The Graphic Memoir
Janice Shapiro
Monday, October 3, 7 - 9:30 p.m.
The graphic memoir is an exciting development in modern literature, filling the niche between prose and film. As exemplified by Art Spiegelman's Maus, Harvey Pekar's American Splendor, and Alison Bechdel's Fun Home, the combination of images and words strengthens, magnifies, and illuminates in unique ways the large and small truths of life. In this class we will look at examples of graphic memoirs and analyze and discuss the visual and storytelling techniques. Then everyone will have the opportunity to draft a one-page graphic memoir about a significant moment in his or her life. The moment does not have to be momentous: It can be funny, tragic, embarrassing, heroic or just about a surprising, cool observation, as long as the moment has resonance. This class is open to everyone and I mean, everyone! No background (or particular talent!) in art or writing is required. Just come with a desire to express yourself in a fresh, fun and exciting way.
Please bring paper and pencils; the instructor will provide additional supplies.
Janice Shapiro is a writer, graphic memoirist and screenwriter. She is the author of Bummer and Other Stories (Soft Skull Press, $14.95). Her stories and comics have been published in The North American Review, The Santa Monica Review, Fifty-Two Stories, Storyville, Devil's Lake, The Seattle Review, and Mixer Publications.
Suggested book: An Anthology of Graphic Fiction, Cartoons, and True Stories, edited by Ivan Brunetti (Yale Univ., $28)
Other recommended books:
One! Hundred! Demons!, by Lynda Barry (Sasquatch, $17.95)
Paying for It, by Chester Brown (Drawn & Quarterly, $24.95)
Stitches, by David Small (W.W.Norton, $15.95)
These four books will be discounted 20% for class participants.
*This class will meet in a private room at Jake's American Grille, 5018 Connecticut Avenue NW, across the street from Politics & Prose. Participants may gather in the fiction room at P&P at 6:45 and then walk to Jake's with the instructor. Light appetizers will be provided, other food and beverages are available for purchase, including beer and wine.
Price: $40 ($35 members)
Saturday Sept. 25th
1:00pm to 4:00pm
Kurt is making a visit o our store in Gaithersburg. Don't miss this awesome opportunity to talk to one of the most knowledgeable writers in comics today.
Seriously, think you can stump him with a question about Marvel or DC, go for it. Oh, by the way, he will be signing stuff for free.
Comics by Kurt Busiek: Astro City, Marvels, Conan (Dark Horse), Shock Rockets, Arrowsmith, Superman Camelot Falls, Supergirl Beyond Good & Evil, Trinity, , Wednesday Comics, JLA/Avengers, Avengers, Avengers Forever, Marvels Eye of the Camera, and tons more (check his bibliography)
and perhaps of interest...
Position 1: Weekdays (Wed/Fri)
Hours: 3-6
Pay: $7.25-$10.00 (Commensurate with experience)
Duties: Helping customers, running cash register, sorting comics, cleaning, various duties as specified
Minimum Requirements: At least 18 years of age, able to lift at least 50lbs, good customer service skills, basic arithmetic, knowledge of comic books and pop culture a plus.
Position 2: Weekends
Hours: 3-6
Pay: $7.25-$10.00 (Commensurate with experience)
Duties: Helping customers, running cash register, sorting comics, cleaning, possible opening or closing. various duties as specified
Minimum Requirements: At least 18 years of age, able to lift at least 50lbs, good customer service skills, basic arithmetic, knowledge of comic books and pop culture a plus.
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In this week's contest, Style Invitational illustrator Bob Staake was going to tweak the work of some famous New Yorker cartoonists, much as he did for us back in 1998. But now that Bob is now a New Yorker cover boy himself, not to mention a disturbingly successful, Cape Cod waterfront-residing children's-book author and illustrator, we decided instead to make fun of Bob's own oeuvre. This week: Write a caption for any of the five pages or details pictured above from some of Bob's more than 50 picture books. (His name's pronounced "stack," by the way.)
Winner gets the Inker, the official Style Invitational trophy. Second place gets a prize custom-made for the Invite: a dress sewn from two classic Loser T-shirts by Loser Barbara Turner. It even has pockets. But you have to be fairly petite — it's about a size 8. Before lunch. Modeled at a Loser brunch by "Loser groupie" Denise Sudell.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 25
1 P.M. RICHARD THOMPSON
The most recent Reuben Award, cartooning's equivalent of the Oscar, went to Richard Thompson, creator of "Cul de Sac," a strip born in The Washington Post seven years ago. Thompson also draws the "Richard's Poor Almanac" cartoon. His new book is "Shapes & Colors: A Cul de Sac Collection." Signing at 2:30 p.m.
1:55 P.M. KAZU KIBUISHI
Kazu Kibuishi is the founder and editor of the "Flight Anthologies," a critically acclaimed comics series, as well as the creator of "Daisy Kutter: The Last Train," a winner of the YALSA Best Books for Young Adults Award. Kibuishi's new book is "Amulet #4: The Last Council." Signing at 4 p.m.
2:50 P.M. ALLEN SAY
In 1972, Say illustrated his first children's book, and until 1987 was a part-time illustrator. That year, while illustrating "The Boy of the Three-Year Nap," which won a Caldecott Honor in 1989, he decided to work full-time on what he most liked to do: writing and illustrating children's books. His newest is "Drawing from Memory." Signing at 4 p.m.
3:45 P.M. RACHEL RENEE RUSSELL
Rachel Renee Russell is an attorney who prefers writing tween books to legal briefs. She is the author of the "Dork Diaries" series, and her latest book is "Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star." Signing at 2 p.m.
4:40 P.M. ERIC WIGHT
Eric Wight's first book, "My Dead Girlfriend," was nominated for the 2008 Best Graphic Novel of the Year Award by the Young Adult Library Services Association. Wight's most recent book is "Frankie Pickle and the Mathematical Genius." Signing at 3 p.m.
3:45 P.M. HARRY BLISS
Cartoonist Harry Bliss has illustrated covers for the New Yorker as well as children's books. His comic, "Bliss," is syndicated in more than 50 newspapers. His new book is "Bailey." Signing at 2:30 p.m.
4:40 P.M. WILLIAM JOYCE
William Joyce's picture books include "George Shrinks," "Dinosaur Bob" and "Santa Calls." He has developed character concepts for the animated features "Toy Story" and "A Bug's Life," and made films, including "Robots" and "Meet the Robinsons." He is currently co-directing "Rise of the Guardians," a film inspired by his new series, "The Guardians of Childhood." The first picture book in the series is "The Man in the Moon," above. Signing at 1:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 25
1:00 P.M. JON J MUTH
Artist Jon J Muth is the creator of this year's National Book Festival poster. The first in his "Zen" series of illustrated books, "Zen Shorts," won a Caldecott honor. The latest in the series is "Zen Ghosts." Signing Saturday at 12 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Lapin, Andrew. 2011.
'The Lion King' In 3-D: All Part Of The Corporate Circle Of Life.
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (September 15): http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/09/15/140497693/the-lion-king-in-3-d-all-part-of-the-corporate-circle-of-life
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (September 14, 2011)
http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/09/14/140459789/your-mind-cannot-handle-the-arrant-awesomeness-of-this-comic-book-cover
Remember the Spy Vs. Spy comic strip and animated series from when you were a kid? That beloved pair of conniving black and white spies who were constantly trying to one-up each other?
Now you can relive all the fun – and the mischief – with the line of Spy vs. Spy books, accessories and apparel available through the Spy Museum Store. To celebrate the availability of this Spy vs. Spy merchandise, the Spy Museum is offering comic fans everywhere a chances to win some of the gear in a sweepstakes exclusively hosted by Catalog Spree, the free catalog shopping app on the iPad.
The sweepstakes offers up two $50 Spy Museum Store gift cards and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on October 9th. For a valid entry, you must go to Catalog Spree Facebook Page and fill out the online entry form. Each entrant may enter only once. Entrants are not required to make any purchases from Sponsor or pay any fees to Sponsor to participate in the Sweepstakes. For more official rules, please visit: http://catalogspree.com/spy-rules.
To enter, please visit Catalog Spree's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/catalogspree?sk=app_181335378572390 or download the app at www.catalogspree.com and click on the "Dare to Enter" banner above any International Spy Museum catalog.
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| Time | Saturday, November 12 · 11:00am - 8:00pm |
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| Location | THIRD EYE COMICS 45 OLD SOLOMONS ISL RD Annapolis, MD |
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| More Info | SAT. NOV 12th 11AM-8PM *************************** HEART #1 LAUNCH PARTY WITH SPECIAL GUESTS BLAIR BUTLER and KEVIN MELLON! *Meet the creators of the biggest IMAGE series of 2011 with our special HEART #1 launch party! We'll have writer BLAIR BUTLER (G4TV's FRESH INK) and artist KEVIN MELLON (LOVESTRUCK, GEARHEAD) on hand signing copies of their brand new series HEART, a compelling journey through the world of MIXED MARTIAL ARTS from IMAGE COMICS! *Get the HEART #1 THIRD EYE VARIANT! November 12th will also be the first day that we'll have our special HEART #1 THIRD EYE COMICS Exclusive variant cover available! This is the grand finale of our big 6 WEEK HEART ATTACK, which you can keep up on the event schedule by going to www.6weekheartattack.com. Attend ALL 6 Week HEART ATTACK events, and receive a special VIP early admission pass to the Nov 12th signing, allowing you to enter 1 hour before the doors open! |
Roger Langridge
Alexis Fajardo
Roz Chast
Chester Brown
Jennifer Hayden
Sara Varon
GEM Celebrates Fifth Anniversary
Scoop September 9 2011
http://scoop.diamondgalleries.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=34&s=265&ai=112779
About:
The unique exhibition, designed by graduate students at the Corcoran College of Art + Design in Washington, D.C., features such classics as Krazy Kat, Blondie, Pogo and Peanuts and was inspired by Associate Professor of Communication Robert Lemieux's quest to educate the public about the cultural and historical relevance of the Sunday funnies. See original, hand-drawn panels and early newsprint pieces on loan from The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum at Ohio State University.
Complementing the exhibition will be a speaker series featuring contemporary cartoonists
Admission to campus programs is free and open to the public. Call 410.857.2290 for gallery hours.
Meet an SPX Cartoonist: A Chat With Noah Van Sciver
by Mike Rhode on Sep. 9, 2011
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the organizers of SPX are proud to honor the memory of Jeff Alexander by launching an annual benefit auction in his name at this year's convention. Jeff Alexander was a friend to the small press community, both as a cartoonist and an organizer of SPX and the Ignatz Awards. He passed away earlier this year.
The first annual Jeff Alexander Memorial Benefit Auction includes pieces from Jeff's collection that he donated to the CBLDF, including original art by Charles Vess & Jeff Smith, Tony Millionaire, and Roger Langridge. The auction also includes contributions from the SPX community, including Keith Knight, Raina Telgemeier, Jeffrey Brown and many more.
Below is a full listing of items that will be available in the auction, which will happen this Saturday at 4:30 at SPX. Internet bids will be received by emailing charles.brownstein@cbldf.org by Saturday afternoon at 1 PM ET.
Charles Vess - Bone Prequel: Rose page signed by Charles Vess and Jeff Smith
Tony Millionaire - Billy Hazelnuts page
Hannibal King - Eyes Only
Pete Sickman Garner - Hey Mister page
Roger Langridge - The Pest in the Vest . Homage to Dr Suess
Billy Tucci - Shi: Heaven and Earth, issue 4, page 25
Jeffrey Brown - CBLDF Year In Review page
Molly Crabapple Mermaid
Chynna Clugston Flores pin-up
Jonathan Ames & Dean Haspiel - Portrait of Ames screen print 5/5
Peter Bagge - Pizza Scholar pencil drawing
Camilla D'Errico - Caverns pin-up
Bill Morrison - Simpsons & Terry Moore pin-up
Jeffrey Brown - Emerald City Comic-Con ad original art
Ray Fawkes Painting
Roger Langridge - Gump Beach
Jim Mahfood & David Mack painting
Matt Madden - Shirin & Morgan playing pinball (Odds Off study) India ink and watercolor on sketchbook paper (11" x 8 1/2")
Jessica Abel - Clay, Nate Krusher, Junko, and Azteka reading comics, from Drawing Words & Writing Pictures, Chapter 1, India ink on bristol board (~8" x 8")
Roger Langridge - Knuckles The Malevolent Nun #1 Original art
Lisa Hanawalt - Genital Kicks -- fully painted sneakers
New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast, known for her single-panel cartoons, illustration work and children's books, will draw and sell original cartoons at the SPX signing table. Proceeds will be divided equally between SPX's new Graphic Novel Gift Program and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. Pen and ink drawings will be $25 and watercolor drawings $50; Ms. Chast will be drawing on Saturday, 1:30-3:30PM and 5:00-6:30PM, and on Sunday from Noon-1:30PM. Additionally, books will be available for purchase at the signing table from our good friends at Politics & Prose.
Sara Varon will be signing at the CBLDF's table signing her new book Bake Sale on Saturday from 3 PM to 5 PM!
Sara Varon returns with an ageless tale as dreamy and evocative as her break-out hit graphic novel Robot Dreams. At once deeply metaphorical and hilariously literal, Bake Sale is a story for anyone who's ever looked for an easy answer to life's intractable difficulties. It's also a cookbook: Varon includes seven delicious recipes, from classic cupcakes to sugared flower petals to marzipan.
SPX 2011 happens Saturday Sep 10 and Sunday Sep 11 at the Bethesda North Marriott Convention Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, Bethesda, MD 20852. For more info visit http://www.spxpo.com
Big Planet Comics is moving! Our Georgetown store is moving across town a bit to the bustling U Street corridor! Our new address will be 1520 U St. NW, in between 15th and 16th Streets, and only 2 and a half blocks from the U Street metro stop on the Green and Yellow Lines. The new location will open at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 28th, and we are now having an Inventory Reduction Moving Sale of 25% off hardcovers and trade paperbacks in our Georgetown store through September 24. (Yes, we don't want to carry EVERYthing to the new location.)
The Spandex Awards: The Highs And Lows Of The Summer's Superheroic Cinema
by Glen Weldon
National Public Radio's Monkey See blog (September 8, 2011)
Meet an SPX Cartoonist: A Chat With Dustin Harbin
by Mike Rhode on Sep. 8, 2011
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/artsdesk/books/2011/09/08/meet-an-spx-cartoonist-a-chat-with-dustin-harbin/
Just a quick note to let you know that Galit Seliktar, author of our Spring release 'Farm 54' has confirmed that she will be attending the superlative SPX in Bethesda this Saturday, 10th September. Come along and meet her at our table E7 during the day. Signing times will be posted in the morning but she will be around for a chat and to introduce her daughter Tamuz who is five and a quarter.
The inimitable Stephen Vrattos will also be there and will happily guide you through all our titles and ensure you participate in our free entry prize draw.
If you are not attending this year then you are missing a great event that you can learn more about here: http://www.spxpo.com/about
Enjoy your weekend whatever you're doing.
Stephen Robson
Drawing Power
By Fiona Zublin
[Washington Post] Express September 8, 2011, p. E5
online at http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2011/09/drawing_power.php
Creature Discomfort: Artist Jim Woodring takes his characters to unexpected places in a new graphic novel.
Stephen Deusner
[Washington Post] Express September 8 2011 p. E7
online at http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2011/09/creature_discomfort_jim_woodring.php
SPX 2011: Pizza Island's DOMITILLE COLLARDEY sings the creative praises of shared artistic space
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog September 8 2011
CDC: You've attended the Small Press Expo in the past - do you have any thoughts about your experience? 
CDC: What's your favorite thing about the DC area? Least favorite?
Cards Comics and Collectibles welcomes Cliff Chiang on Wednesday, September 28th from 3pm-7pm.
