Comic books uh-oh

Beyond Comics puts out a weekly newsletter, listing the new comics and the like coming  out that week.

This list caught my eye as an egregious sign that speculation is back in the comic book market:

Variant Covers
 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN THOR GOES HOLLYWOOD VAR #658
 BATMAN AND ROBIN VAR ED #22
 BLACK PANTHER MAN WITHOUT FEAR THOR GOES TO HOLLYWOOD #517
 FLASH VAR ED #10
 GI JOE VOL 2 10 COPY INCV #1
 HELLBOY BUSTER OAKLEY GETS HIS WISH MIGNOLA VAR
 IRON MAN 2.0 DJURDJEVIC VAR #3
 JOHN BYRNE NEXT MEN 10 COPY INCV #5
 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY A ADAMS VAR #622
 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY THOR GOES HOLLYWOOD VAR #62
 JUSTICE LEAGUE GENERATION LOST VAR ED #23
 NEW AVENGERS THOR GOES HOLLYWOOD VAR #11
 SHIELD INFINITY WEAVER VAR
 SKAAR KING OF SAVAGE LAND TAN VAR #1
 SUPERMAN VAR ED #710
 TRANSFORMERS ONGOING 10 COPY INCV #18
 TRANSFORMERS RISING STORM 10 COPY INCV #3
 ULTIMATE AVENGERS VS NEW ULTIMATES CHO VAR #3
 ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN MCGUINNESS VAR #157
 UNCANNY X-FORCE THOR GOES HOLLYWOOD VAR #7
 UNCANNY X-MEN THOR GOES HOLLYWOOD VAR #535
 WARLORD OF MARS DEJAH THORIS 10 COPY A ADAMS VIRGIN VAR #2
 X-MEN LEGACY THOR GOES HOLLYWOOD VAR #247

...almost 25 variant covers in one week?  Not good.

More on the Stafford County Sun's Frank Lewis

Tom Spurgeon of the Comics Reporter dug more into Frank Lewis' career and found these two articles:

Lewis contributes to children's book
By Stafford County Sun Staff
January 26, 2011
http://www2.staffordcountysun.com/news/2011/jan/26/lewis-contributes-childrens-book-ar-800749/


Frank Lewis: cartoonist and combatant
By BEN BLANKENSHIP / Stafford County Sun
 May 09, 2007
http://www2.staffordcountysun.com/lifestyles/2007/may/09/frank_lewis_cartoonist_and_combatant_05_09_07_scs-ar-296219/

Richard Thompson quoted in Little Nemo article

Winsor McCay's 'Little Nemo' brought a new animated spirit to film 100 years ago
Charles Solomon
April 11, 2011
http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2011/04/11/winsor-mccays-little-nemo-brought-a-new-animated-spirit-to-film-100-years-ago/

Daniel Boris still in Cartoonist Studio contest

According to his Facebook page, Daniel Boris is still in the running for the Cartoonist Studio contest.

Al Goodwyn is still in Cartoonist Studio contest

Al Goodwyn wrote in:

Just wanted you to know that the contest is still progressing.  So far I've made it into Round 7 of this 10 Round competition.  They've eliminated 70 cartoonists so far.

Here's the link to this week's entry of mine:http://tinyurl.com/6y9llrn

Here's the link to what they call the Amateur Cubicle where I have quite a few of my cartoons posted:http://tinyurl.com/3o4tzos

Artley wins 2 Virginia Press Association Awards

Steve Artley has won a couple of awards -

Saturday, I attended the Virginia Press Association awards banquet in Norfolk. I and several hundred others received awards. Just like last year, I got 1st and 2nd place for editorial cartooning in non-daily publications (they call the category "illustrations"). Last year I came home with the  Best in Show plaque, but didn't get it this time (sniff).

First Place: http://www.omnicontests3.com/vpa/omnigallery/entry/gallery_item_info.cfm?child=1&client_id=1&entry_id=4126&competition_id=2&gallery_item_id=743

Second Place: http://www.omnicontests3.com/vpa/omnigallery/entry/gallery_item_info.cfm?child=1&client_id=1&entry_id=4128&competition_id=2&gallery_item_id=1021

 

Tomorrow: Capicons convention

Capicons Comic Book and Pop Culture Con
Sunday, April 10 · 10:00am - 3:00pm
________________________________
Location
Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire And Rescue Department
2148 Gallows Road
Dunn Loring, VA
________________________________
More Info
Special Guest: Rafer Roberts--creator of Plastic Farm, and editor of D.C. Conspiracy's Magic Bullet! More TBA!

Admission $3 - Kids FREE!

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

Baltimore's Tim Kreider is not happy

What Is to Be Done? A Snapshot of Our Profession
BY Tim Kreider Apr 8, 2011
http://www.tcj.com/what-is-to-be-done/

Former local comics journalist Scott Rosenberg recommends comics in NY

MoCCA: Seek out these comics and graphic novels
By Scott A. Rosenberg
amNY 4/6/11
http://www.amny.com/urbanite-1.812039/mocca-seek-out-these-comics-and-graphic-novels-1.2804543

Washingtonian Shannon Gallant identified as 'Oklahoman S.L. Gallant' in profile

Former Oklahoman S.L. Gallant to draw Family Guy comics
Matt Price
nerdblog April 6, 2011M
http://blog.newsok.com/nerdage/2011/04/06/former-oklahoman-s-l-gallant-to-draw-family-guy-comics/

Library of Congress Personal Archiving Day on April 30

Many comic collectors have their own archive of course...

April 7, 2011

Public contact: William Lefurgy (202) 707-8618, wlef@loc.gov

Pass It On:  Personal Archiving Day at the Library of Congress on April 30

Personal treasures should be safeguarded so that future generations can share in the collective memories of loved ones. Advice on how to preserve and protect precious digital and traditional photos, documents, recordings and more will be presented on Personal Archiving Day at the Library of Congress.

Pass it On: Personal Archiving Day at the Library of Congress will be  held on Saturday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in LJ 119, first floor of the Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., Washington D.C. The event is free and open to the public; no tickets or reservations are needed.

Library staff will be on hand to talk directly with individuals about how to manage and preserve their collections. There will also be videos and printed information available. For security reasons, attendees are asked not to bring collection materials to the event. No appraisals will be provided. For information about visiting the Library go to www.loc.gov/visit/.

Pass it On: Personal Archiving Day at the Library of Congress celebrates Preservation Week (April 24-30), www.ala.org/preservationweek/. This joint initiative of the Library, the American Library Association, the Institute for Museum and Library Services and other partner organizations highlights libraries and other collecting institutions as excellent sources of preservation information. The Library's Personal Archiving Day is co-sponsored by the Library's Office of Strategic Initiatives and Library Services.

 "It is a great pleasure for us to be able to help families preserve their photograph collections," said Laura Campbell, associate librarian for Strategic Initiatives. "Digital technology in particular provides new challenges and opportunities to keeping  photographs accessible over time and across generations."

Deanna Marcum, associate librarian for Library Services, said "Many of the collections currently held by the Library of Congress came originally from personal collectors. It is in the best interest of the Library to help families preserve memorabilia that help trace the history of our communities and nation."

To learn more about the event and to sign up for free digital preservation updates, visit www.digitalpreservation.gov.  

Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and the largest library in the world, with nearly 145 million items in various languages, disciplines and formats. The Library serves the U.S. Congress and the nation both on-site, in its reading rooms on Capitol Hill, and through its award-winning website at www.loc.gov. Many of the Library's rich resources and treasures may also be accessed via interactive exhibitions on a personalized website at myLOC.gov.

The Office of Strategic Initiatives, National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program is pursuing a national strategy to collect, preserve and make available significant digital content, especially information that is created in digital form only, for current and future generations.

# # #

PR 11-077
04/07/10
ISSN 0731-3527

Stafford County Sun cartoonist Frank Lewis dies

Sun cartoonist dies
By Stafford County Sun  April 06, 2011
http://www2.staffordcountysun.com/news/2011/apr/06/sun-cartoonist-dies-ar-954693/

Frank Lewis was 89.

2 local publications up for Eisner Awards

2 local publications are up for Eisner Awards - Trickster in best anthology and USA Today's comics blog for best journalism.

Good luck!

Please let me know if I missed anyone else.

Wuerker comments on Village Voice's non-paying comics issue

Village Voice blasted for not paying 'Comics Issue' contributors
 by Jim Romenesko
Poynter Apr. 7, 2011
http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/romenesko/127034/village-voice-blasted-for-not-paying-comics-issue-contributors/

The original story is here:

 

The Comics Issue: If Cartoons Are So Big, Why Don't They Pay?

Drawn and nickled and dimed

By Roy Edroso

Apr 6 2011

http://www.villagevoice.com/2011-04-06/news/the-comics-issue-if-cartoons-are-so-big-why-don-t-they-pay/

David Hagen's Carrot Ride featured in today's Express

David Hagen's Carrot Ride is the illustration featured in today's Express highlighting an Artomatic show at National Airport.

April 10: Capicons comic convention in VA

Capicons Comic Book and Pop Culture Con
Sunday, April 10 · 10:00am - 3:00pm
________________________________
Location
Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire And Rescue Department
2148 Gallows Road
Dunn Loring, VA
________________________________
More Info
Special Guest: Rafer Roberts--creator of Plastic Farm, and editor of D.C. Conspiracy's Magic Bullet! More TBA!

Admission $3 - Kids FREE!

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

UMBC on Kal

Engaging Student Voices
(4/1/2011)
http://www.umbc.edu/window/kal_2011.html

Comic Riffs on Captain America and Ward Sutton

THE 'RIFFS INTERVIEW: Marvel honcho TOM BREVOORT on July's return of the original Captain America
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 6 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-riffs-interview-marvel-honcho-tom-brevoort-on-julys-return-of-the-original-captain-america/2011/04/05/AFyY3IqC_blog.html

IMAGE OF THE DAY: Ward Sutton's VILLAGE VOICE mash-up cover [Comics Issue]
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog April 6 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/image-of-the-day-ward-suttons-village-voice-mash-up-cover-comics-issue/2011/04/05/AFznO2mC_blog.html

Small Press Expo Announces Chester Brown, Craig Thompson, Diane Noomin, Johnny Ryan, Jay Stephens and Matthew Thurber as guests for SPX 2011

Small Press Expo Announces Chester Brown, Craig Thompson, Diane Noomin, Johnny Ryan, Jay Stephens and Matthew Thurber as guests for SPX 2011

 

For Immediate Release                              Contact: Warren Bernard

                                                                         

                                                                          E-Mail: warren@spxpo.com

Bethesda, Maryland; April 6, 2011 - The Small Press Expo (SPX), the preeminent showcase for the exhibition of independent comics, graphic novels and alternative political cartoons, is pleased to announce that Chester Brown, Craig Thompson, Diane Noomin, Johnny Ryan, Jay Stephens and Matthew Thurber will be guests for SPX 2011, to be held September 10 and 11 at the Marriott North Bethesda Hotel and Conference Center in Bethesda, Maryland, across from the White Flint Metro stop.  These guests are in addition to the previously announced Roz Chast, Jim Woodring, Ann Telnaes and Jum Rugg.

Chester Brown will be inducted into the Canadian Cartoon Hall of Fame this June for his body of work, which includes the series Ed The Happy Clown, the autobiographical collections The Playboy and I Never Liked You, as well as his historical graphic novel, Louis Riel: A Comic Strip Biography. His new book, Paying For It, will be released by Drawn and Quarterly next month.

Craig Thompson is the winner of multiple Harvey, Eisner and Ignatz Awards and is best known for his works Goodbye Chunky Rice, Carnet de Voyage and Blankets, with Blankets awarded Time Magazine's #1 Graphic Novel in 2003. His first major release since 2004 is the upcoming Habibi, to be released by Pantheon on September 20.

Diane Noomin is one of the pioneers of women's comics.  She, contributed to such underground titles as Wimmen's Comix and Young Lust, as well as being

 the founder, editor and a contributor to the women-oriented series, Twisted Sisters, of which she also edited two volumes of compilations. Ms. Noomin's latest release is Glitz-2-Go, a 40-year retrospective of her work being published by Fantagraphics.

Johnny Ryan is the creator behind Angry Youth Comics and the series Blecky Yuckerella. He has contributed to such publications as Nickelodeon Magazine, Mad, LA Weekly and The Stranger. His latest book is Take A Joke, the third Angry Youth collection published by Fantagraphics.

Jay Stephens is the Emmy Award-winner who created both Cartoon Network's The Secret Saturdays and Discovery 's Kids Tutenstein. His also created the long-running Oddville comic strip, being released this summer as an Adhouse Books collection titled Welcome to Oddville. 

Matthew Thurber is both a comic artist and musician who has just released his latest installation of his comic book series 1-800-MICE from Picturebox. He has also contributed to Kramers Ergot, as well as illustrated for The New York Times.

For detailed information about our announced guests, visit the SPX web site at www.spxpo.com.

SPX culminates with the presentation of the Ignatz Awards for outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning on Saturday night, September 10 at 9PM. Attendees at SPX get in free to the Ignatz Awards. The Ignatz is the first Festival Prize in the US comic book industry, with winners chosen by ballots submitted by attendees during SPX. 

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

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

The hours for SPX 2011 are 11AM - 7PM Saturday, September 10, and noon - 6PM Sunday, September 11. Admission is $10 for a single day and $15 for both days.

Weldon on Tardi

He likes it better than I did...

 

'The Arctic Marauder': A Mystery Wrapped In An Enigma Wrapped In ICY DEATH
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog April 6, 2011
http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/04/06/135139790/the-arctic-marauder-a-mystery-wrapped-in-an-enigma-wrapped-in-icy-death?sc=nl&cc=msb-20110406

NASA selects Red and Rover to memorialize space shuttle

Brian Basset Creates Commemorative Space Shuttle Cartoon
WASHINGTON, April 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brian-basset-creates-commemorative-space-shuttle-cartoon-119247164.html

DC's Reason Magazine notes Peter Bagge visit to NYC

Peter Bagge Conquers New York (And Has Three New Books Out)
Brian Doherty | April 4, 2011
http://reason.com/blog/2011/04/04/peter-bagge-conquers-new-york

Shannon "S.L." Gallant to draw Family Guy comic book

EXCLUSIVE: Titan To Launch "Family Guy" Comic
 April 4th, 2011
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=31694

and does this mean I won't have to buy G.I. Joe anymore, or will he be twice as productive?

R.M. Rhodes quarterly webcomics report.

R.M. Rhodes (no relation) writes in with his -

Quarterly Report, Q1 2011 or "webcomics I have created and published this year by R. M. Rhodes, age 37."

Another Comic Book Event at the DC JCC

The Washington DC Jewish Community Center is having a comic book drawing class on April 10^th. Here's the link for it: http://thejdc.convio.net/site/Calendar/348674997?view=Detail&id=127422 and the information from their page:

 

The Art of Comic Book Illustration Washington DC Jewish Community Center

The Art of Comic Book Illustration April 10, 2011 12 PM $35 Member Discount: $25   Come learn how to create  your own characters and narratives in this unique arts workshop with artist Jacqueline Levine. During this four hour workshop, participants will learn the fundementals of narrative structure and the basis for character development so they can create their own fictional characters and worlds or even their own alter-ego. Through a discussion of iconic comic book characters and visual examples of comic books and graphic novels, students will learn the basics of the art form that they can go on to perfect in the future. Students are required to bring their own materials, of which the teacher will instruct them prior to the class. Jaqueline Levine is a DC-area artist who frequently exhibits under the name ART CARGO. She receieved her BFA from American University and her MFA from George Washington University. She has exhibited all over the world including New York, Miami, Florence and of course, Washington, DC. You can see more about her and examples of her work on her website Date: Sunday, April 10, 2011 Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Address: 1529 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 If you'd like to attend this event you can purchase tickets online.

Stephen Hess and Sandy Northrup speak three times on editorial cartoons

Stephen Hess and Sandy Northrup speak on their new book, Drawn & Quartered: The History of American Political Cartoons in three places this spring:

 

Wednesday, April 13, 7PM, National Archives, McGowan Theater

Wednesday, April 27, 12PM, Library of Congress, 6th floor, Montpelier Room

Sunday, May 15, 2:30 PM, Newseum

Cartoonist Studio contestant Al Goodwyn interviewed

Meet a Local Cartoonist: A Chat With Al Goodwyn
 by Mike Rhode on Apr. 4, 2011
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2011/04/04/meet-a-local-cartoonist-a-chat-with-al-goodwyn/

 

Post interviews Parker and Stone

No, nothing is sacred [online title: 'Mormon' a product of creators' unlikely love of Broadway]
By Peter Marks
Washington Post April 3 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/trey-parker-matt-stone-and-robert-lopez-writers-of-the-book-of-mormon/2011/03/29/AFC68FJC_story.html

Richard Thompson's MODOK sketch

When you go to a con, you never know what someone will ask you to draw - hence here is Richard Thompson's MODOK sketch.

 

Daddy's Home Press Release: April Fool!

Tony Rubino (whom I interviewed for the City Paper) sent in this note:

FYI: Today, "Daddy's Home" and "Scary Gary" traded characters in celebration of April Fool's Day. It's crazy, zany, cartoon mayhem. Tell your readers to: http://www.gocomics.com/scarygary/2011/04/01/
http://www.gocomics.com/daddyshome/2011/04/01/


Follow:
http://twitter.com/#!/daddyshomepete
and…
Like:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daddys-Home/175279239689?ref=ts

Thanks, Later,
Tony Rubino,
"Daddy's Home"

Post reviews of Hop and Super

Rabbit, run: Just in time for Easter
By Sandie Angulo Chen
Washington Post April 1, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/hop,1158858/critic-review.html

Heroic vigilante, or a crazy guy?
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post April 1, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/super,1114120/critic-review.html

Wash Examiner on Super movie

A superfunny but super gory superhero
 By: Kelly Jane Torrance Washington Examiner April 1 2011 p. 27
http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/movies/2011/03/super-funny-super-gory-superhero

Politics and Prose recommends Tomine

SCENES FROM AN IMPENDING MARRIAGE
by Adrian Tomine (Drawn & Quarterly, $9.95)

Adrian Tomine's new book is quite different from his previous work. Utilizing a smaller format, and more cartoonish style, Scenes from an Impending Marriage documents, in several smartly staged and well told scenes, some of the humorous drama before Tomine's wedding. Here you'll find a lot of honesty and a frequently hilarious exposé of an often overwhelmingly stressful event. This is pure Tomine and a joy to read. Highly recommended.

Click here to learn about my other new favorites in the Graphic Novel Department.

- Adam Waterreus

City Paper reviews Super

Dwight Schrute fights crime; How I Met Your Mother Guy adopts
By Tricia Olszewski
Washington City Paper April 1, 2011
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/40604/super-and-happythankyoumoreplease-reviewed-dwight-schrute-fights-crime-how-i/

Post on Brazilian kid cartoonist

Teenage cartoonist lampoons Brazil's elite
By Juan Forero, Washington Post March 31 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/teenage-cartoonist-lampoons-brazils-elite/2011/03/29/AFHUPi5B_story.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/teenage_cartoonist_lampoons_brazils_elite/2011/03/30/AFhwcD6B_gallery.html

Good review of Finder: Voice at TCJ.com

Finder: Voice
Carla Speed McNeil
Dark Horse
$19.99, 208 pages

REVIEWED BY Shaenon Garrity Mar 29, 2011
http://www.tcj.com/reviews/finder-voice/

I love Carla Speed McNeil's Finder, and I imagine the reason I love it is the same reason it doesn't get more attention in the comics press: it's simultaneously straightforward and labyrinthine, genre-based and uncategorizable. It's solid sci-fi of the kind they were making in the 1970s...

Adam Dwight fine art animation at Flashpoint Gallery

Today's Express has a picture from the animated "Rocket Fuel" on page 5. Here's the information from Flashpoint's website.   Adam Dwight & Dana Jeri Maier: Off in a Corner April 1 – May 7, 2011 Opening Reception: Friday, April 1, 6 – 8 p.m. Art + Coffee Program: Sunday, April 10, 1:30 p.m. — Presented in collaboration with the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Luce Foundation Center Art + Coffee Program [meet at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in the F Street Lobby] Pink Panel @ Flashpoint: Drink + Draw, Thursday, April 21, 6:30 p.m. Adam Dwight's gouache paintings and rubber puddle will collide with Dana Jeri Maier's ink drawings on drink coasters for Off in a Corner, a two-person show that manipulates the line between fine art and illustration. When juxtaposed, Dwight's and Maier's farcical and cartoonish narratives reveal a dark absurdity to the characters and relationships depicted within. Exhibition Press Release [PDF, 348 KB]
Gallery Hours	Tuesday – Saturday, 12 – 6 p.m. OR BY APPOINTMENT
Contact	Karyn Miller, Manager, Visual Art t 202.315.1310 f 202.315.1303

Truitt on Who Is Jake Ellis?

We spy a 'Jake Ellis' extension
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY March 30 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-03-30-JakeEllis_N.htm

Troy Allen of Bamn has a Podcast

From: Troy Allen
Introducing The Menagerie of Kick-Assery Podcast

No new Bamn updates this week (although we have a deadline of April 6th to complete the bubbling on #3), but I neglected to mention earlier that I recently started a podcast called Menagerie of Kick-Assery.

M.O.K.A. (as it is affectionately called by nobody) is centrally focused on all things "geek." That includes comics, movies, TV shows, and, yep...wrestling.

We are nine episodes in and the ninth episode just went online today.

This episodes we talk to my good friend and wrestling manager Marcus "King Kong" Dowling.

Marcus was there for my fall from grace from professional wrasslin' (it was a short fall) and he gives us tons of industry insight.

Download it, stream it, or Itunes it at the Menagerie of Kick-Assery blog (you might learn something...but no promises):

CLICK HERE to listen to me, co-host Gene Green, and Marcus at the MOKA blog.

April 10: Capicons next convention

Capicons Comic Book and Pop Culture Con
Sunday, April 10 · 10:00am - 3:00pm
________________________________
Location
Dunn Loring Volunteer Fire And Rescue Department
2148 Gallows Road
Dunn Loring, VA
________________________________
More Info
Special Guest: Rafer Roberts--creator of Plastic Farm, and editor of D.C. Conspiracy's Magic Bullet! More TBA!

Admission $3 - Kids FREE!

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

Wheatley / Hempel comic book funded for movie adaptation

Mark Wheatley tells me that his comic book, Blood of the Innocent about Dracula versus Jack the Ripper, has moved along in the movie development process and sends this link for more details.
Mark will be the next Meet a Local Cartoonist at the City Paper site.

Comicsgirl reports on "Mr. Mendoza’s Paintbrush/Trickster event at Busboys & Poets • 03.30.11"

Comicsgirl has written up last night's "Mr. Mendoza's Paintbrush/Trickster event at Busboys & Poets • 03.30.11".  I was quite taken with Christopher Cardinale's talk about how he visited Mexico and photographed the scenes that the author had described in his short story.

Editor Matt Dembicki also pointed out this blog post on Trickster that talks about how Peter Kuper did the initial cover for the book

Comic Riffs interviews Tom Tomorrow

REBEL WITH A 'KOS': Tom Tomorrow ends Salon run to become 'comics curator' at the Daily Kos
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 30 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/rebel-with-a-kos-tom-tomorrow-ends-salon-run-to-become-comics-curator-at-the-daily-kos/2011/03/30/AFEaTl3B_blog.html

April 1: Nick Galifianakis at National Press Club

Nick Galifianakis will be at the National Press Club hosting Commedia dell Media, a contest to select Washington's funniest journalist. The event is a fundraiser for three causes.

Atlas Returns in Baltimore

It’s easy to forget how close Baltimore really is, but it is less than an hour away and has one of America’s few comics museums. Geppi’s Entertainment Museum (aka GEM), housed in a former railroad station right outside the Camden Yards ballpark, is a magical place for comics fans. Steve Geppi is the owner of Diamond Distributors, the largest comic book distributor in the country, and his museum is a showcase for his collections. The main hallway is filled with large posters (including one for the original King Kong movie), original comics artwork, advertising signs, and a letter from Walt Disney to Mrs. George ‘Krazy Kat’ Herriman expressing condolences on her husband’s death.

The exhibit galleries tell the story of popular culture via characters, beginning in the 19^th century with Palmer Cox’s Brownies (although there’s a nod to earlier history in the first one – you can see Ben Franklin’s original newspaper cartoon in it). They jump decade by decade, hitting highlights such as The Yellow Kid, Superman, Disney’s characters, Little Orphan Annie, Popeye and the like before ending with Star Wars in the 1970s. Each room is packed with toys and merchandising.

The galleries begin with one devoted to the history of the comic book which begins with early collections of comic strips from the 1900s through the ‘20s, then moves into pulps and a whole wall of Big Little Books, before showcasing Geppi’s collection of key comic books. Atlas At Last! the current temporary exhibit began in this room. Atlas was a company that barely existed from 1974-1975. It was created by Martin Goodman, the former owner of Marvel Comics (which had used the name Atlas in the 1950s), for his son Chip to run, in an attempt to outstrip his former company. As Diamond’s Scoop site notes, “By paying top rates, the company attracted creators such as Russ Heath, John Severin, Alex Toth, Walter Simonson, Ernie Colon, Neal Adams, Pat Broderick, Mike Ploog, Rich Buckler, Frank Thorne, Tony Isabella, Jeff Jones, Boris Valejo and others. One series, The Destructor, featured longtime Warren, Marvel and DC editor Archie Goodwin as its writer, Spider-Man and Doctor Strange co-creator Steve Ditko on pencils, EC veteran and T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents creator Wally Wood on inks, with Marvel veteran Larry Lieber (one of the Atlas editors and Marvel impresario Stan Lee’s brother) providing the cover.” It’s worth noting that talents did not move between the major companies at the time, and one could be blackballed for doing work for a competitor.


Mark Huesman, JC Vaughn, Mike Wilbur, Philip Zolli & Mark Wheatley

The exhibit features most, if not all, of the comics, that Atlas published and some striking original art down for the books. These are drawn from the collection of Philip Zolli, the enthusiast behind The Atlas Archives website (which he started in 2003). Zolli bought the comics he could fine when they appeared originally, and has continued completing and filling out his collection over the intervening thirty-five years. Mike Wilbur (employee of Diamond International Galleries) was one of the show’s curators and provided some of the comic books on display. The other of exhibit’s two curators, J.C. Vaughn (of Gemstone Publishing), invited me to the opening of the show. Of Atlas’ enduring appeal, he told me, “I’ve worked in comics for sixteen years next month, and I freelanced for a year before that, so I’m not a novice, I’m not your average fanboy, but I was totally a geeked-out kid. I got two of the comics in a trade when I was a kid, like 1976, a year after they died, and I got so into them -- that’s the seed of the exhibit being here now.”

The Atlas line has just been relaunched by Ardden Entertainment and grandson Jason Goodman, and Vaughn says, “I think there’s a better understanding of the company now … we’re talking 72, 73 publications in 1975, and the fact that we’re still talking about them in any sense is amazing, and the fact that anyone’s bringing them back is even more amazing.”

Phil Zolli was attempting to collect his comics before there were comic book stores. “I remember there several stationary stores had the spinner racks, and they were there, and Atlas in my area got good coverage, so I was able to buy them right off the newsstand. They just struck a chord with me because all I knew at the time was Marvel and DC, and I got to be at the ground floor of a brand-new company. It was very exciting. A year later, they disappeared.” He didn’t buy all of the line at the time – Archie knock-off Binky, Gothic Romances and other magazines waited for later, as did buying original art. “Once I started the site, and I had searches out because I wanted to accumulate as much information as I could, E-bay was a great source of information and artwork that popped up. I thought, ‘This is great and relatively inexpensive. I’m going to buy it.’ Zolli’s original artwork is interspersed with other artwork, both in the main comic book exhibit room and the museum’s main hall, a weakness in the show’s design that lessens the impact of the art. Very little of the original art exists. Vaughn noted, “When people went up to the Atlas offices, after they ceased publication, there was one secretary that denied that they were ever in comics, Simonson had a whole story missing… some have cast glances at some of the last editorial employees and others have just heard that it got thrown out.” Maryland comic artist Mark Wheatley, who noted that he published the first or second story done by Howard Chaykin, said “During that period, it’s quite likely it just got tossed.” Zolli is continuing to collect the new versions of the comics, and has been buying original art from those series as well.

The second Atlas failed for a couple of reasons. Vaughn points out, “They hired Jeff Rovin from Warren [a black and white comics magazine publisher] and put him in charge of color comics; they brought in Larry Lieber who worked at the core of silver age Marvel, and put him in charge of black and white magazines…” Wheatley said of Atlas, “They looked like Marvel deliberately, and then the distributors forced them to change and not look like Marvel” while Vaughn says that “a lot of the changes were capricious like the Movie Monsters [magazine on display] originally had differently colored lettering that didn’t get lost in the background orange, but the Goodman’s came by and made them change it.” Discussing how much the comics industry has changed, Zolli says “Larry Hama was doing the second issue of Wulf, and his mother was dying, and Martin Goodman refused to push the deadline back. The guy quit right after that. A lot of people were bitter.” Distribution was a problem for the company, as other companies such as Skywald and Charlton were still fighting for space on the racks. Wilbur remembers, “The place I was buying my new comics in the ‘70s was a bookstore / newsstand place. I went in there often enough that they would let me put out the new comics when they came in. They had no say in what they got – they would just get these bundles of comics strapped together and it was just totally random. Maybe this month you might get ten copies of this title, next month you’d get two copies and the next month you’d get twenty of them.”



The failure of this newsstand distribution system is what led Geppi to begin Diamond, his distribution company – so he could get his own comic books to read. If you’re curious about a little company that didn’t matter much, or are interested in cartooning history, the museum is located at 301 W. Camden Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-625-7060, sliding scale entry fee begins at $10 for adults.

[Corrected June 1, 2011 for the misspelling of Mr. Zolli's name as Zullo. I regret the error].

Magic Bullet 2 distribution begins

D.C. Conspiracy Has Better Luck Hawking Papers Than Radiohead

 by Jonathan L. Fischer on Mar. 30, 2011

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2011/03/30/d-c-conspiracy-has-better-luck-hawking-papers-than-radiohead/ 

Comic Riffs on meta-Peanuts

The 'Riffs Interview: One fan's new '3eanuts' site takes stripped-down view of 'PEANUTS'
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 29 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-riffs-interview-one-fans-new-3eanuts-site-takes-stripped-down-view-of-peanuts/2011/03/28/AFr8AluB_blog.html

Truitt on new Thor cartoon

'Blood Brothers' shines new light on Loki
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY March 28 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-03-28-BloodBrothers_N.htm

April 2: Anime at Cherry Blossom time in Freer Gallery

FESTIVAL NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL ANIME MARATHON* Saturday, April 2, 11 am|Freer, Meyer Auditorium   The Freer's ninth annual anime marathon is hosted by anime expert Roland Kelts, author of Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the US. It features a Miyazaki kids' classic, a cosplay contest, a Makoto Shinkai feature and sneak preview, and a tribute to the late Satoshi Kon, who visited the marathon in 2007.    This event is cosponsored by Otakorp, Inc., and copresented with the DC Anime Club.

PR: Watch America's Greatest Otaku in DC

Watch America's Greatest Otaku Episode 5 on Hulu! March 24, 2011    AGO EPISODE 5 WATCH IT ON HULU NOW!!!   A BIG shout out to Baltimore, Washington DC, and New York!!   (And of course, don't forget about our contests just for AGO Fans -- details at the bottom!) America's Greatest Otaku, a revealing eight-episode documentary series that searches the United States for the number one American otaku, heads to Baltimore, Washington DC, and New York!    Stu and the Otaku six are fueling up for another week!  Sully looks like he wants to finish his breakfast...     Who's Da Entertainer?  Home Made Kazoku! Let's keep in all in the Familia     But let's not forget the classics: here's Italy playing the flute!    With all this music going around, let's dance.   And we have special guest star M. Alice LeGrow, creator of Bizenghast!     With her, the awesome author brought along Bubbles!     Aww, Bubbles is so cute...      ... but ninja are scary!!    Hot spots in this episode includes Otakon, Geppi's Entertainment Museum, the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum, Alice's Tea Cup, New York Ninja, and interviews with Dr. Natsu Onoda Power, Reni Mimura, and I-ChiP!       Be sure to tune in to Hulu every Thursday for new episodes of America's Greatest Otaku!     CONTEST DETAILS! Yay for another AGO contest! Watch EPISODE 5 NOW, and we'll post up how to enter the contest on the AGO website later today :)      To learn more about the show, as well see exclusive bonus content (such as extended interviews, clips, etc.), be sure to keep visiting americasgreatestotaku.com!                                    Get TPOP News Live! Follow Stu Levy on Twitter! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

NPR's Monkey See blog staff to read Sandman, and write technical report

Ok, so maybe they're not doing a technical report...

The 'I Will If You Will' Book Club: Neil Gaiman's 'The Sandman: Dream Country'

by Linda Holmes

 National Public Radio's Monkey See blog March 29, 2011

 http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/03/29/133372647/the-i-will-if-you-will-book-club-neil-gaimans-the-sandman-dream-country

2 local strips in Charlotte Observer comics poll

Both Barney & Clyde and Cul de Sac are in the running.  Good luck gentlemen.

 

Help us pick a new comic

Mar. 29, 2011

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/03/29/2180009/help-us-pick-a-new-comic.html

Tonight: Dueling comics events

On March 29 at Busboys and Poets (14th and V in Washington, D.C., 6:30-8:30) discussing 'Trickster' will be editor Matt Dembicki, contributing artists Michael Auger and Jacob Warrenfeltz, as well as Christopher Cardinale, illustrator of 'Mr. Mendoza's Paintbrush,' who will be talking about that book.

Also on March 29, Ben Katchor is at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Here's their PR:

The Picture Stories of Ben Katchor
Tuesday, March 29
7 p.m.
Members $12; Public $15
Hailed by The New York Times as "the most poetic, deeply layered artist ever to draw a comic strip," Ben Katchor has collected both a cult and mainstream following for his wry, perceptive, and slightly surreal comic strips of urban life. The author of The Jew of New York and Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer: The Beauty Supply District, Katchor's work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Forward, and Metropolis. The first cartoonist to receive a MacArthur Fellowship, Ben Katchor discusses his first book in more than 10 years, The Cardboard Valise (Random House, 2011)- the whimsical graphic novel which follows the intertwined lives of three characters who travel to the fantastical nation of Outer Canthus. A book signing follows the talk.

Comic Riffs talks to Mike Peters

POLITICAL CARTOONS: Mike Peters reacts to winning National Headliner Award
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 28 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/political-cartoons-mike-peters-wins-national-headliner-award/2011/03/28/AFJww3oB_blog.html

Leftist cartoonist Christopher Cardinale, in town and interviewed

Meet a Visiting Cartoonist: A Chat With Christopher Cardinale
 by Mike Rhode on Mar. 28, 2011
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2011/03/28/meet-a-visiting-cartoonist-a-chat-with-christopher-cardinale/

 

He'll be appearing at Busboys and Poets on March 29th at 6:30 pm, at the 14th and V Store, with some of the people from the Trickster anthology of American Indian tales.

Magic Bullet featured in City Paper

...and not by me!

Monday Morning Commuters: Grab a Copy of Magic Bullet
by Megan Arellano on Mar. 27, 2011
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2011/03/27/monday-morning-commuters-grab-a-copy-of-magic-bullet/

Comic Riffs talks to Matt Wuerker on syndication

Politico's MATT WUERKER reacts to his new Universal UClick deal
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 25 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/politicos-matt-wuerker-reacts-to-his-new-universal-uclick-deal/2011/03/26/AFHteoZB_blog.html

Matt Wuerker's Team Cul de Sac donation

Matt Wuerker's Team Cul de Sac donation is lovely. Check it out now.

Truitt on Marvel's Fear Itself

'Fear Itself' for Marvel Comics' Big Three
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY March 25 2011
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-03-25-fearitself24_ST_N.htm

South Park duo's Book of Mormon play reviewed in Post

'Book of Mormon' deserves worship
By Peter Marks,
Washington Post March 25 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/review-of-broadways-the-book-of-mormon/2011/03/24/ABguJSRB_story.html

Wash Post review of Wimpy Kid movie

A middle school Holden Caulfield
By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post March 28, 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movies/diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-rodrick-rules,1163249/critic-review.html

Shannon Gallant Baroness fundraising drawing on ebay

Shannon Gallant has contributed a fullcolor drawing of GI Joe's Baroness for a fundraising effort on Ebay to help a comic book store owner with cancer.

Comic Riffs has a spate of interviews

I can see why Cavna didn't make it to Sarah Glidden's talk last night... the last of these was posted at 11:59 pm.

POLITICAL HUMOR: Detroit, Denver cartoonists react to winning top awards
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 24 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/political-humor-detroit-denver-cartoonists-react-to-winning-top-awards/2011/03/24/AB8UZTSB_blog.html

The 'Riffs Interview: Top college cartoonist JOHN VESTEVICH is 'shocked' by national Schulz award
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 24 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-riffs-interview-top-college-cartoonist-john-vestevich-is-shocked-by-national-schulz-award/2011/03/24/ABTb4lSB_blog.html

The 'Riffs Interview': JEFF KINNEY 'more relaxed' about new 'DIARY OF A WIMPY KID' sequel
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog March 24 2011
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-riffs-interview-jeff-kinney-more-relaxed-about-new-diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-sequel/2011/03/24/ABO0g2SB_blog.html