thursday to sit down with us and take your questions.

Put yourself on camera and ask a concise question for Lee. Get it to us by Tuesday, August 30 at 5 p.m. and your video just might be chosen.

Guidelines:

Video questions please

Try to keep them under 30 seconds

Have fun

Jerry Beck on History Detectives in 1/2 hour

History Detectives

Monday, August 30 -- 9:00pm
26 - WETA
WB Cartoons, Galvez Papers, Mussolini Dagger

A box of cartoon drawings and cels reveals information about the early days of animation and the people behind it; emancipation papers for a female slave that were signed by a regional governor; a dagger that may have belonged to Benito Mussolini.

A reason to buy a sketch from SL Gallant at a Con

100_0369 GI Joes visit Shannon Gallant

At Baltimore Comic-Con my buddy Shannon Gallant gave me a sketch he did of "Real Leela," based on the Futurama character. You too can commission him to draw one of these (actually I asked for the Shadow, but he stayed busy all weekend doing G.I. Joe and other characters). Link is NQ SFW cheesecake.

America's Next Great Cartoonist begins running in Post

Olivia Walch's six-week stint in the Post with Imogen Quest begins today.

Rafer Roberts interview on Magic Bullet up at City Paper

Meet a Local Cartoonist: Rafer Roberts of Plastic Farm and Magic Bullet

Posted by Mike Rhode on Aug. 30, 2010 at 11:01 am

 

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/08/30/meet-a-local-cartoonist-rafer-roberts-of-plastic-farm-and-magic-bullet/

PR: Small Press Expo Announces Richard Thompson, Nate Powell and R. Sikoryak as guests for SPX 2010.


Small Press Expo Announces Richard Thompson, Nate Powell and R. Sikoryak as guests for SPX 2010.


Bethesda, Maryland; August 30, 2010 - The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons is pleased to announce that Richard Thompson, Nate Powell and R. Sikoryak will be guests for SPX 2010, to be held September 11 and September 12 at the Marriott North Bethesda Hotel and Conference Center in Bethesda, Maryland, across from the White Flint Metro stop. These guests are in addition to the previously announced Jamie Hernandez, Vanessa Davis, Keith Knight, James Sturm, Raina Telgemeier, Jim Rugg,  Kate Beaton and Emmy Award Winner Dean Haspiel.

 

Richard Thompson writes and draws the successful syndicated comic strip Cul de Sac and drew the weekly Washington Post cartoon Richard's Poor Almanac, best known for the George W. Bush parody "Make the Pie Higher." Thompson was nominated for the National Cartoonist Society's Reuben award in 2009, and his illustrations have appeared in The New Yorker and the Atlantic Monthly.

 

Nate Powell is a novelist, publisher and musician who owns the DIY record label Harlan records. He received the 2009 Eisner Award for Outstanding Graphic Novel for his work Swallow Me Whole and also received the 2009 Ignatz Award for Best Artist. Visit his web site at 

R. Sikoryak has been producing comics adaptations of literary classics, turning familiar cartoon imagery and tropes into quirky and insightful parodies, starting with his early appearances in the groundbreaking series RAW. He has published drawings in The New Yorker and Esquire among others, including The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He currently teaches illustration at Parsons in New York City.

 

SPX culminates with the presentation of the Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning on Saturday night, September 11 at 9PM. Attendees at SPX get in free to the Ignatz Awards. The Ignatz is the first Festival Prize in the US comic book industry, with winners chosen by ballots submitted by attendees during SPX. 
 

For detailed information about guests, panels and the Ignatz Awards, visit the SPX web site at www.spxpo.com.

 

SPX is a registered 501(c)3 which brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, mini comics and alternative comics will all be on display and for sale by their authors and illustrators. 

 

As in previous years, profits from the SPX will go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF), protecting the First Amendment rights of comic book readers and professionals.  For more information on the CBLDF, go to their website at http://www.cbldf.org/.           

  

The hours for SPX 2010 are 11AM-7PM Saturday, September 11, and noon-6PM Sunday, September 12. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.


Cliff Chiang interviewed at Comic Riffs

The 'Riffs Interview: Comic artist CLIFF CHIANG offers an insider's tour of Neil Young's 'Greendale'

By Michael Cavna 

Washington Post Comic Riffs blog August 29, 2010.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Baltimore Comic-Con on Sunday

I'm a bit tired so here's some new pictures.

A few of interest:

100_0399 Shannon Gallant and Valkyrie sketch
Shannon Gallant and his Valkyrie sketch.

100_0390 Don Rosa
Don Rosa sketching Uncle Scrooge.

100_0402  Frank Cho's painting of Mara Herning as Zatanna
Frank Cho's painting of Mara Herning as Zatanna, being air-dried by Mara before auctioning.

100_0430 Chris Sparks, Sergio Aragones and Richard Thompson
Chris Sparks, Sergio Aragones and Richard Thompson share a laugh

100_0382 Stephen Blickenstaff
Frederick, MD's Stephen Blickenstaff and his monsters.

Charlotte Observer editorial cartoonist would like to see daily Cul de Sac

'Dustin' moves in
Kevin Siers
Charlotte Observer's You Write the Caption blog August 25 2010

This is Richard's mother's hometown paper by the way.

DC Comic Books Examiner: Big Start at the Baltimore Comic Con

Mark Ruffin's still posting, but we didn't find each other today. Mark's got photos of the cosplayers at the bottom of this post.


Throngs convergently formed lines of ticket-purchasers at the Conference Center on Pratt St. for 2010s Baltimore Comic Con. Escaping the heat to indulgently homage the escapism of sequential arts, certain conventioneers put accentuation during their... Read more »


DC Comic Books Examiner, Mark Ruffin


Mark Ruffin, a freelance writer and story editor, recalls a first read of Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man #8 and a collection of comic books from that point. Following honorable service in the military, he has contributed and edited articles on subjects political, sports car related, and of murder mystery dinner games. Grouped with his enthusiasm for culinary arts and sports, he enjoys discussions on the various perspectives of the comics medium. Contact Mark here.


 



Today in The New York (Comics) Times

Computer Animation, Made by Hand
By JOHN ANDERSON
New York Times August 29, 2010

DC Comic Books Examiner at Baltimore Comic-Con

Mark Ruffin's being more productive at the Con than I am -



Mike Imboden has nothing against superheroes with an edgier side than the Silver Age costumed champions. On the other hand, he considers the comics industry has enough scape for that championing role-model with altruistic motives. Fist of Justice... Read more »

Stationed in Artist's Alley, two tables away of a directly opposite designation from an extensive line cued by Todd McFarlane as he signed comics, the talents behind Maryland-based Motorcycleboy consecutively drew crowds of their own. After some... Read more »


DC Comic Books Examiner, Mark Ruffin


Mark Ruffin, a freelance writer and story editor, recalls a first read of Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man #8 and a collection of comic books from that point. Following honorable service in the military, he has contributed and edited articles on subjects political, sports car related, and of murder mystery dinner games. Grouped with his enthusiasm for culinary arts and sports, he enjoys discussions on the various perspectives of the comics medium. Contact Mark here.


 




Saturday, August 28, 2010

Day 1 of Baltimore Comic-Con with photos

100_0329 Shannon GallantShannon "S.L." Gallant with his new banner.

Some quick notes - the Con seems to be a smash success. The line wrapped around the convention center this morning and people were still waiting to get in at lunch time.

I met some of the local comic book creators who've been mentioned in this blog, but not in detail such as the Luna Brothers, Pop Mahn and Frank Cho. Expect more on all of them to follow.

100_0354 Pop Mahn
Pop Mahn

The Trickster anthology creators have a strong presence with about five of them in various locations, including Matt Dembicki, Rand Arrington and Mike Carr that I've found so far. Dembicki and Andrew Cohen's history of the Heurich Mansion is out and I've bought mine from them.

Todd McFarlane's signing line was stunningly long, snaking through a set of stanchions and then following the wall behind the whole Kid's section.

Pictures of many local creators are here (for the present, see the photo name for the title). Carla Speed McNeil isn't pictured, but is at the con. Same with the Bamn crew.

100_0350 Dean Haspiel
Emmy-winning Dean Haspiel had a single copy of his newest graphic biography. However he's got promos comica of his Emmy artwork.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Baltimore Comic-Con plans

I'll be at the Con on both Saturday and Sunday, with Richard "Cul de Sac" Thompson and Shannon "G.I. Joe" Gallant the first day, and just Shannon on the second. You can probably find me through them and their table at the kids comics island, but you'd do better buying stuff from them and the other people there.

Satoshi Kon obit in Post, and the New York (Comics) Times

The Post had a little wire story obituary of anime director Satoshi Kon today.* Instead of worry about finding that, read animation historian Charles Solomon's excellent one:

Satoshi Kon dies at 47; Japanese anime director
His boldly original visions and technical sophistication made him one of the
most admired in contemporary animation. Among his films were 'Millennium
Actress,' 'Paprika' and 'Tokyo Godfathers.'
By Charles Solomon, Special to The Los Angeles Times
August 26, 2010

or the NY Times one:

Satoshi Kon, Anime Filmmaker, Dies at 46
By A. O. SCOTT
August 26, 2010

and speaking of the Paper of (Comics) Record, this one in antiques might sneak by people, but an Edward Gorey collection's been donated to Columbia University and pop culture auctioneer Heritage Auctions is coming to Manhattan:

Restoring the Studio of a Meticulous Sculptor
By EVE M. KAHN
August 26, 2010

Finally, Michael Cavna's got a bit on the Baltimore Comic-Con:

BALTIMORE COMIC-CON: Has it become the supreme antidote to San Diego?
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog August 27, 2010

*this one it turns out:

Japanese animated film director Kon dies at 46
By MARI YAMAGUCHI (AP) August 26 2010

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Ed Power interviewed on Comic Riffs blog

FAREWELL: His dream shot down, 'MY CAGE' cartoonist has a word for comics fans
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog August 26, 2010

WashPost Mag: Behind the Scene of Frank Cho's Art World

The Post sent me this notice that their Frank Cho story is online already:


This Sunday's Washington Post Magazine features a profile of comic book artist Frank Cho, who talks about how he started a comic strip in Beltsville, Maryland, despite being raised by parents who expected him to be a doctor or engineer.
 
Cho draws about six comics a year for Marvel and he's working on breaking into television.

Be sure to check out our video interview with Cho, where he talks about his love of brunettes (and the inspiration for the main character in his strip "Liberty Meadows") and his love of animals (usually dead on a plate, despite his animal-centric comic). Plus, go behind the scenes of The Post's magazine cover shoot featuring Frank on a hand-drawn set (a full day's work captured in less than 2 minutes):
 
Washington Post: Frank Cho's World (Video + Profile)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/artsandliving/frank-chos-world/  


Baltimore Sun on Baltimore Comic-Con

A comic con for comic fans
At a time when the big comic conventions are trying to be all things to all people, Baltimore's tries to keep its focus narrow
By Chris Kaltenbach, Baltimore Sun August 26, 2010

and if you missed it, here's me on it:

New Father Marc Nathan on His Other Baby, the Baltimore Comic-Con

PR: Jerry Robinson & Abrams ComicArts Come to Baltimore!

Jerry Robinson is a true gentleman, and, while best known to the BCC crowd for his early comic book work, he also had careers as a comic strip creator, a comics historian, and the founder of a syndicate that brought foreign editorial cartoons to US audiences. I'll be buying his book from him.


Jerry Robinson & Abrams ComicArts Come to Baltimore!
 
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - August 26, 2010 -
Jerry Robinson, the legendary artist who created the Joker and many other beloved comic book villains and heroes will sign copies of Jerry Robinson: The Ambassador of Comics on Saturday, August 28th and Sunday, August 29th at 11am at the Abrams ComicArts booth (1503).  Jerry will also be in attendance at the 2010 Harvey Awards Banquet and Ceremony.
 
Launched in 2009 as an imprint of the preeminent art book publisher ABRAMS, Abrams ComicArts publishes a wide array of books on comic arts and artists as well as original graphic novels.  Recent titles include The Simpsons Futurama Crossover Crisis by Matt Groening, the Eisner Award-winning The Art of Harvey Kurtzman by Dennis Kitchen, Shazam! by Chip Kidd, and Harvey Award Nominees: Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow by Brian Fies, The TOON Treasury of Classic Children's Comics by Art Spiegelman and Francoise Mouly, Johnny Cash: I See a Darkness by Reinhard Kleist, The Art of Osamu Tezuka: God of Manga by Helen McCarthy, Secret Identity: The Fetish art of Superman's Co-Creator Joe Shuster by Craig Yoe, Manga Kamishibai: The Art of Japanese Paper Theater by Eric P. Nash and Underground Classics by James Danky and Denis Kitchen.
 
Todd McFarlane Signing Schedule Expands to Benefit the Hero Initiative
Based on the response from his horde of fans and Todd's interest in supporting the Hero Initiative, Todd has expanded his schedule to have signing sessions on Saturday, August 28th from 10:30am-11:30am AND 1:30pm-3:30pm.  These signings will be done at booth 2403. In addition, we will have a Todd McFarlane spotlight panel session (room 308) from 12pm-1pm.

The Hero Initiative signing will happen from 10:30-11:30am in booth 2403. The signing will be limited to two items per person, with a required donation of $5.00 toward the Hero Initiative Fund.  The second signing time, sponsored by Image, will again be limited to 2 items at no additional cost to the fans.

 

Second Annual Baltimore Comic-Con Auction
On Sunday afternoon at 3:00, please join us in panel room 301-303 to see our annual art auction.  The Auction will feature work by this year's guests of the Baltimore Comic-Con.  Not everyone can get in line early enough to get a sketch from an artist at a convention, and this is your chance to walk away with a memory from the show.  The material will be on display throughout the weekend in the convention hall.

 
THIS JUST IN : Our auction will be hosted by the cool guys from the Comic Book Diner podcast, artists Rich Faber, John Gallagher, and Jamar Nicholas, along with their pal and Perhapanauts co-creator Todd Dezago.  They promise to make it a fun, lively event.  Come on out and join the fun.
 
Floor Plan Now On-Line
After fielding numerous requests from both guests and attendees alike, the Baltimore Comic-Con is pleased to announce the addition of our floor plan to our on-line content.  To view the floor plan, please visit http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/index.php/guests/2010-hall-layout/.
 
Cancellations :
Unfortunately, Geoff Johns has canceled his appearance at the show this weekend due to circumstances beyond his control.  "Marc Nathan puts on an amazing show in Baltimore, one I've been to many times and was really looking forward to attending again this year.  I had planned on being there Sunday, and I am sorry that I will not be able to make it out there.  I'll see everyone for Baltimore 2011 and the first round of drinks will be on me!"
 
Additionally, Kenneth Rocafort and Michael Broussard will not be able to join us this year either.  They both send their regrets and apologies for not being able to make it.
 
Added Guests
We are pleased to announce the addition of the following guests to the 2010 Baltimore Comic-Con:  Nelson Blake II (Magdalena), Rebecca Buchman (Brightest Day), Alex Eckman-Lawn (Awakening), Kate Glasheen (Hybrid Bastards!), Dave Johnson (Deadpool), Jason Latour (I Am An Avenger), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Dan Panosian (X-Factor Forever), Andrew Robinson (Halo), Dave Rodriguez (Starkweather: Immortal), Val Staples (Criminal), Richard Starkings (Elephentmen), Dirk Strangely (Jim Henson's Legends of the Dark Crystal), André Szymanowicz (Elephentmen), Nick Tapalansky (Awakening), and Mike Witmer (44 Union Avenue).
 
Previously announced guests include: Dave Aikins (SpongeBob Squarepants), Mike and Laura Allred (Madman), Sergio Aragones (Groo), J.D. Arnold (BB Wolf and the 3 LPs), Ivan Brandon (Nemesis:  The Imposters), Danna Bremer (Zuda Comics Crew), Tom Brevoort (Executive Editor, Marvel Comics), Buzz (JSA), Jim Calafiore (Secret Six), Eric Canete (New Avengers:  Luke Cage), Tommy Castillo (Moon Lake), Bernard Chang (Prince of Persia), Howard Chaykin (Black Kiss), Sean Chen (Nova), Cliff Chiang (Greendale), Mark Chiarello (Editor, DC Comics), Frank Cho (Ultimate Comics New Ultimates), Mike Choi (X-Force), Kevin Colden (I Rule The Night), Steve Conley (Star Trek Omnibus: The Original Series), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Shane Davis (Superman:  Earth One), Todd Dezago (The Perhapanauts), Ian Edginton (Victorian Undead), Steve Ellis (High Moon), Fillbach Brothers sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Ramona Fradon (Namora), Francesco Francavilla (The Green Hornet:  Year One), John Gallagher (Buzzboy), David Gallaher (High Moon), SL Gallant (G.I. Joe), Dan Govar (Azure), Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (Wednesday Comics), Ron Garney (Wolverine:  Weapon X), Sterling Gates (Supergirl), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Mike Gold (Editor, ComicMix Graphic Novels from IDW), Michael Golden (Marvel 1602:  Spider-Man), Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules!), Randy Green (New X-Men), Brad Guigar (Evil Inc.), Gabriel Hardman (Atlas), Tony Harris (Justice League: Generation Lost), Dean Haspiel (ACT-I-VATE), Marc Hempel (Absolute Sandman), Jonathan Hickman (Fantastic Four), Greg Horn (Green Lantern), Jason Horn (Ninjasaur), Adam Hughes (Wonder Woman), Jamal Igle (Supergirl), Klaus Janson (Daredevil), Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Van Jensen (Pinocchio:  Vampire Slayer), J.G. Jones (DC Universe Legacies), Joe Jusko (Red Sonja), Denis Kitchen (Oddly Compelling Art of Denis Kitchen), Barry Kitson (Iron Man 2 Prequel), Rich Koslowski (BB Wolf and the 3 LPs), Jason Kruse (World of Quest), Greg LaRocque (The Exiled), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Norman Lee (New Mutants), Jay Leisten (Uncanny X-Men), Steve Lieber (Underground), Joe Linsner (Dawn:  Not To Touch The Earth), Luna Brothers (The Sword), David Mack (Kabuki), Mike Maihack (Comic Book Tattoo), Clay Mann (X-Men Legacy), Laura Martin (Girl Comics), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Todd McFarlane - Saturday only (Spawn), Mark McKenna (Banana Tail), Mike McKone (Avengers Academy), Bob McLeod (New Mutants Forever), JD Mettler (Justice League: Generation Lost), Pop Mhan (Ender's Game: Mazer In Prison), Terry Moore (Echo, SiP), Mark Morales (Siege), Chris Moreno (Toy Story), Chip Mosher (Left on Mission, Marketing Director, Boom! Studios), Sean Murphy (Joe the Barbarian), Jamar Nicholas (Radiskull & Devil Doll: Radiskull Hate Love), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Phil Noto (Avengers:  The Origin), Sonia Oback (X-Force), Denny O'Neil (Batman), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex), Jeff Parker (Thunderbolts), Andrew Pepoy (Jack of Fables), Lauren Perry (Blank-ees), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Extinction), Matthew Petz (War of the Woods), Chris Pitzer (Publisher, Adhouse Books), Paul Pope (Wednesday Comics), Eric Powell (The Goon), Brian Pulido (Lady Death), Jack Purcell (Gotham City Sirens), Mike Raicht (The Stuff of Legend), Tom Raney (Black Widow:  Deadly Origin), Rico Renzi (The Perhapanauts), Chris Roberson (I, Zombi), James Robinson (Justice League of America), Budd Root (Cavewoman), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Marvel Her-Oes), Stephane Roux (Zatanna), Jim Rugg (Afrodisiac), Filip Sablik (The Asset, Top Cow Pubisher), Tim Sale courtesy of Hero Initiative (Captain America White), Ian Sattler (Editor, DC Comics), Alex Saviuk (Stan Lee and the Super Seven), Stuart Sayger (Bram Stoker's Death Ship), Bob Schreck (Jurassic Park), Jim Shooter (Magnus, Robot Fighter), Louise Simonson (X-Factor Forever), Walter Simonson (Thor), Andy Smith (WildC.A.T.S.), John K. Snyder III (The A-Team:  Shotgun Wedding), Allison Sohn (Star Wars sketchcard artist), Jim Starlin (Dreadstar), Chris Staros (Publisher, Top Shelf), Brian Stelfreeze (The Authority:  The Lost Year), Paul D. Storrie (Twilight Crusade:  Gabriel), Karl Story (Zatanna), Billy Tan (Shadowland), Richard Thompson (Cul-de-Sac), Ben Templesmith sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics (Choker), Mark Texeira (X-Men:  Origins), Bobby and Peter Timony (The Night Owls), Bob Tinnell (Lone Justice), Herb Trimpe (Incredible Hulk), Dean Trippe (Superior Showcase), Timothy Truman (Conan the Cimmerian), Billy Tucci (Shi), Ted Tucker (Buzzboy), Dexter Vines (Ultimate Avengers), Neil Vokes (Superman Adventures), Doug Wagner (World of Warcraft:  Horde), Matt Wagner (The Green Hornet:  Year One), Mark Waid (Irredeemable, Chief Creative Officer, Boom! Studios), Mark Wheatley (Lone Justice), Ron Wilson (Marvel Two-In-One), Marv Wolfman (New Teen Titans), John Workman (Heavy Metal), Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing), Kelly Yates (Doctor Who: 2010 Annual), Thom Zahler (Love and Capes), and Chrissie Zullo (Cinderella:  From Fabletown With Love).
 
Publishers exhibiting in 2010 include Archaia Comics, Adhouse Books, Boom! Studios, IDWImage Comics, Top Cow Productions, and Top Shelf Comix.
 
 
As always, the latest developments on the Baltimore Comic-Con can always be found at our website (http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/baltimorecomics), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/baltimorecomiccon), MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/baltimorecomics), and ComicSpace (http://www.comicspace.com/baltimorecomicon) pages.

This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010. Convention hours are Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. The ceremony and banquet for the Harvey Awards will be held Saturday night, August 28th.
 
Contact Information
Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:
 
press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution
promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications
registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations
harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for communications regarding the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet
general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries
 
About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 11th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. With a guest list unequaled in the industry, the Baltimore Comic-Con will be held August 28-29, 2010.  For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards.  With a history of over 20 years, the last 5 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories.  They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.  For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.