Quick Reviews for Comics Due 10-07-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 10-07-09

By John Judy

 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #608 by Marc Guggenheim and Luke Ross.  In which we re-visit the glory days of Spidey history known as "The Clone Saga."  Because who doesn't want to be reminded of that?

 

ASTONISHING X-MEN #31 by Warren Ellis and Phil Jimenez.  It's X-Men versus Aliens!  I mean "The Brood."  Yes, that's what I meant.  Never want to confuse the two.  Because they are totally different.  Marvel's lawyers assure me this is true.

 

BATMAN AND ROBIN #5 by Grant Morrison and Philip Tan.  The Red Hood and Scarlet think they're so tough.  Yeah, a lot of fools in Gotham used to think that…

 

BATMAN: THE UNSEEN #1 of 5 by Doug Moench and Kelley Jones.  Nobody does The Bat quite like these guys.  In this one the Dark Knight gets to fight a guy who is turning himself invisible, one layer at a time.  "Educational visuals."  That's what you should tell your parents, kids.  Recommended.

 

BEST AMERICAN COMICS 2009 HC edited by Charles Burns, Jessica Abel and Matt Madden.  The editors read a lot of comics from all over the place.  This is what they like this year.  Chances are you will too.  Recommended.

 

BLACK PANTHER #9 by Jonathan Maberry and Will Conrad.  And now Black Panther is fighting a villain called "Predator."  Oh, Marvel…!

 

BLOOM COUNTY COMPLETE LIBRARY VOL. 1 HC written and drawn by Berkley Breathed.  From the days when Reagan was President and the weird looking penguin was funny.  Or was it the other way around?

 

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #29 by Jane Espenson and Georges Jeanty.  If you have to fight a demon army without using slayer magic it is a good thing to have guns, missiles and grenades.  I think Sun-Tzu said that…

 

CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD: LAST BATTLE #1 of 6 by Garth Ennis and Oscar Jimenez.  The anti-Christ and Jesus team up and Pope Jacko takes over Hell.  Soooooo not for kids.  Fun stuff though.

 

CRIMINAL: SINNERS #1 by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.  Tracy Lawless is back, solving a crime only a guy who's not a cop can solve.  Highly recommended.

 

DAREDEVIL #501 by Andy Diggle and Roberto De La Torre.  Exploring what it means to be half lawyer, half super-hero and half ninja crime lord.  Nevermind the math, just read and enjoy.  Recommended.

 

DOCTOR VOODOO: AVENGER OF THE SUPERNATURAL #1 by Rick Remander and Jefte Palo.  Brother Voodoo is now the Sorcerer Supreme of this universe.  Somebody once suggested this would be a good idea and Marvel Comics published it.  Remember this the next time you're ready to give up on your crazy little dream.

 

DOOM PATROL #3 by Giffen, DeMatteis, Clark and Maguire.  Mento is not a breath mint and Metal Men is not the name of a band.  This is what we learn from comics.

 

EC ARCHIVES: FRONTLINE COMBAT VOL. 1 HC by Various Geniuses.  Collecting the first six issues of this masterful series of war comics from 1950-51.  Still some of the best ever done.  Highly recommended.

 

FINAL CRISIS: AFTERMATH: RUN #6 of 6 by Matthew Sturges and Fredie E. Williams II.  Even though he helped roast the Martian Manhunter like a green marshmallow, I have come to love the Human Flame and hope he will not die forever in this final issue of his mini-series which has read like CRIMINAL if it were written by Mel Brooks.  Recommended.

 

HAUNT #1 by Robert Kirkman and Todd McFarlane.  A man must solve his brother's murder with the help of his ghost!  It's sort of like "Captain Triumph Meets Spawn." Hey, anything by Robert Kirkman gets a look.

 

IRREDEEMABLE #7 by Mark Waid and Peter Krause.  So Tony the super-hero was responsible for the sound plague that killed all those people.  But was that what pushed him over the edge into villainy?  Great stuff by Waid.  Recommended.

 

JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE #4 of 7 by James Robinson and Mauro Cascioli.  The series is more than half over but we are getting really close to having the entire team in the same place at the same time.  Plus, some of the heroes debate using torture to save lives.  Don't they know torture only works for Batman?  Who knew Dick Cheney was writing comics?

 

KILL AUDIO #1 of 6 by Claudio Sanchez and Sheldon Vella.  An immortal man seeks his purpose in life amidst a "musical landscape."  From the author of AMORY WARS.

 

MASTERPIECE COMICS HC written and drawn by R. Sikoryak.  This one is a true Must-Have if you are a fan of classic literature, classic comics and ingenious mash-ups.  This one lives up to its name.  Highly, highly recommended.

 

PLANETARY #27 by Warren Ellis and John Cassaday.  In April of 1998 the first issue shipped.  Eleven years and change later here it is:  The final issue, three years after #26.  For those of you who wait for the trades, I admire your discipline.  Gotta look.

 

STRANGE TALES #2 of 3 by Various Creators.  Indy creators take on the Marvel heroes and there are no lawsuits because Marvel hired them to do it!  Featuring variant Red and Green Hulk covers so it must be good!  Recommended.

 

SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #8 of 12 by James Robinson, Greg Rucka and Pete Woods.  Supes and the Kryptonians have to face down the Thanagarian Army, all of whom have the power of… Hawkman?  Ummm, how to put this delicately?  "Much as I respect the power of flying and swinging a mace…?"

 

TORCH #2 of 8 by Mike Carey, Alex Ross and Patrick Berkenkotter.  The Mad Thinker tortures Toro, who is no longer dead, in order to learn more about the original Human Torch who is dead.  Mostly.  Watch out for low-flying continuity!

 

WAR HEROES #3 of 6 by Mark Millar and Tony Harris.  If distant memory serves this is a comic about super-powered soldiers in the middle east.  Hard to say.  Issue #2 came out in September of 2008.  I imagine Mark Millar sitting in a bar looking at Kevin Smith, muttering "Damn, that guy's fast…"

 

X-BABIES #1 of 4 by Gregg Schigiel and Jacob Chabot.  Let's say the Devil appeared to you one night and said he'd give you a shot at writing or drawing a book for Marvel featuring non-traditional versions of their iconic characters.  The catch is you'd have to drink yourself into unconsciousness every night for the rest of your life.  At least you can console yourself knowing that two other guys have already taken that deal.

 

X-MEN VERSUS AGENTS OF ATLAS #1 of 2 by Jeff Parker and Ed McGuinness.  For some reason these two groups are engaged in a Big Fight!

 

www.johnjudy.net

Our Town, #2

Ok, I despise the Post Magazine's make-over. You can't tell articles from ads, and much of what is included is pointless, like the Weekend section rehash at the end.

However, I want to like Our Town, the new cartoon reporting feature that started last week, but today's by Mark Giaimo features a burrito stand at... 15th and K - a good block at the most from the Post's front door. Wow, that's exciting.

Seriously. We should care about this?

ICAF 2009 program up online

From: Charles Hatfield

Now up online, reorganized, and greatly expanded: the program for the 14th Annual International Comic Arts Forum, ICAF 2009, to be held Oct. 15-17 at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago:

http://www.internationalcomicartsforum.org/icaf/a.html

Guests will include artists American artists Guy Davis and Sara Varon, UK artist John Miers (winner of the first-ever Digital Artist award for Web & Interactive Design, announced yesterday, http://www.digitalartistawards.com/), Spanish artists Max and Pere Joan, and Italian scholar Marco Pelleteri, winner of this year's John A. Lent Scholarship in Comics Studies.

Plus we'll have the usual diverse mix of scholars from all over -- this year's cohort includes Canadian, Norwegian, Indian, Japanese, German, and Belgian as well as US scholars -- giving refereed papers about the world(s) of comics!

DC Comic Books Examiner: Bamn creators step into comics ring as champion contenders Part 1

Bamn creators step into comics ring as champion contenders Part 1 Sunday, October 4, 2009 Jay Payne, Dave Dean and Troy Jeffrey Allen of Bamn are set up at left most flank of DC Conspiracy's tabled array at Sept.'s Small Press Expo. A miniature wrestling ring with an origami crafted version of their lead comic book character Bamn sets... Read more » DC Comic Books Examiner, Mark Ruffin Mark Ruffin, a reader of comics for over twenty years, is a freelance writer who tirelessly generates awareness for the Non-Fraternity Conversation and Write-up on Comic Books. Contact Mark here.

 

Local Huffington Post writer disses Doonesbury

William Klein asks Who Reads Doonesbury (Anymore)?
Political strategist, writer, humorist in Washington, D.C.
Huffington Post October 3, 2009

Personally I still think it's one of best strips running.

Unpublished Richard's Poor Almanack

Richard did a finger puppet of Dan Brown for last weekend that didn't run, but he put it on his blog. Also he notes that the new Cul de Sac book, collecting its second year, is out.

Family Guy takes a shot at editorial cartooning

Here's Cavna's take on the Family Guy's shot at editorial cartooning. Personally I think this is just a generic shot, and not one at Tom Toles. I'm only putting this up for the historical record, as it were.

PR: 2009 Harvey Awards Dinner and Presentation Ceremony Tickets Available

2009 Harvey Awards Dinner and Presentation Ceremony Tickets Available Now! Baltimore, Maryland - October 2, 2009 - The Harvey Awards dinner and presentation ceremony, featuring emcee Scott Kurtz and the presentation of the 2009 HERO Initiative Humanitarian Award to Neal Adams will be held on Saturday, October 10th at the Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards.   Harvey Awards tickets are on sale now.  Tickets to the event, which includes full cocktail hour (cash bar), full service dinner, awards ceremony, and gift bag are now available for $100.  Tickets are available by calling Cards, Comics & Collectibles in Reisterstown, Maryland at (410) 526-7410.  Major Credit Cards will be accepted for payment.  Dinner tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, October 7th and will not be available at the door.   The Harveys, named after the legendary MAD Magazine founding editor and master storyteller Harvey Kurtzman, recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories.  They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals.   Guests for dinner and the awards ceremony will enjoy a full Baltimore-style crabcake banquet dinner and a lively show hosted by Scott Kurtz as our Master of Ceremonies.  All 21 Harvey Awards will be announced, as well the presentation of the 2009 HERO Initiative Humanitarian Award, honoring Neal Adams.   In addition to receiving numerous industry awards, including induction into the Harvey Awards' Jack Kirby Hall of Fame, Neal Adams is renowned for his social work within the artistic industry.  His lobbying for creators' rights, including royalties and the return of artwork, resulted in the modern system of art being returned to the artists who created it, along with better benefits, including sales royalties.  His most recent efforts found him collaborating with Joe Kubert and Stan Lee in an effort to force the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum in Poland to return Holocaust survivor Dina Babbitt's wartime artwork created during her Nazi captivity.  Neal created a 6-page comic book, which he pencilled and inked, highlighting the injustice suffered by Dina.  In recognition of his efforts on Dina's behalf, Neal will be receiving the Hero Initiative Humanitarian Award.   "We love the Harveys, and I have been a fan of and admired Neal for many years.  We are excited to join the HERO Initiative and honor Neal Adams", said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con.   Continuing the guest-pleasing promotion from years past, a gift bag will be available to all dinner guests.  The first 250 attendees will receive a gift bag containing the following:  A Batman or DC Universe Illustrated HC by Neal Adams (DC Comics),  PvP, vol. 1: At Large TP by Scott Kurtz (Image Comics), A Magnus/Solar/Turok Archive HC (Dark Horse Comics), Darkness Accursed TP (Top Cow Productions), G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra Movie Adaptation (IDW), A Marvel Variant Exclusive Comic (Diamond Comic Distributors),  Phineas and Ferb Chapter Book (Disney Book Group), Mom's Cancer by Brian Fies (Abrams Books), Creator Chronicles Preview DVD (Woodcrest Productions and Eva Ink), A Harvey Keychain (LaserMach), A Toon Tumbler (Popfun Merchandising), & A Surprise from BOOM! Studios.   For those who wish to attend the ceremony only, tickets are available for $15, or free for those with a two-day pass to the convention.  The hall will be opened for those ticket holders at approximately 9:15pm.  Attendees who purchase a ceremony-only ticket are not eligible to receive the gift bag.  The two day convention tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster, accessible from http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets.htm.  Ceremony tickets may also be purchased via phone at 410-526-7410.   In addition to the Baltimore Comic-Con, named sponsors of the 2009 Harvey Awards include DC Comics, ComiXology, Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Diamond Comics Distrubutors, Geppi's Entertainment Museum, Insight Studios Group, Laughing Ogre Comics, Painted Visions Comics, Cards, & Games, Top Cow Productions, and Top Shelf Productions.  Without these sponsors, the event would not be possible and the Baltimore Comic-Con Staff expresses their gratitude. 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.

Comics Riff on Tomorrow

Tom Tomorrow that is - Cavna has an interview online at Comic Riffs. The closest that This Modern World runs is in the Baltimore City Paper, I think.

Style Invitational comic strip mashup with Staake

The clever among us should immediately go to the Washington Post's Style Invitational's contest for Week 837: Strip Search, October 3, 2009 to answer the question: Combine two comic strips that appear in The Washington Post or at http://www.washingtonpost.com/comics . This was probably somewhat inspired by all the recent Disney-Marvel mashups, but I like Bob Staake's take on Dilbert - Spider-Man. Feel free to write to me if you have a question about a strip in the print edition.

Baltimore Comic-Con 2009 First Annual Costume Contest, More!

Baltimore Comic-Con 2009 First Annual Costume Contest, More! Baltimore, Maryland - September 30, 2009 - In addition to the all-star line-up of talent scheduled at this year's gala 10th anniversary Baltimore Comic-Con, the show will host it's first-ever costume contest ... with a $1,000 grand prize!   "We wanted to take Sunday up a notch, which is normally the more laid-back day," said Marc Nathan, Baltimore Comic-Con promoter.  "We've been asked for years and years to have a costume contest - so we're kicking it off with a bang!"   The $1,000 grand prize will be awarded to the best over-all costume at the event, including pro and amateur costumes.  Other award categories will win DVD prize packages, comic book packages, and gift certificates to Cards, Comics and Collectibles of Reisterstown, Maryland.  Everyone who enters the contest will win passes to the advance screening of Summit Entertainment's newest film, ASTROBOY, which opens nationwide on Friday, October 23rd.   A panel of celebrity media judges will determine the contest winners, including Baltimore's own Ed Norris, and some world-famous comic book creators!   The contest will start at 3pm on Sunday, October 11th at the Baltimore Convention Center!   Ed Norris Signing Baltimore celebrity and media personality Ed Norris will be signing on Saturday, October 10th from 2pm-4pm!  Stop by the HC Noel booth in Artists Alley, check out his mini-comic, and get autographs while he's at the show!   AWAKENING Halloween Signing Tour Stops in Baltimore Archaia is making the first stop of their AWAKENING Halloween Signing Tour the Baltimore Comic-Con!  Stop by and by a copy or get your copy signed and receive a free print created exclusively for the signing tour.  In addition, attendees who provide Archaia with their e-mail address will receive a special link and login info at 12am on Halloween morning which will grant them exclusive access to the first chapter of AWAKENING volume two, due out next summer.   Art Auction The 2009 Baltimore Comic-Con Art Auction will be held Saturday, October 10th at 6pm in the main convention center lobby, and will feature pieces by artists including Adam Hughes, Frank Cho, Joe Kubert, and many more.  Futher details will be made available in a future press release. Guests The Baltimore Comic-Con guest list for 2009 includes:  Jason Aaron (Wolverine), Neal Adams (Batman), Mike and Laura Allred (Madman), Josh Alves (Arachnid Kid), Dick Ayers (Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos), Paul Azaceta (Amazing Spider-Man), Brian Michael Bendis (Avengers), Ryan Bodenheim (Red Mass for Mars), Doug Braithwaite (Wolverine: Origins), Pat Broderick (Vincent Price Presents), Harold Buchholz (Apathy Kat), Buzz (Atomika), Jim Calafiore (Batgirl), Eric Canete (Iron Man:  Enter the Mandarin), Nick Cardy (Aquaman), Jerry Carr (Cryptozoo Crew), Tommy Castillo (Kong:  King of Skull Island), Mike Cavallaro (ACT-I-VATE), Bernard Chang (Wonder Woman), Jo Chen (New Avengers:  The Reunion), Sean Chen (Dark Reign:  Fantastic Four), Jimmy Cheung (New Avengers: Illuminati), Cliff Chiang (Green Arrow & Black Canary), Frank Cho (Ultimates 4), Chris Claremont (X-Men Forever), Steve Conley (Star Trek:  Year Four), Jamie Cosley (Tony Pony),  J.M. DeMatteis (Metal Men), Todd Dezago (Marvel Adventures:  Spider-Man), Michael Dolce (Descendant), Evan Dorkin (Beasts of Burden), Jim Dougan (ACT-I-VATE), Jan Duursema (Star Wars:  Legacy), Sarah Dyer (Superman Adventures), Chondra Echert (Sunday only, KILL AUDIO), Steve Englehart (Avengers), Rich Faber (Roboy Red), Jay Faerber (Noble Causes), Tom Feister (GI Joe:  Origins), Michel Fiffe (ACT-I-VATE), David Finch (Ultimatum), Bob Fingerman (Recess Pieces), Matt Fraction (Uncanny X-Men), Franco (Tiny Titans), Simon Fraser (ACT-I-VATE), John Gallagher (Buzzboy), Bryan J.L. Glass (Mice Templar), Michael Golden (Spider-Man 1602), Jimmy Gownley (Amelia Rules), Sanford Greene (Marvel Adventures Spider-Man), Jenni Gregory (Ka-Blam), Allan Gross (Cryptozoo Crew), Tim Hamilton (ACT-I-VATE), Cully Hamner (Detective Comics), Tony Harris (Ex Machina), Dean Haspiel (ACT-I-VATE), Jennifer Hayden (ACT-I-VATE), Mark Hempel (Absolute Sandman), Greg Horn (Cover Stories:  The Art of Greg Horn), Adam Hughes (Power Girl), Jamal Igle (Supergirl), Kathryn Immonen (Runaways), Stuart Immonen (New Avengers), Joe Infurnari (ACT-I-VATE), Rebekah Isaacs, sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics (DV8), Chris Ivy (Beast Boy), Georges Jeanty (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Van Jensen (Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer), J.G. Jones (Final Crisis), Joe Jusko (Kolchak:  Tales of the Night Stalker), Karl Kesel (Marvel Apes), Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead), Barry Kitson (Amazing Spider-Man), Scott Koblish (Final Crisis:  Legion of Three Worlds), Joe Kubert (Wednesday Comics), Scott Kurtz (PvP), Erik Larsen (Savage Dragon), Greg LaRocque (Peter Parker:  The Spectacular Spider-Man), Jerry "The King" Lawler(Headlocked), Norman Lee (GeNext), Steve Lieber (Underground), Luna Brothers (The Sword), Andy MacDonald (NYC Mech), David Mack (Kabuki), Tom Mandrake (The Outsiders), Mike Manley (Batman:  Brave and the Bold), Larry Marder (Beanworld), Laura Martin (Thor), Ron Marz (Witchblade), Michael McElroy (Ka-Blam), Sean McKeever (Teen Titans), Mark McKenna (BananaTail), Mike McKone (Amazing Spider-Man), Bob McLeod (New Mutants), Carla Speed McNeil (Finder), Pop Mhan (World of Warcraft), Mark Morales (Secret Invasion), Doug Murray (Jungle Girl Season 2), Scott Neely (Scooby-Doo), Jamar Nicholas (Leon, Protector of the Playground), Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), Phil Noto (Batgirl), Kevin Nowlan (The Spirit), Mike Oeming (Mice Templar), Ryan Ottley (Invincible), Jeff Parker (Agents of ATLAS), Dan Parsons (Star Wars:  The Clone Wars), Guest of Honor George Perez (Final Crisis:  Legion of Three Worlds), David Petersen (Mouse Guard), Brandon Peterson (Ultimate Comics Armor Wars), Khoi Pham (Mighty Avengers), Whilce Portacio (Spawn), Eric Powell (The Goon), Buddy Prince (Night), Brian Pulido (Lady Death), Jack Purcell (Gotham Underground), Mike Raicht (Army of Darkness), Tom Raney (Dark Reign:  Hawkeye), Brian Reber (Captain Britain and MI13), Kat Roberts (ACT-I-VATE), 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), Andy Runton (Owly), Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo), Tim Sale (Heroes), Coheed & Cambria's Claudio Sanchez (Sunday only, KILL AUDIO), Ian Sattler (Final Crisis:  Aftermath), Scott Christian Sava (Dreamland Chronicles), Alex Saviuk (The Phantom Generations), Mr. Sheldon (Sunday Only, KILL AUDIO), Marc Silvestri (Witchblade), Walt Simonson (Thor), Andy Smith (Dean Koontz's Nevermore), John K. Snyder III (Doctor Mid-Nite), Allison Sohn (Star Wars trading card artist), Taki Soma (Rapture), Richard Starkings (Elephentmen), Brian Stelfreeze (Final Crisis Aftermath:  Ink), Karl Story (Batman:  Streets of Gotham), Bobby and Peter Timony (Zuda Comics), Robert Tinnell (EZ Street), Peter Tomasi (Blackest Night:  Batman), Herb Trimpe (Hulk), Billy Tucci (Sgt. Rock:  The Lost Battalion), Ted Tucker (Captain Happy), Jim Valentino (Shadowline Comics), Rob Venditti (The Surrogates), Dexter Vines (Wolverine), Neil Vokes (The Black Forest), Doug Wagner (The Ride), Matt Wagner (Grendel), Mark Waid (The Incredibles), Todd Webb (Nick Magazine), Len Wein (Justice League of America), Mark Whealey (Lone Justice), Renee Witterstaetter (Tex:  The Art of Mark Texeira -- The Artist's Great Escape), Brian Wood (sponsored by Laughing Ogre Comics, Northlanders), Bernie Wrightson (Swamp Thing), Kelly Yates (Amber Atoms), and Thom Zahler (Love & Capes).   Regrettably, Amanda Conner, Al Feldstein, Ron Garney, Michael Lark, Jimmy Palmiotti, Eric Powell, James Robinson, Jim Starlin, Paul Storrie, and Mark Texeira have had to cancel.  We look forward to seeing all of the return in 2010.   Tickets Tickets are available at Cards, Comics & Collectibles of Reistertown, MD, Laughing Ogre Comics in Northern Virginia, or pick them up this Sunday, October 4th, at the Capital Associates Comic Show in Tyson's Corner, VA from the Cards, Comics & Collectibles tables.  You can also buy your ticket in advance via http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/tickets.htm to avoid the ticket line the day of the show.   Hotels Our previously-announced deadline for discounted hotel rooms has been extended by the participating hotels!  A good number of rooms have been sold already, but there are some still available through this offer, so please take a look at http://www.baltimorecomiccon.com/hotels.htm for details on room availability at hotels around the Baltimore Convention Center.    Harvey Awards Ticket Sales Ticket for the 2009 Harvey Awards and Banquet are now on sale.  Place your order with a credit card by calling 410-526-7410.     We will continue to providing details on guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming leading up to the show.  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.

Cartoons at Saturday brunch in Arlington

The Express has the story about how to get Bugs Bunny with your waffle.

Looking for Calvin and Hobbes booksignings

Nevin Martell writes in "I'm doing a couple of DC-area events" for his book "Looking for Calvin and Hobbes: The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and His Revolutionary Comic Strip"

Oct 29 at 7-9 PM - Bethesda, MD at Big Planet Comics
http://www.bigplanetcomics.com/index.htm

Nov 19 in Baileys Crossroads, VA at Borders
http://www.borders.com/online/store/StoreDetailView_45?schid=GLBC|Baileys+Crossroads+VA|45

Crafty Bastards fest this weekend

The Washington City Paper’s annual Craft Bastard festival is Saturday, Oct 3, 10-5 in Adams Morgan. There’s usually cartoonists there. Rob Ullman will definitely be there, and I’m sure the City Paper’s Ben Classen will also.

Disney film opens at E Street Cinema

According to today’s Express, the documentary Walt and El Grupo opens tomorrow at the E Street Cinema at 555 11^th St. This film looks at Walt Disney’s good will tour of South  America, which resulted in The Three Caballeros and some characters we rarely see that are popular in the rest of the world.

 

Comic Riffs poll on Cul de Sac

I'm falling a bit behind but Michael Cavna asked for reactions to Our Man Thompson's Cul de Sac earlier this week.

Book review: Looking for Calvin and Hobbes

Martell, Nevin. Looking for Calvin and Hobbes: The Unconventional Story of Bill Watterson and His Revolutionary Comic Strip. New York: Continuum, 2009.  $24.95.

ISBN-10: 082642984X, ISBN-13: 978-0826429841

 

Nevin Martell has written a curious book, although one would probably best consider it a biography. Bill Watterson so consistently shunned the media that one is put in mind of the Shakespeare biography industry in which a few facts are churned in an attempt to generate a larger picture of a life. Readers of a certain age may end up recalling Leonard Nimoy's syndicated television show, In Search Of, in which apparently mythical beasts such as the Loch Ness Monster or the yeti were diligently pursued for an hour. A better analogy might be In Search of Lost Time, as, like Proust, Martell seeks both Watterson's youth, and by extension, his own.

 

To his credit, while lacking Watterson's cooperation, Martell avoided writing a book that just looks at his favorite Calvin and Hobbes strips. The book covers Watterson's school life and his earlier attempts at comic strips and editorial cartooning. Martell goes into some detail looking at the influences that Watterson claimed – Charles Schulz, Walt Kelly and George Herriman, relying largely on Watterson's writings in published collections. He covers the main characters, storylines and tropes of Calvin and Hobbes, as well as the history of the strip and Watterson's relationships with the media and his syndicate. Both of these relationships were prickly, as were his relationships with other cartoonists as he rarely participated in social activities nor accepted the awards they voted him.

 

Martell demonstrates how Watterson's eventual pursuit of a Platonic image of a comic strip, in which licensing and commercialism never played a factor, led to his quitting the field. This unrealistic view is gainsaid by the actual history of comics which were merchandised as often as possible from their 19^th century beginnings in both the US and the Great Britain. Universal Press Syndicate and Andrews McMeel representatives are circumspect in their quotes, but one is clearly left with their negative opinion about the staggering amount of money Watterson "left on the table" by refusing to merchandise his strip.

 

Since Watterson would not talk to Martell, the author tried to talk to his family and eventually did speak with the cartoonist's mother. He also met with Watterson's friends such as comics historian Rich West and others from Watterson's childhood. Martell also talked to many other cartoonists about Watterson's influence, whether or not they actually know him, and the book takes on a somewhat scattered voice. Martell ends the book with his trip to Chagrin Falls, OH where he speaks with his mother.

 

In the end, one is left uncertain as to how to consider Watterson. He was at the top of his career, a career the book amply shows how hard he had tried to achieve, and he left it. As a result, he avoided the downturn in quality that many strips have at periods in their lifespans. The reader is then left with the question of whether this is actually a good idea – the comic strip survives as a decade-long achievement – but what is then left unachieved is of course unknown and unknowable. In spite of Watterson's refusal to speak for himself, Martell has written an engaging and informative book while avoiding most of the traps that catch fan writers. The book includes a bibliography and an index. (This reviewer is thanked in the acknowledgements for helping with research).

 

Michael Rhode

Virginia Commonwealth University picks comic book as item 2 million

See "Spider-Man comic VCU Libraries' 2 millionth volume" By the Associated Press, September 28, 2009. It's the Obama Spider-Man appearance, but still this is an odd story. Thanks to Tom Inge and another big donor they've got a decent comic book collection, but it's not something they're really known for.

Mautner and Collins on SPX

Tom Spurgeon's got one of his big linkfests up so I'm not going to post too many more links, but here's two more.

Sean Collins has audio of two panels he was on - Comics Time: Two Panels from SPX 2009

and Chris Mautner of the old Comix@ list has his impressions at Comic Book Resources' Robot6.

Finally, I stuck my pictures from 2007-2009 into Flickr's SPX group. They've all been here in the past, but in case you want to see them again...

DC Comic Books Examiner: Small Press Expo discernibly contributes to festive Washington DC weekend

Small Press Expo discernibly contributes to festive Washington DC weekend Tuesday, September 29, 2009 The last Sept. weekend had less room for a lack of activities across the Greater DC Metro. Outside of sports, namely both National games and Washington's Sunday loss against the Lions, and the political events like the CBCF Legislative Conference,... Read more » DC Comic Books Examiner, Mark Ruffin Mark Ruffin, a reader of comics for over twenty years, is a freelance writer who tirelessly generates awareness for the Non-Fraternity Conversation and Write-up on Comic Books. Contact Mark here.

Post's Shales on Cleveland Show

He doesn't like it.

'Cleveland's' a Chip Off the Old Crock

By Tom Shales
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 29, 2009

More SPX photos

This set's new additions has local DC cartoonists and my friends for the most part. Many of the shots are by my daughter, and these are from Day 2- Sunday, 9/27/09.


Chris Schweizer. I love his Crogan's Revenge pirate story.


Crack ex-DC journalist Scott Rosenberg.


Steve Conley. Steve was selling original strips from Socks and Barney for an insanely low price so I bought 2. (that's one of Rob Ullman's girls behind him)


Rob Ullman, the sadly-missed Washington City Paper's Savage Love columnist.


Carla Speed McNeil of Finder


Andy Runton of Owly. Box Brown in the background. Pic by Claire.


Jennifer Hachigian who does Lore. Pic by Claire.


Jim Ottaviani of GT Labs. Pic by Claire.


Doug "Pop Culture Shock Therapy" Bratton and John "Bo-nanas" Kovaleski. I wasn't familiar with Bratton's work but bought a complete set. I think I've got a full set of John's except for minis.


John Kovaleski


Raina Telgemeier. Pic by Claire.


Ed Piskor. Pic by Claire.

Ben Towle on SPX

To my chagrin, I only saw Ben briefly when he was grilling Paul Karasik on the copyright status of Fletcher Hanks' comics, but you can read his impressions here.

Dilbert made somebody's job easier

Not his pointy-haired boss, but this lady who just passed away - She "Combined Corporate Ethics, 'Dilbert'", Washington Post Monday, September 28, 2009. The obituary by Joe Holley begins, "Carol Marshall, 56, an attorney and corporate ethics consultant who relied on the comic strip "Dilbert" to teach ethics awareness to Lockheed Martin employees in the 1990s..."

Cavna and Thompson address new feature and turfing of CdS

Michael Cavna mentions "Our Town," his new feature of cartoon reporting on Comic Riffs today and also pulls in Our Man Thompson in the comments for answers to the B&W issues of today.

Post magazine editors want you to embrace change

Here's the relevant sections from their chat. Cul de Sac was dismissed with "we had a note to tell you where to find it":

chi-town: Sad that "Editor's Query" has disappeared. Loved those.

What exactly is the point of "Our Town?" I like Michael Cavna and his work with Comic Riffs, but I didn't really understand the point of the Our Town illustration. Was he actually there, drawing the sights? Is this what it will be every week? Because 1) I imagine it will get old after a few weeks, and 2) I think it would be better in photograph form. Cavna's artistic abilities would be better suited for some other feature...maybe a "Six Chix" type of arrangement with rotating artists but more comic-strippish.

washingtonpost.com: Our Town (Post Magazine, Sept. 27, 2009)

Debra Leithauser and Janet Michaud: The point of Our Town is to capture a slice of life in the metro area, as told via artwork rather than a traditional story. And, yes, Cavna certainly was there.

Quick Reviews for Comics Due 09-30-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 09-30-09

By John Judy

 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #607 by Joe Kelly and Mike McKone.  Dear Spidey, It's actually pretty great if a Black Cat crosses your path.  Just don't marry her…

 

ASTRO CITY: ASTRA SPECIAL #1 of 2 by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson.  Little hopscotch playing Astra of the First Family graduates college!  Now it's time for a road trip as only super-heroes can do it!

 

BATMAN: WIDENING GYRE #2 of 6 by Kevin Smith and Walter Flanagan.  An issue of a Kevin Smith mini-series appears to have shipped on time.  In related news, Satan needs a pair of ice skates.

 

BOOK OF GENESIS ILLUSTRATED HC by Robert Crumb.  Yes, you will go to Hell if you read this.  Me first!  Highly recommended.

 

BOYS: HEROGASM #5 of 6 by Garth Ennis and John McCrea.  It's the best awards show ever: The Supies, celebrating the outstanding achievements of your favorite corporate-controlled heroes!  And isn't Neil Patrick Harris doing a fabulous job at the mic?  Not for kids.

 

GREEN LANTERN #46 by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke.  Mongul and Sinestro battle for control of the Yellow Lantern gang, which is sort "deck chairs on the Titanic" when you've got the Black Lanterns gunning to kill everyone in the universe.  Recommended.

 

HULK #15 by Jeph Loeb and Ian Churchill.  The Red Hulk hijinks continue as different characters try to figure out who he is and long-time fans try to figure out WHY he is.

 

ICON: A HERO'S WELCOME SC by Dwayne McDuffie and M.D. Bright.  Collecting the first eight issues of ICON, Milestone Comics' original black Superman from 1992!  Highly recommended.

 

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA 80-PAGE GIANT #1 by Many, Many People.  The JLA fights all kinds of people all across the timestream.  That's it really.

 

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #31 by Bill Willingham, Matthew Sturges and Jesus Merino.  Magog and Wildcat duke it out while a dirty traitor in the ranks stands revealed!

 

MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN #5 by Fred Van Lente and Wellinton Alves.  Meet the Zombie Avengers.  Hopefully this is now out of everyone's system.  "Or is it..?"

 

PREVIEWS by Marvel and Diamond Comics.  Featuring lots of your favorite characters sitting in sleighs with Santa suits over their spandex!

 

THOR #603 by J. Michael Straczynski and Marko Djurdjevic.  Dear Loki, God(dess) of Mischief, Manipulating and generally screwing with Thor, Balder and your fellow Asgardians is, let's face it, pretty easy.  Not a lot of brains under the stylish headgear.  Doctor Doom, however….

 

THUNDERBOLTS #136 by Rick Remender and Mahmud A. Asrar.  Norman Osborn has somehow co-opted Luke Cage and Iron Fist, Heroes for Hire, into his employ.  Because he is clever, that one.

 

TROTSKY HC written and drawn by Rick Geary.  A graphic biography of Stalin's arch-nemesis, and it ain't Hitler.  Two pick-axes up!  Recommended!

 

WOLVERINE WEAPON X #5 by Jason Aaron and Ron Garney.  Wolvie and the Adamantium Men, the final round! Guess whose name isn't on the cover, kids?  Recommended.

 

WONDER WOMAN #36 by Gail Simone and Aaron Lopresti.  The Olympian gods send Achilles to take Wonder Woman's place!  Let's hope WW finally breaks a heel.

 

X-FACTOR #49 by Peter David and Valentine DeLandro.  Cortex, Madrox's evil cyborg twin from the future….  Oh nevermind.  I'm pretty sure Peter David lost a bet.

 

www.johnjudy.net

Zadzooks on comics, this week

Zadzooks: Reviews of Star Wars Adventures, Archibald Aardvark and more, By Joseph Szadkowski, Washington Times September 24 2009

Oct 25: Bechdel day at Katzen Arts Center

* 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
* Visiting Writing Series presents Department of Literature Annual Colloquium, featuring Alison Bechdel
* Battelle-Tompkins Atrium

Alison Bechdel, Fun Home

Welcome! Each year, the American University students, faculty, staff, alumni and other members of the greater community come together for one day to explore a great book. Subjects of previous colloquia include Milan Kundera’s The Unbearable Lightness of Being and Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita.

We invite you to participate in the seventh annual Department of Literature Colloquium, featuring Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel.


About the Author and the Book

Named by Time magazine in 2006 as one of the “10 Best Booksof the Year,” Bechdel’s Fun Home was a finalist for a 2006 National Book Critics Circle Award and the winner of the 2007 Eisner Award for Best Reality-Based Work. Of Bechdel’s memoir, Amy Bloom has written: “If David Sedaris could draw, and if Bleak House had been a little funnier, you’d have Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home.” Bechdel is also known for her acclaimed, long-running comic strip, Dykes to Watch Out For. A graduate of Oberlin College, she lives near Burlington, Vermont, where she is now completing a second graphic memoir, Love Life: A Case Study. Alison Bechdel’s appearance is sponsored by the Visiting Writers Series and the Bishop McCabe Lecture Series.
Schedule: Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

Register Online (by Oct. 21)

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Colloquium in
Battelle-Tompkins Atrium
(Presentations to be announced!)
See Campus Directions/Maps

3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Lecture with Alison Bechdel,
Katzen Arts Center,
Abramson Family Recital Hall

Questions?

Literature
202-885-2971
lit@american.edu
Battelle Tompkins, Room 237

Thanks to Rick Banning for the tip.

Cul de Sac to appear in B&W in Sunday's Post

Today's newly-redesigned Washington Post Magazine says Cul de Sac, the strip it began and nurtured before syndication is being turfed from the magazine and will run in the Style section, presumably always sans color. Bad decision. You can tell the editors that too, in their upcoming chat on Monday at 11 am.

Gahan Wilson in the Spotlight at SPX

Gary Groth was running late so Gahan Wilson began speaking without an introduction. I missed the very beginning where he said he thought he'd like to live an academic life, but you can listen to the rest of his talk...


...or you can download it here.

Post debuts new cartoon journalism feature

Michael Cavna and another cartoonist are illustrating "Our Town" in the Post's Magazine, starting tomorrow. I love comics journalism and I have high hopes for this feature.

Wash Times on Disney purchase of Marvel

Out of characters: Disney should go indie, By Sonny Bunch, Washington Times September 25 2009.

SPX the first day

Spx crowd scene including Jeff Alexander

Some quick notes that are essentally stream of conciousness. Richard was under the weather and didn't come. My photos are here.
Carol Tyler

The show appears to be a success with good, but not overwhelming crowds. I bought a lot from Fanfare and Fantagraphics. Gahan Wilson and Carol Tyler both had shorter lines that I expected. The big draw at the show, based solely on line length, appears to be Kate Beaton.

Gary Groth

Gahan Wilson is a born storyteller and his off the cuff talk (now online!) was very fun to hear, if not overly insightful. Look for the 3-volume set of Playboy cartoons coming from Fantagraphics, which has an interview and a biography by Gary Groth. Pre-orders at the show get a signed print and free shipping.

Gahan Wilson and Gary Groth

Frank Camusso has a new Knights of the Lunch Table, his retelling of King Arthur. My daughter said Oh boy! when I brought it home tonight. Emily Flake, whose work appears in the Baltimore City Paper has a new collection as does Rob Ullman whose work used to appear in the Washington CP. I bought both.

Emily Flake and Warren Bernard

Some of the usual suspects are missing this year including Batton Lash and Jackie Estrada. Cartoonists with Attitude is not there, except Ted Rall and Stephanie McMillan are holding down an NBM table. Ted's got a new graphic biography and Stephanie a new comic.

R. Sikoryak

James Kochalka is hanging out at the Top Shelf table as is Matt Kindt and Andy Runton. R Sikoryak is at Drawn and Quarterly and will draw Little Nemo in your book.

David Malki

Dustin Harbin has a new book out and is holding my IOU for $47. He'll draw Alan Moore in a sketchbook if you ask him to.

Dustin Harbin

Peter Kuper's got a new book out on his experiences living in Mexico. His publisher is in the far left corner as you face into the room.

Peter Kuper

Chris Mautner's pre-plan for SPX

Richard Thompson and I should be cruising around today, starting when it opens. Tomorrow I'll be on my own. I'm going to try to go to the sessions on Sikoryak, Kuper, Wilson, Tyler, and Neufeld

Meanwhile, see Chris Mautner's pre-plan for SPX.

Oct 20: Cartoonist Ding Cong Symposium at LOC

Library of Congress
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington DC   20540

September 25, 2009

Public contact:  Robert Saladini (202) 707-2692, rsal@loc.gov

Library of Congress Symposium Celebrates
Chinese Cartoonist and Artist Ding Cong, Oct. 20

A Library of Congress symposium, "Public Art and Illustrations: The Cartoons and Art of Ding Cong," will celebrate the life and work of China's famous cartoonist and artist, Ding Cong, who provided daring social commentary on Chinese society during China's turbulent 20th century.

The symposium, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Oct. 20, in Room 119 of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., Washington, D.C.  The event is sponsored by the Library's John W. Kluge Center, and reservations or tickets are not needed.

Ding Cong (1916-2009), who worked under the pen name Xiao Ding, was born in Shanghai into a family of artists.  He was a frequent admirer of the magazines The New Yorker and Vanity Fair, which were available in treaty-port Shanghai.  From these and other Western influences, Ding Cong developed his art.

Ding Cong used his cartoons and illustrations to reveal the true state of Chinese society, which faced corruption and turmoil during most of the 20th century.  His popularity stemmed from an intellectual and artistic integrity that made the inept of both the right and left fair game for his art.  But the cartoonist paid dearly for his efforts, as he was exiled twice to the countryside and borderlands, effectively losing more than 20 years of his artistic life.

The symposium features lectures by preeminent scholars of Chinese cartoons as well as family and friends of the artist.

9:00-9:05 Welcome by Carolyn Brown, director of the John W. Kluge Center, Library of Congress

9:05-9:25 "Ding Cong:  The Artist and Art Form" by Marcia Ristaino, visiting scholar, John W. Kluge Center

9:25-9:45 "Ding Cong's Art During the Years of Hardship" by Shelley Drake Hawks, lecturer, Boston University

9:45-10:10 "Ding Cong: His Artistic Circle and Contributions" by John A. Lent, publisher and editor-in-chief, International Journal of Comic Art

10:10-10:30 Break

10:30-10:55 "One Who Saw China As It Really Was: Ding Cong in the Forties" by Michael Sullivan, fellow emeritus of St. Catherine's College, Oxford

10:55-11:20 "The Relationship Between Chinese Visual Art and Society" (tentative) by Carma Hinton, documentary filmmaker and Robinson Professor of Visual Culture and Chinese Studies, George Mason University

11:20-11:40 "Herblock's Caricature of Mao Zedong: A Window onto Resources for Cartoon-Related Research in the Library's Prints and Photographs Division" by Martha Kennedy, curator, Library of Congress

11:40-12:00 Questions and Discussion

At 1:45 p.m., an exhibition of 30 reproductions of Ding Cong's work may be viewed at the Mason Atrium Art Gallery, School of Visual and Performing Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax, Va., along with additional commentary from speakers, his widow and friends.  For more information, visit http://today.gmu.edu/48188/.

Through a generous endowment from John W. Kluge, the Library of Congress established the Kluge Center in 2000 to bring together the world's best thinkers to stimulate and energize one another to distill wisdom from the Library's rich resources and to interact with policymakers in Washington.  For further information on the Kluge Center, visit www.loc.gov/kluge/.

# # #

PR09-188
9/25/09
ISSN: 0731-3527

 

Speaking of SPX, in a way

This isn't directly about comics, but many of the lessons here are used by cartoonists, or should be -

On Web, A Most Novel Approach
With Promotion Money Tight, Authors Take to Online Sites To Toot Their Own Horns
By Neely Tucker
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 24, 2009

PR: John Kovaleski at Small Press Expo

I bought everything John had last year ...

Hi there-

Just a quick little note to tell you that I'll be at the Small Press Expo this weekend (September 26 and 27) in Bethesda, MD. I'll be signing "Bo Nanas," "Jack N. Box" and "Great Scott" books for your personal reading enjoyment at table C9. Hope to see you there.

For more info  http://www.spxpo.com/

Best,
John Kovaleski


You can see more of my work here:
http://www.kovaleski.com/

As always you can find out too much about me on my blog:
http://kovaleski.wordpress.com/

Or follow me on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/johnkovaleski


BIO: Before becoming a cartoonist, John Kovaleski had "done time" at an ad agency, a consulting firm, a newspaper and a big, faceless corporation.

His humorous scribblings have adorned magazines, newspapers, greeting cards, puzzles, billboards, and that new-fangled Internet that all the kids are talking about.

In 2003 his comic strip "Bo Nanas" was unleashed on an unsuspecting world by the fine folks at The Washington Post Writers Group.

In 2006 he became "one of the usual gang of idiots." In other words, a contributor to MAD Magazine.

In his spare time he practices the ukulele and does the occasional escape-artist trick

Rob Clough's SPX recommendations

Rob Clough's SPX recommendations can be seen here.

USA Today cartoonist Joel Pett featured in campus newstory

See "What in the world is so funny? Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist Joel Pett talks politics at Whitman," By Eric Nickeson-Mendheim, Whitman Pioneer September 22, 2009.

National Book Festival, the OTHER Saturday event

Cartoonist Jeff Kinney will be among the authors at the Library of Congress' National Book Festival on the Mall on Sept 26th. Also appearing are Jodi Picoult who briefly wrote Wonder Woman, and Junot Diaz who's influenced by comics.

SPX programming times online now

Click here for the SPX programming times.

Daily Cross Hatch previews SPX

The excellent site Daily Cross Hatch previews SPX - they're much hipper than I am so pay attention to what they say. Also they run excellent interviews, usually by Brian Heater so check the site regularly.

KAL speaks to Maryland students

See Web site hopes to spark high school students' interest in current events
by Amber Parcher
The Gazette September 23 2009

Weldon on Wednesday Comics

Weldon, Glen.  2009.

Comic Books Take A Bold Leap Backward And Nail The Dismount.

National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (September 23)

Small Press Expo This Weekend with Gahan Wilson, Carol Tyler, Kate Beaton, Jerry Moriarity and Josh Neufeld

Small Press Expo This Weekend with Gahan Wilson, Carol Tyler, Kate Beaton, Jerry Moriarity and Josh Neufeld

 

For Immediate Release                             

Contact: Warren Bernard                                                                       

E-Mail: warren@spxpo.com

Bethesda, Maryland; September 24, 2009 - The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, will be held this weekend, Saturday Sept 25 from 11AM-7PM and Sunday, September 26 from noon-6PM. The guest list this year includes Gahan Wilson, Paul Karasik, Carol Tyler, Josh Neufeld, John Porcellino,  Peter Kuper, Kevin Huizenga, Kate Beaton, Al Columbia, Jerry Moriarity, R. Sikoryak and Joshua Cotter .

There will be 11 panel discussions on a wide variety of comics topics as well as one on one sessions with Gahan Wilson, Jerry Moriarity, R. Sikoryak, John  Porcellino and Carol Tyler, amongst others. 

SPX culminates with the presentation of the Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning which will occur Saturday night, September 26 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 balloting by attendees during SPX. 

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

SPX brings together more than 300 artists and publishers to meet their readers, booksellers and distributors each year. Graphic novels, political cartoon books 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/.             

SPX will be held The North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center in Bethesda, Maryland, next to the White Flint Metro stop. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.

Post on local comic book store economy

One Comics Shop to Close; Others Stay in the Action

By Mike Musgrove
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 23, 2009

DC Comic Books Examiner: Atomic Books throws SPX-plosion 2

Atomic Books throws SPX-plosion 2 Tuesday, September 22, 2009 Ushering in the Sept. 26 and 27 Small Press Expo, Baltimore's Atomic Books hosts a second annual books release party. The event is punctuated by a core of cartoonists scheduled to make an appearance. The party boasts expectant and brief presentations... Read more » DC Comic Books Examiner, Mark Ruffin Mark Ruffin, a reader of comics for over twenty years, is a freelance writer who tirelessly generates awareness for the Non-Fraternity Conversation and Write-up on Comic Books. Contact Mark here.

Sept 23: Peter Kuper at GMU

Tip courtesy of Ignatz-nominee Matt Dembicki -

2009 Fall for the Book festival in Fairfax

Graphic Novelist Peter Kuper
Wed, September 23, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Center for the Arts, Grand Tier III, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030

Graphic novelist Kuper explores the history of comics as political art — from Thomas Nast to Diego Rivera to the artists of World War 3 Illustrated — and offers a visual tour of the art he produced while living in Oaxaca, Mexico, when striking teachers and federal troops clashed.

Xoc #2 at SPX

 Matt Dembicki says 

I'll be premiering the second issue of Xoc, which is up for an Ignatz Award in the mini-comic category, at SPX this weekend. This issue is chockfull of underwater goodness!

-Sweet cover, isn't it? (I hope that shows up on this email posting method)

Riffs interviews Fall Out Boy

The Riffs Interview: Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz Dives Headlong Into Being a Comic-Book Creator
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs September 22, 2009
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/comic-riffs/2009/09/the_riffs_interview_fall_out_b.html#more

Sept 23: Graphic novel book group at Politics and Prose

GRAPHIC NOVEL (4th Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, September 23

Exit Wounds
by Mutu Rodan
2008/12 - TP
Drawn & Quarterly
9781897299838


Publisher Comments

Set in modern-day Tel Aviv, a young man, Koby Franco, receives an urgent phone call from a female soldier. Learning that his estranged father may have been a victim of a suicide bombing in Hadera, Koby reluctantly joins the soldier in searching for clues. His death would certainly explain his empty apartment and disconnected phone line. As Koby tries to unravel the mystery of his father's death, he finds himself piecing together not only the last few months of his father's life but his entire identity. With thin, precise lines and luscious watercolors, Rutu Modan creates a portrait of modern Israel, a place where sudden death mingles with the slow dissolution of family ties.

"Exit Wounds "is the North American graphic-novel debut from one of Israel's best-known cartoonists. Modan has received several awards in Israel and abroad, including the Best Illustrated Children's Book Award from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem four times and Young Artist of the Year by the Israel Ministry of Culture. She is a chosen artist of the Israel Cultural Excellence Foundation.

Sept 22 Comic-Book Fan Adam Besenyodi at GMU

Tip courtesy of Ignatz-nominee Matt Dembicki -

2009 Fall for the Book festivalin Fairfax

Comic-Book Fan Adam Besenyodi
When: Tue, September 22, 3pm – 4pm
Where: Grand Tier III, Center for the Arts, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, Virginia 22030

Besenyodi discusses his new book, Deus ex Comica: The Rebirth of a Comic-Book Fan, praised by Wired as a “a great study in emotional psychology and the things in life that really get our brains ticking and our hearts pumping.”

Graphic Novelist Peter Kuper
Wed, September 23, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Center for the Arts, Grand Tier III, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030

Graphic novelist Kuper explores the history of comics as political art — from Thomas Nast to Diego Rivera to the artists of World War 3 Illustrated — and offers a visual tour of the art he produced while living in Oaxaca, Mexico, when striking teachers and federal troops clashed.

Sept 21: Batman: The Dark Knight 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

September 21, 2009 - Batman: The Dark Knight
September 23, 2009 - Batman: The Dark Knight - at CCSP

Quick Reviews for Comics Due 09-23-09

QUICK REVIEWS FOR COMICS DUE 09-23-09

By John Judy

 

BLACKEST NIGHT: SUPERMAN #2 of 3 by James Robinson and Eddy Barrows.  If you've ever wanted to see Superman fight a zombie version of himself with wistful, poetic dialogue by James Robinson THIS is the one for you!  Plus, other zombies with rings.  Fun stuff.

 

DARK REIGN: THE LIST: X-MEN ONE-SHOT by Matt Fraction and Alan Davis.  Fraction!  Davis!  Osborn!  X-Men!!!!  (Contains some verbs.)

 

DETECTIVE COMICS #857 by Greg Rucka, JH Williams III and Cully Hamner.  Batman had the Mad Hatter.  Batwoman has "Alice" which should be a lot hotter than it sounds.  At least there's poison gas involved.  Also, the Question takes on a human trafficking ring.  Note:  Human traffickers are this year's drug dealers.

 

FANTASTIC FOUR #571 by Jonathan Hickman and Dale Eaglesham.  Ben and Johnny get ready to road trip while Reed gets ready to fix everything.  "Socialism!"

 

FLASH CHRONICLES VOL. 1 SC by Various Silver Age Legends.  Collecting the earliest adventures of Barry Allen, the fastest man alive, in affordable paperback.  Great gift idea for the young and old.  Recommended.

 

GOON VOL. 9: CALAMITY OF CONSCIENCE SC written and drawn by Eric Powell.  "Now that's a beatin'.  You know you been beat proper when your arm is stickin' out at an angle like that."  Collecting issues 28-31, this twisted humor-adventure title will tug at your heart strings then get really angry and rip them out entirely.  And make you like it!  Recommended.

 

HELLBLAZER #259 by Peter Milligan and Simon Bisley.  The Biz is back for two issues of covers and interiors!  First up, Constantine tries to escape his troubles by skipping town.  Because that always works when you're John Constantine…

 

IMMORTAL WEAPONS #3 of 5 by Rick Spears, Duane Swierczynski and Timothy Green II.  If you're a down on your luck orphan during China's first opium war, have no fear for Living Weapon Dog Brother #1 is on your side!  And you have opium!

 

INCREDIBLE HULK #602 by Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, Ariel Olivetti and Michael Ryan.  Hulk and Son take on the Juggernaut!  There's also this back-up story about the appalling new She-Hulk but don't let that ruin it for you.

 

MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN #4 by Seth Grahame-Smith and Richard Elson.  One of the authors of "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" takes a swing at a Zombies versus Hulk story.  On the moon!  Gotta look!

 

ODD AND THE FROST GIANTS HC by Neil Gaiman and Brett Helquist.  A hardback edition of the story Neil wrote for the UK's World Book Day about a boy in Viking times who must save Asgard from the Frost Giants and restore springtime to the world.  Illustrated by Brent Helquist (of Lemony Snicket fame), 128 pages and appropriate for young readers.  Recommended.

 

NEW AVENGERS #57 by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen.  The Avengers are powerless and now so are the Dark Avengers and they're all facing seriously hacked off rogue criminals who are not powerless.  Boy, I sure hope they all get their powers back in time for a BIG FIGHT!

 

SPIDER-WOMAN #1 by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev.  Congratulations to Bendis for finally getting his dream job and his old DAREDEVIL partner to draw it.  Let's hope this doesn't distract him from the other 20-some weekly titles he's writing!  "Thwip!"

 

SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN #1 of 6 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank.  It's the new Official Canon of Superman's Life and Times.  Put your Byrne-autographed MAN OF STEEL back on the shelf, kids.  It is now an antique.  Recommended.

 

UNCANNY X-MEN #515 by Matt Fraction and Greg Land.  One of the original X-Men makes his exit!  But who is it?

 

UNDERGROUND #1 of 4 by Steve Lieber and Jeff Parker.  "Thriller set in a cave" doesn't really do justice to this tense, good-looking comic by the artist of WHITEOUT and the author of AGENTS OF ATLAS.  Highly recommended.

 

WEDNESDAY COMICS #12 of 12 by Various Courageous Risk-Takers.  Final issue!  Some hits, some misses, a few head-scratchers, but overall a noble and successful experiment that gave us some great artwork and appreciation for just how beautiful the Sunday newspaper comics used to be.  Highly recommended.

 

WOLVERINE GIANT-SIZE OLD MAN LOGAN #1 by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven.  Grampa Wolverine chops up a bunch of green people.  The final chapter.  Not for younger kids because it's got a guy with claws killing people fer cryin' out loud!

 

www.johnjudy.net