Annie's Annie profiled in today's Post UPDATED

The Kid's Post page is on Annie's Annie, Caitlin Deerin in today's Post. Thanks to Suze Eaton, check here and here.

Meet a Local Model Maker: David Wilson now at City Paper

Meet a Local Model Maker: A Chat with David Wilson
Posted by Mike Rhode
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/visual-arts/2010/12/14/meet-a-local-model-maker-a-chat-with-david-wilson/

I ran into Mr. Wilson at the Capicon comic book show a couple of weeks
ago and was struck by the amount of work he puts into making his
superhero models.

Dylan Horrocks on the real meaning of copyright

It's not quite as seasonal as the real meaning of Christmas, but ace New Zealand cartoonist Dylan Horrocks has an excellent article on the real meaning (and dangers) of copyright online now.

Jan 6: Political Cartoons of the Civil War and Their Role in Shaping History

Here's a tip from Warren Bernard. This is apparently a National Archives event and hopefully will be free, but it's not on their calendar yet. Thursday, January 6, at 7 p.m. Presented at the Newseum's Walter and Leonore Annenberg Theater 555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. Political Cartoons of the Civil War and Their Role in Shaping History How do political cartoons from the Civil War era reveal what Americans thought about the war and how they participated in the politics of the day? Join us for an illustrated discussion focusing on political cartoons—whether humorous, clever, or scathing—and their role in providing insight into the economic, political and moral issues surrounding the Civil War. Featured will be both Union and Confederate political cartoons. Moderated by Harold Holzer, co-author of The Lincoln Image: Abraham Lincoln and Popular Print, panelists include Joshua Brown, author of Beyond the Lines: Pictorial Reporting, Everyday Life, and the Crisis of Gilded Age America, John Adler, who compiled for the online resource HarpWeek, Illustrated Civil War Newspapers and Magazines, and Richard West, co-author of William Newman: A Victorian Cartoonist in London and New York. The National Archives Experience is pleased to present tonight's program in partnership with the Newseum.

Comic Riffs interviews Ward Sutton

PARODY OF THE DAY: The story behind 'How WikiLeaks Stole Christmas'
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog December 13 2010

Sutton's one of my favorite cartoonists - we need a collection of his work. He's done strips for TV Guide, and cartoon book reviews for Barnes and Noble's website...

Dec 14: Richard Thompson signing at Big Planet Comics

Richard Thompson will be at Big Planet Comics Bethesda on December 14th. That's tomorrow! He'll also be in Northern Virginia at a new bookstore on December 20th at 7 pm.

Yogi Bear wirestory in today's Express

There's Yogi Bear wirestory in today's Express, interviewing Dan Ackroyd about voicing Yogi.

Local Comic Book Writer Rob Anderson interview online at City Paper

Meet a Local Comic Book Writer: A Chat with Rob Anderson

Posted by Mike Rhode on Dec. 13, 2010

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/12/13/meet-a-local-comic-book-writer-a-chat-with-rob-anderson/

Local writer reviews new Eisner biography

Book review: 'Will Eisner: A Dreamer's Life in Comics,' by Michael Schumacher
By Chris Klimek / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News December 12, 2010.

In which it says, "Chris Klimek is a freelance writer based in Washington, D.C. Follow him on Twitter at @ctklimek."

Party Crashers exhibit opening photos

Bruce Guthrie has photographs of the Party Crashers exhibit opening on Saturday at Artisphere in Rosslyn on his website. I couldn't make the opening, but I previewed it at the City Paper site. I hope to see the exhibit over the holidays.

See an online preview of SL Gallant's GI Joe

See an online preview of SL Gallant's GI Joe, done with Larry Hama as a return to the classic era of the character.

G4's pick of the week is Luna Brother's The Sword

CAPES/NO CAPES: G4TV and Hero Complex pick the comics
LA Times Hero Complex Blog Dec. 10, 2010

"this ends with a gutpunch that will ... make you cherish your family just a little bit more..." says Blair Butler

Truitt on Batman incorporated

Batsuit up: The Dark Knight goes 'Incorporated'
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY December 10 2010
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-12-10-batman-incorporated_N.htm

That darn Weingarten

In today's Post's print edition, letter to the editor writer Leonard Greenberg takes Gene Weingarten (specifically) of Barney and Clyde to task for a poop joke. The paper hasn't put the letter online though. Dave Clarke and Dan Weingarten are apparently considered non compos mentos and not named in the letter. Here's the cartoon, because the Post doesn't let you link to a specific day's cartoon.

Post editorializes in favor of cartoon dog mural

Arlington County's hounding of a dog-care business makes no sense
December 10, 2010
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/10/AR2010121006104.html

and in the print paper today. One of the website commentors notes that there is a back door to the store in the mural, with the name of the store painted over the door.

Elena Steier, friend of ComicsDC, profiled

How a Local Cartoonist Found Her True Calling
Popular West Hartford Art League teacher Elena Steier tells her story.
By Ronni Newton  | December 10, 2010
http://westhartford.patch.com/articles/how-a-local-cartoonist-found-her-true-calling

Truitt on Reconcilers

'The Reconcilers' mines old-school heroism, real-life drama
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY December 10 2010
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-12-10-TheReconcilers_N.htm

Comics>Cartooning says Caro

Caroline Small, our local comics litcrit* type, begins building a Comics is greater than Cartooning equation at the Hooded Utilitarian.

*Evidence = "Or, to return to the jargon, how can we expect the dialectic to work without antithesis?"

PR: Beyond Comics Artist Signing Tomorrow - FUBAR

Graphic Novel Release Event Saturday December 11th 11:00am to 4:00pm Beyond Comics Frederick FUBAR is just another old fashioned zombie anthology featuring 15 stories by a large army of small-press creators. This zombie Nazi smashing epic spans the entire European Theater from Sussex to Stalingrad as the Allies come face to face with the walking dead. JEFF McCOMSEY BLOODY PULP, FUBAR, AMERICAN TERROR Confession of a Human Smart Bomb.] is a freelance artist carving out a living illustrating funny books and anything else that comes within arm's reach. When Jeff isn't chained to his drawing board, he enjoys spending quality time with his all too understanding bombshell girlfriend, Samantha, in their swanky Lancaster City pad. STEVE BECKER In the past Steve has worked with White Wolf for the 6th edition of Gamma World, inked Tim Truman's pencils on a Grimjack miniseries for IDW, and worked a freelance gig with Rockstar Games NYC on the Grand Theft Auto IV add on "The Ballad of Gay Tony". Most recently Steve has contributed two stories and the back cover art as well as designed the zombie shooting target line of merchandise for Jeff McComsey's World War II zombie comic anthology FUBAR. Steve is also lead background designer on the Atomic Robo: Last Stop animated film currently in production with The Fictory. MIKE IMBODEN FIST OF JUSTICE, WARMAGEDDON, Beyond Comics own store icon and creator/writer of Fist of Justice. Mike has become one of the top small press super-hero writers of the last several years and has written for divers comics throughout the indy arena. His latest work gets him back to one of his favorite subjects....zombies. Beyond Comics Frederick Location 5632 Buckeystown Pike Frederick, MD 21704 (301) 668-8202

Richard Thompson has an artistic temperament and he's a sweetheart, says advice columnist

Carolyn Hax held Richard Thompson up as an exemplar of artistic temperament in her Tell Me About It column on November 29th. Funny, he didn't mention it. Me, I'd have t-shirts quoting her made for my family.

Artisphere’s Half of “Party Crashers” Exhibit Opens Tomorrow

Artisphere's Half of "Party Crashers" Exhibit Opens Tomorrow
Posted by Mike Rhode on Dec. 10, 2010

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/general/2010/12/10/artisphere%e2%80%99s-half-of-party-crashers-exhibit-opens-tomorrow/

Comic Riffs on the end of Brenda Starr (which the Post didn't run)

After 70 years, Brenda Starr will soon face final deadline
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post December 10, 2010; C05
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/09/AR2010120907040.html

 

Neal (Conan) on Neil (Gaiman) on NPR

Neal Conan, who's in Washington, according to this story's dateline, although that never occurred to me before, interviewed Neil Gaiman today -

Best Of 2010: Gaiman On The 'Golden Age' Of Comics
National Public Radio's Talk of the Nation December 9, 2010
http://www.npr.org/2010/12/09/131937258/neil-gaiman-selects-top-american-comics-of-2010
http://public.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/totn/2010/12/20101209_totn_03.mp3
http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=131937258

- do you readers want me to link to more NPR stories since it's based here in DC? I can.

Politics and Prose's recommendations - (Almost) Wordless Books

December Graphic Novel Recommendations - (Almost) Wordless Books http://www.politics-prose.com/graphic-novels

Every month Adam Waterreus reviews graphic novels for our newsletter.

If you like this genre, consider participating in the Graphic Novel Bookgroup which meets the fourth Wednesday of every month.

Long-awaited Richard Thompson interview online now

Now posted to the City Paper -

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat with Richard Thompson

Posted by Mike Rhode on Dec. 9, 2010

 

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/12/09/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-richard-thompson/

John Kelly on Arlington cartoon dog mural

Whether Arlington mural is a sign or art, compromise could help resolve dispute [print title, 'Time to play nice over illegal dog mural', December 9]

By John Kelly
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 8, 2010; 7:41 PM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/08/AR2010120804163.html

Truitt on DC's Brightest Day

'Brightest Day' shines light on new DC Universe life By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY December 8 2010

SL Gallant's GI Joe comic book shipped today

Shannon "SL" Gallant, our Dupont Circle-area action hero artist, had the first issue of the GI Joe comic book reboot he's illustrating for 1980s fan favorite writer Larry Hama ship today - G.I. Joe #161 (IDW, $3.99) should be available at local comic stores.

McElhatton on Little

Greg McElhatton has a review up for Jason Little's new book Motel Art Improvement Service - I love Little's stuff. If only this had been out when his wife Myla Goldberg was in town last month signing her new book.

New Yorker cartoonist Liza Donnelly was in DC yesterday

According to the Daily Cartoonist, New Yorker cartoonist Liza Donnelly was in DC yesterday. Noted for history (although you can give TED $100 if you want to watch a recording of her talk).

Weldon explains the Green hero

A Spandex-Set Field Guide: Get To Know Your Greens (Hornet, Lantern, Arrow)

by Glen Weldon

National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (December 8, 2010)

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2010/12/08/131899207/a-spandex-set-field-guide-get-to-know-your-greens-hornet-lantern-arrow?sc=nl&cc=msb-20101208

- and he's got a suprising amount of comments from women.

A Chat With editorial cartoonist Steve Artley is up at City Paper

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat With Steve Artley

by Mike Rhode on Dec. 8, 2010

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/12/08/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-steve-artley/

 

Arlington cartoonish dog mural, continued.

A few days ago, I mentioned a mural of dogs in Arlington, and the battle over whether it's advertising a business or brightening up the adjacent dog park. Today's Washington Examiner reveals that the artist is Mark Gutierrez. The story says "The mural looks just like her logo," [Zoning administrator] Artman explained. "If you consider that the Mercedes Benz or Lexis logo is not advertising, then I suppose Ms. Houghton is correct."

So let's check that out:

Here's the top of Wag More Dogs website:

Here's a shot of the mural, from Courthouse News Services' good story on the lawsuit:

Looks like the same artist to me. Whether or not the mural is advertising for the business around the corner? I have no opinion, except that even if it is, I'd rather look at a piece of art than a blank wall. Gutierrez's painting is at least fun.

Jan 13: Brad Meltzer at Politics and Prose

January 13 at 7 pm, Brad Meltzer will be at Politics and Prose.

http://www.politics-prose.com/event/book/brad-meltzer-inner-circle

 

 

PR: New Kaltoons Store is Open

The new redesigned and refurbished Kaltoons store is now up and operational. Please stop by and browse for Kal books and the new fully illustrated Economist 2011 Wall Kalendar.  Here's the link:

http://shop.kaltoons.com

Best wishes

Kal

Kevin Kallaugher

kal@kaltoons.com

www.Kaltoons.com

The KAL iPhone App is now available at the iTunes store.

Send a holiday e-card from Donna Lewis' forthcoming Reply All comic strip

You too can send a holiday e-card from Donna Lewis' forthcoming Reply All comic strip - click here.

Dec 20: Cul de Sac booksigning

Richard Thompson will be at a new bookstore on December 20th at 7 pm. As previously noted, he'll be at Big Planet Comics Bethesda on December 14th. Lucky these are bookstores so he can get his Christmas shopping done.

Comic Riffs on Charlie Brown Christmas

Cavna gets quotes from Mike Peters and Michael Chabon too-

Tonight's 'A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS': Show's Emmy-winning producer reflects on its enduring appeal
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog (December 7 2010)

Comic art book reviews now at City Paper

International Ink: Think Holiday Thoughts

Posted by Mike Rhode on Dec. 7, 2010

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2010/12/07/international-ink-think-holiday-thoughts/

 

I'd be interested in hearing anyone's opinions about these, or any other books they'd recommend at the tail end of 2010.

PR: Fantom Comics Hardcover Holiday Sale

They called us crazy the first time we did. People looked at us with skepticism, "How can you sell these beautiful, pristine Marvel hardcovers at such low, low prices?"   The answer is simple; at Fantom Comics, we make the impossibe, happen.   And we're about to do it again. Over 50 select Marvel hardcovers will be on sale while supplies last.   These aren't damaged books or remainder copies. No, these are a special purchase and absolute things of beauty.   And a perfect opportunity to pick that perfect Christmas gift.   Let me give you the names of a few of the books included within this sale:   ASTONISHING X-MEN HC VOLUME ONE (Written by Buffy The Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon)   HULK VOLUME ONE: RED   ONSLAUGHT REBORN HC   ETERNALS BY NEIL GAIMAN HC   Hardcovers previously retailing $35, now priced at or below $12!   Are we crazy? Not at all. Just people who know a good bargain when we see one and more importantly, know how to pass it on to our awesome Fantom Comics customer.   Sale starts Wednesday, December 12th! Union Station - 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE | Washington, DC 20002 | 202-216-9478 www.fantomcomics.com

Arlington's dog mural

I hadn't paid much attention to the controversy over a Shirlington dog mural, but am being asked about it, so here's a couple of pieces on it -

 

http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/virginia/2010/12/arlington-doggie-mural-heart-federal-lawsuit

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/crime-scene/spencer-s-hsu/lawsuit-over-arlington-dog-mur.html

 

Anybody know who the artist is?

Richmond's AdHouse Books' Duncan the Wonder Dog featured as NY Times holiday book

Chris Pitzer, publisher of Richmond's AdHouse Books' has been putting out some high quality books, and now Duncan the Wonder Dog is featured as NY Times holiday book -

 

Holiday Books: Graphic Novels

By DAN KOIS
December 5, 2010

Nick Galifianakis #1 on local booksales list

Nick Galifianakis' new book is #1 on the Post's local booksales list -

1. If You Loved Me, You'd Think This Was Cute: Uncomfortably True Cartoons About You

(Andrews McMeel, $12.99). By Nick Galifianakis (1)

Gallant's GI Joe 'pick of the week' by G4 on LA Times site

Shannon Gallant and Larry Hama's GI Joe is 'pick of the week' by G4's Blair Butler on the LA Times Hero Complex site. 

In Between the Panels: DC's Emergence on the Graphic Novel Scene - parts 1 thru 6 on YouTube

In Between the Panels: DC's Emergence on the Graphic Novel Scene - parts 1 thru 6
Filmed by Astray Productions Joe Carabeo
Astray Productions (December 3 2010)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x26ZBYIl5Oc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft8mAYB_Yyc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pejmI3Q8Upo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwFoBZxVTPY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPp4Uc5WNqk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOoTnaoi1c4

In Between the Panels: DC's Emergence on the Graphic Novel Scene
Wednesday, November 17.
Busboys and Poets, 5th & K Streets, Washington, DC

The Women's National Book Association, DC Chapter  sponsored a panel discussion on the DC graphic novel scene. The panel for the event, was held at Busboys & Poets in Mount Vernon and included Carolyn Belefski, Molly Lawless, Matt Dembicki, and Mike Rhode.

Carolyn Belefski is the mastermind behind the web comic Curls. She is also one of the creators of several other comic books: Kid Roxy, Black Magic Tales, and The Legettes, and an indefatigable (nightly) poster to her blog, Sketch Before Sleep. Her work has appeared in USA WEEKEND Magazine, The Commonwealth Times, Virginia Living Magazine, Magic Bullet, CROQ Zine, and The Pulse on COMICON.com. Ms. Belefski is a nominee for the Kim Yale Award for Most Talented Newcomer for 2010.

Matt Dembicki is a DC-based cartoonist whose work includes the award-winning nature parable Mr. Big, The Great White Shark Story, Xoc, and The Brewmaster's Castle, about legendary DC brewer Christian Heurich. His latest anthology, Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection, has received rave reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal and has been nominated as one of the Young Adult Library Services Association's 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens. In addition to his own work, Dembicki also hosts kids' workshops in the DC area and beyond on making comic books.

Molly Lawless, a Boston native, moved to the DC area in 2005. She has self-published mini comics as well as a compilation, Infandum! Ad Infinitum. She is currently working on a full-length graphic novel for McFarland Publishing titled Hit by Pitch. She is an avid blogger and includes stories about her family in her daily posts.

Mike Rhode, panel moderator, is co-author of the comics research bibliography, editor of Exhibition and Media Reviews for the International Journal of Comic Art, and a contributing writer for Hogan's Alley. In 2008, he was named Best (Comics) Art Blogger by the Washington City Paper for his Comics DC blog. Rhodes edited Harvey Pekar: Conversations, a book of interviews with the late underground comic book writer and author of American Splendor published by the University Press of Mississippi. He has written for the Comics Journal and was selected as an RFK Journalism Awards judge for the editorial cartoon division of Comics Journal in 2009 and 2010. Rhodes currently writes about comics for the City Paper.

Matt Dembicki's Cartoon Cult exhibit photos

Matt Dembicki has put up some photographs of the opening of the Cartoon Cult exhibit at The Soundry in Vienna, VA.

Today: Capicon comics show at Tyson's Corner

Capicons Comic Book & Pop Culture Con
Sun, Dec. 5, 2010

10 am - 3 pm

Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire Hall, 

2148 Gallows Rd, Dunn Loring, Virginia

Admission $3 - Kids FREE!

Open to the public from 10 am - 3 pm. Buy, sell & trade: Gold, Silver, Bronze Age comics; Indie & Modern comics, Publishers & Creators, TV & Movie Collectibles. Non-sport cards; Videos & DVDs; Horror/Sci-Fi; figures, toys; Star Wars & Star Trek memorabilia; original artwork, posters and other comic-related collectibles.

FEATURING:
John Gallagher of Sky-Dog Comics (Buzzboy, Roboy Red)


Steve Conley (Star Trek, Astounding Space Thrills, Bloop, Kid Knight)


Andre Campbell and Tyran Eades of Heritage Comics HSQ


Dan Nokes, 21st Century Sandshark


Chris Flick, Capes & Babes


Rob Anderson, Panda Dog Press


Tim Dzon

Directions to DLVFRD: 
Take I-495 (DC/Capital Beltway) to Exit 47A (Rt. 7 West). Go 1/2 Mile, Left on Gallows Rd. 1 mile to 2148 Gallows Rd

"In Between the Panels: DC’s Emergence on the Graphic Novel Scene" video online now

Carolyn 'Curls' Belefski has posted a link to "In Between the Panels: DC's Emergence on the Graphic Novel Scene" video which is online now. Carolyn, Matt Dembicki and Molly Lawless talked comics while I read questions at them. Carolyn's SO Joe Carabeo kindly recorded the event for posterity. Carolyn also mentioned another website - Jada Bradley's DC Cultural Examiner blog - that covered the event.

Arlington Art Center cartoon classes in January

January COMIC ART Mini Semester
The FUNdaMentals!

Saturdays, January 8 & 15
12:30- 2 pm
Grades 6-8
Instructor: Eric Piccione
$37

Have fun with wacky characters in this cartooning course. In single panel and multi-panel exercises, develop a humorous main character. You will build important sketching, drawing, and inking skills while you review methods cartoonist devised to create a dynamic main character in your story. Visit the Jenkins Gallery to see work by students who took classes with Eric Piccione this summer. Click here for more information and to register.

KAPOW! Comic Explosion

Sundays, January 9, 16 & 23

12:30- 3:30 pm

For adults and mature high school juniors & seniors

Instructor: Jacqueline Levine

$90

BAM! You try to look the other way, but there it is too... COMICS! It's in advertisements, on sneakers, CD covers, clothes, and on your uncle's bookshelf. It's everywhere and everybody loves it. Come to Arlington Arts Center where ZAPP! you'll land into the classroom to learn the basics about creating comic art imagery. Explore inking, character development, narrative, and composition. You will then have the opportunity to use experimental mediums and forms to create your art piece in the format you envision. By the end of this class, POOF!, you are a creative superhero.

Please click here for more information and to register.

thanks to Herschel K for the tip!

Maira Kalman and Walking Dead featured in Post

'And the Pursuit of Happiness,' illustrator Maira Kalman's quirky take on American history
By Monica Hesse
Washington Post December 4, 2010

This event was filmed so hopefully will show up on the Library of Congress website. The Hirschhorn director introduced Kalman by saying she does illuminated manuscripts.

Q&A: 'The Walking Dead's' Andrew Lincoln
By Liz Kelly
Washington Post's Celebritology 2.0 blog December 3, 2010