William Gropper and a Semi- Secret History of Comics

I ran across the above at a flea market recently. Gropper sounded familiar, so I picked it up.

According to William Gropper Papers: An inventory of his papers at Syracuse University, Gropper was a leftist cartoonist, but he apparently had to make a living like everyone else and the library has a clippings file of:

New York American 1934, undated - includes Robert Benchley columns (2 folders)


I assume this drawing is for Benchley's column, but when Benchley's collection My Ten Years in a Quandry, and How They Grew came out, it was illustrated by the great Gluyas Williams. So my guess, and it's just a guess, is that nobody's really seen Gropper's illustrations for Benchley since they were done. In the book, one can find The Rule of 87, doubtless the work of fanatical reformers, is as follows: "One twin birth occurs to approximately 87 single births; one triplet to about 7,569 singles (87 squared); one quadruplet to about 658,503 singles (87 cubed); one quintuplet to about 57 million singles (87 to fourth power); one sextuplet to about five billion singles (87 to fifth power)". that's the rule. That's what we are supposed to abide by, whether we want to or not.

I'm sure modern fertility drugs have completely changed the rule.

This post benefited greatly from the help of Sara Duke of the Library of Congress. A search of the Library of Congress collections brings up 34 pieces by Gropper - to see them, go to http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pp/pphome.html and type in "William Gropper".

Quick Reviews for Comics Due 08-19-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 08-19-09

By John Judy

 

A.D.: NEW ORLEANS AFTER THE DELUGE GN written and drawn by Josh Neufeld.  Taking you back to the glory days of 2005 when Brownie was doing a heck of a job and nearly 2000 citizens of The Big Easy died before a certain Leader of the Free World was moved to joke about how drunk he used to get there in his younger days.  Recommended.

 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #603 by Fred Van Lente and Barry Kitson.  The Chameleon versus… Mary-Jane?  OK, that's more like it because really, The Chameleon?  I can beat The Chameleon and so can you.

 

ARCHIE #600 by Michael Uslan and Stan Goldberg.  Archie pops the question!  The Riverdale Gang is done with college and now it's time to make a lifetime commitment when you're barely into your twenties?  Reserve your copy now because this will no doubt get lots of media attention from reporters who like to use the words "Biff" and "Pow."

 

BATGIRL #1 by Bryan Q. Miller and Lee Garbett.  Now serving Number Six…  Seriously, this is the sixth Batgirl to grace the mean streets of Gotham.  And you thought Robin was a high turnover gig.

 

BLACKEST NIGHT: SUPERMAN #1 of 3 by James Robinson and Eddy Barrows.  The dead Earth-2 Superman is back and he's got some new jewelry.  Hijinks ensue.

 

DAREDEVIL #500 by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark.  Kingpin, Lady Bullseye and almost no mention of Norman Osborn! How?  How is this possible?!

 

DARK ENTRIES HC by Ian Rankin and Werther Dell'Edera.  Here's how you make reality TV worth watching: Put John Constantine on it and watch him kick the whole thing upside-down.  Not for kids.  Recommended.

 

DAYS MISSING #1 of 5 by Phil Hester and Frazer Irving.  The story of everyone's first semester of college… No, seriously it's about a guy who can erase certain things from the collective memory of mankind, for our own good.  I nominate "American Idol" and anything attached to the name "Palin."

 

EX MACHINA #44 by Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris.  Mayor Hundred descends into the rat-infested sewers of New York.  Is it fund-raising time already?  Recommended.

 

FILTHY RICH HC by Brian Azzarello and Victor Santos.  Spoiled rich heiresses and the washed-up losers who love them.  Not for kids.

 

HELLBLAZER #258 by Peter Milligan and Giuseppe Camuncoli.  Constantine must seduce a 2000 year-old demon, preferably without mentioning her bottle blonde hair, prominent Adam's apple and many appearances on Fox News.

 

MIGHTY AVENGERS #28 by Dan Slott and Khoi Pham.  Lotsa craziness, guest-starring the Young Avengers!  Plus, the coolest scientist in comics, Hank Pym!  In your face, Reed Richards!

 

PUNISHER: FRANK CASTLE MAX  #73 by Victor Gischler and Goran Parlov.  The guy in Frank's trunk just woke up.  That always adds spice to a Punisher book.  Fun stuff.  NOT for kids.

 

RED CIRCLE: THE WEB #1 by J. Michael Straczynski and Roger Robinson.  A callow billionaire is secretly a super-hero!  What will they think of next?

 

THE STAND: AMERICAN NIGHTMARES #5 of 5 by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Mike Perkins.  The survivors of Captain Trips start coming together, for better or for worse.  Get ready for Volume Three: Sole Survivors.  Recommended.

 

SUPERMAN ANNUAL #14 by James Robinson and Javier Pina.  Celebrating 14 years since the Man of Steel first hit the racks!  Yeah, I remember where I was in 1995 when those crazy kids Siegel and Shuster took the world by storm.  Sure we lost Calvin and Hobbes but we got Superman!  Recommended.

 

WEDNESDAY COMICS #7 of 12 by Lotsa People.  OK, past the half-way mark and no idea how some of these strips are gonna wrap in five weeks.  Winners include: Batman, Kamandi, Deadman, Green Lantern, Adam Strange, and Hawkman.  Honorable Mention to Superman, Supergirl, Metal Men and the Flash for looking great.  The rest… well, they still have five more issues to pull it out.

 

WOLVERINE: WEAPON X #4 by Joltin' Jason Aaron and Rowdy Ron Garney.  Sure the Adamantium Men have him out-numbered and out-gunned, but they'll never have him out-haired!  From the team that made Wolverine stop sucking.  Recommended.

 

X-FACTOR #47 by Peter David and Valentine DeLandro.  Sentinels, time-travel and bi-sexuality.  Individually any of these can complicate a young mutant's life.  But all at once?  Hoo-boy!  Recommended.

 

X-MEN: LEGACY #227 by Mike Carey and Dustin Weaver.  Rogue learns the downside of absorbing the powers and memories of the Greek God of War:  An insatiable need for olives and awkward headgear.  Happy fun times!

 

www.johnjudy.net

Post on surpressed Family Guy cartoon [UPDATED]

This is sort of old news, having circulated around the Internet for weeks, but "'Family Guy' Channels Controversy Onstage," By Emily Yahr, Washington Post Staff Writer. Friday, August 14, 2009.

Oddly enough, a very similar story ran 2 days earlier by their TV reporter - "'Family Guy's' Look at the Lighter Side of Abortion,"
By Lisa de Moraes, Washington Post Wednesday, August 12, 2009.

Today's Tank for Post readers

Here's today's Tank. Presumably Sunday will be back to normal.

2nd Cul de Sac book is immanent

Our Man Thompson got his early copies today. I believe he's working to attend one of the local comics shows as well.

PR: Science Idol - And the winner is...

Recently, we invited you to help choose the winner in Science Idol: Celebrity Edition, a cartoon contest designed to poke fun at the not-so-humorous problem of political interference in science. After almost 10,000 votes were cast, Jesse Springer of Eugene, OR, came out on top. His cartoon will grace the cover of this year's Scientific Integrity Calendar:

Jesse is a graphic designer and part-time editorial cartoonist who recognizes the need for oversight of the Obama administration and Congress. "This is a really tricky time for those who hoped that Obama's election was going to be a start of something new," he said. "We need to point out the commitments that they made and hold the administration accountable to them."

Click to see all 12 contestants and learn more about Jesse.

The Scientific Integrity Calendar
In addition to providing you with a year's worth of laughs, the 2010 Scientific Integrity Calendar is a valuable educational tool, highlighting the need for the Obama administration and Congress to create a thriving federal scientific enterprise.

You can order your 2010 Scientific Integrity Calendar here. It makes a great gift to your scientist and non-scientist friends and family who believe that policy decisions should be guided by the best available science. The calendars are just $10 each, with discounts for UCS members and bulk orders and proceeds support the Union of Concerned Scientists.

I hope you enjoy the cartoons and the calendar!

Sincerely,

Michael Halpern
National Field Organizer
Scientific Integrity Program

P.S. Defending science from political interference will require the persistent and energetic engagement of both scientists and citizens. As a member of the UCS action network, we'll continue to keep you informed about ways you can help support independent science. Scientists, engineers, and health professionals are invited to join our Restoring Scientific Integrity Network.

Miyazaki's Ponyo opens today

I hope to be able to catch it tomorrow night. Here's the Washington Post:

"Disney's Japan Import 'Ponyo' Soars Sky-High Under the Sea," By Dan Kois, The Washington Post August 24, 2009.

...the Wash Times gives it 2 stars... what can one say about a review saying Miyazaki lacks "visual artistry"...

"MOVIE REVIEW: 'Ponyo'; Visual artistry lacking in new anime feature," By Sonny Bunch, Washington Times Friday, August 14, 2009.

Meanwhile the NY Times says "This movie has been designated a Critic's Pick by the film reviewers of The Times." Who you gonna trust?

"Forces of Nature, Including Children [Ponyo]," By MANOHLA DARGIS, August 14, 2009.

2004 Herblock award winner Matt Davies fired

See "Matt Davies, Pulitzer-Winning Cartoonist, Loses Job at 'Journal-News' -- With Many Others," By E&P Staff, August 13, 2009.

Today's Tank for Post readers

Here's today's Tank.

Nevin Martell taking questions at Daily Cartoonist

Go to "Ask Nevin Martell about Looking for Calvin and Hobbes," by Alan Gardner, August 13, 2009. Alan's also got a review of the book up.

Today's Tank for Post readers

Here's today's Tank.

PR: Baltimore Comic-Con 2009 Hotels and Guests So Far!

Baltimore Comic-Con 2009 Guests and More! Baltimore, Maryland - August 12, 2009 - The Baltimore Comic-Con staff have been busily working on arranging the Harvey Awards, accommodations, promotions, partnerships, exhibitors, and guests, and we're behind announcing much of it!  While there are a number of things still in the development stages, here's some information we can share now.   Hotel Accommodations A new feature of our on-line presence this year, the Baltimore Comic-Con is now providing a gateway to hotel accommodations around the Baltimore Convention Center!  From our main webpage, click on the "Hotels" link (http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/hotels.htm).  This helpful tool enables you to request rooms on-line, compare prices, and review descriptions, amenities, and locations.  We encourage those of you traveling from outside of the region to take advantage of this added convenience. Guests Last month, we announced a number of today's top Marvel creators attending the show, including Jason Aaron (Wolverine), Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers), Frank Cho (Ultimates 4), David Finch (Ultimatum), Matt Fraction (Uncanny X-Men), and Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man). We're bringing in an amazing slate of first-time guests this year for you to meet, including Mike and Laura Allred (Madman), Doug Braithwaite (Wolverine: Origins), Pat Broderick (Vincent Price Presents), Jo Chen (New Avengers:  The Reunion), Jimmy Cheung (New Avengers: Illuminati), J.M. DeMatteis (Daredevil), Evan Dorkin (Beasts of Burden), Jan Duursema (Star Wars:  Legacy), Sarah Dyer (Superman Adventures), Steve Englehart (Avengers), Bob Fingerman (Recess Pieces), Kathryn Immonen (Runaways), Scott Koblish (Final Crisis:  Legion of Three Worlds), Steve Lieber (Underground), Tom Mandrake (The Outsiders), Larry Marder (Beanworld), Laura Martin (Thor), Kevin Nowlan (The Spirit), Jeff Parker (Agents of ATLAS), Whilce Portacio (Spawn), Buddy Prince (Night), Brian Pulido (Lady Death), Ian Sattler (Final Crisis:  Aftermath), Marc Silvestri (Witchblade), Peter Tomasi (Blackest Night:  Batman), Jim Valentino (Shadowline Comics), Rob Venditti (The Surrogates), Len Wein (Justice League of America), and Brian Wood (sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics, Northlanders). You'll also see many returning guests, such as Dick Ayers (Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos), Jim Calafiore (Batgirl), Nick Cardy (Aquaman), Bernard Chang (Wonder Woman), Sean Chen (Dark Reign:  Fantastic Four), Cliff Chiang (Green Arrow & Black Canary), Chris Claremont (X-Men Forever), Steve Conley (Star Trek:  Year Four), Amanda Conner (Power Girl), Todd Dezago (Marvel Adventures:  Spider-Man), Al Feldstein (Mad), John Gallagher (Buzzboy), Ron Garney (Wolverine:  Weapon X), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules), Cully Hamner (Detective Comics), Tony Harris (Ex Machina), Dean Haspiel (The Alcoholic), Adam Hughes (Power Girl), Stuart Immonen (New Avengers), Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), J.G. Jones (Final Crisis), Joe Jusko (Kolchak:  Tales of the Night Stalker), Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Greg LaRocque (Peter Parker:  The Spectacular Spider-Man), Luna Brothers (The Sword), David Mack (Kabuki), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Sean McKeever (Teen Titans), Mark McKenna (BananaTail), Mike McKone (Amazing Spider-Man), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Mark Morales (Secret Invasion), Doug Murray (Jungle Girl Season 2), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Phil Noto (Batgirl), Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex), Dan Parsons (Star Wars:  The Clone Wars), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Comics Armor Wars), Eric Powell (The Goon), Tom Raney (Dark Reign:  Hawkeye), Alex Robinson (Too Cool to be Forgotten), James Robinson (Superman), Budd Root (Cavewoman), Don Rosa (Uncle Scrooge), Craig Rousseau (Iron Man & The Armor Wars), Stephane Roux (Amazing Spider-Man), Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), Tim Sale (Heroes), Scott Christian Sava (Dreamland Chronicles), Walt Simonson (Thor), Andy Smith (Dean Koontz's Nevermore), Jim Starlin (Strange Adventures), Brian Stelfreeze (Final Crisis Aftermath:  Ink), Karl Story (Batman:  Streets of Gotham), Herb Trimpe (Hulk), Billy Tucci (Sgt. Rock:  The Lost Battalion), Dexter Vines (Wolverine), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest), Doug Wagner (The Ride), Matt Wagner (Grendel), Mark Waid (The Incredibles), and Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing). Guest of Honor We're proud and ecstatic to announce that our tenth anniversary headliner is George Perez  (Final Crisis:  Legion of Three Worlds)!  George was one of our guests in our first year, and has returned numerous times over the past 10 years.  In addition to headlining the show, George will be providing the artwork for our program in 2009! "What an incredible line-up we've arranged for our 10th anniversary show," said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "We have been chugging along, building the guest list, working with the city of Baltimore on the hotel program, coordinating the Harvey Awards, and a million other little things involved with getting things ready for October." In coming weeks, look for ongoing announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting added guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found at our website, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and ComicSpace pages. This year's Baltimore Comic-Con will be held October 10-11, 2009. 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, October 10th. As we continue to get ready for this year's show, we would like to remind you to mark your calendar for next year's Baltimore Comic-Con dates: August 28-29, 2010. About The Baltimore Comic-Con The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 10th 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 Oct 10-11, 2009. 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 4 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.

Yale to publish book on Danish Islam cartoons without the cartoons

Well, this seems totally pointless, doesn't it? Publish a book called “The Cartoons That Shook the World” and leave out the images? For more details, read "Yale Press Bans Images of Muhammad in New Book," By PATRICIA COHEN, New York Times August 13, 2009. Mr. Aslan's comments in particular should be noted.

Normally I would buy a book like this as a matter of course, but I'm going to boycott this one. If Yale doesn't have the courage of their convictions, I see no reason to support them.

Michigan State U's Comic Art Collection's June 2009 additions

And we return to see what new items MSU's Comic Art Collection had added in June...

Randy keeps working his way through the cheap comics boxes, and getting parts of series, including Mark Chiarello's last big creative comic at DC before Wednesday Comics:

Solo. -- New York : DC Comics, 2004-2006. -- col. ill. ; 26
cm. -- Published no. 1 (Dec. 2004) - no. 12 (Oct. 2006),
cf. Official Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. -- Each
issue showcases work of a different comics creator. --
Partial contents: 3. Paul Pope ; ; 5. Darwyn Cooke. ; 6.
Jordi Bernet ; 7. Michael Allred ; ; 11. Sergio Aragonés.
-- LIBRARY HAS: no. 5-7, 11 (2005-2006). -- Call no.: PN6728.7.D3S6

...boy, after this there's a lot of partial sets of lame superhero titles...

...lots and lots of them...

Here's some old Clare Briggs...

Golf : the Book of a Thousand Chuckles : the Famous Golf
Cartoons / by Briggs. -- Chicago : P.F. Volland & Co.,
1916. -- 125 p. : ill. (some col.) 24 x 33 cm. -- Call no.:
folio GV965.B77 1916

I'll have to ask librarian Sara Duke about this one:

Five Paintings from Th. Nast's Grand Caricaturama /
introduction and commentary by Lloyd Goodrich. -- New York
: Swann Collection of Caricature and Cartoon, 1970. -- 14
p. : ill. (5 fold. col.) ; 20 x 25 cm. -- Catalog of an
exhibition held Mar. 24-May 10, 1970, at the Whitney Museum
of American Art, New York, and July 1-Aug. 30, 1970, at the
National Collection of Fine Arts, Washington, D.C. -- Call
no.: NC1429.N3G6

Here's a semi-pro fanzine...

Top Cow Newsletter. -- Haddonfield, N.J. : Dynamic Forces,
1997- . -- ill. ; 26 cm. -- Began with v. 1, no. 1 (Apr.
1997). -- "The official Top Cow fan club newsletter." --
LIBRARY HAS: no. 1-2 (1997). -- Call no.: PN6714.T59T6

By god, those hypocrites at Treasure Chest had their nerve:

"You Shouldn't Be Reading This Kind of Trash"* (You Are
Citizens Now) p. 11-16 in Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact,
v. 13, no. 10 (Jan. 16, 1958). -- Story about getting
objectionable comic books removed from newsstands. --
"Prepared under the supervision of the commission on
American Citizenship, Catholic University of America,
Washington, D.C." -- Call no.: PN6728.1.P43T7v.13no.10

This just sounds wrong:

Little Martin : Coloring Book / written by Jacquelyn Caffey ;
illustrated by Ron Scarbough. -- Highland Park, Mich. :
School District of the City of Highland Park, 1982 or 1983?
-- 32 p. : ill. ; 28 cm. -- About Martin Luther King Jr. --
Includes author and illustrator biographies on p. 2. --
Call no.: E185.97 K5C34 1980z

How many Publisher titles has Marvel done anyway?

The Punisher. -- New York : Marvel Comics Group, 2001-2004. --
col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Published no. 1 (Aug. 2001) - no. 37
(Feb. 2004), cf. Official Overstreet Comic Book Price
Guide. -- Has also volume numbering (v. 4). -- Superhero
genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 3, 10, 14-15, 21-23, 30-31
(2001-2003). -- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3P803
-----------------------------------------------------
Punisher Max Annual. -- New York : Marvel Publishing, 2007. --
48 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- (Max Comics) -- "No. 1,
November, 2007." -- Cover title: Punisher Annual. --
Superhero genre. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3P82 2007
-----------------------------------------------------
Punisher Presents : Barracuda Max. -- New York : Marvel
Publishing, 2007. -- col. ill. ; 26 cm.-- (Max Comics) --
Complete in 5 nos. -- Cover title: Punisher Presents
Barracuda. -- Superhero genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 2-3, 5.
-- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3P8305 2007
-----------------------------------------------------
Punisher : Red X-Mas. -- New York : Marvel Comics, 2005. -- 48
p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- "No. 1, February, 2005." --
Superhero genre. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3P8309 2005
-----------------------------------------------------
Punisher : Silent Night. -- New York : Marvel Comics, 2006. --
48 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- (Marvel One-Shot) -- "No. 1,
February, 2006." -- Christmas story. -- Superhero genre. --
Call no.: PN6728.7.M3P8312 2006

I read this yesterday for a lecture I'm doing - it's good:

Janet & Me : an Illustrated Story of Love and Loss / Stan
Mack. -- New York : Simon & Schuster, 2004. -- 157 p. :
ill. ; 24 cm. -- Summary: Stan Mack follows his
eighteen-year relationship with Janet Bode, a lighthearted
fling that beat the odds to become an enduring love affair.
The only thing they couldn't beat was cancer. As Janet and
Stan confront the jagged terrain of cancer, then navigate
the twilight of terminal illness, two portraits emerge: of
a woman who faced her cancer the same way she lived her
life, with guts and charm; and of the man who held her
close and shared her struggle. -- About breast cancer. --
Autobiographical genre. -- Format is text with interjected
drawings and comics. -- Call no.: RC280.B8B596 2004

Boltinoff did a lot of those innocuous half-page, 4 panel gags in 1960s DC Comics so this just sounds wrong too:

Sex is Better in College / edited by Henry Boltinoff. -- New
York : Pyramid Books, 1962. -- 158 p. : ill. ; 18 cm. --
"G-702". -- Jokes and cartoons. -- Call no.: PN6231.S54S4 1962

Oooh, I want one of these. I love a good advertising giveaway... well, it's probably not good, but you know what I mean...

Onstar Batman Special Edition #2. -- New York : DC Comics,
2001. -- 8 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- "Special limited
edition #2 presented by OnStar." -- "Can OnStar personal
calling & virtual advisor help Batman defeat Mr. Freeze?"
-- Superhero and advertising genres. -- Call no.: PN6728.25.D3 O52 2001

I'm thrilled to see so many biographies of cartoonists appearing now...

Man of Rock : a Biography of Joe Kubert / by Billy Schelly. --
Seattle, Wash. : Fantagraphics Books, 2008. -- 306 p. :
ill. ; 23 cm. -- Includes bibliographical references (p.
293-296) and index. -- Call no.: PN6727.K8 Z5S35 2008

I loved the Shadow as a kid, and bought the Steranko-covered reprint of the Charg, Monster pulp...

The Shadow Comics, v. 1, no. 8 (Jan. 1941)
CONTENTS: "Charg, the Murder Monster" (The Shadow) 20 p. --
"The Head" (Hooded Wasp) 12 p. -- "King Leo's Great Fight"*
(Cappy Can) 8 p. -- "Three Musketeers, pt. 5" 6 p. --
"Frank and Fearless" 7 p. -- "Case of the Gray Toupee"*
(Carrie Cashin) 6 p. -- "Stagecoach Reminiscences" 2 p.
text -- Data from Lou Mougin via Grand Comics Database
Project. -- Call no.: Film 15791r.171

Check out the incongruity of these following five titles being next to each other...

Disney's Mickey Mouse in The Cactus Kid / written by Lee
Nordling. -- New York : Mallard Press ; Greenwich, CT :
Twin Books, 1990. -- 43 p. : col. ill. ; 31 cm. -- Summary
(from OCLC): Mickey poses as the Cactus Kid when he goes
after some cattle rustlers. -- Funny animal fiction. --
Call no.: PN6728.M46C25 1990
-----------------------------------------------------
Mix Tape / Food One/Jim Mahfood art. -- Berkeley, Calif. :
Image Comics, 2008- . -- col. ill. ; 32 cm. -- Showcase of
Jim Mahfood's art. -- Spine title: Mixtape. -- Alternative
genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: v. 1. -- Call no.: PN6727.M308M5
2008
-----------------------------------------------------
The Wizard of Oz : Color by Number. -- 198-? or 199-? -- 1 v.
: ill. ; 28 cm. -- Call no.: folio PS3503.A923C65 1980z
-----------------------------------------------------
Ye Madde Designer / by Low. -- London : The Studio ; New York,
The Studio Publications, 1935. -- 128 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. --
Call no.: NC1479.L65A4
-----------------------------------------------------
Fun with Words in the Country. -- New York : Gallery Books,
1991. -- 44 p. : col. ill. ; 31 cm. -- (Disney Babies) --
"Twin Books." -- Summary (from OCLC): Baby Disney
characters learn words as they wander around in the
country. -- Key word: Vocabulary. -- Call no.: PE1449.F8 1991

I'm guessing there's not too many copies of this in America...

Nepalese Cartoons : Himalayan Humour / Ram Kumar Panday. --
Kathmandu : Ratna Pustak Bhandar, 1997. -- 94 p. : ill. ;
23 cm. -- (Sense of Humour Series) -- Includes pen
portraits of cartoonists represented. -- Includes
bibliographical references (p. 94). -- Call no.: DS495.3.P373 1997

And here's a copy of my buddy Gene's book...

Erotic Comics : a Graphic History from Tijuana Bibles to
Underground Comix / by Tim Pilcher with Gene Kannenberg,
Jr. -- New York : Abrams, 2008. -- 192 p. : ill. (some
col.) ; 26 cm. -- Includes bibliographical references (p.
188) and index. -- Call no.: PN6710.P54E7 2008

Damn them!

"The Nazis Invade New Jersey"* (Ajax the Sun Man) / Jack
Binder. 8 p. in Doc Savage Comics, v. 1, no. 9 (Sept.
1942). -- Call no.: Film 15791r.176

Who would have ever thought we'd see so much interest in the great Basil Wolverton?

The Original art of Basil Wolverton : from the Collection of Glenn Bray / by Glenn Bray. -- San Francisco, Calif. : Last
Gasp ; Santa Ana : Grand Central Press, 2007. -- 271 p :
ill. (some col.) ; 31 cm. -- Published in conjunction with
the exhibition, "The Original Art of Basil Wolverton for
the CSUF," Grand Central Art Center, Santa Ana, California,
Sept. 2 - Nov. 11, 2007. -- Call no.: PN6727.W57 O7 2007

Or a reference project like this?

The Definitive Frazetta Reference / James A. Bond, Dr. David Winiewicz, Andrew Steven. -- Lakewood, New Jersey :
Vanguard Productions, 2008. -- 208 p. : ill. (chiefly col.)
; 28 cm. -- Contents: Four-color Fritz : the comic book
years ; Devotees & afficionados : fan publications ; Off
the rack : the Frazetta magazines ; Frame by frame :
entertainment advertising ; Paperback dreams : book covers
& interior illustrations ; Art for art's sake : prints &
portfolios ; Sculptures & figurines ; In the groove : the
album covers ; The Frazetta canon / David Winiewicz ;
Appendix A. An alphabetical listing of Frazetta's painted
work ; Appendix B. A chronological listing of Frazetta's
comic book career. -- Call no.: PN6727.F7 Z5B6 2008

... I got mine!

Hmmm, this sounds interesting...

How They Draw Prohibition / edited and with foreword by Arthur Bartlett Maurice. -- New York : Association Against the
Prohibition Amendment, 1930. -- 93 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. --
Cartoons. -- Call no.: NC1763.P7M3 1930

So June wrapped up much better than it started... join us soon for July.

PR: Bamn ...And the Small Press Expo!

From: Troy Allen <bamncan@hotmail.com>

Last week, The Bamn Crew announced that we would be rolling into the Baltimore Comic Con in October. Well, it appears we will be having a busy 2 weeks --- I neglected to mention that we will also be returning to the Small Press Expo on September 26th thru the 27th of 2009.

We debuted the first issue of Bamn last year at "S.P.X." and will be debuting Jay's solo book "Crystal Clear" this year.

As an added bonus, we are exhibiting under DC Conspiracy, the same people who gave us The Dr. Dremo War Anthology. DC Conspiracy will be debuting their new Dremo book titled "The Spoils of Crime" which contains a short story by David Dean and I (Troy)!

You can find more about The SPX at their website: http://www.spxpo.com/

Washington Post joined in censorship of Tank

The Washington Post was joined in its censorship of Tank McNamara. See Michael's story at "Keeping Score: Who's NOT Running This Week's 'Tank'?," by Michael Cavna, Washington Post Comic Riffs August 12 2009. He's also got links to how the story went viral. I'll steal one of his links here, for the record -

Washington Post pulls comic featuring Vick, Cheney
By CHRISTIAN BOONE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution August 10 2009

And for those of us who still subscribe to the Post - here's today's Tank.

Michigan State U's Comic Art Collection's May 2009 additions

I've fallen a bit behind on these posts looking at MSU's newly-catalogued items for the comics collection, so lets dive into May.

The month started with some fairly pedestrian American superhero comics, but May 1 did have this oddity:

Afrique Citoyenne. -- Dakar : Association sénégalaise de
coopération décentralisée ; Fann Dakar : Fondation Konrad
Adenauer, 2003- . -- col. ill. ; 30 cm. -- Began with no. 1
(mai 2003). -- "Bande dessinée pour la jeunesse africaine".
-- Educational genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 17-18
(2008-2009). -- Call no.: PN6790.S44A35


There's a lot of single comic strip cataloguing, mostly from the King Features Syndicate donation of last year. If you're looking for 1933 Toots & Casper...

I actually saw this in a bookstore for half-price last week, but didn't go for it:

In the Small / written and illustrated by Michael Hague with
Devon Hague. -- New York : Little, Brown and Co., 2008. --
124 p. : col. ill. ; 27 cm. -- Summary (from OCLC): When a
mysterious cataclysmic event, "the blue flash," causes the
population of the earth to shrink in size to six inches
tall, suddenly humanity has the tables turned on itself:
The very civilization it has created becomes its greatest
obstacle to survival. Animals and the environment, which
have long suffered under the rule and/or destruction of
humans, are now some of their most feared enemies. Amid the
confusion and turmoil, two strong teenagers, 18-year-old
Mouse and his younger sister Beat, emerge as the most
promising leaders, eventually setting out on a quest to
discover the secret that could redeem this strange new
world. -- Fantasy genre. -- Call no.: PN6727.H253 I5 2008b


Randy Scott's still cataloging a lot of the Catholic comic:

Treasure Chest of Fun and Fact, v. 13, no. 3 (Oct. 10, 1957)
CONTENTS: "The Police Let Him Go"* (Chuck White and His
Friends) p. 3-8 -- "The Disconcerting Dodger" (Those Were
the Days!) p. 9-11 -- "Indulgences" (Traveling First-Class)
p. 12-15 -- "Danger! Curious Bear!" text p. 16-17 -- "What
Does Your State's Name Mean?" p. 18-19 -- "No Peace for
Bears" p. 20-25 -- "Personality Workshop" (Patsy Manners)
p. 26-28 -- "The Swiss Guards" p. 29-34 -- "The Serpent"*
(Pierre) p. 35 -- Call no.: PN6728.1.P43T7v.13no.3


...presumably somebody is interested.

I imagine this can't be too common - and there's some great cartoonists in it...

I Couldn't Help Laughing! : an Anthology of War-Time Humour /
edited by D.B. Wyndham Lewis. -- London : Lindsay Drummond,
1943. -- 3d enlarged ed. -- 160 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. --
Includes index of writers and artists. -- Artists are:
Acanthus ; Kay Ambrose ; Anton ; Bruce Bairnsfather ;
Nicolas bentley ; Fenwick ; Fougasse ; Walter Goetz ; Hynes
; Osbert Lancaster ; David Langdon ; Low ; Norman
Mansbridge ; George Morrow ; Palmer ; Pont ; Siggs ;
Sillince ; Strube ; Feliks Topolski ; Vicky. -- About World
War II. -- Call no.: D745.2.L4 1943


... and Zapiro's been in the news a lot lately for his feud with new South African president Zuma (who keeps suing him):

The Mandela Files / by Zapiro ; consultant editor: Andy Mason.
-- Cape Town : Double Storey, 2009. -- 206 p. : ill. ; 30 x
30 cm. -- Cartoons about Nelson Mandela and South African
politics. -- Call no.: folio DT1974.Z363 2009


Is Spain Yiddish?

Rivington Street : a Portfolio of Comics on Yiddish culture /
art by Spain Rodriguez ; stories by Joel Schechter. --
2009. -- 8 leaves : ill. ; 43 x 28 cm. -- "A special
collection of comic strips created for Jewish Currents and
other publications, January 2009." -- Historical genre. --
Call no.: broadsheet PN6727.R625R5 2009

Mark McKinney's book from my publisher... this one should be good, but I don't have a copy yet...

History and Politics in French Language Comics and Graphic
Novels / edited by Mark McKinney. -- Jackson : University
Press of Mississippi, 2008. -- 300 p. : ill. ; 25 cm. --
Includes bibliographical references and index. -- Contents
: French-language comics terminology and referencing ;
Representation of history and politics in French-language
comics and graphic novels: an introduction / Mark McKinney
; pt. 1. History, politics, and the Bande dessinée
tradition. Trapped in the past: anti-semitism in Hergé's
Flight 714 / Hugo Frey ; Re-imaging heroes/rewriting
history: the pictures and texts in children's newspapers in
France, 1939-45 / Clare Tufts ; The concept of "patrimoine"
in contemporary Franco-Belgian comics production / Bart
Beaty ; pt. 2. Political reportage and globalism in Bandes
dessinées. Citizenship and city spaces: Bande dessinée as
reportage / Ann Miller ; Games without frontiers: the
representation of politics and the politics of
representation in Schuiten and Peeters's La frontière
invisible / Fabrice Leroy ; pt. 3. Facing colonialism and
imperialism in Bandes dessinées. The Algerian War in Road
to America (Baru, Thévenet, and Ledran) / Mark McKinney ;
The Congo drawn in Belgium / Pascal Lefèvre ; Distractions
from history: redrawing ethnic trajectories in New
Caledonia / Amanda Macdonald ; Textual absence, textual
color: a journey through memory - Cosey's Saigon-Hanoi /
Cécile Vernier Danehy ; pt. 4. A French cartoonist's
perspective on the working class and Bandes dessinées. The
working class and comics: a French cartoonist's perspective
/ Baru. -- Call no.: PN6745.H52 2008

One wonders if Libertarian has the same connotation in England since Judge Dredd is about as fascist as one could find...

The Dredd Phenomenon : Comics and Contemporary Society / John
Newsinger. -- Bristol : Libertarian Education, 1999. -- 99
p. : ill. ; 21 cm. -- Includes bibliographical references.
-- About Judge Dredd and other British comics. -- Call no.:
PN6735.N43 1999

Here's one from a former and perhaps current Washington-area artist:

How to Draw Noir Comics : the Art and Technique of Visual
Storytelling / by Shawn Martinbrough. -- New York :
Watson-Guptill, 2007. -- 144 p. : ill. ; 28 cm. -- Includes
index. -- Summary (from OCLC): Describes the techniques
needed to draw noir comics such as creating mood, staging
action, working with a script, characters, and lightning.
-- Call no.: NC1764.M375 2007

One of the best books of 2007, now being remaindered at Borders for $1 I hear. Sigh:

Tamara Drewe / Posy Simmonds. -- Boston : Houghton Mifflin,
2008. -- 1 v. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- "A Mariner original."
-- Originally published: London : Random House, 2007. --
Alternative genre. -- Call no.: PN6737.S48T3 2008


Surely one of my readers can donate the missing X-Men issues - it's tax-deductible!

X-Men : Colossus : Bloodline. -- New York : Marvel Comics,
2005-2006. -- col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- (Marvel Limited Series)
-- Complete in 5 nos. -- Superhero genre. -- LIBRARY HAS:
no. 1-2. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3X234 2005
-----------------------------------------------------
X-Men : Deadly Genesis. -- New York : Marvel Comics, 2006. --
col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- (Marvel Limited Series) -- Complete
in 6 nos. -- Superhero genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: no. 2, 4. --
Call no.: PN6728.7.M3X235 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
X-Men Fairy Tales. -- New York : Marvel Publishing, 2006. --
col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- (Marvel Limited Series) -- Complete
in 4 nos. -- Superhero and fantasy genres. -- LIBRARY HAS:
no. 1-2. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3X242 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
X-Men : First Class. -- New York : Marvel Publishing,
2006-2007. -- col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- (Marvel Limited Series)
-- Complete in 8 nos. -- Superhero genre. -- LIBRARY HAS:
no. 1-5. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3X244 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
X-Men Movie Special Premiere Prequel Edition. -- New York :
Marvel Comics, 2000. -- 32 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Cover
title: X-men the Movie. -- "May 2000." -- Superhero genre.
-- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3X33 2000
-----------------------------------------------------
Men & X-Men / Chris Claremont, Sean Chen. -- New York : Marvel
Publishing, 2006. -- col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- (X-Men : the End
; v. 3) -- Complete in 6 nos. -- Superhero genre. --
LIBRARY HAS: no. 3. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.M3X483 2006


Ahh, the "good" old days...

"The Worm Turns" back cover of Super-Mystery Comics, v. 1, no.
4 (Nov. 1940). -- Begins: "Softy Jones, the most sissified
kid on the block, has just purchased a magazine." --
Advertising strip for Sure Fire Comics. -- Call no.:
PN6728.1.A2S77m v.1no.4

Phil Foglio, who just won a deserved Hugo Award for Girl Genius, did the original art for the paperback novels of this series, but not these comics:

Mythadventures. -- Poughkeepsie, N.Y. : WaRP Graphics,
1984-1986. -- ill. ; 28 cm. -- Published no. 1 (Mar. 1984)
- no. 12. -- Fantasy genre. -- LIBRARY HAS: 1--12. -- Call
no.: PN6728.5.W3M9
COMPLETE HOLDINGS

May wrapped up with some DC reprints I never even noticed:

DC First : Green Lantern/Green Lantern. -- New York : DC
Comics, 2002. -- 48 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Cover title:
DC 1st : Green Lantern. -- "No. 1, Jul '02". -- "The first
team-up of Alan Scott & Hal Jordan." -- Superhero genre. --
Call no.: PN6728.7.D3 D22G7 2002
-----------------------------------------------------
DC First : Batgirl/Joker. -- New York : DC Comics, 2002. -- 48
p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Cover title: DC 1st : Batgirl
the Joker. -- "No. 1, Jul '02". -- Superheroine genre. --
Call no.: PN6728.7.D3 D22B3 2002
-----------------------------------------------------
DC First : Superman/Lobo. -- New York : DC Comics, 2002. -- 48
p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Cover title: DC 1st : Superman
Lobo. -- "No. 1, Jul '02". -- Superhero genre. -- Call no.:
PN6728.7.D3 D22S8 2002
-----------------------------------------------------
DC First : Flash/Superman. -- New York : DC Comics, 2002. --
48 p. : col. ill. ; 26 cm. -- Cover title: DC 1st :
Superman the Flash. -- "No. 1, Jul '02". -- "The man of
steel versus the original Flash. Their first race." --
Superhero genre. -- Call no.: PN6728.7.D3 D22F55 2002

Join us again for ... JUNE!

Keeping up with Tank McNamara in spite of the Post

Remember, you can't see the Dick Cheney strips in today's Post or their online site so to see the strips if you're a Post reader, here's GoComics site.

And the NY Times chimes in, noting that the Post is the only paper to drop the strip - Comic Strips on N.F.L. and Race: Fair Game or Out of Bounds? By RICHARD SANDOMIR, August 11, 2009.

Outcome of DC Comics internship contest

Following up on our PR posting for this a couple of months ago, is the new PR about the winner of the contest:

STUDENT WINS $25,000 SCHOLARSHIP IN 2009 DESIGN CHALLENGE CONTEST

Recent High School Graduate Earns Chance to Work on Ad with DC Comics

The International Academy of Design & Technology (the Academy) in Troy has welcomed a new student to its school who was recently named the winner of the “2009 Design Scholarship Challenge.” Shane McCallion was among the finalists who flew to San Diego to visit Comic-Con 2009 last month. While there, they presented their submissions to a panel of judges and McCallion was announced as the recipient of the national prize.

The contestants, who were a mix of young men and women, displayed their original designs to the judges. Some drew by hand and others produced computer-generated graphics, all inspired by the DC Comics graphic novel, “Absolute Justice.” DC Comics provided a library of assets for the contestants to use and they were free to develop their concepts based on their interpretation and research. The winner, McCallion, expressed his own intrigue in the dark side of the series by coming up with the caption: “Which side will you serve?” He combined elements of good vs. evil in his depiction of three classic heroes and their rivals.

The judging criterion was based on execution against the creative brief, creativity/originality, aesthetics, the design process and the presentation to the panel. The final round was conducted by a national panel including representatives from DC Comics.

”Shane showed ingenuity and creativity, as well as a unique approach to the challenge” said Steve Rotterdam, senior vice president of sales & marketing for DC Comics.

About the Academy

The International Academy of Design & Technology was originally founded in Chicago in 1977. The Troy campus was established in 2003 to help Michigan students develop their skills and abilities needed for success in the fields of design and technology. The career-oriented degree programs provide hands-on training and real-world insights, taught by industry professionals who work in the fields in which they teach. The Academy is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to award associate and bachelor’s degrees. The Academy currently offers degree programs in Fashion Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Game Production, and Digital Media.

For more information about the Academy, please visit www.iadtdetroit.com or call 888.838.2111.

Aug 10: Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer in Crystal City

Crystal Screen - Superheroes

Join the Crystal City BID for 21 weeks of Superheros! On Monday nights from May 4, 2009-September 21, 2009, Crystal City will be protected by Batman, Spiderman, Superman, and many others. Each night will also have special giveaways, sponsors, and other activities.

Date(s):
May 4, 2009 - September 21, 2009

Location:
18th and Bell Street - Courtyard Across from Crystal City Metro Station & Marriott Hotel

Event Fee:
Free

Hours:
Movies begin at sundown

Description:
Join the Crystal City BID for 21 weeks of Superheros! On Monday nights from May 4, 2009-September 21, 2009, Crystal City will be protected by Batman, Spiderman, Superman, and many others. Each night will also have special giveaways, sponsors, and other activities. Check back here for more information.

CRYSTAL KID BONUS: Since it gets dark later in the summer and movies often start past bedtime, the BID has partnered with Crystal City Sports Pub to rebroadcast each movie at 3:30 PM on the 3rd Floor of CCSP on the Wednesday following the outdoor showing, starting May 6. Bring your kids and a blanket and enjoy the fabulous surround network of TVs.

Festival Rules: Patrons can bring their own picnics as long as they abide by city and festival rules. Low-backed chairs and blankets are allowed, but grills, umbrellas, and pets are prohibited.


Schedule

August 10, 2009 - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
August 12, 2009 - Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer - at CCSP
August 17, 2009 - Batman
August 19, 2009 - Batman - at CCSP
August 24, 2009 - Batman Returns
August 26, 2009 - Batman Returns - at CCSP
August 31, 2009 - Batman Forever
September 2, 2009 - Batman Forever - at CCSP
September 7, 2009 - Batman & Robin
September 9, 2009 - Batman & Robin - at CCSP
September 14, 2009 - Batman Begins
September 16, 2009 - Batman Begins - at CCSP
September 21, 2009 - Batman: The Dark Knight
September 23, 2009 - Batman: The Dark Knight - at CCSP