Friday, January 13, 2012

John Fantucchio's 1967 Rocket Blast 7 fanzine cover

Check it out here:

Parente,William.  1967.
The End of an Era [EC Comics].
Rocket's Blast Special (7): 1-8.
Scans online at  http://randomactsofgeekery.blogspot.com/2012/01/fandom-library-rbcc-special-7-screen.html

John's got artwork on exhibit in Alexandria now.

Comic Riffs on cartoon journalists in Haiti

'HAITI'S SCAPEGOATS': Cartoon Movement's compelling video tells of LGBT abuse
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs (January 13 2012)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/haitis-scapegoats-cartoon-movements-compelling-video-tells-of-lgbt-abuse/2012/01/13/gIQALTwXwP_blog.html

Matt Bors is interviewed.

Beauty and the Beast 3-D opens in area

The Post has put its 1991 reviews of Disney's Beauty and the Beast online.

Napoleon Dynamite cartoon review in today's Express

A new Napoleon Dynamite cartoon is reviewed in today's Express on page 25. It's credited to Hank Steuver and the Post where it will probably appear on Sunday.

Comic strips pushing the envelope

Hey, they're not just for kids anymore! Two that appeared in today's Post are a trifle risque.
 
Doonesbury (1/13/12) gets the word 'douche' in while referring to a person and not a feminine hygiene product, or a cold bath in the 19th century.
 
Sherman's Lagoon (1/13/12) has a circumcision / fellatio gag.

Jan 14-15: Gigacon at Art Institute of Washington

Gigacon is at the Art Institute of Washington this weekend. The guests include cartoonists and animators, and local comic creator Matt Dembicki will be there.

Their Facebook page has a post with the schedule which is:

Jan 14th
10 Panel discussion with all the guests
11 Panel discussion with all the guests
... 12 Lunch
1 Portfolio reviews and Demonstrations
2 Portfolio reviews and Demonstrations
3 One on one with the invited guests

Jan 15th
10 Portfolio reviews and Demonstrations
11 Portfolio reviews and Demonstrations
12 Lunch
1 One on one with the invited guests
2 One on one with the invited guests
3 Alumni panel discussion

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Wash Times blogger wants more girl superheroes

Where are all the girl superheros?
by Rebekah Kuschmider
Washington Times' So Here's the Thing blog January 11, 2012
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/so-heres-thing/2012/jan/11/where-are-all-girl-superheros/

Truitt on Spider-Man clones, DC Comics launches, and Blade anime

A study in 'Scarlet': Spider-Man clone stars in new series
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 11 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-01-11/Scarlet-Spider-comic-series/52496322/1

DC Comics explores new worlds, old favorites with six titles
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 12 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-01-12/dc-comics-unveils-six-new-series/52504982/1

Seven things to know about DC Comics' new wave of books
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 12 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-01-12/Seven-facts-about-six-new-DC-Comics-series/52510592/1

Harold Perrineau bites into G4's 'Blade' anime series
By Brian Truitt, USA TODAY January 12 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-01-12/Harold-Perrineau-stars-in-Blade-anime-series/52519544/1

Big Planet Comics Orbit Newsletter - January 12, 2012


Big Planet Comics


January 12, 2012

Polls and Sales!

Voting is open on 4 of 9 categories for the Best of 2011, the rest will be up over the next few weeks. Click the links below to add your voice:
Best New Series
Best Reprint
Best Artist
Best Miniseries
Best for Kids
Best Single Issue
Best Writer
Best Ongoing Series
Best Graphic Novel

We finished our Best of 2011 podcast, so you can download or listen to that one now if you want to hear which ones we picked!

We are also running sales throughout the month of January!
Bethesda is offering 30% off hardcovers this week.
College Park is offering 50% off all back issues in the bins and 50% off anything on the sale table.
U Street is offering 30% off hardcovers this week.
Vienna is offering 30% off hardcovers this week and 40% off all Essentials and Showcases.

Feel free to forward on our newsletter, and please send us any comments or mailing list requests to vienna@bigplanetcomics.com

Thanks!
 
- the Big Planet Comics kids

Spera 1 HC

by Josh Tierney, art Kyla Vanderklugt, Hwei, Emily Carroll, Olivier Pichard, Jordyn Bochon, Cécile Brun, Luke Pearson, Leela Wagner, Matt Marblo

Two princesses from neighboring kingdoms find out their parents are planning to go to war, so they both escape together. The tomboyish Pira brings along her shape-shifting friend Yonder and all three set out on an adventure to reach the mystical realm of Spera. Each chapter is drawn by a different artist, and each one is amazing! A great selection of art and fun adventure against the threat to their kingdoms and their lives.

Scarlet Spider #1

by Chris Yost and Ryan Stegman

An issue with extra pages follows Kaine as he leaves New York City to find himself after Spider Island, heading to Houston where he gets involved with a human trafficking ring. When this opportunity to become a hero presents itself, he must decide how much of his own man he is and what he wishes to become.

Whispers #1

by Joshua Luna

One of the Luna Brothers breaks off on his own to tell the tale of a selfish man with OCD who suddenly discovers that he can leave his body and travel as a spirit to his friends and family. This power allows him to manipulate their choices, will he develop his powers or attempt to meddle too much in their lives? Great art similar to their mutual art style but a nice different look.

Invincible 15: Get Smart SC

by Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley

After the carnage and amazing decisions at the end of the Viltrumite War, Invincible begins to question whether always fighting his battles physically is the best solution to facing a problem. Soon he makes another choice that sets him on a collision path with many of his friends.

Big Planet Comics Podcast #29

We're back! In this week's podcast Kevin, Nick and Jared review an old X-Men classic, and all the new stuff. Download this week's now or subscribe on iTunes! Send us questions to podcast@bigplanetcomics.com
Amazing Spider-Man #677
by Mark Waid and Emma Rios

The first part of a crossover with Daredevil starring the Black Cat!

Batman: Through The Looking Glass HC
by Bruce Jones and Sam Keith

Batman is drugged and sent on an Alice in Wonderland quest.

Dark Matter #1 (Of 4)
by Joseph Mallozzi/ Paul Mullie and Garry Brown

Strangers with amnesia wake up on a spaceship.

Gangsta Rap Posse #2
by Benjamin Marra

Violent and offensive satire of early '90s thug life culture.

Jim Henson's Dark Crystal 1: Creation Myths HC
by Brian Holguin and Alex Sheikman/Lizzy John

A prequel to the movie before the arrival of the Skeksis!

Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand #1
by Mike Mignola/John Arcudi and Tonci Zonjic

Lobster Johnson takes on the mob and ghost Indians.

Lords of Death and Life SC
by Jonathon Dalton

A Mayan journeys to solve the mystic dreams he receives from the gods.

Monster Mess HC
by Louis Trondheim

Two kids draw a nice monster that comes to life.
(all ages)

Mystic: Tenth Apprentice SC
by G. Willow Wilson and David Lopez

Two orphan girls try to join the school for magic.
(all ages)

The Ray #2 (Of 4)
by Justin Gray/Jimmy Palmiotti and Jamal Igle

Lucian comes up with a terrible idea to impress his girlfriend's parents.

Smurfs: The Return of Smurfette SC
by Peyo and Yvan Delporte

Smurfette announces she wants to get married, turning the village upside down!
(all ages)

Steve Ditko Omnibus 2 HC
by Steve Ditko and others

Nearly 400 pages of classic tales by the master!

Transformers: More Than Meets Eye #1
by James Roberts and Nick Roche

A group of Transformers vote to leave Cybertron.

Wolverine #300
by Jason Aaron and Andy Kubert, Ron Garney, Steve Sanders

Wolverine heads back to Japan in this long issue.

X-Men Legacy #260.1
by Christos Gage and David Baldeon

The teachers attempt to protect the school without worrying the students.

Young Justice 1 SC
by Kevin Hopps and Mike Norton

The young team takes on the Joker!
(all ages)
 



PR: Moving Sale! Beyond Comics - Gaithersburg









That's right. We are doing it again. Sorry:(
We are MOVING in February!
 and the Moving Sale has Begun!

25% to 75% OFF Most Merchandise & Toys

50% OFF Apparel

Buy 1 Get 1 Free on Assorted Books and Graphic Novels

Watchmen Poster $1 each

50% OFF Green Lantern * Captain America * Thor Movie Toys

50% DC Direct Brightest Day Action Figures

25% OFF Board Games

50% 2010 and older Heroclix

50% WOW CCGs

40% Off Select Non-Sports Trading Cards


We are Selling Some of Our Fixtures Too!
Slat Wall - $40 sheet (available in February)
A-Frame Comic Rack $80
Manga Spinner Rack $30


* Visit the Gaithersburg Store for Details!


Our New Location Will Be:
18749 B North Frederick Rd.
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879
 

Beyond Comics | Gaithersburg Square | 536 North Frederick Avenue | Gaithersburg | MD | 20878

Scooped again! City Paper drops comics again

I waited for this to be a trend with week 2's paper arriving today, so I was scooped again.  More to the point, I'll miss the comics. It was great to see them on the last page, especially Derf's The City.
 
Here's all you need to know:
 

Citing Budget Reasons, City Paper Drops Comic Strips

 http://dcist.com/2012/01/comic_strips_out_at_city_paper.php

Jan 26: APOCALYPTOON 2012 exhibit at Artisphere

APOCALYPTOON 2012

In Partnership with Art Soiree

THU JAN 26 - SUN JAN 29
$25 ticketed opening party on Jan 26 / On view for free Jan 27-29
Terrace Gallery

Ticketed opening party: Thu Jan 26 / 6pm / $25

Against the backdrop of a region steeped in politics and with a touch of art, style and humor, Art Soiree will unveil what 2012 will bring by presenting a unique pop-up exhibition that takes a humorous outlook on the year to come and features works, some created exclusively for this exhibition, by renowned editorial and political cartoonists. ApocalypToon 2012 features works, some of which were created exclusively for this exhibition, by cartoonists such as Kal of The Economist, Tom Toles of The Washington Post, Jeff Danziger (Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post), Daryl Cagle of MSNBC, Matt Wuerker of Politico, Damien Glez (La Monde, Courrier International, La Gazette) and Dan Piraro of Bizzaro. These simple pen stroke political cartoons foreshadow the future, poke fun at the past and imply hidden motives in ways that elude written or spoken reporting. The result of this creative license is a unique perspective on the future—entertaining, clever and insightful.

ApocolypToon kicks off with a $25 ticketed opening party on Thursday, January 26 at 6pm where guests can mingle with exhibiting cartoonists and enjoy complimentary food, live music and a cash bar. The pop-up exhibition in Artisphere's Terrace Gallery is free and open to the public from Friday, January 27 to Sunday, January 29.

Continuing with the zany nature of the cartoons, the ticketed party on January 26 celebrates the opening of the exhibit with live music from local journo-band Suspicious Package, comprised of reporters armed with their musical talent and rock star looks. The contents of the Suspicious Package are: Pulitzer Prize-winning Editorial Cartoonist at The Washington Post Tom Toles, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Dr. Christina Sevilla, Deputy Assistant Secretary of HUD Bryan Greene, former TIME/Bloomberg correspondent and journalist Tim Berger and Director of Education and Outreach for the National Security Journalism Initiative at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Josh Meyer.

The opening party will also feature the sounds of DJ Neekola, international DC-based female DJ and producer, who will perform along with live percussionist Kamajian. In addition, the party includes a special guest performance by DJ Manifesto, an all-time DC favorite who both DJs and plays violin during his sets.

ApocalypToon 2012 is part of Notasphere, a month of programming created by local artistic collaborators. From a pop-up restaurant and political cartoons to Brazilian beats, Artisphere will be filled with fresh, thought-provoking off-beat arts events presented by creative partners from across the DC-region throughout January 2012.

New comics store in Vienna offers Living Social deal

Game On! Comics

$30 to Spend on Comic Books and Games

$15

You fold laundry, cook dinner, and double-check math homework -- sometimes all at once. The only thing separating you and the superheroes in your kids' comic books is a cape and a full spandex suit. Pull one more valiant feat, and nab today's deal from Game On! Comics in Vienna. Pay just $15 and get $30 worth of comic books and games from this brand-new independent retailer, where the shelves are lined with DC and Marvel favorites, as well as titles from independent publishers. And don't miss the store's huge game section, featuring games for your little ones as well as for your whole family. That's not a bird or a plane -- it's a half-off deal that will have your kids marveling at your superhuman powers.

 

Tip courtesy of Lisa Cherkasky
Food Stylist and Writer
Website: www.lisacherkasky.com
Blog:       www.thelunchencounter.com

Feiffer play onstage in Arlington

A revival of Jules Feiffer's dark play Little Murders opens tomorrow Friday January 13th (hmmm) and runs to Feb. 11 at Gunston Theatre Two, 2700 S. Lang St., Arlington, 703-998-4555,
http://americancentury.org .
 
and here's the Post's favorable preview:
 
Death and mayhem: Gadzooks! In 'Little Murders,' making dark comedy of exaggerated violence [online title: "Backstage: Death and mayhem in 'Little Murders'"
By Jessica Goldstein
Washington Post (January 11 2012)
online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/backstage-death-and-mayhem-in-little-murders/2012/01/10/gIQAaMnMpP_story.html


 

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

That darn Beeler, Salt Lake City edition

Outrageous cartoon
Kathleen Preston Knight
Salt Lake Tribune Jan 11 2012
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/53261313-82/constitution-obama-recess-senate.html.csp

Publishers Weekly on Buzzboy

New Buzzboy Graphic Novel Out in Print, the Web, on iPad
By Calvin Reid
Dec 21, 2011
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/49926-new-buzzboy-graphic-novel-out-in-print-the-web-on-ipad.html

PR: Baltimore Comic-Con Rolls Into Philly with JG Jones

BCC Logo No Year

Baltimore Comic-Con Rolls Into Philly with JG Jones
JG Jones Mr. Terrific #1BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - January 12, 2012 - Baltimore Comic-Con promoter Marc Nathan is hitting the road in 2012, bringing a little bit of the Baltimore Comic-Con to you! The first show of 2012 will be the Philadelphia Comic-Con this Sunday, January 15th, and he'll be bringing along his pal, JG Jones. Stop by to meet JG, talk to Marc about the show, and buy some comics while you're there! Marc will also have Exhibitor and Artist Alley forms for this years convention on September 8th and 9th.

Information about the Philadelphia Comic-Con can be found on their website, http://www.philadelphiacomic-con.com/. It will be held at the Ramada Philadelphia Airport, 76 Industrial Highway, Essington, PA 19029 from 10am to 4pm. Be sure to stop by!
Guest List
The 2012 Baltimore Comic-Con will feature the following announced guests:
Laura & Michael Allred - Madman, iZombie
Greg Capullo - Batman, Spawn
Frank Cho - Avengers vs. X-Men, Liberty Meadows
Steve Conley - Bloop
Rich Faber - Roboy Red
John Gallagher - Buzzboy
Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez - Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman
Keith Giffen - Superman, OMAC, Green Arrow
Larry Hama - G.I. Joe, Wolverine, The 'Nam
Dean Haspiel - Billy Dogma, ACT-I-VATE, Trip City
J.G. Jones - Wanted, Doc Savage
Scott Kurtz - PvPonline.com
David Mack - Kabuki
David Petersen - Mouse Guard
Frank Quitely - All Star Superman, Batman & Robin
Walter Simonson - Thor, Legion of Super-Heroes, Avengers
Scott Snyder - Batman , Severed, Swamp Thing
Billy Tucci - A Child Is Born, Shi
Matt Wagner - Tower Chronicles, Mage, Grendel
Mark Waid - Daredevil, Incorruptible, Irredemable
...With more on the way! Stay tuned to our website or use the "Sign up" link at the bottom of our website to receive update announcements as we make them!

Contact Information

Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:

press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution

promoter@baltimorecomiccon.com - for requesting exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley applications

registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com - for inquiries about submitted registrations

harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for communications regarding the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet

general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries

About The Baltimore Comic-Con

The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 13th 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 September 8-9, 2012. 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 7 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.





Comic Riffs on Reuben Awards and Pearls Before Swine aps

THIS JUST IN: 'Pearls Before Swine' launches immersive-- and 'intimate' — new app (*Shirt optional)
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 11 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/this-just-in-pearls-before-swine-launches-intimate-new-app/2012/01/11/gIQAKuGqqP_blog.html

REUBEN AWARDS invite webcomics, animators — and Jim Davis
By Michael Cavna
Washington Post Comic Riffs blog January 11 2012
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/reuben-awards-invite-webcomics-animators--and-jim-davis/2012/01/10/gIQAoTNkpP_blog.html

PR: PELICAN PUBLISHING COMPANY PUBLISHER AND OWNER PASSES

I haven't seen this appear anywhere else, so I'll post it. Pelican published Charles Brooks' series Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year as well as former editorial cartoonist Bob Artley's children's books and reminiscences.
 
 
For Immediate Release
PELICAN PUBLISHING COMPANY PUBLISHER AND OWNER PASSES

(Gretna, La.) January 9, 2012––In March of 2010, New Orleans area based Pelican Publishing Company, Inc., celebrated the fortieth anniversary of publisher and president Dr. Milburn Calhoun. Today we mourn his passing.

A bookman, publisher, philanthropist, and retired physician, he died Saturday, January 7, 2012, at West Jefferson Hospital in New Orleans following a lengthy illness. He was eighty-one. Visiting takes place today, Monday, January 9, 2012, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a service immediately following at Oak Park Baptist Church, 1110 Kabel Drive, New Orleans. Additional services will be held Thursday, January 12, 2012, at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, West Monroe, La., with visitation from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with a service and interment immediately following at Sibley Cemetery in Choudrant, La.

Born in West Monroe, on January 15, 1930, he was a graduate of Ouachita Parish High School, 1947; Northeast Junior College, 1949; Louisiana State University, 1951; and the LSU School of Medicine, 1955. After an internship at New Orleans Charity Hospital, 1955-56, he practiced medicine in Buras for nine years, interrupted by two years in the United States Air Force where he attained the rank of major. He practiced medicine at Nicholson, Baehr, & Calhoun from 1965 until his retirement in 1997. He also served as chief of staff at West Jefferson Hospital. He was a longtime member of Oak Park Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and in numerous support positions.

A lifelong bibliophile, he was a recognized expert on rare books. He founded Bayou Books, an old, rare, and out-of-print book dealer specializing in Louisiana and Southern subjects, and in 1961, he opened a Gretna bookstore by the same name. In 1970, he and family members acquired Pelican Publishing Company, a small New Orleans book publishing company that they relocated to Gretna. Publishing standouts include the blockbuster success of motivational titles such as Zig Ziglar's See You at the Top and the publication of Cajun Night Before Christmas®. In addition to spawning Pelican's wildly successful series of more than thirty Night Before Christmas titles and products, the publication of Cajun Night Before Christmas® marked the beginning of Pelican's children's book division, which is now the company's largest niche. Other areas of specialty include cookbooks, architecture titles, the Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year Series, works on Southern history and culture, Civil War scholarship, black studies, and books covering every aspect of life in Louisiana.

"We were not a people of means," Dr. Calhoun said, describing the challenge of purchasing a bankrupt publishing house, "so we did it the old-fashioned way. We published important books that other publishers were not publishing and a large part of the population wanted."

The model worked. Pelican's sales doubled each year during the first ten years of Dr. Calhoun's leadership. Business expanded into all fifty states, and soon the company began to establish its international presence and enjoy global distribution in the sale of English-language rights to publishers throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America. Today, with a backlist of more than 2,500 titles, Pelican is the largest independent trade book publisher in the South. In continuous operation since 1926, Pelican remains a family-owned, independent general trade and children's publisher committed to publishing books of quality and permanence on a wide variety of subjects.

In 1998, he funded the Mary and Darrell Calhoun Recreational Center at the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home in Monroe, and in 1999, he endowed the one-million-dollar Mary E. and Darrell L. Calhoun Chair in Pharmacology at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He and his wife established the Milburn and Nancy Calhoun Foundation in 2009 to support religious and educational activities. Donations may be made to the foundation at 9 Muirfield Place, New Orleans, LA 70131.

Dr. Calhoun reflects on some of the highlights from his forty years, along with Pelican's history and the publication of Sherwood Anderson and Other Famous Creoles, the first trade title by William Faulkner and the first book in Pelican Publishing history, here.

For media inquiries, contact Antoinette de Alteriis, Promotion Director, Pelican Publishing Company 504-368-1175 x 331 or adealteriis@pelicanpub.com.
###

Sam Golden
Pelican Publishing Company
Fan us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/PelicanPublishing
Follow us on Twitter: @PelicanPub, www.twitter.com/PelicanPub
Find us on the web: www.pelicanpub.com


Tuesday, January 10, 2012